Zhou Hao originally assumed the system reward would be something baseball-related.
Like the Stamina +1 he received before.
If not for that boost, even with his exceptional technique, the power he could exert would have limits.
Now, however, his speed and strength were fully comparable to Seido's First String regulars.
Combined with his skill enhancements, he could perform even beyond them.
If he gained another Stamina +1—
He wouldn't just be at the First String's average level.
He'd be at a cheat-level First String.
His speed could rival Kuramochi.
His power could compete with Masuko.
And with the Sharingan's absolute body control layered on top—
The version of himself that would emerge would be terrifying.
So when the system reward turned out to be an Illusion Technique…
Zhou Hao blinked.
"…What am I supposed to do with this?"
Sawamura Eijun was directly promoted to the First String.
Since the roster was full, he wouldn't immediately play in official games—
But he would train with the First String.
That alone was enormous.
Kominato Haruichi and Kotori were promoted to the Second Team.
Their performances had caught Coach Kataoka's eye.
If nothing unexpected happened, they would soon compete for First String spots.
Meanwhile, even the best Second Team player, Maezono, failed to earn promotion.
Not a single upperclassman from the Second Team moved up.
In addition to those three, Kanemaru, Tojo, Takatsu—
Several other first-years had impressed the coaching staff.
Even if they hadn't officially entered the Second Team yet, once the "Devil Trials" concluded and the final roster was announced—
They would become the team's next seeds.
One confirmed First String member.
Two First String candidates.
Three Second Team candidates.
The results Zhou Hao produced were undeniably outstanding.
Naturally, his system rewards would reflect that.
Yet—
What he received was:
Sharingan Genjutsu — King's Scorn.
Sharingan Genjutsu: King's Scorn
[Activated while Sharingan is active.
Usable three times per day.
Usage increases with level.]
To most people, an ability limited to three uses per day might seem insignificant.
But Zhou Hao wasn't "most people."
At his current level, there were fewer than ten high school players nationwide who could truly threaten him.
If he used this "cheat" three times in an official game—
Against elite opponents—
What would happen?
Just imagining it made his blood stir.
Before, when people called him invincible—
The best high school player in the country—
Zhou Hao still had doubts.
There were still rivals capable of challenging him.
But now?
With this ability—
It didn't matter who stood across from him.
He could completely crush them.
What Emperor's Eye.
What Full Field Vision.
In front of this power—
They were insignificant.
Zhou Hao smiled faintly.
"I can't wait to use it."
That faint smile carried a trace of something new.
Not excitement.
Not arrogance.
But—
A king's disdain.
After the Welcome Game ended, several first-years had risen to prominence.
The most dazzling was naturally Sawamura Eijun.
Coach Kataoka announced:
"Starting this afternoon, Sawamura will train with the First String."
No one objected.
Compared to other powerhouse schools, Seido's culture had always been straightforward.
Seniority mattered less than strength.
If you had ability, you advanced.
Sometimes—
Rocket-fast.
Just like the two first-years before who skipped Second Team entirely and joined First String.
Sawamura had earned his spot.
No resentment.
No doubt.
Only acknowledgment.
Kominato Haruichi, newly promoted to the Second Team, was quietly proud.
He hadn't jumped straight to First String—
But Coach Kataoka's recognition meant he had a chance.
And that was enough.
When he met his older brother, Kominato Ryosuke, the latter leaned casually against a wall.
"One beautiful hit. Three impressive defensive plays," Ryosuke said lightly.
"Your performance was excellent."
Haruichi's eyes brightened behind his bangs.
To be praised by his older brother—
That had always been his dream.
He hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
"Brother…"
But then—
Ryosuke's tone shifted.
"Did you think I was praising you?"
Haruichi froze.
Hadn't he done well?
A faint, cold smile appeared on Ryosuke's lips.
"Look at your competitors.
Given the team's needs and the limited First String spots for first-years—
Can you secure one?"
If Haruichi waited until after Summer Tournament, promotion would come naturally.
