Chapter 210: [210] The Battle of Kings - Seihou's Clash
Chapter 210: The Battle of Kings - Seihou's Clash
"Boom!"
An overwhelming aura, a ferocious expression, and the crackling sound of the bat slicing through the air echoed across the stadium, sending chills down the spines of everyone in attendance.
It was a stark contrast to the restrained, explosive power displayed by Seidou's captain, Yuuki.
Seihou High's cleanup hitter, Sano Shuuzou, was like a ticking time bomb—ready to explode at any given moment.
At this critical juncture, Miyuki stood up from his catching stance and glanced toward the dugout. Coach Kataoka gave a slight nod.
"Time out. Pitching change."
As Sano stepped into the batter's box with a sinister grin, ready to assume his batting stance, Miyuki calmly informed the umpire.
"Huh?"
Sano's face was painted with disbelief.
A pitching change?
Are you kidding me? Without even facing me, with no runners on base, you're pulling your pitcher?
For a brief moment, Sano's mind froze.
"Substitution for Seidou High. Coming in as the new pitcher: Sawamura Eijun. Sawamura replaces Furuya-kun, who moves to left field. Announcement complete."
The announcement echoed throughout Koshien Stadium, and even Seihou's coach, Nishidera, couldn't hide his surprise.
The audience erupted in murmurs, their expressions mirroring the shock.
"No way! Furuya was pitching so well, and they're changing him now?"
"Seidou is really decisive."
"Is it because of the home run in the second inning?"
"Possibly. They're trying to minimize risks."
"Sawamura, number 11, is coming in?"
"I thought he'd start this game. Who'd have guessed they'd keep him in left field for three innings before this switch?"
"The ace who shut out Yokohama Kouhoku—can he handle Seihou's even more dangerous lineup?"
"A first-year southpaw, Sawamura Eijun, facing the cleanup hitter right away. This is going to be epic."
All eyes turned to the left-field area, following Eijun as he jogged to the mound.
Excitement and anticipation lit up the faces of the spectators.
A battle between a power pitcher and a power hitter.
This was the clash of titans everyone had come to see.
Sawamura Eijun—was Coach Kataoka already deploying his ace? Such an aggressive move.
Seihou's coach, Nishidera, narrowed his eyes, a faint chill flashing across his gaze. He subtly moved his right hand.
Don't underestimate our lineup. Sano, attack immediately. Exploit his instability and deliver a crushing blow. If we take down this pitcher, victory will be ours.
In the batter's box, Sano adjusted his cap, a predatory glint in his eyes.
It was the expression of a beast eyeing its prey.
A savage aura, a violent presence, and a palpable wave of pressure emanated from him.
As Sawamura set foot on the mound, he felt his breath hitch for a moment.
The batter's oppressive energy forced him to narrow his eyes slightly.
"...!"
The umpire checked both teams before raising his hand and loudly announcing:
"Top of the fourth inning, Sano Shuuzou's second at-bat. Sawamura Eijun will pitch. A showdown of kings."
The entire stadium fell silent. Everyone held their breath, their eyes locked on the players.
The stage was set.
The battle of titans had officially begun!
"Hiss... Whoo..."
Eijun exhaled slowly, his gaze locked firmly on Miyuki at home plate.
Miyuki gave a slight nod, subtly moving his fingers beneath the glove.
Eijun's pupils constricted sharply.
"A left-handed batter? And you're asking me to throw that pitch here, senpai? Really bold of you."
Miyuki's faint smirk only deepened, provoking a wry smile from Eijun.
"What pitch would I ever be afraid of throwing? No matter who stands before me, my pitching has only one purpose: to aim forward!"
Eijun adjusted his stance, shifting slightly to the left. His right leg rose high, his arm swung back. Every nerve in his body was focused on one point.
At his fingertips.
"Fwoosh!"
The ball shot out like a streak of light, cutting through the air.
"Here it comes!"
In the batter's box, Sano's expression turned serious.
Though he couldn't discern the pitch's trajectory immediately, his experience and sharp instincts quickly kicked in.
An inside pitch?
"What a daring kid. Coming straight at me with the first pitch, huh?"
A sinister grin spread across Sano's face, his pupils glinting with an ominous red hue.
"Boom!"
He stepped forward, his bat slicing through the air with a metallic sheen.
"Pop."
"Strike!"
The bat whiffed past the ball, which perfectly sank into Miyuki's glove at knee height.
A changeup!
Sano's eyes widened, his expression ferocious as he glared at Eijun, as though ready to devour him.
But Eijun remained unfazed, returning the glare coldly.
"No matter how much you glower, it won't scare me. You're just a brute who swings wildly like a gorilla!"
A flash of determination lit up in Eijun's eyes. Miyuki signaled for the next pitch.
"A fastball, same inside corner. Don't miss the spot, Sawamura."
Eijun nodded, lifting his arm as his breath steadied.
"Fwoosh!"
The ball rocketed out once again. In the batter's box, Sano's eyes narrowed, his footwork adjusting swiftly.
"The same pitch? Don't underestimate me, kid!"
"Swoosh!"
"Ping!"
The deafening crack of bat meeting ball echoed. Sano's expression twisted slightly.
He hadn't hit it cleanly.
"Fwoosh!"
"Smack!"
"Foul ball!"
Two pitches, and Eijun had Sano cornered.
Gasps of amazement rippled through the crowd.
The deceptive release point, coupled with the challenging timing, made the 134 km/h pitch feel like it was nearing 140 km/h.
The sharp control and precision allowed him to hit tricky spots with ease.
"This lefty's fastball is even harder to deal with than Furuya's," Sano thought grimly, his gaze growing more focused.
Of course, his conclusion was partially due to Furuya's lack of control, which undermined the threat of his blazing fastballs.
With two strikes, it was time to end this.
"Finish him with this pitch, Sawamura," Miyuki signaled with a simple five beneath his glove.
Eijun nodded, his right leg kicking forward decisively.
"Boom!"
A tangible aura seemed to burst forth from the mound.
"Fwoosh!"
A streak of light barreled toward home plate.
Relentless.
Unyielding.
The decisive pitch was unleashed.
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