Chapter 21: Throwing Dreams

Watching helplessly as Kominato Haruichi hit Fujita's pitch out of the park.

Behind him, Sawamura was deeply moved.

As expected of Haruichi, his batting skills are indeed unbeatable.

Although he hadn't fully figured out Fujita's pitching secrets, meaning the pitch he saw likely had a speed mismatch of nearly 5 km/h from Fujita's actual speed...

In such a situation, it would be easy for a batter to hit a high fly ball or an infield rebound.

But Kominato, faced with such a pitch, was able to use his flexible bat technique, making subtle adjustments during his swing to force the ball into the gap in the opponent's defense.

'Absolutely awesome!'

Even with Sawamura's skills, when he enters that mysterious state, he still can't reach such a level.

Let alone him, even nationwide, there are very few batters who could do this.

No matter the field, someone always stands out!

It's the same in baseball. No matter what method you use, as long as you hit the ball without violating any rules...

You're still a good player.

Kominato Haruichi is a great player!

"SAFE!"

Thanks to that hit, Kominato successfully reached first base.

The players from Nanakyo High School were clearly caught off guard by this sudden attack.

According to their original plan, their ideal scenario was to retire Kominato here.

That way, in the second inning, they could retire all three batters from the Seidou High School baseball team in order.

For Nanakyo, who had low morale, this would have been a huge boost to their spirits.

Even if they had no hope of winning, this would have given them a way to explain themselves to their hometown fans.

It wasn't that they were bad, it was just that their opponents were too terrifying!

And even facing such a terrifying team, they had once given it their all and performed decently.

But sadly, this was destined to remain a one-sided, hopeful illusion.

Kominato Haruichi did not give them that opportunity.

And Seidou High School's baseball team was even less likely to give them such a chance.

With two Outs and a runner on first base, up to bat now was Seidou's third batter, Sawamura.

Sawamura didn't take a very serious stance as he stepped into the Batter's Box.

From his perspective, the possibility of being intentionally Walked, along with Miyuki, wasn't low.

Though it would look dangerous, with two consecutive Walks, it would be bases loaded with two outs.

But honestly speaking, if Nanakyo didn't want to give up runs, this would actually be a rather safe approach.

Otherwise, facing Sawamura and Miyuki directly, they would be at a severe disadvantage.

From his own perspective, Sawamura had drawn this conclusion.

If the opponent really had the determination and courage, he would actually look at them with a bit more respect.

But unfortunately, the Nanakyo players didn't seem to think that way.

In their view, up until now, no one had truly seized the opportunity.

The two people who had hit Fujita's pitches were Shiratsu and Kominato.

One had patiently waited for Fujita's mistake.

The other had relied on exquisite batting skills, forcing the ball into play.

Neither of them had exposed Fujita's flaws or weaknesses.

This meant that they might actually have the potential to compete with the great demon king.

Although the great Demon King's success rate with hits and home runs was frighteningly high, he often faced difficulties against lesser-known players.

What was truly terrifying about him was that he became stronger when facing powerful opponents.

The stronger the opponent, the more fired up Sawamura became.

At the crucial moments, he never faltered.

Although Fujita had a high opinion of himself, he didn't think Sawamura had any reason to see him as a strong opponent.

Perhaps, in the Great Demon King's eyes, someone like him should be considered a small fry?

From this angle, facing off against Sawamura directly might still give them a good chance of victory.

Moreover, until now, Seidou hadn't yet figured out their secret.

They still had a chance to compete!

Of course, there was one more reason for their bold decision.

That was because they were already 5 runs behind, and there was no hope of winning.

If, by some miracle, they could actually defeat Sawamura in a direct confrontation...

It would be a huge W for both Fujita and Nanakyo's baseball team.

They might even call it a day and return home satisfied.

If they could do that, it would be perfect!

After taking several deep breaths, Fujita made up his mind. His eyes were cold as he stared at Sawamura, prepared to go all out.

Sawamura quickly noticed the other's intentions; Fujita's eyes said it all.

"Some courage!"

Fujita had made this choice, and Sawamura could only acknowledge it with admiration. He didn't know what else to say.

He could only go all out and give his best effort to not disappoint his opponent.

With his bat raised high and slightly swaying, Sawamura switched to a more focused stance.

He had been somewhat casual before, but now he was fully prepared for the showdown.

'Here we go!'

Though it wasn't ideal for a direct confrontation, Fujita, the pitcher from Nanakyo, still appreciated the respect shown by the Great Demon King.

Although he was somewhat small in stature, Fujita had an intense desire within him.

Since he started playing baseball, he has imagined this scenario countless times.

Now, this dream was becoming a reality!

His body, every cell, was rejoicing.

The more he thought about it, the more Fujita felt that he couldn't back down now.

He had to make this confrontation one without any regrets.

He would fully showcase his pitching in front of the legendary Sawamura.

"Here it comes!"

Having made up his mind, Fujita didn't care about anything else around him. He took a stance and threw the ball with all his might.

His throwing style was somewhat similar to Sanada from Yakushi High.

