Recaps

Kōshū introduced his pitches to Okumura and judged the rookie catcher’s receiving skills, while reflecting on Seido’s need to prepare its young catchers for the coming season. Okumura saw Kōshū’s sharp pitching firsthand and recognized him as the true ace.

• Okumura greeted Kōshū and described his pitches, then admitted that Sawamura’s moving pitches had been difficult to catch.
• Kōshū praised Miyuki as an excellent catcher, flustering Miyuki before he left.
• Kōshū reflected on the catcher shortage and began a bullpen session to familiarize Okumura with his pitches.
• Okumura caught Kōshū’s fastballs and nearly handled a sharp Cutter, impressing Kōshū with his reactions.
• Okumura recognized the strikeout power in Kōshū’s pitches and thought that Kōshū was the true ace.

Eijun practiced pitching strategy with Yui while Seido’s players adjusted to the pressure of a roster full of newcomers. Seido then began its Spring Tournament game against Tachikawa Private, with Kōshū facing former Kinoshita Little League teammate Nozawa Kai.

• Eijun complained to Yui about being kicked out of the Bullpen, then tested him with a visualization exercise involving runners on base and Hideki Matsui at bat.
• Yui proposed using fastballs and a Cutter to set up a double play, then intentionally walking Hideki Matsui, while Eijun urged him to handle the situation after a misplaced pitch put runners on first and second.
• Kuramochi sent Lang Zhi back to practice at third base, while Lang Zhi remained determined to become a shortstop and Haruichi reflected on finding his own path.
• Seido started its Spring Tournament game against Tachikawa Private on April 12, with Kōshū taking the mound against Nozawa Kai.
• Kōshū recalled Nozawa’s improved fastball and Vertical Slider as Nozawa struck out a batter and smiled at him from the mound.

Seido faced Tachikawa Private, whose ace had learned to throw a high-spin fastball like Kōshū’s and struck him out. Kōshū recovered from the shock, and Miyuki prepared to answer with Seido’s experimental Cutter.

• Kōshū explained that Tachikawa’s ace and catcher had played together since childhood and that the team had undergone intensive physical training.
• Kōshū swung beneath Tachikawa’s ace’s high-spin fastball and was called out, then realized Nozawa had learned the pitch through their shared childhood training.
• Miyuki checked that Kōshū had recovered and decided to call for Seido’s experimental Cutter.
• Seido’s battery exchanged grins as the Tachikawa batters wondered whether they communicated telepathically.
• The narrator described a new computer arriving and the hours spent installing its system, transferring files, and setting it up.

Kōshū used his newly evolved Cutter to strike out Tachikawa’s leadoff batter, while Nozawa and Ido faced the pressure of their team’s past losses. Tachikawa’s ace then stepped onto the field as the team’s dugout urged them to win.

• Miyuki called for Kōshū to throw a different pitch, and Kōshū calmed himself before delivering it.
• Kōshū’s Cutter broke sharply toward the outside corner, earning a strike and drawing astonished reactions from the crowd.
• Nozawa recognized that Kōshū’s Cutter had evolved, and Ido urged him to focus on winning the game.
• Tachikawa’s coach shouted for the team to win, and the umpire called three outs as Tachikawa’s ace entered the field.

Seido’s Miyuki hit Nozawa’s pitch for a single, while Nozawa and Ido confronted the tension between their partnership and their desire to win. Kōshū chose not to throw his Cutter again and resolved to beat Tachikawa Private without showing off, and the teams ended the game with a friendly exchange between the aces.

• Miyuki hit Nozawa’s High Rotation Speed Straight Ball into a gap and reached first base.
• Ido urged Nozawa to remember why they had chosen to play together, and Nozawa struck out three batters after returning to the mound.
• Kōshū decided to stop making exaggerated remarks in the group chat and told Miyuki he would not throw another Cutter.
• Kōshū said Seido would beat Tachikawa Private by fully displaying his strength, and Miyuki laughed at his ruthless explanation.
• After the game, Nozawa praised Kōshū’s improvement and teased him about the unused Cutter, and the two aces exchanged banter.

After Seido won the Spring Koshien Championship, scouts studied the team while Kōshū and the others prepared for their next game. Seido trained late into the night, and Furuya relaxed after Eijun reminded him to stay ready for his chance to pitch.

