Chapter 218: The Subtle Chessboard in Motion

In the shadow of a distant cliff, Hayato seemed to grow more and more deranged. He gripped Usagi by her shoulders, shaking her wildly, his exaggerated gestures reflecting a mix of urgency and helplessness. His eyes darted repeatedly to the frostbitten wound on her back, his expression oscillating between panic and fury, like a child who had broken their favorite toy.

"No! No! How could this happen? My bunny's been frozen like this! What am I supposed to do?!" he bellowed, his voice echoing across the sheer cliffside.

Usagi, regaining some of her strength, was left dizzy by his frantic movements. She pushed him away with a scowl, her voice cold and laced with irritation. "Get off me! I don't need your help!"

But Hayato, as if deaf to her words, continued his manic tirade, laughing maniacally. "My Usagi-chan is my precious little bunny! I have to take responsibility and care for you! Hahaha!"

Usagi froze momentarily at his words, lowering her head as her expression turned unreadable. A moment later, her body ignited in a crimson, blood-colored flame. The searing heat enveloped her back, melting away the frostbitten wound and evaporating the icy residue into a thin mist.

She raised her head, her gaze sharp and cold as it fell on Hayato's frostbitten arm. "I'm fine now. But you, you'd better take care of yourself first."

Hayato's eyes widened as he watched her self-healing flames in awe. His mouth stretched into a wide, foolish grin, and he clapped his hands mechanically, the sound echoing in the quiet air. "Wow! Amazing! Usagi-chan, you're incredible! Hahaha!"

Usagi pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing in exasperation. "Hand. Give it here."

Hayato blinked in confusion before breaking into another silly grin. "Ahahaha, what am I, a dog—"

Before he could finish, Usagi, already losing patience, grabbed his frostbitten arm. Her palm ignited again, the same crimson flames flowing into his skin. The frost began to thaw, revealing the bruised, bluish flesh beneath.

Hayato watched his arm regain warmth, his silly grin unwavering. "Wow, Usagi-chan, you're like a nurse! Ahahaha—"

"Shut up," Usagi snapped, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The warm, moist air from her flames lingered around them, intertwining their shadows. Despite the bickering, an unspoken camaraderie seemed to grow between them, subtle and fragile yet undeniable.

As her flames continued to heal Hayato, Usagi's thoughts drifted far from the moment. Her mind swirled with questions, piecing together fragments of memories and observations.

"Akari should already be just outside the forest..." she murmured under her breath, staring at the burning flames in her palm. "The forest was practically razed—he couldn't possibly be unaware. He should've arrived long ago."

Hayato, still marveling at his recovering arm, chirped, "Usagi-chan, you're the best!" But Usagi barely heard him, her mind entangled in a web of deductions.

Akari's words, actions, and expressions replayed in her mind like scenes from an old film. Every sentence he'd uttered seemed layered with hidden meaning, every movement calculated like pieces on a chessboard.

"Could it be..." Usagi frowned, her thoughts growing darker. "Did Akari intentionally leave Kanto behind and send me away? Did he already know the enemy would show up here and use this to lure out Aizawa and the others?"

The idea sent chills down her spine, yet a gnawing doubt lingered.

"But then again, such a plan wouldn't require involving Hayato and me..." Her gaze flickered as if attempting to peel away layers of fog to uncover the truth. "No—perhaps Akari had reasons to act alone. Could it be some task only he could handle?"

The notion of Akari's calculated moves filled Usagi with unease. His every action seemed to serve a larger purpose—like a puppeteer, he orchestrated events while maintaining an air of calm control.

"'Your future self will thank you for this decision,'" Usagi suddenly recalled his cryptic words. There had been no threat in his tone, only a sense of certainty and reassurance, as though he had foreseen everything, including her future.

"My future self?" Usagi whispered, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. Akari's statement felt more like an ominous hint or a carefully laid track than a simple remark.

"Could it be..." Her back tensed as a chilling realization struck her. "The Akane family... has..."

The thought made her freeze, her heart pounding against her ribs. She quickly shook her head, unwilling to delve further. The idea of betrayal was unbearable—these were comrades she had fought alongside, risking their lives together.

"No..." she muttered, forcing the dark notion aside. "They've fought beside me—they wouldn't betray me."

But Akari's composed demeanor and deliberate actions gnawed at her resolve. He seemed far too unconcerned, his behavior that of someone pulling strings rather than playing the same dangerous game as the rest of them.

"Rather than trying to kill me..." Usagi's eyes gleamed coldly, her fists clenching, "his actions seem more like he's using me to..."

The realization crystallized, her thoughts aligning like pieces of a puzzle snapping into place. Akari wasn't acting aimlessly—every move had a purpose. And she—Usagi—might be a critical piece in his intricate plan.

Anger and helplessness surged within her. To be manipulated, even by an ally, was a bitter pill to swallow. Though she wanted to resist, she couldn't deny Akari's insight and cunning. In his presence, she felt less like a comrade and more like a pawn placed on an elaborate chessboard.