As he pitched, his entire body seemed to be running forward, diving into the motion.

In this process, he found the perfect point of force, pressing all his weight into the two fingers of the throw.

Roaar!

The baseball shot out from his hand.

In Sawamura's world, every motion of Fujita's was crystal clear.

Impressive!

Really impressive!

Although Fujita was a year younger than him, Sawamura had to admit that the kid's pitch was incredibly cool.

The moment the baseball left Fujita's hand, it carried all the power of his body.

'No wonder, based on the information, this kid's pitch count was so low.'

With such physical exertion, one pitch was equivalent to two or three pitches from other pitchers!

The power could not be underestimated.

Of course, everything has its price.

Fujita's terrifying pitches came with a very steep cost.

Firstly, his physical consumption was two to three times that of an average pitcher.

Secondly, such pitching was a heavy burden on his frail body.

If Sawamura were in Fujita's shoes, he honestly wouldn't have the courage to throw like that.

If he kept pushing his body this way, Fujita's future would likely not be too bright.

'He probably wouldn't even make it to graduation before breaking down.'

Taking a long breath, Sawamura focused all his attention on his opponent.

Fujita's choice was his own to make.

It was Fujita's life, after all.

What Sawamura could do was show him through his actions.

The strength gained through self-harm might seem powerful, but in reality, it wasn't as perfect as Fujita imagined.

'Here it comes!''

As the baseball approached him, Sawamura took a step forward and spun like a rotating windmill.

PAAAKKK!

The bat swung through the air, hitting the center of the approaching baseball.

He then sent the baseball flying out of the park.

"It's Gone!"

"A Home Run!"

Perhaps because the hit was so clean and precise, many fans didn't react right away.

The baseball flew over 120 meters and landed heavily in the outfield stands.

Finally, the commentator in the stands shouted excitedly.

"A Powerful Hit From The Great Demon King, Sawamura! Seidou High School Scores Two More Runs, Extending Their Lead To 7 Runs."

7:0!

By this point, Seidou High School's second inning had yet to end, but their lead was already enough to decide the outcome of the game.

Even if Nanakyo's players transformed into stars, they couldn't possibly make up for the lost ground in the remaining innings.

In the dugout, Coach Kataoka gently nodded and glanced at the anxious pitchers on the bench.

They all wanted to take the mound and were eager to do so.

Choosing who to send out in such a moment was quite a challenge.

"Furuya, you're up next. Kawakami, get ready. If there are any changes, you'll step in to finish the job. Nishiyama will have his turn in the next game."

The teammates were all enthusiastic, and Coach Kataoka didn't want to dampen their spirits. So he gave everyone a chance.

How far they could go with this opportunity depended on them.

The three pitchers nodded.

At that moment, the stands erupted with cheers for Sawamura.

Witnessing the Demon King hit a home run.

Although the opponents weren't very strong, and it felt somewhat underwhelming...

The spectators still felt like they got their money's worth by being there.

After all, not everyone gets to see Sawamura hit a home run in person.

Compared to others, they were already very lucky.

"He truly lives up to the name!"

"Of course! If he didn't, why would there only be one Maou when there are so many top players nationwide?"

As people praised Sawamura...

There was another change on the field.

PPAAAAAKKKKKKK!!!!!!!

Miyuki stepped up to the plate, and with a seemingly ordinary swing, he sent the baseball soaring into the stands.

"A home run!"

"Another home run!!"

Two consecutive home runs had expanded Seidou's lead to 8 runs.

"This, this is just…"

The commentator was stunned for a long time, unable to find the right words to describe his complex emotions.

Finally, he could only mutter an explanation.

"This, this is incredible!"

Less than a minute after the Demon King, Sawamura, hit a home run, people thought the Seidou High School baseball team's offense might be coming to an end.

Unexpectedly...

Just when everyone thought it was impossible, Miyuki, with his precise prediction, hit a home run.

This extended their lead to 8-0!

If Seidou High's baseball team could hold on to this score and still lose, their player could retire from playing baseball altogether!

Victory was within reach, and the game seemed to be decided!

When Miyuki returned to the dugout, he grated his teammates and high-fived Watanabe in celebration.

The more miraculous something looks, the more likely its core principle is simple.

It was like someone performing a magic trick with a cup of water and a piece of paper.

When they flipped the cup upside down, the thin paper kept the water from spilling.

The first time you see it, you're shocked and think it's the magician's power!

Either the magician really has magic, or they know some technique.

But after you try it yourself, you realize anyone can do it.

What looked like a miraculous act was simply a natural law of nature.

Fujita's pitching technique had a similar effect.

His holding time was about 0.1 to 0.2 seconds longer than the average pitcher.

The distance his arm pulled back was also greater than usual.

If you didn't observe carefully, you wouldn't notice these small details.

When combined, by the time people saw the ball, it had already been thrown.

So when standing in the Batter's Box or in the stands, it felt like the ball was going faster than its actual speed by a few kilometers per hour.

"I wonder if this is something he trained himself or if it's innate?" Miyuki commented.

