Chapter Summaries

Kōshū helped Seido win its first game by holding Yokogaku scoreless in a crucial inning, then learned that Eijun and Chris had clashed during training. He confronted Eijun about Chris’s value and got him to agree to apologize.

• Kōshū struck out Yokogaku’s seventh batter and helped end their threat with the bases loaded, then struck out the eighth batter to complete the inning.
• Seido’s top hitters scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the ninth, defeating Yokogaku 3:2.
• Lang Zhi told Kōshū that Eijun and Chris had argued, and Kōshū decided to speak with Eijun and ask Miyuki to talk to Chris.
• At a meal with the first-years, Eijun complained about Chris’s training, and Kōshū explained Chris’s injury and standing as Seido’s former regular catcher.
• Eijun decided to apologize to Chris, but Kōshū made him sit down and finish eating first.

Kōshū dominated Tokai Ohara through six innings, striking out eleven before Kataoka replaced him with Furuya for the final two. Furuya’s blazing fastball stunned the opposing batters and scouts as Seido revealed another promising first-year pitcher.

• Kōshū started against Tokai Ohara and retired the first three batters by using his long stride and release point to make his fastball difficult to hit.
• Kōshū asked Furuya for water, then batted sixth and drove in Yuuki while Miyuki’s line drive was caught by an infielder.
• Tokai Ohara’s cleanup hitter got the team’s first hit, but Kōshū quickly retired the next three batters.
• From the third inning, Kōshū and Miyuki mixed cutters and changeups with the fastball, frustrating the batters as Kōshū struck out eleven.
• Kataoka pulled Kōshū after six innings, declined Tanba’s offer to pitch, and sent Furuya in for the last two innings.
• Furuya opened with a pitch that left Tokai Ohara and the scouts amazed by its speed.

After Seido’s victory, Hayakawa and Kōshū reunited briefly and reaffirmed their promise to meet on the field, while their teams continued preparing for the summer games. Kōshū learned he would play left field the next day, and Eijun reflected on his own struggle to find a path toward becoming Seido’s ace.

• After watching Seido win, Hayakawa recalled how spring-break obligations had kept him from training early at Inashiro and how his friendship with Kōshū had shifted toward rivalry.
• Hayakawa met Kōshū at Gate A, praised his game, and gave him the warm baseball he had carried; they wished each other luck and parted.
• Seido players noticed Kōshū speaking with an Inashiro catcher and teased him about revealing pitching information, while Miyuki exchanged advice with an Inashiro contact about Narumiya.
• Kataoka Manager announced that Tanba would start the next day and Kōshū would play left field, prompting concern among the upperclassmen about Sakai’s place in the lineup.
• On the other bus, Eijun heard the first-years praise Kōshū and remembered Takashima Rei telling him that he had to endure trials to become Seido’s ace.

Takashima Rei helped Sawamura understand Chris’s training plan, prompting him to seek Chris out and apologize. Sawamura then pitched for the Second String against a Kanagawa high school, where his wild pitches were hit hard but Seido’s defense kept the damage to two runs through three innings.

• Takashima Rei took Sawamura to the National Training Center and a kinesiology professor, who explained Chris’s training plan and its injury-prevention purpose.
• Sawamura asked Takashima Rei to take him back so he could apologize to Senior Chris for misunderstanding his efforts.
• Haruichi and Lang Zhi stopped Sawamura from overtraining before his afternoon game and discussed the possibility of earning a First String roster spot.
• Sawamura pitched against a Kanagawa high school, allowing frequent hard-hit balls while Seido’s defense recorded outs and limited the opponents to two runs through three innings.
• Takashima Rei recognized Sawamura’s potential and noted the developing abilities of Haruichi and Sasaki Rōchi.

After Seido won, Kōshū taught Sawamura and Furuya how fielders should move when a ball is hit. The chapter ended with Kōshū practicing alone before Miyuki challenged him to throw a direct return throw the next day.

• Seido defeated its opponent 9–5 after Sawamura pitched six innings and allowed five runs.
• Sawamura remembered that Kōshū had missed his game, then excitedly recounted it to him.
• Kōshū taught Sawamura and Furuya how the fielders should move on a ground ball, including how their positions change with a runner on second.
• Senior Nanmu watched the rookies leave and reflected on how little time remained before his final season ended.
• Kōshū went outside to practice batting, where he met Chris and Miyuki and heard them discuss Sawamura’s progress.
• Miyuki challenged Kōshū to throw a direct return throw to home the next day, and Kōshū agreed before returning to the dorm.

