Diamond No Ace: The Monster

Chapter 216: Has Furuya's Strength Surpassed Professional Players?

"Azuma-senpai is here!!!"

On the Seidou High School baseball field, a group of second- and third-year players were visibly excited.

Even the team's beautiful manager eagerly joined the crowd gathering around.

"Is this senpai really that popular?"

Some of the first-year players of the Seidou baseball team looked on in surprise.

They had seen other alumni visit before, bringing gifts to encourage the team. While the players and staff always received them warmly—after all, it was part of their team's culture—most of those alumni had graduated years ago.

Everyone, including the coaches, sincerely appreciated their support. But since they weren't personally acquainted with those seniors, their interactions remained polite and respectful rather than deeply emotional.

But this time, it was different.

The second- and third-year players reacted as if they had just seen a beloved idol or long-lost family member.

"You guys wouldn't know this, but Azuma-senpai was our cleanup hitter. Under his leadership, we came so close to making it to Koshien."

The upperclassman explaining this looked proud at first, but his expression soon darkened.

Clearly, he was remembering how they had lost that crucial match last year against Inashiro Industrial High School.

And now, they were about to face Inashiro again.

Being reminded of that defeat wasn't exactly a good omen.

"So you're saying Azuma-senpai's role back then was like our captain's now?"

Furuya asked curiously.

"That's a good comparison. Also, you guys should remember—if this senpai says something harsh, don't take it personally. That's just how he is with players he values. He used to train extra with Kawakami and was especially strict with him."

Back when Azuma and his teammates graduated, the next ace of the team was supposed to be Tanba.

But Azuma-senpai never acted like that was the case.

He was fully focused on mentoring Kawakami instead.

It was clear that, in his eyes, Kawakami had more potential than Tanba.

"Huh? Sawamura, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick?"

Suddenly, Sawamura's face twisted into an awkward grimace.

The first-years were close friends, so they quickly gathered around him in concern.

"I'm fine… I just want to hide!!!"

Recalling his behavior last year, Sawamura felt an overwhelming urge to crawl into a hole.

Back then, he had actually thought Azuma was just a loudmouth who liked to bully people.

But now, seeing Azuma—who had since become a professional player—bring in gifts for the team, Sawamura felt his face burn with embarrassment.

And it wasn't just a few small presents.

Azuma didn't bring his gifts in a regular car.

He arrived in a small truck—one of those with a cabin in the front and a cargo bed in the back—loaded to the brim with supplies for the team.

As he directed people to unload the truck, his sharp eyes landed on Sawamura.

"You little brat! So you really did make it to Seidou!"

Azuma looked genuinely happy.

Even though his past matchup against Sawamura had ended in frustration for him, he didn't seem to hold a grudge.

Still, that match had definitely left a lasting impression.

But he had to admit, this rookie had real talent when it came to pitching.

With Seidou High School's baseball team in need of strong pitchers, his addition had significantly strengthened their rotation.

"Senpai!!"

Sawamura lowered his head, looking ashamed.

Takashima Rei adjusted her glasses with a smile and introduced him, "Sawamura is now one of our key pitchers. After a year, how about a rematch?"

"Sounds great! This time, I won't go easy on him!"

Azuma declared confidently.

Although he had faced some difficulties in the professional league, he still carried himself with unwavering confidence when facing a first-year junior.

No matter what, he refused to believe that he would lose to a freshman again.

"I'm not the same as before—I've been tempered in the pro league. You're not chickening out, are you?"

Hearing that, Sawamura, who had been keeping his head down, immediately looked up.

Chickening out?

What kind of joke was that?

Even with a monster like Furuya in the same grade—someone capable of dominating an entire game—Sawamura had never given up on pitching.

Would he back down just because of a former upperclassman?

Not a chance.

"Who's afraid of who?!"

The two instantly reached an agreement.

The other Seidou players, always eager for some excitement, eagerly looked on.

Many had only heard about their previous matchup—now they finally had the chance to witness it firsthand.

"Perfect timing. I've got a pitch I want to test out."

Just like before, Miyuki took his position as catcher.

All three were the type to act quickly—once they decided on something, they made it happen.

In no time, they were ready.

Sawamura stepped onto the mound and prepared to unleash his signature breaking pitch.

"Whoosh!"

The white baseball shot out like a bullet.

In the batter's box, Azuma suddenly moved.

Before he swung, most would be fooled by his appearance.

He looked… fat.

Compared to when he left Seidou, he had gained at least twenty pounds.

Rumors had it that his inability to shed weight had led his pro team's manager to demote him to the second squad.

In other words, his professional career wasn't going smoothly.

But despite that, the moment he swung the bat, everyone finally understood—

This was power.

A force like an unstoppable tidal wave.

In his hands, the bat looked like a weapon of destruction.

"PING!"

The breaking ball moved, and Azuma didn't hit the sweet spot.

"Not bad…"

Miyuki, crouched in the catcher's position, nodded to himself.

From a purely technical standpoint, he found Sawamura's pitch commendable.

It had solid execution and good movement.

Yet, despite its quality, the ball was still launched into the air.

The baseball soared over 90 meters, slamming into the outfield wall.

"A monster hit!!!"

Everyone on Seidou's baseball team stood frozen, jaws practically on the ground.

They had imagined scenes like this countless times.

If they could hit like that during games, it wouldn't matter how competitive Seidou's team was—they'd be guaranteed a starting position.

That was absolute power.

