[509] The Grand Festival Begins

Chapter 509: The Grand Festival Begins

October 24th, Sunday. Clear skies.

On this bright and sunny day, Jingu Stadium in Tokyo is set to host the grandest event of the autumn season—

The Tokyo Metropolitan Fall Tournament Finals.

Two powerhouse schools stand atop the over 200 high school teams in Tokyo:

Seidou High vs. Inashiro Industrial.

The reigning champions and the unshakable kings.

A long-awaited rematch from summer—rekindled in autumn!

Today, it's not just baseball fans from all over Tokyo who have gathered—

Reporters and editors from major media outlets and magazines are also in attendance.

Compared to yesterday's semifinals, today's final has drawn even more attention.

The rows of packed cameras in the front row, the bustling stands, the crowded spectator walkways, and the swarming crowds outside the stadium all make one thing clear—

This match is monumental.

After all, the outcome of this match determines a ticket to the Spring Koshien.

The winning team will represent Tokyo in next year's prestigious national spring tournament.

More than that—this isn't just any final.

This is a battle between the two most elite teams in all of Tokyo.

This is the highest level of high school baseball Tokyo has to offer.

The expectations are sky-high.

And to top it all off, it's a showdown between two long-time rivals—Seidou High and Inashiro Industrial.

Both schools hail from West Tokyo, both are legendary names.

Their summer clash is still vivid in everyone's minds, even though it was just three months ago.

Now, on the same stage, at the same location, they're set to deliver another clash of titans.

The fans are practically bursting with excitement.

Cheering squads, brass bands, and drumlines from both schools are already in position.

Even the retired third-years from both teams have returned to witness this battle.

From Seidou's side: Miyuki's predecessor, Isashiki, Chris, Ryousuke Kominato, Masuko.

From Inashiro's side: Harada, Yoshizawa, Hirai—

All seated proudly on their respective sides of the stadium.

It's a clearly divided battlefield.

For the current players like Narumiya, Kamiya, Eijun, and Miyuki, this match holds deep meaning.

But for the third-years who already graduated, this game carries even greater emotional weight.

There's so much more riding on this game than just a trophy.

Even before the game has begun, the stadium is already buzzing—

The faces of fans are flushed with excitement.

"So yesterday's lineup announcement was right. Sawamura is starting today."

"Of course. Against Inashiro, you need your ace. Especially after how last summer played out."

"But Sawamura batting clean-up? And they moved Shirasu up? Kominato's the third batter now?"

"Looks like they're loading the top of the lineup with all their technical hitters."

"Honestly, I feel like this is a direct challenge to Inashiro—Narumiya is also their ace and clean-up hitter."

"Inashiro's starting lineup hasn't changed, huh?"

"Yeah, their core is rock solid. And their performance leading up to the finals was strong."

"Still… Seidou's lineup adjustments are definitely bold."

"The game hasn't even started and the mind games have already begun."

"Man, I can't wait to see how this plays out."

In the stands, tens of thousands of fans watched with bated breath, their excitement growing by the second.

For the final match—

"Whoa, so many people!"

In the west-side stands, two familiar figures emerged from the spectator tunnel.

One wore a headband; the other had pale yellow hair and a blank expression.

They were none other than Okumura Koushuu and Seto Takuma—

The same duo who attended Seidou's opening match against Teitou at the beginning of the fall tournament.

Back when that game ended, they had already made up their minds:

They would join Seidou High next year.

Now, having essentially decided their path, they had come to watch their future team in action.

Especially with this being the second most important tournament in Tokyo—right after summer's.

It only made sense for them to be here.

And for Okumura Koushuu, this match held an even deeper significance...

Although they had already decided to join Seidou, as a catcher, Okumura Koushuu was especially eager to witness Narumiya Mei—reputedly the strongest left-handed pitcher—pitch in person.

"So this really is the highest level of the Fall Tournament, huh? Geez, the crowd's just as big as in the summer," Seto Takuma muttered as he peered curiously around the packed stadium, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Seidou. Inashiro. Narumiya Mei. Sawamura Eijun."

Standing beside him, Okumura showed no trace of excitement.

His eyes focused only on two figures on the field.

When he finally spoke, his voice was low—but it carried a hint of the intense feelings brewing inside.

Seto, glancing at him, gave a knowing smile.

They weren't the only ones watching today.

Other characters who had once watched Seidou face Yakushi in the original storyline were here too.

From Yui Kaoru, another soon-to-be Seidou freshman, to Akamatsu Shinji, a promising pitcher and successor to Tadano Itsuki, who had decided to join Inashiro— they had all gathered to witness this final.

Even players from schools defeated in the semifinals—Yakushi, Seiko, and scattered members from Teitou and Ichidaisan—had come to see this match.

Most eye-catching among them was Raichi Todoroki, perched near the third-base stands, chomping on bananas like always.

Meanwhile, in the northwest stands—

Aotsuki Wakana, Eijun's childhood friend, had arrived with his father and grandfather.

As soon as his grandfather stepped into the stadium, he immediately locked eyes on Eijun's position and began yelling his name at the top of his lungs, drawing curious glances from nearby fans.

Wakana stood elegantly by his side.

Her sparkling eyes softened the moment she spotted Eijun on the field, and a warm light passed through them—a glimmer that spoke volumes.

"Do your best, Eijun!"

This was it—the true clash of the century.

Seidou High vs. Inashiro Industrial.

The grandest and final spectacle of the autumn season was about to erupt under the eyes of a nation.

On the first-base side: Inashiro Industrial, batting first.

On the third-base side: Seidou High, batting second.

"That kid's the clean-up hitter?"

Back in the Inashiro dugout, upon learning Seidou's starting lineup, Narumiya Mei raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue.

"Yes, Narumiya-san," replied Tadano Itsuki.

"Sawamura is starting as their ace, and he's also been placed in the clean-up spot today."

"Hmph… I wonder if that was their plan from the beginning, or a last-minute switch-up. That coach is certainly an interesting one," said Carlos, cracking his neck with a hint of intrigue.

"Tch. What a joke," muttered Shirakawa, his face as sour as if someone owed him five million yen.

"Heh… You can feel how aggressive they're being just from the lineup," remarked Yabe, clicking his tongue in amusement.

"An ace who's also the clean-up hitter—just like Narumiya. Looks like Seidou's coming in with all guns blazing," added Yabe, grinning as he leaned against the rail.

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