Chapter 71: Going Further South

Yakushi High School against Koukaidai Sugata High School!

Perhaps it was luck in the group draw, or maybe their strength has genuinely improved, but the Koukaidai Sugata High School team has miraculously reached the Tokyo quarterfinals.

The most astonishing part is that they haven't yet faced any formidable opponents. The matches have gone smoothly, without any surprises.

This seamless progress has brought joy to the players of Koukaidai Sugata High School.

Just look at the other teams that made it to the quarterfinals—each one boasts a rich history! At the very least, they are some of the most popular teams of this era.

Simply relying on baseball has made them famous nationwide.

Although Koukaidai Sugata High School ranks among the best high schools in the country in terms of academics, that status doesn't significantly reflect their baseball club's performance.

Now, their baseball club has finally caught up.

"For these prestigious teams, the significance of the Spring Tournament is nearly over. Their fighting spirit is likely low, presenting a great opportunity for us. If we win just two more games, we'll qualify for the Kanto Tournament. And if we somehow win three, we'll make history and help our school claim its first regional Championship!"

As their performance improves, the ambitions of Koukaidai High School players are rising.

What once seemed like an unattainable dream—the Kanto Tournament, the Tokyo Championship—now appears within reach.

"With this momentum, let's crush our opponent!"

Their Coach declared passionately before the game began.

If their current opponent were Sankou High School, Seidou High School, or Teito High School, Koukaidai Sugata High School might not have such confidence.

After all, they are far from the level of those three schools, which have always been rivals of a different caliber.

But what is Yakushi High School? They are well aware of their own strengths.

Koukaidai Sugata High School is a top 16 team in East Tokyo.

Previously, Yakushi High School was merely a top 16 team in West Tokyo.

Although the two teams haven't faced each other much in the past year, they had numerous encounters and countless practice matches before, given their comparable abilities.

Consequently, while Koukaidai Sugata High School feels envy and jealousy toward Yakushi High School, they certainly do not feel fear.

'You were just lucky to reach Koshien. Now we're lucky too—haven't we also made it to the Tokyo quarterfinals?'

'If you can do it, why can't we?'

With this mentality, Koukaidai chose to confront Yakushi head-on in this match.

For the spectators from the Seidou High School baseball club, it felt like witnessing a clash between two eras.

A group of underdogs, seemingly emerging from nowhere, charging at a modern army with swords, spears, and catapults.

Facing machine guns, anti-aircraft guns, and armed tanks...

They charged.

"Are they crazy?"

Kuramochi murmured in disbelief as he watched the scene unfold. Even though he has no right to say it after what the Coach had told them yesterday.

Although Koukaidai wasn't the main focus of their attention, the opponent's sudden rise to the Tokyo quarterfinals piqued Seidou High School's vigilance.

They were genuinely worried about encountering a dark horse team that could become unexpectedly strong, like Bunkyo High School.

With some preparation, it wouldn't be a problem. However, if they were careless, Seidou High School could suffer a significant setback.

After some analysis, the Seidou High School team felt reassured.

The only reason their opponent advanced to the top eight was 100% Pure Luck.

Indeed, their luck was remarkable; they hadn't faced a single strong opponent at all.

Of course, any team making it to the quarterfinals in Tokyo must have some strength, regardless of luck.

Koukaidai Sugata High School certainly possesses that strength and their tactics align well with their characteristics.

It resembles a defensive counterattack in soccer.

They focus heavily on defense and strategically choose their opponents and timings...

Due to the significant disparity in overall strength, the Seidou High School baseball club didn't take their investigation too seriously.

Still, it's clear: without sufficient strength, they are unqualified to compete against Seidou High School.

If they somehow did meet, it would be a stroke of luck for Seidou High School, allowing them to get a simple and easy win.

For the opponents, it would surely be a tragedy.

And this team had the audacity to bare their fangs at Yakushi High School.

Yakushi High School attacked first!

Their first batter, not particularly lucky, hit a pop fly and was caught out.

One Out, no one on base.

For the players of Koukaidai, this scene felt entirely expected.

They weren't less than Yakushi, so they could face them directly.

With this mindset, they did not shy away from the subsequent Yakushi High School batters.

They chose to confront them head-on!

Ping!

Akiba, hitting second, swung the bat impassively and sent the ball flying.

He then sprinted to first base.

Ping!

Next, Mishima hit a long ball!

He dashed to second base in one breath.

The situation on the field shifted to one Out, with runners on second and third base.

Given such a massive crisis, the batter at the plate was the renowned Raichi from the Spring Koshien.

The catcher should have decisively chosen to walk Raichi.

