Sweeper had chosen to stay in Japan with Sakura at least until and during the World Cup 2007 series since then he wouldn't have to worry about shipping his car back and forth.
Of course Sweeper never quit his job as a mercenary during his stay in Japan so even though his car stayed in Japan, it didn't mean that Sweeper were staying there forever.
Weather he was lecturing on security for corporations or out fighting with a gun on a battlefield it still remained the same and it was something he just couldn't quit over night or maybe he could never quit.
And Sakura had understood that, but at the same time Sakura had told Sweeper that the same thing went for her love for racing and her hate for losing a race.
It was a somewhat weird predicament they both faced but they understood each other on that aspect maybe because they both were racers.
This particular night Sweeper had returned with his FD after scouting out another mountain pass that was going to be included in the upcoming World Cup season in 1 month so it was all about preparing for the races.
It was not only Sweeper who had thought the same thoughts, a lot of the other World Cup racers had either rented or purchased apartments in Japan and were performing the same checkups, while street racing fanatics stayed up late at nights to just catch a flash of the contenders running the courses.
Even Carlos had thought the same route, although he raced at times during the night to morning that there would be no spectators except the real hardcore ones that stayed up all night in hope to see something.
Sweeper got in and found Sakura watching TV.
"Hello Sakura-chan! I hope that was the right title." Sweeper said as he walked in through the door.
"You are catching on a few things when it comes to Japan, Sweeper." Sakura replied only taking her eyes off the TV for a short second.
"What are you watching?" Sweeper asked.
"A DVD that I just had to pickup at the store today. Best Motoring's RX-7 VS GT-R, I think you will have some interest in it as well as some experience." Sakura said with a smile.
Sweeper just laughed as he remembered a certain black GT-R and it's whacky driver.
A driver that he was known for duking it out with on the track and off the track and they often hanged out together.
"The Series 8 RX-7 is really a masterpiece of engineering you know." Sweeper commented as a FD blasted across the screen in a battle.
"Why else would you buy one? Heh, well the NSX is better during the corners as you can clearly see here." Sakura said and changed camera angle using the remote to access some special DVD features.
"Well Sakura, but then let us look at the initial purchase price of the car and who can get the most power with an X amount of money spent on tuning. Or do you want to see it in practical terms?" Sweeper said with a smile to Sakura.
"Well... You may be correct there, but the NSX has a special thing about it that the FD will never have. THAT is something that Chang, Koji, Sam and me agree about. Why else would we be blasting around in a Honda NSX' like there was no tomorrow?" Sakura said as a counter question.
"I think we really should do a little battle sometime Sakura!" Sweeper replied.
"Like I said earlier on Akina before the date, Anytime, Anywhere Sweeper-kun!" Sakura said with a large grin.
"Well try me tomorrow Sakura, not tonight I am exhausted after the run on Akagi, I managed to dodge the ex RedSuns members from blocking the course for me. But then I ran into Takahashi Keisuke and Iwase Kyoko who of course blocked my path very well." Sweeper explained.
"Blocked it? But why did they do that?" Sakura asked.
"Well, to be honest Keisuke thought it was some other guy who was running their pass. The Takahashi's are very protective of their local ground and I have heard that other competitors in the World Cup have had problems practicing there. Although when Keisuke saw it was me we stood for a hour talking together, with Kyoko too of course." Sweeper said.
"Talking? What in gods name did you talk about?" Sakura asked.
"Isn't it obvious Sakura?" Sweeper asked as a counter question.
"Still the same old subject as all RX-7 owners chats about when they meet... The rotary engine and everything about it." Sakura said while snickering.
"Correct! We talked a lot of 4 rotor engines as well as the current rotary drag record and the previous one that had been set. Rotorhead talk..." Sweeper replied before he went silent.
Sakura just nodded before they both turned their attention to the TV again where the NSX and the RX-7 were leading on a R34 GT-R in the rain.
It was a pretty interesting battle to watch, although the two had a common car as their rival, the GT-R!
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On the mountain pass outside Tokyo, one of the passes that was interresting to drive but was denied for use in World Cup mainly because of the fact that it was Sinjo's home course and God knows what he might do or have done to the course to trap his opponents.
It was also a safety precaution as Sinjo might think about tampering and knocking out a few opponents before the World Cup season might begin.
However that night the team had gathered at the top with a white Supra and a white NSX parked along the guardrail.
