Chapter 42
Assassins and Reunions
The sun starts to find its resting spot in the clouds over Musutafu, Japan. As the evening comes to a close, the citizens of this city usually relax while the heroes continue to work. The young kids are supposed to be preparing for the next school, but not this little girl. This little girl is being taught how to fight by her adoptive big brother. The little girl tries to punch her big brother, but he easily dodges the punch. She tries to punch him again, but he easily dodges once again.
"You know that you have feet right? Punches can be easily dodged if you move too slow. Try attacking me a different way," said Akuyaku.
The little girl jumps up and tries to kick him, but he dodges the attack. Then, the little girl maneuvers her body and kicks her big brother in the stomach. The impact of the kick causes him to fall to the ground.
"That actually kind of hurt. You're getting stronger. Good job," said Akuyaku.
"When can we move onto something more difficult? This is too easy," said the little girl.
"I've been going easy on you for the past year. If I wanted to break you, I could with ease. Be grateful that I'm taking time out of my day to train you," said Akuyaku.
"Whatever," said the little girl.
"I see that Josh is rubbing off on you. You're becoming as cocky as he is," said Akuyaku.
"I'm not cocky. I'm just skilled," said the little girl.
"Whatever you say. I'm going to grab some water. Don't run off," said Akuyaku.
As her big brother walks back into the mansion, she hears something or someone in the bushes. She decides to investigate and walks over to the bushes. She starts to put her hands into it, but she only finds a piece of paper. She puts it up to her face to read it.
"'What is big and scary but also nice to cuddle with?' What am I supposed to do with this?" asked Eri.
"Turn around," said Joshua.
The little girl quickly turns around once she hears her other big brother's voice. He is holding a big teddy bear.
"Joshua!" exclaimed the little girl.
Eri jumps into the arms of her big brother and gives him a nice, long hug.
"Eri, it's so good to see you. You've gotten bigger," said Joshua.
"I've been eating more protein and drinking more dairy as you said," said Eri.
"You listened? I thought that you would just ignore my advice," said Joshua.
"Why would I ignore the wise advice from big brother?" asked Eri.
"Have you been giving Hiro and Aku a hard time?" asked Joshua.
"Not really," said Eri.
"That's good. I already annoyed them to death anyway," said Joshua.
"When are you returning home?" asked Eri.
"What do you mean? I'm right here in the flesh," said Joshua.
"I mean when are you ever going to come back home permanently. We all miss you," said Eri.
"I'll return once Deku and I complete our mission. Then, we can all celebrate my return," said Joshua.
"How long will that be?" asked Eri.
"Not very long. We're so close to taking down All For One. Just give me a little time and we'll be ready to return," said Joshua.
Eri sticks out her pinky.
"You pinky promise?" asked Eri.
Joshua grabs her pinky with his pinky.
"I pinky promise," said Joshua.
Joshu lets go of the large teddy bear and gives it to his little sister.
"Take that and I'll see you later," said Joshua.
"Where are you going?" asked Eri.
"I have to go save some clowns. I'll come back to visit later this week. Good night, Eri," said Joshua.
Joshua jumps over the fence and runs to his car. He taps the communicator in his ear and he hears an alert.
"Give me details on the situation, STEPH," said Joshua.
"The gang that calls themselves the Creatures of the Night have been spotted near the Akumas' warehouse on the south side of the city," said STEPH.
"Why are those fools always interfering when I tell them not to? They're getting on my nerves," said Joshua.
"Pardon me, sir, but I don't believe that you have much time to complain. They will be making contact any second," said STEPH.
"Don't worry. The car can go up to Mach 4. I'll be there in no time," said Joshua.
Joshua opens the driver's side door and enters his car. The young hero steps on the accelerator and speeds off in the direction of the warehouse.
"How do these idiots continue to get themselves in these situations?" asked Joshua.
Fifteen minutes earlier, the Akumas' warehouse was pretty silent. The only noises that could be heard were the movement of boxes and crates and maybe the occasional shout of one of the Tekiyas.
"Hurry it up! The boss wants this warehouse cleared out by night because we have a new shipment coming in! Move it!" exclaimed the Tekiya.
As the workers start to move faster, they don't notice five men watching them from a neighboring rooftop.
"So, they believe that they can just deal their drugs on our streets huh? Let's teach them a lesson. Baka, you're up," said the leader.
