As a seeded team, Seidou High School's baseball team started their first game in the summer tournament later than most other teams.
They had byes in the first two rounds.
This meant that the team they would be facing in their first match had already secured two consecutive victories.
"The second round is over. Our opponent is Gogen High School."
Rei Takashima went to the match personally and, along with two players, recorded footage of the opponent's game.
Once the identity of their opponent was confirmed, Coach Kataoka immediately called a meeting with the team.
"Gogen High School's baseball team hasn't had a great record in the past. They were usually eliminated in the first two rounds of tournaments. But starting last year, they hired a retired coach from a professional team."
"Since then, Gogen's performance has rapidly improved."
Although the coach retired from a professional team and wasn't a former head coach, his skill level was still exceptional.
Under his guidance, Gogen High made it to the Tokyo Top 16 in last year's Fall Tournament.
Although they only reached the Top 32 in the Spring Tournament this year, they lost to none other than Inashiro Industrial High School.
"The score in that match was 7–3. Inashiro had a clear advantage, but it wasn't total domination."
"Now, after another half-year of training, Gogen is fully matured in all aspects."
As Rei Takashima spoke, images on the projector continued switching.
Soon, they showed footage of Gogen's first two games in the current Summer Tournament.
"Gogen's first two matches ended early. Their batting lineup is solid. In their first game, they won 11–1 and crushed the opponent in just five innings. In the second game, they won 9–0 in seven innings."
"Gogen has six core players. Their ace is Ikegami."
The projector displayed Ikegami's profile.
Ikegami, a third-year and the ace of Gogen High's baseball team, has a top pitch speed of 139 km/h.
He has mastered two breaking balls: a low-angle slider and a forkball.
"Though his variety is limited, when combined with a solid fastball and good control, Ikegami is a highly intimidating presence on the mound. The only run they allowed in the first game wasn't even from Ikegami. Which means, up to now, he hasn't given up a single run."
Just by reviewing the data, Seidou's players could feel the pressure this Ikegami might bring.
"Their three core batters are excellent at linking hits together. You can tell they've undergone rigorous training."
"Besides the core batters, their leadoff and second batter combo has already driven in two runs…"
"As for their overall defense…"
Rei Takashima continued explaining with detail and energy.
Among the seated players, Zhou Hao was deeply shaken.
Before this, he had no idea how intricate and detailed a real baseball game could be.
Beyond comparing raw strength, both teams had to engage in intelligence and information warfare.
Before this, they had no understanding of Gogen High at all.
Thanks to Rei Takashima's breakdown, even Zhou Hao had formed a relatively clear picture of their upcoming opponent.
He could already imagine what kind of team they were up against.
"Although our opponent is strong, I still firmly believe that we will be the ones to win in the end."
Once Rei finished her briefing, Coach Kataoka took the stage.
Rather than diving directly into strategy, he first gave the players a motivational speech.
The momentary concern over their tough opponent quickly disappeared from the players' expressions.
With Coach Kataoka's encouragement, their enthusiasm for the upcoming game was reignited.
Gogen High? So what?
Taking them down would be a piece of cake.
"As for our lineup, we'll go with our usual. Zhou Hao, you'll be playing right field."
This sudden announcement from Coach Kataoka left the team momentarily stunned.
Just a few days ago, Kataoka's arrangement for Zhou Hao was to have him sit quietly in the dugout.
He was a secret weapon, only to be used during critical moments.
Why the sudden change now?
Kataoka nodded—he knew they were confused. After all, that previous plan came straight from him.
Changing it so abruptly was naturally jarring.
But he had his reasons.
"Zhou Hao doesn't have much actual game experience. Let him go out and get a feel for what a real high school match is like."
That was his official reasoning.
And it was one that no player could refute.
Whether or not that was his true intention, no one could say for sure.
Meanwhile, Gogen High, Seidou's next opponent, was also researching Seidou's data.
Under the dim streetlights, Gogen's players were still practicing their swings.
"The game is tomorrow. You all should head home and rest. If you overdo it tonight, you won't have the energy to face Seidou tomorrow."
Their team teacher urged them to rest.
But the players swinging under the streetlamps paid no mind.
"Don't worry, sensei. Our bodies are burning with motivation."
"Just thinking about facing such a powerhouse—how can we sleep?"
Gogen's players showed no fear at the prospect of facing a national-level elite like Seidou.
All they felt was excitement.
In the Spring Tournament earlier this year, they started off poorly—unlucky enough to face Inashiro Industrial right away.
They were soundly defeated.
But what no one realized was that loss forced Gogen's players to reevaluate themselves.
They had expected to be completely crushed by Inashiro.
But reality proved otherwise.
Even though they were overpowered, during the match, they could feel that they weren't completely helpless.
Even against a national powerhouse and West Tokyo's reigning champion…
They could still hold their own, even if just a little.
That was something they had never even dared dream of before.
In the past six months, they trained even harder.
Their strength improved visibly.
They had been itching to get revenge on Inashiro.
Facing Seidou now was just a trial before that revenge match.
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POWER STONE!!??
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