Patronus Maximus

Chapter LI: Collision Course

Japan boasts cultural significance, impressive academical levels, and harmony with nature. It is this fact that Saeko is proud of her heritage and why she wanted this vacation. Her father was the reason as a master swordsman and taught her about everything relating to their homeland.

She wanted this same excitement from her children. And she got it when smiles were plastered on Ashla and Masaki, their hands pulling their father forward.

"Daddy, can we go to the castle now?" They both asked excitedly.

Not Nagoya Castle since they left its city two days ago. The clan's trip has taken them to Osaka, the economic hub of Japan.

"All right, all right, we're going! Good-bye, ladies, and enjoy your day together."

It was decided between the adults that they could spend one day separate from each other. The ladies will have a day for themselves while Naruto take the kids—all four of them—by himself at some of the tour spots.

"Bye, have a good time!" Medusa called out at the increasingly disappearing backs of her mutual loved ones. "Do you think he'll survive?"

"On his own? Not a chance," The ladies answered in unison.

Though both Rhea and Kuroka fidgeted on the spot. "It's okay, you two." Saeko calmed the mothers as she placed reassuring hands on their shoulders. "I know it's not easy to be separate from your kids, but this will be good for you."

"Girls' day?"

"Girls' day!" The women—even Lara—rooted as they left for one of the reputable wards.

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Osaka Castle

The legendary Osaka Castle is one of Japan's greatest and most well-known landmarks. Its white castle walls garner attention from all tourists, Japanese and foreigners alike. The architecture was something to behold. Naruto noted that there were no such buildings in his home world.

Shinobi warfare was stealth or direct combat. They had isolated camps from the battlefield, but not fortresses. And their headquarters were at the home villages such as the Allied Forces' HQ in the Kumogakure. The only thing that resembles a fortress that comes to mind was Blood Prison, a penitentiary for nukenin (rogue ninja) and dangerous criminals.

Naruto's thoughts switched to Tamae and the early morning. She was picked up earlier by Susanoo and resisted as much as she could to stay with the clan for a bit longer. She only went when Naruto promised to hang out with her more often and even apologized for his lack of contact to the goddess.

"Daddy, come on!"

"You're slow."

His older set of children drew his attention when they vainly tried to push him forward after deeming him too slow. "Easy, you two," Naruto chuckled while his younger twins were entranced by their environment. They were carried in a stroller that fitted both of them as their father gently guided them to their destination. "You must show respect in places such as this."

"Hai."

The twins situated themselves on their father's flanks, Ashla on his right and Masaki on his left.

"And you know the rules, right?"

"Always stay by your side."

"And?"

"Be polite."

"And?"

"Have fun when you can!"

They loved that rule since they often have fun with him and their mothers.

"Where are we going after this, daddy?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

"HELP! POLICE!"

Those two words had everyone tense in their spots and parents holding their kids tightly. Much to Naruto's confusion, alarms rang out near the castle before the employees guided all the tourists and citizens behind the castle walls. Four devices hurried to corners around the castle before they generated a green dome of energy.

"Daddy, what is going on?" asked Masaki, afraid by this display.

At a loss, Naruto shook his head, "I… have no idea."

"From the countryside?" The family looked at the man who spoke to them. "The devices you see there? They are part of the government's experimental protection system."

"Protection system?"

"It's called S.P.E.S."

"S.P.E.S.?"

"I think it's called Solar Protective Energy Shield."

"It runs on solar power?" Naruto asked all surprised. "Guess the nation is taking more initiative into renewable energy."

"Yep. They finished the prototype three months."

"What do they do, mister?" asked both Ashla and Masaki at the same time.

"S.P.E.S.'s job is to protect Japanese architecture from villains and disasters. For now, it is at national landmarks like Osaka Castle. Eventually it will protect all of Japan's buildings and heritage sites."

"That's smart," Naruto said before tuning to his thoughts, "This really reminds me of Boston few months ago."

"The government got the idea from the Siege of Boston."

"I knew it!" Memories of that night flashed through his mind instantly, causing him to shudder.

"You okay?"

