Pegasus? I'm actually a doctor!

There, all across Japan, from top to bottom, everyone was filled with anticipation as they waited...

A few short days passed in an instant!

The opening of the Japanese Derby was now less than half an hour away.

And in front of the racetrack where the Japanese Derby was being held! A constant rain fell, with heavy rain pouring down incessantly.

But even the torrential rain couldn't dampen the enthusiasm and anticipation of the audience.

The density of the crowd was incredible; many fans and spectators had started queuing up hours earlier, and even now, as the opening drew near, there were still many people!

The number of spectators entering the venue far exceeded that of previous years, highlighting the extraordinary nature of this Japanese Derby.

"Even though Tachyon isn't here... at least we still have Platinum! This Derby is definitely worth watching!"

"Jungle Pocket and Black Ship are monsters too. It's a chaotic situation with three strong contenders, and on a rare heavy track, it's sure to be unpredictable."

"Even if we can't see Agnes Tachyon challenge for the undefeated Triple Crown, watching the Heavenly Horse Platinum compete for the Triple Crown of Transformation is just as worthwhile!"

"Platinum is indeed strong, but she's challenging a 2400-meter GI race after only a week of rest. There's no way she can succeed."

"Looking at Japan, no Uma Musume has ever won two GI races in a week. Not even the mighty Emperor could do that!"

Among the many enthusiastic discussions, Platinum was the main topic, followed by mentions of Jungle Pocket and Black Ship.

And on the other side of the queue entrance—

Agnes Tachyon, draped in a white coat and not supposed to be here, gazed calmly at the figure in front of her.

Having already announced her withdrawal from the race and attending the Japanese Derby merely as a spectator, Agnes Tachyon had just arrived when she was stopped by a familiar face, a past rival.

Standing before Agnes Tachyon was a chestnut-haired girl with sharp eyes, filled with unwillingness.

Her name was... Jungle Pocket!

During the Satsuki Sho, Jungle Pocket was recognized as the only genius who could possibly defeat Agnes Tachyon. The commentators at the time, when mentioning all the Uma Musume in the race, would say, "Agnes Tachyon, Jungle Pocket, and the others..."!

The extent of Jungle Pocket's talent and strength was evident.

But with Agnes Tachyon absent and her chances of winning the Japanese Derby greatly increased, Jungle Pocket felt no joy whatsoever.

On the contrary, she was frustrated by the absence of that formidable opponent, by the lack of an opportunity for revenge!

"Tachyon, I will prove in this Derby..."

"That I am the strongest of this generation!"

Faced with Jungle Pocket's resentful words, Agnes Tachyon responded calmly to her former challenger in an almost indifferent tone.

"In the end, the outcome of the race is irrelevant to me."

The so-called race was merely a part of her research curriculum.

It seemed that this monster, already known as the Phantom Triple Crown, cared little for the Japanese Derby.

But no one could see that beneath the sleeves of her large white coat, this mad Uma Musume scientist was subconsciously clenching her fists, not releasing them even as her sharp nails pierced her palms until they were red and swollen.

If she could...

Agnes Tachyon didn't want to be just an observer, an experimenter. She wanted to continue running on the track herself, but she would never admit it easily!

"You have no chance to defeat me anymore, but fortunately..."

"You've encountered Platinum."

Before leaving, Agnes Tachyon stated her opinion.

"There's no need to feel regret for not being able to get revenge."

"Defeating that Heavenly Horse is equivalent to defeating me, without a doubt!"

Want to prove you're the strongest? Then you must defeat Platinum!

"Okay!"

After hearing Agnes Tachyon's words, Jungle Pocket's mind flashed back to the Oaks race footage she had watched earlier, thinking of that terrifying opponent who looked back at the moon.

"If the opponent is Platinum, it might be tricky..."

And Jungle Pocket admitted that she was by no means an easy opponent to defeat. But fortunately, the current track was heavy, a special track condition that stamina-deficient Uma Musume would find difficult to overcome!

At this moment, she definitely had a good chance of winning.

"Will you lose?"

Agnes Tachyon asked with a light chuckle.

The next moment, the chestnut-haired girl's expression turned fierce, like a wild beast that had caught the scent of its prey. She gritted her teeth and answered fiercely.

"I will win!!"

A declaration of victory before the race, on a heavy track!

Some time later.

Inside the racetrack, every seat was taken!

The cheers of the more than ten thousand spectators in the audience continued to rise.

"Platinum, I turned into a werewolf for you, I went crazy for you, I put on thick disguises for you, I changed my heart for you, can we ever meet again???"

"Jungle Pocket, don't lose to a mere Oaks champion!!"

"Jungle Pocket, you must defeat Platinum to prove that [Tachyon > Treasure Hole > Platinum]!"

"Quack, Platinum, we love you!"

Among the audience, many Uma Musume and retired Uma Musume couldn't help but sigh.

"To see such strong people fighting up close is worth the ticket price even if I die!"

And in the front row somewhere!

Two petite young Uma Musume, their eyes sparkling with anticipation, were holding support signs in their arms.

