Chapter 44
For the Greater Good

I never knew my parents, as far as I can remember. And for the most part, that was okay. I got used to being alone along with the other orphans. But even then, I was an outcast due to the nature of my Quirk.

"Nagito-kun. I want to ask you to refrain yourself from...using your Quirk on your whole body next time." The principal would often pull him aside after every Quirk evaluation."It scares the children."

"I'm sorry..."

Eventually, I became insecure. Every little action I did caused someone knew to disdain me. I was unsure of how to act. So I talked as little as possible. It stayed like that even as I enrolled in U.A. Reiko was the best thing that ever happened to me. She was the person that encouraged me to break out of my shell. My classmates are all nice as well. They gave me courage. But it's just hard. Even now, I keep my volume to a minimum. I only ever feel confident once I use my Quirk to its maximum capability. That's why I joined your agency. I really want to help you keep your family together. It's weird, really. But I feel really happy when I see happy families. So when I learned what happened to your dad, I knew I had to do something. It's just not fair. I want to become a hero that can protect families, so children don't have to become orphans. I don't want anyone to suffer the same as I did. You see the Japanese orphan system is kind of...flawed, for lack of a better word. Regular families would hesitate to adopt a child because they believe it will bring shame to their family. That is why some many of us gave up on ever finding a family.

You are a kind soul. A gentle, innocent soul that was unfortunate enough to not know what it's like to have a family. But really, you already have a family, don't you? It may sound cliche, but those around you are like family. Sometimes family is something that's not particularly bound by blood. It's the connections that make you into who you are and what you want to be. I learned that throughout my life. Never really loved my old man but I loved my siblings and mom to death. But I also love my friends and comrades. Say, I have a secret to tell you, so I hope you don't spoil the surprise for anyone. Can I trust you?

Absolutely.

Shie Hassaikai Compound, Underground Tunnels, Morning

"Very well, bucko." Gluttony beckoned Shielder to attack him."I'm ready when you are."

Clicking his tongue, Yasukage rushed as his opponents with his arms clad in concrete.

Gluttony chuckled at his behavior and grabbed the nearby chain with the knives and spun it in his arm. With a swift motion, he unleashed the knives as they were thrown at flabergasting speed.

Yasukage grimaced as he forced his body to be covered in concrete, protecting his exposed face with his arms and receiving the knives head-on.

"Interesting." Mused Gluttony as he observed the undamaged boy."So, you can cover your whole body with whatever you touch. Although...your face seems to have been left out. Why is that?"

"None of...your business..."

"I suppose not." The man nodded."Well, let's get on with the real fight."

"How are you hanging...Angelo...?" He glanced down at his fallen comrade as his body twitched.

"My body is a mess. It's like randomly changing the controllers in your game." He complained before gasping."Behind you!"

Without warning, the flesh of his face was cut as the rapier made contact with it.

"Gotcha." Gluttony chuckle, clicking a button on his weapon and causing a blue shell to fall on the floor."That was a special mix. You're young, so you should be interested in this. Have you ever heard of shrooms?"

"What the fuck?! You drugged him?!"

"He'll be fine." Gluttony waved his concern off, circling around the young man who was standing still."Look at your hands, my dear boy."

Shielder glanced at his arms, noticing they were grey."What the...is this how they look like? That's really weird. I could have sworn my hands don't look so...real when I use my Quirk."

"Focus!" Yelled Angelo."I know what you're thinking but you must remain calm! The enemy is in front of you!"

Shielder tensed up, raising his arms in defense as he began to shake slightly. 'Shiiit, I can't see properly. Everything is shapeshifting and shit. He's gonna kill me at this rate..." He roared as he tried to punch Gluttony, only to miss.

"What is the problem? I didn't even dodge?" Gluttony mocked him, hands behind his back."I'm not even moving. I'm not sure how I can make this any easier for you."

Frustrated, he began unleashing a series of punches at his opponent. However, he felt as though he was hitting a blur, since not only was Gluttony fast, his vision was affected too. A punch to the face brought him back to reality, tossing him on the floor.

