Much like a few nights ago, the Hero Killer Stain was once again on a roof. This time atop of a water tank. Red eyes glared down at the city of Hosu, his current cleansing project. Searching for something. Or rather someone. Reason being that if the rumors he had heard were true then a certain false Hero would finally be emerging from his hiding place tonight.
Native. The one that had gotten away. All because of the Turbo Hero Ingenium's meddling. Chizome still regretted having to attack Hero as he had not been deemed entirely unworthy. Barely even. However…the same could not be said for Native. He was far from a competent Hero let alone a true one.
The falsehood of the Hero wasn't one of corruption or murder, but rather of seeking fame. Picking and choosing his fights depending on the number of reporters and the difficulty level of the Villains involved. All while ignoring those in need of aid to soak up the media attention. Avoiding the bigger dangers like a coward and being blinded by his own hubris.
That fake is nothing compared to All Might. Or the Little Hero.
Ever since the meddling Hero had interfered with the Hero Killer's judgement, the actual target of his attack had alluded him. Staying out of the public eye due to the threat upon his person. And possibly to avoid PR drama after the recording of Stain's call for help for the downed Hero was revealed to the public. Including the abandonment of the other Hero to save his own unworthy skin. Further evidence of his falsehood.
However, Stain had kept his well-trained ear open for any news of the false Hero's reappearance. Knowing that they would not hide the fake away forever. Especially one that sat low in the rankings not given the same privileges and leniency as those at the top.
Like Endeavor.
The more Stain looked into the man the more he saw him for the false Hero he was. The sheer amount of collateral damage Endeavor had caused in the past year alone was three times the amount of any other Hero. Not to mention the high number of deaths, Villain, Hero, and civilian alike, caused by either his Quirk or the aforementioned collateral damage. His statistics in general revealed his lack of restraint and abundance of excessive force.
I never expected the Number Two Hero to have literal skeletons in his closet.
As for his private life, that was a whole other matter that was not public knowledge. The scene that the Hero Killer had witnessed the night of the Sports Festival was only a taste of what the man had done. The evidence given to him by the scarred one who went by the name Dabi gave him a clearer picture of the inner dealings of the Todoroki family. Let's just say with the degree of how fucked up it was, there was no wonder why this Dabi chose to go by a different name.
The flash drive gifted to him contained damning evidence of the Number Two Hero faker's 'activities' over the years. Pictures of injuries and documentation of the dealings of a Quirk marriage. Even some video obviously from planted hidden cameras throughout the house. All depicting how the man treated his 'family' in varying degrees depending on the person.
Hyper focus on the youngest for training. Reluctant inclusion in that training for the eldest at least for a while until it suddenly stopped. Harsh scrutiny on the mother. While the other two children were ignored. It was clear who in the family Endeavor favored even if that favor was no saving grace. The amount of pressure the youngest was under was down right cruel.
The evidence was pretty damning but Stain would continue to do his research. Not yet ready to call it a closed case. There was also the matter of how to handle such information. He could simply leave it at the Little Hero's apartment and let him do as he wished. But then there would be the issue of leaving the explanation as to how he got such information on the greenette's shoulders. Perhaps there was another way to release what he had found?
A sudden feeling of being watched made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. This being the second time he was approached while on a roof that week. Instinctively, the Hero Killer took hold of his katana and lashed it back to whatever presence was behind him. Except…his trusted battle worn blade did not meet a physical body.
Strange.
"Please do not be alarmed," a deep voice said behind him. "I have no intention of harming you. We are on the same side after all. In fact, I have been searching for you for some time. It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
Curious, Stain cautiously turned his head to see the tip of his blade piercing through…mist? A blob of purplish-black smoke floated in the air that proceeded to grow into a larger mass somewhat resembling the hazy shape of a man. A tall one as he towered over the crouched man. Whether for posturing or was the other's actual height he didn't know.
Amidst the dark vapor were two jagged patches of yellow near the top that he assumed could be the figure's eyes if not anything else. Such a strange individual appearing randomly without a sound and apparently in search of him specifically. The Hero Killer stared silently at the newcomer with a quirked brow.
At his lack of response, the other continued, "My name is Kurogiri and as I said I have been searching for you. You have become quite infamous as of late. I would like to request a moment of your time as I believe you would be interested in what I have to offer."
