"center fastball!!!"
The fourth batter of Ichidai Sanko finally got the pitch he had been waiting for. His eyes lit up as he swung with all his strength.
But just as the bat was about to connect, the baseball suddenly drifted toward the outside corner.
Against a right-handed batter, the right-handed pitcher's Cutter subtly changed its angle, sliding away from the bat's sweet spot.
Bang!
The swing cut through empty air.
The baseball snapped cleanly into Miyuki Kazuya's mitt.
Miyuki smiled faintly as he glanced back at the pitcher's mound.
"Strike three! Batter out!"
The umpire's call echoed through the stadium.
"YOSHA!!!"
On the mound, Ushijima Wakatoshi clenched his fist and roared.
"A Cutter…?!"
The Ichidai Sanko players froze, their pupils shrinking in shock.
It was already the fifth inning, yet Ushijima had just revealed a brand-new pitch.
What did that mean?
Had he not been pitching seriously in the first four innings?
Was this Cutter deliberately saved as a killing blow?
"Woooah—!"
The stands exploded.
"A Cutter? They actually used the Cutter?!"
Reporter Fujio stared at the mound in disbelief.
"Through four innings, he didn't show a single breaking pitch. Then, against Ichidai Sanko's cleanup hitter—on a full count—he suddenly throws a Cutter…"
"That's a psychological ambush."
Fujio wiped cold sweat from his forehead.
This international first-year… he's terrifying.
With such a weapon, why wait until now to use it?
"Beautiful pitch!"
Behind Ushijima, Kuramochi at shortstop and Kominato Ryosuke at second base grinned in delight.
Even Yuki Tetsuya looked at his junior with undisguised excitement.
Ichidai Sanko's morale shattered once more.
They had believed the fourth batter could finally break through—that Ushijima's pitch count was rising, that at least a base would be earned.
Instead…
One unseen Cutter crushed all their hopes.
The fifth and sixth batters were dispatched just as mercilessly—three pitches each.
The game was over.
Seido High School: 5.3.4.3.5 … 20
Ichidai Sanko High: 0.0.0.0.0 … 0
"Unbelievable! Ten strikeouts out of fifteen batters!"
"A strikeout rate of over 65%—Seido's ace is terrifying!"
"A no-hit, no-run debut!"
"This year's Seido is way too strong…"
The crowd buzzed with excitement, while scouts quietly took notes.
But what they didn't know was—
Ushijima Wakatoshi still hadn't shown everything.
"This Seido is even scarier than last year."
"A first-year pitcher with this level of control and power…"
"They're almost guaranteed a Koshien appearance."
Fujio swallowed hard.
"Especially Ushijima Wakatoshi."
"Stronger nerves than Tanba. Faster pitches than Tanba."
"And don't forget—three RBIs, two singles, and a triple today."
"With offensive ability like that, he could even bat in the heart of the lineup."
Beside him, the female reporter Owada Akiko nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, and—"
"And he's so handsome~"
She blushed, cupping her face.
On the field, the two teams lined up.
Ichidai Sanko's captain Manaka Kaname looked at Ushijima seriously.
"You only threw the Cutter once."
Ushijima scratched his head apologetically.
"Sorry about that. My control isn't great yet, and my senior catcher wouldn't let me throw it more."
Miyuki froze.
Manaka laughed, both amused and exasperated.
"So I worried for nothing."
Ushijima smiled.
"We're still first-years. Our Cutter isn't fully mastered yet."
"Give me time. Next time we face Ichidai Sanko, I'll pitch even better."
Manaka's expression turned serious.
"Then be careful for the next two years."
"Seido and Ichidai Sanko will meet again."
"And our true ace didn't even play today."
Ushijima nodded calmly.
"Same for us. Our ace didn't pitch either."
Nearby, Tanba overheard the words—and felt unexpectedly moved.
This kid… he stood up for me.
Manaka sighed.
"Please, stop pretending. You're already a size-one monster."
Ushijima only smiled.
After the match, Ushijima returned to the resting area to pack up.
"Alright, let's go."
As he boarded the bus, his heart suddenly skipped.
On his attribute panel—
Three treasure chests appeared.
Only then did he understand.
[First run scored — Silver Chest obtained]
[First official debut — Gold Chest obtained]
[First complete game — Diamond Chest obtained]
"Three treasure chests in one game?!"
"And hidden achievements too?"
"Does that mean I'll get one for my first home run as well?"
Excited, Ushijima immediately opened the two Gold Chests.
[Ding! Treasure Chest opened!]
[Congratulations! You obtained: Gold Outfield Long-Hit Metal Bat]
[Ding! Treasure Chest opened!]
[Congratulations! You obtained: Diamond Attribute — Non-Dominant Hand]
"…Ohhh, now this is insane."
"Diamond non-dominant hand?!"
"That means I can fully use both batting stances!"
"Against left-handed or right-handed pitchers, I can always choose my optimal hitting zone."
"My batting average is going to skyrocket."
"These treasure chests came at the perfect time."
Name: Ushijima Wakatoshi
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 160 lbs
Dominant Hand: Right
Batting Zones: Left & Right
Physical Strength: Diamond
Speed: Gold
Pitch Types:
• Four-Seam Fastball (Diamond)
• Two-Seam Fastball (Silver)
• Cutter (Silver)
Ball Control: Silver
Hitting Skills:
• Infield Short Hit (Gold)
• Outfield Extra-Base Hit (Gold)