The midnight air was cold and damp. Several streetlights were alight, but only dim. The road had no vehicles, and all was silent except for perhaps an occasional insect chirp or owl hooting.

Then suddenly, something was coming in the distance. The distant whine of two powerful, turbo engines became louder and louder, and as they came screeching on the corners, anyone who saw them would be drawing sharp intakes of breath.

The two cars went roaring onto the roads. One of them was a silvery Porsche Boxster. Sleek and deadly, its American design had beaten many racers over the past years and still continued to do so.

The second car was a white Nissan 350z. Its driver was the greatest of his skill, able to drift as if he was using his hands and feet. So far, no-one had beaten him.

Neither driver had been in the same race and it would stay that way for a while. At least, until their little Project was completed.

Both cars pulled into a parking lot, and the drivers got out, looking at the city.

"You sure this project of yours has a chance at success, Toru?" One asked.

"Yeah. We'll both search different regions for good drivers. You know the drill, Robert." Toru said casually.

"Remember, man. After this, we're both going head to head. Your Nissan against my Porsche, downhill battle. You promised."

And as Toru walked towards his car, he said, "I don't break my promises."

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As Toru drove his Nissan through the long straights and very few interesting corners to his first region, he noticed the dark clouds looming over him. Winter was coming, it seemed. And it was coming fast.

A sign on the road told him he was heading in the right direction. Mount Akagi was the first place he was going to search. One of the Rotary brothers would definitely be on his list.

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The yellow FD sped through the straights. Its headlights suddenly illuminated a sharp corner, and the driver reacted.

The car slowed down slightly for the turn. The driver's body moved instinctively, shifting his feet on the pedals speedily and turning the wheel so fast his hands were a blur.

The Mazda's body turned, and the tires screeched and roared as he drifted through the corner. Everything was slowing down around the driver, KT, he was fully focused and he was almost in a trancelike state as he worked to make sure he wouldn't crash.

A white blur behind him made him flick his eyes to his rearview mirror. As he finished and completed his drift, a slight smile came to his face. "At least I'm going to have a little fun."

That thought soon turned sour as he recognized the car's fierce headlights and its sleek body. "That's a Nissan 350z! I never thought I'd be racing against one of those."

The RX-7 shifted to the lane in an attempt to block the other car. The Nissan seemed to slow down for a moment, but then increased speed again as the cars reached the first corner.

KT's eyes nearly bugged out when he saw the Nissan overtake him. It wasn't even slowing down!

The thing that convinced him even more that he was dreaming was when the Nissan executed an incredible drift. The car, he knew, was very fast, but when it hit those corners…it just went faster.

But no. He was not going to lose. This just fueled his desire to win.

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Toru was impressed.

In fact, he was very impressed. Eleven years of racing and practice every morning, and this driver was one of the finest he had seen. Slightly rough, but he had plenty of potential. Lots of it. He would love to have him with this Project.

He flicked on the hazard lights and pulled over.

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KT was surprised when he pulled over, but nonetheless stopped.

He got out of his FD and looked at the driver of the 350z.

He seemed to be older than him, at least by a few years. He had casual clothes on and his light hair was ruffled by the wind.

The person walked towards him. "Hey. Name's Toru."

"I'm KT." The younger Takahashi didn't know what to expect from him.

"Look, man…I'm searching for drivers around Japan to take part in a little project of mine. I'll be staying around the Gunma region because I know it has good drivers. Give me a call, okay? Maybe get some drivers who are good as well?" Toru handed him a card before hopping back into his Nissan and driving away.

KT slipped the card into his pocket before turning to look across the mountain to try and see this amazing driver.

The screeching of burning tires and the constant thrum of a powerful, twin-turbo engine could be heard all night.