• Hayakawa reflected on Inashiro's past losses and resolved to help Narumiya return to the top and take revenge on Seido.
• Kōshū noticed reporters and students watching Seido, then left the stadium while Miyuki tried to draw him into conversation.
• Kōshū planned to use the seven days before the next game to refine his pitches, while Seido worked on defense and coordination.
• Seido's players practiced through the evening, repeating drills until their movements became automatic.
• Kōshū tested his Cutter in the bullpen, while Ono urged Furuya to control his pitches instead of throwing at full force.
• Eijun told Furuya to stay ready for his opportunity, and Furuya's pitching visibly relaxed.

Yui and Shimizu continued their bullpen practice as Yui tried to understand his distant pitcher through his throws. Meanwhile, Ochiai Coach identified why Kōshū’s knee had hurt, and Kōshū resolved to follow the prescribed practice while worrying about his stamina and physical development.

• Yui paired with Shimizu in the Bullpen, caught his increasingly forceful pitches, and wondered whether he could read Shimizu’s condition through them.
• Yui observed Okumura praise Kawakami Senior’s sinker while reporters and alumni discussed Seido’s prospects in the Spring Tournament.
• Kōshū reviewed game footage with Ochiai Coach, who explained that fatigue had made Kōshū compensate with other muscles and distort his mechanics.
• Kōshū agreed to improve his stamina, manage his energy during games, and practice fundamentals for the next few days.
• Kōshū worried that Flow State consumed too much energy and considered taking hormones to close his growth plates sooner so he could focus on gaining weight and muscle.

Narumiya Mei trained late with Hayakawa and worried about Seido’s new pitch, while Kōshū and Miyuki discussed their pitcher-catcher relationship after practice. The chapter ended with Miyuki and Kōshū heading back to the dorms, followed by an author’s workplace update.

• Narumiya Mei continued bullpen practice with Hayakawa and recalled Seido’s recent victories and Kōshū’s new Cutter.
• Hayakawa described Kōshū’s pitches and warned that the Cutter might be aimed at Inajitsu.
• Narumiya Mei ordered Hayakawa to hit all of Kōshū’s pitches, and Hayakawa agreed.
• At Seido, Kōshū questioned Miyuki’s praise and reflected on how catchers support pitchers.
• Miyuki and Kōshū joked about their relationship before leaving practice for the dorms.
• The author reported finding only managers at the office and printing a resignation certificate.

Kōshū and Ochiai Coach found a possible flaw in Kōshū’s pitching stride, but postponed any changes until after the quarterfinals. Kataoka Manager planned the Kasuga Ichi game without using Kōshū unless needed, while Kōshū reflected on the manager’s care for players and received a rare message from Hongo Masamune.

• Kōshū and Ochiai Coach reviewed slow-motion footage and concluded that Kōshū’s overly wide stride might restrict his lower-body rotation, but they decided not to adjust his mechanics before the quarterfinals.
• Miyuki noticed Kōshū’s stride and warned him to keep his mechanics stable, while Kōshū insisted that his stride had not changed.
• Kataoka Manager assigned Furuya to start against Kasuga Ichi for five innings, followed by Sawamura and Kawakami, and told Kōshū to stay ready in the Bullpen while keeping his improved cutter hidden.
• Kōshū considered how Kataoka Manager had protected players’ health from pressure to play through injuries and compared him favorably with Hongo Masamune’s manager.
• Hongo Masamune replied that much of his drive to keep winning came from wanting to leave his team and manager without shame, while the rest came from his competitive spirit.

Seido’s pitchers dominated Kasuga Ichi as Furuya struck out the side and Sawamura baffled another batter with his unpredictable pitches. The score stood at 3–0 in the sixth inning, while Kōshū took Yui to the bullpen to help him learn the field and support Sawamura’s development.

• Miyuki signaled Furuya to balance power with control, and Furuya struck out Kasuga Ichi’s leadoff batter and retired the side.
• Furuya celebrated his smooth inning with Lang Zhi and Eijun, while Kōshū discussed Seido’s pitching rotation with Miyuki.
• Kōshū took Yui to the bullpen, where they watched Sawamura pitch and discussed helping him develop his Numbers and giving Seido more pitching options.
• Kasuga Ichi’s sixth batter reached base against Sawamura, but Sawamura struck out the seventh batter with a sharply dropping pitch.
• Kasuga Ichi’s players struggled to identify Sawamura’s pitches as their coach urged them to show their spirit on defense with the score at 3–0 in the sixth inning.
• The author described cramping a leg and cutting a hand while cooking, then searching online for how to stop the bleeding.

