Chapter 5: The Recruitment Test (2)

Coach Arai: Hello everyone I am the coach of Hachiya Oji my name is Kyokei Arai and the test of the first years is about to start. But before we start let me first explain the situation of our club.

As you may know there are many high schools in Tokyo competing for a place in the Japan National Koshien Championship. There are so many teams that Tokyo has been split into Tokyo West and Tokyo East. There are therefore two places for the Koshien, that is to say the place for the Tokyo champion on the West side and that for the champion on the East side.

As you must also know we are a small team and unfortunately we have been understaffed since the departure of the elders this year. Among the 46 players in the total squad, only 15 are in third year, so I am counting on you, the young generation, to help us defend the colors of our high school and go as far as possible.

Personally, I don't think we can become champions in our current state, but I have faith that the day when our school will be recognized will come.

As he spoke the majority of the first years in front of him had no expression.

Indeed most of them did not have great ambitions. For them just being in the first team is enough for them. After all logic dictates that all baseball geniuses at that age would go to recognized high schools who would like to go to a high school with a small team like Hachiya Oji.

However in this batch of high school students there were three who had a different look from the others and listening to the words of the coach it is obviously about our trio and the fact that the coach is this speech to intensify their expressions. Their gaze expressed a defeating rage and incredible determination that some second and third years had noticed.

Among the second years was Masanori Kawabata. During his first year he stood out thanks to his good defense and played in the first team. Masanori has a dream of beating all the teams in Tokyo and participating in the Koshien.

Masanori wasn't the only one from the first team who thought like that and seeing our trio his will ignited because he knew just by looking at them that the three of them had the same goal as them.

Masanori: These three, their determination is incredible, they could be the people we need to do this. (he thought)

Having finished his speech and observing most of the players, coach Arai resumed speaking.

Coach Arai: Now in turn you will introduce yourself by giving your name your position as well as the school where you come from.

After this statement, each player began to speak until it was our turn to speak. The first to speak among the three was Subaru.

Subaru: My name is Subaru Fuji and I will be the 4th batter for this team as well as the first baseman. I come from Kirisaki middle school and want to win the national championship and become the best batsman in Japan!

When Subaru started to speak there was a silence the people present couldn't believe a first year would say such words. Hearing their friend speak Ryu and Sousuke started to smile and before anyone could even react to Subaru's statement Ryu spoke up.

Ryu: My name is Ryu Okita I would be the catcher of the team I want to win the national championship and I come from Kirisaki middle school I count on you to advise me.

After Ryu Sousuke's statement directly followed by speaking.

Sousuke: I am Sousuke Rin I will lead this team to the top of Japan because I am the ace of this team. I will be the number 1 pitcher in Japan and this team too. I come from Kirisaki middle school you can count on me to make the team win.

When speaking Sousuke had activated his skill [Spirit of the Reborn] the weight of his words was extremely heavy and everyone expressed a sense of satisfaction in their hearts as if a king was speaking to his people. A noble aura could be felt.

Everyone present knew deep down that the words of these three people were not out of arrogance but rather out of confidence. A little later the speaking time ended and the tests officially began.

Coach Arai: These three look really special. I've been coaching this team for about 10 years and I've never seen players like them. I can't wait to see them in action. (he thought)

While they were thinking that all the players from the first to the third year were gathered to run.

This test is done to determine the stamina of the players. After 10 minutes running at full speed more than half of the first years were down and the rest were doing their best to keep up.

But we could see our trio at the front of the peloton, they were running as if nothing had happened. No one would have believed that even the third years couldn't keep up with him.

Coach Arai: Their physical condition is amazing unfortunately the third years don't compete.

Mary: I was right their physical condition is incredible.

Sachi: And I don't think that's the only surprise they have in store for us.

After running for more than 30 minutes. It was time to go to bat and for the pitchers to go to the bullpen to pitch.

In the pitching bullpen was Tamura Echiro the first-team wide receiver and several first-years who are pitchers after they all passed was Sosuke's turn. Before him the pitchers were not very strong, just passable.

Sousuke: Tamura senpai I will be in your care.

Tamura: Of course throws without holding. For now we will start with a fastball in the middle. Don't stress it will be fine.

Sousuke: Thank you very much.

After getting into position Tomura opened his glove right in front of him Sousuke stood ready for the thrower after we gave the signal his gaze changed. His gaze became extremely terrifying and cold. Sousuke was calm from the height of his 1m85 he lifted his left leg rolled up his glove swung his right arm with a little force and released the ball in the direction of the catcher's mitt.

Boom

The ball went so fast that Tamura didn't even see the ball. It was when it hit his glove that he felt a pain in his hand.

The ball had reached the zone at 150 km/h.

Coach Arai: What a monster!