Diamond Ace's Passionate Swing

Ryosuke Kominato took a deep breath, finally shook his head helplessly, and gave a bitter smile.

"I must say, Lin Xiao has a really sharp eye."

"Last night, I felt like you'd figured it out. I didn't expect I still couldn't hide it."

Masuko was even more confused, watching the two of them speak in riddles.

"What happened? Tell me quickly! I'm so worried!"

Ryosuke Kominato glanced around at his teammates' concerned gazes before finally speaking.

"Okay, everyone, I hurt my foot yesterday when I was charging the base."

As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings fell silent instantly, followed by gasps of disbelief.

"What?!"

Kominato Haruichi's face turned pale as she looked at her brother's feet with worry.

"elder brother…"

The day before the final, they learned that the starting second baseman, who was known for his skill and speed, had injured his leg.

This was a bolt from the blue for Seido. A disastrous start?

Ryosuke Kominato's voice carried a hint of apology.

"I know how important tomorrow's game is to everyone, to the team, and to me."

"However, I was still a little selfish. If Lin Xiao hadn't seen through me, I wouldn't have had the intention or the courage to say it."

Lin Xiao spoke at the opportune moment, his voice firm.

"I just didn't want Kominato-senpai to shoulder the burden alone, because we are a team."

He looked around at everyone, his tone filled with strong confidence.

"To put it bluntly, even if it were just Inashiro alone, I could carry everyone to victory."

Izashiki immediately jumped up and down.

"You brat, it's not your turn to carry the flag all by yourself!"

Yuki nodded, indicating his agreement with Lin Xiao's approach.

"Lin Xiao, you did a good job."

Kominato Ryosuke looked at Lin Xiao in astonishment; this junior's words and sense of responsibility far exceeded his age.

Yuki looked at Kominato Ryosuke one last time, his tone steady and powerful.

"Ryosuke, the fact that you said that shows you trust us. Don't worry, we'll share the burden with you in tomorrow's match."

Kuramochi immediately followed.

"Add one for me!"

Izashiki, not to be outdone, cut in front of him.

"And me! Lin Xiao, get out of here, it's not your turn yet!"

Masuko pounded her chest hard.

"Ugh!"

Coach Kataoka watched this harmonious yet spirited scene unfold before him without interrupting, leaving the problem to the players to solve themselves.

Who will be the ultimate winner? We'll find out on the field tomorrow.

Final day.

Jingu Stadium.

The stadium's loudspeaker blared in the early morning, heralding the arrival of the decisive battle.

"The final of the West Tokyo tournament will begin at 1 p.m.

"In addition, given the high temperatures today, please remember to stay hydrated and take care of your health to avoid heatstroke, and please watch the game in a civilized manner."

The referee was checking the final details in front of the pitch tunnel.

"So, Seido will attack first, followed by Inashiro, is that alright?"

"We are looking forward to a great match that lives up to the name of the final."

Tetsuya Yuki and Masatoshi Harada, the captain of Inamori, exchanged a glance, their eyes burning with fire.

"yes!"

"Let's go!"

The stands were already packed with people, and the huge roar almost lifted the roof off the stadium.

"They're here!"

"It's the nine members of Seido!"

"Yuki!"

"Seido!"

"Lin Xiao!"

"Isashiki!"

"Tamba!"

"Senior A-Zhe!"

"Coach Kataoka!"

On the other side, the cheers for Daocheng Industry were equally powerful.

"Inari! The strongest!"

"Narimiya!"

"Inari! The strongest!"

"Sound!"

"Aya!"

"Carlos!"

"Let's make it to Koshien!"

"Please, Coach Guoyou!"

"Please take us to Koshien again this year!"

"Kataoka!"

"Seido!"

"Rice grains!"

"Seido!"

There were a lot of people in the audience.

We will win.

"Don't shout so loudly in someone's ear!"

"I couldn't resist!"

"Weak dogs bark well."

"You better watch out, you bastard!"

Lin Xiaoxiao stood on the sidelines, his eyes focused, and Yu Xing patted him on the shoulder to remind him.

"Lin Xiao, don't drink too much water just because of the high temperature, or your body won't be able to move."

Lin Xiao nodded.

"This place is hotter than Africa!"

It looks very imposing.

Just don't throw the ball too hard.

Lin Xiao watched as Daocheng Industry's players entered the field, quickly analyzing the situation in his mind.

"The lineup hasn't changed much, so there's nothing to worry about."

[Daocheng Industry's Initial List]

First batter: Center fielder Carlos

Second batter: Shortstop Katsuyuki Shirakawa

Third batter: Third baseman Hideaki Yoshizawa

Fourth batter: Catcher Masatoshi Harada

Fifth batter: Pitcher Narumiya Mei

Sixth batter: First baseman Riku Yamaoka

Seventh batter: Second baseman Tsubasa Hirai

Eighth batter: Fan Shengmei, left field

Base nine: Fujikawa in right field

On Inami's side, when Coach Kuniyoshi saw Seido's starting lineup, his face immediately darkened.

Lin Xiao is in the first batter position?

This is clearly an attempt to emulate the strategy used by Pharmacist High School against them, aiming to give their ace an extra at-bat.

This completely disrupted his plans.

The lineup on Seido's side was adjusted this way because there was no other way, since Ryosuke Kominato injured his foot.

According to the original plan, Lin Xiao should have been the base-clearing hitter, batting fifth.

However, lacking a stable scorer and tactical executor, they can only put Lin Xiao in the first batting order in an attempt to disrupt Cheng Gongming's pitching rhythm from the very beginning.

[Seido Starting Lineup]

First batter: Pitcher Lin Xiao

Second batter: Shortstop Yoichi Kuramochi

Third batter: Jun Izashiki, center fielder

Fourth batter: First baseman Tetsuya Yuki

Fifth batter: Third baseman Toru Masuko

Sixth batter: Catcher Kazuya Miyuki

Seventh batter: Second baseman Ryosuke Kominato

Eighth batter: Kominato Haruichi, left outfield

Ninth batter: Right fielder Akira Furuya

The Inashi team members were also surprised.

Hideaki Yoshizawa looked toward the pitcher's mound.

"Is Lin Xiao the starting pitcher...?"

Shirakawa Katsuyuki frowned.

"Lin Xiao is actually the first batter?"

Harada Masako analyzed calmly.

"They might want to have another batter, like in the Yakushi match. It's surprising that they've put that troublesome batter, Kominato Ryosuke, in the back."

On the pitcher's mound, Narumiya Mei stared at the Seido roster displayed on the electronic scoreboard, his face filled with disbelief.

"What kind of tactic is Seido using?"

Harada Masatoshi walked to his side and noticed the weariness in his eyes.

"You didn't seem to sleep much last night?"

"I've been yawning non-stop since early this morning."

Narumiya Mei rubbed her eyes.

"Yeah?"

Harada sighed.

"He's done this occasionally since the defeat at Koshien."

"I can't fall asleep whenever I think back to that scene."

Narumiya Mei shook his head, his face regaining its usual confidence and arrogance.

"It's okay, don't look so worried."

"I was just thinking about how to crush them, and then I got excited!"

He looked towards Seido's rest area, his gaze fixed on Miyuki.

"Ichiya, is this the battle you've been waiting for?"

"I told you, don't blame me if you regret it later!"

Harada patted him on the back, his tone serious.

"Ming, today we're going to have a head-on confrontation right from the start, so don't be careless."

Narumi's lips curled up in a smile.

"Oh, I'm relieved."