Though they're only up against a junior team, the club learns just how intense water polo, aka "water wrestling," can be. Minato's spirits are crushed by his own uselessness, but that night, Eitaro pays a visit and reveals a big secret he's been hiding.

Jo, the water polo captain, proposes that the team creates an original jersey. But emotionally attached to his own, Amihama declines saying, "I don't need a jersey."

Eitaro tries to persuade Minato to rejoin the water polo club. Wanting no part of it, Minato is frustrated at being compared to his past self and his failure to become Shogakukan's ace.

The Yamanami water polo club nervously faces the day of the prefectural tournament. Minato spearheads the team as they battle Rikka Gakuen in the first match, but their opponents have come up with a strategy to keep Yamanami from going on the attack.

It's finally time for their second match of prefecturals--the long-awaited showdown with Shogakukan. Minato, Eitaro, Jo, Amihama, Ejiri, Babayaro, and Ushimado join their seven hearts as one and challenge the best team in Japan.