"We won!"
"We are the champions!!"
"Seidou! Seidou!!!"
The entire Koshien Stadium had transformed into a sea of joy.
Zhou Hao was clearly exhausted.
From the first inning to the very last, he had stood on the mound without rest. Spiral balls, fastballs—one after another—each pitch draining his stamina.
His physical consumption had far exceeded normal limits.
Just as everyone had predicted, Zhou Hao was already at the brink.
If the game had continued for even one or two more innings, his pitching would have inevitably collapsed.
Yet now—
Zhou Hao felt as if his entire body was being controlled by emotion itself.
He didn't feel tired at all.
He jumped up together with his teammates, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"We are the champions!!"
"We've conquered the nation!!!"
Manager Ota was already crying uncontrollably.
Tears streamed down his face as he laughed, wiping them away with his sleeve.
"You were all amazing… truly amazing!!"
As the team manager, no one understood better than him just how difficult this road had been.
All the hardships.
All the setbacks.
All the doubt.
And now, at long last, everything had been rewarded.
The burden pressing on Manager Ota's heart finally loosened.
Coach Kataoka quietly lifted his head and gazed toward the sky.
He didn't shout.
He didn't cheer.
But anyone who looked closely could see the moisture gathering at the corners of his eyes.
Ever since his teacher had entrusted him with the responsibility of leading Seidou High School Baseball Team—
Coach Kataoka had carried an immense weight.
To conquer the nation.
That had always been his mission.
Yet for years, that wish remained unrealized.
Instead, Seidou had fallen into a prolonged slump.
Now—
Finally—
He had an answer.
For his teacher.
For the school leadership.
And for every student who had believed in him.
In the stands, Takashima Rei was also watching silently.
Nearby, the principal and the Head of Academics could no longer hide their emotions.
Tears of excitement flowed freely.
"These kids… they're truly incredible!"
Takashima Rei gave the team her highest praise.
"We're famous nationwide again!"
The Head of Academics clasped his hands together, his face filled with delight.
"Call the cafeteria immediately! Tell them to prepare a grand banquet!"
Even while sighing in relief, the principal didn't forget to celebrate the children.
"The organizers will have arrangements here. Our side will wait until they return to Tokyo."
The Head of Academics quickly added, nodding.
This wasn't their home ground, after all. They couldn't possibly let the kids ride the bus back hungry.
If the organizers hadn't prepared anything, they would step in themselves.
Money was not an issue.
With results like this, even if they applied for additional funds, the board members would only applaud them.
"You're right. Arrange it for tomorrow," the principal said decisively.
"Invite the retired players as well."
Though he didn't always understand Coach Kataoka's stubborn persistence—
There was no denying his contribution.
When these players eventually entered the professional stage, Seidou's reputation would only grow greater.
Pride.
Glory.
And influence.
More important than anything else—
Seidou High School Baseball Team would become a true national brand.
Meanwhile, the players themselves were ecstatic—
Yet slightly dissatisfied.
"That last hit should've been mine."
Azuma Kiyokuni pointed at his chest indignantly.
"I'm the team's Fourth Batter, you know!"
Winning the championship was incredible.
The only regret was that he hadn't delivered the final blow himself.
"Please," Matsumoto scoffed.
"With your bunting skills, you'd never pull off something that clean."
His words mercilessly exposed Azuma's weakness.
Yuki Tetsuya wasn't just a power hitter.
Base running.
Defense.
Stealing bases.
Bunting.
There was almost nothing he couldn't do well.
It was precisely because of that all-around ability—
That he could execute such a decisive bunt under extreme pressure.
Shirakawa's pitch was no joke.
Not just anyone could have handled it.
At the very least—
Azuma Kiyokuni definitely couldn't.
Hearing everyone gang up on him, Azuma flushed with frustration.
"Even if I can't bunt, I can still blast it into the outfield!"
As the Fourth Batter, he had naturally thought about scoring.
In that situation, scoring first was the priority.
For the team.
For his teammates.
And for himself.
But reality was reality.
Unless he was intentionally walked, brute force was his only option.
"If it were Senior, he definitely could've done it!"
Zhou Hao chimed in earnestly.
He wasn't flattering.
By the end of the game, Shirakawa's stamina was nearly depleted.
Zhou Hao knew this better than anyone.
If Shirakawa truly had energy left, with his personality, he would have forced a bases-loaded confrontation.
The reason he didn't—
Was because he couldn't.
This subtle detail didn't escape Zhou Hao's Sharingan.
Azuma Kiyokuni absolutely had a real chance to send the ball flying.
"I told you I'd be fine," Azuma said with a senior's calm smile.
"But you did great. I can leave the team to you without worry."
As soon as he finished—
All the third-years turned their gaze toward Zhou Hao.
Under their intense stares, Zhou Hao blinked.
"What?"
"What do you mean, 'what'?" someone snapped.
"That stolen base—what were you thinking?!"
The seniors felt their blood pressure spike.
Never had they seen a rookie act so recklessly.
"You're our Ace! How could you take that risk?!"
"Scoring is our job—don't you trust us?!"
Hearing this—
A warm current surged through Zhou Hao's chest.
He was genuinely moved.
He had never expected his seniors to care this deeply.
And because he felt that trust—
That gratitude—
He had charged forward without hesitation at third base.
If he hadn't—
They might not have lost.
But the risk would have increased.
Once Zhou Hao left the mound, everything became uncertain.
And Zhou Hao refused to accept uncertainty.
For the team.
For his seniors.
For himself.
He had to win.
Danger?
What sport was ever completely safe?
Zhou Hao's steal of home looked terrifying—
But he had calculated everything with his Sharingan.
The risk was controllable.
If serious danger existed, he wouldn't have forced it.
Zhou Hao bowed his head, accepting the seniors' scolding.
Yet in his heart—
If the same moment came again—
He would still do it.
"Gather up! Prepare for the awards!"
As champions, they would receive the trophy.
Before that, they stood to listen to the school anthem.
This was already the sixth time it had echoed through Koshien for Seidou.
Zhou Hao, once tone-deaf, could now sing it smoothly.
Then came the farewell.
"Thank you for the game!"
"Thank you for the game!!"
During the handshakes, many Seibō players deliberately stopped in front of Zhou Hao.
They held his hand tightly, unwilling to let go.
"This is our Ace," Azuma said sharply.
"Control your greedy eyes."
His words sounded ridiculous—
Yet hit the mark.
Shirakawa was leaving.
Zhou Hao was only a first-year.
Two more years.
That was terrifying.
Across the nation, superstar pitchers could be counted on one hand.
Finding another Shirakawa-level talent?
That depended entirely on luck.
No wonder their gazes burned.
Naturally, Seidou blocked them completely.
No chances given.
Afterward, the team bowed to the fans.
"Thank you, everyone!!"
The fans erupted again.
Though the final score was 1:0
Though there were barely any hits—
It was unforgettable.
A true pitching duel.
A feast.
Finally, all eighteen players stood on the podium.
Azuma Kiyokuni raised the trophy high.
"Champions!!"
"We are the champions!!"
At that moment—
Seidou High School Baseball Team conquered the nation.
Their name would be forever engraved in Koshien's history.
Zhou Hao smiled brightly.
Then—
The trophy was placed into his hands.
He froze.
"Get ready for the photo!"
Coach Kataoka's voice rang out.
Everyone had already decided—
For this moment—
The trophy belonged to Zhou Hao.
--------------------
END.