"My hair is messed up!"
Zhang Han angrily shoved away the troublemakers crowding around him.
He didn't need a mirror to know what his head looked like. Just from the way the wind brushed against his scalp, he could tell his carefully maintained hairstyle had been completely destroyed.
"Ah!!"
Zhang Han instantly looked like he was about to pick a fight.
The culprits burst out laughing and scattered in all directions like startled birds.
In the stands, the fans noticed the commotion and craned their necks to look over. When they saw what was happening, they couldn't help but laugh along.
So the atmosphere in Seido High School Baseball Team was actually this good.
Zhang Han, the international student, clearly got along well with his teammates. He had already blended in with his seniors as if he had been with them for years.
What the fans didn't know was that if this weren't a public setting, and if Zhang Han weren't trying to avoid disgracing his home country, he would have already snapped.
These bastards!
They dared to mess up his hair when he wasn't paying attention.
What Zhang Han didn't realize was that his seniors had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Zhang Han was extremely particular about his hair. Even when wearing a cap, even when sweating heavily, he always made sure his hairstyle stayed neat.
That alone was enough to make people angry. When you saw a newcomer who was younger than you, more talented than you, stronger than you, and better-looking than you…
Anyone would feel irritated. Since they couldn't beat him on the field, the next best thing was obvious.
Mess up his hair.
It was just that Zhang Han had always been cautious and never gave them the chance.
Until now. They had finally succeeded during the celebration.
And honestly…
"It's so soft!"
Back in the dugout, Zhang Han's thoughts were interrupted by Kataoka's cold voice.
"It's our turn to hit. Their pitcher's pitch count has already exceeded one hundred. His stamina won't last much longer."
Kataoka's tone was flat, decisive.
"Seize every opportunity. Hit the ball out."
There were no extra words.
No encouragement. No hesitation.
The Seido players straightened immediately, eyes sharp and focused.
"Yes!"
In front of so many people, Zhang Han knew revenge was impossible.
So he redirected his frustration. Toward Ichidai Third High School.
Bottom of the sixth inning.
Seido High School Baseball Team was up to bat.
The first to step into the batter's box was Yamada, his buck teeth flashing as he adjusted his stance. Within the Seido lineup, if ranked by looks, Yamada was unquestionably dead last.
He was also one of the main culprits responsible for Zhang Han's ruined hairstyle.
But despite his appearance, his skills were solid. Among the third-year players, he ranked just below the "Three Carriages."
As soon as he entered the batter's box, Yamada looked eager, full of ambition.
Behind him, Azuma Kiyokuni called out encouragement.
"Wait for the right pitch, then swing!"
"It's up to you, Yamada!"
Thanks to the brilliant defense earlier, the momentum of the game had clearly begun to tilt toward Seido.
In the stands, many neutral spectators had already turned into Seido supporters, joining the cheers without hesitation.
On the mound, Kameshima, the ace of Ichidai Third High School, completely shut out the surrounding noise.
Just as Kataoka had said, although he had successfully suppressed Seido's batting lineup, the price he paid was heavy.
His pitch count had already surpassed one hundred.
His stamina was nearing its limit. In theory, he could still throw another thirty to fifty pitches.
But reality was harsher.
The intervals between innings were short. He had been pitching almost nonstop. And worse, he had been using the gyroball. A pitch that burned stamina and physical potential at an alarming rate.
How much longer could he last? How long could he maintain this level?
Even Kameshima didn't know anymore.
But one thing was crystal clear.
If he collapsed here, Ichidai Third High School would be finished. This was his last summer.
Thinking of his teammates who had fought alongside him all this time, Kameshima clenched his teeth. Even if his body gave out, he would fight until the final moment.
"You're still eight hundred years too early to try and wear me down!"
With that thought, Kameshima unleashed his first pitch.
It wasn't a gyroball.
Yamada, who had been watching closely, didn't try to drag out the at-bat. He swung immediately. The Seido players had already thought this through.
Instead of forcing Kameshima off the mound completely, it was better to leave him half-dead on the field.
Ichidai Third High School's relief pitcher was no weakling. Though he was a second-year, his performance had been impressive.
How could they look down on others?
Compared to facing a fresh, motivated relief pitcher, dealing with an exhausted Kameshima was the safer choice.
After so many innings, Seido's batters were already familiar with his pitching. And with his stamina dropping, his velocity and speed had clearly declined.
There was still hope.
"Ping!"
The bat connected, but the ball popped high into the air and landed behind the catcher.
"Foul ball!"
Yamada's heart sank.
Even in this state, Kameshima's power hadn't fallen as much as expected. This was bad.
Without even using the gyroball, just relying on basic pitching, Kameshima forced Yamada into an infield pop-up.
Out.
One out.
No runners on base.
At this moment, Kameshima seemed to experience a sudden resurgence, his presence growing terrifyingly strong.
"Fourth batter, third baseman, Azuma Kiyokuni."
Ace versus fourth batter.
No matter the era, no matter the situation, this matchup always drew everyone's attention. Under countless gazes, the core players of the two teams clashed in a classic, head-on duel.
Pitch after pitch.
Six in total.
In the end, the monster known as Azuma Kiyokuni won. With brute force, he smashed a poorly placed fastball straight into the outfield. The moment the ball flew, every Ichidai San player widened their eyes.
They still had Yuuki and Zhang Han waiting next.
If possible, they absolutely did not want anyone on base. But there was no helping it. Some people were simply on a different level.
"Haha!"
The ball landed safely. Ichidai San's outfielder couldn't stop it in time and could only watch it roll away.
Azuma seized the chance and charged straight into second base.
One out.
Runner on second.
Seido High School Baseball Team's terrifying offensive power was on full display. Even against a monster like Kameshima, they repeatedly sent runners into scoring position.
Now, they didn't even need a long hit. Just one solid hit would be enough.
Seido could take the lead again.
And the next batters were…
Fifth batter, Yuuki Tetsuya.
Sixth batter, Zhang Han.
Yuuki had already collected two hits today.
Zhang Han had driven in Seido's first run.
In this situation, they were the two players Ichidai Third High School least wanted to face.
The pressure on the mound became suffocating.
************************************
Upto 20 Chapters In Advance At: P@treon/Vividreader123