When the game between the Seidou High School baseball team and the Yakushi High School team reached the final inning...
There was really no suspense left.
The Seidou High School baseball team was leading by six points, and it was their starting first batter's turn to hit.
As for the Yakushi High School team, they had only managed to get one hit up to this point.
This meant that their final turn at bat began with the eighth batter.
By the time it was Raichi's turn, it was already two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
While theoretically, even at this stage, Yakushi High School could still mount a comeback...
The pitcher on the mound was Sawamura, and none of the Seidou High School players had any intentions of letting their guard down.
In this situation, the Yakushi High School players trying to turn things around...
Was a negligible possibility!
They had no hope whatsoever.
It wasn't that the fans at the scene were underestimating them—it was simply the truth.
Even if it were any other team in the same position as Yakushi, standing on the same side, the audience still wouldn't believe there was any chance of a comeback.
If you were to ask what was still exciting in the bottom of the ninth inning...
It would probably be wondering just how many strikeouts Sawamura would rack up in this game.
In comparison, this was the most anticipated aspect.
What people were hoping for was merely the new record that Sawamura would set.
After Seidou's match with Inashiro Industrial High School, Sawamura had set an unprecedented strikeout record of 21 strikeouts in a single game.
This record undoubtedly left everyone in awe.
Even the media was full of praise.
No one could have anticipated that, just one day later, the reporter who wrote that article would have been heavily slapped in the face.
By the time this game ended, it was certain that Sawamura's strikeout record would be broken.
In fact, some people were maliciously speculating that even if Yakushi High School changed their strategy now, it was already too late.
You have to understand the terror of the "Great Demon King"—even if Yakushi's players tried to break Sawamura's rhythm with small bunts, they might not even be able to touch the ball.
The physics-defying Forkball that Sawamura had been throwing, a pitch that was uniquely his, had left a deep impression.
As for the Seidou High School team's offense in the top of the ninth inning, the audience wasn't too concerned.
Seidou wasn't an overzealous team.
Once the victory was secured, they generally wouldn't push their opponents too hard.
It didn't matter whether they scored or not—it wouldn't affect anything.
Everyone originally thought this way, but they didn't expect the Seidou High School players to have their own intentions.
Although Coach Kataoka didn't give any specific instructions to the Seidou team for their offense in this final inning...
He probably thought the game was already over.
However, the Seidou players had no intention of letting it end like this.
The first one unwilling to give up was the engine of their offense, Kuramochi Youichi.
Now in his third year, Kuramochi was no longer just thinking about each individual game.
Every inning, every time he stepped up to bat...
He didn't want to leave any regrets behind.
He wanted to prove to the world with his abilities that choosing Seidou High School and that Seidou had chosen him was the right decision.
Not to mention that the final of the West Tokyo tournament had garnered attention no less than the Koshien tournament.
There were at least seven or eight scouts at the scene observing Sawamura and Miyuki.
With so many scouts watching, if he performed well...
What kind of result would that lead to?
Would it help him get selected a few rounds earlier in the draft?
Would it result in a slightly better signing bonus?
At 17, he was already half an adult.
Maybe there was still some immaturity, but their thinking was already quite mature.
They were no longer just thinking about the present.
They were thinking about their own futures, the team's future—they already had their own plans.
For someone planning to enter society directly after graduating from high school, this kind of foresight was an essential skill.
Kuramochi had done well in this respect.
At this point, he was consciously showcasing himself.
Of course, if his personal interests conflicted with the team's, Kuramochi would prioritize the team's interests.
This wasn't just the Seidou style; it was also his deep affection for the team.
Without Seidou High School, his baseball career might have already ended.
Such a great debt, Kuramochi was willing to do anything for Seidou.
Of course, as long as it didn't affect Seidou's team, Kuramochi didn't mind showcasing himself more.
'Let's go!'
When he stepped into the Batter's Box, his eyes didn't leave the pitcher's mound, staring at Sanada.
It was said that Sanada had been injured before, which was why he had struggled in his previous game against Sankou.
But up to this point, the Seidou players hadn't seen any sign of injury from Sanada.
Now he was as strong as an ox, and his pitches were incredibly sharp.
In this case, how could anyone believe he was injured?
There could be no carelessness—Sanada must be treated as a fully healthy opponent.
