Ace of Diamond: Return of the Pitcher

On April 28, the weather was sunny. 

At Jingu Stadium, the sound of gongs and drums is booming, pennants are waving, and the crowd is overflowing...

Today is the final of the Tokyo Spring Tournament, where two teams from West Tokyo will face off to determine the champion of the Spring Tournament.

Every year, this time of the Spring Tournament is when popularity is at its lowest. Not to mention the fierce Tournament of the semifinals; even compared to the quarterfinals, it's significantly less lively.

It's not surprising that the teams in Tokyo are somewhat snobbish about it.

Especially considering the overall position of Tokyo, this match is more harmful than helpful.

On the day of the finals, many teams from other regions will certainly come to scout. During this time, as the Kanto Tournament approaches, leaking all the information about Tokyo's two teams would be a significant loss for the region.

This is one aspect.

From a perspective of honor, the value of this championship is essentially negligible.

Teams that reach this level generally do not care about this optional Championship.

Of course, since it's still a championship, if they can win it without much effort and without harming their own interests, no one would refuse.

Everyone is smart, and gradually in the Tokyo area, an agreement has formed: the Championship will naturally go to the team with stronger momentum and capability in the finals. Everyone plays with substitutes, meaning they don't need to show their real skills.

This way, it does not harm Tokyo's overall interests while ensuring the respective interests of both teams.

Everyone is happy.

Initially, fans were, of course, dissatisfied; as the finals progressed, it became the least lively stage, and fans were unhappy.

Over time, they gradually became accustomed to this.

If the teams themselves don't care about this, why should fans be so anxious?

Thus, it seems the finals of the Tokyo Spring Tournament also lacked excitement.

But that was in the past; now it's different.

This year, the two teams that made it to the finals are definitely worth watching: one is the reigning Champions, Seidou High School.

Seidou High School's appeal is so terrifying that even in unimportant games, it can attract thousands of spectators.

Let alone a match of this level, the audience has filled the entire Jingu Stadium.

With so many fans supporting them and Seidou High School carrying the crown of a King, does Seidou High School dare to let go of this match?

Of course not!

Even Superintendent Kataoka is reluctant to reveal too much information about the team. They will never easily concede victory to others.

This is one aspect.

If Seidou High School were a team solely focused on their own glory, it wouldn't matter much.

If their opponent is not keen on contesting the championship, Seidou High School would not be able to demonstrate their strength.

Moreover, Seidou High School is also reluctant to reveal too much of their true capability.

They are not fools; the Kanto Tournament is coming soon and it is only a few months away from the Summer Tournament, so what's the point of wasting effort here?

If the opponent were an ordinary powerhouse, this match would hold little controversial value.

But unfortunately, this time, it's not the powerhouses that reached the finals; it's a dark horse.

All big teams despise dark horses!

In addition to their unknown strength, there's another very important factor: the dark horse's thirst for victory far surpasses that of other teams.

For Seidou High School, this championship is tasteless and regrettable to discard.

They are just pressured by their status as champions and the expectations of their fans to fight for victory.

What if Seidou High School wins this championship?

That would be a joke.

Will Seidou High School be criticized for losing this championship?

Maybe.

In this scenario, how much fighting spirit do the players of the Seidou High School baseball team possess? It seems like an unknown...

This is still the king's path; what about other powerhouses? Probably worse.

It's impossible for them to exert their full effort for such a championship.

But for the dark horse team, it's completely different. For them, every step forward creates history. Can they win the first trophy for their school? Is there a more glorious history than this?

Having the champion's trophy in their school's honor room for everyone after them to see it.

In this situation, might the players not give their all?

Seidou High School and Yakushi High School.

Both teams have reasons to give it their all and reasons to abandon the game...

The audience is eagerly anticipating the announcement of the results, which is why they traveled far to watch the match.

Fujio Mine, a Senpai reporter from Baseball Kingdom Magazine, and his assistant, Owada Akiko, also arrived at the scene.

Listening to the murmurs of the fans around them, it seems as if they could direct the game in place of the two teams.

Some say that both teams will undoubtedly engage in a heated battle, giving it their all.

Others say it's impossible for the two teams to reveal too much strength before future opponents; they will definitely hold back.

