Chapter Summaries

Seidou began its first practice with the new team, testing its pitchers, batting, and defense as coaches and players assessed strengths and weaknesses. The day ended with the team’s coordination problems exposed, especially between Kuramochi and Kominato, leaving them to improve through further practice.

• Kariba caught Furuya’s relaxed high fastballs while Ono caught Sawamura, and Sendou explained to Coach Ochiai that Sawamura’s pitches were more effective from the batter’s box than they appeared from the side.
• Miyuki considered the team’s upcoming tournaments as players began intense defensive drills, with the new infield needing to build coordination before the autumn tournament.
• The players practiced hitting machine-thrown balls, and Coach Ochiai pointed out flaws in Maezono’s oversized swing and Kuramochi’s early, forward-leaning swing.
• Sendou left to avoid reporters, then returned to find Seidou practicing game-like defense; Kataoka gradually increased the speed of the balls to force Kuramochi and Kominato to improve their double-play coordination.
• Miyuki made an errant throw to third during practice, while Sawamura successfully fielded a ball from the backup position; the day revealed issues the new team would need to resolve.

Sendou spent a day enjoying his vacation in Tokyo, cooked a Chinese feast for the team, and then returned to training despite his doctor's restrictions. By standing in the batter's box, he helped Kawakami confront his nerves, and the chapter ended with Kawakami's control improving and the alumni reassured about Seidou's pitching lineup.

• Sawamura and Furuya started the second day of training with a dawn running race, while the coaches adjusted the regimen to emphasize stamina, realistic batting practice, and defense.
• Sendou checked the practice-match schedule, went sightseeing and ate around Tokyo by himself, then returned to Seishin Dormitory and cooked a Chinese feast for the managers and players.
• Sawamura eagerly ate Sendou's leftovers, and Miyuki praised Sendou's cooking while the team gathered in his room for snacks.
• Sendou rejoined practice under the doctor's and Rei-chan's watch, standing in the batter's box to put pressure on the pitchers.
• Kawakami initially lost control under Sendou's presence but gradually settled down, reassuring the watching alumni that Seidou's pitching lineup remained strong.

Seidou’s new team struggled to score in its first practice matches, relying on its pitchers and defense to secure wins while exposing weaknesses in the batting lineup. After Sendou received permission to resume light activity, Seidou returned to training and prepared for its match against Yakushi and the approaching Autumn Tournament qualifiers.

• Seidou beat Yamaguchi High School 2–0 as Furuya pitched until the sixth inning and Sawamura finished the game, but the team managed only seven hits.
• Seidou beat Kaiyo High School 4–3 after Kawakami gave up two runs, then Furuya and Sawamura combined with the defense to earn a 3–0 win in the second game.
• Haruichi led Seidou’s hitters with a .600 average, while the team’s overall batting and performance with runners in scoring position alarmed Sendou and the watching third-years.
• Rei-chan took Sendou to the hospital, where he was cleared to run and do light movements, but Coach Kataoka restricted him to running and work as a batting dummy.
• Seidou resumed intensive training ahead of its September 5 practice match against Yakushi and the Autumn Tournament qualifiers, with the team using upcoming games to address its flaws.

Seidou’s pitchers continued to improve, but the new team’s batting remained so poor that Isashiki-senpai publicly berated the players after their fourth Practice Match. The second-years took his words to heart and trained with renewed focus, while Sendou watched the Third Years practice and complained about the new team.

• Furuya’s pitches became more controlled, while Sawamura’s Inside Corner Balls grew more consistent and Seidou’s pitching combinations continued to win games.
• After Seidou’s fourth Practice Match, Isashiki-senpai scolded the team for its weak batting and said the first-years were carrying the lineup.
• Sendou tried to object to Isashiki-senpai calling him worn-out, but Isashiki-senpai had already left.
• The second-years felt ashamed of their performances, including Maezono, whose batting average had fallen to .100.
• The team trained with greater focus the next day, while Sendou watched the Third Years practice and criticized the new team alongside Isashiki-senpai.

Sendou struggled with the attention he received after Seidou’s championship and criticized Miyuki’s poor batting, while the team prepared for game-like practice. He defended Coach Kataoka’s demanding training to Coach Ochiai, who remained concerned that it was excessive.

