The siren sounded just before the umpire called a start to the game, eliciting a roaring cheer from the crowd. If one wasn't hyper focused, it was possible they could get lost in the sheer noise from the onlookers.
Yatsuo sent a nod to Daichi before starting his wind up.
He brought both of his hands to the center of his chest and almost skipped forward with his left leg before planting it. Due to the minimal movements of the action, it made for a super fast release.
Before Tatsuya knew it, the ball was already on its way to him. It seemed to creep slowly towards the inside of the strike zone, almost baiting him to hit the ball.
'Don't mind if I do!'
He performed his swinging motion, keeping the barrel of the bat behind him until his hands drifted over the plate. As the pitch approached, his eyes widened in the next moment before sending the barrel accelerating towards the ball.
DONG
The sound of the ball hitting the middle of the bat resounded, filling the ears of all those present in the arena.
In the next moment, Tatsuya had already sped off towards 1st base.
The ball itself had been pulled towards 3rd base, drifting over the players head. Judging by the speed, it would perfectly land in the gap between the 3rd baseman and the outfield.
"Hup!"
The 3rd baseman leapt high into the air, using all of his strength to get as high as possible off the ground.
Tatsuya easily ran to 1st base, however he was looking around in confusion, trying to find where the ball went. He turned his attention to the outfield, only to see one of the fielders grinning at him.
"Out!"
"Huh?"
It was only when the 3rd baseman sent him a shrewd grin that he finally put the pieces together.
'That bastard caught that?' He thought inwardly as he made his way back to the dugout.
He had known that Osaka had a lot of great players, but he hadn't expected to get caught out in such a way.
Tatsuya was known for his preemptive style. His statistics for getting onto base in the first innings off the first ball were out of this world.
He would strike before anyone was ready, which was why he was dedicated as the first batter in the lineup.
Jun, his brother was a little more cautious, yet he had the same athletic ability and intuition as him. This was why they were one of the best opening batters of the tournament so far.
"Don't mind Tatsu, it was a lucky catch." Jun said meekly on his way to the batters box.
Tatsuya seemed a little different than his usual outspoken self. He merely grunted in reply, yet inwardly he was thinking that the play might not have been as lucky as they thought.
"Batting 2nd, Center outfield, Jun."
"It's the shy twin!"
"Ah he's so cute."
Jun received a similar welcome as he took strides towards the batters box. He too did his best to ignore the words of the crowd. Since his brother had failed to get on base, it was his job to do so.
Daichi looked at Jun's figure on the mound and sent his signals to Yatsuo. He knew that this twin was more cautious, so the same kind of bait ball would not work on him, at least on the first pitch.
Yatsuo nodded and performed his quick pitching action.
The ball left the fingertips of the large pitcher and was heading straight for the inside once more. Yet instead of going for it, Jun patiently watched the ball.
To his surprise, the ball drifted away from him the closer it got.
PAH
"Strike."
'Slider?'
Jun was taken aback. Usually breaking balls were used in conjunction with fastballs in order to take a batter by surprise. Yet this battery was using them from the beginning of the count.
He turned his attention to the catcher with a puzzled look, only to be ignored completely. The baby-faced assassin was silent as he threw the ball back to the pitcher, gearing up for the next pitch.
'I need to be careful' Jun thought, feeling wariness creep into his psyche.
The next ball came shortly after, another slider, yet this time it was more center over the plate.
"Strike."
Jun felt his anxiety peak. He was currently down in the count and was thrown off by the opponents strategy. Having been expecting fastballs, he had tried to wait for the perfect ball to dispatch with his bat, yet he wasn't given a chance.
'I'll just have to hit this next one.' He thought, gripping the bat tightly.
'Hehe, got him.' Daichi grinned before sending his signals.
Like a machine, Yatsuo pitched the ball, his large body moving like art in motion.
WHOOSH
PAH
"Strikeout!"
Jun felt his bat hit nothing but air as he held onto his follow through. The ball had been faster than he'd expected and did not break, which only meant one thing.
'F-Fastball!?'
He could say nothing as he made his way back to the dugout, having been completely defeated by the opposing battery.
Makoto stepped onto the field and instantly locked gazes with the large pitcher upon the mound.
Sparks seemed to fly between the two as the announcer introduced him.
"Batting 3rd, 3rd base, Makoto."
Makoto was laser focused as he approached the batters box. After positioning himself properly, he turned his attention to Yatsuo on the mound before gripping his bat tightly.
All those in the arena could see the silent challenge in the air between the two.
On one side was a cannon, capable of blowing through the tightest defenses.
On the other was a grand wall, intent on stopping even the greatest of sieges.
Daichi got into a crouched position and couldn't help but smirk.
'Looks like Yatsuo did his job of getting inside their Captain's head.' He thought inwardly, giving out the signals for the next pitch.