Umamusume's days are numbered

Platinum turned her head, and sure enough, Ms. Tsuna was standing straight to the side, waving her hand at her in greeting.

Platinum was immediately on high alert. What was going on today? Why were all three of the Treson trio gathered together? Could it be that he really failed the exam and was going to be expelled?

It can't be that bad. Even though I never pay attention in class, I can understand junior high school material with just a glance. What problem could there be?

Besides, there are plenty of people who fail exams. If failing means being expelled, then Zhou De has to retake the exam every year at Treson Academy and she has no problem. What problem could I possibly have?

Platinum anxiously tried to reassure herself, while the short, orange-clad chairman scrutinized her.

*Whoosh!* The chairman opened his folding fan and nodded in satisfaction: "Definitely! As expected of the horse girl who won the Satsuki Prize and the Japanese Derby, her momentum is not to be underestimated!"

"I told you, Platinum will definitely not let us down," Junkawa Tezuna echoed with a smile.

...We've met before, why are you beating around the bush? Tsuna and Chairman Akikawa acted as if they had just met Shirokin, but they actually met her at the training ground yesterday.

In addition to the chance of encountering reporters and acupuncturists of unknown origin in the academy, there is also a chance of encountering the chairman of the board.

“Let me explain,” Rudolf said, clearing his throat and turning his attention back to himself.

"Platinum, what are your plans for the future?"

"What's the plan..." Platinum scratched his head, "It's just to participate in the summer training camp, and I won't be running any races recently."

"And then what? What are your plans after the offseason ends?"

"Then I'll continue competing. First should be the Chrysanthemum Award, to win the classic triple crown, and then I'll consider the rest."

He's just one step away from his goal. After winning the Chrysanthemum Award, whether Platinum plans to coast along or continue competing depends on the specific circumstances.

"...Platinum, I don't know if you've realized it or not." Rudolph crossed his arms in front of his chest, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "So far, you've won all your matches beautifully and easily."

"Apart from the Satsuki Prize which was somewhat unpredictable, all the other matches, including the G1 Grand Prize, were overwhelming victories."

“If we only consider the Satsuki Sho, the Japanese Derby, and the Takarazuka Kinen, you are leading the second place by more than twenty lengths. This does not even include the previous Yayoi Sho and the Saudi Royal Cup, which are G2 and G3 races.”

So, you...

Bai Jin's legs immediately went weak, and he raised his hands in surrender: "President, you know me, I don't have asthma and I don't take any medication. I only take all-natural...all-natural sucrose supplements! There's no way my drug test will show any problems!"

When Platinum saw the Big Three sitting there, and Rudolph with that serious expression, he thought to himself, "Oh no, they might suspect I used performance-enhancing drugs."

Sure enough, nothing good ever comes from looking for me! My premonitions are never wrong!

Heaven has eyes. I've never used any performance-enhancing drugs. I won entirely because of my own hard work and talent. Suji can guarantee that with his own confidence. Wait a minute?

I do seem to have been taking medication. I've been taking...suppressant medication.

"That stuff doesn't contain any illegal ingredients, does it?" Bai Jin broke out in a cold sweat. If it were true, he'd be in deep trouble no matter what.

Revoking my previous competition results is fine... the key is not to get suspended! I absolutely have to participate in the Chrysanthemum Appreciation!

Rudolph, seeing the platinum symbol, stammered, "So you..."

After silently looking at Platinum and reorganizing his thoughts, Rudolf Symbol continued, "So you haven't realized that your strength far surpasses that of others?"

Upon hearing this, Platinum blinked, looking innocently at Rudolf Symbol. Rudolf Symbol remained silent.

Platinum looked at Tsuna again, whose face still held that unchanging smile.

Bai Jin withdrew his arm and coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment.

Oh no, this is a classic case of trying to hide something obvious.

Episode 269: Arc de Triomphe or Chrysanthemum Appreciation

Seeing Platinum's guilty look, even Rudolf himself seemed unsure of himself.

Could she have actually used performance-enhancing drugs?

Hmm, probably not. Without someone helping her, Platinum wouldn't think that far ahead.

"Your strength is not something that can be determined by comparison."

Platinum's consecutive victories are no accident.

In fact, this year's Uma Musume is not weak at all; on the contrary, champions like Excellent Quality, Ibuki Mai Kagura, and Leo Deban are all excellent seeded contenders, and it wouldn't be surprising if any of them had won the race in previous years.

