<92> Happiness Came Too Suddenly!

Chapter 92: Happiness Came Too Suddenly!

Tanba Koichiro's outstanding performance not only astonished the Inashiro Industrial High School baseball team but also caused a stir in Seido High School's dugout.

Director Ota was excitedly rubbing his hands together, sharing his joy with the backup players beside him.

"I told you, there's nothing wrong with Tanba!"

In the past, Director Ota might have favored Kawakami more. But now, it was clear he was a stronger supporter of Tanba. This preference wasn't without reason.

The primary reason for Ota's shift was Tanba himself. Ever since Furuya joined the team, it had been evident to everyone that the team's ace had undergone a change in attitude. Tanba no longer dwelled on his past struggles. Instead, he focused wholeheartedly on his pitching.

This is the benefit of internal competition. Tanba no longer had to bear the burden of carrying the entire team by himself. All he needed to worry about was how to suppress the rising star, Furuya.

From a certain perspective, Furuya's arrival also alleviated a significant amount of pressure from Tanba. Now, the ace of Seido High School's baseball team could finally focus solely on pitching.

Everyone on the team had noticed this transformation in Tanba, not just during games but even in their daily practice sessions.

Though most felt that this change in Tanba wasn't a bad thing, some couldn't help but wonder: Is this really the demeanor an ace should have?

It's one thing to talk, but proof lies in action.

And testing oneself against ordinary opponents doesn't always yield clear results. So, almost naturally, the players of Seido High School set the stage for Tanba's test: the finals of the Kanto Tournament.

This was the perfect testing ground—the Kanto Tournament finals, against their archrivals, Inashiro Industrial High School.

It was as if the heavens had chosen the ideal opponent for Seido.

As long as their ace performed well in this match, it would validate all the speculations that had arisen.

Everyone fixed their eyes on their ace, watching as he easily handled Carlos.

Undoubtedly, Tanba's fastball striking out Carlos was something unprecedented in Seido High School's history. This only strengthened the team's confidence.

There was no doubt now—Tanba was no longer the pitcher he once was.

As Carlos returned to the dugout, he crossed paths with their team's second batter, Shirakawa.

"That was just embarrassing. It's one thing to struggle against that monster, Furuya, but how did you get struck out by Tanba?"

"Don't underestimate this third-year senior. If you're not careful, you'll suffer in a showdown with him."

Carlos didn't put up with Shirakawa's muttering, directly sharing his true feelings.

Even now, he could still feel the impact in the web of his hand. Carlos, who had the power to hit home runs, definitely didn't lack strength in his swings.

Yet, even he could clearly sense the difference—Tanba's pitching power had changed.

It wasn't that his breaking ball had improved, but rather that his overall pitching force had increased.

Tanba Koichiro, a pitcher they had always kept an eye on, seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.

As their coach had said, Seido's current ace, Tanba, wasn't really suited to be the central figure of the team. This had nothing to do with his skills; it was his personality. The responsibility of being the ace of such a prestigious team weighed too heavily on him.

Furuya's arrival was undoubtedly a huge challenge for Tanba. But at the same time, it had also helped relieve some of Tanba's burden.

This had, in turn, unlocked Tanba's potential.

Even before the game began, Coach Kunitomo of the Inashiro Industrial High School baseball team had mentioned this possibility while preparing his players.

Although the chances weren't high, there was indeed a possibility of it happening.

Now it seemed like Coach Kunitomo had been quite perceptive.

The very situation they were most concerned about had indeed occurred.

Not only did Carlos fail to gain any advantage, but their second batter, Shirakawa, met the same fate.

Crack!

Although Shirakawa managed to forcefully make contact, the ball didn't travel far.

Ryousuke Kominato, the second baseman, made a diving catch, securing the ball firmly in his glove.

Smack!

"Out!"

Two outs, no one on base.

It's important to note that the two batters who had just come up were Inashiro Industrial High School's key players for scoring runs.

Yet even they failed to make any headway on the field.

Not only that, but they allowed Seido's pitcher, Tanba, to settle into a great rhythm.

"Just three pitches for two outs? Was Seido's former ace always this strong?"

In the stands, one of the spectators couldn't help but ask.

This wasn't just one fan's confusion. Many others in the stands shared that same look of bewilderment in their eyes.

This was completely different from the Tanba they had remembered.

They were genuinely struggling to comprehend the situation.

Just then, Inashiro's third batter stepped up to the plate.

He was a tall, imposing hitter, known for his terrifying power at bat.

Even if Tanba's pitch didn't hit the sweet spot of his bat, there was still a high chance that he could send the ball flying far.

To some extent, these power hitters were exactly the type that could counter Tanba.

The spectators' attention naturally turned toward this showdown.

"Those fancy pitches won't be enough to deal with our core power hitters."

After this third batter, they still had their fourth batter Harada, and fifth batter Narumiya...

Without even mentioning anything else, just based on raw hitting power, these players were among the top few in all of Tokyo.

Faced with the challenge of these elite hitters, Tanba remained calm.

This time, he didn't rely on his previous fastball, opting for a different strategy.

He began throwing curveballs with a steep drop.

Inashiro's third batter clearly wasn't mentally prepared for this.

As soon as he saw the ball drop, he hastily swung his bat.

The result, of course, was that he missed entirely.

Smack!

"Strike!"

Smack!

"Strike!!"

Smack!

"Strike three!!!"

"Three outs! Change of sides!"

Tanba had actually struck out Inashiro's third batter?

At that moment, it wasn't just the players of Inashiro or the spectators in the stands who were shocked.

Even Seido's teammates in the dugout were completely stunned.

This happiness came so suddenly that they hadn't even had time to prepare for it.

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