"Ten runs already. If we mercy-rule them in two innings, can we head home early?" Kuramochi Yoichi leaned lazily over the fence, grinning toward Nihon Shono's dugout.
"Hey, keep your voice down. What if they hear you?"
"If that gets out, we'll really become the villains."
"Yeah, Seido's reputation will be ruined."
Laughing among themselves, the players took their positions on the field.
From center field, Kanzaki Ryou watched as Furuya Satoru struck out three batters in a row once again. He spread his hands helplessly. Playing a team of this level was easy—but honestly, boring. Not a single ball had even come his way.
With the second inning wrapped up effortlessly, Furuya returned to the dugout, surrounded by teammates praising him.
Top of the Third Inning
Isashiki Jun led off with a clean single, successfully getting on base. Yuki Tetsuya followed, but luck wasn't on his side—his sharp hit flew straight into the shortstop's glove for the first out.
Then Kanzaki Ryou stepped into the batter's box.
Nihon Shono's left-handed Ace, calm and composed, didn't hesitate. With only one runner on base, he chose to intentionally walk Kanzaki.
"It's up to you," Kanzaki said, casting Miyuki a meaningful glance before casually strolling to first base.
Miyuki didn't disappoint.
After one strike and one ball, he capitalized on a hanging Slider that floated too high and drove it to left field.
One out. Bases loaded.
Masuko Toru stepped up.
"Uga!!"
With the chance to score, Masuko swung even more fiercely than usual. On the very first pitch, he smashed the ball toward first base.
Isashiki scored easily. Nihon Shono reacted quickly, relaying the ball to second and forcing Miyuki out.
Two outs. Runners on first and third.
Shirasu, batting eighth, glanced at Kanzaki on third. With their Ace on base, a bunt was out of the question. A forced play carried risk, and he didn't want to gamble with injury.
So he swung decisively.
After watching two pitches, Shirasu drove a solid single between second and third, sending Kanzaki home.
Seido's offensive rhythm was unstoppable.
Then Furuya stepped in again—and swung at the very first pitch.
Bang!
The ball soared high and deep.
"You've got to be kidding!"
"Another one?!"
"Did Seido eat spinach today? They're all Popeye!"
"Furuya!!"
"Three-run homer!!"
Even Furuya, usually expressionless, couldn't suppress a faint smile as he rounded the bases.
"Huh?!"
"Pure luck!"
In the dugout, someone's mouth twisted with jealousy.
"His first home run is a three-run shot. That's insane luck," Miyuki muttered, shaking his head. "Home runs need skill—but a three-run homer? That's timing and fate."
"Haha, I bet even Furuya didn't expect that," Kanzaki chuckled.
And indeed, Furuya himself was quietly amazed. He wasn't great at pitch selection—that swing had been a gamble.
But his bat speed? His power?
Very real.
"Hehe, Sawamura, when it's your turn, show the crowd your legendary bunting skills," Kanzaki teased.
"No! I'm hitting!" Sawamura roared.
"Haha. Kazuya, doesn't Sawamura remind you of Little Blondie?"
Miyuki glanced over and nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah… so what breed is he?"
"A Husky."
Bang!
While they joked, Kuramochi laid down a bunt. His explosive speed flashed as he sprinted toward first, but the ball rolled too close to the pitcher.
The throw was sharp.
Just before Kuramochi reached the bag, the ball snapped into the first baseman's glove.
Out.
The third inning ended.
15–0. Seido leading.
Bottom of the Third Inning
Furuya's pitching remained overpowering.
Coach Chiba noticed his control waver slightly and instructed his players to hold back and wait for strikes.
But Miyuki called for a forkball.
The result?
Three up, three down again.
Though a couple of balls were put into play, Seido's fielders handled them cleanly.
"Sawamura! Get ready. You're going in next!" Coach Kataoka called after the inning.
"Kid, you better deliver. Don't lose to Furuya."
"Yeah, mess up and you'll be stuck behind him!"
The seniors couldn't resist stirring the rivalry.
Before Sawamura could respond, Furuya—fresh off the field—muttered flatly, "I won't lose."
"Huh?! You idiot, I'm the one who's winning!" Sawamura shouted.
"Me."
"Me!"
Their rivalry crackled in the air.
Top of the Fourth Inning
Kominato Ryosuke once again showcased his legendary patience, grinding out eleven pitches from Nihon Shono's Ace before finally slipping a hit through the infield.
He reached first with a small smile under the pitcher's resentful glare.
Isashiki popped out in the infield.
Yuki followed with an infield single.
Then Kanzaki stepped up and blasted a rocket off the right-field wall.
By the time the ball was relayed back, Kominato had already scored. Yuki advanced to second. Kanzaki stood on third.
"Add another run!"
"Miyuki!!"
The cheers erupted once more.
Seido's fans knew: Miyuki was dangerous anytime—but with runners on base, he was lethal.
"Well… these guys really expect a lot from me," Miyuki murmured, loud enough for the opposing catcher to hear.
The catcher sighed.
It was already 16–0.
Did they really need to go this hard?
Just endure a little longer… five innings and it's over, he told himself.
The pitcher delivered.
Miyuki's bat cut through the air.
Bang!
A clean single split first and second base.
Yuki crossed home plate easily.
17–0.
Seido's onslaught showed no signs of stopping.