"Just felt a little chill," Naruto lied as Ashla and Masaki held onto his pant legs tightly.

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(At the Same Time)

Namba District, Osaka

Honshu, Japan

The women in the clan were funneled by the large mob of worried pedestrians as police officers guided them away from the source of conflict.

"What are we going?!" asked Saeko to one of the officers.

"To the nearest the bunker, ma'am!"

"Bunkers?" all the women asked at the same time.

One of the civilians filled them in about the establishments. "For heroes/villains-related incidents or disasters!"

"Hurry!"

The sound of metal crunching against the streets reached their ears, causing them and some of the civilians to look back despite their instinct. Dark grey clouds suddenly appeared out of nowhere as thunder boomed and lightning zoomed across the surface. Rain showered moments later.

"What is happening?!"

"Holy crap!"

"Shoot it down, shoot it down!"

"It's not working!"

"Where are the heroes when we need them?!"

"WATCH OUT!"

A terrifyingly and unearthly howl boomed within the mall, causing everyone to stop when the body crashed into a wall behind them. They wished they haven't as the sight was horrifying. The creature responsible was larger than a semi and its trailer. It has the face of a monkey, spiky unnatural dirty green mane, the body of a partially decomposed tiger, and a white snake for a tail.

"What the hell is that?!"

"RUN!"

The mixed creature took notice of the mob and charged towards with purpose. Normally people faced a dilemma in this situation: delay the danger with risk of bodily harm or save yourself. The Uzumaki women chose the former. Or they would have if another presence hadn't arrived in time.

And it arrived with flames.

"Get everyone out of here! Do your jobs!"

The ball of flames dispersed after it forced back the creature, revealing one of Japan's heroes. He was tall and had sturdy muscular physique comparable to All Might. He has short crimson hair that is spiked up around his head. Flames appeared to be part of his costume as his boots, beard, mustache, and eye mask were comprised of the burning element. His costume was a tight navy turquoise bodysuit with lines of fire. White bracers were worn on his lower arms and a blue belt with a pouch fastened around his waist. He has a very stern look on his face, which combined with his costume, made him unapproachable by civilians and officials.

"It's Endeavor!"

"What's he doing here?"

This caused the women tilt their heads quizzically. "They're not pleased with him?"

"So, what do we have here?" Endeavor mused nonchalantly as the creature roared at him, angry at the apparent challenge. "You made a bad choice, appearing in this city while I'm visiting." The flames around his fists grew in size despite the rain. He clasped them together before forming a spear of fire between the new gap. "Yari no Fureimu (Spear of Flame)!"

The creature roared before jumping over the spear and charging towards the hero. Endeavor in response rapid-fired a barrage of fireballs at the peace disrupter. They hit the monster head on as the contact created small puff of clouds. Endeavor rolled to the side as his opponent bodily smashed through a food stall. After getting up on his feet, Endeavor's flames increased in heat for another attack, but he was caught off-guard by the creature's own attack.

It howled to the raining clouds before particles glowed in front of him. Next thing he knew, three lightning bolts crashed down towards him. Endeavor barely dodged the lightning in time and took notice of the creature's visage more closely. "It can control lightning and electricity."

Meanwhile, Saeko's mind raced after seeing the creature and its abilities. "It looks like the Greek Chimaera but with different animal characteristics. A terrifyingly howl that makes people ill. And it controls lightning." She widened her eyes as one description of a creature came to memory. "A Nue. It's a Nue!"

"What?"

The Nue is an ancient yokai described as the Japanese chimaera. It has the power to summon lightning and shape-shifting abilities to a black cloud. The creature makes the horrible 'hyoo hyoo' that makes people scared, and in some cases, ill. This was seen in the Heian period where Emperor Nijo became after nights of constant 'hyoo hyoo.' The imperial court hired a master of arrows, Minamoto no Yorimasa, to slay the beast. With a single arrow, the samurai killed the beast and the emperor instantly recovered from the illness. Yorimasa was gifted the sword Shishio (Lion King) for his deeds.

Since then, there has not been any new information about the yokai in mythology. Until now in the real world.

