Ryosuke Takahashi emerges as a masterful street racer and tactical intellect, first acclaimed as "Akagi's White Comet" for his unbeaten streak on Mount Akagi in a white Mazda Savanna RX-7 FC3S. Pressured into medical studies by his family, he formed a bond with Kaori. Her suicide—triggered by familial coercion to wed Rin Hojo, Ryosuke's ex-mentor—reshaped his path, steering him toward street racing and guiding his brother Keisuke Takahashi away from biker gangs into competitive driving. Ryosuke established the Akagi RedSuns to command Japan's racing underground until Takumi Fujiwara, the "White Ghost of Akina," defeated Keisuke. Analyzing Takumi's methods, including the gutter run, Ryosuke challenged him on Mount Akina after deliberately limiting his FC3S to 260 horsepower. He led early but lost from tire degradation, recognizing Takumi's prowess and pushing him toward greater arenas. Post-defeat, Ryosuke briefly retired before facing Team Emperor's Kyoichi Sudo. He pinpointed and capitalized on Sudo's vulnerability during right-hand public-road turns to claim victory. Disbanding the RedSuns, he launched Project D, enlisting Takumi and Keisuke to conquer Kanto's circuits. As strategist, he advised during races—directing Takumi to ignore rearview mirrors and control engine revs against Todo School rivals. Project D dissolved with Ryosuke resuming medical pursuits.