"Best Newcor, two-ti MVP, four-ti Pitching Champion, Five Crown King, Eiji Sawamura Award... In the honor book of Nippon Professional Baseball, the 20-year-old Guanglai has already achieved 'complete domination'... If he stays in Japan, what more can he pursue? If I may be frank, for any professional player, when their career loses the challenge of goals, they inevitably decline due to lack of motivation—this result is sad for the player and an invisible depreciation of value for the team as well."
"But if Guanglai can step onto the Major League stage..." Nomura Katsuhiko took out several charts from his briefcase and presented them to the SoftBank Hawks' executives, "Guanglai's comrcial value is currently the highest on the team, but it's mainly limited to Japan dostically; once he lands in the Major League and stands on the world baseball center stage, the brand effect he brings will be global—by then, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will not just be the champions in the hearts of Japanese fans, but a cradle of world-class superstars. This brand elevation and its intangible value will be the brightest calling card of SoftBank Hawks in the future!"
Goto Youkou frowned deeply, just about to speak when Lin Guanglai, who had been silent, spoke up. He stood up and deeply bowed to President Wang Zhenzhi and the executives.
"President Wang, Director Goto, Manager Mikasa, I will always rember that it was SoftBank that chose three years ago, giving the chance to challenge Dual Swordsmanship in professional baseball; it was also here that I learned how to beco a true professional player..."
Lin Guanglai's voice trembled slightly, but his eyes were incredibly sincere.
"However, there is still a voice inside that drives ... I want to go to the highest hall in the world to prove myself! I am not leaving the Hawks, I want to carry the spirit of the Hawks to conquer a broader sky! I hope that one day in the future, when people ntion , they will say—look, that is the world-class player who ca out of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks!"
Lin Guanglai's deanor moved everyone present; even Goto Youkou, who initially wanted to refute sothing, rely sighed and did not continue to speak.
Nomura Katsuhiko keenly captured this subtle change in atmosphere, so he imdiately continued the conversation and proposed a carefully prepared compromise plan.
"Ladies and gentlen, we are by no ans requesting the team to let go unconditionally, for this the player side is also willing to make appropriate compromises."
"First, Guanglai is willing to commit to helping the team achieve Japan's Number One three consecutive tis this season—if not, he is willing to stay another year."
"Second, after successful posting, he is willing to sign an image ambassador agreent with SoftBank, allowing the team to use his likeness rights for promotion for the specified years after his departure, with priority renewal negotiations possible after subsequent contract expiration."
"Third, if Guanglai chooses to return to Nippon Professional Baseball in the future, he will unconditionally accept any conditions proposed by the SoftBank team—there will be no other choice except returning to SoftBank."
The conference room fell into prolonged silence. Mikasa Sugiyama looked at Director Goto, while Goto Youkou looked at Wang Zhenzhi; Wang Zhenzhi gazed deeply at the young Lin Guanglai and spoke to himself:
"Baseball, after all, is still a sport about dreams—keeping the eagle caged, is it really for its own good? So birds are born to soar above the nine heavens! A great club should not beco a prison that confines the eagle, but should be a platform that lifts him to fly to higher skies."
As if making so resolution, Wang Zhenzhi's subsequent words set the tone for this negotiation: "Actually, the mont Guanglai joined the team, I thought such a mont would co, including the gentleman's agreent in the training plan was set for this, just didn't expect it to co so fast—go ahead, prove yourself in the Major League; if possible, I hope you never co back!"
Wang Zhenzhi's determination made all disputes vanish. Goto Youkou took a deep breath and finally relented: "We need to form a working group to discuss the specific posting ti, compensation distribution, and coordination of details."
"Naturally, I will find professionals to take full responsibility." Nomura Katsuhiko took on the task voluntarily.
Hearing this, Lin Guanglai felt a sense of relief wash over him. He stood up again and deeply bowed to those opposite: "Thank you all for your understanding and fulfillnt, I will carry the identity of a Hawks player and prove myself on the world stage."
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