The Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip College Ekiden Race finally begins.
Haiji was right, and Section 1 moves at a slow pace while the teams try to feel each other out.
Prince, who bears the heavy responsibility of starting the race, takes up his position behind the other runners and conserves his strength.
It's all part of Haiji's plan to take the top.
Haiji also sends a message to Prince through Tazaki in the coach's vehicle and heads to the Tsurumi Relay Station where Musa waits.
The group raises its pace. Prince desperately hangs on.
And in the back of his mind, he recalls a conversation he once had with Haiji...
Even if there's no difference now,
Joji will become way faster than me.
حتّى لو لم يكن هناك فرق الآن
سيصبح جوجي أسرع مني بكثير
Jetzt mag’s nicht so offensichtlich sein,
aber Jōji wird viel schneller als ich werden.
Aunque ahora no se note mucho,
será más rápido que yo, Joji.
Aunque ahora no se note mucho,
serás más rápido que yo, Joji.
Même s’il y est pas encore,
il deviendra plus rapide que moi.
Anche se adesso non si nota,
Mesmo que não haja diferenças agora,
o Joji vai ficar muito mais rápido que eu.
Даже если сейчас нет разницы,
вскоре Дзёдзи станет быстрее.