Ryuji Ikeda vs Rin Hojo (Impromptu)

The impromptu battle between Ryuji Ikeda and Rin Hojo is the forty-fourth battle of Initial D.

Prior to the Battle
Following the battle of Hideo Minagawa and Keisuke Takahashi, Project D is given time off before an official battle between Team Spiral. During this time, Hiroya Okuyama and Ryuji Ikeda discuss the previous battle at the Daikanzan Observation Deck building at the Toyo Tires Turnpike. with Ryuji leaving afterwards. An unknown vehicle, though later revealed as Rin Hojo's Nissan Skyline GT-R BNR32, pulls up behind him while he is driving. Ryuji sees this as a challenge and immediately begins to speed up, with Rin following closely behind.

During the Battle
Ryuji notes that the driver of the GT-R must not be a local since normally locals don't pick a fight with him, but changes his mind after seeing Rin still following closely after various hard corners. Shortly after Ryuji begins to accept the challenge, the two pass a white Mitsubishi Lancer, with the two passengers noting the presence of Ryuji and the GT-R, though the driver of the GT-R is still not revealed at this point. Ryuji begins to feel pressured and attempts to speed up, which only results in him being shunted by Rin during a high-speed corner. Ryuji is barely able to regain control of his car before he smashes into the guardrail. He continues on, still attempting to get away. Go Hojo and Eiji Kubo discuss the reappearance of the "Grim Reaper GT-R", with Hojo stating that regardless of what Rin does, his true target is Ryosuke Takahashi, and also starts to bring up Kaori during his explanation. Rin shunts Ikeda again, sending him into an even harder situation. Ryuji still gains control, before inevitably pulling over after realizing that he might damage his car further before his battle against Keisuke Takahashi if he continues. Rin passes him and keeps speeding down the road as Ikeda vows to take revenge on him later on.

After the Battle
Following the battle, there is a short scene with the Akina SpeedStars discussing Project D's third round against Team Spiral, as well as the idea of sending members of the SpeedStars to support Project D. It quickly cuts to Project D and Team Spiral meeting in Nagao for their battle, with both teams introducing their team leaders and drivers. It is noted by Junichi Sakamoto, a non-participating driver of Team Spiral, that Hiroya Okuyama hadn't arrived to greet Project D, as he normally doesn't. Project D takes practice runs at Nagao.

Battle Stage 3

 * Back To The Rising Sun - Powerful T.