The match is over!
As expected, the King's team, Seidou High School, defeated Hoshiryu High School and advanced to the top four in the Koshien Tournament.
Considering the rosters of both teams and their past performances, this result is only natural.
In fact, at this point, it's clear that when you pit almost any team against the Seidou High School baseball team, their chances of winning are very, very low.
Previously, Seidou High School had battled the American Dream Team in a blood-soaked fight without losing ground.
Though their style is somewhat distinctive, their strength is genuine.
Moreover, because of their Ace, Sawamura Eijun, Seidou High School's team is a "stronger when challenged" type of team.
This means that the tougher the opponent, the more they can unleash their potential.
Especially when it comes to pitcher duels, their strength is enough to make any opponent despair.
When playing against weaker teams, they might not be as powerful as some other elite teams known for their brutal offensive power.
But it's only teams like Seidou High School that truly possess the qualities of a champion.
No matter who they face, they never find themselves at a disadvantage.
No matter the opponent's style, Seidou High School always adjusts its tactics to counter the other team's strengths.
And through practice, it's been proven that Seidou High's strategies are highly effective—fast and efficient.
It's not an exaggeration to say they yield immediate results.
After the match, the Hoshiryu High School players, as expected, were crying.
Whether or not they had anticipated this result doesn't change the fact that it marked the end of their high school baseball career.
A very surprising scene appeared on the field.
While the Hoshiryu High School players were on the ground, crying, the audience in the stands gave them a round of enthusiastic applause.
Even though they didn't get to witness the pitching prowess of the legendary Sawamura Eijun today, the excitement of the match made them feel it was well worth the ticket price.
The Hoshiryu High School baseball team had performed well,
but the team they supported, Seidou High School, was stronger.
Even though they had already won, Seidou's players didn't hesitate to give their applause.
"You did great!"
"You pushed the Kings, Seidou, this far!"
"Your determination until the end was amazing!"
Hearing the cheers from the stands, it's easy to understand the helplessness of the Hoshiryu High players.
These words of encouragement sounded wonderful, but there's one point that can't be ignored.
Not a single fan said that the Hoshiryu High School team should come back next year.
It's not because they fear the Hoshiryu team that much,
but because, in reality, it's uncertain whether the Hoshiryu High team will even make it to Koshien next year.
Every year, after the senior players graduate, the team needs to go through a major adjustment.
This is true for Hoshiryu High School in Nagano Prefecture as well.
The difference is that Nagano is not a particularly strong baseball area.
The current generation of talent at Hoshiryu High is a once-in-a-generation type of team.
Next year, they definitely won't be as strong as they are now.
Moreover, the other two powerhouse teams in Nagano will not allow Hoshiryu High to keep their grip on the Koshien spot.
The decline of Hoshiryu High is almost inevitable.
Rooted in Nagano Prefecture, they are destined not to become one of those top-tier teams.
Teams like Sankou and Inashiro Industrial may have seemed a bit defeated in the past two years due to Seidou's strength,
but they are still the top-tier elites in the country.
One day, they are bound to rise again.
Just like Seidou High!
Because here, there's the soil where baseball talent can thrive.
The golden generation of Nagano!
Their final brilliant moments in their student years are coming to an end.
They lament the end of their high school baseball careers and feel lost about the future.
The immense sadness and confusion overwhelm the players, causing them to cry uncontrollably.
Given their accomplishments, the Hoshiryu High baseball team can be said to have achieved their original goal.
Now, at least 60-70% of fans across the country remember them.
Although some of that fame came from Sawamura Eijun's shine,
they are undeniably excellent in their own right.
Otherwise, their fame would not be due to skill but merely luck.
Besides that, their three appearances in Koshien have been fairly respectable.
However, to claim complete success is something no one could say without blushing.
After all, Hoshiryu High's original goal was not just this.
They aimed for the championship from the start.
If it wasn't for their desire to win the national championship, why would they have gone through the trouble of gathering their former teammates again?
This wouldn't make sense if they weren't aiming for greatness, right?
The players of Hoshiryu High are probably dissatisfied with this result.
That's why they cry so much.
The result isn't even the most important thing; what matters is that the players of Hoshiryu High probably won't have another chance to get revenge.
Of the nine key players, seven are third-year students.
The nine substitutes are also all third-year students.
Only one starting outfielder and one catcher were added to the team, possibly for future development or some other reason.
"Did you come all the way here just to mock us?"
