The Winner

Naruko and Makishima have caught Kinjou and Imaizumi. However Imaizumi refuses to draft. When other teams begin catching up from the pack, they tell Sohoku's members that Onoda and Tadokoro are making their way through the pack. This news feels Sohoku with hope, and Kinjou takes the lead to prevent anyone else from passing them while they catchup to Hakone and Kyoto Fushimi. Meanwhile Midosuji reveals he has been playing around with Hayato and catches up easily. Eventually Midosuji passes Hayato and says he will only let him pass on the left. We learn that Hayato has been afraid to pass on the left ever since he killed the rabbit, but thanks to special training with his teammates, he has overcome that obstacle by gaining the ability to transform into the Demon of Hakone. Hayato passes Midosuji and is pulling away with only 500 meters to go to the Sprint check. Seeing no other choice, Midosuji removes some tape on his legs that has been constraining his speed. Midosuji manages to get side-by-side with less than 200 meters remaining. Now it is anyone's sprint to win.