On the tennis court, Kanzaki Ryou and Isashiki Jun were locked in a fierce match.
"Jun-senpai is getting destroyed."
"Kanzaki isn't holding back at all."
Watching Isashiki sprint frantically from side to side while being toyed with by Kanzaki, Miyuki and Kuramochi couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic.
"This is pretty entertaining, isn't it?" Kominato Ryosuke said with a grin.
"Yeah."
Yuki nodded in agreement and casually took out his phone to record Isashiki's miserable performance.
A few minutes later—
Game. Set. Match.
6-0.
A complete sweep.
Kanzaki walked off the court wearing a victorious smile.
"Kanzaki!"
Isashiki pointed at him angrily.
"Why are you playing so seriously?! I couldn't return a single ball!"
Taking a bottle of water from Fujiwara Takako, Kanzaki looked completely innocent.
"But Senpai, you're the one who asked for a match."
"I'm simply showing respect to my opponent."
"You...!"
Isashiki nearly choked.
Respect?
This was bullying!
"Miyuki, let's play."
Yuki suddenly stepped forward, racket in hand.
The aura around him instantly changed.
A true master had entered the court.
"Alright, Senpai."
Miyuki nodded and followed him.
Yuki's posture was flawless.
His footwork was textbook.
His swing looked powerful.
His presence was overwhelming.
Unfortunately...
He couldn't hit the ball.
Not a single one.
On the neighboring court, Kuramochi and Kominato Ryosuke weren't doing much better.
Their match quickly turned into:
You hit it.
I miss.
I hit it.
You miss.
They spent more time chasing tennis balls than actually playing tennis.
Watching the chaos unfold, Kanzaki couldn't help laughing.
Then he turned toward Fujiwara Takako.
"Fujiwara-senpai."
"Want to play a match?"
"Sure."
Takako smiled happily.
Ever since the third-years retired and she stepped away from the baseball club to focus on her studies, opportunities to spend time with everyone had become much rarer.
To Kanzaki's surprise, however, her tennis skills were actually quite solid.
The two played for the rest of the afternoon.
—
After returning to the dormitory, Kanzaki discovered Arima Kazusa doing lower-body training.
His shoulder was injured.
His legs weren't.
That was apparently Arima's logic.
"You brat."
Kanzaki shook his head.
"When it's time to rest, rest properly."
"If you keep doing this, your recovery will only slow down."
Arima smiled sheepishly.
"It's not much."
"I just feel uncomfortable sitting around doing nothing."
Kanzaki sighed helplessly.
"Just don't overdo it."
After a rare day of relaxation, Seido returned to its usual intense training schedule.
Time passed quickly.
Before anyone realized it, the day of the Autumn Tournament Final had arrived.
—
12:30 PM.
Jingu Stadium.
The bus carrying Seido's first-string players slowly came to a stop.
The moment the players stepped off the bus, cheers erupted from the waiting crowd.
"Kanzaki!"
"Seido!"
"Good luck!"
Walking at the back of the group, Kanzaki wore headphones while listening to "Encounter Angel."
One hand rested in his pocket.
The other carried his bag.
His expression remained calm.
As if today's final were no different from any other game.
Upon entering the stadium, fate seemed to have arranged another reunion.
Seido.
Inashiro Industrial.
Once again.
The two strongest teams in Tokyo met in the final.
Earlier that day, Inashiro had defeated Yakushi 8-2.
Narumiya Mei's dominant pitching left Yakushi with almost no offensive opportunities.
Even Todoroki Raichi managed only a single hit throughout the game.
The moment the two teams crossed paths, both groups slowed their steps.
Naturally, a path opened in front of Seido.
Its captain stepped forward.
Kanzaki Ryou.
On the opposite side, Narumiya Mei did the same.
The two aces faced each other.
"Yo."
Kanzaki smiled.
"Little Blondie."
"You seem pretty energetic today."
"Heh."
Narumiya's eyes narrowed.
