ACT 4 – 4000RPM 'New Recruit'

Bao Fu sat within the 350GT, fitting on the helmet system, activating the AYUMI. The engine started and Bao began to rev the engine softly. He gave Kanae a little signal, telling her that he was ready.
Turning up the music, ( 'Duty (Remix)' – Ayumi Hamasaki) and rolling up his windows, Bao Fu focused on forward, not letting himself be distracted by anything.
The system had already shown Bao the outcome of the battle. The rear wing began to adjust its angle by itself in response to the system AYUMI's controls.

At the very precise moment of Kanae's launch in her RPS13, the 350GT shortly followed up to the most accurate inch. The Skyline aggressively moved swiftly directly behind the Sileighty.
Even from the beginning take-off, it seemed that Bao Fu could have already destroyed Kanae as the 350GT's power had quickly flaunted its power. Bao Fu could not hold back, though he was able to keep up his strategy of staying behind.

The first corner, Bao geared down to third only just before Kanae had done as if he already knew that she would try exactly the same. Kanae continued along, trying not to glance at her rear view for a second. Though this time, she was out to try something different. The Sileighty dragged its way to the S-curve as Kanae began to release the throttle rather than braking, however, she held in the clutch as well as tapping the throttle to create a quick burst through the revs. Kanae was able to meet the corner's exit at an angle to meet the next turn.

Bao Fu laughed at his situation. He knew it all too perfectly. I see… those settings you have… I figured you'd try something like that…
He began to try and push Kanae, increasing his pace and nearly touching the Sileighty's rear. I know exactly where you got that!
AYUMI had shown Bao many of Kanae's points of interest, such as how she was trying to exploit the 350GT's weakness.
Haha… this isn't your ordinary Skyline…!

Kanae instantly strayed to the inside; assuming Bao would have no chance taking a vehicle like his and tackle the outside. What's the deal with him? How can he predict all of my moves as well as match every one of them? Could that helmet be…?
She tried to make one last effort to do something unpredictable. She knew exactly what waits in the next corner.

The Sileighty suddenly jerked to one side and then rear lights flashed as the vehicle suddenly began to skid at an almost fifty-degree angle along the straightaway. Let's see you copy this!

Bao Fu was not surprised at all. However, as unexpected as the move was, he continued on and swayed from the outside to the inside with almost little effort, sending the 350GT right behind the Sileighty.
But as soon as Bao caught a glimpse of Kanae's taillights, it had already been preparing to skid out for the next hairpin. That was good. You're much better. I am impressed.
He already saw the path beyond Kanae and was already preparing a step ahead.
However, Kanae's last action had successfully widened the gap a little, giving just a slight bit of hope.

Meanwhile, the West and Central Generals have just departed from the small racetrack at the park area and headed out to the main highway areas, on their way back to the city. Minako continued along as many thoughts had still continued to haunt her. Lights strolled past her view as she was crusing gently in her car, alongside Stephen's. That cannot be him… It just can't…

Minako slowly overtook a few cars and switched lanes. Her steering was smooth and light, using only one hand to hold the wheel. I have been so used to having him gone… But do I want it to be him?

Moments later, Minako noticed lights flashing behind her. She realized that there were two cars high-beaming her and Stephen along the highway. Without thought, she blinked back and fully accelerated forward with Stephen doing the same. Slamming into fourth gear, Minako carefully switched lanes again, passing groups of cars. However, the Supra who had just challenged her quickly sped up and took the lead, as if almost overpowering the NSX-R.

Stephen had his hands caught up against an R33 Skyline as the two of them had their own battle to settle. Minako focused on her opponent, as the little orb on her wheel had emitted a slight glow. The headset retracted out of behind the seat's headrest and latched on to Minako's head like a crown. The thin and almost invisible visor came down and clamped onto her forehead and Minako did not take her eye off the Supra. She slammed into fifth gear and continued on ahead, maneuvering her car delicately in between the cars.

The FD swerved into the opposite lane and stormed its way past the oncoming cars from the other side. It seemed a much faster pace, as Stephen would not have to sway behind the cars, but rather avoid them passing along. He geared up to fifth and strived to reach top speed against the R33 who stayed on the other lane where the cars go his direction.

Minako did not let up the fight against the Supra and its awesome power, though her NSX-R had not been modified for highway battles. She kept one hundred percent focus on the enemy, reaching sixth gear and swaying from lane-to-lane avoiding cars. A slight glow emitted from the little orb once again. Data continued to feed into Minako's brain, as KYOKO manually manipulated the car's settings onboard, tampering with the gear ratios and default power output. The shift points have been altered and the ratios have gone from closer to wider, while implanting the shortest possible route and distance of the easiest path taken to reach her opponent – regardless of the risks.

Without much thought, Minako focused on an opening between two cars, which cuts a shorter distance between her and the Supra. She fully accelerated, then suddenly swerved her vehicle straight past in between the two cars just before the gap could close up. Taking full advantage of the NSX-R's agility and lightness, Minako managed to position herself as desired to the exact point with the help of the KYOKO system. Out of from the two vehicles she had just passed, Minako had approached a number of vehicles in her way in the next few meters. However, she was shown a slight gap under the huge trailer truck, which also drew close by. She looked on ahead and saw her opponent also being stalled by the traffic. Through instinct, Minako swerved her car straight beneath the gap under the huge trailer and shot up the slip lane. Now with fewer vehicles in front of her, Minako could fully accelerate forward, leaving her opponent behind stranded with all the other traffic…

The tunnels of F5 were seemingly eerie with a deadly ambience as usual. Though knowing the entire route like the back of her hand, Kanae continued further at a much tighter pace than usual. It seemed almost impossible to outrun the monster behind her. My only chance is… the hidden shortcut along the tunnels…
Kanae jolted her car away from the inside to the outside to fling dust behind the opponent in desperation. However, the drive system within Bao Fu's helmet continued to provide him an accurate detail and vast calculations on what was taking place in the battle, even through the dust.

