The gates burst open. In the chaotic first ten seconds, eighteen Uma Musume surged onto the track like arrows loosed from a bow, weaving and jostling at full speed.
Hooves hammered the turf, flinging dirt and grass into the air, especially from the inner lane where the early fighting was fiercest. In the stands, more than a hundred thousand spectators watched as one, eyes glued to every stride and surge.
The initial single-file formation quickly broke apart as the pack spread out. Kitasan Black, holding her position on the inside, felt a quiet spark of excitement.
Just like her seniors and Yasui Makoto had told her—the Japanese Derby really was on another level.
She could not catch every detail in the chaos, but through her peripheral vision and the sounds around her she could tell the battle for position on the inner lane was fierce. If she had gotten caught up in it the way she usually did, escaping cleanly would have been nearly impossible.
Fortunately, she had used the distraction to burst clear right from the start.
Relieved, she glanced left and right, her gaze settling on the first bend ahead.
The outer lane was still a disadvantage… and now they were about to enter it.
A sloped entry into the bend.
"They're about to enter that incredibly tough first bend!"
The commentator's voice rose sharply.
"Following right behind Kitasan Black, Musee Sultan in gate fifteen has also broken through and is now sitting in fourth!
"Ribbon Song still holds the lead—she's clearly trying to dictate the race from the front.
"Tagano Espresso is right there in third, with Kitasan Black in fourth after that early move. These four form the leading group, charging up the slope into the first bend while the main pack stays close behind!
"Oh?! Kitasan Black is accelerating again!"
Out on the track, Kitasan Black felt a surge of excitement. Maybe it was Yasui Makoto's influence, or maybe she really did have a talent for Extreme Stunts, just like he said. Compared to any other kind of training, this was what she loved most—and what she had picked up the fastest.
Running straight up a wall at ninety degrees no longer bothered her. Even though this was only horizontal running on a slope, after all that practice she felt exactly like the fish in water from his playful analogy.
'Why don't we get the association to change the Japanese Derby track into a wall? You're a natural at Extreme Stunts. Running on a wall is like… yeah, like a fish swimming in water.'
She really did feel like she was swimming through the training—and now, through the Japanese Derby's slope.
Not just swimming, though. With the gradient acceleration, curved positioning, and mid-air footwork adjustments she had drilled day after day, every technique was second nature. If Extreme Stunts made her comfortable on sloped bends, then these extra skills made her a fish with extra fins compared to the others.
Enjoying the sensation, she watched the figures ahead and to her left draw steadily closer.
"Kitasan Black's running form is really something—she's keeping her body low to the ground."
The commentator sounded genuinely surprised.
"There were reports she did some special training for this race, and it looks like it's paying off.
"She's closing the gap fast. So that's why she didn't fight hard for the lead at the start—she was saving this for the bend.
"Ribbon Song's lead is shrinking… No, wait! Ribbon Song accelerates again and the gap widens once more!
"The other runners aren't giving up their spots easily either. The leading group's positions haven't changed… No, that's not right!
"The pace is blistering! They're through the first and second bends—the time for the first thousand meters is 58.1 seconds…
"But Kitasan Black seems to have eased up. Did she mistime the turn?
"She's dropped back into the pack on the outside, sitting around fifth or sixth now.
"Maybe she's changed her approach for the Japanese Derby, holding something back for later. What kind of secret move does she have in store? We'll find out soon enough."
While the commentator focused on her, the spectators saw the black-haired girl close the gap on the bend, only to fall back again, ending up even further behind than before.
"Five… 58.1?"
Special Week gasped. "Th-that's way too fast, even for the Japanese Derby, isn't it?"
"Don't worry about the time right now!" Gold Ship gripped the railing tightly, her eyes never leaving Kitasan Black while stealing glances at the silent Yasui Makoto beside her.
"Isn't Kita-chan supposed to be a front-runner? Is it really okay for her to be sitting back like that? That's more of a stalking position!"
"Gold Ship, relax." It wasn't Yasui Makoto who answered, but Tokai Teio. She stood with her arms crossed, tracking Kitasan Black's every move, her lips pressed together in thought.
"It's true she prefers leading, but don't forget she can run from the front as well. Her stalking game is solid too.
"More importantly…"
A spark of admiration lit her eyes.
"Her rhythm hasn't been disrupted at all."
"Rhythm…?" Gold Ship blinked.
"That's right. Calm down, Gold Ship."
Mejiro McQueen joined in, her voice steady.
"Every race is about managing stamina. The leader right now is clearly going too fast. Chasing after a temporary position isn't smart.
"Kita-chan isn't getting interfered with. She's running at her own pace, and her condition looks excellent.
"And…"
She glanced toward Yasui Makoto, just as Gold Ship had a moment earlier.
"She hasn't completely abandoned the idea of leading, either."
Yasui Makoto still hadn't said a word. Through his binoculars, the lens stayed fixed on the black-haired girl, shifting forward slightly for a moment before locking back on.
The second uphill… it should be coming up soon.
He kept the thought to himself.
"The pack has stretched into a long line as they head into the back straight.
"The leading group is still pushing hard. Let's confirm their positions.
"Ribbon Song is still in front after those early battles.
"Comet Mit has moved up to second, with Subitsumi in third.
"Tagano Espresso, who was second earlier, has dropped to fourth. And Kitasan Black, who was third…
"Wait!
"As they hit the uphill again, Kitasan Black accelerates! She's moving into fourth… third… second… She's overtaken!
"Kitasan Black is in the lead! She leads by half a length!
"What a move! That unique running style again—Kitasan Black has taken the front in just over ten seconds on the straight!
"Her performance is as brilliant and unexpected as a festival!
"Will the festival storm that swept through Nakayama now carry all the way to Tokyo Racecourse here in Fuchu?"
The stands erupted in cheers and applause. The earlier worries from Gold Ship and the others melted away in the excitement.
At the very top of the stands, far from the noise, a calm voice spoke up.
"You see? I told you this girl is something special."
Deep Impact smiled gently, turning to the person beside her.
"I wasn't wrong, was I, Sister?"