Fujino Makken O had already made up her mind.
Knowing her own stamina limitations, she had given up on the Kikuka-shō and instead chosen the Arima Kinen as the stage to defeat Narita Brian. The 2,500-meter distance was a goal she felt she could achieve with just a little more effort.
Although she had placed highly in the Satsuki-shō and the Japanese Derby, she still lacked a truly significant championship title.
That's why the Kobe Shimbun Hai was so important—winning this race would secure her a spot in the Arima Kinen, thanks to her strong performances against Narita Brian.
What's more, she was the top favorite in this race. While popularity doesn't guarantee victory, it certainly speaks volumes.
Her main rivals were either ones she had already defeated or a carefree fool. Fujino Makken O had been absolutely confident of victory.
But that confidence was rapidly fading as an overwhelming pressure closed in on the track.
"Bang!"
Time waits for no one. What had once felt like an eternity of waiting flew by in the chaos. Before she could even collect her thoughts, the starting gun roared like a sudden clap of thunder, echoing in the ears of every Uma Musume.
Power surged from her toes to her thighs. The explosive force of her start tore a chunk out of the turf behind her. Even before her mind could catch up, Fujino Makken O's instincts had already launched her into motion.
This was a skill honed through countless days and nights of training. Even now, shaken by that terrifying presence, her instincts found the perfect moment to burst forward.
The wind whipped through her hair, tousling her once-neat formal princess locks. The world before her blurred into a streak of green, accompanied by the roaring cheers of the crowd. In that moment, Fujino Makken O's heart suddenly calmed.
This was the state she knew best—the speed she was most familiar with. The wind was her closest ally, the turf her source of strength. What did she have to fear when running like this?
As she raced, her thoughts grew clearer, and she finally shook off her earlier daze.
So what if this sudden rival was intimidating? Could she possibly be stronger than Narita Brian?
If Fujino Makken O had the courage to challenge Narita Brian herself, what was one more unexpected strong opponent? She would simply overtake her with the running she knew best!
Her gaze sharpened. Someone who could maintain her competitive spirit under Narita Brian's pressure was inherently proud and stubborn—how could she be crushed by mere intimidation?
This was no time to dwell on trivial matters. Once on the track, there was only one thing to do—
Find the path to victory!
The moment her fighting spirit ignited, Fujino Makken O began scanning the field. Merci Stage and Star Man were no longer her focus; now, she had to identify this unknown strong rival.
Only by knowing her position and understanding her running style could Fujino Makken O find a chance to win in the stages ahead.
But just as she entered the turn and began her search, a crimson streak flashed past the corner of her eye.
Unease stirred within her. Her recently calmed mind erupted into turmoil again as an unthinkable answer began forming in Fujino Makken O's thoughts.
"Huh?"
She turned her head in confusion, forgetting all her earlier determination to seize victory. Now, she just wanted to see, to verify—almost pleading that the answer in her heart was just a misunderstanding.
Behind her were Merci Stage, Star Man, and a few unfamiliar Uma Musume. Fujino Makken O could sense that none of them were the source of that suffocating aura.
The closer she got to the answer, the stronger her unease grew.
Fujino Makken O had almost forgotten about the race, repeatedly counting the number of runners behind her.
But no matter how many times she counted, there were only eight behind her, their numbers neatly arranged from one to nine.
Including her own number six, there were nine Uma Musume on this stretch of the track. Fujino Makken O clearly remembered—there were ten contestants in this race.
One person, one Uma Musume, had never appeared in this group.
From the very beginning, she had already left everyone far behind.
While the main pack had just entered the turn, she had almost completed it.
And that person's identity was unmistakable.
Fujino Makken O broke. She could no longer lie to herself, no longer pretend not to see that crimson streak, no longer convince herself—
That there was still a chance for victory.
Why had she been able to snap out of her confusion so quickly? Why had the crowd erupted into such fervent cheers? All the questions she had deliberately ignored now flooded her mind at once.
She hadn't regained her composure on her own—it was because that overwhelming pressure had already moved far ahead of her.
The cheers weren't for her. Even before her perfect start, someone else had already captured everyone's attention.
A profound sense of absurdity welled up inside her, overshadowing even her shock and despair. Fujino Makken O could only stare blankly ahead, watching that crimson streak lead the roaring cheers of the entire Chukyo Racecourse.
She muttered under her breath.
'No way…'
'No way?'
'No way!'
The last words were nearly a roar. Fujino Makken O never could have imagined that such an unbelievable monster would appear in today's Kobe Shimbun Hai.
As someone aiming to challenge the strongest Uma Musume, she had long been aware of the concept of the "Zone," but she had never seen Narita Brian use it in the Triple Crown races.
That was why Fujino Makken O had believed she still had a chance to defeat her—if she could awaken to the Zone first, she might just win the Arima Kinen.
But today, now, right before her eyes—
What was she witnessing?!
Fujino Makken O was certain that terrifying pressure couldn't have been mere aura. The number ten Uma Musume leading the race had the Zone! She had awakened to the Zone before Narita Brian—before the strongest of their generation!
How could Fujino Makken O not feel absurd? How could she not be stunned?
The strongest Uma Musume she had been pursuing had already been surpassed by another before she could even challenge her.
Gazing at that fleeting streak of light ahead, Fujino Makken O couldn't help but whisper her name.
"Northern… Dreams."
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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