Fujimasa March clenched her teeth. She could feel the power within her reaching its absolute peak.
Every part of her body was thundering. It was as if a storm was surging through her blood, propelling both her soul and her limbs. Every stride she took slammed into the ground like a bolt of lightning, as if she might tear the very earth apart.
The wind howled violently. She was like a child of the storm, stirring up gusts as she dashed across the racetrack. She became the wind—transcending the limits of her body and flying forward with boundless speed!
"..."
Inari One inhaled deeply as she felt the tempest beside her—Fujimasa March's raging momentum.
And in her eyes, that flicker of yearning grew ever stronger.
She was happy.
A friend running beside her.
A Trainer who truly cared for her.
A family that had always supported and encouraged her.
She wanted to win.
She had to win.
Saving stamina? Forget it.
Running techniques? Who cares?
Race strategy? Throw it out.
All she needed to do was run. Run and don't stop. Run until everyone else was left behind!
No one would be ahead of her. She would become the most incredible Uma Musume of all!
In her mind, her heart's lake rippled—bringing forth visions of familiar faces, eyes filled with hope and trust.
She was going to show them...
The pride of the Oi Uma Musume!
CRACK—!
BOOM!
It was like the shattering of glass. Inari One's heart exploded with sound, and that elusive power she'd sensed before suddenly became tangible—real!
She leaned forward slightly, like a beast ready to pounce—and then exploded with terrifying speed. She could feel flames bursting from her soul, wrapping her entire body in an invisible force!
From Kuroha and Fujimasa March's viewpoint, Inari One was no longer just a girl—she had become a beast. Her expression was wild and fierce, and a blazing fire erupted from her body like it was trying to consume the heavens!
[Domain Step Two: Passion State!]
Her very own domain.
Domain—Bonfire Fox's Cry!!!
It was as if she had merged with the racetrack itself. Every step shook the ground with the roar of thunder.
Their silhouettes crossed paths on the track. The speed was so intense that Kuroha could barely follow with his eyes.
The flames surging out from Inari One shattered Fujimasa March's storm. In an instant, she overtook her, and her powerful, aggressive legs kept widening the distance—
Two lengths!
Four lengths!
Six lengths!!
Slowly, Fujimasa March came to a halt. Hands on hips, she watched the rampaging Inari One continue to race down the track—and smiled softly.
Kuroha closed his notebook and chuckled as he looked at Inari One's back.
In the Heisei Era, the so-called "Eternal Big Three" of Uma Musume—yes, even adding Tamamo Cross into the mix—would no longer be a match for Inari One.
"Inari," he whispered, "you've become the most incredible Uma Musume out there."
...
Before long, the once fierce and dominating Inari One had collapsed on the ground like a dead fox.
She looked completely burnt out—one step away from dissolving into a pile of glowing embers.
"Hmm... I guess training her Passion State to be more controlled needs to go on the schedule soon too..."
Kuroha jotted down the conclusion in his notebook as he observed Inari One.
"But man, that second step of the domain... it's way too over the top."
He thought back to the moment when Inari One fully awakened—
It was like watching some Uchiha launching a Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame. The flames had almost engulfed a ten-meter radius around her!
Fujimasa March hadn't been injured—but even she had been forced to slow down by the sheer intensity of Inari One's pressure.
Just as the intel said: the second step of a domain allowed one's internal mental landscape to infect the domain's power, transforming it into a tangible, expanding force.
Compared to the "True Self State," this version was even more overwhelming.
Honestly, it even felt a bit like... Conqueror's Haki.
"Trainer! I'm exhausted!"
Inari One's voice came from the ground, her hand waving weakly in the air.
"Alright, alright, I got it," Kuroha laughed as he squatted down beside her and gave her soft, pale cheek a gentle pinch.
"Come to my Trainer's room with Fujimasa March tonight. I'll give you a nice massage."
With her dead-fish eyes, Inari One didn't resist Kuroha's somewhat intimate action. Instead, her mind flashed back to the meditations and emotional support he'd given her.
She tilted her head slightly and murmured, "Saying we're family and all... You're such a cheater..."
"Huh? What was that?"
"N-nothing at all!"
...
That night, in Kuroha's Trainer's Room.
Today's training had only lasted less than an hour, but it had been a brutal test of both mind and spirit for Fujimasa March and Inari One.
