<72> Watching Like a Hawk

Chapter 72: Watching Like a Hawk

The players of Kokai U Sagara High School's baseball team felt a glimmer of hope.

However, they were unaware that Seido High School's baseball team had already undergone a significant transformation.

In the dugout of Kokai U Sagara, a fervent pep talk was taking place.

According to their coach, Seido High School's team did not seem to intend to change their pitcher. "As long as they don't switch pitchers, we have hope. If we can tie or surpass the score in one go, we have a chance to win the game."

Although by this point, the ace of Kokai U Sagara was already quite exhausted, both the coach and the players of Kokai U Sagara High School had faith in their ace.

This is what a true ace brings to the table.

Not only can they hold the line on the field, but they also profoundly influence the team in ways unseen by fans and reporters.

In comparison, Seido High's ace seemed to fall short. For this reason, the Kokai U Sagara coach believed they still had a slim chance, hinging on their ace, Oda. "Oda-kun, we're counting on you!"

Even though Oda had given up another run in the 7th inning, his overall form and rhythm were still intact. With only two innings remaining, as long as their ace could hold on, they might be able to turn the tide.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, it was Kokai U Sagara High's turn to bat, with their top hitters coming to the plate.

In the stands, Kokai U Sagara High's supporters were fervently cheering for their team. Clearly, even the fans sensed that time was running out for Kokai U Sagara.

"Seido High School still hasn't changed their pitcher?"

In such a crucial game, Coach Kataoka planned to have Tanba pitch the entire game?

This baffled the fans and some of the reporters.

They couldn't understand what Coach Kataoka was insisting on or if Seido High had different plans altogether.

Fans craned their necks, eager to know the answer. But the players from Seido High School were not going to provide any explanations.

The answers they sought could only be found in the performance of Seido's players on the field.

As Tanba stood on the mound, memories of his journey in Seido played through his mind like a movie.

Although his time in Seido hadn't been as smooth as he initially imagined, filled with challenges and frustrations, Tanba never regretted it.

In fact, he was grateful to have joined this team, though he felt he had been holding them back.

He had struggled with his own doubts, but simply worrying wasn't enough to solve issues of ability and character.

The arrival of Furuya, a formidable newcomer, was the first time Tanba truly felt pressure—the pressure of possibly losing his ace status.

But now, those concerns were set aside. In this moment, his one thought was to hold on to his position as the ace with all his might.

"No one is going to take it away," he resolved.

Perhaps due to the pressure, Tanba's mind was cleared of distracting thoughts. This allowed him to focus entirely on his pitching.

"Whoosh!"

The batter from Kokai U Sagara High School felt a chill as he faced the powerful pitch. Just when they thought that the ace of Seido High School might not recover from his slump, Tanba came back stronger! Not just a simple recovery—Tanba's pitching now had almost the same intensity as it did at the start of the game.

"Ping!"

The Kokai U Sagara batter swung with all his might, but the ball didn't travel far before being intercepted by a Seido player.

"Out!"

"Out!!"

"Three outs, time to switch sides!"

In just a few minutes, the top three batters of Kokai U Sagara High School were effectively shut down.

Not only were their supporters in the stands stunned, but even the usually confident Kokai U Sagara coach was at a loss.

"Has that weak link Tanba really pulled it together?"

Tanba was well known as a vulnerability for Seido High School's team.

Many top teams across the nation had beaten Seido by focusing on exploiting Tanba.

Why was it so easy for others, yet didn't work for them?

The Kokai U Sagara coach felt as though fate was being unkind, and yet, he seemed powerless to change it.

While the Kokai U Sagara coach was lamenting the unfairness of fate, the game progressed to the top of the 8th inning where Seido High School was up to bat. First to step up was Seido's cleanup hitter, Tetsuya Yuuki.

Seido High had boldly declared their intention to score, but the seventh inning saw them gain nothing.

Although they managed a hit, it didn't translate into a run. Now, with their cleanup hitter up, this was almost their last real chance to score.

If they couldn't score this inning, they might have to cling to their single run until the game ended.

Seido's players weren't ready to accept such a fate.

Known nationwide for their batting prowess, Seido High School's hitting capability was among the best in the country.

For a team like them to finish a game with just a single run was a slap in the face. It would be an affront to their reputation.

Clearly, the players of Seido High School were unwilling to accept such an outcome.

Yuuki stood at the plate like an unsheathed blade, locked onto his target, ready to strike a decisive blow at any moment.

Behind him were Masuko, Miyuki, and then Furuya… Even though it wasn't yet their turn to bat, they stood with a readiness and determination that said they wouldn't be denied.

This final round was theirs to take.

Kokai U Sagara's ace Oda, and their catcher, could both keenly sense the intimidating aura emanating from the Seido High School team.

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