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In the afternoon, once the ninth race at Tokyo Racecourse came to a close, the Uma Musume participating in the Japan Cup began preparing for the exhibition segment. Berno Light had arrived early, following Shuta An's instructions. The moment she spotted Oguri Cap, she waved her over, then leaned in close to whisper the Trainer's pointers directly into the Gray Uma Musume's ear.
"To be cautious of sudden cut-ins from foreign competitors—?" Oguri Cap quietly repeated the main point, then nodded with firm resolve. "I understand. I'll pay special attention."
Satisfied that the message had been delivered, Berno Light gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Go out there, Oguri! The Japan Cup is yours for the taking!"
"Yes—I'll win it!!" Oguri Cap, already turning away, waved without looking back. "Just stay with Trainer and watch me claim the crown of this race, Berno. Leave it to me."
But as she left the trackside and approached the exhibition area, Tamamo Cross stepped forward.
"What was that about earlier, Oguri?" Tamamo Cross had clearly noticed the hushed exchange between her and Berno Light. Oguri Cap hesitated. She wasn't sure whether she should reveal the Trainer's advice.
Seeing that reaction, Tamamo Cross simply waved it off. "Forget it. I'm guessing it's something related to the Japan Cup. I won't pry."
As Tamamo Cross turned away, Oguri Cap spoke softly behind her. "Tama—be careful of opponents who cut in."
Just that single sentence made Tamamo Cross's shoulders jolt.
"I know." She raised a finger and pointed it lightly toward Oguri Cap. "Thanks, Oguri."
After the exhibition, the participants stepped out onto the turf of Tokyo Racecourse—ground that had already endured nine races today.
"After today, this place won't host another race this year—I won't be back until next season," Oguri Cap murmured to herself.
In other words, with the day's final race being dirt, the Tokyo turf had been pushed to its limits—today, its condition was the worst it would ever be.
"And I drew gate 8, right in the middle—I'll have to stay away from the ruined inner turf when finding my position." Oguri Cap stepped lightly on the ground, making up her mind.
"Ann and I have planned this race thoroughly. I'll take the lead and hold off marks from Tama and Tony Bianca. My chances are much higher than in the Autumn Tenno Sho. For the Japan Cup—I alone am enough!"
Lost in thought, she failed to notice the gaze fixed on her from a short distance away. Obey Your Master watched her back silently.
"This kind of pressure and Aura from a single Uma Musume; that Trainer train after leaving the West Coast—?" she murmured under her breath.
After Shuta An and Oguri Cap secured the French Two Crowns, West Coast Tracen Academy naturally received the news. The trainer who had resigned from the West Coast had achieved a feat unseen in France for more than twenty years—such an accomplishment shocked the Trainers and Uma Musume there.
Especially those who knew the real circumstances of Shuta An's resignation—their feelings were particularly complicated. Many believed that even if Shuta An had gone to a major European country after leaving America, making a name for himself would be no easier than staying in America. And if he returned to Asia, his chances would be even slimmer.
Yet, in just two short years, he and what was likely his first independently trained Uma Musume had secured the French Two Crowns. Those who had mocked him behind his back now had nothing but shame.
Obey Your Master remembered her senior, Jet Shinkou, once saying that Shuta An's explosiveness was on par with a G1 Uma Musume. So, after learning that he had become a Trainer in the French Derby, she wanted to see how her seniors reacted. The seniors' reactions varied, but A. P. Indy—who held the highest position in their little circle—left an impact she couldn't forget:
"If that guy had stayed on the West Coast, he'd be the academy's ace by now."
"What kind of Uma Musume would an 'ace-level Trainer,' as senior A. P. Indy put it, raise in Japan—?" Obey Your Master's curiosity only grew stronger.
Before coming to Japan, she studied the conditions of Tokyo Racecourse thoroughly. She even consulted seniors who had challenged the Japan Cup, crafting a detailed plan for how she would run.
Of course, her imagined rivals were Tamamo Cross, Oguri Cap, and Tony Bianca. But if she had to rank them—
Then Tamamo Cross was unquestionably first, Oguri Cap second, and Tony Bianca as a third.
"In just a bit, the results of the Japan Cup will be decided—" Obey Your Master pressed her lips together. "I didn't come to Japan for sightseeing."
Tony Bianca scanned her surroundings as well. Racing abroad was nothing new to her, but Asia was another matter entirely.
"The turf here is harder than I expected…but that also means I can hit speeds faster than in Europe."
A faint smile crossed her lips. "Just as I planned, I'll settle this with my finishing kick on the final stretch."
To Tony Bianca, Oguri Cap stood out among this year's Japan Cup opponents.
"Even if the French Classic runners were criticized this year…any Uma Musume who wins two crowns undeniably possesses excellence. Despite unsuitable track conditions, she still secured two G1 victories. And now, this Japan Cup is her home turf."
Tony Bianca's eyes naturally sought Oguri Cap—standing in the center of the track, quietly gazing toward the stands.