Their bodies might still have some stamina left—but mentally, they were completely drained.
So Kuroha had given them the day off.
With one condition: they had to come to his room for a massage session that night.
And thus, he heard—besides Fujimasa March—the restrained and suppressed breathing of yet another Uma Musume.
"Didn't expect you to make sounds like that, little Inari." Kuroha said curiously.
"Sh-shut up—ahh!!"
With a deep stroke to her thigh, Kuroha had activated the same technique that had once left Fujimasa March stuffing her head into a pillow—and now, Inari One flawlessly inherited the same strategy.
Today… was a fruitful day.
(End of Chapter)
Morning dawned bright and clear, the sun shining in a cloudless sky.
A horse girl pulled open the curtains and cracked the window, leaning out to take a deep breath.
A subtle curve lifted her otherwise calm face — her aura suddenly changed.
"All right, Amen, your grand comeback begins now!"
She wore a tight black shirt, her ample curves pushing the fabric into an exaggerated arc. The ends of her golden hair, dyed with a tint of blue, cascaded along the sensuous curves of her youthful figure.
With a radiant and cheerful smile — one completely different from the awkward disguise she wore a month ago — she now fully embodied the image of a dazzling gyaru.
"Mm, Kuroha should be finishing class soon. Time to go find her..."
Obey Your Master lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the not-so-harsh sunlight, mumbling to herself.
Shoes on, door opened, and down the stairs she went.
She bought a meat bun from a nearby shop, biting into it casually as she walked through the lively streets, quietly taking in the buzz around her.
A comforting warmth settled in her heart.
"This country really is... nice."
Head slightly bowed, stars seemed to twinkle in her eyes. She smiled and waved at a few neighbors she'd gotten to know recently.
"The air, the grass, the people I've met… they're all the kind I like..."
She pulled out her phone and glanced at a message:
Obey Your Master — vacation's over. Your ticket's been booked. Flight departs at 8 AM tomorrow. Don't miss it!
"..."
Her expression dimmed instantly. The pair of horse ears atop her head drooped.
She let out a quiet sigh, tucked the phone away, and the breeze lifted her unruly golden locks, carrying with it a trace of her reluctant spirit.
"I really... don't want to leave..."
She wandered the streets, stopping now and then, retracing all the places and things she'd found fresh and exciting during her stay.
Before she realized it, she'd instinctively walked to the park she always visited.
"Am I late today?"
Usually, she arrived an hour earlier, sprawled on the grass, and waited for Kuroha to come.
But all that street wandering had eaten up more time than she thought.
Drip...
It had rained lightly last night. Puddles still dotted the ground, and water droplets occasionally dripped from the trees above.
She carefully stepped over the puddles and headed toward that familiar patch of grass.
When she reached it, she took a deep breath and pushed aside the branches.
A young figure came into view — bathed in the gentle glow of morning sunlight, which made his already handsome features even more striking.
Perhaps hearing the rustle, the young man turned his head — surprise flickering in his gaze.
"Amen? You're late today. Slept in?"
Obey Your Master blinked, her fair, delicate cheeks suddenly warm.
She quickly shook her head and slapped her face, slipping back into her usual tone.
"No way! I just wanted to check if you'd been secretly eating dirt without telling me."
"...I'm not you."
...
At the morning training field, the air was thick with the scent of damp soil and sweat.
Kuroha watched as the two horse girls in front of him still panted lightly — but the light in their eyes shone brighter than ever.
"That's it for this morning. You two adjusted really well. Head to class now," he said gently, with clear satisfaction in his voice.
Yesterday's paired training had fully drawn Fujimasa March and Inari One into their Domain.
And from today's light warm-up, they'd proven they could now maintain that Domain even outside of intense race states.
There was nothing more gratifying for a trainer than this.
After Fujimasa March and Inari One left for class, Kuroha, as usual, strolled to a familiar park in Tokyo.
Lately, he had been visiting this park frequently, mainly because Obey Your Master always waited for him there in the morning.
Even though she wasn't officially part of his team, pointing out some training tips while out on a morning stroll didn't feel like a big deal to him.
Besides... that voluptuous foreign Uma Musume had developed a habit of giving him "benefits" by throwing herself at him.
Yeah, hard to say no to that.
Arriving at the familiar grassy knoll, Kuroha parted the foliage.
