Ace of Diamond: Return of the Pitcher

Top of the 5th inning, Japan is attacking.

The score on the field is 4:0!

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Sawamura's pitching clearly showed the Cuban players what despair really meant.

Although the Cuban players had already known that their chances of getting a hit off Sawamura were very low,

In fact, it was almost zero.

But people always cling to a bit of hope. The Cuban players thought there was still plenty of time left in the game. They believed that when their best hitters faced Sawamura in the 2nd or even 3rd round, they would perform differently after getting used to Sawamura's pitching.

But the harsh reality woke them up completely.

Sawamura, with his overwhelming strength, showed them.

They had no hope. Not even a tiny bit of hope.

That unpredictable pitch, with the growing strength of the enemy, kept evolving.

It was like a bottomless abyss, and the Cuban players even began to have the illusion.

If they continued blindly probing, the final result would only be irreversible doom.

The more they probed, the more desperate they became.

Now, the Cuban team had no momentum left after being struck by Sawamura. This was the perfect opportunity for Japan to attack.

However, the assistant coach was worried that Cuba's ace pitcher, Katro, might lash out in desperation.

Previously, Mima's injury had undoubtedly been a huge blow for Japan.

It wasn't just the assistant coach; even some of the players had started to have lingering doubts.

Today's game, Japan could be said to be certain of victory.

With a score of 4:0, and Sawamura on the mound.

No matter how you look at it, there seemed to be no chance of the opponent catching up.

Under such circumstances, was it necessary to push the opponent to desperation?

The players had big doubts about this.

From their perspective, they thought it wasn't necessary.

Especially since victory had already been secured.

"Let's just keep going as we are, don't swing easily, wait for the right ball, and stay cautious in case the opponent gets desperate."

Although the assistant coach didn't explain clearly, his overall meaning was very clear.

4:0 is enough!

There's no point in scoring more.

At this point, the most important thing is to ensure victory.

As long as the game keeps going like this, victory will belong to Japan.

That way, they can face the final with minimal damage.

The assistant coach's approach angered three people completely.

They were the trio from the Seidou High School baseball team.

Standing from the assistant coach's position, although his approach couldn't be said to be completely wrong,

It did have some reason behind it.

It was precisely because there was some reason in it that he was able to persuade so many players to follow his orders.

But from the standpoint of the Seidou High School trio, such an approach was absolutely intolerable.

Acting like they were afraid of the opponent lashing out, so they weren't confronting them head-on.

In that case, wouldn't the 4-run lead become a thorn in the opponent's side?

If the opponent really refused to give up and wanted to counterattack, wouldn't Sawamura Eijun become a living target?

If they couldn't deal with Sawamura's pitching and were bound to lash out in desperation, then Sawamura would become the most dangerous target of retaliation?

Sawamura and Miyuki were very dissatisfied with this, and Kuramochi was also a little impatient.

However, he didn't think as carefully as Miyuki and Sawamura, nor had he realized the risk this might bring to Sawamura.

What really bothered him was that the assistant coach's approach was too cowardly.

The opponent had already made a dirty move, and even the umpire was fully aware of it.

But they were still hesitant, fearing the possible actions of the opponent.

Wasn't this bowing to bullies?

For the former delinquent Kuramochi, this was absolutely intolerable.

According to his character, it should be an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

If the opponent dared to harm their teammate, they must retaliate.

Even if considering this was an international game, and they had to be mindful of their image.

They couldn't let the opponent escape easily.

There had to be a crushing victory to wash away the insult they had suffered.

Impatient, he muttered to himself.

"This is too cowardly!"

Those four short words stung the players around them.

To be honest, they also felt they were being too cowardly.

At this moment, Sawamura made a remark that only added fuel to the fire.

"Don't worry, leave it to me! I won't let them continue acting wildly."

If Kuramochi's words just slightly hurt the players' feelings,

Then Sawamura's final remark became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

They were already somewhat impatient, and now, being provoked by Sawamura, they instantly became fired up.

'What are they so cocky about?'

'Just because they're from Seidou High School's baseball team?'

'So, what if they're champions? Does that mean they can act haughtily and boss everyone on the field?'

'It's simply unreasonable!'

Provoking is better than flattering.

Although Sawamura's provoking tactic wasn't the most sophisticated,

It seemed to work quite well.

After all, aside from Sawamura's teammates, almost everyone else was in competition with him.

These guys were all tough-minded.

Even if they died, they'd still be stubborn.

Since Sawamura had indirectly told them they were chickens, they couldn't back down now.

Otherwise, that would be too shameful!

The first batter to step into the Batter's Box, Carlos, immediately showed this kind of attitude.

He looked like a panther ready to pounce, always ready to swing his bat at the ball.

"Is it really that effective?"

Miyuki was curious about Carlos's state.

Actually, not only Carlos, but all the players in Japan's dugout seemed to have been injected with adrenaline.

They were all itching to get on the field and blast the opponent.

Sawamura, on the other hand, looked unfazed, as if he wasn't surprised at all by the situation.

