Tsukamoto

Tsukamoto (塚本 Tsukamoto) is an Akagi based street racer. He used to attend the same high school as Takumi Fujiwara, albeit being a few years above. He was a member of the soccer club.

Past
When he was a third year, Tsukamoto was the chairman of the soccer club. After graduating, Tsukamoto bought a Nissan 180SX and starting racing on Akagi.

Emperor Arc
Not long after Takumi Fujiwara's battle with Seiji Iwaki, Tsukamoto runs into Takumi hanging out with Natsuki Mogi. Takumi initially doesn't recognise him, but Natsuki reminds him. Tsukamoto invites them out of coffee, as they haven't seen each other in so long. Tsukamoto asks the two of them if they're dating, and Takumi tells him that they aren't, leading Natsuki to pinch him. Natsuki asks Tsukamoto if he has a girlfriend and he lies that he's between girlfriends (despite the fact that he's never even kissed a girlfriend). He tells her that his true love is his car and racing, much to Takumi's shock. Natsuki tells Tsukamoto that Takumi is a good driver, but he doubts that because he just got his license.

At a café, Takumi asks Tsukamoto if he belongs to a team. Tsukamoto tells him that he's part of a team in Akagi, and Takumi assumes he means the RedSuns. Tsukamoto is surprised that he knows about the RedSuns, but tells him that he isn't at their level. Tsukamoto invites the two to come up to Akagi with him that evening.

On the drive over, Tsukamoto talks with Takumi about the Takahashi brothers, telling him how great they are. He says only one other driver is as good as them, the Phantom Eight-Six from Akina (not knowing that he's sat next to him). Tsukamoto tries to show off his driving skill, but screws up leaving his passengers silent. At the top of the mountain Natsuki tells him that she feels car sick, and Tsukamoto says that she can't have gotten sick with his excellent driving. Tsukamoto and Takumi head off to watch the racing, and Tsukamoto asks Takumi how his driving was. Takumi tells him that he doesn't know much about technique but that his driving scared him.

Back at the car, Takumi and Natsuki convince Tsukamoto to let Takumi drive them back. Takumi pulls over to let a car pass, and both him and Tsukamoto are shocked when Natsuki asks Takumi to chase the car that passed them. Natsuki insists that he catch them, despite Tsukamoto pleading against it. Takumi is easily able to catch up to and pass the couple in the car, knocking Tsukamoto out in the process.

Tsukamoto witnessed the battle between Takumi and Kyoichi Sudo on Akagi, saying that he finally got a chance to see the Eight-Six's technique, still unaware he had seen it up close.

The New Eight Six Arc
Some time after the battles between Emperor and the RedSuns on Akagi, Tsukamoto crashed his 180SX on Akagi. As he goes to put down a warning triangle, he is almost hit by Keisuke Takahashi and Wataru Akiyama, who were in the middle of a race. The two drivers manage to dodge both him and his car.

Trivia

 * In the Tokyopop version of Chapter 124, he is mistakenly referred to as "Sakamoto".