In terms of basic information gathering, Yakushi High School had prepared thoroughly.
Especially after their victory over Ichidaisan , Yakushi High only needed to win one more ga before facing Seidou High in the quarterfinals.
When it ca to a traditional powerhouse like Seidou, the entire Yakushi team had to be on high alert. Even Seidou's formidable reputation alone was enough to put Yakushi on edge.
Naturally, for a team like Yakushi, whose playing style was similar to Seidou's power-hitting lineup, it was crucial to study the opposing pitching staff, especially their ace pitcher.
Sanada wasn't particularly focused on the data regarding Seidou's pitchers.
Instead, as a pitcher himself, he was more concerned about Seidou's batting lineup—a lineup comparable to that of Ichidaisan and, in so ways, even more formidable. As a pitcher, that's where his attention lay.
Sanada had a general understanding of Seidou's pitching rotation. From his perspective, the only pitchers likely to interest his prodigious teammate, Raichi, were Seidou's ace and another standout, the first-year phenom, Furuya Satoru. Most of the Yakushi players would probably agree on that.
But there was one person with a different opinion at this mont—Raichi Todoroki.
"No, the really interesting player is soone else."
Sanada was montarily stunned, even more so when he saw Mishima and Akiba beside him, both wearing serious, approving expressions.
"Soone else?" Sanada asked, puzzled. "Are you talking about the second-year sidearm pitcher? He's got pretty stable control, right?"
"No, I an that first-year pitcher—Sawamura Eijun!!" Raichi's eyes widened, filled with an intense, almost excited gleam.
In his mind, he couldn't help but recall their first encounter outside Jingu Stadium.
"I'm Sawamura Eijun, and I'm a pitcher."
"Sawamura Eijun?" Sanada was even more confused by Raichi's words.
"Isn't that first-year pitcher known for his stable control?" Images of the limited data on Eijun flashed through Sanada's mind.
To be fair, Sanada hadn't paid much attention to Seidou's pitching rotation, and since Eijun was just a first-year, Furuya's 150 km/h fastball had stolen the spotlight during the Kanto Tournant.
Eijun had only recently made his debut in the sumr tournant, so Sanada hadn't taken much notice.
"No, Sanada-senpai. This first-year, Sawamura Eijun, has unusually good control and can consistently pitch to the corners (another slightly misunderstood rumor). His inside pitches are especially sharp, and his go-to pitch is the cutter," Akiba chid in at this point.
As he spoke, Akiba's gaze shifted toward Sanada, with a hint of sothing unusual in his expression. That's because Sanada's finishing pitches were also the cutter and the shuuto.
Eijun's performance in the ga against Akikawa High had caught the attention of Yakushi's scouting team, and his cutter, revealed during that match, had beco a key point of interest.
"Hmm? That does sound interesting," Sanada said, rubbing his chin with a thoughtful smile. "No wonder you're so intrigued by him, Raichi."
"But that's not all. This guy has sothing special, sothing you can't see from just watching the footage. That's the essence of Sawamura Eijun's pitching. You can't see it, you can't figure it out, but I can feel it—that's what really matters!!" Raichi's breathing grew heavy, and his eyes glead with an intense red glow, fully revealing his excitent.
"I want to hit! I want to hit! I want to face his pitches right now!!!"
Raichi's loud outburst expressed the raw desire surging from deep within him, bringing a faint smile to the faces of Sanada and the others.
This guy...
Even Coach Todoroki, who had been resting, opened his eyes slightly, a faint glimr of curiosity flashing in his gaze.
As ti passed, while Seidou prepared for their upcoming match, Yakushi High faced their opponent in the fourth round—a private school team with a decent reputation in West Tokyo.
However, against Yakushi High, which had already defeated a powerhouse like Ichidaisan, this team didn't make a ripple. Yakushi swiftly crushed them with an overwhelming 11-1 victory.
With an overwhelming score, Yakushi High secured their victory in the fourth round, advancing successfully into the West Tokyo quarterfinals. Their next opponent: Seidou High.
The two teams would et at Jingu Stadium in the semifinals, with only one slot available for the teams from the Fuchu City Division to make it into the top four. Two days later, on July 26th, Seidou High would clash with Yakushi High in a decisive battle.
On the night before the quarterfinals, Seidou's usual pre-ga eting took place at the team's headquarters, the "Seishin Dormitory." The entire team was gathered in the large dining hall, with the atmosphere somber and serious. Everyone knew that Yakushi High was no longer a team to be taken lightly.
Yakushi High, a school with little to no reputation before the tournant, had suddenly risen to fa after defeating Ichidaisan , one of the West Tokyo powerhouses.
Whether Yakushi could maintain this newfound status would depend on their results in the coming years, but for now, they had caught Seidou's full attention.
This was, after all, the team that beat Ichidaisan in an all-out slugfest. From any perspective, Yakushi demanded respect and caution from Seidou.
"Jersey number 18, Sanada Shunpei. As of now, he seems to be Yakushi's de facto ace pitcher. His pitching style features aggressive inside pitches and a splinker aid at the chest of right-handed batters. His hallmark is a no-nonsense approach—facing hitters head-on," Chris Takigawa, Seidou's strategist, pointed to Sanada on the screen as he explained.
"A splinker, huh? That's pretty rare," comnted Seidou's captain, Tetsuya Yuki, his arms crossed, raising his eyebrow slightly.
"Tch, if a guy like that isn't even their starting pitcher, I wonder what the Yakushi coach is thinking. Maybe he's injured?" speculated Jun Isashiki from the side.
"But what we really need to be wary of is Yakushi's batting lineup," Chris continued, shifting the focus. "Especially their number three, Mishima Yuta, number four, Raichi Todoroki, and number five, Kazuma Akiba. These three are the core of Yakushi's offense. Even though they're just first-year players, their swings are not to be underestimated." Chris pointed to their nas on the whiteboard, where Yakushi's lineup was listed.
As he ntioned these first-year players, Chris wore a particularly solemn expression. It wasn't without reason. During their ga against Ichidaisan, these three hitters had perford exceptionally well.
Especially the cleanup hitter, Raichi Todoroki.
A ho run in the first inning, followed by a walk-off ho run in the bottom of the ninth.
This young slugger was undoubtedly the heart of Yakushi's lineup.
Seated below, Eijun and Furuya both had a flicker of sothing in their eyes—sothing that revealed their excitent.
Raichi Todoroki.
The strongest hitter of their generation!!!
For a pitcher, this was the ultimate opponent, a chance to prove their skills.
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