Chapter 25: With Your Performance

Ping!

After the white small ball was hit, it flew high into the air.

The baseball kept flying and flying until it hit the protective net and stopped. The baseball hit the net, causing a huge wave.

In the batter's box, Furuya displayed a crushing might.

After the second-year Senpais showed their amazing fighting spirit, Furuya used his unstoppable momentum to sweep past them.

"FOUL!"

President Ota's voice sounded a bit abnormal.

Although this ball flew out of bounds, it was far enough and at a good angle. A bit more to the side, and it would have been a home run.

Furuya with a cool took back the bat in his hand and looked coldly at Kawakami on the pitcher's mound.

He didn't hit a home run, yet he showed no happiness no annoyance, but remained calm.

Coach Ochiai nodded repeatedly at that.

"Furuya is definitely a genius, a true genius. With his powerful pitching and hitting, it would be good to give him more opportunities."

It would be a waste to leave such a person on the bench. If he sharpens his defense and alternates with Sawamura for an outfield position, there should be no problem.

Ono let out a sigh, his nervous palms were sweaty. When he saw Furuya swing the bat, he really thought that the ball just now would be a home run.

If that had happened, it would have been veeeeeeery embarrassing. At that time, even the defense would have become a joke.

This test isn't just about them, but also about Kawakami. For Furuya and the others, the purpose of this test is simply to arrange the batting order. It's different for Kawakami, and this might even determine whether Kawakami can get a high position in the pitching squad.

Did Furuya do it on purpose, or did he simply not understand?

Ono doesn't know.

However, even if Furuya knew, would he hold back for a bit? He wasn't the type to hold back from the beginning.

'You must work hard, Nori!'

Ono looked at Kawakami on the pitcher's mound and silently wished him luck.

On the pitcher's mound, Kawakami wasn't intimidated by Furuya's presence. Instead, he calmly threw his Winning Shot.

'I'm fine! The training that should be done has already been done, and now is the time to prove my worth.'

Swoosh!

The white small ball flew straight toward the top of the home plate like a laser beam.

Furuya swung his bat, a typical aggressive style—basically, he swung at whatever ball he saw, holding nothing back.

Today was no exception.

Facing Kawakami's pitch, he aimed well and swung directly.

'A Hit!'

This was Furuya's feeling. He saw the ball very clearly, and he had confidence in his swing.

He was confident to get a hit!

Just as it seemed he was about to hit Kawakami's pitch, the baseball suddenly changed its course.

The baseball, originally aimed towards the inner corner, suddenly dropped right by Furuya's feet.

The swing missed, and the baseball flew straight into Ono's glove.

SNAP!

"STRIKE BATTER OUT!!!"

"YEAH!!!"

Furuya was struck out, and Kawakami roared loudly from the pitcher's mound.

At this moment, all the depression in the boy's heart was released.

"Two more times."

After Furuya was struck Out the first time, Superintendent Kataoka immediately instructed Kawakami to pitch more.

Kawakami used his own strength to win an opportunity for himself.

In the next two duels, Kawakami also successfully dealt with Furuya, even getting him hooked once using a fishing ball. And at the last one, Furuya got used to Kawakami's pitch and hit the ball into the outfield.

This time, Shiratsu quickly rushed to the falling point and caught the "all in his Mitt.

"Out!"

Furuya, who seemed omnipotent just moments ago, was completely ineffective against Kawakami.

The coaching staff also spoke highly of Kawakami.

"Although the last ball was safe because Shiratsu helped, Kawakami really suppressed Furuya just now with his pitching. With his current pitching, there's no problem with him being a rotation pitcher."

Even the strictest Ochiai recognized Kawakami's performance. Considering his qualifications, he could substitute with Furuya as Sawamura's replacement.

Superintendent Kataoka was also very satisfied. Furuya was clearly in great form today, and he handled the challenge well.

Despite the immense light cast by Sawamura and Furuya, Kawakami's presence had indeed improved.

"It's still early. After the showdown with Sawamura..."

Coach Kataoka intended to say that he would make a decision after the showdown with Sawamura.

However, he couldn't finish his sentence.

To be honest, the confrontation between these two people is really complicated.

If Sawamura can't hit three times in a row, then things will be really bad. Kawakami could handle even the best batters in the team.

Then what would happen if they really met Narumiya Mei, Sanada, Hongou, and others across the country?

Then what should be done?

After all, Sawamura is not Furuya, he is the face of Seidou High School.

However, if the opposite happens, if Sawamura keeps hitting the pitching of Kawakami, the result will be…

It is not just Superintendent Kataoka who feels awkward. President Ota, Coach Ochiai, and the entire coaching team had a complex expression on their faces.

Players in the field did not have so many thoughts.

Sawamura knew that this test was very significant for Nori-senpai. Even if he held back a little, he would not lose anything himself.

But he didn't plan to do that, and he also believed Nori-senpai would not want him to do so.

All he has to do is go all out.

When the third-year Senpais left the team, Captain Yuuki once talked with Sawamura.

"I recommend you to be the captain!"

"Eh? Why?"

When Sawamura heard this news, he was confused.

He is very grateful for Tetsu-san's trust, but he really doesn't have so much time, okay?

"Nothing, just a feeling that our team will become stronger if you become the captain."

"You want me, the Kohai, to lead the Senpais?"

Sawamura was very curious, wouldn't he be afraid of the team having internal tension?

"You don't need to do anything special, with Seidou's team members of nearly a hundred people. No one expects a player to be able to lead them all well. What you need to do is to use your performance to lead everyone forward."

'Lead everyone forward with my performance!'

Although Sawamura refused the captain's appointment given to him by Superintendent Kataoka, he didn't want the Senpai to feel uncomfortable because of this. And more importantly, Sawamura didn't want to play baseball alone in Seidou.

But being the Ace, the pillar, and leading everyone forward with superb skills.

Sawamura didn't mind, and he could even say he was very willing.

"Don't worry, Leader! We will definitely become stronger!"

It was also a Slider ball, the one that had just struck Out Furuya.

PANG!

Sawamura smashed the ball away beautifully.

The white small ball soared into the sky. Directly flew away to the protective net, hitting the part of it.

"Home run!!!"

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