SWNOVELXO Chapter 182: <182> Promotion
Chapter 182: Promotion
On the same day Sendo and Sawamura had their heart-to-heart conversation, Rei, Coach Kataoka, and Ota gathered the core team members in the coach's office.
After briefly discussing arrangements, Jun was asked to stay behind.
"Isashiki, I'd like to discuss something with you," the coach said.
"What is it, Coach?" Jun responded with his usual calm demeanor.
"I'm planning to move Sendo to center field."
Though reluctant, Coach Kataoka decided to state it directly.
Sendo's defensive range, throwing accuracy, and even velocity had begun to surpass his teammates.
Despite Jun being an exceptional center fielder, the role naturally belonged to the better player, and Sendo was that person.
This wasn't a temporary switch like before—it was an official change.
"I see. I have no objections!"
Jun's straightforward answer left the group, who had prepared to console him, momentarily stunned.
The last time Jun had been moved to the outfield, he had taken some time to process and adjust emotionally.
"That guy is better than me. This is what's best for the team. Honestly, I was going to suggest it to the coach myself," Jun replied without a hint of reluctance.
"Even though Sendo will take over center field, you'll still need to command the outfield, especially since managing left field will become more challenging."
"No problem at all, Coach! Leave it to me!"
The resolve of the third-years had reached this level.
As long as it was for the team's benefit, they were willing to make any sacrifices to make Seidou stronger.
"If there's nothing else, I'll head back now!" Jun said with a smile, leaving the coaches momentarily speechless.
"It seems we underestimated the upperclassmen's recognition of Sendo's abilities," Rei remarked after Jun left.
"And we underestimated Sendo's charisma. He seems to get along with everyone. I saw him chatting with Tanba the other day, discussing something seriously."
"Tanba?" Ota looked surprised. Though Tanba had recently overcome his reserved nature, imagining him forming a close bond with a younger teammate was still unexpected.
...
The next day, the new jersey numbers were announced, and Sendo officially became Seidou High's starting center fielder, wearing the #8 jersey.
In the two nights leading up to the Kanto Tournament, Sendo spent his time helping Masuko get accustomed to choking up on the bat.
Sendo wasn't worried about Sawamura, who was under Chris's guidance. He believed that their relationship—built through past hardships—would help both of them grow.
It was precisely because of those events that Sawamura came to deeply understand Chris, and being pestered by Sawamura helped Chris open up.
...
In Seidou's first game of the Kanto Tournament, they faced Yokohama Kouhoku Academy from Kanagawa.
Kanagawa was the hometown of the Kominato brothers, and for any fan of Slam Dunk, the name of this nostalgic prefecture was instantly recognizable.
"I don't care about today's result, but make sure Kanto's powerhouse teams remember the strength of the new Seidou!" said Yuuki with conviction.
"Yes!!!"
"Let's go!!!"
"Yes!!!"
The match between Seidou and Yokohama Kouhoku Academy officially began.
...
"Seidou has a first-year starter?" the opposing coach asked in a surprised tone before the game.
"Yes, and not just any starter—he's wearing a single-digit jersey, batting seventh: Sendo Akira," someone confirmed.
The entire bench turned to look at the figure standing in Seidou's center field.
Having a first-year starter was already impressive, but a single-digit jersey number signified something far more significant.
It wasn't just training; this was an official starter for a prestigious team.
...
"He's already a starting player?" Sawamura, sitting in the stands, pointed at Sendo in disbelief.
Previously, Sawamura had never attended Seidou's games and only knew that Sendo had performed well in his starting appearances.
He had never imagined Sendo would earn a single-digit jersey number.
Nobody had bothered to tell Sawamura, assuming he already knew.
Miyuki, for example, thought Sawamura was aware, especially since jersey numbers for the Kanto Tournament weren't announced with fanfare.
Coupled with Sawamura's solo practice sessions, this led to his surprise during the game.
"Eijun-kun never watches Seidou's games, so he didn't know. Sendo-kun had already secured a stable starting position during the spring tournament, even if his jersey number hadn't changed. Seeing him wear a single-digit jersey now is no surprise. But to be the center fielder—the core of the outfield—shows just how incredible Sendo-kun is!" Haruichi explained.
"Well, for someone like Sendo, it's only natural," Sawamura said, crossing his arms.
His sudden shift from shock to nonchalance caught Haruichi off guard.
"That tone… you'd think it was you who earned the starting position!" Haruichi thought, baffled.
Still, Sawamura couldn't hide his feelings.
"Wow, Sendo! I didn't expect you to get a starting jersey so quickly, you idiot! But as expected of you, the pride of Akagi! Just wait—I'll catch up to you!" Sawamura thought, watching Sendo intently.
Even Chris couldn't help but focus on Sendo, his expression complicated.
Chris saw himself in Sendo: brimming with talent and weighed down by expectations. But there was a difference...
Chris pressed his arm lightly, lost in thought.
"Your talent is already so immense, even without being fully realized. You're pushing me to give it my all," he muttered, a hint of admiration in his voice.
...
Off the field, scouts from various schools opened their notebooks and added Sendo's name to their lists.
High school baseball had become increasingly professional, with scouts recording every detail and filming games in their entirety.
