The Tokyo Metropolitan Spring Tournament was a local competition held within the Tokyo region.
Compared to the Autumn Tournament and Summer Tournament—which determined qualification for Koshien—its prestige was considerably lower, and many teams did not treat it as a top priority.
After all, the Spring Tournament's primary reward was qualification for the Kanto Tournament.
However, there was still one reason every powerhouse paid attention to it:
The top sixteen teams would earn seeded positions for the Summer Tournament.
That alone made the competition worth taking seriously.
After all, if a powerhouse failed to secure a seed, there was always the possibility of drawing another elite team in the opening rounds of Summer Koshien qualifiers.
In a single-elimination format, luck was part of the game.
No team wanted to face a championship contender right from the start.
Especially not schools like Seido or Inashiro Industrial, whose goal was always the title.
The easier the path in the early rounds, the more energy they could preserve for the decisive battles later.
Of course, under normal circumstances, powerhouse schools still didn't go all-out during the Spring Tournament.
For teams that had just returned from Spring Koshien, it was often viewed as an opportunity to rest their main players and recover physically.
As a result, substitute players frequently received valuable playing time.
Coaches experimented with new lineups.
Tested new strategies.
Evaluated young talent.
Because of that, the Spring Tournament had become the competition where powerhouse schools were most likely to stumble.
Not because they were weak.
But because they were treating it as a testing ground.
As the reigning Spring Koshien champions, Seido entered the tournament as a seeded team.
They skipped the first two rounds and advanced directly to the third round.
By this stage, powerhouse schools such as Inashiro Industrial, Teito High, and Ichidai Sankou had also entered the competition.
The overall level of play rose dramatically.
So did the entertainment value.
Seido's opponent in the third round was Eigen High School.
Within Tokyo, Eigen was considered a respectable mid-tier program.
Of course, "mid-tier" in Tokyo was very different from "mid-tier" elsewhere.
In many other prefectures, a team like Eigen would easily qualify as a strong contender.
Friday.
The day before the game.
Seido Baseball Club Conference Room.
All sixty-one second- and third-year players, along with thirty-five first-years, were present.
Standing at the front of the room was Seido's intelligence specialist, Watanabe Hisashi.
Using the data he had collected, he carefully explained Eigen High School's strengths, weaknesses, tendencies, and key players.
"...And that's everything."
Watanabe finished his report.
"Good work, Watanabe."
Kanzaki Ryou nodded approvingly.
Watanabe immediately smiled.
Although his baseball ability wasn't enough to secure a major role on the field, being able to contribute to the team through scouting made him genuinely happy.
After Watanabe stepped down, Coach Kataoka took his place at the front.
"For tomorrow's game..."
His gaze swept across the room.
"Not all starters will be playing."
Nobody looked surprised.
The first-string players had already expected this.
"The opponent may not be among Tokyo's strongest teams."
Coach Kataoka's voice remained firm.
"But anyone who steps onto the field represents Seido High School."
His eyes sharpened.
"Do not underestimate them."
"Understood?"
"YES, COACH!"
The response shook the room.
Coach Kataoka nodded.
"Now then."
"I'll announce tomorrow's starting lineup."
The room instantly became silent.
"Lead-off batter, second baseman, Kijima Mio."
"Second batter, first baseman, Yamaguchi Ken."
"Third batter, pitcher, Furuya Satoru."
"Fourth batter, right fielder, Kanzaki Ryou."
"Fifth batter, shortstop, Kanemaru Shinji."
"Sixth batter, catcher, Ono Hiroshi."
"Seventh batter, left fielder, Aso Takashi."
"Eighth batter, third baseman, Higasa Shouji."
"Ninth batter, center fielder, Sawamura Eijun."
...
After hearing the lineup, Kanzaki blinked.
"Boss, I'm playing too?"
He had honestly assumed he would be resting.
Coach Kataoka looked at him.
"Do you want to rest?"
"If possible..."
"Then play."
Coach Kataoka answered without hesitation.
"If you're tired, I'll substitute you out later."
"..."
Kanzaki could only smile bitterly.
Beside them, Takashima Rei chuckled.
"We're all looking forward to seeing your hundredth home run."
"Hm?"
Kanzaki turned toward the others.
Immediately, dozens of eager faces met his gaze.
Veterans.
Newcomers.
Second-years.
First-years.
Everyone looked excited.
At Spring Koshien alone, Kanzaki had averaged three home runs per game.
His career total had already reached ninety-six.
Only four more remained.
A hundred home runs.
No high school player had ever achieved such a milestone in three years.
Shirasu, sitting behind him, reached over and patted his shoulder.
"Even though you stole my spot in the lineup, I still want to witness history."
"One hundred home runs."
The room immediately erupted.
"Captain, get to one hundred!"
"We'll throw a huge celebration!"
"Just four more!"
"We'll help you get there!"
"Support the Ace!"
Listening to the enthusiastic voices around him, Kanzaki finally understood Coach Kataoka's true intention.
This wasn't merely about home runs.
As long as he stood on the field, Seido's morale naturally reached its highest level.
Because he was both the team's captain and its Ace.
"I understand."
Kanzaki nodded.
Perhaps his hundredth home run would come against Eigen High School.
The next day.
Game day.
For Tokyo baseball fans, the Spring Tournament was incredibly convenient.
Every game could be watched in person.
And now that the third round had begun, all the powerhouse schools were finally making their appearances.
Jingu Second Stadium.
Fuchu Citizens Stadium.
Hachioji Stadium.
Every venue hosting a powerhouse matchup was packed with spectators.
Any baseball fan with free time had come to watch.
Jingu Second Stadium.
The stadium buzzed with anticipation.
Then—
"They're here!"
A thunderous roar erupted.
"Ohhhhhhhh!"
"SEIDO!"
"The Kings!"
"Coach Kataoka!"
"Kanzaki!"
"Captain!"
"Miyuki!"
The cheers crashed across the stadium like ocean waves.
At the appointed time, both teams emerged from their respective player tunnels.
Seido High School.
Eigen High School.
The moment they stepped onto the field, the difference between the two sides became painfully obvious.
The stadium atmosphere overwhelmingly favored Seido.
It felt less like a neutral venue and more like Seido's home field.
Several Eigen players unconsciously swallowed.
Their expressions stiffened.
The confidence they had spent days building instantly took a massive hit.
The pressure was suffocating.
For a moment, some of them even struggled to breathe.
This was the weight of facing the four-time consecutive Koshien champions.
This was the pressure of standing opposite Seido High School.
Inside the dugout, Kanzaki loosened his shoulders and stretched his arms.
Nearby, Furuya Satoru was quietly putting on his glove.
Today, Furuya would be the starting pitcher.
Kanzaki walked over and stopped beside him.
The game was about to begin.
And Seido's first battle of the spring season was finally here.