Chapter 134: [134] The Showdown Begins
Chapter 134: The Showdown Begins
July 31, Jingu Stadium. As the first rays of sunlight hit the ground, waves of people were already flooding in.
This was it—Seidou High vs. Inashiro Industrial. The final battle for the ticket to Koshien.
Though the game wouldn't start until 1 p.m., by 11 a.m. the stadium seats were already alive with excitement.
Baseball fans from all over Tokyo, and even some from neighboring prefectures, gathered eagerly to witness this long-awaited showdown between Seidou and Inashiro.
Today's match had drawn nationwide attention.
Numerous major magazines and TV networks were on site, with an array of cameras set up along the front, attesting to the magnitude of the event.
"The West Tokyo tournament final will begin at 1 p.m. Given today's high temperatures, please stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke…" echoed a sweet voice over the stadium's broadcast.
Outside the venue, both teams had just arrived.
As the buses came to a stop, the players stepped off one by one.
"Ugh, it's really hot today..." muttered Kuramochi, adjusting his cap to shield his face.
"It's so bright..." groaned Furuya, nearly wilting under the sun.
"It's supposed to hit 33 degrees Celsius today. Furuya-kun, make sure you stay hydrated," reminded Haruichi with concern.
"Yeah…" Furuya replied weakly with a nod.
Eijun stepped off the bus and took in the sight of Jingu Stadium before him.
In the distance, he caught a glimpse of Inashiro's gray-and-white uniforms, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, his gaze turning clear and steady.
Two teams.
One championship.
Neither side had any room for retreat.
This final game was a battle of skill, endurance, and unshakable resolve.
There was no room for nerves, no second-guessing.
At this moment, Eijun's heart was calm and focused, his goal crystal clear.
Only the championship.
He had to seize it.
Only that rival.
He had to defeat him.
This was a promise, a vow.
"Bring it on, Narumiya-senpai. I'm ready. Are you?"
Trust from his teammates, faith in himself—this was a team's battle, but also a test of his own resolve.
Sawamura Eijun, in this moment, felt a new transformation in his spirit.
"Seidou! Seidou! Seidou!"
"Make it there—this is the last game, we're counting on you!"
"Coach Kataoka, Boss! Lead the team to victory!"
"Yuuki!"
"Masuko!"
"Isashiki, Miyuki!"
All of Seidou's die-hard fans had come out to cheer. This was about much more than just one player or one team; it carried the hopes of countless people. These twenty players stood here, ready to fight on this hallowed ground.
Along with the fans and media for Seidou and Inashiro, there were others present: teams Seidou and Inashiro had defeated along the way and schools with a vested interest in the outcome of this final.
Yakushi High, Sensen High, Sakurazawa Academy, Ichidaisan High, and Akikawa High School.
Akira Nagao, Omae Takahiro, You Shunshin, Sanada Shunpei, Raichi Todoroki…
Many of these schools' key players had come to watch the game, each grouping together in different areas of the stands, forming small clusters that kept a respectful distance from each other—a quiet but palpable tension filled these spaces.
This match was the final showdown for the West Tokyo representative spot.
It was a game the entire country was watching.
Would Seidou, the once-glorious team, achieve redemption by breaking into the national tournament again after six years and reclaiming their former glory?
Or would Inashiro, the reigning powerhouse, once again crush Seidou's dreams and march into the sacred grounds of Koshien to defend their supremacy?
At this moment, all eyes were fixed on the grand stage, filled with grit and passion.
Inside the player's tunnel, the captains of both teams stood face-to-face.
"Seidou will bat first, Inashiro second. Is that all right?" The head umpire looked to Yuuki and Harada for confirmation.
"Yes!!!"
"We're hoping to see a final match worthy of its name."
"Yes!!"
"Let's go!"
"Ohhhhhhh!"
With steady, resolute steps, both teams emerged from the player tunnel, greeted by the roaring cheers of tens of thousands in the stands.
"Seidou!!!"
"Inashiro!!!"
"Captain Tetsu!!!"
"Narumiya!!!"
"Go to Koshien—don't stop now!"
"Narumiya, take them down!!!"
"Coach Kataoka!!!"
"Coach Kunitomo!!!"
"Let's go!!!!"
The thunderous cheers and energy from every corner filled the entire stadium.
The summer heat only intensified the electrifying atmosphere.
"The National High School Baseball Championship West Tokyo Final begins today! Who will claim the sole ticket to Koshien? Will it be last year's champions, Inashiro, aiming for a second summer title in a row? Or Seidou, seeking to erase last year's bitter loss and return to Koshien after six long years?"
"The game is about to begin, with Inashiro batting first, and Seidou taking defense!"
"Starting players for both teams are as follows…"
Eijun took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the summer sun beating down.
Even in northern Japan, summer was summer, and he could feel its intensity.
Glancing up at the blazing sun, he thought, A true ace, a true champion.
Inashiro's Narumiya Mei—today, let's settle it once and for all!
"Hey, Sawamura! Let's go, it's time for our ritual!" Haruichi called from the dugout, motioning to him.
"Right!" Eijun nodded, jogging over.
The team gathered in a circle, their captain, Yuuki Tetsuya, at the center. Each player placed their right hand over their heart, wearing a serious, almost solemn expression.
This was Seidou High School's most sacred ritual.
Coach Kataoka looked on with his usual composed expression, a faint, warm smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.
"Who are we?"
"The mighty Seidou!!!"
"Who's worked harder than anyone else?"
"Seidou!!!"
"Who's shed the most tears?"
"Seidou!!!"
"Are we ready to fight?"
"Ohhhhhh!!!"
"With our school's honor at heart, our one and only goal is total national domination!"
"Let's go!!!"
"Ohhhhhhhh!"
On July 31st, under the bright sky of Meiji Jingu Stadium, a baseball showdown and a summer of dreams for these passionate young players was about to begin—the final battle had arrived!
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