"Nue, huh?" Endeavor pondered after hearing the name from the civilian. "I could care less about it being the Ghost of Tsushima; this is causing chaos—" The flames around his fists grew in size as the rain droplets dried up when they fell on his exposed skin, "—and I will save everyone."

Saeko was taken aback by the hero's cold attitude. From Naruto's stories, he'd always give criminals the option to surrender and use swift but nonlethal attacks for minimal to no casualties and injury.

Here, this Endeavor is going for the kill as his left fist's flames turned white-hot.

"Kaku Shakunekken - Jettoban (Flashfire Fist - Jet Burn)!"

A fiery beam shot forward from Endeavor's punch and knocked back the Nue before it engulfed the creature entirely. The yokai's horrific howling ceased after moments of burning agony while the flames continued to burn in spite of the rain. Applause came from the group as they showed appreciation for the hero's deed albeit scattered.

The Uzumaki women were among the ones who didn't clap as they felt the rain continue to drop. "It's not dead!"

Endeavor realized this too late as he was pounced on by the flaming Nue, barely holding the creature's fangs back from devouring him. Fighting back at the tingling effect of the electricity emanating from creature, Endeavor turned up the heat once more. "Kaku Shakunekken: Kagutsuchi no Bureido (Flashfire Fist: Kagutsuchi's Blade)!"

The Nue snarled as its mouth caught the incoming fire blade meant to swipe his head off. Though that was diversion as Endeavor's other hand just became free.

"Kaku Shakunekken: Hefaisutosu no Hanma (Hephaestus's Hammer)!"

As the name indicated, a moderate-sized hammer of fire formed from Endeavor's free hand and hit the Nue's torso. It had enough force to push the creature off of him. Endeavor then tossed his flame weapons at the yokai with enough force to send it skidding back away from him and the civilians.

"I'm not done with you!"

Endeavor zoomed forward with a burst of flames from his back, increasing his speed for a moment. He punched the monkey face this time as the momentum added more force into his fist and staggered the yokai. The hero did not slow down his attacks as he refused to let the creature to get its bearings back.

With every flaming punch followed a painful 'hyoo' as the people afar cheered Endeavor on. Except for the Uzumaki women as they felt something about the yokai. For some of them, sensing energy is natural but for others, they had to learn ergo from Naruto's teachings. Saeko, Lara, and Medusa were those who learned said technique.

"Lara? Do you feel it?" asked Saeko as Lara nodded. "Medusa?" She affirmed her answer via a nod as well. "Something's wrong."

The ki from the creature was dark, but they felt it being concentrated in a singular location. If that wasn't troubling, they heard this in their minds.

"It hurts! Everything hurts!"

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(Minutes Earlier)

S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier Iliad

Above the Hudson River, New York City

For a spy, patience is an absolute virtue. Without it, he or she would get sloppy in their assignments. But for someone like Maria Hill who wants to find a clue that leads to their target, only years of experience and training can stem her irritability.

Then she heard the Helicarrier's alarm sound off. "What's the status?" Maria asked her agents as they scrambled to relay important information. Finally they did as one of her subordinates spoke to her.

"Ma'am, an attack occurred on the main island of Japan."

"Where exactly?"

"Osaka, Japan."

"Activate our sleeping team stationed in Osaka; surveillance only."

"Target, ma'am?"

"Patronus." Maria replied without hesitation. Some of the muttering lowered when they heard about Patronus, but it returned to the normal audible level. Hill expected the reaction from some agents, but she will not let this chance go by her. "Now send them!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

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Namba District, Osaka

Honshu, Japan

"The Nue… It spoke," Medusa whispered as her sisters agreed via nods. "It sounded like it was in pain."

"Not only from Endeavor's attacks, but that dark ki…" Rhea inputted, feeling the energy was not natural within the yokai.

Lara then voiced her frustration, "What should we do? If we interfere, the people will think we're helping the Nue spew chaos and if we don't, it'll get killed."

The ground started to shake by tremors and they grew more pronounced by the second. It was as if they were running near them. All the humans gasped when a hulking red-skinned creature blindsided Endeavor. Or it would have if a blue-red-and-white blur didn't knock it to the ground.