"I won't lie, I'm actually having fun." The man laughed quietly."I love to see the faces of the thugs when they try it. I was considering starting a business after all this is said and done. Nothing crazy like whatever Overhaul or Baron are trying to make. Just honest-to-God drugs. I'm very good at creating the perfect balance to make just any type. And with the youth like the one we have today, they will sell like freshly baked bread."

"You won't have the chance!"

Gluttony had no time to react to the punch he received to the face that broke several pieces of his mask, sending him crashing harshly on the floor and skid on the hard ground.

"Angelo..." Shielder groaned from the side.

"It took me a bit, but I was able to figure what parts of my body move what." He announced, cracking his knuckles."Inverted controllers."

Gluttony guffawed as he sat up, his mask breaking into pieces due to the intensity of the punch, revealing his aged face. He had long white hair along with a white mustache. He also had green eyes."That was a nice attack. But have you noticed yourselves?"

Angelo gasped, checking over Shielder, who was still tripping, and noticed there was a small syringe stuck on his back. He then checked his right arm and noticed he was also injected with something.

"What the fuck is this?!" He demanded, harshly taking off the syringe.

"Call it insurance, my dear boy." Gluttony said as he stood up."Naturally, I can't afford to fight you both at the same time. So, I'll give you a little timer. If you don't defeat me in under ten minutes, the drug I injected into your bodies will expand through your nervous system, slowly eating away through it. Your blood vessels will explode as well as your internal organs. I can guarantee it will be an agonizing death."

"You motherfucker!" He rushed at his enemy once more. Blade and rapier crasher among each other in swift yet precise moves. Though Glutotny was going to pierce, which forced Angelo to be quick on his feet. He would spare glances at Shielder, who was slowly trying to get a hold of his senses. Speaking of which, he was becoming better at using his inverted controlled body. It felt as though he was recovering total control over his limbs.

"That's it!" He cried out, elbowing the man across the face and forcing him to jump back to gain some distance."Seems like those drugs of yours are only temporary."

"Tch. Seems like you found the one weakness my Quirk has. Yes, though my drugs can be dangerous, if treated right, they are curable. In reality, my drugs are non-lethal. Though that doesn't mean you can begin to celebrate. You and that young man will die without a doubt unless you take the antidote."

"So there is an antidote!"

"Indeed." The man nodded, taking a small syringe from his pockets."This is a nullifier. It nullifies all effects of my toxin in a person's body. If you can defeat me, I will gladly let you take the antidote."

"Then I will take you down." Angelo furrowed his brow."You just gave me more of a reason to kick your ass. In fact..." All of a sudden, two black boney-like wings came out of his back."I will not be so gentle, so don't expect to walk out of here with all of your limbs."

"Ha! You sure got spunk. You remind me of my little pride, Megumi." He crouched down as his opponent nearly sliced off his head at hyper speeds."So impulsive and stubborn. She was always looking for a fight, and interestingly enough, she never lost one."

"Shove your damn story up your ass!" He cringed in pain as he felt the rapier pierced through his arm. However, he acted fast. Before Gluttony could press the button, he delivered a powerful right hook across his face, knocking him to the ground.

"Executioner!" He rose his blade in the air before swinging it down as it was covered in hellish flames.

Gluttony yelped, meeting the scorching sword with his rapier but this one did not withstand the attack and caused Gluttony to be cut perpendicularly across his body. Screaming in agony, the man was sent crashing against a wall, leaving a dent in it.

"He's...strong..." Trembled the white-haired man uncontrollably as he sat on the floor. He quickly grabbed the green shell inside of his broken rapier and proceeded to drink the liquid.

"Committing suicide?" Came the rhetorical question.

"Afraid not...dear boy. This little toxin of mine was designed specifically to dull the pain. I knew I would need it to battle against you heroes."

"But you're all out of tricks." Angelo rose his blade once more."I will grab the antidote after I cut your arm down."

"I guess some things never change. Once a villain, always a villain. So, how come you never assume that little form of yours? I know what you are. You are a devil. It's no secret that you can assume the appearance of one. Your true self. I doubt it's because you don't see me as a worthy opponent. You're not dumb enough for that. You have seven minutes to take the cure for you and the boy. So why not transform and end this as quickly as possible. No. I know why. I've studied your background. You were an orphan after your house was burnt down when you were a kid."

"Shut up," Angelo growled under his breath.

