Chapter 39
Infiltration
Yokohama, Salazar Mansion, Outter Gates
"Okay, this is going to be really simple." Nebula faced her subordinates."This isn't a stealth mission per se, but do avoid unnecessary conflict. Stay close to me or Angelo at all times. We don't know if these people will fight back."
Out of the blue, Angelo descended from the sky, black wings that resembled branches that protruded out of his back."I scanned the area. We got the right place. They['re loading the ships with cargo. Thankfully, my clothes make me pretty much invisible in this dark night, so they weren't able to spot me.
"And did you see Salazar?" Nebula asked her fiance, who shook his head."Figures. Must be hiding. This is a pretty big place, after all. Our objective is to find the heads of this operation inside the mansion. As we do that, the police will go and stop their loading."
"Actually...that may not be the best course of action." Takashi trailed off, glancing at the sky.
"Huh? What was that?" Nebula narrowed her eyes at her youngest sibling."Got a problem with my plan?"
Takashi glanced at his friend behind him as they nodded."Salazar has to be stopped, yeah. But I have my reasons to want to do it. I have to save Sai-san from marrying that prick. She must be in there."
"How do you know that?" She asked, not missing a beat.
"I contacted Yuuki yesterday. Apparently, since they are now engaged, Salazar is forcing Sai-san to be with him at all times. He plans to go to Portugal. What if he does that today in the middle of this? We can't risk him finding out we're here."
"Okay, I get that, but that's why we're storming in the mansion." Nebula pointed out."We're going to wait for the police and then-"
"I know this is selfish...but I failed Sai-san. I want to at least save her from that future that awaits her with that bastard." He turned to his friends."Let's do this, guys!"
"Yeah!" They all cheered.
"The fuck?" Before Angelo could move, Takashi, Darby, Hisashi, and Yasukage jumped in the air, landing on top of a barrier created by Hoshi.
"I got you!" Hoshi grunted as he launched them in the air.
"What the hell are you all doing?!" Nebula cried out as she observed the young heroes maneuver in the air. Takashi used Yasukage's back as support, jumping higher in the air while grabbing Hisashi and Takashi with his hands and throwing them after him. Finally, Hisashi manifested his Black Sphjeres while Hisashi charged his arm with neon before crying in unison and launched Takashi like a rocket towards the mansion.
"Don't worry, Sai-san! I'm coming!" He screamed as he engulfed his body in his neon mantle and smashed his way through the ceiling.
"Nishikawi-kun, grab my hand!" Hisashi offered his hand to his kohai, who immediately obeyed and grabbed it. Hisashi began spinning around, his body engulfed in neon to enhanced his strength as he tossed Darby behind Takashi before blasting himself in that direction.
Meanwhile, back outside the gate, Nebula stood there fuming, glaring daggers at Hoshi."You. Explains. Now."
"W-w-well...we kinda discussed this behind your backs because we know you wouldn't be on board...?"
Before Nebula could go off on him, Angelo grabbed her shoulder."We should go help out while we're at it. I don't know if I told you, but there's plenty of guards on the other side of the wall."
"What?! Why didn't you say so?! Shielder is there!"
"Because they're Jojo Academy students, based on their uniforms." Angelo concluded."I didn't want to alarm you all over that, so I kept quiet. I wasn't expecting these idiots to go crazy and start doing things their way. Anyway, here's the deal. A group of kids shouldn't be a problem for me or Nebula. Exo, go around and see if you can find a hidden entrance or something."
"That's awfully vague."
Angelo groaned, realizing his mistake."Okay. We'll lure out all the students to where we are. Find a place that has no guards and infiltrate there. Go inside the mansion and help the others while we clan the path for the police."
"Right. I'll be careful, don't worry!" Exo made his way around the wall, leaving the older heroes by themselves.
"You think this is a good idea?" Nebula wondered."I mean..."
"At this point, it's the only logical conclusion." Angelo shrugged as he grabbed his sword;'s handle on his back, unsheathing it in a swift motion. It had a black blade with a crimson handle and white markings along the blade."Guerra is ready for action. Let's go to it."
"Sure. But try not to hurt them if possible." His girlfriend swayed her hair around."Let's get to work."
Yokohama, Salazar Mansion, Inside, Night
"All right. We're in. Now what?" Darby asked as he glanced around the luxurious-looking place, hearing an alarm in the distance."They already know we're here."
"Then that's the more reason for us to start searching. Let's split up. Comet, take the first floor. Shinjitsu, you get the last floor and I'll take the second floor and rooftop."
