Uma Musume Girl, I'll tell you about my Santa Hat special move too?

"It's a gear shift!"

"The same thing happened in the previous video. In the final sprint of that race, Stardust Illusion's speed suddenly changed."

"Just when the Tree Express thought it had caught up with the Stardust Illusion, it was suddenly left behind by the other at supersonic speed..."

"I get it! This is the Stardust Illusion... the source of her explosive running style!"

"So strong, truly amazing! Has Stardust Illusion's running technique evolved again?!"

The members of the elite could clearly see that Zhuo Fu's previously smug expression had now completely transformed into one of fervor, her eyes fixed intently on the runner at the very front.

(Perhaps... I don't need to provoke her anymore?)

Seeing this scene, she thought to herself.

Immediately afterwards, Zhuo Fu's footwork began to change.

"I need to start thinking of a way... I need to catch up and have a good fight with the Stardust Illusion!"

This runner, whose figure was even slightly smaller than the Emperor of the East Sea, spoke in this tone.

With effortless steps, he leaped forward, leaving the running noblemen far behind.

Zhuo Fu transformed into a pale pink lightning bolt and charged straight towards the front of the group!

----------

Narita Shirahito, this shadowy monster, still hasn't found a way to break through the high wall in front of him.

Her situation was different from Megumi McQueen's. At this moment, in front of Narita Shirahito, the two burly runners were running side by side, leaving no gap at all.

Even if she wanted to emulate McQueen and force her way through, she couldn't find any opportunity.

(Is the only way to break through on the straight line in the second half of the race?)

If she wants to find a position to overtake her opponent, she excels at launching an attack from a straight line.

However, the course layout was also very unfavorable to her. After the start, there were two consecutive curves, and she didn't enter the straight track until after 900m.

Add to that the distance needed to break through the encirclement; if she only started acting then, she might have just secured the lead when the second half of the match was already over.

(Damn it, these guys are so big and bulky, they're such a nuisance.)

Unable to find an opportunity, Narita Shirahito could only endure it for the time being, focusing his energy on controlling his pace and conserving his strength.

She knew that in the last race, she lost her ability to sprint because the escape disrupted her rhythm.

Therefore, this time I must control myself well to avoid that situation.

Show your strongest side and respond to her!

Responding to that dazzling stardust illusion in every game!

However, at this very moment...

Without warning, Narita Shirahito suddenly felt a gentle breeze blowing from behind.

But at this moment she is running forward at a speed of nearly 70 km/h. Under such circumstances, she can only feel the headwind coming from the front. How could there be a breeze blowing from behind her?

—No, it's not a breeze!

Bai Ren turned his head to look behind him and his eyes widened instantly.

Her gaze had already found the source of that feeling: a runner striding across the outermost lane of the track.

The girl, with a bright smile on her face, was increasing her speed as she approached.

With a burning gaze, she looked past Shiro, past the Maginot Line ahead, past Mejiro McQueen even further ahead, and at the two runners at the very front—

Narita Shirahito was fully aware of her goal.

She was gazing at the silhouette of the stardust illusion!

(What was her name again...Zhuo Fu?)

Bai Ren pondered the runner's information, only to be astonished to find that the information Tojo Hana had given them before the race did not include any details about her.

(Does she want to chase after him?)

Looking at that look in his eyes, Bai Ren guessed.

However, she did not think highly of the girl's idea. The race was only one-third complete. If she tried to catch up with the escape at this point, she would likely lose twice the amount of energy.

This runner appears to be very petite, so his stamina is unlikely to be outstanding, which could negatively impact his performance.

Even without the problem of stamina, to catch up with Stardust Illusion, she would have to overcome at least three obstacles: herself, the French runner ahead, and Mejiro McQueen.

In this kind of individual competition, even if no one deliberately blocks her way, people won't easily make way for her.

Give up!

Zhuo Fu acted without any hesitation.

As Narita Shirahito watched her approach, he suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of irritation.

Why isn't she stopping? Does she really think she can surpass everyone in one fell swoop?!

Bai Ren could even hear the words Zhuo Fu was muttering:

"—Stardust Illusion, Zofu is coming for you!"

But what happened in the next 4 seconds?

Two seconds have passed...

Zhuo Fu, who had been closing in on him, suddenly disappeared from Narita Shirahito's sight.

Two seconds have passed...

A pinkish-brown phantom seemed to flash before Bai Ren's eyes.

Two seconds have passed...

The racehorse girl blocking the way suddenly exclaimed.

Two seconds have passed...

Narita Shirahito only then heard the exclamation and turned his head back.

(...?)

But even if you see it, you can't understand what's happening in front of you.

Something completely contrary to common sense just happened on this field.

Just seconds ago, Zoe was closing in behind him, but now she was running in front of Megumi McQueen.

Neither she, nor the French runners, nor Mejiro McQueen made any move to move aside, but...

"It went straight through?"

Bai Ren muttered to himself.

Chapter 82 The True Genius: Zhuo Fu

Okay, as you can see, all the runners have now completed the first three waves of the course, and the race has officially entered the mid-stage.

The two runners ahead, Stardust Illusion and Miura Bourbon, have gradually stabilized their speed and seem to have decided to maintain a safe distance of 8 horse lengths.

[At the forefront of the second group is still Mejiro McQueen. This runner from the Mejiro family is very calm at this moment. Is he preparing to settle the score in the second half of the race?]

[Then the six French runners maintained their positions in the lead. Their running style was very consistent, combining strength and endurance. Is this the strength of French exchange students?!]

[Then there are Narita Shirohito and Daiki the Express riders. Their situation doesn't look good. If they can't break through... wait!]

The host is enthusiastically introducing the current match situation.

However, looking at the situation on the field, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.

Immediately afterwards, a pale pink lightning bolt ripped through the rain, chasing straight from the third-to-last position and arriving behind the second-to-last group in the blink of an eye!

The host then realized what was happening and quickly grabbed the microphone, shouting:

[—It's Zove! French runner Zove has caught up!!!]

[Zhuo Fu, who had been holding the bottom position, suddenly accelerated at the second bend, leaving the Noble Clan and the pursuing Amazon and Golden Ship behind. She was incredibly fast! And her movements were exceptionally light!]

[She's caught up with Narita Shirahito! Is she planning to join the advanced team?!]

【Varied--】

At this moment, the host suddenly fell silent again.

In the arena, the spectators who had been watching the game fell silent as if by prior agreement, and the once lively arena was suddenly enveloped in silence.

Zhuo Fu, in an incomprehensible manner, overtook three runners in one go and arrived in front of Mejiro McQueen.

What on earth happened?!

The audience was so shocked that they were speechless for a moment.

(This is the first time since I was a child... Grandma Hyde!)

(I'm finally standing on this field again, competing against my opponents!)

Zhuo Fu was panting heavily.

Having just passed three people in a row, she now regained her breathing rhythm.

She lowered her head slightly and chased after him.

(This is completely different from running alongside others or practicing secretly on your own.)

In Zhuo Fu's mind, she recalled the scene of herself and her sisters running side by side on the track for training, as well as the scene of running through the streets of Paris day after day for several years.

Her eyes stung slightly, but this did not affect Zhuo Fu's mood.

(Behind me are formidable enemies who could catch up at any moment, while ahead of me are the opponents I want to defeat...)

(This feeling... I did it! I can finally compete with everyone on the field!!!)

She had never felt so exhilarated at this moment, and a slight smile played on her lips when no one was watching.

Even the tears that welled up in her eyes couldn't distract her from her goal; in Zhuo Fu's bright, azure eyes, only the back of the person in front of her remained—