Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 522 This is my answer!
Upon hearing Yasui Makoto's words, Alice's first reaction was that this person had either gone mad or lost his mind; otherwise, how could he possibly agree to such an impossible and meaningless request?

But the next second, recalling how they'd known each other, the trainer next to him seemed to often make unexpected moves and decisions, so responding to Northern Black Horse in that way wasn't too surprising.

After calming down, and reflecting on her actions, she decided that while it was unexpected, the outcome... seemed to be without major problems. Alice's curiosity was instantly piqued.
"So what's the plan? You really think you can get Xiao Bei and Good Opera to go head-to-head in this situation?"

"First of all, I need to correct one point: it's 'one-on-one,' not the kind of one-on-one fight in the conventional sense."

Makoto Yasui gently shook his head and pointed to the racing teams on the track:

"Because Xiao Bei's idea... is just to prove her beliefs to her seniors."

After a quick thought, Alice immediately realized that what Yasui Makoto was referring to was the agreement between Kita Genko and the opera, or rather, the latter's "declaration of confrontation" before the competition. She couldn't help but nod, her gaze becoming increasingly urging.

"Secondly..."

Continuing to watch the teams in the match, Yasui Makoto revealed a confident smile:

"In the opening, they abandoned a strong lead; in the middle game, they abandoned a long-distance sprint, utilizing the short-distance advantage of the inside lane to accumulate strength, avoiding direct confrontation with the leading group, and postponing the sprint opportunity."

"Dr. Suzuko, this line of thinking... should be fine, right?"

……

On the track.

The mid-game tug-of-war was like a taut string, with every female racehorse's breath seemingly synchronized with the undulations of the grass.

Controlling its speed and rhythm to stay in second place, the Northern Black Steed kept its eyes fixed on the track ahead while using its various senses to assess the situation on the field.

As expected, even though she has been retired for a long time, one of her goals in this match is to maintain the same strong control of the game as she did during her active career.

In many people's eyes, this senior opera singer often acts in an exaggerated manner, but during the competition, she never did anything impulsive.

She never speeds up arbitrarily, but constantly adjusts her pace to maintain as much distance as possible from her opponents, like an elegant conductor controlling the rhythm of the entire arena.

While focusing on good operas, she did not forget another goal.

As she gradually entered the gap of the third bend, she glanced at the diagonally behind her and easily spotted the Miqi Rocket.

Sure enough, just as I had noticed before, this junior was still consciously or unconsciously imitating the rhythm of good opera, and even his habit of slightly reducing his strength when cornering was exactly the same.

But many things are one thing if they are not pointed out, but things may change once they are pointed out.

The Miqi Rocket is a prime example.

In the eyes of the Northern Black Horse, the Miqi Rocket's imitation was far too clumsy compared to the past, and even its breathing was somewhat disordered, like a march that had been forcibly slowed down, losing all its original sharpness.

Actually... you really don't need to care about what your seniors say, just stick to your own beliefs...

In the instant that he sighed inwardly, the gaze of the Northern Black Steed suddenly sharpened.

Boom——! Boom——! Boom——!
She suddenly adjusted the rhythm of her footsteps, no longer the even tap-tap of before, but like a variation of a symphony, deliberately emphasizing the last step in every three steps.

With her at the center, powerful beats began to ripple outwards.

The Miqi Rocket, running diagonally behind, was taken aback at first, then subconsciously pulled by the rhythm, and its originally stiff steps loosened slightly.

She snapped back to reality and looked at the back of the Northern Black Steed. A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes, which always held a touch of stubbornness.

This... isn't Xiao Bei's usual style...?
Is the senior about to sprint...?
But is this really the right time?

Just then, her heart skipped a beat, and her gaze involuntarily turned to her side. Her eyes first lit up with joy, but then quickly turned to panic and tension.

In the blink of an eye, the one who overtook the Miki Rocket was Good Opera. She didn't notice the complicated gazes looking at her from the side, and was only staring at the Northern Black Horse in front of her.

