Even with the Queen Elizabeth II Cup concluded, the fever pitch of the Japanese racing world showed no signs of breaking. The wave of G1 races that had begun in the autumn seemed destined to roll on, unabated, until the very end of winter.
Fresh off her first G1 victory since the Shuka-sho, Twin Turbo was practically vibrating with excitement. She was already making bold declarations about conquering the Japan Cup next, only for her trainer, Minamisaka, to gently rein her in and redirect her ambitions toward the Arima Kinen. While the public buzzed with anticipation for the year-end spectacle, Mejiro Rampage was busy behind the scenes, ensuring another kind of fire was lit.
"The URA Finals Final Qualifiers are about to begin!"
This was the culmination of the project Rampage had planned and sponsored: the URA Finals. Regional qualifiers for both the Finals and the Legend Races had been taking place across the country. Centered around the various regional training centers, the sheer volume of participants had been staggering. It had nearly been impossible to fit the schedule into this year, but thanks to the tireless efforts of the regional staff, they had made the deadline. Rampage hadn't realized just how much the regional circuits burned with a desire to show up the Central authorities.
"Today, right here in the Ohi district, we decide who will lead the charge against Central and carve their names into the Finals! Who will follow in the footsteps of Inari One—the hero who rose from Ohi to conquer Central and reach the Dream Trophy League?! Let the warriors assemble!"
The announcer's voice was electric, and the mention of Inari One's name sent the crowd into a frenzy. Inari herself had opted to skip the Dream Trophy League in favor of the Legend Race, but true to her roots, she had entered through the Ohi qualifiers to earn her spot. Word was that Ohi Racecourse had turned into a literal festival the day she won.
"The excitement for these Finals is endless! And that goes for our guest commentator as well!"
"I'm back, folks! Inari One's in the booth, and I'm ready to rumble!"
Inari struck a theatrical pose as she took the mic, drawing a deafening roar from the stands. When the Ohi staff had reached out to her on a whim, she had laughed and given them an immediate thumbs-up. Part of it was hometown pride; the other part was a burning desire to stick it to the Central establishment that looked down on the regions.
"Now, don't go expecting any fancy analysis from me," Inari grinned. "I'm just here to crank up the volume!"
"That's more than enough for us! As you all know, the URA Finals is a grand-scale event envisioned and hosted by Mejiro Rampage herself. It's not just a chance for the regions to challenge Central—it's a race without borders! Even Uma Musume from general schools can compete! It is truly a festival of the people. Here in Ohi, students from ordinary schools have been trading strides with Ohi's finest... and incredibly, thirteen of those general-school racers have fought their way into today's final qualifiers!"
"Hah! Now that's what I call a red-hot scrap!" Inari exclaimed. "I hadn't heard the numbers, but it sounds like we're in for some major upsets! A fight's no fun if you know how it ends, right?!"
It was exactly as Rampage had intended. There were countless Uma Musume with immense talent who simply weren't part of the official academy system—whether due to personal circumstances or lack of opportunity. The beauty of "Rampage's Races" was that anyone could run. Furthermore, the prize money was a major draw for those in difficult situations. Even the qualifiers offered a payout, funded through Rampage's own pocket and bolstered by partnerships with regional training centers. It was a perfect example of her "Rampage Economics" in action.
"First up, we begin with the Dirt Final Qualifiers!"
"Whoa there, hold your horses!" Inari interrupted. "Aren't you forgetting someone pretty important?"
"Eh?!" The announcer frantically checked his notes. Had he missed a guest? He scanned the list in a panic, but there were no other names. As he sputtered, Inari took center stage, her voice booming with the cadence of a traditional storyteller.
"Listen up, one and all! Here at Ohi, we gather for the Finals hosted by none other than the world-conquering Mejiro Rampage. This is the ultimate showdown, the battle that splits the heavens! And if Ohi's finest are preparing to march to war, it's only right that the Sovereign herself watches the blood spill. Come on out and show 'em!"
Inari's voice echoed through the stadium. The crowd held its breath, a collective "could it be?" rippling through the stands. Then, a figure emerged from the tunnel.
She was clad in a traditional black traveler's outfit, her face hidden beneath a deep straw amigasa hat. She stopped before the massive crowd and, mirroring Inari's theatrical flair, she whipped off the hat and tossed it aside.
"The goal is one: Victory. The passion for the run that boils within us cannot—and will not—be ignored. You monsters who have gathered here to follow that heat... I want to see your fire. The banners of our Great War are raised. Are you ready to shout your triumph? Are you prepared to sing your song of glory? Then show me your soul on the track! I am the Tyrant, the Dictator herself—Mejiro Rampage has arrived!"
The stadium didn't just cheer; it shook. Even the staff were stunned. Rampage had come at Inari's personal invitation. While she had received requests from every regional center to make an appearance, her schedule—and the sheer distance—had made it difficult. But she had managed to clear her calendar, and since she had once dominated this very track in the Teio Sho, Ohi was the perfect place to make her stand.
"Now then... let's see what kind of race you've got for me today!"
The already boisterous atmosphere at Ohi Racecourse didn't just grow; it ignited into a full-blown inferno.
The Legend of Mejiro Rampage (Horse Data)
Born on a small, obscure farm, Rampage's life began in the shadow of disaster. The farm went bankrupt, and the owners fled into the night, leaving the horses abandoned. She was saved by a dedicated groom who stayed behind, desperately calling every contact he had to find homes for the animals. Because of her "poor" pedigree, Rampage was the only one left behind. By a stroke of luck, the owner of the Mejiro stable was looking for a broodmare at the time and agreed to take her in.
Originally, Mejiro intended to keep her solely for breeding. However, the owner—hearing reports that she was incredibly energetic and ran with a distinct, "bouncing" gait—defied the advice of his advisors and decided to debut her as a racer: Mejiro Rampage.
Because of her jumping tendencies, she was initially slated to be a steeplechaser. However, after a veteran jockey pointed out, "Wait, can't she run just as well on the flat?", her destiny was changed. She debuted as a flat racer, beginning the journey that would eventually lead to the throne of a Tyrant.
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