Chapter 63: Power and Instinct

The game reached the eighth inning, entering its final climax.

The third-year seniors of Seidou High School started their last showdown with Sawamura, while the New team also had their final battle with Tanpa and Chris.

In the top of the eighth inning, the third-year seniors took their turn at bat.

"First up, shortstop, Kusunoki."

Kusunoki was the first to bat, and before he entered the field, Chris said flatly:

"This is our last chance to attack! If we can't break through Sawamura this time, we might not get another opportunity."

It wasn't just this game; it would be difficult for them to face Sawamura again in the future.

While many from Seidou High School had been invited to the professional baseball draft, few would actually join the pros.

Sawamura, however, was certain to make it to the pros and become a legendary star.

If they wanted to face him again, it would likely have to be in the Major League.

Even though they have achieved national dominance, the Major Leagues are still a distant dream for them. Sawamura, who has just entered high school, is already attracting attention from professional baseball and the Major League.

For the next two years, as long as Sawamura doesn't face any problems, his future will likely be there.

Even as Senpais, they may never get another chance to compete against him.

"Let's make sure he remembers us," Isashiki said with fierce determination.

The other seniors shared the same high spirits.

But while the star players were fired up, it put a lot of pressure on the rest.

Facing Sawamura, with their teammates' overwhelming desire to win, Kusunoki and the others felt they couldn't let down their guard.

No matter what, they had to get on base.

Kusunoki gritted his teeth and positioned himself close to the edge of the strike zone, forcing Sawamura to avoid pitching inside.

'A good strategy!'

From his position behind the plate, Miyuki understood Kusunoki's determination well.

'But against Sawamura, is this strategy really effective?'

Even if Kusunoki aims to get on base with a Dead-ball, Sawamura's control is so precise that even an inside pitch won't touch his shirt.

'Are we really going to turn down the Senpais' offer for an easy Out?'

Miyuki Kazuya, known for his tough attitude, saw this as an opportunity to show Kusunoki the power of inside corner pitches.

First pitch: inside corner!

'With Kusunoki-senpai's stance, it was impossible for him to hit an inside corner pitch.'

On the mound, Sawamura gave a slight nod and then threw decisively.

Whoosh!

The white ball flew like a laser through the strike zone.

It nearly grazed Kusunoki's shirt before landing in Miyuki's Mitt.

SNAP!

"STRIKE!!"

"Gulp!"

Kusunoki swallowed nervously. Being a left-handed pitcher, Sawamura's pitch had him genuinely fearing it might hit him.

For a moment, he was so scared that he almost closed his eyes and was waiting for the ball to hit, let alone swing at it.

Although it may seem cowardly, Kusunoki admitted there was a clear gap between him and Sawamura.

It felt like they weren't on the same level at all.

Even though he was prepared to risk everything, he felt like he was ready to challenge Sawamura directly.

If not for his slow speed, Kusunoki might have tried bunting to steal bases.

"STRIKE!"

"STRIKE BATTER OUT!!!"

As expected, Kusunoki was Struck Out.

One Out, with no one on base.

'And here he comes.' Miyuki thought.

Next up was the most troublesome opponent, Kominato Ryosuke.

This time, Kominato changed his previous approach of challenging Sawamura more directly to Fouling pitches.

"FOUL!"

"FOUL!"

"FOUL!"

"FOUL!"

After two strikes, he continued to hit the ball into Fouls.

Slowly, Sawamura was pushed to his limits.

Whoosh!

He focused solely on getting Kominato Out.

Ping!

"FOUL!"

'It will not be this easy.'

But Kominato wasn't easily intimidated. He even Fouled Sawamura's signature Straight Fastball twice.

'Their duel stretched to 17 pitches.'

From his position, Miyuki felt sweat forming on his forehead.

'The situation is becoming problematic.'

Though Sawamura was gradually gaining the upper hand, he was using too many pitches.

Kominato's hitting technique was highly refined, making it hard for Sawamura to get him Out.

'It might have been better to walk him from the start.'

Now Sawamura's pitch count for the inning had exceeded 20, approaching a dangerous limit.

