"Whew..."
Akaishi Osamu let out a long breath.
"That was close..."
His eyes remained fixed on Sato Toshiya standing in the batter's box, and his expression was filled with lingering shock.
"That was already Kou's fastest pitch, and he still managed to catch up to it..."
At this moment, Akaishi's heart was filled with caution.
Cold sweat slowly rolled down his forehead, sliding along his cheeks before soaking into his collar.
His gaze never left Sato Toshiya, as if he wanted to see through that calm and determined expression and understand what was going on inside his opponent's mind.
But no matter how much he analyzed it, he couldn't erase the shock caused by that previous swing.
"A fastball alone won't be enough to suppress him."
Akaishi's expression became serious.
"We're already in the fourth inning. It's time to mix in Breaking Balls and disrupt his timing."
"The next pitch should be something that can finish him off."
After making his decision, Akaishi immediately gave the signal to Kitamura Kou on the mound.
However...
The moment Kitamura saw the sign, his response was completely unexpected.
He shook his head.
Firmly.
Akaishi froze.
His mouth slowly opened, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
Could it be...?
He immediately understood what Kitamura was thinking.
Anxiety and frustration surged inside him.
"Kou..."
"You should understand better than anyone that this isn't the time to act stubborn!"
"This game is too important. It determines whether we can continue making history and reach the Koshien Finals for the first time!"
"I understand your desire to challenge a powerful Batter. I even respect it."
"But a true duel requires strategy."
"Charging forward recklessly like this is simply too dangerous!"
Akaishi stared urgently at the mound, hoping Kitamura would reconsider.
Of course, Kitamura understood exactly what Akaishi was feeling.
The worry.
The confusion.
The frustration.
But standing in front of him was Sato Toshiya.
A Batter he had dreamed of facing for a long time.
A Batter who had always been just beyond his reach.
Looking across the entire Japanese high school baseball world, there were only a handful of players who could make his fighting spirit burn this fiercely.
Besides Sato Toshiya...
There were only players like Azuma Yuhei and Mishima Keitaro.
And who knew when he would have another chance to face opponents of this level?
So how could he give up this opportunity?
"Sorry, Akaishi."
Kitamura's eyes remained fixed on him.
"I know how important this game is."
"I know what is at stake."
"But I worked so hard precisely because I wanted this kind of battle."
"A true head-to-head confrontation with a top-level Batter."
"Besides, with Kaidou High's style, who knows if I will get another opportunity like this in the future?"
His expression became even more determined.
"So this time..."
"I'll ask you to forgive my selfishness."
"I've already decided."
"My strongest fastball..."
"will be the one that defeats this opponent."
Akaishi looked at the unwavering light in Kitamura's eyes.
For a moment, he was speechless.
Finally...
He sighed.
"Fine."
"If that's what you've decided, then do whatever you want."
"No matter how much I argue, you'll just keep doing things your own way."
Akaishi shook his head helplessly.
"I just hope you won't regret this reckless decision later."
Although his words sounded annoyed, the helplessness in his eyes was obvious.
"Hehehe!"
Kitamura smiled.
"I knew you'd understand me, Akaishi!"
"Because this is what baseball is about!"
"Only when you fight like this can you feel that burning passion!"
"Come on."
"Let's defeat the monster standing in front of us!"
Ignoring Akaishi's still slightly dissatisfied expression, Kitamura completely immersed himself in the upcoming battle.
His face was flushed with excitement.
His eyes burned with determination.
His gaze toward Sato Toshiya was so intense it seemed capable of setting the air itself on fire.
He unconsciously licked his dry lips.
Then he threw the rosin bag in his hand onto the ground.
It was as if he had thrown away every unnecessary thought along with it.
Only the battle remained.
Kitamura slowly raised both arms.
His entire body radiated a powerful presence.
His expression became extremely serious.
Every muscle tightened.
Every movement was filled with concentration.
Then—
His left foot slammed onto the ground.
His body shifted forward.
His right arm swung out like a whip.
At the instant all his power gathered into his fingertips...
He released the baseball.
"BOOM!!!"
The pitch exploded forward.
Wrapped in a terrifying airflow, the baseball shot toward home plate like a violent tornado.
The speed remained unchanged.
156 km/h.
The location—
Dead center.
"Don't watch with your eyes."
"Feel it with your body."
Sato Toshiya stared at the approaching baseball.
His eyes were sharp like a hawk's.
But he didn't swing immediately.
Instead, he waited.
Quietly.
Patiently.
Repeating those words in his mind.
"Don't watch."
"Feel."
Then...
At the perfect moment—
Before the thought Now! could even fully appear...
His body moved.
As if his instincts had already reached an agreement with his mind.
The bat swung.
"CLANG!!!"
The sound exploded.
The baseball shot away like a laser beam, disappearing into the sky.
Before the spectators could even react—
The umpire's voice rang out.
"Foul ball!"
Once again...
The battle continued.
Just like the previous at-bat.
Kitamura Kou poured everything he had into every pitch.
155 km/h.
156 km/h.
Every pitch carried his absolute strength.
But Sato Toshiya refused to back down.
Every ball that entered his hitting zone was met with a fearless swing.
Every time—
The ball was sent flying into foul territory.
One pitch.
Two pitches.
Three pitches.
The confrontation continued.
The two sides exchanged blows again and again.
Nearly eight pitches passed.
Neither side gave an inch.
The duel remained completely deadlocked.
And the winner...
Still had not been decided.