Influenced by the Gate Technique, the pace began to slow.
The Gate Technique effectively countered escape strategies, and slow-paced, close-quarters battles were Kousei's domain. Nakayama Festa warily scanned her surroundings. The Red Mist reduced visibility to almost nothing, and no one dared to make a rash move. At the same time, the other Umamusume were on high alert for a sudden attack from Kousei.
Her freely adaptable running style meant she could launch an assault from anywhere.
Unlike McQueen's focused, overwhelming pressure that pushed her opponents to their limits, Kousei, while not as powerful, is far more flexible and versatile. She can handle any situation, so you have to think much more carefully when facing her.
This gambler from Central appeared reckless, but her mind was razor-sharp. Nakayama Festa's arsenal was far more than just her powerful physique and exceptional stamina.
"Here she comes!"
The mist obscured vision, but Nakayama Festa could still deduce Kousei's trajectory from the subtle shifts in the fog.
Just as she expected.
Kousei shot out of the mist like a thunderbolt, but Nakayama Festa was already braced for the attack. The premeditated strike failed; Nakayama Festa refused to be pinned to the inside by Kousei.
Long before the Takarazuka Incident, Kashimoto Riko had made Gate Resistance Training a mandatory part of her curriculum. She had watched countless race recordings and run innumerable simulations to systematize and standardize countermeasures against the Gate Technique's negative influence.
People often forgot that before becoming Acting Director, Kashimoto Riko was one of Central's top trainers. She was among the first to recognize the danger posed by the Gate Technique. Now, with Kousei's rising fame, Umamusume and trainers worldwide were finally dedicating some of their attention to countering it.
Sirius once said, "The Gate Technique is the treasure of the mediocre." Kousei was the one who brought this statement to the world stage and proved its power.
Caesar also possessed the ability to use the Gate Technique, but she had initially dismissed it as a mere parlor trick for amusement. This reflected the traditional view within the Umamusume world.
Rudolf, too, was skilled in the Gate Technique. However, people believed her strength stemmed from her innate talent; the Gate Technique was merely the icing on the cake, a tool to accentuate the King's majesty.
It was foreseeable that in the near future, more and more Gate Technique Fighters would flood the racetrack, making the competitive environment even harsher. However, Umamusume never shy away from a challenge.
Nakayama Festa's reaction wasn't entirely unexpected by Kousei; she hadn't thought she could take down Nakayama Festa with a single strike. The two began a tug-of-war. At first, they were evenly matched, but as time wore on, Nakayama Festa gradually began to struggle.
So heavy! It's like wrestling with Gold Ship!
Nakayama Festa had underestimated Kousei's power. Until now, she had only lost in a tug-of-war to two opponents: Mejiro McQueen and Amel.
It wasn't just Kousei's physical advantage; the continuously burning flames were also steadily eroding Nakayama Festa's concentration. Mental fatigue was accelerating her stamina drain.
She's stronger than me, but there are less than fifty meters until the next turn. She doesn't have enough time to pin me down.
My endurance should be superior, so what is she planning? Could the Mark have narrowed her vision and impaired her judgment? Nakayama Festa couldn't comprehend Kousei's motives
As the turn approached, Kousei deliberately pulled away. Since she hadn't managed to pin down Nakayama Festa, Nakayama Festa's position entering the turn was still decent.
With her advantageous position, excellent angle, and masterful cornering technique, Kousei immediately pulled ahead by a full length. The moment she exited the turn, she unleashed a powerful kick, instantly accelerating and gaining another half-length.
So the real attack was here!
The pressure on the straight was just a feint—a seemingly senseless maneuver designed to set up this overtake on the turn. Nakayama Festa made a split-second decision and began moving toward the Transcendence Path, but Kousei seemed to have anticipated this, blocking the path first and leaving Nakayama Festa with no room to use her strength.
Nakayama Festa tried several more times, but the result was always the same.
She can see what's behind her even from the front. Is it because of the Mark, or is her natural field of vision just that exceptional?
Although Nakayama Festa knew the Mark would impair vision, she had no idea how much Kousei could still see even with the debuff.
"Huh? What's Nakayama Festa doing?"
Nakayama Festa uncharacteristically slowed down, the gap between her and Kousei widening with every moment.
"Did Festival get injured? Why would she start slowing down?" a spectator from the Central stands asked, their heart leaping into their throat.
But Nakayama Festa showed no signs of panic. She made a tentative move, and Kousei, up ahead, didn't react at all.
Four lengths. That's the limit of her perception.
Staying glued to Kousei's tail would make it impossible to break her blockade. The only way to overcome this predicament was to attack from outside her field of vision.
Nakayama Festa began to regulate her breathing. She had two options: sacrifice stamina to swing wide to the outside, or brave Kousei's pressure and charge into the Transcendence Path before she could react.
Swinging wide was the safer bet, but breaking through carried a much higher risk. On the other hand, if the breakthrough succeeded, Nakayama Festa could launch a counterattack against Kousei.
Which one should I choose?
A crescent moon-like smirk spread across Nakayama Festa's lips as faint purple flames flickered to life across her body.
"Let's gamble!"
Nakayama Festa's choice was... to break through
She stomped down, drawing power from the turf. A howling gale swept in, scattering petals like a sudden downpour. By the time Kousei realized what was happening, it was too late. The Golden Bloodline stirred within her—a divine super-acceleration.
Leaving only a purple afterimage, the Violet Flower of Longchamp bloomed in triumph, announcing her presence.
Dazzled by the violet blur, Kousei marveled at Nakayama Festa's acceleration. In that moment, she saw a flicker of McQueen's shadow.
"So this is a bearer of the Golden Blood!"
Crimson Chains coiled around Nakayama Festa's right leg, bringing her blistering acceleration to an abrupt halt. Shrouded in flames, Kousei pressed forward.
Nakayama Festa braced herself, her body tensing in anticipation of the coming blow. But Kousei's scheme had succeeded. With a faint, downward smile, she shot past Nakayama Festa and surged ahead.
"Damn it!"
Nakayama Festa scrambled to give chase. Though the feint had disrupted her form and stride, the slight imbalance was completely erased by her terrifying acceleration.
Kousei glanced back, then her left foot showed signs of movement.
"Block me? No! She won't make it in time! It's a bluff!" Nakayama Festa concluded. At her current speed, Kousei absolutely couldn't block her without committing a foul and being disqualified.
At this thought, Nakayama Festa pushed her speed even higher. This time, she would surpass Kousei and leave her behind for good.
But Kousei truly began to move—not onto the Transcendence Path, but into a curve!
Her hidden trump card was the arc!
Nakayama Festa lacked McQueen's High-Speed Vision. In her super-accelerated state, her environmental awareness plummeted. At this speed, entering the curve would send her crashing into the rail. Gritting her teeth, Nakayama Festa forced herself to decelerate to a safe velocity.
Kousei shot out of the corner, now only about five lengths behind the leader.
The situation was overwhelmingly in her favor, yet suddenly, Flame Wheels ignited in Kousei's eyes.
"Where do you think you're going, Star-chan?"
As the Flame Wheels slowly ascended, they merged into a sun in the sky. The mist gradually dissipated, revealing Sea the Stars' figure emerging beside Kousei.