Second Stage - Act 4

Hollow Victory (燃えない勝利, Moenai shōri) is the fourth Act of Initial D Second Stage.

This episode features the second half of the battle between Takumi Fujiwara and Seiji Iwaki.

Synopsis
In his heart, Takumi couldn’t accept his victory over the Evo IV and decides to make a vow. To add to his already uneasy thoughts… anonymous messages are being sent to Takumi concerning his relationship with Natsuki.

Plot
The race continues with Itsuki uncertain about how the race will turn out. He still is in disbelief with Kenji and Iketani's pessimistic thoughts but regains composure after throwing a rock believing he can come out on top like in the past races. Seiji then acknowledges Akina's Eight-Six's potential and realises how unpredictable the downhill can be. Takumi too acknowledges the Evo's incredible speed. Kenta fails to comprehend despite keeping up with Seiji's bumper he is still in doubt in defeating the Evo due to his car's inferiority and no way he could keep up with him to make a move. Keisuke tells him he will find out soon enough. Takumi is shortening the gap before they enter each corner and Seiji blames his front tires losing pressure. Still unmoved that he's still racing an inferior Eight-Six and can pull away from him anytime he wants. Takumi's still barely able to keep up with Seiji's speed and by far the fastest car he raced. He then uses a gutter run to keep up with him. Despite this, he is still losing speed each time he exits. He then results to try and enter the corners at a faster speed like what he did to Ryosuke in the previous battle and make a move near that bridge. Takumi then feels strange on why he's acting that way.

Keisuke still has confidence in Takumi in beating the Evo and won't forgive him if he loses before he can rematch him. Kenta is shocked that Takumi is still behind. Takumi makes his move and slingshots alongside Seiji. Seiji believes he's clinched the victory only to find out he disappeared from behind his mirrors. Much to Seiji's surprise, he is right beside him. Takumi caught up to Seiji while exiting the exit's turn and trapped Seiji in the inside shocking Kenta and Fumihiro. Seiji can't comprehend why an inferior car can be so fast and his front tires are starting to lose their grip. Much to Fumihiro's amazement he asks Keisuke what will happen next. Keisuke said there are no gaps or openings left for Seiji to pass him and Takumi emerged victorious putting Team Emperor's Gunma sweep to an end. Kenta is amazed at Takumi's potential. Everyone is in shock of Takumi's victory. However, Takumi couldn't accept victory due to already knowing where to make his moves and his knowledge of the course and would have been beaten somewhere else after encountering a much faster car. Kyoichi slaps Seiji for his impatience and disobedience and demands Seiji to explain why he lost. He couldn't explain as it was Takumi's technique that made him lose and doesn't know how the Eight-Six can keep up with him while leading. Kyoichi points out that none of this would have happened if he stuck with Simulation 3, and tells him once more to stop acting like a stupid idiot and to start using his head. Still unhindered with his decision with beating Ryosuke he decided to race the Eight-Six at Akagi before moving on to his next opponent.

The next morning Itsuki boasts on Takumi's victory but is unmoved on his victory and felt he was defeated as he explains his decision on never racing in his home turf again and will focus on other areas even if it means losing. Back in the lockers he once again sees another note concerning Natsuki. Later at work at the gas station, while filling his car up with gas Kyoichi proposes Takumi with a challenge in an unofficial race in Akagi in order to teach him a lesson. Despite his potential he recalls what he said to him during their first encounter if he keeps using an old car like his Eight-Six he can never advance any further in the racing world. If he races him in a practice run he will demonstrate to him the difference in power. He gave him two options either race him either that night or the following and warns him he will defeat him easily with hopes it will teach him more harshness in the racing world. Then Kyoichi leaves. His friends believe he's trash-talking him believing they were sore on their defeat and implores Takumi he doesn't have to do it. Takumi declines his offer even if it means being called a coward. Back at home, Masashi was amazed at Takumi's victory but at the same time, he saw the engine doesn't have much life in it left. Bunta is also aware that the car is going to blow unexpectedly and will have to lose a race soon. Masashi believes Takumi is too stubborn to stay undefeated. Regardless of outcome, Masashi is ready to install the new engine whenever he is ready.