"That's right. And everyone around you considered you a monster. But you're not alone in that sentiment, you see. Such as yourself, I was also mistreated by those around me by the curse of my Quirk. Countless individuals around the world as labeled as monsters, freaks, curses, unwanted, by those around them simply because they are forced to bear a power they didn't ask for. This is a cruel world. If you aren't born with a heroic, strong Quirk, you are bound to be outshined. If you are born with a Quirk not understood by people, you are bound to suffer."

Angelo lowered his blade as he listened to his words. Even Shielder, who was beginning to get his senses back, was feeling entranced by his words.

"But we can cure the disease. The Shie Hassaikai is moments away from liberating this accursed world from its chains. No innocent children will suffer. No more villains will be created. It will be a world feel of suffering. A world that is free of Quirks. But for that, we need our plans to succeed. The Quirk Destroying Bullets are reaching their final stages. Once we can mass-produce them, we can spread them throughout the world to ensure the erasure of Quirks. In order to save the world, this has to be done. So, why don't you accept it? I'd be happy to give you the antidote but in exchange, I want you to call off this operation."

Angelo considered his words, slowly meeting his gaze."If that happens...no one in the world will be called monsters...right?"

"That is correct." Gluttony smiled as he nodded, extending his hand. His smile turned sadistic as a thunderous noise erupted through the area. A robot came out of the ceiling as its extended its metallic arm that resembled a claw and aimed at Angelo's head.

"He's lying!"

Out of nowhere, the robot's arm was stopped in its tracks as it collided with a hardened full version of Shielder. He was covered in a shiny material from head to toe. His eyes were black and had grown fangs.

"What is this?! He withstood that attack?!" Gluttony cried out in surprise."But the only material hard enough to stop corundum is..."

"Diamond. Full Midas Touch: Diamond Version." Yasukage announced as he splayed his arms, showcasing his diamond body."I absorbed its properties from a ring I wanted to give Reiko but didn't get the chance. Apparently, the ring is supposed to be cursed by some kind of evil entity, or so the pawnshop owner said. I'll have to do it after this is done."

"Shielder..." Angelo gaped as he saw his junior in front of him.

"You're not a monster, Angelo. Neither am I. Quirks are what makes us into what we are. Heroes." He looked over his shoulder."We decide what we want to do with them. It's true that not everyone is going to like us or appreciate us, but no matter what, there will be without a doubt someone out there. Someone out there who loves you. Just like I have Reiko and you have Nebula-san. We're not curses. We're humans. And if your intention was to "cure" the world as you so eloquently put it..." He grabbed Gluttony by the shirt and slammed him against the wall, causing him to cough up saliva."Why are you also selling drugs that awake a person's biological Quirk!"

"You little..." Gluttony snarled as he stood up shakily, slowly walking towards the robot that had arrived. On closer inspection, the robot was big and was wearing a metallic read mask that resembled a regular toxic mask. It also had crystal like claws, which were seemingly made of corundum, as he had mentioned."Okay then. The truth. It is true we want this world to be peaceful, but for that, we must ensure the annihilation of any rival organizations. Naturally, not everyone is going to be on board with losing their Quirks, especially if they are powerful ones or one they require for daily activities or jobs. For that reason, the Nutrient will be distributed as well just before the Quirk Destroying Drug. It will ensure that rival organizations will fight amongst themselves for power and to make sure they don't get more of their people with a second Quirk. After some time, we will introduce the Q.D.B and sell them in the Black Market and wait for them to take each other out while our pockets fill up to the brim."

"That's fucking sick." Angelo gritted his teeth in frustration."That's not peace at all. You just want to get all that money at the expense of people killing each other over who is the strongest!"

"Human beings are attracted to competition and survival. This is by far the simplest solution. Besides, in the new world, we need a monarchy to guide it. We will stand at the top, just as we are meant to. The Yakuza will triumph over everything!" He jumped on top of the robot and opened a trapdoor, sliding inside it. A few seconds later, the robot came to life as red flames ignited, surrounding its head.

"Now, let's get ready for round two, my dear boys. You only have mere minutes left! You can't stand in front of us and the new world! This has to be done!"

