As the three senior players approached, Yuki Tetsuya—standing in the center—asked, "Director, what do you need us to do?"
Kataoka nodded before turning to the young man waiting nearby, barely able to contain his excitement.
"Hello, seniors. My name is Kanzaki Ryou," he said, bowing slightly.
"Hello," the three replied—one serious, one curious, and one smiling.The smiling one… was the most terrifying of all.
"He's about to pitch," Kataoka said. "The three of you will be the batters. Don't hold back."
"Yes, sir!" Yuki Tetsuya replied firmly.
"Hah, quite bold, aren't you?" Isashiki Jun said, grinning as he rested his hands on his hips.
"Interesting," Kominato Ryosuke added, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Please take care of me, seniors!" Ryou said politely. He already knew who they were—familiar faces from the future Seidou team he admired. Right now, though, they were still first-years. Their batting skills weren't weak, but they weren't yet at their peak either.
This time, the advantage is mine, Ryou thought confidently.
"Kid, I won't ask for much," Kataoka said sternly. "If you can get even one out today, that'll be enough."
The three batters were all his own players—young, but already molded by Seidou's discipline. Against a middle schooler, he was confident they could hold their ground.
But Ryou's fighting spirit burned even brighter. Just one out? That was his ticket into Seidou. And he wasn't about to waste it.
Soon, the entire Seidou Baseball Club buzzed with excitement. News spread quickly—Kanzaki Ryou was about to pitch. Kataoka had even arranged fielders to give the boy a fair chance.
"Boss, can I choose my catcher?" Ryou asked before stepping onto the field.
"Kid, you're asking for a lot," Azuma Kiyokuni said with a grin, his large frame blocking part of the dugout.
"Can I?" Ryou looked directly at Kataoka.
"Who do you want?" Kataoka asked.
Ryou's gaze turned to Takigawa Chris Yu, who had just finished catching practice."I want to partner with Chris-senpai."
"Reason?"
"As far as I know, Chris-senpai was the team's main catcher even as a first-year. When I join Seidou and become the Ace, I'll definitely be working with him. I'd like to start building that chemistry early."
He paused, then added with a teasing grin,"Also… I like Chris-senpai!"
Everyone went silent. That shameless statement sent a ripple of disbelief through the dugout.
"Kid, you're too arrogant!" Azuma barked, almost losing his temper. "You haven't even thrown a pitch, and you're already acting like Seidou's Ace!"
Even Takashima Rei couldn't help rubbing her temples. This kid's good at everything—except keeping his mouth shut.
Kataoka said nothing for a moment, then turned to Chris."Chris, are you willing to catch for him?"
Chris blinked, still processing the words 'I like Chris-senpai.'When he looked up, Ryou was smiling confidently at him.
"…I'm willing."
"Good. You have five minutes. After that, head to the mound," Kataoka ordered.
"Chris-senpai, please guide me!" Ryou said brightly.
In the bullpen, the two began warming up with easy throws.
"By the way," Chris asked, "what pitches do you throw, Kanzaki—"
"Just call me Ryou," Ryou interrupted with a grin.
Chris hesitated a moment before giving a small nod. "…Alright, Ryou. So, what pitches do you have?"
Ryou spun the baseball in his hand. "So far, I've mastered two types of fastballs—the four-seam and the two-seam."
Sixteen years of baseball training had brought him here. He'd started young, but only began proper, disciplined training in middle school. Instead of spreading himself thin, he'd focused on quality—perfecting a few pitches until they reached near-professional level.
Chris nodded. "Makes sense. Almost every pitcher starts with those two."
But experience told him—how someone threw those pitches made all the difference.
"Anything else?" he asked, hoping to see what kind of monster this boy really was.
Ryou smiled faintly."I've also mastered a changeup."
Chris's eyes widened slightly. "A changeup…? Not bad."
He studied Ryou again, intrigued. Strong build, confident posture, focused eyes—this wasn't your average middle schooler.With those three pitches alone, he might just pull it off.
"Alright," Chris said, his expression turning serious. "Let's adjust our goal."
He turned toward the field, where the others were ready and waiting.Even without seeing Ryou's full velocity yet, Chris could feel it—the power coiled inside that right arm.
"Ready?" Kataoka asked when they stepped out.
"Ready!" Ryou answered without hesitation.
"Then let's begin."
Under the gaze of the entire Seidou Baseball Club, Kanzaki Ryou stepped onto the pitcher's mound.Every eye was on him.
So much pressure… he thought, taking a deep breath. But this—this is what I've been waiting for.
He could feel his heartbeat pounding in rhythm with the cheers and whispers around him. This is high school baseball. This is Seidou.
Ryou raised his head and looked around the field."Everyone…" he shouted, his voice echoing across the training ground."The legend of the Invincible Ace begins now!"
"Cocky little brat!" Isashiki roared from the batter's box, gripping his bat tightly. "Fine then—bring it on! I'll crush you myself!"
Ryou chuckled. "Then come and try."
He turned toward Chris, who crouched low behind the plate and gave a small nod, signaling four fingers—a four-seam fastball, straight down the middle.
Their first cooperation.Chris wanted to test Ryou's control and velocity right away.
Ryou smiled, raised his left leg high, and at that very moment—Everyone felt it. His presence changed completely.
The air grew heavy. His focus sharpened.Even Isashiki, in the batter's box, tensed up.
Don't swing rashly, he warned himself. Observe the first pitch.
Ryou drew his arm back.The wind stopped.Then—
Boom!