Uma Musume: Rising From the Countryside to Legend!!

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the second leg of the South Kanto Triple Crown—the Haneda Cup—had arrived.

Once again, Oi Racecourse was packed with people.

This prestigious race, which would later be officially incorporated into the Dirt Classic Triple Crown—intended to rival the Central Turf Classic Triple Crown—was one of the most elite dirt races in the country, both in value and prestige.

At Oi Tracen Academy, inside Kuroha's personal training room...

He was marking a large X on a page with his pen.

Despite Fujimasa March being far beyond the standard of most local-level Uma Musume and unlikely to encounter any true rivals in theory—

Kuroha still dutifully fulfilled his responsibility as a Trainer, collecting and organizing all data on the Haneda Cup's entrants.

In moments like this, he couldn't help but admire the versatility of his unique ability—[Body and Breath Perception].

Since the participants were all from Oi Tracen Academy, he only needed to walk around each training ground once to gather all their physical data.

After meticulously going through everything, he confirmed his earlier assessment:

Among all the entrants, only Seiran Nichirin had undergone overloaded True Blooming.

She was the only one with stats that exceeded the norm—approaching Central-level standards—and thus the only one truly worthy to be Fujimasa March's opponent today.

"But even these 'exceeding stats' are only significant compared to the others here." Kuroha mused, remembering Fujimasa March's numbers.

Her Speed and Stamina were nearing 700, and all her other stats hovered just below 600!

"Even with overloaded True Blooming, Nichirin's numbers are still a bit below March's."

According to his analysis, the average peak local Uma Musume, after three years of standard True Blooming training, could reach around 700-800 in stats. If one overloaded their potential early, they'd be lucky to reach 600.

He didn't have reliable Central samples to compare, but he assumed they'd only surpass locals by around 200 points at most.

And now—Fujimasa March's raw strength already exceeded most over-bloomed local racers!

Unknowingly, Kuroha had become what he once despised—a numbers freak.

"Stats… are the reason one becomes a king."

With a confident grin, he packed up the reports, slung his bag over his shoulder, and turned toward the two Uma Musume who had been waiting beside him.

Fujimasa March and Inari One.

"Let's go win this race."

His voice was calm, his posture relaxed, but a commanding aura rippled from his body—setting the tone for the heavy stakes ahead.

At Oi Racecourse, the wind howled under a sky cloaked in dark clouds.

Once again, it was an overcast day with a slightly heavy track.

Tokyo had been experiencing this weather for months—frequent drizzle, clouded skies. Historically, this stretch of weather had been what cost Inari One nearly an entire year of races.

But today's race—the Haneda Cup, once known as the Oi Cup during its founding—was the crown jewel of Oi Racecourse.

On this day each year, rain or shine, the stands were packed beyond capacity.

"Hey, isn't that Chasing the Light over there?"

"Looks like it—Fujimasa March and Inari One!"

"They're the rising stars of this race!"

"Ugh, gloomy weather again today~"

"Let's go, March! You were amazing last time!"

"Give it your all!"

"Good luck!"

As Kuroha and the girls approached, murmurs quickly spread through the crowd. Fans began cheering for Fujimasa March, their energy infectious.

For the first time, Kuroha got a taste of what it meant to be recognized.

Among the spectators were other Trainers with their own girls, whispering and pointing toward the trio.

"Let's head in."

Politely brushing off reporters, Kuroha led his two Uma Musume into the venue.

Inside the prep room.

Kuroha was doing his usual rundown of strategies, walking Fujimasa March through the race details. The silver-haired girl listened attentively.

She knew this track well by now, but even so, hearing her Trainer fuss over every detail like a worried parent gave her a warm feeling inside.

"This time, your only true opponent is Seiran Nichirin..."

Kuroha looked up. "So, March—how do you want to run this race?"

Unlike when she first joined his team, Fujimasa March was now a force to be reckoned with. It was time to nurture her autonomy as a racer.

Oi Racecourse, overcast skies, slightly heavy dirt, 1800 meters... and a deadly End Closer at the end—Seiran Nichirin.

Fujimasa March closed her eyes. Information flooded her mind. After a moment, she opened them, and a flash of silver light shimmered within her pupils.

Then she turned to him and said with unwavering certainty:

"Trainer, I want to run as a Front Runner. A Big Front."

A Big Front?!

That was her call!

Kuroha gazed at her with warmth, then broke into a contented smile.

"Alright, March—run it your way."

"Use this Big Front to announce your arrival to the world!"

Back outside Oi Racecourse, a red sports car rolled into the parking lot.

Two tall silhouettes stepped out.

"Jeez, why'd you borrow my car if you won't even let me drive it~"

From the passenger seat stepped a sulking brown-haired Uma Musume, her tone full of mock frustration.

Symboli Rudolf, disguised in a mask and sunglasses, wearing casual clothes, stepped out from the driver's seat, an irritated twitch on her brow.

If she let that one drive, she'd be bedridden for three days...

"We changed our itinerary last minute. Oi Racecourse's management wasn't informed in time, so they didn't prepare a formal welcome. Keep a low profile—we don't want the press swarming us."

Neither she nor Maruzensky particularly liked being in the spotlight, but their fame was immense. Their fanbases could fill Oi Racecourse a thousand times over. If they were recognized—it'd be chaos.

"Yeah yeah, I got it."

Maruzensky pulled out her own disguise gear—mask and sunglasses—and put them on.

They exchanged glances... and laughed.

"Let's go see the Trainer you called more capable than someone from Central—the same genius who's training the Emperor."

No one knew—not even Oi's officials—that Symboli Rudolf herself had arrived on-site!

Athlete tunnel.

After saying goodbye to Kuroha and Inari One, Fujimasa March stood at the exit, eyes closed, taking in a deep breath.

Step—

The sound of approaching footsteps.

She calmly opened her eyes.

Standing beside her was none other than Seiran Nichirin.

The blue-haired Uma Musume was even more frigid than she'd been at the Keihin Cup. Her eyes radiated an icy aura that felt palpable.

Gone was the friendly academy demeanor—now, they were rivals.

"You ready?"

Fujimasa March spoke calmly, unshaken by the pressure surrounding her opponent.

Seiran Nichirin paused at the question, glancing sideways.

From her perspective, Fujimasa March's very presence had become overwhelming, like a natural disaster echoing the gloom above them. Her aura flooded the space like a rolling storm.

She couldn't win.

Her instincts screamed it, even after months of brutal training.

"I..."

She wanted to say something—but in the end, she shook her head.

And walked away in silence as her name was called by the announcer.

Behind her, Fujimasa March remained still, silver light dancing in her gaze.

Soon, the commentator's voice rang out across the windswept sky of Oi Racecourse:

"Now, please welcome our next racer!"

"Winning the Keihin Cup by five full lengths, the storm from Kasamatsu—Fan Favorite #1—Fujimasa March!!!"

(End of Chapter)

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