Seido faced Hakuryu High School in the Kanto Tournament, and Tanba stayed unusually steady on the mound as Kōshū’s defense drew attention. The chapter ended with Seido holding firm into the seventh inning, while an author’s note mentioned revising a résumé.

• Seido chose to bat second against Hakuryu High School, and Tanba retired the side while focused on Kōshū in left field.
• In the dugout, Furuya told Kōshū that he wanted to pitch, and Kōshū offered to warm up with him later.
• Mima hit a ball toward left field, and Kōshū threw him out at first with a powerful throw.
• Tanba’s pitching began to waver as he focused on the batters, but anger at his own doubts helped him regain control.
• By the seventh inning, Tanba had remained stable, surprising spectators who expected him to implode.
• The author noted that they had decided to start revising their résumé.

Seido defeated Hakuryu High School and prepared for the next day's final, with Kataoka planning ahead for the summer tournament. Kōshū was set to remain in left field and began outfield coordination drills.

• Kataoka replaced Tanba with Kawakami for the final two innings, and Kawakami helped Seido extend its lead and win.
• Kataoka judged Kōshū capable of starting in left field and considered giving him a single-digit jersey number for the summer roster.
• Kataoka named Kawakami as the final game's starter, with Furuya ready and Kōshū staying in left field.
• Isashiki took Kōshū to the indoor training field to begin coordination drills for his likely role as a regular left fielder.

Seido won the routine final 6–5, and Sawamura struggled to identify what made his pitching distinctive while worrying that he could not keep pace with the other first-years. After finding him training alone, Kataoka corrected his pitching mechanics and told him to focus on using his whole body rather than adding extra workouts.

• Seido defeated the Kanagawa school 6–5 in the final with mostly substitute players on both teams.
• Sawamura asked Kōshū and the other first-years what his defining traits were, then decided they were spirit and late life.
• Kōshū explained late life and told Sawamura to improve his lower-body conditioning and follow Chris Senior's training routine.
• Sawamura secretly added pitching practice because he wanted to increase his velocity and become a true ace.
• Kataoka found Sawamura practicing at night, stopped him from adding workouts, and taught him to coordinate his glove hand, lower body, and torso to avoid wasting power.

Kanemaru learned that an upcoming Second String game could be his last chance to reach the First String before training camp, and he struggled with frustration about his own lack of direction. After Tojo decided to focus on playing outfield, Kanemaru resolved to think seriously about his goals and seek advice from Senior Chris.

• Kōshū told Lang Zhi that the Second String's next game could be the final evaluation before the First String roster was set, and encouraged him to play normally.
• Kanemaru overheard the brothers discuss First String selections and felt frustrated that some first-years might advance before him.
• Kanemaru talked with Tojo, who said he planned to focus on outfield while continuing to practice pitching.
• Kanemaru admitted he had not thought carefully about how to reach the First String and decided to reconsider his approach.
• Kanemaru asked Senior Chris for time to discuss a problem he could not figure out.

Seido's Second String faced Kurotsuchikan in a practice game, where Sawamura pitched with Lang Zhi catching and Chris entered the game to showcase his skills. Kurotsuchikan wore Chris down with repeated bunts, and a bad throw exposed how his year away from baseball had affected his reactions, though he quickly rallied the team.

• Sawamura prepared to pitch against Kurotsuchikan, and Ono and Lang Zhi urged him to improve his accuracy and rely on the defense.
• Kōshū was delayed by Isashiki, but rushed to watch after hearing Chris had entered the game; Miyuki also hurried over to see Chris in action.
• Chris escaped a bases-loaded, no-outs situation in three pitches, impressing the spectators and renewing his teammates' hopes that he could return to the First String.
• Kurotsuchikan repeatedly laid down bunts to wear down the battery, and Tanba recognized that their strategy targeted Chris as well as Sawamura.
• Chris threw wide while trying to catch a steal, allowing the runner to advance and leaving Seido with one out and runners on first and third.
• Chris recognized that his judgment had faltered, then refocused and instructed the infield and pitcher to prepare for the next batter.

After Seido won 8–5, Kataoka announced that Haruichi and Sawamura would join the First String, leaving Lang Zhi as the only member of the first-year group not selected. Lang Zhi was crushed by the decision as Kōshū pulled him from the Indoor Training Field.

