S2E06 Prime of Invincibility!/Plot

Tomorrow is the prefectural. The Iwatobi High School Swim Club is going over the program. When Miho Amakata asks Makoto Tachibana the reason behind him joining the 200m freestyle instead of the 100m, he replies that it is because he would absolutely have no chance against Haruka Nanase at that distance. Rei Ryugazaki praises Makoto for his efforts in preparation of the race. While walking home, Makoto asks Haru for a favor.

In flashback, young Makoto asks young Haruka to join the Iwatobi Swimming Club. However, Haru says that it is too troublesome and refuses. He then asks why Makoto doesn't he join by himself, to which Makoto responds that it's meaningless without Haruka beside him. In the end, they both join and introduce themselves to the other members. When leaving, Goro Sasabe offers them each their choice of a sea animal keychain. Both boys like the dolphin and reach for it with Makoto getting it. However, when Makoto sees Haruka's expression, he gives it to him and takes the other keychain. In present time in the bath, Haruka stares at the very same dolphin.

Before the prefectural, Gou Matsuoka and Rin Matsuoka visit the grave of Toraichi Matsuoka, their deceased father. Before leaving, Rin hands over an old swimming photo of their father to Gou, saying he does not need it any longer. He suggests that Gou hang it up at Iwatobi SC Returns.

Seijuro Mikoshiba arrives at the tournament to support his former team. Spotting Gou, both Seijuro and Momotaro Mikoshiba shout her name excitedly. Inside the venue, Gou says she can suppress her excitement over the toned bodies even though the others say that they do not think this is possible. In the locker room, Nagisa Hazuki greets Aiichiro Nitori and finds out that he has a preparation ritual of always donning his swimsuit right leg first for luck.

Nagisa's individual segment leads off with his parents there to observe him. Nagisa is in the lead and finishes first, qualifying for the prelims while Nitori fails to make the cut. Next up is Makoto's event. From Samezuka Academy, Takuya Uozumi and Momotaro are both participating. Seijuro uses Gou to spur Momotaro on. Makoto takes first place with Momotaro coming in second. They both qualify for prelims. Rei also places first for butterfly and makes it into the prelims. Looking at the overall ranking for the butterfly prelim, Rin sits at the top.

In the locker room before they head out for their 200m freestyle race, Haru says "I know," when Makoto calls to him. Rin is surprised that Makoto is taking part in freestyle. The race starts with Makoto being in the lead although Rin comments that pacing oneself is important in a 200m race. If Makoto starts at full power, he will not last until the end of the race. As Haruka swims, he thinks back to Makoto's request for him to race seriously... Haruka asks the reason for Makoto's participation and Makoto replies that before they graduate, he wants to have a real race with Haruka, who then questions the reason behind Makoto swimming. Makoto replies that it is because he wants to swim with Haruka and his friends. He adds that he will swim to beat Haruka in the race... In the present, Makoto is slowly losing speed while Haruka catches up. Haruka clinches the first place, then looks at his best friend. A tear slips down Makoto's face although it is hidden from view. Haruka worries, but his worries are unfounded as Makoto throws back his head, making light of his loss and reiterating that Haruka is still the best in water. Haruka heaves a sigh of relief.

The 100m freestyle is next. Haruka and Rin are racing in adjoining lanes. Haruka places first, with Rin losing by 0.02 second. In the viewing stands, Nagisa asks Makoto the reason behind him wanting to swim with Haruka, and Makoto replies that he wanted to swim a real race with Haru. He is not sure of the reason either, and says that it might be because he is jealous of Rin.

Beside the bus, Sosuke Yamazaki warns Rin that he can not lose. Rin replies that it is easy for Sosuke to say so and tells him that Haruka is a monster who gets faster every time they race. The relay is tomorrow. As Rin walks off, Sosuke looks troubled.