Chapter 13: Inashiro vs Yakushi

In West Tokyo, at Inajitsu High School's baseball club, anticipation hung thick in the air as an electrifying game was about to commence.

"Who would've thought we'd get a shot at challenging the Prince of Tokyo so soon," remarked Sanada Shunpei, gripping the dugout rail, his eyes fixed on the Inajitsu players who were getting ready.

Since Todoroki Raizou took over as Head Coach, Yakushi High School had set its sights on breaking into Koshien, only to have their dreams dashed by Seidou High School.

"Seidou really showed us what it means to be the Champion," Sanada mused aloud, the stark gap in strength dampening Yakushi's spirits.

Originally, Yakushi had their eyes set on dominating West Tokyo, with Inajitsu and the Tokyo Prince Narumiya Mei as their ultimate rivals. Even after Seidou clinched the Kanto Tournament title, Yakushi still viewed Inajitsu as their main obstacle.

However, the summer competition shattered their illusions. Seidou's dominance proved staggering, leaving Yakushi to reassess their goals and recognize Seidou as their fiercest competitor.

"Narumiya Mei!" Mishima muttered to himself, eyeing Narumiya Mei with a mix of determination and admiration. He flipped through his small notebook, where he kept a list of opponents he was eager to defeat.

The first name: Sawamura Eijun. Followed closely by Narumiya Mei.

"The moment is upon us sooner than expected," Mishima thought, marveling at how swiftly fate had brought him face-to-face with these revered players.

Witnessing Sawamura's prowess during the summer tournament only fueled Mishima's desire to test himself against the Tokyo Prince.

"Let's blast him! Blast him!" Raichi's voice boomed nearby as loud as his swing, his focus fixed squarely on Narumiya Mei.

Raichi's goal was simple—to blast Narumiya Mei pitching to the moon.

'My old man said if I can hit Narumiya's pitches, facing Eijun next won't seem so daunting,' Raichi reminded himself, feeling his blood boil with excitement.

The players of Yakushi High School were hungry for their showdown against Inashiro.

Meanwhile, the Inajitsu players weren't about to back down either.

"These guys aren't like our usual practice opponents. Yakushi's hitting power rivals even Seidou's," one Inajitsu player observed.

"Really? Weren't they schooled by Sawamura recently? Their defense seems suspect," another player replied skeptically.

"Underestimating them will be your doom. During our practice break, they racked up 33 straight wins against tough national-level teams. They're no pushovers," a third player cautioned.

"Moreover, Sawamura didn't lose any runs in the whole summer! Using Sawamura as a benchmark is wrong."

"Suppose we should take them seriously. Their coach, despite appearances, has a solid professional baseball background," the first player admitted.

"What about those three freshmen we've been warned about?" another player chimed in.

"Don't forget about Sanada on the mound. He's a force to reckon with," came the response.

The Inajitsu players exchanged insights and strategies, their focus unwavering even in a practice game setting.

"Regardless of the opponent, our goal remains the same—victory. We keep winning until we face Seidou High School again and exact our revenge!" proclaimed Narumiya from the sidelines.

Since their defeat in the summer tournament finals against Seidou, Narumiya Mei had been a changed man.

"Everyone thought I'd be down for good, but I'm back stronger than ever!" Narumiya declared passionately, his renewed vigor was tangible to his teammates.

The Inajitsu players were confident in their future performance, especially with the promising Tadano synchronizing with Narumiya's pitching.

"When Tadano matures, paired with Narumiya, we won't lose to Seidou's battery," one player asserted optimistically.

"Absolutely no doubts there!"

"Mei-san, thinking of going with the breaking ball?" Tadano asked, eager to prove himself. "I promise to catch it this time. Even if I don't catch it in the mitt, I won't let it get by me."

"For these opponents, a straight ball will suffice. No need for fancy tricks," Narumiya Mei replied decisively, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

And so, the game begins!

In the first half, it was Inajitsu's turn to attack.

This game had been swirling with anticipation even before it began. After the initial quiet start, everyone expected a gradual buildup—but what they got was an explosive showdown right from the start.

In previous practice matches, Carlos, usually the leadoff hitter for Inashiro High School, seemed to have lost the speed and ferocity that defined him, resembling more of a docile house cat than the fearsome panther he once was.

But today, he shed that tame facade and revealed his true, formidable self.

Facing Mishima's pitch, the first ball was smacked without mercy.