That moment provided Endeavor a chance to unleash another Jetburn that pushed the Nue back away to the staggered red hulking.

"What are you doing here?" asked Endeavor, not too pleased by the intervention as he appeared beside him a moment later.

The man laughed heartily in a manner that almost everyone in Japan knows instantly. They knew that once that laughter is heard, everything was going to be okay. "Do not be like that, Endeavor."

"It's him!" cried out an excited child. "All Might!"

"Fear not, citizens! We are here to help!"

All Might noticed the two yokai as they roared at them. He recalled the hulking, red-skinned creature from one of many in the Siege of Boston months ago. "An Onryoki…"

"Another yokai?" Endeavor questioned skeptically.

"This one is a yokai as well?"

"Yeah, it is. A Nue."

Both All Might and Endeavor readied themselves for a bout, but they have not worked together before. Still, All Might was confident they can perform with no problems. That changed when a pained voice spoke in his mind, "Everything hurts! Help!"

"A citizen in trouble?" The Onryoki stomped toward All Might and brought down its clasped hands for a hammer attack onto him. All Might lifted a hand and nonchalantly caught the limbs, ignoring the shockwave and the cracked floor. "Probably nothing."

At the same moment, Endeavor zoomed forward at the Nue and punched squarely at its face. "It hurts! Stop, please!"

"That voice again…" All Might swiftly delivered an uppercut with his free hand and sent his yokai opponent away into the sky. "Endeavor, I think—"

"I'm fighting here!" Endeavor shouted back with a glance. That moment left him unguarded as the Nue retaliated with a straight beam of lightning, hurtling the Flame Hero away and over the panicked civilians. He landed into a make-up stall and didn't get back up as his muscles spasmed uncontrollably from the lightning. "Kuso (Damn it)!"

"He's down for now…" All Might observed as his focus was now on the Nue. His instincts, however, tells him that something is wrong here. Instead of attacking him, the yokai snarled while its snake tail destroyed nearby objects before trying to reach its glowing underbelly. "I see now." He started walking towards the creature, catching its attention by doing so. "Fear not, yokai… Hope has arrived…"

The Nue's snarling face slightly softened when it heard his words. It barely registered its surprise when All Might was in front of him and held onto the upper portion of the torso.

"For I am here."

All Might tossed the Nue high into the sky and followed suit after bending his legs. The shockwave from his jump almost blew away the civilians, but they managed to stay on their feet. In the sky, All Might noticed the source of the Nue's pain: a dark purplish-shard embedded in its stomach.

Their bodies tangled with each other as gravity is bringing them back down. All Might wasn't fazed by the lightning and grabbed hold of the shard. He winced when the shard's energy surged through his left hand and enveloped the yokai, but All Might ignored as he yanked it out. The Nue howled in pain while the purplish aura disappeared. All Might noticed that his earlier opponent has just fallen to their level of altitude.

Using the wind pressure from his kick, All Might approached the unconscious Onryoki with the Nue in hand. Without hesitation, All Might crushed the two glowing horns and held onto the face of the red-skinned yokai. He fixed himself and kicked down towards the ground, using the wind pressure to slow down his descent.

As he was about to fall through the hole in the ceiling, All Might noticed something else had happened to the Nue. "What is this?"

"All Might won!"

"Of course, he did! He's the nation's number one hero!"

As for the women in the clan, they were relieved to see the danger is over. Some of them were concerned about the yokai, particularly the chimaera-like one. Strangely, they do not notice it in All Might's grasp, only the unconscious Onryoki.

"We should leave; the others might be worried about us," Saeko said to the women. "The children…"

Rhea and Kuroka nodded as they too were worried about their daughters, even though Naruto was with them. They chose to leave while everyone else was distracted, but both Lara and Medusa noted a faint, unfamiliar ki on All Might's body. The duo decided to leave it at that and made their way back to their mutual loved ones.

Their departure did not go unnoticed by a paralyzed Endeavor, but he could not say anything because of the Nue's electricity.