• Kōshū watched Sawamura pitch and decided he needed to work harder, then Isashiki followed him to help with training.
• Seido won 8–5, and Lang Zhi asked Kōshū about his performance before Eijun interrupted to ask about his own.
• Kōshū praised Eijun and bought him manga, while teasing Haruichi about his bangs helped ease the tension among the first-years.
• Kataoka announced that Haruichi and Sawamura had been selected for the First String.
• Lang Zhi realized he was the only one of the five first-years left behind, and Kōshū dragged him out of the Indoor Training Field.

Kōshū reassured Lang Zhi about his place on the team, then prepared for training camp by asking Miyuki to help him develop a slider. His first attempt went badly and struck Miyuki, beginning the catcher’s ordeal.

• Kōshū told Lang Zhi that his defense and batting were stronger than Sawamura’s, and urged him to focus on autumn.
• Sawamura resolved to complete every daily training task twice, and Kōshū revealed that Chris-senpai had planned intensive training for the rookie pitchers.
• Lang Zhi admitted he felt left behind in the Second String, while Haruichi said he envied Lang Zhi for having Kōshū’s support.
• Kōshū began extra preparation for training camp and asked Miyuki to help him add a slider or sharpen his two-seam fastball.
• Kōshū threw his first slider without having practiced it, and the ball hit Miyuki despite his protective gear.

Kōshū worked to develop a slider and asked Kataoka Manager about Sawamura’s promotion to the First String and Sasaki’s prospects. As training camp began, Kōshū practiced outfield defense while Eijun and Furuya continued working on fundamentals under Chris.

• Kōshū practiced his slider with Miyuki, then left the Indoor Training Field when Eijun and Furuya arrived wanting to pitch.
• Kōshū encountered Kataoka Manager on the field and asked about Sawamura’s promotion; Kataoka said Sawamura and Kominato were the best choices for the autumn rebuild, while Sasaki had no place on the First String for now.
• Over the following week, Kōshū’s slider improved, and he tested its early trajectory with Lang Zhi, but he still could not develop the pitch he envisioned.
• Training Camp began in mid-June, and Kōshū practiced outfield fly balls and throws after finishing pitcher fielding practice.
• Chris explained that Kōshū needed to handle outfield defense, while Maezono questioned Eijun’s First String selection; Eijun then missed his first-base coverage again.

During Seidō’s grueling Training Camp, Kōshū pushed himself through exhaustion until Kataoka ordered him to rest and reminded him that he was a pitcher. With weekend practice games approaching, Kōshū discussed his limited stamina with Miyuki and agreed to rely on Miyuki’s strategy.

• Kōshū stubbornly stayed on his feet through several days of intense training while the other first-years collapsed, and he privately vowed to stop saving face and rest.
• On the fifth day, Kataoka pulled Kōshū and Haruichi from outfield practice, and Lang Zhi massaged them as they watched the upperclassmen endure punishing drills.
• Kōshū recalled Miyuki’s warning that the pitchers would play four weekend practice games while exhausted, and he went to find Miyuki to discuss how to pitch.
• Lang Zhi told Eijun and Furuya that they were likely to get hammered in the games because they were exhausted, prompting the two pitchers to bicker again.
• At the Bullpen, Kōshū told Miyuki he could only pitch at top speed briefly, and Miyuki proposed that he use acting and strategy to take it easier.

Kōshū struggled through the first inning against Osaka Kiryu while concealing how badly Training Camp had exhausted him. Seido’s defense turned a dangerous hit into a double play, but with two outs Kōshū walked Kiryu’s cleanup batter, leaving the inning unresolved and Kiryu preparing to exploit the confusion.

• Osaka Kiryu arrived at Seido, and Kōshū told Miyuki he could pitch despite his lingering fatigue.
• Kiryu’s first two batters reached base on Kōshū’s opening pitches, prompting jeers from both dugouts.
• Kōshū varied his pitches against the third batter, who hit a grounder into the gap between first and second.
• Haruichi fielded the ball and Kuramochi completed a double play, ending the threat with two outs.
• Kōshū walked Kiryu’s cleanup batter, while Kiryu’s dugout instructed its runners to steal and pressure Seido.

Kōshū pitched Seido through the early innings against Kiryuu, while Seido took a 1–0 lead. As Kōshū’s form sharpened, he realized his stamina plan was slipping and doubted he could pitch all nine innings.

