Diamond No Ace: The Strongest Hitter

Chapter 215: The End of the Akikawa Battle

"Ping!"

"Center fielder!"

"Yosh! This one's for you, bastards!" shouted Isashiki while sprinting as he saw the ball soar.

"That batter again!" You Shunshin's face was filled with disbelief.

"Bang!"

At that moment, Sendo's hit also stopped flying!

"Yosh! Direct hit on the center field wall!"

"Akikawa's outfielders are positioned far back. But there's nothing they can do! The runner from second base scores! Then the runner from first base!"

In the end, Sendo leisurely made it to third base!

Seidou's cheering section erupted in celebration, waving megaphones and even mimicking a toast gesture, creating a scene like crashing waves.

"Yosh!" Jun-san and Captain gave each other a powerful high five as they returned to home plate.

The three-point deficit from the first inning was wiped clean in an instant. With no outs and a runner on third base, the game had completely turned around.

"Ping!"

Unexpectedly, the sixth batter, Pudding-senpai, went for a bunt.

With Akikawa unable to handle Sendo's speed, the runner made it to first base!

"Yosh! The fourth run!"

"Complete comeback!"

Jun-san and Captain didn't return to the dugout but waited on the field for their star player. All four runs had been scored thanks to Sendo!

Both seniors extended their hands simultaneously. Sendo reached out both hands, cutting between theirs, and their hands clapped together heavily.

On the sidelines, Fujio saw the legacy of Seidou's power hitting being passed down.

At that moment, the seniors didn't interrupt Sendo's stylish retreat to the bench after the celebratory high five.

"So cool! Fine, I'll let you have this moment to show off!" Ryousuke muttered to himself.

...

"Heh! That's how it should be! If not, I'd be worried!

By the way, I came to Japan to play this kind of baseball," You Shunshin's eyes sparkled with determination.

With no runners on base, how could Miyuki handle You Shunshin in such a fired-up state?

He and the eighth batter, Shirasu, were both taken down.

Three outs, side change!

Just as they were hoping to extend their lead!

"Yah…!"

"Whoosh!"

"Ping!"

"Third baseman!"

"Ooga!"

"Pop!"

"Yosh! Yosh! Yosh! Yosh! Yosh! Yosh!"

"Stop yelling every time!"

"You're so noisy!" The energy in Seidou's atmosphere had been fully ignited.

"Ping!"

"Shortstop!"

"Seriously, too many troublesome plays!

Hahaha!"

"Pop!"

A complete no-hitter with a "three-pitch-three-out" style—truly a relaxed approach.

If You Shunshin merely found facing Sendo and Isashiki troublesome, then Sawamura was nothing short of a nightmare for Akikawa Academy.

In the years Sendo knew Sawamura, he hadn't taught him much about baseball techniques, but this guy had followed Sendo's explosive strength training regimen for six years.

As a result, his pitch speed was at least a full level faster than it was in the original timeline.

Akikawa's lineup, which already struggled to hit Sawamura's pitches, was now completely overwhelmed, left without any way to fight back.

All three pitches weren't particularly fast, nor were they difficult to handle — just tricky in terms of flight angles, prompting Kuramochi to complain.

Now, all the pressure was on Akikawa.

"Doesn't seem like the type of pitcher who's just here to wear down innings!"

Smack!

"Strike! Batter out!"

"Damn!"

"Ah! So close!" Sawamura exclaimed, smacking his bat against his helmet.

"So close? Do you even speak Japanese? You're just a first-year!" You Shunshin said, bewildered.

"That wasn't 'so close!' You missed by at least 20 centimeters, you big dummy!" Sendo grumbled from the dugout.

"A curveball on the first pitch — if I aim for it..."

"Even if you aim for it, you won't hit it!" Kuramochi retorted.

You Shunshin's fighting spirit soared as if he had activated a game-breaking mode. His impeccable control and unpredictable pitch combinations left everyone guessing.

"We need two more runs!"

"We'll make a comeback!" Every team has its reasons not to lose.

"We're definitely going to win! Keep up the fighting spirit, Sawamura!" Jun-san enthusiasm radiated like a boss rallying his subordinates.

"Let's go!"

...

"Seidou's caught up!" Even the regular players from Ichidaisan High had come to watch.

"Yeah, senpai!"

"Your old friend's putting on a good show, huh?"

"Two at-bats, two hits! One double, one triple, three RBIs, and even a forced base-run score — all thanks to Sendo!"

"Whoa? That's impressive!"

On the field, You Shunshin was quickly retired in one pitch.

