Diamond Ace's Passionate Swing

The National High School Baseball Championship, East and West Tokyo Tournament, has officially begun.

Outside Jingu Stadium, the crowds were immense, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

"It's hot and crowded, and with you blocking my view, I can't see anything."

Narumiya complained, constantly tiptoeing, trying to find a gap in the crowd.

"You're so noisy, Ming."

Harada Masatoshi's voice was deep and authoritative, but it also revealed a hint of helplessness.

"There are so many people."

Sawamura looked around, his eyes filled with curiosity and excitement.

"Because both the east and west teams were present at the opening ceremony."

Ryosuke Kominato explained.

"The West Division can only play at Jingu Stadium starting from the semifinals, so our first goal is to be able to return here again."

His voice was full of anticipation.

There are a total of 260 schools in the east and west districts combined.

In less than three weeks, only one representative school was selected from each of the east and west sides.

The summer of fierce competition, where everyone stakes their tickets to Kota Kinabalu Stadium for a decisive victory, is finally about to begin.

"What's wrong with you, buddy?"

Sawamura pointed at Furuya and said.

"It's so crowded! Stand up straight!"

Just how bad is your stamina?!

Sawamura Eijun shouted angrily.

Furuya Akira collapsed helplessly in front of Sawamura Eijun.

"Sawamura, are you sure you can do it? If not, I'll do it."

Lin Xiao walked over and asked with concern.

The opening ceremony has ended, and people are outside the stadium.

"Ah, Inashiro's spy bastard!"

Sawamura Eijun spotted Narumiya Mei at a glance and immediately shouted.

"Trying to gather intelligence on us again?"

"You said it yourself, didn't you?"

Narumiya Mei curled her lip in disdain.

"By the way, you actually made the substitute list?"

He looked Sawamura up and down, his tone full of surprise.

"Exactly!"

Sawamura puffed out his chest in triumph.

"Shut up."

Miyuki Kazuya sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

Cheng Gongming's gaze suddenly fell on the number on Lin Xiao's back.

"Number 1?"

Narumi's pupils suddenly contracted.

"Surprisingly! It's not Tanba who's the ace pitcher."

"Looks like this kid actually has some skill!"

"First graders are the best."

A storm raged within him.

"Lin Xiao, it seems that your Qingdao team is determined to win this year."

Cheng Gongming walked up to Lin Xiao, his tone tinged with provocation.

"However, don't think that you can beat us, Daoshi, just like that."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Lin Xiao smiled slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Then let's see who comes out on the field."

"Naraka Mei-senpai."

"Hmph, just what I wanted."

Narumi Mei snorted coldly.

"You can look forward to facing us, you bastards."

Isashiki Jun glared at Narumiya Mei and said loudly.

"You guys are really energetic."

Masatoshi Harada walked over, his tone calm.

"You better not lose before you run into us."

"These are our lines."

Isashiki Jun was not to be outdone.

See you in the finals.

Harada Masatoshi said calmly.

Okay, see you in the finals.

Tetsuya Yuuki's voice was deep and firm, his gaze piercing.

......

"We went to scout out the first game; our opponent was Mimensi High School."

Chris's voice was as steady as ever.

"Their ace pitcher is second-year student Masaaki Kikunaga, a left-handed pitcher with an overhand pitching style."

"The ball speed is close to 130 kilometers per hour, and there are two types of change balls: curveball and slider."

Chris opened the notebook and pointed to the densely packed records inside.

"However, he was an outfielder in his freshman year, so his ball control needs improvement."

Lin Xiao stared at Kesley's thick notebook, feeling a chill run down his spine.

He couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

"Just how much information is recorded in this notebook...?"

"It's even more detailed than a household registration survey."

"They know everything about other people's hobbies and family members."

"Their offense tends to use short-range shots, and their defense is very solid with very few turnovers."

Chris continued, his tone serious.

"Mimensie High School excels at seizing scoring opportunities and holding on until the very end; they are a typical defensive team."

Member A: "Their fourth batter often hits high fly balls."

Member B: "The left fielder has very strong arms, so we need to be especially careful."

Chris closed his notebook and looked at Coach Kataoka.

Coach Kataoka nodded.

"Yes, thank you for your hard work."

His gaze swept over everyone present, his eyes filled with determination.

"The opponent has already won the first game and is riding high on their momentum, so we absolutely cannot let our guard down."

"No matter who the opponent is, we must go all out."

Coach Kataoka's voice was strong and clear.

"Only in this way will victory belong to us."

"yes!"

The team members responded in unison, their voices loud and clear.

Coach Kataoka's gaze fell on Lin Xiao.

His eyes held a hint of expectation, yet also a hint of seriousness.

"Next, I will announce the starting lineup for the first game."

Everyone's heart was in their throat, especially Koichiro Tanba.

His palms began to sweat, and his eyes were filled with tension and unease.

"First-year student, Lin Xiao, you'll be starting."

Coach Kataoka's voice was clear and firm.

This decision surprised everyone.

Lin Xiao himself was stunned.

He never expected that he would be entrusted with such an important task.

"Tanba and Kawakami, prepare to provide support."

Coach Kataoka continued.

"During the match, you need to warm up properly and be ready to go on the field at any time."

"yes!"

Tanba and Kawakami responded immediately.

"Having experienced Tanba and Kawakami in charge of relays was a well-considered decision."

Coach Kataoka explained.

He looked at Tanbo.

"Tanbo, I know you've always wanted to be an ace, but this time I'm putting you in charge of relief so you can take off the burden of being an ace and pitch with a more relaxed mindset."

"I believe that this will allow you to perform at an even better level."

A complex emotion flashed in Koichiro Tanba's eyes.

He took a deep breath and nodded.

"I understand, Coach!"

Coach Kataoka then looked at Kawakami.

"Kawakami, if you know your task in advance, you won't feel uneasy and you'll be able to concentrate more on completing your work."

Kawakami nodded.

"I will warm up properly and be ready to go on the court at any time."

Coach Kataoka's gaze returned to Lin Xiao.

"Lin Xiao, with Tanba and Kawakami handling the relief, you don't need to worry too much about stamina when pitching, so you can give it your all."

Lin Xiao felt the coach's trust and expectations.

He took a deep breath, his eyes hardening.

......

Mimensi High School.

"How's it going? Did those guys from Seido come to scout things out today?"

Coach Junichi Chiba asked smugly.

His face wore an expression of absolute confidence.

"Yes, they also recorded it."

The team member replied.

"Those guys must look down on us just because we're a metropolitan school."

Junichi Chiba sneered.

"Um, Coach Chiba, it's hard to say..."

The team member said hesitantly.

"They just look down on us!"

"I said with absolute certainty."

"I can already picture their pale faces on the day of the competition after they see our strength."

He smiled smugly, as if he could already see the dawn of victory.

"Getting carried away by success can lead to a terrible fall."

One of the team members muttered something under his breath.

"As far as my Middleman West High School, led by Junichi Chiba, is concerned, Seido High School is nothing to fear!"

Junichi Chiba's voice was full of confidence, even a little arrogant.