Uma Musume: Rising From the Countryside to Legend!!

Just as the pack was about to exit the third corner, Seiran Nichirin — who had remained silent until now — suddenly narrowed her eyes!

Unlike the others, her beast-like intuition told her — It's now!

She had to start here and now.

If she missed this chance, she would never catch that silver-white storm again!

"Haaahhh—!!"

With a low, restrained roar, the muscles in her thighs swelled, and the explosive power she had stored burst forth like a volcanic eruption!

Ripping through the wind like a bolt of blue lightning, Seiran Nichirin slashed through the chaotic Pace Chaser and Late Surger group from the outside rail, her speed too fast for the naked eye to follow!

Those who had already burned away their final-stretch stamina under the Front Runner's pace…

Those still clinging to old experience, thinking it was too early to make a move…

They all became nothing more than background scenery for her unobstructed charge!

Overtake! Overtake! And overtake again!

Nothing could stop her. Like a small boat pushing upstream against the current, her eyes locked solely on the silver-white figure ahead, growing clearer and clearer.

"Seiran Nichirin is here! She's charging out from the very back of the pack!"

Already the center of attention before the race, her sudden acceleration now nearly made the commentator leap out of his seat.

A Front Runner and a massive late charge — both in the same race!

"13th place… 9th place… 5th place!"

"She's too fast! Seiran Nichirin is unleashing an unmatched late kick at the exit of the third corner, closing straight in on the top three…"

"This is insane — she's still accelerating!"

Those ahead — including Treasure Mountain in second place — felt cold sweat trail down their cheeks as the blue flash thundered toward them.

What is this speed?! And how do you still have so much stamina left at this point?!

It was absurd.

But no one moved to block her in the outer lane.

Their stamina was almost gone — they were surviving on sheer will. To spend more energy intercepting another runner would be suicide for their own victory hopes.

For an Uma Musume, the goal was simple: win for yourself, not stop others.

Thud—!

Heavy, powerful hoofbeats exploded in their ears as the blue-haired figure blasted past them, pulling away.

"Ghhh—!"

The front-group runners squeezed their eyes shut, letting out the wail of the defeated.

At that very moment, Fujimasa March felt the pressure from behind.

Too faint…

She tilted her head slightly, glancing back at the blue flash chasing her.

If that was all the speed Seiran Nichirin had, she'd never pass before the finish.

"I know!"

Staring at the "storm" ahead, Seiran's face twisted with a hint of ferocity, the icy light in her eyes burning even hotter.

If I stay as I am now, I'll never surpass you!

Her mind flashed with overlapping visions —

Her sister's reluctant expression before retirement.

Her trainer's earnest, responsible advice.

The grand, dazzling dream of the Central stage.

Her own relentless daily training.

And all of it… shattered the moment she met that silver-white figure!

Perfect racecraft, flawless technique, unmatched speed and endurance — effortlessly breaking her pride.

A five-length gap — as impossible to cross as a chasm.

Is it going to end here…?

It was like she was running in a world of silent darkness — and ahead, Fujimasa March stood in the only beam of light.

No matter how she pushed forward, she couldn't close the distance.

I can be faster!

I should be faster!

I must…!!!

In her heart, a voiceless roar exploded — the will so strong it lit up the dark world inside her!

And the figure ahead began to move too — silver-white gales wrapping around her, swirling into a storm that could tear the world apart.

"I'll surpass you!!!"

"Hm?"

In the stands, Kuroha's brows suddenly furrowed as his eyes locked on the blue blur chasing Fujimasa March.

She's releasing power… her base potential is opening!

This wasn't a Domain — the highest power of an Uma Musume wasn't something just anyone could touch.

But the posture, the abnormal surge in ability — it reminded him of one nearly identical case.

Sakura Chiyono O.

"Over-True Blooming! She's already done it once before, and now she's doing it again?!"

Kuroha's expression grew serious.

True Blooming came from the blessing of the Three Goddesses.

It lasted only three years — and forcibly triggering it would raise one's ability, but only by drawing from future potential.

Overusing it would shorten the blessing.

By his estimation, Seiran Nichirin had already over-bloomed by at least half a year — maybe more. Her blessing could have no more than one year left.

And now, she was doing it again?

Then how much time would she have left to race? A year? Six months? Or…

Is it worth it?

Kuroha asked this in his heart — and of himself.

In the end, he sighed. Looking back at the track, his gaze carried a complicated mix of emotions.

This was what Uma Musume were — forever chasing victory, shining with the light of dreams.

And that was why the world loved them.

Lowering her head, Seiran Nichirin suddenly changed her exhausted stride. She snapped her head up, exhaling a visible breath.

"Fujimasa!!!"

Her body, which should have been drained, felt newly infused with raw strength — a colossal force surging from her spine into her legs. She stomped down—

Boom—!

Her speed rose again, slicing through the gale, zeroing in on Fujimasa March!

"Seiran Nichirin is even faster! Can she catch Fujimasa March?! The gap's closing — seven lengths! Six lengths! We're in the final straight! The whole last phase belongs to them!"

The commentator's voice trembled with excitement.

On the track, Seiran was a blur, hurtling toward Fujimasa March!

"Three hundred meters!"

Swinging her arms with all her might, she fixed her eyes on the finish line marker ahead — and the ever-closer figure in front.

I can win!

And then — she suddenly felt it.

The figure ahead, wrapped in the storm, had changed.

An invisible aura — the sheer presence and pressure spiked, almost as if she truly stood sky-high, becoming the storm itself!

…!!!

"Seiran Nichirin… you can't see it…"

With a soft sigh, the silver-white tracer in Fujimasa March's eyes — until now held back by her will — finally flared, releasing the light that truly belonged to it!

(End of Chapter)

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