"Tch." Angelo clicked his tongue as his arms began growing blue scales."Don't think this will be enough to stop us."

"Though he's right." Shielder muttered to his partner."I'm...starting to feel dizzy. And it feels like my organs are on fire."

"You can sit back if you want. I can handle this. You taught me an invaluable lesson today, Nagito Yasukage. And that is to never be ashamed of who you are. Don't let your past or your background be what defines you. For that, I will embrace my Quirk. Guerra!" The sword produced tentacles with thorns, wrapping themselves around his arm and cutting him. The blood began being sucked by the tentacles, igniting the blade with further power.

His body began changing drastically. He now had demonic yellow pupils and black iris, his skin turned cyan with glowing blue lines on his abs and lower arms, red lines on both sides of his mouth to his eyes, long hair, blue spectral wing-like arms, and feather-like horns.

"Falldown of Heaven. That's what I call this form." Angelo's voice was slightly distorted, almost as if he had an echo."Let's not waste any time and finish this."

The robot's claws changed from clear colored to red, matching its flames. With a battle cry, Gluttony leaped over to them, smashing the claws on the floor. Both his opponents were faster than before and were up in the air.

"Black Tornado!" Angelo screamed as his wings began rotating, causing his body to rotate as well, and headed down for their enemy..

Surprisingly enough, Gluttony was as agile as ever in his metal case, quickly jumping to the side and avoiding being slashed into pieces."You might be tough, but you are running on a timer!" He swung his arm down on Sgielder, whose feet were sunken down on the ground due to the heavy impact.

"That may be true, but we're not going to let you win! Now, Angelo!"

Gluttony glanced up in horror, noticing black flames incoming at rapid speed. Before he could raise the robot's arms to stop it, the mask of it broke down and a hand grabbed him by the collar. Another one searched his pockets and grabbed a strange before jumping back.

"Oh, no." Gluttony observed at the panels in horror."He's fast. Not even the radar detected him. How wonderful! Let me study you more!"

Angelo stumbled backward as his new appearance shed like skin, leaving him back in his regular form."I...can't sustain my transformation anymore."

"I...me neither..." Yasukage was wheezing for fair. Half of his skin had turned purple and his right eye was completely red.

"Okay. We have under three minutes to get the last antidote. I'll go and try to snatch it from him. Here." He threw him the small syringe which contained a yellow liquid inside."It's the same one he had when he showed it to us. In case I don't make it, I want you to take him down and go back to the others."

"But Angelo, I-"

"No buts." Angelo coughed up blood, feeling as if his lungs were being slowly pulled away from their place."Just do it...fuck's sakes. I promised I would not let any of you kids die. Ane besides, if anyone has the potential to make a difference in the world...that's you rather than me." Angelo glanced down at his blade with a nostalgic look."Sorry, babe. I might be done for here, but-" A sharp pain in his arm caused him to look vehemently at Yasukage, who had injected the liquid inside the strange."What the fuck are you doing?!"

"I can make a difference...you're right...but more people are waiting for you to go back home today..." He collapsed on the floor, feeling his limbs go numb."I can't deprive them of that..."

"Stupid fucking kid!" He knelt down in panic."Why?! Why would you do that?! I killed people! I killed my family when my Quirk went berserk when I was a kid! I can't atone for that! I'm just a coward...I lost hope in myself and you had to step in and bring me back. I'm such a mess. Ayushi's dad was right about me. I'm a damn failure..."

"A touching moment." Gluttony chuckled as his machine walked closer to the duo."But I'm afraid this is as far as you go. You might be free of the poison I injected you earlier, but you will still die."

"Hang in there, kid. Don't you dare die on me!" He cried out in anguish as he used both of his arms to raise his sword and block the claws coming his way."You bastard! Give me the other antidote! The kid will die!"

Gluttony erupted into a fit of laughter, kicking Angelo in the air and chasing after him."Feeling a little sore, are we? The antidote will take a bit before it takes full effect on your body. In the meantime, you are no match for me."

On the side, Yasukage felt his chest tightened to the point where no more oxygen was being delivered to his body. He spared one last glance at Nero, who was persuing Gluttony full force.

