Osaka Racecourse.
"Almost like using her Zone has become second nature." Air Groove's gaze drifted to the coolly seated Narita Brian beside her. "It reminds me a bit of you back in the day."
Ever since the relay race at the school festival, Barbatos had frequently unveiled her Zone during competitions.
This was no secret to the Legendary Uma Musume. Moreover, the characteristics of her Zone were unmistakable.
"True," Narita Brian nodded, arms crossed.
"If it were me at this stage, I wouldn't have awakened my Zone yet."
One could say that before becoming a Legend, Narita Brian was the Uma Musume who used her Zone the most in races, almost treating it as a routine technique.
But when she was just four months into her debut, she hadn't yet unleashed her Zone. Of course, in other aspects, she was probably a cut above Barbatos at that time.
"Zone, huh..." a voice murmured softly. The Legends of Rigil instantly pinpointed the source—El Condor Pasa.
A familiar, confident smile curled beneath her mask. "Zone or not, if you're fast enough, you can still win without one, right?"
She clenched a fist into her palm, eyes burning with fighting spirit.
She practically itched to race Barbatos right then and there.
That earlier performance definitely wasn't Barbatos's full power, and her speed after activating her Zone was seriously impressive. But putting herself in Barbatos's shoes, El Condor Pasa believed she wouldn't lose.
Of course, that was just her belief; the real answer would only come from an actual race.
The only thing that bugged her a bit was that among all the Uma Musume present, she seemed to be the only one who couldn't perceive Barbatos's Zone. But whatever, a Zone would come naturally if it was meant to be.
Just run fast enough, and you can win with or without one.
"Hey, El-chan, I think you've got the wrong idea." A voice interrupted El Condor Pasa's thoughts. A tanned face popped up beside her.
Hishi Amazon laughed heartily, slapping El Condor Pasa's shoulder. "Barbatos's next opponents are us! Your showdown with her has to wait until the Oka Sho next April."
--+--
On the commentary platform.
The race caller was half doing her job, half instinctively venting her excitement.
"Incredible! Truly worthy of Barbatos! A reputation well-earned! Even with Sakura Rambler and Freedom Soldier pressing her every step of the way, she managed to overtake them right at the finish line!"
"This is the top tier of the current generation! This is the prodigy of our era! Mr. Take Yutaka, what are your thoughts?"
Take Yutaka gave an almost imperceptible nod.
"Prodigy of the era, a title well-deserved. But you were wrong on one point. It wasn't that Barbatos was being pressed. This race was entirely within Barbatos's control."
"It was as if all the other runners were just competing for second place."
The caller's mouth fell open slightly.
Was he watching the same race?
Didn't Barbatos barely overtake Sakura Rambler and Freedom Soldier just 100 meters from the finish line, when they were about to cross it?
It looked like a hard-fought victory! Completely different from the effortless dominance she'd shown in G3 and even maiden races.
"Wasn't Barbatos pushed to her limit just now?"
"Limit? Not at all. If you observe Barbatos's condition, you can tell. Rather than Sakura Rambler and Freedom Soldier putting pressure on her, it was more like Barbatos kept them within a range she could catch up to."
"In her past races, she'd choose to surge from last place to overtake everyone in one go. But this time, she seemed more focused on adjusting her position, keeping the leaders within her overtaking range. That's what true composure looks like."
The caller was stunned. Earlier in her commentary, she had described the duel between Sakura Rambler and Freedom Soldier as a fierce battle between dragon and tiger.
Turns out, above the dragon and tiger, there was a "Wind God"!
"So, you're saying Barbatos's final sprint might not have been her full power either?"
"You could say that."
Take Yutaka didn't know Barbatos well—he was retired—but based on his experience and insight, he could easily read her condition during the race. This generation was truly spectacular.
As they spoke, comments flooded the live stream, nearly covering the entire screen.
"Holy crap, she didn't even go all out in a G1 race?!"
"Not human, I tell you! Barbatos... she's simply not human!!"
"I'm on my knees. That speed... I couldn't catch her even on an electric scooter..."
"Only this deserves to be called the prodigy of our era!"
"So strong it's almost alienating!"
"Who would have thought Barbatos has only been racing for four months?"
"Prodigy of the era? Wouldn't 'Legendary Uma Musume' be more fitting? She's literally Japan's most popular Uma Musume right now!"
"Barbatos, fresh off recovering from injury, wreaking havoc in a G1. I ask you, who else can do that?!"
"Winter Dream Cup is coming up soon! You've got this, Baobao!"
Seeing mentions of the Winter Dream Cup, netizens from both China and Japan popped up, expressing their anticipation for the tournament and Barbatos's performance in it.
Until someone boldly started dreaming about the future: "Undefeated in four months since debut. Could she win the Winter Dream Cup this time? Could she actually beat Symboli Rudolf and take the crown?"
The moment that comment appeared, the dense stream of comments seemed to freeze for an instant before a wave of backlash surged.
"Beat the Emperor? Don't make me laugh! The Emperor is absolute among Uma Musume. With just Barbatos?"
"I'm not saying Barbatos can't ever beat the Emperor, but that's years, maybe even over a decade from now! Trying to defeat the Emperor after just four months?"
"I admit BarBar is seriously strong, but beating the Emperor? Absolutely impossible!"
"The fact that Barbatos is even allowed to participate in the Winter Dream Cup just shows the committee's rules aren't tight enough. Becoming a Legendary Uma Musume isn't something you achieve by gaming the popularity system!"
"I dare say, in this Winter Dream Cup, even if Barbatos gives her all, she'll be dead last! Just a one-day tourist at the Dream Cup."
"Prodigy of the era? That's only within the current generation. Remember the relay race? El Condor Pasa couldn't even beat Inari One! If it weren't for Super Creek's mistake, would Seiun Sky and Barbatos have won?"
"How long has Tamamo Cross been retired? And she still pushed Barbatos that hard. Imagine facing Symboli Rudolf or Oguri Cap in their prime?"
"I'm almost worried Barbatos will lose confidence, feel despair after facing Legendary Uma Musume, and never recover."
The sentiment on the live stream was almost unanimously one-sided.
Anyone with even a passing knowledge of Uma Musume knew this was basically the truth.
The idea of Barbatos beating Symboli Rudolf now was pure fantasy. Even Barbatos's most ardent fans understood this.
But Barbatos's fans weren't just limited to Uma Musume enthusiasts.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.