# 7 - King
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GYX0MZ58R/ace-of-the-diamond)
Translator:
Editor:
Timer:
QC:
(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:14] _Fan**
Todoroki, knock it flying!
**[00:16] _Fan**
Hit it hard, Raichi!
**[00:19] _Fan**
Their bench looks pretty relaxed.
**[00:22] _Fan**
Are they not afraid of us?
**[00:26] _Fan**
But once the game begins,
**[00:30] _Fan**
we'll see which team is made up of champions.
**[00:37] Todoroki**
I wanna get to hitting soon!
***SIGN*** Meiji Jingu Secondary Stadium
**[02:24] Narrator**
* It's the third round*
* of the spring tournament.*
***SIGN*** Game 1 10:00 Start Time
Third Base Side First Base Side
Inashiro Industrial – Yakushi
Game 2 12:30 Start Time
Third Base Side First Base Side
Kumode – Shadai
**[02:26] Narrator**
*Two powerhouse schools are facing off!*
**[02:28] Narrator**
* Yakushi High School made the semifinals*
* in the spring invitational,*
**[02:31] Narrator**
* while Inashiro Industrial was the*
* runner-up at Koshien Stadium last summer.*
**[02:36] Sachiko**
Wow, the stands are full
for a third-round game.
**[02:40] Watanabe**
It's a really interesting match-up.
**[02:43] Watanabe**
Miyuki was wondering how
Narumiya would pitch against Todoroki.
**[02:50] Announcer**
*Thank you for waiting.*
**[02:52] Announcer**
*We will now begin today's first game,*
**[02:55] Announcer**
* between Inashiro Industrial*
* and Yakushi High School.*
***SIGN*** Inashiro
***SIGN*** Yakushi
**[03:01] Announcer**
*Top of the first inning.*
**[03:03] Announcer**
*Inashiro Industrial is up to bat.*
**[03:05] Announcer**
*Batting first, center fielder Kamiya-kun.*
**[03:10] _Umpire**
Play!
**[03:13] _Fan**
Carlo!
**[03:43] _Fan**
They got the lead-off batter Carlos out!
**[03:45] _Fan**
He jammed him inside!
**[03:48] Todoroki**
Nice pitch, Nada-senpai!
**[03:51] _Fan**
Man, he's looking good.
**[03:51] ---**
One out!
**[03:53] _Fan**
That's the shootball he used to shut down
all those sluggers at Koshien Stadium.
**[03:54] ---**
One out!
**[03:57] ---**
One out!
**[03:57] _Fan**
Was that over 140 km/h?
**[04:04] int_Shirokawa**
*It's not just the speed.*
**[04:05] int_Shirokawa**
* He's not using the plate*
* the same way he did last fall.*
**[04:09] int_Shirokawa**
* Almost every pitcher stands*
* on the third-base side,*
**[04:12] int_Shirokawa**
* but he's standing as far to the*
* first-base side as he can when he pitches.*
**[04:18] int_Shirokawa**
* That puts an angle on the shootball,*
* making it a more powerful weapon.*
**[04:25] int_Shirokawa**
*We'll need to deal with this pitch*
**[04:28] int_Shirokawa**
*to get past this pitcher.*
**[04:34] Announcer**
An outside pitch for a strike!
**[04:38] Owada**
That pitch was quite effective for him
during the Invitational, too.
***SIGN*** Press Box
**[04:42] Mine**
Yeah.
**[04:43] Mine**
He seems to have improved it
in the time since then.
**[04:47] Mine**
The better the pitcher's shootball,
**[04:49] Mine**
the more the batter will
focus on inside pitches,
**[04:53] Mine**
making the outside pitches more effective.
**[04:54] _Umpire**
Foul!
**[05:06] ---**
Out!
**[05:08] _Fan**
A ground ball to third!
**[05:09] _Fan**
He shut down Inashiro's top two batters!
**[05:12] _Fan**
Wow.
**[05:13] _Fan**
It's like he's looking down on
the Inashiro batters when he throws.
**[05:17] Sachiko**
Sanada-kun's more intense than last year.
**[05:20] ---**
Yeah.
**[05:21] Watanabe**
He's gotten stronger since the fall.
**[05:25] Owada**
Those hips and thighs...
