"U-chan, can I ask you something real quick?"
"If it's something I can answer."
"As of right now, what are the odds of us establishing the URA Finals Inter-League—or rather, the Japan World Cup? What's the percentage looking like?"
"Fifty-fifty. Either it happens, or it doesn't."
"I'm asking you seriously here~"
"Well, let's see..."
With the Dirt division kicking off shortly, both Rampage and Uranus were in full agreement that starting next year, it needed to be split into at least two categories: Mile and Medium-Distance. As they discussed the future, Rampage brought up the question.
"Globally, the push to establish their own Finals is gaining massive traction," Uranus explained. "Right now, it's only in Japan, but the sheer amount of international attention it's pulling is nothing short of insane. On top of that, trainers and the URA see it as a huge opportunity for talent scouting. The Legend Races could genuinely evolve into a dream stage that surpasses even the Dream Trophy League. As of now, Ireland, the UAE, and Australia are pushing the hardest to make it happen."
"Is that why Fine's been rewatching tape of the inaugural tournament so obsessively...?"
"Word is the Irish Royal Family personally got the Irish URA moving."
As expected, the momentum was strongest in Europe, where Rampage had previously raced. Rumors were already circulating abroad that Japan's horse girls had grown so absurdly powerful precisely because of this structure... Meanwhile, over in America, Easy Goer was spearheading her own push to establish a division. People had assumed her family would obstruct her, but she had personally bowed her head to Secretariat, working hand-in-hand with the government and the American URA to get the ball rolling.
"America is taking a hard look at its own issues, too," Uranus continued. "Their Twinkle Series had plenty of underlying problems for a long time. They used to sweep it under the rug in the name of 'tradition,' but someone finally took an ax to it."
"Times sure change, don't they...?"
To think that emotionless horse girl had grown so much... It was mind-blowing. At this rate, Rampage could rest easy knowing she'd likely see her duel against Sunday in the future.
"It'll be tough to pull off within the next couple of years, mind you. You're the anomaly here, Rampage—putting all of this together in just a year or two."
"Hey, I worked my butt off!"
"You had the unique advantage of acting as an independent force. So... give it about five years, and I'd say there's a real chance."
Five years from now... That would be around the time the generation after Fine—the likes of Neo Universe and Zenno Rob Roy—would be enrolling...
"When that time comes, I seriously hope I'm retired from running in the Legend Races."
"Given that Katsuragi Ace and Maruzensky are still out there competing, I wouldn't hold my breath."
"I've got trainer duties to handle, you know! It's exhausting~"
For Uranus, these playful banter sessions with Rampage served as a refreshing breath of air. Rampage treated her as an equal, relied on her, and opened up to her like this... Uranus couldn't help but deeply wish she had a grandchild like her. She had actual grandchildren, of course, but every single one of them treated her with strictly rigid, formal respect—leaving her grandmotherly heart feeling a bit lonely.
"And now, we reach the grand finale of the URA Finals! The Dirt Division 1900m is about to get underway!! With talks of splitting this category into Mile and Medium-Distance next year, the excitement for the future is at an all-time high!! AND THEY'RE OFF!! Wow, bursting out right from the jump is Darley Japan!! Followed closely by Yoka Yoka!!"
"Darley Japan came so close last time, and her acceleration is as incredible as ever!! Oh, Darley Japan wobbled slightly, but she recovers her balance instantly!!"
"Pardon me on your left!"
"It's fine, it's fine! Don't worry about a little bump, you're good to go!"
"Trailing right behind them are Magnum Leon and Tsukino Ichiban! And returning to this stage is last year's champion, Fujimasa March, aiming for back-to-back titles!!"
"Man, I'd love to see another reigning champ hold the crown!!"
"Right behind them is the winner of the Nambu Hai, Tokei Niisei!! A terrifying contender for the title!!"
"If Kasamatsu's March is running, there's no way I'm sitting out as Iwate's representative," Tokei Niisei stated plainly.
"Even so, I have no intention of losing," March shot back.
"That's fine by me. It's not that you're losing—it's just that I am going to win."
Sparks had been flying between March and Niisei even before the gates opened, but once the race started, the tension boiled over.
"Fusen Kyoitsu holds a position slightly on the inside! Mirgamane, Dawn Ryoma, File Hedgis, and Thalassa Gyro are fanning out toward the outside! Meanwhile, Yamato Sweetie, making her dirt entry this year, has secured a great spot! Stella Gloria is creeping up from behind!"
Darley Japan tore through the front. Her lack of real race experience had dragged her down in the previous tournament, but after actively entering freestyle races and taking on graded-stakes winners in exhibition events over the past year, her stride had become noticeably refined.
(It's a medium-distance track, but at this length, it's basically a mile. Running this out is a breeze—I'm taking this all the way to the wire!)
Darley Japan was executing Rampage's front-running style—specifically, her Phantom Pacing. She had already mastered changing up her rhythm on the fly to throw off the pack, and she was applying it in a real match. She felt absolute confidence in her strategy. By intentionally slowing down at calculated moments, she had successfully disrupted everyone else's rhythm. The pack's pacing had to be completely ruined by now.
Just as she prepared to round the final turn and ride her momentum straight to the crown, the pressure from behind suddenly spiked. She threw a glance over her shoulder, only to realize with a shock that she hadn't pulled away at all.
"Rounding the final corner, Darley Japan is FINALLY CAUGHT!! Can she break away from here!? Does she have anything left in the tank!? Yamato Sweetie is making a terrifying surge, but the reigning champion Fujimasa March explodes forward alongside her!! Magnum Leon is coming up fast!! Dawn Ryoma and Mirgamane are fighting ruthlessly over the inside rail!! Tokei Niisei finds another gear!! And Stella Gloria launches a furious drive down the stretch!!"
What is happening!? The Phantom Pacing was flawless! Their rhythm should be in complete shambles!
As doubts raced through her mind, March swept past her side, calling out as she went:
"It was a clever illusion, I'll give you that. But—our strides aren't fragile enough to be broken by a trick like that!!"
"Gahah! Dance and shout, under the starry night! Grab the glory! My voltage is at max capacity!!"
"Battlin' against folks like you is an absolute blast! Ain't no way I'm gonna lose to y'all!!"
The voices passing her were laced with undeniable exhaustion; their breaths were ragged, and the heavy physical strain was clear in every word. Yet their strides didn't falter for a single fraction of a second—remaining pure, sharp, and relentless. It was a display of sheer mental fortitude that Darley Japan had yet to acquire—and it made all the difference in the world.
"Just a short distance remaining! Fujimasa March holds the lead—can she secure back-to-back victories!? No, wait—Dawn Ryoma is closing in, and Tokei Niisei pulls dead even!! Yamato Sweetie is sweeping in from the outside!! It's an absolute brawl on the dirt!! WHO IS GOING TO TAKE THE GLORY!? WHO WILL IT BE!? THEY CROSS THE FINISH LINE!!
First to cross is... YAMATO SWEETIE!!! Yamato Sweetie takes first place!! Snatching victory by a half-length over Fujimasa March is the two-time TEKIRO champion, Yamato Sweetie!! Second place goes to Tokei Niisei, edging out Fujimasa March by a neck!! Fujimasa March finishes third, falling just short of back-to-back titles—but what a breathtaking performance!!"
"I'm back, and hello, URA Finals!!!"
With the dirt race drawing to a close, the curtain fell on the URA Finals—yet the heat from the turf was already being passed on to the next battlefield. Moving from the showdown to claim the peak, to a clash of sheer legends...
A war of true legends was about to begin.
2nd URA Finals Dirt Division Champion: Yamato Sweetie
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