Chapter 24: Use Your Cards Wisely

Sawamura, on the territory of Inashiro, struck out Harada Masatoshi with his own version of Narumiya Mei's Screw Change-up.

To the teammates in the Inashiro Baseball Team, this was nothing short of a blatant provocation!

"That damn guy!"

As Inashiro Ace, Narumiya Mei immediately confronted Sawamura, venting his anger!

The feeling was as if he wanted to chew Sawamura up and swallow him whole—he was absolutely furious.

The others were also shocked and angry. Shocked because they never expected that Sawamura would be able to imitate Narumiya Mei's winning shot, the Screw Change-up.

Angry because Sawamura had dared to bully them on the Inashiro Baseball Team's turf.

Yes, bullying.

No matter what Sawamura's original intent for throwing that pitch was, the players of the Inashiro Baseball Team would gladly interpret it as such.

The players of Seidou High School Baseball Team really are no good. Miyuki Kazuya is like that, and so is Sawamura!

It's enough to drive you crazy!

Even the teammates from Sawamura's own team couldn't understand his actions.

Just as he had managed to shake off Narumiya Mei, Miyuki immediately came over to him.

"Are you out of your mind? Didn't we agree, unless necessary, to avoid revealing our trump cards?"

Miyuki furrowed his brows and questioned him.

Before the match, Sawamura and Miyuki had worked out every possible situation that could arise.

In the end, they both agreed that while the match could continue, they would reveal no more than what had already been exposed.

They weren't here to train at Inashiro's home field, right?

The Inashiro guys probably thought they could do whatever they wanted...

So, they planned to treat Inashiro's guys to a silent treatment—nothing said, nothing revealed.

Let's see what tricks their coach can pull off!

Everything had been well planned, and Sawamura had executed it quite well. Even against batters like Fumei, he hadn't fully revealed his hand. Instead, he used a bold fishing pitch to secure a double play.

At that point, Miyuki, who had been watching, almost wanted to applaud Sawamura.

As expected of Sawamura. No matter where he was, he could always showcase his talent. Even if he was dancing with shackles, he'd still dance better than others.

Just as Miyuki's smile hadn't fully bloomed, Sawamura had thrown him a curveball.

He had actually used the pitch they'd previously agreed to reserve as a winning shot in case of emergency—right here in front of everyone.

Sawamura was trying to enhance his Change-up before Miyuki retired, as it would go well with his increase in velocity and this would give him more space to work with his Kohais later.

So, When he was trying to enhance his Bunny ball, this Screw-like break emerged.

Of course, due to Narumiya's influence on him, Sawamura—like a child—wanted Screw Change-up too.

But after persistent training, combined with Miyuki and Ochiai's advice and support, Sawamura managed to develop something similar.

That's what we see now—his modified Screw Change-up.

This modified version isn't an evolution of the original Screw Change-up.

It's a different version—one that belongs to Sawamura.

The effect is very close to Narumiya Mei's Screw Change-up.

But if you really break it down, they're not quite the same. Sawamura uses the flexibility of his body to reduce the spin rate of his Change-up.

That's why the baseball suddenly drops after approaching the strike zone.

It's completely different from the Screw Change-up that applies a different kind of spin.

After developing it, Sawamura directly asked Miyuki for feedback.

"How does this pitch compare to Mei-san's winning shot?"

"If you don't look closely, the difference isn't that big. But if we're being honest, they aren't using the same pitch. It is clear that Mei's pitch is trickier."

Miyuki thought for a moment and gave an objective evaluation.

It wasn't that he was downplaying Sawamura's pitch; it's just that Narumiya Mei's winning shot was extraordinarily powerful.

Sawamura wasn't satisfied with this answer, but he had originally thought that his pitch was at least as strong as Mei's Change-up.

Of course, he also knew that the pitch regarded as a game-winning weapon by the Tokyo Prince wouldn't be so easy to replicate.

After all, every pitcher is unique, and the pitches they throw are tailored to their own characteristics. Once a pitcher finds a style that suits them, it's extremely hard for others to copy.