An offer, huh? Stain thought as he narrowed his red eyes in suspicion. Well, if it's only a moment it couldn't hurt to hear them out, I guess.
But only for a moment. Because the reason he had been waiting on this particular water tower was the rumor he had heard of Native finally going back on patrol. Finally coming out of hiding and allowing the Hero Killer the opportunity to complete his self-appointed task of cleansing the world of the fake. Foolishly taking back up the same route that the Villain had tracked him to the first time around.
How befitting would it be to take the false Hero down in the same place he managed to get away before? The irony of taking the faux down in such a way was almost too delicious of an idea to pass up. But apparently that would have to wait as it seems he was being called upon for whatever reason.
Wanting to get whatever it was over with, Stain withdrew and sheathed his katana as he stood up to follow the misty man. He expected to walk to wherever they were to have this 'talk' but was surprised when the other explained that his Quirk allowed him to create portals to travel. Though as to how or with what limitations the man did not divulge. But he didn't hold that against him as he too was mum about his own Quirk.
The Hero Killer cautiously but resolutely entered the Quirk-made warp gate. If Stain was being summoned, he wanted to be the one to come forward by his own choice. Not be unceremoniously dropped into wherever they would have their little chat by a portal opened at his feet. The man who approached him came off as polite but he did not know him. A stranger who could be capable of anything and everything.
Let's see what this stranger wants of me.
The trip to their secondary location took mere seconds. A few steps at most. One moment he was in Hosu on a water tower waiting in anticipation for his prey. The next he was only gods knew where in Japan or even the world for all he knew of the other's warping power. Thankfully the warp gate itself did no harm to his person. It felt like walking through thick fog that left a slight tingling sensation on his exposed skin. A quick lick of his lips upon exiting the warp gate allowed him to find no taste of blood in the air.
For now.
The other side of the portal opened to what looked like a bar. A rather rundown looking one at that. The floors were worn hardwood and the walls were brick. One wall had rows and rows of liquor bottles that sat on shelves backlit giving the otherwise dark room a contrasting warm-yet-sinister orange glow. To his left was a jukebox and there were tables and chairs stack in the far corner.
Tatter remnants of posters still hung intermittently on the walls where parts had been torn down or however else they got damaged. The majority were too mangled or faded with time to tell what they depicted. The only one recognizable was an All Might poster that had what looked like claw marks scratched through it.
Below that poster was a monitor of sorts with the words 'Sound Only' glowing purple on the otherwise dark screen. Meaning that this conversation was being viewed and/or listened in on by unknown individual(s) not in the room. The monitor sat upon the one piece of furniture in the room that appeared the most well-kept. The bar top. Seated at that bar was a man. Stain eyed the new stranger suspiciously as the misty man, who somehow was wearing a suit now, walked over to stand behind the bar.
The seated man sat on a bar stool leaning casually against his elbow set on the bar with one leg propped up on the other. His skin was pale and dry looking. His clothes were all black save for his shoes which were red. A similar red to the Little Hero's shoes if he recalled correctly. But that was the only similarity between the two. For Izuku had green curly hair while the man before him had shaggy light blue hair. Then there was the hand on his face.
What the hell is that about?
The disembodied appendage was placed squarely over the man's face. Its skin was even paler than the one wearing it. Probably from age and death. Preserved and worn for some reason or other. Not that Stain cared why only thinking that it was odd and somewhat creepy to wear such a thing by choice. Perhaps it related to his Quirk? Something with his hands? Or was it merely decoration?
Eh, who cares. Let's get this over with so I can go back to my mission.
"Why am I here?" Stain asked with a hard stare at the seated figure. However, it was the standing one who spoke.
"We have asked you here in hopes of persuading you to join us," Kurogiri replied.
"And who exactly is 'us'?" the Hero Killer inquired with a slight growl.
"We are the League of Villains," the misty man answered. "And this is our leader, Shigaraki Tomura."
"The 'League of Villains', huh?" Stain said with a quirked brow. "You're the ones who attacked UA, right?"
"Indeed," Kurogiri replied with a wispy nod.