"They've been thinking like this all along, wanting to fight back against the opponent. It's just that these thoughts were previously restricted by various constraints. All I did was help them break free from those chains."

Sawamura said it so casually, but Miyuki knew very well that things weren't as easy as Sawamura made them sound.

Provoked by Sawamura, Japan's batters reignited their fighting spirit.

4 runs weren't enough?

The Cuban players even dared to shamelessly attack their teammates.

Even if they couldn't get back at them tit for tat,

At least they had to make sure the opponent knew Japan's team wasn't to be trifled with.

They had to make the opponent pay a heavy price.

The first to step into the Batter's Box, Carlos, immediately displayed this attitude.

He looked ready to swing his bat and smash the ball into the air.

From both the intelligence gathered earlier and Carlos's performance today,

The Cuban players knew full well that this guy was not to be underestimated.

If they weren't careful, he could easily hit for extra bases.

Previously, considering Carlos's characteristics,

The Cuban players would definitely make appropriate adjustments.

These adjustments were all-around: they would prevent him from hitting for extra bases and also guard against bunts.

After all, Carlos was not only praised for his hitting ability but also for his terrifying offensive speed.

Facing such an opponent, the Cuban players couldn't help but be wary.

But now, things were different.

The shock Sawamura had given them was so overwhelming!

So much so that many Cuban players had lost their confidence.

After seeing Carlos's powerful state, they simply positioned themselves to guard against a long hit based on instinct, without giving deeper thought to defending against Carlos's bunts.

Noticing this, Carlos immediately adjusted his stance.

Was Cuba underestimating him?

Did they really think he only relied on long hits?

Paak!

As the baseball flew toward him, Carlos immediately switched to a bunt.

Before he executed the bunt, the Cuban players didn't notice anything unusual.

They could only watch as Carlos made contact with the ball.

Then, he dropped the bat and sprinted toward first base like a cheetah.

"Dream on!"

Cuba's shortstop quickly filled the gap, caught the ball, and without even a second of hesitation, threw it to first base.

His reflexes left the fans in the stands applauding in awe.

That was beautiful!

Unfortunately, his opponent was Carlos.

If a team didn't intentionally position itself to guard against Carlos in a matchup,

Theoretically, they would never be able to stop his stolen bases.

His speed was just too fast!

It felt like it happened in an instant.

The fans in the stands couldn't even tell when Carlos made it to first base.

Everything happened so quickly!

There was one Out, and Carlos was on first base.

Today, Carlos's performance was like he was on another level.

Three at-bats, three times safely on base.

His success rate for getting on base in today's game was 100%.

Absolute monster!

This time, the hit seemed heavier for Cuba than ever before.

Their morale, already low, was hit again with this blow.

They looked like they were on the brink of collapse, in a perilous situation.

Perhaps, all it would take now was the final straw to break Cuba's back.

"Second batter, pitcher, E. Sawamura!"

At this point, the previous arrangement by Coach Takeda seemed to have worked.

Sawamura stepped into the Batter's Box.

If he could hit the ball and help Carlos return to home plate,

Then the match would essentially be over.

Before Sawamura stepped into the Batter's Box, the assistant coach reminded him multiple times to stay safe. He felt the Cuban players were already on the edge, and a slight push could send them over the cliff.

If the opponent were a regular team, the assistant coach wouldn't worry as much.

But the Cuban players had left such a low impression on him!

Who knew what crazy things they might do next?

After all, it wasn't out of the realm of possibility.

Although Sawamura didn't agree with some of the assistant coach's methods,

He had to admit that, in some ways, the assistant coach had been thinking about the players' safety.

They just had different perspectives, so they couldn't quite see eye to eye.

"Don't worry!"

Before stepping into the Batter's Box, Sawamura gave the assistant coach a reassuring look.

Then, he walked up to the Batter's Box.

Sawamura, holding the bat high above his head, even placed it behind his back.

The stance looked very awkward, completely not like a normal batting position.

For an average person, just swinging the bat from such an awkward position would probably take a lot of time.

They couldn't understand why Sawamura would do something so foolish.

The Cuban players didn't have time to consider Sawamura's reasoning.

Since Sawamura was looking for trouble, they were more than happy to oblige.

On the mound, Katro threw his fastest fastball.

His pitch speed wasn't the top, but the ball went from his hand to the catcher's mitt in about 0.5 seconds.

He didn't believe that Sawamura could complete a swing and make contact with the ball in such an awkward position in such a short amount of time.

Then, the unbelievable happened!

Sawamura, with the bat behind his back, pulled it out like a swordsman drawing his sword, with lightning speed.

He even accelerated as he drew it.

He continued to accelerate!

By the time the bat completed a nearly 360-degree turn,

PAAAAAAAAAKKKKKK!!!!!!!!

It struck the flying baseball with great force, sending it soaring.

The ball, after a full-force strike, flew high, creating an incredibly beautiful and massive arc in the sky.

It landed in the outfield stands.

Eijun raised the bat triumphantly.

Home run!!!

A two-run home run!

Japan's lead increased to a terrifying 6 runs.

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