Seidou High School Baseball Club, Coach Kataoka's Office
"It's a trap!"
Takahashi Rei slammed the invitation letter on the table, indignantly stating.
On the invitation letter, two names were visible.
One was Sawamura Eijun, and the other was Miyuki Kazuya.
Given the current level of Seidou High School, there are very few teams that can genuinely pose a threat to them. Even if there are a few teams that could be a threat, Seidou High School is confident they can overcome them.
To be blunt, the only team in the entire Tokyo area that can truly make Seidou High School feel apprehensive is one:
Inashiro Industrial.
Other teams like Ichidaisan High and Yakushi High...
While they can give Seidou a hard time, Seidou is confident they would still come out on top in the end.
Only when facing Inashiro Industrial does that confidence begin to waver.
It's not that the players underestimate themselves; it's that the opponent's level truly exceeds that of Seidou High School.
Even with this year's strong new recruits, Seidou High School's strength on paper does not surpass Inashiro; at best, they are evenly matched.
Takashima remembers that during recruitment, Inashiro Industrial High School was not idle; they also recruited some very strong new players.
As for whether those newcomers can immediately become valuable assets to the team, that remains uncertain for now.
The point is, in the upcoming Summer Tournament, Inashiro Industrial High School is the biggest obstacle for Seidou High School, a stumbling block.
In this context, sending their main Catcher and Ace pitcher to be trained under the enemy feels like sending sheep into the wolf's den.
"If you really feel there's a trap here, just refuse their invitation. I'm sure we're not the only team declining."
Coach Ochiai stroked his small beard as he spoke.
People always put their interests first.
Aside from those eager-to-perform third-year players who want to use this match as a stepping stone to attract professional scouts, the other players might not accept the invitation.
Not only would it be thankless work, but it could also lead to the leakage of their own tactics. Doing so just before the summer tournament is nothing short of foolish.
As for Seidou High School, this game isn't very appealing.
'Other third-year players accept invitations to attract attention from professional teams. However, the two of Seidou that were invited do not have such concerns at all.'
During this period, there have already been ten professional scouts who specifically came to Seidou High School to watch Miyuki Kazuya practice.
To know that in the whole country, there are only 12 professional teams that can be considered top-tier.
Of those 12, 10 have shown keen interest in Miyuki Kazuya.
With this kind of attention, how could he worry about his next team?
Not to mention, Sawamura Eijun. While he didn't agree to any offers saying that he is still thinking, was already getting offers from the Major League.
'And there is that one strange offer that Sawamura didn't agree to but didn't refuse either.'
If it were someone else invited, Coach Kataoka might have such concerns. But for these two, there's truly no need for it.
"That wouldn't be good!"
President Ota nervously rubbed his hands together.
He wasn't unaware of Coach Ochiai's suggestion.
But he felt that if they really did that, winning the exchange match would be fine, but if they lost...
Seidou High School would end up bearing a heavy burden.
In such an international friendly match, although the officials might not care much, netizens certainly do.
The gossip could become quite burdensome if Seidou High School ended up being blamed.
"So, it's clearly a trap!" Takahashi Rei still looked furious.
She didn't expect Kunitomo, who usually appeared so straightforward, to actually be this kind of person behind the scenes.
Listening to everyone's discussions, Coach Kataoka fell silent for a long time before ultimately saying nothing.
When the four big teams received the news, the players were still unaware and were doing basic training.
In the previous match, the substitutes performed well, putting a lot of pressure on the main players, and making them train with greater seriousness.
Especially Sawamura and Miyuki.
These two only showcased their skills during their turn as substitutes, but they were brimming with frustration.
They were especially active during training.
Miyuki Kazuya had started practicing with a wooden bat at some point.
His explanation to others was that it was to practice precision.
Only Sawamura knew that this guy had a very strong ambition for professional baseball.
At this moment, his practice with a wooden bat was likely also preparation for entering the Major League.
Because of Sawamura's existence, Miyuki felt less pressure than he should be.
If nothing unexpected happens, he should be able to go directly to the Major League.
Miyuki, having switched to a wooden bat, still displayed exceptional batting prowess.
He frequently hit for extra bases and home runs.
"Well, it is about time for me too!"
Sawamura was not to be outdone. Unlike Miyuki, who had just begun to get used to the wooden bat, Sawamura had gotten used to the wooden bat from his years in the Major League.
Now, as he was reacquainting himself with it, it was naturally way easier.
He had it in mind to start using a wooden bat before, but he wanted to solve the problem of lack of batting power first.
Now that he has solved this problem, it is time for him to move up to the next stage.
As he saw the ball coming towards him, he took a step forward.
With the shift of his body's center of gravity and accumulated power from his improved new stance, the bat in his hand also slashed.
PAAK!!!
The ball was struck and soared over to the outfield wall.
"HOME RUN!"
With his first swing, Sawamura hit a home run using the wooden bat.
The surrounding players, watching their practice, were left dumbfounded.
"Whoa!!
"These two are indeed monsters!"
