Diamond No Ace: The Strongest Hitter

Chapter 153: An Unexpected Ending

A few minutes earlier...

Tokugawa called for a timeout!

"What should we do now?" Surprisingly, it was Hori, the catcher responsible for leading the team, who spoke up first.

Hori wasn't actually panicking, but he wanted to prioritize the emotional state of their ace pitcher.

Baseball begins with the pitcher, and if the pitcher—the very foundation of the game—loses composure, everything falls apart.

Especially for their team, which relied on a single ace.

In Japan, the concept of the "ace" carries immense weight.

If a team has an absolute ace, other pitchers often lack sufficient playing time, leaving them inexperienced and unprepared for high-pressure situations.

Unless the pitcher possesses the composure of players like Sendo or Sawamura—especially Sendo, who almost never falters mentally—everything depends on that one individual during critical moments.

The coaching staff didn't send specific instructions, but the best option was undoubtedly an intentional walk.

However, if that decision shattered the ace's mentality, they'd have no choice but to confront Sendo directly!

Take Miyuki, for example.

Do you really think he's incapable of calling for an intentional walk?

He has done so in the past.

However, Seidou High doesn't allow walks.

For their pitchers—be it Furuya or Sawamura—a walk could shatter their morale, which would spell doom for the game.

The concept of walks damaging morale and momentum is, at its core, about the pitcher.

An ace's pride is often incredibly high due to years of accumulated confidence.

Professional players are less affected by home runs because they've grown accustomed to them and understand their inevitability.

But students—especially those with exceptional talent—often grow up surrounded by average peers.

Their accumulated confidence isn't something they're used to losing.

Combined with their young age, they're prone to psychological struggles.

This situation was different from the second inning earlier in the game.

Back then, they were startled, and the game had just begun.

Now, it was a critical moment, where the outcome of the game could hinge on this very decision.

At such a juncture, issuing a walk would be tantamount to admitting defeat.

For competitive kids, that's the hardest pill to swallow.

At this "die with honor rather than retreat" age, retreating is unthinkable.

"Let's walk him!"

Unexpectedly, before Hori could decide, Kanda spoke up without hesitation, requesting the intentional walk himself.

Hori was stunned. He had already braced himself for a do-or-die battle alongside Kanda.

"Surprised, huh? Yeah, this isn't like me at all. But as much as I hate to admit it, that guy and I aren't even in the same dimension right now. Honestly, he's given me a bit of a psychological complex. But even so, I want to win!"

"I want to end this game before he gets another turn at bat! If possible, I want to finish this in the bottom half of this inning!"

In that moment, for the sake of victory, the ace set aside his pride.

This was the best possible outcome for Tokugawa's team: walking Sendo while ensuring their ace's mentality remained intact.

Admitting defeat often requires more courage than fighting to the death.

As the saying goes, sometimes living requires more courage than dying.

A quick death might be painless, but living means enduring hellish torment.

"Kanda…" Hori, moved by his partner's bravery, silently made up his mind.

"Alright! If this is how it is, then we'll win or die trying!" Taking a deep breath, Hori turned to face the batter with renewed determination.

"Ball!"

"Ball four!"

"Ball four! The game is now tied!"

"What a bold decision by Tokugawa in such a critical situation. This puts immense psychological pressure on the pitcher. This level of determination shows just how much Tokugawa wants to win. Akagi Junior High School should be on high alert!"

Even without the commentator's analysis, Sendo could feel it.

Kanda's gaze, filled with sorrow and despair, locked onto him. But there was no fear, regret, or any other negative emotion signaling a mental breakdown.

Every fiber of Kanda's body conveyed a single message: I want to win. I don't care about anything else. I just want to win this game, even if it kills me.

In that moment, Sendo understood that this walk wasn't the team's decision—it was the pitcher's will.

"Well, a tie is still acceptable."

As Sendo noted, Sawamura struck out in the next at-bat.

Though his strikeout was comical, the gravity of the situation wasn't lost on him.

"This isn't good. That pitcher's condition has only improved!" Sendo glanced deeply at Kanda, who walked off the mound with a stoic expression.

Kanda's performance was unprecedented.

Even his pitch speed had dramatically increased, with his fastball's average velocity now rivaling his previous top speed.

The three fastballs that struck out Sawamura hinted at the immense information they carried.

But then, Sendo smiled.

He noticed Sawamura's demeanor had changed.

It wasn't just his expression; even his personality seemed altered.

The usual boisterous atmosphere around him had vanished as if it had never existed.

Clearly, Sawamura had felt the pressure behind those three fastballs.

He had experienced everything Sendo had—the unyielding determination to win at all costs.

But what kind of person is Sawamura?

Anyone familiar with him knows. During his first handshake with Raichi Todoroki, Sawamura was just as shaken.

And what was his response back then?

Acknowledging the opponent's dedication to baseball only fueled Sawamura's fighting spirit. His resolve not to lose burned brighter.

Today was no different. The opponent's condition and resolve had ignited Sawamura's fighting spirit. His determination would not lose to Kanda's.

"Strike!"

"Out!"

"Change sides!"

In response, Sawamura struck out three consecutive batters from Tokugawa's lower lineup with ease.

It's worth noting that Tokugawa's lower lineup is just as strong as their top two hitters.

This showcased the peak state Sawamura had reached.

Unlike last year, when Akagi's team surged collectively, Sawamura hadn't fully joined their momentum.

Back then, his pitches were controlled but restrained, unable to reach their full potential.

Last summer, despite his excellent condition, Sawamura was trapped in frustration, unable to unleash his full power.

