Training days at Canopus continued relentlessly, even through the summer heat—that was only natural. However, Uma Musume were more vulnerable to the sweltering temperatures than humans, so their workouts demanded adjustments, with more time devoted to acclimating to the heat. Even the Uma Musume at Rigil took summer health management seriously, often heading off to training camps to optimize their environment... but the Canopus members were right there at the Tresen Academy training grounds. And they looked downright energetic, as if the heat didn't faze them at all.
"This is so refreshingly cool~!!"
"It's truly wonderful— the more you run, the more the breeze flows in."
"Yeah, this is a real lifesaver."
"Woo~!! With this, I can push through even in summer~!!"
"Thank you so much, Rampage-san. I never imagined you'd prepare all this for us."
"No big deal. I know all too well how brutal the heat can be, Minami-chan. This is nothing."
Rampage said this with a laugh, her hat perched on her head. Minami Sakashita expressed her gratitude, and for good reason—it was all thanks to the gear Rampage had prepared. Air-conditioned jerseys, hats with sun visors, frozen drinks, and more... a whole arsenal of heat countermeasures. As a former human, Rampage was tougher against the heat than your average Uma Musume. More than that—for a corporate drone otaku who'd braved the summer Comiket, this level of heat was child's play.
"Alright, let's go over the plan again. First, Ikuno-san, as requested, I've registered you for next month's Phoenix Stakes. Let's make that our goal."
"Of course."
"Rampage-san, you're set for the Niigata Juvenile Stakes."
"Got it."
Both would be racing again next month. Minami had been told by other trainers that aiming for "safety first" while pushing such an insane rotation was madness, but she judged it manageable—and above all, she wanted to respect their wishes.
"Aw, man~... Turbo wants to race too~..."
"Me too, but that's why we've gotta focus and give it our all right now."
"Yeah, I'll do my best too~!!"
"Alright, let's get to it~!!"
'Ei, ei, mu~n!!'
That "ei ei mu~n" cheer had really stuck around. It had a bit of a deflating ring to it, but it suited Canopus perfectly, so maybe that was fine. Just as they were about to start the menu, Minami pointed to a box sitting on the bench.
"Minami-chan, what's this?"
"I thought we'd incorporate a new menu starting today, so I had it shipped in. Go ahead, open it."
"Ooh, a present for me? Minami-chan, did you pick up some pickup artist tricks or something~?"
"Hehe, something like that."
"Whoa, you're owning it pretty casually. Alright then..."
With their usual banter flowing, Rampage decided to open the oddly ornate box. Inside... lay a horseshoe atop a purple cushion. It was a distinctive piece, reinforced with an inverted T-shaped bridge.
"A horseshoe?"
"Looks like it. You had this specially ordered?"
"Yes, that's right."
"So, like, a custom horseshoe just for Ran!?"
Minami smiled bashfully and nodded—yes, you could say that. It was essentially custom-made for Ran, though if the others needed it down the line, she'd procure more based on their progress.
"Go on, pick it up."
"Sure thing—"
It was a thoughtful gift, so Rampage figured she'd accept it graciously. She reached out to grab it... but her fingers slipped. It wasn't that she'd missed; it just wouldn't hold with light pressure. Stunned into a straight face, she gripped it firmly this time and hefted it up.
"H-Hey, what the hell!? This thing's several times heavier than a normal horseshoe!?"
"It's that heavy!? Turbo wants to try holding it!!"
"Be careful—it's seriously heavy."
"Oof— whoa, it's heavy!!?"
"T-Turbo, you okay!?"
Turbo, thinking she was prepared, nearly dropped it flat. Tannhäuser jumped in to steady her, preventing any injury, but yeah—this was one heavy horseshoe. Easily several times the normal weight. Ikuno, watching, seemed to realize what it was; her expression shifted.
"Trainer-san, could this be...?"
"Yes, it looks like you've figured it out, Ikuno-san."
"Huh? What what? I have no clue."
"Same here, no idea."
"—This is Shinzan Iron."
"Sh-Shinzan Iron!!?"
