"The inter-class ball game tournament… hm. Cultivating healthy minds and bodies through sports. How splendid." As usual, Korosensei was rationalizing everything as an aid to education. This time, however, it was obvious. There were still concerns to be had though…

"Still…" Korosensei continued, "Why isn't Class E listed on the tournament table?" Holding up the information sheet, it was clear that the tournament bracket held only four teams. It also stated that games last for three innings, and that extra innings run until the fifth.

"Class E's not allowed to enter the main tournament." Mimura explained, "Having an odd number of teams is the perfect excuse. Instead, we've got to participate in an exhibition at the end."

"Exhibition?" Korosensei asked. That did not sound nearly a pleasant as a friendly competition, especially given what he knew of the school's structure.

"Basically, it's a show." Mimura answered, confirming Korosensei's suspicions. "With the entire student body watching, we're forced to battle against selected members of the Baseball Club, for the boys, and the Basketball Club, for the girls. It's a tournament geared toward the average student, so not everyone in the clubs can participate in the main battles. That's why this… was established as a place where everyone can show their strength. The classes who lost in the tournament can end on a high note, watching Class E being beaten so badly. And it also serves as a warning of all the embarrassment you'll experience if you land in Class E."

Korosensei did not like this. The way the structure of this school was designed to ruin the educational experiences of a small minority… disgusted him. Though, he supposed that was why he was needed.

"I see. So this is a usual occurrence?" The teacher asked.

"Yup." Kataoka answered, "but don't worry, Korosensei. We've gotten stronger through our assassination attempts. So we'll have a good match and knock the entire study body down a peg. Right, everyone?" She said this confidently, riling the class up. There were quite a few fists in the air and wide smiles.

"Leave it to me, Kataoka-san." Ritsu requested. "I manufactured a ball shooting mechanism that has a score rate of 100%."

"Um… that's okay." Kataoka answered. "I think the court would be a little crowded with you out there." Still, it was impressive how Ritsu could manufacture such a thing in the time since the conversation began. Nobody was quite sure how the success rate was already confirmed.

Korosensei watched on as Kataoka outlined her strategy to those who would likely play as the girls' team. She had an outstanding sense of responsibility of leadership. It would do them good for the match.

Meanwhile, the boys were solving a more difficult problem.

"I see!" Luffy exclaimed. "So it's a mystery game!"

"No, Luffy, that isn't the answer to everything you don't understand! The rules are quite simple!" Sugino was desperately trying to explain the game he loved to Luffy.

"Look, so the pitcher stands here." Sugino said, this time with a drawing. "He throws a ball towards the batter, who stands here. If the batter can hit it, he–Don't draw on the diagram!–has to run around here and touch each one of the bases. But if one of the fielders catches it, he's out…"

"Relax, Sugino," Maehara said. "It's not like he needs to play. You should focus on strategy. You're the only real player here. Have you thought of any sort of secret plan to win?"

Sugino paused.

"It's impossible," He eventually decided, "We have practically no experience, so against those guys who've been playing baseball for 3 years… never mind winning, we don't even stand a chance."

"Not to mention that our Baseball Club's pretty strong. Especially Shindou, the current captain." Sugino recalled the prodigal player, who considered himself chose. Yet they were once friendly. Times sure did change… "He's been getting attention from high schools for his radio ball. Well, he's the guy to snatched away my role as ace, after all."

Unkind as it was, Nagisa couldn't help but think that Sugino never had a chance, at least back then. As he had said himself, Sugino's pitch was far too slow. But now, with his newly practiced curveball… maybe Class E's pitching game stood a chance, if nothing else.

Sugino continued. "He's first-class in both studying and sports, too. Man, life is sure unfair."

"But… Korosensei. Despite that, I still want to win." The regretful acceptance Sugino showed not a moment before was replaced with a determined glare. "I don't want to lose in the game of baseball that I love so much. Getting expelled from the baseball club and coming to Class E… that feeling has only become stronger. I want to form a team with these guys and win!"

"So," interrupted Luffy, "It's your dream to be a great baseball player, and beat those guys even though they're way better than you."

"Well," Sugino replied, "I guess, maybe-"

"It's settled then!" Luffy shouted, "We're gonna win the game of baseball against Class A! Octo-guy, are you ready!"

Ready he was. Korosensei held bats, balls, gloves, model stadiums, and more. He had changed into a baseball uniform, and his head itself had the stitching pattern.

