Diamond No Ace: The Monster

Chapter 194: The Protagonist!

The Yakushi High School baseball team ultimately conceded a run.

On the pitcher's mound, Sanada stood with vacant eyes, staring at the sun in the sky.

He knew well that this was not the time to give up a run.

With only one final inning left for offense, even the previous three-run gap was difficult to close.

Now, with the deficit increasing to four runs, the chances of a comeback were nearly nonexistent.

Reflecting on himself, he wondered: Had he made the wrong choice just now?

Though his pitch was hit in the end, Sanada didn't believe he had made a mistake.

Under those circumstances, he did everything he could to shut down Seidou's key player. If he'd succeeded, it could have drastically changed the unfavorable situation for their team.

At this stage of the game, they had no choice but to take risks.

As for the pitch itself, while it wasn't his peak performance, he had thrown it seriously, and the pitch quality was decent.

Yet, that very pitch was ruthlessly sent flying by the opponent.

"Is this what it means to face the champions of the Kanto Tournament—one of the nation's top powerhouse teams?" he muttered.

Meanwhile, in Yakushi High's dugout, Coach Raizou Todoroki narrowed his eyes.

As an experienced veteran of the game, he understood better than anyone what that matchup had signified.

"This guy, just like my foolish son, has a natural gift for swinging the bat. Even his bat smells like money," Todoroki thought with a bitter smile.

The score stood at 7-3, a daunting four-run gap. For Yakushi, it was practically a death sentence.

"The game isn't over yet. How will you choose to respond?"

Raizou knew well that, even as the team's coach, there were some things beyond his control.

For instance, what choices the players would make on the field was something he couldn't dictate.

It depended on their personal aspirations for baseball and their inner determination.

To Raizou's relief, despite their initial shock at the situation, the players of Yakushi High didn't give up.

Faced with the grim reality and seemingly no hope of victory, it was natural for them to feel lost and bewildered.

They were shaken, stunned, and unsure of what to do next.

But soon, a stronger fighting spirit ignited in their eyes.

It seemed as though they couldn't rest unless they fought until the very last moment of the game.

A satisfied smile curled across Raizou's lips.

"You guys sure are full of surprises," he thought.

For players on the field—and for anyone pursuing their dreams—success only comes if you have the determination to act.

If you remain trapped in mere fantasies without taking action, you won't achieve anything.

Even if one day pies really fall from the sky, you wouldn't catch a single one.

What pleased Coach Raizou most was the mentality of his players.

No matter what, they had fought until the end.

In Seidou High School's dugout, the players clearly recognized the tenacity of their opponents.

"These guys are like cockroaches that just won't die!"

"Even after falling so far behind, they're still fighting with that kind of spirit?"

"That's rare!"

Even Chris, known for his calm and insightful observations, had high praise for them.

"They're definitely opponents worthy of our respect and even learning from," he remarked.

While the team discussed fervently, Furuya quietly sat on the bench, focusing on regulating his breathing.

Though he didn't outwardly react, it didn't mean he hadn't heard his teammates' conversation.

On the contrary, he listened carefully and attentively, fully aware of Yakushi High's resilience, which had exceeded his expectations.

They were indeed an opponent worthy of admiration and respect.

A particular rumor surfaced in Furuya's mind.

It was said that the original protagonists of this baseball world were not Seidou but Yakushi High School.

They were supposed to be the central team.

Their surprising performance on the field now seemed fitting.

After all, protagonists never play by the rules and often create miracles against all odds.

"Hey, as the ace of the team, aren't you going to share your thoughts?"

Miyuki, smiling mischievously, approached Furuya, who remained calm and silent.

He never missed a chance to guide his rookie partner.

Hearing their conversation, the other teammates also turned to listen, curious about Furuya's thoughts.

"I know our opponents are showing incredible resilience," Furuya began. "But I firmly believe that if we were the ones falling behind, the senior players would be just as tenacious—if not more. As long as the game isn't over, as long as the final out hasn't been recorded, I'll fight to the very last moment. That's what I've learned as part of Seidou High School's baseball team."

Miyuki's eyes widened in shock.

He knew Furuya occasionally said inspiring things, which was a skill any ace pitcher should possess.

But he hadn't expected Furuya's words to be so powerful and impactful.

Even the third-year seniors had red eyes, clearly moved.

"Who taught you to say that?" Miyuki asked with a smirk.

Furuya blinked innocently.

"It's what I truly think. If you insist, I'd say I figured it out thanks to the guidance of our coach."

Seidou's players felt chills run down their spines.

That compliment was so perfectly delivered that even bystanders couldn't help but want to give a thumbs-up.

The usually stern coach couldn't suppress a small smile.

"If you don't pursue baseball in the future, you might consider politics," Kuramochi said with a dead-serious expression. "I swear, you've got potential for it."

The other teammates, while silent, seemed to share Kuramochi's sentiment judging by their impressed expressions.

"I'm being honest!" Furuya protested earnestly.

He truly wasn't trying to flatter anyone — it was just his genuine feeling.

Since joining Seidou, his understanding and perspective on baseball had undergone a complete transformation.

