Facing the baseball that came flying straight toward his chin, Kitamura Kou remained exceptionally calm.
Since he had already made his decision, he did not move at all.
Standing firmly inside the Batter's Box, he simply stared at the approaching baseball, which was shooting toward him like a bolt of lightning.
Fortunately, the pitch only barely brushed past Kitamura Kou's chin.
The baseball continued forward like a fierce gust of wind before finally landing safely in Sato Toshiya's glove.
Although the pitch looked extremely dangerous, Naoki Enomoto had never intended to actually hit him.
There was still a gap of two or three centimeters between the baseball and Kitamura Kou's chin.
It had to be said that Naoki Enomoto's control had already reached an astonishing level.
Even Kitamura Kou, who possessed extraordinary batting ability, might still be slightly inferior to him when it came to controlling the ball.
"Smack!"
Sato Toshiya firmly caught the powerful pitch.
At the same time, the umpire's decisive voice echoed above home plate.
"Ball!"
"Hoo..."
Kitamura Kou slowly released the breath he had been holding.
Then he gently closed his eyes once again.
The previous pitch began replaying repeatedly in his mind.
From Naoki Enomoto's pitching motion...
To the moment the Gyro Ball passed by his chin...
To the instant it entered Sato Toshiya's glove...
Every single detail was analyzed over and over.
"Tch..."
"Trying to scare this kid isn't going to be that easy."
Naoki Enomoto clicked his tongue and muttered unhappily.
His attempt to intimidate Kitamura Kou and force him into panic had failed completely.
However, his disappointment only lasted for a moment.
Soon, the corners of his mouth slowly lifted into a faint smile.
"Well, I never expected to defeat you that easily anyway."
"That would be far too boring."
"Besides... the calmer you look, the more excited I become."
"Hehehe..."
As he spoke, Naoki Enomoto unconsciously stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.
At this moment, the opponent standing before him no longer seemed like an enemy.
Instead, he looked like a delicious meal waiting to be enjoyed.
His sharp eyes, like those of a hunting hawk, locked onto Kitamura Kou without blinking.
The bloodthirsty excitement flashing within them lasted only for an instant.
But even that brief moment was enough to send chills down the spines of those watching.
Time seemed to slow down.
Kitamura Kou remained standing there quietly, his eyes closed as he continued analyzing.
No one knew exactly how much time had passed.
Then—
His tightly shut eyes suddenly opened.
Like two sharp blades cutting through the sky, an intimidating light flashed through them.
That cold gaze disappeared almost instantly.
But the terrifying sharpness contained within it made everyone who noticed it instinctively shiver.
Kitamura Kou calmly adjusted his batting stance.
His hands loosely gripped the bat.
His body leaned slightly forward, while both feet firmly planted themselves on the ground.
His eyes locked onto Naoki Enomoto standing on the Pitcher's Mound.
He carefully observed every movement.
Every expression.
Every subtle change.
"After facing this Pitcher's Gyro Ball twice at such a close distance, I should have a general understanding of its trajectory and variations."
"Now, all that remains is to verify my analysis through actual combat."
"Come on... Gyro Ball!"
As this thought appeared in his mind, an indescribable excitement surged through Kitamura Kou's body.
His blood began to boil.
The desire to swing the bat became stronger and stronger.
At this moment, he could no longer wait.
He wanted to immediately send that mysterious Gyro Ball flying out of the stadium.
"Excellent."
"With those two Gyro Balls, we've already left a deep impression in the Batter's mind."
"Senior Enomoto... it's time to show everyone your truly unpredictable pitching!"
Although the second pitch failed to make Kitamura Kou swing, Sato Toshiya did not show the slightest disappointment.
Because from the beginning, his goal had never been to throw a pitch that Kitamura Kou could easily hit.
Obtaining even one strike through this battle of wits was already a huge advantage.
Therefore, Sato Toshiya remained confident.
He was looking forward to the moment when he and Naoki Enomoto would completely defeat Kitamura Kou.
When Naoki Enomoto saw the signal from Sato Toshiya, the corners of his mouth immediately began to rise.
That faint smile gradually became wider.
Finally, it turned into an uncontrollable, excited grin.
"Free and unpredictable pitching?"
"Hahaha..."
"Now this is something that suits my style!"
Unable to hide his excitement, Naoki Enomoto muttered to himself as he slowly raised both hands above his head.
At this moment, every muscle in his body tightened.
His entire body resembled a fully drawn bowstring, ready to unleash its power.
Then—
He violently swung his arm.
The baseball held tightly in his hand shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
"Whoosh!"
A sharp sound tore through the air.
The baseball flew toward home plate at incredible speed.
This time, the target was no longer Kitamura Kou's chin.
It was his head.
The terrifying speed and overwhelming momentum of the pitch were enough to make anyone's heart stop.
If Kitamura Kou failed to react in time, being forced to leave the game due to injury would be unavoidable.
"Hehehe..."
"Now let me see how you choose."
"Will you grit your teeth and endure the pressure until the very end, refusing to move even if you risk being seriously injured?"
"Or will you lose your courage and run away like a frightened rabbit?"
"Ah... I really can't wait to see your answer!"
Naoki Enomoto had already completed his pitching motion.
A mocking smile remained on his face.
His eyes, filled with provocation, stared directly at Kitamura Kou.
Like a hungry beast staring at its prey, he eagerly awaited the Batter's reaction.
"Dangerous!"
"My goodness! Dodge quickly!"
Some sharp-eyed spectators noticed the terrifying trajectory first.
Their hearts instantly jumped into their throats.
They could not help but shout.
As for the more timid spectators, their faces had already turned pale.
Some instinctively covered their eyes, unable to watch what might happen next.
Everyone was waiting anxiously.
They hoped Kitamura Kou would avoid the incoming pitch in time.
But then—
Something completely unexpected happened.
Facing the baseball that was flying toward his head like a cannonball...
Kitamura Kou did not dodge.
He did not retreat.
He simply stood there.
Motionless.
As if he had been completely frozen in place.