Three months later.
"McQueen, are we really just going to stand by and watch?" Dober asked, her expression deeply worried as she stood beside McQueen.
"Calm down, Dober," McQueen soothed her gently.
Following Acting Chairman Kashimoto's return, the conflicts within Central had intensified. Finally, one day, the tensions erupted. Within Tracen Academy, the supporters and opponents were locked in a standoff.
The "Thorough Management Education Program," though strict and oppressive, was an undeniable boon to the Umamusume chasing their dreams. The indiscriminate allocation of resources and professional-grade training plans were invaluable.
Unwilling to relinquish these hard-won resources, they felt compelled to defend Acting Chairman Kashimoto's position. After much deliberation, they chose to sacrifice their freedom. In the end, it was their own decision.
The opposition, naturally, was comprised of Tracen's many independent-minded Umamusume. The flaws of the "Thorough Management Education Program" had been apparent from the start; in truth, Kashimoto's management style was fundamentally incompatible with Tracen Academy.
"But—!" Dober began, her voice edged with anxiety.
"It's alright, Dober. Trust McQueen."
Ryan's smile calmed Dober. Since childhood, both she and Bright had relied heavily on Ryan, and their bond with her was different from their relationships with the other Mejiro members.
Ramonu seemed to have other business and wasn't present. McQueen, leading the Mejiro Family, had come for a single purpose. After calming Dober, everyone turned their gaze to the arena.
The two generations of the "Villains of the Century"—Leo Durban and Black Bullet—stood imposingly in the arena. Today, they were to face Tracen Academy's highest authority: Acting Director Kashimoto Riko.
Unlike the situation Kousei and the others had faced, the "Thorough Management Education Program" had now grown to a considerable scale. Under its operation, many Umamusume had achieved unexpectedly impressive results. Thus, despite the incessant chorus of opposition within Tracen, Kashimoto Riko remained firmly seated in her position as Acting Director.
Within Central, the prevailing view was that the "Thorough Management Education Program" did more good than harm. Consequently, people were generally satisfied with Kashimoto's governance—though this satisfaction did not necessarily include the opinions of the Umamusume themselves.
Logically, the "Thorough Management Education Program" should have continued to develop smoothly. If not for a series of recent events, Kashimoto Riko, now firmly established, would never have considered negotiating with Leo Durban and her allies. After all, she had already won the previous Seishun Cup.
Central's new generation suffered frequent setbacks, and they repeatedly lost on the international stage. The final fig leaf, the Japan Cup, was ripped away by Amel.
Central's rise had been arguably the fastest in recent years, propelled forward by gears turning at breakneck speed. The public had long been lost in a dream, unaware that this beautiful illusion was as fragile as a bubble, ready to burst at the slightest touch.
A series of recent events signaled that this bubble era was nearing its end. These failures were not Kashimoto Riko's fault; her responsibility was limited to Tracen Academy's affairs.
It was the Central Committee that had lulled the public into this dream through excessive promotion and over-packaging. They had sacrificed long-term stability for short-term gains, and now the backlash was imminent. Kousei's dazzling performance on the world stage meant that whether she won the Arc de Triomphe no longer mattered.
The better Kousei performed, the more it exposed Central's blindness. And one day, Kousei would return to Central. Would Central then have the strength to stop the Umamusume who had defeated Amel? What thoughts and feelings would this former champion, who had once stood up for Central, now hold?
Regardless of the reasons, they had to swallow this bitter pill, living each day in a state of constant anxiety, like birds startled by the twang of a bowstring.
To quell external threats, one must first secure internal stability. To reverse the tide of public opinion, the Central Committee ordered Kashimoto Riko to accept Leo Durban's challenge.
Kashimoto Riko presented the opportunity to them, but the path ahead was fraught with immense challenges.
"I accept your challenge," she declared, "but the terms will not be the same as the Seishun Cup. We just suffered a major defeat in the Japan Cup, and I have no desire to ignite another conflict this year.
"The challenge will begin next spring and will consist of team-based duels throughout the entire year. If you wish to prove you are right, then convince me with a complete victory.
"If you can win every single G1 race, I will resign from my position as Acting Director, and the Thorough Management Education Program will naturally be abolished along with it."
Kashimoto Riko's words sent shockwaves through the room. No one had ever wanted her to step down—not even Leo Durban or Black Bullet.
Even the Central Committee was stunned by the magnitude of her wager and immediately voiced their opposition, but Kashimoto Riko remained resolute.
"They must win every G1 race," she insisted. "If I don't offer a corresponding price, how can this be considered fair?"
The Central Committee was left speechless. Kashimoto Riko was indispensable to Tracen Academy; no one in Central could possibly replace her at this time. If she were to fall, the already chaotic situation would descend into utter pandemonium.
How could they possibly turn back now?
The Mejiro Family had always maintained a neutral stance, so there was only one reason McQueen would lead them here: another Mejiro was on this team.
That's right—it was Mejiro Palmer, who had vanished long ago only to suddenly reappear at Central.
This scion of an elite family, whom no one had ever thought much of, had returned to challenge the Acting Director herself.
Why are you there, Palmer? McQueen's mind raced through countless possibilities, only to dismiss each one. She couldn't fathom Palmer's intentions.
But the surprises from this Resistance didn't end there.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they spotted a petite Umamusume standing behind Black Bullet. Wearing a witch's hat, she stood with her hands on her hips, openly expressing her displeasure.
So willful, so defiant—it was Sweep Tosho, known as the Witch.
No one could have imagined Sweep Tosho joining the Resistance. After all, she was Kashimoto Riko's charge; logically, she should have been standing by her trainer's side.
"Truly acting on a whim," someone muttered.
The Little Witch's behavior only reinforced her reputation. A witch, after all, was expected to be exactly like this.
The final member of the Resistance was none other than Rice Shower, the last survivor of the Unlucky Generation and the Jet-Black Assassin.
She had vanished after the Kikuka Sho, yet now she had suddenly reappeared at this critical moment. The crowd's feelings toward her were incredibly complex.
As the assassin who had shattered Bourbon's path to the Triple Crown, they held no fondness for this unruly storm. Yet here she was, standing up for other Umamusume—a truly selfless act.
Thus, the crowd couldn't view this black-clad Kingslayer with their usual disdain. Silence was the best response they could offer.
Rice Shower knew their opinion of her had never changed, but she no longer had the mental energy to dwell on right or wrong.
She wasn't just fighting for herself; she was fighting for Bourbon and Kyoei Bowgun as well. Having constantly wondered what she could do, Rice Shower had decided to join this conflict. She would cast off her weakness and, like Kousei, seek her own trial.
And in that trial—she would become a hero.