Chapter 363: The New Recruits

Early morning, Seido Baseball Club, training field.

After running 5 kilometers with Huangqian Yangyi, Yui Kaoru had already started panting heavily.

"Alright, Yui, go rest on the side; don't let it affect your performance during the First Year tryouts later," Huangqian Yangyi reminded him.

Yui Kaoru was somewhat unwilling and wanted to keep running, but after meeting Huangqian Yangyi's unquestionable gaze, he immediately obeyed.

"I'm here!! Aniki! Wait for me!!"

Just then, a figure rushed into the field. Startled, Yui Kaoru turned his head to look; it was that Pitcher named Sawamura Eijun.

Eijun was seen dragging three tires around his waist, chasing in the direction of Huangqian Yangyi.

"This guy... is quite interesting," Yui Kaoru said with a smile while doing his cool-down stretches. He checked the time; it was only 5 o'clock.

This one is also a workaholic.

The seniors are all working this hard, so I can't admit defeat either! As if ignited by the fighting spirit of the hot-blooded idiot Sawamura, Yui Kaoru simply started practicing his swings.

"Wow, someone is running so early."

"That's Senior Huangqian, right? So cool!"

"Heh, kid, the Captain is someone who gets up to run at this time every single morning without fail."

"Yeah, even during winter training when it's snowing, it's the same."

"Little guys, you'd better learn well."

As the time approached 6 o'clock, more and more people arrived at the field.

6:00 AM is the morning training time for the Baseball Club. No one was late, and Coach Kataoka was very gratified.

Looking at these new recruits in front of him, Coach Kataoka still maintained that stern, unsmiling expression.

"Are all the First Years here?" Coach Kataoka asked.

Beside him, Takashima Rei twitched the corner of her mouth and said, "One is missing. He asked for leave; the reason for the leave is that his leg is broken."

Upon hearing this, Coach Kataoka was also stunned. How could someone break their leg before school even starts?

"Alright, First Years, go ahead and introduce yourselves," Coach Kataoka said, turning his head to look at the first person in the first row on the left.

"My name is..."

"I am from..."

"Next!"

"My name is Yuki Masashi, from Akado Junior High School. My position is every position; I want to challenge my own possibilities!!"

"To me, high school baseball is a necessary stage and a precious experience. I want to become an excellent player here and enter the Major Leagues in the future!"

The tall and sturdy Yuki Masashi shouted with his neck stiffened.

"Pfft~"

In the line behind Coach Kataoka, Vice Captain Miyuki Kazuya couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Captain Yuki's younger brother is really interesting. I heard that Captain Yuki introduced himself the same way back then."

"Is that so? Truly worthy of being brothers."

"The genes in the Captain's family are truly extraordinary."

"One of a kind."

After listening to Yuki Masashi's self-introduction, Coach Kataoka silently looked at the next person.

As for the new recruits, they were surprised by Yuki Masashi's bold statement. Entering the Major Leagues—he really dares to say it.

The self-introductions continued, and soon it was Okumura Koshu's turn.

"Yangyi, is he glaring at me?" Miyuki whispered.

"Is he? It must be your imagination," Huangqian Yangyi chuckled secretly.

"He is! He's definitely glaring at me."

Miyuki turned his head away, aggrieved. "He's so fierce."

"What, didn't you get along last night?"

"That kid said he wanted to challenge me the moment he walked in the door," Miyuki said.

"Haha, that's interesting then, for the remaining half a year," Kuramochi said from behind, kicking Miyuki's butt with his leg.

Just at this moment.

"The position I want to play is Catcher! I'm not considering any other positions!"

Watching the person who said this, Huangqian Yangyi's mouth curled up; it was Yui Kaoru.

After hearing Okumura Koshu say he wouldn't consider any position other than Catcher, this little guy also followed suit to express his determination.

Yui Kaoru's appearance also sparked a moderate amount of discussion. As a captain and starting Catcher of the World Championship, such a figure naturally receives a lot of attention.

"Is this the one from your dorm?" Miyuki said.

"Yeah, how about it? Pretty cute, right?" Huangqian Yangyi said.

Miyuki curled his lips: "They're all Catchers, just like Sawamura and Furuya. There's going to be a fight for the starting Catcher position in the future."

"That has nothing to do with us; we'll have graduated by then."

"You're right."

The two whispered to each other while listening to the new recruits' speeches.

"I am Seto Takuma from Daikyo Little League. The position I hope to play is Second Baseman. I am very confident in my speed!"

Unlike Okumura Koshu, his good friend Seto Takuma was all smiles and full of energy.

After all the new recruits finished their self-introductions, Coach Kataoka was silent for a long while before saying.

"I am the head coach of the team, Kataoka Tesshin."

"I am the assistant coach, Ochiai Hiromitsu," Ochiai Hiromitsu followed closely after Coach Kataoka finished speaking.

Unlike Kataoka, who oversees the big picture, Ochiai Hiromitsu had already begun searching for moldable talent while the First Years were introducing themselves.

With his rich experience and professional ability, he had already formed a preliminary judgment.

"As everyone here knows, our Seido has won the Koshien championship four consecutive times—twice in the Summer Koshien and twice in the Spring Koshien."

"Such results are the outcome of the hard work and struggle of the seniors standing before you. Having just entered high school, you have yet to witness true high school baseball; it is normal to feel some panic and worry about this, but I hope that while you adapt to high school life, you will use your eyes to watch, to observe, and to learn from the attitude of your seniors during training!"

"At the same time, think carefully: why did you come here? What are you pursuing? And what is your baseball? Only by understanding the path you must take can you strive toward your goals with unwavering determination."

Director Kataoka's speech was full of inflammatory passion, making the group of newcomers feel incredibly excited.

"Yes!!!"

"Very good! Your voices are loud; now, Captain, it is your turn."

Huangqian Yangyi stepped out of the formation and came to Director Kataoka's side, his gaze sweeping over the newcomers in front of him one by one.

"My name is Huangqian Yangyi. I believe everyone present should know me. In the time to come, I hope that among you, someone will appear who can make me sit up and take notice."

"High school baseball is cruel, especially at a powerhouse school; the intensity of the competition will exceed your imagination. I do not have enough time to look after everyone; as for who among you can stand out, that will depend on your own performance."

"Finally, for this summer, I hope to see someone from the First Year join me in entering Koshien and winning the championship."

After finishing his words, Huangqian Yangyi retreated back into the ranks of the upperclassmen.

This speech from the Captain left the newcomers' hearts stirred—to enter Koshien with Senior Huangqian and win the championship together?

This spot will be mine!!!

Everyone was thinking exactly this.