In any case, opinions vary.

Akiko was puzzled and turned her questioning gaze toward her Senpai.

While Fujio's analysis isn't always accurate, it's generally based on his experience.

Unlike the fans around them, who express whatever comes to mind without any basis.

Fujio watched the game about to start on the field and shared his thoughts.

"I don't think both teams will really go all out here!"

This statement essentially sets the tone for everything.

In fact, the probability of both teams truly going all out is quite low.

As the opponents in the finals, Seidou High School and Yakushi High School are undoubtedly rivals.

However, from the perspective of all of Tokyo, when they arrive at the Kanto Tournament, these two teams will form a teammate relationship.

Both opponents and teammates.

'It's impossible to do this without a certain level of mutual understanding.'

'Coach Kataoka and Coach Todoroki must have their own strategies and will be testing each other.'

'While probing the opponent's limits, they will lay out their own cards.'

'Through continuous duels, they will weigh the significance of this game.'

'And do they really need to fight to win the championship?'

"This is a duel between the two Coaches!"

Fujio suddenly stated this without thinking.

Akiko looked at him in confusion.

However, Fujio said no more and focused on watching the game.

In Seidou High School's dugout, the players were already warmed up. If the school were to submit the roster list now...

Seeing the opponent's starting lineup, the Seidou High School baseball players' expressions turned grim.

'How shameless!'

The Superintendent of Yakushi High School, Todoroki Raizou, is incredibly shameless to resort to such underhanded tactics.

Coach Ochiai, stroking his chin, pondered for a moment before sneering.

"Although the Coach on the other side is quite prominent in professional baseball, he is still a rookie in coaching high school baseball and doesn't understand the rules at all. Right now, to ensure victory, he can only field the main team!"

It seems that the starting lineup of Yakushi High School made Seidou High School's coaches quite displeased.

The players also grew curious and couldn't help but look around.

Then they saw the long list of names.

First, catcher, Akiba

Third, pitcher, Mishima!

Fourth, third baseman, Raichi!

Fifth, first baseman, Sanada!!!

According to the original routine of the Tokyo finals, in today's game, everyone should be substituted.

Even if they want to show their might, at most half the main players and half the substitutes should be used.

Giving each other space to operate.

But Yakushi clearly had other plans; they went straight to the main team.

None of the nine players on the field were substitutes; they were all starters.

The only thing that might reassure Seidou is that Shunpei Sanada was not on the mound but at first base.

This seems to be Yakushi High School's attitude.

'Look, none of our Aces are on the mound.'

'We must have retained our strength...'

The players of Seidou High School suddenly felt a dull and unexplainable bitterness, as if they were eating something bitter.

They genuinely sent half of their main and half of their substitutes.

Meanwhile, the opponent shamelessly brought out their full main team.

Miyuki shook his head with a wry smile.

"The opponent's Coach is no good either!"

Of course, Coach Kataoka of Seidou High School wasn't that honest. Following the usual routine, he should have let all substitutes take the field.

But considering possible accidents, he didn't want to fall too far behind at the start.

Coach Kataoka changed his strategy and put half substitutes and half main players on the field.

This way, even if the opponent tries some underhanded tactics, Seidou High School will have enough time and strength to deal with it.

In reality, their own Coach has already been shameless enough.

But Yakushi High School was even more shameless.

And they did it in a way that was a bit forceful; it was clear they were fielding all their main players!

The meaning is already clear: I'm putting all my main players on the field. If you can do it, then you should field your main team too. If not, sorry, we'll take this Championship.

Todoroki Raizou's seemingly aggressive move truly posed a big problem for Seidou High School.

"Coach?"

Hearing the call from their teammates, everyone looked eagerly at Kataoka, waiting for him to give instructions.

"Three runs!"

After pondering for a moment, Coach Kataoka heavily uttered those two words.

'Three runs!'

This was his limit of patience.

If Yakushi High School holds on tightly without letting go, Coach Kataoka decides to give them a harsh lesson.

If they can come to their senses...

Then he wouldn't mind showing mercy.

To put it simply, he initially did not plan to field the entire main team.

First, he believed it was unnecessary as there was no need and he had confidence in his substitutes.

Secondly, he felt the timing wasn't great...

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