Chapter Summaries

After Little Kita broke down and pushed everyone away, Hikari-chan refused to return with Crown, believing an apology would not solve the unknown problem. At the school where Little Kita once risked her life to rescue a kitten, Hikari-chan connected her behavior to the pressure following the Osaka Hai and began comparing it to the Satomi family’s G1 curse.

• Crown urged Hikari-chan to go back and comfort Little Kita, but Hikari-chan said Little Kita needed a solution, not their attention.
• Hikari-chan led Crown to the elementary school and recalled how Little Kita had fallen from the third floor while rescuing a kitten.
• Hikari-chan said Little Kita had always rushed to help others and taken responsibility on herself, as she had when trying to push them away.
• Hikari-chan suggested that Little Kita’s Osaka Hai victory, overseas ambitions, increased attention, and growing workload may have triggered her unusual behavior.
• Hikari-chan asked Crown to remember how people had treated the Satomi family when they were burdened by the so-called Satomi family G1 curse.

Diamond explained to Crown that Kitasan Black and Trainer Yasui might be facing pressure over an overseas campaign, then declared that she wanted to defeat Kitasan Black at her full strength. She revealed that Kitasan Black had been listening nearby and called on her to resolve the matter and meet her in Kyoto.

• Diamond told Crown that the Association and merchant associations might be pressuring Kitasan Black and Trainer Yasui to reconsider an overseas campaign.
• Diamond said she refused to accept a victory over a distracted Kitasan Black and wanted to face her at her peak.
• Diamond challenged Kitasan Black to sort things out and meet her on the track in Kyoto.
• Kitasan Black stepped out from behind a tree, shocking Crown.

Kitasan Black returned to Satono Diamond after overhearing her declaration and promised to meet her on the Kyoto track. She then returned to the team meeting, ready to review her training and prepare for the Tenno Sho Spring.

• Kitasan Black apologized to Satono Diamond, then said she was going back to the team meeting because it was part of her training.
• Kitasan Black promised Satono Diamond that she would wait for her properly on the Kyoto track.
• Anjing Zhen continued the team meeting while Almond Eye, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet worried about Kitasan Black's absence.
• Kitasan Black arrived at the meeting covered in sand and sweat, apologized for being late, and asked to hear the day's discussion and tomorrow's plan.
• Agnes Tachyon prepared Kitasan Black's endurance data review, while Daiwa Scarlet welcomed her and asked Almond Eye to bring tea and bananas.

After Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen agreed to fight on separate fronts, the team prepared for the Tenno Sho Spring while the URA Association and Commercial Federation quietly gathered support. The chapter ended with the political storm still building and its next move unknown.

• Anjing Zhen steadied himself and resumed the meeting, where the team brought Kitasan Black up to speed and reviewed her training data.
• Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Scarlet, and Almond Eye left the meeting room, giving Kitasan Black a chance to tell Anjing Zhen about her conflict with Satono Diamond and her decision to focus on racing.
• Kitasan Black entrusted the political struggle to Anjing Zhen and promised to hear his explanations after they won the Tenno Sho Spring.
• Anjing Zhen promised that he and the team would clear obstacles on their front while Kitasan Black won on hers.
• Kitasan Black's training remained physically normal, though her intense focus alarmed Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet.
• Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, Gold Ship, and Gold Artisan relayed signs that the URA Association and Commercial Federation were preparing for a formal confrontation.

The day before Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen were due to leave for Kyoto, the URA Association and business federation summoned them to a hearing about her Overseas Expedition plan. As they arrived at headquarters, Satono Diamond revealed she had arranged to sit beside their team, showing that she would stand with Kitasan Black.

• Mejiro McQueen delivered an urgent notice requiring Kitasan Black and Anjing Zhen to attend a hearing the next day.
• Kitasan Black agreed to face the hearing, and Anjing Zhen assigned Agnes Tachyon, Daiwa Scarlet, and Almond Eye to prepare reports and logistics.
• Anjing Zhen and Kitasan Black arrived at URA Association headquarters with the team's prepared documents.
• Satono Diamond appeared in formal attire and explained that she had requested a place beside Kitasan Black's team at the hearing.

Satono Diamond urged Kitasan Black and Trainer Yasui to win the upcoming race before entering the URA Association hearing alone. Inside, Diamond explained the important attendees to Kitasan Black as the hearing was about to begin.

