Shirasu sprinted toward home at full speed.
Behind him, Ushijima Wakatoshi didn't slow down after reaching first—
he charged straight for second base.
Even with the ball already landing near second, Ushijima showed no hesitation.
"What?! He's still going?!"
The shortstop's eyes widened in disbelief.
Just as the shortstop prepared to throw to second base, a desperate shout rang out—
"Home! Home plate!"
Startled, the shortstop snapped his head toward home.
Shirasu was already barreling down the line.
Gritting his teeth, the shortstop abandoned second base and fired the ball back to home.
The moment Ushijima saw the throw redirected, he stepped cleanly onto second base without breaking stride.
The attack didn't stop there.
They pressed forward like lunatics.
Whoosh—!
Shirasu slid across home plate in a smooth, fearless motion.
The catcher received the ball and lunged—
too late.
"Safe!"
Before the catcher could even react, another shout erupted—
"Third base! Third base!"
"What?! He's going to third?!"
The catcher whipped his head around and saw Ushijima Wakatoshi already charging toward third at full speed.
Panicking, he hurled the ball to third base.
But Ushijima didn't slow down.
The throw arrived.
So did Ushijima.
Using his height and long reach, he launched himself forward in a headfirst dive.
Bang!
Smack!
Two sharp sounds echoed almost simultaneously.
Ushijima's hand slapped the bag.
The ball hit the glove.
Every eye in the stadium locked onto the umpire.
A split second later—
"SAFE!"
"WOOOOOO—!!!"
The stands exploded.
Seido's dugout erupted in cheers.
"Are you kidding me?! An infield single… to third base?!"
"Well done, you little monster!" Isashiki roared, pointing wildly.
"With that landing spot, second base would've already been lucky!"
"And he still pushed to third?!"
Miyuki stared at Ushijima, eyes sharp.
This guy… he's brutal.
When Shirasu returned to the dugout, even his usually calm face showed a smile.
Reporter Fujio, however, looked grim.
"Ichidai Sankō made a fatal defensive mistake."
"At that moment, Shirasu scoring was inevitable."
"The correct choice was to secure the out at second base."
"Give up one run, take one out, and clear the bases—that's optimal."
"But instead, they tried to stop the run…"
"And by doing so, they handed Seido a runner on third."
"That kind of mistake destroys morale."
The Ichidai Sankō coach clenched his fists.
An infield hit turning into a runner on third was worse than conceding a run.
In Seido's dugout, Kuramochi laughed.
"You've got guts, kid. Still running to third like that—are you fearless or just crazy?"
Ushijima stood on third base and clenched his fist toward the Seido stands.
Coach Kataoka nodded slowly.
"Running from first to second forced their decision."
"If they stop Shirasu, Ushijima reaches third."
"If they stop Ushijima, Shirasu scores."
"No matter what, Seido wins."
"Decisive. Fearless. Perfect judgment."
For a first-year's first appearance, it was unbelievable.
Coach Kataoka turned his gaze forward.
"Tanba."
"You failed to bring him home last time."
"If you fail again… that would be disappointing."
All eyes turned to Tanba.
This was his chance.
"From now on, forget the slider," Kataoka continued.
"Ushijima has completely destroyed their confidence in it."
"Break their pitcher before they recover."
"Yes!"
On third base, Ushijima bent forward, ready to run.
This is it… my first run in high school baseball.
Bang!
Tanba's bat cracked sharply against the ball.
The hit landed cleanly.
No catch.
No hesitation.
Ushijima jogged home, laughing, and bumped fists with Tanba at first base.
Both of them were grinning.
Back in the dugout, praise poured in.
"Well done," Coach Kataoka said firmly.
"Excellent baserunning."
"And congratulations—your first high school run."
Miyuki smirked. "Hold the defense for three more innings and we end this early."
"Oh right…" Ushijima blinked.
"There are still innings left."
In high school baseball—
A 10-run lead after five innings ends the game.
A 7-run lead after seven does the same.
And right now—
Seido was racing straight toward the finish line.