The game entered its final inning, and Seidou High School made another substitution—Tanba Koichiro moved to center field.
Standing tall on the pitcher's mound was none other than Isashiki Jun.
"Hahahahaha~~~!"
Isashiki's loud, unrestrained laughter echoed across the stadium.
Behind him, his teammates were all smiling. With such a massive lead, it was only natural for Seidou's primary pitchers to rest. Coach Kataoka couldn't possibly send Kanzaki Ryou out now, so he ultimately allowed Isashiki—who always dreamed of being a pitcher—to finally experience the mound at Koshien.
"I swear, is there really nothing for me to do today?" Kanzaki Ryou muttered to Shida Shota beside him.
Originally, he was supposed to heat up in the bullpen to pressure the opposing team. But Seika collapsed before he even needed to throw a pitch.
Now that the game was basically over, the Coach didn't even let him step on the mound to feel the atmosphere.
"Well, with the game looking like this, sending you up would be bullying," Shida replied with a grin.
On Seika's side, seeing Seidou casually send their center fielder to pitch made them furious.
"This is humiliating!"
"We have to hit it! No matter what, we must score at least one run!"
They had nearly given up, but now, anger reignited their fighting spirit.
Kazashima Eita, listening to his teammates, could only smile bitterly.
Was this really the difference in strength between them and Seidou…? They fought so hard to reach Koshien, only to crumble like this.
Coach Takagi sighed deeply. With the score difference this large, defeat was already decided.
He had to admit it—they lost because of individual skill.
Not necessarily every Seidou player, but most of them executed their roles perfectly. They knew exactly what to do, and when to do it. Whether offense or defense, their awareness and teamwork seemed carved into their bones.
If his team had these players, he could dream of winning all of Japan.
Takagi's gaze drifted to Coach Kataoka—green with envy.
Meanwhile, in the stands…
Seidou's fans were already celebrating. With a 10-run lead, expecting Seika to make a comeback was basically wishing for a miracle.
After a first-round bye and facing a dark horse from a weaker region in the second round, Seidou now had one foot firmly in the Koshien Top 16. That alone satisfied most of their supporters.
As for winning the entire nation?
The players might have that ambition, but fans weren't as demanding—Top 16 was the ideal baseline. Anything less would be unacceptable for the proud representative of West Tokyo.
Elsewhere in the stands…
"This year's Seidou is too strong…" murmured Kazuya Okamoto, Coach of Teito High School, the East Tokyo representative.
He had reason to frown—if Seidou continued like this, they would be unstoppable.
Back on the field, Miyuki sighed as he looked at Isashiki Jun, who was still laughing like a madman.
"Senior," he called out.
"Eh?"
Isashiki turned around with the clueless look of a husky.
"Pitch!" Miyuki forced a smile while gritting his teeth.
"A—ah."
Isashiki cleared his throat and finally composed himself.
He had joined Seidou with dreams of becoming a pitcher. His fastball speed surprised everyone… but his control was so awful that his pitching career ended before it began.
He never imagined he would stand on the mound at Koshien, pitching in an actual match.
Where's the sign?
Isashiki blinked. Miyuki hadn't given him any.
What sign do you need!?
Miyuki understood instantly.
Just throw it as hard as you can, you idiot!
"Tch…" Isashiki clicked his tongue, but raised his arm and hurled the ball.
Hmm? That trajectory…
Miyuki widened his eyes.
That pitch path is… good!?
Pop!
"Strike!"
142 km/h.
The Seika players froze.
What is going on with Seidou? Even their random outfielder throws like this!?
"Yahahaha!"
Isashiki cackled proudly and threw a second pitch—
"Ball!"
"Ball!"
…which flew wildly off target.
The Seika bench sweatdropped.
Ah. So that first pitch was luck.
Their batter stepped into the box thinking:
If I don't swing, he might just walk me.
Pop!
"Strike!"
Two balls, two strikes.
The batter wanted to cry.
Damn it, what kind of inconsistent pitching is this!?
Bang!
"Out!"
He chased a terrible pitch and grounded out.
Miyuki then used Isashiki's chaotic, unpredictable pitches—combined with Seidou's flawless defense—to get two more outs.
Final Score: SEIDOU 10 — 0 SEIKA
Seidou High School Baseball Club dominated the second round and officially advanced to the National Top 16!
WE WON!
Although Seidou had already secured the victory long ago, it was only at the final out that the team finally erupted in joy.
"TOP 16!! We're in the Top 16!!" President Ota shouted excitedly.
Teammates celebrated all around.
Kanzaki Ryou grinned, walking up to Coach Kataoka.
"Director, next game… can you let me pitch at least two innings? Just to get a feel for it?"
Coach Kataoka paused, his smile fading as he looked at him seriously.
"You've been resting too long. Your condition needs to be evaluated. Be ready."
"Yes!" Kanzaki's eyes lit up.
He was already fired up for the next match—the battle for the Top 8.
Meanwhile, Seika's players cried quietly.
They fought so hard to reach Koshien, only to be crushed in their very first game.
They only wanted one win.
Just one.
But destiny paired them against Seidou.
If it had been any other team… they might not have lost this badly.
With heavy hearts, they walked forward and bowed.
"Thank you for the game!"
"Thank you for the game!"