Chapter 140: Acknowledged Efforts

Maezono's ideals and ambitions were good.

But reality was incredibly harsh.

Despite the game looking hopeless, Hongou Masamune didn't give up.

Even with no hope left in the game, he stubbornly kept trying to perform well.

In the closing moments of the game, Hongou Masamune suddenly fired off 150 km/h fastballs one after another.

Facing such Hongou, although Maezono desperately wanted to hit the ball out of the park.

It wasn't that easy.

Just adjusting to the 150 km/h fastballs was tough enough.

Not to mention, Hongou's pitching wasn't just fast.

It was fast, accurate, and occasionally, he threw sharp breaking balls.

Although Maezono's hitting ability was good.

It was still incredibly hard to hit such pitches.

Thus, Maezono was retired, and Shiratsu popped up a high fly out, also being retired.

Three Outs, offense and defense exchange.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the stubborn Komadai Fujimaki High School Baseball Team, relying on their batting lineup, came back for another attack.

They wanted to put pressure on Sawamura with relentless swings.

If Sawamura was affected by this, they could take the chance to hit out of the park.

Their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th hitters were strong.

They had a chance to do it.

But reality hit them hard in the face.

Sawamura had completely unlocked his Level 4 breaking balls.

Vanishing balls, Rocket balls, Hook balls, and Ghost balls were raining one after another.

Under this rain of mythical level breaking balls, the players of Komadai Fujimaki High School Baseball Team couldn't hit his pitches, no matter how hard they tried.

Without wasting any balls, Sawamura knocked them out one by one.

Three Outs, offense and defense exchange.

Earlier, they attacked, now they were shut down with defense.

Sawamura used his overwhelming strength to tell every player from Komadai Fujimaki High School Baseball Team.

They had no chance!

In the stands.

Owada Akiko, a reporter from Baseball Kingdom Magazine, was mesmerized by the game.

It was simply amazing!

Even without the need for a sharp eye, the players of Komadai Fujimaki High School Baseball Team were trained very well.

This was a very strong team, and they had crushed many teams before for a reason.

They indeed had that kind of strength.

But even with a team like this, when facing Sawamura,

They were still no match!

They were like small fry that quickly lost the fight.

"It's amazing! Even those top-tier players across the country, when facing Sawamura, aren't a match!" Akiko clapped and said.

As a reporter, she wasn't supposed to have such a strong opinion.

But what could she do? From the very start, she was shocked by Sawamura's exquisite pitching.

She was a reporter, but she was also Sawamura's fan.

No match at all!

Hearing his partner's words, Fujio, who had been frowning earlier, now relaxed.

Earlier, one question had been troubling him.

Why didn't Sawamura aim for a home run when he faced Hongou earlier?

Was it that he couldn't do it, or did he not want to?

Watching Sawamura's dominance against the players of Komadai Fujimaki High School Baseball Team made it clear.

Perhaps to others, these players seemed like monstrous talents.

But to Sawamura, their strength wasn't anything extraordinary.

Even Hongou Masamune, this super monster.

When facing Sawamura, he was completely outclassed.

At this point, it seemed clear: Sawamura had deliberately avoided hitting a home run earlier. He only settled for a simple hit.

Why did he do this?

The truth was now finally revealed.

Sawamura did it on purpose!

In the earlier confrontation with Hongou, Sawamura intentionally avoided hitting a home run and simply got a hit.

There was a reason behind this choice.

When he saw this, Fujio couldn't understand it.

Sawamura, despite being just a teenager, had very mature thoughts.

Why would he make such an unbelievable move?

This was something Fujio had been confused about.

But now, as he watched Sawamura destructively dispose of Komadai Fujimaki's players.

Fujio had a sudden realization.

Now he understood why Sawamura didn't go for the home run earlier.

If Sawamura had hit a home run earlier.

The score would have been 2:0.

Looking at Hongou's current condition, this score would likely remain until the end of the game, with no further changes.

In that case, the two points Seidou High School had would all come from Sawamura's home run.

Would Komadai Fujimaki lose to Seidou, or to Sawamura alone?

If a single player could defeat a team like Komadai Fujimaki High School Baseball Team, it would be worth bragging about in any team.

But Sawamura didn't want that.

Seidou High School was about to make history.

He didn't want any stains on this legend.

People should remember Seidou High School Baseball Team's legendary rise.

What happened with other teams could wait for later.

He didn't hit a home run himself. Instead, he passed the chance to Miyuki.

That was his reasoning.

He didn't want Seidou High School's victory to be seen as his own personal victory.

He wanted the entire team to shine, and to pass that perfect mark onto everyone in the stands.

He wanted people to remember not just Sawamura, but the whole Seidou team, when they talk about Seidou's legendary victory.

For Seidou's benefit, Sawamura didn't hesitate to sacrifice this much glory.

This person sacrificed his own glory for the benefit of the entire team.

Although Sawamura's actions were hard to understand for many, those who truly understood what he had done still felt genuine admiration and respect for him.

This young man, for the entire Seidou High School baseball team, was willing to give up a lot.

In the Seidou High School baseball team's dugout:

Coach Kataoka looked at Sawamura, who had just returned to home plate, his eyes full of pride but also warmth.

The impression he had left on the Seidou High School players was always that of a tough, iron-fisted Coach.

You could say he was strong, resolute, or even unfeeling.

In people's minds, someone like Coach Kataoka was supposed to be someone who had no mercy.

But now, the pillar of the Seidou High School baseball team had such a relaxed expression.

He was moved by Sawamura's actions and was proud to have such a student.

Miyuki hit a home run.

He helped the team score two points in one go, completely crushing the Komadai's chances of a comeback.

However, when he and Sawamura returned to the resting area, Coach Kataoka gave Sawamura a nod.

"Good job!"

Although Sawamura's actions were easily criticized, they had still yielded results and were recognized by many.

Sawamura's face was filled with joy.

It seemed like he had no regrets about his choice.

Having been acknowledged for his efforts was the greatest reward for Sawamura.

"It's nothing!"

…