Chapter Summaries

As Furuya excelled on the mound, Sawamura was kept waiting as a relief pitcher, and the contrast pushed him into a furious slump. Sendou joined him in the bullpen to catch his pitches, but Furuya's booming hit deepened Sawamura's frustration and left Sendou smiling at his reaction.

• Coach Kataoka told Seidou's batters to attack hittable pitches, while Sawamura loudly prepared to take the mound.
• Tojo reached base with a one-handed hit, but Maezono's tense, misguided swing produced a double play and ended Seidou's scoring chance.
• Coach Kataoka ordered Sawamura to stand by instead of bringing him in, and Sendou realized Kataoka had chosen Furuya as the ace.
• Furuya retired Yakushi's batters as Sawamura sulked, then Sawamura threw at full strength in the bullpen and Sendou took Kariba's place to catch him.
• Furuya blasted a long hit that put runners on second and third, and Sawamura gritted his teeth as Sendou watched him with delight.

Seidou and Yakushi battled through the sixth and seventh innings, with Furuya escaping a dangerous situation before being moved to left field and Sawamura taking over as pitcher. Sanada shut down Seidou’s offense, leaving the game at 2–0 as Raizo Todoroki challenged Yakushi to score more.

• Sawamura vented his frustration in the bullpen while Sendou mocked him, and Seidou’s rally ended with Shirazu’s ground ball scoring Miyuki to make it 2–0.
• Furuya struggled with fatigue in the bottom of the sixth, walked a batter, and let another reach first after a fielding error, but he struck out one batter and induced a double play to finish the inning without allowing a run.
• Coach Kataoka told Furuya that Sawamura would pitch the next inning and sent Furuya to left field, while Sendou told Sawamura to prepare to take the mound.
• Sanada replaced Mishima on the mound and quickly retired Kuramochi and Komaru, ending Seidou’s seventh-inning attack.
• Raizo Todoroki joked that he would become a degenerate and run away from home if Yakushi could not score during the remaining three innings.

Sawamura entered in the bottom of the seventh with Seidou trailing by two, but the pressure of following Furuya left him unable to control his pitches. After Isashiki rallied the team and helped Sawamura regain some composure, a high pitch was hit and Higasa-senpai made an error, leaving Sawamura rattled again.

• Miyuki urged Sawamura onto the field while Sendou watched without explaining Sawamura’s troubled state.
• Sawamura began his outing against Yakushi’s center lineup by throwing wildly, nearly hitting Akiba and then missing the Strike Zone.
• Isashiki-senpai demanded that Seidou’s players support Sawamura, and their renewed cheers helped him settle down.
• Akiba hit Sawamura’s Inside Corner Ball, but Higasa-senpai failed to field it, giving Yakushi a runner and shaking Sawamura’s confidence again.

Sawamura faced Raichi Todoroki with a runner on base, but a poorly controlled pitch became a two-run home run that tied the game. As Miyuki called time to regroup, Raichi returned to the dugout still wary of Seidou’s inside pitches.

• Higasa-senpai’s errant throw let Akiba reach first before Raichi Todoroki came to bat, and Sawamura made a pickoff attempt to keep Akiba close to the base.
• Miyuki called for an inside pitch, and Raichi instinctively fouled it off before swinging through another pitch for a second strike.
• Miyuki urged Sawamura to press Raichi before he recovered, but Sawamura released a mistake pitch before completing his motion.
• Raichi hit the mistake pitch for a two-run home run, tying the game as he crossed home plate with Akiba and Mishima celebrating.
• Seidou’s teammates encouraged Sawamura, and Miyuki called time to speak with him while Raichi admitted he had been nervous and feared an inside pitch.

Miyuki and Seidou’s fielders calmed Sawamura after he gave up a home run, but Yakushi’s Mishima then exploited Sawamura’s limited pitch trajectories for a hit. Coach Ochiai realized Sendou had arranged the game and training to expose Sawamura’s weakness and push him and Seidou to improve.

• Miyuki, Kuramochi, Komaru, and Maezono encouraged Sawamura after Raichi Todoroki’s home run, helping him regain his composure.
• Sawamura faced Mishima, who copied Kyoma’s patient approach and hit a pitch into the outfield to reach first base.
• Coach Ochiai watched Sendou and inferred that he wanted Seidou to recognize Sawamura’s weakness and force changes.
• Sendou had prompted Sawamura to join Furuya’s running sessions to strengthen his lower body and accelerate his pitching development.
• Sendou had encouraged Seidou to accept the practice match against Yakushi so the team would face its weaknesses and improve faster.

