Chapter 340: The Battle of Wits Before the Main Tournament
At the same time that Teito High School's coaching staff was finalizing their strategy against Seidou, across Tokyo, in Seidou High School's Seishin Dormitory, two of Seidou's leading figures were deep in discussion within Coach Kataoka's office.
They were mapping out their tactical approach, finalizing strategic plans, and, most crucially, deciding on the starting lineup and batting order for their first match of the Autumn Tournament.
This was where the real battle began.
Unlike the preliminary rounds, where Seidou could afford to experiment with new approaches, they could not afford any unnecessary risks against Teito High School. Any moment of carelessness would only lead to defeat.
After all, Teito was no ordinary opponent. Just like Seidou, they had competed in Koshien during the summer and had a roster that ranked among the top eight, if not the top four, in the nation.
At this level, the gap between teams was razor-thin—no one could definitively say who was "stronger" or "weaker." Every small advantage or misstep could determine the outcome of the game.
Thus, while Seidou needed to stay true to their baseball philosophy and playing style, they also had to approach this match with extreme caution.
And so, before the players even set foot on the field, the first battle had already begun—one fought with tactics and strategy, led by Coach Kataoka and Assistant Coach Ochiai.
Neither man took this responsibility lightly.
As seasoned professionals in high school baseball, they understood that preparation and careful analysis could make or break a game.
...
"A war of attrition?"
Sitting at his desk, Coach Kataoka furrowed his brows, muttering the words to himself.
"Yes," Ochiai responded, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "I believe Teito High will adopt a defensive-first approach. Unlike us, Teito retained most of its core players from the summer tournament, especially in the starting lineup. Their ace, Mukai Taiyou, is not only a first-year who has already played on the Koshien stage, but he's also gained valuable experience from it.
"Compared to the summer, Teito's defense has likely strengthened even further.
"As for their offense, I don't think they've weakened much either. And given how thorough their scouting efforts must have been, they've certainly studied our team in detail. They've likely sent scouts to observe our preliminary matches, gathering data to supplement the information they already have from the summer tournament.
"They are fully aware of our weaknesses, especially when it comes to our batting lineup's lack of cohesion. This is a transparent strategy, but one we must address."
Ochiai spoke with absolute confidence, using definitive terms like "certainly" and "inevitably" rather than speculation.
This was a testament to his meticulous analytical style—he never spoke in probabilities, only in certainties.
...
Coach Kataoka's Inquiry
"So, Coach Ochiai, what do you suggest?"
Coach Kataoka's eyes flickered with understanding. He had already begun to grasp Ochiai's thought process, but he wanted to hear it clearly stated.
Since Ochiai had joined Seidou, Kataoka's workload had lightened considerably.
Now, Kataoka focused on broad strategic decisions, while Ochiai handled the finer tactical details and player training. This arrangement greatly benefited Seidou, as having Ochiai serve as a tactical mastermind gave the team a competitive edge.
That being said, Kataoka never completely delegated these matters—as the head coach, he still made the final calls.
And just now, Ochiai's analysis had given him a new perspective.
"We need to break their rhythm with an aggressive offense."
Ochiai's eyes flickered as he leaned forward slightly, though his usual lazy demeanor remained unchanged.
"Adjust the lineup. Move our power hitters to the top of the order."
"Teito's Mukai Taiyou is a pitcher with exceptional control—among high school pitchers, his command is among the best. If we try to engage in a drawn-out battle, we will fall into their trap.
"Instead of playing into their hands, we should go for direct confrontation. Even if we strike out several times, we cannot allow them to dictate the pace.
"We must apply constant pressure through an aggressive offense—fast attacks, power hitting, and relentless momentum—forcing their defense to crack under the stress!"
...
Ochiai's words made Coach Kataoka's eyebrows twitch.
But after a brief moment of contemplation, he nodded slowly.
Ochiai's analysis was spot on.
If Teito indeed aimed for a war of attrition, Seidou's best counterplay was to disrupt their game plan entirely.
If Eijun were here, he would no doubt be in awe of Ochiai's razor-sharp instincts.
This man was terrifying.
...
Seidou vs. Teito—two powerhouses, each meticulously planning their approach.
One side sought to grind down their opponent through impenetrable defense.
The other aimed to shatter that defense with relentless offense.
The battle of wits had already begun.
And soon, under the golden hues of early autumn, the first pitch of the tournament would be thrown.
The war was about to begin.
In the original work's Autumn Tournament, Teito High School indeed adopted a lukewarm war of attrition strategy against Seidou, neither pressing too hard nor backing down.
Aside from Miyuki and Haruichi, the rest of Seidou's batters constantly tried to predict and capitalize on Mukais pitches, only to be repeatedly outmaneuvered and played right into his hands.
As Ochiai pointed out, against Mukai, attempting to guess his pitches and engage in drawn-out at-bats was a losing game.
The key was to strike decisively at the right moment—one fatal blow when least expected.
In the end, the game-winning three-run hit by Maezono was a perfect counterstrike, catching Mukai completely off guard.
This unexpected gamble was what led to victory.
Ochiai's strategy and tactical adjustments here were nothing short of perceptive and precise—he had seen right through Mukai's true nature.
A pitcher who thrived on toying with and outwitting his opponents.
Being able to pinpoint the essence of a situation with ruthless clarity, and formulating a precise countermeasure, was what made Ochiai a legendary strategist, known as the brilliant tactician of Sagara.
...
"Then we'll go with this starting lineup..."
After carefully considering Ochiai's plan, Coach Kataoka ultimately recognized that his assistant's approach was the most logical.
This aggressive strategy certainly carried risks, but facing a powerhouse like Teito, risks were inevitable.
And Coach Kataoka was no indecisive leader.
Once he accepted Ochiai's plan, he swiftly made his final decision regarding the starting lineup.
However, just as Kataoka finished, something unexpected happened.
Ochiai shook his head.
"Coach Kataoka, in terms of an all-out offensive strategy, your lineup is certainly reasonable.
"But I believe there are a few adjustments that could be made."
After a slight pause, he continued.
Kataoka fell silent, taking a moment to process.
Then, he asked, "What do you suggest, Coach Ochiai?"
Ochiai's eyes gleamed slightly as he smiled faintly.
"In the starting lineup, I suggest rearranging two specific players."
Then, he laid out his unexpected proposal—one that even Coach Kataoka found surprising.
After carefully weighing the idea, Kataoka eventually nodded in agreement.
"Since you're confident in this plan, we'll proceed with this lineup."
...
The battle had already begun.
On one side, Teito High meticulously fine-tuned their war of attrition strategy.
On the other, Seidou High prepared to shatter it with decisive firepower.
The chessboard was set.
The autumn stage was about to witness a clash of wits, skill, and willpower.
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