Ace of Diamond: Return of the Pitcher

The stands of the entire baseball field now resembled a festive scene.

The emotions of the spectators were ignited to the peak!

In formal baseball games, home runs are actually quite rare.

This is why, when a team or a particularly famous player hits a home run, people's reactions are so incredibly wild.

As the saying goes, "Rare things are valuable."

Because home runs occur so infrequently, when they do, they are met with immense enthusiasm.

Otherwise, if every game saw 10 or 8 home runs, even if a home run meant scoring, the cheers wouldn't be as loud!

Just one home run is already incredibly rare.

Let alone consecutive home runs.

Now, the Japanese team's players have offered the fans in the stands three consecutive home runs.

"Three painful consecutive hits! Although the Cuban team's players have shown great tenacity, faced with such heavy blows, they are likely to be unable to recover."

The commentator from Taiwan was analyzing objectively.

The commentator was demonstrating their professional expertise, offering a fair and unbiased commentary.

They didn't intentionally praise the Japanese team nor denigrate the Cuban team. Standing from an objective point of view, they analyzed the situation of both teams and concluded that the Cuban team was finished. They were on the brink of collapse.

This was a harsh reality, but the commentator still said it directly.

In fact, even without the commentator's words, everyone already knew that the Cuban team had no chance.

Or rather, they had never had a chance.

With the additional two home runs, the Japanese team's lead had already reached a terrifying eight runs.

The total score was 8:0.

The assistant coach in the dugout, however, did not show even the slightest bit of joy from the high score.

On the contrary, his expression was very conflicted, filled with worry.

'Do these kids not understand the gravity of the situation?' he thought.

'Pressuring the Cuban team like this will undoubtedly push them into a corner.'

'Once the Cuban team's players are truly trapped, what will they do? These guys are bold and daring—what if they actually start a trouble?'

The assistant coach initially wanted to express his concerns indirectly, but the players in the field were clearly not interested in listening, so he helplessly spoke his mind directly.

"Stop causing unnecessary problems. Just maintain this score and win."

This statement was clear—he was asking the Japanese team to stop attacking.

The players were a million percent unwilling.

But unfortunately, with the head coach, Takeda, absent, the assistant coach was in charge.

Even if they were deeply dissatisfied, they had to suppress their feelings.

"Understood!"

"We'll be careful."

"Let's finish the game quickly to avoid any more trouble."

After giving instructions to the other players, the assistant coach specifically kept Sawamura behind.

He wasn't stupid; he could tell that the current situation of the team was entirely due to Sawamura's performance.

Otherwise, the players should have been more restrained.

"Sawamura, do you have anything to say?"

To solve the team's overdrive, the assistant coach had to identify the troublemaker. This troublemaker wasn't anyone else but Sawamura.

"Today's game is already in our favor. But if we choose to retreat and avoid because of that, our defeat is only a matter of time. The Cuban team's players are indeed bold…"

The assistant coach sincerely asked, and Sawamura didn't hide his true feelings. He directly expressed his deepest concerns.

After hearing Sawamura's words, the assistant coach's face was full of contemplation.

Previously, when he learned baseball alongside his teacher Takeda, he wasn't a player but a coach.

During his time learning from Takeda, the assistant coach felt he had gained a lot.

His understanding of baseball, his tactical research, and his analysis of players' characteristics and future development were all excellent!

One day, he asked his teacher if he was able to officially take charge of a team.

Takeda had bluntly replied:

"You're not yet fit to be a head coach!"

This statement greatly hurt the assistant coach, and it completely shattered his confidence.

Now, the assistant coach finally realized his problem. He wasn't cut out to be a head coach. As a coach, there were essential qualities needed.

For instance, courage and an unwavering spirit.

If even the coach himself retreats, how could he expect his players to fight with all their might?

Thanks to Sawamura's reminder, the assistant coach finally saw this, and once he realized it, he was able to clear his heart.

He wasn't ready to be a head coach after all. Sometimes, his soft heart was his greatest weakness as a coach.

"You're right. When facing off against the Cuban team, we can't retreat and must face them head-on, using our overwhelming strength to show them that we are not to be defeated by petty tricks.

But what does that change? It doesn't reduce our risks, does it? Although you may not fully agree with my approach."

"Still, I stand by it, and I hope you'll cooperate."

The assistant coach said this earnestly.

Sawamura helplessly raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Alright!"

Now, with a score of 8:0, a commanding lead, Sawamura felt that the burden on him had been completely lifted.

The game continued with great intensity.

Although the Japanese team consciously slowed down their attacking pace, in the following innings, they continued to score.

In the 7th inning, one point. In the 8th inning, another point.

Before anyone noticed, the Japanese team's lead had expanded to 10 points.

Even with a ten-point advantage, the Japanese players didn't show anything particularly special.

For them, the rest of the game was just extra time, meaningless. Originally on the pitcher's mound, Sawamura was taken off, and Hoshitaru was substituted.

When Sawamura left the field, all the fans stood up to show their respect.

Even though this game was a complete rout, the spectators didn't see it that way.

The Japanese team had performed excellently, but the Cuban team had also performed admirably and fought hard.

But in the end, the Japanese team handled the complex situation well, defeated their opponents, and secured the outs.

When attacking, they didn't hold back, showcasing their prowess as main attackers.

Sawamura's performance was still incredibly impressive.

Now, the Japanese team had many star players, but Sawamura was still the brightest.

This spoke volumes about his position in the team and even among all players of his age worldwide.

In this top-tier game, Sawamura was unrivaled.

His strength was acknowledged by everyone.

People naturally accepted the title of "Great Demon King."

When he left the field, not only did the 2,000 Japanese fans stand up, but many from the Chinese team also rose and applauded him.

Seeing this, players from both teams—whether Japanese or Cuban—looked on with envy.

"Sawamura!"

"Sawamura!!!"

Amid the cheering, Sawamura was sent off the field.

Substitute Hoshitaru, however, didn't shrink under the pressure and performed admirably, easily filling in Sawamura's role.

He completed his mission, not allowing any Cuban player to score.

He only allowed one hit.

A minor blemish!

Meanwhile, the Japanese team's offense seemed exceptionally smooth.

In the past, they had to push hard to secure hits and score points.

But after relaxing, the Japanese players were surprised to find that the Cuban team, once seen as a formidable defense, wasn't as solid as they had imagined.

They had many weaknesses, which could be exploited with patience.

The next confrontations were like that. Though there weren't large scores, each point added up.

By the time the game was nearing its end, the score difference had reached 11:0!

With the game almost over, everyone was waiting for the final Out.

No one expected the unbelievable events that would unfold next.

…

T/N: Well, That's it for now.

Thank you all for reading!

Have a good day!

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