Ichidaisan's new pitcher, Hanamiya, immediately proved why he was considered one of the team's best.
Yakushi's sixth batter, Yutaka Yamauchi, and seventh batter, Tatsuya Watanabe, couldn't gain any ground against him. In just eight pitches, both were retired cleanly.
After the first inning, Yakushi trailed Ichidaisan 4–5.
By the second inning, despite Hayato Mino's efforts on the mound, Ichidaisan still managed to extend their lead by three runs.
Bottom of the second.
Yakushi's turn to attack.
"Eighth batter, shortstop, Kobayashi!"
Keisuke Kobayashi stepped into the batter's box, eyes fixed on Hanamiya, who stood confidently on the mound after his dominant opening.
No hesitation.
Hanamiya delivered.
"Strike!"
"Don't underestimate me!" Kobayashi roared. "Before those first-years showed up, I was batting third in Yakushi's core lineup!"
He swung hard at the 140 km/h inside fastball.
Clang!
The ball shot toward second base before skipping quickly into the outfield.
The moment it left the bat, Kobayashi dropped it and sprinted for first.
But—
It didn't get far.
Miyagawa Teru reacted instantly, reading the trajectory perfectly. He cut off the ball before it could reach the outfield, scooped it cleanly, and spun in one smooth motion—
A full 360—
Then fired to first base without hesitation.
"Out!"
"Are you kidding me?!" Kobayashi shouted, diving desperately toward the bag.
Snap!
His hand and the ball arrived almost at the same time.
Both he and Hoshida Mamoru turned to the umpire—
"Out!"
"…Damn it. Just a step short," Kobayashi muttered as he trudged back to the dugout.
"Don't worry, Kobayashi-senpai. You'll get the next one," Yonehara Yu said, handing him water.
"I thought we'd keep scoring after breaking their ace… didn't expect their reliever to be this tough," Oota gritted his teeth.
"A powerhouse is still a powerhouse. They won't collapse that easily," Akaishi Osamu added calmly.
"It's fine! Once Raichi and Kou bat again, we'll crush this guy, right Kou?" Nakanishi Daiki said confidently.
"…Yeah. We'll win," Mino Hayato said as he walked up behind him.
"Whoa! You scared me! Wait, wasn't it your turn to bat, Mino-senpai?" Daiki asked.
Mino scratched his head awkwardly. "Unlucky. Hit it straight to the third baseman—got tagged out."
Now at the plate—
Daiki Fukuda.
He had struck out in three pitches against Manaka earlier. This time, his expression was completely different.
Focused. Sharp.
After a brief exchange with Takami, Hanamiya began his motion.
"Strike!"
Snap!
"Nice pitch!"
The ball settled cleanly into Takami's mitt.
Fukuda didn't move.
Didn't react.
Just watched.
Second pitch—
"Ball!"
Still no swing.
"Tch." Takami clicked his tongue. His attempt to bait the swing had failed—but he didn't seem bothered.
Third pitch—
Fast.
Fukuda moved.
Ping!
The ball bounced into the infield and slipped past toward the outfield.
Using his speed, Fukuda beat the throw to first.
"Nice! First hit!" Fukuda pumped his fist, shouting toward the Yakushi dugout.
"Second batter, left fielder, Akiba!"
Akiba Kazuma stepped in as Fukuda began taking a lead off first.
Hanamiya glanced at him briefly.
Fukuda edged farther.
Then—
Ignored.
Hanamiya committed to the pitch.
The moment his foot turned—
Fukuda exploded toward second.
"Steal!" Hoshida shouted in warning.
Hanamiya adjusted instantly mid-motion, deliberately throwing off-target.
"Takami—get it!"
The pitch veered wide.
Akiba had no chance to swing.
Takami reacted immediately, shifting to the side. His glove reached out—
But more importantly—
His throwing hand was already set.
Snap!
In one fluid motion, he caught and fired to second.
Takahiro Hirakawa moved in perfectly.
Catching the ball—
Dropping low—
Glove extending toward the sliding Fukuda—
Thud!
Dust exploded around the base.
For a moment, everything disappeared in a cloud.
Then—
It cleared.
Hirakawa's glove was firmly pressed against Fukuda's outstretched hand.
"Out! Three outs! Change!"
Ichidaisan had won the duel.
"As expected of Ichidaisan… their defense is flawless," Miyuki Kazuya commented.
"Haha, Miyuki, don't be modest. You'd be just as good," Kuramochi Yoichi laughed.
"Well… you're not wrong," Miyuki replied without hesitation.
"How shameless! Miyuki Kazuya, how can you be that thick-skinned?!" a certain loud pitcher shouted.
If Takami hadn't prepared his throw in advance—
If Hirakawa had reacted even a fraction slower—
The result could have been completely different.
That was the difference.
Ichidaisan High School.
A battle-hardened powerhouse.
Every movement was sharp, decisive, and precise. No wasted motion. No hesitation.
It was as if their bodies moved before their minds even processed the play.
Pure instinct.
Pure discipline.
"What a shame… you were so close, Fukuda!"
"Don't worry, you'll get it next time!"
"Ugh! My luck is terrible… both times, just a step short!" Todoroki Raizo grumbled.
"What can we do? We're stuck with an unlucky coach like you," Sanada Shunpei teased.