Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 306: Because I'm the Ace!

"The final choice was a quick splitter. The powerhouse rookie pitcher from Komadai High showed extraordinary dominance even in the bottom of the eighth inning, retiring the side in order. In this critical inning where the score was tied, this first-year pitcher ensured his team's chances of victory. Both sides now face the final battle with a tied score!

"Wow, who would've thought? In the eighth inning, the tide completely turned for both teams."

"It looks like the score is tied, but we all know Seidou is now at a disadvantage."

"And in the ninth inning, even though it's the bottom of the lineup, Sawamura's condition… Can he hold out?"

"Exactly. On the other hand, Masamune Hongou is in peak form."

"A 60-40 split, perhaps. If it goes into extra innings, it might even be 70-30, or worse."

"In terms of pitching, Komadai High holds an overwhelming advantage."

"What a pity. Even though Seidou has three ace pitchers on the bench, switching pitchers at this stage carries significant risk."

"Even with Sawamura's pitch count exceeding 120, replacing him must be done with extreme caution."

"Changing pitchers is risky, but so is not changing. Both options carry risks. I wonder what decision Coach Kataoka will make."

"One misstep, just one, and Seidou could lose it all."

As the thrilling eighth inning battle concluded, the lively murmurs of tens of thousands of spectators spread across Koshien Stadium. For them, it had been an unexpectedly dramatic inning.

With two outs, Seidou had shockingly allowed the score to be tied. Now, it was clear to everyone that Koma High held the upper hand. While Komadai's victory wasn't guaranteed, most spectators now favored them in terms of probability.

The same thought crossed everyone's mind as they saw Eijun on the bench, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat, his face pale.

Seidou's defensive core was on the verge of collapse. This was an undeniable fact for anyone watching.

In Seidou's dugout on the first base side, the players were preparing for their final inning. Meanwhile, an unusual hesitation flickered in the eyes of Coach Kataoka, an extremely rare sight.

"Coach..."

Ota, the team manager, hesitated as he softly called out.

Noticing the tension, Miyuki, Chris, and even the normally aloof Furuya raised their eyebrows.

Watching Eijun's profile and Coach Kataoka, Furuya unconsciously clenched his fists, a longing glint in his eyes—a desire that burned brightly.

But in this moment, longing alone couldn't change anything. Strength dictated the outcome.

Coach Kataoka soon decisively waved his hand, his eyes flashing with unwavering resolve.

"Miyuki, Sawamura, the ninth inning is yours."

His deep words carried the weight of absolute trust as the head coach, as well as a profound sense of recognition.

Eijun's eyes shone brightly as he nodded firmly alongside Miyuki.

"Understood, Coach. Leave it to us."

"He's coming out!!"

"Ohhhh, it's him again!?"

"Sawamura Eijun!"

"The pitcher for the ninth inning!"

"As expected, it's up to him."

"The final battle begins here, on the stage of the ninth inning...'"

The one entrusted with the hopes and faith of the entire Seidou team, standing tall on the pitcher's mound, remained their absolute ace—Seidou High School's first-year left-handed pitcher, Sawamura Eijun! The place where he stood was the battlefield, his sacred ground from which he could not retreat even a single step.

"Phew..."

With his eyes tightly shut, Eijun exhaled deeply before slowly opening them. His clear pupils reflected the cold, indifferent face of the batter standing in the box—the Northern Prodigy.

This was the ultimate showdown of their era, where a strong pitcher faced an equally formidable opponent.

"The top of the ninth inning. Komadai Fujimaki High School's attack. Batting sixth, pitcher, Masamune Hongou."

The opponent before him was one he absolutely had to defeat. There could be no faltering, no collapse before seizing the crown of victory. Victory was the only option—there would be no compromises!

"!!!"

The first pitch: an inside fastball. At this stage, there was no need to overthink the opponent's strategy. The most important thing was to control the rhythm of their own game.