'I always wanted to be a hero. A hero that can save lives and make sure no more kids would live without their parents. It's too bad I won't be able to make my dream a reality. But...hopefully, you'll continue to strive to be better. I know you and Ayushi-san...will do just fine.' He slowly began closing his eyes, a small smile on his face, despite the amount of blood coming out of his nose.'Sorry, Reiko. For not...fulfilling our...promise...'

As Yasukage closed his eyes permanently, the fight continued on. "Shut up!" Angelo used the ceiling to launch himself at the robot, easily cutting its left arm as wings sprawled from his back."Whatever pain I am suffering right now is nothing to what that kid is going through for my sake!" He maneuvered his way in the air, eventually reaching the robot and slashing its other arm and flying up in the air, his body evolving back to his demon form."He had a similar life to mine, and yet he fought on and didn't let his insecurities define him! How can someone like you believe you understand everyone?! A new world my ass! All you want...!" He used the ceiling once more as foot and shot himself like a bullet thrusting his blade forward."...IS TO MAKE EXCUSES FOR YOUR ATROCITIES! MORNING STAR IMPACT!"

Gluttony watched in horror as his robot was pierced through like it was made out of paper. He then saw Angelo on top of him, grabbing him and pulling him out of the driver seat and slamming him against the ground before the robot exploded behind them."Your game is over. Now, give me the damn antidote before I tear you apart."

"And become a criminal?" Gluttony glared at him defiantly."Please, you are not tha-" The grip on his throat forced him to choke, preventing him from breathing properly.

"Give me the fucking antidote! I'm warning you!"

"Oh? But I already gave you the antidote." Gluttony chuckled as he held his hands upwards.

"I meant the other one!" Angelo sneered, removing his hands from his throat, and instead pressed his blade on the man's throat.

"What other one?" Gluttony groaned as he felt the cold blade cut slightly through his flesh."I don't recall ever mentioning have multiple antidotes. I only said I had "a", singular antidote."

"W-what...?"

"If you don't believe me, you can search me." He laughed as he watched un amusement how desperately Angelo searched through his pockets and patted everywhere on his body."See? I can't believe how dense you are, dear boy. The other dear boy probably figured it out since the beginning. Perhaps that's why he chose you to be the one to be cured of the poison. Or perha-"

"I had enough out of you!" Angelo punched him across the jaw, dislocating it and knocking him unconscious. He rushed over to Nagito, who was bleeding from all orifices in his body."COme on, Shielder, wake up! I'll take you to the hospital right now!" He desperately tried to get the boy on his back, but his uncoordinated and sloppy movements caused him to drop him on the pool of blood, getting some on his clothes.

"Yasukage..." He muttered under his breath, falling on his knees. He checked for a pulse, begging to whatever cruel God there was to please keep the boy alive."No...Damn it! Damn it all! Fucking hell! Why did you save me, Nagito?! Why?! You had so much more than I could ever dream of! You had dreams and aspirations, unlike me! So why?!"

"I can make a difference...you're right...but more people are waiting for you to go back home today...I can't deprive them of that..."

He bit his lower lip hard, causing it to bleed. He picked up the ring he had held on his left arm. It had the name "Reiko" engraved onto it. Unable to hold his frustrations in anymore, he let out a scream of anguish and despair, cursing his inability to be able to save him.

Takashi dodged an incoming punch from the weretiger and slid between his legs to later jump and kick him in the back of the head, nearly knocking him on the floor.

"Damn you!" Salazar kicked the place where Takashi had been, only to miss. He began chasing Takashi in all fours as the latter blasted himself up near the floor. He concentrated neon in his left arm and punched the ground as he flew over it, sending the debris at his enemy who was catching up.

Salazar was forced to close his eyes to avoid getting something in his eyes, which ultimately led him to crash against a wall.

'Even if my punches don't do much damage to him, that should at least have done something.' Takashi thought as he landed a few meters away from the wall.

From the dust, the weretiger emerged stumbling as he held his head."Not bad. But you'll have to do better!" Salazar dashed at Takashi and threw a punch directed to his face. The young Kachidoki managed to dodge at the last second and threw a punch of his own at his opponent's chest, which was blocked by Salazar using his left bicep to stop the attack.

