Chapter 493: The Seikou Match: Intensity Ignites
"A bunt!?"
"Is Seikou really going for a sacrifice bunt here?"
"Whoa, I didn't expect that at all! They're actually playing it safe in the final stretch?"
"This doesn't feel like Seikou's usual style."
"If anything, this just shows how desperate they are to win. It's only a one-run game after all."
With a runner on second, Seikou's decision to go for a first-pitch bunt left the spectators in the stands stunned.
After all, Seikou had always been known for their aggressive offense, attacking head-on without hesitation. And yet, here they were, choosing a conservative tactic. Even Eijun on the mound was slightly caught off guard.
They're trying to advance the runner to third?
They almost pulled it off too…
Eijun thought to himself, tightening his focus.
The next moment, he exchanged a glance with Miyuki. They both understood immediately—no words needed.
If Seikou wanted to play small ball, they had to be reminded that it came with a price.
The next pitch: the modified cutter.
"Whoosh!"
Eijun's arm whipped forward again, releasing a piercing white flash.
At the plate, Yamashita once again crouched and squared around for the bunt.
"Ping!"
Another crisp contact echoed.
The crowd gasped.
"OHHHHHH!"
"Thud!"
"Foul ball!"
For the second time in a row, Seikou had gone for a bunt. It was clear now—they were dead set on advancing the runner no matter what.
Masu, who had started to run from second, quickly retreated back to the base.
These guys... are serious?
Eijun frowned. Seikou's unwavering commitment to bunting left him genuinely uncertain.
Are they really just trying to advance the runner? Or is there something else coming? Maybe a hit-and-run next?
Even Miyuki behind the plate was having a hard time making the call. Seikou's reputation for aggressive, unpredictable tactics ran deep—and even this full-on bunt display didn't feel totally convincing.
It put Seidou in a tough spot. Stick to their rhythm? Or brace for a sudden switch?
But hesitation didn't exist in the dictionary of the battery of Miyuki and Eijun.
After a mere instant of contemplation, Eijun had made his decision.
If Seikou was going to keep bunting, then he'd crush it with overwhelming force.
Let's see you try and lay one down on this.
"BOOM!"
He drove off the mound with power.
His arm swept forward.
His body twisted sharply, delivering his judgment pitch—no holding back.
All of Eijun's strength was channeled into his left arm.
At the decisive moment, his arm came crashing down, and with a sharp whistle, the ball burst forth, cutting through the air with a fierce wind pressure.
It came blazing in.
That blinding flash streaked toward home plate with ferocity.
When two warriors meet on a narrow path, only the braver prevails.
This wasn't just a test of strength—it was a test of courage. Of the fiery spirit that burns from within.
Despite failing to bunt twice already, Yamashita wasn't shaken. As Eijun's pitch came flying in again like a streak of light, Yamashita stood firm, adjusting his posture and once more squaring around to bunt, both hands gripping the metal bat.
The ball neared—
"Clang!!"
A stubborn yet unyielding spirit rang through the contact.
The sharp sound of bat meeting ball echoed across the field, synchronizing perfectly with the figure tearing across second base.
"Shoosh!"
"Thud!"
This time, the ball didn't pop up. Instead, it was sharply driven straight down the first-base line, rolling tightly along the foul boundary.
"First base!"
At home, Miyuki's expression tightened. He spotted Masu Shiniichirou already charging for third and quickly shouted toward first base.
Determined resolve. An unwavering choice.
"Zoom!"
"Snap!"
"Out!"
"Safe at third!"
"Despite two failed bunt attempts, Yamashita stuck with it. Bold yet precise—Seikou's No. 2 successfully executed a sacrifice bunt. The runner reaches third base! Two outs, runner on third, and now, Seikou's cleanup hitter is up. Just a one-run gap—King vs. King. The showdown begins!"
(Note: A third bunt attempt after two strikes is legal unless it goes foul—then the batter is out. This follows official rules.)
...
"Damn, three straight bunts? That's some serious grit."
"Seikou's going all out here."
"Still, they pulled it off."
"But they're down to two outs now."
"You don't get it—having a runner on third changes everything."
"Yeah, and now their No. 3 hitter is up."
"Ace vs. Ace? Both are the third batter in their lineups—what a showdown."
"Will the Ace of Seidou triumph, or will Seikou's heavy-hitting lineup prevail?"
"This is peak intensity."
"Batting third, center fielder, Kojima!"
Forget "Ace of Seidou." Forget the title of "King."
Once you step onto this battlefield, everyone is equal.
It doesn't matter who you face—the only option is to crush the enemy standing before you.
Kojima Ryuhei stepped into the batter's box with a terrifying aura, his stride full of determination.
I absolutely can't lose here.
"Runner on third… that's a bit of a problem."
On the mound, Eijun furrowed his brow. This Seikou lineup, champions of the fall tournament, truly lived up to their name.
If I don't take some risks, I might not get out of this clean.
Maybe it's time to try that pitch.
Just as Eijun raised his brow, Miyuki flashed him a knowing grin behind the plate.
"First pitch: inside fastball."
Miyuki subtly moved his fingers.
Eijun quickly widened his stance, his body coiling as he released the pitch.
"Whoosh!"
A dazzling flash of light streaked toward the plate.
"Swish!"
"Clang!"
Kojima swung hard. The contact sent the ball screaming behind the plate, straight into the backstop netting.
"Bang!"
The netting shook violently.
"OOOOHHHHHH!"
The crowd close to the backstop erupted in awe.
Second pitch: low and outside fastball.
"Whiz!"
"Smack!"
"Strike!"
A perfect pitch on the outer corner.
Eijun's command was nearing mastery—he was clearly pushing toward elite zone control.
His ability to use the full width and depth of the strike zone made it difficult for Seikou's batters to track the ball.
Third pitch: a breaking ball on the outside edge.
"Whip!"
Eijun's arm moved again, this time placing the ball in an exquisitely tight location.
Forced to react, Kojima lunged and took a mighty cut.
"Swish!"
"Clang!"
Off-target. Poor timing. The ball spun off the bat and slammed into the dirt near the third-base line.
"Boom!"
A heavy sound rang out, but Seidou's first baseman Maezono couldn't reach it in time.
"Foul ball!"
The line umpire raised his arm and shouted the call.
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