Before the tie-breaker, both teams huddled in their dugouts, discussing last-minute strategies.
Up in the stands, a group of Ichidai Third High School players was still buzzing about the previous inning.
Whenever Zhou Hao's na ca up, even Inashiro's players couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
"That's incredible."
To the casual fans, it was just an exciting ga.
To these elite players, the details were crystal clear.
"The ga's gone this far, and not only did Zhou Hao avoid collapsing—he broke through."
"What a monster."
"And his catcher—bold pitch calls at this stage, where a single mistake ans ga over? That takes guts."
From high inside to low outside—Zhou Hao had never had this kind of pinpoint control before.
The mont he showed a flash of it, Miyuki Kazuya pounced, crafting sequences that took full advantage.
They all knew—if those calls had backfired, Seido wouldn't even see the tie-breaker.
"With those two in Seido, boys, you'd better get ready to work."
Coach Tahara of Ichidai spoke with a smile, though his tone carried weight.
With Miyuki and Zhou Hao as their core, Seido's days of early exits were over.
One of his players muttered,
"Coach, we might not need to wait. If Seido wins today, they're already our biggest rival."
Cruel reality—sa district. If Seido rises, the first casualties will be the other West Tokyo powerhouses.
And right now?
Inashiro could lose at any mont.
Ichidai, as another finalist, had to be ready.
In Seido's dugout, Coach Kataoka faced a brutal choice.
Zhou Hao had already pitched far beyond expectations. The plan had been to pull him before the tie-breaker.
But could he really take him off the mound now?
The next inning wouldn't just be skill versus skill—it would be willpower versus willpower.
Any shift that rattled the team could tip the balance the wrong way.
"I'm fine."
Yoshida spoke up, confidence steady in his voice.
He'd already done his soul-searching out in the field. No more anxiety, no more choking under pressure. If he got the ball now, he was sure he could deliver.
And Kataoka believed him. But—would it be enough?
Inashiro's batters were aiming for the national stage. They wouldn't flinch at even Yoshida's best.
Right now, the safest hands were still Zhou Hao's.
Whether it was the players, the fans, or Kataoka himself—everyone was leaning on him.
He might not wear the Ace's No. 1 jersey, but in their hearts, Zhou Hao was Seido's Ace.
"Zhou Hao."
The Coach didn't need to say more. Zhou Hao nodded.
"I can keep pitching."
"Your stamina?"
"Already past its limit—"
It was true. In his old body, this kind of workload would've left him sprawled like a noodle.
But right now? He was still standing. Still strong. That ant his real limit hadn't been reached.
"Past the limit?"
Zhou Hao nodded, grinning.
"Past the old limit, yeah. I've never thrown this many pitches before. But right now—I'm full of power."
Laughter broke out as Azuma ruffled his hair into a bird's nest.
For a team with so little big-ga experience, Seido looked remarkably loose.
Inashiro, seasoned veterans of deep tournants, kept their faces composed.
Still—their final inning at-bat had failed to break Seido. Worse, they'd watched Zhou Hao evolve.
Remaining calm under those circumstances was proof they were true elites.
Coach Kunimoto's words were simple, but firm:
"Next inning's a battle of will and experience. Our will is equal to theirs, and our experience is greater. We'll win. Go out and take it."
No fiery speeches—just truth. And his players believed it.
Kataoka gave his own final order:
"Zhou Hao stays on the mound. Yoshida, be ready. Everything's been said—show your practice form.
Don't forget the goal. Go get it."
Seido's goal never changed: dominate the nation.
And to do that, step one was simple—don't lose.
Top of the 10th — Seido at bat.
The leadoff man stepped in, bat gripped tight. Determined to connect.
"Strike!"
"Strike!!"
"Strike!!!" — Strikeout!
Two more outs followed in quick succession. Side retired.
Bottom of the 10th — Inashiro at bat.
"Strike!"
"Strike!"
"Strike!!" — Strikeout!!
Zhou Hao answered back without rcy.
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