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(Ten Minutes Later)

Sora no Ten Hotel

The clan had reunited with each other at the hotel after officials declared that there was no further criminal activity. Kuroka and Rhea held their daughters in relief while Saeko kissed her twins. Naruto hugged the women tightly, showing them that he was worried about their safety.

After eating much-needed food and having the kids play in the next room with miniature Kurama, Matatabi, and Gyuki, the women informed Naruto about the event that happened near them. He sighed with relief after they finished telling him. "I'm glad all of you are safe and the people too. So, All Might beat the yokai, but what about this Endeavor?"

"He got paralyzed by the Nue's lightning ray," Lara responded before sipping her green tea.

Naruto hummed after drinking his soda, "You mentioned dark ki?"

"Correct, dear," Rhea replied concernedly. "The Nue emitted unnatural energy that was not its own."

"It was vile, twisted…" Lara paused as she recalled the pleas, "We heard its cries for help."

"We couldn't do anything," Medusa remarked sadly. "Other than Saeko telling the hero about the Nue, we couldn't really do or say something to help the yokai."

"And the Onryoki is knocked out?"

"Yes, Hubby," Kuroka replied as she sipped sake, wincing moments afterward. "Oh, that is good. All Might is seriously powerful… To be honest, if I had met him first, I'd probably be in heat all the time." Naruto growled audibly, eliciting a teasing giggle from her, "But you're the only man in my life."

That seemed to calm Naruto, but he is still pouting. Sure, All Might has bigger body mass and muscles, but size isn't everything. He had seen bodybuilders and weightlifters lose agility and speed in exchange for strength. That wasn't the case for Choji and the Akimichi Clan as they still maintained versatility during the war, though.

"Our daughter is proof of that," Naruto replied cheekily as a blushed Kuroka blew him an air kiss.

Lara pondered deeply as she swished around her cup, catching Medusa's attention. "Is something on your mind, Lara?" asked Medusa, wondering about her train of thought.

Seeing everyone's eyes on her, Lara hesitated for a moment before answering, "It can't be a coincidence." She stated to them, "This is the second city in our trip that activities regarding yokai happened during our stay."

"The incident at Nasu and here…" Rhea reminded aloud.

"You're not the only one who's been thinking about that," Naruto answered honestly. "It's been on my mind, but I wanted us to enjoy our vacation."

"We still can, babe," Medusa said assuredly to Naruto, "But this is something that we can't ignore. We need information. And I'm positive that Takamagahara should know about this."

Naruto hummed in thought, but affirmed Medusa's reasoning, "Tomorrow, I'll go to the H.A. and talk to All Might."

"Why not now?" asked Saeko.

"Because I want to stay with all of you beauties."

Blushes came on their cheeks despite being together for a long time. The women reciprocated his feelings with kisses all over his face.

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(The Next Day)

Hero Association Headquarters

Tokyo, Kanto Region

"What is it?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're practically beaming lasers at me with your teeth. Seriously, close your mouth before a fly gets in."

All Might laughed heartily as he nonchalantly slapped Patronus' back. The smiling hero held back to avoid destroyed windows. "I'm just glad to see you after a while." He was surprised when the smaller hero didn't flinch or wince.

"…" Naruto chuckled as he appreciates All Might's optimism, "It's good to see you too."

"I admit I was worried when you disappeared from the hero scene after Boston."

"I needed a break after something like that happened."

"Yes… I imagine anyone would." All Might had nightmares regarding Patronus' death. He felt that he failed one of his friends, but relieved to see the hooded hero still alive and walking so to speak. "I take it you heard about yesterday?"

"That I did, old timer."

"Old timer?"

"The Onryoki and Nue." Patronus said, "Ancient creatures thought to be myths and ancient folklore. How did the people react?"

All Might hummed as he recalled the people's reactions. "As expected, the civilians were afraid." Naruto nodded while he continued to speak, "Endeavor fought to incapacitate the Nue, so he couldn't hear its pleas for help."

"The girls did tell me they heard the Nue in pain and asking for help," Naruto observed the talking All Might, "But he heard it talk too?" Could it be his Quirk or innate kindness? Is it both?

"And the Nue… it was in pain you said?"

"Yes; not only from Endeavor's attacks, but from the shard."