Bao Fu continued hastily, taking full advantage of the boost. You have no chance. Are you really going to use the shortcuts?
He continued to stay behind and wait for the right moment. Despite his overconfidence, Bao Fu was still in control. To make his victory as stunning as possible, an idea had momentarily struck his mind.
AYUMI locked on to the Sileighty. Bao Fu then suddenly had his lights shut off.
He laughed hideously, plunging he and his car straight into the darkness that awaits Kanae…

The Sileighty slowed down slightly, as Kanae tried to focus on where she could find the alternate tunnel route leading to the shorter path to the exit. She searched desperately, hoping to see the slight opening. She had slowly begun to notice that despite the darkness she cleared with her headlights ahead, she could see absolutely nothing in her rear view mirror. However, she could still hear the fearsome noise of another engine in play.

For the first time in a long while, Kanae had begun to feel great fear in her own home course. She continued to scan the walls as she drove past at medium pace. At long last, she had found the alternate route and without any doubts, fully accelerated into the next section.

Kanae had now greatly increased her speed and had finally lost a bit of panic. She zoomed forward, gearing up to fifth, then glanced at her mirror again. Nothing.
Looking forward again, Kanae had begun to notice something strikingly strange – dust seemed to have been slightly kicking back in front of her from a distance from as far as her headlights could focus.

In an instant, lights had suddenly switched on at that distance, slightly lighting up further beyond Kanae's path. She focused her eyes on the object and realized that the lights from far away were the taillights from the 350GT. Oh my… What is going on?
She drove on in shock, as she continued to stare at her opponent, dusting off in front of her and soon overpowering the rest of the section, eventually leaving her behind.
I guess this means… I have lost…?

Knowing of the battle's inevitable result, Kanae had continued at a moderate pace, following her opponent until the tunnel's exit. The storm had seemed to cease and the two vehicles parked along the side of the route, ending the battle. As nervous as she was, Kanae slowly stepped out of her vehicle to congratulate the winner. However, she had one problem – having not expected to lose, Kanae did not have the money to pay the loser's debt.

"I guess… you ruined me," mutterted Kanae.
Bao Fu leaned against his car, as the soft breeze fiddled his coat and stood by without emotion.
"You… where did you learn to tune such a car?" he asked.
"Um… I had a friend help me… He's…"
"I thought so," interrupted Bao Fu, just before she could finish.

Kanae had to find a way to break him the news. She walked up to him shyly, struggling to look him in the eye. "Um… there is a slight problem…"
"What? You don't have the money?" guessed Bao correctly.
"Um… yes… I'm sorry… I…"

Bao Fu stepped up and whipped his coat about. "You fool. Your own overconfidence had brought you to this situation. Now what are you to do?"
Kanae stood silently, as the victor was scolding her.
After a short silence, Bao Fu grinned softly and spoke, "I guess you'll just have to earn it, won't you?"

A big shock emerged from Kanae's face expression. She was rather horrified yet stunned at the idea. However, once again, she was speechless. "W-What do you mean…? How do you think… I should earn it?" Geez, why does everyone think I'm that kind of person?

"Oh relax. I'm not going to let you earn it that way…" laughed Bao.
"Oh…phew…" sighed Kanae in relief.
"You're a lovely girl and all… but I have better plans for you," continued Bao, "It is not like you have a choice anyway. You are to join with me and drive as a racer under Dreadnaught R!"

"I have no other options… do I?" murmured Kanae.
"…No. Unless you wanna do things the 'other' way…"
"I don't think my skills… I mean, driving skills would mean much to you… after tonight's performance," admitted Kanae.
"That's not my problem. You'll just have to manage. However, I might have a way… to ensure us victory, no matter who does it for us. You'll see soon enough. Our next target is Bu Xia De!" announced Bao Fu.

Bu Xia De? That means… I'll be facing my sister-in-law's crew… This Bao Fu is really no joke…

Bao Fu walked up closer to Kanae and offered his hand, "What do you say?"
Without having time to look back and rethink, Kanae accepted his offer. "I need a better job anyway…"

"Then it is settled. Here is my card. Use it to contact Dreadnaught. We will attack as soon as possible. Like tomorrow! We shall come for Bu Xia De then."
"So soon?" wondered Kanae. However, there was also something else she had been meaning to find out from him. It was the most obvious thing to ask, though she had not come up with the courage to do so until now.

"Um… sir," spoke Kanae softly, "Why… do you wear a mask?"
"Haha… it is simple," explained Bao, "I want my opponents to keep guessing. It's an even bigger sting not knowing who just destroyed you,"

Kanae did not seem to understand Bao Fu's concept. But it was clear that he was very focused on establishing his dominance as much as possible, even down to the way he presents himself.
But so it was to be, Kanae had now been recruited by the Emperor of Dreadnaught R, serving Bao Fu as one of the elite racers under his command…