News of Seido's championship victory spread across every corner of Japan.
And Ushijima Wakatoshi, the exchange student from China, instantly became one of the biggest names in Japanese high school baseball.
Even several professional teams quietly began expressing interest after witnessing his incredible performance throughout the tournament.
Following Koshien, Ushijima was selected as one of the tournament's biggest stars.
His numbers alone were enough to shock the entire baseball world.
During the six-game tournament...
He blasted 12 home runs.
Including the Spring Tournament and Summer Koshien, he had already hit 15 home runs during just his first semester of high school.
Even more unbelievable...
He completed four consecutive complete-game shutouts, never allowing a single run.
The media quickly compiled every statistic from his historic Koshien performance.
Nothing escaped their attention.
Even his pitching data from both arms was carefully analyzed.
Ushijima Wakatoshi
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 160 lbs (73 kg)
Switch pitcher / Switch hitter
Maximum Velocity
Right-handed: 158 km/h
Left-handed: 142 km/h
Pitch Arsenal
Right-handed
Four-Seam Fastball
Two-Seam Fastball
Cutter
High-Speed Jet Ball
Forkball
Left-handed
Four-Seam Fastball
Slider
Curveball
Forkball
Batting Profile
Bats left-handed from the right-handed batter's box, specializing in precise infield hits.
Bats right-handed from the left-handed batter's box, specializing in driving balls deep into the outfield.
Possesses exceptional home-run power, even while using a wooden bat.
Copies of this scouting report soon reached baseball programs all across Japan.
More than 4,000 high schools received detailed information on Seido's ace.
Meanwhile, back in China...
Ushijima's popularity exploded.
Although baseball wasn't one of the country's major sports, countless highlight videos from Koshien spread across short-video platforms.
Pitch after pitch.
Home run after home run.
Fans watched his performances repeatedly.
His Koshien résumé spoke for itself.
Ushijima Wakatoshi — Summer Koshien Statistics
4 Starts
38 Innings Pitched
0 Earned Runs Allowed
18 Consecutive Strikeouts (Tournament Record)
27 Strikeouts in a Single Game
70+ Total Strikeouts
12 Home Runs
18 Runs Scored
1 Single
3 Doubles
2 Triples
12 Home Runs
When professional scouts looked over those numbers...
Most of them fell silent.
This wasn't simply a baseball prodigy.
It was a monster among monsters.
Even several professional players publicly praised Ushijima's performances after watching the tournament.
His reputation continued to grow both in Japan and abroad.
After winning the championship...
Seido returned home carrying the Koshien title.
The entire school had already prepared a grand celebration.
Teachers.
Students.
Alumni.
Everyone came to welcome the champions.
That evening, the baseball club held a banquet to celebrate.
"Yahaha!"
Kuramochi laughed loudly as he raised his drink.
The entire team was immersed in the joy of becoming national champions.
The following day...
The third-year players gathered outside the practice field.
For the first time in months...
There was no pressure.
No upcoming game.
Only memories.
"...Even now, it still feels like a dream."
Isashiki gazed across the field.
"We really made it to Koshien."
"And we actually won."
Three years of sweat and hard work...
Had finally been rewarded.
"I barely slept last night."
Ryosuke laughed helplessly.
"I still can't believe it."
Nearby...
Masuko continued eating as usual.
Nothing had changed there.
Chris smiled quietly.
"Now we can retire without any regrets."
Yuki glanced toward him.
"Chris..."
"Are you disappointed you couldn't play in the final?"
Chris shook his head.
"Not at all."
"Being able to start in the semifinal and finish that game..."
"That was enough."
"I got to leave my own mark on Koshien."
Everyone fell silent.
Before the semifinal, Ushijima had personally asked Coach Kataoka to let Chris start.
Because of Chris's shoulder injury, the entire team had carefully adjusted their defensive strategy.
They repeatedly reminded him not to make full-power throws or aggressive pickoff attempts.
Protecting his shoulder had become everyone's priority.
As a result, Seido's defense carried even greater pressure throughout the semifinal.
The extra workload left many players exhausted by the time they reached the championship game.
Even the offense couldn't perform at its usual level.
Fortunately...
They had still won.
Otherwise, Chris knew he would have blamed himself forever.
"But summer vacation's almost over."
One player sighed.
"We still have the National Sports Festival next month."
Yuki nodded.
"The coach already explained everything."
"Only the third-years will participate."
"The first and second-years will stay behind."
"They need to prepare for the Autumn Tournament."
Everyone understood the reasoning.
After all...
The future of Seido belonged to the younger players now.
"Our pitching staff still needs work."
One player sighed.
"But this year's first-years are talented."
"Especially the pitchers."
"As for the lineup..."
"Ushijima is already our most reliable hitter."
"And then there's Haruichi."
Yuki nodded in agreement.
"Once we graduate..."
"The offense will revolve around Ushijima..."
"Miyuki..."
"Shirasu..."
"And Haruichi."
"Especially Haruichi and Shirasu."
"After experiencing Koshien..."
"They'll become even stronger hitters."
The departing seniors looked at each other with mixed emotions.
Out of Seido's nine regular starters...
Four key players would soon graduate.
Ryosuke.
Isashiki.
Yuki.
Masuko.
Losing that much experience would leave a huge hole in the lineup.
Chris smiled.
"If nothing unexpected happens..."
"Ushijima will become the cleanup hitter."
Everyone nodded immediately.
"Of course."
"He hit 12 home runs at Koshien."
"And 15 home runs during his very first semester."
Ryosuke laughed.
"At this rate..."
"He might reach 100 career home runs before graduating."
Masuko finally looked up from his food.
"If that really happens..."
"...that would be terrifying."
The seniors laughed together.
For the first time in a long while...
There was no pressure.
No anxiety.
Only satisfaction.
Their high school dream had already been fulfilled.
Soon...
Classes would resume.
The third-years would continue practicing with the team, but their competitive days were coming to an end.
From now on...
The future belonged to the next generation.
Suddenly, Yuki smiled.
"...You know..."
"I'm actually looking forward to the retirement game."
"Hah!"
Isashiki burst into laughter.
He had almost forgotten about Seido's long-standing tradition.
The third-year retirement game.
Tanba grinned mischievously.
"Jun..."
"This is your last chance to blow Ushijima away."
"You'd better give it everything you've got."
"Hahaha!"
The joke instantly sent every third-year into laughter.
The pressure of Koshien was finally gone.
Now...
They could simply enjoy the final memories of their high school baseball careers.
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