Chapter 532: Inashiro Showdown – His Home Turf!
"Out!"
"Three outs—change of sides!"
As the game entered its latter half, Narumiya Mei's dominance became even more apparent.
In the bottom of the fifth, the ace of Inashiro once again displayed his exceptional pitching prowess.
The lower lineup of Seidou was completely shut down. As if to declare his overwhelming strength, Narumiya's pitch carried such pressure that the just-retired batters—Maezono, Toujou, and Asou—each returned to the bench with dark expressions.
They're all high school students... so how is there such a huge difference?
From the bench, Coach Kataoka watched with a stern expression.
Beside him, Coach Ochiai narrowed his eyes, a hint of admiration flashing in his gaze.
This is what it means to be a true ace.
This is talent.
If a genius and an ordinary person put in the same effort over the same time... the ordinary one will never catch up. That's reality.
"...He's so strong. Compared to summer, Narumiya-senpai is on a whole other level now..."
On the mound, Eijun looked at Narumiya's icy demeanor and couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
With a pitcher like that... how in the world were they supposed to break through?
"...Sawamura." A low, steady voice rang by his ear. It was Coach Kataoka.
Eijun's heart jumped.
"Yes, sir!"
"Pitch with everything you've got. There are others behind you."
Coach Kataoka's deep gaze seemed to carry double meaning.
Eijun paused, then nodded firmly.
"Understood, Coach."
That short exchange drew no attention from the others—not even Miyuki.
Only Kuramochi and Haruichi subtly clenched their fists.
Even if we have to throw our bodies in the way—we'll stop it!
We won't let anything through—we'll lighten Eijun's burden ourselves!
"…How long do we have?"
Watching Miyuki and Eijun head to the field, Coach Kataoka muttered quietly.
"Two innings at most," Ochiai replied in a hushed voice. "Ideally, you'd switch him out after this one. But if we're aiming for victory, then maybe let him pitch two more. Let him suppress Inashiro's lower lineup, buy time for the next pitcher. That would make the rest of the game easier. But... Sawamura's condition is deteriorating. His injury is getting worse."
"…I see." Coach Kataoka nodded solemnly.
Both he and Ochiai narrowed their eyes as they stared at Eijun stepping onto the mound.
Victory... or the player...
This wasn't just a test for Eijun.
It was also one of the toughest decisions Coach Kataoka had to make.
...
"Top of the sixth! Inashiro's attack—leading off, center fielder Carlos!"
So the final decision lies with the coach, huh...
Eijun gave a self-deprecating chuckle.
He thought he'd hidden his condition well.
But Kuramochi had noticed, then Haruichi, and now even Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai were aware.
Most likely, even Inashiro's catcher and Narumiya himself had sensed something.
As for Miyuki-senpai...
He seemed smart, but oddly slow when it came to this sort of thing.
Watching Miyuki crouch behind the plate, Eijun's lips curled into a faint smile.
In that case... I've got nothing to hide anymore.
I'll pitch freely.
Two innings. I have to shut them down completely.
Then I can walk off that mound with peace of mind.
As his fighting spirit exploded, Eijun's presence grew.
Even if it would only last for a fleeting moment like fireworks—
He was going to burn brightly.
Who am I?!
I'm the King's Ace—Seidou's Ace Pitcher—Sawamura Eijun!!!
The umpire's powerful shout rang out.
On the mound—
Eijun's eyes flew open.
A wave of force burst forth with his presence, making Inashiro's Carlos stiffen at the plate.
"This pressure—!"
Gripping his throbbing left arm—feeling the sting and numbness—
"So this is pain?"
But this pain... is part of my resolve!!!
Boom!
With full strength and no hesitation, he launched his pitch—His left arm whipped down in a roaring motion.
"Whoosh!"
The ball, trailing a gleam of light, roared through the air.
A sharp gleam pierced through the batter's sightline.
Carlos, stunned by the sheer momentum, reacted purely on instinct.
Too fast!!
That was the only thing running through Carlos's mind.
This was the first time Eijun had truly unleashed everything—His fastest, most aggressive fastball of the entire game!
"Swoosh!"
Carlos swung reflexively—
—But it was a weak, half-hearted swing.
There was no way he could touch Eijun's blazing pitch.
"STRIKE!"
Unstoppable.
As that dazzling pitch streaked into the strike zone—
Carlos's face twisted with frustration.
In the stands, gasps rippled across the crowd.
"First pitch—a razor-sharp inside fastball! Seidou's ace, Sawamura Eijun, is burning hotter than ever! Inashiro's leadoff batter swings and misses!!!"
"Wait a sec… that pitch just now—"
"Hey, hey, am I imagining things, or did that pitch seem faster than before?"
"Don't tell me… is this the real Sawamura showing up now?!"
"Damn, that speed… that had to be over 140 km/h, right!?"
"No way. That's not possible…"
"Even if it wasn't, it was damn close!"
And it wasn't just the casual fans in awe.
From the stands, powerhouse players like Raichi and Sanada from Yakushi, Amahisa from Ichidaisan, that chubby slugger from Seikou, Mukai from Teitou, as well as Okumura Koushuu, Seto Takuma, the brown-haired boy, and Mine Fujio…
All of them were visibly shaken.
But no one could feel it more than the one catching that pitch—Miyuki.
As the shockwave of that ball reverberated through his glove, as he felt the late movement hammering into the mitt—
Yes. This is it.
This is the real you, Sawamura.
Come on—on this stage, shine as bright as you can.
This is your stage. Your moment.
His pupils widened.
A grin crept across Miyuki's face.
He looked toward the mound, where Eijun stood tall and defiant—
That was the wild, unchained Ace of Seidou that Miyuki knew.
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