A glint of icy determination flashed in Miyuki's eyes as he signaled from behind the plate. On the mound, Eijun nodded resolutely.

Yes, all he had to do was what he needed to do. That was enough. The first step to victory was to believe in himself.

"Boom!"

Eijun's right leg drove off the mound, his arm rising in a swift, fluid motion. At that moment, the winds seemed to stir and gather around him.

"Whoosh!"

The ball flashed like lightning. A surge of energy barreled forward, piercing straight toward the plate.

An inside fastball!?

This guy!

In the batter's box, Hongo's face twisted into what seemed like a furious expression. His stance shifted suddenly as he stepped forward, swinging his bat with all his might.

"Swish!"

The sound of the metal bat slicing through the air roared like a storm. The explosive crack of his swing was a testament to the terrifying power behind the arms of this pitcher-turned-hitter.

But the ball streaked past, leaving the bat swinging through empty air. The white sphere shot unerringly into the catcher's mitt.

"Pop!"

A crisp sound rang out.

"Strike!"

"Ohhh! The first pitch, a powerful inside fastball—strike!"

Damn it, damn it, damn it.

Why won't you just go down already?!

Hongou glared fiercely at Eijun on the mound, his expression like a powder keg on the verge of exploding.

The oppressive aura radiating from him was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.

From behind the plate, Miyuki narrowed his eyes slightly. His fingers signaled again.

A cutter, let it veer slightly outside.

The synergy between the signals and Eijun's composure was seamless.

"Whoosh!"

As his arm lifted, the ball streaked forward like a bolt of light. The sharp aura cut through the air once more.

"Swish!"

Hongou's bat swung furiously, as if pouring out his seething anger in one violent motion.

"Ping!"

A foul ball?!

Hongou's pupils contracted, his expression growing darker.

"Whoosh!"

"Bang!"

"Foul ball!"

Miyuki smirked slightly.

Perfect, keep this rhythm, Sawamura. No need to overthink it against their lower lineup. Relax a little. For the next pitch, just finish him off.

A straight changeup, dead center. No need for a significant speed drop—just throw it. You can do this!

"Whoosh!"

Take him down!

"Swish!"

"Pop!"

The delayed movement of the ball seemed to freeze time, reflecting Hongou's enraged face.

The crisp sound of the catcher's mitt signaled the outcome.

"Strike three! Batter out!"

The umpire's high-pitched call rang out like a celebratory anthem, echoing through the stadium like a cannon blast.

"Ohhhh! Strikeout, Sawamura!"

"Beautifully done, Sawamura! One out!"

"You've got this! You can do it!"

"Go, Eijun-kun!"

"Seidou! Seidou! Seidou!"

A changeup?! That guy still managed to grip the ball?! Damn it, damn it, damn it!

Hongou, his eyes blazing with fury, shot one last menacing glare at Eijun before storming back toward his dugout.

"Now batting, seventh in the lineup, right fielder—Uesugi-kun."

"It's truly surprising that this first-year kid can hold on this long. It's as if he's single-handedly facing off against our entire pitching staff."

"And now, it's already the ninth inning. He looks like he's about to collapse, yet somehow, he always manages to hang on by just a thread.'

"That changeup he just threw... he can still pull that off?"

"He's just a first-year, right!?"

As Uesugi stepped into the batter's box, he lightly tapped home plate with his bat, then directed his gaze toward the mound where Eijun stood. A faint look of admiration flickered in his eyes.

Even as an opponent, Uesugi couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Eijun in this moment, given the circumstances.

"But a game is a game. We absolutely must take you down here!"

Uesugi's pupils glinted coldly as he gripped his bat tightly. The metallic sheen on its surface symbolized Komadai's unwavering determination to win.

First pitch: a changeup.

"Whoosh!"

The incoming pitch carried a distinct aura, and although its control wasn't as sharp as before, the noticeable drop in velocity caught Uesugi off guard.

