And at that moment, on the training grounds—
Boom—!!!
In an instant, a terrifying wave of bubbles detonated outward from a chestnut-haired, twin-tailed Uma Musume at its center.
Flames erupted from nothing.
Like a crimson canvas suddenly thrown open, an intense mindscape—paired with the dazzling Domain radiance at its peak—expanded violently in all directions and swept across the entire venue!
On the track, Inari One bared her teeth in a feral grin. The cute little tiger fangs she usually hid now only made her look wilder.
Deep in her pupils, a scorching, magma-like blaze churned.
That savage aura even distorted the light around her, faintly forming the phantom silhouette of a massive, fire-wreathed lone beast throwing back its head and howling to the sky!
It was the once-in-a-generation prime that had steamrolled both the local circuit and Central—an "ex-current strongest" at full bloom that had made countless rivals shudder in fear!
"Hahahaha—!!!"
"This is my full power, dammit!!"
Inari One roared with laughter. The turf under her hooves exploded apart, and she became a bolt of red lightning, dragging a long afterimage down the track.
Domain, third step—World!
The door to that ultimate realm was only half-open.
Even so, the overwhelming pressure was still enough to make every Uma Musume watching from the sidelines feel their scalps prickle, cold sweat spilling down their backs.
Not far away—
Obey Your Master and Sakura Chiyono O, who had been stretching and warming up—relishing that long-lost fullness in body and spirit—both stopped at the same time.
"Tch. Inari One… she's doing it again."
With one hand on her hip, Obey Your Master looked at the lunatic streaking around the track and shook her head, helpless.
"Inari just… can't contain how happy she is."
Sakura Chiyono O's eyes were gentle as she smiled.
Even as she said that, though, her cheeks were already flushed, sparkling with joy and anticipation she couldn't hide.
Even if they only got this chance once every half month.
Even if each session only lasted a brief thirty minutes.
For retired Uma Musume like them—whose bodies had inevitably begun to decline—
To feel that primeval strength again.
To run without restraint again, and pour themselves out on the track the way they used to…
It was a gift more precious than any trophy.
…
Off to one side of the training grounds—
McQueen and Teio stood shoulder to shoulder, both staring blankly at that crimson blaze tearing down the far stretch.
Inari One was suffocating—her presence so heavy it felt like it could crush you. That igniting power, like it could rip the air itself apart—
It hit two young geniuses straight in the soul.
"Woooow… it's been half a year since I've seen it—Inari-senpai running at full power!"
Teio's eyes glittered with pure admiration.
"And she's totally going all out! I can feel that aura even from way over here!"
"So yeah—looks like I'm still a long way from 'the strongest,' huh!"
Hearing that, McQueen lifted a hand and gently smoothed the hair by her ear, tousled by the gusting wind, and smiled.
"Of course. Inari-senpai and the others… they truly climbed to the very top once. They stood at the summit of Central."
"For those of us still on the ascent… they're the grandest signposts we have, and the goals we chase."
"Hehe. Yeah."
Teio swayed her head a little, looked up at the sky, and broke into a bright, unclouded grin.
"First I'm gonna beat you, McQueen. Then I'll beat the President. Then I'll beat every other senpai out there—"
"And finally… I'm taking the world!"
"Yep! It's decided!"
McQueen couldn't help but find it funny, but she didn't try to crush Teio's spirit.
She simply let her friend bask in that shining future.
…
Elsewhere, in the rest area—
After setting Mihono Bourbon down and letting her go drink water and rest, Kuroha sensed someone behind him.
He didn't turn around. He just stayed where he was and let the figure approach.
A pair of pale, soft arms wrapped gently around his waist from behind, and a plush, yielding body pressed to his back.
"Hane-kun~"
Maruzensky's voice brushed his ear.
Kuroha tilted his head slightly and chuckled.
"Maruzensky, aren't you going to take advantage and run a few laps? You've only got half an hour."
Maruzensky hummed noncommittally, then set her chin affectionately on his shoulder.
"Not half an hour."
"For me… it's three laps."
"…"
That sudden, straight-down-the-middle line made Kuroha's heart pound hard twice.
"…No teasing your trainer, Maruzensky," he said, exasperated.
"Ara~ Hane-kun, did your heart just skip?" Maruzensky asked, smiling sweetly.
This time Kuroha didn't bother refuting her.
He simply leaned back into her, letting himself be fully swallowed by the generous warmth of the chestnut-haired, voluptuous onee-san.
The two of them watched the lively scene on the training grounds in silence, both wearing the same satisfied smile.
"If Chiaki knew she could get back to her peak like this," Maruzensky murmured, a hint of wistfulness in her voice, "her name would be on Chasing Light's application sheet that very day."
"And not just Chiaki. Even Rudolf… if she found out about this, she probably wouldn't be able to hold herself back."
"Mm-hm."
Kuroha just shrugged.
"We'll talk about it when the time comes."
He wasn't one of the Three Goddesses. He couldn't do whatever he wanted.
So for now, these "perks" were for his own Uma Musume to enjoy. As for everyone else… well, if it happened, it happened.
"Hane-kun, you really are… a walking miracle," Maruzensky sighed.
"A lot of people say that," Kuroha replied with a light laugh.
"But for me, as long as you're happy… it's all worth it."
"…"
Maruzensky's body stiffened slightly.
She tilted her head, looking at her trainer's face—familiar, and yet somehow even more striking than before.
Then, the corner of her lips curved.
"Come on."
Maruzensky suddenly grabbed Kuroha by the wrist and strode toward the trainer lounge with long, decisive steps.
"?"
Kuroha stumbled, completely confused as he got hauled along.
"Where are we going? What are you doing?"
The chestnut-haired onee-san glanced back, lips lifting, and dropped three words like an order.
"Claiming my prize."
"…"
Just like the first time—no hesitation, no mercy. This supercar of a woman didn't give Kuroha even a second to react, slamming the accelerator and dragging her trainer inside.
Bang!
The door shut hard—and clicked as it locked.
Outside, the sun was brilliant.
On the track, the Uma Musume ran, sweating and burning with passion.
And inside the trainer room, Kuroha and Maruzensky also spent their energy in a way that suited them perfectly.
It was destined to be a full—and very happy—day.
(End of Chapter)
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