Coach Ochiai grew more intrigued by Sendou’s strategic thinking as Sendou analyzed Yakushi’s batting order. Sawamura then struck out Sanada’s threat by inducing a double play, leaving Yakushi with two outs and Seidou energized.

• Coach Ochiai reflected on Sendou’s hidden intelligence and became more interested in Sawamura, whom Sendou valued.
• Sendou proposed a stronger batting order for Yakushi, and Coach Ochiai agreed it could make them difficult to face.
• Miyuki signaled to Sawamura, who ignored Mishima’s attempt to distract him and focused on Sanada.
• Sawamura threw the same ball trajectory, and Sanada hit it into a double play.
• Seidou’s players and Isashiki praised Sawamura after the double play.

Yakushi defeated Seidou 5–2, exposing weaknesses in Seidou’s pitching and batting as the teams used the practice game to assess their form. Afterward, Sendou warned Seidou’s coaches that Inajitsu and Ichidai San would remain formidable rivals, leaving the team to focus on improving before their next encounters.

• Raizo Todoroki’s signals helped Yakushi’s defense turn a double play, and Yakushi tied the score before its pitcher shut down Seidou’s center batting lineup.
• With two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the eighth, Coach Kataoka replaced Sawamura with Kawakami, but Yakushi’s offense kept producing hits.
• Sanada recorded the final out as Yakushi won 5–2, extending its winning streak to twenty-three games.
• During the coaches’ postgame exchange, Raizo Todoroki learned that Furuya might not want to become a professional player and left after proposing a future official-game rematch.
• Sendou told Coach Ochiai and Coach Kataoka that Inajitsu remained strong and Ichidai San had regained a talented pitcher, so Seidou needed to focus on improving its own weaknesses.

After Seidou’s crushing loss to Yakushi, Coach Kataoka identified the team’s weaknesses and laid out changes to training and their autumn strategy. Sendou proposed using the Third Years as tough practice opponents, and Kataoka agreed as the team prepared to rebuild before the tournament.

• Seidou’s alumni worried that the team’s batting had collapsed, and Coach Kataoka told the players their lineup and starting roster would no longer be fixed.
• Coach Kataoka ordered Sawamura to focus on jogging and lower-body strength under Sendou’s guidance, while Kawakami was told to adjust his pitching before the tournament.
• Coach Kataoka said Seidou needed stronger defense, steady base hits, and Miyuki’s ability to deliver decisive hits until Sendou returned.
• Sendou suggested arranging practice games against Yuuki and the other Third Years, and Coach Kataoka approved the plan.

Sendou reassured Sawamura that his extra running was part of improving his pitching, then asked Chris to help prepare him to face outside-corner balls. Seidou reviewed its Autumn Tournament qualifier draw and training plans, while Sendou explained his unusual batting technique; the chapter ended as the team began a crucial day of preparation.

• Sendou comforted Sawamura about his running and promised that his pitching would improve, then asked Chris to help with Sawamura’s outside-corner pitches.
• Chris reminded Sendou to protect his still-developing body, and Sendou discussed Seidou’s need to build its new team before the Autumn Tournament.
• Oota and Miyuki attended the qualifier draw, and Seidou’s players learned that their first game was on Sunday and that Yakushi faced Kokudo Hall in another group.
• Sendou cautioned his teammates not to underestimate their opponents and advised Maezono on batting, explaining the light front-foot pressure and balance adjustments behind his own swing.
• Haruichi decided to test Sendou’s batting approach during the winter offseason, while Sawamura prepared to begin special training and the coaches arrived for practice.

Sendou helped Sawamura confront his struggles by arranging for Senior Chris to teach him the low outside pitch, while Seidou’s players trained for the approaching first game and First Team selection. Sawamura began practicing the new pitch, and Kanemaru’s improved defense earned him a place on the First Team as the roster decision drew near.

• Sendou ran with Sawamura and recognized how badly Furuya’s strong practice had unsettled him, so he arranged for Senior Chris to help Sawamura learn the outside corner pitch.
• Miyuki told Sawamura bluntly that his control was poor, prompting Sawamura to vent by running before heading to the Indoor Practice Field to pitch.
• Senior Chris taught Sawamura to aim for the low outside corner, and Sendou explained how the pitch could complement inside pitches and disrupt batters.
• Sawamura began practicing the outside pitch with Senior Chris, then continued training with Kariba after Sendou asked Coach Kataoka for more pitching time.
• Sendou watched first-years practice hitting at night, then saw Sawamura reading a book about the Gracie family the next day.
• Coach Kataoka decided to put Kanemaru on the First Team because of his defensive and bunting improvements, as Seidou approached its first official game and the players awaited roster decisions.

