The bottom of the eighth inning.
Inashiro's offense.
Giving up a run in the late stages of the game had put every Inashiro player on edge.
If they couldn't tie the score soon, they would once again lose to Seido.
Inashiro's fifth batter, Yamaoka Riku, stepped into the batter's box. His beast-like eyes were locked onto Kanzaki Ryou's glove.
This was already his third at-bat.
The previous two had ended without results.
This time, no matter what, he had to make something happen.
As soon as Kanzaki Ryou delivered the first pitch, the gorilla-like slugger suddenly squared around.
Tap!
The white ball was deadened toward the third-base line.
Because of the pitch's velocity, the ball bounced surprisingly far after contact.
Yamaoka immediately dropped the bat and roared as he charged toward first base.
"Higasa!"
Miyuki shouted.
Without needing any further instructions, Higasa Shouji sprinted from third base toward the ball.
Unfortunately—
Too late.
"Safe!"
By the time Higasa fired the throw, Yamaoka was already only a few steps from the bag.
He reached first safely.
"Ohhhhhhh!"
"Nice one!"
"Yamaoka!"
"Well done!"
"Hahaha! So you actually can bunt!"
"Bring this run home!"
"Inashiro! Inashiro!"
The Inashiro supporters erupted with excitement.
Bottom of the eighth.
Immediately after giving up a run, Inashiro had a runner on base and a chance to strike back.
However, unlike the excited fans, the sixth batter, Yabe, wasn't feeling nearly as optimistic.
This was also his third plate appearance.
His previous two had both ended in strikeouts.
Even with Yamaoka standing on first, he had almost no confidence that he could help advance the runner.
Sacrifice bunt?
Hit-and-run?
Even as he stepped into the batter's box, he was still considering his options.
"Play ball!"
The umpire's call rang out.
On the mound, Kanzaki Ryou delivered the pitch.
At the exact same moment—
Yamaoka broke for second!
A steal?
No.
A hit-and-run!
Yabe squared around as well.
Tap!
The baseball rolled toward the right side.
A sacrifice bunt.
Unfortunately for Inashiro, luck wasn't on their side.
The ball was quickly fielded.
Miyuki immediately scooped it up and fired to second base.
"Out!"
Yamaoka was retired at second.
Although Yabe managed to reach first safely, the attempt to advance the runner had failed.
The Inashiro fans couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Still, Yabe was faster than Yamaoka.
Having him on first wasn't a bad outcome.
If the next batter could produce a hit—or even an extra-base hit—Yabe might be able to reach third.
Perhaps they could still create a scoring opportunity.
The fans continued desperately calculating every possible path to a run.
Unfortunately—
Kanzaki Ryou gave them no time to dream.
The seventh batter.
Strikeout.
The eighth batter.
Strikeout.
No surprises.
No miracles.
Just absolute domination.
And with that, the bottom of the eighth inning came to an end.
Inashiro's counterattack had amounted to little more than a brief ripple, never truly threatening Seido.
The game entered its final inning.
Top of the ninth.
Narumiya Mei showed exactly why he was considered one of the nation's best pitchers.
He refused to allow Seido to widen the gap.
Maezono Kenta.
Higasa Shouji.
Aso Takashi.
Three consecutive strikeouts.
Three consecutive outs.
The score remained unchanged.
1-0.
And so the game reached the moment every spectator had been waiting for—
The bottom of the ninth inning.
Inashiro's final stand.
The ninth batter fought desperately.
He fouled off three straight pitches, battling with everything he had.
But in the end, he still couldn't reach base.
One out.
Then came the leadoff batter, Carlos.
He attempted a bunt.
Unfortunately, Seido had anticipated it.
The bunt wasn't placed well enough.
Even with Carlos's speed, it didn't matter.
Two outs.
The responsibility for Inashiro's fate ultimately fell on Shirakawa Katsuyuki.
The stadium held its breath.
Kanzaki pitches.
Swing.
Miss.
Second pitch.
Swing.
Miss.
Third pitch.
Swing—
Miss.
"Strike three! Batter out!"
The game was over.
Shirakawa stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the sky above.
Lost.
Again.
The Autumn Tournament Final had come to an end.
Seido High School defeated Inashiro Industrial High School, 1-0.
The Inashiro players watched as Seido celebrated on the field.
The bitterness and frustration in their hearts could only be understood by themselves.
Just one run.
Throughout the entire game, they had given everything they had.
And yet, because Kanzaki Ryou had capitalized on a single opportunity, the championship had slipped through their fingers once more.
How many more times would this man stand in their way?
Kanzaki Ryou: Not many.
Maybe two or three more times.
As the game ended, Inashiro left the field in silence while Seido celebrated their victory.
The team had barely exited the stadium and hadn't even boarded the bus yet when Kanzaki noticed a tall boy with short hair standing nearby.
The facial features looked strangely familiar.
Of course, the biggest clue was the person standing beside him.
Yuki Tetsuya.
"Yuki, who's this?"
The others quickly noticed as well.
Everyone looked curious.
Being stared at by so many people would make most students nervous.
This boy, however, remained completely calm.
His eyes burned with excitement as he stared directly at Kanzaki.
"Kanzaki, this is my younger brother, Yuki Masashi."
Yuki Tetsuya introduced him.
"Your brother?!"
"Seriously?"
"Yuki actually has a younger brother?"
"Why have we never heard about this?"
"The Yuki bloodline continues!"
The Seido players immediately exploded with excitement.
"Yuki Masashi?"
Kanzaki smiled as he looked at the boy.
For some reason, he already knew exactly what this kid was about to say.
"Kanzaki-senpai!"
Yuki Shouji stepped forward.
"I want to hit your pitches!"
As expected.
Straight to the point.
No hesitation whatsoever.
"Masashi!"
Yuki Tetsuya immediately smacked his little brother on the head.
They had agreed he was only coming to say hello.
This brat had clearly tricked him.
"Yah-ha! Your brother's got guts."
"I like him already."
"With that build, he's definitely got potential."
"I'm looking forward to seeing him."
"Kanzaki, aren't you going to accept the challenge?"
The Seido players happily joined the fun.
Kanzaki chuckled.
"Are you coming to Seido?"
"I am."
Yuki Masashi nodded firmly.
"Whoa!"
Miyuki laughed.
"Looks like the Yuki family is about to shine at Seido again."
"That's called tradition, idiot."
Kuramochi immediately corrected him.
Ignoring the two troublemakers, Kanzaki patted Masashi on the shoulder.
"Then next year, when you join Seido, I'll pitch to you."
BOOM!
A dark blue aura instantly erupted around Yuki Masashi.
The boy's entire body seemed to freeze.
Next year?
He had to wait an entire year?
The thought alone nearly crushed his spirit.
He didn't want to wait that long.
Kanzaki couldn't help but twitch at the sight.
Seriously...
Does everyone in the Yuki family know how to open the gas valve on command?
"Alright, Masashi."
Yuki Tetsuya grabbed his brother's shoulder.
"You've seen Kanzaki. Time to head home."
"Aniki, but I—"
"Enough."
Yuki Tetsuya cut him off.
"If you keep this up, Coach Kataoka is going to get angry."
Masashi immediately turned toward Coach Kataoka.
Sure enough.
Coach Kataoka was standing nearby with an unreadable expression.
Combined with his sunglasses, the pressure he radiated was overwhelming.
Seeing Masashi instantly become obedient, Coach Kataoka's mouth twitched slightly.
What exactly does this prized disciple think of me?
Using me to scare his little brother...
Am I really that frightening?