"Ugh!"
Kanzaki Ryou instantly felt a sharp, drilling pain in his waist. His entire body folded over like a cooked shrimp as he dropped to one knee.
"Ni-chan!!"
In the stands, Kumiko and Mami cried out at the same time, their voices trembling.
"No way…"
"At a time like this…"
"Too unlucky…"
The spectators whispered anxiously, the sudden incident throwing the entire stadium into unrest.
In Seidou's dugout, Coach Kataoka's expression drained of color. He sprinted onto the field in just a few steps, shouting,
"Doctor! Medical team!!"
On the field, Seidou's players swarmed toward the mound.
"Ryou!"
Tanaka Wataru—closest to him—rushed in, holding Kanzaki's shoulder as he knelt beside him.
Azuma Kiyokuni, Yuki, Kominato Ryosuke and the others formed a tight circle, their faces pale with worry.
"No… I'm fine," Kanzaki forced out between clenched teeth. Luckily, the baseball struck the thickest part of his waist—it didn't seem like bone was damaged.
At first base, the Ichidai Third High batter who hit the ball stood frozen. It wasn't his fault—but as a baseball player, he knew the weight of a line drive off the bat. If this injury ruined an opponent's season—or career—it was a nightmare he would never forget.
"Ah—!"
Kanzaki tried to stand, but another bolt of pain shot through him. Sweat poured down his forehead, and he couldn't even straighten his back.
"Ryou, don't move!"
"Stretcher!! Hurry!!" Azuma barked out.
The stretcher arrived quickly. The medical staff carefully lifted Kanzaki Ryou and set him down securely. Just as they were about to carry him off, Kanzaki opened his eyes.
"W–Wait…"
"Go to the hospital immediately!" Coach Kataoka ordered sharply. A closer look revealed his lips trembling ever so slightly.
"I… want to say something to Kazuya…" Kanzaki muttered, forcing a faint smile.
"Miyuki!" Kataoka shouted.
Miyuki Kazuya stepped out immediately, his usually mischievous features replaced by an uncharacteristically serious expression. When Kanzaki reached out his hand, Miyuki grabbed it firmly.
"Kazuya… I'm counting on you."
Feeling the strength in Kanzaki's grip, Miyuki nodded hard.
"You focus on recovering. Leave the rest… to me."
"Heh…"
Kanzaki let out a weak laugh, then finally allowed himself to be taken away on the stretcher.
"Coach! I'm going to the hospital with him!" Takashima Rei said, rushing forward.
"Me too," Chris added instantly.
"Go," Coach Kataoka nodded.
In the stands, Kumiko and Mami immediately left their seats, running out of the bleachers toward the stadium exit.
With Kanzaki Ryou gone, a heavy, suffocating pressure fell over Seidou's dugout.
Though worried, Coach Kataoka forced himself to remain calm. The game wasn't over—and if he broke down here, it would shatter the mental state of his players.
"Tanba!"
"Here, Coach!"
"Are you ready?!"
"Yes!"
"Take the mound!"
Tanba Koichiro's eyes burned with determination. He had never wanted to win this badly before.
That Kanzaki Ryou…
He actually entrusted the game—to Miyuki?!
What could that first-year possibly do?
It wasn't just Tanba. Many of the starting members were torn between worry… and indignation.
With so many seniors here, strengths proven…
And Kanzaki said "I'm counting on you" to Miyuki?
Did he not trust them?
On the other side, Ichidai Third High's players glanced uncomfortably toward Seidou. Injuries happened in baseball, but when it occurred right in front of you… it was impossible not to feel shaken—especially for the batter involved.
Coach Tahara sighed softly, removed his hat, and respectfully nodded at Coach Kataoka. After receiving a returned nod, he turned to his team.
"Boys… this was an accident. Don't carry any psychological burden. Play your baseball."
"Yes, Coach!"
"Go. It's time to counterattack."
Once Tanba finished warming up, the game resumed.
Ichidai Third High's fourth batter stepped into the batter's box. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Tanba only needed one more out to end the inning.
Tanaka Wataru flashed the signal. Tanba exhaled deeply—he had to nail this pitch.
Whoosh!
The fastball cut into the inside corner.
Pop!
"Strike!"
The fourth batter didn't swing. Tanaka Wataru frowned slightly. When a hitter didn't react at all, it was the hardest time to predict their intention. Curveball? Outside pitch?
No matter what he's waiting for…
If he doesn't know Tanba mastered a new pitch…
He's dead meat.
Tanaka signaled.
Vertical Drop Curveball.
It looked like a curveball, but dropped straighter, faster, and harder.
The pitch flew toward home plate. Ichidai's fourth batter's eyes narrowed—he was waiting for a curveball!
Whoosh!
He swung with full force.
There! I got it!!
But—in the instant he thought he connected—
The baseball vanished from his bat's path.
Pop!
"Strike!!"
The batter stiffened.
A new pitch…?!
Tanba mastered a new pitch too?!
Vertical Drop Curveball.
Heh.
Seeing the batter's stunned face, Tanaka Wataru smirked inwardly.
Scared, aren't you?
Tanba had earned this pitch through relentless training. Ever since Kanzaki Ryou joined the team, Seidou's pitchers pushed themselves harder than ever before.
"Tanba mastered a new pitch!!"
"Haha! Tanba! Nice!!"
"That's awesome!"
"Strike him out!!"
Seidou's fans—initially crushed by Kanzaki's injury—reignited with energy.
Even if their Ace left temporarily…
Seidou still had strong pitchers.
Tanba Koichiro on the mound.
Nanjo Taishi warming up in the bullpen.
The team still stood strong.
With two strikes, Tanba's expression hardened into confidence.
He was ready to finish this.