The Portuguese bit his tongue and endured the pain, but this was not wasted by Takashi, who jumped in the air and delivered a powerful spiral kick to Salazar's face, sending him skidding on the ground before collapsing on one knee.

"This doesn't make sense. Even without the trigger, I should be stronger than you!" Salazar growled, showcasing his razor-sharp teeth."I was Guren Intelli's strongest and smartest sidekick. I was recognized among all as a prodigy! I was superior in every way when we first met during that internship. So why am I...how are you keeping up with me? I should have torn you apart limb from limb. Did Chisaki do something else to my body that weakened me? Maybe I'm not at full power yet?!"

"You're wrong." Takashi spat some blood on the ground."It's not that you weren't as strong as you thought, or that you got weaker. I just got stronger."

Enraged by his words, Salazar roared in fury and leaped over to him, preparing a punch with his right fist.

Takashi was taken back by his sudden increase in speed, and only had time to cross his arms in front of him and take the attack as he powered up as much as he could. Despite his best effort, Salazar was physically stronger than him in his man-beast form and sent him crashing against a wall.

"Don't make me laugh. You? Strong? Ha! Don't think mere training is enough to put you on the same level as me! I am Rafael Salazar! I am destined to be atop you, Kachidoki filth! Your family is near extinction. And starting with you is the first step to the end!"

"Shut up...you're too damn loud." Takashi groaned from his spot.'Shit. I'm taking much longer than I expected.' He glanced down at his belt.'I'm already at 40%, which means I'll have to recharge soon. But I only brought four jars of neon. Assuming Ayushi and Hisashi used theirs, I'll run out of neon before we even get to The Baron.' He sighed as he removed himself off the crater from the wall and stood in front of Salazar.

"I don't really have the luxury to enjoy this fight, Salazar." Takashi addressed him with a serious expression."The sooner we finish this, the better. I have to go help everyone else."

"So? If you're so capable, you should be able to finish me off no?"

"Not necessarily. We're at a stalemate. We're equally strong, so there's no way right now for us to finish each other off." He grimaced.'Though there's still that thing I learned. Worst comes to past, I'll have to use it.'

"Equal? You use that term loosely, it seems." Salazar snarled and began approaching Takashi slowly."We're not equal. I am far above you."

"Maybe before you were." The neon user conceited."But you lost all of that that made you superior to me. You threw away all your opportunities just so you could rule over everything. You got too greedy and did a horrible move. I lost everything as well. But I'm working on getting it back. My first step is to get out of this alive along with my team and bring you down."

"How sentimental of you. For someone who gave up everything just for power." Salazar grinned sardonically."You call yourself a hero? You aren't doing this to stop the Yakuza. You are doing this because you feel obligated to do it in order to redeem yourself. But the damage is already done. You can do whatever you want, be the biggest saint, or whatever bullshit you want to be. But that won't wash away your sins or the sins of your father. In short, you and I are not different at all. We're just people who grandiose dreams and ambitions. Who doesn't hesitate to do whatever they need to do to get what they want? And us being here today is perfect proof of that."

Takashi stared him down with an impassive expression. He took a deep breath in just to let it out shortly after, eyes closed."You know, I agree with what you just said." He blasted himself in the air, positioning his arms behind him."But!" With a swift motion, he fired a neon blast at Salazar, who used his arm to hold it in place.

Grinding his teeth, the man-beast screamed as he finally backhanded the attack to a wall. Before he had any chance to celebrate, he received a knee to the face that shattered a few of his teeth.

"What we were in the past doesn't define us!" Takashi declared as he unleashed his pent up frustration in a barrage of punches against the beast's chest. He jumped back as Salazar swung his arm down, only to hit the ground. He glanced up, unable to counter the kick to his jaw that sent him flying up in the air."I know my actions can't be forgiven! And I know my family is cursed by their lust for power! But I realized the error of my ways and instead of atoning, I will make sure to prevent our family to ever sink this low again!"

He fired at the ground with both of his arms, creating a stream of neon that launched him in the air and headbutted Salazar in the stomach, crashing him against the ceiling. He let him fall back to the ground, still in shock at the consecutive and powerful attacks.

