At around 1 p.m., another bus arrived at the Seidou High School baseball field.
This bus looked slightly older than the one from Chiba's Kashiwagi High School.
It didn't appear particularly impressive.
But if you think that means Kyujou High School is not to be taken seriously, you're making a big mistake.
The reason why the bus carrying Kashiwagi High School's players was so new and beautiful was that it was rented.
Kashiwagi High School is a rising team, and their school's infrastructure has never been fully developed.
In such a case, how could they possibly afford a dedicated baseball team bus?
Kyujou High School's bus may have been a little worn, but it was theirs and had "Kyujou High School Baseball Team" written on it.
So, even though the bus looked a little old, it was a sign of Kyujou's history.
They've had that bus for quite a while.
As for Seidou High School's baseball team, they have three buses now. (Unfortunately for everyone, the old bus driver is still employed)
One for the main team, one for the cheerers, or one to transport the second team to matches,
And one was new because the team got larger.
"Truly deserving of being Seidou High School!!!"
Kyujou High School's players were amazed by the luxury of Seidou's facilities.
Being a prestigious school, Kyujou High had decent training facilities.
Private schools, especially those focused on sports, invest huge amounts of time and money into this aspect, something ordinary people couldn't even dream of.
But despite that, when Kyujou's players got off their bus, they were still shocked by the luxury they saw.
"This is truly a veteran powerhouse, truly the King Seidou."
The game fields, the training facilities...
In these areas, the Seidou High School baseball team was on par with professional teams.
"How many sponsors do they have to reach this level?"
Kyujou High's players couldn't help but sigh.
Although Kanagawa is very good when compared to the Greater Tokyo area...
The difference is still obvious.
Of course, you can't compare Kyujou High with ordinary Tokyo public high schools.
Any grassroots school in baseball, in terms of professional facilities and staff, would never be able to match a private powerhouse.
In a pure comparison of powerhouses, Tokyo's powerhouses generally have better facilities compared to those from other regions.
There are occasional exceptions, but most of the time, that's the case.
Kyujou High's players, looking at the scene before them, were jealous.
"Do you feel the other side is really irritating?"
The Coach of Kyujou High was a very understanding middle-aged man.
With a thick beard, he didn't look like a coach, but more like a character from a martial arts novel.
But when he spoke, his tone was gentle.
This was in stark contrast to his wild image.
The Coach, with his very considerate question, allowed the Kyujou players to open up with their thoughts.
They all nodded in agreement.
"Then let's beat them and teach them you are not any less than them."
The Coach, smiling, made this suggestion.
However, when he proposed it, Kyujou's players didn't rally in anger.
Instead, they fell silent.
'Huh?'
'Beating Seidou?'
'Any less than them?'
What a joke.
Seidou High School's baseball team is not so easily beaten.
They've never lost in national competitions, so why would they lose to Kyujou?
Did they really think being a national top powerhouse was something extraordinary?
How many top powerhouses have been eliminated by Seidou High School's baseball team?
"Sigh…"
Seeing his players' demotivated attitude, the Coach couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.
The match hadn't even started, and they had already lost hope.
How could they compete with the Seidou High School baseball team?
But there was nothing to be done.
Ever since Seidou High School's baseball team tied with the legendary American Dream Team,
They've been placed on a pedestal.
After all, they've already secured two national championships.
This alone has placed them on the path to making this Era theirs.
Now, they've tied with the legendary American Dream Team.
Who in the country is even a match for Seidou High School's baseball team now?
The Coach of Kyujou High is very clear about this. Seeing his players' spirits sink, although he felt uncomfortable, he didn't scold them.
"If it was the normal case, I wouldn't have thought we had a good chance to win. But considering the current situation, we might really have a chance."
When the Coach said this, the Kyujou players immediately perked up.
A chance to beat the king of Seidou High School…
No matter what the process or reason is, Kyujou's players are willing to give it a try.
The Coach of Kyujou High was also willing to give it a shot.
In the 100th Koshien tournament, Kanagawa had two spots for participation.
Originally, their chances were slim, but with two spots available,
Kyujou High might really have a shot!
Of course, any opportunity is based on strength.
If Kyujou High can manage to defeat Seidou in this practice game,
That would be an incredibly rare chance for them!
With this newfound confidence, the players might really have a shot at making it to the top two.
Before the summer tournament begins, the Seidou High School baseball team conducts a week of hellish training.
