'Has our luck already run out?'
Sawamura realized this.
Facing Narumiya Mei, with his physical strength not at its peak and unable to reach his previous state, it was very difficult for him to get a hit.
At this moment, Sawamura understood that such an extreme level of focus was extremely exhausting. Not only did it drain physical stamina, but it also had a considerable mental strain.
Sawamura had very good endurance. In terms of physical reserves, he was considered good. This isn't bad by any means, but compared to endurance enthusiasts like Yoh Shunshin and Narumiya Mei, he fell short.
The comparison reveals differences! This wouldn't change Even with Sawamura's regression. Of course, with effort, he might improve, but Sawamura didn't want to become a muscle fanatic; turning into a muscle-bound pitcher would greatly affect his style.
Perfection doesn't exist in this world.
To ensure his pitching performance, Sawamura had to sacrifice some aspects.
Earlier, Sawamura managed to keep up with them in terms of endurance mainly due to his rich experience and ability to adjust quickly.
However, this time, due to entering that state, Sawamura's physical exertion exceeded his capacity. Initially, it was manageable because he had enough physical reserves, but he had already used up more than half of his energy earlier.
In just one inning, he had drained almost all his remaining stamina.
What was even more alarming was that his recovery was ineffective due to the significant gap between consumption and recovery.
'That home run!'
The effect was excellent and pointed out the direction for Sawamura's future efforts.
'But for this game, it wasn't a good thing.'
Sawamura had a premonition that if he couldn't get a hit, the game might truly be considered lost.
He needed to hit!
Sawamura's eyes sharpened. Despite his extreme exhaustion, he didn't flinch.
'Just one hit would be enough.'
And if possible, he wanted it to be another home run.
Sawamura's desire was strong, but his body told him it was impossible.
The impossible remains impossible.
It wasn't that Sawamura lacked fighting spirit, but he was very aware of his physical limitations and abilities.
"Phew!"
After struggling, he still couldn't return to his previous state, so Sawamura gave up. He decided to bunt.
After two outs, he went for a bunt.
This move sparked much discussion among the spectators. They didn't know why, but they were strangely stirred.
"Is Inashiro putting so much pressure on Seidou High School?"
Kazuga Hiro from Ouya High School asked curiously.
The mushroom-headed Wakabayashi Gou shook his head, his eyes sharp.
"Sawamura is making a bunt stance, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's going to use it. However, he might use it. Inashiro must be having trouble guessing, right?"
Just as Wakabayashi thought, Inashiro was indeed troubled.
They also knew that Sawamura's bunt wasn't necessarily a real bunt, as this was his style in middle school, but they had to react.
Inashiro's infielders moved in to defend.
Although not as much as they did against Kuramochi, they still took a few steps forward.
Better safe than sorry.
With the score tied 1-1, any mistake could be fatal for Inashiro.
They couldn't afford any negligence.
On the batter's box, Sawamura's eyes flashed with a strange brilliance.
'Excellent!'
Just as he planned.
'Show me if you can bunt this!'
On the pitcher's mound, Narumiya Mei's eyes flashed with stubbornness.
Roaar!
The small white ball appeared in the strike zone like a laser beam.
Sawamura's eyes also reflected an indomitable spirit. He wasn't going for a 100 percent hit; if he had that power, he would have gone for a home run. That would have had a higher success rate.
He intended to execute a Long Bunt!
Facing the incoming baseball, Sawamura calmly adjusted his bat.
Narumiya's pitch was fast and could rebound far. So Sawamura only needed to angle the bat right without much power.
Ping!
The white ball was knocked forward.
'What?'
The ball was knocked in a peculiar manner, bypassing the fielders. It fell behind first baseman Yamaoka Riku.
In Inashiro's rest area.
For the first time, Kunitomo's expression changed to one of extreme surprise.
His mouth was agape, almost as if he could swallow a whole egg.
'This isn't a coincidence!'
This was the first time Sawamura used the Long Bunt in an official game.
Most people would there was an element of luck involved. Otherwise, they couldn't imagine someone pushing the ball so far with such minimal movement.
But the professional will not think so.
'It seemed we had underestimated Sawamura.'
"Outfielders!"
Narumiya Mei shouted!
But where could they get it? Behind the first baseman was a big gap in the defense.
Sawamura tossed his bat aside and ran to second base in one go.
Two Outs, a runner on second base.
"Demon King!"
"Demon King!!!"
