Shinzan, the ultimate warrior. Japan's second Triple Crown horse after St. Lite, with 19 races, 15 wins, and four second places—never out of the top two. An unbreakable record, surpassing even Daiwa Scarlet's 12 consecutive placings. Her dominance as a sire and the slogan "Surpass Shinzan" haunted horsemen for over 20 years. A five-crown legend, dubbed a god.
"Come on, climb with grit!" Shinzan barked.
"Yes!" Rampage shouted back.
Shinzan's strength as an Uma Musume was undiminished. Her lower-body power birthed the Shinzan-iron, honing her legendary finishing kick. She bounded up the mountain with ease, unfazed by the weight, a surreal sight.
"Don't just use your legs. You know what Shinzan-iron's for, right?" Shinzan asked.
"Whole body!" Rampage replied.
"Exactly! Keep running like that!" Shinzan urged.
Shinzan-iron wasn't just heavy—it forced full-body running. Without it, you couldn't move, naturally forging stronger legs and form. The true 10x Shinzan-iron's real edge.
(Thirty minutes in… this kid's got it. Barely started 10x, yet she's using her whole body well. Minami's training shows. A true junior,) Shinzan thought. She hated the heavy, fragile irons back then, constantly breaking and needing reforging. Hearing Rampage used them for years? Unbelievable.
"Dash, dash!" Shinzan called.
"Doing it!" Rampage yelled.
"Got guts! Too early to fade!" Shinzan pushed.
"Ain't fading!" Rampage roared.
Most Uma Musume would collapse, but Rampage kept pace, shouting back with fire. Worth toughening up.
"What's wrong? Show me you can pass me, or you quitting?" Shinzan taunted.
"Like hell! Undefeated ten-crown ain't to be messed with!" Rampage roared, her performer's spirit igniting. She surged up the slope.
"That's it! Pass me!" Shinzan challenged.
"Bet on it!" Rampage shot back.
They raced to the peak, spurring each other on, tearing up the mountain.
"Nice guts! This ain't enough to win!" Shinzan yelled.
"Bring it!" Rampage answered.
Their shouts echoed as they charged. The result?
"My win. Think on why you lost," Shinzan said.
"Damn…" Rampage groaned.
She'd clung on but Shinzan's mastery of the irons and polished form won out.
"Still, impressive. Climbing this mountain blind, even a low one, takes serious stamina," Shinzan said, poking Rampage's limp form. Her balanced, optimized muscles screamed disciplined training.
"Solid work," Shinzan praised.
"Thanks… trained with Ryan," Rampage panted.
"Mejiro Ryan, huh? Forgot you're a Mejiro," Shinzan said. She'd eyed Ryan, another Triple Crown, but this iron-wielding nut stole her focus.
"How long you used these?" Shinzan asked.
"10x just recently. Lighter ones since before debut," Rampage said.
Shinzan's eyes sharpened. Minami planned that far back? Shinzan-iron, even lighter, forced body control, perfect for injury prevention, especially for Rampage's big frame.
(Smart. Using it to teach control unconsciously,) Shinzan thought. "Good trainer. Be grateful."
"Know that. Minami gets thanks galore," Rampage said.
"Good."
Shinzan checked her watch—lunchtime neared. "Hydrate, then we descend. Slowly. Afternoon, climb again. I'll be waiting."
"Got it… What about you, Shinzan?" Rampage asked.
"Call me Shinzan. I'll grab food somewhere. Fancy hotel grub ain't my style," she said.
"Man, I'm craving diner katsu," Rampage grinned.
"Kindred spirit," Shinzan smirked.
They clicked, their rough edges aligning. Shinzan left with a "later," and Rampage felt they'd be tight.
"Didn't expect Shinzan coaching," Rampage said.
"Surprised?" Minami appeared.
"Hell yeah, you surprised me!" Rampage shot back.
Minami had fetched her. Rampage griped, "That guest's too much. Monsigny would've been easier."
"Tried her, but she said Shinzan's enough," Minami said.
"She'd say that?" Rampage asked.
"How was it?" Minami probed.
"Her 'normal' Shinzan-iron's my max 10x. She's on another level," Rampage said.
"Your irons were training wheels. Hers are the real deal," Minami explained.
"She wears them daily?" Rampage asked.
"Since her racing days. Light ones feel wrong now," Minami said.
"Insane…"
Note: Shinzan's a beast—her irons, her legacy, her grit. Rampage's catching up, but that gap's wild. CB showed up, and Dot-san from a 50-gem pull? Master's ☆1 status keeps the silver gate chill. Master's just that good.
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