While lying in his bedroom, Takumi still has concerns of Natsuki and receives a anonymous call to come to the family restaurant where Natsuki is breaking up with her Papa. Takumi decides to head to the family restaurant despite his uncertainties on what may lie ahead on Natsuki. Takumi then discovers her secretive dating and furiously threw his empty can. Ignited, Takumi drives to Akagi without knowing the disadvantage he will have when he races against Kyoichi. Back at Akagi, Team Emperor just finished their practice runs in preparation of the race against the RedSuns. Takumi arrives in Akagi much to the RedSuns' shock.

Airdates

 * Fuji TV: November 4, 1999

Characters (in order of appearance)

 * 1) Itsuki Takeuchi
 * 2) Koichiro Iketani
 * 3) Kenji
 * 4) Seiji Iwaki
 * 5) Takumi Fujiwara
 * 6) Keisuke Takahashi
 * 7) Kenta Nakamura
 * 8) Fumihiro
 * 9) Kyoichi Sudo
 * 10) Natsuki Mogi
 * 11) Bunta Fujiwara
 * 12) Masashi Suzuki
 * 13) Papa

Cars

 * 1) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV RS (CN9A)
 * 2) Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX (AE86)
 * 3) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A)
 * 4) Mercedes-Benz W210

Music

 * 1) Blazin' Beat - M.o.v.e
 * Make My Day - Derreck Simons
 * Take My Soul - Mickey B.
 * Ever And Ever - Queen of Times
 * 1) キミがいる (Kimi Ga Iru) - Galla

Quotes
(Takumi Fujiwara has just beaten Seiji Iwaki but realizes that his win wasn't a victory and finds himself near a hotel.)

Takumi: I won, but it doesn't feel like it. Was it because it's Akina? I knew where to attack and where to use the "ditch" turn. (sees Seiji's Evo still there) I would've lost anywhere else.

(Seiji Iwaki is then slapped in the face by Kyoichi for disobedience, much the shock of the other drivers.)

Seiji Iwaki: (remorsefully) Kyoichi, I'm sorry.

Kyoichi Sudo: You know why I'm so angry with you? Do you think exactly why you lost this race?

Seiji Iwaki: I can't. I just couldn't shake him off. I don't know how much that slow AE86 can keep up with me, or what technique he used.

Kyoichi Sudo: Of course not. How could you see anything in the rearview mirror? You could've observed him from behind. "Simulation 3" was what you could've used for that reason. If you listened to me earlier, you wouldn't have suffered a humiliating loss. So stop acting like an idiot and START USING YOUR HEAD!!!!

Seiji Iwaki: (remorsefully) I apologize.

Emperor driver: Kyoichi, what's the plan now?

Kyoichi Sudo: Our plan to conquer Gunma is no more. But regret won't erase that defeat. We'll suck it up and go to our next location, Akagi.

Seiji Iwaki: You mean the Red Suns?

Kyoichi Sudo: Ryosuke Takahashi is my main target. I'll be satisfied when we win in Akagi. All I need to do is win.

Emperor driver: What about the Eight-Six Kyoichi? We need to have our pride. We can't just admit defeat to that kid.

Kyoichi Sudo: SHUT UP! You don't need to tell me that! Leave the kid to me. I'll handle him myself. I'm the one who should be sorry about this.

Differences from the Manga

 * In the manga this is the first time the second gutter run is shown (in the anime it was used in the battle between Takumi and Ryosuke) with the flashback to Takumi as a 14 year old being featured here.
 * This is the last time the girl on the phone (revealed in the manga to be Papa's daughter, Shiraishi) is featured in the anime, while in the manga she is later confronted by Takumi.
 * In the manga Takumi sees Natsuki and her Papa leaving a love hotel, whereas it is a restaurant in the anime.

Notes & Trivia

 * In the credits, Mickey B was misspelled as "Micky B" and "Ever And Ever" by Queen Of Times was credited as "Ever&Ever"
 * The quotes said by Seiji when being overtaken and Keisuke confirming no chance of Seiji regaining the lead was reused in Initial D Battle Stage when Keisuke battles Seiji.