Chapter 116: The Sharp Battle Against Yakushi
In the bench of Seido High School.
"It seems you're still very composed," Chris said with a light smile.
After seeing Eijun get blown away, Chris felt a similar concern as Miyuki. It's typical for a young person to feel this way. Eijun had been sailing smoothly through these matches recently; it was likely he could be emotionally affected after such a hit.
However, it looks like those worries were unnecessary. Sawamura's mindset is much better than I expected.
"Mm." Coach Kataoka showed no expression and didn't say much.
Yet, a flicker of subtle admiration flashed in his eyes.
Not arrogant in times of ease, not giving up in times of adversity.
Demonstrating absolute leadership with a cool head, possessing the ability to lead the team.
Eijun is gradually showcasing the qualities expected of an ace. Of course, there are still some gaps in many aspects, still slightly immature, but the potential of this ace is already evident.
Two players are out, and there's a runner on second base. For Yakushi, it's both an opportunity and a crisis.
Do you understand?
Miyuki's eyes looked calmly towards Eijun on the mound.
With a serious expression, Eijun nodded.
Not for any other reason, but because the batter at the plate is Raichi.
One mistake is enough. Making a second would be foolish, let alone facing the most threatening batter, Raichi.
Eijun would not allow himself any slack.
Come on, come on, come on! This time, I won't let you get away!!!!
At the batter's box, Raichi gripped his bat tightly, exuding a formidable aura that fully released his intimidating presence. The same script can only be played once.
And this time, it would be an even more brutal showdown.
With both sides having revealed their trump cards, it was now a fierce battle.
The winner advances, the loser fades away.
That's all there is to it!!!!
"First pitch, inside fastball, right at the chest. We need to intimidate him."
As Miyuki's signal was given, Eijun felt his pupils suddenly constrict.
Are we really going this big right from the start of this at-bat?
Compared to outside, the inside pitch carries a higher risk of being hit out, especially with a pitch that could easily go wild. If he's not careful, it could turn into a simple pitch.
Eijun didn't dare claim he wouldn't lose control this time.
What an exhilarating moment, Miyuki-senpai!!!
His slightly bent body straightened instantly.
With his right leg lifted high and his hidden left arm, he was gathering all his strength.
"Boom!"
His sudden forward step stirred up the dust.
All his power focused on his left arm, the force from his lower body twisting sent his energy forward.
"Whoosh!"
Like a cannonball being shot out.
Shining brilliantly, it approached with immaculate precision.
It's here!!!
At that moment of light flashing, Raichi's eyes flickered with a hint of astonishment, a crimson gleam sparking within his red pupils, reflecting the trajectory of the incoming ball.
An inside pitch!!!!
It felt exactly like that previous one!!!
After a moment of stiffness, Raichi quickly adjusted, tracking the ball's delayed approach.
Raichi strained to slow down the swinging speed of the bat.
The white light descending suddenly from home plate.
Raichi lowered the tip of his bat, side-stepping as his body tilted.
He angled the bat's tip to meet the incoming ball.
"Bang!!!!!"
A sharp, piercing sound filled the air.
The small ball hit the bat with tremendous force.
"Whoosh!"
Following that, it flew backward.
"Bang!"
"Foul ball!!!!"
The first pitch was an inside pitch!? And right around the chest area? This catcher really has guts!!!
In the bench, Coach Todoroki watched with gritted teeth, thinking fiercely to himself.
"Damn, starting off with an inside pitch right there! Aren't they afraid of a hit by pitch?"
"It's clear that this pitcher and catcher want a direct confrontation."
"This is interesting, really interesting."
"With a two-run deficit, will it be a big hit from Raichi that turns the game around, or will Seido secure the win?"
"This is just the quarter-finals, and I'm already feeling pumped up."
Not just the ordinary spectators, but also the players from other teams scouting from the stands had serious expressions as they watched this showdown.
Whether it was Yakushi's Raichi Todoroki, known for his powerful batting, or Seido's first-year pitcher, Sawamura Eijun, who was even tougher to face than that strong pitcher, they were all players trying to gather information for their own teams.
Who knows who will face whom in the semifinals or the finals?
This quarter-final matchup between Seido and Yakushi was the first game, while other matches in different sections were just beginning and had yet to yield results.
On the opposite side of the bleachers, a group of boys in casual clothes were the players from Ichidaisan High School, who were eager to lead their team.
They too watched the duel with solemn and complex expressions.
At home plate, Miyuki slightly raised his eyelids.
Such quick reflexes; what terrifying adaptability and reaction time! This guy isn't intimidated at all.
Next, the ball will be pitched here.
Miyuki subtly moved his fingers below, placing the signal for another inside pitch. It looked, again, to be close to the chest area, but a keen eye would notice that it was slightly deviated from the previous position, with a slight angle shift.
"Whoosh!"
His arm swung, and the ball shot forward with brilliance.
Without a moment's hesitation, Eijun, who fully grasped the meaning of the pitch sequence, once again swung his left hand.
A bright light raced out once more.
Watching the straight ball approaching, Raichi's eyes widened as he locked onto the swiftly nearing white sphere, stepping sideways and swinging the bat with all his might.
Enjoying the confrontation, he felt the exhilarating thrill of the moment.
On this foundation, he, Raichi, must hit this ball!!!!
"Bang!!!!"
The small ball powerfully struck the bat.
The force transmitted from the metal bat firmly suppressed the ball's speed and momentum, preventing it from advancing even an inch.
"Whoosh!"
Fortunately, he didn't seize the timing or the sweet spot.
This ball didn't follow a normal trajectory.
Instead, it veered backward, crashing hard against the backstop behind home plate and landing on the ground.
"Foul ball!!!!"
As expected, the bad balls were hit hard.
Miyuki felt a chill in his eyes; these guys must have sensed that it was nearing a critical moment.
Next, the pitch would come here.
"Whoosh!"
"Bang!"
"Boom!!!"
"Foul ball!!"
"Whoosh!"
"Crack!"
"Ball!"
"Bang!"
"Boom!"
"Foul ball!!"
"Foul ball!!"
....
At this moment, Miyuki quickened the rhythm of his pitching, attempting to disrupt Raichi's timing with a fast attack.
A subtle point to secure victory.
However, the result was somewhat surprising to Miyuki.
Almost all of the pitches were met with powerful swings, as if Raichi was expressing his intense ambition in this manner!!!
Keep coming, bring it on, I need more!!!
Raichi's fierce expression flickered with a red glow, indicating that he had reached an ultimate peak state.
He could not be too hasty in his swings, nor could he afford to delay even slightly.
As the ball "whooshed" in, he should be swinging the bat "whack, whack, whack."
If the ball came in "zip," then the swing should be "swoosh, swoosh, swoosh."
Faster, even faster, use all your strength to intercept the next ball!!!!!!
His grimace made the scars on his face appear even more menacing.
Come on, Eijun Sawamura, let's face off, this time—I will absolutely catch you for real!!!!
The suffocating feeling and the chilling atmosphere enveloped him, as if he were surrounded by terror.
In this at-bat, Eijun could fully sense the mounting pressure bearing down from the batter's box.
It made his breathing grow increasingly rapid.
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