**[05:28] Owada**
His lower body is much thicker than before!
**[05:35] int_Mine**
* The strict lower-body training*
* between tournaments*
**[05:39] int_Mine**
*and experience against powerhouse schools*
**[05:42] int_Mine**
* from around the country in a*
* major venue like Koshien Stadium*
**[05:46] int_Mine**
* have honed his body, mind,*
* and pitching skills.*
**[05:50] int_Mine**
*Shunpei Sanada has developed as a pitcher.*
**[05:57] int_Batter**
*It sank?*
**[06:01] int_Batter**
*Damn it! Was that a two-seam fastball?*
**[06:04] _Umpire**
Out!
**[06:06] Announcer**
The ace Sanada starts off by taking
down Inashiro's first three batters!
**[06:09] Announcer**
He's got the same rhythm
he did at Koshien Stadium!
**[06:16] _Player**
Not bad.
**[06:18] _Coach**
Jeez, he could have just basked in the
afterglow of Koshien Stadium a little longer.
**[06:24] _Coach**
Yeah! Nice pitch, Sanada!
**[06:26] Sanada**
He's enjoying this.
**[06:28] Todoroki**
Yeah, Sanada-senpai!
**[06:31] int_Coach**
*We just came back from the Invitational.*
**[06:33] int_Coach**
* I'd like him to rest,*
* but not against this team.*
**[06:37] int_Batter**
* If we took things easy against them,*
* we could get hurt before the summer.*
**[06:43] int_Coach**
* We'll hit you with*
* the passion and intensity we have*
**[06:46] int_Coach**
* after playing at Koshien*
* Stadium, Kunitomo-san.*
***SIGN*** Inashiro
***SIGN*** Yakushi
**[07:37] int_Narumiya**
*Sorry to rain on your parade.*
**[07:49] int_Narumiya**
* When will you realize you only got into*
* the Invitational out of sheer luck?*
**[07:59] _Umpire**
Strike! Batter out!
**[08:11] int_Narumiya**
* If you've forgotten,*
* allow me to remind you...*
**[08:26] int_Narumiya**
*I'm the king.*
***SIGN*** Inashiro
***SIGN*** Yakushi
**[08:30] Announcer**
Inashiro was the runner-up at
last year's summer tournament,
**[08:33] Announcer**
but was unexpectedly knocked out
in the second round in the fall.
**[08:37] Announcer**
Their southpaw pitcher in his last year of
high school is being eyed by the pro league.
**[08:41] Announcer**
Let's see how he's
improved over the winter,
**[08:45] Announcer**
with over five thousand fans watching!
**[08:50] Announcer**
Swing and a miss for strike three!
**[08:52] Announcer**
He takes down a second batter
with an outside fastball!
**[08:55] Announcer**
Ace Narumiya is in the
groove in the first inning!
**[09:02] _Fan**
Oh, man!
**[09:03] _Fan**
He's incredible to watch.
**[09:09] Announcer**
Now come the cleanups!
**[09:12] Announcer**
The third batter is Mishima.
**[09:15] int_Tadano**
*He's starting off tense.*
**[09:19] int_Tadano**
*Mei-san's pitching is still stiff.*
**[09:22] int_Tadano**
*It's fast but not sharp.*
**[09:27] int_Tadano**
*I'd like to end the inning now.*
**[09:30] int_Mishima**
*I've been waiting for this!*
**[09:33] int_Mishima**
*A chance to face this guy!*
**[09:36] int_Mishima**
* He's number one on my list of*
* guys at other schools to take down!*
**[09:41] int_Mishima**
*I actually...*
**[09:42] int_Mishima**
*somewhat respect him.*
**[09:47] Announcer**
Two pitches, two strikes!
**[09:49] Announcer**
With a solid tempo, here's the third pitch!
**[09:53] int_Mine**
*This is Mei Narumiya!*
**[09:56] int_Mine**
*Mad respect!*
**[10:04] [SONG] _SFX**
Plop
**[10:04] Announcer**
Whoa!
**[10:05] Announcer**
A routine fly ball drops
in between the fielders!
**[10:08] Announcer**
Third batter Yuta Mishima hits a
Texas Leaguer off Mei Narumiya!
**[10:08] _All**
Yeah!