"Okay, sounds like a plan. But shouldn't one of us go to the docks behind the mansion?" Darby suggested."I mean, what if they do complete their deal?"
"I'm sure Onee-san thought of that." Nova told him, calming his nerves."Let's get to it. If we encounter any problems, just give each other a call. We're quick on our feet. Any questions?" He waited for them to say something but go no response."Okay. Let's get moving!"
Both Kachidokis activated their neon mantles and went their separate ways. Darby, on the other hand, remained standing.
"Well, looks like I have to get Neko Mode going. I should probably find a safe spot to transform." Shinjitsu began going up the stairs slowly, making sure he didn't cause unnecessary attention. He could hear distant footsteps both up and down.
"They're outside! Prepare to engage!"
"Already?! I thought they'd be here later tonight?! I didn't see any police sirens!"
That caught Darby's attention.'They knew we were coming here? But how? Maybe...it was the second source that Ayushi-san mentioned...could this have been a trap?' He tipped toe over to where the ventilation shaft began. He punched his way through the door and crawled up inside.
'This is perfect. Now I can comfortably access Neko Mode while moving without them noticing me.' He grinned from ear to ear."Let the infiltration begin."
Yokohama, Salazar Mansion, Kitchen, Night
A tall male with shaggy blonde hair paced around the kitchen area, hands behind his back. He had pale skin and blue eyes. He was wearing a blue tuxedo with a white undershirt and a yellow tie.
"So what now, big bro?" Nishikiyama Adachi sat on the counter, playing around with his blade."We gonna go fight? Or we staying?"
"What do you think? When a man does something, he has to go through it to the bitter end. For the sake of his people. We must fight."
"I think...we should think about ourselves..." A smaller male fidgeted. He had fair skin, lavender long hair that reached his neck, and a slim figure. He was wearing a white dressing shirt and an opened-up black jacket and black pants."Think about it, Haru..."
"Stop giving me that shit." The one named Haru glared at them over his shoulder."You both know we can't just leave. You know what's at stake. We leave, all of our efforts were for naught."
"But, Haru-"
"You know what's at stake, Yuri!" Haru walked up to Yuri's face, literally shoving his finger on his chest."We have more to lose than anyone else! Right now, we have to keep doing what Salazar says. Until we can get some sort of leverage. Nishikiyama."
"I'm on it. I'll go to the lobby, see if anyone shows up. With my Quirk, I'll be able to slow them down enough for you guys to finish whatever you have to do."
"I'm counting on you, brother." He nodded, earning a chuckle from Nishikiyama.
"I can't believe I've heard you say that." With that, the younger Adachi disappeared from view and closed the door behind them.
Haru sighed, turning his gaze over to Yuri."You can remove the makeup."
Yuri nodded, reaching for his face and giving it a gentle tap. All of a sudden, his hair grew wider, his chest grew in size as well as his hips and legs."Sorry...I was really silly just now..."
"It's fine." Haru closed his eyes, leaning against the wall."I'm not expecting you or Nishikiyama to think the same way I do."
Yuri lowered her gaze, not sure whether that was an insult or not."Thank you for keeping my secret...even until now...I know you don';t have any obligation to do it, so I really appreciate it."
"Whether you're a girl or a guy makes no difference to me." Haru rose a brow, folding his arms."You are clearly skilled. Skilled enough to be selected to join Salazar's social circle. Your family is foolish to not see your worth."
"Don't say that..."
"But it's true, isn't it?" His gaze hardened."They mistreat you simply because your father wanted a man, not a woman. Good thing I had my father talked to him and helped you get into Jojo Academy. With the promise that you'll be working under me. But honestly, I'll let you do your thing."
"Really...?" Yuri's eyes widened at his words.
"Naturally. I'm not a monster. I'm not going to dictate how you live your life. You are your own person. So do what you want." Haru gave her a light smile."Let's get this over with and escape. I have a boat ready hidden from the rest. In about twenty minutes, I'll go grab Nishikiyama and get us all out of here. But before I do that, I'll corner Salazar and get us to tell us where our-"
A vent popped open, startling the duo bellow. A young man with blue hair and white skin stuck his head out, covered in dust.
"Yuck!" Darby coughed up dust."When was the last time they cleaned the vents?! No wonder you can barely feel the air con...di...tioner...?"
Darby and Haru stared at each other, both too flabergasted to make a move. Haru bit his lip, breaking himself out of the trance. He took a step back, ice forming in his hand and forming a trident.
