Home run!
Back-to-back home runs from Seido's Yuki and Ace Kanzaki!
What a terrifying lineup! Is this the true strength of the King of the West, Seido!?
The commentator's voice was overflowing with excitement, and the spectators in the stands jumped and cheered as if they had taken stimulants.
"Kanzaki!"
"Whoa~ So strong!"
"Seido's lineup has completely exploded!"
On the field, Kanzaki Ryou slowly waved his hand as he rounded the bases and returned to home plate.
The pitcher Yakushi had sent out was indeed not very impressive. His velocity wasn't high, and his control was only average.
Against a pitcher of this level, Seido's lineup was more than enough.
After Kanzaki scored and returned to the dugout, the next batter up was the fifth batter, Chris.
After several games, Chris's condition had been improving steadily. This time, he easily sent the ball into left field for a single and reached second base.
By the time the fifth batter finished, Yakushi still hadn't recorded a single out.
Some spectators in the stands were already beginning to feel sorry for them.
In Yakushi's dugout, everyone wore heavy expressions.
How were they supposed to play like this?
At that moment, the sixth batter, Masuko Toru, stepped up to the plate and carefully watched the incoming pitch.
His muscles exploded with tremendous power—
Boom!
The bat smashed fiercely into the ball.
The baseball soared high into the air and flew straight into the center-field stands.
"Another one! Another home run!"
Seeing the white ball disappear into the stands, the commentator jumped to his feet.
The audience hadn't expected another home run either. After a brief moment of stunned silence, they erupted into loud applause for Masuko Toru.
Three home runs in the first inning, and the opponent still hadn't gotten a single out.
Such a terrifying batting lineup far exceeded everyone's expectations.
Just two days ago, Yakushi and Ichidai Third High had played a fierce game that ended in a draw, with Yakushi eventually winning.
Could it be that the gap between Seido and Ichidai Third High—both powerhouse schools in West Tokyo—was already this large?
Looking at the scoreboard—
7 : 0
Was the game going to end early in the fifth inning today?
Not only the audience, but even Kanzaki Ryou on the field felt a little anxious when he saw the score.
Not because he was worried about losing.
But because he was worried the game might end too quickly, leaving his teammates without a chance to play.
Especially Tanba-senpai, who had been holding back his frustration and wanted to avenge Manaka Kaname.
After Masuko Toru's home run, the always steady Shirazu stepped up to bat.
He connected solidly with the pitch.
The baseball shot toward third base at incredible speed.
Just when everyone thought it would be a hit piercing through the infield—
A glove suddenly appeared and caught the ball.
"Ha… haha! What a great hit!"
Todoroki Raichi raised his glove high, his face filled with excitement.
That catch had been made purely on instinct.
"What?!"
"This kid's reaction is so fast!"
"What a shame."
"Todoroki!"
"Todoroki Raichi!"
That spectacular defensive play instantly reignited Yakushi's spirit, sweeping away the gloomy atmosphere.
Shirazu could only shake his head helplessly as he walked back to the dugout.
After him, the ninth batter, Sakaki Ichiro, managed to hit a single.
"Hahaha! My turn again!"
Kuramochi Yoichi swaggered confidently into the batter's box.
Unfortunately, this time he didn't hit it well.
The ball rolled weakly into the infield.
Yakushi seized the opportunity and turned a double play.
Thus, the first inning finally came to an end.
Score: 7 – 0
"This feels even easier than the last game."
"Nonsense. How can you compare that pitcher to You Shunshin? It's completely different."
"Is Yakushi's ace really that weak?"
"What do you guys know? The one on the mound is wearing number 1, but their real ace wears number 18!"
The spectators began discussing animatedly.
Those who had once hoped Yakushi might become a dark horse and upset the powerhouse Seido had already abandoned such hopes.
In Yakushi's dugout, Todoroki Raizo strode forward and called for a substitution.
Pitcher Sanada Shunpei entered the game earlier than planned. If they waited any longer, he might not even get a chance to play.
Meanwhile, in Seido's dugout, Kanzaki Ryou put on his glove and returned to the field.
At the top of the second inning, Yakushi's batting lineup showed almost no resistance.
Even their core hitters failed to make contact with the ball.
Soon, the fourth and fifth batters were out consecutively.
Then, the sixth batter, Sanada Shunpei, stepped into the batter's box.
Kanzaki Ryou looked at the only handsome guy on Yakushi's team and suddenly felt a strange sense of mutual appreciation.
Meanwhile, standing in the batter's box, Sanada Shunpei didn't believe he could cause Kanzaki Ryou much trouble.
He wasn't going to force himself to hit pitches that even Todoroki Raichi couldn't handle.
With this mindset, Sanada Shunpei was perhaps in the best condition among Yakushi's batters.
Holding the bat lightly, Sanada glanced down at Chris and said,
"With such a formidable pitcher, Seido's defense must be pretty relaxed."
Hearing this, Chris looked up and smiled.
"I think so too."
After saying that, Chris looked toward Kanzaki Ryou, set his glove, and gave the sign.
Compared to Todoroki Raichi, who relied more on instinct, Sanada Shunpei was clearly a thinking batter.
So what kind of pitch would he want to hit?
Let's try an outside breaking ball first.
Kanzaki nodded slightly.
Although Sanada's swing wasn't as explosive or intimidating as Raichi's, Kanzaki didn't dare underestimate him.
Among all the batters he had faced so far, Sanada might not have been the strongest.
But his mature personality and steady mindset were definitely among the best.
Whoosh!
The white ball left Kanzaki's fingertips and shot toward home plate.
To his surprise, Kanzaki noticed that Sanada's bat had already started swinging, and it was aimed at the outside corner.
Lucky.
Sanada smiled faintly.
Then—
Bang!
The bat slammed into the baseball.
So heavy!
At the moment of contact, a numbing vibration traveled through his hands.
The white ball flew toward first base, soaring over Yuki's head.
"Sanada!"
Yakushi's players shouted at the top of their lungs.
Sanada dashed toward first base.
In right field, Shirasu quickly retrieved the ball and threw it back to the infield, but it was a step too late.
Sanada Shunpei reached first base safely.
"This guy… he's too bold," Kanzaki muttered softly as he looked at Sanada.
For that pitch, the batter had swung decisively.
Did he simply pick a spot and swing early?
"Hehe."
Sanada smiled at Kanzaki.
Just as I thought.
Kanzaki sighed inwardly.
This scoundrel had definitely guessed.
Sometimes luck simply couldn't be avoided.
But the fact that Sanada had swung so decisively and still managed to hit the ball accurately showed real skill.
Kanzaki turned his head toward home plate.
Getting on base was one thing.
But scoring?
That wouldn't be so easy.
Chris glanced at the batter and quickly signaled the defense.
Both the infield and outfield moved forward, preparing for a possible bunt.
Whoosh!
The baseball flew toward the plate.
Yakushi's seventh batter, catcher Watanabe Tatsuya, did not choose to bunt.
Just like every Yakushi batter, he swung the bat with full force.
Slap!
"Strike!"
Watanabe missed his swing, but he didn't look discouraged.
Instead, he glanced sideways at Sanada.
Sanada nodded slightly.
As Kanzaki Ryou prepared to throw the second pitch—
Sanada Shunpei took off running.