***SIGN*** Discussed Beforehand
**[10:21] Tadano**
Timeout.
**[10:24] Announcer**
Up to bat is Yakushi's best hitter,
Raichi Todoroki!
**[10:29] Announcer**
His powerful full swing attracted
attention at Koshien Stadium.
**[10:32] Announcer**
Up against Tokyo's, no,
**[10:34] Announcer**
this generation's best southpaw,
Mei Narumiya, how will he fare?
**[10:40] _Fan**
Oh, man! They're facing each
other in the first inning!
**[10:43] _Fan**
I'm starting to like Mishima!
**[10:45] _Fan**
He'll go right at him, right?
**[10:47] _Fan**
Narumiya? Yeah, of course!
**[10:48] _Fan**
Who's gonna win?
**[10:50] int_Tadano**
*That pitch was a little too high.*
**[10:54] int_Tadano**
*His ball control is still unstable.*
**[10:58] Tadano**
Mei-san, Mei-san...
**[11:00] Narumiya**
What do you want?!
**[11:02] Tadano**
The baseball world is making
a new rule for players.
**[11:06] Tadano**
High school baseball players
should go nighty-night by nine.
**[11:15] Tadano**
Nine. Nighty-night.
**[11:18] Narumiya**
Is that a gag or something?
**[11:24] Narumiya**
Try saying it now.
**[11:26] Tadano**
High shool basheball plaers
should go nighy-ni by nine.
**[11:32] Narumiya**
Your face is pretty funny.
**[11:38] Tadano**
I'm glad I could help you relax!
**[11:41] Tadano**
I really wanted you to smile.
**[11:43] Tadano**
Now, let's focus on the game!
**[11:45] Narumiya**
How am I supposed to do that?!
**[11:47] Narumiya**
The next time you call a timeout,
you'd better have a funny joke!
**[11:51] Tadano**
Yes, sir! I've been saving a few.
**[11:53] Narumiya**
No timeouts for you!
Stay away from the mound!
**[11:57] _Fan**
They're at it again.
**[11:59] _Fan**
That battery is unbelievable.
**[12:02] int_Narumiya**
* He took all night to come up*
* with that? What an idiot.*
**[12:07] int_Tadano**
* It's my job as catcher to get him*
* to relax when he throws.*
**[12:13] int_Tadano**
* If Mei-san can pitch*
* as well as he's capable of,*
**[12:17] int_Tadano**
*it doesn't matter what batter he's facing.*
**[12:28] (Flashback) fb_Narumiya**
Itsuki, it's not that I don't like your calls,
**[12:34] (Flashback) fb_Narumiya**
or that I want to do things on my own.
**[12:38] (Flashback) fb_Narumiya**
I want to stand on the mound
and throw the pitches I want to.
**[12:44] (Flashback) fb_Narumiya**
I want to feel free, selfish...
**[12:49] (Flashback) fb_Narumiya**
The king of the mound.
**[12:55] (Flashback) fb_Narumiya**
I know that makes me sound like
a terrible pitcher and upperclassman.
**[13:03] (Flashback) fb_Narumiya**
Can you keep up with me?
**[13:15] int_Tadano**
* I'm the catcher! I can't wimp out*
* and give the batter any chances!*
**[13:21] int_Tadano**
*Call a game that makes Mei-san shine!*
**[13:24] Announcer**
It's the bottom of the first with
a runner on first and two outs.
**[13:27] Announcer**
Up to bat is the cleanup, Todoroki!
**[13:32] Mishima**
I'm gonna run!
**[13:33] int_Carlos**
*Show them how outmatched they are.*
**[13:36] _Player**
Raichi!
**[13:38] _Player**
Knock it flying!
**[13:39] int_Shirokawa**
*Shut them up.*
**[13:42] int_Coach**
*This is the time to get a hit.*
**[13:44] int_Coach**
*He hasn't settled into a rhythm.*
**[13:46] int_Coach**
*This is your chance, Raichi.*
**[13:51] Announcer**
Here's the first pitch!
**[14:01] Announcer**
It's a high inside pitch! Foul!
**[14:08] Announcer**
Second pitch!
**[14:11] int_Todoroki**
*Far out.*
**[14:13] Announcer**
It goes wide outside. Ball.
