One Outs (ワンナウツ)

In the third game against the BlueMars,

Tokuchi targeted the weakness of Williams' fake knuckleballs and stole bases boldly, which forced the BlueMars into a dead end.

Have you ever heard the saying, "A good machine gun will choose its owner"?

What?

A machine gun is powerful, but at the same time it's dangerous and hard to maneuver.

So when someone unfamiliar with it uses it, he could injure himself.

Your knuckleball is perhaps a very powerful machine gun.

Too bad the one using it is very clumsy, so it backfired.

Episode 24

Conspiracy

H-has Tokuchi realized we're using the phony ball?

Reaching first, and now that crazy steal.

Because the ball will wobble once it's thrown,

it can only be thrown towards the batter.

He did all that because he is aware of this.

This is bad. What do I do?

What should I do?

A-Anyways, I must switch the phony ball in Williams' hand right now to an official one.

If I call a timeout and head over to the pitcher's mound,

both the cameras and fans will focus on us.

It'd be too risky to switch the ball in that situation.

Right now, I can only let him pitch the ball he's using.

Williams, just concentrate on the batter!

Don't think about anything except throwing the ball right here!

It's the top of the ninth. There are no outs and a runner on second.

The tie runner is Tokuchi.

Tokuchi is taking a huge lead to provoke the battery.

He's over 10 meters from second!

Damn Tokuchi!

It seems like Williams isn't attempting any pickoffs.

Williams, forget about him! Just pitch!

For some reason, the battery seems determined to battle the batter.

Williams' first pitch... is thrown!

And Tokuchi takes off!

It's a knuckleball!

Ball!

Sawamura grabs the ball.

But Tokuchi has already made it to third!

It's okay. That's as far as he gets.

We'll use the normal ball to deal with you from now on.

It's too early to relax. The game has just begun.

Timeout.

Timeout!

Tokuchi calls a timeout.

W-What?!

It's fine. It will definitely succeed.

Definitely? There's no outs and you're on third, you know!

Why are we doing such mindless—

Don't forget about our agreement.

Right.

And play resumes.

What's Tokuchi planning to do here?

No idea.

If they are using a strategy, could it be a squeeze bunt?

No, Williams is currently using a normal ball.

He should have noticed.

With that big of a lead, there's no way it's a squeeze bunt.

Okay, let's try a pitch here and see.

The sign has been exchanged.

Willams' second pitch...

is thrown!

What?!

It's a squeeze bunt!

No way!

For real?!

That's not normal!

No, this will definitely succeed.

The drop point is excellent, but...

Tokuchi's run started very slowly!

Tokuchi you idiot! The ball landed so nicely too!

This is bad!

Who came up with this strategy?!

But Tokuchi is dashing towards home plate!

Idiot! Stop running! What are you doing, Tokuchi?!

Go back! Go back to third!

Timing-wise, he's definitely out!

Although I was worried for a second, I am saved by your idiotic steal.

Out.

Collapse

yatta

Look again.

Safe! Safe!

It appears Catcher Sawamura actually dropped the ball!

No way!

How did that happen?

Tokuchi is safe!

The Lycaons tie the game!

Tokuchi, although you happened to be safe, that steal was uncalled for.

It's unreasonable!

I had absolute confidence in what I was doing.

I knew for sure the ball would fall out.

That's why I say you were acting foolishly.

A professional catcher won't drop the ball that easily.

It won't drop that easily if it's in the glove.

But the ball that dropped wasn't the one in the glove.

Think about it again.

When Williams pitches, the catcher switches between the normal ball and the phony ball.

That means the catcher is hiding another ball somewhere on his body.

The question is where?

He isn't an idiot. He won't reveal the hiding spot that easily.

I made him uneasy by stealing bases.

I made him feel that if he kept using the phony ball, he would suffer the consequences.

He fell for it and was shaken by my steals.

He was only thinking of how to switch the phony ball with the normal one.

That's when he exposed it.

It was quick, but I saw the hiding spot for the ball.

He didn't notice I saw this while standing on base.

The left knee guard?

That's right. Timing-wise my plan was ridiculous, but it's a squeeze play that would definitely succeed.

My goal was not to reach home base, but to grab the ball that's hidden in his left knee.

Impossible.

I can't believe it.

There are people worse than us that exist in the baseball world.

After having his phony ball completely figured out by Tokuchi, Williams is just a lion without his fangs.

It's a hit!

It's a hit!!

The Lycaons' batting lineup is unstoppable!

It's another hit!

The Lycaons' batting line up explodes!

Two runners scored! They take the lead!

Today, Williams was replaced without getting a single out.

Oh my.

It seems like the game has gone one-sided.

He is smiling.

The President, who has never been happy for Tokuchi's involvement or the team's success, is actually enjoying the game.

Excuse me, President, what's the rate for the game?

As usual, 5 million yen for one out, 50 million yen for giving up a run.

Just as I thought.

T-Then I guess settling the 4.2 billion debt today is out of the question.

Perhaps it is possible.

Our 4.2 billion debt simply vanishing into thin air, disappearing like magic.

Is the President really going to go ahead with that plan?

This is bad. Very bad.

If this keeps up, Tokuchi will...

Notice it, Tokuchi!

There's a horrible trap waiting for you.

It's a great hit!

Center fielder Yuruzawa is after the ball.

It's too high!

The left-handed pitcher Ishibashi, who came on the mound after Williams, is also suppressed by the Lycaons' lineup.

10-7. The Lycaons take a big lead!

Tokuchi, the game is set already so just stay in the dugout.

Owner's debt has exceeded 4.2 billion yen.

He won't just sit and watch!

Please notice the trap that's right in front of you.