Sakura Baimu's speed was rapid after unleashing her power.
But compared to Obey your Master, it was only slightly faster.
Initially, her speed wasn't enough to close the gap between them within ten seconds.
However, with each countdown from Sakura Baimu, Obey your Master's Zone and aura gradually weakened as her resolve wavered.
Simultaneously, the speed granted by her Zone also gradually decreased.
Just then, the countdown reached zero.
Obey your Master's Zone disappeared.
And the speed she lost allowed Sakura Baimu to completely close the gap in that final second.
Rather than saying Sakura Baimu caught up with Obey your Master, it's more accurate to say that Obey your Master's speed dropped.
Standing at the final 600-meter mark of the Tokyo Racecourse, the two-meter-high slope had been climbed simultaneously by both of them.
300 meters remained until the finish line.
However, the outcome of this match was already decided at this moment.
"She…she really won? She really beat Obey your Master?!" Symboli Rudolf's purple eyes widened.
Even though she had witnessed it with her own eyes.
Even though she had seen Sakura Baimu defeat Golden Crown Eagle twice before, relying on her own strength.
But when she saw it again,
Sakura Baimu had even defeated Obey your Master, the champion of that year's Japan Cup. She couldn't help but tremble.
"Most importantly, she also dispelled Obey your Master's Zone..."
Maruzensky's eyes gleamed with excitement, feeling incredibly thrilled by Sakura Baimu's result.
The match continued.
Obey your Master's Zone, which had reached the top of the hill, had vanished.
Her aura and the fire in her eyes had completely disappeared.
Those eyes that had never wavered even when facing top-tier Umamusume racers like Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross.
The moment her Zone disappeared, a violent tremor began to appear.
Fear.
She didn't know how long it had been since she had felt this way.
Because when she competed in the United States, she had deliberately kept a low profile, never seeking victory.
Therefore, most of Obey your Master's matches hadn't put much pressure on her.
Now, as Sakura Baimu shattered her long-held confidence in her own strength, Obey your Master felt a deep-seated fear.
However, Obey your Master was different from Golden Crown Eagle.
She surpassed Golden Crown Eagle in both intellect and strength.
Furthermore, her personality set her apart.
Although she knew she had lost her chance of victory, her face showed little disappointment.
The fear that followed the disappearance of her Zone instantly transformed into a smile.
At this moment, her expression was even more exhilarating than when she had gained the upper hand.
"Hahahaha, so exhilarating! This run was so much fun! Even more exciting and thrilling than the last Japan Cup!"
The Zone had vanished, but a faint white aura still lingered around Obey your Master.
Her speed remained impressive, but compared to Sakura Baimu, who was unleashing her full power, she had lost the ability to compete.
Because Obey your Master gave Sakura Baimu a completely different feeling than Golden Crown Eagle.
Plus, there was the respect she felt for the the strongest racer she had ever faced in her life.
Sakura Baimu didn't let up after overtaking Obey your Master.
Instead, she maintained that deep, azure-blue momentum and crossed the finish line.
A huge difference!
This was an absolutely huge difference.
Sakura Baimu was still behind Obey your Master when she first stepped onto the final straight.
She unleashed her power on the slope and caught up with Obey your Master the moment she reached the top.
And using the final 300 meters, she built a lead of more than 10 lengths.
While it wasn't as outrageous as Sakura Baimu's previous crushing victory over Golden Crown Eagle, the large gap in skill between Sakura Baimu and Obey your Master was still evident.
Symboli Rudolf stared blankly at Sakura Baimu, who had crossed the finish line but showed no signs of fatigue.
Her heart was in turmoil.
Ogura had not only proven with her result that she could train to a level sufficient to enter the top five of Central Tracen Academy without joining the academy, but also, once again, relying on her overwhelming strength, she shattered the myths of the Zone time and time again.
"How could a person with that strength remain unknown? How could I not know who she is!"
"Not to mention in Central, she would rank among the top in the entire world."
"In any country, she would be a legend."
"But why do I have absolutely no memory of this Umamusume? What's going on? Who is she?"
Symboli Rudolf stood there, muttering a string of questions to herself.
Maruzensky, listening nearby, smiled ever more broadly, her smile growing increasingly profound.
She knew the answers to all these questions.
She and Symboli Rudolf had personally attended the Spring Tenno Sho tournament years ago.
That was the first time in Umamusume history that an ordinary Umamusume had defeated a Zone Umamusume.
Unfortunately, Mejiro Sakura was subsequently disqualified for a foul, so her victory over the Zone through sheer physical strength went largely unnoticed.
While everyone was focused on Mejiro Sakura's diagonal run on the final straight,
they naturally overlooked the first Umamusume to create this miracle.
Not only Symboli Rudolf,
but even Maruzensky.
She vaguely remembered that the first Umamusume to break the Zone's myth was from the Mejiro family.
That was all she remembered.
Maruzensky remembered vividly.
Back then, Symboli Rudolf, after witnessing Tamamo Cross activate her Zone and say, "Tamamo Cross, welcome to our side," watched helplessly as Mejiro Sakura overtook Tamamo Cross at the end and was utterly shocked.
Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf were together.
One was experiencing a surge of joy.
The other was consumed by confusion and existential doubt.
On the track, Sakura Baimu walked over to Obey your Master, who was lying face up on the grass in a "wooden" position.
Watching her chest rise and fall with her heavy breathing, and the look of utter satisfaction and joy on her face, Sakura Baimu chuckled softly.
Just as Sakura Baimu was about to say something...
Suddenly, Obey your Master sprang to her feet, beaming, and extended her hand toward her.
"Mejiro Sakura, join our Pluto Academy!"