"Endeavor… Haven't heard about him before. Is he a rookie?"

"No, he arrived upon the hero stage at the same time as I did. For some reason, he hates my guts."

"Eh?" Naruto had to say.

"I know, right? I'm a nice guy!"

That was when Naruto realized that they just entered a technologically-advanced room. Chatter from the Association's scientists and technological experts lowered upon their entry. "Oh man, it's All Might."

"Who's that with him?"

"Are you serious? That's Patronus, Savior of Boston."

"But didn't he get help from All Might, the Avengers, and Agents of S.M.A.S.H.?"

"Yeah, but Patronus beat the big bad behind the whole thing."

"Well, that's not true," The heroes thought internally. The part about Esdeath being the mastermind behind the siege is false. It was former Senator Kelly and the MRD. Esdeath volunteered her services just so she could fight Naruto.

One of the scientists approached the heroes as she had an excited look on her face. "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! Icantbeilieveyourehere!YoureAllMightandPatronus!Imsuchabigfan!" She was shorter than the men with black hair cut in a bop style, an unusual hairstyle for Japanese women.

"Um… hello?" Patronus greeted weakly.

The woman collected herself and introduced herself, "I'm Saito Suzuki, head researcher for the Hero Association." The men bowed a little and she responded in kind. "It's an honor to meet you both."

"And we you, Suzuki-shoten."

"Shoten (young)?"

"We are here for the shard," All Might told the woman.

"Ah yes, follow me." Suzuki turned and walked down the room with the heroes in tow. "When you first brought it in, we were astounded by the readings." They entered into the research room where the shard was encased in a secure box. Three other researchers were nearby behind desks, analyzing data from the most recent scans. "We placed it in this case because of the energy's enticement."

"Enticement?" Patronus repeated as he noticed the shard's glow slightly increased. "Dark ki in solid form."

"Ki as in our life energy?" Suzuki asked with wonder as her eyes were on the shard, "Actual life energy in solid form… I can't wait to research this!"

"And the Onryoki? Where is it?"

A nervous chuckle came from the civilian researcher. "The yokai? It is restrained in Tartarus." Cue a confused tilted head from Patronus. "The new prison our government created for criminal Jintsuriki and/or the supernatural."

"You mean yokai?"

"Yokai and other creatures from different mythologies." Suzuki clarified before elaborating, "After Thor's appearance, the people in positions thought that we should have a major prison system that can house above-average to extremely life-threatening threats." She approached one of the nearby computers and typed in a few keys to bring up a screen that showed a chained Onryoki at the mentioned Tartarus. Its signature glowing horns were missing due to All Might's yanking of them during their small bout. "It has been dormant since the incident."

"The horns of an Onryoki are the source of its power," Patronus informed Suzuki, "Take those out and it weakens greatly, but it'll still put up a fight." He glanced at All Might, "Unless you are one super strong tank covered in red, blue, and white." All Might's smile bling with a thumb-up. "Have there been any other incidents after yesterday?"

"None. Why?"

"I think these incidents are related: Nasu and here in Osaka," Patronus replied, informing All Might. "I wonder if someone is behind this. Again, are you sure that nothing else happened after that?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"All right then."

"Patronus, do you possess knowledge of yokai?"

"As do everyone in Japan," Patronus countered softly. "And the Nue?"

Suzuki shook her head, "All Might only brought in the Onryoki." Naruto glanced at All Might from the corner of his eye, "But it is our first major occupant in Tartarus, so that's good for us."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, there are some investors and backers behind the Hero Association who felt that Tartarus's construction was… not cost effective." Suzuki answered, eliciting a groan from Patronus. "I know; I hate the kind of people who believe money is more important over safety and lives."

"… Thanks for everything, but I think I should take this off your hands," Patronus gestured at the encased shard, "Dark ki is not something we should be messing with."

Suzuki was taken aback and stepped in front of Patronus to prevent him from taking the shard. "You can't! This is a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity for us."

"You know what I dislike?" Patronus asked rhetorically. "People who wants to delve into something that they don't completely understand or just plain ignorant of possible consequences." Suzuki stood her ground against her model hero. He hummed in admiration before noticing the shard's glow. It became intermittent by the second and became faster every second like a… "Bomb!"

