The Spring Tournament officially began, and the Seido High School Baseball Team returned to the national stage with overwhelming momentum.
In their opening match, Seido crushed their opponent by more than twenty runs, ending the game early.
News of this result spread like wildfire.
Powerhouse teams across the country, unwilling to be outshined, immediately responded.
They fielded their strongest lineups, pulling out every trick they had, hoping to tie—or even surpass—Seido's terrifying record.
Their goal was clear: shake Seido's position as the nation's top seed.
Unfortunately for them, reality was cruel.
No matter how hard they tried, none of their results matched the shock value of Seido High School Baseball Team.
Most of these powerhouse teams entered the tournament as seeded schools. By the time they played their first game, the Spring Tournament had already advanced two or three rounds.
Their opponents were no pushovers.
Winning wasn't difficult. Ending games early wasn't rare.
But scoring more than twenty runs within five innings?
That was another matter entirely.
In the end, only Seido High School Baseball Team achieved such a feat.
As a result, reporters—who thrived on spectacle—went into a frenzy.
"The reigning champions Seido remain unmatched!"
In truth, Seido had already demonstrated their dominance during the Autumn Tournament.
They had merely been unlucky enough to encounter Inashiro Industrial early.
A slight lapse in preparation, a brutal bracket—nothing more.
But even that defeat couldn't erase their strength.
Now, after regrouping, Seido once again proved that they were monsters among high school teams.
They didn't even look like a high school baseball club anymore.
Watching the main team dominate so effortlessly deeply stimulated the first-year players.
Training intensity across the roster skyrocketed.
Among them, one figure stood out in particular.
Sawamura Eijun.
The same first-year who had surprised Coach Kataoka during the initial evaluation.
His training regimen no longer resembled that of a rookie.
Even some second-year players couldn't keep up.
After finishing regular practice, he dragged two heavy tires across the field, running lap after lap to strengthen his core and stamina.
That tire marks cut deep grooves into the dirt.
Coach Kataoka stopped and watched silently.
Manager Ota and Takashima Rei noticed as well.
When Sawamura first joined, he had practically slapped the Coach in the face with his raw performance.
Even if Coach Kataoka wasn't petty—
Most people assumed Sawamura would need months before earning the Coach's attention.
That was normal in a powerhouse like Seido.
Too many talents. Too many prodigies.
Mediocre players vanished quickly.
"I didn't expect this kid to be this diligent," Manager Ota muttered.
He had always been more optimistic about the other two first-years.
But seeing Sawamura now, he couldn't help but feel impressed.
Coach Kataoka's preferences were well known.
Talent.
Perseverance.
The ability to endure suffering.
Sawamura Eijun checked every box.
Even if it was intentional—
Being able to persist under Seido's brutal training environment spoke volumes.
Coach Kataoka gave a faint nod.
That evening, the team received official news.
Two vacant First String spots were filled.
"Furuya Satoru."
The moment the name was announced, Tanba and Kawakami stiffened.
A burning sensation crept up their faces.
They understood immediately.
Seido's pitching staff was ranked among the best in the nation.
But it had a fatal flaw.
Zhou Hao was simply too dominant.
So dominant that the gap between the Ace and the relief pitchers was painfully obvious.
Promoting a first-year pitcher sent a clear message.
Coach Kataoka was dissatisfied.
"I didn't expect it to happen this fast…"
Until now, the rookies had only undergone basic training.
The leap from junior high baseball to high school baseball was enormous.
Even prodigies needed time to adapt.
Except for Furuya Satoru.
Everyone knew one thing about him.
He could throw a straight ball exceeding 150 km/h.
That alone was enough.
Tanba and Kawakami, as upperclassmen, felt bitter.
But Coach Kataoka owed them no explanation.
Their duty was simple: don't collapse when called upon.
And yet, they couldn't even meet that standard.
The future of Seido couldn't wait.
They were aiming to dominate the nation.
Anyone who stood in the way—had to be pushed aside.
The second promoted player was Oshima Shin.
When Manager Ota saw the final list, he slapped his thigh hard.
Back when these rookies first joined, everyone thought they were mediocre.
Aside from Yuki, none stood out.
Now?
Their growth was terrifying.
Looking at the current lineup, Manager Ota felt something unbelievable.
This team was stronger than last year.
And last year, they conquered the nation.
So what reason did they have not to do it again?
Two first-years officially joined the First String.
Their performances immediately drew attention.
Even Kuramochi had to admit—
"These guys are freaks."
Even with his own talent, he couldn't deny it.
Next match.
Opponent: Akisui High School.
A previously unknown team that had suddenly risen.
Coach Kataoka hesitated.
Sending a full lineup felt excessive.
Sending too many substitutes felt risky.
In the end, he chose a middle ground.
Six main players.
Zhou Hao, Yuki, and Isashiki Jun sat out.
Seido's strength dropped sharply—by at least 70%.
Akisui's players were ecstatic.
Zhou Hao wasn't playing.
Neither was Yuki.
This was their chance.
Seido's starting pitcher was Tanba.
He no longer cared about competing with Zhou Hao.
But being surpassed by first-years?
That was unacceptable.
Tanba pitched four innings.
Kawakami pitched three.
They gave up only three runs.
Seido's batters scored fourteen.
Final score:
14:3.
Game called in seven innings.
Even without their three core stars, Seido crushed their opponent.
The Top Sixteen.
A seed for the Summer Tournament.
A massive advantage.
Their next opponent emerged soon after.
Kasuga First High School.
A genuine semi-powerhouse.
Finally—
A real battle.
Coach Kataoka addressed the team seriously.
Then his gaze shifted.
"Furuya. Oshima."
"You two prepare from the second inning."
"If the opportunity comes—"
"I'll let you play."
The real Spring Tournament had only just begun.