Chapter 521: The Ace's Relentless Offense in the Inashiro Game
Even if it means getting hit, you're still determined to get on base? That's some admirable resolve, kid.
Then let's see… if your heart is really as strong as you claim!
From the pitcher's mound, Narumiya Mei stared at Toujou Hideaki, whose eyes burned with unwavering determination in the batter's box.
A cold smile curled on Narumiya's lips as the thought crossed his mind:
"You think you can take me on, kid? Not even close."
...
First pitch — vertical slider.
"Whoosh!"
His arm whipped through the air—a sharp flash of white light burst forward, screaming toward the plate.
The moment the sharp gleam appeared—
Toujou's pupils shrank.
He couldn't react in time—his bat stayed frozen.
"Pop!"
"Strike!"
A perfectly placed pitch—low and away, sliding out of the zone.
Toujou could only stare as it hit the mitt.
He frowned, gritting his teeth.
Second pitch — same outside corner, this time a low fastball.
"Whoosh!"
Narumiya's hand rose once again—a gleaming flash shot forward.
As the piercing fastball approached at nearly 150 km/h, its oppressive pressure rushed toward the plate like a wave.
Toujou's breath caught. Instinctively, he swung.
"Swish!"
"Clang!"
Bat met ball with a sharp, violent clang—the force of impact shuddering up the handle and into Toujou's hands.
His expression twisted slightly.
Too fast… too heavy… too precise.
"Whoosh!"
The weakly hit ball, far from centered on the bat,
was easily overpowered—bouncing off the ground right in front of home plate.
"Thud!"
A dull sound echoed.
On the mound, Narumiya smiled faintly, caught the ball in his glove without even flinching, and casually tossed it to first base.
Yamaoka caught it with ease.
"Pop!"
"Out!"
Toujou knew it the moment he saw the bounce and Narumiya's posture.
There was no saving it.
He dropped his bat, arms limp, and gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile.
The gap between us is still too wide...
With a trace of quiet frustration, Toujou left the field.
...
"Batting eighth, third baseman — Shoji-kun."
To Narumiya, Seidou's lower lineup was nothing more than free target practice.
No threat.
Just experience points waiting to be farmed.
In terms of power—they couldn't suppress Narumiya's pitch weight.
In fact, they were being completely overwhelmed.
In terms of technique—Narumiya's pitching was an art form. Velocity, control, late movement—they couldn't hold a candle to him.
It was a total shutout, a gap of an entirely different level.
...
"Whoosh!"
"Pop!"
"Strike! Batter out!!"
"Three outs! Change!"
Shoji struck out without even putting up a fight.
Then ninth batter Asou was handled in three pitches.
Three innings. Not a single Seidou batter reached base.
A perfect performance.
Narumiya's power—on full display.
...
"Man… Narumiya's something else…" Miyuki muttered from the dugout as he strapped on his catcher's gear,
his gaze locked on Narumiya's proud figure in the distance.
"Yeah," Eijun nodded from the side, face equally serious.
"That's the real Narumiya-senpai."
"But—"
"I believe in our ace—there's no way he'll lose to Narumiya. Let him see for himself... the true form we've achieved since returning from that sacred ground!!"
Miyuki flashed a bright smile, a glint of pride in his teeth and confidence in his eyes—that distinct charm only he possessed.
"Yeah! Absolutely!!!"
...
"Top of the 4th inning! Inashiro's offense—batting fourth, pitcher, Narumiya-kun!"
It was time—the third showdown between the aces.
The same cold air.
The same tense atmosphere.
...
This time… we're taking Narumiya out.
Right, Sawamura?
Yeah… I got it, Miyuki-senpai.
Even if it means aggravating this injury—I'll make sure I get Narumiya out this time.
Eijun gripped the ball just a bit tighter in his left hand, a steely glint flashing deep in his eyes.
...
Open strong—establish momentum right from the start. First pitch — inside cutter (modified).
Eijun inhaled deeply, then slowly let it out.
Raising his right leg high—then driving forward!
His left arm whipped down, electricity dancing across his fingers.
"Whoosh!"
Lightning-fast.
A bright gleam streaked toward the plate.
...
In the batter's box, Narumiya's pupils contracted as he watched the pitch's trajectory.
"Boom!"
The roar of air pressure rushed in, the sheer force pressing in on him.
This isn't the same Sawamura from my last at-bat... This is the real deal.
Narumiya lowered his center of gravity, shifting forward with power.
"Swish!"
He swung full-force.
The ball broke sharply inside, almost disappearing in the blink of an eye—but Narumiya wasn't fazed.
His bat twisted through the air with explosive speed—
"Clang!!"
He intercepted the ball early—timing perfect.
It smashed off the bat with a violent crash.
The vibration shot through his hands—Narumiya's expression remained steady, but deep in his eyes, a flash of icy intensity sparked.
"HAAAH!"
With a roar, he followed through.
The ball screamed off the bat—
"BANG!"
Slamming down near the third base line and bouncing hard into deep foul territory.
"Foul!!!"
...
That break… that speed… that weight...
You weren't going all out in the last at-bat, huh?
Now THIS—this is the real Sawamura Eijun.
This is the kind of opponent I want to beat!
Narumiya's fighting spirit exploded.
His aura surged like fire meeting ice.
...
Second pitch — Number 4. Inside four-seam fastball.
Bring it straight down the pipe, Sawamura!!
Behind the plate, Miyuki flicked his fingers—signaling the call.
On the mound, Eijun nodded.
He stepped again—exploding forward.
His arm lashed out.
"Whoosh!"
White light flashed across the sky.
Narumiya unleashed all his strength.
His feet shifted, and his bat slashed out—
"Clang!"
Another powerful collision.
The ball ricocheted again, flying toward the deep corner of left field—
"Whoosh!"
"BANG!"
"Foul!!!"
...
Incredible adaptability and reaction speed...
Makes sense—Narumiya's dynamic vision has improved dramatically.
His sense for the ball is razor sharp.
Guess that's what being a pitcher does for you…
...
Then we can't hold back anymore either… can we, Sawamura?
Behind the plate, a glint flashed in Miyuki's eyes.
His fingers twitched again, calling for the next pitch.
On the mound, Eijun's pupils shrank.
He tensed his fingers just slightly.
Third pitch—
Two-seam fastball.
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