[?Heavenly Horse? Platinum]

[?Triple Crown of Transformation? Platinum]

From Sato no Diamond to Kitasan Black, these petite fillies came to support Platinum.

Even though she trusted Platinum's strength immensely, Sato no Diamond couldn't help but feel worried as she looked up at the damp scene on the grass below.

"It's raining, and it's not just an ordinary 'slightly heavy' track."

"It's a truly terrifying 'heavy track'!"

"It's so unfair! Platinum is competing with a bunch of debuffs. She has to fight continuously without rest, and she's only been racing for a month, and now she's hit a heavy track that severely tests stamina and strength!"

If it rained a day or two before the race, the grass might not dry completely, and it would only be slightly damp, which is a slightly heavy track.

But the rain now, just before the opening, shows no sign of stopping!

This will probably be the most ferocious and terrifying GI race of the year, and the biggest test for the Uma Musume!

"Ugh... it's so unfair, Platinum is so unlucky."

There were more than just a few Heavenly Horse fans who were worried like Sato no Diamond and Kitasan Black.

From the audience to the outside world, the trend was gradually changing!

The change in environment has a significant impact.

The Japanese track is known as a... [high-speed track], which is harder than European and American tracks.

To describe it, the Japanese track requires [Power C Speed A] stats, while European and American tracks require [Power Speed Double A]! This is one of the reasons why many Japanese Uma Musume have extremely poor overseas records.

But a heavy track will lead to a much greater demand for power, and many Uma Musume who don't exercise their power much or don't have enough stamina will have their strength greatly affected, and will be as weak as if they were stepping on European grass.

Can Platinum overcome the terrifying heavy track?

Inside the racetrack, in the backstage area for the participants.

There were nearly twenty Uma Musume inside, but one of the most popular and highly anticipated Heavenly Horses was missing.

"It's two minutes before the opening ceremony and heading to the starting gate."

"She wouldn't... choose to avoid the race because of the heavy track, would she?"

"After all, Platinum's gate position and the heavy track environment are not favorable to her."

Jungle Pocket in the backstage couldn't help but be surprised.

The foreign Uma Musume Black Ship next to her was also puzzled.

A few short seconds later, footsteps echoed in the hallway outside the backstage.

And the voice of a URA staff member.

"I'm sorry, Miss Platinum, because your Winning Live Costume set is really... [unheard of]!"

"So the inspection took a little longer, please forgive us."

"There will be no more review process for subsequent races, so please prepare to enter the gate as the most popular contestant!"

The sound traveled through the hallway to the ears of these amazingly perceptive Uma Musume.

Winning Live Costume? Unheard of? So it had to be reviewed?

In an instant, they collectively turned their heads curiously, waiting for the arrival of that mysterious Heavenly Horse.

Even Jungle Pocket, the powerful and wild roan mare, looked over.

In the next second, Jungle Pocket's expression froze, and she couldn't help but gasp.

The Heavenly Horse, clad in a white Winning Live Costume, walked calmly in front of them, the quiver and bow and arrow hanging on her back were impossible to hide, and she was immediately noticed by the entire venue.

"How can an Uma Musume be on the field with a bow and arrow?"

"Ugh... why doesn't my Winning Live Costume even have a small weapon? The Heavenly Horse is too loved by the Three Goddesses!"

"So handsome! I've never seen a Winning Live Costume like this before, no wonder it took so long to review."

Platinum calmly looked around the room, looking at the faces of these competitors one by one, and finally lingered on Jungle Pocket for a moment.

She began to lock eyes with her strongest opponent at the Japanese Derby.

The cold Platinum Grand Seat of the Mugyuu Alliance couldn't wait to try out her Bow and Arrow and Quiver effects. She was very interested in her [New Skin] and [Special Effects]!

Even though it was a heavy track, even with so many strong enemies, Platinum never felt worried or afraid!

Jungle Pocket only met her gaze for a moment, but she felt an astonishing pressure, slightly grinning and clenching her fists.

(You can tell just from her stance, this person is crazy strong!)

(But... I can't lose. I will defeat Platinum and prove that I am the strongest, surpassing Platinum and Agnes Tachyon!!)

Then, Platinum continued to smile faintly as she began to walk towards the entrance.

"Everyone, I'll take my leave first."

At the racetrack!

[Next to enter... is Platinum, aiming for the Triple Crown of Transformation, a feat even more difficult than the undefeated Triple Crown! Hailed as the Heavenly Horse who transcends challenges!!]

[The favorite to win! The number one popular Platinum, can she display her usual strength on this heavy track, rarely seen in the history of the Japanese Derby?]

[Let us wait and see, and look forward to the soaring figure of the Heavenly Horse!]

Along with the commentator's soaring announcement!

Finally—!

Platinum, she's here!

Even though the heavy rain was still falling!

Platinum, draped in her Winning Live Costume and carrying a bow on her back, calmly entered. The big screen suddenly zoomed in and locked onto her image.

In just an instant...

The entire stadium, with its hundreds of thousands of spectators, immediately erupted in excitement! Countless people had never heard of, let alone seen with their own eyes, an Uma Musume carrying such a large weapon!