"Quite so, Luffy! I've always wanted to play the part of the hot-blooded coach you find in sports series, if only just once. Since I can't hit you or anything like that, I'll flip over a table instead." He procured a traditional-looking table with bowls of soup, rice, and noodles, already tilted. Over-prepared was an understatement.

"Lately, all of you have begun clearly stating your desire to accomplish things. Wanting to kill, wanting to win. In response to that spirit, which doesn't waver, no matter how difficult the objective you face, I coach Koro, shall train you and give you a winning strategy!"

"Y-you all want to fight for all of us to win… really?" asked Sugino.

"Yeah! Nothing is more valuable than a man's dream! Let's do it!" answered Luffy.

"A-alright! I'm with you! Let's beat Class A!"

.

"...Oi, oi," Kimura asked, "Why're they so fired up over this."

"It's a chance for the baseball club to show the entire study body a good show." answered Sugino. "On top of that, it's a given that the game'll have a mercy rule ending, with us as the opponent. Since an overwhelming victory is the least that's expected of them. Be that as it may, they're going to come at us seriously and without mercy."

Soon, the two teams lined up against each other, man to man, Sugino across from Shindou.

"Only the elite, who have both academic skill and physical ability, can stand above humankind as chosen ones." The tall rival gloated, "That is what it means to excel at both literary and military arts, Sugino. You, who never had either, are not a chosen one."

"For those who are not chosen to remain on the grounds is unforgivable. You and the rest of Class E won't be able to show yourselves in public a second time after this match." He began walking off while adjusting his hat, but suddenly there was a reply.

"What are you talking about? You're stupid."

Shindou turned around glaring, but the kid with the Straw Hat was already walking away. Best to do the same, he decided, and destroy them in the game.

As the two teams prepared, Kimuraoshi got ready to bat first. A small fry to the eyes, but part of their plan regardless.

.

Kimura look out towards his teacher. Roger. The three colors were the signal he was waiting for, to commence the plan. He had already missed one lightning pitch, but this time he was ready to act.

As the 140 km/h fastball passed him, his bat was positioned to hit it while staying still. Rather than swing it, he held his right hand in the middle for stability. In baseball terms, this was known as a bunt.

The members of the baseball club scurried about trying to grab it, but it was aimed for maximum distance from each infielder. As Kimura was Class 3-E's fastest runner, he made it to first base just as it was finally being thrown.

"He's safe!" The announcer shouted, "This is surprising. Class E's gotten to first base without any outs."

Shindou was annoyed, to say the least. Such an amateur trick had no place in this game of strength. He made sure to throw the next one so fast there wouldn't even be time to bunt. Besides, the next kid looked even more like a runt. He was slightly known around the school for often being mistaken as a girl. No chance that he'd be able to bunt, much less hit. This game was still no contest.

He threw the pitch. Nagisa bunted.

"This time it's a strong bunt down the third-base line! It went right past the third baseman in front of the plate! With this, Class E has runners on first and second, and no outs!"

All according to Korosensei's plan. They may have seemed menacing, but they weren't even high school students yet. They towered over the weak, but that didn't mean they were strong. Even professionals had a hard time dealing with bunts.

Everyone who didn't know of the unkillable teacher was getting a bit confused. The crowd began to notice how the flow of the game was off. Bunting over and over didn't feel like a real game. The Baseball Club's coach was on his feat in confusion, and Shindou was significantly put off. Bunting was so juvenile… yet it had happened twice. Just what were they up to? How could they react so fast, when there was only Sugino and his slow pitch to train against.

On the bench, Class E was having a time, though. Because they had practiced with a certain perverted chicken octopus as their opponent.

.

Back during the training days, Korosensei threw his fastball at every player. His 300 km/hr fastball.

When he was kind enough to aim for the students' bats, he would engage in casual conversation and politeness with his clones, waste plenty of time, and still get them out each time. He was also kind enough to employ psychological tactics of bringing up embarrassing memories and such with his catcher duplicate. If they didn't win against the Baseball Club, it would at least not be the worst failure they knew.

He spent some time throwing practice pitches at each student. Each would miss, leading to a loud PLAPP-ish sound in the catcher duplicate's glove. That was how it sounded, over and over.

PLAPP.

PLAPP.

PLAPP.

PLAPP.

PLAPP.

THWACK!

Wait, what!?

.

