Kataoka believed that after facing Nakata once, when the Seido High School Baseball Team encountered him again in the second round, they would surely find a way to deal with him.

Experience was always valuable. The first confrontation might end in failure, but it would provide data. With Seido’s analytical ability, that data would never go to waste.

But the real problem was obvious.

That old fox from Osaka Kiryuu High School Baseball Team would probably never allow Seido such an opportunity.

Judging from the very first pitcher they sent to the mound, it was clear they were determined to adopt a rotation strategy.

From an objective standpoint, Osaka Kiryuu’s approach was excellent.

In the past six months, Seido High School Baseball Team had undergone two major adjustments. The lineup had been reshuffled. Roles had shifted. New connections had formed, but those connections were not yet perfect.

The team’s coordination and cohesion were not flawless.

If one critical point in the lineup was cut off, the entire chain reaction would collapse. Their offense relied heavily on momentum. Once that momentum was interrupted, it became difficult to reconnect smoothly.

Matsumoto Takahiro had seen this immediately.

He truly lived up to his reputation as a cunning old fox.

Outsiders only saw Seido’s strength. Before even stepping onto the field, many teams felt intimidated by their reputation.

With that kind of psychological gap, how could they possibly compete evenly?

But Matsumoto was different.

He looked beyond the surface.

Seido was strong, but they were not invincible. Beneath their brilliance lay weaknesses. All he needed to do was identify those weaknesses and strike them precisely.

It was simple in theory.

And extremely effective in practice.

Matsumoto smiled faintly in the dugout, looking calm and satisfied.

He understood Seido’s nature well. With Kataoka leading them, they would never surrender. They would find a way to counterattack, and when they did, it would be swift and decisive.

But as long as Osaka Kiryuu controlled the first three innings, the rest would become manageable.

This was what it meant to stay one step ahead.

As the Director of the nation’s top powerhouse, the Cosmic Team, Matsumoto Takahiro understood pressure better than anyone. Momentum in baseball could snowball quickly. If nurtured properly, even a small advantage could grow into an insurmountable lead.

Still, he was not completely free of concern.

The names Azuma Kiyokuni and Yuuki Tetsuya were not something he could ignore. Both were proven threats. One swing from either of them could instantly change the flow of the game.

Unexpected complications were always possible.

Fortunately, so far, everything was proceeding exactly according to plan.

The two biggest hurdles had already been cleared.

Nakata Hisashi only needed to hold the line for the first three innings.

That was the most critical phase.

If Nakata successfully completed that task, then Hiromi would follow. After that, their true ace would take the mound.

Even if Seido managed to score later, it would be extremely difficult.

Matsumoto felt confident.

In his mind, Seido scoring even a single run would feel as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

Just as Matsumoto allowed himself that confidence, it became Zhang Han’s turn to bat.

Bottom of the second inning.

Two outs.

No one on base.

Zhang Han stood outside the batter’s box, adjusting his gloves calmly.

Before stepping forward, he had already thought through many possibilities.

Like Kataoka, he had largely guessed Matsumoto’s intention.

It was not difficult to understand.

What was difficult was breaking through it.

Osaka Kiryuu had not used tricks or hidden schemes. They chose an open and straightforward strategy.

Rotate pitchers.

Disrupt rhythm.

Force constant adaptation.

They were confident that even if Seido understood their plan, they would still be helpless.

There was only one path forward.

Confrontation.

Zhang Han understood this clearly.

He could not rely on luck. He could not wait for mistakes.

He had to confront Nakata Hisashi directly.

Azuma and Yuuki’s consecutive outs had dealt a heavy blow to morale.

Even so, those two seniors were not idle after returning to the dugout.

They carefully analyzed what they observed and shared every detail with Zhang Han before he stepped into the box.

Pitch sequences.

Velocity differences.

Subtle changes in arm angle.

Those details gave Zhang Han a clearer understanding of Nakata.

To be honest, Nakata truly was capable.

He was balanced in every aspect.

Velocity, control, breaking ball sharpness, mentality.

Nothing stood out overwhelmingly.

But nothing was weak.

In a powerhouse like Osaka Kiryuu, players of this level were common.

His excellence did not appear extraordinary.

And yet, he had retired Azuma Kiyokuni and Yuuki Tetsuya consecutively.

That was what made the situation unusual.

Zhang Han was proud of his own achievements. Few first year players at the high school level could match his performance.

But pride never blinded him.

He respected his seniors.

In terms of pure hitting ability, Azuma and Yuuki were still superior to him.

If even they were suppressed cleanly, then Nakata’s strength had to be treated with full caution.

Zhang Han’s expression became even more serious.

The first pitch came.

He swung.

“Ping!”

The moment the bat met the ball, he felt a familiar sensation.

For an instant, he believed the ball would soar into the outfield.

He had experienced that feeling countless times before. The scene felt almost rehearsed in his mind.

But in the very next heartbeat, something felt wrong.

The rebound lacked power.

The feedback was soft.

His instincts reacted immediately.

Oh no.

He knew that sensation.

A weak graze.

If allowed to continue, it would become a soft infield grounder.

Without hesitation, Zhang Han adjusted his swing mid-motion and forced the ball foul.

“Foul ball!”

He had sacrificed a good pitch. But he avoided immediate disaster.

Most spectators did not notice the subtle danger in that exchange. They only saw that Nakata continued to dominate.

Azuma retired.

Yuuki retired.

Zhang Han struggling.

For many neutral spectators, this scene felt strangely satisfying.

The media had praised Seido endlessly, especially their three core hitters.

Azuma Kiyokuni.

Yuuki Tetsuya.

Zhang Han.

Reports had elevated them almost to mythical status.

Some admired them. Some respected them. And some envied them.

Now, watching those three being suppressed one after another, many felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

As if an exaggerated legend was being corrected. If neutral observers felt that way, Osaka Kiryuu’s supporters were even more excited.

Their cheers grew louder.

In truth, much of this atmosphere was fueled by the media’s hype. Without that buildup, the reaction might not have been so intense. Now the stadium leaned heavily toward the Cosmic Team.

Zhang Han stepped back into position.

Two strikes.

No retreat.

He could only move forward. Everyone believed they were about to witness his defeat.

No one expected what would happen next.

Zhang Han steadied his breathing.

He eliminated distractions. There was no room for hesitation. If Osaka Kiryuu wanted a direct confrontation, then he would give them one.

The next pitch came.

This time, Zhang Han did not adjust defensively.

He committed fully.

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