**[14:18] Announcer**
Third pitch!
**[14:21] Announcer**
An outside slider goes wide. Ball.
**[14:24] Announcer**
The count is 2-1.
**[14:26] int_Todoroki**
*Even farther out.*
**[14:34] int_Todoroki**
*Too close!*
**[14:36] _Umpire**
Strike two!
**[14:39] _All**
Yeah!
**[14:40] Mishima**
Okay, let's get to running!
**[14:43] Announcer**
The count is now 2-2.
**[14:46] Announcer**
An inside fastball gets the
second strike for Mei Narumiya!
**[14:49] Tadano**
Nice pitch!
**[14:53] int_Tadano**
*It's looking sharper.*
**[14:56] _Fan**
An inside pitch to Todoroki?
**[14:57] _Fan**
That first pitch high and inside
was trouble, too.
**[14:59] _Fan**
Trying to beat him at his own game?
**[15:01] _Fan**
The Inashiro battery sure is aggressive.
**[15:04] int_Coach**
*Raichi let a pitch go by?*
**[15:06] _Fan**
What will the last pitch be?
**[15:08] _Fan**
Maybe a changeup!
**[15:09] _Fan**
Todoroki, get an awesome hit!
**[15:11] _Fan**
Mei-kun!
**[15:21] int_Todoroki**
* I saw a lot of different*
* pitchers at Koshien Stadium,*
**[15:24] int_Todoroki**
*but he's incredible!*
**[15:26] int_Todoroki**
*Better than all of them!*
**[15:30] int_Todoroki**
*Incredible!*
**[15:33] int_Todoroki**
*Incredible!*
**[15:35] int_Todoroki**
*This is Mei Narumiya!*
**[15:40] int_Todoroki**
*He's incredible!*
**[15:42] int_Todoroki**
*Incredible!*
**[15:46] int_Todoroki**
*Incredible!*
**[16:16] Announcer**
It's a pop fly to left field!
**[16:19] Announcer**
The first round of Narumiya
versus Todoroki goes to Narumiya!
**[16:25] _Fan**
That was nerve-racking.
**[16:27] _Fan**
I thought he had it for a moment.
**[16:28] _Fan**
That was right where he wanted it.
**[16:32] _Player**
You're enjoying yourself.
**[16:33] Owada**
He used both sides of the strike zone,
and pitched one slider.
***SIGN*** Press Box
**[16:39] Owada**
He looked a little reckless,
**[16:42] Owada**
but he finished things nicely.
**[16:45] int_Mine**
* That tenacity is part of*
* Narumiya-kun's personality,*
**[16:50] int_Mine**
* but still, he took down Todoroki,*
* who shone at Koshien Stadium*
**[16:54] int_Mine**
*using nearly all fastballs.*
**[16:58] int_Mine**
* This battery is looking beyond him,*
* far into the future...*
**[17:05] Sanada**
He's a monster of a pitcher.
**[17:09] Sanada**
We're the same age.
**[17:12] Sanada**
It's scary.
***SIGN*** Inashiro
***SIGN*** Inashiro
***SIGN*** Yakushi
***SIGN*** Yakushi
**[17:27] Sachiko**
I can't believe he's shutting
down Inashiro's batters.
**[17:32] Watanabe**
Yeah, that shootball isn't easy to hit.
**[17:41] Announcer**
Strike three!
**[17:43] Announcer**
That's three outs!
**[17:44] Sanada**
Yeah!
**[17:46] int_Watanabe**
*Ace Sanada used his powerful shootball*
***SIGN*** Inashiro
***SIGN*** Yakushi
**[17:49] int_Watanabe**
* to hold Inashiro's batters scoreless*
* past the second inning, too.*
**[17:56] int_Watanabe**
* Seeing the Yakushi underdogs*
* hold their own against Inashiro*
**[18:00] int_Watanabe**
* sent strong waves of excitement*
* through the crowd.*
**[18:05] int_Watanabe**
*But...*
**[18:12] int_Watanabe**
* Narumiya's pitching got*
* sharper with every inning.*
**[18:18] int_Watanabe**
*Todoroki struck out.*
**[18:21] int_Watanabe**
* Yakushi hasn't had a runner*
* on base since the first inning.*
***SIGN*** Yakushi
***SIGN*** Inashiro
**[18:26] int_Watanabe**
*And...*
**[18:33] int_Watanabe**
*Little by little...*
**[18:38] int_Watanabe**
*Little by little...*
**[18:41] Announcer**
It's gone!