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*Ka-blam*

"Hmm… I thought the explosion would be bigger given his power is very potent. But that should keep the authorities busy." He looked behind him where the object of his assignment laid. The black bag hid the visible traits, but not the outline of a body. "Her efforts were futile, but I do commend her spirit." The man then turned back to the smoking building when two potent energy signatures were rapidly approaching. "Ten seconds, huh? Mortals are fast these days."

A portal of eerily black and purple appeared next to the body before it was dragged by the man. He felt the wind blow past just as his getaway closed. "It's him again."

"Son of a bitch, we missed him!" Patronus cursed after his hand passed through the spot of the now-closed portal. "Damn it!"

All Might huffed snorted like a bull. He and Patronus were unaffected by the explosion, but the civilians did not have superhuman durability. Luckily, one of them has tricks in his sleeves as demonstrated moments earlier.

-(Flashback Begins)-

"Is everyone all right?" All Might coughed after asking. Within his arms were the civilians he managed to save moments before the explosion. Three women and two men were shielded from the blast as they voiced out their okays, "Patronus! Are you okay?!" He called out.

"…"

"Patronus!"

"… We're fine!"

An unnatural wind blew away the smoke debris as it revealed solid air spheres that protected Suzuki and the rest of her co-workers. The one responsible, Patronus, stood near the center of the explosion with another construct. Except this one was sucking in the shard's dark energy. The reason was to prevent normal humans from being exposed or at least limit their exposure.

"Someone's behind this," All Might mused grimly, "They knew that the shard would be recovered and brought to our office."

After the last of the dark energy was absorbed into the wind sphere, Patronus searched for the person responsible. "The shard detonated when we were here, so the bomber must be nearby." He continued sensing any unusual energy signature. "Found him, but he's far."

"How far is he?"

"…Looks like thirty blocks from here."

"Let's not waste another second."

"Exactly what I had in mind, All Might."

-(Flashback Ends)-

"That was the guy?" All Might asked skeptically. "I can't feel nothing from him."

"Did you see what he had on him?"

"A body."

"The Onryoki and Nue were diversions… Bastard was after someone in the city," Naruto said informatively after realization about yesterday's incidents. "We need to talk to the police; find out who was targeted."

All Might nodded as he went to the edge of the rooftop. "Ten seconds..." It took them ten seconds to cover thirty blocks between their current location and the office. "And Patronus kept up the entire time." He knew the American hero had changed since the Siege. All Might wonders about his capabilities and wishes to learn about them in friendly combat. "We should go and evacuate the office."

"… Yeah." Patronus said after a moment of staring at the spot where the body once laid.

Both men vanished from sight due to their inhuman speed, leaving behind nothing.

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(Five-and-a-Half Hours Later)

Osaka Dome

Kyocera Dome Osaka is the city's baseball stadium for its two teams: Orix Buffaloes and Hanshin Tigers. It houses other sport events such as martial arts tournaments.

The explosion at the Hero Association's local office was covered by the media. All Might and Patronus coordinated with other local heroes and the authorities to determine its structure integrity as well as possible casualties. The shinobi made sure to dispose of the dark ki with Kogitsunemaru due to it being a divine object.After giving their reports, the heroes left for seclusion between themselves.

"Something's coming, isn't it?" All Might asked his fellow blonde hero.

Patronus had taken off his hood moments after their arrival. After all, All Might saw his face after his seemingly death against Esdeath. And he trusts the Symbol of Peace. "It appears so and Japan will be engulfed by the storm." Naruto answered as his right bracer beeped. "Jocasta?"

(Patronus, I think I found our stolen body.)

"Who?"

(Himura Kanaka, age thirty-one, and mother of two children. Nothing really out of the ordinary. Her last appearance was near the Amerika-Mura yesterday.)

"…"

Taking notice of Patronus's silence, All Might asked him, "Are you okay?"

"… Is there really a place called America Village?"

(That's on your mind right now?)

