"The main event here at Chukyo Racecourse is finally about to begin, and the energy in the air is nothing short of historic! We are seeing an unprecedented turnout—attendance has shattered every record, with entry restrictions in place and a crowd that has far exceeded the venue's capacity! Thousands more are huddled around the emergency screens installed outside just to catch a glimpse of this battle. It's a fever pitch that rivals even last week's Japan Cup!"
The atmosphere had surpassed even the legendary clash between Mejiro Rampage and Unbridled. Despite the organizers adding extra monitors to handle the influx of fans, they'd had to scramble to install even more just to keep up. It was only natural; every international Umamusume on the roster today was a titan who had once traded blows with Rampage himself.
"And joining us today in the commentary booth is the man who single-handedly ignited Japan's obsession with the dirt! Please welcome—"
"'Boni-hola-ciao!' It's your favorite world-record holder, the Despotic Tyrant, the Undefeated Legend himself! The man with no choice but to lead, and the one who takes 'arrogant' as a compliment! Have you all been on your best behavior? It's Mejiro Rampage, coming at you live! Let's have a great one!"
The stadium erupted at the sound of Rampage's voice. Even now, a vocal segment of the fanbase lamented that he was in the booth instead of on the gate.
"Now, Rampage-san, this is your second time in the commentator's chair. What should the fans be watching for in today's race?"
"Adaptability," I said, leaning into the mic. "Specifically, how well the international girls handle the Japanese surface. People tend to think dirt is just dirt, but that's a rookie mistake. American tracks are built for speed—they're closer to hard soil. But Japanese dirt? It's high-friction, high-cushioning sand. It's like the difference between running on a dirt road and running on a beach. In the States, you need speed. In Japan, you need raw, unadulterated power. Interestingly, Umamusume with European turf experience often find Japanese dirt easier to navigate than the American girls do."
The audience listened intently. Rampage wasn't just a big name; he was a man who had conquered both surfaces on the global stage. His words carried the weight of absolute authority.
"Does that mean the American challengers, like Irene and A.P. Indy, will struggle today?"
"Not necessarily," I replied. "But it comes down to how quickly they can adjust their internal rhythm to the 'drag' of the sand. It takes time and an incredible amount of raw talent. Stahl Armekore was smart—she came to Japan early to acclimate. That gives her a massive edge. On the other hand, you have someone like Arm Drinks, whose adaptability and sheer physical specs are so high she might just brute-force the difference."
In my mind, those two were the ones to beat. I knew how hard Al had worked, training on the beaches to prepare her legs, but I had also seen the terrifying, almost nonsensical genius of Drinks.
"And what about the domestic team? Do they have a chance to defend their home turf?"
"They've got the home-field pride, sure. But they're facing rivals who have fought across the globe. They can't count on 'travel fatigue' or 'culture shock' to do the work for them. At this level, excuses don't exist. It all comes down to who is better on the day."
"The runners are taking the track! First out of the tunnel—oh, it's her! Last year's runner-up, the Pride of the Dust, Narita Eagle!"
"I've had a few scraps with her myself," I commented. "Let's see if she's sharpened her talons. And right behind her—the Silver Bullet! Can she live up to the name today?"
"And here they come! Senju Yoroi, Happy Record—the stars who have kept the Japanese dirt scene burning bright are all taking the stage!"
The level of competition had skyrocketed. Popularity brought spectators, spectators brought motivation, and motivation refined the athletes. It was a beautiful cycle.
"Yaho~! Nippon-pon!"
"And there she is! The White Irregular who traded blows with Mejiro Rampage in Dubai and the BC Classic! The girl who pushed the Sword Queen and the Sand Super-Express to their limits—Arm Drinks!"
"Still as energetic as ever," I noted. "Her greatest weapon is her physical ceiling. If you aren't at 100%, she will simply steamroll you."
"I've waited a long time to run here," a voice muttered as the next runner stepped out. Stahl Armekore looked toward the stands with a fierce, predatory glint. "Behold me, my dear humans... the game is about to begin. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"You always did have a flair for the dramatic, Al," I chuckled.
"Next up, Germany's Steel Heart, Stahl Armekore! Like Drinks, she's a dual-surface threat with experience in the world's biggest races! And following her, the Mirage of the Sands, Irene!"
"These girls are dangerous," I warned the listeners. "Keep an eye on them. Though, for the record... I still beat 'em."
"I heard that, Rampage, you bastard!" Irene barked toward the booth.
"Yeah, yeah, get to the gate already," I waved her off.
"Next is the French heroine, Lis Fleuve! Her only recent losses were in Dubai and at the BC Classic; otherwise, her record is flawless! And here comes A.P. Indy! She arrived in Japan with a public declaration to take down Amazing Dyna—can she actually overtake the Sand Super-Express?!"
"Both of them are closers," I explained. "If you lose focus for a second, they'll delete your lead in the final furlong. Indy, in particular, has a mental game like a steel trap."
Finally, as if sensing the climax of the introductions, the two pillars of the Japanese dirt scene emerged side-by-side. The roar from the crowd was deafening.
"And here they are! The ones who proved that Rampage wasn't the only one capable of conquering the world! The Knight of the Dust, the Sword Queen—Lady Saber! And the Sand Super-Express—Amazing Dyna! The twin engines of the Japanese dirt world! Both have already announced their return to the international stage next year, making this race the ultimate prelude to their global campaign! Can they secure victory at home before taking flight once more?!"
Watching them line up, I couldn't help but smirk. Next year, when I was traveling with Turbo for her races... I might just have two more handfuls to look after.
Character Profile: Mejiro Pawn (Filly)
The 15th foal of Mejiro Rampage. Sired by the "Eccentric King," King Halo.
The pairing was a calculated risk. King Halo was notorious for his difficult temperament; the hope was that Rampage's legendary intelligence would neutralize it. The result? A "High-IQ Stubborn" child. However, because she was so smart, she could be reasoned with. If you could convince her why a certain training regimen was necessary, she would execute it perfectly, leading many to find her easier to handle than her father.
Her versatility was staggering, inheriting the best of both parents. She won the Kikuka Sho (3000m) in a dead-heat finish, while also claiming the February Stakes (Dirt 1600m) and the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m). She also holds the record for challenging the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe three years in a row. While she never took the top spot, she never finished lower than 3rd—a testament to her inheriting Rampage's legendary resistance to travel fatigue and shipping stress.
Partnered with jockey Yuichi Fukunaga. He described her not as "difficult," but as a horse with absolute conviction: "She won't do anything she doesn't agree with, but she's brilliant enough to understand if you take the time to teach her patiently."
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