On the pitcher's mound, beads of sweat began to appear on Benjamin's forehead.
The game was too tense!
Japan's team before him had already changed nearly half of its key players. Yet even with the remaining players, their strength could not be underestimated.
He had to be extremely cautious while facing them.
One careless mistake could lead to irreversible disaster.
It was so difficult!
This was not exaggeration, but a matter of fact.
Benjamin sincerely felt that the match against Japan's team was incredibly tough!
He had to fully commit himself; any slight negligence could be seized by the opponent.
Among all this, the man currently standing in the Batter's Box was the one who made Benjamin the most alert.
Even before the duel began, just seeing him standing there exerted immense pressure on Benjamin.
That kind of pressure felt like it could crush him at any moment.
Though Benjamin was unwilling to be inferior to anyone, sometimes when he looked at this opponent, he couldn't help but think:
There might really be a gap in their abilities.
As a proud star player, he was generally unwilling to admit he was weaker than others.
Benjamin, having made it this far, certainly had a measure of arrogance in his heart.
Even when defeated before, he never truly accepted being bested by others.
He believed that through his own efforts, he could overcome the disadvantages of body and age.
Someday, he would prove in his own way that he was better than anyone else.
Not even when he played against the "Child of Baseball" Allen in his childhood did this change.
Though he had suffered a crushing defeat to Allen in elementary school games, Benjamin truly believed that once his body and age matured, sooner or later, he would take revenge.
But now, facing this opponent, although Benjamin was not without the ability to fight back, he felt deep fear.
This was different from when he was young. At that time, when competing with Allen, he didn't feel despair largely because he didn't truly understand how big the gap between them was.
As a child, his understanding of baseball skills was superficial.
What he could sense was only the difference between himself and Allen.
He didn't know what this difference really meant, or if he could ever catch up.
Also, since he was one year younger than Allen, he naturally assumed that once he reached Allen's age and physical level, he would be capable of competing.
As long as it was someone at the same age, Benjamin was sure he wouldn't lose to anyone.
But now, facing Sawamura, who was the same age as him, in their duel, Benjamin found he couldn't gain any advantage.
This said a lot.
There was no gap in age or physique, not even in effort.
At present, Benjamin's overall ability was inferior to Sawamura's.
This could only mean that his skills were truly worse, perhaps far worse.
Even if he was unwilling to admit it out loud, deep inside Benjamin had to acknowledge it.
It turned out, aside from Allen, there was such a terrifying opponent in this world.
Before the tournament, he had finally met Allen once again.
As an emerging challenger, he had openly declared his intention to challenge Allen's position.
Allen had said something profound then:
"Keep your eyes all on me. Even if one day your dream comes true, you still might not be able to stand at the top of this world!"
Benjamin wondered what kind of event could have caused Allen to say that.
It was from that time that he first learned Sawamura's name.
This youth, devoted to baseball practice, had been so under the radar that he hadn't even heard much news about him before.
Now standing opposite Sawamura, he finally understood what kind of figure this opponent was.
'He is very strong!'
Even Benjamin had to admit that Sawamura's strength far exceeded his own.
It was known among American players that Sawamura's catcher was not his original partner.
Therefore, Sawamura's strength was somewhat compromised.
Exactly how much, Benjamin could not guess.
In fact, many of Sawamura's specialty breaking balls were now sealed off.
He simply didn't need to use them!
It should be noted that those pitches were very troublesome for American players.
If not for this, they would never have adapted so quickly to Sawamura's pitching.
No chance at all!
Though Benjamin acknowledged Sawamura's strength, he absolutely refused to lose to him in this duel.
Sawamura was strong, really strong.
He admitted that.
But he himself was not completely without the ability to fight.
'At least in today's match, I will not lose to you.'
What kind of aura did the "Great Demon King" in his full power possess?
Benjamin had no way to know.
But now, facing the "Great Demon King" whose strength had been significantly diminished, he would not surrender.
Even if the umpire's strike zone became stricter, he would not change his resolve.
After throwing a ball outside the strike zone, Benjamin's momentum did not falter.
On the contrary, his entire demeanor showed ambition.
He was ready to face his opponent head-on, without relaxation or compromise.
Sensing his teammate's fighting spirit, the American catcher, though somewhat reluctant, still gave his support.
'If that's what you want, then let's go, boy!!!'
The catcher was a year older than Benjamin and usually looked after him like a brother.
When he realized Benjamin's determination, he immediately abandoned his earlier plan to advise him to Walk Sawamura.
When the pitcher had already made up his mind, forcibly reversing his decision was obviously unwise.
The pitcher would be dissatisfied.
For most mature pitchers, this might not be an issue.
They could adjust on their own and face the game anew.
Their sense of responsibility toward their team and toward themselves keeps their ego in check.
But young pitchers were different!
Young pitchers were all carefree, proud, and arrogant.
The stronger the team, the prouder their pitchers generally were.
Such guys were basically as stubborn as mules.
If you stroked their fur, all was fine.
But once you went against the grain, they might just sulk.
Though harsh to say, this was the truth, uncontestable.
So, upon realizing his partner's mindset, the American catcher decisively gave up his previous idea and threw his full support behind him.
'Go all out!'
A head-on duel!
With his partner's support, Benjamin's entire body relaxed.
With this relaxation, the tension in his body disappeared.
Yet his fighting spirit underwent a tremendous change.
At this moment, when he looked at Sawamura, it was like a different person.
He was no longer just looking at an opponent, but at an enemy.
Opponents must be defeated honorably.
Even if he lost, it wouldn't matter.
He would even feel proud.
But an enemy was different!
An enemy was someone to be defeated at all costs.
By any means necessary, regardless of cost.
As long as it did not violate baseball rules or the bottom line, Benjamin felt there was nothing he wouldn't do.
ROAAAR!!
Not only did his mental state change, but even his pitching style underwent a big transformation.
…