"Huh? Not here?"
Strangely, the girl who showed up rain or shine to eat dirt here wasn't around today.
Scratching his head, Kuroha thought for a moment, then simply walked in.
Even if Obey Your Master wasn't here, the park was still a great place to relax.
Fresh air, lush greenery — very peaceful.
He lingered a while, then stretched and prepared to leave — when a rustle in the trees caught his attention.
Turning toward the sound, he saw the golden-haired horse girl standing there, seemingly dazed.
"Amen? You're late today. Slept in?" Kuroha asked, a little confused.
Obey Your Master pursed her lips, then slapped her face again before flashing her usual smirk.
"No way! Just wanted to make sure you weren't secretly eating dirt behind my back."
"..."
"I don't eat dirt," Kuroha replied, deadpan.
"I don't either!"
She walked over, crouching in front of Kuroha and pinched at the grass beneath her feet.
"What's up? You're not yelling about training today."
Kuroha tilted his head.
"I'm heading back..."
His smile froze for a moment.
"So soon?"
"It's already been over a month. How's that fast?"
She spoke softly, gaze falling back to the grass in her hands.
"But..."
She paused, then lifted her eyes. A flicker of mischief and challenge glinted in her gaze.
"I'll be back. This year's... Japan Cup."
Hearing her words, Kuroha crouched beside her and grinned. "That confident?"
The Japan Cup — a global gathering of elite Uma Musume.
And even without his help, Kuroha knew that Obey Your Master's most brilliant moment was destined to be this year's Japan Cup.
Facing off against the best from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania — and triumphing over both Tamamo Cross, Japan's reigning strongest, and Tony Bianca, the Arc de Triomphe champion!
It may have been just a fleeting moment, but at that time, Obey Your Master was undoubtedly world-class — a legend worthy of being remembered.
Obey Your Master fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly:
"If I win..."
Her voice rang out clearly and firmly — each word striking straight into Kuroha's heart.
She raised her head and leaned forward slightly, her tone growing more serious:
"I want to stay in Japan. Would you... take me into your team?"
This wasn't a simple request.
It was a challenge — a heartfelt proposition from one of the world's top Uma Musume, offering victory as her ticket in.
It was a recognition of Kuroha's ability — and a sign of deeper emotional connection and hope.
He could feel that hidden passion in her eyes, like the calm depths of the sea.
Without a trace of hesitation, Kuroha replied earnestly:
"If that's what you want — I'd be more than happy to."
Her eyes lit up for a moment, the starlight within them fading into the deep blue sea of her irises.
"I will win. No matter who the opponent is!"
Her voice was full of resolve — this was her true self speaking.
"So... training?" Kuroha teased, poking at her serious little face.
"Mm..."
Her cheek squished into a little dent. The once-serious Obey Your Master gave him a deadpan look.
"Of course I'm training! There's only one day left. I'm not wasting it!"
She leapt up, giggling brightly as she flung herself into Kuroha's arms — her luscious curves pressing tightly against him.
"Let's go, Trainer!"
(End of Chapter)
The matter with Obey Your Master had temporarily come to an end.
Kuroha was now gradually shifting the focus of training toward Inari One.
Fujimasa March had already learned all the skills Kuroha previously exchanged. The only thing left was refining her proficiency.
With her discipline and understanding, there was no longer a need for Kuroha to keep a constant eye on her.
So, for now, what Fujimasa March needed was to continue mastering her skills and working on her still relatively weak stats through specialized training.
Inari One, however, was a different story. She had a bit of a temper, and a tendency to slack off. If Kuroha wasn't there to supervise, her training would be absolutely disastrous.
Moreover, Kuroha still had to teach her several skills suited to her.
Previously, because she wasn't officially his racehorse girl yet, he only taught her the skill [Bad Track Conditions] as part of their arrangement.
But now it was different. General skills like [Focus] or [Professor of Curvature] could be incorporated into the training plan.
...
Out on the track, Inari One was steadily running forward under Kuroha's watchful eyes.
"Huff… Huff..."
An invisible heat radiated from her lips. A wave of searing fury was about to be unleashed but was forcefully restrained.
Inari One was strictly following Kuroha's instructions from before the run:
"Suppress your rage—calm your heart!"
Having completely entered her "True Self State," Inari One's mind was sharp and clear. As she approached the corner, her stride subtly shifted.
