As the tour continued, especially after she had gained a rough understanding of how the international class operated and how its teaching staff was arranged, the pieces in Secretariat's mind gradually began to fall into place.
In the regular classes, they had Tamamo Cross, a top Japanese Umamusume who had only just retired and was now at the golden stage where experience and theory were beginning to merge. Over here in the international class, everything was handled by Tony Bianca, who had once claimed victory at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on the European stage.
Either one of these two would be enough to become the marquee name of any academy, attracting countless promising students by reputation alone.
And yet both of them had gathered here, at this previously obscure regional academy.
This had long since gone beyond the category of "quality teaching staff." It was practically extravagant.
Secretariat walked silently beside Sakuraba, but her gaze could not help falling once again on the young investor's back.
This man... had quietly gathered such powerful teaching resources at a regional academy in Japan. What exactly was he trying to do?
An astonishing thought surfaced uncontrollably in her mind, and the more she thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
Could he be planning to use Nishikino Academy as his foundation, gradually replace the existing Tracen Academy in Japan, and make himself the new "Central"?
Thinking about it carefully, everything seemed to connect.
A massive investment without concern for cost, creating hardware facilities that far surpassed a regional academy and could even rival Central.
Using top-class treatment and perhaps a freer environment to attract elite athletes like Tamamo Cross and Tony Bianca, those still in their prime or newly retired, to form an extraordinary core teaching staff.
And now, even her own sister had shown a strong interest in transferring...
That would undoubtedly bring enormous prestige and attention.
If more outstanding students were drawn here, then under the cultivation of such top-tier teachers and facilities, Nishikino Academy's results on the racetrack would surely rise at astonishing speed.
Results, reputation, and resources would form a virtuous cycle. Given enough time, shaking—or even replacing—Tracen Academy's current position would not be some impossible fantasy.
No wonder... he was willing to pour more than two billion yen into this place.
This was not simple "investment" or "improvement" at all. It was an ambitious strategic layout.
What he wanted might be to reshape the entire structure of Umamusume training in Japan.
Secretariat's amber eyes narrowed slightly, and a few more layers of scrutiny and deeper meaning entered the look she gave Sakuraba.
This man appeared easygoing, even somewhat careless, but every step he took seemed to move along a carefully calculated track.
Behind that offhand "if something needed to be built, I built it; if something needed to be replaced, I replaced it" might be an ambition so vast that ordinary people could hardly imagine it.
Was this guy trying to become the new emperor of the Japanese circuit?
No wonder her attempt to recruit him had not appealed to him in the slightest.
Of course. In the face of an ambition like this, the conditions she offered were nothing he would even look at.
Interesting.
She did not voice her guesses aloud, only silently pressed this understanding deep into her heart.
No matter what, Nishikino Academy's potential and threat had already been laid clearly before her.
And Sakuraba himself...
Was someone American Academy needed to watch at the highest level and handle with the utmost caution.
"That's about everything. What do you think?"
Sakuraba stopped then, turned around, and asked with a smile, interrupting Secretariat's thoughts.
Secretariat swiftly reined in all the emotion showing on the surface, and an impeccable polite smile returned to her face.
"It was impressive, Mr. Sakuraba."
"Nishikino Academy... truly is extraordinary."
She paused briefly, her amber eyes looking straight at Sakuraba as she continued in a seemingly casual tone.
"Then, may I ask whether you already have a clear plan for Nishikino Academy's future? For example... what heights do you hope it will eventually reach?"
The question was subtle, but its intent was to probe the true boundaries of Sakuraba's ambition.
Hearing it, Sakuraba blinked, as if he had not fully understood the deeper meaning behind Secretariat's words.
He rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and answered very naturally.
"As for the future... hmm, I hope Nishikino Academy can become a bit more international, I guess? Or, in other words, gain a little more influence internationally."
What he was thinking was actually very simple.
Internationalization meant more exchange programs, broader cooperation, and perhaps even establishing branches overseas or sponsoring international races...
Which one of those was not a huge money burner?
If he handled it well, the channels and scale of his losses would definitely reach new heights!
Just thinking about it made him... mm, full of anticipation.
However, to Secretariat, who had just finished imagining a grand drama in which Japan's Tracen Academy would be overturned, this casual remark born from his great money-losing enterprise was nothing less than a thunderclap.
Internationalization? More influence internationally?
Those few brief words instantly overturned her previous guess about "replacing Japan's Central" and pointed toward an even grander, almost arrogant goal.
His ambition... was not limited to Japan at all!
He had gathered top teaching staff and built an academy beyond standard specifications. Was his ultimate goal to use Nishikino as a base, radiate influence across the globe, and become the benchmark for Umamusume training worldwide?
Or even... to aim for leadership on a global scale?
The thought left Secretariat with a faint dizziness.
Looking at the man before her, who smiled so easily as if he were talking about what to eat for lunch tomorrow, what surged up in her heart was not only shock, but an indescribable awe.
How... daring.
What astonishing spirit.
If that really was his goal, then all of his previous investment and all of his layouts made perfect sense. One could even say every step had been deliberate.
Perhaps building ties with our academy was merely one move in his grand game of "internationalization."
Secretariat took a deep breath and worked to keep her expression calm, but a storm had already risen in the depths of her eyes.