"Even You Shunshin couldn't hit it?"

"No way! Seriously?"

"Is this really okay?" Seidou's side was the most shocked.

At this moment, Coach Kataoka started a psychological battle by sending Tanba to the bullpen.

In the sixth inning, after retiring Isashiki, You Shunshin intentionally walked the captain, Yuuki.

Facing Sendo for the third time, You Shunshin's first pitch — a slightly off-target outside fastball — was nearly a home run, missing by just a few centimeters. You Shunshin then decided to walk him as well.

Masuko followed up with another bunt, advancing the runners to second and third base.

Coach Kataoka was clearly aiming to extend the lead.

With runners in scoring position, Miyuki was undeniably dangerous.

In this state, he could easily be considered the third-best batter after Yuuki and Sendo.

After predicting the pitch, Miyuki delivered a triple, bringing in two more runs.

Although Akikawa barely managed to break Seidou's batting momentum by retiring Shirasu, the score had widened by three runs.

Once Sawamura found his rhythm, Akikawa couldn't hit any more solid balls.

The seventh inning also ended without any runs.

Seidou's two titans — Chris and Coach Kataoka — simultaneously praised Sawamura.

Sawamura's excitement was indescribable.

Due to the pressure imposed by Tanba and the three-run deficit, Akikawa's morale started to crumble.

"You guys planning to drag this game to the ninth inning and keep the suspense? If you're truly aiming to dominate the nation, then score more runs in the remaining innings!"

"Understood!"

Although Sendo didn't have plans to dominate the nation, it was better not to argue at this point—one might get themselves killed for it.

Coach Kataoka, just like in the original, noticed the decline in the opponent's morale. After Sawamura was retired, he instructed Kuramochi to avoid hitting fly balls and instead to aim for the right side.

Kuramochi used his speed to force an error in the defense and reach base.

"Although it's unfortunate that You Shunshin's pitching has been so excellent, the opponent's defense has completely fallen apart! Looks like we might settle the game in this inning!" Sendo commented from the bench.

"Probably!" Chris responded gently.

"Baseball is full of surprises!" Coach Kataoka said, watching the field intently, making it clear he was speaking to Sendo.

With You Shunshin shouting that there was no need for a throw, Kuramochi stole second base.

Ping!

Ryousuke hit the ball. While it wasn't a perfect hit, in his past life, this would've been a short bunt to advance the runner.

Although this was also a base-advancing hit, a bunt and a regular hit are completely different. The strike zone for You Shunshin had been ridiculously expanded by the umpire.

However, Isashiki wasn't so lucky and hit a ball right into the glove of the right fielder.

"See!" Miyuki remarked, coming up to Sendo, revealing that his prediction had been off.

But that was just a minor incident.

In the eighth inning, with Yuuki leading off, Seidou's lineup erupted like never before.

After walking both Yuuki and Sendo, Pudding-senpai hit the first home run of the day—a three-run homer.

Miyuki earned a walk, and then Haruichi was substituted in to bat for Shirasu. Using the same tactic to lure You Shunshin into pitching inside, Haruichi hit a double.

Sawamura followed with a bunt to advance the runners.

Now it was Kuramochi's turn.

Ping!

"Stay calm, Kunimi!" You Shunshin called out, trying to reassure first base as Kuramochi advanced.

"Home plate!"

At that moment, a fearful shout came from home plate.

You Shunshin spun around to see Haruichi attempting to steal home.

Kunimi could only throw the ball back to home plate, and Haruichi returned safely.

With Haruichi's help, Kuramochi managed to get on base.

Kuramochi's batting had been completely unreliable, and Shirasu was far more stable than him. But Haruichi was too consistent, while Kuramochi was just so fast.

"Second batter, second baseman, Ryousuke-kun!"

Facing the relentless Seidou lineup, only You Shunshin still held onto his fierce fighting spirit, continuing to enjoy the game.

At this point, Sendo started to understand You Shunshin's mindset.

"Steal!" The call to steal brought Sendo back to the present moment.

Although he didn't want to stop Kuramochi from stealing, he knew he had to at least remind him.

Akikawa requested a timeout.

Thump, thump! At the same time, You Shunshin's heart skipped a beat.

"This kind of extreme tension is what makes baseball fun!" You Shunshin said to his teammates, smiling.

Thump, thump! When Sendo saw You Shunshin smile, his heart skipped a beat as well.

He understood You Shunshin's feelings, and that's exactly why he hadn't been able to like baseball before.

But now...

"Chris-senpai!"

Suddenly, he thought, sometimes, baseball can be really fun after all! Sendo revealed his most captivating smile.