• Sendou endured interviews and crowds of fans eager to learn about his private life, leaving him little time to understand his teammates’ batting struggles.
• Sendou told Miyuki that his poor batting with runners in scoring position made him unfit for the heart of the order, and Miyuki admitted his performance had been off.
• Miyuki asked Kawakami to warm up early and throw powerful strikes with easy-to-hit trajectories so the batters could practice comfortably.
• Coach Ochiai questioned the team’s long, strenuous training, and Sendou argued that repeated practice could build technique and mental resilience while acknowledging that players’ individual extra training was unreasonable.
• Sendou suggested that Coach Kataoka’s training in the summer heat might prepare the players for Koshien conditions, though Coach Ochiai still felt the workload was excessive.

Sendou explained Coach Ochiai’s efficiency-focused training philosophy and how it applied to Furuya’s stamina and pitching. Furuya left the conversation resolved to think about Sendou’s advice over time, while the team headed into lunch before afternoon training.

• Coach Ochiai listened to Sendou and walked away with an increased appreciation of his abilities.
• Sendou explained that Coach Ochiai favored using efficient techniques instead of wasting strength, then demonstrated by tripping and catching Sawamura.
• Sendou told Furuya that the philosophy applied to distributing his stamina and explained how excess force had hurt his pitching against Kiryu.
• Sendou encouraged Furuya to remember the advice and understand it through experience, then entered the cafeteria with the others.
• Furuya reflected that he could learn the lesson gradually and felt that Seidou’s teammates would stay together.

Coach Ochiai watched Seidou’s players train and discussed Coach Kataoka’s demanding summer schedule with him. Ochiai planned to study the players so he could make individualized recommendations, then startled the staff with jokes that reminded them of Sendou.

• Kawakami helped Seidou’s batters with defensive batting practice on Field A while Sawamura and Furuya ran outfield drills and Sendou jogged laps.
• Coach Kataoka explained that the intense summer training would prepare the players for the heat and help them handle the demands of official games.
• Coach Ochiai told Coach Kataoka that Sendou had independently guessed the reasoning behind the training, and Coach Kataoka described Sendou’s skill at reading people.
• Coach Ochiai said he needed to learn the players’ abilities and usual training before making individual recommendations, and Coach Kataoka invited him to share suggestions.
• Coach Ochiai joked about changing the team to his style, prompting Rei-chan to warn him that Sendou’s alarming jokes had already frightened the staff.

Toujou Hideaki impressed the team with his batting and defensive potential, while Coach Ochiai recognized him as another promising first-year. Ochiai saw Seidou’s young talent as a chance to build a golden age, but believed the coaching staff needed to achieve results before the players matured.

• Toujou Hideaki took batting practice against Kawakami and showed strong contact and extra-base hitting.
• Asou and Guan discussed the competition for Seidou’s remaining starting outfield spot, then hurried to retrieve balls when Sendou warned that Coach was watching.
• Rei-chan told Coach Ochiai about Toujou’s move from pitcher to outfielder and his potential as a pitcher.
• Coach Ochiai praised Toujou’s talent and reflected that Seidou’s first-years could become invincible, deciding the coaching staff needed to make its mark before they matured.

Seidou’s players struggled to score in recent Practice Matches, but Kanemaru urged the first-years to seize their chance as the upperclassmen slumped. Coach Kataoka announced that Seidou would face Yakushi, leaving the team to prepare for a tough test of its current level.

• Kanemaru praised Tojo for secretly practicing and reminded the first-years that lineup changes gave them a chance to earn First Team spots.
• Kanemaru noted that the upperclassmen’s batting slump had created pressure throughout Seidou and opened opportunities for younger players.
• Sendou’s intelligence from Mishima gave Seidou’s coaches and Miyuki detailed information about Yakushi and its players.
• Coach Kataoka announced that Seidou would play Yakushi in a Practice Match and told the team to treat it as a test, regardless of the result.

Sendou, Tojo, Haruichi, and Kanemaru tried to help Sawamura and Furuya finish their summer homework before school resumed. Sendou also explained that his shoulder injury still limited his training and could keep him out of some Autumn Tournament games.

• Sawamura and Furuya admitted they had barely started their summer homework, and Kanemaru reluctantly agreed to supervise them.
• Sendou, Tojo, and Haruichi joined the study session, while Sendou revealed he had finished his own homework before Koshien with a few minutes of work each day.
• Furuya fell asleep during the session, and Kanemaru scolded him and Sawamura as they continued working.
• Kanemaru asked Sendou about his arm, and Sendou explained that intense or prolonged use could aggravate his muscle strain and that he might miss some Autumn Tournament games.
• Sawamura and Furuya eavesdropped on Sendou and Kanemaru, so Kanemaru struck them with a paper fan and ordered them back to their homework.