"Swish!"

A full-force swing.

The ball dipped abruptly as it approached.

"Pop!"

The bat swung ahead; the ball followed behind.

"Strike!"

The loud call reverberated through the stadium, and even Komadai's Coach Nitta wore a solemn expression on the bench.

He hadn't expected Eijun to rely so heavily on breaking pitches, especially after one of his changeups had been hit in the previous inning.

Second pitch:

A sharp, oppressive energy emanated from the mound, even from this distance.

"Whoosh!"

A streak of brilliance cut through the air.

Uesugi's eyes focused intensely, tracking the ball's trajectory as it approached. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and swung.

"Swish!"

The bat sliced through the air, meeting the incoming pitch head-on.

"Ping!"

A resounding crack echoed throughout the stadium.

The ball shot out like a dazzling streak of light.

"Whoosh!"

Toward third base, Masuko's eyes flashed with determination as he dove for the ball.

"Thud!"

The ball grazed past him, slamming into the ground.

"Foul ball!"

The umpire's call rang out, bringing a brief sigh of relief to the Seidou bench. On the field, Eijun remained steadfast, already preparing for the next pitch.

"He's losing velocity, but the precision of his angles is still so sharp. Has this guy really not reached his limit yet!?"

Uesugi turned his head abruptly, his eyes flashing with unmistakable fear. For the first time, facing Eijun in the ninth inning, with his pitch count nearing 130, Uesugi felt a sense of helplessness.

It was as though this pitcher, who appeared to be at his limit, still had an indomitable focus and energy to unleash.

How is Sawamura still able to maintain such concentration, even now?

Miyuki's eyes widened slightly as he watched the mound. He saw the determined expression on Eijun's face, lips pressed tightly together, exuding an unyielding willpower.

"Sawamura, your potential is unimaginable. You're going to be a phenomenal ace someday. To be your catcher and partner—it's truly an honor."

"Whoosh!"

"Pop!"

"Strike three! Batter out!"

Another sharp outside fastball. Eijun's resilience and refusal to give up secured a second out in the top of the ninth inning, as he struck out another batter in just three pitches.

The stadium erupted in cheers as Sawamura stood proudly on the mound, embodying the pride of being Seidou's ace.

On the third base side, Komadai's dugout, Coach Nitta frowned deeply. He hadn't expected Seidou's first-year left-hander to be this tenacious. Frankly, it exceeded his expectations.

"Ishii."

"Yes, coach?"

Before Ishii stepped up to bat, Coach Nitta called him back to the dugout, his expression solemn. In a low voice, he gave Ishii a few simple but deliberate instructions.

A light pat on Ishii's shoulder accompanied the exchange, and Ishii glanced toward the mound with a serious look in his eyes.

Eijun, noticing the intensity, felt a sudden surge of pressure—whether it was intentional or not.

With two outs, Eijun's mind briefly flashed to the previous inning, recalling the unsettling moments.

That man in the dugout was the same one who had led Komadai to three consecutive championships in the original records. His calm demeanor and composed actions instilled an unspoken tension.

Unspoken pressure was a tactic in the world of baseball, one that could subtly sway the mental game.

"Now batting, eighth in the lineup, third baseman—Ishii-kun."

Don't let it get to you, Sawamura. It's already two outs. The situation is completely different from before. Keep your rhythm, and you'll be fine.

Miyuki, ever perceptive, noticed the slight unease in Eijun's demeanor. The stiffness in his posture didn't escape Miyuki's eyes.

Miyuki put on a relaxed demeanor, a faint smile playing on his lips. The small gesture eased the tension in Eijun's heart.

That's right. This isn't the same. It's just the lower lineup. There's nothing to worry about!

First pitch: a high outside ball. Let's disrupt his judgment with this one.

Miyuki's fingers signaled the call. Eijun nodded firmly, stepped forward, and swung his left arm with power.

"Whoosh!"

