"Strike!"
As soon as Ushijima Wakatoshi stepped into the batter's box, Maki delivered the first pitch without hesitation.
Ushijima focused closely—watching the release point, the angle created by Maki's long arms.
The ball snapped into the catcher's glove in an instant.
The velocity wasn't quite 140 km/h, but the angle made it feel much sharper.
…Troublesome.
From the very first pitch, Ushijima sensed it.
That release point was unusual.
In some ways, Maki's pitching wasn't necessarily harder to hit than Sawamura's—but the angle made it deceptive.
Second pitch.
Curveball.
Around 115 km/h.
A huge drop.
Ushijima read it instantly and swung with full power—
Whiff.
"Nice one, Maki!"
"He couldn't find the contact point!"
Sensen's bench erupted in cheers.
On the mound, Maki remained calm, watching Ushijima closely.
As a fellow pitcher, he didn't believe he was inferior.
If anything—
This was a challenge.
"He didn't hesitate at all," Isashiki muttered. "The moment he saw curve, he swung."
No one was surprised that Ushijima missed.
Breaking balls weren't his strength.
He excelled against fastballs—his power came from timing and force.
Against pitches with heavy movement, his contact rate naturally dropped.
Kataoka crossed his arms and spoke calmly from the dugout.
"You're all watching closely, right?"
"Even if you know you'll miss—you still swing."
"That's how you pressure the pitcher."
"If you never swing, they'll just keep throwing what you can't hit."
"But if you show commitment, they're forced to adjust."
He continued:
"An at-bat isn't just about one moment."
"You'll face the same pitcher multiple times."
"Even in a short game, you'll get at least two chances."
"If you can't get your pitch the first time—then you prepare for the next."
The players fell silent, absorbing every word.
Back at the plate, Ushijima had already worked the count.
Two strikes.
Two balls.
Maki delivered again.
Ushijima didn't hesitate.
Even if it was barely hittable—
He swung.
Even if he only clipped it—
That was enough.
He needed to send a message.
Then—
Eighth pitch.
Maki put everything into it.
Another curveball.
But this time—
Ushijima adjusted.
He quickly choked up on the bat and turned it horizontal.
Tap!
A bunt.
"What?!"
"The cleanup hitter… bunted?!"
Sensen's players were stunned.
This was Ushijima Wakatoshi—
One of Seido's strongest power hitters.
And yet—
He chose a bunt.
But Ushijima had already moved.
The moment the ball touched the bat, he dropped it and sprinted.
Maki reacted instantly.
With his long strides, he charged off the mound, scooping the ball cleanly.
He fired to first.
But—
Ushijima was fast.
Ridiculously fast.
By the time Maki released the throw—
Ushijima was already halfway down the line.
Whoosh!
The throw cut through the air.
At the last second—
Ushijima dove.
His hand stretched forward—
Smack!
The first baseman caught the ball—
A split second too late.
"Safe!"
The crowd exploded.
"He got on base with a bunt?!"
"That speed is insane!"
"That's unfair—he's a power hitter and that fast?!"
"You don't get it—once Ushijima gets on base, it's a nightmare!"
"Getting him on first is basically giving him third!"
"He's never failed a steal yet!"
Standing on first base, Ushijima glanced at Maki.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Maki's expression hardened slightly.
He hadn't expected that.
Masuko stepped into the batter's box.
The catcher immediately signaled to Maki.
"Don't worry about the runner."
"If we shut down the batter, he won't score."
"Hold him at third."
Maki nodded.
But on first base—
Ushijima was already ready.
The moment Maki began his motion—
He ran.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Snap!
The ball hit the catcher's glove—
But Ushijima was already sliding into second.
"…Too fast."
The catcher clenched his teeth.
"There's no stopping that."
Ushijima stood up on second base and gave Masuko a small nod.
Second pitch.
Maki threw.
Again—
Ushijima ran.
By the time the defense reacted—
He was already at third.
Now—
He stood in scoring position.
And the pressure—
Shifted completely.