Explosive Final Speed

After discovering Hokubu Genkoma's unusual behavior, the three people in the office exchanged glances, seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.

However, Yasui Makoto's eyes soon shifted.

"President Mejiro McQueen, could you please raise the drone's altitude a bit... yes, to this height."

The view on the screen suddenly widened considerably, and the three of them simultaneously saw that the black-haired girl hiding in the bushes was looking towards the training grounds.

On the training grounds, besides students milling about, some were practicing during their break.

"So that's how it is..." Yasui Makoto muttered to himself with a chuckle, "It seems she's quite concerned about the next race..."

He felt he wasn't wrong.

His Uma Musume looked like she was trying to spy on something.

And following her gaze, among the Uma Musume training on the grounds, was an opponent Hokubu Genkoma would face in the Spring Stakes.

Yasui Makoto had already investigated these opponents, but it wasn't time yet to discuss them with Hokubu Genkoma according to his plan.

He hadn't expected this black-haired girl to suddenly become interested and start investigating stealthily.

Just as he was considering whether to warn his Uma Musume, his gaze shifted slightly, focusing on a figure on the training grounds.

"Xiao Bei's next race... the Spring Stakes? I see now."

Tokai Teio also realized what was happening and chuckled.

"Her proactiveness is certainly commendable, but this sneaky method..."

Mejiro McQueen suddenly smiled.

"Isn't this just like you back in the day, Emperor? Before your Arima Kinen..."

"Stop! Stop, stop!"

Crossing his arms and blocking Mejiro McQueen with the speed he'd use in the Arima Kinen, Tokai Teio's tone was somewhat exasperated.

"Didn't we agree not to talk about that stuff?! If you keep this up, I'll tell everyone about your recent weight..."

"Ahahaha, what a lovely day today... By the way, Trainer Yasui, you didn't hear anything, did you?"

Hastily changing the subject, Mejiro McQueen looked nervously at Yasui Makoto and then blinked.

"What's wrong, Trainer Yasui?"

Yasui Makoto hadn't actually paid attention to the two Uma Musume bickering.

He had been staring intently at one Uma Musume on the screen.

Hearing Mejiro McQueen, he shook his head without hiding anything and pointed at the screen.

"It's nothing, I'm just a bit interested in this Uma Musume."

Upon hearing this, not only Mejiro McQueen but also Tokai Teio became curious.

The two Uma Musume unconsciously leaned closer to the tablet, and soon they spoke in unison:

"Mejiro Thunder?"

Then, Tokai Teio asked curiously, "Trainer Yasui, do you know her? I remember since coming to the Academy... you haven't interacted with her, have you?"

"Indeed, I haven't," Yasui Makoto shook his head and then smiled.

"An Uma Musume from a prestigious family like hers doesn't need to seek anyone out; trainers are practically throwing themselves at her every day.

"I'm not famous, nor do I have experience, so even if I approached her, she might not pay me any mind.

"Also, when I first came to Tokyo, I inquired, and she signed agreements with other trainers very early on. It would definitely be inappropriate for me to approach her now.

"I'm paying attention to her simply because she's strong.

"Especially her Final Speed, it's probably the top level among her peers."

Tokai Teio nodded. "That's true, I've also noticed this student's Final Speed.

"33.7, 33.7, 34.1, 33.7.

"If I recall correctly, these are the data for her final sprints in her first four races after her debut.

"A Final Speed at this level would already place her at the forefront among her peers, and what's more valuable is her consistent performance.

"If she can maintain this in subsequent races, she will undoubtedly become an Uma Musume that the world will watch.

"However..."

She recalled for a moment.

"Xiao Bei's next race is the Spring Stakes, and Mejiro Thunder has no races in March. Trainer Yasui, you don't have anything to worry about, right?"

Nodding, Yasui Makoto smiled. "I don't know if this counts as worrying."

"It's just that she's entered the Triple Crown, and in April's Satsuki Sho, she'll become Xiao Bei's opponent.

"Unfortunately, Xiao Bei has a type that's difficult to deal with, and that's precisely a Final Speed specialist. Naturally, I have to pay attention.

"Of course, it's not just her; I've looked into all the opponents Xiao Bei might encounter."

Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen suddenly understood, then simultaneously showed expressions of admiration and relief.

"As expected, you're extraordinary, Trainer Yasui. Most people rarely consider things so far in advance. It seems Xiao Bei's training must be very straightforward on a daily basis."

After the praise, Tokai Teio exchanged a look with her friend and tentatively asked:

"Since you understand Xiao Bei's weakness, you must have a plan to deal with it, right?"

Yasui Makoto unconsciously looked at the black-haired girl on the screen and pondered:

"I don't have 100% confidence, but I did consider this very early on.

"You two Presidents have known Xiao Bei for a long time and are both seniors with exceptional talent and rich experience. You should be able to see that she's a late-blooming Uma Musume, right?"

Tokai Teio nodded:

"Yes, I've asked many doctors, and they all say Xiao Bei's muscle mass, density, and other aspects are much higher than the average.

"Coupled with her large frame, this makes her physical condition much healthier and her strength level much higher than others.

"However, correspondingly, she needs more development time to skillfully control her body and strength in races and execute various running techniques.

"And…"

She hesitated.

"Trainers have noticed this situation for a long time, but there haven't been many suitable solutions.

"The only theoretically effective method is probably the 'Three Slopes' training method that Trainer Shimizu excels at.

"I considered Trainer Shimizu before and communicated with him briefly.

"But I was always worried that that training method would be too harsh for Xiao Bei, so I changed my mind when I found Trainer Yasui."

Hearing this, Yasui Makoto remained outwardly unfazed, but inwardly he grumbled.

He had looked into the 'Three Slopes' training method and agreed with Tokai Teio's assessment: it was too harsh.

No, it should be called a hellish training method.

This training method requires running 1000 meters three times, with a height difference of 32 meters for each 1000 meters.

One floor is about 3 meters high, so 32 meters is equivalent to 10 floors. Running 3000 meters on such a steep slope is incredibly difficult.

What's more crucial is that this isn't a one-time training session; it's required for every training session, and not one bit can be skipped.

It's no exaggeration to say that without an iron body, one likely couldn't withstand it.

Therefore, even after analyzing that, theoretically, his black-haired girl's physique could withstand such hellish training, Yasui Makoto had never considered using a similar method.

Not to mention that he had more advanced and effective methods.

"Regarding Xiao Bei's strength, I started working on it from the first day I began coaching her, but such things don't show results immediately."

Avoiding commenting on his colleague's training style, Yasui Makoto said calmly:

"On top of that, she has already practiced the most basic leading running style with Yamato Akagi.

"With Vodka's help next, the training to deal with opponents with strong Final Speed is, in my opinion, sufficient for now.

"After all, purely in terms of Final Speed, her final three furlongs in the Japanese Derby were an astonishing 33 seconds – an explosive time."