"What a show offs!"
"I-I won't lose too!" Maezono was holding his metal bat while thinking hard.
"Zono! You have only got your batting style working! Now it is not the time for wooden bats!"
"Don't get too greedy!!"
"I know damn it! I also didn't say anything!!" Maezono replied with an angry but hesitant face that made him look comical.
The Aura around him was flaring in the shape of [I Want To Do It Too!]
"No, no! You totally want to!!"
"And tone down that aura for a bit, that is a different Anime!"
The first-string players were training and discussing new skills.
As for the newcomers, aside from Nishiyama and Yuuki, who had already joined the first team, and Yui Kaoru, who had joined the second team, the others were still engaged in the basic conditioning practice, which was mostly running.
Initially, everyone started off even, but gradually, some who were unwilling to remain ordinary began to sprint ahead!
After three relatively outstanding newcomers went out, the first to charge ahead was unexpectedly Lee-Hyun.
This guy had been quite reserved in the group due to language barriers and was not the type to seek the spotlight.
Yet at this moment, he took the lead in charging forward.
"This guy isn't one to fade into the background!"
Takuma remarked with great sentiment.
The three who had previously been eager to sprint ahead had already been promoted.
After their promotion, the other players hesitated to stand out. One reason was the lack of confidence and ability, and another was the fear of being the first target.
Even Okumura, who liked to follow along, stopped rushing ahead alone after those three were promoted (and because it made finishing the three meals harder)
From then on, the newcomers continued to watch closely.
Who would be the next to dash ahead?
There were many guesses among them, and even though three had already been chosen, there were still plenty of skilled newcomers left.
No one expected that the first to charge ahead would actually be Lee-Hyun!
A week after those three were selected, he was the first to break through.
"TSK!"
Okumura, the ever-competitive wolf cub, unwilling to lose, chased after him.
His personality did not favor isolating himself from the crowd.
When no one was rushing ahead, it was particularly difficult for him to take the lead.
That did not suit his character.
Yet hidden within him was a deep competitive spirit.
He couldn't stand to let anyone else run ahead of him.
No matter who it was, as long as someone got in front of him, he would definitely chase after them.
This kind of personality also destined him not to be someone who would willingly settle for mediocrity.
Especially more when he remembers what happened during his time partnering with Sawamura!
~~~
#Imagination #Imagination# Imagination# Imagination# Imagination#
The soaring ball made an unexpected break dodging Okumura's Mitt and flying past him!
Koushuu could only look in shock and the ball, powerless unable to do anything!
Imagination# Imagination# Imagination #Imagination# Imagination#
"Are~ didn't this guy say he wants to be the main catcher soon! And he can't even catch my prototype pitch~ Change him! Change him! I have no time to take care of children!" Sawamura with horns on his head and extremely Evil face said not even looking at Okumura.
He was truly the Evil Demon King!
Imagination# Imagination# Imagination# Imagination# Imagination#
The defeated hero Okumura Koushuu could only grit his teeth in defiance and frustration!
"What do you expect, he hasn't even made it to the first string! You obviously shouldn't care about small fries!" Miyuki who is shrouded in a dark aura said to the Demon King Sawamura.
Imagination# Imagination# Imagination# Imagination# Imagination#
"WHAHAHA! Yes, it is not like anyone can endure my power!! Hahahahahahahaha!" Sawamura who is shrouded in a demonic aura laughed maniacally, ignoring the squashed hero Okumura Koushuu.
"Hehehehe! This is why I am the main catcher! Hahahahaha!" the equally demonic Miyuki laughed maniacally too. Both of them ridiculed Okumura.
Okumura could only swear revenge without being able to utter a word!
Imagination# Imagination# Imagination# Imagination# Imagination#
~~~
'Remembering' Those 'memories' made the engines in Okumura's leg explode with more power and run even faster.
"Hehe, interesting." Takuma followed closely behind.
It felt like he was witnessing something intriguing and eagerly chased after.
Then, two more competitive individuals followed suit.
They are Kagami Kouta and Kuki Youhei.
Lee-Hyun's action, like a fuse, instantly detonated the surge that hid the newcomer under the calm water.
"Aren't you going to rush too?"
At the end of the team, Sawamura's two Kohais from the Akagi Middle School baseball team ran together.
Looking at the figure that kept rushing forward, Matsumoto asked Hirota with great interest.
In the previous performances of newcomers, Hirota is completely comparable to Nishiyama and Yuuki.
It stands to reason that the two have been promoted to the first string, and Hirota should not be so bland.
Whew!
Whew!!!
Hirota was breathing heavily.
Although this young man performed very well in other aspects, his physical stamina was obviously not good.
The first few days were fine. As the training volume increased, the problem of his lack of stamina began to appear.
Now just keeping up with the big string is already very difficult.
"I want to rush forward like the others."
'But with the meals afterward…'
"You don't have to wait for me, you can rush up by yourself!"
Hirota said breathlessly.
Matsumoto nodded and rushed forward from the back of the team.
…