Chapter 530: Inashiro Battle – The Power of Will
"As expected of Sawamura-senpai... and Narumiya-senpai too. That kind of hitting and pitching—it's just insane. Koushu, who do you think is going to win this match?"
From the stands, Seto Takuma watched the dugouts of both teams, eyes locked on Eijun Sawamura and Narumiya Mei. His voice carried a clear excitement.
Just imagining that he'd soon be joining a team at this level thrilled him—especially knowing that one day, he'd be facing these amazing upperclassmen.
He could hardly contain the anticipation.
"Hard to say. Right now, it's still neck and neck. The key will be the showdown between Sawamura-senpai and Narumiya-senpai," replied Okumura calmly, his tone as cool and detached as ever.
"Okumura? Seto?"
While the two were fully engrossed in the game, a surprised voice suddenly called out from behind them.
They turned around in confusion—and saw a tall, slender figure standing there.
It was a boy with a clean-cut face and brown hair, headphones hanging around his neck. He wore a big, confident grin as if he already knew them well.
"Yo! It really is Okumura and Seto from Daikyo! You guys came to watch the game too, huh?" the boy said brightly.
"Yeah, we did."
Okumura remained as aloof as ever.
Seto was the one who responded more politely—though in truth, he had absolutely no idea who this person was.
The guy looked familiar... but he just couldn't place him.
"Oh! Isn't that Yuuki from Kokubun? Man, there really are a lot of big names here today. I just saw Tomobe from Chounan and Kuroki too. Seems like everyone's got an eye on this Seidou vs. Inashiro match. So you guys are here for the same reason, huh?"
The brown-haired boy grinned.
But both Seto and Okumura could clearly see it—in his eyes, a fierce fire was burning.
"Yeah. Koushu and I have already decided to join Seidou, so of course we had to watch this final."
Okumura remained stoic, while Seto stated their decision with no hesitation. After all, there was nothing to hide.
"I figured as much. Looks like we'll be rivals again over the next three years, then. Hah, I'm really looking forward to it."
The boy laughed heartily.
"Rivals? Wait, you mean...?"
Seto's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yep, that's right. My goal is—!!!"
The spark of the future lit up.
It was like one of those destined protagonist meetings, pre-scripted by fate.
But of course... in time, these boys would come to understand:
This might be their generation, but it wasn't only theirs.
Because to become the protagonist of the game, to be the most brilliant star of this generation...
They would first need to surpass—or at least strive toward—those already standing at the peak.
...
"Top of the fifth inning, Inashiro Industrial up to bat. Batting seventh, second baseman Ezaki!"
"If the pitch is low, don't swing. You don't have to get a hit—just try to wear him down a bit. Make him throw more pitches."
After the last inning's offense, when they returned to the dugout, Tadano Itsuki voiced his concerns about Eijun's condition.
The other players weren't entirely convinced.
Only Narumiya remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Coach Kunimoto folded his arms behind his back and quietly considered everything before signaling this strategy.
If something was wrong with Sawamura—if he really was hiding some kind of injury or fatigue—then the most logical move was to grind him down.
And faintly, a memory crossed Kunimoto's mind—of the collision near first base during yesterday's semifinal.
Maybe that was the root of it.
He wasn't sure, of course. But it was worth testing.
"Got it."
In the batter's box, Ezaki gave a small nod. He positioned himself at the very front of the box and choked up on his bat.
"Choking up on the bat?"
Behind the plate, Miyuki frowned slightly.
"Let's start with an outside fastball to test the waters," Miyuki thought, giving a subtle hand signal.
On the mound, Eijun gave a short nod.
With a swift stride—
"Swoosh!"
His left arm whipped down sharply, sending a gleaming white ball streaking toward the plate.
In the batter's box, Ezaki stepped forward decisively and took a hard swing.
"Swoosh!"
"Clang!"
The bat connected sharply with the pitch.
"Zing!"
"Thud!"
The ball rocketed toward the third-base line.
Shoji dove with everything he had—but the ball slipped past him.
"Swoosh!"
"Plop!"
The ball shot past the foul line.
"Foul ball!"
The swing was decisive.
Then, for the next pitch—outside, four-seam fastball.
Miyuki lightly moved his fingers, once again signaling a code.
Eijun nodded slightly, subtly shifting his left arm. His fingers gently pressed against the seams as he adjusted his stance.
Taking a deep breath, he put about 80% of his strength into the pitch.
His left arm raised high—then, with a sharp whip:
"Swoosh!"
A flash of white light zipped forward.
But as it did, Eijun's brows furrowed slightly. A flicker of pain flashed through his eyes.
Alongside the roaring pitch—
It's coming. Outside again!
Or so Ezaki thought, his eyes narrowing, ready to swing.
But just as the ball approached the plate, it suddenly shifted too early.
Startled by the premature break, Ezaki froze mid-swing, halting his motion entirely and watching the ball land neatly in Miyuki's mitt.
"Pop!"
"Ball!"
It broke too early? No swing?
Miyuki's brows knit together.
"Second pitch—a breaking ball outside, but just a bit outside the strike zone. Ball!"
The break was too high. Sawamura, your timing has to be later!
At home plate, Miyuki looked up at the mound, his expression sharp with concern and silent reprimand.
Eijun caught the look and gave a small, apologetic nod.
"I know, Miyuki-senpai."
But what Miyuki didn't know…
Was that Eijun's left hand had started trembling again—uncontrollably.
It all stemmed from the last inning at bat.
To blast that inside pitch, Eijun had pushed his body to the limit, forcing his muscles to overpower Narumiya's fierce pitch.
That kind of swing demanded far too much from his arms.
Even now, he still hadn't recovered.
At this point, even throwing a breaking ball with just 80% effort was becoming difficult to control.
"My body's a mess right now…"
Eijun lowered the brim of his cap slightly, a wry smile appearing on his face as he muttered to himself.
The sting. The numbness. The exhaustion.
Now begins the test of Eijun Sawamura's willpower as a pitcher.
----------------
If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.
Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Leonzky