Rampage couldn't help but shout at Ikuno's revelation. The name jogged a faint memory—she knew of it in theory, but to think this was it... she swallowed hard.
"Shinzan Tetsu... what's that? A new Paradox Pokémon?"
"Yeah, kinda like Tetsunowadachi, right?"
"Nah nah nah, more like Tetsunotsutsumi?"
'Oh, that's it!'
"None of those! Shinzan Iron!! The horseshoe worn by Shinzan, the five-crown winner!!"
'Shinzan... Memorial?'
"Close but totally wrong!!"
Rampage fired off retorts at the three with question marks floating over their heads, but it was understandable. At Tresen Academy, you had CB and Rudolf, both Triple Crown achievers, still enrolled and clashing in the Dream Trophy races—so attention naturally gravitated there.
"Sheesh... But Minami-chan, is this really Shinzan Iron?"
"Yes. Custom-ordered."
"Whoa~... He actually wore something like this..."
The five-crown horse, the divine steed, Shinzan. The second Triple Crown winner since St. Lite, his racing record, progeny achievements, and longevity left an enduring, profound impact on Japanese horse racing. Until Symboli Rudolf emerged, the ultimate mandate in the racing world was to surpass Shinzan. That's how powerful he was—he seared himself into the eyes and minds of horsemen everywhere.
And speaking of Shinzan's famous anecdote: his incredible leg strength caused such forceful strides that his hind legs bled. To counter that, a special horseshoe was developed—the so-called Shinzan Iron. Its weight was said to produce an earth-shaking clatter, and it's believed to have forged Shinzan's legs and core into steel.
"The actual Shinzan Iron had issues with durability due to forced modifications, but this version clears those hurdles."
"Ah, the march of technology. So, Minami-chan, why'd you get this for me?"
"Yes— from now on, Rampage-san, you'll be incorporating this into your training menu."
"Wha—?"
She'd suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed was a shock. Train with a horseshoe that was easily twice as heavy? Was that really the plan...?
"In the upcoming Twinkle Series, Rampage-san, you'll definitely be the one getting marked. That means the fundamentals—raw strength—become crucial. Opponents will adapt to pace changes over time, so we need to boost your base abilities. That's why I special-ordered this Shinzan Iron."
"So, basically, using this to strengthen Rampage-san's legs!!"
"Exactly, Tannhäuser-san."
In essence, it was like the endurance and leg power training McQueen did in the anime. Honestly, Rampage wasn't thrilled... but to claim the Triple Tiara, this level of grind was non-negotiable. No choice but to do it—while she hesitated, Ryan was out there busting her tail to fulfill their promise. She couldn't fall behind.
"Alright, I'm in, Minami-chan. But in return, make sure the menu's solid!"
"Yes, leave it to me."
She immediately had the Shinzan Iron fitted to her shoes and tried them on...
"It's not impossible to run, but damn, this is heavy!?"
"Whoa!! It's clanging like crazy!! Like a robot!!"
"Hey, how heavy is it really?"
"Four times a normal horseshoe."
"Four times!?"
"Training with that weight... I'd like to try it too."
"I'll order one for you when the time's right, Ikuno-san."
"Guaaaah!!? It's so heaaavy!!!"
"Why, why!!?"
The panicked voice echoed through the air, the leading Uma Musume's distress plain as day. Your running isn't bad—in fact, it's quite good, but—
"Compared to Ran— it's nothing!!"
'Mejiro Mejiro Mejiro!!! Mejiro Ryan surges forward!! From fourth place, she climbs rapidly and now catches the lead— no!? She blasts right past in an instant!! No time to even comment!! Mejiro Ryan takes the front, pulling away further!!'
"It's impossible now!!!"
'Incredible closing speed— and she's still extending!? From five lengths to six, straight to the goal!!! Mejiro Ryan wins with overwhelming power!!'
"You're winning more and more, Ran!!"
Eh, is it weird to have Scarlet Violet in this era?
Well, if you say that, it's just as weird for smartphones to exist while Spe and the others are active in the anime, so it's fine!!
It's fine, I don't mind.