"Oh, shit!" Shinjitsu manifested 3 of his spheres and used them to block the incoming strikes. He used the remaining three to break through the vent and fell on the ground.
"W-w-who are you?!" Yuri hid behind Haru.
"Yuri! Stay behind me and access the situation!" He barked orders at her, earning a rapid nod.
"What gives? Why are you attacking me?" Shinjitsu complained, rubbing his aching back.
"So, you're one of the heroes." Haru smirked as he readied his trident."I can tell by that ridiculous outfit. Seriously...even if I wasn't up to no good, I would attack a random person showing up from my ventilation system."
"Okay, fair point." Darby chuckled sheepishly."It's better if you surrender quietly. I don't want to fight you."
"Oh? So, you think we just going to turn ourselves in?"
"I want to know where Salazar is." Darby made himself clear."I don't want to fight you guys. If you cooperate, it'll make everything easier for everybody."
"Pfft. Don't be absurd. We're not letting you take Salazar. Not yet, at least. I'll have to put you down."
"But, Haru, you can'-"
"We'll escape together, Yuri!" Haru snapped at the female."Even if we have to disappear. I'm tired of being bonded by these damn chains. And if I have to kill for it, I will. For you guys to have a future!"
Haru dashed over to Darby, who jumped back, hitting the wall.'There's barely any space to move in here!' He created a Black Umbrella, blocking the incoming flying trident. However, he felt his feet freeze below him."What's this?! It's like Todoroki's Quirk?!"
"Shoto Todoroki. Son of Endeavor? Yeah, I can see why you'd think my Quirk is similar to his. However..." His breath was clearly visible, something that was making Darby more nervous."My Quirk is Dry Ice...I can make the moisture in the airdrop in temperature to create weapons. Like this one." He created a giant hammer made out of ice and prepared to swing.
Darby's Black Umbrella froze entirely, catching him by surprise."What?! He froze my Black Spheres?!"
Before he could ponder on the matter, Haru swung his hammer against the shield, breaking it into pieces along with Darby's Black Spheres and sending Darby crashing through the wall.
"And now, to finish the job." He breathed out more carbon dioxide, creating a stalactite of ice in his hand.
"Wait! You're not going to kill him, aren't you?!" Yuri gasped, alarmed.
"I told you already." Haru narrowed his eyes, glaring at the hole Shinjitsu had gone through."When a man does something, he has to go through it to the bitter end. For the sake of his people!" He screamed, throwing the stalactite through the hole."And that's that..."
"You...you just..." Yuri sank on the floor, covering her mouth in horror."You mu...murdered him...how...how could...?"
"It was him or us. He was going to take us in, and we can't allow that. Think about your father." Haru shot a glare at her, sending chills down her spine."Nonetheless, this is a problem. I have to call Nishikiyama to make sure he didn't run into any problem he couldn't handle."
Yuri was scared, but she saw Haru's hands tremble uncontrollably.'He must be feeling even worse than me...'
"Nishikiyama!" Haru cried out."Where are you?!"
"Huh? I'm sitting in the lobby?"
Yokohama, Salazar Mansion, Lobby, Night
"Have you encountered anyone?" He heard Haru's voice through the line."I just encountered that kid who defeated you guys during the provisional license exam. I have to say, I don't know how in the world he beat you. He wasn't anything special."
"I told you it was him and Kachidoki." Nishikiyama groaned in distress."Cut me some slack. Not many people are good enough to give you a challenge, big bro. Anyways, what am I suppose to...Wait, someone's here."
"Oh...sorry...I should have hidden but honestly...it was a bit of a pain..." He said, twirling something between his fingers."Are you here...to fight me...because honestly, I don't feel like it...I'm supposed to find Salazar..."
"Well, buddy, he's not here, as you can see." Nishikiyama glanced around, mockingly."So, why don't you get going?"
"Uh...sure..." Shielder shrugged, walking away.
"H-hey!" Nishikiyama turned off the call, standing from his seat."Where the hell is you going?! Are you actually leaving?!"
"Yes...? You said you didn't know where he was...so there's no reason for me to harass you...for information..."
'What's with this kid?!' Nishikiyama deadpanned."Either way, I can't just let you walk around the place. I have my orders. To prevent you from reaching Salazar."
"Oh...so you do know where he is..."
"This brat!" Nishikiyama readied his finger-claw and jumped in the air. However, once his claw made contacted with his skin, it broke into pieces."What?!"
