"Rei-chan, what are you busy with?" Kanzaki Ryou asked.
Takashima Rei stopped walking and sighed helplessly. "I'm heading to Hyogo Prefecture soon, and there's still so much to take care of. And after Koshien, I'll be going on a business trip, so everything's piled up."
"A business trip? Are you scouting new talent?" Kanzaki asked.
"Of course. Recruitment starts early every year. If we're late, the good prospects will all be taken by other powerhouse schools," Rei said.
In recent years, Seidou's recruitment had been difficult, with most of their desired players snatched away.
But this year was different—Seidou had finally returned to Koshien. If they could perform well, it would greatly help future recruitment. Seizing this rare opportunity, Takashima Rei had resolved to bring back as many talented players as possible.
"Hehehe, Rei-chan, can I ask for a favor?" Kanzaki said.
"Oh? What is it?" Rei asked curiously.
"After Koshien, if you go to Nagano Prefecture, let me know."
"You want to come with me?"
"We'll see. It depends on the schedule. There's the Autumn Tournament in October and the Meiji Jingu Tournament in November… so it depends on when you go," Kanzaki said.
Rei blinked in confusion. She didn't quite understand what Kanzaki wanted to do in Nagano, but bringing Seidou's Ace on a recruitment trip would definitely make things easier—if Coach Kataoka agreed.
"Well… if the Coach approves," Rei said.
"He will. If there's time, Coach Kataoka will definitely agree," Kanzaki said confidently.
If he could go to Nagano with Rei and meet that guy early…
He would definitely teach that baseball idiot the right way to train. No way would he let him waste half a year like in the original timeline.
If that guy got stronger earlier, Seidou's future three consecutive championships would be even more secure.
Everything—absolutely everything—was for the sake of the championship.
For a moment, Kanzaki couldn't help feeling a bit proud.
That must be the duty of an Ace.
That evening, Coach Kataoka gathered nearly a hundred members of the Baseball Club.
"Tomorrow, we head to Hyogo Prefecture. First String members, I believe all of you are prepared for the tougher, harsher trials that await. I won't say much more."
Then he looked at the rest of the club.
"Normally, all of you would follow the team and watch the games."
Everyone exchanged confused looks. Was the school preventing them from going?
"However, after Koshien ends, the third-year seniors will retire. The team will be reorganized. At that time, your strength will be essential. So—who among you will rise and earn a spot on the First String?"
"From today until Koshien ends—around twenty days—I won't force any of you to stay and train. Whether you choose to watch the games or train is entirely up to you."
Those words stunned the whole room.
Koshien—they desperately wanted to go.
Training—they couldn't miss the chance to get ahead.
The dilemma was huge.
Coach Kataoka then turned to the third-years. Their summer had ended even before the preliminaries.
"The third-year members may follow the team and watch the games—free of charge."
The seniors immediately lit up with joy, completely unlike their troubled juniors.
Soon after, the others began to declare their choices one by one.
"I'm staying! I'll get into the First String!"
"Me too! I won't hand over my position!"
Second-years spoke first, and then others followed. In the end, nearly 80% chose to stay behind to train, while a small portion decided to go experience Koshien in person.
August 4th—three days before the Koshien opening.
All 49 qualified teams were now heading to Hyogo Prefecture.
After five long years, Seidou High School Baseball Club was finally returning to this sacred battleground. Here, for the next half month, they would burn their passion to the fullest.
Koshien—this was the dream stage of every high school baseball player in Japan.
Upon arriving in Hyogo, Seidou's bus pulled up at a hotel near Hanshin Koshien Stadium. The surrounding area was filled with teams from all over the nation.
The moment the players stepped off the bus, a bombardment of flashing cameras awaited them.
Reporters surged forward, raising long and short lenses.
Ota and the coaching staff immediately stepped up with the hotel security to shield the players so they could enter smoothly.
The next two days were spent on simple training and climate adjustment.
August 7th — Koshien Opening Ceremony
Under the scorching sun, the ivy on the stadium walls rippled like emerald waves. Tens of thousands of spectators filled the stands.
As the noon trumpet echoed across the field, 49 teams marched in one after another, their school emblems shining under the bright sunlight.
Seidou's players stood in the middle of the procession. The blazing heat couldn't dampen the excitement and nerves on their faces. Kanzaki Ryou felt his heart pounding harder and harder.
It was overwhelming.
Truly overwhelming.
This was the real stage.
By the time the ceremony ended, Kanzaki felt like he had been roasted alive.
Then came the moment that made the entire stadium tense—the drawing ceremony.
Out of 49 teams, 15 would receive a first-round bye.
Surprisingly, the returning Seidou High School…
was one of the 15.
The players were stunned. A free pass to the second round meant two extra days to adjust and study their future opponents.
"Hmph. I'd rather play immediately. Now I have to stay nervous for two more days," Azuma said with a dark expression.
"Hehehe, Azuma-senpai… you're nervous, aren't you?" Kanzaki teased.
Azuma looked away with a stiff face.
He was nervous.
Thinking he had to endure this feeling for two extra days—he wished he could step into the batter's box right now and swing away.
"Get your things ready. We're going to the stands to watch the game!" Coach Kataoka shouted.
"Yes!!!" everyone responded.