Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 329: What Makes an Ace? The Ace Is Here!

"Ohhh! Sawamura is finally starting as the pitcher!"

"Haha, the ace's debut! After the summer tournament, we can finally see Sawamura stepping onto the mound wearing the ace's number!"

"Starting as the pitcher? That's not so easy."

"Huh?"

"Is there something else we don't know?"

"Do you guys know that this time, Sawamura is starting as the third batter too?"

"Third batter? A cleanup hitter?"

"What the heck? No way! People speculated that Sawamura might join the cleanup lineup in the future, but now? Already? And as the third batter? Is that for real?"

"The game's about to start. You'll see soon enough."

"If that's true, it's seriously impressive."

As Eijun stepped onto the field, the surrounding spectators buzzed with conversation. After all, seeing the ace take the mound had a completely different significance for them.

Naturally, it sparked their anticipation.

But the fact that he was also positioned as the third batter—a highly discussed role—left many spectators bewildered.

It's not entirely unusual for an ace to double as a cleanup hitter or even the fourth batter.

But for a first-year ace to also be a cleanup hitter? Now that's truly remarkable!

As noted in the original story, Furuya became the fifth batter during the Teito match, which caused a stir among the audience, though he didn't stay in the cleanup role afterward.

"Haha, the ace as the third batter? Coach Kataoka must really trust this first-year pitcher. But hey, a player's energy is limited. Being both the ace and a cleanup hitter will undoubtedly split his focus. If he performs poorly in both roles this game... Haha, that would be a godsend! The dawn of victory is getting brighter!"

On the third-base side, in Seishou High's dugout, the pockmarked-faced coach smirked smugly.

Seriously, where does your confidence even come from?

"Top of the first inning. Seishou High is up to bat. First batter, center fielder, Nakai-kun."

Go for it. Don't be afraid of striking out. Swing aggressively. Even if you do strike out, it's fine—just use the first at-bat for probing and gauging.

The pockmarked-faced coach sat in the dugout, radiating an air of strategized confidence.

On the field, Nakai nodded firmly.

With an unstoppable momentum, he strode to the batter's box, his fierce gaze seemingly trying to intimidate Eijun.

At that very moment, Eijun stood calmly on the pitcher's mound.

He didn't care one bit about such trivial intimidation.

Compared to powerhouse teams like Inashiro Industrial, Yakushi, Seihou, and Komadai Fujimaki…

Honestly, Seishou High's so-called momentum was completely unimpressive.

Eijun's sole thought at that moment was simple:

To pitch exactly the way he wanted, as freely and fiercely as possible throughout the game.

His focused eyes gleamed with intensity, radiating a surging aura.

The posture of a king. The undeniable presence of an ace.

First-year, left-handed ace — Sawamura Eijun.

Autumn Tournament.

First game.

Opening pitch!

"!"

"Whew… How do I even describe this feeling? This is just a practice mound in a familiar home field. Yet, this sensation... How should I put it?"

"This feeling of truly representing every player while standing on the mound."

"It's absolutely the best!!!"

His upright figure radiated a ferocious energy.

"Boom!"

The moment of triumph had arrived.

Eijun's right leg slammed forcefully onto the mound.

As his left arm whipped downward sharply, his resolve was clear.

For the first pitch, let's make it a spectacular start!

Whoosh!

A dazzling flash of light shot forth from his fingertips, leaving the crowd stunned before they could even react.

Pop!

The ball blazed through the air and landed firmly in Miyuki's glove, creating a crisp, clear sound that echoed through the field.

"Strike!"

The umpire's call lingered as a sense of disbelief gripped the audience.

"That pitch just now?"

"What was that!?"

"Holy crap, didn't you feel it? That pitch was fast!"

"140 km/h? No… could it be even faster? Wait, wasn't Sawamura's top speed just 135 km/h? Did he gain 5 km/h right after the summer tournament? That's insane!"

"Where's the speed gun? Did anyone bring one!?"

With just a single pitch, Eijun's signature fastball instantly caused an uproar among the spectators.

Every person there struggled to comprehend what they had just witnessed.

For many, it all happened in a flash.

Behind the plate, Miyuki shook his head with a wry smile.

"You really had to start so flashy, huh?"

In the first-base dugout, Seidou's coach Kataoka and strategist Ochiai were visibly shaken.

Unlike ordinary fans, these seasoned coaches—each with over a decade of experience in baseball—immediately recognized the uniqueness of that pitch.

"This kid is truly a hard-to-surpass genius," Ochiai muttered, shaking his head with a mix of awe and resignation.

Stroking his mustache, he reflected, A variety of breaking pitches, joints more flexible than most, a naturally quirky pitch trajectory—and now he's developed a fastball series unique to himself.

Ochiai couldn't help but think, I really can't predict this boy's future anymore.

This is what it means to be an ace.

The ace is right here.

In the dugout, Furuya gripped the railing tightly, his eyes locked onto Eijun. His intense gaze burned with competitive fire.

'This is it. This version of you is exactly the kind of rival I want to defeat.'

'I'll surpass you. That ace number—you better believe I'll take it for myself!'

Watching Eijun's side profile, Furuya felt a newfound determination.

Facing a strong opponent brings no fear—only excitement and an unyielding fighting spirit.

"Nice pitch, Sawamura!"

"Haha! Go, Ace!"

"Attack, Sawamura!"

"Eijun-kun, that was beautiful!"

Miyuki, still smiling slyly, extended his glove in a straight, commanding direction.

'If you're in this kind of condition, I suppose indulging your little whims today isn't such a bad idea.'

On the mound, Eijun stood tall, exuding a commanding presence.

Across from him, Nakai gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely at Eijun with a defiant expression.

'Damn it! Don't think one pitch is enough to scare me! I'll make you pay for that!'

But to Eijun, such defiance was utterly meaningless—a mere breeze beneath the sky of a king.