The Return of the King, Barbatos!
One topic after another began rapidly climbing the rankings, dominating the top spots on Weibo's trending list after the winner's ceremony of the Oka Sho.
The showdown between the two powerhouses, Barbatos and El Condor Pasa, ended with Barbatos—despite a four-month hiatus and being underestimated—securing victory.
Whoosh… And at this very moment.
Outside the infirmary at Hanshin Racecourse.
The members of Rigil waited quietly, awaiting the diagnosis for El Condor Pasa inside.
Even though El Condor Pasa hadn't said much after the race.
But during the winner's ceremony, those movements while dancing… for a legendary Uma Musume, for trainer Toujou Hana, such things couldn't be hidden.
Activating a [Zone] always places a significant burden on the body.
Some Uma Musume even burn through their lifespan, pushing themselves to open a [Zone] once with all their might, only to lose their talent afterwards, never winning another G1 race again.
Of course, such a thing was unlikely for El Condor Pasa.
But a leg injury—that could mean missing the second leg of the Triple Tiara, the Japanese Oaks. She might even miss the Shuka Sho.
That's why even Symboli Rudolf, busy as she was with student council affairs, waited for the doctor's diagnosis.
Right then.
The infirmary door swung open, and Toujou Hana and El Condor Pasa stepped out.
Toujou Hana's face clearly showed relief; it seemed El Condor Pasa's leg injury wasn't too serious.
This made Grass Wonder and the other Rigil members let out a collective sigh of relief.
At least this time, the injury probably wasn't severe.
Even if she might miss the Japanese Oaks, it was far better than it affecting her future running.
"How are you, El-chan?"
Grass Wonder asked anxiously, her usual smile absent.
No one understood the trouble of a leg injury better than her. It was because of a leg injury that she hadn't been able to compete alongside Special Week, King Halo, Seiun Sky, B-chan, and El Condor Pasa.
Unable to train or run with her teammates, only able to watch from the sidelines.
"I'm fine!"
El Condor Pasa flashed a confident smile back at Grass Wonder.
"Just a minor muscle injury. The doctor said it'll take about a month to heal."
"With rehab time included, I might not make the Japanese Oaks, but I'll be back on the track soon enough."
Her face still wore that confident smile, no trace of despondency over the injury.
If Barbatos could come back after four months of recuperation and burst forth with such skill, then she had nothing to worry about either.
Once healed, she'd seek her revenge against Barbatos.
Though, there had been a little episode in the infirmary.
Before going with Toujou Hana, even she had been somewhat worried—afraid it might be a serious injury that could drastically affect her future schedule.
Because when she activated her [Zone], during that final struggle with Barbatos, she'd felt an intense discomfort in her body.
That was the burden most Uma Musume bore after opening a [Zone]. It was why Grass Wonder had her leg injury too. But after crossing the finish line, that discomfort had strangely faded, not affecting normal activity.
As for the reason, El Condor Pasa didn't dwell on it. Maybe it was just her body's reaction to experiencing a leg injury for the first time.
This injury meant she'd miss facing Barbatos in the Japanese Oaks, but overall, she'd be back on the track soon enough.
Failure brought frustration. The drive to win was in every Uma Musume's nature.
But if Barbatos could grow stronger after defeat, then she, El Condor Pasa, certainly could too.
Hmm…
"Ha, don't worry about it, El-chan. Next time you'll definitely beat that B-chan."
Rigil Amazon threw an arm around El Condor Pasa to comfort her, grinning widely.
"Who would've thought B-chan would come back from injury so strong all of a sudden? She's like a monster."
"But that's what makes beating an opponent like her on the track so satisfying, right?"
"Big Sis thinks B-chan is that strong too?"
A flicker of doubt crossed El Condor Pasa's brow. Her goal was the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, aiming for the world stage. But honestly, after facing Maruzensky and Barbatos, she wasn't so sure if she currently had world-class ability.
She had the confidence to win, but after two defeats, that certainty wavered.
"Of course."
"Well, how to put it…"
Amazon struggled to find the words to describe just how strong Barbatos was.
Maruzensky took over, pondering, "If in future races, both you and B-chan can perform at the level you showed in the Oka Sho, then going abroad for international races… you'd probably be hailed by local journalists as the Queens of Japan."
She didn't single out Barbatos, but included El Condor Pasa in her statement.
Even though Barbatos won the Oka Sho, their skill levels were on the same plane. A few more races, and who knew who would come out on top.
Of course, Barbatos winning the Oka Sho was statement enough.
With El Condor Pasa injured and unable to participate in the Japanese Oaks, Barbatos was the absolute favorite for that race.
They'd likely have to wait until the final leg of the Triple Tiara—the Shuka Sho—for a decisive rematch.
To see if Barbatos would complete the triple crown, or if El Condor Pasa would have her revenge.
"The Queens of Japan… huh?"
El Condor Pasa pursed her lips, her gaze lowering.
Hearing Maruzensky's assessment, something suddenly clicked for her.
Before the Oka Sho, her goal was to defeat Barbatos, then go overseas, win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France, and become the world's number one Uma Musume.
In her subconscious, she had to defeat Barbatos, defeat all the Japanese Uma Musume, before she could venture overseas, before she could challenge the Arc.
Because as a top student, she knew how many Japanese Uma Musume had failed at the Arc. It was the greatest goal in Japanese horse racing.
Even with her confidence, she felt she needed thorough preparation, to be sure she was the strongest of her generation in Japan before embarking.
Maybe… that's where B-chan and I differ.
The thought came unbidden.
Back then, Barbatos had dared to face legendary Uma Musume in the Winter Dream Cup after just four months since her debut.
Yet she wanted to wait until she became the strongest in Japan before attempting the Arc.
It seems she'd lost in terms of conviction.
Thinking this, a confident smile spread under El Condor Pasa's mask. "Hana, I want to cancel my upcoming race schedule."
Toujou Hana frowned upon hearing this, wondering if there was some other discomfort the doctor missed, or if the Oka Sho defeat had hit her harder than thought.
But before she could ask, El Condor Pasa spoke first.
"Once my leg is healed, I want to go to France. I want to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe!"
--+--
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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.