Chapter 4: Kilometers!

In the dugout, Kataoka Tesshin felt even more anticipation after seeing Huangqian Yangyi's stance.

On the Pitcher's Mound, Huangqian Yangyi was incredibly focused at this moment; his high-lifted left leg dropped, his center of gravity shifted with the twist of his hips, and he took a step forward!

His arm swung out like a whip, and the small white ball instantly left his fingertips and flew out, shooting straight into Chris's glove like a laser.

Bang!

So fast!!

The same thought popped into everyone's mind.

Kataoka Tesshin in the dugout widened his eyes even further and strode out.

"Bring the speed gun over!" Kataoka Tesshin shouted.

Fujiwara Takako hurriedly ran toward the storage room again to get the speed gun.

Found a treasure!

Takashima Rei clenched her fists in excitement; just from this one pitch, Takashima Rei had already made her decision—regardless of whether Huangqian Yangyi could get an out later, this special recruitment spot must be given to him.

Although there was no specific ball speed yet, years of experience told her that the speed of this pitch was definitely over 145 kilometers!

With such high speed and the precision to throw it right into Chris's glove, how could Seido turn away such a player with both speed and control and let him go to someone else?

That makes no sense!

At this time, on the Pitcher's Mound, Huangqian Yangyi held his head high and said to Isashiki Jun, "Senior, my pitch, it wasn't bad, right?"

"You damn brat, don't get too cocky," Isashiki said through gritted teeth.

That pitch just now completely exceeded his expectations; a third-year middle schooler with this kind of speed—is he trying to make the rest of us look bad?

Unlike the others who only saw the speed, Chris, who had personally caught the ball, undoubtedly felt it the most.

Heavy!

It wasn't just fast; Huangqian Yangyi's ball had a heavy quality to it, and the moment it was caught, the small white ball seemed to have a life of its own, still pulsing inside the glove.

Looking at Huangqian Yangyi again, a hint of caution appeared in Chris's eyes; he had to give it his all. The junior had already shown his skills, and it would be too embarrassing if he were to drop the ball by mistake.

"Strike!"

Chris called out and threw the ball back to Huangqian Yangyi. Just as the two were about to start the next pitch, Kataoka Tesshin walked over and stood behind Chris.

"Director, protective gear."

"Not needed."

Kataoka Tesshin bent over and stared straight at Huangqian Yangyi.

Seeing this scene, everyone present knew what was going on; it was clear their Director had taken a liking to this cocky brat.

Do you dare to throw it?

Huangqian Yangyi read this meaning from Kataoka Tesshin's face.

Heh! Truly, what a willful Director.

He nodded at Chris to indicate he was ready, and this time Chris held up two fingers.

The glove was also placed in the high inside corner—a high inside Two-seam Fastball!

Such an aggressive pitch selection; Huangqian Yangyi felt Chris's will. The first pitch was a Four-seam Fastball right down the middle, and the second pitch was meant to confuse the Batter with a high inside two-seamer.

He had only thrown one pitch, right? Although it went into the glove, maybe it was just luck? To call for a high inside pitch at a time like this, wasn't he afraid he might throw a wild pitch and hit Isashiki Jun in the kidneys?

However, since Chris dared to ask for it, he wouldn't back down now.

His high-lifted left leg dropped again, and the small white ball in his hand whistled toward the Home Plate.

Another Red Center!

Seeing the incoming ball clearly, Isashiki made an instant judgment and swung his bat with great force.

However, just as the bat was halfway through its swing, the small white ball that had been flying toward the Red Center suddenly cut inward toward his chest.

Bang!

The small ball flew past the bat and drilled into Chris's glove; Isashiki swung and missed.

"Strike!"

Kataoka Tesshin called out.

"Two-seam?" Isashiki looked back at Chris and asked, somewhat uncertainly.

"How about it? Not bad, right?" Chris said, looking up.

"Why are you just like that brat!" Isashiki was very annoyed.

At this moment, Kataoka Tesshin looked over at Fujiwara Takako, who was holding the speed gun: "What's the speed?"

"1, 147 kilometers!"

"What?"

This number instantly stunned everyone, and then one by one, they looked at Huangqian Yangyi on the Pitcher's Mound.

A 147-kilometer Two-seam Fastball appearing from a middle schooler—this was too absurd.

In his many years of coaching, this was the first time Kataoka Tesshin had felt this excited. In two more years—no, in just one more year, once his body matured further and he underwent more professional training, wouldn't this speed head straight for 155?

And that was with control, too!

"Continue!" Kataoka Tesshin shouted.

Chris threw the ball back again. Huangqian Yangyi caught the ball and took a deep breath; although it was only two pitches, it felt really great.

Back at school, whenever his speed ramped up, the Catcher couldn't catch his pitches at all, so he had no choice but to lower his speed.

It had been a long time since he had pitched so freely like he did today.

Seeing that he was ready, Chris held up four fingers and placed the glove in a position below the Red Center.

Huangqian Yangyi nodded, then lifted his leg and assumed his pitching stance.

In the Batter's box, Isashiki held his breath and focused; the count was now two Strikes and no balls, and one more Strike would mean he was out by Strikeout!

Absolutely not!

What will this pitch be? A four-seamer? A two-seamer?

Inside or outside?

Whoosh~

The little white ball flew in again; Isashiki took a step forward and swung his bat fiercely.

The bat swung over the top of the little ball, and Isashiki swung and missed again.

"Strike! Batter out!" Kataoka Tesshin shouted mercilessly.

Isashiki shouldered his bat, glared at Huangqian Yangyi, and walked off the batter's box in a huff.

"What's the pitch speed?" Kataoka Tesshin asked.

"149!" Fujiwara Takako said.

"Wow~~"

The sound of frogs croaking all around~

The surroundings were filled with exclamations; Huangqian Yangyi felt extremely comfortable and his mood was incomparably joyful.

Department Head Ota in the dugout was even dancing with excitement, spinning in place.

Takashima Rei, meanwhile, took out her phone and began to arrange the matters related to the special recruitment of Huangqian Yangyi.

And Kataoka Tesshin, at this moment, could no longer suppress the joy in his heart; he curled the corners of his mouth into a smile and asked, "Kid, there is already one out; you have passed."

Hearing this, Huangqian Yangyi clenched his fists tightly; before this, even though he knew in his heart that with his own strength there was a 99% probability of passing the test, until the dust settled, everything was ultimately fleeting.

Only until this moment did his heart finally feel completely relaxed.

"BOSS, let's continue; there are still two people left."

Kataoka Tesshin put away his smile and bent down again; the second batter, Kominato Ryosuke, walked up.

Unlike Isashiki who swung for the fences with every pitch, Kominato Ryosuke's specialty lay in pitch selection, a typical technical batter.

Squinty eyes and a smile were Kominato Ryosuke's standard features, and he remained in that state even while standing in the batter's box.

"What an incredible guy," Kominato Ryosuke said with his head lowered.

Chris stood up to throw the ball back and turned his head to say, "Indeed, he's only a middle schooler; his future is promising."

"What pitch will you call?"

"High inside fastball."

The two of them started talking nonsense right in front of the manager.

Seeing this scene, Huangqian Yangyi also smiled.