With a form completely different from her usual, she ran across the muddy track—gone was the struggle and clumsiness from before.
[Inari One]
[Track Aptitude: Turf A / Dirt A]
[Distance Aptitude: Short F / Mile B / Medium A / Long A]
[Running Style Aptitude: Front Runner G / Pace Chaser B / Late Surger B / End Closer A]
[Unique Skill: Charge! Charge! Lv3]
[Domain: Bonfire Fox's Cry!]
[Skills: Bad Track Conditions, End Closer – Straight, Tail Flick, Sandstorm Adaptation, Winter Girl, Tail's Leap Over the Dragon Gate, Final Spurt – Straight...]
[Speed: 874 / Stamina: 883 / Power: 941 / Gut: 743 / Wit: 547]
Watching Inari One's blazing figure on the training field, Kuroha smiled.
"At this rate, her speed and stamina should both reach around 900 before the Tenno Sho."
"Skill learning is also on the right track. While she hasn't fully mastered them yet, technique is no longer her weak point."
"And with her second-step Domain as a hidden card… I don't see how we could lose!"
The second-step Domain—excluding those top foreign Uma Musume—was currently only mastered by three students at Central Tracen Academy:
The "Emperor" Symboli Rudolf.
The "Supercar" Maruzensky.
The "Heaven-Soaring Horse" Mejiro McQueen.
Now, with Tamamo Cross yet to fully awaken, Inari One was the strongest active Uma Musume.
At her current level, local races weren't quite baby cups—but they were at least shallow ponds.
Beep!
The 1000-meter run was completed, and Kuroha pressed the stopwatch right on time.
"60.61 seconds!"
Kuroha glanced at the number and nodded with satisfaction.
Definitely top-tier G1-level performance—especially since it was achieved on a slightly heavy track. Outstanding was an understatement.
Looking at Inari One's result, Kuroha couldn't help but compare it to those legendary Uma Musume from history.
"If I remember correctly, at her peak, Amen could run 58.9 seconds on a fast track?"
Though that wasn't even her going all out...
These top Uma Musume really had speeds that were downright absurd.
"Alright, Inari! Keep going! 100-meter shuttle runs!"
Kuroha's eyes narrowed as he saw Inari One approaching, pretending to be exhausted.
Inari One instantly made a face like she'd just lost the will to live.
"This girl really thought she could rest after breaking a little sweat... seriously..."
Kuroha sighed. Having a mischievous girl in the team was definitely a pain.
But then he suddenly remembered—he had already reserved the job of being Tokai Teio's trainer.
Just thinking about that even more mischievous little rascal, Kuroha suddenly felt his trainer life might not be as glamorous as he once imagined.
Suddenly, a system message appeared before his eyes:
[Uma Musume Data Updated]
[Fujimasa March]
[Unique Skill: Ode of the Wind Lv2] → [Unique Skill: Ode of the Wind Lv3]
…???
"What just happened?"
Kuroha blinked in surprise, seeing Fujimasa March's data on his interface suddenly update.
He turned around.
Not far off, that ash-gray-haired Uma Musume was still drenched in sweat—except now, the mysterious wind swirling around her seemed even stronger.
Boom!
The girl started another sprint, posture powerful and elegant.
"Whoooosh—!"
The airflow stirred up dust, and howling winds seemed to clear the path before Fujimasa March.
The perfect running form and breathing techniques that Kuroha had drilled into her were now fully integrated, her clean-cut expression practically glowing.
"March's personal technique has improved again?"
Kuroha's eyes lit up as he identified the cause.
His system allowed him to exchange for general-use skills—that's because they could be taught through instruction.
But unique skills were different. They were personalized, comprehensive techniques intrinsic to each Uma Musume.
They bore deep personal characteristics.
Which made them nearly impossible to teach.
Fujimasa March had likely accumulated enough refinement and, after awakening her "True Self State" yesterday—a state of complete mental and physical focus—released that build-up today, evolving her personal skill!
Watching his two girls steadily improve, a warm feeling welled up inside Kuroha's heart.
...
With training progressing steadily, the day of the race soon arrived.
April 13th. Today's forecast: light rain. Track condition: muddy.
It was also the same date that, in the original timeline, Inari One had suffered her second career loss: an OP-level race—Tenno Sho 2000m dirt event!
