Bang!
The moment the starting gates flew open, a dozen figures surged forward, their combined roar momentarily drowning out the Tokyo Racecourse.
This was a Japanese Derby like no other, the most elite field ever assembled. Every single Uma Musume who set hoof on this turf was a powerhouse.
And when such powerhouses united with the singular goal of suppressing one individual, the pressure they exerted was staggering.
Yet, as over a dozen Uma Musume moved to execute their tactical formation, aiming to trap Dream Weaver, they were shocked to find that crimson figure was nowhere to be seen.
Based on her previous performance in the Satsuki Sho, that Uma Musume named Dream Weaver was undoubtedly a front-runner, a "Great Escape" specialist.
Their entire strategy had been built around that assumption.
But after the gates opened, they couldn't even catch a glimpse of that red silhouette.
'Could her speed really be so absurd that we can't even see her?!'
Just as disbelief began to ripple through the ranks, the leading Triple Crown Uma Musume sharply rebuked them.
"Don't lose focus! She's behind us!"
As a Triple Crown winner, she naturally had the breath to spare for a loud command mere seconds into the race.
Heeding her shout, several bewildered Uma Musume instinctively glanced back. And there she was—that crimson figure they had studied countless times in video tapes, seared into the depths of their memories.
'She's... chasing from behind?!'
One of the other Triple Crown Uma Musume couldn't help but murmur under her breath.
This completely derailed the plan. According to the script, they should have already intercepted Dream Weaver's attempted breakaway, using their numbers to box her in.
But now, Dream Weaver, hanging at the very back of the pack and clearly employing a chasing strategy, introduced a variable into their once-impenetrable scheme.
"It's fine. No, this might even be better."
Sensing the wavering morale, the leading Triple Crown Uma Musume spoke up again.
"Even for her, breaking through a defensive line formed by so many at once is impossible. A chasing charge can only be launched once; once it's interrupted, restarting it is nearly impossible."
"The moment she tries to accelerate and sprint, over a dozen European Uma Musume will form the sturdiest barrier. And the five of us Triple Crown winners will simultaneously activate our Zones to pressure her."
"She has absolutely no chance of winning!"
Inspired by her confident demeanor, the previously hesitant Uma Musume regained their composure. Drawing on their training, they swiftly began constructing a defensive line right there on the track.
Watching them stabilize so quickly, Dream Weaver narrowed her eyes.
The initial openings were vanishing bit by bit. Once that defensive formation was complete, even if she used Burning Embers at full power to burst through, the cost of winning this Derby would be far greater.
Right now, Dream Weaver desperately sifted through her memories, searching for any remaining flaw.
Yet, even her purple skill, [Intuition], which had aided her so often, offered no solution.
Though hastily assembled, these European Uma Musume were elites who had risen from fiercely competitive training camps. The tactical knowledge in their heads was more than enough to quickly erect a formidable barrier.
And more importantly, they worked together seamlessly.
In Dream Weaver's past races, Uma Musume always competed as individuals. Even occasional cooperation was based on fleeting, unspoken agreements.
In such scenarios, her Intuition could always find cracks.
But this was different. These European Uma Musume moved as if they'd undergone dedicated team training, leaving Dream Weaver not a single inch of breathing room.
To break through such an encirclement, she would have to rely on the power of her Zone and sheer force.
'I'd need to unleash an ultimate, focused strike like in my final race against Narita Brian to cut my way out...'
Just as Dream Weaver steeled herself to find the moment to use Kindling Flames, to sever this European cordon with her demon blade, a voice sounded beside her.
"Dream Weaver, don't forget. You're never fighting alone."
Seeing the slight confusion in Dream Weaver's eyes, Mr. C.B. smiled.
In the previous Satsuki Sho, there hadn't been much for her to do.
Dream Weaver had broken through on her own power. But this time was different. Mr. C.B. could feel the resolve radiating from Dream Weaver now.
She believed Dream Weaver could win the Derby, but she was equally certain it would be a Pyrrhic victory. And that was the last thing Mr. C.B. wanted to see.
She turned her head, glaring intently at the absolute defensive line formed by over a dozen Uma Musume, a thought crystallizing in her mind.
Ever since she left the European training camp she'd helped establish, no one had looked at her with expectation anymore.
Mr. C.B. knew why. Because she had abandoned the opportunity countless Uma Musume dreamed of.
She had walked away from the chance to climb higher.
And so, labels like 'unruly' and 'undisciplined' were slapped back onto her.
After leaving the camp, she was no longer the star admired by all Triple Crown candidates. She'd reverted to being that worthless troublemaker from before she ever started racing.
Even in this plan to rebel against the European racing establishment, she was repeatedly underestimated.
People focused on the inscrutable, deeply ambitious Symboli Rudolf.
They were captivated by the dazzling, supremely gifted Dream Weaver.
And Mr. C.B.? She was just a shadow trailing behind them.
Before the Satsuki Sho, everyone believed she had fallen behind the other Triple Crown contenders. Just moments ago, those Triple Crown Uma Musume had shown her nothing but contempt.
But now, Mr. C.B. would show the world why she was worthy of being their partner.
"Symboli Rudolf is the same as you," Mr. C.B. said softly. "You both insist on shouldering all the responsibility yourselves."
"Isn't that exhausting?"
"You have to learn... to trust your partner a little more."
As her words faded, an overwhelmingly powerful force erupted from Mr. C.B.'s body. It was like a torrential gale, whipping the turf grass into disarray.
The roaring cheers of the entire Tokyo Racecourse seemed to hit a pause button.
For an instant, the world stood still before Mr. C.B., before Dream Weaver, before every Uma Musume present.
A primal sense of danger, rising from instinct, forced every Uma Musume on the track to snap their attention to Mr. C.B.—even the leading Triple Crown Uma Musume who had scorned her wore a look of utter disbelief.
"Zone... Expansion."
Mr. C.B. declared.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.