At that moment, it felt as if a blazing fire had been ignited within Sato Toshiya's heart.
Kitamura Kou's monstrous home run was like a blade piercing straight through his chest, awakening the fierce desire to win that had been buried deep inside him.
"I won't lose so easily."
Sato clenched his fists tightly.
His fighting spirit surged. His blood boiled.
Yakushi High School had landed the first blow, but he was determined to answer them with an even stronger counterattack.
Although this pitch wasn't as devastating against a left-handed batter as it was against a right-handed one, there was no better choice.
To show that Kaidou High School had no intention of backing down, no pitch could send a stronger message.
Sakuraba-kun... trust me. Throw it with everything you've got.
Sato's sharp eyes remained fixed on Sakuraba atop the mound. Confidence radiated from his expression as a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Sakuraba returned the smile.
"We've only worked together for two months," he thought, "but I trust you completely."
After all, Sato and Shigeno Goro had once led the second-string team to a victory over them despite being considered the weaker side.
Remembering that, Sakuraba cast aside all hesitation.
He focused on the target in Sato's mitt and drove forward with all his strength.
Whoosh!
The baseball sliced through the air.
Like an arrow released from a bowstring, it rocketed toward the high inside corner against Akiba Kazuma.
Perhaps inspired by the intensity of the previous at-bat, the pitch seemed even sharper than before.
Its velocity was slightly higher.
Its command was even more precise.
Its movement was crisper.
Akiba had already made up his mind.
He was swinging at a fastball.
The pitch rode the edge of the strike zone, making solid contact extremely difficult, but he refused to let such an opportunity pass him by.
As the ball closed in, Akiba unleashed a full-power swing.
Ping!
The ball shot almost straight upward.
It spun toward foul territory near the third-base side of home plate.
The instant contact was made, Sato sprang into action.
With one smooth motion, he tore off his mask and protective gear.
No hesitation.
No wasted movement.
His eyes locked onto the descending ball like a hawk tracking its prey.
At the same time, he accelerated toward the landing point.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
Then—
Thwack!
Sato secured the foul pop-up cleanly in his glove.
"OUT!"
The umpire's call echoed across the field.
Immediately, cheers erupted from the Kaidou dugout and the stands packed with their supporters.
The momentum that Yakushi had seized moments earlier was halted in an instant.
"The Home Run hasn't broken Kaidou High School at all!" the commentator exclaimed excitedly.
"Sato-kun called for another high inside fastball immediately after Kitamura Kou blasted one for a Home Run! That takes incredible confidence and courage!"
"Not only did he challenge the same spot, but he retired the dangerous Akiba-kun on a single pitch!"
"It seems Kaidou High School has no intention of surrendering control of this game!"
"That was so cool! For a second, I almost saw Miyuki-kun's shadow in Sato-kun!" Owada Akiko exclaimed excitedly. Then she suddenly tilted her head. "Ah! Why doesn't Sato-kun wear glasses? Such a handsome face is being completely wasted!"
A suspicious blush immediately appeared on her cheeks.
Mine Fujio helplessly rolled his eyes at the hopeless glasses fanatic.
"Miyuki-kun is undoubtedly an outstanding catcher. No one can deny that," he said. "But if you compare him to Sato-kun right now, you'll notice that Sato's overall ability is clearly superior. And the gap isn't small."
He adjusted his posture before continuing.
"To be blunt, Sato Toshiya has already surpassed the current Miyuki Kazuya in almost every aspect. His batting, in particular, is on an entirely different level. The difference between them at the plate is enormous."
Then he casually added:
"By the way, Sato-kun actually wore glasses when he was in elementary school."
"Really!?"
Owada Akiko's eyes instantly sparkled.
The blush on her face deepened as she stared at Sato Toshiya on the field.
A dangerous look of fascination appeared in her eyes as she began imagining various styles of glasses on his handsome face.
Mine Fujio silently moved a little farther away.
Meanwhile, Yakushi's third batter, Mishima Yuta, stepped into the batter's box.
Earlier, Sato Toshiya had quickly gotten ahead in the count with two large-breaking curveballs.
Strike one.
Strike two.
Now Mishima stood one strike away from being retired.
Yet there wasn't a trace of frustration on his round face.
Instead, the corners of his mouth curled upward confidently.
His eyes burned with determination.
Gripping the bat tightly, he lowered his center of gravity and leaned slightly forward, resembling a tiger preparing to pounce on its prey.
He waited for the next pitch with complete focus.
"Hahaha! You guys really think you can deal with me that easily?" Mishima laughed loudly. "Your Mishima-sama is the most troublesome man in all of Yakushi High School!"
In the on-deck circle, Todoroki Raichi excitedly demonstrated a swing.
"Hahaha! Mishima! You should've hit it like this! Like this!"
"Shut up, Raichi!" Mishima immediately shouted back. "You completely ruined the atmosphere I worked so hard to build!"
Inside his mask, Sato Toshiya remained calm.
Sakuraba-senpai's condition is excellent. His arm is loose, his release is smooth, and the ball has plenty of life.
Now it's time.
His gaze sharpened.
The next batter is Todoroki Raichi.
Before we face him, we need to leave a lasting impression with this pitch. We'll use it to seize the initiative completely—and set the stage for dealing with Raichi later.
Throw it, Sakuraba-senpai.
Sakuraba's eyes widened slightly after seeing the sign.
Already?
Then a confident smile appeared on his face.
If that's your judgment, Sato, then I'll throw the best pitch possible.
Just make sure you catch it.
A powerful aura seemed to erupt from him as he settled on the mound.
"Oh?"
Mishima's eyes lit up immediately.
"Something special is coming, isn't it?"
His grin widened.
"Just as expected! Your Mishima-sama is the strongest man in Yakushi High School! One day, even Kitamura and Raichi will be standing beneath my feet! Hahaha!"
The excitement in his expression became almost fanatical.
A dangerous gleam flickered in his eyes.
Sakuraba didn't keep him waiting.
Drawing on nearly all his strength, he drove off the mound and released the ball.
Whoosh!
The baseball tore through the air like an arrow released from a bowstring.
Its target was the low outside corner.
"Low and outside?"
A sharp light flashed across Mishima's eyes.
"Hehehe... then your Mishima-sama will gladly take this pitch!"
Without hesitation, he unleashed a full-power swing at the incoming baseball.