A streak of light zipped toward the plate, the cold gleam of the metallic bat catching the moment of its approach.

"Swish!"

The pitch hurtled forward like a shooting star.

"Ping!"

A piercing metallic sound echoed through the field as Ishii's bat made contact.

In the batter's box, Ishii's expression stiffened, his face twitching slightly as he swung with all his might.

"Whoosh!"

The ball shot off fiercely, slamming against the first base foul line before ricocheting out of bounds.

"Thud!"

"Foul ball!"

Are you kidding me? Isn't this guy supposed to be running out of stamina? Sure, his velocity has dropped significantly, but the precision of his pitches? Come on, his finger control is still that sharp!?

Ishii glanced at Eijun with an expression as though he had just seen a ghost.

"Hah… hoo…"

Second pitch.

"Whoosh!"

Another sharp outside pitch. A streak of light zipped toward the plate.

"Whoosh!"

"Pop!"

"Ball!"

Each pitch was meticulously controlled, ensuring it stayed within just the right area without drifting too far.

The veins bulging in Eijun's left hand were grotesquely visible, but he continued to maintain his precision.

"Whoosh!"

"Ping!"

"Thud!"

"Foul ball!"

Subtle variations in his pitches seemed to elevate Eijun's control to an entirely new level, even as his power and stamina dwindled. Ishii found himself unable to make clean contact.

"Whoosh!"

"Ping!"

"Thud!"

"Foul ball!"

The carefully placed changeup, while not showing a significant speed difference, subtly threw off Ishii's timing and misled him about the pitch's trajectory.

"Whoosh!"

"Pop!"

"Ball!"

If it's now, I can do it. I absolutely can do this!

Eijun's determination flared as he stepped forward. On the mound, his aura intensified with a surge of energy.

"Whoosh!"

His arm whipped forward with all its might. He poured everything he had into this pitch.

The ball flashed like a blazing arc of light, streaking through the air like a shooting star, burning with a searing intensity.

Its overwhelming force and radiant brilliance bore down relentlessly on Ishii.

Ishii's pupils dilated, his vision filled with the dazzling image of the incoming ball.

Got it!!! An inside pitch!

He gritted his teeth and summoned every ounce of strength he had. As the ball hurtled closer, Ishii stepped forward decisively. His body twisted with immense power, his arms driving the bat in a massive swing.

"Swish!"

"Ping!!!"

A thunderous sound exploded across the field, signaling an extraordinary moment of impact.

The thunderous roar, like a clap of lightning, echoed across the entire stadium.

The dazzling white light streaking through the air pulled at the heartstrings of every spectator, each one holding their breath as the moment unfolded.

With two outs, Komadai had once again managed to read Eijun's pitch. The soaring white ball carried an aura of overwhelming might, seemingly unstoppable.

Will it go out? Will it be a home run?

"OOOOOOHHHHHHHH!?"

The entire audience erupted in gasps, their gazes fixed on the brilliant white streak and Ishii's figure sprinting toward first base.

Every eye widened, unblinking, as they followed the ball's trajectory.

Whoosh.

Will it clear the fence?

Like in the previous inning? Will this be the turning point where we're reversed, and we lose here?

No. Absolutely not. I can't accept that. Why did I come this far? Why did I fight so hard to stand here? Stop. Stop, dammit. Stop right now!

For a split second, time seemed to freeze.

Eijun's fierce determination ignited as his body moved instinctively. His face twisted with resolve as he leaped with all his might, his jersey number flashing in the light.

"I won't let you get past me!"

Eijun's inner roar resonated as he launched himself upward, his right hand extended with his glove outstretched. At the critical moment, his glove intercepted the ball's path.

"Pop!"

A crisp, unmistakable sound rang out, freezing the entire stadium.

Ishii's pupils shrank in disbelief as he stared at the scene before him.

"Caught… He caught it… HE CAUGHT IT!!!"

