Spring. The Hatase High school gymnasium. Table tennis club adviser Koizumi Jo notices a cut-man with glasses on the team. He is one of the up-and-comers who joined the team this year, Tsukimoto Makoto (Smile). Meanwhile, the other up-and-comer Hoshino Yutaka (Peco) is swindling a man at Obaba's Tamura Table Tennis Hall.

Peco is shocked when he gets skunked by "China" a.k.a. Kong Wenge. Meanwhile, Koizumi tells Smile not to play with Peco anymore. Koizumi instructs Smile to overcome his lack of competitive spirit by the Inter High.

The Inter-High preliminaries begin as though swallowing the hopes of every player. If Peco defeats his noisy quarterfinal opponent, he'll remain in the top 4 and advance to nationals. Peco's quarterfinal opponent is Sakuma AKA "Akuma".

Smile loses his match against Smile. After watching the game, Koizumi expresses his rage, saying, "A guy who doesn't even want to win shouldn't treat the game like a joke!" Seeing his fury, Obaba asks Koizumi if Smile reminds him of himself 50 years ago.

After winning the Inter-High, Dragon goes on to win the Junior Olympics singles, and makes his triumphant return. At a press conference after his return, Dragon clearly states Kaio's need for players on Tsukimoto's level. Dragon's statement creates subtle waves in the Kaio Academy team.

Having quit table tennis, Peco hangs around Tamura Table Tennis Hall eating snacks. Meanwhile, Smile polishes his skills with Koizumi in order to win, causing discord between himself and his teammates.

Smile is finally scouted by Kaio. Dragon declares, "Keep playing in this dumpy environment and your talent will rot." After attempting to persuade Smile, as Dragon heads home, he recalls painful memories from his past. Meanwhile, Peco decides to make a comeback and Obaba works him hard.

Peco practices among college students at the training center in preparation for the Inter-High preliminaries. When Koizumi learns from Obaba that Peco is still playing table tennis, he registers Peco for the event.

Peco beats Kong. Sanada faces off against Smile as well. Peco advances and Smile does away with his next opponent to head to the finals. Peco has one monster in his way.

Peco and Dragon's match is about to begin. Dragon is surprised when he handles Peco's racket. Peco dauntlessly smiles and tells Dragon he bought it to play with him. It is a reverse penhold racket.

Relentlessly working his injured knee, Peco beats Dragon. The upset sends shock running through the gymnasium. The final match pits Katase High's Peco against Smile.