It was another bright, sunny day.
"Fall in!"
After a moment of chaos, the team lined up obediently.
Todoroki Raizo stepped forward, a rare seriousness on his face.
"Listen up, boys! After this training period and evaluating the team, I've made some decisions. I'm assigning defensive positions roughly, and each of you must master at least two. This is for the team's future…and your own. I expect no resistance. Is that clear?!"
"Yes, sir!!!" the team shouted in unison.
The upperclassmen nodded without objection.
Yakushi High had always been a team that barely survived the first round of tournaments. Their best result? Reaching the second round once since the school's founding. Most joined the team just to get exercise, not expecting serious training.
But ever since Todoroki Raizo took charge—and with monster batter Todoroki Raichi, former junior-high ace Mishima Yuta, and Akiba Kazuma—the team finally saw a glimmer of hope.
Later, Kitamura Kou, Nakanishi Daiki, and Akaishi Osamu joined. Suddenly, Koshien—the dream of every high school baseball player—was no longer out of reach.
Now, their enthusiasm for training was at an all-time high.
Especially the third-year seniors. This was their last chance to reach Koshien. No matter how grueling the training, they would endure it. This was their final stand.
"Mishima! Train for first base defense while keeping up with your pitching. Got it?"
"Yes, sir! I, the great Mishima, will never lose!" His fighting spirit radiated.
"Good. Akiba, you'll handle left field and shortstop."
"Yes," Akiba replied calmly.
"You brat, Akiba! Show some enthusiasm!" Todoroki barked.
"Nakanishi, first base and third base. And lose some weight while you're at it," Todoroki said, staring at the slightly heavier Nakanishi and sighing.
"Yes…" Nakanishi muttered, guilt written across his face.
"Akaishi, you used to pitch, right?"
"Yes, Coach, but I switched to catcher in junior high."
"Don't give up on pitching. Practice it again while continuing your catcher drills."
"Yes!"
"Kitamura, your task is heavy. I trust your right-field defense, but coordinating with the catchers will be tough. Not every catcher can handle your throws. Understood, Kitamura, Watanabe, Akaishi?"
"Yes," all three replied in unison.
"Raichi, you idiot, practice third-base defense! Don't cause trouble for everyone!" Todoroki scolded.
Raichi's face turned bright red, steam practically rising from his head. His teammates couldn't resist teasing him.
"Hey, Raichi, you okay?"
"Hahaha, you look like a boiled crab, hahaha."
"Anyone have an egg? I feel like we could fry one on his face!"
"Pfft! Hahaha!"
"You guys!!" Raichi finally snapped and charged forward, wrestling with his friends.
"Hahaha!!"
Amidst the chaos, another day of grueling practice began.
In the bullpen, Kitamura Kou and Sanada Shunpei were pitching.
"Akaishi, Akiba, Watanabe—who's first?" Kitamura asked.
"I'll go!" Watanabe stepped up.
"Alright. Akiba and Akaishi, wait your turn."
Kitamura raised his hands above his head, stepping forward with force. His right-hand swing blurred, leaving afterimages in the sun.
Whiz! Boom!
Crouched behind the plate, Watanabe could only watch as the ball shot toward him like a streak of white lightning. It slammed into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Thick protective gear saved him from serious injury.
"Are you okay?" Kitamura hurried over.
"Ugh! It's nothing. I'm fine… let's continue." Watanabe recovered, picked up the ball, and handed it back.
Kitamura returned to the mound. This time, he threw a controlled 150 km/h pitch.
Whiz! Pop!
Watanabe caught it cleanly. Small progress, but progress nonetheless.
Nearby, Sanada had started pitching too, fired up by Kitamura's display. Though not as fast, his pitches exceeded 145 km/h and carried equal intensity.
Kitamura's competitive spirit surged, and he threw again.
Outside the bullpen, Todoroki Raizo lounged lazily on a bench, a faint smile on his lips as the sound of baseballs popping into gloves echoed across the field.
"Outfield, watch out!"
Clang!
A senior's hit sailed toward left field. Akiba rushed, glove up, catching it steadily.
"Good! Third baseman, heads up!"
Another ball came Raichi's way.
"Kahahaha!" he laughed, narrowly catching it and tossing to first.
"Hey! Raichi, can't you throw properly?!" Mishima roared, catching the ball.
"Kahahaha!" Raichi just laughed again.
Clang!
A grounder rolled toward second. Fukuda Daiki scooped it cleanly, threw to first, and Mishima caught it.
"Nice work, Fukuda!"
The team erupted in cheers for the flawless defensive play.
Todoroki's smile widened from the bench.
"Youth… really is something great."