Teams divided their resources, covering multiple games happening simultaneously.
Since the Kanto Tournament featured regional champions and runners-up, these teams were likely to face off at Koshien in a few months.
Even teams like Ichidaisan, who weren't participating, focused on gathering intel on rivals like Seidou and other national powerhouses.
Information was built up little by little, and every piece mattered.
...
"In the top of the first inning, Yokohama Kouhoku Academy takes the offensive! Leading off, second baseman Ishikawa!"
"Let's take them down one by one, Tanba-san!"
"Bring it on, you idiot!!!"
"Uga!"
...
"Strike first, throw the first pitch!" Miyuki quickly signaled.
"Whoosh!"
"Pop!"
"Strike!"
As Miyuki had planned, they opened with a sharply breaking curveball to catch the batter off guard.
"Whoa, whoa! That curveball is ridiculous! Is this for real?" The batter was visibly shaken.
For the second pitch:
"Hoo-rah!" Tanba, as always, let out a sound to pump himself up.
"Another one?"
"Pop!"
"Strike! TWO!"
The second pitch was an inside fastball.
After the first curveball, the batter couldn't react in time.
He even unknowingly stepped back, wary of being hit by another curveball.
It's a natural instinct for self-preservation—when the brain believes a ball might hit your head, it's hard to keep your body from flinching.
"Whoosh!"
"Pop!"
"Strike three! Batter out!"
The third pitch, an outside fastball, left the batter swinging and missing.
"Yes!!!" Tanba roared after striking out the first batter.
"Second batter, center fielder, Niinami!"
That's right, Niinami.
Sendo couldn't help but mentally comment on how strange Japanese surnames could be.
He found it particularly awkward since Niinami played the same position as him, making Sendo feel complicated about it.
"That curveball is just unfair!" Niinami, now at bat, thought cautiously about Tanba's pitching. Especially in the first rotation of the lineup, it was hard to adjust.
"Whoosh!"
"Pop!"
"Strike!"
This time, the first pitch was a low outside ball.
"What will the next one be? An inside pitch?"
"Whoosh!"
"Huh?"
As Niinami's thoughts raced, the second pitch flew straight toward his head. His instincts took over, forcing him to dodge. The result was predictable.
"Strike!"
"That's terrifying! What if he misses and hits me? What a jerk!"
Watching from the on-deck circle was entirely different from being in the batter's box.
The fear of being hit couldn't be felt until you stood there.
While Tanba's curveball intimidated Niinami, it also forced him to hit an inside pitch for the third ball.
The result? A high fly ball to third base, easily caught by Masuko, whose defense was as reliable as ever.
The third batter, shortstop Kajiyama, hit a high fly ball to second base.
Miyuki's cunning strategy was on full display.
By using the curveball to threaten right-handed batters, he made it hard for them to distinguish between inside pitches and curveballs.
Combined with low outside pitches that widened their focus, Kajiyama swung at an inside hanging ball, failing to get it out of the infield.
Tanba, who had just returned from injury during the spring tournament, was finally proving reliable in the Kanto Tournament.
...
"Bottom of the first inning! Seidou High School is up to bat!"
"Leading off, shortstop Kuramochi!"
Yokohama Kouhoku Academy had scouting reports on Kuramochi from last year's autumn and spring tournaments, but those autumn records were practically useless now.
Coach Kataoka's teams always grew rapidly with each game.
"Hit it, Kuramochi!"
...
"Masuko-san, here, keep the feel for it!" Sendo handed a bat to Masuko on the bench.
Most of the team was too focused on the game to pay attention to the two of them.
"Uga?"
"Yes, that's it!" Sendo had grown accustomed to Masuko's unique way of communicating, relying on his tone rather than words.
At least Masuko wouldn't start swinging the bat wildly in the dugout, unlike Sawamura, who might completely lose himself in excitement and forget where he was.
"Huh? Kuramochi-senpai, when did you get back?" Sendo suddenly noticed Kuramochi sitting next to him.
"Just now," Kuramochi replied tersely, already regretting engaging with Sendo.
Kuramochi knew that if he said anything more, this sharp-minded underclassman would seize the opportunity to mess with him. He'd much rather banter with Miyuki than provoke Sendo.
"Now that I think about it, has Miyuki ever won an argument against this guy?" Kuramochi mused, feeling a bit better.
He had always been annoyed by Miyuki's personality, but seeing someone else best him was oddly satisfying.
"Hahaha!" Kuramochi even laughed out loud at the thought.
Unfortunately, just because Kuramochi wanted to avoid trouble didn't mean others wouldn't drag him into it.
"Oh, look at this guy! Struck out in one pitch!" Miyuki chimed in, pointing at Kuramochi with a smirk.
"..."
Kuramochi's good mood vanished instantly. Miyuki had perfected the art of selling out his teammates.
"You idiot, shut up! You're in no position to criticize me, you unstable clown!"
"Hahaha, much appreciated!" Miyuki laughed, brushing off the insult.
Kuramochi gave up on arguing altogether.
...
With Tanba's solid pitching and Miyuki's shrewd calls, Seidou's defense dominated the first inning.
Meanwhile, the offense was gearing up to showcase the "new Seidou" that Kataoka had built, one that could terrify even the strongest teams in Kanto.
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