Episode 47: Will Not Lose! (Makerarenai!)
Ryoma was back on the game, he even told Akutsu that he would make a good stepping stone out of him, which annoyed Akutsu to no end. Anyway, they continue playing like that, Ryoma got a point off Akutsu when he used a curving ball on him. The Seigaku regulars were impressed, Tezuka mentioned that the hidden potential of every player surfaces when faced with a strong opponent. Akutsu is becoming somewhat irritated that Ryoma seems to be catching up to him. Coach Ryuzaki told Coach Banji that she thanks him for bringing Akutsu on this stage of the tournament, since he made Ryoma evolve and not to be the Samurai Junior everyone thought he is. She told Banji that because of Akutsu, Ryoma turned out to be a wonderful Samurai. Banji just smiled and told her that no matter what, Akutsu wouldn't lose since he has his own reasons for not losing. Meanwhile, Inoue-san was surprised when Nanjiroh turned and started walking away from the game. Nanjiroh told him that he has no intentions whatsoever in watching a "kid's tennis". Anyway, it was change courts, Coach Ryuzaki told Ryoma plainly to crush the opponent to which Ryoma just smiled, apparently, Coach Ryuzaki is the type who carries grudges. Anyway, right before Nanjiroh walked out of hearing distance, he told Inoue that the games just starts for Ryoma now, after Coach Banji talked to Akutsu. It seemed that Banji has some way of talking to his players to make them concentrate more on the game. Inoue was puzzled by this.
But it looks like Nanjiroh was correct, after the short break, Akutsu turned out to be more concentrated on the game and he's not only attacking, but also defending as well, not like before. Akutsu's now hitting Ryoma alternates of fast and slow balls. At first, Ryoma couldn't catch up to Akutsu's speed. But after a while, to everyone's surprise (yet again), Ryoma seemed to be able to get used to Akutsu's speed. (the only thing that's missing is the glowing of Ryoma indicating he's evolving.. yet again). Anyway, each of the player's concentration is dangerously high, and Ryoma managed to overcome Akutsu in terms of scores. It's now a match point for Ryoma, what will happen?