"Have you heard? SoftBank suddenly wants to hold a press conference, as if they're going to announce sothing important..." In the editorial office of the Western Japan Newspaper sports section, a senior editor who's been covering Nippon Professional Baseball for many years spoke to his colleagues.
As the largest newspaper in terms of circulation in Kyushu, Western Japan Newspaper naturally received an invitation from SoftBank; besides them, large dia outlets and newspapers like Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Daily News, and Daily Sports also received this invitation.
The last ti they saw such a grand setup was for Matsuzaka Daisuke last year: at that ti, to show their respect for this "Dice-K," SoftBank invited all major dia to a grand press conference, during which President Wang Zhenzhi personally handed him the No. 18 jersey.
Today's invitation carried even higher privilege, almost surpassing last year's trend: aside from the record-breaking number of invited dia, the event was also held at the largest five-star hotel in Fukuoka City.
Could it be that SoftBank has signed another big star? After all, they just lost the power hitter Lee Dae-ho, who was determined to play in the Major League, by the end of this season and need to boost their lineup's firepower.
But is there really a hitter on the market more famous than last year's Matsuzaka Daisuke? Probably not, right? Unless that person is Ichiro Suzuki, but Ichiro is doing well in the Major League, so he can't be heading back...
Holding onto their curiosity, the top teams from each newspaper and dia outlet set off from their stations to Fukuoka on the appointed date, ready to uncover the mystery themselves.
Although there was still quite a bit of ti before the press conference officially started, the venue was already buzzing with voices. Caras, akin to a forest of steel, were densely set up, while reporters from major Japanese TV stations, newspapers, magazines, and international mainstream sports dia whispered among themselves, exchanging greetings along with guesses.
"Today's event is likely significant; otherwise, there's no reason for all the SoftBank top executives to be present—could it be an important business collaboration?"
"It doesn't seem like it, though. If it were indeed a business collaboration, there'd be so hints beforehand, right? How could there be no information at all until now?"
"Could it have sothing to do with President Wang Zhenzhi? After all, he's 75 this year, and how many years has Nagashima-san, from the sa generation, been retired? I reckon it's about ti for President Wang to go enjoy his retirent too?"
"If that's really the case, the entire Softbank First Team would definitely have to attend, right? I only saw Lin Guanglai backstage just now..."
The whispers of speculation kept echoing throughout the hall. The wording in SoftBank's invitation was vague, only ntioning "major matters regarding the future developnt of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks"—in today's information age, such a tightly sealed ssage is indeed rare, sparking everyone's curiosity.
Soon, the spotlight focused, and the main characters took the stage: at exactly 3 PM, the venue's lights suddenly focused on the podium. In a burst of shutter clicks and flashbulbs that could almost lift the roof, a group of people stepped out gradually.
The strength of this lineup was truly astonishing:
In the center was Lin Guanglai, dressed in a dark suit and with a solemn expression. He is the most prominent and strongest player in all of Japan over the past two years, monopolizing almost every individual award—a scenario never seen before him;
To Lin Guanglai's left was Goto Youkou, the president of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. In the absence of major involvent from the big boss, Sun Zhengyi, he is the decisive authority over the team; on Lin Guanglai's right was none other than the living legend of Japanese baseball and honorary president of the SoftBank Hawks, Wang Zhenzhi—the nearly 80-year-old elder still appeared spirited, walking steadily towards the stage.
The last to appear behind them was Lin Guanglai's agent, Nomura Katsuhiko, still looking sharp and capable, with a composed look suggesting everything was under control.
If the appearance of the first three were within the reporters' expectations, then the appearance of Nomura Katsuhiko, Japan's most famous agent, gave many a hint—everyone knows Nomura Katsuhiko is Lin Guanglai's agent; and his presence at this event indicated that today's press conference must be highly related to Lin Guanglai.
So, for Lin Guanglai, who is about to turn 21, what event requires such a grand press conference to announce to all Japan, even the world... the answer seems to be gradually surfacing.
Just as many reporters were making guesses, the big screen on the podium unveiled the answer: the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks' emblem appeared prominently on the backdrop, accompanied by a line of small text below—
"Embarking on New Challenges, Commitnt to the Future."
After a brief introduction by the host, the microphone was directly handed over to Goto Youkou. President Goto's expression was even more serious than usual today, even sowhat grave.
He adjusted the microphone, skipped the pleasantries, and went straight to the point, speaking in a low and clear voice:
"Dear dia friends, thank you for joining us today. Here, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will announce a major decision concerning the team's and players' future."
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