Chapter 213: Ace Enomoto Enters the Game

At this moment, the atmosphere inside the Kaidou High School dugout was unusually heavy.

Their offense had once again ended without results.

Not only had the players become frustrated, but the team’s originally overwhelming momentum had also begun to weaken.

The repeated failures were especially difficult for someone like Egashira to accept.

The usually arrogant and confident team executive could no longer suppress the irritation building inside him.

Suddenly—

He stood up.

Like an angry lion, he walked straight toward the coach who was preparing to encourage the players.

Before the coach could even react, Egashira was already standing in front of him.

His tone was sharp and forceful.

“Four innings have passed.”

“So far, Kaidou High School has not scored a single run.”

“Not only that, we only have one hit.”

“And that hit only came because the opposing pitcher relaxed slightly.”

His voice grew louder.

“How can this be considered the powerful and efficient baseball that Kaidou High School has always been proud of?”

“We cannot allow them to score any more runs!”

“Therefore…”

“Put our Ace Pitcher, Enomoto-kun, on the mound immediately!”

His expression became fierce.

“He must crush that unknown team from some mountain area and show them the true strength of Kaidou High School!”

Because Egashira was extremely emotional, his voice unconsciously became louder and louder.

His words echoed throughout the entire Kaidou dugout.

Even the players from Yakushi High School could hear him clearly.

Being publicly reprimanded in front of everyone caused the coach’s expression to turn extremely ugly.

His face alternated between red and pale.

However…

Egashira was the second-in-command of the Kaidou baseball team.

He was also the person who practically controlled team affairs.

The coach could only suppress his anger.

After a brief silence, he sent someone to call Naoki Enomoto, who was warming up in the bullpen.

“Announcement!”

“Kaidou High School has made a pitching change.”

“Pitcher Akutsu-kun will leave the game.”

“Replacing him is Enomoto-kun.”

“Batting ninth, pitcher Enomoto-kun.”

The announcement immediately caused an explosion in the Yakushi High School dugout.

The already lively atmosphere became even more heated.

“Hahaha!”

“Finally!”

“We finally forced Kaidou High School’s Ace Pitcher onto the field!”

The loud voice belonged to Yakushi’s second fat guy, Mishima Yuta.

His round face was filled with pride, as if he personally created this situation.

Nakanishi Daiki, the first fat guy, was unwilling to lose.

“Hmph!”

“Who cares who he is?”

“Anyway, sooner or later, he’ll be beaten badly by us and forced off the mound.”

“Right, Kou?”

He turned toward Kitamura with a flattering smile.

But Kitamura didn’t respond.

He didn’t even look at Nakanishi.

His attention was completely focused on the figure walking toward the mound.

Naoki Enomoto.

A sharp glint flashed through Kitamura’s eyes.

It disappeared almost immediately.

The corners of his mouth slowly lifted.

A mysterious smile appeared.

“Hehe…”

“Finally, you’re here.”

“The legendary Gyro Ball…”

“This is getting interesting.”

His voice was filled with excitement.

Because this inning would begin with Yakushi’s eighth batter, Kobayashi Keisuke.

That meant…

No matter what happened…

Kitamura Kou’s turn at bat was coming.

How could he not be excited?

“Hahaha!”

“Is it finally my turn?”

Naoki Enomoto stood on the sidelines, waiting to enter the game.

He crossed his arms and looked toward Yakushi High School with complete arrogance.

“You trash from Yakushi High School…”

“Open your eyes and watch carefully!”

“Today, this great master will show you who truly stands at the top of Japanese high school baseball!”

As he spoke, the muscles on Enomoto’s face twisted.

His expression became increasingly distorted.

The handsome appearance he once had disappeared completely, replaced by something far more intimidating.

Like a predator preparing to devour its prey.

He was already imagining himself dominating the game.

Crushing every opponent.

Proving his superiority.

Then—

A voice interrupted his fantasy.

“Enomoto-senpai…”

The voice wasn’t loud.

But to Enomoto, who was completely immersed in his own imagination, it sounded extremely unpleasant.

His expression instantly darkened.

“Who dares interrupt this great master at a time like this?”

He turned around angrily.

His eyes were filled with irritation.

However…

When he saw who it was, he forcibly suppressed his anger.

It was Sato Toshiya.

“Tch.”

“So it’s you, brat.”

“What do you want?”

“Say it quickly.”

“This great master doesn’t have time to waste.”

“I’m about to go teach those arrogant fools a lesson.”

Sato looked at him calmly.

“I believe that before the Summer Qualifiers began…”

“You haven’t forgotten what happened during that farewell game.”

“Especially…”

“That walk-off Home Run Goro-kun hit that struck the scoreboard.”

The tone of his voice was completely calm.

Almost as if he were mentioning an ordinary event.

But those words…

Were like a sharp blade piercing straight into Enomoto’s heart.

His expression changed instantly.

“What?!”

“What are you trying to say?”

“If you can’t give me a proper explanation…”

“I won’t let you off easily!”

Enomoto’s face turned red with anger.

His eyes burned with fury.

The atmosphere around them instantly became tense.

“Please don’t misunderstand, Enomoto-senpai.”

Sato’s expression remained unchanged.

“I have no intention of provoking you.”

He looked directly into Enomoto’s eyes.

After a brief pause, he continued.

“You know that I partnered with Goro-kun for a long time.”

“No one understands his strength better than me.”

“During this game, I personally stood behind home plate and watched Kitamura Kou’s first two at-bats.”

“I witnessed him hit two Home Runs.”

“Therefore…”

“I believe I have enough knowledge to compare their abilities.”

Sato’s expression became serious.

“The reason I am telling you this is because I want to warn you.”

He paused.

Then emphasized every word.

“Kitamura Kou’s ability as a Batter…”

“May actually surpass Goro-kun.”

Enomoto’s expression changed slightly.

Sato continued.

“So if you don’t want to give up a Home Run immediately after entering the game…”

“Then when you face him…”

“Do not underestimate him.”

“Do not hold anything back.”

“From your very first pitch…”

“Go all out.”

“Show him your true strength.”

Sato looked directly at Enomoto.

His expression was completely sincere.

There was no mockery.

No provocation.

Only a genuine warning.