• Kōshū and Miyuki got Kiryuu’s fifth batter out, and Kiryuu’s manager scolded his players for underestimating Seido.
• Kōshū asked Eijun to stay quiet while he pitched, then went to the bullpen.
• Kominato, Isashiki, and Senior Yuuki hit consecutively to put Seido ahead, but Miyuki grounded out with runners on second and third.
• Kōshū mixed cutters and Two-Seam Fastballs to retire most of Kiryuu’s lineup, though the eighth batter hit a grounder through the gap.
• Kōshū struck out Kiryuu’s ninth batter with a sharper rhythm, making the opposing manager and players suspect he was finding his form.
• Kōshū battled through a full count at bat, then realized his pitching stamina was being used up faster than planned.

Kōshū and Miyuki prepared for Kōshū’s upcoming complete game against Kiryu, while Kataoka assigned the pitchers for the next weekend’s games. As the Kiryu game entered the third inning, Miyuki encouraged Kōshū to take the mound.

• Shirazu hit reliably from the eighth spot, and Kōshū noted that Miyuki would lead off the next inning.
• During Training Camp, Kataoka asked the catchers about the pitchers’ condition and scheduled Furuya and Eijun for Saturday afternoon.
• Kataoka asked Miyuki to guide Kōshū’s pitching, and Miyuki said the key would be distributing his stamina across a complete game.
• Kōshū organized his concerns into a written plan, then worked with Miyuki late into the night to study footage and compile information on Kiryu’s batters.
• As the third inning began, Miyuki called Kōshū back from his thoughts and wished his partner good luck.

Kōshū and Miyuki manipulated Kiryu’s batters with changing pitches and carefully controlled effort, making the opposing coach believe Seido had been holding back. Kiryu’s cleanup batter was retired, and Kiryu realized its lineup had fallen into their trap.

• Kōshū struck out Kiryu’s leadoff batter with a changeup after setting him up with outside pitches.
• Kōshū retired the second batter on a weak hit after attacking the outside-low corner and following with a changeup.
• Kiryu’s third batter focused on Kōshū’s fastball and hit through the gap between second and third for a single.
• Miyuki checked on Kōshū, and they chose to face Kiryu’s cleanup batter seriously rather than intentionally walk him.
• Kiryu’s cleanup batter fouled off Kōshū’s powerful pitch, then hit a fly ball to center field for an out.
• Kiryu’s coach realized Seido had feigned weakness and manipulated Kiryu into swinging aggressively.

Kōshū rested between innings before unveiling a sharp Slider that struck out Kiryu’s fifth batter and disrupted their plan to attack his fastball. Seido kept Kiryu scoreless through the top of the fourth, and Kiryu’s manager learned that Kōshū had thrown just 37 pitches.

• Miyuki and Kōshū joked as they jogged, while Isashiki urged them to take the game more seriously and Senior Kominato warned that Kiryu would stop falling for their approach.
• Kōshū rested on the bench, and Kataoka trusted him to manage his own condition while Kuramochi stopped Eijun from disturbing him.
• In the top of the fourth, Kōshū threw a sharp Slider that broke into the Strike Zone and caught Kiryu’s fifth batter by surprise.
• Kōshū struck out the fifth batter, and Miyuki mixed breaking pitches into Kiryu’s fastball-focused strategy to strike out the sixth and seventh batters.
• Kiryu’s manager asked how many pitches Kōshū had thrown and learned that the total was 37.

Kōshū pitched his first high-school complete game against Osaka Kiryu, but a late rally put Seido behind before his teammates rallied to win 7:5. After the game, Kōshū added Hiroki Tate as a friend, and Furuya and Eijun asked to join too.

• Kōshū drove in a run with a triple, and Shirazu brought him home as Seido scored once against Hiroki Tate.
• Kōshū continued using varied pitches against Osaka Kiryu, while the managers noted his growing pitch count and fatigue.
• Hiroki Tate hit a home run in the sixth, and Kōshū gave up consecutive hits in the seventh before escaping with a double play and an intentional walk.
• In the ninth, Kōshū shook off Miyuki's Signals and gave up a home run to Hiroki Tate and a two-run hit to the next batter, putting Seido behind 4:5.
• Seido scored in the bottom of the ninth to win 7:5, giving Kōshū his first complete game.
• Kōshū added Hiroki Tate as a friend after the game, and Furuya and Eijun asked him to add them too.