But by then—
Ryosuke would have retired.
Their shared dream—
Playing together on the same field—
Would vanish.
Haruichi's face flushed.
He understood.
Less than two months remained.
"Work harder," Ryosuke said quietly.
He didn't want to be harsh.
But Seido was a national powerhouse.
And now—
The reigning national champion.
Internal competition was among the fiercest in the country.
There was no room for comfort.
Saying there were only two or three spots for freshmen…
Kominato Ryosuke was actually exaggerating.
Many second- and third-year First String players were already inferior to the first-years.
Whether considering current strength or future growth, the number of rookie slots would definitely increase.
But no matter how much it increased—
It wouldn't exceed four.
And already, five rookies had stood out.
Furuya Satoru.
Oshima Shin.
Sawamura Eijun.
These three were basically guaranteed places.
Which also meant—
Someone like Kawakami might be pushed out of the pitching rotation.
Of course, nothing was final. Competition would decide everything.
Then there was Kotori, who hit Tanba Koichiro's high-breaking curveball.
Kanemaru.
Tojo.
Takatsu.
None of them were easy opponents.
Even if Kominato Haruichi rose above these players, he would still need to defeat an upperclassman already holding a First String spot.
The difficulty…
Even Ryosuke couldn't help clenching his teeth.
As an older brother, how could he not want to play beside his brother?
But realistically, the chances of Haruichi receiving an exceptional promotion were slim.
Who could have predicted such terrifying freshmen would appear this year?
Even many upperclassmen felt chills when thinking about them.
The competition was brutal.
"I will definitely join the First String!"
Haruichi's expression hardened with resolve.
He wanted to go to Koshien with his brother.
To conquer the nation together.
"It'll definitely work."
He silently gritted his teeth.
And he wasn't the only one.
Every player with ambition trained desperately.
Under Seido's arrangements, all candidates entered intensive special training.
Several days passed.
Then the semifinal opponent was decided—
Teito High School.
An elite team from East Tokyo.
Everyone originally assumed the real battle would only come against Inashiro Industrial.
No one expected such a powerful opponent to appear now.
Zhou Hao's eyes lit up.
If there was ever a perfect test subject for his new ability—
This was it.
The semifinal determined qualification for the Kanto Tournament.
Seido couldn't take it lightly.
Coach Kataoka immediately announced:
"Zhou Hao — starting pitcher."
"Don't underestimate Teito just because their results dipped recently.
They've reached the Koshien finals more than once.
And their coach is extremely experienced.
To beat them, we seize momentum from the start!"
The First String players felt their fighting spirit ignite.
In the past, facing elite schools always brought pressure.
Now?
Seido had become numb to the title national powerhouse.
Across four thousand schools, there were dozens like this.
Facing strong opponents made the game meaningful.
Beating weak ones meant nothing.
Like an adult bullying a child.
"I guarantee the mission will be completed."
Zhou Hao raised his hand calmly.
The team instantly relaxed.
As long as their Ace stood on the mound—
Everything felt easy.
After assigning Zhou Hao, Coach Kataoka turned to the other pitchers:
Tanba — prepare from the 3rd inning
Furuya — from the 5th inning
Kawakami — from the 7th inning
They were competing for the second pitcher role.
Cruel?
Yes.
But sports were cruel.
Strength decided everything.
"What about me? When do I prepare?"
Sawamura raised his arm enthusiastically.
The meeting room froze for two seconds—
Then burst into laughter.
"You're embarrassing Room 5," Kuramochi said immediately.
"Kid, you don't even have a number yet. You're just First String support staff."
"Forget the field — you don't even have a bench seat."
"Unless you can keep score. Can you?"
Sawamura couldn't.
Only now did he realize:
He had joined the First String…
But couldn't play at all.
His name wasn't on the roster yet.
Zhou Hao smiled.
"The protagonist always appears last. Don't rush."
Unfortunately—
The reassurance sounded extremely unconvincing.