One out, no one on base.

When Zhou Hao cleanly struck out the leadoff batter, the entire stadium boiled over.

Seidou's cheer squad erupted, waving their hands wildly. The brass band blasted out a triumphant tune, while ordinary fans shouted themselves hoarse, their faces lit with disbelief.

Their opponent wasn't just anyone—it was the Osaka Kiryu High School Baseball Team, the legendary Cosmos Team.

Yet Seidou's first-year pitcher had stepped up without fear and unleashed a pitch so devastating it shook the field.

In that instant, countless spectators found themselves captivated by the young man on the mound.

The second batter strode up—Kiba. Tall and lean, with a calm smile that made him seem gentle. But when his eyes locked onto Zhou Hao, the aura he gave off was more like a venomous snake sizing up its prey.

Zhou Hao felt it immediately. This guy was dangerous.

But even with that realization, his approach didn't change. He dug in and delivered his pitch.

"Boom!"

The baseball roared through the air like a cannon shot. Fans gasped. Kiba froze for half a heartbeat, the overwhelming speed and spin hammering into his senses.

So fast… so strong!

The Spiral ball Zhou Hao unleashed wasn't the same as the one Kiryu's players had studied on film. The velocity was sharper, the spin heavier, the late movement nastier. Just following the speed alone was exhausting—trying to square it up was almost impossible.

Kitamura, their leadoff man, had already fallen victim to that deception. Even if he swung with everything he had, he couldn't catch it cleanly.

Kiba gritted his teeth as the first pitch blew past him.

"Strike!"

One strike.

He narrowed his eyes, truly studying Zhou Hao now. A cold premonition crept into his chest—this pitcher isn't simple.

Zhou Hao didn't give him time to think. Another pitch. This time, he pressed his wrist hard, adding even more bite to the spin.

The baseball dove viciously just before the plate.

Kiba swung on instinct—

"Thwack!"

The ball plummeted under his bat, burying itself into Chris's mitt.

"Strike!"

Two strikes.

The Kiryu supporters sat in stunned silence. This was Osaka Kiryu, the nation's number one powerhouse, a team that always bulldozed their opponents. Seeing their batters get dismantled so thoroughly felt unreal.

Even the fans could feel the suffocating pressure radiating from Zhou Hao. For Kiba, standing just meters away, it was crushing.

No… no, this is just an illusion. It has to be!

He tightened his grip on the bat, eyes blazing with resolve. The moment that ball came near, he would smash it.

"Boom!"

The Spiral ball screamed in again. This time Kiba swung with absolute conviction—

"Whoosh!"

The bat cut the air, the ball veering past at the last second, untouched.

"Thud!"

The mitt swallowed it whole.

"Strike three! Batter out!!"

Two outs, nobody on.

Seidou's section exploded in cheers. They'd seen Zhou Hao's Spiral ball before, but the thrill never faded—especially not against this opponent.

Osaka Kiryu wasn't just strong; they were the favorite to win the entire tournament. Their record, their pedigree, their aura—it was overwhelming.

And yet here, on Koshien's biggest stage, Zhou Hao stood tall and tore through them like a hurricane.

In the dugout, Miyuki, unable to secure the starting catcher spot, muttered under his breath.

"Zhou Hao's Spiral ball… it feels even stronger than before."

The single word even hung heavy.

Ota smirked and clapped him on the head. "Then maybe you should reflect on why Chris can draw out that kind of Spiral ball, but you can't?"

Miyuki froze, about to seriously consider it—until Ota added with a grin, "Could it be because you don't respect your seniors and always cause them trouble?"

Miyuki immediately grinned back, his sharp tongue firing without hesitation.

"Manager, you're so funny. I've always respected my seniors the most. For example, with your weight management—I haven't said a single word about it."

"Pfft!"

Ota clutched his chest like he'd been pierced by an arrow, blood nearly spurting from his mouth.

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