[Complete Game]
A game can only be considered a complete game if no batter reaches base over nine or more innings.
[No Hits, No Runs Allowed]
A batter reaching base via a walk, hit-by-pitch, or error does not count as a hit.
Despite allowing a batter to reach base due to a hit-by-pitch, Ushijima Wakatoshi still achieved the hidden honor of no hits and no runs allowed in today's game, earning the corresponding reward.
If he hadn't made that mistake at the end—throwing a hit-by-pitch—
he might have achieved a Complete Game again today.
Now, with both a Gold Chest and a Diamond Chest in hand…
Ushijima Wakatoshi opened them without hesitation, curious about what rewards he would receive.
[Ding! Treasure Chest Opened]
[Congratulations! You have obtained: Gold Sinker!]
[Ding! Treasure Chest Opened]
[Congratulations! You have obtained: Diamond Slider!]
Name: Ushijima Wakatoshi
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 160
Dominant Hand: Right
Non-Dominant Hand: Left (Diamond)
Fielding Zone: Left & Right
Stamina: Diamond
Speed: Gold
Control: Silver
Batting:
Infield Hit (Gold)
Extra-Base Hit (Gold)
Home Run (Silver)
Pitch Arsenal:
Curveball (Silver)
Screwball (Silver)
Sinker (Gold)
Two-Seam (Gold)
Cutter (Gold)
High-Speed Fastball (Gold)
Four-Seam Fastball (Diamond)
Forkball (Diamond)
Slider (Diamond)
"Now that the sinker has evolved to Gold, it can reach speeds of 150 km/h even without focusing on control."
"A world-class sinker can exceed 160 km/h…"
"At Gold level, it should comfortably surpass 150 km/h."
"And if I focus on control, it can still stay above 140 km/h."
"I also checked Diamond-level sliders before…"
"The fastest sliders in the world can reach 160 km/h with lateral movement of up to 50 centimeters."
"For my Diamond Slider, if I don't prioritize control…"
"The speed should be at least 155+ km/h, with around 50 centimeters of break."
"But if I balance it with my current Silver control…"
"The speed will probably drop to around 140–145 km/h, with about 35 centimeters of movement."
Even without fully testing it yet, Ushijima could already tell—
this Diamond Slider was a major upgrade.
If its speed exceeded 140 km/h consistently, it could become one of his primary weapons.
Previously, at Silver level, the slider couldn't exceed 130 km/h while maintaining control, and its break was limited to around 20 centimeters.
It worked as a surprise pitch—but only once or twice before batters could adjust.
Now, at Diamond level, its effectiveness had increased dramatically.
Looking at his current arsenal, Ushijima Wakatoshi's pitching had become truly formidable.
Gold-tier pitches: Two-seam, Cutter, Sinker, Shootball
Diamond-tier pitches: Slider, Four-seam Fastball, Forkball
With proper control, all seven pitches could exceed 140 km/h.
That made his pitching style even more deadly.
The only thing he still lacked—
was Gold-level control.
But the finals were on July 31st.
Maybe if I sign in on the morning of the finals, I'll get Gold-level control…
It was uncertain—
but that didn't stop him from thinking about it.
"How was today's pitch count?" Miyuki Kazuya asked Chris after changing clothes.
"See for yourself," Chris said, handing him his notebook.
Miyuki studied it carefully.
"In the first three innings, 27 pitches—three strikeouts per inning."
"In the middle innings, during the second rotation, 38 pitches for another set of strikeouts."
"In the final three innings, 37 pitches to finish the third rotation."
"102 pitches total…"
Miyuki nodded in satisfaction.
"That's acceptable."
"32 four-seam fastballs, 21 shootballs, 19 two-seams, 19 cutters, and 11 forkballs…"
Looking at the breakdown, Miyuki said thoughtfully:
"For the finals, I want to focus more on breaking pitches."
"Breaking pitches?" Chris raised an eyebrow. "Do you think Ushijima's curveball and slider are reliable enough?"
"Putting willingness aside," Chris continued, "those two pitches still aren't fully developed."
"There's a reason why Ushijima doesn't use his curveball or slider as finishing pitches."
"They're too risky."
"Especially for someone like him, who wants to lead the team to Koshien."
"Unstable breaking balls that can be easily read won't be used as primary weapons."
Miyuki nodded in agreement.
He had thought the same thing.
"But when I say breaking pitches," Miyuki clarified,
"I mean the sinker, cutter, shootball, and two-seam."
"As for the four-seam fastball—Inashiro already knows he can reach 158 km/h."
"They'll be cautious. They won't swing at it unless it's a crucial moment."
"On the other hand…"
Miyuki's eyes sharpened.
"Ushijima's slider has improved."
"If we mix it into his pitch sequence…"
"And then suddenly throw a four-seam when they're off guard…"
"That could be extremely effective."
Chris chuckled.
Miyuki's pitch-calling ideas were bold—almost daring.
"Then you should discuss it with Ushijima," Chris said. "You two are the battery, after all."
Miyuki nodded.
He knew exactly what needed to be done.
Once we get back to school, we'll talk this through properly.
In the stands, Seido's players stayed to watch the next match.
After Seido vs. Sensen, it would be Inashiro vs. Sakurazawa.
The team manager had already brought over boxed meals.
The players sat together, eating while observing their future opponent.
"Do you know Inashiro's starting lineup?" Shirasu asked.
"I've already reviewed it," Ushijima Wakatoshi replied calmly.
"They're our opponents in the finals—I had to."
"First batter—center fielder, Carlos. Fast, but lacks power."
"He's similar to Kuramochi. Once he gets on base, he becomes a major threat."
"Second batter—shortstop, Shirakawa. Solid hitting and well-rounded tactics."
"Third batter—Yoshizawa Hideaki. Strong batting ability."
"Fourth batter—catcher, Harada Masatoshi. As cleanup, his strength speaks for itself."
"Pitcher—Narumiya Mei. The king of left-handed pitchers."
"He's also a capable batter… but his temperament is unstable."
"Sixth batter—Yamaoka Riku. Tall, powerful, a true slugger."
"Seventh batter—second baseman, Hirai Tsubasa…"
Ushijima Wakatoshi had clearly memorized Inashiro's entire starting lineup.
As the next game began, Inashiro's players stepped onto the field.
Many of them glanced toward Seido's section in the stands.
It was clear—
they already saw each other as opponents in the upcoming final.
Among them, Narumiya Mei stood out the most.
He looked up at Ushijima Wakatoshi—
with a smug, challenging expression.