Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 399 Unleashing Potential in Adversity
Unaware of the pressure felt by Kozumi Satomi, Genkonobu Kita was surprised by an unexpected discovery during her initial warm-up in the preparation area of ​​the arena.

At the very front of the warm-up team was Senior Zhang Zhen, the leader of this special training group, followed by other seniors who had come to assist with the training.

Next are the teammates who trained together during this period, or rather, the rivals who are most likely to leave Takarazuka Memorial.

Among them, Makoto Fukada, who had not been training at the Tokyo venue before, was unexpectedly included in the warm-up team.

When they gathered, Beibu Xuanju saw her friend, but because Da Shenxiang had just announced the competition order and started leading the team to warm up, she only had time to say hello and didn't have a chance to ask about the situation.

The number of people competing today is not a large number, but it's not small either; there are just over 20 people in total.

Considering that there are fewer players in a single competition, making post-competition analysis easier, the competition is divided into two rounds, and the specific list of participants was determined by drawing lots one day in advance.

Northern Black Horse was placed in the first match, as was Unyielding Steel.

Feeling that the competition would start soon after warming up, and she probably wouldn't have time to ask, but unable to contain her curiosity, she quickly turned her head and whispered as the warm-up team rounded a bend:
"Hey, Shin'gang-chan, what are you doing here in this training match? Didn't you... not sign up for this special training? And the next match... isn't the Takarazuka Memorial, is it?"

When he asked, Beibu Xuanju had some doubts in his heart.

This week's match day will feature the Japanese derby, the event in which Kozue Satomi is leaving.

To ensure the popularity of this G1 event, all aspects of the publicity were quite focused, and naturally, the topic would not be diverted to the Takarazuka Memorial.

However, whether it's through various spontaneous voting websites or private exchanges among female horse racers, the general level of support can be observed.

In short, the current level of fan support is basically consistent with the list of participants in this special training program.

Among the exceptions, there happens to be unyielding true steel.

Japan places great importance on overseas races, and for this reason, Shinko Futo's popularity skyrocketed even before she returned to Japan after winning G1 in the Dubai Turf Race. She is now one of the most sought-after active racehorse girls.

It is generally agreed that the Takarazuka Memorial is a precursor to the Arc de Triomphe in Japan, and it is precisely because of this and its popularity that there are quite a few fans who support Shin'go Shigeo's departure from the Takarazuka Memorial.

But Genkobuchi felt that if he remembered correctly, his friend's next match shouldn't be Takarazuka, but rather the other side's G1.

As they rounded the bend, they were suddenly asked a question. Bu Nao Zhengang paused for a moment, winked at Bei Fang Xuanju, and quickly looked enlightened. Then he rubbed his temples as if he had a headache.

Northern Black Steed was immediately worried and was about to ask when Unyielding Steel reluctantly spoke up:

"Yes, I've scheduled Yasuda Kinen for the next match..."

"How could that be...?" Beibu Xuanju asked doubtfully, then hesitated and stopped.

Suddenly, Bu Nao Zhengang smiled and said, "Why did I come to participate in this training match? Don't you welcome me, Xiao Bei?"

"Ah?"

Northern Black Horse was taken aback and quickly shook his head, saying, "How could that be? That's not what I meant. What I meant was... it's just..."

Seeing that the Northern Black Steed was somewhat incoherent, Unyielding Steel smiled and shook his head, then pondered for a moment:

"Actually, I roughly know what you're thinking, Xiao Bei."

"You think that after I win the Dubai Grass Race, I can definitely consider the Takarazuka Memorial, and then the Arc de Triomphe Prize, right?"

Beibu Xuanju's face lit up with joy, and he was about to nod when Ming Sheng Lei Dong, who had been listening intently, suddenly said, "I think so too, and then..." She looked at Beibu Xuanju: "Little Bei... should think so too."

"After all, we said in Dubai that even though we didn't have a chance to compete there, we would run together again when we got back to Japan."

"That's what I thought too, but..."

Upon hearing the words of the Northern Black Steed and its thunderous neighing, Bu Nao Zhen Gang had barely uttered half a sentence with a wry smile when a disgruntled shout came from the very front of the warm-up team:

"Training isn't over yet! Everyone, concentrate! Don't get distracted!"

Without prior arrangement, Northern Black Steed, Unyielding Steel, and Thunderous Roar all twitched their ears and jumped, instinctively shouting "Hi!" before quickly focusing on warming up.

However, after concentrating for a while, Bu Nao Zhen Gang's mind quickly returned to the previous topic.

She actually wanted to compete against Northern Genko and Thunderclap again, just as she had agreed with Dubai. It was because of this idea that she was a little disappointed when she learned that the trainer had prepared a schedule for Yasuda Kinen instead of Takarazuka Kinen.

The trainer's idea was correct. Winning the international-level G1 proved her strength, and the 1800-meter course of the Dubai Grass Race may also indicate that her best distance is probably the mile race.

However, even trainers cannot guarantee this 100%, so the events following Yasuda Kinen were scheduled as the 2000-meter Emperor's Autumn Viewing and the 2400-meter Japan Cup.

Given this arrangement, we can still meet with the Northern Black Steed and the Thunderous Roar.

Especially after witnessing the growth of the Northern Black Horse in practice races in Dubai.

Indeed, that practice match wasn't a formal competition, but its intensity was no less than that of a big prize.

Especially without the level of preparation required for a high-stakes tournament, the various on-the-spot decisions required on-the-spot adjustments, making many matches even more intense than the later Dubai Grass Court Tournament.

Both were traveling overseas for the first time, and were also friends and rivals from the same cohort. Yet, the fact that Northern Black Horse was able to win such a competition made Unyielding Steel even more eager to learn more about Northern Black Horse through similar competitions.

Of course, the Roaring Thunder is also a formidable rival to the Northern Black Steed. To defeat such an opponent, one must put in more effort and gain a deeper understanding of it.

It was precisely because of these reasons that she went to great lengths to secure this opportunity for the training match.

She wanted to witness firsthand the current strength of her two friends and rivals in their next encounter.

While Bu Nao Zhen Gang was overwhelmed with emotions, Bei Chu Xuan Ju was also pondering instructions for the upcoming race.

Unlike official matches, training matches do not emphasize winning or losing, or rather, the real winner is whether or not the ideal mission objective can be achieved.

Her most crucial objective is to revisit areas she has previously explored through "scenario simulation tactics" before the race reaches 2200 meters.

She had already learned from Yasui Makoto that one becomes stronger when faced with adversity and that one's strength emerges from hardship.

To be honest, she hasn't fully accepted this assessment yet.

But in the year or so they spent together, she had unconditional trust in Yasui Makoto.

So if the trainer says or makes those arrangements, there must be a reason behind it. Just do your best to follow through.

(End of this chapter)