Yuki Masashi’s home run helped Seido build a commanding lead over Kasuga Ichi, while the opposing ace endured a bases-loaded crisis and stopped the inning. Seido then watched Ichidai Third’s game, where the team scored against Niō Gakusha, and Miyuki made Eijun and Furuya rest.

• Yuki Masashi hit a home run, and Seido’s batters added two more runs as Kasuga Ichi’s confidence faltered.
• Kasuga Ichi’s ace remembered his coach’s advice, steadied himself, and ended the inning with the bases loaded and the score at 6:0.
• Eijun sighed with relief that the game would continue, but Kuramochi caught him and Eijun hurried out to take the field.
• Amakuhisa Kousei and Ichidai Third prepared for their game, and Seido’s players watched Ichidai Third score against Niō Gakusha.
• Miyuki stopped Eijun and Furuya from throwing more pitches and told them to rest, with Kōshū backing him up.

After Seido’s game against Ichidai Third, Kōshū dragged Eijun and Furuya into conditioning, then explained to Miyuki why he carefully limits his pitching workload. The chapter ended with Kōshū grabbing Miyuki by the collar after the captain teased him, surprising the freshmen.

• After Ichidai Third won, Kōshū’s comment set off Furuya’s promise to pitch well from the start, while Eijun complained that nobody paid attention to him.
• Yui praised Eijun’s pitching, and Eijun asked him to catch for extra practice before Kōshū caught them and ordered Eijun and Furuya to do conditioning.
• At dinner, Miyuki asked Kōshū why he resisted excessive practice, and Kōshū said he had learned to protect his shoulder and elbow by controlling his workload.
• Miyuki teased Kōshū about his shaking hand, and Kōshū grabbed him by the collar as Okumura, Seto, and the other freshmen arrived.

Tanaka Ine, an Ichidai Third High scout, spent the day secretly observing Seido’s practices and facilities, but his scouting trip ended in embarrassment. He returned to Ichidai Third with a notebook full of sketches, which the coach praised as useful discoveries.

• Tanaka Ine watched Seido’s batting practice and bullpen work, noting their training and Kōshū’s Cutter practice.
• He saw Furuya pitch forcefully and observed Eijun’s bullpen session with Kariya.
• Maezono mistook Tanaka for a middle school visitor, and Tanaka fled after learning Seido served three bowls of rice per meal.
• Tanaka fell asleep during Seido’s lunch break and was awakened by Kōshū, who recognized Ichidai Third’s emblem on his bag.
• Kōshū found Tanaka’s notebook, and Ichidai Third’s coach praised its detailed sketches of Seido’s new facilities.

Seido reviewed Ichidai Third High’s players and planned to prepare for Amakuhisa Kousei’s pitching, while Kōshū offered to let the team practice against his Slider. Ichidai Third also prepared for Seido, and Amakuhisa reminisced about facing Kōshū in the autumn finals.

• Senior Abe briefed Seido on Amakuhisa Kousei’s pitching weaknesses and Ichidai Third High’s batting lineup.
• Miyuki suggested that Kōshū throw his Slider for the team, and Kōshū volunteered after Kataoka Manager confirmed his knee had healed and set a pitch limit.
• Eijun wondered whether the scouting report meant he might get a chance to play, then came to watch Kōshū’s practice with his younger brother, Lang Zhi, first in line to bat.
• Amakuhisa learned that Tanaka Ine had met Kōshū and eagerly asked whether Tanaka had gotten his LINE and seen his pitches.
• Amakuhisa recalled facing Kōshū in the autumn finals and said Kōshū had only started throwing Sliders after that game.

Amakuhisa told Tanaka Ine why Seido's Kōshū frightened him, recalling their tense autumn confrontation. Meanwhile, Kōshū recognized a young Ichidai Third pitcher during video analysis and continued striking out batters in practice.

