The Freshman–Old-timers Game wasn't over yet, but there was no longer any doubt about who the strongest freshman was.
Even without considering Zhang Han's brilliance on the mound, his batting performance alone was enough to make everyone reevaluate him.
He had four at-bats: one home run and two base hits. A hitting success rate of 75 percent.
If that were all, people might chalk it up to talent. Seido had seen talented players rise in Freshman–Old-timers Games before.
Even Azuma Kiyokuni, now a third-year, had set a terrifying record in his own welcoming match: two hits in two at-bats. A perfect 100 percent.
But Zhang Han's opponent was different.
He wasn't facing some bench pitcher or someone still finding their footing. He was facing Seido's Ace, a pitcher famous throughout Tokyo.
To stand against such an opponent and win… The record Zhang Han created was unprecedented.
Not only were the alumni stunned, even the three giants of Seido Baseball—Ota, Takashima Rei, and Kataoka—were shaken.
Ota muttered, "This kid is way too strong…"
During the freshmen's initial evaluations, Ota already knew Zhang Han's hitting should be decent. But he never imagined this boy, who hadn't even been in high school for a month, would show such terrifying power. It was beyond impressive.
Takashima Rei watched with a thoughtful expression.
Zhang Han was her personal recommendation. Among everyone here, she understood him best.
She had always been confident in his future. She believed that after a period of development, he would become one of Seido's core forces.
But even she hadn't expected his growth to be this fast.
Right now, forget the second team—if he joined the First-string immediately, he wouldn't be the weakest. He already had the qualifications to compete for a starting number.
Kataoka, standing in the umpire's position, had his sunglasses hiding the sharp glint in his eyes.
What Ota and Takashima Rei could see, Kataoka understood even more clearly.
Zhang Han's hitting talent and strength were already enough for Seido to make an exception and promote him.
But Kataoka had one regret.
If only Zhang Han's pitching ability matched his hitting ability… That would have been perfect.
But there was no such perfection in the world. He reluctantly accepted the reality and continued observing the game.
Zhang Han, now standing on second base, adopted a ready stance. As expected from someone trained in a top youth baseball program, he understood his responsibilities.
Even though he knew he couldn't successfully steal a base, he still made the attempt. The goal was simple: disrupt the pitcher.
And it worked.
Hidezawa, already mentally frayed by Zhang Han, couldn't tolerate being provoked like that. He immediately threw a pickoff pitch.
"Pop!"
Zhang Han dodged and returned to second base with time to spare.
"Safe!"
"Safe!"
This repeated several times. Each time, Zhang Han anticipated the pickoff and retreated early.
Hidezawa's teeth clenched in frustration. He had no way to deal with him.
"Ignore him and focus on the batter. Zhang Han—leave him to me."
Chris finally intervened from behind the plate.
Hidezawa trusted Chris completely. And since he couldn't do anything to Zhang Han, he listened.
Once the upperclassmen truly stopped focusing on him, Zhang Han had no more opportunities to exploit.
Although the freshmen had played well earlier and even taken the lead, the difference in overall ability was still obvious. Once the Old-timers locked in, their advantage surfaced immediately.
Kuramochi and Shirasu were both put out in quick succession, with zero resistance. Zhang Han could only stay safely on second, unable to advance even a step.
The two outs looked like adults bullying children.
In their earlier innings, the freshmen seemed comparable to the Old-timers. But now the gap showed clearly. The Old-timers began pressing them with overwhelming experience and skill—just like seasoned veterans teaching rookies a painful lesson.
"It's fine, we still have one more chance to bat!"
Miyuki said what a true leader should say.
"Yeah! Exactly!"
Maezono, though not articulate, wholeheartedly agreed.
As long as the game wasn't over, they still had hope. Even if it was slim, they had to give everything.
Bottom of the 8th inning. Old-timers at bat.
With quick reactions and experience, Zhang Han and his teammates secured an out.
One out, bases empty.
The freshmen cheer squad, which had been quiet, immediately came alive.
It wasn't that the freshmen were weak, the Old-timers simply had more experience. That was all.
But as long as the freshmen didn't give up, their supporters wouldn't give up either.
"Finish them off! It's all on you!"
"Zhang-kun, you're the coolest!"
At some point, several girls appeared in the outfield. When they saw Zhang Han, their eyes brightened, and they instantly joined the cheering.
Zhang Han, standing on the mound, was completely unaware. All of his focus was on the next opponent.
Chris.
Their second confrontation.
Zhang Han was fully prepared. He had at least 60 percent confidence he could retire Chris again, along with the other upperclassmen.
But reality slapped him hard.
"Your pitch speed is good, your power is good, your control is even master-level. On paper, you're better than Tanba, the second-year. But…"
You have one fatal weakness.
"Ping!"
Chris's bat struck the ball squarely.
The white ball shot forward.
"He hit it?"
Zhang Han's eyes widened in disbelief.
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