Chapter 75: The Right Methods

When Furuya began throwing balls outside the strike zone, Miyuki realized that his premonition was not baseless.

It was very likely to become a reality.

Although they had overcome Hoshiryu High School's bunt strategy, their long-term plan was not included in what had already been overcome.

The short game was just one of their strategies. Hoshiryu High School's real strategy was to walk four balls.

On that foundation, they would aim to make Furuya throw as many pitches as possible.

This was Hoshiryu High School's original plan.

Although the two previous batters weren't too weak, they didn't have particularly outstanding swinging skills, unlike the person before them. Despite his tall, bulky frame that seemed somewhat clumsy, his batting skills had already reached an exceptionally high level.

It was impossible not to be cautious against him!

Miyuki couldn't believe there was someone like him on Hoshiryu High School's team.

Although it was only the second round of his confrontation with Furuya, he had already managed to follow the ball closely.

It was almost unbelievable.

Furuya's ball speed, even the slowest, exceeded 150 km/h, with the fastest breaking 160 km/h.

From the Batter's Box, these pitches felt like a wild beast hurtling towards you, leaving no time for reaction.

But Masamoto, facing these pitches, managed to make contact and hit the ball foul.

Such a skill was enough to astonish anyone.

Miyuki was no exception.

He watched in disbelief as the confrontation progressed.

From the moment he felt surprised, they had already faced off for a total of eight pitches.

The count had already reached a full count: two Strikes and three Balls.

After being tangled up, Furuya seemed completely out of sync.

He kept throwing pitches outside the strike zone.

Masamoto took advantage of this, Fouling three more balls.

From his position as the catcher, Miyuki couldn't do anything about it.

The exchange between the two was happening so fast that neither of them had the chance to speak or strategize.

In this situation, the battery duo from Seidou High School found themselves stuck in a difficult position.

They had already gotten this far, so all they could do was grit their teeth and hang on.

They hoped they could force their opponents to surrender through this method.

Though Miyuki knew in his heart that this was just a hopeful idea.

At this point, what else could he do besides think?

Roaaar!

Furuya's pitch was still sharp, leaving no time for anyone to catch their breath.

The small baseball shot toward Masamoto, who gripped his bat tightly, preparing to swing.

Just as he was about to strike, Masamoto suddenly sensed something.

He stopped mid-swing, watching as the ball rapidly dropped in front of him.

The ball bounced off the home plate and landed in Miyuki's Mitt.

"What?"

The spectators were dumbfounded.

They couldn't understand or believe what had just happened.

Miyuki and Furuya had executed a play to deceive Masamoto into swinging.

But to their surprise, Masamoto's response had been calm and composed.

He had no intention of swinging the bat, or if he had, he had discarded the idea midway.

"BALL!!!"

"Walk To Base!!"

Furuya had just thrown his first Four-Ball Walk of the game.

And before anyone thinks it was just a coincidence, Nanami Haruka, did exactly the same against Furuya and got the second Four-Ball Walk.

The stands erupted in surprise.

The Seidou High School baseball team, which had been dominating earlier, now seemed to be in a bit of trouble.

In left field, Sawamura focused on Hoshiryu High School, Sawamura couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

Even with his current perspective, the Hoshiryu High School baseball team was still full of talented players.

If they underestimated them, even Miyuki and Furuya might face trouble.

"They had to be careful!"

Sawamura narrowed his eyes slightly.

These opponents, who had once troubled him so much in middle school, were now giving Seidou High School's players significant trouble too.

There was nothing they could do except watch.

Next, stepping into the Batter's Box wasn't one of Sawamura's former rivals.

That player was his old partner, Hosho Okuchi.

He was also the first person to work with Sawamura to dominate the nation.

At that time, the media had praised them, calling them a "golden duo." In fact, after Hosho Okuchi left the Akagi Middle School baseball team, the team did go through a period of decline.

Although Sawamura's performance remained strong, even more fierce than before,

it was clearly unrealistic for him to lead the Akagi Middle School baseball team on his own.

After all, baseball isn't a sport that one person can play alone.

This indirectly proved the media's earlier claim.

Sawamura's ability to lead the Akagi Middle School baseball team to such remarkable achievements

was certainly due to his extraordinary personal ability, which was the main reason.

In addition, the help from Hosho Okuchi and Oda Honjo was likely another important factor.

Although Sawamura, the ace pitcher, seemed like a prodigy who appeared out of nowhere,

not everyone on the Akagi Middle School baseball team was entirely unknown.

There were still two relatively famous players in the team.

Hosho Okuchi and Oda Honjo.

Now, Hosho, who had partnered with Sawamura for a year and a half, was deeply influenced by him.

There's a saying: "You are like the people you are around."

Another saying goes, "One's character is elevated by good company."

Hosho, who already had exceptional talent, encountered the brilliant Sawamura.

What kind of sparks did these two create together? It's anyone's guess.

However, Miyuki always had a premonition.

Although this guy appeared unremarkable on the surface,

there was no telling when he would suddenly erupt and surprise everyone.

As Sawamura's partner, Miyuki knew all too well what kind of growth and improvement would occur from standing in that position.

Such growth and improvement were unimaginable for ordinary people.

Teaming up with Sawamura, it wasn't just Sawamura who improved; the catcher was the same.

Ever since Miyuki began working with Sawamura, it felt like he was rocketing to the top.

While Miyuki was deep in thought, the pitcher on the mound, Furuya, took the initiative to make a move.

He wound up and threw the ball with tremendous force.

At the moment the baseball left his hand, his middle and index fingers were tightly pressed against the ball.

It was as if he was channeling all his strength into the ball, watching it soar into the air.

Vrooooooo!

The baseball shot out, instantly reaching the peak of its speed.

When Hosho saw this pitch, he behaved strangely.

He seemed indifferent, watching the ball pass right in front of him.

On the other side, the members of the Seidou High School baseball team exchanged looks.

Even just standing by and watching Furuya's pitch, they could feel the overwhelming pressure it carried.

How could the batter in the Batter's Box look so calm?

The man standing in the Batter's Box wasn't as composed as everyone had imagined.

As Sawamura's former partner, Hosho Okuchi was the first person to dominate the nation with him.

At that time, besides catching Sawamura's pitches, Hosho also had another crucial responsibility.

If the Akagi Middle School baseball team only had Sawamura in the lineup,

even if he was incredibly talented, he would not have been able to lead the team to national dominance.

…