Diamond no Ace: My Sharingan

"It got through!"

In a flash—

The white baseball tore straight through Hakuba Academy's defense.

By the time anyone reacted—

It was already too late.

That single hit snapped Kazama back to reality.

His eyes sharpened instantly.

What just happened?

He had actually lost focus—for even a split second—during his duel with Yuki Tetsuya?

That was no different from courting disaster.

Yuki wasn't just any batter.

He was on the same level as Zhou Hao.

Even with preparation—

Even with strategy—

There was no guarantee of success against someone like him.

And now, because of that momentary lapse—

Everything had spiraled out of control.

The ball had already broken through.

Zhou Hao, who had been on second base—

Exploded forward.

Like a sports car launching at full throttle—

He accelerated instantly.

To the spectators, he became nothing more than a streak of blue and white light—

Racing from second to third.

The third base coach didn't hesitate.

He waved his arm.

Go!

Zhou Hao hit third base—

Without slowing down.

Whoosh!

He flew past it.

Hakuba's third baseman could only watch helplessly as that figure flashed by.

A sense of despair rose in his chest.

They had endured all the way to the seventh inning.

They had believed—

They still had a chance.

But now—

That hope was collapsing.

As long as Zhou Hao stood on that field—

Seido would never let them score.

Not even a single run.

Which meant—

The moment Seido scored—

They had already secured victory.

"Safe!"

The home plate umpire's voice rang out loudly.

"Seido High School takes the first run!"

The scoreboard changed.

1–0.

After such a grueling battle—

Seido finally broke the deadlock.

In the stands—

Their supporters erupted.

At last—

They could breathe.

Who could have imagined this?

By the end of the sixth inning—

It was still 0–0.

A team that should have been crushed long ago—

Had stubbornly held on.

And worse—

They had begun to regain confidence.

That alone had made even Seido uneasy.

But now—

Everything was different.

One run.

That was all it took.

Even if they couldn't score again—

It didn't matter.

As long as Zhou Hao remained on the mound—

This game…

Was already decided.

"As long as Zhou Hao is there—we won't lose!"

"The offense has begun! I don't believe Kazama can hold on any longer!"

In contrast—

Hakuba's dugout fell silent.

Their coach clasped his hands together, silently praying.

"Just one run… don't let them score again."

Even now—

There was still a chance.

Zhou Hao had pitched fiercely earlier.

Even if he adjusted later—

There was no guarantee he wouldn't give up a run.

The gap was only one.

Hakuba wasn't out yet.

But if it widened—

Even by a little—

Then it would truly be over.

No outs.

Runner on second.

Yuki Tetsuya had turned his hit into a double in one breath.

In the stands—

In the dugout—

All eyes were locked on the field.

For Seido—

This was their moment.

The momentum had shifted.

Now—

They wanted more.

"Finish them here!"

"Don't give them another chance!"

The fifth batter stepped up—

Isashiki Jun.

Bat raised high.

Eyes blazing.

Zhou Hao and Yuki had already delivered.

Now—

It was his turn.

Kazama had been nearly flawless until now.

But that was exactly why—

He couldn't afford even the smallest crack.

And right now—

That crack had appeared.

"Don't even dream about getting out of this cleanly…"

The moment the pitch came—

Isashiki swung without hesitation.

Ping!

And instantly—

His expression twisted.

"…I fell for it!"

He had thought—

This was Kazama's weakest moment.

Six perfect innings.

Approaching the ninth.

A chance to drag Seido into a full game.

Against a national powerhouse—

That alone would be legendary.

If they could hold on—

If they could win—

They would become famous across the country.

Even if they lost later—

It wouldn't matter.

That was how much this game meant.

But—

They had underestimated Seido.

They had already given up one run.

No matter how well they played—

A loss was still a loss.

In the end—

Only the winner would be remembered.

"No… there's still a chance!"

Kazama bit down hard, nearly drawing blood.

As Hakuba's Ace—

He refused to accept defeat.

No matter what it took—

He would fight to the very end.

