Diamond No Ace: Life As Sawamura Eijun

Chapter 230: The Counterattack in the Battle of Ikuei

Choosing the right strategy at the right time is the essence of Ikuei High School.

Under Coach Natsume's leadership, Ikuei High School has always been known for one thing: stability.

Their strategy revolves around staying consistent and adapting to any situation.

Most of the time, Ikuei secures victory by building momentum in the later stages of the game.

However, in today's quarterfinals, Coach Natsume led Ikuei High School into a groundbreaking opening that surprised not just the nationwide audience but also Seidou High School.

After seeing his team take the lead as planned, Coach Natsume didn't hide his satisfaction.

During the inning change, he even patted his players on the shoulder in approval. His tactical guidance at a crucial moment allowed Ikuei to seize control early in the game.

On the third base side, inside Seidou's dugout:

"We got outplayed there," said Chris calmly. "But it's just one run, Tanba. Don't let it bother you. Just keep pitching like you did earlier."

"Right," Tanba nodded slightly, though his expression betrayed some unease.

His long-awaited chance as the starting pitcher had been marred by conceding a run in the first inning, leaving him uncomfortable despite knowing it was due to Ikuei's successful surprise tactics.

Standing nearby, Miyuki wore a pensive expression, reflecting on the gains and losses of the previous inning.

Meanwhile, Eijun narrowed his eyes, glancing toward Ikuei's dugout. It was clear that their opponent had come prepared.

Even if Eijun had started, the likelihood of conceding a hit and a run in such circumstances would have been high.

He had to admit, Ikuei's tactical execution was impeccable.

In the original story, Ikuei managed to score two runs off Narumiya Mei due to his fatigue from consecutive games.

But to secure those runs against a pitcher of Narumiya's caliber was a testament to Ikuei's formidable lineup.

Despite their unassuming appearance, their strength was undeniable.

Coach Natsume wasn't just any coach—he was a sly old fox. Ikuei's execution of their strategies demanded the utmost vigilance.

Eijun's eyes flickered with thought as he silently analyzed the situation.

"Tch, Ikuei's really something..." Jun Isashiki muttered irritably, glancing toward Ikuei's dugout with evident displeasure.

"Heh, that just makes it more fun," Ryousuke replied with a smile.

"This shows how badly they want to win," Coach Kataoka's steady voice echoed through the dugout. "They're willing to adapt and change everything for victory. Keep that in mind. The match has only just begun—give it your all and crush them!"

"Yes, sir!" Seidou's players replied in unison.

At this point, most of Seidou's team hadn't fully grasped how formidable Ikuei truly was.

Only two or three players were approaching the situation with heightened caution.

The brief setback in the first inning only heightened Seidou's already strong awareness of Ikuei's capabilities.

It was evident that every team had their hidden cards.

For Ikuei to shift their playing style so drastically implied they weren't just the steady, conservative team everyone assumed.

Such seamless transitions couldn't have been achieved without thorough preparation.

Ikuei had likely assessed that only this approach would give them a chance to defeat Seidou.

However, this strategy wouldn't work twice.

Seidou, now more alert and better prepared, wouldn't allow Ikuei to succeed as easily as they had in the first inning.

"Top of the second inning, Seidou High School's turn at bat. Fourth batter, first baseman, Yuuki-kun!"

"Go, Captain! We're counting on you!"

"Yuuki-san, hit it out of the park!"

"Yuuki-kun, give them something big! Show Ikuei what Seidou's lineup can do!"

"Fourth batter, it's up to you!"

"Let's go, Seidou High!"

"Champions! Champions! Champions!"

The pivotal moment of this match had arrived.

On the first base side, inside Ikuei High School's dugout, Coach Natsume's expression had turned incredibly serious. Simultaneously, on the field, Ikuei's players were visibly tense, their nerves stretched taut.

Yuuki Tetsuya.

By now, there wasn't a strong team or an audience member in the country unfamiliar with Seidou's captain and cleanup hitter—a monstrous batter with overwhelming power.

A talent on par with Sano Shuuzou, if not surpassing him in certain aspects, Captain Yuuki was the ultimate threat every team had to guard against. One slip, and this man would deliver swift punishment.

Standing on the mound, Sato exhaled deeply. Within his heart, there was a mix of anticipation, excitement, and a faint, hidden trace of fear.

In the dugout, Eijun, slipping on his glove, observed the subtle changes in Satou's expression. He immediately understood what the pitcher was thinking.

This was the mindset shared by all pitchers aspiring to become elite—the thrill of facing a formidable batter.

"Our captain is a monster of his own kind. You better watch out," Eijun murmured softly with a knowing smile.

Though Eijun still harbored doubts about Ikuei's strategic choices, he had no concerns about Captain Yuuki.

Absolute strength remained absolute, and within Seidou's lineup, Yuuki Tetsuya was the most reliable and unshakeable pillar.

With his calm demeanor and imposing presence, Yuuki stood in the batter's box like an unmovable mountain, suffocating all opponents.

Eijun had faced him countless times in practice matches, and the outcome was almost always the same—more losses than wins.

Yuuki's ability to read and hit the ball was terrifying, to the point that even Eijun felt a sense of dread.

"Top of the second inning, the cleanup hitter faces the ace pitcher. First pitch!"

"!!"

Here it comes, Sato. If you can't suppress him here, the momentum we built in the first inning will be meaningless. This is the coach's decision and our team's choice. First pitch—forkball. Show your best form!

Sato raised his left leg high and swung his arm.

Whoosh!

A dazzling streak shot toward the plate.

As it neared home plate, Yuuki's expression remained unchanged.

Swish!

He stepped forward with his left foot and swung the bat forcefully.

The suppressed explosion of sound rang out.

Pop!

The ball's trajectory suddenly dropped sharply, narrowly avoiding the powerful metal bat and diving straight into the catcher's glove with a crisp, clear snap.

"Strike!"

Yuuki's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression as steady as ever as he readied himself for the next pitch.

In the dugout, Eijun's pupils contracted slightly.

Initially, he had wondered whether Ikuei's first-inning aggressiveness was just a temporary tactic. But now, it was clear—they were fully committed to maintaining this strong offensive throughout the game.

A choice that came with significant risk.

That forkball was not just a pitch; it was a declaration of intent.

Whoosh!

The second pitch—a fastball on the outside corner.

Swish!

Ping!

Yuuki's bat collided violently with the ball, producing a deafening sound.

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