[Congratulations to the host for winning your first battle. You've been exceptionally promoted to Genin.]
[The host has successfully activated the main storyline of the Ninja World. Each level-up will grant a reward.]
[Ninja promotion path: Genin, Chunin, Jonin, Elite Jonin, Kage, Super Kage, God, Six Paths!]
[Genin reward granted. Congratulations, you've received an A-rank skill: Rasengan.]
It seemed like Zhou Hao's system had entered the wrong world.
The system's functionality was simple—every time he won a battle, he could accumulate merit points.
Of course, there was one important condition: he had to be in the C-position during the battle.
In the world of Diamond no Ace, this meant Zhou Hao had to be on the pitcher's mound to receive any rewards.
The system's so-called "first battle" was probably the tutorial mission—when Zhou Hao pitched in the Three Army Selection Match. Even though he had a dazzling performance then, because he wasn't in the C-position, the reward wasn't granted.
It wasn't until now—when Zhou Hao stood on the mound—that his first battle reward was finally delivered.
He earned ten merit points and was promoted to Genin.
As a Genin, he received the Rasengan as a reward.
Since he didn't have chakra, the Rasengan skill could only be manifested through thrown objects.
It didn't have to be a baseball—other items would work too. Anything Zhou Hao threw using the Rasengan had unimaginably terrifying power…
Realizing all of this in an instant, Zhou Hao couldn't help but smile bitterly.
If his Sharingan hadn't awakened—if he hadn't been possessed by a sudden impulse to pitch...
Did that mean his system might never have awakened in the first place?
To be promoted from Genin to Chunin, he needed 60 merit points.
In other words, Zhou Hao had to complete six more missions, or win six more games.
Zhou Hao's heart surged with ambition.
There were plenty of matches in high school baseball. If six wins earned him a promotion, maybe he really could reach the Six Paths level.
A Genin reward was already an A-rank skill.
Although Zhou Hao hadn't tested the Rasengan yet, he knew—just from the classification—that it had to be powerful.
It should be just like his S-rank Sharingan, albeit not quite as strong.
"Pitch the ball!"
Squatting behind the plate, Miyuki had held back several times as he watched Zhou Hao freeze on the mound.
Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore and reminded him aloud.
Zhou Hao snapped out of the system-induced shock.
Now, in addition to his Sharingan, a new option appeared in his mind:
Rasengan!
Just like with the Sharingan, since he lacked chakra, using the Rasengan consumed his stamina and mental energy.
With his current condition, he could throw three full-power Rasengans, or thirty lower-powered Rasengans.
Zhou Hao didn't hesitate—he gave up on the full-power Rasengan.
If he could only throw three pitches, no matter how perfect they were, he'd only be able to take down one batter.
What use was a pitcher who could only retire one batter?
That would just be decoration—like a deaf man's hearing aid.
The lower-tier Rasengan, although far weaker in power, could be thrown thirty times.
Now that was perfect.
On the mound, Zhou Hao's mind replayed Midorima's pitching motion.
He studied every fine detail—even the subtle movements and finger placement.
Then, copying that form, Zhou Hao lifted his leg.
Midorima, being short and pudgy, couldn't raise his leg that high.
But Zhou Hao lifted his leg past shoulder level.
"He's lifting his leg that high?"
That strange pitching motion immediately caught the attention of Matsuyama High School's baseball team.
Everyone, including their coach, stared intently at Zhou Hao's next move.
Then they saw Zhou Hao take a big stride forward. At the same time, his arm and grip subtly twisted in multiple places.
The others hadn't reacted yet.
But Midorima, the ace of the Matsuyama team, suddenly widened his eyes.
He felt a deep familiarity with that motion—as if he had seen it somewhere before.
But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall exactly where.
Boom!
Zhou Hao's body wasn't particularly strong.
But the momentum of the baseball flying from his hand was terrifying.
Everyone on the field—both from Seidou High and Matsuyama High—stared in stunned silence.
Their eyes were filled with shock and confusion.
How could such a small body unleash such monstrous power?
Matsuyama's third batter, their core hitter, had performed incredibly in previous games.
Yet in the face of that shrieking fastball, he was completely stunned.
He stared in disbelief as the ball flew past him and slammed into the catcher's mitt.
"PA!"
Then, to everyone's surprise, Miyuki, the star catcher, failed to catch it.
The ball popped out of his glove.
"WAAHHH!!"
The entire stadium erupted.
Everyone had been thoroughly shocked by that pitch.
Zhou Hao also noticed the prompt in his mind—his stamina and mental power had decreased.
He now had 21 Rasengan pitches remaining.
If today's match hadn't started with him in the outfield—where he didn't burn much energy—he might've only been able to throw a dozen Rasengans at best.
Fortunately, the results were excellent.
Zhou Hao calmly opened his glove to signal for Miyuki to return the ball.
Miyuki picked up the ball beside him, his face beaming with joy.
The initial shock had worn off—now all he felt was pure excitement.
What Seidou's team lacked most at the moment was a strong pitcher.
Regardless of Zhou Hao's shortcomings, just this pitch alone was enough for him to earn a spot on Seidou's first string.
"Sorry, that one was on me. I promise it won't happen again."
Miyuki called out as he returned the ball.
Zhou Hao nodded at him.
The interaction looked so casual, as if they weren't even in the middle of a game—just regular practice between teammates.
Matsuyama's players were stunned watching this.
Could the other side at least acknowledge their presence a little while chatting?
Especially the Matsuyama coach.
Even though he had suspected from the start that Zhou Hao might be Seidou's secret weapon...
Now that the truth was out, he was deeply shaken.
"Coach Kataoka... you sure hid him well, didn't you?"
Everyone kept saying Seidou didn't have a good pitcher...
Then what the hell was that?
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