Actually, there was no need for Tetsuya to say anything. The Seidou Baseball Team had already pretty much figured out what their senior was going to say.
It seemed that Tetsuya had noticed that everyone's spirits were tense, so he probably wanted to impart some wisdom.
'When facing a strong opponent, it is crucial to remain calm.'
'The more anxious you are, the more likely things will go wrong.'
Yuuki wanted to share this valuable lesson with his Kohas, but being someone who wasn't good with words, he struggled to put this wisdom into a well-crafted sentence.
As he pondered how to express this to his juniors, Miyuki, who understood the situation, stepped forward.
"As long as we can play to our strengths, no matter what tricks or weird tactics the opponent has, they won't be able to match us. In terms of raw strength, we are ultimately the superior side."
His words were simple and calm, but it was this composure that gave the team a great sense of confidence.
Miyuki was right. The ones who should be anxious were not them, but their opponents.
Tetsuya, who had originally intended to say something, found that all the words he had prepared were now swallowed back.
'He has grown a lot and became a capable leader!'
Even though the Senpais from his generation had all retired, under his leadership, the Seidou Baseball Team would undoubtedly continue to shine.
Tetsuya could trust him to handle things!
It wasn't just Yuuki who thought this way; he planned to share this decision with his old teammates as well.
When they heard that Yuuki Tetsuya was visiting the Seidou Baseball Team, those restless guys immediately started calling him.
They repeatedly reminded him of what he should say to the juniors.
He couldn't let them get too full of themselves because of even the smallest achievements.
They still had a long way to go!
Even if they were just one match away from the quarter-finals, they couldn't afford to become careless.
In fact, there had been instances in the past where teams, after consecutive victories, lost early.
The Seidou team had to learn from those lessons and not repeat the same mistakes.
If they were to lose this time, it would be uncertain whether they would ever have another chance to create legendary records.
After all, Sawamura, Furuya, and others from the platinum generation would soon retire after two more Koshien tournaments.
If they lost this generation's chance, winning three consecutive championships would become nothing but a pipe dream.
They had to be extra careful, doubly cautious.
Yuuki Tetsuya had come with similar thoughts, but after seeing his Kohais, he realized there was no need for such concerns.
Although these kohais had not yet officially entered society, their minds were already very mature, no longer the same as the younger guys from before.
"Would you like to play some shogi?" Yuuki suddenly asked, turning to Miyuki, and looking at him seriously. As he spoke, he raised his hand, placing his middle finger on his index finger, striking the classic pose of a shogi player.
He decided to leave the team matters to his juniors and was now only focused on determining the outcome of a shogi match with Miyuki.
"Forget it, I'm no match for you, Tetsu-san," Miyuki said, looking awkward.
He couldn't help but wonder—how could Tetsu-san, with his terrible shogi skills, have the nerve to challenge others? Didn't he realize that the reason they were always playing so evenly was because they didn't want him to look bad?
In terms of shogi skills, Yuuki was an amateur in the truest sense.
Soon after, Coach Kataoka and the others came out.
They caught up with Yuuki, exchanging some old memories, and also sent him their best wishes, hoping that he would continue to advance in the professional baseball world.
After switching to a wooden bat, Yuuki's batting performance hadn't been significantly affected.
On the contrary, during his time in professional baseball, his abilities had improved by leaps and bounds.
He was now performing at a level beyond his predecessor, Azuma Kyoukuni, and had become one of the representatives of Seidou High's baseball team in the professional league.
Coach Kataoka felt quite proud to have such an outstanding student trained under his wing. When he spoke to Tetsuya, his attitude softened considerably.
Yuuki, on the other hand, wasn't used to this warmer side of the Coach.
He had grown accustomed to Coach Kataoka's usual sternness, and now, he found himself unsure of how to respond to this unexpected kindness.
"You've done well, Keep it up. Although when you first came to school, you were full of problems, you still hit a home run in your first year during a real game. Even if you've been a late bloomer, trust in your ability and keep fighting!"
