Diamond No Ace: The Monster

Chapter 106: Furuya's Breaking Ball!

In the finals of the Kanto Tournament, we've reached the 7th inning.

Inashiro Industrial High School baseball team is at bat, with one out and no runners on the bases.

Even though the Seido High School baseball team has successfully secured one out, neither the players nor their supporters can feel any relief.

Furuya, who had performed exceptionally on the mound earlier, clearly can't sustain his explosive power any longer.

His pitching speed has visibly decreased.

Yet, Coach Kataoka in their dugout remains unmoved, showing no signs of wanting to replace him.

What strategy is their coach thinking of?

The Seido High School baseball players can pretty much guess what's on their coach's mind.

They understand their coach's choice, but understanding doesn't mean they are willing to accept a fate of losing.

When Furuya took the opportunity during a timeout to propose his new pitching stance, the Seido High School players couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation.

At the same time, however, they were also worried.

With a cheerful face, Ryousuke directly voiced his concern.

"Have you two practiced this before?"

Although Furuya had never used the pitching he talked about in official Seido practices, no one could guarantee that he and Miyuki hadn't worked together privately.

If the two had practiced in private, they might catch Inashiro off guard in the upcoming game.

Hearing Ryousuke's question, everyone turned their eyes to Miyuki.

Under their gaze, Miyuki confidently showed off his big white teeth.

"Nope!"

They had never practiced the ordinary pitch that Furuya talked about before. This means that this is the first time they will try this combination.

"You guys are being too reckless. Our opponent is Inashiro Industrial," even Kuramochi, known for his confidence, couldn't help but question his ears.

Using the pitching style from Furuya's junior high school days to face the batting line-up of Inashiro Industrial High School is inherently risky.

Especially since the two haven't pitched together using that style before...

Considering Furuya's information, Kuramochi suddenly felt that they might as well send Kawakami to the mound.

Although there is a high probability that Kawakami might encounter problems and potentially hinder the team, there's also a chance he might perform well. After all, Kawakami's pitching skills are quite strong.

But if they're going with Furuya's pitching from his junior high days, Seido is almost certain to concede scores.

"It's fine! This is what our coach wants. If anything goes wrong, no one else needs to take the blame."

In contrast to others, Miyuki, as Furuya's partner, wore a faint smile on his face.

On the surface, the game is tied, and in terms of momentum, Seido might even have the upper hand.

But all this is based on the premise that Furuya can pitch until the game ends.

Now that their ace, Tanba, is injured, Furuya's role is even more critical.

Once he leaves the field, it would be a complete disaster for Seido.

No matter how challenging the process or how difficult it might become, Furuya must persevere.

This is undoubtedly their coach's true intention.

Coach Kataoka's aim to strengthen Furuya's resolve is already evident. The outcome of this match isn't as important.

What Kataoka wants is Furuya's genuine awakening.

Although this first-year prodigy has already demonstrated exceptional performance on the field, it's clear this isn't his full potential.

Coach Kataoka has set his sights beyond the Kanto Tournament, aiming for the summer nationals.

Their goal is Koshien, to become the champions of the entire nation!

From a personal standpoint, Miyuki shares the same thought as his Seido teammates; he doesn't want to abandon the honor within their grasp.

Winning the Kanto Tournament Championship!

For Seido players, who desperately lack accolades, this is an unimaginably great temptation.

They find it impossible to resist.

Even from the perspective of their coach, Miyuki believes that to truly awaken Furuya's potential, he must be allowed to give it his all on the field.

The second- and third-year players of Seido High School baseball team clearly understood the underlying message in Miyuki's words.

Although they had numerous concerns, they chose to remain silent.

The timeout ended.

Seido High School players returned to their respective positions.

The game resumed!

With one out, Inashiro Industrial High School's second batter, Shirakawa, stepped up to the plate.

As soon as he took his position, Miyuki could hear him muttering.

"This first-year little monster is already at the end of his rope! His pitching speed has significantly dropped. No matter what Seido High School's baseball team discussed, this fact cannot be changed. As long as I spot an opportunity, I can definitely hit the ball out..."

It seemed he was trying to lay bare all his thoughts.

Squatting in the catcher's position, Miyuki felt a throbbing headache.

He suddenly realized that muttering could have such a great effect.

He was almost driven mad by Shirakawa.

Just as Miyuki was feeling overwhelmed, Furuya released his pitch.

"Whoosh!"

At the moment the white baseball was thrown, everyone in the audience was stunned.

They found it hard to believe what they were seeing with their own eyes.

Even though Furuya's pitching had visibly slowed down previously, they couldn't believe it would lose this much speed.

The pitch seemed so ordinary!

It didn't seem like it was thrown by that first-year ace pitcher.

"Thwack!"

"Strike!"

Caught off guard by the sudden pitch, Shirakawa didn't swing.

He watched as the baseball flew past him.

"That slow?"

In the stands, at the front of Seido High School baseball team's supporters, a group of first-year players gathered.

After watching Furuya's pitch, they unconsciously showed a hint of despondency.

They realized that Furuya could no longer maintain his previous pitching speed.

"Why did it suddenly get so slow?"

Sawamura looked puzzled.

The giant electronic scoreboard clearly showed the speed of that pitch.

137 kilometers per hour!

