As Zhong Yan staggered out of the burger shop with Anby's help, he silently swore to himself that he'd never touch fried food again.
Nine different couple's set meals. So many dishes that even the largest six-person table couldn't fit them all. And somehow, the two of them had managed to finish everything.
Of course, eighty percent of that was thanks to Anby. Unlike Zhong Yan—who could barely walk from how full he was—she looked like she could go for another round.
With an appetite like that, it was no wonder the Cunning Hares were always operating in the red. That Nicole being able to afford to feed her at all was proof of just how deep the group's coffers really ran.
"Let's sit over there for a bit." Anby held up the sun umbrella and carefully helped Zhong Yan over to a bench tucked away in the shade.
They couldn't stay in the burger shop—the place was too crowded. If they stayed, they'd have to stand.
"Looks like we'll have to wait a while before we can ride anything," Zhong Yan said as he sat down, clutching his overstuffed stomach.
He'd eaten far too much today. It would take at least half an hour to digest even a little, and until then, walking was out of the question.
Anby didn't mind. To her, where they were didn't matter. As long as she was with Zhong Yan, even sitting on a bench all day wouldn't bother her.
Time passed quietly as the two chatted about everything and nothing.
"Zhong Yan... I'm a little sleepy..." Maybe it was the early morning start, but as his stomach finally began to settle, Anby let out a soft yawn.
Then, just like in the movies she loved, she rested her head gently on Zhong Yan's shoulder and drifted off.
Zhong Yan didn't wake her. He simply sat there, gazing at her peaceful sleeping face—an expression he didn't often get to see.
Eventually, mischief got the better of him. After a while, he reached out, trying to gently poke at her nose—
—when an earth-shaking explosion ripped through the air.
His hand froze instantly. Zhong Yan's eyes shot upward, and Anby jolted awake beside him.
The sound came from the direction of the roller coaster.
One of the coaster's tracks had been blown apart. The explosion had weakened the surrounding supports, and now the rails were beginning to buckle and collapse.
And worse—one of the coaster trains was already approaching the damaged section.
If they didn't stop it in time, the train would launch off the shattered track and plummet dozens of meters. Everyone aboard would die.
The amusement park, once filled with laughter, would become a mass grave.
"Zhong Yan!"
Anby was the first to act. With a shout, she sprinted toward the collapsing roller coaster without hesitation.
Zhong Yan instantly understood and reacted. Before his legs even moved, lightning sparked in his palm.
There was no way to stop the coaster from falling—but maybe he could save the people on board.
With Chidori surging through him, Zhong Yan burst into motion, breaking human speed limits. He arrived beneath the crumbling track even faster than Anby.
Looking up, he saw the coaster—already airborne. It had broken free from the rails, and under the force of inertia, was now beginning its fatal descent.
Zhong Yan hurled the electricity from his hand. Weakened just enough to avoid harming the passengers, the blast acted as a counterforce, slowing the fall.
It worked—partially.
The coaster still hit the ground with a crushing impact. Smoke and dust billowed into the air. And in that instant, dozens of lives were gone.
A few bystanders on the ground had also been crushed by falling debris.
Zhong Yan stood there, panting, stunned.
But he didn't let shock stall him for long. The person responsible for this wouldn't be far—they'd want to stay and enjoy the carnage.
While the crowd stared, frozen, at the wreckage, Zhong Yan activated his Sharingan and scanned the area.
With his heightened vision, he quickly locked onto a suspicious figure loitering near the edge of the chaos.
Unlike the rest of the crowd, this one didn't look shocked or scared—he looked like he was checking something.
That was his guy.
Zhong Yan's eyes narrowed. As soon as he deactivated the Sharingan, he sprinted toward the man.
But the suspect wasn't slow. The moment Zhong Yan moved, the man noticed and bolted.
In the chaos of the amusement park, the two began a high-speed chase. It lasted until the suspect ducked into an empty alleyway.
Realizing Zhong Yan wasn't going to let up, the man stopped, breathing heavily, and snapped, "What the hell are you, some undercover officer?! Why are you chasing me?!"
Zhong Yan said nothing. He simply let electricity crackle to life in his palm, the sizzle echoing through the alley.
Panic flashed in the man's eyes. "Hey! Hey, newbie—help me out here!"
As his shout echoed, a lithe figure dropped from above.
Zhong Yan's eyes flicked up—his target was joined by a woman wielding a dagger.
She had long, drooping ears and a flexible tail. Her black stockings were tattered, full of holes that didn't look accidental.
Short, dark green hair and an aura that practically screamed "trouble" completed the look.
Zhong Yan had never seen her before, so the moment she appeared, he tensed.
If she was connected to the bomber, then good—he could take them both down at once.
"Didn't expect backup, did you?" the man cackled, suddenly smug again. "Better get on your knees and beg. Maybe we'll go easy on you."
With the odds now two to one, he clearly thought he had the upper hand. That newcomer's skills were top-tier—better than most of their crew.
But just as he imagined her cleanly finishing Zhong Yan off—
She stepped aside.
With a silent smile, she made a graceful motion—inviting Zhong Yan to come at her.