With one more bunt, Isogai advanced to first, the third batter to do so. The bases were loaded, a man on each. After Korosensei slowed his pitches to match Shindou's speed, getting the hang of it was simple. Pretty soon, they were bunting each one. That wasn't an option anymore, though. It was time to score.

I guess this is it. Sugino thought. Time to show 'em what we're made of, time to take the lead.

I just wish, he thought, that it could be me batting. But I suppose we've got to do everything we can to win.

Up to the plate stepped Monkey D. Luffy.

His straw hat told Shindou it was the same brat that insulted him before. That stupid, not chosen one, doing whatever stupid thing 3-E students did to show they were not worthy.

His arrogance was quenched when he saw Luffy's glare. He didn't know it, but it was a glare that could take down Sea Kings. There was no bloodlust, but the determination alone nearly made Shindou flinch. Not to mention that frightful scar. It was the sort that just had to have come from something hardcore.

That determination added up with everything else Shindou was fearing. It should have been no contest, but those were the eyes of a hunter. It didn't… it didn't really feel like baseball. It felt more like hunt.

Yet hunting was not on the Straw Hat's mind. There was only one thing to do: help Sugino achieve his dream.

Shindou took a risk and aimed for the hardest place in the strike zone to hit. He was going to strike out that cheeky brat..

Luffy new exactly where he was aiming.

THWACK.

"It's-it's… a grand slam! The ball has been hit out of the park! Class 3-E has… taken the lead by 4 points!" The announcer had as much belief in it as the entire audience. While all of Kunugigaoka Junior High School's jaws were dropped, 3-E's runners passed the home plate with smiles, biggest of all on Luffy.

Shindou was flabbergasted. Somehow, Class 3-E was completely able to see and react to his pitches. And that stupid Straw Hat kid managed to hit it out of the park?

Unfortunately, someone else had plans for Class 3-E to lose.

The school board chairman approached the Baseball Club Coach.

.

.

Class 3-E's Girls' Basketball team was coming to the baseball field. They had lost, but played well, and were pleased with themselves. They were surprised to find that their Class' team was winning.

Unfortunately, however, Board Chairman Asano had taken charge of the Baseball Club's team.

"...!" The announcer of the game began speaking. "According to the information I've just received, the Baseball Club's Advisor Terai-sensei fell seriously ill before the match. And the club members were too worried about him to even think about playing. Unable to stand idly by, the Board Chairman apparently hurried to take the reins!"

As stated by the announcer, Chairman Asano was taking charge. He pleasantly informed the Club that Sugino was playing well from practice with the City's club. But despite that, they were chosen ones, destined to rule. He succeeding in charging the team with electric enthusiasm.

"After giving a few instructions, the Board Chairman has left the field!" shouted the announcer. "Let's see how they're… Wh-What's this!? The entirety of the team has gathered in the infield! I've never seen such an extreme preemptive defense strategy!"

Sugino began sweating. This was bad. Very, very bad.

"They've already figured out that all we can do is bunt." Sugaya said.

"And it's just impossible with them being so close!" Okajima exclaimed in disbelief, "As soon as a batter sees that, he won't be able to concentrate at all!"

Adjusting his glasses, Takebayashi chimed in. "According to the rules, they're free to stand guard wherever they like, as long as it's in the fair zone. It's a different story if the umpire decides it's not acceptable, but… the teacher acting as umpire is on their side. There's no use getting our hopes up." Indeed, the umpire had a complacent expression, somehow taking pleasure in the injustice rather than disallowing it.

"That's terrible!" shouted Luffy, " They're cheating! Are you sure we can't just beat them up?" He was ready to punch some players if Sugino didn't put his hand on Luffy's shoulder and try to calm him down. Violence was definitely not the victory they were looking for.

Understanding the predicament did not lead to solving it, however. Maehara attempted a bunt, but it was quickly caught by one of the many infielders. Okajima looked to Korosensei instruction, but the teacher felt as hopeless as his students. Dejected, he and the next batter were out as well, ending the top of the first inning. As Sugino approached the mound for his turn as the pitcher, he noticed Chairman Asano giving Shindou further advice to speed his pitches and destroy his opponents..

Luckily, Sugino had a trick up his sleeve for pitching as well. He wound up and threw directly to the ground behind home base. Well, directly in his eyes. To the batter, it was a basic strike until it curved dramatically.

Shocked, three of the Baseball Club's batters struck out in a row. They were still merely junior high school students, none of them prepared for more advanced pitches. The bottom of the first inning was won with three quick outs.

