Strikeout.
No one expected such a result in the end. Previously, Todoroki Raichi kept hitting the ball out, and even when Zhang Han's Fastball speed surged above 155 kilometers per hour, people saw no hope. It felt like Zhang Han had been completely suppressed by that monstrous first-year batter.
No one thought it would end this way. That monster-like first-year batter was struck out?
As a result, the supporters of Seido High School Baseball Team and Zhang Han's fans only remembered to celebrate after a long moment of stunned silence. Cheers and encouragement were endless.
Todoroki Raichi, returning to the dugout, looked disheveled. Todoroki Raizo, however, did not blame his son. Instead, he frowned and asked, "What was that pitch just now?"
"Spin, whoosh, it flew up!!!"
When Todoroki Raichi looked up, where was the despondency in his eyes? He wasn't truly devastated; rather, he was deeply captivated by Zhang Han's pitching. This young man, who had just started playing official games, didn't have as deep a bond with his teammates, nor as strong a sense of responsibility to the team. For him, the most important thing right now was undoubtedly the showdown with a powerful opponent. During his recent confrontation with Zhang Han, Todoroki Raichi's heart soared with excitement.
Indeed.
His son's words might sound nonsensical to others, but Todoroki Raizo easily understood what he meant. The ball speed was too fast, and the spin was much faster than before. The baseball rose sharply as it approached Home Base.
This was a unique characteristic of Fastball pitching.
Previously, Zhang Han's Fastball, despite its astonishing speed, didn't feel very threatening to everyone. Why? One very important reason was that it lacked several key characteristics of a Fastball. This sudden rise was one of them.
Now, Zhang Han, after awakening the ability to control the ball at will, had also awakened one of the true characteristics of a Fastball. This meant that the threat level of his pitching had increased by at least several times.
"It looks like our troubles in today's game have just gotten bigger!"
There was no need to wait until the end of the game. As long as Zhang Han could maintain this state for two or three more innings, today's game was probably already decided. At that point, no matter how unwilling the players of Yakushi High School Baseball Team were, no matter how fierce their reaction, the final result could only be a futile effort.
This was what people often said: when the strength gap between two sides reaches a certain point, other things become less important.
Yakushi High School Baseball Team felt as if they were facing a formidable enemy. They had a premonition that if this continued, their outcome might be very bad.
The players of Seido High School Baseball Team, on the other hand, were in high spirits. In the eyes of most players, the biggest thorn in the side of Yakushi High School Baseball Team had already been forcefully removed. What tricks could the remaining few tough opponents pull off?
But the final result was different from what everyone expected.
After successfully striking out Todoroki Raichi, Zhang Han seemed to have squeezed out the last bit of stamina from his body.
His subsequent pitches, let alone showing the true characteristics of a Fastball, couldn't even maintain their speed. Zhang Han's ball speed dropped back to around 150 kilometers per hour.
Akiba, who was originally in the batter's box, had been terribly nervous because Todoroki Raichi was struck out. He felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders but was unsure if he could complete the task, feeling conflicted and uneasy. He didn't expect Zhang Han, who had seemed possessed just moments ago, to suddenly run out of steam.
Was it that heaven took pity on them and specially came to show them favor? Or was it that the goddess of luck also felt she had gone too far before and came to comfort them?
Regardless of the reason, the steady Akiba would not let go of such an opportunity. When he saw the white ball flying towards him, he swung his bat without any hesitation.
"Ping..."
The white ball was forcefully hit behind Yuuki Tetsuya.
"Pop!"
The baseball landed, and Akiba ran directly to First Base. He wasn't satisfied and continued to Second Base. Sanada, who was originally on Second Base, successfully ran back to Home Base with this long hit.
Yakushi High School Baseball Team, after their star batter Todoroki Raichi was taken out, miraculously caught up by one run. The score between the two sides became 6:2. Seido High School Baseball Team's lead was reduced to four runs.
In the Seido High School Baseball Team's dugout, Coach Kataoka stood up with a serious expression. At this moment, he already felt that Zhang Han's condition was not right. Although the overall physical consumption might not be very large, Zhang Han's pitching left hand was under too much strain. He could no longer pitch with the same speed as before.
Although Coach Kataoka had already hinted at it, Zhang Han on the pitcher's mound still showed an unwilling expression in his eyes. His arm had long gone numb, and his body was not as tired as before. Although his recent pitching was a bit weak, Zhang Han still firmly believed that he was fine. He could definitely deal with the batter in front of him.
One out, runner on Second Base.
"Third batter, first baseman, Mishima."
"Nice job, Akiba. Now it's my turn..."
Mishima, in the batter's box, was a stout man weighing over 80 kilograms. But if you underestimated this player's strength because of his bulky physique, you would definitely suffer for it in the end.
Because the team had a monster like Todoroki Raichi, Mishima's presence and strength were greatly diminished. In fact, this player was definitely one of the top monsters among the freshmen.
Seeing Akiba hit the ball, Mishima's blood was also ignited. He was brimming with fighting spirit, staring at Zhang Han with ambition, his desire to hit the ball out clear.
Facing such an opponent, Zhang Han showed no carelessness. He kept recalling his previous showdown with Todoroki Raichi. The scene of striking him out kept replaying in Zhang Han's mind. He had a premonition that as long as he familiarized himself with that feeling and turned it into instinct, his pitching would undergo a complete transformation.
He wouldn't have to listen to Kuramochi's sarcastic remarks anymore.
Kuramochi's mouth was incredibly venomous. He often ridiculed Zhang Han's pitching, saying that it was all show and no substance. It only had the speed of a Fastball but none of its power. Although Zhang Han retorted immediately, saying that Kuramochi only had the speed of a leadoff batter but not the hitting ability of one, those words still stuck in Zhang Han's heart like a thorn.
It would have been fine if there was no opportunity. But when Zhang Han found he had a chance to truly transform himself and live up to his reputation, he would definitely not miss it.
Zhang Han took a big stride forward. Just like when he dealt with Todoroki Raichi earlier, his whole body was like an open longbow, and the baseball in his hand was thrown out.
"Whoosh..."
The baseball flew out.
Miyuki, in the catcher's position, had a gleam in his eyes. No one understood better than him the power of the pitch Zhang Han used to strike out Todoroki Raichi. Recalling it carefully, Miyuki didn't even know how he managed to catch that pitch.
But he was sure that as long as Zhang Han could master that kind of pitching, he would be qualified to contend for the best pitcher in the nation. Even if he went to the professional league or the Major League later, he would have a place.
Just as Miyuki was about to witness the birth of a legend, a bat suddenly appeared in front of him.
Mishima, like a fierce demon, forcefully swept the pitch out. Miyuki then realized that although this pitch looked similar to the one that struck out Todoroki Raichi, in reality, it was not the same thing at all. The pitch speed was fast, but it didn't rise.
"Ping!"
The white ball was swept out and landed in the stands of the left outfield.
Mishima scored a two-run Homerun. He excitedly threw his bat aside and started running.
Miyuki was helpless. Fortunately, Zhang Han's ball speed was still there. Even if they conceded these two runs, they could still continue to fight.
Just as Miyuki was thinking this, he felt as if something had gotten into his eye. He casually wiped it with his hand and brought it closer to see.
Blood.
Red blood.
How could there be blood?
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