Inside Oi Tracen Academy, the Uma Musume were still hard at work training.
Meanwhile, Kuroha and his girls had once again returned to Oi Racecourse!
The racecourse was packed with people. The light rain didn't dampen the crowd's enthusiasm in the slightest.
The passionate music that belonged only to Oi Racecourse blared across the field, igniting the crowd's energy!
This time, Kuroha didn't have much of a strategy breakdown or tactical briefing.
After going over a few key race tips with Inari One, he sent her off to the athlete's tunnel.
At the entrance to the tunnel, Inari One walked forward, wearing her tracksuit and stretching her muscles along the way.
Kuroha and Fujimasa March stood behind her.
"Inari—go win this."
Inari One turned her head slightly, a cocky, wild grin spreading across her face.
"Don't worry, Trainer. No matter who it is—I'll crush them all—without leaving a single one standing!!!"
...
On the racetrack, the announcer's passionate voice rang across the entire Oi Racecourse:
"Next up, the Uma Musume stepping onto the field—"
"Eight wins from eight starts, undefeated, our crowd-favorite Number One—"
"The Daughter of Edo—Inari One!!!"
(End of Chapter)
Oi Racecourse
A curtain of rain draped low, casting the entire venue in a misty, damp haze.
The muddy track shimmered with a dim luster under the lights, and every splash of mud carried a heavy, wet tension.
Yet this did nothing to dampen the crowd's enthusiasm.
On the contrary—it only added a primal, wild atmosphere to the fierce showdown that was about to begin.
Thunderous cheers and shouts rumbled like rolling thunder, heralding the arrival of the Tenno Sho 2000m dirt race!
The announcer's voice pierced through the rain and echoed across the entire racecourse:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Oi Racecourse for today's sixth race—the Tenno Sho Dirt 2000m!"
"Running in the rain on a heavy track—this will be a massive test for all competing Uma Musume. Now, the girls are lining up at the gates!"
By the time Kuroha and Fujimasa March arrived at the spectator stands, all the participants had already entered the track, scattered sparsely across the field.
Among them, Inari One at gate four was without a doubt the brightest spotlight of the evening.
Eight wins. Zero losses.
An undefeated monster in a local OP-level race like this!
Inari One stood quietly at the gate. She made no excess movement—just calmly stood in place.
And yet, the other Uma Musume around her felt an invisible, suffocating pressure silently radiating outward from her presence!
It was like a tangible gravity field.
Their muscles involuntarily tensed, their breathing hitched.
They felt an illusion—no, a terrifying realization—that this was no ordinary opponent standing next to them.
It was a dormant volcano, moments from eruption.
Just standing near her felt like being scorched by an overwhelming aura that could burn everything to ashes.
Even though they tried to maintain composure, a deep unease surged through every one of them.
"Inari One is absolutely the scariest opponent in this entire race!!!"
Unspoken yet unanimous—everyone suddenly shared the same thought.
"All Uma Musume are now in the gates!"
The announcer called out.
"Then, Oi Racecourse – Tenno Sho Dirt 2000m Race... START!"
Click!
The gates flew open, and more than a dozen silhouettes shot out like arrows, mud flying in their wake.
In the scramble for early positions, Inari One's figure stood out as especially calm and composed.
She didn't fight for the lead, nor did she rush forward.
Instead, she quietly, almost modestly, stayed at the rear of the pack.
She had chosen her signature strategy—End Closer.
It was the strategy she and Kuroha had agreed on before the race.
Though running from behind on a heavy track was undoubtedly a massive disadvantage.
The muddy surface would drain the stamina of any Uma Musume. Every step took more effort, and it dulled the late-stage sprinting strength that End Closers relied on.
But today's Inari One was not the same as before.
Thanks to Kuroha's training, she had developed an exceptional adaptability to "heavy tracks."
She was no longer the girl who stumbled in the mud.
She was reborn.
Inari One's stride was stable and rhythmic.
Every lift, every stomp of her leg, was precise and powerful.
It was as if her steps fused with the muddy ground, feeling the rebound of the slush and converting it perfectly into forward momentum.
The heavy track no longer hindered her—it had become a stepping stone on her path to victory!
"Gates are open, and all the girls have launched smoothly!"
"Now fighting for the lead is Inner Lane's Ose Peace, closely followed by Odashinden..."