"Sorry...but attacks like those aren't going to...hurt me..." He drawled as he showcased his metal skin.
"What kind of Quirk is that?!" He jumped back, gaining some distance."His whole skin hardened...but why?!" He remembered the object that Shielder was playing around with when he got there."I see...so that's how it is...he can absorb the properties of whatever object his touching? But if that's the case...I won't be able to slash him!"
"Hmmmm...I wonder what Reiko is doing right now..." Drawled the slow-spoken teenager."Oh well..." In the blink of an eye, Shielder passed to the offense and rushed over to his opponent.
"Don't get cocky!" He unsheathed his blade and met with Shielder's arms."I can't fail! Not to my brother! This is my time to prove myself to him! To prove I'm worth being part of his family!"
"I don't know...what you're talking abo-" Nishikiyama moved his blade swiftly, barely gracing Shielder's cheek.
His assailant laughed, amused."I see. So your QUirk has a limit. It seems you can only cover your arms. So if I go for another part of your body..." He grabbed a nearby vase and threw it at him, forcing him to block. Using this as a distraction, he dashed under him and thrust his sword towards his stomach, unable to pierce through it. Before he could process what had happened, Shielder smashed him against the ground before grabbing him and tossing him out the window, making him land in the water fountain.
"What was that...? I thought you..."
"Assuming things during a fight...could prove fatal..." Shielder said, walking leisurely at his opponent.
"Then I just have to try a different approach."
Yokohama, Salazar Mansion, Kitchen, Night
"Hey! Nishikiyama!" Haru screamed at his phone, hands trembling."Nishiki! Damn him!" He yelled in frustration, throwing the phone against the wall. He leaned on the kitchen counter, rubbing his temples."Just...gimme a moment to think, yeah...? I need time to think..."
"Haru..." Yuri felt her heartache in pain at seeing him in that state. She had never seen him in that state before. She thought of him as a capable leader. Someone strong, reliable, and brave. And yet here he was, breaking down."I...is there anything I can do to help you?"
Haru sighed, having to calm down after a bit."Yeah...go get Nishikiyama. We're out of here."
"You're not going anywhere." Darby appeared from the hole in the wall, already in Chaos Mode."I'll admit, had I not gone to Chaos Mode, I wouldn't have been able to block that last attack."
Haru rose his gaze to meet Darby's, standing up slowly."I figured. You are not as weak as I had thought. I guess it's my fault for underestimating you."
"Why are you helping Salazar?" Darby asked in genuine curiosity."You guys aren't that bad. You care about each other and your friends. I can tell. So why would people like you want to help him?"
"Not everyone gets a say in what they do." Haru began."We aren't doing this because we feel compelled to being good to that asshole. I never liked him. But if he was anything, he was extremely smart. He managed to convince our families into partnering with him. The first week of coming to Japan, he was already giving out orders. But you don't need to know that. We can't let you get to him before we do."
"Let me help you." Darby pleaded, extending his hand."If you come with me, I can get Nebula to help you in any way she can. We don't have to fight."
"As long as we don't know about their well being, we can't do anything reckless!" Haru shot a wave of dry ice at Darbym who was forced to jump out of the room into the next. He was now in the pool area he had landed on previously, nearly falling into the water."And for that, we will get rid of any loose ends. Starting with you. Everything was going to go smoothly tonight. But no. You just had to show up."
'Huh? But he knew we were coming.' Darby pondered, taking a battle stance as he followed his 10 Black Spheres.'Then who was the one giving the second anonymous tip.' He decided he had to know."Hey, how the hell did you guys know we were coming anyway?"
"We didn't exactly "knew" you were coming. We got a message saying heroes would be showing up after snooping around where their noses don't belong. Salazar was the one who gave that info to us. As to how he got it...no idea. But he said you'd show up a little later than now. That's why we are still loading the boats with the drugs."
"The drugs you got from Seven Deadly Sins. The Baron."
"Funny, isn't it?" He chuckled in seemingly disbelief."I thought that guy was a legend of sorts. But then again, a lot of things are urban legends and tend to be true. All for One, The Baron, among others. A drug that can awaken the second Quirk of a person...another one that erases them. Anything is possible. Regardless, if this all works out, I'll take my cut and get out of here with those I care about."
