"You're pretty decisive, kid."
Isashiki grinned as Ushijima returned to the dugout.
Ushijima glanced at him calmly.
"Sorry. People who almost got taken out shouldn't be talking to me."
"I have a reputation to maintain."
"…You bastard! Don't get cocky!!!" Isashiki exploded.
"Hahaha!"
The dugout burst into laughter.
They were used to it.
As roommates, the two bickered like this almost every day.
Beside them, Yuki Tetsuya stood silently.
That alone carried pressure.
Even Ushijima couldn't help but feel a bit awkward—
After all, Tetsuya had been retired in a similar way earlier.
Soon after, Miyuki stepped up to bat—but was quickly put away.
Masuko and Miyuki both went down, ending the inning.
When they returned, they couldn't help but complain.
"That angle… I still don't get it."
"How are you two brothers even hitting that?"
"I could barely even make contact."
Miyuki, already putting on his catcher's gear, clicked his tongue.
"That release point is ridiculous."
Ushijima remained quiet.
He simply looked down at his glove.
Then—
"Tch… maybe i'm just a genius."
"…Seriously?" Kominato, Kuramochi, and the others all stared at him.
"Don't say it like that so casually!"
Seido took the field again.
Bottom of the second inning—
Sensen's offense.
This time, it was the heart of their lineup.
But to Ushijima—
It made no difference.
Sensen's fourth batter stepped in.
Focused.
Tense.
In the first inning, Ushijima had struck out three batters—
Nine pitches.
All inside.
Even when they knew what was coming—
They couldn't stop it.
"…Heh."
The batter shifted his stance.
Standing slightly farther away from the plate.
Clear intent.
Miyuki smirked behind the mask.
"Oh? Picking a fight?"
The meaning was obvious.
He was abandoning the outside corner—
Daring Ushijima to throw inside.
"Hey… that's not smart," Kominato muttered from second base.
Kuramochi grinned.
"He's provoking him."
Isashiki, out in center field, snorted.
"Idiot."
"He really chose the wrong guy to challenge."
Everyone on Seido knew.
Ushijima was calm—
Rational—
But once provoked?
He didn't back down.
He crushed you harder.
On the mound—
Ushijima felt it.
That challenge.
That intent.
His eyes sharpened.
A faint excitement flickered within them.
You want the inside?
Then I'll give it to you.
He turned his head slightly.
"All infielders—don't move."
"…What?"
The entire field froze.
The crowd erupted in confusion.
"What is he doing?"
An experienced spectator narrowed his eyes.
"He's answering the provocation."
"Huh?"
"Look at the batter's position. He's giving up the outside—asking for inside pitches."
"That's a direct challenge."
"And Ushijima… accepted it."
"So what does that mean?"
"It means…"
"He's saying he doesn't need defense."
"He'll take him down himself."
A wave of shock spread through the stands.
Even Sensen's coach broke into a cold sweat.
This first-year…
He's insane.
At the plate, the batter's expression darkened.
"No defense?"
"You think I'm nothing?!"
"Damn it!!!"
Behind the plate, Miyuki sighed inwardly.
Why would you provoke him…
Of all people.
He set the target.
Inside.
On the mound—
Ushijima set his grip.
Raised his arms.
Lifted his leg.
In that instant—
The air changed.
The batter's eyes widened.
What is this pressure…?
It felt suffocating.
Like standing in front of a predator.
"Bang!"
Ushijima drove forward.
His body twisted—
His arm whipped through—
Whoosh!!!
The ball exploded toward the plate.
A blur.
"So fast—!"
The batter swung instinctively—
Too late.
Thump!
The ball slammed into Miyuki's glove.
"Strike!"
The sharp sound echoed—
Like a slap across the batter's face.
He froze.
Staring at Ushijima—
A trace of fear in his eyes.
That wasn't just speed.
That was pressure.
Dominance.
"He really went all out…" Kuramochi muttered.
"The last ones who provoked him like that…"
"…didn't even get on base."
Memories of the previous game surfaced.
Even power hitters had been shut down completely.
Kuramochi shook his head slightly.
"You picked the wrong guy to challenge."
And now—
Sensen was about to find out why.