Diamond No Ace: The Monster

Chapter 28: The Highly Anticipated High School Debut!

In the Kanto Tournament, the game between Seidou High and Yokohama Kohouku was heating up.

Both teams were top national powerhouses, with a significant number of supporters on both sides.

The stands were packed with organized fans cheering for their teams.

Now, the game had reached the seventh inning.

Previously impressive pitcher Tanba had been hit hard, conceding two runs in quick succession.

As a result, the score was now 2:3, with Seidou High trailing by one run.

"Just as expected! Seidou's ace has weak endurance. Let's seize this opportunity and expand our lead!"

Yokohama Kohouku's coach was visibly excited.

He had initially thought that his team was going to lose. The strength of Seidou High's team was daunting, particularly their terrifying offensive power.

If Yokohama Kohouku's pitching staff hadn't held firm, Seidou High might have already taken a substantial lead.

Fortunately, they managed to hold them off, bringing about a turnaround.

Although Seidou High had another relief pitcher, the quality of this substitute was unknown to Yokohama Kohouku.

Even if Seidou High chose to make a pitching change now, Yokohama Kohouku was unconcerned. They were confident they could score more runs off the new pitcher.

What truly worried them was Tanba's high-arc curveball, which was a significant threat.

"If we can get rid of him, Seidou High's last hope will be gone."

At this moment, Yokohama Kohouku's coach and players seemed to see the goddess of victory beckoning to them.

"Let's press on and win this game."

Not only the coaches and players on the field, but even the fans in Yokohama Kohouku's stands began to cheer loudly.

In this critical moment, Seidou High unexpectedly called for a substitution.

"Pitcher Tanba Koichiro is out! Replacing him is first-year student Satori Furuya."

The Yokohama Kohouku coach was stunned for a moment before processing the news.

"A first-year rookie! Have we heard of him before?"

"No. He doesn't seem to be a nationally renowned player."

Upon hearing his assistant's response, the coach nodded slightly.

"Perhaps Coach Kataoka, seeing no chance of a comeback, decided to use this opportunity to develop a new player."

This was the most reasonable explanation the Yokohama Kohouku assistant coach could come up with.

Aside from intentionally forfeiting the game, the coach of Yokohama Kohouku had considered another possibility.

He suspected that Coach Kataoka intended to protect their current ace.

Tanba's stamina was already an issue. If he continued to stay on the field, it was highly likely that Yokohama Kohouku would crush him.

This regional tournament was undoubtedly important for the Seidou High School baseball team, but it certainly wasn't the most crucial. What mattered most were the summer games.

For Seidou, who hadn't reached Koshien for several years, their greatest desire was to make it there. If their ace were to be broken and his form compromised before then, it would be the last thing the Seidou team would want to see.

"You really are ruthless, Coach Kataoka, using a first-year student as a scapegoat!" The Yokohama Kohouku coach smirked coldly.

"Our opponents are at their wit's end. Don't hold back, give them a lesson. We're not their training ground."

Hearing their coach's words, the Yokohama Kohouku players became energized. Even though they were currently leading Seidou by one run, the game itself hadn't been smooth. They had been holding in their frustration all along and were eager to release it.

"If there's a chance to let it out, we won't hesitate to make Seidou regret it."

"No matter if it makes you cry, we won't show mercy."

The batter who just took the batting position declared boldly.

Miyuki looked up and glanced at his opponent. He could sense just how formidable the Yokohama Kohouku team was. Their demonstrated batting prowess sent chills down his spine.

These guys were indeed very strong, worthy of being called national top-tier contenders.

But...

Kneeling in the catcher's position, Miyuki flashed a sly grin.

"Our first-year rookie is no ordinary player. If you treat him like any other newcomer, you'll surely regret it."

After thinking to himself, Miyuki discreetly signaled to Furuya on the pitcher's mound.

"Come on! Let's show these guys what a true fastball is."

Seeing Miyuki's signal, Furuya gave a matching grin.

"Alright!"

While there weren't ten thousand fans in the stands, there were still several thousand.

The supporters of both teams were deafening.

Pitching in such an electrifying atmosphere, Furuya felt his whole body surging with adrenaline.

He was certain he loved being in places like this, loving the feeling of pitching in such environments.

"Come on, let the applause be even louder!"

This was his first official high school game, and it was the Kanto Tournament at that. All of this deeply stirred Furuya, filling him with energy.

"Take a deep breath, pitch like you always do."

Despite the excitement raging inside him, as the ace pitcher from the runner-up team in Hokkaido, Furuya had undergone significant training. He forcibly suppressed his excitement.

Just like always, he lifted his leg high and brought it down forcefully.

As his body shifted its weight, he channeled all his strength onto the two fingers gripping the baseball.

Then, he released it all in a focused burst.

"BOOM!!"

Furuya's pitching motion seemed so natural and fluid. Yet, when his pitch truly flew out, the feeling it gave transformed completely.

That terrifying, unparalleled sensation, that extreme speed, was enough to captivate anyone.

Everyone present who witnessed the pitch felt their mouths go dry in an instant.

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