The batter who had just made a contribution was imdiately replaced after reaching base — it was impossible not to draw attention.
On the pitcher's mound, Manaka watched Kuramochi, who had just reached first base and was now itching to take off.
He couldn't help but curl his lips into a cold smirk.
"Already getting desperate, huh?"
He knew very well what it ant for him, a substitute pitcher from the prestigious Ichidai Third High's varsity team, to co play in a second-string ga.
At the very least, it ant that Seidou High School's baseball team wasn't fully prepared. Otherwise, they would've called Tanba back and perhaps even brought a few strong second-year players.
"Sorry, but those are the orders I received... even if it seems a bit unfair."
Manaka took a deep breath, then quickly threw the ball to first base.
"Whoosh!"
This sudden pick-off throw gave Seidou's players quite a scare.
So fast!
Such a clean and sharp pick-off — had it been them, they would've definitely been out.
Kuramochi, who had been preparing to steal, was also shocked.
But he was agile. With a swift dive, he managed to scramble back to first base just in ti.
As his hand touched the base, Kuramochi wore a smug grin.
"You think that's enough to get out? You're overthinking it."
"Safe!"
Seeing Kuramochi safely back at first, the Seidou bench finally let out a collective sigh of relief.
So lucky!
But just as that thought crossed their minds, the man on the mound made his move again.
The mont he got the ball back, he imdiately threw.
"Whoosh!"
Like a bullet, the ball zipped right through the strike zone.
The batter at the plate didn't even have ti to react.
"Pop!"
"Strike!!"
The pitcher was ahead with one strike.
Kuramochi, who had been planning to steal a base, was nearly livid.
He glared at the pitcher on the mound, eyes burning with fury.
That guy did it on purpose!
That earlier pick-off was just a distraction to prevent him from stealing.
"So this is the strength of a top national ace pitcher, huh?"
Kuramochi had just been promoted to the second string. Facing such a terrifying pitcher shocked him to his core.
But his fearless personality wouldn't back down.
Instead of being intimidated, seeing his opponent's strength only made Kuramochi want to surprise him.
Before Manaka threw the second pitch, he tried to check the runner with a glance.
But just as he looked away and turned back — Kuramochi, who had been standing obediently on the bag, suddenly took off.
This startled Ichidai's first baseman.
"Over here!"
He quickly signaled to Manaka to throw the ball.
But by then, Manaka had already committed to his pitch.
"Too late!"
Ichidai's first baseman felt his heart leap into his throat.
That runner Manaka had just tried to trick was much more dangerous than they'd thought.
His timing was perfect.
Unlike the panicked first baseman, Manaka remained calm, catching the movent out of the corner of his eye.
"Trying to steal? In your dreams!"
He forcibly changed the angle of his pitch.
Ichidai's catcher wasn't ordinary either. Noticing the ball veer off-course, he imdiately stood up and opened his glove.
"Pop!"
The mont he caught the ball, he wasted no ti and quickly threw it to second base.
"Whoosh!"
As Ichidai's catcher, his arm strength was elite.
In a blink, the ball flew across dozens of ters.
The shortstop reacted swiftly, rushing to the ball's drop point and catching it.
"Pop!"
"Thanks for the run!"
With the ball in hand, the shortstop swept his glove toward Kuramochi.
But just as his glove reached out, Kuramochi vanished from sight.
Where'd he go?!
The shortstop frantically looked around. Before he could even locate the runner, the base umpire's voice rang out.
"Safe!"
One out. Runner on second.
Seidou not only got a hit, but in one breath, advanced to second base.
This turn of events stifled Ichidai Third High's players, who had co intending to crush Seidou and boost their pitcher's confidence.
For today's ga, besides Manaka, they had even brought two hitters from their varsity team as subs.
They thought this would be a sure win.
Who would've thought the ga would turn out like this?!
"That guy's fast!"
"Where did he co from? I've never heard of him before."
"Must be a freshman!"
"Speed aside, his reactions are the real deal. Even seeing the glove coming, he didn't flinch — and just dove mid-sprint..."
"With that kind of terrifying speed and reflexes, it's no surprise he got promoted."
Ichidai's players whispered among themselves.
anwhile, in Seidou's dugout, it was like a holiday celebration.
The oppressive mood had lifted completely.
Kuramochi's stunning performance reignited their belief that they could win today.
"We've got a chance — we can do this!"
"That steal was amazing!"
"Just a varsity backup pitcher and he thinks he can suppress us?"
The ga continued.
Despite failing to stop Kuramochi, Manaka didn't seem upset.
He simply glanced at Kuramochi on second and gave a small nod.
He acknowledged Kuramochi's skill.
But as far as today's match was concerned, he wouldn't abandon his original plan.
"Whoosh!"
"Strike!"
"Whoosh!!"
"Strike!!"
"Strikeout!!!"
Faced with the threat of a runner on base, Manaka showed his true strength.
He unleashed two sharp breaking balls and struck out the batter.
Now, two outs with a runner on second.
The Seidou bench, which had just started regaining its energy, fell silent once more.
This Ichidai pitcher was putting imnse pressure on them — more than they had imagined.
Not even their ace Tanba had this kind of dominance.
"He's only in his second year!"
"How can he be this strong?"
"With such terrifying potential, it's no wonder Ichidai Third High gave him this stage."
Takashima Rei frowned.
Both were second-year pitchers — so why had Manaka developed so fast?
If they didn't think of a way to turn things around, this ga might leave lasting psychological scars on their second-string players.
"Zhou-kun!"
Zhou Hao was surprised to hear his na called — he thought he wouldn't get a chance to play today. But unexpectedly, Takashima Rei had called him at this mont?
"Yes!"
"You're up!"
"But the next spot is the cleanup hitter, number four..."
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