So, these people were the ones who got away during the attack. The ones who had attacked children. Stain was already feeling that agreeing to this meeting may have been a mistake. But perhaps there was more to them than that. He decided to hear them out.
"So, you want to recruit me to build your numbers back up," the Hero Killer asked, biting back a comment that the reason they were low on members was because they had failed in their misadventure. It would not do to rile them up especially since he had no idea where he was. It could be in a labyrinth underground on an island for all he knew.
"Yeah, exactly," the handy man spoke up for the first time. His voice was raspy sounding as if he was dehydrated. "It'll be great, don't you think? You have so much experience when it comes to being evil. A real pro. We could use a player like you."
'Player'?
"And what is your mission?" Stain asked. "What are you after?"
"Our mission? Well, eventually I want to kill All Might," Shigaraki answered with a further tilt of his head. Playing up that deranged Villain look. Stain's eyes narrowed at the declaration. "I like to destroy things I don't like. Sandwiches. Itchy clothes. All Might. They all piss me off."
Sounds like the ramblings of a child.
"So, I want them gone," the handy man continued. The head of shaggy light blue hair straightened before leaning forward as he spoke. A single red eye could be seen through the digits of the hand on his face while the other remained obscured. "Dead. Destroyed. Deleted. Game over."
Another pair of red eyes, ones covered by a mask rather than a hand, narrowed further in irritation.
"How foolish of me to think you could offer me anything of interest," Stain growled as he crouched into a more defensive position. "It's the type of people like you that I hate the most in this world."
"Huh?" Shigaraki let out in confusion while Kurogiri shifted to face the Hero Killer more.
"Your goals. They're those of a temper-tantrum-throwing child," Stain sneered as he moved his arms to grasp the hilts of two of his knives strapped on either side of his torso. "There is no meaning to wanton killing and bloodlust without conviction."
Kurogiri watched as the tone of the meeting turned from cordial to hostile. Growing concerned about the man he had invited into their current home/base to possibly help his charge grow. To push him to move beyond the impulse to merely destroy. To guide Shigaraki Tomura from the current child he was mentally into a stronger more driven man. But he seemed to have been wrong about the Hero Killer's fit to their cause.
"Sensei…should I put a stop to this?" Kurogiri asked to his master listening in, concerned for his charge as Stain unsheathed his knives.
"No, let this play out," the voice of All For One replied coming through the monitor. Shigaraki keep his eyes on the threatening man in front of him but tilted his head back slightly at the sound of his Sensei's voice. "One cannot simply be told the answer but instead must learn by trial and error. This may be the only way for him to grow. Mature. Only then will he reach his full potential."
In a flash of movement, Stain lunged forward with his knives towards the two men. The handy man dodged, or rather flailed, out of the way. But he did manage to slash the misty man's arm drawing his needed blood. So, there is a physical body…interesting. He had enough time to lick the warper's blood paralyzing him before he had to dodge himself away from the light blue haired man who came at him with his hands outstretched.
So, his Quirk does have to do with his hands. I'll have to be wary of this one.
Shigaraki tried to make a grab for the Hero Killer again but Stain twisted his body out of the way. He knocked the outstretched arm away and then kicked the handy man in the gut. Shigaraki stumbled back and Stain used his state of imbalance to his advantage. Knocking him down to the ground as he stabbed into Shigaraki's right shoulder pinning him on the floor. Stain leered down as he crouched over the other, a firm grip on the knife embedded into the downed Villain as he brought the other close to his neck.
"Your crumbling little League lacks conviction and will," Stain sneered down at the man beneath him. "Without those you will accomplish nothing. Makes you weak and it's only natural for the weak to be culled. That is how you got here about to die by my blade."
Shigaraki gave out a pained giggle as he laid there pinned like a butterfly.
"Heh. Being a little rough there, don't ya think?" the handy man said. "Kurogiri, take this griefer back."
Stain anticipated a warp gate to open up not knowing if he would be able to use his Quirk while paralyzed, but a portal didn't appear.
"I'm sorry," Kurogiri replied. "I cannot move."
Well, that answers that question. His Quirk must require some kind of movement or gesture to work.
The Hero Killer glanced up at the misty man who was immobilized leaning against the bar.
Strange.
