After Furuya.
The starting lineup that followed was an expected choice.
Batting seventh was center fielder Tojo, batting eighth was third baseman Shoji, and batting ninth, right fielder Shirasu was moved back to the ninth spot.
The reason for this adjustnt lay in Seidou High's weakness in the lower batting order.
This forced Coach Kataoka to make this decision—not because Shirasu was weak at batting, but rather the opposite.
His reliability at the plate was precisely why he was placed in this position.
At first glance, Shirasu seed like an ordinary player, and on the field, he rarely had standout monts.
However, in terms of the team's overall structure and lineup composition, he was an indispensable piece.
His consistency allowed the lower order to maintain continuity.
At present, this was one of the best solutions Seidou High had for addressing their batting lineup issues.
Even Ochiai, who had the highest expectations for Shirasu, acknowledged the reasoning and correctness behind Coach Kataoka's decision after careful consideration.
This lineup, as ford, also served to establish a rough blueprint for the future of Seidou High's new team.
"Teito High is a strong team—that is undeniable. But I believe we are even stronger. Do not be afraid, and do not be arrogant. Focus on playing your ga to the best of your ability. Victory will be ours!"
After announcing the starting lineup, Coach Kataoka's solemn yet encouraging gaze swept across the room. His deep voice resonated in the cafeteria.
"Yes!"
The Seidou players responded with eager excitent, their determined expressions reflecting the confidence and pride of their reigning champion team.
...
The next day, at Fuchu Municipal Stadium.
Dark clouds lood over Tokyo, and a steady drizzle fell upon the field, adding a poetic mist to the scene.
However, this kind of weather was far from ideal for Seidou High, Teito High, or the countless spectators who had gathered for the match.
Despite the rain, Fuchu Municipal Stadium was already packed long before the ga began. Many fans, clad in raincoats and holding umbrellas, couldn't conceal their excitent and anticipation.
In the stands.
Our familiar face, baseball journalist Owada Akiko, looked around at the densely packed crowd, clicking her tongue in amazent.
"In this weather, there are still this many people?" Owada scanned the stadium, her face full of surprise as she muttered.
"Of course. This is a classic showdown between Tokyo powerhouses that you won't see in the sumr tournant. Only in the autumn tournant do you get these matchups. And let's not forget, today's ga features Seidou High and Teito High. Both schools represented Tokyo in this sumr's national tournant, with Seidou erging as the national champions. With that level of attention, it's only natural for a crowd like this."
A stocky man, who always carried an iron fan regardless of the weather—Mine Fujio—stepped up beside Owada and spoke with an air of certainty.
"That's true… By the way, Mine-senpai, which team do you think will win? Seidou, right? After all, with Miyuki and Sawamura's battery, Teito shouldn't be able to break through, right?" Owada's eyes darted to the dugouts on both sides of the field, her expression curious as she eagerly asked Mine.
"Hard to say," Mine Fujio shook his head and answered in a low voice.
"Huh? Why?" Owada Akiko blinked in confusion, her mind struggling to process Mine Fujio's words. She stared at him with a puzzled expression, waiting for an explanation.
However, Mine Fujio simply shook his head without offering one. Instead, his gaze deepened as he looked toward the field, where both teams were already in position, ready for battle.
Deep inside, he had a vague premonition.
The winner of this match might very well dominate all of Tokyo this autumn.
And just as Mine Fujio had said, the outco of this ga was truly unpredictable. Among the nearly ten thousand spectators in the stadium, most adopted a cautious and objective stance. Seidou had its advantages.
Teito had its advantages.
Who would erge victorious? It was impossible to say.
Of course, among these spectators, there were a select few who could see the real key to this match—the deciding factor that would tip the scales.
"If Seidou launches an aggressive offensive early on and manages to score one or two runs to control the ga, their chances of winning will be extrely high. But if they fail, then it's Teito's ga to take!"
On the right side of the stands, two boys sat side by side. One of them, a young man with a cold expression and short, light-blond hair, spoke in an indifferent tone.
His words hit the nail on the head, pinpointing the true key to this match.
And if Eijun were here, he would undoubtedly be surprised. Because this boy was none other than Okumura Koushuu—the genius catcher who, in the original story, beca one of the most prominent characters from the autumn tournant onward, a supporting role that Diamond no Ace fans both loved and hated.
Beside him sat a boy wearing a bandana—his close friend and loyal companion, Seto Takuma.
In the original story, this future duo made their first appearance during the Teito match, instantly capturing the attention of the Diamond no Ace fanbase.
"So, the first three innings are the key? The first cycle of the batting order will be a battle of wits between both teams," Seto mused. He had always trusted his friend's keen judgnt. If Okumura said so, then there had to be a reason behind it. His interest piqued, he turned his gaze toward the field, where Seidou and Teito prepared to clash.
"Yes. To be precise, the outco will largely depend on whether Seidou can break through Teito's so-called ironclad defense in their first turn at bat," Okumura replied in his usual calm and detached manner.
However, while Seto remained unaware, Okumura's gaze montarily lingered on the first-base dugout, where a striking blue-and-white figure stood.
For a brief two seconds, his eyes locked onto that figure.
A flicker of emotion flashed in his usually stoic expression.
That jersey number "1"—in that fleeting mont—was firmly imprinted in Okumura's mind, as if it would never fade.
His lips moved slightly, whispering in a voice so quiet that only he could hear.
"Sawamura Eijun."
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