Moreover, there was another genius, one in a million—the Emperor of the East Sea. The Emperor of the East Sea's talent and strength were absolutely undeniable. In both the Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby, it was a contest between the Emperor of the East Sea and the Platinum. Although both ended in the Emperor of the East Sea's defeat, he was still honorable in defeat.

The East Sea Emperor and Platinum are a level above the others in terms of strength. And Platinum is stronger than the East Sea Emperor.

Although the competition was less intense this year’s Takarazuka Memorial due to the absence of Mejiro McQueen, Platinum, as a classic year racehorse girl, still won by a large margin against the racehorse girls from the previous year.

There's only competition when everyone's skill level is roughly equal. Platinum is already the undisputed number one; in matches where she's playing, everyone should just aim for second place.

Although that's a bit of an exaggeration, but...

"Platinum, you may not realize it yet, but your strength has already attracted much attention."

"Although you are not a native racehorse girl, you have received complete training in Japan. The voices of the Japanese people have fallen on you."

"The competition in October will not only feature chrysanthemum viewing, but also the Arc de Triomphe."

A top-tier international competition with substantial prize money.

The racetrack where countless champion horses compete fiercely. It can be said to be one of the most intensely competitive races in the world.

That's a true world-class stage where contestants will encounter almost all of the world's strongest active racehorse girls at the Arc de Triomphe.

This honor is something that no Japanese horse racing girl has yet achieved.

Not a single one has been able to bring home a trophy in a single year of Japanese horse racing at the Arc de Triomphe.

This has become almost a lifelong wish for all Japanese people—just like Haruki Murakami, who will never win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

“Although we don’t know exactly where the news came from…” Rudolf symbolically turned his laptop in front of him to show Platinum, “almost all the media outlets are saying the same thing.”

"If it were platinum, I could definitely do it. If it were you, you could definitely win the Arc de Triomphe."

The laptop was open with various digital versions of newspapers. Although they differed, there was no doubt that Platinum's photo was displayed in the most prominent position.

Platinum felt dizzy after just one glance and quickly asked Rudolf to turn the computer screen back. Her delicate heart couldn't take it.

Although I swore a solemn oath never to search again... how did it turn out like this?

"This is absolutely a case of 'praise to kill'! This is definitely praise to kill!" Bai Jin's lips trembled. "Which unscrupulous newspaper is behind this conspiracy?"

Surugawa Tezuka and Rudolf exchanged a symbolic glance: "That's not necessarily true."

Because this is indeed the urgent desire of the Japanese people. They desperately need a racehorse girl to bring home the Arc de Triomphe trophy for them.

When the Japanese eagle narrowly lost at the Arc de Triomphe, the whole of Japan was in mourning.

Although this expectation was overly unrealistic, the public opinion that had taken hold was irreversible. Now is not the time to delve into how this public opinion formed; Bai Jin is now in the eye of the storm. Her every move is being watched.

"The news turned into this during the two days you had your exams." The astronomer patted Bai Jin on the shoulder with pity. "You weren't on your phone those two days, were you?"

"...I was afraid I wouldn't be able to control myself and would search for it again, so I blocked all the keywords related to Platinum." Platinum slapped his forehead in frustration. In the end, he was the last to know about this public opinion.

"You're the first person I've ever seen who can block out their own thoughts." Genius! The astronomer gave Platinum a thumbs up.

"In short!" Chairman Akikawa coughed twice, "This is the current situation, and that's why we've called you here."

Platinum also understood why Rudolf, Chairman Akikawa, and Tsuna were all waiting for him there. This matter certainly needed a serious discussion.

"Platinum... We don't want to influence your judgment, so we won't say anything more."

"It all depends on yourself."

The symbolism of Rudolf is quite clear.

The interval between the Arc de Triomphe and the Chrysanthemum Festival is not long, and if you want to participate in the Arc de Triomphe, you have to travel all the way to France, so it is impossible to come back to participate in the Chrysanthemum Festival.

Given the current public opinion, two choices are presented to Platinum.

Is it to follow public opinion and attend the Arc de Triomphe?

Should we stick to the original plan and go to admire the chrysanthemums?

As if seeing the struggle and pain on Platinum's face, Rudolf gently comforted her, "Of course, you don't need to give me an answer right now, just give me some time to think..."

"Then of course I'll go to admire the chrysanthemums."

"...You don't need to worry about public opinion, just do what you can."

"I'm going to admire the chrysanthemums."

"The glory of winning the championship at the Arc de Triomphe is certainly dazzling, but..."

“Enjoy the chrysanthemums.”

Rudolph reluctantly stopped trying to persuade her. She said she didn't want to say more, but she couldn't help but try to persuade Platinum to calm down and not be swayed by her fans into thinking she was invincible and impulsively sign up for the Arc de Triomphe.