Yet, for some reason, his teammates seemed reluctant to believe him, no matter how sincerely he spoke.

Even the usually stern Coach Kataoka now looked at Furuya with a noticeably softer expression.

The game on the field continued.

Despite conceding that run, Yakushi High School did not collapse or give up.

Neither their ace, Sanada, nor any of the other players backed down.

Each of them fought with every ounce of strength, determined to battle Seidou High School to the bitter end.

Their fighting spirit burned fiercely, and their resolve to win was unparalleled.

The third out soon arrived.

"Three outs! Change of sides!"

The bottom of the eighth inning concluded, with the score remaining at 7-3.

Thus, the game entered the ninth and final inning.

In the top of the ninth, Yakushi High School took the offense.

Seidou High only needed three more outs to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Although this inning wouldn't be easy, the loyal Seidou supporters in the stands erupted in thunderous cheers.

From their perspective, victory seemed within reach, as if the goddess of triumph was already waving at them.

A four-run lead was a strong buffer against any unexpected twists.

It was only then that some fans realized the significance of Coach Kataoka's earlier decision.

"Remember, our ace pitcher hasn't even returned to the mound yet."

Despite the unexpected three-run concession in the seventh inning, which nearly derailed their commanding position, Seidou hadn't deployed their ace.

What did that indicate?

It showed they had conserved their strength.

Even though Yakushi High was a dark horse that had defeated national powerhouses, they were merely a small challenge for Seidou.

Overcoming this obstacle and securing victory was never in doubt for them.

"Keep pushing forward!"

"Kawakami!!!"

Seidou's players couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the fickle nature of the fans.

These supporters were true "fair-weather friends."

When the team was in trouble during the earlier innings, they had loudly criticized the coach for inaction.

That scene was still fresh in everyone's minds.

Yet in the blink of an eye, those same fans had done a complete 180, praising Coach Kataoka for his foresight and strategy.

"Fans are simple," Furuya said with a wry smile. "As long as you win, they'll support you. Even if you lose, as long as they see your effort, they'll still offer their blessings."

"Exactly," nodded Yuuki Tetsuya, Seidou's captain. "But we won't let them down. Let's go win this game!"

His words struck a chord with the entire team, and everyone cheered in unison, their fighting spirit reignited.

"Yes!!"

As the game entered the ninth inning, Seidou High only needed to secure three more outs to end the match.

Coach Kataoka cast a deliberate glance at Tanba.

Tanba's fighting spirit was still strong. If sent to the mound, he would undoubtedly battle fiercely against the opponent.

However, today's opponent was unusually unpredictable and troublesome.

While Yakushi High had little chance of staging a comeback, the unpredictable nature of baseball couldn't be ignored.

What if Tanba couldn't hold the line?

Although they still had Furuya, the ace pitcher, in reserve, bringing him in now might leave a negative impression.

People might conclude that Seidou relied solely on Furuya and that the rest of their pitchers were insignificant placeholders.

Such an impression, once ingrained, could be detrimental to Seidou's reputation.

If Sawamura and Kawakami consistently delivered strong and stable performances, this perception wouldn't be harmful. In fact, it might even serve as a strategic advantage.

But the problem was that Sawamura's performance lacked consistency, and Kawakami's pitching skills weren't particularly formidable.

If opponents realized this, the psychological advantage these two pitchers provided would be severely diminished.

Taking all this into consideration, Coach Kataoka decided not to make a substitution.

Instead, he allowed Kawakami to continue pitching.

Though Kawakami's performance in this game had been subpar, he now had nothing left to lose.

It might be better to let him pitch through to the end—perhaps fortune would favor them.

"First batter, third baseman, Raichi Todoroki!!"

As Seidou's players took their positions on the field, Yakushi's leadoff hitter stepped confidently into the batter's box.

Raichi showed no concern for his team's dire situation.

His eyes, sharp and wild like those of a prehistoric beast, locked fiercely onto his opponent.

"So, it's you in the end? I was hoping to face your ace pitcher!"

Raichi let out his signature raucous laugh.

"Kehehe, kehehehe!!"

His laugh remained as piercing as ever.

Even though Seidou held a commanding advantage, the sound of Raichi's laugh made many Seidou fans instinctively furrow their brows.

They couldn't help but dislike this wild, eccentric boy.

"Bring it on! No matter who the pitcher is, I'm gonna send that ball flying!!"

Raichi didn't waste time contemplating whether he could turn the game around.

With his limited capacity for deep thinking, such questions were beyond him.

But there was one thing he knew for certain:

As long as he could hit the ball cleanly and send it soaring, his team would have a sliver of hope.

If he failed to do so, their hopes would dwindle to almost nothing.

"Come on!!!"

Raichi's overwhelming presence was palpable.

Even Miyuki, crouched behind the plate as the catcher, couldn't help but frown.

He was surprised to notice that Kawakami seemed nervous.

"His movements are stiff, and his expression unnatural…"

Miyuki glanced back at Raichi.

Was this opponent really putting such immense psychological pressure on Kawakami?

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