She realized she might still have underestimated this man.
His designs were far deeper and more astonishing than she had imagined.
"Internationalization... is it?"
Secretariat slowly repeated the word. Her voice did not reveal much emotion, but every syllable seemed carefully weighed.
"That is indeed a... very grand vision. The challenges you would face in realizing it would likely be global in scale as well."
That road would not be easy.
But Sakuraba seemed not to hear any subtext. He only smiled, still wearing that relaxed expression.
"There'll definitely be challenges. We'll just take it step by step. Anyway... if something needs to be done, we do it."
His words were vague, but to Secretariat's ears, that only made him seem even more unfathomable.
If something needs to be done, we do it... including investments without regard for cost, including gathering world-class talent, including... every possible method.
Secretariat asked no more. She simply turned her gaze out the window, toward the sunlit campus of Nishikino.
In this man's hands, where would this seemingly peaceful, beautiful academy go in the future?
She faintly felt that what she had stepped into today might not merely be the gates of a regional academy, but the edge of a vortex that might one day stir the shape of the future.
And if her sister Easy Goer truly chose to stay here, what role would she play in this grand blueprint?
Secretariat fell silent, her gaze returning to Sakuraba. The shock and awe from earlier gradually settled, and a calmer line of thought, even carrying a faint eagerness to act, quietly surfaced.
If... this man truly had his sights set on the globe and was trying to raise great waves in the world of Umamusume, then to him, American Academy might not merely be a target for friendly relations. It could also be a potential, powerful ally—or stepping stone.
Viewed the other way around, was this not also a rare opportunity for our academy?
Her thoughts began turning like precise gears.
In today's world, the crown of turf racing unquestionably rested on European Academy's head. In particular, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the symbol of the highest honor, had long been practically the backyard of European Umamusume.
Meanwhile, American Academy, with its absolute dominance in dirt racing, stood against Europe, each side holding half the world.
But if... they could make use of Sakuraba's seemingly "insane" investments, top-tier teaching staff, and the "internationalization" ambition he had spoken of...
A bold idea took shape in Secretariat's heart.
If America's top turf prospects could receive special training at Nishikino Academy, combining America's foundation of power with tactical and technical essence aimed more specifically at European turf, drawn from Tamamo Cross, Tony Bianca, and perhaps the other international master instructors Sakuraba might recruit in the future...
Perhaps they really could cultivate a dark horse capable of shaking the Arc and challenging Europe's dominance on turf?
The idea made her heartbeat quicken slightly.
This was not merely a matter of breaking Europe's monopoly. If it succeeded, Tracen Academy's (American) reputation and influence on the world stage would gain an immeasurable boost, truly achieving the great undertaking of domination across every field.
And Nishikino Academy and Sakuraba, who would drive all of this forward, would also use that success to step into the center of the world stage in one stroke. His vision of "internationalization" would gain its firmest foundation for success.
It was a high-risk gamble, but the potential returns were astonishingly high.
And Sakuraba looked like exactly the sort of gambler who played least by common sense, and was therefore the one most likely to create a miracle.
The way Secretariat looked at Sakuraba lost a little of its scrutiny and gained a few more shades of weighing and evaluation.
This man had grand designs, but cooperating with him also seemed to contain enormous strategic value.
Our academy perhaps did not need to become fully involved in his grand blueprint, but it could carefully choose an entry point and conduct limited cooperation and testing. For example... beginning with Easy Goer's transfer and her subsequent training.
With Easy Goer here, she could receive top-tier cultivation while also serving as American Academy's forward post for observing and evaluating Nishikino's true strength and Sakuraba's intentions.
At the same time, if she made a breakthrough here, especially if she achieved something in turf racing in the future, it would be a win-win for both sides.
"Mr. Sakuraba."
Secretariat spoke again, her voice steadier than before, carrying the certainty of someone who had reached an internal consensus.
"Regarding Easy's transfer, I think we can discuss the matter further."
"Nishikino Academy's philosophy and environment do indeed have their own unique qualities."
She paused, then added meaningfully,
"Perhaps future cooperation between our sides does not need to be limited to a single student's transfer."
She spoke the word "cooperation" lightly. It was both a response of sorts to Sakuraba's "internationalization" ambition and the offering of an enticing topic for deeper discussion.
Huh?
She's that easy to talk to?
Sakuraba blinked, seeming a little surprised by the subtle shift in Secretariat's attitude, but he quickly revealed a welcoming smile.
"Of course. You're welcome anytime."
"Nishikino's doors are always open to talented Umamusume with dreams, and to like-minded friends."
Their gazes met in midair, though the calculations in their hearts were entirely different.
One was thinking about how to lose money on a more international scale, while the other was calculating how to borrow his strength to break the world order.
But at least on the surface, here on the sunlit campus of Nishikino, a new possibility rooted in their respective interests seemed to be quietly taking bud.
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T/N: T^T hehe i already fulfilled my bonus chaotersss for aprillll, idk if the vote for this month is still up though prob is until monday
T/N2: I HAVE NO EXCUSE! EXCEPT THAT UHHH SPYTL! AND ASPENTL! HAS KEPT ME DISTRACTED! THOSE FIENDS! I will try to post more now...
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