Stage 2, Episode 1
Short summary
Team Thunders is beaten by a Lancer Evo 4, part of the mysterious new group called Emperor. On an ensuing day, Itsuki and Takumi are passed by an Evo 4. Later at the beach, the driver (Seiji) hears of the legendary AE86 that is currently undefeated, but laughs and disregards it as a fairy tale. Later at Akagi, Kyouichi is schocked when Ryousuke tells him he was already beaten by Akina's Hachi Roku. A few nights later, Seiji battles the Night Kids' Nakazato.
Longer summary
The Thunders are beaten by team Emperor, a group of Lancer Evolutions led by Kyouichi. They proceed to cut a Thunders decal and stick it upside down on their Evo 4 spoiler. Kyouichi proclaims the Lancer Evo cars are the kings of the road.
On a following day in Itsuki's Hachi Go, Itsuki complains to Takumi that the Hachi Go's speed coming out of turns is unbearably slow. He plans to install turbo in the car and fantasizes that he will be able to beat Iketani's S13 and Kenji's 180SX afterwards. Back in reality, the two are passed by an Evo 4 and marvel at its speed.
At the beach, the driver of the Evo 4 (Seiji) asks Itsuki who the fastest racer in Akina was. Upon Itsuki's answer of an undefeated Hachi roku, Seiji laughs and disregards him, saying anyone driving such a low horsepower car is unworthy of racing him.
Back at the gas station, Iketani, Kenji, and Itsuki try to convince Takumi to put a turbo into the Hachi Roku for fear of the Emperors coming to Akina for a battle, but to no avail. They decide to chip in themselves for the project.
At Akagi, Kyouichi and Seiji warn Ryosuke of the Emperors' coming, and of the Red Suns' inevitable loss. However, Kyouichi is shocked to learn that Ryosuke already lost to Akina's Hachi Roku. He realizes that it must be the same undefeated Hachi Roku Itsuki raved about and wonders who the racer could be.
A few nights later, a battle between Emperors' Seiji (Evo 4) and the Night Kids' Takeshi (R32) begins.
