Chapter 50: Unprecedented

'The defensive formation had changed.'

'In other words, the opponents must have adopted some strategy.'

'Otherwise, why would the fielders shift positions?'

Even if Sawamura can't notice anything from the battery, the position of the fielder is a different matter.

Although they couldn't discern the exact patterns of the fielders for every tactic, knowing the opponents were communicating was enough.

'All the fielders had shifted towards the first base side.'

As a left-handed batter, and with Sawamura's strong side is the inside corner, hits tend to fly to the first base side.

'Was the opponent planning an inside pitch?'

At this moment, Sawamura entered a remarkably focused state.

His mind was frighteningly calm. What had previously been unclear now became obvious with just a glance.

Just by observing the opponent's defensive adjustments, he vaguely guessed their strategy.

'Interesting!'

Sawamura, who had completely seen through their intentions, took a step toward the plate in the Batter's Box.

This step was just right, moving his entire body to align with the inside corner, blocking the inside pitch!

This sudden move left Kazuto and Yuuto stunned.

'Had Sawamura really discovered our strategy?'

They had heard that Sawamura was a monster with an incredibly high Baseball IQ, seeing him in action made it clear.

Their carefully prepared strategy, which they thought was concealed, was immediately exposed.

'No wonder Sawamura often hits home runs.'

'He was truly challenging.'

Kotari Kazuto hesitated and secretly signaled his brother again.

At this moment, he had clearly abandoned the inside pitch. Although Sawamura's current stance made it seem difficult for him to handle an inside pitch, the Kotari brothers knew that if Sawamura truly wanted to, it would be hard to prevent him from making contact.

The Demon King's body was incredibly flexible, allowing him to hit the ball with an uncanny stance.

Thus, they couldn't pitch to the inside corner Sawamura was targeting.

'The defensive lineup made a slight adjustment again.'

Sawamura confirmed his suspicions.

'The opponent was indeed communicating, but it was the catcher, not the pitcher, who was orchestrating the strategy.'

'Interesting, very interesting.'

It was like discovering a cheat code in a game.

Sawamura eagerly anticipated the challenge.

 'Bring it on!!'

He wanted to see what tricks they had up their hats.

Sawamura could even hear the pounding of his own heart.

At the same time, his mind was incredibly clear.

He was acutely aware of how each move he made could affect the game.

'This Zone thing is addictive.'

Sawamura was deeply absorbed and couldn't pull away.

Even though he knew this state would be a significant drain on his energy and strength.

The intense training over the past few months had given him immense confidence in his mental and physical endurance.

In addition, the plan of the Coaches gave him some freedom.

He should be able to handle this, even if the pitches are challenging.

No problem, it felt great.

His eyesight seemed to have sharpened, picking up details that were once invisible.

'Here it comes!'

Without making Sawamura wait too long, the white ball was thrown again.

An outer corner pitch, right where he had anticipated.

'A Slider!'

Sawamura Eijun remained in the Batter's Box and didn't swing at the pitch.

SNAP!

"BALL!!"

The ball, originally aimed at the zone, slid to outside the strike zone as it approached.

Sawamura didn't make a move.

His expression remained unchanged.

But this was Sawamura.

Sawamura, who showed the same calm demeanor as Kominato Haruichi before him.

This unnerved the Kotari brothers.

Terrifying!

Facing Sawamura Eijun felt like confronting a monster that had appeared out of nowhere.

Their bodies felt paralyzed, unable to move an inch.

This chilling feeling deeply impacted the brothers.

"Damn it!"

Kotari Yuuto was extremely confident in the pitch he had just thrown.

The angle of that pitch was so deviously perfect, that it had reached the peak of his abilities.

Given Sawamura's aggressive hitting style, he should have been unable to resist that pitch.

If Sawamura had connected with the ball, there was a 90% chance it would have gone out of bounds, which would have been equivalent to getting an early Strike in their favor.

Only by securing enough Strikes first, could they ensure a direct confrontation with Sawamura Eijun.

Now, not only had they failed to secure a Strike, but they had also given up a Ball.

The situation had become extremely passive.

This result wasn't just due to the ball they threw. The main issue was that Sawamura had not acted as they expected.

They believed they understood Sawamura Eijun well enough. According to their judgment, there was no reason for Sawamura not to swing at that pitch.

But the reality was brutally different.

Sawamura didn't swing, leaving them unable to predict his intentions.

'This is tricky!'

'This is tricky!'

An inexplicable mood enveloped them.

They were defeated by their own imagination.

Because they were fans of Sawamura Eijun, they had unknowingly exaggerated his strength many times over.

Facing a Sawamura who seemed so overwhelmingly powerful, their confusion was understandable.

'There is no other way!'

Kotari Kazuto hesitated for a moment before his eyes flashed with fierce determination.

Seeing his younger brother suddenly become so fierce, Yuuto, as the elder brother, felt helpless.

They had been cornered by their own imagination and felt certain they would be taken down by Sawamura.

In such a situation, there was nothing left to worry about.

It was time to fight with all of what you got and enjoy the game.

Yuuto raised the baseball high and started his form, preparing to throw the pitch.

He wasn't tall, nor was he known for his power or speed.

What truly propelled them to the quarter-finals of Koshien was Yuuto's breaking ball.

The angle of his breaking ball wasn't particularly large, nor was it particularly small.

It was just right.

The perfectly timed break and precise control of the pitch allowed him to display his exceptional skill.

Such an opponent would make even Sawamura cautious.

'So, what should be done in this situation?'

Eijun's mind was exceptionally focused.

Even his eyesight seemed to have improved.

The ball's position, spin, and movement were all crystal clear.

It was an amazing sensation.

As the ball approached, Eijun's entire body was in sync.

The power accumulated in his cells was stored in his legs, using them as a pivot, with his waist as support, and all the strength was focused in his arms.

The swing's range wasn't as broad as before, but the power he could exert was substantial.

Watching the ball fly toward him, Eijun knew exactly when to swing.

'Now!'

The instant the white ball came into his range.

His previously still hands suddenly moved.

At that moment, Eijun's swing reached an unprecedented speed for him.

PUUNG!!!

There was no doubt—the bat connected perfectly with the ball, sending it soaring out of the park.

'Perfect!'

As the ball soared forward, Eijun knew the result immediately.

He let go of the bat and raised one hand with fingers spread toward the sky.

Waiting until the white ball cleared Koshien's field. Then his hand clenched into a fist, raised to his chest.

"NICE!"

"SO COOL!"

"DEMON KING!!!"

"SAWAMURA!"

"WELL DONE!"

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