Once Stain consumed someone's blood, they became paralyzed losing all control of their body. Leaving only minor motor abilities such as blinking, breathing, and speaking. The weight of his limp body should have been enough to collapse him to the ground like a rag doll, but instead was still up right propped up by his arm. He was even shivering and twitching as if he was trying to move but couldn't. Both of those shouldn't be possible under the effect of Bloodcurdle.
What are you?
"It must be the Hero Killer's Quirk in effect," Kurogiri added from his supposed to be impossible position.
Right you are.
Stain's Quirk, Bloodcurdle as he had dubbed it, was a target-based and emitter type Quirk. Requiring the consuming of blood to take effect. Which was why he had and used so many kinds of blades on his person for his work. His literal 'edge' in a fight to release the life fluid he needed to fulfill his calling of cleansing the world of fakes.
Once he did consume their blood, the amount of time his victims were paralyzed depended on their blood types. A weakness he had learned to work with after years of trial and error. The longest time was for those with blood type B lasting about eight minutes. Then the time reduced by about two minutes for AB at six, A at four, and finally O at two. He wasn't sure if there were slight differences between positive or negative but even two minutes was usually enough time to carry out his judgment. Stain wasn't one to draw out his sentence and preferred to finish quickly.
The Hero Killer didn't know what the misty man's blood type was, if he was a man or even human, and so had no way of knowing how long he had. A constant unknown in his line of work. He would have to keep an eye on him for any signs of his Quirk timing out. For now though, he turned his attention back down to the one below him.
"The word 'Hero' has become warped in this current society," Stain ranted. "Lost all meaning and connection with its origins. Tainted by fakes who claim the title as well as criminals like you aimlessly chasing after petty dreams. All of you are targets of my purge."
He shifted the blade aimed at the other's neck closer to his target. But as soon as it got near to the weird hand on the light blue haired man's face, the handy man finally reacted after having remained still since he had been pinned to the ground. The single red eye visible between the digits widened and he shot his hand over to the knife at his neck despite the other blade still embedded in his shoulder.
"Watch it," Shigaraki snapped as he gripped the offending blade despite the edge cutting into his palm. "You may be a PC but don't you dare touch this hand. If you do…"
That single visible red eye glared up at the other pair of red as cracks began to form on the blade in his grasp.
"…I'll kill you."
What? Is that his Quirk?
"You sure talk a lot, 'Hero Killer'," Shigaraki continued as the cracks grew and grew along the metal and spread to the handle that Stain had let go of before whatever it was got to him. "Convictions, huh? Perhaps I don't have anything as lofty as that."
The grey blade turned brown as if it were rusted with age until the handy man squeezed and the knife crumbled to dust leaving nothing behind. Stain was too shocked to move or speak as he came to realize the one beneath him must have some sort of disintegration Quirk. A strong and potentially deadly power right at his literal finger tips.
"If I had to say what my main drive is, I would have to go with killing All Might. The great Symbol of Trash who is worshipped by the mindless NPCs of this world. Destroy him and the rest will crumble into dust by my hands. That, Hero Killer, is my conviction."
Stain felt a shiver run down his spin as he stared at the mad man beneath him. That single visible red eye was filled with a crazed creed while the edges of a wide maniacal smile could be seen past the edges of the hand on his face. On instinct, the Hero Killer dodged back as the handy man made a swipe at him. The blood drinker put some distance between them as he held his remaining knife defensively.
"My last injuries had finally healed and now you've gone and done this," Shigaraki complained as he stood up. Slumping his shoulders as he held out his right arm that had blood dripping down it. "It's dangerous to play with knives. You should take responsibility for what you've done. We don't have a healer in our party, you know?"
"You first for wasting my time," Stain replied as cloth covered red eyes scrutinized the other searching for any move of retaliation. Seeing none other than the handy man reaching up to scratch his neck. "Though not a total waste, I suppose."
That earned a confused grunt from Shigaraki who stopped scratching.
"Our goals oppose each other," Stain continued. "I want the return of true Heroes while you want them gone altogether. However, there is one thing we agree on. That the current status quo must be destroyed."
"I'm done with this side mission," Shigaraki grumbled. "Get out, drop dead. I'm the type of person you hate the most or whatever, right?"
