Chapter 104: We don’t Lack That

Despite the match just starting, Seidou's players were already feeling the toll of their recent intense training. They had undergone six days of grueling practice under their Coach's supervision, leaving them exhausted.

Their stamina reserves were depleted.

One night of recovery wasn't nearly enough to make up for it.

Since they were in such a miserable state, they had to make the Kyujou team pay a price.

Ping!

"FOUL!"

Ping!

"FOUL!!"

In the spirit of carrying on Kominato Ryosuke's will(He is not dead, dude), Kijima decided to engage with the opponent, trying to tire out Kyujou's Ace pitcher.

Of course, this was only one side of the plan; the other side was gathering information.

Coach Kataoka and the coaching staff had kept every piece of information about the practice match secret.

Even though Kyujou High was a powerhouse, Seidou High had never faced them before.

This meant Seidou's players were unfamiliar with Kyujou's strengths and unique traits.

In such a situation, gathering intelligence on the opponent was crucial.

The teammates in the dugout watched closely, their eyes glued to the duel unfolding in front of them.

Kijima's batting skills were truly exceptional.

Ping!

"FOUL!!"

Before long, they had fought through seven pitches.

While the number of pitches wasn't huge, it was still significant.

Little by little, the teammates began to notice something.

Kyujou's Ace pitcher didn't have an extremely high pitch speed. His variety of breaking balls was limited...

But was there something else in his pitching that stood out?

In such a short time, it was hard to tell.

The ball speed is over 135 km\h, with a focus on fastballs and control, occasionally throwing a breaking ball.

It doesn't seem to have any special characteristics, and his overall strength isn't overwhelming.

In fact, pitchers like him are the vast majority across the country.

On the other hand, pitchers like Sawamura Eijun and Narumiya Mei are extremely rare.

The continuous battles have made Kyujou High's pitcher and catcher feel an immense threat.

It was fine when they dealt with Kuramochi. They easily completed the task with a single pitch.

But now, facing off against Kijima, even though they've already secured two Strikes, they still can't see a way to finish him off.

Seven pitches in total!

If every player from Seidou High's baseball team plays like this, will the Kyujou team even survive?

Just wearing down their pitchers like this could eventually break them down.

The catcher gave the pitcher on the mound a signal.

Kyujou High's Ace pitcher immediately understood and decisively threw the ball.

Whoosh!

Watching the baseball zoom towards him, Kijima didn't hesitate for a moment and swung his bat with determination.

Even though the ball was close to the edge of the strike zone, it was clear that it was still a Strike.

Now, with two Strikes already on him, Kijima couldn't afford to miss any pitch within the strike zone.

He had to Foul off every ball.

Even if he couldn't get a hit, he had to complete his mission.

As the bat was about to meet the baseball...

The ball veered away from the strike zone.

The bat passed by the ball, not making contact.

Snap!

"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!!"

For the Seidou High baseball team, this scene had a strong impact.

One by one, their gazes turned serious.

It was the first time they truly realized how strong their opponent was!

How could the Ace pitcher from a powerhouse team really be so ordinary?

With such delicate control, he was able to throw such a beautiful breaking ball.

Just based on this level, he was already at the level of Kawakami.

Defeating an opponent like this would definitely not be easy.

"Quite cocky!"

Sawamura cracked his neck and walked to the Batter's Box.

He was the third batter in the lineup.

Right now, his eyes were locked on Kyujou High, as if he could see through them!

'Come on!'

'Bring it on!!'

Naturally, a surge of fighting spirit rose from within Sawamura.

This fighting spirit provoked Kyujou's pitcher, trying to force him into a direct confrontation.

On the pitcher's mound at Kyujou High.

The sweat on their Ace pitcher's forehead began to drip down for no apparent reason.

"So scary! He really got the presence!"

This was the most real, most visceral feeling from Kyujou High's ace pitcher.

Watching Sawamura's stunning performances on TV had already left him shaken.

It was hard to imagine that the guy in front of him was from the same generation of players.

In fact, he was even from a lower grade.

Facing Sawamura in a direct confrontation required a lot of courage.

Already, just being in the Batter's Box, Sawamura brought enormous pressure to the opposing pitcher.

He was too well-rounded, with almost no obvious weaknesses.

No matter where the ball was thrown, it seemed like Sawamura would inevitably hit it.

'It's going to be hit!' 

He had a strong premonition that if he threw the ball, it would surely be hit.

'What should I do?'

The pitcher was hesitating.

'It is okay, throw it here.'

The catcher made the sight for the pitcher, assuring him.

Whoosh!

