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[Toriko: Hunting With Legends!]
In late October, deep autumn's chill had begun to seep into Tokyo's streets.
With the Kikuka Sho just around the corner, all of Tracen Academy was steeped in a pre–big race tension—restless, on edge, buzzing.
Mejiro Training Grounds, Trainers' Office.
"Beep."
A crisp notification sound broke the quiet.
Kuroha sat at his desk. He lifted his gaze from a training report in his hands and looked to the computer screen lighting up.
Judging by the sender, it was an internal email from upper management within the Central URA Association.
As Central Tracen Academy's ace trainer—second only to Akikawa Yayoi in standing—and with two overseas G1 wins under his belt, Kuroha's influence inside the Association was at its peak.
Lately, to make it easier for him to operate, the Chairwoman had even directly delegated parts of the Association's management authority into his hands.
Kuroha opened the email.
On the screen, a bold header was displayed clearly:
"Regarding the November Japan Cup: Schedule for Overseas Uma Musume Public Training and Tokyo Racecourse Opening Hours."
Even if the detailed work was handled by specialized departments, Kuroha was now a heavyweight figure within Central URA.
Matters like track access times and the Uma Musume training roster still needed to pass under his eyes—and get his approval.
"They're even sending me this, huh…"
He was a little speechless, but he skimmed through it anyway. After confirming there were no obvious conflicts or holes, he added his electronic signature.
"Send."
When the screen displayed "Approved," Kuroha leaned back into his chair and rubbed his slightly aching temples.
"Lately… the admin workload's getting a bit ridiculous…"
As Chasing Light's team expanded and his position within the Association rose, relying on just one intern—Aoi—was clearly becoming untenable.
Aoi was sharp and capable, but she still had classes to juggle and on-site training support to handle. He couldn't treat one person like three.
"Looks like it's time to ask the Chairwoman to bring in a few more interns like Aoi—solid, dependable ones." Kuroha stroked his chin, silently planning. "Preferably the kind who are good with paperwork and schedule coordination… Yeah. I'll ask Tazuna-san later if she has any recommendations."
After handling the paperwork in front of him, Kuroha stood, grabbed his coat, draped it over his shoulders, and pushed open the door of the stuffy trainers' office.
…
Outside, the space opened up all at once.
The vast Mejiro Training Grounds looked especially expansive beneath the autumn sun. The grass wasn't as vividly green as it was in midsummer, but it carried a heavier, more grounded texture.
The air was fresh with the scent of soil and grass, and from far off came the occasional spirited shouts of Uma Musume full of energy.
Standing on the steps, Kuroha took a deep breath, and the gloom from work instantly loosened in his chest.
"Trainer—!!"
Suddenly, a voice bursting with wild vitality came howling in with a gale.
Kuroha looked up.
On the track, a blurry red streak tore past at terrifying speed, the pressure of it even whipping up fallen leaves along the edge.
That was Inari—briefly returned to her peak after Kuroha restored her [Blessing] state.
The former "previous strongest active" was grinning wide, maintaining a blistering sprint while still casually turning her head to wave at Kuroha.
And several dozen meters behind her—
Teio was gritting her teeth, drenched in sweat, chasing desperately.
Even though this gifted girl had already shown domination in her New Year that was fully on par with McQueen's…
Against a past ruler in full bloom—someone who also excelled at explosive bursts—she was being suppressed completely.
All she could do was watch that back grow farther and farther away.
"Still too green, Teio," Kuroha said with a chuckle and a small shake of his head, then shifted his gaze to another lane.
Over there, it wasn't the same kind of one-sided crushing.
"Haa… haa…"
Chiyo, also in her [Blessing] state, was running side by side with McQueen.
A powerhouse who'd once won major G1s like the Japanese Derby and the Yasuda Kinen, she now had a fine sheen of sweat across her forehead.
Her steady breathing rhythm had started to fray—just slightly, but unmistakably.
Unlike Inari, she didn't look relaxed at all. Her expression was serious.
Half a body-length beside her, McQueen ran lightly.
Her long purple hair streamed like silk in the wind. Her expression was calm as still water, her breathing deep and unbroken.
She was supposed to be a Classic Year Uma Musume who hadn't fully matured yet, but the aura coming off her now was faintly overwhelming—even compared to Chiyo, who was currently in peak condition.
Thump. Thump.
Their heavy footfalls boomed like thunder as they crossed the finish line in quick succession.
"Hah… whew…"
Chiyo slowed down and came to a stable stop on the turf. Within a few breaths, she'd already smoothed out her breathing.
McQueen, behind her, had only worked up a light sweat.
"…McQueen."
Chiyo glanced at the purple-haired girl beside her and muttered with a helpless little pout.
"Hm?"
McQueen turned her head, puzzled. "What is it, Chiyo-senpai?"
"Do your classmates ever tell you you're a monster?"
McQueen scratched her cheek. "I think… they have, yeah?"
"Then I guess they're pretty smart," Chiyo said with a soft laugh, then gave her junior a thumbs-up.
"You're strong, McQueen."
"I can't outrun you anymore~"
McQueen's cheeks turned red at the praise, and she spoke a little awkwardly. "I-I'm still nowhere near good enough!"
…
Not far away.
Watching the girls—healthy, lively, and brimming with fighting spirit—Kuroha felt a hard-to-name wave of satisfaction rise in his chest.
This was the scenery he most wanted to see, as a trainer.
He lingered at the sidelines for a while. Only after confirming training was proceeding smoothly did he take out his phone and check the time.
There was still over an hour until Bourbon, Rice, and Suzuka got out of class.
"Nothing wrong with killing time."
Kuroha put his phone away. He didn't go over to interrupt anyone while they were focused.
Hands in his pockets, he turned and walked along the small path skirting the training grounds, heading toward the front gate.
"I'll take a walk, and think through the next steps while I'm at it."
(End of Chapter)
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