It wasn't the cleanest hit, bouncing just in front of the third baseman.

After 33 consecutive practice games, Raichi had undergone a transformation. His defensive skills weren't textbook perfect, but they were getting the job done.

Quickly scooping up the ball, Raichi prepared to send it to first base.

'But what was that?'

Carlos, like a whirlwind, was barreling toward first base.

Realizing the urgency, Raichi hurriedly threw the ball to first base, knowing he might not make it in time.

In the dugout of Yakushi High School, several substitutes held their breath.

The ball bounced in front of third base, and yet Carlos was already closing to first base. Was this guy even human?

Snap!

In his haste, Raichi inadvertently put too much force into the throw. The ball landed squarely in the first baseman's mitt and bounced out.

An error!

Initially dismissed as insignificant, the error allowed Carlos to safely reach first base. Even if the catch were missed, it wouldn't have mattered.

The Yakushi High School substitutes were relieved.

Meanwhile, Yakushi's first baseman realized his mistake too late. He swiftly retrieved the ball and fired it to second base.

But contrary to his expectations, Carlos had already stepped on second base by the time the ball reached the shortstop's glove.

Snap!

"Safe!"

What should have been an easy grounder to the third base ended up a double.

The crowd erupted into a frenzy.

In Inajitsu's dugout, the baseball club president bumped his fist in excitement.

"The players are starting to find their rhythm," he exclaimed.

Superintendent Kunitomo cracked his neck, satisfied with his decision to accept Yakushi High School's challenge. The competition was proving to be a catalyst for the players' fighting spirit.

"Impressive! No wonder they contended with Seidou High School for the championship," commented Todoroki Raizou, deeply impressed.

"But the stronger the opponent, the sweeter the victory. Wouldn't you agree, Raichi?" he added, looking over at his son with pride.

The game continued.

Shirakawa took a bunt stance right from the start.

Mishima on the pitcher's mound was acutely aware of Carlos's speed, attempting to tag him out multiple times.

But it was all in vain.

Though Carlos took a big lead on second base, he remained vigilant.

Whenever Mishima made a move, Carlos quickly retreated back to the safety of second base.

"Such a nuisance!" Mishima muttered under his breath, frustrated but undeterred.

Akiba, positioned as the catcher, signaled Mishima to focus on the batter. As Carlos was his responsibility.

If Carlos attempted to steal third base from second, Akiba felt confident he could catch him.

Shirakawa's eyes gleamed with determination.

After sizing up the situation, he grasped Akiba's strategy.

"Don't underestimate me, kid!"

On the first pitch, Shirakawa pulled back his bunt and landed a perfectly timed hit.

Carlos dashed back home, securing the team's first run.

Shirakawa safely reached first base.

No Outs, runner on first.

The dynamic duo of Inashiro's first and second batters had given their team an early lead.

This was a scenario rarely seen in their previous practice games.

The players seemed to have awoken from their slumber all at once!

"Looks like they're not holding back anymore," noted Inajitsu's baseball club president, quick to spot the shift in their players' approach.

"Of course not. These games are meant to expose our weaknesses, not hide them," Coach Kunitomo affirmed.

The game pressed on.

After Inajitsu scored the first run, Mishima shifted into high gear.

He struck out Inashiro's third batter with three consecutive pitches, finishing with a full-power fastball.

It was a pitch Mishima had rarely used before due to its incredible speed.

The third Inashiro batter swung instinctively.

The result: a strikeout.

Next up was Yamaoka, batting fourth.

Yamaoka hit the ball within the pitcher's reach as Mishima turned away from the pitch.

It should have been an easy catch, but Mishima, turning back at the last moment, managed to graze the ball with his mitt.

Snap!

As the ball landed, Mishima was momentarily baffled. It took his teammates in the dugout to remind him to retrieve the ball and pass it to second base.

The shortstop caught the ball and swiftly relayed it to first base.

"Out!"

"Out!"

"Double play!"

Three Outs, offense and defense exchanged.

Benefitting from a stroke of luck, Mishima managed to escape the inning with just one run loss.

In the second half of the first inning, Yakushi High School took to the plate.

Facing off against Narumiya, one of the top pitchers in high school, Yakushi's powerhouse batter, Tokyo Regional Tournament's home run king, Todoroki Raichi stepped up to the plate.

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

A showdown of titans, destined to shake Tokyo like a volcano.

…