Chapter 357: Inashiro's Aggressive Start

With a fast-paced pitching rhythm and very decisive attacks on the batter's outer corner, Kominato Haruichi was retired in just three pitches, marking the second out.

Such a fast pace excited the spectators in attendance, but the Seido members on the sidelines frowned; they had originally assumed that Inashiro would be a bit more stable and slow the pace at the start, as it was the first time the two new teams were facing each other, and figuring out the opponent's bottom line was more important.

Who would have thought that Inashiro would come out so fiercely, with Narumiya Mei first showing off a new pitch, followed by the Catcher aggressively calling three pitches to the outer corner!

"This is bad; if things continue like this, I'm afraid Inashiro will seize the initiative," Ochiai Hiromitsu said, still stroking his small mustache.

"It's fine, it's Miyuki's turn now," Takashima Rei said.

Between the two, Director Kataoka called over Huangqian Yangyi, who was preparing to head to the on-deck circle.

"Can you do it?"

Huangqian Yangyi smiled, "If I don't get a Base on Balls."

"I'll leave it to you, seize the initiative!"

"Yes!"

On the field, Miyuki stood in the Batter's Box with a gentle smile, but this expression looked more annoying the more Narumiya Mei looked at it; damn Kazuya, wanting to hit my pitch, no way!

No one on base, two outs, it was the turn of Seido's power hitter.

With Narumiya Mei's strong pitching performance earlier, the scales on the field seemed to have already tipped in Inashiro's favor.

At the very least, in terms of momentum, Inashiro currently had the upper hand.

"Playball!"

As the umpire's voice fell, Tadano Itsuki gave the signal immediately; efficient, fast-paced pitch calling was one of his characteristics, and with Narumiya Mei's active cooperation, he could more boldly display his ideas on the field.

Miyuki Kazuya, a power hitter with the ability to hit a Home Run, his ability to track the ball was not top-tier but still excellent, yet this person's ability to select and guess pitches was superb, as if he could see through his opponent's thoughts.

Facing such an opponent, Tadano Itsuki decided not to compete with him in intelligence—he couldn't win that way—so he simply went direct: a head-on confrontation!

Tadano Itsuki believed this was also the style that Narumiya Mei preferred.

Sure enough, on the Pitcher's Mound, Narumiya Mei nodded quickly after seeing the signal, and the corners of his mouth curled up; he was clearly in a very good mood.

Whoosh!!

The rapidly flying baseball drilled into home plate, while Miyuki's bat remained on his shoulder.

Pop!

"Strike!"

An inside high Fastball!

Miyuki watched the baseball fly from his chest into the Catcher's mitt; was it actually this pitch? Is this little Catcher that bold?

However, in that case, would he be afraid?

Miyuki grew excited, his pupils trembling slightly as he gazed at Narumiya Mei.

Mei, come on, throw it!

Narumiya Mei's eyes widened, and he pointed his chin at Miyuki.

If you want to hit it, then give it a try!

Swish!

Pop!

"Strike!"

Swinging and missing again, Miyuki was cornered.

Then, Tadano Itsuki returned the ball and immediately squatted down to give the signal.

A flash of light crossed Narumiya Mei's eyes, and he quickly threw the third pitch.

Swing!

Miyuki locked onto the pitch path, and his bat swept toward the baseball.

Pop!

"Strike!"

"Strikeout."

"Change of sides!"

A Changeup!

In the on-deck circle, Huangqian Yangyi frowned deeply; what is Inashiro doing today, throwing a Changeup this early? Are they really planning to do something right at the start of the game?

Just then, Narumiya Mei on the Pitcher's Mound turned his head to look over, with his chin slightly raised and the corners of his mouth curled up—that tsundere little expression.

Huangqian Yangyi's mouth twitched; who said this little blondie had matured? He clearly hadn't, showing off the moment he got the chance!

"Great pitch, Ace!"

"That's how it should be, three up, three down!"

"Mei~!"

"Keep up the momentum!"

Inashiro's fans gave the warmest response to Narumiya Mei's brilliant performance.

In this way, only their Ace could suppress the opponent when facing the Seido lineup; three up, three down at the start—Seido hadn't tasted this in a long time.

Returning to the dugout, Huangqian Yangyi immediately put on his pitcher's glove.

"Let's go, since Inashiro is so sincere, we can't be too polite," Huangqian Yangyi said.

Miyuki, who had returned after being struck out, also began to put on his protective gear, "Well, don't rush, it's only the first inning."

"Tch, the person who got struck out shouldn't talk," Kuramochi mocked from the side.

"Hehe, I just didn't expect it to be a Changeup," Miyuki wasn't angry; Tadano Itsuki had called a Changeup in the first inning, and he really hadn't been prepared.

Bottom of the first inning, Inashiro's turn to attack.

As soon as Huangqian Yangyi stepped onto the Pitcher's Mound, Seido's supporters began to cheer and shout.

"Huangqian!!"

"Go get 'em!"

"It's all up to you!"

"I'm counting on you, Overlord!!"

"Crush them!"

"Miyuki! It doesn't matter if you get a Strikeout, just coordinate well with the ace!"

It was unclear who shouted this, but it reached Miyuki's ears with perfect clarity.

"Hahaha..."

Huangqian Yangyi, who also heard it, stood on the Pitcher's Mound and laughed loudly.

"Bottom of the first inning, Inashiro Industrial High School's offense, first batter, center fielder, Kamiya!"

Hmm, an old rival.

Carlos walked toward the Batter's Box, his eyes fixed on Huangqian Yangyi the entire time.

The champion Pitcher of the Koshien Three-peat, come on, let me get a good look at your pitching again!

With light steps and a calm expression, Carlos did not look that nervous, perhaps because they had faced each other many times.

"Blast it out of here, Carlos!"

"Kamiya! Use your speed! Get on base!"

"Go!!"

Before the game had even started, the stands were in an uproar again.

"Hi~"

Miyuki looked up and greeted this old rival.

"Hmm." The aloof Carlos nodded.

On the Pitcher's Mound, Huangqian Yangyi hunched his body slightly, a sharp, cold glint appearing in his pupils; unlike the anger he felt when dealing with Seiko, facing Inashiro required total focus and absolute concentration.

The first pitch, the pitcher and catcher exchanged glances.

Outside corner, high, Fastball; Carlos had long arms, so the angle of this pitch was crucial.

Understood!

Huangqian Yangyi nodded; although Carlos was tall with long arms, he was an expert at hitting inside pitches, so using the width of the strike zone to attack his outside corner would make the subsequent pitch calling much easier.

On the Pitcher's Mound, Huangqian Yangyi lifted his left leg high and raised his arms, his well-proportioned figure looking like a sculpture under the sunlight.

Boom!!

Like a cannonball leaving the chamber.

The little white ball, wrapped in terrifying momentum, roared toward home plate.

Carlos, having prepared himself mentally, swung his bat early; having faced Huangqian Yangyi so many times, he knew clearly that he had to commit to the pitch! Otherwise, he would definitely swing late and miss.

Outside corner, Carlos's bat swung toward the low outside corner.

Pop!

"Strike!"

It was a High Fastball on the outside corner!

Guessed wrong! Carlos was not discouraged, pulling back his bat with a calm expression.