Chapter 87

Short Summary
With Tokuchi’s suspension now over, he and Muruwaka are starters for the Lycaons’ first game against the Eagles.

Long Summary
During Tokuchi’s absence, the Lycaons lost four matches and won one, putting them back at the bottom of the league. Tokuchi is the starting pitcher for the first of three games against the Eagles. Even after the suspension, he’s still the pitcher with the most wins. As per the new One Outs contract, Tokuchi has chosen Muruwaka to be a starting batter for this game.

Saikawa watches the match from his office. A stressed Oikawa wonders why Tokuchi proposed such a risky contract instead of just taking his winnings and going to the Galalians. Saikawa tells him it’s because he must wrongly think the new contract is more profitable. Tokuchi strikes out all three batters in the first inning, and Saikawa admits he’s a strong pitcher. But he tells Oikawa that Tokuchi mistakenly thought he’d removed the most dangerous loophole with the new contract. Previously, if Tokuchi didn’t play when told to he’d pay a penalty of 500 million. By replacing this with a rule saying any two of the four players must be starters, Tokuchi doesn’t have to worry if he can’t play himself. Saikawa agreed to this rule because the other three players are terrible.

Muruwaka bats three times and gets struck out on each one, earning the Owner 50 million. Saikawa states the new contract is lethal and he’s spotted a new ‘ridiculous loophole’.

Tokuchi pitches the whole game and doesn’t allow a single person on base; the Lycaons score 8 runs, earning them the win. Including Muruwaka's outs, Tokuchi’s salary is now 1.94 billion.

Characters

 * 1) Tokuchi Toua
 * 2) Muruwaka
 * 3) Saikawa: Owner of the Lycaons
 * 4) Saikawa's Secretary
 * 5) Oikawa