Kyoto Racecourse.
As the competing Uma Musume stepped into the starting gates one by one, their expressions serious, Akasaka Misato and the commentary professor at the announcers' booth began stirring up the atmosphere for this year's Tenno Sho.
"For this edition of the Tenno Sho, a clash between the Mejiro family and a prodigy of this era… honestly, I'm leaning towards Barbatos. Barring an encounter with a legendary Uma Musume, I really can't imagine how she could lose."
Akasaka Misato smiled as she glanced beside her. "What's your take, Professor?"
"Indeed, Barbatos's strength is plain for everyone here to see. Especially in the Oka Sho, the gap between a contemporary prodigy and an ordinary Uma Musume was made abundantly clear."
"Setting aside the exceptional Winter Dream Cup, Barbatos still maintains an undefeated record. She might just become another unbeaten Uma Musume."
Here, the commentary professor's tone shifted.
"However, this time, even Barbatos might not be smooth sailing."
"That's because the 3200-meter distance far exceeds the length of any race she's run before. Even for her, this is an unprecedented challenge."
"As for Mejiro Bright of the Mejiro family, among the current generation, she is unquestionably one of the strongest long-distance Uma Musume."
"Subjectively speaking, having been a commentator for many years, I too hope Barbatos can win this race, create a miracle, and become yet another undefeated Uma Musume."
"But objectively, under the major premise of distance suitability, it's not just Mejiro Bright—none of the other participating Uma Musume are weak opponents. Most of them could pose a threat to Barbatos as well."
There seemed to be a chasm between the prodigies of the era and ordinary Uma Musume.
That was the most direct impression the Oka Sho left on everyone. Even the three-way showdown seen in the Satsuki Sho made all viewers feel there was still a gap between them and the true prodigies.
But this gap only manifests within their own areas of expertise.
Just like Silent Suzuka's front-running Great Escape style—if she were to enter a long-distance race, no one would expect her to maintain that breakneck lead all the way to the finish.
Human strength has its limits, and so do Uma Musume.
"Since the Professor favors Mejiro Bright, then I'll stick with supporting Barbatos," Akasaka Misato said with a smile, taking over the conversation.
As official commentators, they had briefly discussed their opening remarks beforehand. Each backing a different contender helped drive the discussion better.
"And now, the race is about to begin. Let's turn our focus to the track."
"They're off!"
As Akasaka Misato's voice fell, the starting gates flew open.
Thirteen Uma Musume streamed out from the gates, beginning to secure positions that suited their styles.
Barbatos chose not to activate her [Zone] or go all out from the start. Instead, she settled at the very back, observing the full picture of the race.
From the rear, she could clearly see the movements of all the runners ahead.
And she could keep an eye on the favorite, Mejiro Bright.
A figure in a pale green dress, her black and white shoes leaving prints on the turf. She didn't rush to set the pace because of Barbatos's presence.
But aside from Mejiro Bright, from her position at the back, Barbatos could clearly see that out of the thirteen Uma Musume, a full seven had chosen a front-running strategy.
This was pressure brought by Barbatos herself. None of them wanted to battle Barbatos in a final straight sprint, so they aimed to build an early lead.
They jostled among themselves for the leading position.
The rest of the pack behind were also affected by this fast pace, quickening their steps to keep up.
Few Uma Musume could lead a long-distance race from the front and win. Most would lose steam in the latter stages, unable to maintain the pace, left hoping the gap they'd built earlier would carry them through even as they faded.
Facing such a pace, Barbatos also increased her stride, running all-out just to maintain her position as a chaser.
The full speed of G1-level Uma Musume required Barbatos to run at her maximum just to keep up. Yet, even so, the toll on her stamina was negligible.
Unlike her previous two races—whether against El Condor Pasa in the Oka Sho or the legendary Uma Musume in the Winter Dream Cup—where even at full tilt she'd still be dropped, situations where she needed her [Zone] just to stay in the game!
By comparison, this Spring Tenno Sho seemed remarkably easy.
This contrast came from the difference in opponents. This was the confidence born from her grueling weighted training, which had forged exceptional stamina.
However, Mejiro Bright had also chosen to hang back at the rear, not yet committing to a full effort.
The reason Mejiro Bright was considered the favorite was naturally because she possessed abilities surpassing those of an ordinary G1 Uma Musume.
If she went all out, she undoubtedly could lead ahead of the other G1 competitors.
Yet she still chose the chasing style.
Barbatos took all of this in. The chasing style was Mejiro Bright's forte. Under normal circumstances, such a strategy would be perfectly fine.
But was Mejiro Bright confident that Barbatos would fade in the latter half, unable to handle the 3200-meter distance if she accelerated early?
Or was there some connection between this tactic and that so-called "tortoise and hare" fable?
She didn't quite understand, but she didn't change her own plan.
She continued to mark Mejiro Bright, matching her pace, while also keeping track of the positions of the other runners ahead, ensuring they remained within range should she decide to activate her [Zone] and overtake them at any moment.
Mejiro Bright, where will you choose to make your move?
"The first lap on the home straight! The roar from Kyoto's grandstand shakes the heavens!"
"Kyoto's grandstand feels like it might collapse!"
"Countless voices are cheering Barbatos's name. It seems many spectators came specifically for her."
"That's right. But with the pace being forced so fast by the front-runners, will Barbatos, in her first long-distance attempt, have enough stamina left for a final sprint down the Tenno Sho's long home straight?"
"Professor, it seems rare for the Spring Tenno Sho to have so many front-runners. What do you think is the reason?"
"Because there's a terrifying beast chasing them from behind! Even if the beast is here for the first time, her threat is still lethal!"
"The leaders have entered the second lap! The turf here is already churned up from their earlier passage!"
"It seems the toll on stamina is about to increase even further!"
"Barbatos and Mejiro Bright remain at the very back, showing no sign of pushing yet. The leading group is about to enter the slope at the third corner of the second lap."
The commentary booth continuously narrated the state of the race.
On the track, Mejiro Bright maintained her own rhythm, heeding her grandmother's words, her focus fixed solely on the finish line.
She planned to unleash her speed on the final, long home straight.
The home straight of the Spring Tenno Sho was lengthy. If she chose to push at the third corner, her stamina might not hold out for the sprint down the entire straight.
"The leading group has entered the third corner! They're on the slope now!"
"Their pace has dropped noticeably! Has the front-running tactic pushed their stamina to the limit?"
"Someone's closing from behind!"
"It's Barbatos! Barbatos is the first to make her move, charging forward at the third corner!"
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T/N: I have a Patreon! 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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.