Ten seconds remained until three o'clock, and the race officially entered its final countdown. The assembled crowd buzzed with excitement and nervous energy—this would be the most thrilling and spectacular event since the inception of Bayshore Route underground racing.
As the starting flag dropped, both the Viper SRT's and Pagani Zonda F's rear wheels began spinning at incredible RPM. Gustave could clearly observe how the tires deformed instantly under tremendous torque, releasing puffs of white smoke into the night air.
However, thanks to the incredible grip of their racing slicks, neither vehicle experienced wheelspin. Instead, they launched from Daikoku PA like twin missiles, disappearing into the Metropolitan Expressway system.
Both machines accelerated with devastating efficiency. Gustave estimated they achieved 0-100 kilometers per hour in approximately 2.3 seconds—figures that would make professional supercars weep with envy.
As the taillights of the Viper SRT and Pagani Zonda F vanished into the distance, everyone immediately relocated to the center of Daikoku PA's parking area, where a massive projection screen had been erected.
To provide comprehensive coverage of the Takuya Fujiwara versus Hajime Saionjishowdown, the group had deployed two helicopters for simultaneous live broadcasting. For maximum viewing impact, cameras had been installed in both vehicles. Combined with expert direction from the television station crew, the event resembled a professional Formula 1 race—minus only the commentary.
The long straightaway showcased both cars' performance to devastating effect. Through the live broadcast, Gustave could clearly see that shortly after entering the Bayshore Route proper, both vehicles had exceeded 350 kilometers per hour and were still accelerating hard.
Two kilometers remained before the first major turn. With Takuya Fujiwara and Hajime Saionjipushing their machines to absolute limits, both cars were steadily approaching the 400 kilometers per hour barrier.
"Come on, come on!" the crowd at Daikoku PA chanted, eyes locked on the speed displays.
"Oh!"
"OH!"
"They broke 400!"
Suddenly everyone erupted in cheers. Both Takuya Fujiwara and Hajime Saionjihad simultaneously shattered the 400 kilometers per hour threshold, obliterating the previous Bayshore Route speed record while continuing to push even higher.
Before decelerating for the upcoming curve, Takuya Fujiwara's Viper SRT with its massive power advantage reached a terrifying peak of 417 kilometers per hour, while Hajime Saionjiachieved 411 kilometers per hour.
Thanks to his horsepower superiority, Takuya Fujiwara temporarily claimed the lead.
Formula 1 cars could maintain cornering speeds of 300 kilometers per hour. While Takuya Fujiwara and Hajime Saionjicouldn't quite match those numbers, they still negotiated the first turn at approximately 270 kilometers per hour—a testament to both drivers' exceptional physical conditioning. Most people couldn't withstand such extreme G-forces.
If an average person attempted cornering at these speeds, blood would rush toward their abdomen and legs due to centrifugal acceleration, causing the brain to experience blackout or complete loss of consciousness from insufficient blood supply.
After exploding out of the first turn, both cars accelerated again, reaching roughly 360 kilometers per hour before the next series of smaller curves prevented further speed increases.
Finally, they encountered their first civilian vehicle—a large box truck traveling in the middle lane.
The truck driver was listening to music, nodding his head to the rhythm, completely oblivious to the approaching storm.
Suddenly, he noticed lights appearing simultaneously on his left and right sides. He was accustomed to this phenomenon—after all, this wasn't his first encounter with midnight racing on the Bayshore Route.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
But before the truck driver could fully process what was happening, both cars streaked past like rockets.
"What the hell?!" The truck driver yanked off his headphones in shock. In his field of vision, only two red dots remained visible. Despite encountering countless street races over the years, he'd never witnessed anything quite like this.
The truck driver's experience represented a microcosm of every other motorist on the Bayshore Route that night—before they could react, they were effortlessly overtaken by forces beyond their comprehension.
"This was definitely worth coming out tonight!" Gustave exclaimed.
While the average speeds of Takuya Fujiwara and Hajime Saionjicouldn't match Formula 1 cars, the involvement of civilian traffic meant both drivers had to maintain constant situational awareness while avoiding obstacles at racing speeds. In terms of pure spectacle, this might actually exceed Formula 1 excitement.
As both racers continued their high-speed charge, they soon approached the course's most challenging section—the transition from Tatsumi PA onto Route 9, featuring a sharp turn of nearly 90 degrees.
Gustave focused intently on the broadcast screen. If something was going to happen, it would be here.
On screen, both Takuya Fujiwara and Hajime Saionjibegan heavy braking. In less than two seconds, their speeds plummeted from 320 kilometers per hour to well below 200.
"I can't control the car!" Takuya Fujiwara's terrified voice reached everyone's ears through the audio feed.
"Is this it?" Gustave glanced at Conan, then at Tomokazu Yamashita standing nearby with obvious nervousness written across his features. Had the Death God's aura finally begun to take effect?
Gustave prepared to intervene and rescue Takuya Fujiwara if necessary—the guy had made a positive impression on him.
But events took an unexpected turn. Takuya Fujiwara managed to save his vehicle and successfully negotiate the treacherous corner.
"Could it be that Conan's Death Aura has been suppressed by my presence?" Gustave wondered, shooting a puzzled look in the young detective's direction.
"Why are you giving me that weird look?!" Conan noticed the suspicious scrutiny and bristled with indignation. He knew Gustave was mentally blaming him for something. "I'm not the Grim Reaper!"
"Nothing, nothing. Let's keep watching the race," Gustave said with forced nonchalance, turning back to the screen.
"I told you—I'm NOT a death magnet!" Conan stamped his foot emphatically, but Gustave pretended not to hear him.
After transitioning onto Route 9, the finish line at Hakozaki PA was close at hand. Takuya Fujiwara maintained a lead of approximately one or two car lengths over Saionji. After navigating one final small curve, if Saionji couldn't execute an overtake, the race result would be essentially decided.
But motorsport never revealed its secrets until the final moment. On that seemingly insignificant turn, Hajime Saionjipulled off an impossible maneuver.
"Damn! He used the gutter run!" Gustave cursed aloud.
Hajime Saionjihad executed Fujiwara Takumi's signature technique—the drainage gutter overtake. Had the legendary Initial D protagonist chosen the wrong person to possess tonight?
"Haha! Takuya, you finally lost to me!" Saionji began celebrating prematurely as Hakozaki PA came into view, while Takuya Fujiwara's supporters groaned in dismay.
But Takuya Fujiwara refused to surrender. He accelerated with everything his Viper SRT could deliver, attempting one last desperate overtaking maneuver.
Sometimes fate cannot be avoided. Death would finally claim its due.
For reasons unknown, Hajime Saionji—who had been celebrating triumphantly just moments before—suddenly began foaming at the mouth. His Pagani Zonda F veered wildly out of control. Takuya Fujiwara, committed to his overtaking attempt, had no time to react to this unexpected development.
Everything happened in a split second, too fast even for Gustave to intervene. The Viper SRT collided directly with the out-of-control Pagani Zonda F, followed by a massive explosion that sent flames shooting into the night sky. Sparking debris scattered across the asphalt in a deadly shower.
Both drivers were gone—there could be no survivors from such devastation.