"Inari One remains at the rear of the pack, seemingly making no move for an early position!"
The announcer explained the current state of the race at a steady pace.
...
Up in the bustling stands, two middle-aged men sat in a higher vantage point, observing the track.
"Not good," said the man in the suit with concern.
"What now?" the man in casualwear took a sip of tea steeped with goji berries, rolling his eyes.
"Haven't we had almost all heavy tracks this month?"
"I'm talking about Inari One!"
The man in the suit explained, "Heavy tracks are way too rough for End Closers like her!"
"Look…"
He pointed toward Inari One's position.
"The girls in front of her—wherever they came from—are subconsciously forming a wall to block her path."
"That means even if she saves stamina by running the inner rail, she'll have to spend that saved energy trying to break through the wall ahead during her final dash!"
"Her strategy becomes pointless—and with that rear positioning, she'll be at an even worse disadvantage!"
The suited man opened his own thermos cup, frowning with confusion.
"Why are they trying to block Inari One anyway?"
"Sure, she's the crowd favorite—but this is still odd!"
"Maybe they just sense danger from her?"
The casual man shrugged. "Who knows with Uma Musume..."
"So, you're saying Inari One will lose?"
"Under normal circumstances, Inari One won't be able to break through."
The suited man spoke with the confidence of years of experience watching races.
...
"Trainer, what should we do in this kind of situation?"
Fujimasa March, with her sharp racing instincts, picked up on the dynamics.
But as someone who typically ran as a Front Runner or Pace Chaser, she had little experience with scenarios where the field boxed you in.
"Well, if Uma Musume were machines, this situation would definitely happen," Kuroha chuckled softly.
"Machines?" Fujimasa March echoed, puzzled by the term.
Kuroha smiled and offered a hint.
"March, what's the first thing on your mind when you race?"
"When I race..."
Fujimasa March thought for a moment, then responded:
"Victory!"
"Exactly."
Kuroha nodded. "Uma Musume aren't tools. They're alive. They run to win—not just to stop someone else from winning."
"A human wall might form, yes. But it's a short-lived instinct."
"To win, they'll eventually conserve stamina—or lose their rhythm and make an early dash. That's the uncertainty of a real race."
"Especially on a rainy, heavy track—it clouds their judgment. Remember how you exploited this during the Keihin Cup to throw off the girls behind you?"
Kuroha broke the race down for Fujimasa March to analyze.
She was a Front Runner, after all—understanding tempo and detail was key.
After finishing his breakdown, Kuroha paused, then smiled as he looked at the petite figure moving stealthily behind the main group.
And he whispered:
"Even without all those factors—Inari One won't lose."
"Because she's already in another dimension compared to the others."
Right now, Inari One was the strongest active Uma Musume.
On the track, Inari One hugged the inner rail, steadily trailing behind the group.
Though the girls in front of her were blocking the way, her expression remained eerily calm.
And beneath that calm—
A streak of crimson light began to silently rise within her eyes.
(End of Chapter)
What looked like calm from the audience's perspective… was anything but that from within the pack.
The Uma Musume running in front could clearly feel the suffocating pressure from behind—a sensation like a sharp, cold gaze locked onto their backs, sending chills down their spines.
"Dada-dada-dada!"
At the halfway point of the race, the girls entered the third corner.
Their formation began to shift.
Fatigue started to show in some of the Uma Musume.
Their strides grew heavier, their pace gradually slowed.
But Inari One remained steady.
Her breathing was calm, and her energy seemed endless.
She had conserved an enormous amount of stamina by running in the back.
Now, she only needed a trigger—a moment—to convert all that stored power into a finishing blow!
"Entering the third corner now, still leading the pack is Ose Peace. In second place..."
"Inari One currently sits in 10th, still staying in the rear group."
Shhh—
Suddenly, Inari One shifted ever so slightly, drifting outward along the centrifugal force of the curve, easing away from the inner rail.
Meanwhile, the wall of Uma Musume in front of her, once so perfectly coordinated, had begun to falter.
The heavy track had drained them, and the rain sapped the warmth from their bodies.
They gasped for breath. Their formation began to unravel.
In her True Self State, Inari One's mind was clearer than ever.
Her rarely-used brain was now fully engaged—analyzing the race dynamics in real time.