"It was a test of your motives and sincerity," the Hero Killer said as he sheathed his knife. "Ones true colors reveal themselves when faced with death. For you, your will is merely a seed of a warped conviction just beginning to sprout. I wonder how it will bloom in the end."
He cast a glance at Kurogiri who still wasn't moving though he possibly could any second now. But for now, he was still immobile so he turned his attention back to the other man. The hand covered red eye looked at him with a bored expression as he continued.
"Perhaps I could let you grow for now," Stain said with arms splayed wide as if physically offering him this chance. "See how you turn out. But if you become a hinderance to my mission, I will have no choice but to take care of you myself."
The handy man let out a huff of offended laughter.
"You really think you can get rid of me?" Shigaraki sneered as he gripped his injured shoulder with his hand.
It was at this time that Bloodcurdle timed out and Kurogiri moved to cover his own injury with a mist covered hand. Stain didn't know how long it had been so had no way of knowing the man's blood type but that missed fact didn't matter. Not when the handy man was making no move to attack him and clearly wanted him gone.
"Kurogiri," Shigaraki said earning the misty man's attention. "A crazy guy like this would be nothing but a problem for the League. I don't want him in my party."
"Shigaraki Tomura, please reconsider," Kurogiri pressed. "This man would provide us with much needed firepower and would be an asset to us if he joins. I would say this meeting was a success."
Is that supposed to be some warped sense of optimism, eh, misty man? Whatever, I'm done with this.
"Are we done here?" Stain asked, licking his lips in impatience and was able to taste the blood in the air. "Because I have business back in Hosu. Return me so I may complete my work. There are still false Heroes for me to take care of."
With a reluctant grunt, Shigaraki signaled for Kurogiri to send him back. A purple portal formed and Stain walked through without hesitation. The other side opened to the same water tank he had been on before though now the sun was setting at the horizon. Bathing the city in the oranges and pinks of the dying light.
He walked over to the edge and crouched down same as he had earlier. Red eyes scanned the area for any sign of his target while the tip of his tongue hung out of his mouth tasting the evening breeze that fluttered the ends of his scar and mask. He expected to be left to his own devices however apparently that was not the case as he heard footsteps behind him not even half a minute later.
"So, this is Hosu, huh?" the raspy voice of Shigaraki commented as he stepping out of the warp gate. "Nicer looking than I thought it would be."
Once he was fully out of the portal, the dark vapor condensed into Kurogiri's suited self. The minion and man-child stood behind the Hero Killer, but Stain did not spare them his attention which he kept on the city below.
"So, Hero Killer, what are you gonna do?" the handy man asked.
"I will reform this city," Stain replied. "Cleanse it of the fakes. For that to happen, sacrifices must be made and more blood must be spilt."
"Your goals are quite clear," Kurogiri interjected. "And your dedication to them is admirable."
"Ah, you are someone who understands," the Hero Killer said as he stood up, still looking out over the city. "Unlike this other one."
"Must you keep picking on me?" Shigaraki complained as he grabbed his wound again.
But Stain ignored him as he spread his arms wide and red eyes taking in the current city of his purge. Filled with unsuspecting people who were blissfully unaware of the embodiment of judgment that would be working tonight.
"The title 'Hero' should be reserved only for those who have the heart and conviction to accomplish truly great deeds," the Hero Killer declared. "This city like many others is full of false Heroes. Faux champions of the people who only care about money and fame. Until this society wakes up and realizes this…"
He reached back and gripped the handle of his katana unsheathing the long blade.
"…I will continue my purge."
He was about to leap away as he finally spotted the familiar cultural appropriating costume of his target when Shigaraki called out to him at the last second.
"Before you go, Hero Killer," the handy man said, pausing the man's actions. "There's one 'Hero' I want you to leave untouched."
There's a Hero he wants me to not target? Who could he possibly want to protect if he wants the Number One Hero dead?
Curious, Stain turned slight to glance behind him to see Shigaraki holding up a picture he had apparently had on his person the whole time. Somewhat strange but that was not what surprised him. Rather it was who was pictured.
Little Hero?
