Chapter 22: The Slider!

In the Batter's Box, Kuramochi was struck by a sudden flash of inspiration, as if a light bulb had just flickered to life above his head.

Why should he get entangled with this pitcher in a duel?

'Just getting on base is good enough!'

'In such a situation, wouldn't it be silly to let the opponent's pitching throw me off my game?'

Kuramochi isn't a fool; at least he doesn't think he is.

Considering this, Kuramochi set up for a bunt.

This sudden move successfully caught the attention of the Sankou players.

With Kuramochi's speed, he was trying to bunt.

Given the circumstances, Sankou had no choice but to advance and defend.

Kuramochi's speed is so fast that if the defenders don't prepare in advance, it's hard to stop him.

Ichidai Sankou, who has dealt with Seidou for years, should be well aware of this.

"Boys, it's time to prove yourselves!"

Tahara Toshihiko—Sankou Coach—crossed his arms and watched Kuramochi intently.

'Seidou is starting serious!'

'Kuramochi has shifted from being casual at the beginning to going all out now.'

'Amahisa-boy is proving his worth with his performance.'

"Be even more amazed! Amahisa-boy is a greater talent than Manaka-boy."

'Manaka-boy's pitching was good, but he never reached the All-Japan level. Even at his best, he fell just short of this level.'

'Amahisa-boy, however, is different.'

'Though his form can be inconsistent at times, Overall, his strength has reached the All-Japan' level.'

"Let's go, Amahisa-boy!"

Following Inashiro and Seidou, Sankou is now introducing their true Ace.

'It's time for Seidou to see the true strength of Sankou.'

On the pitcher's mound, Amahisa Kousei wore a somewhat enigmatic smile.

"Is there no other way?"

Seeing Kuramochi switch to a bunt, Kousei didn't think Kuramochi was getting serious. Instead, he thought Kuramochi was simply forced into this action.

'Coward!'

Changing to a bunt after failing to hit is, in Kousei's view, an act of cowardice. Kuramochi's performance was too timid.

And he, Amahisa Kousei, would not be defeated by such cowardice.

Making his stride, Kousei threw the baseball with force.

Whoosh!

The baseball came flying, and Kuramochi, who had been ready to bunt, pulled back his bat and swung again.

He didn't intend to use a bunt!

Tactical flexibility.

This is one of Kuramochi's characteristics.

However, the straight ball he aimed at was not a straight ball at all; instead, it sank.

Ping!

The white ball was hit and rolled towards the first baseman.

'Damn it!'

Kuramochi was frustrated.

He had expected the opponent to use a powerful fastball, which he could have targeted directly.

Instead, the pitch was a breaking ball.

'Using breaking balls against bunts.'

The Ace pitcher of Sankou is either an idiot or has a unique scheme.

'Either way, he's not easy to handle.'

As the ball was hit, Kuramochi shot to first base like a bullet.

He can get on base not just through hitting, but also by utilizing weak hits and grounders, and making it to base.

Kuramochi ran as if he had engines in his calves, and his speed was astonishing.

He's fast, and the Sankou players are quick too.

Kousei ran to cover first base.

First baseman Hoshida raced to catch the ball.

As Kuramochi neared first base, the ball came in.

SNAP!

"OUT!"

The combination of Hoshida and Amahisa's efforts was outstanding.

One Out, no one on base.

The Seidou High players exchanged glances.

They were amazed by the opponent's performance, which exceeded their expectations.

"As expected, something's wrong!" Sawamura frowned.

"What we saw was just the performance of two individual geniuses—Hoshida and Amahisa—doing their own jobs exceptionally well. Their coordination didn't seem particularly impressive." Miyuki nodded.

However, if every player at Sankou can perform at this level, even without perfect coordination, their combat effectiveness will be impressive.

Ichidaisan High School is a national powerhouse!

A team considered a giant in high school baseball has two defining characteristics:

First, they have a solid player base.

Second, their training is exceptionally thorough.

'This opponent may be even more troublesome than anticipated.'

After changing equipment, Sawamura took his place in the on-deck circle. Kominato, who was ahead of him, had already stepped into the Box.

'Given Haruichi's level, he should be able to pick up on some details about Amahisa.'

In fact, Haruich did not disappoint Sawamura.

He chose each pitch with great care.

He didn't swing at the first two balls.

Zero Strikes, two Balls.

The pitcher was under pressure.

"Tsk!"

Kousei was frustrated.

The corner pitches were unable to lure Kominato into swinging.

'For such an opponent, the best strategy is to use Strikes to get him Out in one go.'

Seeing the catcher's signal, Amahisa decisively shook his head.

'Hmm?'

The catcher gave him a strange look and then changed the pitch.

This time, Amahisa nodded.

He aimed to get Kominato Haruichi out with a Strike.

Whoosh!

The small white ball shot toward Kominato Haruichi like a laser.

In the strike zone,

Kominato Haruichi's expression was cautious.

He knew the pitch was coming!

'A Strike!!'

Seeing the ball enter the strike zone, Haruichi didn't hesitate and swung his bat.

Paak!

The white ball soared high into the air.

Kominato Haruichi was momentarily stunned but he quickly regained his composure.

'I see!'

Snap!

"OUT!"

Kominato's pop fly was caught for the Out.

Two Outs, no one on base.

Now it's Sawamura's turn to bat.

With two Outs and a smooth start, Kousei's performance reassured his teammates.

Amahisa Kousei had a habit of being a weak starter.

Today, his performance was very good, especially in the early stages, showing his skills and consistency.

Very good, very good.

In this atmosphere, Kousei Amahisa is about to face Seidou's Ace, Sawamura Eijun.

Before stepping up to bat, Sawamura communicated with Kominato.

Kominato gave him a few words:

"It is the Slider, he can make the Slider look like a strange Curveball."

Vertical Slider!

Not an odd curveball.

"Got it!"

'A Slider huh? Amahisa Slider has always been crazy.'

When Sawamura stepped into the Batter's Box, the crowd erupted.

"SAWAMURA!!!!"

"DEMON KING!!!!"

"IT'S ALL ON YOU!!!"

"HIT IT OUT!!!!"

The fans in the stands were fervent. At this moment, it felt as though the entire world was supporting Sawamura.

On the pitcher's mound, Amahisa Kousei watched in amazement.

'This is the presence of the Maou Sawamura Eijun.'

'Even without doing anything, the atmosphere on the field had completely shifted in his favor.'

'Like it is impossible to win against this man.'

From the feedback on the field, Kousei felt like he was battling the entire world.

This feeling drove his heart and made his soul tremble.

"It really is different!"

Seeing the faces of others didn't give such a visceral sense of fear. Now, standing on the opposite side, Kousei understood the true terror of Sawamura.

'So much hope and expectations are on his shoulder.'

'Not just from his teammates, but also from the fans and audience.'

'And he always delivers.'

'He has this level of skills after all.'

'This guy can influence the outcome of a game single-handedly.'

Terrifying!

'Even more terrifying than Todoroki!'

Kousei had originally thought Raichi was the toughest opponent he could face.

Now, it seemed he had been looking at things from a narrow perspective. The opponent was much stronger than he had imagined.

…

T/N: So, Amahisa's eccentric shaved head is here!

This game will be a bit longer than the previous Ouya game but not that long.

Anyway, Thank you all for reading!!

Have a good day people!