Chapter 525: Haruichi's Resolve in the Inashiro Game
Eijun has already given it everything he's got.
He's done so much—for the team, and for us.
Now… it's our turn to have his back.
I have to hit it. I will hit it. No matter what—I must crush it!!
A powerful aura rippled out as Haruichi stepped into the batter's box for his second at-bat in the finals. The air around him shifted—charged with unwavering determination.
At home plate, Tadano could feel the pressure radiating from Haruichi's presence.
That small, seemingly fragile frame held the potential for explosive power.
Even Narumiya Mei narrowed his eyes. His gaze turned serious.
This batter… is dangerous right now.
"Play ball!!"
The umpire's sharp call rang out.
Haruichi instantly tightened his grip. Every muscle in his body tensed like drawn wire.
First pitch—go tight inside. Make it nastier than usual, Mei-san.
Behind the plate, Tadano's eyes gleamed with focus as he flicked his fingers in a subtle signal.
On the mound, Narumiya kicked forward in one fluid motion. His left arm swung into action.
Whoosh!
A glimmer of white light flashed from his hand.
A straight line of brilliance hurtled toward the plate.
Here it comes—inside fastball!
In the batter's box, Haruichi's elite dynamic vision and acute instincts instantly picked up the pitch's trajectory.
Step. Swing.
His body reacted smoothly. The metal bat tore through the air with a piercing shriek, unlike the dull crack of wood—it was sharper, colder.
A flash of black arced through the pitch zone.
A chill surged up the spine.
BOOM—!!
The moment the white flash of the ball collided with Haruichi's powerful swing, a thunderous clash echoed across the stadium.
Perfect timing. Perfect power.
But…
His angle was slightly off.
Haruichi had underestimated just how vicious that inside pitch was.
And no matter how much he trained, the metal bat still didn't feel quite as natural in his hands as the wooden one he'd used for nearly a decade—since elementary school.
Still, thanks to the metal bat's signature spring-like force…
And Haruichi's razor-sharp feel for contact…
Whoosh!
The ball rocketed off the bat, screaming into the air.
"OOOOHHHHHHHH!!"
"Left field!!"
Tadano shot up, shouting the direction of the hit—but it wasn't even necessary.
Because just a moment later…
The ball soared over left field and blasted out of bounds without looking back.
Clack.
"Foul!"
As expected, that's the sheer power of a metal bat. Even a slight misalignment with the sweet spot could still send the ball soaring.
Combine that with Haruichi's elite batting form and precision—
And the result was a monster shot.
Truly, Coach Ochiai's eye for talent was second to none.
Seeing such a deep, explosive foul ball, even Narumiya Mei's expression changed ever so slightly.
"Kehehehehe…"
"Woooooooahhhh…"
The crowd in the stands was buzzing, stunned into awe.
Just one more swing like that…
And it could change everything.
They would soon come to understand—Haruichi wasn't just trying to "wing it" with a metal bat in the finals.
It was only through rigorous training that Haruichi was now able to swing the metal bat with such proficiency.
From the dugout, Ochiai narrowed his eyes and allowed himself a faint smile.
Yes… this is how you truly raise your level. Once your body fills out more—your physique and strength both enhanced… Then, and only then, when you return to the wooden bat, it will feel like an extension of yourself. Only then will you become a true elite—a Tier 1 hitter of this generation.
Ochiai's gaze lingered on Haruichi standing in the batter's box.
"It might not feel as natural as the wooden bat, but this is the power I need. Compared to a wooden bat, the metal bat is better at overpowering Narumiya-senpai's pitch velocity. Only with this… do I have a chance to launch it!"
A cold glint shimmered in Haruichi's eyes as he gripped the bat tighter.
"Second pitch—outside fastball, just off the strike zone. Test his patience."
At home plate, Tadano sent a subtle signal with a flick of his fingers.
But Narumiya firmly shook his head.
Itsuki… if we go for an outside ball here, it means we're running away. This is the time to crush them head-on—not just tactically, but mentally. It's two outs—we're in control. There's no reason to retreat!
Let's finish this—in the strike zone!!
His pupils flared with fiery determination.
Tadano licked his dry lips, then nodded sharply.
"Got it, Mei-san… let's fire every pitch right into the zone!"
He adjusted his stance and reset his glove position.
Whoosh—
Narumiya's arm rose like a whip through the wind.
A pitch thrown with full force.
A flash like a rainbow slicing through the sky.
Haruichi's entire body tensed the moment the pitch was released.
Boom.
Swish.
He stepped out and unleashed a full swing.
PING!
The ball and the bat collided fiercely—sparks flew.
A sharp, grating roar filled the stadium.
Whoosh—
BAM—
"Foul ball!!"
So heavy…
Even trickier than the last pitch, with heavier force behind it.
This guy… Narumiya Mei!
Haruichi gritted his teeth, frustration flashing across his face.
Whoosh.
Smack.
"Ball!"
Whoosh.
Ping.
BAM—
"Foul!"
Whoosh…
...and again.
Haruichi realized he had already overestimated Narumiya—but even so, he had still underestimated him.
Even limited by his catcher's current skill—unable to use his full pitch repertoire (much like Eijun's situation)—Narumiya was still able to suppress Haruichi this perfectly.
So this is the true strength of Narumiya Mei, the No.1 lefty in the Kanto region…
Whoosh—
Another vicious vertical slider with a sharp break.
Not much slower than a fastball, but breaking fiercely right before the plate.
Swish.
PING!
The ball jammed up the bat—Haruichi barely held on.
"Pitch seven: Inashiro's battery calls for an outside slider again. It's fouled off, but even under heavy pressure, Seidou's third batter Kominato Haruichi refuses to back down!!"
What a nuisance…
Tadano frowned slightly.
Even Narumiya showed an irritated look.
That persistent figure in pink…
Kominato Haruichi—he reminded Narumiya of another equally annoying smiley guy from Seidou.
Kominato Ryousuke.
"Damn it… just like his brother—so damn annoying!!Next pitch—next pitch, I'm ending this. Change-up. Let's settle it now!"
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