Darby clicked his tongue, realizing he wasn't going to get through him. He grabbed two spheres and turned them into Black Batons, using them to block the incoming strikes of the ice trident. His feet began to freeze up, his he combined three spheres, creating a Black Fist and smashed the ice before it could expand then used it to attack his foe, only for it to be turned into ice. He tried retracting it, but his opponent was quick on his feet. He punched Darby in the stomach, knocking him down into the water.
Haru let out more air, creating an ice lance in his hand, and prepared to throw it.
'I can't move too fast in the water. I'm not a good swimmer!' Darby cried out in his mind as he covered his mouth.'I can't believe the cat features make me worse underwater due to cats not liking water...' His eyes widened as he saw his opponent throw the lance at high speeds. He switched back to Neko Mode, effectively reducing his enhanced abilities. He lined up a Black Sphere behind another and shot it in the air, effectively throwing it past 20 meters and using the gravitational pull of his Quirk to launch himself out of the water.
Haru narrowed his eyes."I see. I saw something like that in the Sports Festival footage. It seems his Quirk and whatever other power he has are connected. Notice his hair went from red to blue again. Going by what he said earlier, the blue-haired form is weaker than the other one. I take it also means his range is affected somehow."
"You lost me..." Yuri scratched her head."
Haru sighed, shaking his head."It means that this is our perfect chance to strike him down as he adopts a weaker version of his power. I would assume it takes time to switch to it, considering he didn't come out of the hole in the wall I made back then immediately. It has some kind of timing weakness. Alright then, it's time to get a move on. Yuri!"
Yuri yelped, slightly frightened at his tone."Y-yes?"
"Get ready." Haru smirked, hands in his pockets."We're going to use "that", got it?"
"We're going with "that", huh?"
"Yup." He began taking as much air as he could before letting it out slowly, cold breath expanding in the area."That" is the plan. Ice Age..."
Yokohama, Salazar Compound, Library, Night
Hoshi wasn't having a good day already. Ibara had a rough day today and he had to be the shoulder that she could cry on. Later, he had to eat multiple beef bowls that Nebula forced him to eat. He made a mental note to not eat with her again. And now, he was fighting someone who could bypass his barriers. He was currently being thrown against one of the countless bookshelves in a library in the mansion.
"Had enough?" Darui Katsuga asked from the librarian's desk as his zipper arm continued tossing his opponent around. Fortunately for Exo, he had surrounded himself in his barrier. Unfortunately for him, he was still being tossed around like a ragdoll inside. Katsuga rolled his eyes, unzipping his free arm and stretching it as the barrier, creating a zipper once it touched it and opening it up in a swift motion to deliver a right hook in Exo's chest, knocking the wind out of him. He eventually retreated his arms, taking a hold of a book he was reading and resuming it.
Exo sat up, coughing saliva."Shit..."
"Not used to getting hit?" Katsuga asked with mild interest."I can tell. You rely too much on that QUirk that you've never properly been in a fistfight."
"Yeah...my...partner says the same thing..." He chuckled, standing back up."Though she's one to talk. She relies on her vines and is not good in close-quarters combat."
"It's a fixable problem, really." Katsuga closed his book, giving his foe his full attention."I had the same problem. Sure, I can put a zipper on just about anything. But in a fight, what good would it be if I wasn't somewhat skilled? I had to train and improve my hand-to-hand abilities as well as my speed and durability. Among other things. You can have a pretty powerful Quirk, but you can't ignore to train your body as well to match it. Otherwise, you're just a powerhouse with no real control."
"Thanks for the lecture..." Exo grinned behind his mask."Since you're feeling so charitable, mind letting me through? I have to find Salazar and my friends."
"No can do. But nice try." Katsuga stifled a laugh."Now, shall we reconvince thi-"
Just then, an explosion blew part of the ceiling up as two figures fell from the sky.
Exo recognized one to be Comet and created a barrier to catch him in the air."You okay?!"
"Yeah..." Comet rubbed his back."Though he almost got me. He can create ghosts from his mouth. I don't want to find out what they're made out of."
"Seems like you're having trouble." Katsuga watched as Kabeyama landed flat on his rear.
"Wrong..." Kabeyama grimaced."He just got scared when one of my ghosts almost hit him and blew the damn roof up."
Exo blinked, confused."You did that?"
"C-c-cut me some slack..." Comet blushed from behind his visor."I'm afraid of the occult..."
"Okay..seeing as we're having trouble with our opponents...do you mind switching?"
"Do you mind?"
"If you don't, I'm okay with it."
"Sure." Comet gladly obliged."I gave you some info on my guy, but what about you?"
