Tak did the impossible by using the side gutters to re-pass Shirojima and keep himself in the battle, but has he really done more than simply prolong the inevitable? As yet another round gets under way, it's painfully clear that Shijojima won't fall for the same trick twice!

It's 50-50 odds when K.T. goes up against Purple Shadow Hoshino and his "holy foot." But spectators are in for a shock! Hoshino, who's having trouble taking the lead, just discovered K.T.'s weak point, and he's determined to exploit it at top speed. But even if he pulls the GT-R in front, can he stay there through all the tailspins, shoulder bumps and constant drift action ahead?

Before returning from Ibaraki, Tak is treated to a ride in the car of the gracious God Arm - and he gets a sense of a higher plane in driving. But when he arrives at Gunma, he receives a big slap in the face from a super-hot, up-and-coming 17-year-old named Mika. Tak might have to go from zero to sexy in no time!

It's "birds and bees" for Tak and Mika, basking in the glow of new romance, while poor Iggy, Cole and Kenji are closing out the summer dateless. They'll just have to settle for fresh air and peaceful scenery as the team heads to the hot spring resort hills of Hakone in Kanagawa for their biggest challenge yet at the foot of the Fuji speedway. But a major storm is brewing intent on sending Tak and the gang back to the minor leagues!

Tak may be in over his head against Shingo in a downhill with his hand fastened to the steering wheel, especially considering that this kind of race favors an FF like Shingo's Civic against an FR like Tak's Eight Six. Tak's life is changing in so many other ways, too.

The street racing scene in Gunma Prefecture is fierce, sporting some of the best racers in all of Japan. The winds of change have started to blow as Tak and his Eight Six go head to head against Ryosuke "Ry" Takahashi and his Mazda RX-7. Can Tak defeat the best racer in Gunma Prefecture or will the Red Suns conquer Akina on their way to glory?

Tak is beginning to feel comfortable with his racing skills and yearns to leave the comfort of Mt. Akina in search of new challenges. His search takes him to Mt. Usui and to a course unlike anything he has seen in his life. His pride as a racer is on the line as he challenges Usui's number one downhill specialist.

It's time to give Tak a rest after his sweep of Gunma's finest - time for K.T. Takahashi of the Red Suns and Zack Nakazato of the Night Kids to finish the grudge match they started in Volume 4.

Even with his buddy Iggy in the backseat, the battle in the rain goes to Tak. As a defeated Nakamura watches Tak pass him by, a mysterious Evolution 6 appears out of nowhere and leaves him behind as well. It seems the Evo belongs to a couple of guys from Team Emperor, Seiji and Kyoichi, who've been itching to get a crack at Gunma's fastest.

Like many before him, Seiji of Team Emperor just can't hang against Tak and the 86. Seems like everyone on the mountain is talking about the enigmatic 86 and its unknown driver, but Tak, modest as ever, keeps it all to himself. However, when some chick goes off on Natalie for no good reason, Tak's more than willing to give the girl and her boyfriend a lesson in humility with an impromptu race.