On September 6, Sawamura practiced outside-corner pitches while Sendou worked to regain his batting rhythm after his injury. Sawamura continued refining his pitches with Kanemaru, while Sendou returned to his simulated swing practice.

• Sawamura practiced outside-corner balls with Kariba in the bullpen as Sendou arrived after his run and began imagining his batting swings.
• Sendou struggled with a rusty feeling in his swing and increased his imagination practice because his recovering arm limited how much he could hit.
• Sawamura asked Kanemaru to practice with him that evening, and the group met at the indoor practice field, where Sendou was already training.
• Kanemaru arrived fully equipped to catch pitches and complained when Sawamura clarified that he was practicing outside-corner balls rather than inside pitches.
• Sawamura adjusted his position and continued working on his pitches, while Sendou resumed his simulated practice after watching Sawamura's determination.

Sendou worked on pitch recognition while recovering from his arm injury, and Seidou handed out Back Numbers ahead of the Autumn Tournament. Furuya dominated the opening game against Toyosaki High School, leaving the match underway with him carrying Seidou’s offense and pitching.

• Sendou asked Coach Kataoka to let him practice batting against Kawakami so he could learn to distinguish balls from strikes while resting his arm.
• On September 11, Coach Kataoka awarded the Back Numbers, including Number One to Furuya, Number Eight to Sendou, and Number Eleven to Sawamura.
• Miyuki led Seidou in a rallying cheer as the team set its sights on winning consecutive Summer and Spring championships.
• On September 12, Seidou began its first Autumn Tournament Qualifier match against Toyosaki High School.
• Furuya struck out three batters in the opening inning, then continued pitching and hitting powerfully as Seidou’s spectators grew more excited.

Seidou won its first autumn game 5–0 after Furuya delivered seven hitless innings, though the batting lineup drew criticism for its weak performance. Coach Kataoka moved Maezono out of the third spot, while Furuya and Sawamura’s rivalry intensified during the next day’s training.

• Furuya pitched seven innings without allowing a hit, gave up five runs, and left the game when Coach Kataoka replaced him to protect his stamina.
• Seidou scored five runs in the eighth inning to win 5–0, but Jun-san, Ryo-san, and Kadota-senpai criticized the batting lineup and Maezono’s performance.
• Spectators praised Furuya and Sendou, while Seidou prepared for a week off before its second game.
• Coach Kataoka decided to remove Maezono from the third batting spot and give the position to Shirazu-senpai.
• During rainy training the next afternoon, Furuya and Sawamura raced each other until both ran out of energy, while Kawakami-senpai reminded them to manage their stamina.

Coach Kataoka tested Sawamura’s pitches and planned to use him in an upcoming game, while Coach Ochiai assessed Seidou’s chances in the Autumn Tournament. Ochiai urged a long-term focus on developing Furuya and rebuilding the lineup, but Kataoka’s immediate plans remained in place.

• Coach Kataoka had Sawamura pitch in the bullpen, checked his outside and inside pitches, and asked him to throw a high-inside pitch.
• Coach Ochiai studied information on Tokyo-area schools and their regular players while considering Seidou’s prospects.
• Coach Kataoka told Head Manager Oota that he planned to give Sawamura a debut in one of the next two games if his condition allowed.
• Coach Ochiai judged Seidou’s pitching depth and batting lineup too inconsistent to reliably win the Autumn Tournament.
• Coach Ochiai recommended prioritizing Furuya’s development this autumn while Sendou recovered his batting form.

Coach Kataoka rejected Coach Ochiai’s proposal to build Seidou around Furuya alone, and Sendou explained that Ochiai did not yet understand the team’s traditions or potential. After receiving medical clearance, Sendou prepared to return to full practice, while Seidou beat Toritsu Sanno High School 7–0 behind Furuya.

• Coach Ochiai proposed having Furuya pitch every game, but Coach Kataoka refused to sacrifice the team’s Autumn Tournament for one player.
• Coach Ochiai followed Sendou to a dark practice area, where Sendou explained that Ochiai was judging Seidou by its current abilities rather than its deeper strengths.
• Sendou told Coach Ochiai to keep observing the team, then escorted him out of the dark grounds.
• A doctor confirmed Sendou had recovered, and Coach Kataoka planned for him to return to full practice while delaying his game return until the Autumn Tournament’s main draw.
• Coach Kataoka announced a new batting order for Seidou’s second match, placing Shirazu third and Furuya fifth.
• Furuya dominated Toritsu Sanno High School on the mound and at bat as Seidou won 7–0 in seven innings.

