"But I see the Umamusumes from Pluto Academy using their Zones quite frequently. They can all handle it, so why couldn't Brian?" Tokai Teio was still puzzled.
"I guess Narita Brian judged that her lowest level Zone couldn't surpass Urban Sea, but her body couldn't handle the higher levels, so she gave up using her Zone," Sakura Baimu analyzed.
"Narita Brian's over-reliance on her Zone at the Kikuka Sho (where she won three titles), Arima Kinen, and the Hanshin Grand Prix ultimately caused significant damage to her body."
"At the Autumn Tenno Sho, despite being the most popular contender, Narita Brian only managed 12th place. After the Hanshin Grand Prix, she didn't finish in the top three for an entire year."
"She only managed to recover her form somewhat at the following year's Hanshin Grand Prix, but even then, it was a hard-fought victory. Zones are undeniably powerful, but over-reliance on them can easily overwhelm the body."
"After all, there's almost no such thing as a Umamusume who can use her Zone without restraint; every activation of a Zone is a form of physical torture," Sakura Baimu spoke.
"I see. Using it occasionally is fine, but using it too frequently can easily lead to injury," Tokai Teio nodded, further emphasizing the potential side effects of Zones.
"It's still related to one's own physique. A stronger physique allows one to withstand the costs of breaking through multiple Zones," Mejiro McQueen said softly.
Under Sakura Baimu's influence, TCB's Umamusumes didn't have such an urgent need for Zones.
....
Seeing Urban Sea's victory, Obey your Master suddenly felt a surge of excitement.
She excitedly turned to Oguri Cap and said,
"Oguri Cap, come and fight me! I haven't fought you since you broke through your Zone!"
However, as soon as she turned her head, she saw Oguri Cap's round belly.
Obey your Master's gaze then slowly moved upward, and she saw Oguri Cap still devouring a donut in her hand.
Oguri Cap swallowed what was in her mouth and spoke slowly.
"Just ate, then went for a run... not good..."
"Tsk." Obey your Master knew from Oguri Cap's expression that things were hopeless today.
She turned to Tamamo Cross and smiled,
"Tama-chan, how about a match?"
Tamamo Cross immediately looked disgusted. "Don't call me Tama! I'm not playing, I'm retired."
"So what if you're retired? You can still play."
"No."
"Are you scared? You lost to me in the Japan Cup, got a bit chicken, huh?" Obey your Master laughed.
"Provocation won't work. I don't run anymore anyway; I've even forgotten how to use my Zone." Tamamo Cross waved her hand, firmly refusing Obey your Master's challenge.
Obey your Master sighed for a while, then suddenly noticed Maruzensky standing next to Symboli Rudolf in the distance.
She strode over, smiling.
"Emperor, Hotrod, either of you is welcome to have a match with me?"
Symboli Rudolf looked over. "Student council matters are too busy; I don't have time."
Maruzensky, however, gave Obey your Master a playful once-over before smiling.
"No interest~"
"You think I'm too weak?"
"Yeah, if you have something that can pique my interest, I might consider it~"
"..."
Obey your Master sighed for a long time. She had asked all the retired legends of Tracen Academy, but not a single one was willing to run with her.
"You guys are so boring; you all stop running after retiring. I don't know how you, as Umamusumes, can stand this kind of boredom?"
Obey your Master complained, suddenly feeling that Tracen Academy was utterly boring.
Suddenly, at that moment, she remembered someone.
Two nights ago, the Umamusume who defeated Golden Crown Eagle.
Obey your Master, being an investigative fanatic, rarely overlooked any powerful Umamusume.
The strength displayed by "Ogura" two nights ago greatly piqued Obey your Master's interest.
So, Obey your Master quickly added Ogura to her investigation list.
However, after two nights of intense work, Obey your Master still hadn't been able to find a Umamusume who matched Sakura Baimu's reputation.
This only fueled her curiosity.
If she couldn't find out who the Umamusume was that night—the one who, despite having no Zone, had defeated Golden Crown Eagle—she felt she was becoming so inquisitive that she couldn't eat or sleep.
Remembering the incident, her curiosity was reignited, and she couldn't stay in Tracen Academy any longer.
Obey your Master immediately decided to find Golden Crown Eagle and ask her more about the Umamusume from that night.
--
Half an hour later, Obey your Master found Golden Crown Eagle in her hospital room, lying on the bed staring at the ceiling with a look of utter despair.
Looking at the bag beside Golden Crown Eagle's bed, she asked curiously.
"Oh, someone's come to visit you? You still have friends in Japan?"
"No, it was sent by the Emperor and Hotrod," Golden Crown Eagle replied.
"What do they want with you?"
"They want to ask me about the Umamusume who competed against me two nights ago."
"Hmm? Isn't that Umamusume from their academy? What do they have to ask?" Obey your Master suddenly sensed something was amiss.
"Yes, she is from their academy, but they don't know that Umamusume's true identity."
"What do you mean?" Obey your Master asked, puzzled.
"That Umamusume isn't a student, but a trainer. Although she's also at Tracen Academy, Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky don't know her identity as a Umamusume. She usually presents herself as a trainer."
"What did you say?! Who is she?! You know her identity?!"
Obey your Master was utterly shocked by Golden Crown Eagle's words.
"Hmm."
"Neither the Emperor nor Hotrod knows; how do you know?"
"I saw her face. At first, I just thought she looked similar, and since I never saw her tail or ears when she appeared at the academy, I didn't suspect anything."
"But she suddenly appeared again yesterday, interrupting me as I was describing her appearance to Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf. Then I saw her eyes. I can confirm that she is the Umamusume from that night."
"So, who is she?"
"It's that trainer from TCB, Sakura Baimu."