Hearing Jocasta's skeptical question, a sheepish Naruto enlarged the holographic screen housing Kanaka's information. "This doesn't make sense." All Might gave his opinion after seeing the data. "If the man was responsible for the incidents here and at Nasu, then there must be something to this woman."

"Look underneath the underneath," Patronus said aloud, puzzling both All Might and Jocasta, "There's more to this woman than meets the eye. We need to talk to the husband."

"The police should talk to him."

"Normally, that is their role, but the police do not have experience with this."

"What do you mean?"

"Supernatural-related, All Might. Kanaka is related to the supernatural somehow." Patronus glanced at All Might before putting his hood back on. "As far as I know, you and I are the only ones who have experience regarding the supernatural."

"I believe that would be unnecessary." Both heroes went into action as All Might swiftly sped to cover the stranger's rearguard while Patronus unsheathed Kogitsunemaru and pulled up his hood to protect his identity. "Please be calm as I am not your enemy."

"After today, we'll a little jumpy from strangers who inexplicably appears behind our backs," Patronus replied as his sword hand shook a bit. "Are you kidding me?" Lately Kogitsunemaru has been getting heavier almost daily. It confused him since he trains constantly, even on the vacation via small sets of push-ups, sit-ups, and Myoboku-style meditation. Right now, it's taking everything to not show his struggle to the stranger. "Who are you and what do you want?"

"I am here to help you regarding the kidnapped woman for your second question." The man in colorful robes replied, unintimidated by them, "As for who am I… I am Abe no Seimei of the Exorcist Union."

"…"

"…"

"… Bullshit." That came not from Naruto, but All Might. "Pardon my language, but you cannot be THE Abe no Seimei."

"Yeah, I share my friend's surprising remark," Patronus relayed to Seimei. "Then again, we live in a world where gods, monsters, immortals, and historical figures did or do exists." He sheathed his blade and was relieved soon after. Kogitsunemaru's unexplained heaviness ceases every time it is sheathed. "Start explaining, Mister Onymoji."

"Of course, God of Hope."

All Might looked at the exasperated Patronus who face-palmed himself, "God of Hope?" He repeated in a question.

"Well, the fox's out of the den."

"Shut up, Kurama!"

TTIIPMxTTIIPMxTTIIPM

Imperial Palace

Takamagahara

The earlier behavior of the realm's ruler—pouting—changed when her younger brother informed her of the development during her brief respite. Though she does not like most of her duties, Tamae becomes serious about her pantheon's resources and armaments. "You sure about this, Susanoo?"

"Yes, sister," The storm god answered her. "Lord Inari had also sensed it and saw the light from the room when I checked out. We did not tell anyone about this development, even Tsukuyomi."

"… It's been so long." Tamae said off-handedly. "Since that day."

"I know, Ama—" Susanoo cut off when she glared at him, "—Tamae."

"Do we have any idea as to whom?"

"Sister, you know as well as I do that it does not work like that."

The siblings sat in silence. "Brother, I felt something when I was with Naruto."

"Oh?"

"I feel… more at ease with him like I am with you and Inari."

"Is that so?"

"I had so much fun with him and the others. I hope we can keep doing every day like the flying."

A figurative question mark appeared above Susanoo's head, "Flying?"

"Naruto took me flying throughout the night; it was so cool and whoa!" Tamae exclaimed excitedly like the little kid she is.

"Night?" Susanoo repeated internally, "Was this two nights ago?" His sister nodded happily before eating ramen like a certain person in her life. "Come to think of it, the light in the armory happened during her absence."

Their individual thoughts were disrupted when a great explosion shook the realm. The siblings looked out the panoramic view and saw smoke coming from one of the kami's residences. "Isn't that Lord Inari's residence?"

"It appears so. It's become rather more lively than usual recently," Susanoo pointed out. "I wonder what is the cause of this uproar."

"WHERE ARE YOU!?"

"RUN!"

"WHERE IS SHE?!"

"I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"

"HIDE!"

Upon hearing the loud female voice followed by other four unfamiliar ones, Amaterasu and Susanoo promptly turned away as they now want nothing to do with whatever is going on at the Inari residence.

END OF CHAPTER