Being able to replicate it to this extent is already very impressive.

At critical moments, it could still serve as a bluff and have some effect.

What's more, this breaking ball falls somewhere between level 2 and level 3 in terms of quality.

For Sawamura, it's still a solid pitch he can use.

Originally, the matter was left unresolved, and both agreed to keep the pitch as one of their secret weapons.

Miyuki never expected that Sawamura would use it so recklessly at this time.

And on the home turf of the Inashiro Baseball Team, no less!

This was essentially aiding the enemy!

At that moment, Sawamura's expression was calm and composed.

"Do you really think this pitch can be used as a secret weapon?"

Sawamura asked seriously, and Miyuki was at a loss for how to respond.

To be honest, using a pitch of this level as a secret weapon seemed a bit lacking. Generally, the pitch that Sawamura would use as a secret weapon should be at least level 3, preferably a level 4 breaking ball like the one he had developed before.

"But?"

Miyuki was about to say something, but Sawamura shook his head and spoke.

"It won't stay hidden. If I only use it once, it's fine, but if I keep using it, it'll eventually get exposed. And how much deterrence can a pitch that's only used once really have? Especially for a pitcher like me?"

"So I had Inui-san catch it for me a few times."

Miyuki instantly understood.

If Sawamura only used that breaking ball once, many would just chalk it up to one of his Moving balls. After all, Sawamura often throws some strange pitches, so no one would be too surprised.

If the pitch only appeared once, everyone would likely consider it another one of Sawamura's eccentric pitch modifications.

That would be the most reasonable interpretation.

Even now, many still regard the pitch Sawamura just threw as one of his oddball variations.

Of course, those with sharp eyes could tell the difference between this new pitch and his Moving ball.

That's why it caused such a stir.

Especially since the timing of the pitch's appearance was so suspiciously perfect.

It was hard to believe that Sawamura wasn't doing it on purpose.

"Isn't this effect just what we wanted?" Sawamura said with a smile to Miyuki.

Seeing Sawamura's grin, Miyuki's face first showed disbelief, then realization.

"They say I have a bad personality, but now I see there are people with even worse personalities than mine."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Sawamura replied.

Miyuki couldn't help but roll his eyes.

However, he acknowledged that Sawamura's method was better. Compared to a Screw Change-up with only 60-70% of the original's power, Sawamura's current approach would likely be more confusing for the Inashiro team.

When they face Sawamura, they'll have to worry about this breaking ball.

It could also make them careless.

Let the opponent believe they have found a weakness, then strike when they least expect it.

With Sawamura's skill, no one would believe he hasn't developed a new breaking ball by now.

Now, it's time for the Inashiro to see what Sawamura has been working on.

Whether they believe it or not, it doesn't matter—it's not a bad thing for Sawamura.

Once Sawamura uses this breaking ball, the Inashiro team will have no choice but to work hard to break it down.

And Sawamura doesn't even need to use this pitch again.

For him, there's little risk. He's never relied on a single pitch to survive.

Now, moving on to the game.

In the top of the 4th inning, after three Outs, the offense and defense exchanged.

Sawamura proved his worth with his skill, truly living up to his reputation.

In the bottom of the 4th inning,

it's the All-Tokyo's turn to attack again.

First up to bat is Shirakawa.

Watching Sawamura perform triumphantly on the mound of Inashiro High's baseball field, no one knows what Shirakawa is feeling inside.

All anyone can see is that his gaze is becoming more and more focused. He's locked onto Fumei on the mound, waiting for the baseball to come flying, ready to hit it hard.

At this point, nothing else matters; the only thing that matters is hitting the ball.

'Bring it on!'

Throw that baseball to me, and I'll definitely hit it out of the park!

Shirakawa is full of confidence now. He believes he can hit the ball.

He won't let his team look bad again.

Here it comes!

Whoosh!

Fumei's pitch arrives in an instant.

Shirakawa swings the bat with all his might.

Paak!

The bat connects with the baseball, and Shirakawa immediately feels an immense amount of pressure.

This ball is much heavier than he had anticipated...

…