Suddenly, a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of her lips.

The next second, she suddenly quickened her pace, like a high note suddenly rising in an aria, instantly widening the distance between herself and the Miqi Rocket.

They're here! Without turning around, the Northern Black Steed felt a chill run down its spine the moment it sensed the movement behind it.

The wind on the track suddenly became fierce. Every inch of air seemed to be taut.

The Northern Black Steed's gaze was like the most precise radar, firmly locked onto the figure approaching from the diagonal rear:
Good Opera is subtly adjusting its position using the momentum of the turn, its stride frequency gradually decreasing.
That was building up power for the final sprint on the straight, the meticulous calculations hidden beneath the magnificent arias behind the legend of "Eternal One-Horse Steed".

Almost simultaneously, the entire arena seemed to be accelerated.

Yamato Akama still firmly held the lead, its crimson figure like a burning meteor, showing no signs of slowing down.

The previous restlessness of the forest treasure cave was completely transformed into a wild charge, and the grass on the outer path was trampled and tossed about by her horseshoes.
Vodka's signature dashing running style suddenly turned sharp, like a scimitar being drawn from its sheath and beginning to cut inward.
The Satomi sisters' teamwork grew increasingly tight, forming a formidable white torrent...

All opponents were exerting their strength, and the mid-game tug-of-war was instantly torn apart.

The entire team, rushing into the final bend, churned up instantly like tea leaves thrown into boiling water.

But the Northern Black Steed's heart beat incredibly steadily at this moment, even with a hint of secret excitement.

It's now!

The rhythm she deliberately controlled from the start of the competition, and those steady breaths that others misunderstood as "giving up the fight," have now become her most powerful asset.

She didn't rush blindly in the opening, nor did she get caught up in the entanglement in the middle game. Like a patient lone wolf, she carefully stored her energy like the most precious spring water.

At this moment, as everyone pours their energy into the battle for the corner, the power accumulating within her is like a volcano about to erupt.

The advantage of the inside lane in short distances will be amplified in the last corner before the end of the race, and those direct confrontations that she deliberately avoided now become natural barriers that isolate her from interference.

This is the best stage to respond to the "declaration of confrontation" of good opera;
It is the only window to realize that bold idea;

This is also a crucial moment to fulfill the agreement with Miqi Rocket!

Northern Black Horse could clearly feel the dormant power within its muscle fibers awakening, and its blood surging like thunder in its veins.

No complicated tactics are needed, and there's no need to worry about interference from others.

What she wanted was to unleash all her stored energy the instant she burst out of the bend.

With the purest and most extreme speed, engage in an all-out straight-line duel with that legendary predecessor.

Her gaze suddenly sharpened like an eagle's, her crimson pupils reflecting the direction of the finish line, and a confident smile curved her lips.

The pent-up power surged forth like a burst dam, roaring through the muscles and bones.

His previously steady stride suddenly increased, each push off the ground accompanied by a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air, leaving fine, crumpled marks on the grass beneath him.

The wind howled sharply in my ears, and the scenery on both sides of my vision was stretched into blurry patches of color.

Only the finish line ahead, like the only star in the dark night, is so clear that it seems within reach.

A commotion arose from the arena behind them, a sign that the other competitors' rhythm had been disrupted by the sudden acceleration.

The panting of Milan Sea, the footsteps of the forest's treasure cave, the soft gasp of vodka tinged with surprise...

She left all those sounds far behind, as if they were separated by a thick barrier.

Just then, a figure approached from behind like a ghost, with a speed completely different from hers, yet equally terrifying.

The iconic pink crown fluttered in the wind, and the usual flamboyant smile on his face was gone, replaced by an unprecedented focus and sharpness.

You're here...

She silently chanted in her heart, turning her gaze away, a silent roar of anger emanating from her soul:

Did you see that, senior...?

This... is my answer!!

(End of this chapter)