Yelan speaks bluntly:
["Forgive my frankness, but your plan guarantees neither success nor safety."]
["You're saying this hoping we'll understand and accept it. But when self-sacrifice might not even work, talking like this only kills morale."]
["Besides, if you were truly ready to cut all ties, you wouldn't be asking for others' opinions. You're not nearly as cold and ruthless as you think."]
["And if escaping means losing someone, that's not success."]
[Yanfei, trying to mediate: "Yelan, don't be like that…"]
Yelan's read on people is spot-on. Xiao isn't as cold-hearted as he believes—quite the opposite, he's deeply loyal and caring. Though Yelan's words are harsh, she's absolutely right, earning the approval of many readers. Xiao's fans especially rally behind her, thinking, Yelan, stop him quick!
Yelan's been direct with Itto before, but this time is different—she's genuinely angry. She's terrified of seeing a comrade sacrifice themselves, so when she hears Xiao's proposal, she shuts it down instantly, even trying to 'snap him out of it' with her words.
[Yelan continues: "In short, it's not yet time for a last-ditch effort. There might still be an unexplored passage hiding the way out."]
Though they're at odds and it looks like an argument's brewing, neither Xiao nor Yelan is the type to lose sight of the goal over a spat. They naturally shift to discussing their predicament.
[Xiao asks: "What if there isn't one, or we never find it, and we're too weak to even sacrifice ourselves? What then?"]
Xiao's concern isn't baseless. If they keep delaying, they'll only grow weaker. Miss this chance, and there might not be another. But his idea is doomed to be rejected—nobody wants to see him sacrifice himself.
Even from a purely pragmatic perspective, Xiao volunteering to sacrifice isn't ideal. If one sacrifice fails, does it lead to another? Who's next? Voluntary or forced? Even if they stop at one, how can anyone be sure they won't fear being the next to go? Once trust breaks, the team falls apart.
This group is full of good people who'd likely fight to be the one to sacrifice. Otherwise, it'd devolve into a 'dark forest' scenario, making cooperation impossible.
Seeing Xiao still clinging to the idea of sacrificing himself, Yelan grows even more irritated.
[Yelan, slightly annoyed: "At this stage, sacrificing you has no better chance of success than searching for an unknown exit. Neither strategy is clearly superior, so we can't act rashly."]
[Traveler, noticing Yelan's mood: "(Yelan's seriously ticked off…)"]
Yelan has more to say, but before she can continue, a voice interrupts.
Arataki Itto bounds over, his booming laugh arriving before he does. He was chatting with Kuki Shinobu earlier, but Ushi ran to 'tattle,' informing him of what's happening. Normal people wouldn't understand Ushi's words, but Itto's no ordinary guy—he's Inazuma's nimble Oni.
The story shifts to manga-style panels. Arataki Itto's grin fills the readers' view, magically lifting the oppressive atmosphere.
[Sunny, cheerful big boy, laughing: "A full-force strike can break through the space? Haha, guess who overheard that!"]
Itto slams his right fist into his left palm, striking a ready pose.
["All this talk about leaving one behind—I don't wanna hear it! After all that, what we need is… THIS!"]
In the panel, Itto turns to face the wall.
["Come on, let's see what kind of ghost can trap people to death in here!"]
Itto flicks his coat and raises his fist.
The group guesses what Itto's about to do, sitting up straight. The gloom that's been building is swept away by anticipation.
[Yelan: "Hold on!"]
Yelan tries to stop him—this is too reckless.
No holding back!! Itto's Oni markings flare, and his clenched fist rockets forward.
[Itto roars: "Try this!!"]
The punch lands, kicking up a cloud of dust. Readers' hearts race, as if the fist landed right on their chests. All the pent-up gloom is obliterated with this strike. Itto doesn't just shatter the wall—he shatters the haze in readers' hearts.
Itto, you're still so cool!!! Sure, you're a bit silly, but that doesn't dim your awesomeness!
After throwing the punch, Itto's visibly drained, panting heavily. It's clear this was truly his all-out strike, just as Xiao described: no reserves, everything given.
Now, Xiao, you're not the only one who can do this—so rely on others a bit, yeah?
The rock wall crumbles under Itto's punch, forcibly carving a path through this dead-end trap.
[Itto, gasping: "Ha… looks like I couldn't smash this lousy place with one punch."]
["But there's a new path, right? Haha… ha…"]
As he speaks, Itto's body sways, eyelids drooping as exhaustion hits.
["Being a hero… leave that to me…"]
As long as Itto's around, no one else will be the first to play the sacrificial hero. As he once said, "Stay behind me properly, and stop thinking about self-sacrifice!"
"Nobody should have to sacrifice!"
After saying this, Itto faints. Kuki Shinobu, as if expecting it, appears beside him, catching his collapsing body.
[Kuki Shinobu, supporting Itto, sighs: "…Should've seen this coming."]
Exactly, readers think the same. Should've seen it coming. Isn't this just how Itto is?
Readers recall his past words and realize they should've known. With Itto here, even if sacrifice is needed, it won't fall to anyone else. Because, as Kuki Shinobu says, he's always charging to the front.
Shinobu knows Itto always takes the lead—she even warned him against it. That's why she says now, Should've seen it coming; the boss is rushing ahead again.
Readers are thrilled, the gloom in their hearts swept away. Now, they're mainly worried about whether Itto's okay. Arataki Itto truly lives up to the title of 'Boss'—he's got the unique responsibility of a leader.
In reality, Itto beams with pride. Earlier, I thought Brother Lucian was roasting me, but he made me look this cool! Misjudged my bro!
Navia nods approvingly. Misjudged our bro!
Does your back still hurt from that earlier pat? If it does, let Lucian give you a rub!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Navia: About Itto
"Lucian says I'm a bit like Itto. Am I that cool in his eyes? …It's not that we're similarly dumb, right?"