[86] Eijun's Sharpness in the Game Against Akikawa

Chapter 86: Eijun's Sharpness in the Game Against Akikawa

"Ohhhh!! A line drive right back to the pitcher from Akikawa's cleanup hitter! What a play, Sawamura!"

"You're dominating today! You and the catcher are a deadly pair."

"Seidou! Seidou! Seidou!"

"Keep the momentum going, don't let up!!"

Eijun and Miyuki's direct, aggressive approach had Seidou's dugout roaring with excitement. This was how a true champion should carry themselves!

"Fifth batter, pitcher, You Shunshin!"

As You Shunshin walked to the plate, Shiratori passed by and whispered to him, "Watch out for that pitcher's release point; it's tough to predict."

You Shunshin nodded silently, gripping his bat tightly before confidently stepping into the batter's box.

"You've got to give it to him, a first-year with this kind of control," You Shunshin said, lightly tapping the plate with his bat, his eyes sharp with focus.

Miyuki laughed. "He's got a long way to go."

You Shunshin gave Miyuki a hard look, recognizing the danger posed by this battery. He knew this pair was a serious threat. If they didn't break their momentum now, it would be nearly impossible to score.

Inside, You Shunshin was fully alert.

"Heh..." Miyuki's lips curled into a sly grin as if reading You Shunshin's thoughts. It was clear—Miyuki was the real brain of this team. To overpower Seidou, they had to beat him first.

Miyuki gave a signal to Eijun, who raised an eyebrow in response.

"Looks like Miyuki-senpai wants to push even harder..." Eijun thought, feeling a surge of understanding.

Straightening up, he hid the ball behind his left hand, locking eyes with You Shunshin.

"Hiss...whoosh..."

Taking a deep breath, Eijun could almost hear his own heartbeat. When he opened his eyes, they gleamed with a sharp light.

This was their first face-off.

Eijun raised his right leg high, his right arm drawn back, and his left hand perfectly hidden.

In that split second, You Shunshin's muscles tensed as he sensed the pitch coming.

Footsteps pounded forward, dust swirling.

In a moment, all of Eijun's strength surged to his fingertips.

His left arm whipped forward.

"Zing!"

The electric energy from Eijun's fingertips shot toward the plate like a streak of lightning.

It's coming!

The crackling sound filled the air as the ball bore down on You Shunshin. The intensity emanating from Eijun hit him hard, making You Shunshin's eyes widen.

Inside pitch!

There was no need to think or analyze. You Shunshin's instincts told him everything. This was a direct challenge from the pitcher-catcher duo.

At that moment, You Shunshin understood. Seidou had already anticipated their strategy. But still, they chose to go for a head-on attack. Was it arrogance, or simply the confidence of a champion?

In a flash, countless thoughts ran through You Shunshin's mind. But there was one that stood out above all: he had to crush this pitch.

If they wanted to take this game, this swing had to land.

There could be no retreat!

Determination and pride filled You Shunshin's eyes.

A straight-on battle, where strength would decide everything!

"Whoosh!"

You Shunshin swung with all his might. The metallic gleam of his bat flashed coldly under the bright sun.

Time seemed to slow down.

At home plate, the blinding white light of the ball collided with the bat.

In just half a second, everything would be decided.

As the bat connected with the incoming ball, something changed. The ball suddenly cut harder inside, sending You Shunshin's bat just off target.

"Clang!!"

The sound of impact echoed, and You Shunshin's pupils dilated in surprise.

A cutter!?

This first-year pitcher...damn it!!

"Whoosh!"

In that brief moment, the outcome was already decided. The ball, a white streak of light, deflected sharply.

It smashed into the ground.

"Thud!"

"Third base!!"

The ball bounced weakly off the ground in front of home plate, slowly rolling towards third base.

Third baseman Masuko was already prepared.

After quickly assessing the ball's trajectory, he swiftly moved into position and scooped it up with ease.

This caused You Shunshin, who had just dropped his bat at home plate and was running towards first base with a final glimmer of hope, to change his expression.

Without hesitation, Masuko threw the ball.

"Whoosh!"

"Pop!"

At first base, Tetsuya effortlessly caught it.

"Out!"

A groundout at first base—Eijun, with a single cutter pitch, had secured You Shunshin's out!

"Ohhhh!"

"He got Shunshin out with just one pitch!?"

"What was that pitch? An inside ball?"

"No, no. That movement... it was a cutter! Who would've thought this first-year had such a trick up his sleeve?"

"Tsk tsk, using a game-winning pitch right from the start—it really matches the catcher's style."

"With their core hitter so easily shut down, no doubt the game's momentum is now completely in Seidou High's favor."

"Yeah, just look at the faces of the Akikawa High players—they look pretty grim."

"This game is going to be tough for Akikawa High."

Eijun's one pitch to get You Shunshin out stunned the crowd. They expected Eijun to secure the out, but they hadn't imagined it would be so easy.

In the original game, it was unexpected—You Shunshin had no idea about Eijun's pitching style, nor did he know about this left-handed relief pitcher, which is why he was so easily dominated.

But this time, Eijun had decisively struck You Shunshin out head-on.

The result was vastly different.

"Damn, I've been tricked!" You Shunshin gritted his teeth. Even he had lost the usual composure on his face.

Although there had been some analysis of the limited data available, indicating that this pitcher had such a decisive pitch, he never expected it to be this sharp and well-angled.

The most surprising thing was that it came on the very first pitch!

What a miscalculation!!!!

"Nice pitch, Sawamura," Miyuki smiled as he gently tossed the ball back to the mound.

Pop.

Eijun caught the ball with one hand, adjusted his cap, and a flash of confidence gleamed in his eyes.

Facing opponents head-on—that's Eijun's style, and where his sharpness lies!

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