Chapter Summaries

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.

After Seido’s game, Kōshū confronted Ichidai Third High’s Amakuhisa in the tunnel over his return to the team and the effort behind his success. Seido’s players watched the next game, while Okumura trusted that Kōshū would sort out his anger.

• Kōshū worried about arranging Seido’s pitchers for the next day as he left the tunnel after an interview.
• Amakuhisa stopped Kōshū to ask about his fastball and request his LINE contact information.
• Kōshū criticized Amakuhisa for leaving Ichidai Third High’s club and warned him against relying on talent without respecting his teammates’ efforts.
• Amakuhisa’s teammates pulled him back, defended his hard work, and vowed to beat Seido in the summer.
• Okumura and the Seido players passed through the tunnel, and Okumura said Kōshū would sort himself out.

Kōshū wrestled with his impulsive anger while watching Inajitsu defeat Teito, then discussed Seido’s likely lineup for the next game. The chapter left Eijun eager to pitch and Seido’s upperclassmen preparing to support the younger players.

• Amakuhisa messaged Kōshū to ask whether someone had hurt him, but Kōshū did not see the messages and regretted his angry outburst.
• Inajitsu and Teito remained scoreless through the fifth inning, but Inajitsu pulled ahead 3–0 by the eighth and won with Narumiya Mei pitching steadily.
• Kōshū reflected on the gap in ability between players as Teito’s ace struck out another batter.
• Kōshū and Miyuki discussed the likely lineup for the next game, with Kōshū expecting to rest while Eijun pitched.
• Kuramochi, Maezono, and Shirazu urged the team to score runs and defend carefully to support the younger pitchers.

After Seido’s win, Kōshū learned he would wait in the bullpen during the final and was invited to apply for a weeklong exchange program in New York. He decided he was interested, while Miyuki worried about leaving the team during preparations for the Summer Koshien qualifiers.

• On the bus, Kōshū ignored Narumiya Mei’s question, and Mei sent him an angry message threatening to crush him.
• Kataoka stopped Eijun from rushing to the dormitory, then gathered the team to discuss the final’s preparations.
• Kataoka told Kōshū to wait in the bullpen for deployment during the final, and Kōshū promised to stay ready to pitch.
• Kataoka introduced a one-week Tokyo–New York exchange program hosted mainly by Regis High School and gave Kōshū and Miyuki a week to decide whether to apply.
• Kōshū said he planned to seek Coach Ninomiya’s advice and showed interest in going, while Miyuki hesitated because of the team’s commitments.

Kōshū asked Miyuki what had shaped him, and Miyuki reflected on his talent, his encounter with Chris, and his decision to come to Seido. After Kōshū overslept through the team gathering, he learned Kataoka had personally tried and failed to wake him, leaving him afraid he had jeopardized his baseball career.

• Kōshū asked Miyuki why he had become the person he was, and Miyuki recalled how his confidence and harshness changed after meeting Chris.
• Miyuki asked Kōshū how people without talent should be treated, and Kōshū said they needed protection and that the talented should repay the world.
• Kōshū returned to the dorm, fell asleep, and missed the gathering after You left him a note that it had been moved to the cafeteria after dinner.
• Kōshū asked Eijun whether Manager had been angry, and Eijun told him Kataoka had come to the dorm but could not wake him.
• Kōshū remembered agreeing to get up before apparently falling asleep again and worried that he had insulted Kataoka and endangered his place at Seido.

Seido announced its pitching plan for the final game against Inashiro, while Kōshū considered joining a weeklong exchange program in New York. Kataoka supported the opportunity, and the chapter ended with Second String players renewing their efforts to make the First String before summer.

• Kataoka named Furuya the starter against Inashiro and assigned Kōshū to warm up from the fourth inning, with Kawakami and Sawamura handling the remaining innings.
• Kōshū asked Coach Ninomiya for advice about the Tokyo-New York exchange, and Ninomiya encouraged him to consider the cultural experience and review his future plans.
• Kōshū began writing a half-year plan after deciding to think carefully before calling Shen Qing.
• Kataoka and Ochiai discussed Kōshū’s progress and Kataoka’s decision to support his exchange plans, though Ochiai privately worried that Kataoka trusted him too much.
• Second String players heard that Miyuki and Kōshū might apply for the New York exchange, and Takatsu urged them to focus on earning First String selection.
• The Second String players resumed their late-night practice, determined to keep pushing themselves before summer.