Diamond no Ace: My Sharingan

Two strikes. No balls.

The batter was completely cornered.

For the players of Ichidai San High School Baseball Team, this was a scene they never could have imagined.

Before today, Tanba Koichiro had always been regarded as Seido High School Baseball Team's weakness.

He was supposed to be their breakthrough point.

Their chance to claw their way back into the game.

But reality had slapped them in the face.

They had severely underestimated what it meant to be a member of a national champion team.

Seido High School Baseball Team, already terrifying to begin with, had undergone a fundamental transformation after conquering the nation.

Their players' vision, mentality, and execution had all been reborn.

If Ichidai Sanko continued to judge Seido based on outdated impressions…

They were destined to lose.

"My dear boys, we have to change our approach."

Manager Tahara spoke in a low, steady voice.

Although he had no answer for Zhou Hao, he could clearly see the real problem.

If they kept fighting with their old mindset, Seido High School Baseball Team would dictate the rhythm of the entire game.

And that was unacceptable.

The Ichidai San players were shaken.

No matter how unwilling they felt, they understood—

If they didn't change, their defeat would be inevitable.

"Coach!"

"From now on, treat whoever stands on that mound as the strongest opponent you've ever faced."

Even if the pitcher wasn't Zhou Hao himself,

they had to admit that Tanba's current level had already reached the national stage.

As if responding to those words—

Tanba delivered his third pitch.

"Whoosh!"

The ball dropped sharply, just like a meteor falling from the sky.

The second batter of Ichidai Sanko clenched his teeth and swung with all his strength.

"Ping!"

The ball trickled weakly in front of the mound.

Tanba charged forward, scooped it up cleanly, and fired to first base.

"Thwack!"

The sound of the ball landing in Yuki Tetsuya's glove was crisp and final.

"Out!"

Two outs. Bases empty.

For Seido High School Baseball Team's supporters, this was an unexpected delight.

To be honest, even they hadn't placed much faith in Tanba before this inning.

With Zhou Hao as the team's absolute Ace, everyone else naturally seemed less dependable by comparison.

Especially Tanba, who had once made a costly mistake.

But now—

Their thinking felt outdated.

As long as one stood within the environment of Seido High School Baseball Team,

growth was inevitable.

Tanba Koichiro was the proof.

The fans didn't ask him to become an Ace.

They only hoped he could stabilize the mound at crucial moments.

If he could do that, he would already be a reliable pillar of Seido.

As for the true Ace?

There was only one name in their hearts—

Zhou Hao.

On the field, Seido's players were just as surprised.

"Is this… Tanba-senpai's true strength?"

"Or has he already completed his evolution?"

One first-year even patted Furuya Satoru on the shoulder.

"Don't worry. As long as you maintain your velocity, you'll definitely get chances."

Furuya's eyes burned with fighting spirit.

Besides Zhou Hao-senpai…

There was now another name he had to remember.

Tanba Koichiro.

A wall he had to surpass.

Otherwise, even entering Seido's pitching rotation would be difficult.

Everything seemed to be unfolding perfectly.

With Tanba's current condition, three outs appeared inevitable.

But baseball never follows a script.

The third batter for Ichidai San High School Baseball Team stepped into the box.

Hoshida.

A powerfully built second-year with a silent, oppressive presence.

Tanba's first pitch came in.

Hoshida didn't swing.

"Thwack!"

"Strike!"

Tanba's momentum surged even higher.

The stands buzzed.

Many believed Ichidai San was about to go down in order again.

Then came the second pitch.

Hoshida's eyes flashed.

In that instant, he swung with everything he had.

"Boom!"

The bat tore through the air.

"Ping!"

He didn't square it up perfectly—

But the ball still screamed off the bat.

The baseball rocketed forward, flying deep into the field.

The players and supporters of Seido High School Baseball Team stared at the soaring baseball, disbelief flickering in their eyes.

The arc was beautiful.

So beautiful that it felt unreal.

For a brief moment, no one even dared to blink.

