"Man... 2000 meters really is Rampage's absolute playground, huh? I guess I still can't quite match you," Nice Nature grumbled.
Finally catching her breath, Nature threw both hands in the air in a playful gesture of absolute surrender, looking over at Rampage with a rueful grin. With her entry into the upcoming Tenno Sho (Autumn) officially locked in, Nature knew the 2000-meter distance was Rampage's signature specialty. She had hoped that testing her mettle against the world's best would prepare her for the grand stage, but breaching Rampage's fortress was a monumental task.
"Hey, I might not hold the world record for the turf 2000, but I definitely hold it for the dirt," Rampage pointed out with a sharp grin. "But honestly, you stayed right on my heels the entire time. It was incredible."
"Well, hearing that from a literal world record holder definitely makes a girl feel good~" Nature replied, scratching her cheek.
In all fairness, Nature was an exceptionally formidable competitor. She carried the proud title of a Derby Umamusume, having crossed the finish line in a historic dead heat with Tokai Teio. While G1 victories had proven frustratingly elusive since that legendary day, she routinely dismantled the competition in G2 and G3 stakes. In a way, she shared the exact same tragic fate as Machikane Tannhauser—she was simply cursed to run in an era blessed with an overabundance of absolute monsters.
"I'm entering the fray too~!" Tannhauser chimed in, pumping her fist. "This time for sure, I'm getting my revenge on Hayahide!!"
"And I'm going to finally claim a G1 trophy of my own! Ei, ei, mun~!!" Twin Turbo roared, leaping into the air.
Listening to their boisterous banter, a warm, involuntary smile spread across Rampage's face. Yeah... I really am a Canopus Umamusume through and through. This team possessed an irreplaceable, effortless comfort. The only thing missing... the only thing that would make this moment absolute perfection... was if her beloved Rice Shower were standing here with them.
"Haaah... If only Rice were here, this would be flawless."
"Hey, no complaining," Nature chided playfully, crossing her arms. "She's our precious little sister. As her dependable older sisters, our job is to cheer her on from afar, right?"
"I know, I know, but still..."
At this very moment, Rice Shower was halfway across the world in Australia, preparing to take the international stage by storm at the legendary Melbourne Cup. Because Rice's true, terrifying potential unlocked exclusively at extreme distances, making her arguably the absolute strongest stayer in Japan, Rampage had made the bold executive decision to bypass the domestic calendar entirely and steer her toward a global campaign.
To ensure she had the ultimate support network, Trainer Sasada had flown out alongside her, accompanied by Twin Turbo's trainer, Trainer Yamada, and Mejiro Palmer. While Palmer had technically already transferred to the Dream Trophy League, she was a celebrated former conqueror of the Melbourne Cup herself. When Rampage had personally asked her to act as a mentor and companion for Rice's journey, Palmer had enthusiastically accepted.
"The global stage... Kaaah~! I wanna go abroad too!!" Turbo whined, pulling at her hair.
"Me too! I want to fly across the world just like Rampage did!" Tannhauser agreed, her eyes sparkling.
"You two need to lock your targets firmly onto the Queen Elizabeth II Cup first," Rampage countered, giving them both a playful flick on the forehead. "Better yet, why don't you go ahead and pull off a consecutive three-year win streak and completely surpass my record?"
The two girls froze for a fraction of a second before their faces lit up with an intense, burning resolve. ""Ooh, now that gets the fire going!!""
"The one taking the crown is gonna be me!" Turbo barked.
"Not if I beat you to it!!" Tannhauser shot back.
Enveloped by the loud, chaotic, and fiercely joyful atmosphere of Canopus, Rampage laughed heartily. She took a deep breath, stretching her muscles as she prepared to push her body to the absolute limit once more.
"Nature, if you're seriously planning on conquering the Autumn Tenno Sho, we've got time for one more hard set. What do you say?"
"You bet your life I'm ready... Nice Nature isn't fragile enough to whine and drop out after a single lap, you know!"
"That's the spirit!" Ikuno adjusted her glasses, her composure flawless. "I will gladly accompany you for as many laps as you require."
Nature let out a dramatic, exhausted sigh. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, Ikuno, but you're literally the only creature on this planet who can run forever..."
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