He had to admit that Fujita's little trick, though simple, was very useful.

Otherwise, the Seidou High School players wouldn't have been taken out one by one.

"It doesn't matter! If you practice that kind of thing for a while, you'll master it. It's just that Fujita's style gives his pitches room to shine. For most people, the result would probably be much worse."

Fujita's real strength lay in his body's coordination.

He could perfectly concentrate all his strength into one point for an explosive release.

Saying this was easy, but doing it? Very few people could manage it.

Even Sanada from Yakushi High School's baseball team, who had a similar style, could only achieve about 60% to 70% of the effect, while Fujita could reach 100%.

"With your physical abilities, if you also learned this move, your pitching speed could probably take another leap, right?" Miyuki suddenly said to Sawamura.

Hearing this, Sawamura smiled.

It was a light-hearted remark.

The principle behind it was something every pitcher in the world probably knew. Every pitcher had probably worked on similar techniques.

But very few could train up to Fujita's level.

Ultimately, it depended on talent.

However, Sawamura had already mentally recorded all of Fujita's movements.

It might not be impossible for him to try it himself later.

If successful, he could break through his current speed limits.

Even if it failed, there would be no significant loss.

"Let's try it when we get a chance!" Sawamura said.

Miyuki was pleased with Sawamura's attitude.

Sawamura had never been complacent just because he was the number one in high school.

Even now, he still worked silently behind the scenes.

Miyuki knew very well that although Sawamura was still a high school player, his sights had already extended beyond high school NPB to the Major Leagues.

"You…"

"Huh? What is it?"

Sawamura looked at Miyuki with confusion, unsure why his partner had stopped mid-sentence.

"It's nothing, just get ready to pitch!"

The Seidou High School team didn't continue Miyuki's miracle. The next batter, Maezono, hit the ball but didn't manage to get a hit.

Although the ball went far, it landed right above Nanakyo High's outfielder, who caught it with ease.

Snap!

"OUT!!!"

Three Outs, change of sides.

Miyuki to Sawamura to get ready for the next inning.

However, Coach Kataoka seemed not to be satisfied with their wishes. As soon as the third inning started, he replaced both Sawamura and Miyuki.

The two who had just hit home runs were both substituted out.

At least half of the fans in the stands stood up and applauded.

They were sending their applause to the two players who had just played spectacularly.

The Nanakyo High players, seeing Seidou High's substitutions, immediately brightened up.

They had been thoroughly suppressed before. Facing the combination of Sawamura and Miyuki, they couldn't even fight back.

They could only silently endure the storm.

Now that those two annoying guys were finally taken off the field...

Though the substitutes from Seidou High weren't to be underestimated, they were surely easier to deal with than those two, right?

At 8-0, the game was essentially decided.

The Nanakyo players didn't expect to recover those 8 runs, but at least they hoped to get a hit or two and score a run or two, just to avoid a humiliating defeat.

The fans who had specially come to cheer them on, along with those watching on TV, all hoped they could at least show some fighting spirit.

The Nanakyo players rallied their spirits for the next phase of the game.

The batter in the lower half of the order fired up, and stared fiercely at the pitcher's mound, preparing for a final strike.

Although he knew the substitute pitcher wasn't weak and had a national reputation, surely he couldn't be stronger than the Demon King?

If he wasn't stronger than the Demon King, Nanakyo's situation could improve.

Determined to put up a fight, the batter in the lower half of the order was resolved to at least make contact with the ball.

Not necessarily hit it out, but at least touch it.

To show the teammates behind him that Seidou High's players weren't invincible.

As long as they worked together and never gave up, there would always be a chance!

ROAAAAARR!!!

The batter's thoughts froze for a moment!

From the pitcher's mound, a white creature, unknown to him, flew toward him.

This creature came with a sharp, eerie roar.

The batter immediately felt a chill down his spine.

It was coming for him—he was about to die!

In the face of this desperate situation, his survival instincts kicked in.

The seventh batter from Nanakyo High swung his bat in vain, hoping to hit the unknown creature.

If he didn't, he felt like he would be overwhelmed by the pitcher's momentum.

BOOM!

The baseball easily passed through the bat and landed in the Mitt of the fielder.

"STRIKE!"

"STRIKE!!"

"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!"

"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!!"

"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!!!!!"

Three Outs, change of sides.

Furuya didn't waste a single pitch. He struck out three batters in order, and the inning was over for them.

With this performance, he showed all the fans in the country his true power.

Seidou High's pitchers weren't just limited to Sawamura.

There was also Furuya, who was part of the most formidable pitching staff in the country.

The fastest pitch in high school is Furuya Satoru.

His fastest pitch reached 157 km/h, and even his slowest pitch was 153 km/h.

With straightforward pitching speed, he crushed everything in his path.

This was the so-called "Monster" Furuya.

This spring, in the Koshien tournament, he faced off against the Emperor from Hokkaido, Hongou, in a pitch-speed showdown and held his ground.

He was truly one of the top pitchers in the country.

…

T/N: By the way, in case you forgot, The Games At Koshien Can't Be Called Early.