• Amakuhisa told Tanaka Ine that Kōshū had learned Kōshū's Slider by watching a single game.
• Amakuhisa explained that Kōshū's talent, work ethic, and unnerving presence in the batter's box had made him afraid to pitch to him.
• Amakuhisa recalled refusing the catcher's calls for balls and facing Kōshū, then said he planned to get Kōshū's Line before their next matchup.
• Kōshū recognized Tanaka Ine from the Ichidai Third roster as the pitcher who had slept while scouting Seido.
• Kōshū struck out Eijun, and Haruichi also swung and missed despite steadying himself against the pitch.
• Haruichi asked Kōshū to throw again, and Kōshū agreed.

Seido’s hitters faced Kōshū’s powerful Slider as they prepared for the game against Ichidai Third High, while Kataoka and Ochiai settled on a cautious pitching plan. After practice, rumors about first-year Shimizu Osamu’s family and past spread among the players.

• Kōshū’s Slider troubled Seido’s hitters, and Miyuki barely managed to drive one of his pitches into the outfield.
• Maezono and the other players resolved to practice so they could handle the Slider and prepare for Ichidai Third High.
• Miyuki and Kuramochi discussed Kōshū’s limited pitching experience and Kataoka’s caution about his shoulder.
• Kataoka told Ochiai that Kōshū would start against Ichidai Third High for no more than four innings, followed by Furuya and then Kawakami or Eijun.
• Second String players and freshmen picking up baseballs noticed Shimizu Osamu leave coldly, then shared rumors about his family and an incident in which he injured someone’s hand.

On the day before Seido’s game against Ichidai Third High, Kōshū led the pitchers in a meeting to watch one another throw and prepare for the matchup. The pitchers left fired up and focused on their roles for the game.

• Kōshū continued throwing Sliders while Seido’s batters adjusted to them, and Eijun was pulled away to practice in another batting cage.
• Onlookers outside Seido’s grounds discussed Kōshū’s pitching as the team prepared to face Ichidai Third High’s ace.
• Kōshū organized a pitchers’ meeting on April 25, where the team gathered around the bullpen to watch each pitcher throw.
• Eijun showed off his Number 2 Ball and improved cutter, while Kawakami Senior offered advice about using the cutter against Ichidai Third High’s left-handed batters.
• Eijun declared that he could not wait to take the mound, and Kōshū used the meeting to encourage the pitchers and make sure they were ready for the game.

Seido opened its game against Ichidai Third by exploiting Amakuhisa’s shaky start, and Kōshū used his Flow State to reach base with a sharp hit. Kuramochi scored Seido’s first run, leaving Kōshū on base as Miyuki came up to bat.

• Kuramochi hit Amakuhisa’s high fastball for a leadoff single, and Haruichi bunted him to second.
• Kōshū entered the batter’s box against Amakuhisa, recalling that he had hit the pitcher’s Slider for a home run last fall.
• Kataoka signaled Kōshū to watch pitches, and Kōshū focused himself by entering his Flow State.
• Amakuhisa threw two pitches outside, then sped up his delivery; Kōshū swung and hit the ball through the gap between first and second.
• Kuramochi scored on Kōshū’s hit, and Kōshū reached first safely before Miyuki came up to bat.

Tanaka Ine analyzed Kōshū’s difficulty controlling the Flow State, then was hospitalized with a stress-induced gastric ulcer and missed the game. At Jingu Second Stadium, Seido’s lineup connected, while Mukai Taiyo watched Kōshū and looked forward to facing him after playing Narumiya Mei.

• Tanaka Ine described how Kōshū’s anxious movements changed when he entered the Flow State and presented statistics comparing his batting in each state.
• Tanaka Ine’s stress triggered a severe gastric ulcer, and he was hospitalized before the game.
• Head Nurse Kawanaga teased Tanaka Ine with a dramatic reenactment of his past behavior, then told a young nurse to leave his nightlight on because he was afraid of the dark.
• At Jingu Second Stadium, Kōshū ran early and was safe at second after Seido hit the ball between first and second.
• Mukai Taiyo watched Kōshū and said he wanted to face him, but his catcher reminded him that they first had to deal with Narumiya Mei.

Seido took an early lead against Ichidai Third, and Amakuhisa struggled as Seido’s batters began hitting his pitches. With runners on first and second and no outs, Amakuhisa remained on the mound as Ichidai Third faced mounting pressure.