Swoosh!

The ball screamed through the air.

Isashiki swung again—

Decisively.

Ping!

Isashiki had thought—

This was Kazama at his weakest.

But the moment the bat connected—

He knew he was wrong.

The pitch had late movement.

Sharp.

Deceptive.

Even though he made contact—

He couldn't control it.

The white baseball soared high—

Then dropped straight into the outfielder's glove.

Pop!

"Out!"

One out.

Runner on second.

Hakuba Academy let out a collective breath.

That outcome—

Was far better than they had feared.

They had already braced themselves for consecutive runs.

But at the critical moment—

Their Ace had held firm.

"Two more outs!"

"Stay focused—you've got this!"

"Keep going!"

At the start of the game—

Hakuba's supporters wouldn't have dared to shout like this.

But now—

They had shed their fear.

And were truly beginning to believe—

They could fight Seido head-on.

"Sixth batter, number two—catcher, Miyuki Kazuya!"

The next batter stepped in.

The atmosphere shifted again.

In the stands—

Seido's supporters lit up with anticipation.

Off to the side, the vice-director with gold-rimmed glasses folded her arms, a faint smile on her lips.

"No matter how good he is… in this situation, no one can beat you, Kazuya."

Invincible with runners on base.

That wasn't an exaggeration.

When there were runners on—

Miyuki's batting rose to another level.

Even rivaling Yuki Tetsuya.

Kazama had heard the rumors.

But he didn't believe them.

He had already faced Miyuki twice.

And nothing about him suggested that kind of leap.

Claims like that—

Were common in baseball.

Fans exaggerated.

Reporters embellished.

So Kazama didn't hesitate.

He targeted Miyuki's weakness directly.

A pitch—

Placed exactly where Miyuki struggled most.

With his velocity and control—

Taking him down should have been inevitable.

Swoosh!

The ball exploded out of his hand.

The feel—

Perfect.

The speed—

Sharp.

A near-flawless pitch.

And yet—

Miyuki smiled.

Not just calm—

But delighted.

Kazama's brows furrowed.

What was that expression?

Facing a pitch like this—

Why would he look happy?

He couldn't understand it.

But Miyuki did.

"That's it."

He had been waiting for this pitch.

From the moment Kazama committed to his style—

Miyuki had already read him.

If Kazama trusted his method—

Then he would definitely aim here.

The spot Miyuki hated most.

Unless—

He was ready for it.

Miyuki shifted subtly.

Created space.

Turned weakness—

Into opportunity.

"I've got you, Kazama."

Ping!

The bat struck cleanly.

Exactly where he had envisioned.

The ball soared—

High and deep.

"It got through!"

The outfielder reacted—

But just a beat too slow.

The ball hit the ground.

Bounced.

And slipped past.

The stands erupted.

"I told you!"

"They can't stop Seido!"

On the field—

Yuki Tetsuya didn't hesitate.

From second base—

He exploded forward.

Full speed.

Past third—

Straight for home.

The throw came—

But it was too late.

He crossed the plate—

A step ahead.

"Safe!"

"Seido scores again!"

The scoreboard changed.

2–0.

Another run.

And this one—

Felt decisive.

Even the home plate umpire couldn't hide his awe.

Hakuba's Ace had been brilliant.

Nearly flawless.

But against Seido—

Even brilliance had its limits.

In the end—

He couldn't hold them back forever.

The inning continued—

But no further damage was done.

Masuko.

Shirasu.

Both were retired cleanly.

Even on the brink—

Kazama held his ground.

Two clean outs.

No collapse.

For Seido's supporters—

Two runs still felt insufficient.

But considering their opponent—

It was enough.

Because now—

They had control.

What mattered wasn't scoring more.

It was sealing the win.

Top of the eighth inning.

Hakuba Academy stepped up to bat.

Their players stared toward Seido's dugout.

Before—

With the score tied—

Seido had no choice but to keep Zhou Hao on the mound.

But now—

With a two-run lead—

Would they finally change pitchers?