"If there's a path—I'll charge through it. If there isn't..."
A breath of heat coiled at her lips, and a wicked, hunter-like grin crept across her face.
"Then I'll tear through them all from the outside!"
Her "super brain" was now fueling her "super power"!
As they entered the fourth corner, the pack began to spread apart.
The leaders had already burned through most of their stamina.
The muddy resistance made every step agonizing.
Those in the back were inhaling deeply, preparing for the final charge.
In front of Inari One, some girls wanted to wait until the home stretch to burst forward.
Others feared it would be too late and began to push ahead now.
Uma Musume were not machines—they were competitors.
Each had a desire to win. And this slight divergence in thought—shattered their previous unity.
The formation cracked.
And in that moment—a flash of light exploded in Inari One's eyes.
This was her signal to launch.
The force she'd been restraining erupted like a breached dam.
She exploded forward—her body a streak of black lightning—ripping a path through the inside of the group, then accelerating like an arrow loosed from a bow!
She didn't force her way along the crowded inner rail.
Instead, she seized the opening formed by the fractured formation and surged into an ideal outside lane!
Her True Self State granted her terrifying instincts.
The girls ahead hadn't even reacted yet before she was suddenly running shoulder-to-shoulder with them—radiating a terrifying aura.
"Thanks for holding the lead!"
Her voice rang out—bold, cocky, and wild.
Her acceleration was ferocious and sudden.
Her legs—honed through countless battles on muddy tracks—struck the ground with seismic force.
Mud exploded beneath her hooves, spraying outward like waves in a storm.
"Inari One is moving!! She's tearing through the blockade—she's flying up the outside! So fast! SO FAST!!"
The commentator's calm tone shattered into raw excitement, dragging the entire stadium's energy to a boiling point.
In that moment, Inari One seemed to be cloaked in visible force.
It was wild, primal, and searing like a volcano on the brink of eruption.
BOOM!
The mud erupted again.
The flame in Inari One's eyes looked like it could burn the world.
Her hooves pounded the earth like thunder.
This wasn't just "surpassing."
It was domination.
Every Uma Musume she overtook felt an invisible, unstoppable pressure—
Not a physical blow, but a psychological one. A crushing of spirit.
Unstoppable.
To them, time seemed to freeze.
That red trail of light sliced through the pack like a blade, surpassing them one by one as if they were statues.
The former leader, Ose Peace, and the others in front only felt a searing gust of wind roar past them—
—and then saw Inari One's unstoppable figure fading into the distance.
Rain mixed with sweat blurred their vision.
They tried desperately to keep up, but it felt like their limbs were bound by invisible chains.
Each step was slower than the last.
The girl in front of them… was now an insurmountable wall.
"Is she really… even the same species as us?"
That thought seeped into every heart as despair took hold.
"She's overtaking! One after another! Everyone is left behind!!"
"And we've only just entered the home stretch—she's already flying solo on the Tenno Sho track! Inari One!!"
In the world of Uma Musume, the two most visually electrifying racing styles were:
Great Escape and Great Chase.
And what Inari One was displaying now—was the latter, in its purest, most explosive form.
She had singlehandedly torn through the pack from the back.
A one-versus-ten rampage. A lone surge to the top.
Now, she chased no one.
She had become the only one being chased.
Her figure, amidst the rain, streaked across the track like a bolt of lightning—charging toward the finish line without hesitation.
In this moment, it felt like the track held only one runner.
The world itself was silent—save for her thunderous hoofbeats and the howl of the wind she left in her wake.
Mud, rain, fatigue—none of it mattered anymore.
To Inari One, only the finish line remained.
She was one with the dirt.
She could hear the wind.
Feel the cold sting of rain on her skin.
And most of all—feel the untamed, boiling power coursing through her body.
Her form. Her breathing. Her strength. Her technique.
Her True Self State.
All the training, the blood, the sweat, the fire—
—had boiled over, transformed into this unbeatable speed!
Finish Line!
As Inari One crossed the finish line, the timer lit up with an astonishing result.
The nearest Uma Musume behind her… was still eight lengths away.
A crushing victory! Eight lengths!!
And in that instant, all of Oi Racecourse erupted!
The spectators jumped to their feet, shouting with pure passion.
Thunderous cheers and applause pierced the rain and rose to the heavens.
"First place—Inari One!!"