Chapter 377: Branch

"In the first game of the Spring Tokyo Tournament semi-finals, Seido High School versus Ichidai Sanko, bottom of the first inning, Seido's first batter Kuramochi Yoichi and second batter Kominato Haruichi have provided Seido with a prime scoring opportunity with their hits. The next batter up is the third batter, Miyuki Kazuya!!"

Stepping into the batter's box, Miyuki was in a good mood. He hadn't expected such a good start to the game before it began. With the two preceding runners on base, he, as a cleanup-level player, had to deliver a performance.

Tianjiu shouldn't have found his rhythm yet; he would likely be pitching with the mindset of conceding one run to earn outs, so his pitch selection would probably lean toward making it difficult for the batter to make solid contact.

Miyuki looked at Tianjiu Kosei. When facing a potential run, the opponent would surely bring out their most reliable and confident weapon. With this thought in mind, the moment Tianjiu Kosei released the ball, Miyuki swung his bat directly toward the spot he wanted.

An outside low slider!

Whoosh!

The baseball flew from Tianjiu Kosei's hand. Sure enough, it was a slider, on the outside!

Bang!

Unexpectedly, Tianjiu Kosei's control on this pitch was off, keeping it too low. Miyuki's bat barely grazed the top half of the ball, and it flew off almost skimming the ground. It landed near the pitcher's mound and bounced between second and third base. Fortunately, Kuramochi's speed was fast enough to successfully return home and score, but Kominato Haruichi wasn't as lucky and was forced out. Even Miyuki reached base narrowly, missing a double play by a step.

Giving up one run, one out, runner on first—this result made Ichidai Sanko feel a bit regretful. If they could have turned a double play, they could have accepted giving up one run, but now it felt like a loss.

Having been hit on the first pitch by three consecutive batters, Tianjiu Kosei was getting a bit heated. He was naturally a hot-blooded pitcher who loved head-on duels. Seeing Huangqian Yangyi step into the batter's box, Tianjiu Kosei chose to face him head-on without hesitation.

Consequently, a center field home run successfully taught him a lesson.

"Still too green."

Huangqian Yangyi blasted a big one. While running the bases, he smiled at the look of disbelief on the opponent's face. He was a genius, no doubt, but his high school baseball career had a gap of nearly half a year. Among the same grade, Furuya and Sawamura were both stronger than him now.

Having given up three runs in a row, Tianjiu Kosei pulled himself together after a moment of self-reproach. Facing the fifth batter, Arima Kazusa, he finally found the feel for his sharp slider. The two battled to a full count, and eventually, Arima Kazusa hit a single to successfully reach base.

After that, the sixth batter, Shirasu, was forced out, and the seventh batter, Maezono, blasted an extra-base hit to advance the runners. With two outs and runners on first and second, Tianjiu Kosei quickly used his slider to force Tojo to hit a grounder, successfully securing the out to end the inning.

"Tianjiu Boy, you can do it. It doesn't matter if you give up runs; keep your composure and suppress them properly," Manager Tahara said, pressing his hand on Tianjiu Kosei's shoulder.

Hearing this, Tianjiu Kosei looked up at the manager and said after a long while, "Can I face him head-on?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone from Ichidai Sanko turned their heads to look at him.

Manager Tahara looked at the scoreboard. Trailing by three runs, although he was unwilling to admit it in his heart, trailing by three runs at the start of a game against Seido meant the outcome was almost decided.

Looking at the ace before him, who was already in his second year but still appeared somewhat immature, Manager Tahara made a decision: "You may. Go ahead and do it."

Tianjiu Kosei immediately beamed. He had only been hit for a home run; next time, he would definitely take his revenge.

The game reached the fifth inning. At this point, the score was 9-2. Although Ichidai Sanko's offense was also very strong, the ability Kawakami displayed made the fans feel at ease, allowing the opponent only two runs.

And since the home run in the first inning, Tianjiu Kosei did not choose to walk Huangqian Yangyi. One extra-base hit and two home runs—this was the gift Huangqian Yangyi gave this junior in their three subsequent duels.

On the scoring side, besides Huangqian Yangyi's stable performance, the fired-up Tianjiu Kosei indeed possessed a high level of skill. His slider always made it difficult for Seido's batters to hit good balls. People were constantly reaching base, but the offense was hard to connect, and one careless move could lead to a double play.

Just then, there was movement in the Seido dugout. Pitcher Kawakami Norifumi was subbed out to rest, and Sawamura Eijun took the mound.

Having just stepped onto the pitcher's mound, Sawamura immediately had to face Ichidai Sanko's heart of the order. With one runner on base, Sawamura steadily held the top of the sixth inning. His indomitable style of always facing batters head-on made Tianjiu Kosei, on the sidelines, overjoyed. One could not see any sense of loss on his face from having been hit for three home runs by Huangqian Yangyi in five innings.

Seeing this scene, Huangqian Yangyi understood that Ichidai Sanko was already using this for training, and training their ace at that. Reaching the final four in this Spring Tournament was considered a completed mission for Ichidai Sanko. It was originally just a regional tournament with little value; being able to let their relied-upon ace grow here was the biggest harvest. After all, whether it was Ichidai Sanko or Seido, both sides' common goal was in the summer.

The game proceeded amidst the hot-blooded pitching of Tianjiu Kosei and Sawamura Eijun. Miyuki was like a dog let off the leash today, letting Sawamura be as hot-blooded and passionate as he wanted on the pitcher's mound.

Sawamura also lived up to expectations, locking the final score at 14-4.

First game of the Spring Tournament semi-finals, Seido High School wins.

"Line up!"

"Salute!"

"Thank you for the game!"

The two teams of youths bowed to each other.

"The Overlord is the Overlord. Even when not pitching, you're so intimidating. Seven at-bats, four home runs, three outfield extra-base hits. This time, I am convinced. But in the summer, I hope you, Senior, will stand on the pitcher's mound and have another duel."

Tianjiu Kosei shook Huangqian Yangyi's hand, his eyes full of anticipation.

"I thought you would be more dejected. This makes me feel like I have no sense of accomplishment," Huangqian Yangyi laughed.

To be able to laugh even after being hit for so many home runs, Tianjiu Kosei's mentality was truly good. Of course, perhaps this was also because it was only the Spring Tournament. If it were the Summer Tournament semi-finals, the people from Ichidai Sanko would likely be crying in a puddle by now.

"Senior, can we exchange contact information?" Tianjiu Kosei said.

"Sure, let's talk about it when we get back to the locker room."

Tianjiu Kosei nodded, then immediately went to talk to Sawamura.

After the game between Seido and Ichidai Sanko ended, the First String members, led by Takashima Rei, arrived at the spectator stands. They needed to watch the upcoming game between Inashiro and Teito carefully.