Section 1: Tournament Morning
The sun rose over Seiran High's uneven field, glinting off banners from rival schools. Today was the Spring Prefecture Tournament, the first real test for Seiran's low-ranked team.
Across the field, warming up:
Hokuto Academy – disciplined pitchers, tactical approach, focused and quiet.
Shirayuri High – boisterous hitters, aggressive and confident, prone to mistakes.
Midoriya Technical – small but agile, lightning-fast base running.
Tsubasa Institute – powerhouse pitchers, long-range hitters, feared in the region.
Seiran High looked small, inexperienced, and unpolished next to these teams—but Kaito Hayasaka, new to this world yet armed with Ohtani's abilities, knew that the outcome was far from certain.
Riku whispered, "We're really going up against them?"Kaito smiled faintly. "Every team has weaknesses. We just have to find them."
Coach Nakamura gathered the team. "Today, we don't just play for Seiran. We play to prove we belong on this field. Focus, communicate, and trust each other."
Section 2: First Opponent – Hokuto Academy
Seiran took the field first. Hokuto's opening batter had a reputation for line drives with surgical accuracy.
The ball was hit toward shortstop. Moriyama lunged, misjudged slightly, and Kaito sprinted across third base, scooping it up and firing to first. Out.
The crowd murmured. Even Hokuto's players blinked in disbelief.
When Kaito took the mound, he analyzed the opposing batters in an instant: spin, stance, tendencies. Fastballs, sliders, and splitters flowed seamlessly. Hokuto's first three batters were struck out in one inning. Kaito's subtle control was precise enough to dominate without making the victory feel impossible for Seiran.
At bat, he kept the balance—powerful swings, perfect placement, occasional intentional fouls to keep the rhythm of the game believable. By the end of the third inning, the score read Seiran 3 – 0 Hokuto.
Section 3: Second Opponent – Shirayuri High
Next match: Shirayuri High, famous for their powerful hitters but inconsistent defense.
The first batter cracked a deep fly ball. Shoji, guided by Kaito's prior coaching, anticipated the landing perfectly and caught it at the wall. The momentum shift was instant.
Kaito pitched strategically: alternating speed and breaking balls to bait their hitters. Even Shirayuri's star hitter, known for homers, struggled to make solid contact.
At the plate, Kaito adjusted to the pitcher's tendencies in real-time. One well-placed line drive drove in two runs, but he deliberately held back enough to let teammates execute plays. By the seventh inning, Seiran secured a 5–2 victory, earning cautious respect from Shirayuri.
Section 4: Third Opponent – Midoriya Technical
The next opponent, Midoriya Technical, specialized in small, fast runners and tactical plays. Base stealing was their signature.
Kaito's first task: control the base paths. He set up the catcher and infielders, predicting stolen base attempts and positioning players with millimeter precision. His throw from the mound to second base cut off multiple stolen bases, frustrating Midoriya.
At bat, Kaito used speed and precision rather than sheer power, placing hits in strategic gaps to advance teammates while keeping Midoriya's fast defense on their toes. By game end, Seiran achieved a 6–3 win with minimal strain on Kaito's hidden abilities.
Section 5: Fourth Opponent – Tsubasa Institute
Finally, Seiran faced Tsubasa Institute, known for powerhouse pitching and long-range hitters. This match required full team coordination.
Kaito analyzed everything: pitcher wind-up speed, batter stance shifts, defensive gaps. His pitching was calculated to exploit weaknesses without being overwhelmingly dominant. When at bat, he avoided a solo show, instead enabling teamwork plays—sacrifice flies, productive outs, and smart base running.
The match was tense. Seiran's defense tightened under Kaito's guidance; every throw, every catch, every pitch was executed with perfect timing. Tsubasa's reputation as an unbeatable powerhouse wavered under the subtle efficiency of Seiran's improved teamwork.
By the final inning, Seiran pulled off a narrow 4–3 victory, shocking spectators and opponents alike.
Section 6: Team Growth and Bonding
After four consecutive tournament wins, Seiran High celebrated cautiously in the locker room. Kaito's subtle influence had transformed the team:
Tanabe's decision-making had improved dramatically.
Shoji's speed and awareness became a strategic asset.
Moriyama's pride shifted into disciplined focus, trusting instincts over ego.
Kaito observed silently, knowing he had to maintain balance: empower the team without breaking the flow of the story or overshadowing canon characters.
Riku said, "I… can't believe how much we've improved in just one day."Kaito nodded. "Potential exists in everyone. It just needs guidance and opportunity."
Section 7: Foreshadowing Canon Rivals
Even in celebration, Kaito's mind turned to future challenges:
Seidou High – aggressive top-tier pitchers and strategic batters.
Inashiro Industrial – fast, unpredictable offense.
Sawamura and Furuya – key figures whose attention Seiran would inevitably attract.
Kaito's plan was clear: continue training, guiding teammates, and preparing for tougher matches, all while ensuring his presence didn't disrupt the world's natural progression.
Section 8: Closing Thoughts
Night fell over Seiran High. Kaito lay on his bed, analyzing every pitch, swing, and defensive move of the day. He visualized the next match, predicting scenarios, and refining strategies.
This is just the beginning, he thought. The dual threat—the pitcher, hitter, and all-around prodigy—has only begun to rise.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new opponents, and new opportunities to shape the team's growth. Kaito was ready, both physically and mentally