<79> A Natural Ace!

Chapter 79: A Natural Ace!

"I can give it a try!"

In the hotel lobby, Furuya's fighting spirit was so intense it felt as though it might set the entire hotel on fire.

"It's too hot! Too hot!!!" Sawamura instinctively raised his hands, as if to shield himself from the overwhelming energy radiating from Furuya.

Even he could sense that Furuya's humble words weren't genuine at all. Deep down, this kid was thinking, Who else but me?

"You're clearly raring to go. Why bother with the modesty?" Kuramochi muttered softly. Although he said that, he wasn't at all annoyed by Furuya's current attitude.

The third-year seniors, bound by camaraderie, had always been quite understanding of their ace, Tanba.

While they privately lamented Tanba's shortcomings, they never let it show.

But for the second-year regulars, especially Kuramochi and Miyuki, their dissatisfaction with the current ace was written all over their faces.

Their frustration wasn't because Tanba lacked talent—every pitcher had different levels of skill. If Seidou High was simply unlucky in finding a strong ace, there wouldn't be much to complain about.

The real issue was that Tanba was talented, perhaps even one of the best in Tokyo, but on the field, he couldn't fully harness that potential. As a result, Seidou High's baseball team often faced doubts because of their ace.

To put it plainly, Tanba lacked the aura of a true ace—the fearless, dominating presence that says, I'm the one to lead this team.

In contrast, this first-year monster, who had only recently joined the first string, was brimming with that aura, and it shone so brightly that even Seidou's players couldn't help but be drawn to him.

Even the third-year seniors, though slightly taken aback by Furuya's brashness, couldn't deny their admiration.

Seidou had been overshadowed for too long, and every player had a singular goal in their heart: to make it to Koshien. In pursuit of that goal, they were willing to overcome any obstacle.

Even if Tanba was their peer, the camaraderie between them paled in comparison to their ambition.

"Now this is the attitude a real ace should have!" Ota was practically rubbing his hands in excitement, his eyes sparkling with admiration. Beside him, Rei Takashima, the assistant manager, was smiling warmly at Furuya.

Coach Kataoka, however, remained composed. After nodding to Furuya, he turned to Tanba.

"What about you?"

While Furuya was already chomping at the bit to face Inashiro Industrial, Tanba gritted his teeth so hard they nearly cracked. Almost spitting out his words, he told Kataoka, "Coach, I can do it!"

Though his words sounded almost identical to Furuya's, Coach Kataoka instinctively furrowed his brow.

Both had said nearly the same thing—Tanba's declaration was even more resolute. Yet, it didn't matter.

What Furuya said was less important than how he said it. His burning desire to take on Inashiro was palpable, and every player on Seidou's team was moved by it.

Inashiro Industrial was the reigning powerhouse in West Tokyo. Even though Seidou was one of the top three elite schools in the region, they had often come up short in their matchups against Inashiro.

The next game, if Inashiro advanced, would undoubtedly be a fierce battle. The pitcher in that game would likely face harsh criticism if things went poorly. But despite the daunting challenge, Furuya didn't seem fazed at all.

From Furuya's perspective, he likely didn't see the upcoming game as pressure, but rather as an opportunity to make a name for himself. His unwavering confidence had a profound effect on the rest of the Seidou High baseball team, instilling in them a sense of assurance that a true ace should embody.

An ace's role isn't just about technical prowess; it's about providing psychological reinforcement to the team.

Like Sawamura's previous team, despite their amateurish skills and Sawamura's own inexperience, his teammates had near-blind faith in him.

They believed that as long as Sawamura was on the mound, they had a fighting chance to win. Even when they didn't win, they still had fun and enjoyed the game.

This kind of trust and leadership quality is what a true ace should bring to the table, and in this regard, Furuya clearly outshone Tanba.

However, Coach Kataoka couldn't openly acknowledge this.

Tanba was already sensitive, and with Furuya now emerging as a competitor, any harsh words could potentially affect his mental state.

Ordinarily, Kataoka wouldn't hesitate to be tough on his players, but with the finals looming, they still needed Tanba's strength. No matter how confident Furuya was, he couldn't carry the team alone.

"Very good. With the two of you on the mound..." Coach Kataoka affirmed both players before continuing, "Tomorrow's game is crucial. I plan to use a rotation of pitchers. Furuya, Tanba, Kawakami, all of you must be ready to pitch at any time."

While these words seemed neutral enough, some sharp-eyed players couldn't help but notice that Kataoka had started mentioning Furuya's name before Tanba's.

Being long-time rivals with Inashiro Industrial, Seidou High was well-prepared, and their focus was unwavering. With their hearts set on turning the tide in the finals, they meticulously planned their approach.

The days flew by, and before they knew it, the day of the final had arrived.

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