It was a photograph of one Midoriya Izuku on the first-place podium standing proud with the gold medal hanging from his neck. A picture Chizome himself possessed having made a point of obtaining a copy of the article announcing the aspiring Hero's accomplishment. Which he just so happened to have folded up in his wallet for safe keeping. Perhaps Shigaraki was not so strange to have something similar with him.
"'Little Hero'?" Shigaraki parroted back, glancing at the picture and then at Stain. "Is it possible that you know him, Hero Killer?"
Did I say that out loud? Shit.
"What do you want with him?" Stain asked with narrowed suspicious eyes, avoiding the question as he tightened his grip on his katana.
"I want him to join us," Shigaraki said, an interested gleam in his half-hidden eye. "His analysis skills would aid the League greatly. Plus, he's Quirkless and they always have a tragic backstory. A perfect fit."
Stain scowled as he spat, "You are a fool to think someone like him would ever join the likes of you."
"So, you do know him," Shigaraki said with a hidden amused sneer. "I'll admit, his little Hero complex will make it difficult. But I'm confident that eventually he will see the world my way. It'll just be a matter of time."
Time. That was something the Hero Killer did not have at the moment. Sending one last glare at the handy man, he turned his attention back to the city searching for his prey. The seconds that passed before he managed to spot his target were agony. But he found the fake further down his patrol route.
Seems I will not be able to pass my judgment in the same alley after all.
Scowling in disappointment, he turned back to Shigaraki and said, "That boy will come to no harm from me. He is a true Hero and your aim to add him to your 'party' is ultimately futile."
"We'll see," the handy man grinned in amusement having found a button to press.
With a click of his tongue, the Hero Killer leapt off the water tower with sword in hand in pursuit of his chosen victim.
Native…your judgment will be passed tonight.
...
The pale man of shaggy light blue hair, dry wrinkly skin, and red of eyes hidden behind Father on his face looked down at the city of Hosu. Tomura was still processing the revelation that the Hero Killer somehow knew the 'Little Hero'. Interesting. He wondered how exactly the back-stabbing, or rather shoulder-stabbing, PC knew the Midoriya kid. Enough to sound confident that his side quest to recruit the Quirkless boy would fail. But Tomura was not discouraged.
The decayer looked at the picture in his hand. Staring back at him was a short kid with unruly green hair, annoyingly hopeful green eyes, and strangely symmetrical freckles in twinned diamond arrangements on his cheeks. After the festival had ended, Tomura had looked into the Quirkless winner of the Sports Festival who he still held some consideration as the possible identity of the admin. Finding out more of what he looked like.
Not that I can help it with his stupid face plastered everywhere.
It was true. The kid's face was literally everywhere. On the news, in the papers, on the trains, social media. Literally gods damn everywhere. Almost to an irritating amount that made him want to scratch. However, despite that, he couldn't help but be filled with malicious glee at what they were saying about the boy.
Labeling him as UA's charity case all because he was Quirkless. Saying that he shouldn't be allowed in the Hero Course as it was dangerous for someone with no power to defend themselves. Which the boy clearly didn't need a Quirk to fight what with all his gear. Showing the true cruel nature of this world disguised under false concern. Revealing the hypocrisy of this society when it came to Quirks and who was worthy to be there. To exist.
You've faced this all your life, haven't you, Midoriya Izuku?
The picture carefully held in his hand was of the kid smiling dumbly during the Awards Ceremony just before the crowd had turned on him. Tomura let out a hum as he thought back to that moment. When his smile had fallen and was replaced by an expression many a Villain sported when they had finally had enough. Or close to it anyway. A guarded expression that was meant to hide their reactions to rejection and discrimination.
How close to the edge are you? How much of a push would it take to send you over it? To bring you to the side that would accept you for who you are.
Villains had been painted the enemy since the beginning of Heroes. Labeled the 'bad guy' in the social order. And yet, the reason why there were so many Villains was because of the Heroes. Many were the rejects of society based off appearances or Quirks or sometimes a combination of the two. Or even entirely something else. Whatever the case, they were turned away by this 'accepting' society and had nowhere else but Villainy to turn to. Simply to survive.
There were those out there that became Villains for the thrill. Whether for the law breaking or the kill. The ones that defined what a Villain was in this warped world. But not all Villains were alike. They all had their own morals and goals. Wanting to upset the established order in their own way.
