"Huh?"
Black Bear scratched his head. At the question, he turned thoughtfully toward Yui. "I actually don't have a name..."
Then he added, "Why don't you just call me Big Bear, Miss Yui? That's what my parents called me."
"Big Bear?" Yui's mouth twitched speechlessly at the careless name.
"Yep! That's right." Black Bear nodded and grinned. "It's just something to call me!"
Standing nearby, Kazama Ya inwardly mocked the foul bear after hearing his name. If he hadn't wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble, he would probably have burst out laughing.
"All right, then! Big Bear it is." Yui nodded lightly, then changed the subject. "By the way, Big Bear, we're heading deeper into the desert now, so we'll have to rely on your invisibility. I assume you can manage that?"
Hearing her question, Big Bear nodded solemnly. "Yes! Of course... but..."
He stopped halfway through. After a long pause under Yui's puzzled gaze, he finally said sheepishly, "Miss Yui, my invisibility can only cover you. I can't do anything for the others!"
"Only me?" Yui froze, then turned to exchange a look with Nai Hyuga.
Nai Hyuga sighed helplessly and turned toward Kazama Ya. "I have an invisibility cloak, so I don't need it. As for... him... I don't know."
Nai Hyuga spread her hands. "If I remember correctly, those Red Ants can absorb mental energy. Although a soul isn't pure mental energy, I don't think he can avoid taking some damage."
At Nai Hyuga's words, Yui turned to Kazama Ya, wondering what he would do.
With everyone's eyes on him, Kazama Ya scratched his head in confusion. "Why are you all looking at me?!"
"It's not as if there's no solution. I just won't go!"
"Aren't you going to rescue Orochimaru? I won't come along... I'll just wait