Shirasu, Seido High School Baseball Team's outfielder, sprinted desperately toward the corner.

But the landing point was too deep.

Before he could reach it, the ball struck the ground and bounced away.

Isashiki Jun, who had rushed over to back him up, reached the second bounce point and scooped the ball cleanly.

By then, Hoshida had already dropped his bat and charged to first base.

He glanced toward second—

Then immediately stepped on the brakes.

The ball was already back in Isashiki's hands.

If he forced the issue, there was a high chance he would be thrown out.

Ichidai San High School Baseball Team didn't need reckless risks right now.

They needed certainty.

They needed hits.

And Hoshida had already delivered one.

"Safe!"

Two outs.

Runner on first.

At this point, most Seido supporters could still accept Tanba giving up a hit.

Even Zhou Hao couldn't completely avoid allowing contact.

The real question was—

Could Tanba maintain his composure?

Based on his performance so far, many still believed in him.

But Tanba, standing on the mound, didn't feel nearly as calm.

"Fourth Batter, Hoshida!"

Ichidai San High School Baseball Team's cleanup hitter stepped into the box.

A heavy presence.

Even without a runner on base, Hoshida was dangerous.

Now, with another Hoshida standing on first…

The pressure doubled.

The runner on first base kept taking short, aggressive leads.

His eyes were locked on Tanba.

As if ready to steal at any moment.

Tanba told himself again and again:

He won't run.

If he runs, he'll probably be out.

But logic didn't stop distraction.

When Tanba lifted his leg and released the ball—

The image of a stealing runner still flashed through his mind.

"Whoosh!"

Miyuki Kazuya's pupils shrank.

This pitch—

Was off.

Before Miyuki could react, Hoshida in the batter's box widened his eyes.

A ferocious gleam burst forth.

He didn't hesitate.

"Boom!!"

The bat tore through the air like a hurricane.

Miyuki felt his heart sink.

Oh no.

With Hoshida's power…

There was only one possible outcome.

"Ping!"

The baseball rocketed skyward.

Thousands of eyes followed its flight.

It carried.

And carried.

And carried.

"Thwack!"

The ball landed deep in the outfield stands.

The commentator nearly screamed himself hoarse.

"Hoshida-kun has blasted it out!!!"

"A two-run home run!!!"

"Seido scores—Ichidai answers immediately!"

"They are telling everyone with their actions—"

"They will not surrender!"

The stadium exploded.

Ichidai San High School Baseball Team had no intention of quietly collapsing.

They would fight.

They would struggle.

They would resist until the very end.

The score changed.

5:2.

In Seido High School Baseball Team's dugout, Coach Kataoka's expression turned heavy.

Tanba's early dominance had been stunning.

But this sudden collapse was alarming.

"Should we change pitchers…?"

His gaze instinctively shifted toward the outfield.

Toward Zhou Hao.

But before Kataoka could speak—

Zhou Hao raised one finger.

"Two outs."

"Just one more out."

His voice was calm.

Steady.

It rang clearly across the field.

The Seido players responded immediately.

"One more out!"

"Two outs! Two outs!"

They stood behind Tanba.

Unconditionally.

The finger Zhou Hao held up seemed to carry another meaning.

Leave it to me.

I'll take responsibility.

Seeing Zhou Hao's composure, Coach Kataoka slowly exhaled.

His heart steadied.

He chose to wait.

Since Zhou Hao believed Tanba could finish the inning—

He would believe it too.

Kataoka folded his arms and said nothing.

That silent trust spread through the dugout.

If the Coach wasn't panicking,

then neither should they.

On the mound, Tanba felt his chest tighten.

He hadn't expected this.

After giving up a home run…

No scolding.

No substitution.

Only support.

Especially from Zhou Hao.

Not becoming Seido's Ace—

That regret had always lingered in Tanba's heart.

But at this moment…

He suddenly felt something shift.

Maybe—

Even without being the Ace…

Joining Seido High School Baseball Team…

Was the right choice.

Tanba clenched his fist.

"I want to get stronger."