Sendou returned to school after his injury rest and faced overwhelming attention as a Koshien champion, then helped Kanemaru prepare for a practice match and think about earning a First Team spot. The chapter left Kanemaru motivated to improve his defense at third base.

• Sendou found his shoe locker stuffed with love letters and concluded that most of the girls were treating him like a celebrity rather than confessing genuine feelings.
• Sendou visited Sawamura and Kanemaru's classroom, teased Sawamura about reading The Book of Five Rings, and joked with them about Kataoka's nickname.
• Kanemaru asked Sendou to check his swing, and Sendou agreed to help him prepare for the afternoon practice match.
• After practice, Kanemaru thanked Sendou for helping him regain his feel for the fastball and worried about whether he would get a chance to play.
• Sendou told Kanemaru that improving his defense at third base could give him a strong chance of making the First Team, and Kanemaru resolved to work harder on it.

Seidou played two preliminary games before its practice match against Yakushi, with Kanemaru showcasing his defense despite Team B losing to Furukawa. In the game against Chiba Shodai, Furuya dominated on the mound while Seidou's lineup began scoring, leaving the coaches encouraged by the team's improving offense.

• Coach Kataoka told Seidou that its three games before Yakushi would serve as preliminary battles and assigned the pitchers for the matchups.
• Kanemaru played third base against Furukawa, impressed Coach Kataoka with his defense, and Team B suffered the new team's first loss.
• Furuya struck out the first three Chiba Shodai batters, while Miyuki doubled and Seidou scored in the second inning.
• Kuramochi reached on an infield hit, Haruichi advanced him with a hit-and-run, and Maezono's fly ball brought him home in the fourth inning.
• Miyuki hit a two-run home run as Seidou's offense produced a four-run lead, prompting Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai to note the lineup's improvement.

Seidou defeated Chiba’s team 5–1 in a practice match, with Furuya dominating early and Sawamura allowing one run after taking over. As Seidou prepared to face Yakushi, Raichi hit consecutive home runs during his team’s practice and eagerly anticipated the matchup.

• Furuya struck out three batters in the bottom of the fourth, and Miyuki’s home run capped Seidou’s scoring for the inning.
• In the sixth, Furuya moved to left field and Sawamura took the mound, with Miyuki urging him to focus on pitching quality and challenge himself.
• Chiba’s team scored once off Sawamura, and Seidou won the practice match 5–1 before the visitors left.
• At Yakushi’s practice, Raichi hit home runs in consecutive at-bats and had to return to touch third base after forgetting to step on it.
• Raizo Todoroki reminded Raichi that Sendou was injured and would not pitch, while Raichi declared he would hit the pitches of Seidou’s pitchers.

After Seidou’s first loss, Ono and Miyuki reviewed the pitchers’ weaknesses and urged the team to treat the upcoming match against Yakushi as a must-win. Sendou’s attempt to handle his love letters efficiently sparked a cafeteria brawl and eventually created a large fan group that followed him to Seidou’s games.

• Ono and Miyuki discussed Kawashima, Kaneda, Furuya, and Kawakami’s performances and set goals for improving before the match against Yakushi.
• Sendou decided to leave the meeting early to respond to the love letters he had received, while the team prepared for the coming match.
• Coach Ochiai continued giving players technical guidance, and several players began following his training advice.
• Sendou posted a LINE group invitation for girls who had sent or wanted to send him love letters, prompting Isashiki and Kuramochi to attack him in the cafeteria after learning why he had gotten up early.
• Sendou’s handling of the letters won him devoted fans, who formed a large following at Seidou’s games and used his LINE group as their headquarters.
• The author added a brief note about briefly feeling feverish and asked readers for votes.

Seidou beat Yamaguchi High School 5–3 as Kawakami pitched seven innings, then prepared to face Yakushi High School the next morning. The chapter ended with the teams meeting on the field, where Sendou said he would play and Raichi Todoroki arrived, eager to challenge Seidou.