And now, squatting before him was Sendo—the man who could catch any pitch.

Even pitches that Miyuki might struggle to handle wouldn't slip past Sendo.

His reflexes and dynamic vision were on a level Miyuki couldn't match.

However, in terms of pure catching technique, Sendo still lagged behind.

Despite learning faster than Miyuki, Sendo had only caught in four official games in the past and hadn't practiced regularly for years.

"Extra innings! The game has entered extra innings! Both pitchers are clearly in a different state now. This match won't be easy to decide. But with Sendo on Akagi Junior High's side, the pressure is undoubtedly on Tokugawa. Let's take a moment to reset before watching the next phase of this thrilling game!"

Only Sendo could see the look in Sawamura's eyes.

Anyone familiar with the original story would recognize it—it was the gaze Sawamura had during his second year of high school. Or rather, the same eyes Narumiya Mei had.

With his chin slightly raised, his eyes exuded an overwhelming confidence and an almost arrogant demeanor. In some ways, Sawamura was very similar to Narumiya Mei.

The difference was that Narumiya Mei's aura carried a sense of pride and coldness, whereas Sawamura projected authority and determination.

Perhaps it was due to the color of their pupils.

Sendo, too, sometimes had such a piercing gaze, but his was far more intimidating.

Yet no one had seen it often—Sendo rarely displayed obsession or intensity over anything, typically exuding a calm and approachable demeanor.

"This pitcher is fascinating!" said Takashima Rei, seated in the stands. She had taken an interest in Sawamura.

It's normal for players to have fluctuating performances, but Sawamura's current state was clearly triggered by the opponent's fighting spirit.

That was interesting—and a rare trait for an ace.

Such players possess an unyielding spirit that grows stronger under adversity.

This characteristic alone convinced Takashima Rei to attend Akagi Junior High's next game.

Initially, her goal was solely to scout Sendo.

After all, she had already decided to recruit Sendo at all costs, and today's performance confirmed that his skills weren't a fluke.

She believed that assessing his full potential could wait until he joined Seidou High.

But now, another player had caught her attention, making her decision to return an easy one.

The game reached its climax, with Tokugawa giving off an all-or-nothing aura.

Their pitches, primarily fastballs interspersed with breaking balls, became more aggressive.

Though the new catcher's calls weren't particularly advanced, they were no longer predictable.

The fastballs were particularly hard to hit today, to the point that even when batters anticipated them, they struggled to make contact.

It felt as though the pitcher's sheer willpower was suppressing the opposing batters.

But baseball is a game full of surprises.

Ping!

Thwack!

"It's in play!!! In the top of the eighth inning in extra innings, Takada, the eighth batter, has hit a home run to left field! Akagi Junior High takes the lead, 3-2!!!"

The stadium erupted in chaos.

Takada, often dismissed as a mediocre player, had shocked everyone.

Despite his low batting average, this rare home run was a game-changer.

The crowd went wild, unable to contain their excitement.

Many had anticipated a pitchers' duel, only to witness this unexpected twist.

Akagi broke the stalemate, but Tokugawa still had a chance for a walk-off victory.

Kanda, however, remained unfazed. All he could do was focus on throwing strikes. He struck out Takeda, ending the inning and switching sides.

Yet everyone knew this was the turning point.

Sawamura's absurdly sharp breaking balls were becoming visible even to those in the dugouts and on the field.

These pitches were almost impossible for middle school batters to hit.

Except, of course, for someone extraordinary.

Sendo: "Who are you calling 'not human'? Say that to my face!"

Thwack!

"Final pitch! The game is over! 3-2!"

"Despite the challenging rainy conditions early on, Akagi Junior High adjusted and tenaciously fought their way to victory. They defeated the formidable Tokugawa and advanced to the semifinals. One could say they now have one foot in the Kanto Tournament!"

"Hahaha! That scared me! Well done!"

You'd think it was Sawamura speaking, but no—it was Coach Nakani, who had been quietly observing the game from the sidelines.

Normally a dignified and composed figure, Coach Nakani couldn't contain his excitement during a game involving his prized disciple.

As Sendo's number-one fan, Coach Nakani's usual restraint vanished entirely. He wasn't worried about being recognized in this small venue.

What he didn't expect was someone who recognized him sitting nearby.

"Is that… Coach Nakani from the Wildcats Little League?" Takashima Rei couldn't believe her eyes. Her jaw dropped in shock.

Takashima Rei was well aware of Nakani's reputation.

When he retired from professional baseball and returned to Japan, countless top high schools and universities vied for his coaching expertise.

But to see this legendary coach, known for his stoicism and achievements, behaving more animatedly than a three-hundred-pound fan, was beyond her imagination.

"If Sendo pitched himself, these guys wouldn't even get a single hit," Coach Nakani muttered wistfully, unaware of Takashima Rei's stunned gaze.

Thankfully, his voice was too soft for anyone nearby to hear.

"Then again, he's better off inheriting my legacy. What's the point of pitching?"

Though she couldn't hear his words, Takashima Rei clearly heard him shouting Sendo's name earlier.

"Coach Nakani is a fan of Sendo? What's going on here?

Still, this is a rare opportunity!" Takashima Rei decided to strike up a conversation with him.

The Wildcats' players were highly sought after. Even if they joined youth leagues in middle school, many still followed Nakanishi's advice.

While she couldn't recruit him directly, gaining his support could provide a steady supply of talented players for the future.

The Wildcats' tactical cohesion and teamwork could significantly reduce the time needed for Seidou to integrate new players.

Even though the Wildcats had fewer standout players in recent years, their impact remained strong.

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