Seidou's training had both rigorous and humane aspects.

For example, their pitching practice.

A typical pitching round usually doesn't exceed 20 pitches to simulate real-game conditions.

But training has its limitations. Despite Sawamura's overall pitch count being relatively low, the continuous pitching had reached an upper limit.

Everything seemed fine on the surface, but Miyuki felt an underlying unease.

Ping!

'Tsk!'

Finally, on the 18th pitch, Sawamura's unexpected Forkball caught Kominato off guard. Unable to make solid contact, the ball rolled into the field.

Sawamura effortlessly fielded the ball and threw it to Maezono at first base.

SNAP!

"OUT!!"

"YEAH!!"

Two Outs, with no one on base!

After Sawamura successfully retired Kominato Ryosuke, Miyuki Kazuya breathed a sigh of relief.

'With two Outs secured, only one more was needed to end the inning.'

The situation was manageable.

What concerned him was the increased pitch count.

Looking up at Sawamura on the mound, Sawamura shook his head slightly and then gave a determined nod.

'Don't worry, just keep going strong!'

He understood the third-year Senpais' intentions and, knowing their thoughts, Eijun chose to face them head-on, determined to go all the way.

'Ryo-niisan may think he's doing well, but isn't that just his own viewpoint?'

He aims to defeat the seniors in a fair fight!!!

Facing off head-to-head with the third-year Senpais was his graduation gift to them.

"Third batter, center fielder Isashiki."

After Sawamura Eijun retired Kominato Ryosuke, the Beard-senpai took his turn at bat.

"What a frustrating guy. Can't you let us enjoy an easy win like a good Kohai?" Isashiki glared at Sawamura as if he wanted to devour him.

"I'm still working on the enjoyment part!" Sawamura said, with a smug smile.

"As if! You little jerk!" Isashiki sneered at Sawamura.

'At such a critical moment, how could this guy be so relaxed?'

While a top Ace pitcher must have a strong heart, isn't Sawamura's heart a bit too strong? It's practically a heart of steel!

"As your Senpai, if I don't teach you a lesson, what kind of Senpai would I be?" Isashiki glared at Sawamura with gritted teeth.

On the mound, Sawamura's expression turned serious.

He lifted his right foot high, then slammed it down like a battle axe. As his body shifted weight, his left hand whipped the ball forward.

Whoosh!

The ball whizzed toward home plate.

In the batter's box, Isashiki gritted his teeth and swung hard at the pitch.

Before the play, he had asked Chris for advice.

"Do you have any countermeasures?"

Given Isashiki Jun's usual demeanor, asking such a question was rare.

Chris, however, shook his head with a wry smile. "Since I paired up with Sawamura, I've often wondered how I would attack him as an opponent. Unfortunately, he's frighteningly complete in every aspect. Even as an opponent, I don't have a good strategy."

He recognized Sawamura's greatest strength was his extensive experience in the Major Leagues, which had honed his pitching and game strategies.

With such comprehensive skills, it's impossible to find a clear weakness. If such a weakness existed, Major League scouts would have discovered it long ago. A pitcher with exploitable weaknesses wouldn't even be on a Major League mound.

"How do we deal with him?" Isashiki Jun asked, exasperated.

"Currently, Sawamura is at his peak. To overcome him, you need strength and a bit of luck."

Strength and luck.

"If I had to give advice, I'd say swing with all your might. Showcase your batting completely, and even against Sawamura, you might have a chance."

Chris's advice boiled down to trusting his instincts and swinging powerfully.

"I can do it!" Isashiki was confident. He believed he could hit Sawamura Eijun's pitch and drive it out of the park.

But when he swung, he missed the ball entirely.

SNAP!

"STRIKE!"

Swing and miss!

From behind the plate, Miyuki looked up in surprise.

'Judging from the swing, it seemed Jun-san had aimed for a Straight ball.'

But that was unlikely. Sawamura's straight ball, while sharp, wouldn't be used against the third-year Senpais' key players.

'Why would he aim for a straight ball when he knew Sawamura wouldn't throw one?'

'Was he out of his mind?'

…

T/N: That's it for now!

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