At the top of the fourth inning, as Yuki Tetsuya stepped on home plate, runners were already on first and third.
Masuko Toru swung with full force, and Kanzaki Ryou casually trotted home, pushing the score to 18–0.
But right after that, Shirasu tapped a weak grounder, and Nihon Shono High School seized the chance for a clean double play.
The game moved into the bottom of the fourth.
Kataoka Tesshin stepped out of the dugout and signaled to the umpire.
Not just the pitcher — with such a massive lead, Seido suddenly sent out three first-years.
"Let's go!"
The calmest among them, Arima Kazusa, threw an arm around Sawamura Eijun and walked onto the field together with Kominato Haruichi.
"Haruichi! You got this!"
Haruichi froze and turned around.
He almost couldn't believe it — the one cheering him on was his older brother, Kominato Ryosuke.
Seeing Ryosuke's faint smile, Haruichi's eyes lit up. He nodded hard and rushed onto the field.
"I knew it — brothers just need to talk more. Ryosuke-senpai acts like a tsundere all day. No wonder Haruichi both loves and fears you."
Kanzaki teased from the side.
"Hey… Kanzaki. You tired of living?"
"Haha! Ryosuke-senpai, teach him a lesson!"
Amid the laughter, Kanzaki instantly hid behind the coach.
Meanwhile, the game had already begun.
Seeing Seido send out yet another first-year pitcher, many spectators — especially those who came to watch Kanzaki — looked disappointed.
"Let's see what this kid can do."
Their attention shifted to the mound.
Sawamura took a deep breath and spread his arms wide.
"I'll make them keep hitting the ball! The defense behind me — I'm counting on you guys!!!"
His shout echoed across the stadium and stirred the crowd.
"This guy's interesting."
"Haha, I kinda like him."
"Oh? A lefty pitcher?"
Sawamura looked toward home plate.
The catcher, Takigawa Chris Yuu, nodded and gave the sign.
"Just like practice. Throw it into my mitt."
Sawamura immediately understood.
Whoosh!
The first pitch flew out.
The batter froze.
He… couldn't see the release point.
Thwack!
The ball snapped into Chris's glove.
The batter glanced back in disbelief.
They had assumed this relief pitcher would be weaker than the previous one — yet the result shocked everyone.
The batter was stunned because he couldn't see the ball.
The spectators were stunned because… he didn't even swing at a slow pitch.
"What just happened?"
In the dugout, Chiba Shunichi frowned.
On the mound, Sawamura grinned.
"Haha—!"
"Calm down," Chris said firmly, tossing the ball back.
"One pitch at a time."
Sawamura steadied himself.
"Next — low outside. Put it there."
He lifted his right leg and stepped forward.
Whoosh!
Again the batter watched carefully.
Still… no release point!
Thwack!
"Strike!"
Late swing.
Two strikes.
The crowd erupted in cheers — even though his pitch was clearly slower than Furuya Satoru's fastball.
Experienced fans, however, narrowed their eyes.
A slow pitch that still beats the batter?
There had to be a trick.
"This year's Seido is even scarier…"
At the top of the stands, reporter Fujio Mine watched with his assistant, Owada Akiko.
"They're still first-years," she said. "Against powerhouses they should struggle, right?"
Fujio looked at Sawamura happily running off the field after retiring three batters.
"They're immature… but already troublesome for most teams. With them, Seido now has five pitchers."
"More importantly — it protects the Ace's stamina."
Akiko rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"So weaker games go to the rookies for experience… Tanba and Kawakami handle tougher situations… and against true powerhouses—"
"—the Ace appears at full stamina."
Fujio blinked in surprise.
"You've improved."
"Of course," she said proudly.
"Next is Akikawa High School, right? Their Ace is a handsome guy with glasses, I'm excited!"
Fujio sighed. Some things never change.
Back on the field, Seido began another attack.
Sawamura hurriedly put on batting gloves and grabbed a bat.
With the huge lead, the coach didn't order a bunt — he could swing freely.
And swing he did.
A spectacularly ugly swing.
The catcher blinked.
…A mistake?
Surely Seido wouldn't put someone this bad at bat.
Then Sawamura missed two more pitches completely.
The catcher slapped his forehead.
"Why is this guy on the first string…?"
Sawamura walked back to the dugout like an angry crab.
"What incredible pitching! I couldn't even hit a home run! I underestimated him!"
White steam practically puffed from his nose.
Everyone went silent.
"Sawamura," Kanzaki said seriously,
"it's fine to fool us… but don't fool yourself."