Zhang Han and Narumiya Mei.
The two had faced each other many times during their junior high days. Overall, Zhang Han had usually been suppressed by Narumiya Mei.
That was unavoidable.
Zhang Han had become well-known very early. Even though his final achievements in junior high weren't particularly dazzling, he had already been a core player for Matsukata Little League in his first year. He was battle-hardened from a young age.
In his early years, it was common for Zhang Han to run into powerful opponents and be completely overwhelmed.
Narumiya Mei was one of them.
Unlike Zhang Han, who bloomed later, Narumiya Mei had received systematic baseball training at a specialized school since childhood. He was talented, powerful, and experienced.
Naturally, Zhang Han lost more often than not.
Even in his second year of junior high, the situation barely changed. When facing Narumiya Mei, Zhang Han could only manage the occasional hit.
It wasn't until his third year that things shifted.
On one hand, Matsukata Little League entered its golden period, with astonishing overall strength. On the other, Zhang Han finally found his own style, and his growth accelerated rapidly.
In their final matchup, Zhang Han delivered a crucial hit that helped Matsukata secure the win.
As for that game, Zhang Han and Narumiya Mei told completely different stories.
Narumiya claimed Zhang Han was crafty and that the hit was pure luck.
Zhang Han insisted it was entirely due to his own strength.
Neither was willing to back down.
Since both had already graduated and had no chance to face each other again, the argument was never settled.
But it became a thorn lodged deep in Narumiya Mei's heart.
As long as he had the chance, he would get his revenge.
And now, that chance had finally arrived.
You're best at hitting fastballs, right?
Then I'll defeat you with a fastball.
That was Narumiya Mei's thinking.
Zhang Han, meanwhile, understood Narumiya Mei very well.
Back at Matsukata, the coaches had treated Narumiya as a primary rival and studied him extensively. The conclusion was simple: aside from his personality, he had almost no weaknesses.
As for that personality, it could also be interpreted as boldness born from overwhelming talent.
Narumiya Mei was willful. Childish, even. Once he set his mind on something, no matter how dangerous, he would see it through.
That alone wasn't unusual. Many players shared that flaw.
What made Narumiya truly terrifying was that even when opponents tried to exploit it, they were often the ones who paid the price.
What was a genius?
Not someone who could do what everyone else could.
A genius was someone who could do what others couldn't.
Narumiya Mei was exactly that kind of player.
That was why, even knowing Zhang Han was waiting for a fastball, he didn't hesitate.
He threw it.
You want a fastball?
Then I'll end you with one.
Zhang Han's first objective was achieved.
Narumiya Mei did throw a fastball, exactly as expected. And not just any fastball—it was right in the strike zone.
But that didn't mean Zhang Han had already won.
After all, his opponent was Narumiya Mei.
Back in Matsukata Little League, Zhang Han himself had been a highly regarded pitcher. Even without the ace number, his strength was recognized. Several teams had tried to recruit him with the intention of developing him into their future ace.
That alone spoke volumes about his talent.
Because of this, Zhang Han was used to comparing himself to others. Some players were weaker than him. Some were stronger, but their growth had already plateaued.
Zhang Han believed that if he continued improving, surpassing them was only a matter of time.
There was only one exception.
Narumiya Mei.
No matter how hard Zhang Han trained, he couldn't see a future where he clearly surpassed him.
Because of that, Zhang Han had studied Narumiya more than all other opponents combined.
And because of that, Zhang Han was confident.
Narumiya Mei's fastball would cross the plate.
And he would hit it.
Zhang Han didn't know what kind of training Narumiya had undergone after entering Inashiro Industrial. He couldn't judge how much stronger Narumiya had become.
But there was one thing he was absolutely certain of.
No matter how much Narumiya had improved, his growth speed could not match Zhang Han's.
After entering Seido, Zhang Han's strength had skyrocketed. Compared to his junior high self, he was already a completely different player.
Ichidai Third High School had gathered plenty of information about him through Hoshida.
And it had been useless.
Zhang Han was still dazzling.
Why?
Because the Zhang Han of today and the Zhang Han of a year ago were no longer comparable.
"Buzz!"
The bat tore through the air.
Harada's heart jumped.
Although he hadn't fully agreed with Narumiya Mei's decision, he had ultimately gone along with it. On one hand, he believed Narumiya could overpower Zhang Han with a fastball. On the other, Zhang Han already had two strikes.
They had never thrown a fastball in the strike zone before.
No matter how confident Zhang Han was, Harada didn't believe he would gamble on Narumiya throwing such a pitch at this moment.
The choice was risky, but Harada didn't think it would decide the game.
But baseball had a way of defying expectations.
Before his eyes, the bat met the ball squarely.
The white ball rocketed into the sky.
Inashiro's outfielders sprinted backward in panic, only to slow to a stop.
They could only watch as the ball disappeared into the outfield stands of Jingu Stadium.
"It's—It's out!"
"A home run!"
"Zhang Han hits a massive home run to take the lead!"
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