As Class 3-E took that inning, however, Asano was working his plan. With near-hypnotic suggestion, he was convincing Shindou to throw fast, throw hard, and crush the opposition.

"I am strong."

"I am strong." Came the reply.

"I will throw with a strong windup."

"I will throw with a strong windup."

"I will force them to surrender."

"I will force them to surrender."

"I will crush them."

"I will crush them."

Luckily, Korosensei was forming his own plan.

.

"Heeey, isn't this unfair, Board Chairmaaan?" Karma stretched out his syllables making his voice as irritating as he could. "You're defending by getting in the way like this, and yet the umpire isn't paying one bit of attention to it. Don't the rest of you find that strange?

Karma stuck out his tongue and made his voice even more annoying. "Oh that's right~ you're all idiots, so stuff about defensive positions just goes right over your heads."

The crowd responded by screaming at him. That was alright. It was important to voice your objections early.

As the inning went on, the Club managed to get two more points. While their batting was excellent, it was also due to Class 3-E's bumbling field game. Luffy wanted to grab them in midair, but they had managed to pound into his head that he shouldn't stretch. Mainly by pounding on his head.

3-E struck out in the top of the third as well. It was a shame, because if they just got a couple of people on base then Luffy would bat again.

Once again, Sugino was pitching. This time, however… the batter was ready to bunt?

.

Korosensei had to admit, his boss was good. To set up the Baseball Club's bunts as "showing how it's done" was keeping Class 3-E's weak appearance safe. Not to mention that it was winning them the game. The defense was still weak, letting the bases load just as in the beginning of the game.

Shindou walked up the plate. Somehow, this time, he showed true bloodlust. He was motivated to hit the ball, but if it came to violence it would not be hard to switch.

"Sugino!" He announced, "I'm going to crush you…"

But his bloodlust was interrupted.

Karma and Luffy were standing only a meter or two in front of him, just enough space between them for the ball to go through.. All according to Korosensei's plan.

"We're obviously defending from a position that will disrupt the batter's concentration, but the other side did the same thing earlier and the umpire didn't say a thing about it. You don't have any problem, right, Board Chairman?" His voice was as cocky and rude as when he insulted the crowd. No, rather, it was a cocky and rude as it was every single day.

As planned, Asano couldn't object. He may have been good, but Korosensei was as well. The umpire was dealing with the same conundrum, though he showed much more confusion and frustration. It was clearly a violation of the rules, but when the opposing team's own strategy was allowed, the precedent for the game was set.

"Feel free to do so. Those who have been chosen won't let a thing like defensive positions ruin their composure." Asano remained confident. The maneuver was clever, but his conditioning of Shindou wouldn't break from just that. The weak used tricks, but the strong smashed right through.

"Shishishi, bored guy! Thanks!" The crown was confused for a moment at Luffy's outburst. Then it became clear to them, upsetting to Chairman Asano, and downright confusing to Shindou.

Luffy and Karma were less than a bat's length away from Shindou. H-he'd actually hit them if they swung. Their… strategy couldn't just be to sacrifice themselves, could it?

Shindou's bloodlust was gone. Replaced by sheer perplexedness. From across the baseball diamond, Sugino was practically sympathetic, apologetic even.

"Don't mind us. Go on and hit it, superstar." Karma needled, "We're not standing in the pitcher's way, after all."

"Shishi, you should go for it! You want to win, right?" Shindou did want to win, but…

Chairman Asano chimed in as well. "Fufu, what an absurd bluff. Please pay them no mind and swing, Shindou-kun. Even if you break their bones, Class E will be the ones hindered by it."

He was told, and yet… his concentration was broken. He wasn't sure if he could really muster up the bloodlust to hit someone just for victory. He decided to scare them off with a wild swing, to convince them to retreat. As he did, Sugino let loose his pitch.

He swung, and Karma backed up just enough to feel that bat's wind without making contact. That was not the impressive feat, however.

Luffy, exactly when the ball was already past Shindou, but the bat was still at top speed, caught the bat with his bare hand. He… huh, he didn't even have a glove on.

This time, Asano was not pleased. Baseball was no longer important. The game had left his mind. A student from Class 3-E had just done something that nobody human should be able to do without feeling pain. Not even himself. He never gave much thought to this transfer assassin. Asano was informed that Luffy was not expected to do well academically. That was fine. Excellent really. He was informed that Luffy was expected to only focus on assassination. That worked as well. But this show of strength did not. There was something different about Monkey D. Luffy. Something the board Chairman was certain to look into.