"I won't atone for spoiled milk. Instead, I'll fight on for what I believe is right! With the people I love! The difference between you and me is that you step over everyone, including your allies!" He aimed at Salazar as he fell on the ground, leaving him on his back."I will never lose to a selfish person like you! Five Star Eruption!"

He blasted five balls of neon, however, these ones had a white-colored inside their core

Salazar watched in awe as he took the blasts head-on, creating an explosion that sent debris flying everywhere in the spacious room. To add insult to injury, he landed on top of Salazar, sitting on his belly.

"So no, we are not similar. At all."

Salazar was wheezing, his body letting out smoke after receiving a point-blank attack.

"Do you surrender? I doubt you can keep that transformation of yours for any longer. If I attack you again, it's game over."

"Hehehe..." Salazar chuckled, choking on his own saliva and ending in a coughing fit."Don't think this is over. I am not going to die in a place like this."

"Die? Who said anything about dy-WOAH!"

Takashi felt something wrapping around his waist and was thrown hard against the floor.

Salazar kicked the ground, backflipping to gain some distance."We're ending this. And the only corpse that they will pick up is yours!" Salazar enlarged his index claw and began running against Takashi.

Takashi clicked his tongue, firing neon blasts at him but his tiger-like agility allowed him to dodge through most of them."Fuck it. I'll have to wound him but avoid hitting a vital spot."

The brown-haired teen created a neon dagger in his right hand and shot after to meet his opponent.

They were mere inches from each other when they unleashed their attacks. Takashi moved his head, feeling the sharp claw cut through his cheek and a little bit of his earlobe. On the other hand, he managed to successfully stab Salazar's right side of his chest, feeling the blade come out through his back.

Salazar vomited blood on the floor, grabbed Takashi by his shoulders."Damn...that was a good hit...you little shit...But...this works for my advantage as well...You see...You just stabbed through around the area where they put that microchip to keeps tabs on me...Now I have no...more reason to stay here..."

"You're wounded. You won't make it far with those wounds of yours." Takashi narrowed his eyes."Besides, I'm not taking my eyes off of you."

"Is that so? Have you forgotten what my...second quirk is?"

"What, you're going to throw me?" Takashi then realized something.'No, that can't be. He could have thrown me really far away if he wanted. He used that tree to sent me up in the sky, which leads me to believe he can't super throw humans. That means...!'

"Surprise." Salazar smirked as he revealed a neon ball wrapped around his tail."I grabbed it when you were shooting them at me before we collided." He moved his tail without hesitation, connecting the sphere against Takashi."NOW DIE!"

Takashi screamed in bloody murder as he was sent flying against the wall, followed by an explosion that nearly made the area they were in collapse. However, Takashi fought through the pain and jumped out of the smoke, noticing the weretiger moving at incredible speed down the hallway.

"Hey, wait!" Takashi followed him and fired a neon blast to wherever the hallway led, followed by a cloud of dust."Shit. Should I follow him? He must have left a trail of blood behind with that wound. But...the others need me. I hope all those heroes outside catch hi-" He suddenly lost his footing and fell on his rear, his Overclock Stage dissipating"Shit...I wasted a lot of neon in this fight. Overclock Stage wastes too much neon, since it surrounds my body and flickers like a flame. I'm at 20%" He took a look at his utility belt and grabbed a small jar with a purple light. He placed his hand in front. He closed his eyes as he began absorbing the light, leaving the jar empty."Back to 100%. I have to watch out for my neon output. If I use too much, I'd be in big trouble. Everyone...please stay safe! I'm coming!"

And here we are. It really pains me the idea of killing a character in any story I write. And to be honest, I liked writing Yasukage. I came up with him after playing Persona 5, though I made changed details here and there to make him a bit unique. . Someone who was an orphan but didn't let that bring him down. Even if others avoided him and treated him like a freak. Nagito Yasukage wanted to be a hero to never let children be orphans like he was. But a realistic raid wouldn't just make everyone leave alive. That's what I think MHA lacks. Many life-and-death scenarios in the series where no one really dies. Maybe in this most recent arc, there were a handful of deaths.

On another note, Salazar managed to escape from Takashi before he could defeat him. But is he going to get away? Or will he be captured by the heroes? With two of the Sins down already, the heroes continue persuing the remaining five with the sole objective of taking them down. Two sins down, five more to go.