• Satono Diamond told Trainer Yasui and the others to give everything and win, warning she would hate them if they lost.
• Kitasan Black set aside her doubts and told Trainer Yasui they should settle the matter quickly and return to training and racing.
• Kitasan Black, Trainer Yasui, and their companions took their places at the URA Association hearing.
• Satono Diamond quietly explained the roles of the influential attendees and the secretaries who would do most of the speaking.
• Satono Diamond identified Yukishiro Sakuya as Central Treisen Academy’s chairwoman and Akikawa Yayoi as its former chairwoman.

Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond attended a formal hearing about Kitasan Black’s overseas expedition plans, where Akikawa Yayoi and Yukishiro Sakuya served as observers and Nase Fumino presided. The hearing opened with a review of prior communications, and the URA Association presented its disciplinary actions before asking Anjing Zhen’s team whether they objected.

• Satono Diamond explained to Kitasan Black that Akikawa Yayoi was acting as a mediator and Nase Fumino would preside over a procedurally fair hearing.
• Akikawa Yayoi called the hearing to order and introduced herself and Yukishiro Sakuya as observers and witnesses, with Nase Fumino presiding.
• Nase Fumino began the hearing and opened the agenda item reviewing prior communications.
• The URA Association representative reported disciplinary measures against personnel for their conduct during earlier communications and asked whether Trainer Yasui’s team objected.
• Kitasan Black looked toward Anjing Zhen as the presiding officer turned her attention to his team.

At a hearing over Kitasan Black’s overseas campaign, the Commercial Federation challenged Anjing Zhen’s team over the risks their contracts posed to thousands of livelihoods. Anjing defended the team’s training and preparation but conceded that financial risk hedging was outside their expertise, and the hearing moved on after the chair treated the parties as having reached a consensus.

• A Commercial Federation representative presented twenty-nine major contracts and estimated that a failed campaign could cause losses exceeding one hundred billion yen and threaten thousands of jobs.
• Kitasan Black grew shaken by the figures, while Satono Diamond reassured her that the Federation was using social responsibility to pressure the team.
• Anjing Zhen explained that the team’s scientific training and race plan aimed to maximize Kitasan Black’s success, but said broader financial risk hedging required specialized partners.
• A second Federation representative mocked the team for having no insurance against defeat, and Anjing said they could interpret his response as they wished.
• Nase Fumino treated the exchange as a consensus and moved the hearing to the next issue.

At Kitasan Black’s hearing, the Association secretary argued that a failed overseas campaign could damage sponsorship and deprive younger Horse Girls of opportunities. Anjing Zhen challenged that claim and defended the team’s plan, leaving Kitasan Black steadier but still troubled by the potential risks.

• The Association secretary warned that Kitasan Black’s failure could undermine sponsors, races, and academy funding, placing younger Horse Girls’ training opportunities at risk.
• Kitasan Black was shaken by the thought that her plan could harm younger girls, while Satono Diamond comforted her and grew angry at the secretary’s argument.
• Anjing Zhen argued that successful overseas campaigns could boost long-term investment and that emergency support could protect promising trainees if funding programs were affected.
• Anjing Zhen rejected the demand that his team guarantee the health of the entire industry, saying its responsibility was to manage Kitasan Black’s career and well-being while broader regulation belonged to the wider system.
• Kitasan Black took comfort from Anjing Zhen’s response and began gathering resolve, while Satono Diamond suspected the Association might refuse to engage with his arguments.

During Kitasan Black's qualification hearing, she defended her trust in Anjing Zhen and the team's ability to manage the risks, but the Association threatened to review whether he should remain her trainer. As Anjing Zhen steadied her, Nase Fumino stopped an opposing representative from interrupting before he could respond.

• An impatient Association representative challenged Anjing Zhen's risk plans and questioned his qualifications as Kitasan Black's trainer.
• Kitasan Black spoke up, saying she ran for the people who supported her and trusted Anjing Zhen and the others to find answers together.
• The Association secretary said it would initiate a review of whether Kitasan Black's trainer should be replaced unless the team offered a convincing systemic solution.
• Kitasan Black grew furious at the threat, but Satono Diamond and Anjing Zhen held her hands, and his calm nod helped her regain control.
• Nase Fumino ordered the representative to stop interrupting and give Anjing Zhen's team the floor to respond.

During the hearing, Nase Fumino restored order after a representative demanded that Trainer Yasui be replaced. Kitasan Black steadied Anjing Zhen, and Mejiro McQueen began presenting Central Treisen Academy’s position as the opposing side tried to interrupt her.