However, facing an equal rival, the battery of Koukaidai showed remarkable resolve.

Perhaps they saw a different possibility for this showdown.

If they could successfully handle Raichi, they might dampen Yakushi's currently aggressive momentum.

There's nothing wrong with that idea; if it worked, it could indeed weaken Yakushi High School's offensive drive.

The problem is knowing one's own strength, you idiots!!!

"Keha-ha-haa! Keha-ha-ha-haa!!!"

With a strange laugh, the young man named Raichi swung his bat with great force.

WHOOOSUPPAAAAAANNGG!!!!

Like a dull thunderclap, the bat struck the ball with precision.

Then they saw that small ball fly like a shooting star, soaring until it exited Jingu Stadium.

"IT'S GONE! THE BALL FLEW DIRECTLY OUT OF THE FIELD. RAICHI-KUN HIT A CLEAN THREE-RUN HOME RUN!!!!!!"

The total score became 3:0.

In reality, this was nothing to fear. As long as the pitcher could stabilize the situation, they might not win, but they wouldn't lose too badly.

However, their pitcher's mindset collapsed.

After witnessing Raichi's swing, that moment lingered in the mind of the Koukaidai pitcher.

It wouldn't leave him alone.

Even when they faced other batters from Yakushi High School, that lingering fear would follow them.

Ping!

Ping!

Ping!!

The continuous hits sounded like heavy drumbeats, echoing in the hearts of the Koukaidai Sugata High School players.

In the end, during the first inning alone, Yakushi High School scored nine runs.

The lineup turned over, and there were still plenty of batters left.

Forced by the circumstances, the coach of Koukaidai had no choice but to replace their Ace pitcher.

Even among high school teams, the gap between Ace pitchers and backup pitchers is terrifying.

Even in the pitching powerhouse Seidou High School, the disparity between the Ace and backup pitchers is significant.

Not to mention a team like Koukaidai Sugata High School.

The strength of their bench pitchers is to be expected.

For the fiercely attacking Yakushi High School, such opponents seemed like live targets.

And the most interesting thing is that the Yakushi High School team still doesn't know what it means to show mercy.

Once they go wild, they won't consider their opponents' feelings.

They scored five runs in the second inning.

The score now stands at 14:0.

At this point, the players from Koukaidai Sugata High School had become mere scarecrows.

Those remaining on the field felt only pain, devoid of any enjoyment.

By the time of the third inning, Yakushi High School may have lost interest.

They simply scored three more runs and called it enough.

The score widened to 17:0.

In the fourth inning, led by Raichi's home run, Yakushi High School's batting lineup exploded once more.

They scored a full six runs.

The total score became 23:0.

The principal of Koukaidai Sugata High School, who had come to watch the game, was on the verge of tears.

He wanted to pull out his phone and call the principal of Yakushi High School.

The two schools had always maintained a good relationship. If you win, then win, but is it necessary to humiliate them like this?

Doesn't anyone understand the concept of taking it easy!!!

Looking up at the score on the field, the principal ultimately abandoned the thought.

At this point, it was too late to avoid embarrassment.

In fact, there's no limit to how embarrassing it can get.

By the end of the fifth inning, the principal of Koukaidai Sugata High School was filled with more regret.

He was so bewildered that he didn't make that call.

In the fifth inning, Yakushi High School scored 11 runs.

When the game ended after five innings, the score stood at 34:0.

The Umpire was even considering calling the game in the third inning!

He has never declared "SAFE!!" like that much in one game.

His voice at the end of the fifth inning was even lukewarm and uninspired. He was happy that the game even ended.

It's hard to say if such a score has ever happened in a Tokyo quarterfinal match before.

But if nothing unexpected occurs, it is surely unprecedented.

In an instant, Yakushi High School was riding high.

Of course, everyone knows that such a score results from numerous factors—timing, environment, and luck. If the opponents hadn't collapsed, achieving such results wouldn't have been easy for Yakushi High School.

As the quarterfinals progressed, three of the final four teams were confirmed: Teito High School, Sankou High School, and Yakushi High School.

The last spot in the semifinals would be contested between Seidou High School and Kasugaichi High School.

Kasugaichi High School is a prestigious school in East Tokyo, with formidable strength.

However, it would be difficult for them to take on Seidou High School.

Yet, as the players from Seidou High School stepped onto the field, all the spectators were taken aback.

"Wait, Who?"

"Aye yo what the…..?"

"Could it be that Koukaidai's foolishness has infected Seidou as well?"

"Have Kataoka gone mad?"

"Did Seidou give up the game?"

…