• Kawakami allowed two runs over seven innings against Yamaguchi High School before Seidou won 5–3.
• Coach Kataoka ended training and told Seidou to conserve its strength for the next day's Practice Match against Yakushi High School.
• Coach Todoroki cautiously limited Sanada's workload during Yakushi's Practice Match to keep him fresh for Seidou.
• Sawamura tried to stretch with Furuya, but Furuya used too much strength and hurt Sawamura.
• Mishima greeted Sendou and learned that he would play in the game against Yakushi.
• Raichi Todoroki vaulted onto the field and shouted that he would crush Seidou's players.

Seidou and Yakushi met for a practice game as both teams prepared to face each other in future tournaments. The chapter ended with Seidou setting its pitching rotation and Furuya preparing to start, while Sawamura and Kawakami were scheduled to pitch afterward.

• Mishima held Raichi back as Yakushi greeted Seidou, and Sanada announced Yakushi's twenty-two-game winning streak.
• Mishima said he would pitch and asked Sendou to go easy on him, but Sendou clarified that he was joking about playing.
• Sanada and Sendou agreed to look forward to facing each other in the Autumn Tournament, and Sanada took Raichi to prepare for warm-ups.
• The coaches thanked each other for arranging the practice game, and both teams prepared to treat it like an official contest.
• Coach Kataoka assigned Furuya to start on the mound and move to left field in the fourth inning, followed by Sawamura and Kawakami pitching in order.

Seidou opened its practice match against Yakushi with Mishima pitching, while Kuramochi and Haruichi tried to put pressure on the defense. Raichi made a spectacular play to catch Haruichi’s bunt, leaving both teams alert to the threat of Seidou’s lineup.

• Mishima started on the mound for Yakushi, while Sanada and Raichi teased him before the game began.
• Kuramochi hit safely and sprinted all the way to second base, exploiting Yakushi’s weakness in defensive speed.
• Coach Ochiai asked Sendou why Haruichi used a Wooden Bat, and Sendou explained Haruichi’s long practice with it and his admiration for his older brother.
• Haruichi laid down a Safety Bunt toward third, but Raichi charged in, caught the ball barehanded, and threw him out while airborne.

Seidou scored one run in the first inning after a catching error, while Sendou criticized the team’s batting and encouraged Furuya to suppress Yakushi. The chapter ended with Furuya asking to pitch the whole game and Kataoka allowing him to extend his outing if he pitched well.

• Raichi was called out on Haruichi’s safety bunt, and Maezono struck out after Coach Ochiai and Sendou discussed Seidou’s lineup choices.
• Miyuki faced Yuuta with a runner on third, but Akiba’s missed catch let Kuramochi score from third; Miyuki then popped out to first with the bases empty.
• Sendou told Furuya to suppress Yakushi’s batters, and Furuya asked Kataoka for permission to pitch until the game ended.
• Kataoka refused to promise Furuya all nine innings but said he could pitch more innings if his performance justified it, lifting Furuya’s spirits.

Furuya dominated Yakushi High’s lineup while Raichi Todoroki’s double put him on base, turning the game into a pitchers’ duel. Seidou continued to waste its scoring chances, and by the fourth inning the score remained 1–0.

• Sendou praised Furuya’s stubbornness and used his rivalry with Sawamura to spur both pitchers to improve.
• Furuya struck out three batters in a row, then held Yakushi to one run after Raichi Todoroki hit a double and the next two batters were retired.
• Mishima kept Seidou from adding a run as the teams finished three innings with the score at 1–0.
• Shirazu hit a single in the fourth, but Higasa’s bunt attempts led to an out and Asou’s ground ball became a double play.
• Coach Ochiai suggested Seidou’s batters were distracted by tactical coordination, and Coach Kataoka appeared to listen.

Furuya dominated Yakushi through the fourth inning, striking out Akiha and shutting down Raichi with fastballs. As Seidou prepared to bat, Sawamura headed to the bullpen, determined not to let Furuya pull ahead.

• Furuya struck out Yakushi’s leadoff batter, then forced Akiha into a harmless ground ball to record two outs.
• Furuya challenged Raichi with fastballs, and Raichi’s high fly ball became the third out, completing another three-up, three-down inning.
• Sendou noticed Furuya’s heavy sweating and predicted that he could maintain his current pitching level for only one more inning.
• Sawamura passed Furuya and went to the bullpen to pitch and prove his own fighting spirit.
• Coach Ochiai reconsidered his earlier judgment, noting that Tojo and Haru still looked focused on what they could do at bat.