Before they even started talking, Platinum had already given up on the Arc de Triomphe. That fast? Didn't they even think about it?

If the Emperor of the East Sea were standing here, she would probably jump up and down to sign for the Arc de Triomphe before she even opened her mouth.

Platinum pursed her lips.

Arc de Triomphe? What's that? Is it as important as the classic Triple Crown?

Running is exhausting, and even if you win, nothing changes. Losing is even more embarrassing. Only a fool would run.

Besides, winning the classic triple crown is the only way to unlock the level 3 shop; that's a bottom line I can't back down from. What kind of triple crown are yours—the Satsuki Prize, the Japanese Derby, and the Arc de Triomphe?

As for public opinion... what's the point of public opinion? Do you think I'll just go because you tell me to? These people see someone with ability and think they can beat the Arc de Triomphe, so they all rush to run. Look at those who went—they all came back crying. Do you think they'd care?

(Happy Lunar New Year's Eve everyone!)

episode 270 Secretariat

"I agree!" Chairman Akikawa smiled with satisfaction. "As expected of one of our school's most outstanding students, you weren't swayed by external opinions and lost your judgment. Instead, you remained steadfast in your original competition schedule. This tenacity has moved me!"

Chairman Akikawa is short in stature, but he speaks with a strong voice and is full of energy.

Surugawa Tsuna simply smiled silently. Based on her understanding of Chairman Akikawa, even if Platinum answered that she wanted to participate in the Arc de Triomphe, the chairman would still praise her with satisfaction, saying something like, "She has the courage and belief to take on challenges."... Even if Platinum answered that she didn't know, the chairman would probably say something like, "Not making a judgment immediately, but planning ahead, that wisdom is an aid in the competition."

In short, my own horse is the best, my own horse is the cutest.

Coincidentally, Tsuna Sugawa thinks that Chairman Akikawa is right.

Rudolf's symbolism gives off a slightly off feeling.

Based on my understanding of Platinum, under normal circumstances, she would have been strutting around like a whim, and might even have said something like, "Well, since everyone is begging me so much, I'll reluctantly go to France to take a look."

What setback did they encounter that made the Arc de Triomphe reject them so decisively?

"...Don't rush to make a decision. There are still almost two and a half months until the Arc de Triomphe Award. You can think about it more during the summer training camp."

"—So, Platinum, have you decided where you'll be for the summer training camp?"

When Platinum heard Rudolf ask her the same question, she could only honestly reply, "It should be with Spica and the others."

"Since it's not confirmed yet...would you mind if we went a little further for this year's summer training camp?" Tsuna Suguru coaxed from the side.

"...What's going on? Where do they want me to go?" Bai Jin had a feeling that these three people were working together to trick him.

"Not far, just Hawaii."

"Oh Hawaii—wait?"

Bai Jin's eyes widened.

Hawaii? Isn't that a bit of a jump in the transition?

Putting aside the question of why the summer training camp was held in Hawaii, the distance is beyond just being far; to get to Hawaii, you have to cross half of the Pacific Ocean!

Chairman Akikawa nodded with a smile: "Actually! The racehorse girl youth training base, spearheaded by the United States Equestrian Association, has been officially completed in Hawaii."

"The youth training base in Hawaii is a large training ground designed to rival the one-on-one training in Europe. Just shipping suitable turf to Hawaii alone cost an unknown amount of money, not to mention the complete set of supporting facilities. It can be said to be a heavyweight fortress built entirely with money."

"The original purpose of establishing this training base was not only to train American racehorse girls, but also to open it to all racehorse girls in the world—especially during the off-season."

This is why Hawaii was chosen as the location for the base. It's bordered by the continental United States to the east, New Zealand and Australia to the south, and East Asia to the west, and its shipping industry is highly developed, making it the most suitable location for horse racing girls from all over the world.

“During the summer training camp, the Hawaii youth training base promised to provide a first-class training environment to maximize the potential of the female racehorses—and everyone knows which world-renowned race will take place after the off-season.”

Chairman Akikawa's eyes shone brightly: "In other words, the Hawaii youth training base is the final training session in preparation for the Arc de Triomphe Award!"

This is likely also to create competition with traditional European racetracks. Historically, racehorses preparing for the Grand Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe typically arrive in Europe early during the off-season to acclimatize to the grass and complete their summer training sprint; even American racehorses are no exception. This time, the Hawaii youth training base specifically imported high-quality turf from Europe, aiming to seize a significant share of this market.