• Nase Fumino warned a representative who demanded that Trainer Yasui be replaced and ordered him to sit down.
• Kitasan Black held Anjing Zhen’s hand beneath the table to reassure him, and he squeezed her hand in return.
• Anjing Zhen turned his attention to Mejiro McQueen, who requested permission to speak as a Central Treisen Academy Student Council representative.
• Mejiro McQueen acknowledged that the systemic issue exceeded the academy’s and Trainer Yasui’s team’s ability to resolve alone.
• A representative interrupted Mejiro McQueen, and Nase Fumino warned him that she could remove him and his accomplices from the meeting.

At the hearing, Mejiro McQueen admitted that her side could not resolve the Overseas Expedition issue independently, then said someone else could. The conference doors opened, revealing Kitasan Black’s returning allies and a procession of renowned Horse Girls in their Victory Outfits, though their full purpose remained unknown.

• Nase Fumino made the representative repeat his question after granting him permission to speak.
• Mejiro McQueen acknowledged that her side could not solve the Overseas Expedition issue independently, but insisted that someone could.
• The conference room doors opened as everyone waited for Mejiro McQueen to name that person.
• Kitasan Black recognized Tokai Teio, Anjing Zhen, Agnes Tachyon, and Daiwa Scarlet among the arriving figures.
• Kitasan Black watched Oguri Cap, Super Little Bay, Tamamo Cross, Inari One, Special Week, Silent Suzuka, El Condor Pasa, Deep Impact, and other imposing Horse Girls enter in their Victory Outfits.

Kitasan Black watched as legendary Horse Girls gathered at the hearing and formed a solemn welcome around the doorway. Symboli Rudolf entered in ceremonial attire, took the place at the head of the table, and faced the assembled guests.

• Kitasan Black recognized familiar and unfamiliar legends among the Horse Girls entering the conference room.
• The legends formed two orderly lines and left the center of the room open for the person they awaited.
• Symboli Rudolf entered in ink-green ceremonial attire and left Kitasan Black stunned.
• Hikari-chan gripped Kitasan Black's hand while Nase Fumino murmured Symboli Rudolf's name in disbelief.
• Symboli Rudolf stood at the head of the table, nodded to Nase Fumino, Akikawa Yayoi, and Yukishiro Sakuya, and remained silent.

Mejiro Takamine and the Shining Series Overseas Pioneering Generation Joint Initiative Group joined the hearing and presented plans addressing objections to Kitasan Black’s overseas campaign. Their proposals challenged the remaining opponents as Takamine revealed extensive financial, advisory, and public backing.

• Mejiro Takamine requested permission for her group to attend, and the representatives voted to admit them.
• Takamine’s group retrieved prepared documents, which Maruzensky, C.B., Narita Brian, and Symboli Rudolf distributed to the hearing’s representatives.
• Takamine presented a 150-billion-yen risk hedging fund backed by seventeen Horse Girl families and core industry enterprises.
• Takamine outlined an overseas advisory group involving race organizers and experienced Horse Girls, along with free volunteer support for junior students.
• Takamine revealed that more than 330,000 people had signed in support of Kitasan Black’s overseas expedition plan.

Mejiro Takamine’s evidence and Symboli Rudolph’s support overwhelmed the objections to Kitasan Black’s overseas bid. Symboli Rudolph defended the right of Horse Girls to pursue their dreams, leaving the chairman with her answer and the gathering facing a decisive choice.

• Mejiro Takamine presented detailed documents and a broad coalition of support, leaving the Association and Federation representatives unable to object.
• The Association Chairman reviewed the evidence and addressed Symboli Rudolph, acknowledging her preparation and resolve.
• Symboli Rudolph said her methods had changed but her beliefs had not, and described the younger runners as pioneers and potential successors.
• Symboli Rudolph argued that Horse Girls should be free to keep running rather than be confined by restrictive qualifications.
• Symboli Rudolph declared that supporting Kitasan Black’s attempt was an investment in a new era and a dream, not merely the protection of a valuable asset.

Symboli Rudolph’s testimony won approval for Kitasan Black’s overseas expedition, and Kitasan Black thanked her in the corridor. Symboli Rudolph urged her to prove herself by winning the Tenno Sho Spring and bringing back a view from the world’s end.

• Kitasan Black applauded Symboli Rudolph, and the others in the hearing gradually joined her.
• Nase Fumino announced that the hearing had concluded and approved Kitasan Black’s overseas expedition plan.
• Kitasan Black rushed into the corridor to thank Symboli Rudolph and the Legendary Horse Girls.
• Symboli Rudolph praised Kitasan Black and told her to save her thanks until after she won.
• Symboli Rudolph urged Kitasan Black to run and bring back the scenery at the world’s end, starting with the Tenno Sho Spring.

