Back at Seido, Kanzaki Ryou was still deep in thought about Narumiya Mei.
"Stop overthinking it," Miyuki said helplessly. "What's the point of guessing?"
"I got it!" Kanzaki suddenly said.
Everyone nearby turned to look at him. Miyuki had already told them about the encounter on the bus, and the whole team had been trying to figure out what kind of strategy Inashiro might bring.
"Got what?" Kominato Ryosuke asked.
"I know why Narumiya Mei felt different this time."
Kanzaki raised his head slightly.
"In the past, he would always argue back when I provoked him. But this time… he didn't. And not just him—everyone from Inashiro had that kind of aura."
"Aura?" Miyuki narrowed his eyes. "What kind?"
"A do-or-die aura."
The atmosphere grew quieter.
"And?" Miyuki pressed.
Kanzaki's gaze sharpened.
"Because this might be their last chance."
"Last chance?"
"What do you mean?"
Confusion spread among the team.
Kanzaki spoke slowly, emphasizing each word.
"Masatoshi Harada… is a third-year."
That single sentence changed everything.
Some players immediately understood. Others were still lost.
At that moment, Chris Yu Takigawa spoke up calmly:
"After this summer, Harada will retire. And right now, Inashiro doesn't have a catcher who can truly replace him."
"Exactly," Miyuki added. "They have catchers but none who can sync with Narumiya Mei and bring out his full potential."
Now it clicked.
Kanzaki continued:
"Narumiya Mei is naturally proud… and difficult to handle. On the mound, he has a strong personality. A pitcher like that needs a catcher who can match him—someone capable of controlling and supporting him completely."
He paused briefly.
"Even if Mei has matured… once Harada retires, if the next catcher isn't good enough, his performance will drop. And when that happens, Inashiro's overall strength will decline."
Silence.
"Which means…" Miyuki muttered.
Kanzaki finished it:
"This year is Inashiro's peak. And also… their last chance to defeat Seido and go to Koshien."
The dugout fell completely silent.
Even Coach Kataoka Tesshin and Ochiai Hiromitsu exchanged glances. Neither of them had considered this angle before.
That realization made things clear—
Inashiro wasn't just strong.
They were desperate.
"Everyone!" Coach Kataoka's voice cut through the silence. "Go back, wash up, and rest well. We'll have a team meeting tonight!"
"Yes!!"
After the players dispersed, Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai headed straight to the office. This new perspective gave them even more to prepare for in the finals.
There was only one day left.
The next day, during Seido's training, a small pickup truck rolled into the parking lot.
A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out of the driver's seat.
"Nanjo! You old bastard, get up and move the stuff!" he shouted.
The man in the passenger seat jolted awake, then stepped out and stretched.
"Man… it's only been a few months, but it feels like forever," Nanjo Taishi said with emotion.
"Quit whining and start moving!" Azuma Kiyokuni barked.
"What's the rush? The juniors are probably still training. We shouldn't disturb them too early."
"Bullshit! Finals are tomorrow. The first-string players are definitely doing self-training. That brat Kanzaki is probably lying on the grass again."
"That's prejudice," Nanjo said lazily. "Kanzaki's always hardworking. Hey… want to challenge him later? See if a pro like you can actually score off him?"
Azuma froze.
Challenge Kanzaki?
Lose—embarrassing.
Win… well… could he even win?
That kid's pitching was already at a pro level.
"…You're scared," Nanjo added casually.
"Hah?! Scared of him?!" Azuma snapped, his voice rising.
"Alright, alright, not scared," Nanjo said, as if soothing a child.
Azuma's blood pressure spiked instantly.
Nanjo leaned closer, squinting at him.
"…Did you gain weight?"
"Go to hell!"
Meanwhile, on the field, Kanzaki was finishing his pitching session with Chris Yu Takigawa catching.
Ten four-seam fastballs.
Ten two-seamers.
Ten forkballs.
Ten sliders.
Ten circle changeups.
Ten palmballs.
After the final pitch, Chris stood up, satisfied.
"That's enough for today. Get some rest. Spend the remaining time reviewing Inashiro's batting data."
Kanzaki smirked.
"Don't worry, Senpai. I know those guys like the back of my hand."
Just then—
Footsteps rushed in from outside.
Fujiwara Takako jogged over to Coach Kataoka.
"Coach, Senior Azuma and Senior Nanjo are here."
"…What?"
"Who?"
Everyone turned at once.
"Azuma Kiyokuni and Nanjo Taishi," she repeated.
For a moment, the bullpen froze—
Then instantly erupted.
"Want to go take a look?" Kanzaki asked.
"Let's go," Chris replied.
The two of them, along with Coach Kataoka, headed out.
"Who's here?" Sawamura asked, confused.
Miyuki stood up, removing his glove.
"That's enough for today."
Even Furuya Satoru finished his session nearby.
Outside, more players gathered by the roadside.
Tanba Koichiro, Miyauchi Keisuke, and Isashiki Jun were already there.
In the distance, Azuma and Nanjo approached—arms full of supplies.
"They actually came," Isashiki grinned. "I thought they were joking."
"Only two of them?"
"What, you expected everyone? Don't they have jobs or school?"
"Haha… too bad Mita-senpai didn't come back."
As more players gathered, Azuma shouted from afar:
"Hey! You useless brats! Don't you know how to help?!"
Kanzaki immediately shot back:
"Nope. We've got a game tomorrow. What if we get injured?"
"Hah?! Kanzaki, get over here!"
"No!"
"Get here!"
"No!"
Before they even reached each other, the argument had already begun.