Sinjo was sitting on the guardrail as Norio got out of his Supra.
"So Sinjo, have you see our special guest tonight?" Norio asked.
"Special guest?" Sinjo replied puzzled.
"He called up ahead and told us to gather here, he said we might be able to help him do something, and he thinks we will have interest in doing it as well." Norio replied.
"Did he say who he was?" Sinjo asked.
"No, he didn't unfortunatly. But he said he would show up here around this time..." Norio replied and paused as he heard a loud engine sound.
The sound was very familiar to Norio, it was of a Straight 6 with the displacement of 3 litre.
The very same engine Norio had in his Toyota Supra.
Up the hill came a red MK4 Toyota Supra, same model as Norio just in red instead of white.
The Supra passed them before it braked hard and did a power over turn to turn around and roll back towards Norio.
As soon as the Supra had parked a Russian figure got out of the Supra and looked at Norio.
"So you did actually show up and waited for me? I wasn't so sure you would do that." The Russian said.
"Cut to the point Russian man, we do not have all night." Sinjo said.
"Just call me Krugov! Well I am sure you are Sinjo right?" Krugov said with a smile as he pointed at Sinjo.
"You got that right, and this is our team leader Norio Takeshi." Sinjo said and pointed at Norio.
"Ok, well Norio may have a great interest in carrying out this little scheme I got going for the next World Cup season." Krugov started with a smile.
"What do you mean?" Norio asked.
"Well we have a common thorn in our side that I would like removed although of different reasons. If my memory serves me correctly Sinjo, it was Sweeper who saw your attemptive sabotage and got you banned from the World Cup. Norio since you are going to run in GT-U the next year and the fact that when Sweeper teams up with Carlos he becomes stupidly fast so for you winning the 2006 season is very slim... Am I right so far?" The Russian said.
"Right on the dot, but what the hell are you going to do with that?" Sinjo asked.
"My solution is simple as it is so Russian. Come over here." Krugov said.
Krugov turned around and walked towards the rear of his red Supra.
Norio and Sinjo followed Krugov and as Krugov opened the trunk to reveal a large case.
Krugov pulled out a small key and unlocked it before he opened it to reveal something that shocked both Norio and Sinjo.
"What the hell is that? Is that what I think it is?" Sinjo asked.
"This is the Russian good stuff! RPG-7V with some rather nasty warheads that I am sure will get the job done." Krugov said with a smile.
"You know that this will count towards sabotage in the World Cup right?" Norio gave Krugov a serious look as he asked him.
"Sabotage? Who is talking of sabotage here? It is not my fault that some whacko or maybe some gang members fires an RPG..." Krugov gave off an evil grin.
Sinjo and Norio did the same thing before the both of them bursted into laughter.
The two laughed for a while until Sinjo got serious again.
"Well, we cannot use any of our cars as they will be recognized rather quickly." Sinjo said.
"Indeed, that's the point where I need your help! I hear you got a fair bit of stocks in Toyota, Norio and that is where all your funds comes from?" Krugov asked as he closed the case.
"Well I am not going to deny that. Call me a capitalist but I don't really care." Norio replied.
"I am not here to blame you for that Norio. But you have the means of getting a vehicle that cannot be tracked to any of us, maybe fresh of the factory line or whatever or a quick loan without getting the cops involved. We only need it for approx 1 hour to carry out this." Krugov said.
"Well I could get a 4 door sedan without much problems if that is what you desire..." Norio said.
"Fine then, here is my number, give me a call when you got everything straight. I'll give you further details where we can meet and when so that we can carry this out as smoothly as possible" Krugov said while giving Norio a card and closing the trunk.
"I suppose we will be talking some more in the future then." Krugov smiled as he got into his Supra and took off.
"With Sweeper out of the game... I doubt he can have his FD ready at least not for this season and without Sweeper, Carlos is pretty much a cake walk or at least along those lines in comparison to taking them on together." Norio said as he put the card in a pocket.
"It is going to be fun to finally settle that little grudge with that FD Geezer! I thought he would be careful around me after I made him crash once but no he still walks the same path. But this time he will not get off that easy." Sinjo said while giving off an evil smile.
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Authors notes: Now you may wonder when this will get down to the point of the title? Well it is coming and it is coming soon so stay tuned for it.
It may be a twist you were not prepared for...