Chapter 1 : Old Rivals Revenge

Takahashi Ryousuke slept in the van, the pathology report he had been working on for three days had left him with little if any time to sleep. Fujimoro while reluctant to wake Ryousuke knew that it was time to do so. Project D would be arriving at Irasawa in less than thirty minutes to meet with the Emperors. As was custom Project D was meeting the local team before racing them; in order to familiarize themselves with the course.

Ryousuke sleepily reached for his silver laptop and with a few quick keystrokes began analyzing newly acquired data. "Interesting" Ryousuke chuckled to himself. "Ryousuke, why would the Emperors challenge Project D after its two top drivers defeated their own two top drivers? They won't even take on Todo Joku, and we've defeated their best graduate." Fujimoro inquiring from his old friend.

"Yes, it would seem strange that such a challenge be issued. Especially after Keisuke overpowered Seiji at Akagi, and Fujiwara defeated Kyouichi in his own home course…"

"As well as your own second consecutive victory over Kyouichi back home in Akagi." Interrupted Fujimoro with a warm smile. "You would think that they would know better than to…"

The interruption was by Ryousuke this time, "Do you really think the Emperors would have challenged us unless they thought they could defeat us? Kyouichi is smarter than that. They have something up their sleeves I can feel it."

Fujimoro looked into Ryousuke's eyes, and nodded in understanding. For a man only twenty four year of age Ryousuke knew more about the racing world then most professionals would learn in their entire careers. Project D finally arrived at Irasawa and began to set up.

The older Takahashi walked towards Keisuke and the teenager . These two had become so powerful in such a short amount of time, there was no doubt in Ryousuke's mind that they could face any challenge he set before them.

"Keisuke."

"Aniki."

"You will be doing the uphill as usual, Irasawa has tight turns your twin turbo will be the key to your acceleration. Your FD is more than a match against the EVOs in the uphill corners. This will greatly depend on your familiarity with the course, however."

"Fujiwara"

"Hai"

"You will be running the downhill, you'll be running underpowered compared to the Lancer EVOs. Remember your greatest ally is the 86's weight. We've adjusted the gears to give you the most acceleration during corner exit. But remember your engine is capable of high revving so don't go all out until you have regained some traction coming out of the corner."

"Did you watch the videos Kenta took?"

"Hai" both responded nodding.

"Good. Even though Irasawa has a separated down hill and uphill roads, I still want the two of you to run practice rounds on both. Do 25 rounds of each before morning, and go about 70 percent of your max speed. Good luck, and go!"

Within a minute both Takumi and Keisuke were flying down Irasawa. "Irasawa is one of the most dangerous roads in the prefecture Fujimoro, I want those two to know it at least 75 percent as well as they know their home courses." Ryousuke smiled as he pulled up a three dimensional map of the course on his laptop.

Halfway down the mountain the Emperors stood, their leader next to his distinctive black LAN EVO III. "They can practice all they want; but this time we have a secret weapon that will not lose. One that not even Takahashi Ryousuke could have possibly calculated." Kyouichi smiled as he blissfully lighted his cigarette and brought it to his lips. "I have you now Takahashi lets see you get out of this one."

"The only reason I lost the 86 last time is because I underestimated it. I didn't take into account how the power and weight of the 86 would affect the race."

"I've been waiting to awaiting to revenge my humiliation on Akina, and with this new car I cannot fail." Seiji growled with burning hatred in his eyes as the Hachi-Roku flew by.

"Ha, this car will give the 86 a taste of it own medicine, and the FD will be crushed by the other one. You will use simulation 2 against the 86. Zaaku will use simulation 1 against the FD." Kyouichi exhaled his smoke.

"They cannot beat a car that was forged by the gods. This is the end of Project D.