"Undoubtedly the greatest threat. The others deserve attention, but Oguri Cap alone cannot be lowered."
At that moment, Oguri Cap felt the gaze upon her. She turned and met the eyes of Europe's "strongest" from afar—unwavering, clear.
Tony Bianca held her ground. "Quite spirited. But I'm not like Hours After and the others."
Sparks ignited. Their gazes clashed like flames.
Tamamo Cross, nearby, immediately noticed the tension. "What's with these two—?" she muttered.
When the time came to enter the gates, fourteen Uma Musume stepped forward. Oguri Cap, drawing gate 8, entered later than most. This was not ideal—she preferred time to fully settle her focus inside the gate.
Fortunately, Shuta An had accounted for this during race analysis. So Oguri Cap had already positioned herself behind the gate beforehand, clearing her mind and tightening her focus even before stepping in.
In gate 7, Michelle My Baby—who had entered early—turned her head. A dangerous aura brushed against her senses from behind. She recognized this sensation.
"In Mr. Claude's team, that junior Easy Goer—she's terrifying." As Easy Goer's senior teammate, Michelle My Baby had repeatedly witnessed the younger girl's overwhelming talent during training.
"That kid can win the American Triple Crown," the entire Claude team believed.
Shaking off those thoughts, Michelle My Baby let out a wry smile. "What am I thinking? Oguri Cap already won the French Two Crowns. And this is her home turf. She'll be even stronger today."
Still—
"Both of us will be taking the lead—" Her eyes sharpened. "My advantage is physical confrontation. Mr. Claude said the Japan URA Association will be lenient with rulings in the Japan Cup—so I'll be more aggressive fighting for the lead."
While her mind raced, Mejiro Durren—waiting in gate 9—simply covered her mouth and yawned. She knew her juniors and the Triple Tiara senior had come today, but she couldn't muster any excitement. Because she knew exactly who they were here to see.
"They're all here for Oguri Cap. Ramonu-nee-san was the one who found Oguri's Trainer to help with their training plans, after all." Mejiro Durren murmured bitterly, "I'm just a background character."
Even though she had won the Arima Kinen, she knew her current condition was nowhere near her former peak.
"I was only selected because of my international rating advantage—I can't do much." She steadied her breathing. "I'll set a slow pace—sixty-three seconds per kilometer—and see who among them can seize the moment."
Shady Heights and Running Free also intended to fight for the lead. But this was something Shuta An had not foreseen. Mejiro Durren had never led before. Shady Heights usually led only on occasion.
According to Shuta An's projections, this should have been a race where Running Free took the lead easily and created a slow escape. But with Mejiro Durren and Shady Heights suddenly joining the fight, the Japan Cup fell into unpredictable chaos.
Click!
"The final showdown at Tokyo Racecourse this year—the Japan Cup, where world-class powerhouses gather—has begun!"
As the gates flew open and the commentator's booming voice erupted, fourteen Uma Musume launched forward—none stumbling or hesitating.
And immediately, Shady Heights, Mejiro Durren, and Running Free all surged for the front. Their acceleration surpassed the remaining eleven runners instantly, pulling away from the pack.
Running Free in the center. Mejiro Durren to her left. Shady Heights to her right.
"Seriously?! Mejiro Durren, aren't you a chaser?! Why are you going wild trying to take the lead?!" Running Free yelled mid-stride.
"I have my own objectives. I don't need someone who's never won a G1 telling me what to do." Mejiro Durren shot back. "Just stay behind me and eat my slipstream. I want to see a specific pace today."
"I won't give you that lead!" Running Free snapped. "No one is taking it from under my hooves!"
"Is that so?" Shady Heights, who had studied Japanese in a hurry, forced out a response in rough but understandable phrasing. "The lead will be mine."
Running Free froze for a split second at the English, while Mejiro Durren—who had received a proper education—understood immediately.
"She says she's fighting for the lead," she translated dryly.
"What?!" Running Free finally grasped the danger. "I won't let you two steal it!" she snarled, legs picking up speed.
She tried opening a gap down the long stretch—
But Shady Heights had no intention of letting her succeed. Her acceleration was smoother—sharper.
Within seconds she overtook Running Free by half a body, then—
"You—!" Running Free's eyes widened. She swerved to avoid a collision, losing just enough speed for the distance to widen. And in that split-second—Shady Heights cut sharply inward, blocking Running Free's path and forcing her to slow even more.
"What is this?! This is a foul!!" Running Free screamed internally. If the race weren't still ongoing, she would have marched straight to the side to protest on the spot. But before she could recover, Mejiro Durren exploited the opportunity and overtook her from the inside. Then, as if reading each other's intentions, Shady Heights and Mejiro Durren moved in unison, closing off Running Free's escape route completely.
Running Free had no choice but to settle impatiently into third.
The clash at the front was ferocious—yet Shuta An's gaze was fixed solely on Oguri Cap, his brows drawn tightly.
"Isn't competition for the lead…a little too intense?" Symboli Rudolf, standing beside him, voiced exactly what weighed on Shuta An's mind.