"He can pretty much make a zipper out of anything. He can unzip his arms or legs to stretch them and attack from afar. However, from what I've observed, it takes some effort to move multiple limbs at once."
"Then we're good to go. You guys ready?" Comet called out to them.
"Huh...how kind of them, giving us time to strategize." Kabekaya whistled."These guys are naive as hell."
"Better for us." Katsuga didn't seem to care."Our job is to stall for time for the shipment to get ready. After that, the Yakuza will take care of the rest."
"Right." Kabeyama nodded, taking a battle stance."Until then, we have a job to do. Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack!" He began spitting miniature ghosts from his mouth."Go, ghosts!"
"Yes, sir!" A total of 3 ghosts cheered and flew over to their targets.
"Here they come! Let's split up!" Hisashi used his neon to blast himself in the air while Exo created three barriers in front of him, causing the ghost to crash against it and exploding upon impact.
"High Shot!" Hisashi moved his arm swiftly as if he were throwing a baseball at Katsuga's face. The second-year Jojo Academy student barely had time to react against his speed and tapped his face, unzipping it in half and avoiding being blasted in the face. He zipped his face back together and ran towards a wall as he was being chased by multiple neon blasts.
He touched his arms, realizing he wasn't fast enough, and stretched it to the wall, creating a zipper to go through, and quickly went to the other side before the wall was bombarded.
"I'll leave this up to you, Exo!" Comet hollered, shooting himself after his enemy.
"Gotcha!" Exo smirked as he dashed over to his enemy, confusing him greatly."Come and get it!"
Yokohama, Salazar Compound, Pool, Night
Darby watched, flabergasted as the water in the pool began freezing slowly.
"Ready, Yuri?" The blonde icy boy asked as he created a trident out of dry ice."As soon as you start having trouble breathing, get out of the area. I'm unaffected by the gas my Quirk releases."
"Got it." Yuri nodded.
Without warning, Haru dashed over to Darby, running on the water as he created an icea path for himself.
'For the love of god." Darby grunted, sending two spheres at him while creating two Black Batons. Haru momentarily submerged himself in the water, avoiding the attacks before throwing the trident as Darby, who was quick enough to block it with his Batons. However, he didn't noticed the chain of ice connected to the trident. Haru used it to jump out of the water, delivering a kick to Darby's leg and forcing him one one knee. Darby blocked the other kick with his forearm, using his other two spheres to launch Haru in the air. He recalled the other spheres and used them as foothold to jump in the air as he spun around.
"GO BEYOND! PLUS! ULTRA!" Darby delivered a devastating kick against Haru's chest, causing him to spat out blood. However, he grabbed a firm hold on his shirt and dragged him to the ground. He forced himself up, ignoring the pain as held Darby's arms in place.
"Do it!" He cried out to his partner."Hurry! Knock him out before he escapes! This is our chance to trap him!"
"Trap me?" Darby inquired, looking down at the pool which was nearly frozen."Oh shit." Darby used his spheres to create a Black Arm and grab Haru's shirt.
"The hell are you doing?!"
"I know what you're trying to do." Darby narrowed his eyes."I know how dangerous dry ice can be. You're planning to trap me there, frozen solid. Even if a hero or someone were to melt the ice, the gas it releases, carbon dioxide, can be quite deadly when it great amounts. And since this is a closed up area, it won't ventilate well and the smoke will most likely kill me and anyone who comes in contact with it. If that happens, you'll go after my friends and hunt them down as well." Darby tightened the grip on Haru."So how about we take a quick dip together?"
"Wait, what?" Haru gasped, not expecting that response."You're crazy! You're gonna sink anyway!"
"Yeah...but if I can make this easier for my friends...then I'll do what I need to."
"Fuck you!" Haru screamed as he was forced to start moving towards the soon to be frozen pool."You know nothing about us! You don't know what kind of shit we went through! Stop judging you like you know us!"
"You're right. I have no right to do that." Darby admitted."But when you put my friend's lives on the line, that's something else. Are you ready to pay the consequences of your actions?" His gaze became intense as he stared at him in the eyes."Because I am."
Darby got closer and closer to the edge of the pool as it was close to freezing completely.
"You damn idiot! Do you wish to die, you bastaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-" Haru screamed in bloody murder as Darby jumped in the air, heading towards the water. Before he could touch the surface of it, something hit him in the jaw and crashed against Haru, sending them all to the wall.
The pool froze completely, covering whatever water was left.