"Yes, Coach!!"
Coach Kataoka's earnest guidance filled Yuuki with deep gratitude.
After entering professional baseball, he understood the value of a Coach who cared for his players without conditions and always considered their well-being as Kataoka did.
"Good luck to the team, may they keep climbing higher and create even greater glory!"
After sending his blessings, Yuuki left.
His juniors escorted him to the door, waiting until the car's taillights disappeared before they returned to the hotel.
Thanks to Yuuki's interruption, the anxious emotions they had been feeling were completely dispelled.
"Whatever comes, we'll face it head-on. If a dark horse suddenly shows up, we don't know what kind of hidden cards they may have. But so what?"
Didn't they already face teams that caused them trouble in the past?
But in the end, didn't Seidou always manage to push through?
Since they called themselves the king of high schools, they had to show the dominance of true kings.
No matter who came at them, they would defeat them!
If they didn't have this kind of confidence, how could they have the face to create legendary records?
"The match schedule is set, so let's rehearse it in our minds a few more times," Sawamura Eijun said before leaving, heading back to his room.
He needed to rest up and prepare for tomorrow's game.
Hoshitaru Seiki.
If it wasn't for this guy suddenly showing up, Sawamura Eijun would have almost forgotten about him.
After all, so many years had passed since their previous encounters.
With time having passed and things having changed, many details were now unclear.
However, Sawamura Eijun did remember Hoshitaru Seiki.
Although his performance in professional baseball hadn't been as outstanding, he was still one of the top players in the country.
But Sawamura Eijun's stage was in the Major Leagues, while Hoshitaru played domestically.
They didn't cross paths and weren't really familiar with each other.
After entering professional baseball, Hoshitaru performed well.
His achievements would have been considered miraculous if placed on any other rookie!
However, their fate had been somewhat unfortunate.
They had repeatedly lost at crucial moments, missing their chance at Koshien.
Until this year, fate had finally turned.
The team that had previously failed to reach Koshien, Kanetsu-Norin, had broken their bad luck and achieved the impossible.
They had finally made it to Koshien!
This is the dream of countless passionate baseball players in Japan.
Of course, it is also the dream of the players of Kanetsu-Norin High School. But their dream is even bigger.
There's a slight connection to Sawamura in all of this, though it's just a small one, things might not have developed in exactly the same way without it.
Three years ago, Hoshitaru had just retired from his middle school baseball team. He played softball, and although he wasn't selected as one of the top 12 players, he had already shown extraordinary talent during his junior high school years.
Many prestigious schools reached out to him with offers.
This included not just schools from his Prefecture, but many other places as well.
At that time, Hoshitaru faced two choices: to join a prestigious school and prove his abilities or to attend his local school, which was also his father's alma mater.
That school was Kanetsu-Norin High School.
Hoshitaru's father was once a passionate baseball player, and in the 1990s, he was quite successful. He had led Kanetsu-Norin to the regional finals.
However, at the last moment, they were overtaken by their opponents and lost 2-3, missing the chance to enter Koshien.
Just one step away from reaching Koshien.
Hoshitaru's father considered this the greatest peak of his youth. He often talked about it to his family.
After Hoshitaru was born, his father continued to practice baseball with him. He could be considered his mentor.
Father and son had a great relationship, and Hoshitaru, from a young age, dreamed of leading his father's alma mater, Kanetsu-Norin, to Koshien.
However, when the opportunity to join a prestigious school came, he hesitated.
This was a choice that could determine his entire future.
If he joined a top-tier school, there was a high chance he could showcase his skills at Koshien and be noticed by professional scouts, potentially leading to a career as a professional baseball player.
This was a clear and relatively easy choice.
As for choosing Kanetsu-Norin?
If he succeeded, it would be great, but if he failed, his entire baseball life could be ruined.
He could end up like his grandfather, working the land, or like his father, becoming a company employee.
