Yahiko staggered back several steps in fright, unable even to swallow the saliva in his mouth. He knew that if he ran now, the monster in the cave would definitely kill him. But if he did not run, he could only wait for death—unless Mirai arrived at this moment. Otherwise, he would probably have to flee on his own.
"Mirai, save me! Mirai, come save me!!!"
Yahiko screamed hysterically. He knew that, for today's plan, he could only deal with this enormous monster himself first. As long as he could reach Mirai, he might still escape.
But Yahiko had not made the call properly; he had merely shouted at the top of his lungs. At the beast's cave entrance, two enormous, razor-sharp feelers emerged. Yahiko froze. He had been preparing to endure until he could use basic Water Style, but he could not make a move now.
"What? So it's a giant centipede! Damn it, maybe I could handle a python, but how am I supposed to deal with hundreds of those sharp, saw-like legs...?"
"Mirai...!"
Yahiko cried out and turned to run. He had hoped that when he turned back, Mirai would be standing behind him to support him. But good wishes were never so easily granted. Before Yahiko had run very far, he realized there were no reinforcements behind him, while the giant centipede with yellow legs and a black body had already crawled completely out of the cave.
Accompanied by a terrifying hiss, the giant centipede's two fangs reached toward the back of Yahiko's head.
Yahiko, fleeing for his life, only felt a chill wind behind him, but there was nothing he could do. He could only close his eyes and run forward. Just as despair filled him, a man's voice rang out above his head.
"**Konoha—Strong