Diamond no Ace: My Sharingan

Chapter 449 - 449: Shocking, Nine Consecutive Strikeouts!

In the first game of the Kanto Tournament—Seidō High School Baseball Team versus Kōhoku High School Baseball Team.

By the end of the third inning, the score had already exploded to—

10–0.

Seeing that gap, veteran Baseball Kingdom reporter Fujio made a decisive judgment:

"When this game ends…"

"The final score will be shocking."

Not everyone agreed.

Some reporters raised objections.

It wasn't that they doubted Seidō's strength—

but they believed there were still variables.

"To put it simply," one of them said,

"Zhou Hao has already been taken off the mound. Unless something unexpected happens, he won't return."

"And without him, can Seidō's other pitchers really maintain that level of control?"

After all—

not everyone could dominate a game like Zhou Hao.

Especially when Seidō's pitching lineup included two first-year rookies.

Talented?

Yes.

But talent wasn't everything.

Experience.

Stamina.

Mental endurance.

All of these were uncertain.

"If the game drags into a prolonged battle…"

"Can those rookies really hold on?"

It was a reasonable argument.

Unfortunately—

it didn't take long to be proven wrong.

Top of the fourth inning.

Kōhoku High School Baseball Team at bat.

Their lineup had returned to the top order.

Even after witnessing the terrifying performance earlier—

their supporters still held onto hope.

"Just hit it cleanly!"

"Don't be afraid of a first-year!"

Those were their most honest wishes.

Even if they couldn't win—

they refused to be crushed by a rookie.

The players felt the same.

Losing was one thing.

But losing to a first-year?

That was unacceptable.

Kōhoku's leadoff batter stepped into the box.

Bat raised high.

Eyes locked onto the mound—

filled with aggression.

Behind the plate—

Miyuki Kazuya noticed everything.

Aggressive?

Good.

Then he wouldn't hold back.

He gave a simple sign.

Throw it. No restraint.

His open glove—

hung in the air like a black hole.

Pulling everything toward it.

On the mound—

Furuya Satoru stared at that target.

For him—

there was nothing more irresistible.

He loved pitching.

More than anything.

Back in middle school—

his talent had already been obvious.

But he never became famous.

Not because he was weak—

but because no one could catch his pitches.

"What are you trying to do, kill me?"

"No one can catch a ball like that!"

Those were the words he heard again and again.

For a young pitcher—

it was a brutal reality.

But Furuya never gave up.

His thinking was simple:

If I get stronger…

someone, somewhere, will be able to catch it.

Then—

he saw it.

Reports about Seidō High School.

Two of the best catchers in the country.

To others, that was impressive.

To Furuya—

it was salvation.

If I go there…

someone will catch my ball.

Looking back now—

it was the right choice.

Not only had he found a catcher—

he had grown stronger.

And now—

on the Kanto Tournament stage—

facing top-tier opponents—

he could finally unleash everything.

Set.

Step.

Swing.

The motion flowed naturally—

as if carved into his body.

No hesitation.

No wasted movement.

Then—

the ball left his hand.

BOOM!

Kōhoku's leadoff batter's eyes widened.

Fast.

Not just fast—

oppressive.

The ball carried a suffocating presence.

Before the inning—

their coach had given clear instructions.

Furuya's control was unstable.

Don't rush.

Observe.

Let the pitch count rise.

Wear him down.

Two advantages:

Study his pitches.

Drain his stamina.

No matter how strong he looked—

he was still just a first-year.

Once his stamina dropped—

his speed and control would follow.

That—

would be their chance.

It was a perfect plan.

On paper.

But reality—

was different.

Facing that pitch—

the batter felt it instantly.

If he didn't swing—

he might suffocate.

His body reacted faster than his thoughts.

Without thinking—

he swung.

The bat cut through empty air.

Nothing.

Pop!

"Strike!"

In the dugout—

Kōhoku's coach stared in disbelief.

His eyes widened so much it felt like they might fall out.

The team was already losing—

that was expected.

But this?

This made no sense.

He had explained everything clearly.

Wait.

Observe.

Don't swing recklessly.

