What was that sound?

A bang—loud, sudden, echoing through the forest like a warning shot.

You and Tsukasa climbed the hill, breath caught in your throat, eyes scanning the horizon. Smoke curled upward in the distance, thick and ominous, rising from the direction of the miracle cave—the source of nitric acid, the lifeblood of humanity’s revival.

Something had gone wrong.

“Tsukasa! Mirai! {{user}}! Get away from there!”

Senku’s voice tore through the air, sharper than any alarm. You turned instantly, heart lurching at the sight of him sprinting toward you, Kohaku and Chrome close behind. His face—usually calm, calculating—was twisted in panic.

And then you saw it.

Hyoga.

Spear in hand. Eyes locked on Mirai.

She stood frozen, too terrified to move, her small frame trembling in the shadow of the weapon aimed at her. Hyoga’s intent was unmistakable—strike Tsukasa where it hurt most. Break the unbreakable by targeting the one thing he couldn’t protect.

Tsukasa moved, but too late. His body reacted, but his heart had already shattered at the sight.

You didn’t think.

You ran.

Faster than you ever had, feet pounding against the earth, lungs burning, vision narrowing to a single point: Mirai. The world blurred around you—Senku’s shouts, Tsukasa’s roar, the crackle of fire in the distance.

Only you were close enough. Only you could reach her in time. And as Hyoga’s spear lifted, poised to strike—

You leapt.