It was finally time. He had forged himself for this exact day—enduring grueling mask-training to regain the peak of his mentality and reclaim his absolute prime. The runners gathered today were all worthy of the word "legend," and as one of those legends himself, he had to show them the absolute best performance of his life.
On the eve of the Legend Race, during a live phone interview on the late-night news following the Finals, a commentator had pressed Rampage—who was planning to transition fully into training next year: "Will anyone actually tune in to a race where the Tyrant isn't competing?"
Whether it was a genuine query, a spiteful snub from a hater, or anxious worry from a fan terrified that the Legend Race might disappear, no one knew. But Rampage answered with unwavering confidence.
"Don't waste your breath with useless talk. Even if I'm not out there, the legendary stage remains right where it is. 'The race ends just because I'm not running'? Not a chance. What we carry in our hearts isn't that fragile... If you're so worried, sit back and watch. We'll show you a dream."
With those final words, Rampage hung up, completely hijacking the studio's pre-arranged script. Yet, not a single person complained. No matter the circumstances, he always held true to himself—and that conviction had already borne fruit.
"Not bad! But I am not losing!! Now then, here I go—even further forward, Full Throttle!!!!"
"I don't care if I can't ever run again after this! Please, Three Goddesses, just grant me this one victory!!!"
In the Legend Race Sprint, last year's victor, Sakura Bakushin O, took to the turf once more. Though she displayed overwhelming strength, many Uma Musume clung to her heels, driven by sheer pride to show the true brilliance of a sprinter. Amidst the chaos, Bakushin O called out:
"The Three Goddesses do not smile upon such desperate clinging! Rampage told me himself—the Goddesses smile only upon those who keep running forward! Therefore, you too must keep running... just like me!!!"
In the final 100 meters, Miyabi Crossroad closed the gap to a single length, only for Bakushin O to accelerate even further, crossing the finish line ahead of the pack. It was the definitive moment proving that the strongest sprinter in history still reigned supreme.
"Wh-What a incredible finish! Sakura Bakushin O shatters her own Sprinters Stakes record of 1:07.1 with a breathtaking 1:06.9!!! She captures back-to-back Legend Sprint titles while surpassing her own absolute limits!!!"
"This is what true Bakushin is all about!!!"
"Is this... the wind?!"
"The sacred wind will soon envelope the track... and yet, I shall become the gale that blows even that away...!!"
As the Emperor of the Mile, Nippo Teio, sought a second consecutive victory, a gale swept through to block his path—Yamanin Zephyr. Her wind danced across the turf, stirring even the drifting clouds in the sky. When she crossed the finish line, snow began to fall from above.
"Yamanin Zephyr has dethroned the Emperor of the Mile!! A freezing northern gale blows through a fiercely roaring Fuchu!!!"
The wind that brought down the Mile Emperor became a fresh breeze standing atop the legend's peak. Watching her, Nippo Teio offered a soft, slightly lonely smile, applauding her triumph. A divine wind celebrating a well-earned victory.
"Alright, Oguri, let's settle this!!!"
"Just what I was hoping for, Tama!"
"Hey, hey, don't go leaving me out of the party! Count me in!"
"Fufu, this is wonderful! So much fun!"
The middle-distance category of the Legend Race had been split into distinct distances. In the 2000m event, Oguri clashed with her greatest rivals in an all-out battle while the rest of the field fought desperately to challenge them. With Ines and Helios in the mix, it was a race truly fitting of legendary status.
"Looks like... I take this one, Oguri..."
"Yeah. But next time, I won't lose...!"
"Then shall we step onto this stage again next year?"
"That sounds wonderful ♪ Everyone looks so alive out there!"
Claiming the victory was Tamamo Cross. Proving that the White Lightning was still a force to be reckoned with, she found herself casually considering returning to this stage next year. It wasn't that the Dream Trophy League was bad, but the Legend Race allowed them to directly feel the roar of their home turf. Oguri was the clearest example, having entered straight from the Kasamatsu Training Center. That style of competition fired them up like nothing else.
"Speaking of which... the prize money for this Legend Race is pretty crazy high, isn't it? Is Rampage paying for all of this out of his own pocket?"
"S-Surely the URA is helping fund it... right?"
"Rampage said he makes a lot from stocks and investments. He even treated me out to a huge dinner the other day!"
"My, my, how generous of him."
"Wait a second, Oguri!? Just how much did you eat?! Tell me the truth—depending on the answer, we might have to bow down and apologize to him!"
"And with that, the Sprint, Mile, and 2000m Middle Distance events have concluded! The atmosphere of the Legend Race really is on a completely different level compared to the Finals, wouldn't you say, Mr. Saito?"
"It certainly is! The Finals feel like a grand festival where the races are the main attraction. But here at the Legend Race, you can feel the raw, uncompromising desire to win. It isn't just 'we made it here'—it's 'getting here was the bare minimum, and we came to take the crown.'"
"I completely agree! It feels like everyone is charging forward with everything they have, learning from legends while giving zero quarter—and now, the moment everyone has been waiting for! The main event of today's Legend Race, the 2400m Middle Distance, is about to begin!!!"
Everyone in the crowd wanted to shout in agreement; they had waited for this exact race with bated breath. The rumor that this might be Rampage's final run as an active competitor had drawn countless legendary runners into a single gate.
"Bursting onto the track first is the Third Triple Tiara champion! The Blue Meteor who ran away with victories across Europe and America, blowing past everything in her path with pure turbo power! Gate 1, Post 1: Twin Turbo! And right beside her, as if refusing to yield the front, is a fellow runaway speedster! Having capped off her career this spring with a glorious win in Hong Kong, she now serves as the head of a sports club back in her home country of England—a front-runner who once fought toe-to-toe with the Tyrant! Gate 1, Post 2: Silverstone!"
"Turbo is here~! Turbo is Number One~!"
"Today is the day I beat you, Turbo!"
"Bring it on~!"
"Next is another runner representing England, though born in Hokkaido! What kind of performance will this dual-national show us on this legendary stage?! Driven by her deep admiration for Mejiro Rampage, her desire to clash with her hero has finally reached this grand stage! Currently on an unstoppable winning streak in graded stakes including G1s! Gate 2, Post 3: Silverio! Having battled the God of War, Houshou Tsukige, she stands as the rival general from the regional circuit! Armed in crimson armor, she steps up to slay the legend! Gate 2, Post 4: Black Cloud!"
"Miss Rampage... I have polished my skills in England dreaming of this very moment... ever since that fateful day four years ago, when I saw you at the Japan Cup...!"
"I see... your feelings toward her are strong as well. I feel the same. Just as I promised that day, I am stepping up to middle distance... I look forward to our clash."
"She has ascended to the stage of legends! The inaugural champion of last year's Finals, carrying that momentum all the way here—will her blade reach the legend, or rather, WILL SHE MAKE IT REACH?! Gate 3, Post 5: Cedar Blade! The Teio has surpassed the Emperor—it is safe to say as much! The undefeated Triple Crown winner who stormed across international waters brings her American momentum right to our turf! Gate 3, Post 6: Tokai Teio!!!"
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