"A hit like that isn't gonna hurt! Come on, you should go for it! Swing hard!" Luffy was practically shouting in Shindou's face.

Strike that Karma was only a few inches away. He practically whispered, however. "A slow swing like that just won't cut it. Hey,next time, could you swing with an intent to kill?"

Shindou was freaking out. That stupid Luffy kid had managed to catch a swinging bat!? Just what was going on? They were Class E, and he was from Class A!

And yet, by the next pitch he couldn't even swing. He went with the original plan to destroy Class 3-E, and bunted.

Karma quickly jumped to grab it before it could go far. He threw it straight into Nagisa's glove only a few meters away, and it was tapped on the home plate. Shindou and the third base runner were out.

Nagisa mustered a wimpy throw towards third base. Luckily, Karma's quick catch gave them plenty of time. Kimura slid towards the base to catch in time. The second base runner was out.

Kimura threw it towards Sosuke at first base. It bounced a bit and went slightly to the side, but was caught with one foot on the base.

In a shocking triple play, Class 3-E won the game.

While most of the crowd was feeling lukewarm and not particularly excited, the winners celebrated ecstatically. Chairman Asano walked off with a nod towards the winning team's teacher, Korosensei. In each of their minds, they knew their score was 1 to 1. Midterms and baseball. It would be settled at the end of the semester in the finals. Meanwhile, Sugino and Shindou came to peace with the outcome of the game and whoever was the real best player. They both knew it was the one high schools were already looking at.

.

.

While watching the game, Bitch-sensei was desperately trying to figure out the rules of the game. She thought the figured out the outs and ins and whatever, but Karasuma informed her she was wrong. Now, Robin-san was helping her decipher it, which Karasuma refused to do.

"Ugh, I don't understand how you figured this out so quickly! You were as ignorant as I was a few hours ago!'

"I wouldn't worry about it," Robin replied. "I'm just particularly good at gathering information. If you break the rules down, it's a fairly simple system. Most of the rulebook is closing some rare loophole or unusual case."

"Irina-san," Karasuma asked, "If you find this game so perplexing, why are you here?"

"Hmmph," the blonde answered, "I wanted to show off my body to the student body, but Robin here is getting most of the attention anyway! Look at those boys! They're watching her more than the game! And that makes me just the sideshow, instead of the main attraction."

"Don't think too little of yourself, Irina-san." Robin said, looking up from her book. It was another historical record, as she finished the main points of the baseball rules already. "I'm sure that they are admiring both of us."

"Oh come on, even the squid is staring at you." As Bitch-sensei pointed out, Korosensei was paying a bit too much attention to his coworkers rather than the plight of his students.

"Are you jealous of something?" Robin asked, her smug smile showing.

"What do you think-wait, wait wait, of him!? Ugh, don't even think about it!" She denied fervently while Robin chuckled.

"Are you certain about that?" Robin questioned, "Karasuma-san has told me about your first attempt to assassinate."

"What!? Why… why are you talking? You haven't even tried to kill him yet!" It may as well have fallen on deaf ears. Robin had won that banter.

The teachers remained silent for a while longer. Bitch-sensei finally spoke up again when Luffy and Karma were standing so close to Shindou.

"I may not understand the rules," she began, "but that can't be allowed. They could get hurt."

Flipping through the rules again, Robin found an answer. "It doesn't seem to be, but if I understand the flow of this particular game correctly, they're getting away with it because of a mistake by the umpire and their opponents. Quite clever, in fact."

Karasuma couldn't help but notice where such a skill would help. The students' target was also bound by many rules he imposed on himself, primarily from his role as a teacher. Cornering him with loopholes in his own system was probably their best chance at success. Some of the students, such as Karma, had already taken advantage of this.

In ways intentional or not, Korosensei was forging his students into capable assassins made to defeat him.

.

Finally done! Long chapter, eh? My goal is to have chapters this long every time. If you're worried about how long it'll take... well, to be honest... I may or may not have had half of this done within a day or two of the last chapter and procrastinated a ton from real life work and a lot of videogames. Sorry.

Don't interpret the thing where Bitch-sensei was flustered as a shiptease between her and Korosensei or anything. That'd be weird. It was just a funny moment I thought of.

By the way, I just added chapter titles. Pretty cool, huh?

Review! Review! Don't Review! Review! Don't do one of those last things! You know which!