Hosho said in a calm voice as he looked at Sawamura who walked to them.
That's why Hosho said with annoyance,
"Don't misunderstand! Our time is limited, and opportunities to meet are rare. I just wanted to check on your future plans. I'll be honest, I'm definitely not going to college. I've already received invitations from universities. Although I'm sad, for my baseball obsession, I have to give it up. I want to ask you, are you going to college or the professional baseball league?"
"Couldn't you have picked a better time to ask? Can't you see that we're all heartbroken? Is it really appropriate to discuss this now?"
Hattori angrily retorted.
"Whether it's appropriate or not, if you still have time to be sad, it means you're not yet at the point of despair. If you haven't despaired, you should still have plans for the future, right? As former opponents and teammates, we are friends, can't I just check on you?"
After joining the Seidou High School baseball team, Sawamura's personality has significantly mellowed due to his changed status and position.
However, when facing his former teammates, the restrained personality that he had developed seemed to naturally fade away.
Although he was reluctant to admit it, the players from Hoshiryu High School's baseball team found that they had no good retort.
"Don't get cocky! If I can't beat you in high school, I'll do it in the professional league! Sooner or later, I'll make you eat my dust."
Hattori continued to taunt.
Sawamura gave him a doubtful glance, then ignored him.
He turned his attention to Hosho, Tsuchihara, Nanami, and Masamoto.
Clearly, he was more concerned about their future plans.
"What do you mean? Are you looking down on me?"
"Don't misunderstand, how could I look down on the violent pitcher Hattori? I believe in you, you'll definitely make it."
"Liar!"
"Now you're insulting me. You should check with Akagi, our Sawamura is a straightforward person, never lies!"
Hosho and Oda suddenly started laughing, as if recalling something.
The Sawamura in front of them reminded them of the old days.
Back when they were in the Akagi Middle School baseball team, Sawamura used to have the same demeanor.
No matter how big the problem seemed, it always seemed insignificant to him.
He could handle everything with ease and efficiency.
That feeling made them nostalgic.
The years they lost seemed to have vanished.
Some friendships, even after years of separation, don't change when they meet again.
The Sawamura who joined the Seidou High School baseball team now, whether in terms of his personal abilities or his status, is no longer comparable to the Sawamura they once knew.
The Sawamura back then, although formidable and known as the "Demon King," still operated within the human realm.
He seemed invincible, but in reality, there were many things he couldn't do.
But the Sawamura now has transcended human limits.
He is evolving into a legend!
In today's game, they didn't fully experience Sawamura's strength.
Sawamura, retaining his pitching ability, had only a few brief encounters with them as a batter.
But even in those brief encounters, they could deeply feel that their former teammate had already reached an unimaginable level.
In the four direct confrontations, Sawamura sent the ball out every time and achieved his goal.
He even hit three home runs.
If it had been one or two, one could say it was luck.
But three home runs are too much to attribute to chance.
Sawamura's strength had already surpassed their wildest imaginations.
This was the most direct impression the Hoshiryu High School baseball players had of Sawamura.
A future superstar!
With Sawamura's current fame and strength, as long as there's no untimely setback, he will eventually become a superstar like Suzuki.
For someone with his status to come up to them and ask about their future plans?
Though they weren't happy about it, the players from Hoshiryu High School still felt a sense of satisfaction deep down.
Whether as former teammates or opponents, at least Sawamura had remembered them.
"I'm going to college!"
"A university has already extended an olive branch to us, offering admission without an entrance exam."
Masamoto said this while staring intently at Sawamura.
It seemed to imply, "Don't get too cocky, we have the same opportunities."
"Not bad! I'm glad that everyone has a good future ahead."
When Sawamura heard their responses about where they were going, he wasn't particularly concerned.
After exchanging a few words, he returned to his team's resting area.
"What were you doing running up there?"
Miyuki asked, somewhat confused.
"I'm worried that this game might leave a lasting mental scar on the other side."
If they can't get over this hurdle, they might give up baseball altogether.
That would be a shame!
Although the Golden Generation of Nagano doesn't include Sawamura, there's one thing that cannot be ignored.
It's because of Sawamura's existence that Nagano's Golden Generation could rise to prominence.
His relationship with the Golden Generation is now inseparable.
While how they choose their futures is up to them, if he can help, Sawamura is still willing to offer a hand.
At the very least, he doesn't want to see them continue to be so despondent.
Their futures are just beginning.
…