Hanamichi's incredible save against Masafumi stuns the crowd. Not satisfied he goes to Rukawa and mocks Rukawa for not being able to cope with Eiji. Masafumi wants to see more of Hanamichi's ability and using 'Switch' gets his chance. A pass comes to him, and he goes to score. Hanamichi leaps up early to block, a few seconds later Masafumi jumps. Shockingly Masafumi realizes that Hanamichi is still in the air. The ball misses the basket, and Ryota gives the ball to Hanamichi. More disturbing to Masafumi is that Hanamichi can run so fast after leaping so high. Hanamichi looks sure to score, and ends up messing up. However Rukawa is already in then air and finishes the shot. Anzai sensei looks and sees 2 people who have potential to achieve his dream. Score 55 to 63. Fukatsu rallies his team, and wants something done about the first two years. Eiji is confident and wants all the passes to be given to him. Sannoh attacking, a slip up by Mikio enables Hanamichi to steal the ball, Ryota gets the pass and sends it to Rukawa. Rukawa unmarked goes to score, but Eiji catches up and slaps the ball away. Not waiting, Eiji swerves and goes on the counter attack. He avoids everyone, and lobs the ball between Hanamichi's guard. The ball drops into the basket, Hanamichi is furious at such a stupid shot being used against him. Masafumi tells Hanamichi that it is the first time that Eiji has used such a shot in Japan. Rukawa tries to by pass Eiji and fails, the ball gets stolen and once again goes into the hands of Eiji. Eiji, once again, lobs the ball passed Hanamichi's guard. The score 55 to 67. Eiji tells Rukawa that after this term he will go to study in America. Rukawa is stunned, but Eiji wants to defeat Rukawa first and stop a future opponent born against him. Rukawa receives the ball, but Eiji snaps out and swipes the ball away. Throwing the ball in front, Eiji challenges Rukawa to see who gets the ball first. Ryota, Hanamichi and Rukawa all give chase, but they cannot catch up with Eiji. Score is now 55 to 69. Eiji's father is in the audience and cheers his son. In the past Eiji's father trains Eiji to become a basketball player. Everyday he will go on a 1 on 1 against his son. When he rose from Junior High School, he got admitted to Sannoh. Rukawa comes with another challenge, but Eiji foils it again. The Shohoku team are now worried that Rukawa is not a match against Eiji. At the basket, Masafumi is successfully stopping Hanamichi getting the rebounds. Eiji on the attack, but this time Rukawa, Akagi and Hanamichi join together to stop him. Alas Eiji goes under their guard and score in the basket. Rukawa then remembers challenging Sendoh, and asking Sendoh is there anyone who is better than he is. Sendoh replies Yes, the name of the player is Eiji. Shohoku start to lose their faith and yet Rukawa isn't deterred. Sendoh said to Rukawa that attack wise he thinks no one is a match for Rukawa (perhaps). But there is another skill which Rukawa isn't skilled in, until Rukawa is skilled in that particular area, Sendoh doesn't reckon that he will lose to Rukawa. Rukawa on the attack, but his direction is away from the basket to the side. Eiji is still closely guarding Rukawa, and doesn't expect Rukawa's next move. Rukawa ends up passing behind him, to Akagi. Akagi isn't marked and shoots in the ball. Anzai sensei is happy that Rukawa understands the reason why Sendoh is better than him. Akagi receives a free throw (because Mikio fouled) and misses. Hanamichi gets the rebound, and bickers with Rukawa on who is going to America. Hanamichi ends up stalling too long and gets surrounded. The ball falls to Ryota who passes to Rukawa. Rukawa fools Eiji and passes again Ryota who finds Akagi. Akagi scores. The score is now 61 to 74. This has a psychological effect on Eiji. Eiji is now unsure whether Rukawa will pass or attack. Rukawa takes the chance at Eiji being uncertain and gets passed. Suddenly out of nowhere Hanamichi is present, and Rukawa runs into Hanamichi. The ball goes out of bounds, leaving Rukawa steaming. It turns out that Hanamichi was running to get into a good shooting position for Rukawa to pass to. However Rukawa wasn't going to pass and was going to score by himself. Hanamichi is feeling a fool and decides to even his mistake. Eiji attacks, and easily gets passed Rukawa. Hanamichi (hiding behind Mikio) appears in front and causes Eiji to run into him. Referee blows whistle on Eiji for fouling.