"Hahaha! Your pitch still has that nasty movement! But if you have enough power and step forward just a bit, you can send it flying…"

Azuma not only crushed the ball but also pinpointed Sawamura's flaw instantly.

Miyuki cast a surprised glance at his former senpai.

The rumors they had heard… clearly weren't the full story.

People said Azuma wasn't doing well in the pro league.

But that swing? That was not the kind of performance you'd expect from someone riding the bench.

"He's actually thinking ahead now… That's amazing!"

Feeling the change in Azuma, Miyuki couldn't help but be impressed.

Their former senpai wasn't the same player he used to be.

In fact, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he looked like a completely different person.

The matchup continued.

Sawamura unleashed his newly developed diagonal pitch, and what happened next stunned everyone.

Not because the pitch was particularly spectacular—

But because his very first diagonal pitch hit Azuma right in the stomach.

The outcome was painful, but Sawamura had successfully thrown the pitch the way he wanted.

Since earning his spot as a key substitute pitcher for Seidou, Sawamura's progress had been like a rocket taking off.

Many of the first-years who had joined the team alongside him could now only watch his back from afar.

The clueless kid who knew next to nothing about baseball when he first arrived…

Had now become a player so dominant that he left his peers in awe.

"This guy… he's unbelievable!"

"If it weren't for Furuya…"

"That's not the right way to look at it. I think it's precisely because Furuya is here that Sawamura has been able to improve so much. They've always pushed each other in a positive way."

At this point, it didn't matter what the onlookers were saying.

Azuma, standing in the batter's box, was having the time of his life.

Aside from the accidental hit-by-pitch, he had successfully gotten his revenge for their past encounter.

Having reclaimed his pride, Azuma turned to a mustached senior standing nearby.

"Where's your team's ace now? I heard he can pitch 155 km/h? Come on, let me see it!!!"

His excitement was clear.

But in reality, no one—including Azuma himself—believed he'd actually get to face Furuya.

The finals were just around the corner.

Everyone on Seidou's team was laser-focused on winning that match.

There was no way they'd allow any unnecessary risks before such a crucial game.

Especially against a hitter as monstrous as Azuma.

Winning was all well and good, but if they lost, it could seriously affect their ace pitcher's confidence.

At such a critical moment, it was like the night before an important exam.

No one wanted any unexpected variables to interfere.

Just as Isashiki Jun was struggling with how to handle his senior's challenge—

A tall figure suddenly stepped forward.

"Senpai, I'm Furuya Satoru!!"

The players, who had just resigned themselves to missing out on an exciting showdown, were stunned.

Never in their wildest dreams did they expect Furuya to volunteer at a time like this.

Seidou's ace looked eager—as if he couldn't wait to face off against Azuma, a professional batter.

"Heh, just so you know, I won't go easy on you! If you get crushed and it messes with your mentality before the finals, don't blame me!"

Azuma clearly realized he had been reckless issuing this challenge.

But admitting his mistake and backing down?

That wasn't his style.

Instead, he tried to give himself an out, hoping someone would step in and call it off.

"No need to worry, Senpai! I'm not that fragile! Besides, you're a pro player—losing to you wouldn't be embarrassing at all."

Furuya refused to back down.

Hearing that, the other Seidou players felt like their heads were about to explode.

With Furuya putting it that way…

Forget Azuma—even they wouldn't be able to refuse the challenge.

At some point, Coach Kataoka had arrived at the scene.

The players quickly greeted him, but he simply waved a hand, signaling them to carry on.

"Go ahead. This is a good opportunity to see how strong your junior has become."

Wait, the coach is actually allowing this?!

"Is this really okay? What if…?"

Ota, the team manager, rubbed his hands together anxiously.

The finals were tomorrow—if anything happened now…

Seidou's reputation would be in shambles.

"No need to worry. There won't be an 'if'."

"But Furuya—"

"Rather than worrying about Furuya, you should feel bad for Azuma."

Takashima Rei adjusted her glasses.

"Sure, his swing looked strong just now, but let's be real—he didn't exactly dominate his matchup against Sawamura. If this had been an actual game, with our defense in place, that would've been nothing more than a single."

It wasn't bad, per se.

But for a professional player facing a high school first-year—who wasn't even Seidou's ace—

That wasn't impressive.

While they were discussing, Azuma had already stepped back into the batter's box.

He raised his bat high, slightly lowering his center of gravity.

The bat swung rhythmically in his hands.

His expression sharpened.

Seeing him like this, the second- and third-year players felt like they were watching their former cleanup hitter—

The one who once led them into battle.

"Azuma-senpai… he's serious now!!"

Everyone could feel it.

His presence had changed.

He looked like a batter who could destroy anyone.

"The opponent is different now, so of course, his attitude is different."

"Even if he hasn't been progressing in his career, his hitting ability has definitely improved…"

"That's a given. If he had nothing left to show, he wouldn't just be in the second squad—he'd be cut entirely."

"So… who's going to win?"

The Seidou players, caught up in the tension, started placing bets.

"Of course, I'm betting on Azuma-senpai! One bag of chips!"

A mustached senior called out.

"Then I'll bet on Furuya—two bags!"

Miyuki grinned, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"You're just using this as an excuse to scam us! Fine, I'll add one bag—the large size!"

Ryousuke laughed.

"Are you kidding?! Azuma is a pro player!

"In his first two pro games, he actually performed well! Even if he got demoted due to his weight, his batting is still at a professional level!"

"You guys seriously think Furuya's pitching is so good that even pros can't handle it?"

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