'When fully fit, how would he pitch the first ball?'
'Naturally!'
As the baseball came flying toward him, Kuramochi stepped away, positioning his swing for the inside corner.
Sanada was a pitcher centered around the cutter, and he usually pitched inside to defeat his opponents.
This was both Sanada's greatest strength and his biggest weakness.
This pitch, with subtle variations, made it naturally difficult for batters to handle.
'But if you swing through it completely, there's no reason you couldn't drive the ball away.'
Kuramochi now had the confidence to hit it out.
PING!
Kuramochi struck the ball with precision, sending it out into the field.
The ball flew over the first baseman's head and landed behind him.
Although the ball didn't fly far, and Kuramochi didn't fully suppress Sanada's cutter...
The location of the ball was incredibly helpful to Kuramochi.
It flew past the first baseman's back, through the outfield defense.
This was a textbook example of a long-hit route.
Normally, a player would get to second base with a hit like this.
But for Kuramochi, a speedster, second base was just the start.
He dashed with incredible speed, flying past second base and heading for third!
If not for Yakushi's third baseman reacting quickly and throwing the ball back to home plate...
At Kuramochi's pace, he might have made a direct dash to home plate.
"SAFE!"
No Outs, with a runner on third base.
The result left all the fans at the stadium in awe.
"Wow!"
"Suddenly opening fire!!"
"What a speed!"
"Amazing!!"
"So Cool!"
Kuramochi's performance was undoubtedly adrenaline-pumping.
Especially for the men, this type of exhilarating battle was unforgettable.
The excitement even surpassed that of a home run.
It was truly thrilling.
In the dugout, Coach Kataoka was starting to feel uncomfortable watching this.
He knew what the third-year players were thinking and understood why Kuramochi was doing this...
But at this point in the game, it was overkill.
There was no need to push it too far.
With this in mind, Coach Kataoka signaled the players.
After receiving the signal, although Kominato Haruichi didn't feel too enthusiastic about it, he ultimately followed Kataoka's instruction.
He prepared to bunt.
With Kominato Haruichi's technique and Kuramochi Youichi's speed...
Unless Sanada Shunpei was deliberately trying to Walk them...
There was no way they wouldn't score.
Paak!
The baseball rolled toward third base after contact.
At the same time, a figure shot out from third base.
Wearing Seidou's blue and green uniform, he looked like a predator hunting.
Yakushi's third baseman, Raichi, wasn't slow in terms of speed and reflexes.
He was a standard monster!
But compared to Kuramochi, his reaction time was noticeably slower.
By the time he reacted, Kuramochi was already at the home plate.
In fact, when Kominato Haruichi made contact with the ball, Kuramochi was already nearing home plate.
With his speed, as long as Kominato made contact and the ball landed...
Scoring was a guaranteed outcome.
"SAFE!!"
Kuramochi Youichi had helped the Seidou High School team score their seventh point.
Although this run was no longer crucial to the game...
Kuramochi's performance was still memorable to many.
Such a player was a precious asset to any team.
Whether as the starting first batter or a pinch runner...
His value was immense.
On the other side, Haruichi was Out.
This was expected, and the fans weren't surprised.
One out, with no runners on base.
At this point, it was Sawamura's turn to bat.
When he stepped up to the plate, Sawamura's eyes never left Sanada's face.
He had no intention of letting up.
Although Yakushi High School had helped him break his strikeout record from yesterday...
Now, facing off with them, it felt a bit much.
But Sawamura understood clearly.
The reason they were doing this was part of their own strategy.
Even if they disrupted his rhythm and reduced his strikeouts...
The outcome of the game wouldn't change.
For the whole game, there was no impact.
If he eased up, Yakushi would have a slightly better appearance.
But the pitcher, Sanada, would certainly not be happy.
And the rebellious players on the Yakushi team would think he was looking down on them.
In this case, it was better to go all out.
Sanada probably had the same plan—he hadn't given up on facing Sawamura.
He might have thought since they were already behind by so many runs...
'What's one more?'
Shuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!
Right at that moment, Sawamura swung at the ball without hesitation.
PAAAAAKKKKKKK!!!!
The baseball flew out, clearing the stadium and landing in the middle-outfield stands.
...