The baseball flew like an arrow piercing through the clouds, shooting past Sawamura's eyes.

Facing this pitch, Sawamura in the Batter's Box seemed as still as a statue, not moving an inch.

It wasn't that he didn't want to move; it was that there was no need to.

This pitch was clearly out of the strike zone.

With Sawamura's terrifying dynamic vision, even without being in Zone, there was no way he would miss a pitch moving at that speed.

Even if he tried to hit it, it would be difficult to get the ball into the field.

In this situation, Sawamura could only ignore the pitch.

"BALL!"

As expected, the baseball clearly missed the strike zone.

Sawamura's calm demeanor greatly irritated the catcher behind the plate.

'He didn't move a muscle!'

The catcher from Kyujou High School widened his eyes in disbelief. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would have found it hard to believe.

No matter how famous Sawamura's reputation was, it was hard to imagine that someone young could be so composed.

A guy who could completely ignore the threat of the baseball.

The ball just now almost came right at Sawamura's body. In a situation like this, a person wouldn't need to think—it would be an instinctive reaction to dodge.

But Sawamura didn't even flinch!

How were they supposed to beat this man?

At this moment, the Kyujou High School catcher had no choice but to accept a brutally harsh reality.

This guy in front of them, the one called "The Demon King," had strength far beyond their own.

If they tried to go toe-to-toe with him, they would be the ones who ended up at a disadvantage.

"BALL!"

"BALL!!"

"BALL!!"

Four Balls and Sawamura walked to first base.

There were two Outs, and no one was on base.

This situation was a golden opportunity for the pitcher and catcher.

It was the perfect time to face off with the opposing team's strongest batter.

But Kyujou High School chose to let it go.

This left the Seidou High School team in disbelief.

"Didn't they claim to be a top-tier powerhouse?"

"How could they surrender so easily?"

"Is the Kyujou battery really that cowardly?"

In Seidou High School's dugout, Coach Kataoka and Coach Ochiai exchanged looks and saw a dangerous glimmer in each other's eyes.

This situation was a little unusual...

As Sawamura's fame grew, especially after his outstanding performance in the game against the American Dream Team, fewer teams would dare to confront him head-on.

Walks like this might become a regular occurrence.

Without Sawamura on base as a stable scoring threat, Seidou High School would lose a major asset.

Even though they had the opportunity to get on base for free, it was nothing compared to the impact Sawamura could have on offense.

"We need to solve the problem of the fifth batter," Coach Ochiai said, stroking his little beard and smiling.

"I won't be surprised if opponents start to target Miyuki-kun as well," Takashima said.

Sawamura, the Demon King, was indeed a well-known figure, and Miyuki, his partner, was also not insignificant. There were even rumors that Miyuki would become the top draft pick.

A player of such importance, would other teams ignore him?

"With two scoring threats, it won't be so easy to defend!"

Coach Kataoka said, "But just in case, it's necessary to find another scoring threat."

Shiratsu isn't strong enough, Maezono isn't steady enough…

The fifth spot in Seidou's lineup has always been their biggest issue.

Maezono and Shiratsu, individually, were both very capable hitters.

However, paired with Sawamura and Miyuki, filling in the spots behind them seemed a little out of sync.

Ping!

While the coaches of Seidou were discussing strategies, the game situation changed.

Miyuki, who was batting fourth, sent the ball flying high into the air.

The baseball fell toward a gap in the defense.

'Chance!'

If the ball landed, it would be a great scoring opportunity for Seidou.

Sawamura, stationed at first base, immediately took action.

With two Outs, there were no worries. If Miyuki was Out, their attack would be over.

But if Miyuki could hit it...

The result would be very different.

Sawamura, sprinting all the way, could easily bypass second base and go straight to third.

Since he had started early, there was even a chance he could make it home directly if the situation was favorable.

A chance to take the lead!

Two Outs was a desperate situation, but sometimes, desperation brings out the greatest potential.

When people are cornered, their hidden strength is often unlocked to its fullest.

If the baseball dropped and got past the defense, Sawamura had a big chance of running home.

But sadly, the ball never hit the ground.

A figure, resembling a bulldozer, rushed to the spot where the ball was landing and made an awkward dive.

The mitt firmly caught the baseball.

A brilliant defensive play!!!

"OUT!"

Three Outs, offense and defense exchange.

For Seidou High School, this outcome was hard to accept.

But it was the reality, and there was nothing they could do about it.

Among powerhouse schools, the two key elements they didn't lack were strong hitters and ironclad defense.

It wasn't just Seidou that had this ability.

Other teams also excelled in this area.

…