"In the final moments, Sawamura Eijun stepped up and intercepted the ball. It didn't get through! Using his body as a shield, Sawamura Eijun secured the third out in the top of the ninth. A clean three up, three down inning!"

"Three outs! Change sides!"

"OOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!"

"Holy crap! He caught that?! That kid's reflexes are insane!"

"It's like he predicted it from the start!"

"Unbelievable! His focus and decision-making are just unreal!"

Covered in dust, his uniform soiled, and his forehead dripping with sweat, Eijun stood panting, his posture electrifying the stadium.

The Seidou dugout erupted in wild cheers, the players celebrating with unrestrained joy.

Meanwhile, in Komadai's dugout, the players shook their heads in disbelief, their expressions marked by helplessness.

Coach Nitta furrowed his brow, then exhaled slightly, shaking his head almost imperceptibly.

The only reaction was Hongou's face darkening further, his frustration evident.

"HAHAHAHA! Beautifully done, Sawamura!"

"I knew it! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!"

"Eijun-kun!!!"

"Sawamura, you're insane! That was heart-stopping!"

As Eijun returned to the dugout, he was met with his teammates' unrestrained joy.

"Great job, Sawamura," Chris said with a warm smile. Even Coach Kataoka nodded approvingly, his expression full of admiration.

"You've done your job exceptionally well."

"Yes, sir!!!"

"It's our turn now. Starting with the cleanup hitter, let's give them a big gift and end this game!"

"OOOOHHHHH!!!"

...

Third-base side, Komadai Fujimaki High School dugout.

"Not scoring here isn't the end of the world. Extra innings are in our favor. Their pitcher is clearly at his limit. There's no need to rush. Understand?"

"Yes, sir!"

Coach Nitta maintained his calm, collected expression as he spoke, his words steady and measured. As he finished, he cast a casual glance at Hongou standing beside him.

Hongou deliberately averted his gaze, refusing to meet his coach's eyes.

"Also, in the next at-bat, intentionally walk their cleanup hitter."

The moment Coach Nitta said this, Hongou snapped his head around, his clenched fists and disgruntled expression making his dissatisfaction abundantly clear.

But Coach Nitta remained unfazed.

"This is a team battle, Hongou. You must understand that." His voice was low and firm, his expression devoid of emotion.

Hongou's heart sank as his coach's words hit him. Slowly, he unclenched his fists and lowered his gaze.

"Yes."

The single word he muttered brought a wave of relief to the rest of the Komadai players, who had feared a clash between Hongou and the coach in such a critical moment.

"Alright, let's go."

"Yes, sir!"

...

Bottom of the ninth inning, Seidou High School's turn at bat.

"Batting cleanup, first baseman—Yuuki-kun."

"Let's go, Yuuki!"

"Captain, we're counting on you! Hit a big one!"

"Take this game home, Seidou!"

"One swing, end it!"

The calm and composed Yuuki Tetsuya, the only player to have hit a home run in this game, stepped into the batter's box. His presence alone radiated an unparalleled sense of reliability and confidence, the cornerstone of Seidou's trust.

But what happened next surprised everyone—or perhaps, given the situation, it shouldn't have been so unexpected after all.

"Whoosh."

"Pop."

"Ball four, intentional walk!"

A deliberate and blatant walk.

Yuuki's surprised expression shifted to the mound, where Hongou's visibly displeased face was on full display. Shaking his head in mild frustration, Yuuki dropped his bat and jogged toward first base.

"An intentional walk!?"

"They just walked the cleanup hitter without hesitation?"

"This shows how badly Komadai wants to win. They're being incredibly cautious and logical, making the safest choice."

"Yeah, when you're facing a monster who's already hit a home run, and the score is tied in the ninth inning, you can't be too careful."

"Besides, the batters after him should be easier to handle."

"Whoosh."

"Ping."

"Pop!"

"Out!"

