As expected, getting a batter like Kitamura Kou to chase a ball outside the strike zone wasn't easy.
However, Sato Toshiya wasn't discouraged in the slightest.
On the contrary, the challenge only ignited his competitive spirit.
The more difficult the opponent, the greater the satisfaction of defeating him.
Sato quickly flashed a series of signs beneath his glove before looking toward the mound.
"Sakuraba-senpai, trust my call. Throw it here with everything you've got."
Sakuraba gave a slight nod.
As a veteran who had experienced countless battles, he wasn't about to lose his composure because of a single missed opportunity.
Raising his hands, he delivered the second pitch.
Whoosh!
The baseball raced toward the high outside corner.
Compared to the first pitch, the velocity was slightly slower.
At first glance, it appeared likely to catch the edge of the strike zone.
Yet Kitamura remained perfectly still.
Not even his eyes shifted.
As the pitch neared the plate, it suddenly dropped.
The ball fell sharply from the upper outside corner toward the dirt.
Pop!
Sato received it cleanly and subtly framed the pitch back toward the strike zone.
Unfortunately for him, the home plate umpire wasn't fooled.
"Ball!"
The count moved to 2-0.
In Kaidou's dugout, Naoki Enomoto watched casually.
"Not bad."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Sato called exactly what he wanted."
"Sakuraba's curveball still has plenty of bite."
As long as he maintained this rhythm, Enomoto believed even Kitamura would struggle against that breaking ball.
Looks like I won't be pitching anytime soon.
Behind the plate, Sato's eyes sharpened.
Still not chasing?
Interesting.
His fighting spirit only grew stronger.
Without hesitation, he signaled for the next pitch.
Sakuraba immediately complied.
Whoosh!
The third pitch cut through the air.
Kitamura calmly tracked it.
Around 140 kilometers per hour.
Low and away.
Another ball.
However, unlike the first pitch, the location was slightly different.
The first had missed outside.
This one sank lower.
A batter relying purely on instinct might mistake it for a strike and roll it weakly toward the pitcher.
Against Kaidou's defense, that would almost certainly result in an out.
Yet Kitamura never offered.
The count was already in his favor.
There was no need to force the issue.
Pop!
"Ball!"
Three balls.
The count immediately became 3-0.
This time, the crowd exploded.
The spectators had been expecting a heavyweight clash.
Instead, Kaidou appeared determined to avoid giving Kitamura anything comfortable to hit.
Boos erupted throughout Koshien Stadium.
"Is this really the defending champion?"
"You don't even dare challenge him!"
"If you're scared, let Enomoto pitch!"
"At least he'd attack the strike zone!"
The criticism rained down from every direction.
For many pitchers, such pressure would be suffocating.
Sato glanced toward the mound.
"Sakuraba-senpai."
His voice remained calm.
"Don't let the crowd affect you."
"Trust me and throw your best pitch."
"No matter what happens, we'll face it together."
"Hmph."
Sakuraba snorted.
"You think this much pressure can shake me?"
His expression carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
Clearly, he felt Sato had underestimated him.
Seeing that his pitcher remained composed, Sato finally relaxed.
Good.
Now they could continue according to plan.
Facing a batter like Kitamura, giving him an easy strike was far more dangerous than issuing a walk.
After a brief moment of consideration, Sato reached his decision.
One more ball.
Whether Kitamura chased it or not would depend on him.
Sakuraba wasn't entirely happy with the call.
But memories of his previous defeat resurfaced in his mind.
He inhaled deeply.
Then he threw.
Whoosh!
The baseball screamed toward the high inside corner.
As a left-handed pitcher facing a right-handed batter, the angle made the pitch particularly dangerous.
The ball appeared to be drilling directly toward Kitamura's face.
So they're not giving me anything to hit.
Kitamura sighed inwardly.
He could clearly see that the pitch would miss the strike zone.
Taking a walk was the safest choice.
But he wasn't interested in playing it safe.
A four-pitch walk wasn't enough.
He wanted more.
The previous pitch had been low and away.
Now they jumped all the way inside and high.
Sato was using every inch of the strike zone—and beyond—to keep him uncomfortable.
A normal batter might hesitate.
Kitamura didn't.
His half-lidded eyes suddenly snapped open.
A sharp light flashed within them.
Let me show you the difference between you and Narumiya Mei.
The bat exploded into motion.
Like a venomous snake striking after lying in wait, it shot toward the incoming baseball with terrifying speed.
The swing was smooth.
Decisive.
Without the slightest hesitation.
Zzzzz—
The bat sliced through the air, producing a sharp whistle that echoed across the field.
In that instant, everyone in the stadium held their breath.