Chapter 42: Fearless is the Name of Youth
"Haha, what a feisty look you have, kid. Just wait, I'm gonna make you cry in no time!"
In the batter's box, Zaizen lightly tapped the metal bat on home plate, glancing coldly at Eijun on the pitcher's mound, whose determined expression did not waver. Zaizen's eyes reflected a chilling intensity.
As he faced that ice-cold visage, Eijun took a deep breath to steady himself. He gently patted his right arm twice, which caused Ono's pupils to constrict sharply. Ono then nodded slowly.
In response, Eijun gestured with his left hand, motioning forward. Seidou's infielders, Haruichi and Maezono, exchanged a quick glance and shared the same resolute expression.
In synchronized steps, all the infielders moved forward.
With the infield drawn in and a runner on third, Seidou set up a defense that wouldn't yield a single run, provoking gasps from the surrounding spectators.
Especially with Eijun's deliberate action, Zaizen in the batter's box widened his eyes, and his grin grew even more sinister.
"Interesting, very interesting, Seidou brat!"
"!"
As the umpire's voice echoed, the tense atmosphere thickened. The benches from both sides and the spectators held their breath, all eyes locked on the center of the field. This play could significantly affect the game's outcome, a fact understood by everyone present.
No one dared blink, lest they miss the most exciting moment.
"The opposing team is clearly aiming for an inside pitch. Let's start with an outside pitch to see how they react. Keep the ball in the strike zone but it doesn't have to be too tricky," Ono signaled, guiding Eijun.
"No."
To Ono's surprise, yet somehow expectedly, Eijun shook his head without hesitation.
"Ono-senpai this is exactly the time when we can't back down. We can't lose in spirit! The best choice is a direct confrontation, with an inside pitch!"
You really are someone who never admits defeat, Sawamura...
Ono gazed at Eijun, understanding dawning in his eyes. Direct, undeterred, never giving up.
Then let's do this, show us your best pitch!
For once, Ono abandoned his usual prudent pitching strategy, ready to join Eijun in going all out. The young man before him had laid his determination bare through his actions.
As his senior, how could he easily retreat? More importantly, he also believed that Eijun would undoubtedly meet the expectations of not just himself, but everyone present!
"Whoosh"
Quick as lightning, Eijun was always known for his decisive pitching.
The moment he caught the signal, his feet moved, his arm swung, and in an instant, a white light flashed, a streak of coldness speeding forth.
It hurtled toward the batter's box.
The brilliant light gleamed as it entered Zaizen's line of sight. His expression tensed, and within a fraction of a second, he tracked the ball's trajectory.
Then, stepping out, he swung his bat high.
"Crack"
After a mere half-second interval, a sharp sound echoed.
At home plate, the white light was sent flying backward. Zaizen's eyebrows furrowed at that moment.
"Bang"
The speeding white light crashed against the third base foul line, then ricocheted away.
"Foul!"
The third base umpire raised his hand, signaling the call.
Truly impressive.
The changing trajectory of the pitch and the hidden release point had caused a subtle miscalculation during his swing. The most crucial aspect...
Zaizen narrowed his eyes slightly, casting a faintly dangerous gleam toward Eijun on the mound.
An inside high pitch had grazed his cheek.
What guts you have, you little punk!
To react so quickly to such a pitch? Perhaps it's due to lack of training; even if his strength and technique fall short, this delicate feel for the ball and sharp reflexes... Zaizen truly recalls the formidable presence from his junior high school days.
Certainly, he was the greatest rival for someone just starting out like Eijun.
From the pitcher's mound, Eijun contemplated this with no small amount of apprehension.
For the second pitch, the target was the lower inside corner, near the knees.
Eijun subtly moved his left hand, and Ono adjusted his position, placing the mitt right at the intended spot.
Though hesitant to resort to such tactics, the field is a battleground, Zaizen-senpai!
Eijun's eyes gleamed with an unusual brilliance at that moment.
With a swift motion, another streak of cold light left his hand, hurtling toward Zaizen.
As that streak of light appeared, Zaizen's expression momentarily froze in the batter's box.
"Whoosh"
The straight-line pitch made Zaizen's face contort into an even more ferocious expression.
You little punk, don't get too arrogant!!!!
"Swish"
The bat cut through the air, a heavy sound resonating.
"Pop"
This was met by Zaizen's narrowed eyes and an expression as dark as water.
"Strike!!!!!!"
The umpire's call echoed, and Zaizen's head snapped up, his fierce eyes locked on Eijun on the mound.
Below the knees.
This kid!!!!
Could it be!?
Zaizen's fierce, almost predatory expression indeed made Eijun's breath catch for a moment on the mound.
This guy, at least in terms of presence, is truly intimidating.
Eijun reflected on this with some admiration.
Nonetheless, this confirms some things. When the pitch is low and inside, Zaizen unconsciously makes a slight pulling back motion.
It's a natural reflex of the body.
Of course, Eijun wouldn't exploit an injury that hasn't fully healed maliciously.
He's merely taking advantage of this knowledge.
By manipulating the pitch's trajectory and angle, he can force Zaizen into less-than-ideal responses, thus keeping the initiative in Eijun's hands.
At this moment, in this confrontation, Eijun has clearly taken the upper hand.
In the world of baseball, there are only winners and losers.
Making use of the rules wisely is also a standard method for winning!
"Two strikes and now I'm cornered. This next pitch will be the true decider!" A sharp gleam flashed in Eijun's eyes. His taut body seemed to be storing all its strength.
"You little punk, don't think this will make me back down. Do you know who I am!? I'm Naoyuki Zaizen!"
Zaizen's eyes flared with an unsettling red glow, showcasing his relentless determination as a player never to back down.
High leg lift, tense arm, and a naturally moving body.
In this moment, he stepped forward, his arm twisting.
"Whoosh"
With a piercing sound, a streak of cold light shot forth!
That fierce white streak, carrying an intense aura, zipped swiftly toward home plate, and Zaizen swung his bat with full force.
A direct confrontation ensued.
"Crack!!!!"
The piercing sound echoed, creating a dazzling spectacle!
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