After Kitasan Black’s hearing ended, she and her companions discussed how Emperor and the Student Council had arranged the senior legends’ support, leaving her free to focus on the Tenno Sho Spring. Their conversation turned to Oguri Cap’s past and the controversy over whether she should have been allowed to enter the Triple Crown after missing registration.

• Anjing Zhen reassured Kitasan Black that the hearing had settled the obstacles to her racing and told her to focus on training for the Tenno Sho Spring.
• Agnes Tachyon explained that Emperor (Teio) President and McQueen President had asked the team only to prepare impeccable condition data and tell the truth at the hearing, while the Student Council and Emperor handled the rest.
• Anjing Zhen reflected that Symboli Rudolph’s influence and the assembled seniors had been needed to overcome obstacles beyond the academy’s reach.
• Almond Eye joked about telling her family and Wang Ziding about the hearing, and the group laughed at the thought of Spring and Autumn Equinox throwing a tantrum for being left behind.
• Daiwa Scarlet and Agnes Tachyon explained that Symboli Rudolph’s emotional reaction was likely connected to Oguri Cap’s history: after transferring from a regional track, Oguri Cap had missed Triple Crown registration but excelled against the Classic Frontline.
• Almond Eye asked why Oguri Cap’s late entry would have required an exception instead of ordinary late registration.

Kitasan Black learned how Symboli Rudolph and other seniors had fought to open the Triple Crown to late entrants, and promised to carry their hopes forward in every race. On the way home, Satono Diamond reflected on her decision to sit beside Kitasan Black at the hearing and accepted that she had chosen to support her as a rival.

• Kitasan Black explained that the late-entry system began after people petitioned for Senior Oguri Cap, and Daiwa Scarlet revealed that Senior Symboli Rudolph had even bowed to the Association on Oguri Cap's behalf.
• Daiwa Scarlet told Kitasan Black that the seniors had mobilized to open a wider stage for her and those who would follow.
• Kitasan Black vowed to make every race a way of widening the road the seniors had paved.
• Satono Diamond recalled choosing to sit beside Kitasan Black at the hearing instead of with her family's representatives.
• Satono Diamond decided that her choice affirmed her path as Kitasan Black's rival, and she did not regret it.

Satono Diamond returned home after the hearing and learned that her father had focused on her training rather than questioning her choice to sit with Little Kita. Convinced she needed to race on her own terms against Little Kita at the Tenno Sho Spring, she decided to leave for Kyoto early, and Trainer Chris ordered the team to depart the next day.

• Satono Diamond arrived at the estate and was directed to the training grounds, where her father briefly praised her training before returning to the main house without mentioning the hearing.
• Satono Diamond told Crown and Trainer Chris about Symboli Rudolph's appearance and the hearing's documents and declaration about dreams and possibilities.
• Crown explained that Satono Diamond's father had asked only about her training and condition, and Trainer Chris suggested he cared more about her well-being and results than the hearing's social implications.
• Satono Diamond resolved to win the Tenno Sho Spring by relying on her Final Burst Speed rather than passively reacting to Little Kita's stamina-based strategy.
• Satono Diamond asked to leave for Kyoto early, and Trainer Chris canceled the regular analysis meeting and ordered everyone to pack for departure the next day.

At Kyoto Central Treisen Academy, Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black trained side by side, and Teio Sho recognized how focused and formidable Kitasan had become. Noble Elegance admitted privately that she wanted to run farther with Kitasan, while the news that Symboli Rudolph and other legendary seniors would attend the Tenno Sho Spring stirred Teio Sho and Noble Elegance to train harder.

• Satono Diamond, Crown, and Trainer Chris arrived at the training grounds and watched Kitasan Black run with precise, steady focus.
• Teio Sho and Noble Elegance greeted Diamond and the others, then Teio Sho led Noble Elegance to warm up.
• Diamond approached Kitasan after her run, and the two began accelerating together in adjacent lanes.
• Teio Sho told Noble Elegance that Kitasan seemed more focused and formidable than during the Osaka Hai, then pressed her about her feelings toward Kitasan.
• Noble Elegance privately admitted that she wanted to run farther with Kitasan, but denied saying anything when Teio Sho caught up with her.
• Teio Sho told Noble Elegance that Symboli Rudolph and other legendary seniors would attend the Tenno Sho Spring, then sprinted onto the track as Noble Elegance followed.