This stunning bunt naturally amazed the surrounding audience.
"What was that?"
"Can someone even bunt like this?"
"Can it be even called a bunt?"
"Man, that was awesome!!"
"Right? He never ceases to amaze us!"
"Sawamura!"
"Sawamura!!"
The Demon King's Guard and the Brotherhood Red Hearts were roaring in frenzy.
Sawamura himself was thrilled, raising his victorious fist.
"Fourth batter, catcher, Miyuki-kun."
Now, it was Miyuki's turn to bat.
"Seidou!!"
"King Seidou!!"
"Miyuki!!"
The spectators seemed to be infected with excitement, starting to cheer hoarsely for Seidou and Miyuki.
"The pressure is immense!"
Miyuki smiled wryly.
'But Sawamura had created such a great opportunity for us; if I couldn't seize it, I had no business being here.'
'I had to get a hit!'
With his bat held high, Miyuki took a stance that indicated he was determined to hit no matter what.
In the catcher's position, Tadano's heart raced.
'What to do?'
He originally thought holding this game was a 90 percent certainty, but now it seemed that wasn't the case at all.
Seidou High School's players displayed an almost frenzied offensive momentum after two Outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Just like Miyuki, who had always seemed cool in Tadano's eyes.
But now, in Miyuki's eyes, he saw no coolness, only fierceness.
"I'm here!"
Feeling his partner's unease, Narumiya Mei pounded his mitt hard on the pitcher's mound.
'Kazuya!'
In the previous three encounters, Miyuki had hit Narumiya's pitches twice.
It could be said that he had been defeated badly!
However, this didn't mean Mei's skill was less than Miyuki's. On the contrary, he was confident he could deal with Miyuki here.
Tadano was stunned.
He now recalled what Coach Kunitomo had told them earlier.
'Believe in your Ace, and assist the Ace in defending this inning.'
'Yes! I will trust Mei-san!'
'Let's defeat them here!'
Having made up his mind, Tadano's expression became calm.
He put out his Mitt.
Roaar!
Ping!
"FOUL!"
"BALL!"
"STRIKE!!!"
After a few pitches, Miyuki was being chased.
'Here it comes!'
On the Batter's Box, Miyuki had a premonition.
Narumiya Mei was likely to use the same type of pitch he used against Sawamura.
The 'Straight Fingerball'!
That was the breaking ball Narumiya Mei had honed.
'Against such a pitch, I couldn't back down, I had to hit the ball firmly.'
Miyuki was determined.
He thought it through, but when the time came to bat, he was stunned.
Just as his bat was about to connect with the ball, it sank.
The degree of sinking was greater than Miyuki had imagined.
'It's over!'
Miyuki's heart sank in despair.
He knew that if he missed the ball, he would strike out.
PAK!
"RUN!!"
"RUN!"
"MIYUKI! RUN!!!"
As Miyuki despaired, an exclamations came from behind him.
Miyuki was momentarily startled but quickly realized.
'The catcher missed the ball!'
Thinking this, Miyuki wasted no time and immediately sprinted.
Behind him, Tadano tried his best to retrieve the ball and pass it to first base.
But it was too late.
Miyuki had already reached first base.
"SAFE!"
Two Outs, runners on first and third base...
'No!'
At that moment, an unexpected event occurred.
Stepstepstepstepstepstepstep…!
"WAH…!!!"
Seeing Miyuki reach base, Sawamura, who had advanced to third base, saw Tadano's throw to first base and immediately dashed home.
Tadano had left home plate by now, and by the time he retrieved the ball and returned to home plate, it would take him at least three seconds.
That was enough time for Sawamura to return home and celebrate.
'A great opportunity!'
Sawamura seized the timing perfectly.
When Tadano realized it, he was horrified.
Miyuki wasn't resolved, and it brought a bigger problem.
'OH NO!!'
"THROW IT TO ME!!!"
Suddenly, a figure appeared, blocking the plate before Sawamura could reach home.
Narumiya!
Hearing Narumiya, Yamaoka threw the ball to him with no hesitation.
Snap!
The baseball reached Narumiya's mitt, and Sawamura slid to the plate.
"It Ends Here! Eijun!"
'Damn It!'
One tried to tag the other with the mitt while the other tried to avoid the mitt and touch the plate.
The umpire looked at the two for a moment and announced...
"OUT!!"
...
End Of This Volume.
…..
T/N: Alright this Volume is completed and the next Volume is up.