**[18:47] Coach**
Carlo!
**[18:52] Announcer**
Inashiro Industrial has broken the stalemate.
**[18:55] Announcer**
And now, they have a runner on second
with only one out!
**[18:58] Announcer**
This is another chance for them!
**[19:04] Announcer**
It's a hit to near-left field!
**[19:06] Announcer**
Shirakawa rounds third base!
**[19:11] _Umpire**
Safe!
**[19:14] Announcer**
Inashiro Industrial gets their second run!
**[19:18] Coach**
After Carlos hit the inside
shootball he was waiting for,
**[19:21] Coach**
the cleanup Yamaoka got an RBI single.
**[19:24] Coach**
Everything they'd kept pent-up in between
tournaments has exploded all at once.
**[19:28] _Player**
Now we'll turn up the pressure!
**[19:31] _All**
Yeah!
***SIGN*** Inashiro
***SIGN*** Inashiro
***SIGN*** Yakushi
***SIGN*** Yakushi
**[19:45] ---**
Yeah!
**[19:48] _Umpire**
Strike! Batter out!
**[20:13] int_Coach**
*Just like last year,*
**[20:15] int_Coach**
*I had them repeat a basic routine.*
**[20:20] int_Coach**
* For better or worse,*
* we're a team of individuals.*
**[20:25] int_Coach**
*Each had his own motivations,*
**[20:27] int_Coach**
*and there wasn't as much time as we wanted.*
**[20:31] int_Coach**
* Being unable to see the light at the end*
* of the tunnel wore down their spirits*
**[20:35] int_Coach**
*and made their bodies scream.*
**[20:37] int_Coach**
* But still, the determination*
* in their eyes never wavered.*
**[20:54] int_Narumiya**
*I have only one goal.*
**[20:59] (Flashback) fb_Coach**
The boys didn't let it go to waste...
**[21:02] (Flashback) fb_Coach**
Their loss to Ugumori last fall.
**[21:07] (Flashback) fb_Shirakawa**
There is a reason for every loss.
**[21:11] (Flashback) fb_Tadano**
You must accept your shortcomings...
**[21:14] (Flashback) fb_Yabe**
...address the challenges...
**[21:17] (Flashback) fb_Carlos**
...and take action!
**[21:19] (Flashback) _All**
So that we can find
**[21:22] (Flashback) _All**
what it takes to be the best!
**[21:30] int_Narumiya**
*The best in Japan!*
**[21:44] _Umpire**
Strike! Batter out!
**[21:48] Announcer**
He finishes with a high inside fastball!
**[21:51] Announcer**
Raichi Todoroki has struck out
twice in a row!
**[21:56] Announcer**
Narumiya's perfect pitching hasn't allowed
a runner on base since the first inning!
**[22:00] Announcer**
Yakushi High School, one of the Invitational
semifinalists, is being overpowered
**[22:04] Announcer**
by Inashiro Industrial's ace, Mei Narumiya!
**[22:16] _Player**
"King."
**[23:48] @Sawamura**
What pitches? When and where to throw them?
**[23:52] @Sawamura**
Their running turned into a sprint!
Remember when we did that?
**[23:56] @Furuya**
Yeah.
**[23:57] @Sawamura**
I suddenly feel like running, too!
**[23:59] @Sawamura**
Let's go, Furuya!
**[24:00] @Furuya**
No.
**[24:01] Ochiai**
Isn't this why you only
registered eighteen spots
***SIGN*** Wait... Weren't you expecting me to succeed...
**[24:04] Ochiai**
for the spring when you're allowed twenty?
**[24:07] Ochiai**
I've prepared a list of first-years
I feel are ready to be on the bench.
**[24:12] @Sawamura**
On the next episode of
*Ace of the Diamond Act II*:
**[24:15] @Sawamura**
"Camphor."
***SIGN*** Next Time
***SIGN*** "Camphor"
**[24:16] @Sawamura**
Let's win the national title!