"Eh?" Chris looked at Sendo's smile, feeling a bit uncertain. He seemed to understand Sendo's feelings for the first time—winning games too easily doesn't allow for that feeling of tension and excitement!

Today, Sendu was able to empathize and feel that tension for himself, and Chris thought it was a good start.

"Forced runs!"

After an unknown amount of time, the warmth from the bench was once again mercilessly interrupted by the game situation.

Haruichi at third and Kuramochi at second both attempted stolen bases, while Ryousuke positioned himself for a bunt. You Shunshin tried to pitch away, but Ryousuke managed to jump and make contact with the ball.

Seidou scored their tenth run!

Just as You Shunshin threw to first base, Kuramochi sprinted toward third. The combination attack that decided the game in the original story was now more of a finishing touch. However, for a newly revived Akikawa, it was like a wake-up call.

The eleventh run came, and Ryousuke took advantage of Akikawa's confusion to reach second base.

A forced run had turned into a double, demonstrating the crucial difference in key plays between a well-trained powerhouse and an average school. Even You Shunshin could let his guard down occasionally.

It was impossible for a top-tier player to make such a basic mistake after rigorous training, where every opportunity is seized and such errors are strictly avoided.

"Not letting any opportunity slip by, attacking one after another... No matter the type of pitch, they can respond with excellent hitting techniques, combined with aggressive base running. This is the level of Japanese baseball." When You Shunshin thought this, although his mindset remained solid, that hunger for victory had already been replaced with the enjoyment of the game itself.

"Baka! It's not over yet!" You Shunshin had no idea how many times Seidou's central lineup had come up by now.

After Haruichi got on base, You Shunshin faced a dilemma—he could only walk either Yuuki or Sendo.

He had to choose between facing Yuuki or walking him and loading the bases to face Sendo.

But all of this no longer seemed to matter.

The remainder of the game was just a chance for both teams to enjoy the match.

"Seidou! Seidou! Seidou!" The cheers from the crowd proved everything. Though Akikawa had scored steadily, You Shunshin had managed to shut them down at key moments.

This time, with runners on base, Seidou's central lineup had everyone's adrenaline spiking.

In the end, You Shunshin chose to face Sendo, who looked slightly weaker.

Sendo got the crucial runs for his team, delivering the most outstanding performance of the day.

A grand slam!

It nearly confirmed Seidou's lineup as the strongest in West Tokyo.

Shirasu, despite being in the eighth spot, was also an excellent hitter.

Although he lacked the abilities of a third-year summer cleanup hitter, he was still top-tier.

Normally, even in powerhouse teams like Seidou, players like him would be placed in the lower half of the lineup for the sake of lineup flow.

It was terrifying to think that an entire lineup, with players of top-tier caliber, had someone like Shirasu batting eighth.

Seidou finally took the game with Sawamura retiring, and with a hit off of Kawakami in the final inning, there were no more strong hitters left to face.

With the final out, the game ended with a score of 15-3.

This was after Seidou had intentionally given Akikawa some respect by not going all out.

After the game, You Shunshin removed his helmet and finally felt the exhaustion in his body.

For Seidou, the biggest takeaway from this game was the growth of Sawamura and Sendo in this match.

A strong batting lineup combined with a solid pitching rotation left the impression that even a professional like Fujio might see them making it to Koshien.

"Yang Shunshen! That was a fun match-up! See you next year!" Miyuki called out to You Shunshin in broken Chinese.

"That's [Yang Shunchen], you idiot! What's with that strange pronunciation?" Sendo complained from the side.

You Shunshin was surprised by Sendo's Chinese pronunciation.

"Don't be surprised! I visited Hong Kong and learned Mandarin," Sendo explained in Chinese.

You Shunshin could understand Sendo's Mandarin.

"I see!"

Miyuki's eyes widened in surprise as he watched their brief exchange in Chinese, clearly puzzled since he couldn't understand a single word!

His expression screamed, "I really want to know what you guys are talking about, but I can't understand a thing."

"We'll play again in the autumn!" Seidou finished with a smile.

"Ah! See you in the autumn!" You Shunshin said in Japanese before turning to leave.

Seidou also took You Shunshin's contact information.

"Autumn?" Miyuki asked, confused.

"In Taiwan, the school year starts six months earlier, in September, so this is You Shunshin's last summer tournament. After the autumn tournament, he'll retire."

"I see! That's really a shame!" Miyuki expressed his surprise at Sendo's harsh words and then sighed, reflecting on how cruel the reality of it was.

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