The crowd's murmurs grew louder as Masuko was swiftly put out in just two pitches. Komadai's explosive yet calculated approach once again stifled Seidou's offense, leaving a palpable sense of frustration hanging in the air.

"Batting sixth, catcher, Miyuki-kun."

Coach Nitta's strategy was bold yet precise. In this crucial bottom of the ninth inning, there was no need to take unnecessary risks. Securing the outs they could was Komadai's trademark style of play.

"Whoosh."

"Pop!"

"Strike three! Batter out!"

Damn it, all splitter?!

Miyuki swung and missed yet again, his eyes flashing with restrained anger as the realization set in.

In just five pitches, Komadai had taken two outs, leaving Yuuki stranded helplessly at first base. The spectators let out collective sighs of disappointment as Seidou's chances seemed to slip away.

Komadai's discipline and tactical execution were on full display, showing why they had earned their place as a dark horse team capable of reaching the finals. Their strength wasn't just in skill but in sheer intelligence.

"Batting seventh, pitcher, Sawamura-kun."

...

Eijun stepped up to the plate, his pale face showing a faint smile. His light steps carried him to the batter's box, his gaze locking onto the mound.

What a formidable opponent, Eijun thought to himself.

Masamune Hongou was undoubtedly a generational talent, a pitcher who had dominated the same era in which he stood. In the original story, Hongou had blocked Inashiro during the summer and Seidou in the spring.

And now, here he was—blocking Eijun's path.

"!!!"

Hongou's familiar grim expression hadn't changed.

Eijun stood steady in the batter's box, his faint smile barely visible at the corner of his lips.

"Whoosh."

A blazing pitch cut through the air, kicking up a swirl of dust as it hit the ground.

"Swish."

"Thud."

"Strike!"

The pitch, like a declaration of dominance, seemed to proclaim Hongou's overwhelming power.

Hongou's piercing gaze bore down on Eijun, his aura exuding an unmistakable sense of superiority.

You can't beat me.

In every generation, there's room for only one strongest player. And that's me.

Hongou's eyes widened slightly, a twisted smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. His high-raised right leg and powerful arm swing exuded an unstoppable force.

So this is where you'll fall! I'll be the one to stand as the strongest!

"Whoosh!"

A streak of light flashed by, disappearing almost instantly.

Eijun's expression remained calm, his eyes seemingly unfocused as he gazed ahead. It was as if he were looking past Hongou, through him, at the vast, clear blue sky above.

The sky is so blue... This is summer... Our summer...

I don't understand complex things.

But what I do know is why I'm here—to become the ace, to reach the summit.

And I won't let it end here. I can't stop now!

"Swish!"

Eijun stepped forward sharply, his movements illuminated by radiant brilliance, his determination igniting the air around him.

The one who's leaving the stage... is YOU!

With a silent roar from the depths of his heart, Eijun unleashed all the power he had left.

The echo of contact reverberated like a thunderclap, an explosion of light scattering across the sky. The scene froze, the massive Hanshin Koshien Stadium silenced as if time itself had come to a halt.

"PING!!!"

The ball soared through the air, a dazzling streak of light heading straight for its destination.

"Whoosh."

All eyes watched in stunned silence as the ball flew, eventually striking the home run board with a deafening impact.

"BOOM!"

It was as if the sound resonated in the hearts of every person in the stadium. All they could do was stare in awe, captivated by the sight before them.

On the field stood a young pitcher, fist raised high in triumph, his voice echoing through the air in a nearly heart-wrenching cry of victory.

"Walk-off home run! In the bottom of the ninth inning, seventh batter, first-year left-handed pitcher Sawamura Eijun delivers a stunning hit! The run he gave up, he took back himself with an extraordinary, awe-inspiring strike, bringing this grueling tug-of-war to its final conclusion!"

"After 130 pitches of sheer determination, it was Sawamura Eijun's final swing that crowned Seidou as the true champions!"

"The victors are... the kings... SEIDOU!!!"

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