Chapter 96

Short Summary
Oikawa explains Tokuchi’s plan to bring out Kurai’s full potential to Saikawa. After Kurai walks Amami, Mihara puts him on first base so Tokuchi can pitch.

Long Summary
The Fingers' Amami hits Kurai’s pitch and intentionally fouls it. Saikawa mocks Tokuchi’s supposed 'plot' to Oikawa, but Oikawa says that Tokuchi’s true intention with this game is to bring out Kurai’s potential, not increase his winnings.

Kurai’s next pitch is a ‘ball’ and the whole stadium starts booing, including Lycaons’ fans. They start a ‘Go home’ chant and Tokuchi looks pleased. Saikawa asks Oikawa how exactly this would make anyone a great pitcher and Oikawa says Tokuchi told him ‘the booing will change Kurai’.

Kurai has been booed his whole life and his one skill was a 'blazing pitch'. Oikawa guesses that after hurting Muruwaka he’s afraid of pitching with his full strength again. He stayed on the team as a ‘gofer’, doing chores nobody else wanted to do and throwing easy balls that any of his teammates could hit; he was happy so long as no one called him useless. But whereas before throwing easy pitches was his way of running away from being booed, easy pitches are now getting Kurai showered with criticism. Oikawa says his desperation not to be ridiculed will eventually ‘break’ him.

Kurai ends up walking Amami, who says he’s disappointed as he walks to first base. Mihara comes out and announces a pitching change with Tokuchi. Kurai is relieved to be off until he’s told he’s going to be the first baseman instead. Oikawa realises Tokuchi wants Kurai on first base to have him closer to the audience where he’ll be forced to listen to their jeering.

Characters

 * Tokuchi Toua
 * Kurai
 * Saikawa: Owner of the Lycaons
 * Oikawa
 * Amami
 * Kitaoji