For Tomura, he hated everything this world had to offer. Ironically because the world had never offered him anything. Not a single helping hand after he was left alone in this world. Only Sensei was the one to reach out to him. To help and raise him. To give him literal hands to help him on his journey to destroy everything.
It would be a clean slate. Like a forest fire that burns away the clutter of nature. The resulting devastation leading to the opportunity of new growth. It was nature's way of resetting the game. Creating a brand-new world that could be molded to how he wanted it to be.
Red eyes traced the fleeting smile of the Quirkless teen. Captured in the moment before the world's true opinion of the boy was revealed. He wondered how much pain was hidden behind that smile. Having been judged for his own Villainous Quirk, the decayer could guess that not having one at all led to a tragic backstory.
It would certainly add to the admin's character bio if he is him.
Tomura still wasn't convinced the boy was the admin. Still holding onto the belief that the one he seeks has an Analysis Quirk of some kind. One that Sensei could take if they couldn't turn the admin to their side. But if it wasn't a Quirk and was actually just him having a higher intelligence ability, the only way to take advantage of his skills was for the admin to cooperate with them.
The young leader of the League was determined to find out exactly who the admin was. Find him and talk to him. Convince him to join their party. Become a player in their campaign to destroy this world to start over anew. Let a new world rise from the ashes. But that was a task to complete later. For now, he had an arrogant Villain's plans to ruin.
"He sure talks all high and mighty," Tomura jeered while staring in the direction the Hero Killer had gone. Pursuing some stupid quest that wouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things. "But for all his talk, he's wasting his time on these small fries."
He put the picture of his future fellow party member back in his pocket before reaching up to scratch at his neck in irritation.
"His nobleness makes me want to puke," the decayer gagged. "But it is a bit entertaining to see him try so hard for so little impact."
"You should not dismiss his methods so easily, Shigaraki Tomura," Kurogiri countered. "In the cities where Stain has appeared, the reality is that the crime rates have significantly reduced. It is theorized it is due to either an increase in Hero conscientiousness or out of fear. Either way, his actions have brought change."
Tomura stopped scratching as he considered this side effect of the Hero Killer's attacks. A self-made Villain who literally was a killer of Heroes picking them off one by one was inspiring those that remained to crack down more on crime. Standing as a threat for those parading Hero idiots to do their damn jobs better. Instilling the peoples' faith in those shams even more.
How irritating.
"Well, isn't that just fan-fucking-tastic," Tomura sneered as he postured with splayed arms in false admiration. "Heroes working harder with the threat of death as their motivation. The Hero Killer is more of a 'Hero Breeder', don't you think?"
The decayer let out a mocking laugh for a hot second that suddenly stopped as he dropped his arms and slouched his shoulders in boredom.
"This won't work. Him joining us," Tomura said as he crossed his arms in irritation. "We're just too different. And he pisses me off. Kurogiri, bring out the Noumu."
Obediently, the warper formed a portal to bring forth the Noumu gifted by Sensei as his charge continued to rant.
"Did you really think I would let you get away with stabbing me like that?" the decayer sneered down at the Hero Killer's precious target city. Behind him stepped out a tall muscular Noumu with blackened skin and no eyes. "You say you'll 'take care' of me? No, Hero Killer. It is I who will 'take care' of you."
From the portal came out another Noumu that was shorter, lankier, and pale of skin with four eyes.
"I'll kill you whenever I feel like it," Tomura went on as a third Noumu exited the warp gate. One also with pale skin but with two eyes and the addition of leathery wings. "You can have your little rampage, Stain, but let's make the game more interesting."
The Noumu jumped down from the water tower onto the roof. The big one left a small crater on impact while the lanky one landed lighter beside the other. The winged one simply glided down with a few flaps of its wings.
"Let's see which one of us can cause more destruction, shall we?" the man-child jeered. "You or my Noumu. I'll crush your stupid pride and idiotic honor while ruining your fun with my own. What do you say to that, mister big bad Hero Killer?"
With a simple signal from the leader of the League of Villains, the Noumu let out their inhuman screeches before surging towards the unsuspecting city.
This is going to be fun.
...
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Notes extension: post/661695775564283904/part-2-chapter-28-dissension