Was it worth making such a huge sacrifice just to fulfill this dream?
No matter how urgent that dream had been in the past when faced with the actual decision, Hoshitaru hesitated.
A big part of his hesitation came from his family's attitude.
They all believed Hoshitaru didn't need to choose Kanetsu-Norin.
He should go to a top-tier school and aim to become a professional baseball player.
Even his father supported this view.
At the same time, the national softball league's tournament was happening.
A team emerged one that seemed like a team of underdogs—a team that appeared like a bunch of weeds.
That team was Akagi Junior High School's baseball team!
From the start of the tournament, they drew attention.
Not because of anything special, but because they were the champions of the Kanto region.
The Kanto region was known as the strongest region in Japan.
A team of underdogs was actually the best in Kanto.
Such a stark contrast made it impossible not to notice them.
Many people were waiting for Akagi Junior High School's baseball team to fail.
They thought Akagi's victory in the Kanto region was just a fluke.
When it came to actual skill, there was no way they could go far in the national tournament.
They would surely show their weaknesses soon enough.
But Hoshitaru saw hope.
A team of underdogs, yet they had made it to the national tournament.
This made him think of himself.
Could he also achieve what Akagi Middle School's baseball team had?
"I've decided. I'll go to Kanetsu-Norin!"
When Hoshitaru made this decision, his family said nothing.
They chose to silently support him.
In the end, the Akagi baseball team proved everyone wrong.
While not particularly strong, they fought through every round and eventually became national champions!
It was then that Hoshitaru invited his good friend Okawa.
"I know other good teams have contacted you, but it doesn't matter what you choose. I'm going to Kanetsu-Norin. I feel that only a team like Akagi Junior High School's baseball team can truly play baseball!"
From that moment on, Akagi Junior High School's baseball team and Sawamura's name started spreading throughout Japan.
When Okawa and Hoshitaru entered Kanetsu-Norin High School, it was at a time when the school was at its weakest.
This team, with a rich history, was facing the prospect of being disbanded due to a lack of players.
Hoshitaru and his teammates' arrival alleviated this crisis.
Because of this, they quickly became the team's absolute core members.
In fact, from their first year in high school, Hoshitaru and his teammates already had considerable experience and fighting ability.
In their first year's summer tournament, they made it to the top eight in their Prefecture.
In the end, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals due to a lack of experience.
In the second year's summer tournament, they were Akita Prefecture's runners-up.
They lost by a single point.
When Hoshitaru returned home, his father was particularly upset.
He said he was sorry to his son, he felt like he had unconsciously put unrealistic expectations into his son's mind.
"There's still one more year. We'll definitely succeed."
Hoshitaru, however, remained full of confidence.
Time flew by.
Hoshitaru and his teammates had already endured countless grueling training sessions.
They had become numb to it.
Especially during the final year, they trained every day until all the streetlights went out.
The streetlights in rural areas are different from those in cities. When there are no pedestrians around at 9 or 10 PM, they turn off.
They were fortunate for this.
Otherwise, who knew how long these crazy people would have continued training?
Because of their intense training, when it was finally time for the competition, they loosened up.
They had done all the hard work; now it was up to fate.
That's how the players of Kanetsu-Norin High School thought.
To their surprise, they sailed all the way to Koshien!
When they found out that their opponent in Koshien was the top powerhouse, Seijitsu High School, the players of Kanetsu-Norin once again felt lost.
They came from a small town, and they knew that the strength of teams varied from place to place.
At that moment, most of the players thought they were finished and that Koshien would be a one-and-done experience.
But when they actually faced their opponents, they realized their opponents weren't as strong as they had imagined.
They actually won!
Before they knew it, they had made it to the elimination round of their group.
Win this game, and they'll make it to the top eight.
Isn't this miraculous?
The money they had raised was already spent, and they never imagined they would get this far.
Even more unexpected, they would face the legendary Team.
…
T/N: As always, Thank you all for reading!!
And I hope you all have a good day!
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