Takasaki High School is also a strong, established team. Almost every year, they break through four rounds in the summer preliminaries and enter the Top 16, occasionally even reaching the Top 8.
Before the rise of the current three major powerhouses, Takasaki High School was once one of the dominant forces in West Tokyo, but later gradually declined.
In this summer preliminary, the opponent displayed the momentum of a returning king—winning by large margins in the early rounds—until they met Seidou in the Top 16.
Inside the venue, Kanzaki Ryou looked at the Takasaki High team approaching from the opposite side and recalled the few players Coach Kataoka had specifically warned them about during last night's meeting.
First was Takasaki High's pitcher, Suzuki Yu, a third-year. He looked thin and tall, similar to Tanba.
His signature pitch was the Fast Forkball, and he also possessed a vertical slider and a vertical-drop curveball.
His straight ball topped out at 144 km/h. Combined with two different breaking balls and a sharp Fast Forkball, Suzuki Yu's strength on the mound was considerable—one of the reasons Takasaki High had advanced so far.
Kanzaki Ryou's gaze then moved to a dark-skinned player on the opposing team, Kundi Galka, an exchange student from Africa.
Just by appearance alone, one could tell he ran incredibly fast. He had only been playing baseball for a year, yet he was Takasaki High's leadoff hitter with an exceptionally high on-base percentage.
Next was Takasaki High's cleanup hitter, Ishihi Yohei.
This hitter's power was on par with Azuma Kiyokuni. According to Azuma, the two had been rivals in junior high, but Ishihi Yohei later joined Takasaki High, where his development was more limited.
Even so, Ishihi Yohei had hit nearly twenty home runs in a limited number of games. On average, he was only slightly behind Azuma Kiyokuni—a very capable batter. Even at a declining school like Takasaki High, he still drew attention from professional scouts.
"Long time no see, Azuma!"
As the two teams crossed paths, Ishihi Yohei raised his hand and shouted toward Azuma Kiyokuni.
"This idiot… I really don't want to deal with him," Azuma said.
"Eh? Senpai, do you two have a history?" Kanzaki Ryou asked.
"Ryou, are you itching for a beating again?"
"Senpai, he's calling you. It'd be rude not to respond. Hurry, he's already coming over." Kanzaki Ryou stepped back behind Azuma and gently pushed him forward.
Azuma shot him a glare, then forced a smile as he shook hands and exchanged greetings with the approaching Ishihi Yohei. The two were old acquaintances, both tall and muscular—standing together like two towering mountains.
Coach Kataoka also exchanged a few words with Takasaki High's Coach Kudo, while players from both teams sized each other up. Kanzaki Ryou stood among his teammates, feeling as though the opposing players' sharp gazes could pierce through him.
"See you on the field."
"Mm, see you on the field."
The two sides separated and returned to their locker rooms. After sitting down, Azuma Kiyokuni dropped next to Kanzaki Ryou.
"Kid, when you pitch later, give it your all. Don't let that guy hit it, understand?" Azuma said.
Kanzaki Ryou blinked. "Senpai, I'm not pitching today. I'm in the outfield."
"Uh…" Azuma slapped his forehead, then said disdainfully, "What's the use of you, then?"
After saying that, he turned and went to find Nanjo Taishi and Tanba—the two pitchers scheduled to play today.
Soon, it was 9:00 AM. The match between Seidou and Takasaki High was the first game of the day.
After warming up, both teams were ready.
"The game between Seidou High School and Takasaki High School, the 1/8 finals, now begins!"
The moment the announcement ended, Seidou's starting players roared and charged onto the field.
Takasaki High batted first. Kanzaki Ryou took his position in left field.
Seeing that Seidou did not field their Ace, the Takasaki High players felt offended—but also secretly delighted.
"There's a chance!"
As long as they scored early, they could focus on defense later. If Seidou underestimated them, they would make them pay dearly.
In the stands, many spectators had come specifically to watch Kanzaki Ryou pitch. Now seeing him in left field, they murmured in dissatisfaction.
"Seidou is too arrogant, aren't they? Their opponent is Takasaki High, yet they're not using their Ace."
"Don't be stupid. He's on the field. They can switch him in anytime. This is Coach Kataoka's strategy."
"Nanjo Taishi isn't weak, okay? He was the Ace before. You people are too fickle."
The game began amidst heated discussions.
Nanjo Taishi frowned as he stared at Takasaki High's leadoff batter—Kundi Galka.
They had very little information about him. After exchanging a glance with catcher Tanaka Wataru, Nanjo delivered the first pitch.
A high-speed slider to the outer corner entered the glove cleanly. Kundi Galka didn't move an inch, appearing completely uninterested.
Tanaka Wataru frowned. Batters who showed no reaction were the hardest to deal with.
The second pitch was another high-speed slider, this time lower and sharper.
The moment the ball flew out—
Kundi Galka suddenly swung.
A gust of wind rushed past Tanaka's face.
Bang!
Just as the ball crossed the plate, the bat met it squarely, sending it flying.
Whoosh!
By the time Tanaka reacted, Kundi Galka was already sprinting toward First Base.
"Right field!" Tanaka shouted.
In right field, Araki Keita fielded the ball and prepared to throw.
Slap!
Kundi Galka touched First Base—then didn't stop.
He was charging for Second!
"What?!"
"Throw to second!"
Araki gritted his teeth and launched the ball with all his strength.
"Safe!"
Kundi Galka slid into second just before the ball hit Kominato Ryosuke's glove.
The Seidou players frowned. They had been caught off guard. This guy's speed was even faster than expected.
"Nanjo! Hold on!"
"Let's go!"
Encouraging shouts echoed.
Nanjo Taishi exhaled, eyes sharpening. Today's game would be a tough one.
He quickly handled Takasaki High's second and third batters, getting two outs.
Then, the cleanup hitter—Ishihi Yohei—stepped into the batter's box.
Facing this man, both Tanaka Wataru and Nanjo Taishi felt a strong sense of pressure. This guy was as dangerous as Azuma Kiyokuni.
Tanaka gave a signal.
"Walk him?"
Nanjo shook his head.
No need.
His pitching strength was solid. There was no point intentionally walking someone at the start and lowering their own morale.