Fueled by burning battle spirit, Kousei completely disregarded her Trainer's instructions, aiming her Crimson Chains directly at Eishin Flash.
"Got her!"
But Eishin Flash's figure vanished as if into thin air, causing Kousei's certain-strike Gate Technique to strike only empty space.
"Vanished? How is that possible?!" Kousei exclaimed in shock as Eishin Flash suddenly reappeared in another location.
"Did she switch lanes?"
The chains coiled again, only to meet the same result.
"She's so fast! I can't even catch her!"
That explosive burst of speed truly lived up to her title as the "Jet-Black Flash."
"In terms of raw burst speed, she's even faster than McQueen. Her mastery over her footwork is impeccable; she maintains perfect control, never drifting off course despite her speed.
She seems to have anticipated my attack timing. Is this part of her plan?" Kousei narrowed her eyes slightly. "If that's the case, let's try this!"
Both Gold City and Eishin Flash shuddered simultaneously. From the unseen shadows behind them, a pair of massive, crimson eyes slowly opened, fixating on the two.
"This should work!" Kousei declared confidently. However, apart from the initial, obvious tremor, Eishin Flash showed no further signs of being affected. Gold City merely breathed slightly harder.
"Unshaken? Unbelievable!" Kousei's brilliant Gate Technique had barely any effect.
"This is the Gate Technique, apparently designed to shake my resolve. But no matter the circumstances, I will execute my plan flawlessly. As instructed, I absolutely will not waver." The Gate Technique was a clash of Mental Power, and Eishin Flash's unwavering commitment to her plan shattered its restraints.
"Fortunately, I underwent specialized Gate Resistance Training. Otherwise, I might have wavered in this situation too." Gold City had prepared for this race for a year. Though her methods differed from Eishin Flash's, she had also trained specifically to counter Kousei's Gate Technique.
Kousei glanced back at the radiant Umamusume behind her. "She probably doesn't realize it yet, but after our two major battles, other Trainers have begun to recognize the Gate Technique. The Acting Chairman even added a special 'Gate Resistance Training' module to our training plans.
Our evaluations now include a 'Gate Resistance' metric. It's extremely rare for the scoring system to be revised based on a single Umamusume. You must have noticed how increasingly difficult the races have become for you. This is outside the plan, but I'm curious to see how you'll deal with a group of Umamusume who have developed resistance to the Gate Technique."
"The situation is getting tricky. Eishin Flash is even faster than Gold City and me. Since she's a Late-Surger Runner, the decisive moment will likely come before the Final Straight. If it comes down to a final leg sprint, City and I won't stand a chance against her.
So, it's about time we make our move, right, City?"
"Hmm?"
Gold City slowly moved forward from Eishin Flash's left-front, applying pressure.
"There's more to this race than just Kousei!"
Gold City suddenly surged forward, blocking Eishin Flash's path.
"You're making your move now? But that was part of my plan too. I wouldn't underestimate you, Gold City."
Knowing Gold City was a G1-winning Umamusume, Eishin Flash wouldn't make the mistake of dismissing her like the others.
"I won't be fooled by your appearance. I've considered you a rival from the start!"
"Oh my! That's so flattering!"
As Gold City settled into position, Eishin Flash adjusted her pace. "Everything's proceeding according to plan. I'll use my speed here to break away from them!"
"Not so fast!" Gold City exclaimed, feigning shock before suddenly grinning. "Did you really think I'd say that?"
"What?!"
Kousei, radiant and dazzling, had materialized behind Eishin Flash without warning.
"Kousei! There's no way she could have caught up so quickly at that speed!" Eishin Flash had no time to ponder this as she immediately changed course.
But Gold City had already blocked her path. Forced to retreat, Eishin Flash saw Kousei waiting on the alternative route.
Appearing like a shadow in the perfect position, Kousei moved with shadow-like swiftness and precision, as if attached to her like a phantom limb.
Clearly, she was surrounded.
"Got you, Jet-Black Flash!" Kousei's eyes glowed with an eerie crimson light.
"I see... it's a marker? I didn't feel anything, so the target must be Gold City!"
Eishin Flash's analysis was correct: Kousei's true target was indeed Gold City.
"But according to the data, Kousei's markers are supposed to be disruptive. If she were going to mark someone, I should have been the better target."
Eishin Flash had considered the possibility of being marked in her plans. Yet until Kousei materialized behind her, she felt no trace of a mark, and the thought had naturally slipped her mind.
"Could it be...?" Eishin Flash suddenly realized how Kousei had managed to appear behind her.
"The key lies in Gold City. She anticipated my plan and marked Gold City to slow her arrival, while Gold City itself distracted me. Normally, Gold City's advance would have slowed me down, but with my attention drawn elsewhere, the combined delay gave Kousei's Gate Technique enough time to capture me!"
Before Eishin Flash, red mist flickered faintly.
"She interfered with my judgment, making me believe I was proceeding according to plan, when in reality I had already missed my window of opportunity. Her astonishing learning ability allowed her to immediately apply what she had gleaned from the combined assault of White Grimoire and Double Entanglement.
What truly astounds me is the seamless coordination between Gold City and Kousei. Despite this being their first time working together, they demonstrated such remarkable synergy—truly baffling."
Eishin Flash remained unaware that Gold City had marked Kousei. Their earlier cooperation relied entirely on Gold City's mark.
"Attacked from both sides, Eishin Flash initiates Plan C."
Before Kousei and Gold City, Eishin Flash's figure began to blur, becoming little more than a fleeting afterimage.
"She's vanished again! Impossible! This is a pincer attack!"
A fierce gust of wind swept past the two Umamusume, allowing Eishin Flash to slip through the narrow gap and break through the encirclement.
"You've got to be kidding me! Kousei and I only had a split-second opening. Are all Umamusume these days monsters?"
Eishin Flash's expression sharpened. "Eishin Flash, full speed ahead!"
With her back against the wall, there was no need to hold back. She would sprint with everything she had toward the finish line, relying on sheer willpower to close the gap in the final stretch.
"I won't make a single mistake!"
A jet-black flash erupted instantaneously, rapidly closing the distance to the leading position.
"Here she comes! Eishin Flash is surging forward from Lane 4!"
Her speed was astonishing. The Front-Runner's stamina was rapidly depleting, and the relentless pressure of Eishin Flash's pursuit caused the lead to shrink, the weight of the advantage intensifying.
"The Osaka Cup champion... will be me!"
"Don't even think about it!"
The true ghost lurked behind. Eishin Flash's hooves felt a searing heat, and she glanced down to see flames spreading across the racetrack.
"Don't underestimate me!"
A dazzling golden light erupted like a sharp sword, highlighting the silver and gold silhouettes of the two Umamusume.