[99] Focus and Preparation

Chapter 99: Focus and Preparation

In terms of basic information gathering, Yakushi High School had prepared thoroughly.

Especially after their victory over Ichidaisan , Yakushi High only needed to win one more game before facing Seidou High in the quarterfinals.

When it came to a traditional powerhouse like Seidou, the entire Yakushi team had to be on high alert. Even Seidou's formidable reputation alone was enough to put Yakushi on edge.

Naturally, for a team like Yakushi, whose playing style was similar to Seidou's power-hitting lineup, it was crucial to study the opposing pitching staff, especially their ace pitcher.

Sanada wasn't particularly focused on the data regarding Seidou's pitchers.

Instead, as a pitcher himself, he was more concerned about Seidou's batting lineup—a lineup comparable to that of Ichidaisan and, in some ways, even more formidable. As a pitcher, that's where his attention lay.

Sanada had a general understanding of Seidou's pitching rotation. From his perspective, the only pitchers likely to interest his prodigious teammate, Raichi, were Seidou's ace and another standout, the first-year phenom, Furuya Satoru. Most of the Yakushi players would probably agree on that.

But there was one person with a different opinion at this moment—Raichi Todoroki.

"No, the really interesting player is someone else."

Sanada was momentarily stunned, even more so when he saw Mishima and Akiba beside him, both wearing serious, approving expressions.

"Someone else?" Sanada asked, puzzled. "Are you talking about the second-year sidearm pitcher? He's got pretty stable control, right?"

"No, I mean that first-year pitcher—Sawamura Eijun!!" Raichi's eyes widened, filled with an intense, almost excited gleam.

In his mind, he couldn't help but recall their first encounter outside Jingu Stadium.

"I'm Sawamura Eijun, and I'm a pitcher."

"Sawamura Eijun?" Sanada was even more confused by Raichi's words.

"Isn't that first-year pitcher known for his stable control?" Images of the limited data on Eijun flashed through Sanada's mind.

To be fair, Sanada hadn't paid much attention to Seidou's pitching rotation, and since Eijun was just a first-year, Furuya's 150 km/h fastball had stolen the spotlight during the Kanto Tournament.

Eijun had only recently made his debut in the summer tournament, so Sanada hadn't taken much notice.

"No, Sanada-senpai. This first-year, Sawamura Eijun, has unusually good control and can consistently pitch to the corners (another slightly misunderstood rumor). His inside pitches are especially sharp, and his go-to pitch is the cutter," Akiba chimed in at this point.

As he spoke, Akiba's gaze shifted toward Sanada, with a hint of something unusual in his expression. That's because Sanada's finishing pitches were also the cutter and the shuuto.

Eijun's performance in the game against Akikawa High had caught the attention of Yakushi's scouting team, and his cutter, revealed during that match, had become a key point of interest.

"Hmm? That does sound interesting," Sanada said, rubbing his chin with a thoughtful smile. "No wonder you're so intrigued by him, Raichi."

"But that's not all. This guy has something special, something you can't see from just watching the footage. That's the essence of Sawamura Eijun's pitching. You can't see it, you can't figure it out, but I can feel it—that's what really matters!!" Raichi's breathing grew heavy, and his eyes gleamed with an intense red glow, fully revealing his excitement.

"I want to hit! I want to hit! I want to face his pitches right now!!!"

Raichi's loud outburst expressed the raw desire surging from deep within him, bringing a faint smile to the faces of Sanada and the others.

This guy...

Even Coach Todoroki, who had been resting, opened his eyes slightly, a faint glimmer of curiosity flashing in his gaze.

As time passed, while Seidou prepared for their upcoming match, Yakushi High faced their opponent in the fourth round—a private school team with a decent reputation in West Tokyo.

However, against Yakushi High, which had already defeated a powerhouse like Ichidaisan, this team didn't make a ripple. Yakushi swiftly crushed them with an overwhelming 11-1 victory.

With an overwhelming score, Yakushi High secured their victory in the fourth round, advancing successfully into the West Tokyo quarterfinals. Their next opponent: Seidou High.

The two teams would meet at Jingu Stadium in the semifinals, with only one slot available for the teams from the Fuchu City Division to make it into the top four. Two days later, on July 26th, Seidou High would clash with Yakushi High in a decisive battle.

On the night before the quarterfinals, Seidou's usual pre-game meeting took place at the team's headquarters, the "Seishin Dormitory." The entire team was gathered in the large dining hall, with the atmosphere somber and serious. Everyone knew that Yakushi High was no longer a team to be taken lightly.

Yakushi High, a school with little to no reputation before the tournament, had suddenly risen to fame after defeating Ichidaisan , one of the West Tokyo powerhouses.

Whether Yakushi could maintain this newfound status would depend on their results in the coming years, but for now, they had caught Seidou's full attention.

This was, after all, the team that beat Ichidaisan in an all-out slugfest. From any perspective, Yakushi demanded respect and caution from Seidou.

"Jersey number 18, Sanada Shunpei. As of now, he seems to be Yakushi's de facto ace pitcher. His pitching style features aggressive inside pitches and a splinker aimed at the chest of right-handed batters. His hallmark is a no-nonsense approach—facing hitters head-on," Chris Takigawa, Seidou's strategist, pointed to Sanada on the screen as he explained.

"A splinker, huh? That's pretty rare," commented Seidou's captain, Tetsuya Yuki, his arms crossed, raising his eyebrow slightly.

"Tch, if a guy like that isn't even their starting pitcher, I wonder what the Yakushi coach is thinking. Maybe he's injured?" speculated Jun Isashiki from the side.

"But what we really need to be wary of is Yakushi's batting lineup," Chris continued, shifting the focus. "Especially their number three, Mishima Yuta, number four, Raichi Todoroki, and number five, Kazuma Akiba. These three are the core of Yakushi's offense. Even though they're just first-year players, their swings are not to be underestimated." Chris pointed to their names on the whiteboard, where Yakushi's lineup was listed.

As he mentioned these first-year players, Chris wore a particularly solemn expression. It wasn't without reason. During their game against Ichidaisan, these three hitters had performed exceptionally well.

Especially the cleanup hitter, Raichi Todoroki.

A home run in the first inning, followed by a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth.

This young slugger was undoubtedly the heart of Yakushi's lineup.

Seated below, Eijun and Furuya both had a flicker of something in their eyes—something that revealed their excitement.

Raichi Todoroki.

The strongest hitter of their generation!!!

For a pitcher, this was the ultimate opponent, a chance to prove their skills.

--------------

If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.

Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Leonzky