Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 390: The Measure of Diamond

"Next, it's time to deal with these guys."

After Furuya returned to the bench, Eijun turned his gaze toward his teammates. His solemn expression indicated that he was more serious than ever before.

"Let's show these reckless fools why we're called the kings!"

With golden light glinting in his sharp eyes, his powerful words and imposing presence resonated strongly.

Everyone could feel the commanding confidence and reliability emanating from Seidou's ace—Eijun.

"Then it's all up to you, ace," Miyuki said with a slight smile, his glove meeting Eijun's in a fist bump that showcased their era-defining battery connection.

Earlier, Seidou had somewhat underestimated Ugumori High. But from this moment on, the reigning champions would go all out, determined to extinguish any opposition daring to rise against them.

"Got it, ace. Wipe the smugness off their faces!" Kuramochi said with a mischievous grin.

"Eijun, just take them down one by one," another teammate encouraged.

"Hold them right here, Sawamura!" Maezono said with a hearty laugh.

"Take out the last one, keep them in check, Sawamura," Tojo added with a smile.

Eijun raised an eyebrow slightly, his ace-like aura rippling out.

After enduring a summer of rigorous training and triumph, he had cultivated a unique presence.

While it might sound mystical, this was something genuinely tangible in reality: true strength always draws attention wherever it goes.

When it's accompanied by unparalleled determination, the effect becomes even more profound.

"Is this the famous ace of Seidou now?" Ugumori's slugger Umemiya Seiichi chuckled, cracking his knuckles as he observed Eijun on the mound. A sly smile crept onto his face. "We've already scored big. If we can manage one or two more runs off this guy, our chances of winning will skyrocket."

Miyamoto, brimming with excitement, added, "Yeah, no way we expected to put four on the board this inning."

The rest of the Ugumori players shared Miyamoto's enthusiasm.

Even the usually composed Matsubara Nao couldn't help but let a faint smile slip. But as the team's strategist, he remained aware of the bigger picture. While they had the advantage for now, the game was far from over.

"Alright," Matsubara said in a steady tone, "we might have the lead, but the game is only at the midpoint. Until the final out, victory isn't certain. And let's not forget, we're up against Seidou's ace—a pitcher who dominated this summer. There's no need to panic. One run. Just one more. With that, we can claim the win. Stick to our plan. Let's go!"

"Yeah!" the team roared.

"Batting seventh, catcher, Tsuchishiro!"

"Go for it, Tsuchishiro! Keep the offense going!"

"Don't let up! Attack, attack!"

"We've already got four. Let's add another!"

"Now it's your time to shine, Tsuchishiro!"

Ugumori's spirit was riding high. On the surface, they appeared relaxed and cheerful, but that didn't mean they assumed they had the game in the bag.

As Matsubara had reminded them, they understood the challenge awaiting them on the mound. Their remarks were also part of a strategy, aimed at unsettling the pitcher.

It was classic youthful bravado. Matsubara knew that even the slightest effect on Sawamura's pitching would be a huge gain for Ugumori.

Tsuchishiro, playing the role of the confident hitter, stepped into the batter's box, hoping to seize the psychological upper hand and put pressure on Eijun.

This approach wasn't wrong—timing and targeting the right opponent were crucial. But Ugumori was now facing a pitcher whose technical skills and mental fortitude were far beyond what they had anticipated.

At the plate, Tsuchishiro choked up on the bat, shortening his grip to quicken his swing. Then, he prepared to face the pitch.

Swoosh

As Tsuchishiro assumed his batting stance and began contemplating his strategy, a sudden flash of cold light appeared.

That surging aura and the roar of the exploding pitch came racing toward him in an instant.

Caught in a moment of hesitation, Tsuchishiro froze.

POP!

A crisp sound echoed.

"Strike!"

On the mound, the pitcher's cold, unyielding figure became clear in Tsuchishiro's stunned gaze.

So… so… so fast!

It was as if he'd been given no time at all to react or even think.

The attack was like a relentless tide, one wave following another, surging continuously.

"Second pitch!"

The sharpest of throws—a modified cutter.

Whoosh

Like a streak of lightning.

As piercing as thunder.

The resounding roar was so sharp it left Tsuchishiro's ears ringing.

In the next instant.

A sudden flash of white streaked toward him.

Even as Tsuchishiro swung with all his might, he couldn't make contact.

THUD!

A dull thump—proof of the pitcher's dominance.

"Strike!"

Even behind the plate, Miyuki's brows lifted slightly, showing a hint of surprise.

Sawamura… could his velocity have increased again?

This speed—nearly hitting 140 km/h?

From under 130 km/h around this time last year to now closing in on 140 km/h.

Eijun's development seemed almost unreal.

Beneath his calm exterior, Miyuki's pupils betrayed a flicker of amazement.

Still, shock was one thing.

On the offensive front, Miyuki would never let such thoughts slow him down. That's right—offensive. As the so-called golden battery, Miyuki and Eijun had never operated on a philosophy of passive defense.

Their game plan, their pitch selection?

It all revolved around a single principle:

Attack, attack, attack.

The ace's true measure was reflected in his relentless onslaught—his drive to prove his worth and demonstrate his strength.

"Third pitch—this one will end it!"

Pinpoint precision and the sharpest throw yet.

A low outside fastball.

Eijun raised his right leg high, his arm swinging upward.

The very essence of composure and dominance.

He stepped forward firmly.

His arm whipped through the motion.

Whoosh!

A streak of brilliance surged forth.

The unstoppable shine roared down the line.

The bat's swing—so feeble, so laughably futile—was no match.

POP!

"Strike! Batter out! Three outs! Change sides!"

This was Eijun's ace debut, his aura radiating like a force of nature.

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