"Chestnut-Hair Monster."
The two captains locked eyes.
The surrounding players unconsciously held their breath.
Compared to before, Narumiya seemed much calmer.
Much more mature.
"See you on the field."
Narumiya extended a finger toward him.
Kanzaki's smile widened.
"See you on the field."
No more words were needed.
Everything else would be decided in the game.
—
1:00 PM.
Both teams completed their warm-ups and returned to their dugouts.
Meanwhile, the stands were packed.
Schools eliminated earlier in the tournament had also arrived to watch.
On the eastern side of the stadium sat Yakushi High School.
Coach Todoroki Raizou.
Todoroki Raichi.
Sanada Shunpei.
And several key players.
All had come to witness the final.
"What perfect timing."
Coach Todoroki laughed.
"I hope we get a spectacular game."
Sanada sighed.
"It's a shame we lost."
"I didn't expect Inashiro to be so coordinated this year."
"Heh."
Todoroki's gaze drifted toward the Inashiro dugout.
"Narumiya Mei has finally become a true ace."
Not only had his pitching improved.
His leadership had as well.
Even during games, he actively guided his catcher and controlled the team's rhythm.
"Wahaha!"
Raichi suddenly laughed.
"I want to play too!"
"It's been so long since I faced Kanzaki!"
—
On the western side sat Ichidai Third High.
Coach Tahara.
Ace Amahisa Kousei.
And several teammates.
"Seido versus Inashiro again."
Coach Tahara chuckled.
"Not surprising at all."
"But this match..."
His eyes sparkled.
"Will definitely be interesting."
"The showdown between Kanzaki-kun and Narumiya-kun."
Beside him, Amahisa grinned.
His disappointment at failing to reach the semifinals had not completely faded.
In his opinion, the loss was largely his own fault.
If he hadn't abandoned baseball for so long...
Perhaps things would have turned out differently.
Still.
Today's game was worth watching.
After all, the strongest players in Tokyo were about to collide.
—
Back in the Seido dugout, the starting lineup was finalized.
1st — Kuramochi Yoichi, Shortstop
2nd — Kominato Haruichi, Second Baseman
3rd — Miyuki Kazuya, Catcher
4th — Kanzaki Ryou, Pitcher
5th — Shirasu Kenjirou, Right Fielder
6th — Maezono Kenta, First Baseman
7th — Higasa Shouji, Third Baseman
8th — Aso Takashi, Left Fielder
9th — Toujou Hideaki, Center Fielder
Compared to previous games, the lineup had changed very little.
The only major difference was Arima's absence due to injury.
Before the players took the field, Coach Kataoka stepped forward.
Then he placed a hand on Kanzaki's shoulder.
"Let's do it."
Kanzaki froze.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
Ever since becoming captain...
They hadn't done it once.
The famous Seido huddle.
The others immediately understood.
Excitement appeared on every face.
Kanzaki stepped forward.
"Everyone."
"Circle up."
The players quickly gathered together.
One by one.
Shoulder to shoulder.
Heart to heart.
Standing in the center, Kanzaki placed a hand against his chest, just as Yuki once had.
His gaze swept across every teammate.
Beginning with Miyuki beside him.
Then he shouted.
"WHO ARE WE?!"
"SEIDO!!"
The response shook the dugout.
"WHO SWEATS MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE?!"
"SEIDO!!"
"WHO CRIES MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE?!"
"SEIDO!!"
"ARE YOU READY?!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOH!!!"
The roar exploded into the sky.
Kanzaki's eyes burned with determination.
"Carrying the pride of Seido High School!"
"Our goal has never changed!"
His voice grew louder.
Stronger.
More passionate.
"TO DOMINATE THE NATION!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOH!!!"
"KOSHIEN!"
"KOSHIEN!"
"KOSHIEN!"
"KOSHIEN!"
The entire team roared together.
Their voices echoed throughout Jingu Stadium.
And in that moment—
The Autumn Tournament Final officially began.