Chapter 137: Hyogo Prefecture, Hanshin Koshien Stadium

"Rei-chan, what are you so busy with?" Huangqian Yangyi asked.

Takashima Rei stopped in her tracks and said helplessly, "We're heading to Hyogo Prefecture soon, there's so much to do, and I have to go on a business trip after Koshien; I've been worked to death lately."

"A business trip? To scout for new talent?" Huangqian Yangyi asked.

"Of course, the recruitment process starts very early every year. If you go too late, all the good prospects get snatched up by other schools," Takashima Rei said.

Over the past few years, recruitment for the Seido Baseball Club has been truly difficult; most of the players they set their sights on are snatched up by other powerhouse schools.

But this year is different. Seido has made it to Koshien, and if they can produce decent results there, it will undoubtedly be a huge help for subsequent recruitment. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Takashima Rei has also made up her mind to do a good job with recruitment this year and bring back more good prospects for Seido.

"Hehe, Rei-chan, do me a favor, will you?" Huangqian Yangyi said.

"Oh? What is it?" Takashima Rei asked curiously.

"After Koshien ends, if you're going to Nagano Prefecture, remember to let me know."

"Notify you? You want to tag along?"

"We'll see. I'm not sure yet, after all, there's the Autumn Tournament in October and the Jingu Tournament in November, it depends on when you go," Huangqian Yangyi said.

Upon hearing this, Takashima Rei looked puzzled. She didn't understand why Huangqian Yangyi wanted to tag along, but if it happened to be during a break in the games, bringing the team's ace along to recruit new players would certainly be much more effective.

"Hmm, if the Coach agrees," Takashima Rei said.

"Hehe, as long as there's time, the Coach will definitely agree," Huangqian Yangyi said confidently.

If he could go to Nagano Prefecture with Takashima Rei and meet that guy early, he would make sure to teach that baseball idiot some proper training methods, no matter what; he would never let him waste half a year for nothing.

Improving his strength early would make Seido's future Three-peat even more secure.

When it comes down to it, everything is for the championship.

Perhaps this is the responsibility of an ace, Huangqian Yangyi couldn't help but feel a bit narcissistic.

That evening, Coach Kataoka gathered all nearly one hundred members of the Baseball Club.

"We are heading to Hyogo Prefecture tomorrow. To everyone on the First String, I believe you have all made sufficient preparations to meet the harsher and more difficult challenges ahead. As for you, I won't say much more."

"The rest of you!"

Coach Kataoka looked at the other players.

"Normally, by convention, you would all be able to follow the team to watch the games."

Hmm? What does that mean? Everyone looked at Coach Kataoka in confusion. Could it be that the school wasn't planning to let them go watch the games?

"However, after Koshien ends, the third-year seniors will retire, and the team will soon undergo a reorganization. At this time, your strength is indispensable. When that time comes, who will be able to stand out and become a member of the First String?"

"From today until Koshien ends, a period of nearly 20 days, I don't want anyone to waste it. I won't force you to stay and train either; whether you watch the games or train is entirely up to you."

Hearing this, everyone not on the First String was stunned.

Koshien—they wanted to go, even if it was just to watch!

Training—they didn't want to miss that either; taking advantage of this time, they might even be able to overtake the others!

How should they choose?

Just as everyone was struggling with the decision, Coach Kataoka looked at the third-year players, whose summer had already ended before the preliminary tournament even began.

"The third-years may follow the team to watch the games, all expenses paid."

Suddenly, the expressions on these seniors' faces became completely different from those of their juniors; they were all incredibly happy.

Finally, the other players also made their choices one after another.

"I'm staying! I must get into the First String!"

"Me too! I won't give up my spot to you guys!"

The first to speak were the second-year players, followed by the others, each voicing their own choice. In the end, nearly 80% of the players indicated they would stay to train, while a small portion wanted to go and experience the atmosphere of Koshien in person.

The next day, August 4th, three days before the opening of Koshien.

All 49 teams that qualified for the Summer Koshien were already on their way to Hyogo Prefecture.

After a five-year hiatus, the Seido High School Baseball Club was about to step onto this place known as the holy land once again. For the next half month, every one of them would burn with their own passion here.

Koshien, this is the top-tier grand event for all high school baseball players in Japan, a stage dreamed of by hundreds of thousands of high school baseball players every year.

Entering Hyogo Prefecture, the Seido High School bus stopped in front of a hotel not far from Hanshin Koshien Stadium. Almost all the teams from across the country participating in Koshien were staying here.

As soon as they got off the bus, a group of reporters holding cameras and microphones swarmed over.

Department Head Ota hurriedly led the coaching staff to step forward and block them with the hotel security, and only then were the players able to enter the hotel smoothly.

For the next two days, besides doing some simple training, the most important thing for the players was to adapt to the local climate.

August 7th, the day of the Koshien opening ceremony.

Under the scorching sun in the clear sky, the ivy on Koshien Stadium surged like emerald waves, and the tens of thousands of seats in the stands were already packed.

When the noon time-signal siren pierced through the clouds, on the turf in the center of the stadium, forty-nine teams from different regions lined up neatly to enter. The young boys had proud expressions on their immature faces, and the school emblems on their chests shone brightly in the sunlight.

The Seido players stood in a line in the middle, each feeling excited and nervous. Feeling the atmosphere of the scene, Huangqian Yangyi also felt his heart rate accelerate.

A big stage—this is the real big stage.

The opening ceremony lasted for a while and didn't end until Huangqian Yangyi was almost roasted by the sun.

Next was the draw ceremony, which made all 49 teams extremely nervous. Among the 49 teams, 15 would receive a bye in the first round and advance directly to the second round.

As it happened, Seido, having returned to Koshien after 5 years, was lucky enough to be one of these 15 schools.

When the draw results came out, everyone at Seido was pleasantly surprised; this meant they would have more sufficient time to adapt and observe.

"Hmph, might as well have played now, having to wait another two days," Dong Qingguo said with a dark face.

"Hehehe, Senior Dong, you're nervous, aren't you?" Huangqian Yangyi teased.

Dong Qingguo turned his head away and didn't speak. In reality, he was indeed very nervous. Thinking that this feeling would last for another two days, he wished he could go on the field right now and swing his bat with all his might.

"Pack your things, we're going to the spectator stands to watch the games now!" Coach Kataoka shouted.

"Yes!!!"