So why—

were his players ignoring him?

Why did they look like they had all lost control?

"That was a ball…"

"He could have let it go…"

His thoughts spiraled.

Confusion.

Frustration.

Disbelief.

"…Did they get cursed or something?"

Aside from that, the Kōhoku High School Baseball Team's Coach couldn't think of any other explanation.

"Boom!"

Under his disbelieving gaze, the same scene unfolded again.

Even though he knew it was a bad pitch, their leadoff batter still couldn't stop himself from swinging.

Pop!

"Strike!"

"Strike!!"

"Strikeout!!"

One out, no runners on base.

Crouching behind the plate, Miyuki's eyes curved into slits as he smiled.

This is too interesting.

These Kōhoku players… they were far more aggressive than he expected.

No fear. No hesitation. Just a single-minded desire to hit the ball.

It didn't matter what they were thinking—their bodies moved faster than their minds. Even pitches clearly outside the zone still drew full swings.

Miyuki understood.

Once they calmed down and truly adjusted to Furuya's pitching, this wouldn't last forever. When that time came, Furuya might be the one in trouble.

But for now—

Their first-year pitcher was untouchable.

The second batter. The third batter.

Both went down in succession.

Three outs. Change of sides.

The crowd couldn't hold back their amazement.

"So cool!"

"This first-year from Seido… his fastball is over 150 km/h!"

"Three batters, and none of them even touched the ball?!"

Furuya Satoru was overwhelming them.

Completely.

Bottom of the fourth inning.

Even though Seido had eased off slightly, they still added two more runs.

The score climbed from 10:0 to 12:0.

Top of the fifth inning.

Furuya returned to the mound.

This time, he faced Kōhoku's core lineup—the third, fourth, and fifth batters.

If anyone could stop him, it would be these three.

They were the heart of Kōhoku's offense—their strongest weapons.

Yet even they were stunned.

"Boom!"

The moment the pitch left Furuya's hand, it felt like a cannon had fired.

The third batter's pupils shrank.

No way… I can't hit this.

Not just him.

Even if someone else stepped in, the result wouldn't be much different.

He wanted to follow his coach's instructions—wait, observe, drag out the pitch count.

But his body betrayed him.

Pop!

"Strike!"

"Strike!!"

"Strike!!!"

"Strikeout!!!"

Pure instinct.

The bat moved on its own.

And missed.

In the dugout, the Kōhoku Coach's face twisted in despair.

Again.

Again!

These players he had trained so carefully… now completely ignored his instructions.

If he truly understood them, how could things have reached this point?

It was maddening.

"Strikeout!"

"Strikeout!!"

Three outs. Change of sides.

Even Kōhoku's core batters had fallen.

The entire stadium was shaken.

What kind of monster was this first-year?

No nerves. No hesitation.

Just relentless dominance.

Like a machine built to pitch.

A machine that crushed every last hope Kōhoku had.

"Nine consecutive strikeouts!!!"

"The last first-year this terrifying was Zhou Hao!"

"Seido… they're unbelievably lucky."

"Two future superstars on one team…"

The scoreboard read:

12 : 0

"Isn't that enough to end the game early?"

"This isn't a regional… it's the Kanto Tournament. Same rules as Koshien—full nine innings."

Hearing that, the Kanagawa fans felt their hearts sink.

Nine innings.

At this rate… how high would the score go?

In Seido's dugout, Coach Kataoka nodded in approval.

"Your pitching was excellent today. Remember this feeling—this rhythm. Maintain it."

"…Yes!"

Furuya's blood boiled.

Though his face remained expressionless, those who knew him understood—

He was ecstatic.

Once, no one could even catch his pitches.

Now, he stood on the national stage, earning recognition.

Everything he had endured…

It was worth it.

Joining Seido had been the right choice.

"After this inning, the next pitcher will be—"

Furuya had already thrown three innings.

With four still remaining, a change was inevitable.

Tanba, sitting on the bench, opened his eyes.

Sawamura, already on his feet, was swinging his arms like a windmill.

"Which hardworking pitcher has already finished warming up, huh?!"