"Can Rampage-san make it far this time?" Tannhäuser asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"She's got this!" Turbo replied, bursting with confidence. "It's Ran! International races don't stand a chance!"
Turbo's enthusiasm countered Tannhäuser's unease.
"That 'international' bit's a stretch," Tannhäuser said. "TV's saying just making the board would be a huge upset."
"Why don't they cheer for Senpai?" Ticket grumbled.
The media—TV and newspapers alike—had been harsh on Rampage. An undefeated Triple Tiara Uma Musume, the second after Symboli Rudolf, should've been a national pride. Yet Rudolf's lossless streak ended at the Japan Cup, also on a grueling one-week rest after the Elizabeth Queen Cup. With Rampage on the same path, many predicted her defeat. The international field was deemed too strong, and her experience too thin.
"She'll win," Rice Shower said firmly. "Big Sis will do it."
Canopus shared Rice's faith, certain Rampage would deliver. They awaited her gate entry with unwavering belief. Minamisaka, however, remained coolly composed, his expression unchanged.
"Not enough experience?" he chuckled. "Thirteen races, all wins. If that's 'lacking,' they're insulting Rudolf-san too. The Japanese media's clueless."
"Did you say something, Trainer?" Rice asked.
"Nothing," Minamisaka said. "Come on, Rice, let's cheer loud for Rampage-san!"
"Y-Yes! Big Sis, go for it!" Rice shouted.
The fanfare blared, signaling gate entry. Rampage stepped toward gate 2, frame 2—a solid draw.
"The world's Uma Musume gather in Fuchu for glory! Can Japan hold its own!?"
Last year's Japan Cup set a world record of 2:22.2. Since Symboli Rudolf's victory, no Japanese horse had beaten the foreign field. Fans yearned for a repeat, and now, the Japan Cup began. Rampage, the least-favored Japanese contender, relished the underdog role—it was perfect.
"Rampage-san, your first time at such low odds. Thoughts?"
"Perfect," Rampage replied. "I'm flipping it all upside down."
"That's the spirit! Your strategy?"
"Full throttle from the start."
"Got it!"
"And… the Japan Cup starts! A clean break for all, but wait! One Uma Musume bolts ahead! It's our Tyrant, the Dictator of the Turf, Metjiro Rampage, seizing the lead! She's stealing the spotlight before the grandstand!"
Rampage exploited the field's cautious jostling, rocketing forward. Oguri and Yaeno, unfazed, ran their own races, while the foreign Uma Musume gaped in shock. A great escape in an international race? Was she reckless or rattled? Surely, she'd burn out. Most ignored her, focusing on Elgutz, Best Routine, Oguri, and Yaeno.
"Oguri Cap holds mid-pack! Ghost Freeze trails her, with Yaeno Muteki close behind. Up front, top favorite Elgutz and second-favorite Best Routine lead, but four to five lengths ahead is the Dictator, Metjiro Rampage! Isn't this pace too fast? Can she last!?"
Rampage's run looked like a suicidal kamikaze tactic, a blistering pace reminiscent of Ines Fujin's but even faster.
"What is this speed!? Past halfway, and she's still going!?"
"No way!" Best Routine exclaimed. "How's she sustaining that!?"
The top favorites were stunned. Rampage's frenzied escape defied comprehension, a reckless gamble staking everything. But it ignited two others—Oguri Cap and Yaeno Muteki.
"If you're going that hard, Ran, I can't let you outshine me!" Oguri shouted.
"Let's show them Japan's strength!" Yaeno added.
"Oguri Cap and Yaeno Muteki surge forward! The final straight approaches—Fuchu's heartbreaker hill and long stretch! Metjiro Rampage still leads! What an upset! She storms into the straight!"
You underestimated me, Rampage thought. Ninth favorite, not worth watching? This is what you get! World, behold the Dictator of the Turf! Feel me!
"Don't get cocky!" Best Routine roared.
"I won't lose!" Elgutz shouted.
"Best Routine and Elgutz close in! Oguri Cap and Yaeno Muteki chase! Can they catch Metjiro Rampage!? They hit the heartbreaker hill! Rampage holds the lead! Will she escape? Best Routine's closing—she's making her move!"
Best Routine narrowed the gap to half a length, Elgutz right behind. Oguri and Yaeno followed, refusing to let Rampage dominate. Thought you'd exploit our hesitation? Not anymore! they seemed to say.
"I came to this country to win!" Best Routine declared. "Losing to an underdog like you? Impossible!"
"Underdog?" Rampage smirked.
Best Routine unleashed a crushing pressure, like chains binding Rampage's body. Most Uma Musume would freeze and plummet under it. But Rampage had anticipated this. If you've got pride, you'll hit me with this when I expose your weakness. The more pressure she faced, the more she thrived.
"Then take this back home!" Rampage roared. "In Japan, giant-killing's a fan-favorite classic!"
Spirits of the past, let's run wild!
Returning Best Routine's pressure, Rampage unleashed every ounce of her strength. Monsny's running style, Maruzensky's heart for victory, Katsuragi Ace's techniques—she poured it all out, breaking free of Best Routine's pursuit.
"Metjiro Rampage surges! One length, two—she's pulling away from Best Routine! Oguri Cap rises! Elgutz won't back down! Yaeno Muteki pushes, but can she pass Best Routine!?"
"Damn it!" Elgutz cursed. "The Tyrant was the one to watch!? 'Just a troublemaker'? She's a massive problem!"
"I don't know what you're saying," Oguri shouted, "but underestimating Ran was your mistake!"
"Oguri Cap!? Shit!" Elgutz yelped.
"Oguri overtakes Elgutz! And Metjiro Rampage is untouchable! What a moment! Since Symboli Rudolf's Japan Cup win, no Japanese horse has triumphed—until now! The undefeated Triple Tiara Uma Musume, Metjiro Rampage, claims the dream! She's won! A Classic contender conquers the Japan Cup! Second is Elgutz, third Oguri Cap, fourth Yaeno Muteki! Japan's pride shines!"
Rampage's victory defied all expectations, turning her underdog status into a dominant escape. Defeating the world's elite, she slowed, catching her breath. Gripping her coat, she spun, flung it off, and roared.
"SHAAA-OOORRAA!"
The crowd's cheers and applause were a tribute to the Dictator. An Uma Musume called Tyrant in Japan had reclaimed national pride. Oguri approached, clapping.
"That was incredible, Ran," she said. "You got me so fired up."
"Come on, you're always incredible," Rampage laughed.
"No, I pushed this hard because you took me to that hot spring," Oguri said. "Thanks."
"Stop, you're making me blush," Rampage said.
"You're already red," Oguri teased.
The crowd's roar grew louder. The announcer revealed why.
"Unbelievable! A record! 2:22.0! She's surpassed Hollix's 2:22.2 from last year! Not just a race or course record—a world record! Metjiro Rampage has etched her name in global history!"
"W-World… record?" Rampage stammered, turning into Simple Rampage.
Overwhelmed, she froze, unable to process. Oguri, unfazed, clapped purely. "Amazing, Ran!"
"That's incredible, Rampage-san!" Yaeno said. "A world record! Congratulations!"
"Uh… thanks," Rampage mumbled. "I can… celebrate, right?"
"Definitely," Oguri said. "It's a huge deal."
Blessed by her seniors, Rampage rebooted. The "Rampage" chants echoed, her body trembling as joy surged. Raising her fist, she let out a triumphant cry.
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