As one of the nation's top traditional powerhouses, Seidou High School's training regimen is no secret to other prestigious teams.
The Coach of the Kyujou High School team, with his scruffy beard, naturally knows about it too.
Especially in recent years, Seidou High School's baseball team has gained a terrifying reputation.
Their various training methods have been widely publicized, leaving a strong impression on other elite teams.
The reason why Kyujou High's Coach with the scruffy beard agreed to play a practice match with Seidou High is largely due to this.
He can roughly guess the purpose behind Seidou High's baseball team's training.
A team like Seidou High's never lacks good players.
The challenge is selecting the best from the already good group of players.
To make such a selection, comparisons are inevitable.
In practice matches where the body is pushed to its limits, it's easier to observe a player's strength, fighting spirit, and perseverance.
Other prestigious teams, like Kyujou High, also have similar intensive training sessions.
The difference between the teams lies in the timing and methods of the training.
Kyujou High has been planning for a long time for this match against Seidou High.
Currently, the situation in Kanagawa is no less intense than in Tokyo. Even for the prestigious Kyujou High, earning a spot in Koshien is no easy feat.
Facing the kings of Kanagawa, they lack strength, and that's only one reason.
An even more important reason is that their players don't have the hunger to win against strong opponents.
This is why the current batch of players urgently needs such a well-timed match.
No matter what the state of the Seidou High School baseball team is, as long as these players can defeat the kings of Seidou, their confidence will certainly improve.
Kyujou High is ambitious.
This was already evident when Seidou High first faced them.
"As expected of a powerhouse!"
Although the Seidou High baseball team made a few slight adjustments to their main lineup, the overall change is minimal.
Most of the players on the field are regular members of the team, including the two stars, Sawamura Eijun and Miyuki Kazuya.
Even though this may not be Seidou High's absolute best lineup, it still has over 90% of its strength.
With such a lineup, defeating Kyujou High should be an easy task.
But the match isn't going according to that plan.
The first batter, Kuramochi, took his stance and prepared to bat.
Kyujou High's Ace pitcher appeared confident, without any hesitation, and threw the ball.
In the Batter's Box, Kuramochi cracked a wicked smile, showing a bit of a mischievous grin as he faced off against the pitcher.
'You think that just because we're near exhaustion, we can't play at full power?'
He looked at his opponents, and thought, 'You don't even have a front defensive for me?'
Ping!
Kuramochi changed his stance and executed a perfect bunt.
Despite his body aching and muscles twitching from exhaustion, he gritted his teeth and executed the play.
As soon as the ball left his bat, he quickly discarded it and sprinted forward, moving like a hungry leopard chasing its prey.
His speed was incredible.
The Kyujou players responded quickly. As soon as the pitcher threw the ball, they saw Kuramochi adjust his position.
The Kyujou infielders sprinted forward.
The third baseman dashed forward, scooped up the ball, and threw it to first base.
Snap!
Just as Kuramochi was about two steps from reaching first base, the ball landed securely in the first baseman's mitt.
Snap!
"OUT!"
The umpire at first base made the call without hesitation.
Kuramochi clicked his tongue in frustration.
He realized that the opponent was much more prepared than he had anticipated.
"The other side wasn't unprepared—they're confident in their speed. Our opponents aren't some weak team; they're a true powerhouse."
After Kuramochi's turn at bat, Coach Kataoka spoke.
The players knew their coach was right.
If they underestimated this opponent, they would be the ones to lose in the end.
One Out, no runners on base.
Next up to bat was Kijima.
Kijima wasn't tall, nor was he particularly strong. Physically, he was one of the weaker players on the main squad of the Seidou High baseball team.
However, despite that, he managed to stay in the main lineup and seemed to have a solid position.
In Seidou High's main team, there was no room for slouches.
Every player in the main lineup had their own value.
Kijima was no exception.
His place in the team was due to his skills, not anyone's favor.
Not to mention his defensive skills, but his batting techniques were also impressive.
He was one of the few players who could hold his own against the Kominato lineage in terms of batting.
As he stepped up to the plate, memories of his Senpai, Kominato Ryosuke, flashed through his mind.
Even though Seidou High's baseball team had been full of stars in the past, Kominato Ryosuke had always shined brightly in the team.
He was an exceptionally distinctive player who stood out wherever he was.
Ryosuke was also the player that Kijima admired as his ideal.
'Ryo-san, I will do it!'
…
T/N: Well, That's it for now!
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