Yuri squatted down, checking for Haru's injuries."Are you okay, Haru?!"
"Nice job...Yuri..." He wheezed out a chuckle."I knew you'd be able to get him."
"Are you kidding me...?" The girl was near in tears."I hurt you!"
"So?" He scoffed, recuperating slightly."You saved my life. I can't believe this psycho nearly killed us both...What kind of shitty hero are you?"
"Yeah, you're right. That was a bit reckless. But my hypothesis was proven right." Darby grinned triumphantly.
"What do you mean?" Haru demanded an answer.
"I heard you guys mention something about "that" before. I figured you must have had a plan. Not to mention I didn't know what the girl was capable of, so I played it safe. I knew from your interactions together that she cares deeply about you and wasn't going to let you be frozen like that. So I set up a bait and she took it. It was brief, but I managed to get a clear image of her quirk." He pointed dramatically at the raven-haired woman."Your Quirk involves springs. I don't know the limitations of it, but I would wager you're capable of turning any of your limbs into a spring. That's how you tackled us with such force and speed. You retraced your spring-like legs and jumped for it. Well, am I right?"
Yuri glanced back to Haru, who simply shrugged."That is correct. But not quite there. My Quirk allows me to manipulate any part of my body and turn it into a spring. That is how I've been pretending to be a boy. By retracting my womanly features, I was able to keep up the act."
"Wait...som that means your Quirk is..."
"Pretty much always active." She admitted."That is why I never perform well in combat after pretending to be a boy. It taxes my body as time goes by."
"You sure you wanna tell me that?" Darby asked with a cocky grin."Now I know your weakness."
"You won't be fighting Yuri." Haru stepped in front of her."Haven't you noticed the air in the room?"
"The air?" Darby parroted, taking a moment to sense his surroundings. He noticed that the temperature had risen considerably, and was raising even more. He gasped, taking a look at the pool, which was beginning to evaporate due to the heat."What's happening?!"
"I used this little controller." Haru waved around a small remote."It allows me to control the temperature of certain areas of the mansion. I shot the temperature in this area high enough to start melting the ice slowly but steadily. I don't need to melt the ice and turn it into water, I just need the gas."
Soon enough, the entire room was beginning to become foggier and foggier by the second. Darby removed his bandana from his forehead and tied it around his face.
"Yuri, keep moving around." Haru ordered as he created another trident in his hand."As soon as you see a chance, attack."
"Roger!"
Darby's eyes began to water due to the smoke in his eyes."Shit...things just took a turn for the worse. I can't absorb nature energy from the carbon dioxide and since the water is frozen, the atoms are packed closer together which will only make it harder. Even if I go into Chaos Mode, there's no telling me if I'll be able to access it any time soon. What now...?"
Yokohama, Salazar Mansion, Salazar's Office, Night
Takashi walked silently towards the big velvet colored door at the end of the hallway. The windows let out the light of the moon and worked as lightning. He was fighting the urge to bust through the door, but there was no telling what was behind it. Whether Salazar was behind it or not, it didn't matter. There was bound to be some kind of document, or evidence, or anything. Anything that could show him where Saiko was being kept. If she was here at all.
"Keep it together, Takashi." He gently hit his head."I can't be losing my grip. I've passed that...I'm different from before." He kept repeating himself that, but he kept thinking on when he snapped at Mirio's words. He was also contemplating his feelings on what he would do to Salazar once he got his hands on him. He reached the door, not wasting time and pulling it open.
Inside, the was a spacious room. It had leather sofas, paintings, and other luxurious objects that Takashi didn't mind paying attention to. His sole objective was sitting in front of a chimney, drinking from a bottle of wine.
"So, you made it." Salazar addressed him. He had his brown hair swept to the back while letting a few bangs hang from his forehead. He had grown his beard considerably since they last met. He was dressed in a white pinstriped suit over an orange, chain-patterned dress shirt."Took your sweet time."
"To be honest, I wasn't expecting to see you here." He commented as he took a seat in one of the couches, grabbing a bottle of wine."You got anything non-alcoholic?"
"Afraid not. Didn't have time to restock my cooler. I heard you coming, so I had to cut my affairs brief." He began sorting through some documents on his desk."So, what brings you here?"
"You know why I'm here." Nova threw the bottle on the floor, breaking it.
Salazar sighed."Hey, that was an expensive bottle. What gives you the right to come here, storm into my mansion, and start destroying everything? Is this how people from U.A do this? Or maybe this is a Kachidoki thing."
