Chapter 27: What Can Seidou Do

Sawamura Eijun had scored the run that put the team ahead.

Previously, Superintendent Kunitomo assigned Sawamura to the fourth batter of the team, and while it seemed like a natural progression, there was also a lot of gossip.

Just because of one test, Sawamura was assigned to the team's fourth batter—it seemed a little hasty.

In the All-Tokyo team, there are other batters with terrifying strength, not just Sawamura.

Even though they might not voice their opinions, there's no doubt that some of them felt dissatisfied inside.

Moreover, when it comes to batting ability tests, the results are often very inflated. True top-level batters don't take these tests seriously.

The saying "let's take the mule for a walk" refers to a real match, not some batting test that is used as a standard. It seems a bit far-fetched.

This test, at best, can only serve as a reference.

Sawamura scored the highest on that test, and it was widely acknowledged that he had the strongest overall strength in the current team.

So, when Superintendent Kunitomo assigned him to the fourth batter, no matter what the others were thinking, they kept silent.

It seemed like no one else was more suitable than Sawamura Eijun. But to say everyone universally agreed that he was the strongest batter in the team—that wasn't entirely the case.

Many of the players were, waiting for the chance to prove themselves on the field.

They were determined to use their bats to reclaim the position they thought they deserved.

However, when they actually faced the elite professional pitcher, Fumei Tsuyoi, they were stunned.

At that moment, they realized they were far weaker than they had imagined.

In contrast, Sawamura, who they once thought wasn't that powerful, had made a remarkable impression on the real battlefield.

Twice at-bat, he had hit a home run once and then a timely single the next time.

What was especially impressive was how Sawamura maintained a calm expression throughout.

It was as if he had done something trivial.

If others had seen such a gap, they might have given up.

It was like no one would want to compare themselves to the son of a billionaire—people who usually do that develop an inferiority complex very fast.

But luckily, these players were different.

They were all elites and their mental fortitude was top-notch, too.

Once they realized the difference, most of them chose to view it as a challenge to overcome.

The difference didn't matter—what mattered was catching up.

They had faced similar situations countless times before. In the past, every time, they had succeeded.

With such experience, even when they saw a gap between themselves and Sawamura, their first thought was to find an opportunity to surpass him.

And based on their previous experience, they had the confidence and determination to do so.

For example, the batter behind Sawamura, Nagata Shouhei, the clean-up hitter of Seiko Academy, was now gleaming with an impressive intensity in his eyes.

Although he didn't get the chance to make it into the big stages, he is a well-known monster batter in West Tokyo.

You can simply see it when you look at him,

The young man was wide and buff like a bodybuilder, you could feel the sheer might his form have.

And when he swing, the explosive power and momentum of it didn't hide the sharpness and dedication he put into it.

It is clear how much the young man likes baseball and is eager to go higher with his bat, so everyone around him encourages him to accept the invitation to the event.

He didn't need encouragement he was excited to go see what his fellow monsters in Tokyo were like, and what the world behind the ocean looked like!

And when he saw his fellow monsters, he was glad that he accepted.

'There truly are amazing pitchers like that!'

'There truly are awesome batters like that!'

'There is still a long way for me to go…'

Shaking his head, Nagata pushed these unrealistic thoughts aside.

His focus returned to the pitcher's mound.

Those concerns were far too distant for him to think about right now.

What he had to focus on was simple:

'how to hit the ball that was coming his way.'

Sawamura had already made it to base, and now, if he could hit the next pitch, their offensive chances would continue.

'Bring it on!'

'Bring it on!!!'

Nagata appeared as big and as still as a mountain, but inwardly, he was a volcano waiting to erupt.

He couldn't wait for the baseball to come his way so he could hit it out of the park.

'Here it comes!'

Whoosh!

On the pitcher's mound, Fumei faced the pressure with calm composure, embodying the poise expected of a professional player.

He kept a steady pitching rhythm.

Even though he had just been hit by Sawamura's home run and had allowed a point, he seemed unaffected by it.

Miyuki and Sawamura!

Among the players selected for the All-Tokyo team, these two stood out in strength, catching Fumei's attention.

But the others weren't receiving the same treatment.

Fumei looked at the other players with calm confidence.

He believed he could easily dominate them.

This wasn't arrogance—it was the confidence of a top professional pitcher facing high school players.

After all, players like Sawamura and Miyuki were rare talents. Not everyone could perform like that.

If everyone were like them, Fumei would consider retiring. (Oh no!)

So, even in this situation, his pitching remained calm and confident.

The baseball flew through the air like an arrow, covering the distance in an instant.

Nagata at the Batter's Box felt the world become silent for a moment.

Fumei's pitching speed, course, and sharpness—all of it gave Nagata a thrilling sensation.

'Incredible!'

This pitch was something Nagata couldn't ignore.

It was well thrown, but unfortunately for Fumei, the pitch landed in one of Nagata's most practiced spots.

Fumei must have had help from Harada, who knew Nagata's weaknesses inside and out.

Without Harada's information, Fumei might never have targeted this area.

However, Harada didn't know that for the last six months, Nagata had been practicing against his own weaknesses, repeating his training over a hundred times a day.

Now, the spot Fumei targeted was no longer one of his weaknesses—it had become one of his strengths.

As soon as the ball came toward him, Nagata didn't hesitate for a second and swung his bat.

'Senpai, Seidou are not the only ones who are moving forward!'

'What Seidou can do,

We Can Do It Too!'

As he swung, Nagata silently shouted in his heart.

PAAAKKK!!!

The baseball made contact and flew in an arc, landing just in front of the outfield.

Sawamura dashed to third base, and Nagata reached first base smoothly.

The situation was now one Out, runners on first and third.

At this point, the All-Tokyo team's offense was far from over…

…

T/N: The Tokyo Boys are announcing their presence!