• Tojo’s hit became a double play, ending Seido’s first-inning rally after the team scored one run.
• Kōshū took the mound and retired Ichidai Third’s batters without allowing a baserunner.
• Maezono hit Amakuhisa’s slider for a single, surprising Ichidai Third’s players and coach.
• Lang Zhi reflected on his brother’s advice about focusing his development while urging Shirazu to hit Amakuhisa.
• Shirazu drove the ball into right field, putting runners on first and second with no outs.
• Amakuhisa’s catcher apologized for the pitching strategy, but Amakuhisa stayed on the mound as Seido threatened to score again.

Seido extended its lead over Ichidai Third, but Kōshū gave up a hit to Hoshita after trying a Slider that resembled Amakuhisa’s. Inashiro’s players decided Seido was likely to be their opponent the next day and prepared to warm up.

• Amakuhisa rallied Ichidai Third after Seido scored, while the team’s coach chose not to send a messenger to the mound.
• Asou hit a sacrifice fly to put Seido ahead 1–0, but Kuramochi’s grounder trapped Shirazu off second and ended the inning.
• Kōshū struck out Ichidai Third’s batters until Hoshita hit a Slider into the outfield after recognizing its resemblance to Amakuhisa’s pitch.
• Miyuki and Kōshū agreed to stop using the Slider, recognizing that Ichidai Third’s batters could read it.
• Narumiya Mei, Hayakawa, Carlos, and other Inashiro players left the stands to warm up, expecting Seido to win and face them the next day.

In the top of the third, Seido’s Kōshū hit a home run off Amakuhisa after Ichidai Third’s ace regained his form. The chapter left Seido celebrating while scouts watched the tournament’s prominent pitchers and hitters.

• Haruichi struck out after Amakuhisa surprised him with a Curveball, then a fastball, and another Changeup.
• Kōshū recognized that Amakuhisa had recovered his confidence and resolved to steady Seido’s lineup by extending the inning.
• Amakuhisa threw Kōshū a high pitch and then a Curveball, which Kōshū drove over the wall for a home run.
• Seido’s dugout and the spectators celebrated Kōshū’s hit as scouts discussed his growing size and the tournament’s standout players.

Miyuki battled Amakuhisa through a long at-bat before being struck out, while Kōshū’s home run and improving stamina helped Seido stay in control. As the game tightened and the fifth inning approached, Kōshū asked the coach to let him pitch and took the mound.

• Amakuhisa and his catcher discussed Miyuki’s hit, and Miyuki faced the pitcher through several foul balls before striking out on the Slider.
• Lang Zhi waited to bat while Seido’s players watched Kōshū head to the bullpen and reflected on how much his stamina had improved.
• Miyuki told Kuramochi and Shirazu that Amakuhisa’s Slider was difficult to hit even when anticipated.
• Both pitchers suppressed the opposing lineups in the fourth inning as the game’s pace quickened.
• Kōshū asked the coach to let him pitch the fifth inning, and the coach agreed.

Kōshū decided to build his batting fundamentals instead of relying on exceptional Flow State performances, while Lang Zhi struggled with jealousy over his brother’s talent. As the seventh inning ended, Kōshū returned to the mound for what scouts expected to be his final inning, and Furuya began to understand what it meant to be an ace.

• Kōshū told Lang Zhi that he had hit the Home Run normally and resolved to improve his batting fundamentals rather than chase Flow State.
• Lang Zhi admitted his jealousy and questioned why Kōshū could turn realizations into success so easily.
• Amakuhisa regained his form and used a sharp Slider to finish the top of the seventh inning.
• Kataoka Manager told Kōshū he had thirteen pitches left before reaching his limit of 100.
• Furuya realized that an ace could speak directly to the manager and said he wanted to become one.
• Eijun teased Furuya in the Bullpen, and Kawakami reminded him that Seido’s pitchers supported whoever took the mound.

Kōshū struck out Hoshida to finish the seventh inning, then moved to left field as Furuya took the mound for Seido’s final two innings. Seido defeated Ichidai Third, while Teito and Inashiro prepared to play for a place in the final.

• Kōshū struck out Hoshida with a changeup after overpowering him with fastballs, ending Ichidai Third’s seventh-inning attack.
• Kataoka sent Kōshū to left field and assigned Furuya to pitch the final two innings, leaving Asou without his at-bat.
• Furuya opened his outing with a 152-kilometer-per-hour pitch as Seido secured the victory over Ichidai Third.
• Teito and Inashiro received news of Seido’s win and began their game at 1:30 p.m. on April 26.