[161] His Pride!

Chapter 161: His Pride!

"He hit it!!! Right in front of center field, the ninth batter, Shirasu, successfully tracked the slider's trajectory. A single to center field! Now, there are two outs with runners on first and third... No!!! The runner is heading straight for home plate!!!!"

On the commentary platform, the host's voice, which had been high-pitched, suddenly shot up even further, almost to the point of breaking.

At this moment, the entire stadium was watching with wide-eyed astonishment as the blue-and-white figure raced around third base and headed straight for home.

A collective gasp filled the air.

They hadn't expected that the young man, Sawamura Eijun, would be so bold!

With just a single to center field, he dared to round third base and head for home.

Not only the spectators were stunned, but the Inashiro players were furious. Even the players on the Seidou High bench were showing looks of shock.

On the support benches, over a thousand cheerleaders were staring wide-eyed, eyes fixed on Eijun's speeding figure.

"How dare you, kid! Don't get too cocky!!!"

Seeing that Eijun had already reached the halfway point between third base and home plate, Inashiro's center fielder, Carlos, who had a dark complexion, was now even darker with fury.

His grim expression made it clear just how enraged he was.

In his eyes, Eijun's daring base-running was nothing short of an insult to Inashiro's defense!

Carlos quickly made his way to where the ball was landing, and with swift, precise movement, he scooped the ball up with his glove. By the time he did, Shirasu had already reached first base, and throwing to first for the third out was no longer possible.

The only option now was to tag out that reckless kid at home!

"Whoosh!"

With a swift motion, the ball flew from Carlos's hand, blazing through the air with a speed that had to be over 140 km/h.

A sharp, cold wind whipped through.

In Eijun's side vision, the glint of cold light from the ball was pressing down on him, and he could feel the crushing intensity of it.

It was a bone-chilling, almost painful cold sensation, sending goosebumps down his skin.

But at this moment, the young man had no choice but to keep charging forward, forward, only forward!

His eyes were fixed solely on the home plate, so close now.

This had always been his goal deep within, the one thing that kept him going. This daring dash for home was driven by his inherent desire to take risks, even knowing the consequences, even knowing the potential ridicule.

But!

This goal, the sacred place, he would reach it—he would touch it with his own hands!

He wasn't fighting because he thought he would definitely win. He fought because he had to win!

This run, this point—it was his to claim!

This victory, it was his to secure!

Anyone who stands in his way—get out of the way!

With a fierce gaze and a powerful determination, home plate was just ahead, the cold light of the ball already there.

Just one more step.

"Smack!!!"

The ball landed precisely in the glove of Harada.

In that split second, Eijun's body collided with Harada's, both players giving everything they had in this intense moment.

The battle lasted just a second, but Eijun's eyes were wide open, his gaze fixed on the ball coming at him.

With a grimace, he twisted his body at an angle, feeling the pain from the stretch, his brow furrowing as he lunged forward.

Faster, faster! He had to be faster than Harada!

In that instant, every movement was a single, coordinated effort. Harada, however, wasn't easily outdone. He quickly adjusted his stance and crashed into Eijun with all his might.

He knew just how dangerous this move was.

Eijun avoided the collision at home, while Harada forced his way through it.

But whether it was Eijun or Harada, neither had any way out.

This was the ninth inning. The final out. He, Harada Masatoshi, the third-year captain, would absolutely not back down here!

The figures drew closer, and in Eijun's narrowed eyes, the world seemed to slow.

Bang!!

A violent collision echoed through the air.

A sharp pain shot through Eijun's forehead, but he gritted his teeth and stretched out his left hand toward home plate.

Boom!!!

Dust rose into the air, marking the most dangerous clash at home plate in the entire game!

Ohhhhhh!?

Everyone in the stadium shouted at the top of their lungs, eyes fixed on every single movement at home plate.

The umpire, too, focused intently on the scene unfolding before him.

As the dust slowly cleared, two figures emerged.

Under the intense gaze of thousands of spectators, the umpire's expression was serious as he nodded and, in that moment, made the sacred gesture, spreading his arms wide.

The loud call echoed:

"Safe at home!!!"

In that instant, the young figure leaped into the air, his triumphant shout ringing out.

"YEAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

The image of Eijun, fists clenched, head thrown back, screamed in victory, resonated with every person in the stadium. Shock and awe painted their faces.

One point, one point—he had finally claimed it!!

Eijun let out a powerful roar at home plate!

"SAWAMURA! SAWAMURA! SAWAMURA!"

"EIJUN! EIJUN! EIJUN!!"

"NUMBER ONE!!"

In that moment, the cheerleaders on Seidou High's side of the stands screamed in unison, their voices nearly breaking.

"Ohhhhhhh!!! Home plate scores! Seidou High's first-year player, Sawamura Eijun, the ace, roaring in triumph!!! Seidou High adds another run in the top of the ninth, leading 4-3 once again!!"

"Whoa, no way, he's at home!?"

"Wow, wow, wow, wow, goosebumps everywhere."

"4-3, oh my God. Even though there's still the bottom of the ninth, why do I feel like Seidou's going to win?"

"Incredible, incredible, so incredible."

"Sawamura Eijun, no way, I feel like I'm going to faint from this."

The stadium was alive with excited shouts, screams, and deafening cheers echoing across the field.

On the side of Inashiro, Harada stood frozen in shock. Had they really just allowed a run!?

The boy's figure, gleaming with light.

The blood dripping from the cut on his forehead.

For victory, he would sacrifice everything!!

This was Sawamura Eijun's pride!!

The gaze of the left-handed pitcher.

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