Zhou Hao thought for a moment about whether he should say something grand or dramatic.
After some consideration, he decided against it.
He could feel Kuroda's sincerity.
The fact that Kuroda had voluntarily given him his contact information even after losing the game spoke volumes. It wasn't just courtesy — it was genuine admiration and a desire to stay connected.
And Zhou Hao knew better than to underestimate what that meant.
Kuroda might still be a high school student, but with his raw talent and his family's deep baseball connections, he was no ordinary player.
For anyone with dreams of entering professional baseball, gaining Kuroda's friendship was a rare opportunity — one that could open countless doors in the future.
Yet Zhou Hao couldn't bring himself to speak pretentious words.
He didn't want to pretend.
He only wanted to express what he truly felt.
At this moment, Zhou Hao wasn't thinking about what he'd do after graduation, or where his baseball career might lead.
He only wanted to keep getting stronger — to awaken more abilities, to refine them, and to lead Seidou High School to dominate the nation.
When he had first joined the First String, things hadn't been easy. His upperclassmen were strict, often unyielding.
But that was normal — seniors pushing juniors was part of what made Seidou so strong.
Over time, Zhou Hao had come to understand that none of them bore him any ill will. They were all chasing the same dream.
Every single one of them was working hard for one goal — to stand at the top of Japan.
Now, as the Ace of Seidou, that shared goal felt heavier on Zhou Hao's shoulders than ever before.
He looked Kuroda straight in the eyes and nodded firmly.
Kuroda smiled, rolling his wrist with a faint grimace. "My wrist's been throbbing ever since I swung at your Spiral Ball," he said. His brows furrowed slightly, a trace of pain flashing across his face.
Then his tone turned sharp again. "Since you defeated us, you'd better win it all. If you don't dominate the country, we won't forgive you."
After a short pause, Kuroda continued, "After graduation, I'll head to the minor leagues. Once I've trained for a couple of years, I'll move up to the Major League."
He locked eyes with Zhou Hao and said seriously,
"I'll wait for you in the Major League! Whether it's next year, or the year after — whenever you're ready. If you want to make your mark there, just call me."
The Kuroda family's influence wasn't confined to Japan — their reach extended across the ocean, deep into the minor and major leagues.
If it were anyone else, Kuroda wouldn't have been able to make such a promise on behalf of his family.
But Zhou Hao was different.
If Kuroda could bring such a prodigy into his family's circle, it would elevate his own standing tremendously.
Zhou Hao bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Senior."
Kuroda gave him one last satisfied smile before turning to leave.
Moments later, the Koshien staff called out to them.
"The interview's about to begin. Please hurry."
Even as he spoke, his eyes couldn't help but linger on Zhou Hao.
He wasn't the only one. The players of Seidou High School were also gazing at Zhou Hao with awe.
They had always known he was special, but hearing Kuroda personally invite him to the Major League made it feel surreal.
They'd looked up some information about Kuroda's background before — they knew his family's name carried weight in the baseball world, but they hadn't realized just how much.
Now it was clear.
A young man from such a powerful family had voluntarily offered Zhou Hao a future connection — and Zhou Hao himself possessed a 150 km/h fastball.
It was overwhelming.
They could all feel it now — Zhou Hao's path was destined to be different from theirs.
The Seidou players were no strangers to interviews.
Back during the regional tournament, they'd already become media favorites.
After all, they had defeated two powerhouse schools — Inashiro Industrial and Ichidai Third High — and secured their ticket to Koshien.
The number of reporters back then had been immense. But this time, the scale was even greater — not because of the crowd, but because of the reach.
Now, they weren't just being watched by Tokyo fans.
They were being watched by the entire country.
"According to our numbers," one reporter said, "at least three million people are currently watching this interview live."
Gasps rippled through the Seidou team.
Three million viewers.
That wasn't just fame — that was national attention.
They'd gone from local champions to heroes recognized across Japan.
"Do you have anything you'd like to say to your fans?" the reporter asked.
Coach Kataoka stepped forward. His posture was firm, his tone calm.
"Thank you for your support," he said. "My players and I will continue to give everything we have."
The reporter smiled. "Director Kataoka, you led your team to defeat Osaka Kiryu High — the top-seeded powerhouse — in stunning fashion. May I ask, what is your goal now? What is Seidou's ultimate objective?"
Kataoka paused, glancing at Zhou Hao.
He remembered the boy's earlier words to Kuroda.
"We have only one goal," he said slowly, "and that is to dominate the nation."
"I believe this is the goal of every team that sets foot in Koshien. As long as we're here, we'll fight with everything we have."
His first line startled both the reporters and the players.
Some things could be done, but not said so boldly — especially after toppling Osaka Kiryu. Arrogance could make enemies fast.
But then, his follow-up softened the edge. His words transformed from declaration to ideal, and even if Seidou were to lose later, no one could accuse them of being overconfident.
"As expected of a language teacher," one reporter murmured, impressed. "He really knows how to turn a phrase."
The others nodded, smiling.
"Thank you, Director Kataoka. May we ask a few questions to the players behind you?"
Six players stepped forward — among them, Zhou Hao and Miyuki Kazuya.
Immediately, the focus of every camera shifted toward the two.
Their presence drew the sharpest gazes, the hottest lights.
It was clear — everyone wanted to hear what the rookie Ace and the rising catcher had to say next.
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