After Seidou defeated its opponent, the players prepared for the next day’s game against Chengxiang Academy while Furuya, Sawamura, and Maezono dealt with their own pitching and batting concerns. Coach Kataoka watched Sawamura practice and planned to use him when Furuya ran out of stamina.

• The third-year players praised Furuya’s performance but noted his poor stamina management, and Miyuki criticized his excessive walks before Sendou assigned Miyuki five hundred swings.
• Sawamura complained that Coach Kataoka had not put him into the game, then arranged to practice pitching with Kanemaru.
• Sendou explained the joke behind Chengxiang Academy’s name, and the players laughed before Chengxiang won and became Seidou’s next opponent.
• Maezono fixated on hitting toward right field and went to practice, while Haruichi worried that he was overthinking his approach.
• Coach Kataoka secretly watched Sawamura practice and told Sendou that Sawamura would pitch when Furuya ran out of stamina.

Seidou’s final preliminary game against Seisho began with Furuya struggling to control his powerful pitches. After Miyuki misunderstood Furuya’s thoughts during a mound visit, Seisho hit a double and took a four-run lead.

• Seidou and Seisho arrived for the qualification game, and Furuya impressed spectators with his bullpen velocity while Sawamura practiced nearby.
• Furuya opened the game by walking three batters, then allowed a run on a bases-loaded walk and another after a bunt.
• Miyuki called a timeout and told Furuya to relax, but he mistook Furuya’s reaction for understanding and returned to the dugout.
• Furuya worried that Miyuki thought he was trying to play baseball alone and held back on his next pitch.
• Ookubo hit Furuya’s hittable pitch through the infield for a double, bringing Seisho’s lead to four runs.

Furuya gave up four runs in the first inning before Kataoka replaced him with Kawakami, and Sendou worked out why Furuya had lost control. Seidou stopped Seishou from scoring again, but the team still faced a five-run deficit and needed its batters to recover.

• Furuya struggled to pitch, and a fielding mistake by Shouji Higasa let Seishou score four runs in the first inning.
• Kataoka replaced Furuya with Kawakami, while Sendou explained that Furuya's blank expression meant he could not learn from the experience yet.
• Kawakami entered with runners on second and third; Seishou attempted two squeeze plays, scoring once before Seidou recorded outs to end the threat.
• Sendou asked Furuya about his bullpen practice and learned that Furuya had felt unusually light, expected to set a speed record, and misinterpreted Miyuki's advice to throw lightly.
• Sendou reassured Furuya, blamed Miyuki for confusing him, and told Furuya to remember the game and gradually learn to communicate with his catcher.
• Kawakami shut down Seishou after taking the mound, leaving Seidou's batters to overcome a five-run deficit.

Seidou narrowly avoided a humiliating loss to Seishou when Sendou entered as a pinch hitter and hit a grand slam to win the game. Coach Kataoka then condemned Seidou’s careless play and ordered the team to run laps and stay away from baseballs until further notice.

• Seidou entered the final half-inning trailing Seishou four to five after Kawakami and Sawamura kept the opposing lineup from scoring.
• Tojo and Kanemaru hit safely, and Kuramochi’s bunt advanced the runners before Seishou’s pitcher walked another batter to load the bases.
• Sendou asked Coach Kataoka to let him pinch-hit, then walked straight to the batter’s box without warming up.
• Sendou hit a grand slam, giving Seidou the win and ending the game.
• Sendou quietly apologized to Coach Kataoka, who let him leave when he was ready.
• Coach Kataoka scolded Seidou for its reckless and unfocused play, then ordered the players to run laps and forbidden them from touching a ball.

After Seidou’s tense win, Coach Kataoka punished the team with a long run while Sendou Akira quietly worked on his own weaknesses. Coach Ochiai discovered Sendou practicing alone, and the chapter ended with the other players returning to further hardship.

• Isashiki-senpai and the others discussed the game, and Senior Tanba explained that an ace needed to perform steadily even on difficult days.
• Coach Kataoka made the new team run late into the night, leaving Furuya to reflect on Sendou’s earlier advice.
• Coach Ochiai told Coach Kataoka that Sendou’s long break had dulled his body and that he had been practicing alone at night.
• Coach Kataoka said Sendou Akira would keep working until he could satisfy himself, while Coach Ochiai decided to watch him from the shadows.
• Sendou practiced his swings alone in a hidden corner, then waited until the team returned before heading out again.