[84] Akikawa Battle - Precision Control

Chapter 84: Akikawa Battle - Precision Control

On the western stands, several boys wearing gray team uniforms stood side by side, their gazes calmly fixed on the center of the field, where Eijun was pitching.

These figures were none other than the key members of Ichidaisan's team: the ace, Manaka Kaname, and the captain and cleanup hitter, Omae Takahiro, among others.

"That's a very clean pitch, and the rhythm is excellent," Manaka Kaname remarked.

"We didn't see him in the dugout during the Kanto Tournament. It seems like, overall, he's quite a capable pitcher," said Miyagawa Teru, a second-year player, as he leaned against the railing and spoke softly.

"He's got good control, and his coordination with Miyuki is seamless. No wonder he's a pitcher they can confidently trust to start," Omae Takahiro added, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

"With how this first-year is performing, and with Tanba still in the lineup, it's going to be very difficult for Akikawa High to score. The key to this game will be just how much You Shunshin can hold back Seidou's batting lineup," Manaka Kaname said calmly.

"Yeah," the others beside him nodded in agreement.

"Miyuki-senpai." During the changeover, Eijun approached Miyuki with a look of inquiry on his face.

"Heh, you're pretty sharp, kid. You've probably noticed it by now, haven't you?" Miyuki smiled lightly, looking towards Akikawa High's dugout with a knowing expression.

"So, in the next inning, are we going to...?"

Eijun's suspicions had been confirmed. After all, Akikawa's first three batters had been rather obvious in their intentions. You could say it was an open strategy, though perhaps it underestimated Eijun's abilities.

In the original story, Eijun had suppressed Akikawa's lineup from the fourth inning to the seventh, relying solely on a four-seam fastball on the inside corner.

His control had greatly improved, and with his cutter as the deciding pitch, Akikawa's lineup was essentially reduced to nothing.

To be honest, the only player worth worrying about in their lineup was You Shunshin. In fact, he was the only player on the entire team they really needed to be cautious of.

"There's no need. They won't be able to catch your pitches. Besides, at the right moment, you can intimidate them even more. Wouldn't that be more fun?" Miyuki said with a mischievous grin.

"Uh, alright then."

Seeing Miyuki's grin, Eijun couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Akikawa's players.

Perhaps the unluckiest thing for them was facing this cunning catcher from Seidou.

"Well then, let's see what kind of pitches this so-called 'precision machine' throws. That's the most important thing in this game for me."

Eijun glanced towards the dugout, where You Shunshin's figure stood.

Maybe, he thought, I can learn something from him.

Eijun's lips curled up slightly as an interesting idea flashed through his mind.

"Now, for the bottom of the first inning, Seidou High's offense. Batting first, the shortstop, Kuramochi-kun."

The Taiwanese student who came to Japan to study because of his love for Japanese culture has pretty good control, but I wonder how he fares in other areas.

"Don't blame us if we end up bullying you, You!" Kuramochi thought with a calculating expression, glancing at You Shunshin, who stood expressionless on the pitcher's mound.

Adjusting the brim of his cap, Kuramochi flashed a mischievous smile.

At the same time, without Kuramochi noticing, a faint glimmer of cold light flashed in You Shunshin's slightly lowered eyes.

Thud!

The sound rang out, and a streak of white light shot from the pitcher's mound.

Whoosh!

In an instant, Kuramochi stepped forward, crouching into a bunt stance.

Heh, fool, who would face you head-on? I just need to play to my strength…

Ping!

Thud!

The ball hit the ground and rolled along the first-base line.

Just as a glimmer of joy appeared in Kuramochi's eyes, he noticed You Shunshin moving as if he had predicted everything, reacting even before the ball had bounced.

"What!?"

Kuramochi was already sprinting toward first base.

At this point, there was no way to stop.

Helpless, he could only watch as You Shunshin swiftly intercepted the ball.

Whoosh!

Snap!

"Out!!!"

Kuramochi had tried to catch his opponent off guard but ended up falling right into You Shunshin's trap.

With one pitch, they had given up a crucial first out.

What a sneaky guy, Kuramochi thought angrily, biting his lip.

"Hmph, with tricks like that, you'll never get on base against me!" You Shunshin scoffed inwardly as he watched Kuramochi stomp off the field, frustrated.

Sure enough, Kuramochi-senpai is still a bit lacking when facing someone this cunning, Eijun thought from the dugout, a smile tugging at his lips.

In the original, Kuramochi was often toyed with by Miyuki or left fuming in anger after each encounter.

Not only has You Shunshin perfected his control, but his ability to read people's minds is also top-tier, Eijun thought, a look of admiration crossing his face.

"Second batter, second baseman, Kominato-kun."

With nothing more to say, You Shunshin, who was well-versed in Seidou's batting lineup, continued to display the precision of a finely-tuned machine, dominating the early stages of the game with his exceptional control.

After securing Kuramochi's out with one pitch, he used his influence to sway the umpire's judgment.

Even pitches that slightly missed the strike zone were called strikes. This left Kominato Ryousuke, Seidou's most skilled batter, struggling to cope.

After an intense eight-pitch battle, You Shunshin, with the umpire's favor and home-field advantage, claimed his second out.

This sent a shiver through Eijun and Furuya as they watched from the sidelines.

The "Precision Machine"—You Shunshin.

Such a commanding performance is truly the hallmark of an ace.

In the first inning, You Shunshin's pitching was as steady as ever, with results that were no different from the original story.

Though Isashiki Jun swung aggressively at an outside bait pitch thrown by You Shunshin, surprisingly, it landed in fair territory, allowing him to successfully reach second base.

However, the powerful cleanup hitter, Tetsu, had his hit caught by Akikawa High's left fielder in a stroke of extreme luck, as the catch was made in a rather clumsy, dogged fashion.

It was as if they had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, taking Tetsu's out and preventing Seidou High from scoring in the first inning. With the switch between offense and defense, both teams entered the second inning of the game.

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