"For someone who had an admiration for my father, as you claimed, you sure talk a lot of shit of us," Nova called him out.
The Portuguese young man simply laughed at that."I did respect your dad. I won't deny that. But thanks to you, I got a new view from a different perspective. I finally learned why you hated your father. He was treating you as his little soldier, shaping you as he saw fit. But at the same time, he sacrificed himself for your sake. It must really be conflicting to think that the man you hated the most is the one who loved you the most. Guess you'll never find out."
"Yeah...Guess I won't."
"For someone who recently lost his father, you look quite calm." He guffawed in disbelief."Man, you are truly something else! And to think you were siding with the villains a short while ago and here you are now, playing here. You are a walking contradiction. It's hilarious."
"You're right. I did those mistakes and they'll forever follow me. Until the day I die." He clenched his fists."However, I'm going to fix everything. And for that, I want you to do two things for me. Tell me where Sai-san is and tell me what you know about the Seven Deadly Sins."
"Now, what makes you think I'm going to give you either of those answers." Salazar stood up, placing his bottle down."You expect too much if you think I'll give you any information. I'll say this, Sai-chan is in this mansion. Well, close to it."
"So, the boats. If that's the case, why are you still here? You're acting too calm for someone whose house is being raided."
"Why would I worry? Everything is under control. Are you hoping for the cops to show up? Bad news. We took care of that. They won't get here in time. Let's just say...we've arranged a few surprised on the road for them."
"So that's why they haven't gotten here. Nebula and Angelo are strong, but if you have your whole school backing you up, no wonder they're taking their time."
"It's funny, isn't it? How I managed to take over them all with just a few words and influence." He began pacing around the room."People are meant to be ruled over. It's just human nature. The masses need a leader, Kachidoki."
"Let me guess, you are the leader?"
"Well, I am certified to be one, technically. Back at home, I'm taught and prepared to become a political leader soon. I want to become the prime minister to leader become the president of Portugal. My goal is to reform it back to its former glory. No longer will Japan and America stand at the top. With me being the orchestrated of it all. That is what I was raised. My family raises champions."
"Champions?"
"Elites. You see, I'm not really different from you. I was born among many other siblings in my family. We were taught to compete, thrive, and survive. Only one of us could become the head of the family, after all. We were allowed to do anything necessary to survive. There was no love, no affection, no nothing. Just the hunger to stand at the top. Sound familiar?"
"Hard to say. None of us is really interested in being the heir to the Kachidoki family." He shrugged nonchalantly."If anyone deserves it, it's my sister for working so hard and taking care of us."
"But wouldn't you want to do that yourself? Taking into consideration what you've been through, don't you want to fix the Kachidoki family? So the next generation won't have to suffer the same as yours did? I didn't peg you for someone with little ambition, Kachidoki."
Takashi scoffed at his words."Nice try. But I don't need anything more than my family and friends. Of course, I do want a change, but I can't do it alone. I'll work together with those who love me."
"You mean the few people that I can count with my palm?" He mocked as he held out his left hand."Please, you really think people consider you a friend? You are nothing but a criminal playing hero. And I'm going to shut you down permanently to ensure you won't cause harm to any more people again."
"How kind of you. You actually think you're doing the right thing? How the hell are you even doing all of this? I understand tricking all your peers, but what about their families?"
"Let's just say..." He grew a sinister grin."I took care of that little detail. Now all I have to do is kill you and go back to Portugal with the product we were given. I won't say names though. I respect our allies. Then, I'll make Saiko my bride and prepare the new heir for the future. I will enjoy watching those children fight to see who is the strongest!"
"You are fucking sick!" Takashi fired a neon blast at him, but as soon as he fired it, he was gone. Baffled, he looked behind him, only to be met with a punch to the face by a large arm. He stumbled backward, jumping away to gain distance."That's...!"
Salazar had removed his jacket and his sleeves and pants were torn. He had a white tail with black strips and his arms had changed drastically, mimicking that of an animal. They had white fur with black stripes and sharp claws. His face had also changed considerably. His hair had grown and covered some of his face and his skin had turned pale as he grew whiskers. To top it off, his sclera had turned black and his eyes yellow."Like this? I gave you a little demonstration back during your internship with Guren Intelli. We were stopped before I could show you my Quirk."
"A transformation type-Quirk..." Takashi breathed in shock."So you were hiding this all along?"
"I hope you're ready...for what's to come." He displayed his newly formed claws at him."The Weretiger is coming."