This speed certainly wasn't slow.

At least at Sawamura's current level, he couldn't achieve such speed.

But considering that it was Furuya who had thrown that pitch, the situation was different.

"Why insist on pitching when it's come to this?"

Kanemaru also looked confused.

Although their team's ace was injured and the pitching staff had taken a hit, it didn't mean they had no other pitchers available.

Kawakami could definitely take the mound...

No matter what, they surely weren't giving up like this?

"This isn't about giving up on the game; it's about having another plan. I've heard that Furuya previously used this type of pitching to lead his team to win second place in Hokkaido."

Compared to others, Haruichi seemed quiet and introverted.

But in reality, his understanding of his peers far exceeded expectations.

He was fully aware of the honors Furuya had achieved during his junior high days.

Clearly, this first-year rookie of Seido High School baseball had put in effort to study his teammates.

"It's useless!"

As Haruichi spoke his analysis, an earnest voice interrupted.

It was Tojo.

"Using pitches from junior high to face high school batters won't work."

Tojo, a fellow first-year pitcher, had played in an earlier match against the Seido High School second-string team during an intrasquad' game.

In that game, despite his best efforts, Tojo was thoroughly beaten by the batters of Seido's second-string team, a shock considering he had helped his middle school team reach the national semifinals.

As the ace of a national semi-finalist team, his pitching skills were undoubtedly formidable.

Yet, even under these circumstances, he was unable to best the second- and third-year players of Seido High School.

Thus, while Furuya had previously dominated opponents with his pitches exceeding 150 km/h, performing incredibly on the field, his attempt to use his middle school pitching style would likely render him defenseless.

While Tojo made his predictions, Shirakawa took his turn at bat.

"Ping!"

After only one pitch, he adapted to Furuya's new pitching pace and smoothly drove the ball forward.

The Seido infielders sprinted desperately but were a step too late, helplessly watching the ball bounce past them.

"Safe!"

Shirakawa seized the opportunity to sprint to first base.

One out, runner on first.

Witnessing this, the Inashiro bench and their supporters alike felt their spirits lift.

All their waiting and perseverance had finally paid off.

Miyuki, crouched behind the plate as catcher, frowned slightly.

Previously, Furuya had mentioned his experience as a middle school pitcher, leading his team to a second-place finish in Hokkaido.

Miyuki hadn't understood it before.

How could a team with a pitcher like Furuya only be regional runners-up?

Even if it was bad luck once, they couldn't be unlucky every time, could they?

It wasn't until he saw Furuya's slower pitch that Miyuki finally understood why their team had yet to reach national success.

The pitch was too ordinary!

Simplicity and efficacy were Furuya's hallmarks, but when his speed decreased, these became his greatest weaknesses.

Against average opponents, it might be fine.

But facing the elite players of Inashiro Industrial, it was clearly unrealistic.

"Relying solely on such an ordinary straight pitch is useless. In a pitch or two, they'll see through it."

Miyuki gazed at Furuya on the mound; without any words or gestures, his message was clearly conveyed to Furuya.

"I know that already!"

No one understood his pitching better than Furuya himself.

This pitching style couldn't handle middle school champions, let alone Inashiro Industrial.

It was undoubtedly inadequate.

Despite knowing this, Furuya resolutely chose to pitch in this manner, suggesting he had a plan.

"It's going to take more than just fastballs; we'll have to see your breaking balls!"

If Furuya continued to throw just straight pitches, Inashiro's batters would soon tear him apart.

Not only did the Seido players understand this, even the fans in the stands saw it clearly.

The cheers from Seido's ardent supporters grew noticeably quieter.

Inashiro's third batter stepped up.

Combining power and precision, he took a formidable stance.

Meanwhile, Shirakawa, now on first base, wasn't idle either.

He was actively inching towards second base!

Previously, with Furuya's lightning-fast pitches, Inashiro's players had been cautious, wary of taking risks.

For instance, their captain Harada had reached first base but lost out when he tried to steal due to Furuya's rapid delivery, resulting in an out for Seido.

Under such circumstances, they had learned their lesson.

Having finally gotten a man on base, Inashiro wasn't about to attempt risky steals.

But with the current scenario differing—Furuya no longer pitching as fast—the Inashiro players smelled opportunity.

A chance to steal bases.

Shirakawa's eagerness to reach second base was palpable.

From his observation, Furuya's pitches now seemed less threatening.

He'd managed to hit a pitch; surely, their third batter could do the same.

However, just as Shirakawa felt sure of his decision, Furuya glanced his way.

And Shirakawa froze, unable to take another step.

"Using his gaze to hold the runner? Can he really do that?"

Inashiro's players were visibly startled.

The maturity Furuya displayed on the mound was miles apart from what they had seen before.

But that was not all!

Next, they saw Furuya take a step and launch into a full-force pitch.

"Whoosh!"

Seeing the ball fly out, Inashiro's third batter swung without hesitation, full of confidence.

"With your current speed, you're an easy target for us!"

Yet his bat cut through the air without making contact.

He swung and missed completely.

At that moment, Inashiro's third batter felt his heart skip a beat.

"A change-up?"

"How is that possible?"

"Thwack!"

"Strike!"

The white baseball arrived deceptively late, catching everyone by surprise as it landed cleanly in the catcher's mitt.

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