[27] Eijun’s Resolve
Chapter 27: Eijun's Resolve
Pure Power and Precision
Pure, absolute power, combined with precise detail management—this is what defines a batter who can hold a spot in Seidou High's formidable lineup, even among a team of exceptionally talented players.
Eijun stood on the pitcher's mound, his eyes locked onto the imposing figure in the batter's box. Inwardly, he was filled with apprehension.
At this moment, Masuko's large frame filled the batter's box, his usually affable face now calm and focused as he stared back at Eijun. His presence was as immovable as a mountain, exuding an overwhelming pressure on Eijun.
Solid, heavy, an innate dominance in strength—this was Masuko Tooru's stance on the field.
Eijun swallowed slowly, trying to calm the waves of emotion surging inside him.
"I'll start with an outside pitch, just to gauge his reaction," Eijun thought to himself, lightly tapping his right arm as he stood on the mound.
At home plate, Kariba nodded solemnly.
While Eijun didn't have perfect control of his outside pitches, he could still manage to keep the ball low.
"!"
At that moment, as Coach Kataoka shouted, a glint of determination flashed in Eijun's eyes. In the next second, his body moved, his left arm snapping forward with sudden force.
"Whoosh!"
A streak of light shot from Eijun's fingertips, heading straight towards Masuko in the batter's box.
As the white light blazed towards him, Masuko's eyes narrowed.
"Thud."
Despite his massive build, Masuko's movements were quick and clean. In an instant, his bat swung, his body shifting into position.
"Whoosh!"
The metal bat cut through the air with a sharp whistle.
"Crack!"
A piercing sound reverberated as the bat made contact.
"Zoom!"
In that instant, Eijun's pupils constricted as he watched the ball shoot skyward, darting toward the foul line. A bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Foul ball!!!!"
"Ohhhhh!!!"
"That flew really far…"
"No kidding, he's truly worthy of being the former fifth batter on the first string. That power is no joke."
"If that had stayed fair, it would've been an extremely long hit."
"Yeah, it was close to going out, but it veered just outside the line."
"Ha ha, Masuko Tooru, that batter's skills in the first string are impressive, but they're also known for making mistakes. That's why Coach Kataoka has brought him up—to let him cool off."
"Tsk tsk, it seems like Sawamura is really facing a tough challenge."
"Just look at the expression on the first-year's face; he's gone pale."
With the striking grace and pure power on display, even if the ball was hit slightly off-center, it could still travel an extraordinary distance of seventy to eighty meters. As one of the fifth-batter powerhouses in the first string, this performance invigorated everyone around, making this showdown even more interesting.
Meanwhile, a senior with a scruffy hairstyle laughed loudly from the side, shouting that they definitely needed to show the first-years a thing or two.
Behind home plate, Kariba couldn't help but show a look of fear. He had recognized this batter's ability while watching from the bench, and now, feeling the imposing pressure up close was truly overwhelming.
The other first-year players' faces turned grim at that moment.
"Ugh... phew..." Eijun let out a slow breath.
He couldn't help but recall that last pitch, which he hadn't managed to keep low enough and veered too far off course. There was still a lot of training to do to improve his control.
More importantly, if that last pitch had been hit squarely...
Imagining that scene sent a chill down his spine.
Eijun thought self-deprecatingly in his mind.
But don't think that one single pitch will intimidate me, Masuko-senpai.
Suddenly, a spark of determination ignited within him, and the fighting spirit he radiated caught Masuko's attention.
"Sawamura-kun…"
The second pitch came, an inside fastball, aimed straight for his heart.
A glint of cold light flashed in Eijun's eyes.
He stepped forward and swung his arm.
"Whoosh"
"Bang"
"Boom!"
"Foul ball!!"
"Ohh! So close again!"
"That inside pitch, this kid has the hang of it."
"The control is just average, I'd say."
"Tsk tsk, but don't you think it was even more accurate than the last pitch?"
"And the hitting is much more precise too."
"However, that makes it two strikes now."
"With this, it's fifty-fifty for a win."
"I'm certain that on the next pitch, unless something unexpected happens, it's going to be a home run."
Sawamura-kun really has his inside pitches down well!
Moreover, considering his stance and the quality of his pitches, it must be said that if you don't have enough power to suppress him, any average batter would likely be taken down during their first at-bat when they are still unfamiliar with the situation. If he were to improve his control in the future, Sawamura-kun would become even more fearsome.
But that is for the future.
A faint cold glint flashed in Masuko Tooru's eyes as he slightly tightened his grip on the bat. At this level, he aimed to enhance his hitting precision by positioning himself at the very front of the batter's box to maximize the suppression of Eijun's unique pitch quality.
Coach Kataoka nodded slightly at this moment, a hint of satisfaction evident in his eyes.
Eijun, on the pitcher's mound, wiped the sweat from his brow. The look reflected in Masuko's eyes made Eijun's lips curve into a slight smile.
As expected of Masuko-senpai, he's really tough to deal with.
At that very moment, however, Kariba behind home plate was already drenched in cold sweat.
It's completely irrational brute force. Even with an obvious mis-hit, he can still drive the ball that far. If he ever makes solid contact, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Sawamura, Masuko-senpai is a batter that can't be faced head-on; we should…
Kariba raised his head, and his gaze directed at the pitcher's mound clearly showed signs of retreat, but only for a moment.
The fighting spirit that burst forth from the pitcher's mound in an instant.
"Kariba, don't shrink back! The essence of a pitcher is to take down every batter on the field! We are partners—believe in me, choose to believe in me!!!"
The resolute look in Eijun's eyes shone through as he cast a determined glance back toward home plate.
It sent a jolt through Kariba's heart.
A true ace is someone who remains fearless in any situation, able to shoulder everyone's expectations. Kariba, I will use that pitch to take him down; this is my resolve!!!
That unwavering, steadfast, and pure gaze reflected in Eijun's eyes was a brilliant moment of Eijun.
Kariba pressed his dry lips together.
"Ha... ha... Sawamura, you really are the most unique! Even with an incomplete pitch, it's still good! I won't care what the consequences are!!!"
Powerful, resilient, unyielding, and straightforward.
On the pitcher's mound, Eijun's lips curled into a beautiful arc.
This is my baseball belief.
When it comes to baseball, I will not back down!!!!!
With his right leg raised high, his eyes shimmering with bright determination, his long left arm suddenly whipped through the air in that moment.
The youthful, dynamic figure, the electric pulse at his fingertips.
"Whoosh!"
In the next second, the electric current surged forward—it was Eijun Sawamura's resolve, and his answer as a pitcher!!!
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