Baka pulls out a sniper rifle and aims a shot at the Tekiya's leg. He pulls the trigger and the bullet rockets through the Yakuza's leg.
"Crap! Someone's trying to pick us off! Scatter!" exclaimed the Tekiya.
"Notarin, you're next," said the leader.
"I'm on it," said Notarin.
Notarin pulls out multiple smoke bombs and throws them at the gang. The bombs disperse the smoke and cover majority of the warehouse.
"I can't see!" exclaimed a random Yakuza.
"No shit, Sherlock! We all can't see!" exclaimed the Tekiya.
"Who's attacking us?" asked a Yakuza.
"I don't know, but they're going to die," said the Tekiya.
"Who's going to be killing who?" asked the leader.
"Not you guys again. We let you guys go multiple times because you guys suck, but now you're crossing the line. You won't walk out of here alive," said the Tekiya.
"Get them, boys," said the leader.
The Creatures of the Night proceed to beat down on the blinded and weakened Yakuza members. They beat them up for a few minutes until everyone is unconscious.
"I think that we took them all down. Let's get going," said the leader.
"You can't just leave without talking to me," said Joshua.
The Creatures of the Night quickly turn around after they hear their inspiration's voice.
"Shadowstriker, is that you?" asked the leader.
"Of course it's me. Why wouldn't it be?" said Joshua.
"It's so many imposters these days. After you decided to go worldwide instead of just patrolling Musutafu, you inspired a lot of people with or without quirks to fight the good fight. That's why we're here," said the leader.
"I know you guys want to protect your city from villains and Yakuza, but this isn't your fight. You don't have half of the training or skills that I have. I'm back in town permanently, so go back to your regular lives and I'll just forget that this ever happened," said Joshua.
"I'm sorry sir, but we can't do that. We can't give up just because you said so. We are on a crusade," said the leader.
"I'm not saying to give up. Train up and then I'll see if you guys are worthy to protect this alongside me," said Joshua.
"Are you saying that you want us to be your robins?" asked the leader.
"You're pushing it, Meishu. Just stop putting yourself in danger. I won't be here to save you every time you guys mess up," said Joshua.
"We'll train very hard and impress you, sir," said Meishu.
"Also, don't use guns. Guns are for cowards," said Joshua.
"Ok, sir," said Meishu.
Joshua walks away from the wannabe vigilantes. He grabs his grappling hook and grapples to the top of a building. He starts to run across the rooftops, looking for any more crimes in the area.
"STEPH, are there any more villains or gangsters in this area?" asked Joshua.
"No, sir. You can take a break," said STEPH.
"I know that you're an AI and all, but should I call Momo? We haven't talked much in two years. Calling her could be a home run or an airball. Should I do it?" said Joshua.
"Statistically, there's a 50 percent chance that you will fail and a fifty percent chance that you will fail. I say take the shot. You miss every shot that you don't take," said STEPH.
"Thanks, STEPH. You are one wise person," said STEPH.
"You programmed me, sir," said STEPH.
Joshua stops running and takes a seat on the edge of a rooftop. He pulls his phone out of his utility belt and dials Momo's number. The phone starts to ring and Joshua patiently waits.
"Come on, Momo. Pick up," said Joshua.
The phone continues to ring until it hits her voicemail.
"Good morning, afternoon, or night. I'm sorry that I couldn't answer your call. I'll make sure to return your call later. Have a good day!" said Momo's voicemail.
"She didn't pick up. Maybe she just wasn't home. I'll call her back right now," said Joshua.
As Joshua redials the girl's number, a sniper prepares to take her shot. The sniper pulls the trigger and shoots the phone out of Joshua's hand. Joshua quickly stands up to confront the enemy.
"Shadowstriker, come with us. If you follow my orders, I'll leave your limbs intact," said the assassin.
"All For One sent you, didn't he?" asked Joshua.
"The identity of my client is confidential," said the assassin.
"So that means he did hire you, Lady Nagant. Well, take your best shot. This one is free," said Joshua.
Joshua spreads out his arms and stops moving.
"What are you doing?" asked Lady Nagant.
"I'm giving you a free shot. Take it if you're smart," said Joshua.
Lady Nagant preps another shot and aims it at Joshua's head. She shoots the bullet at Joshua's head and it bounces right off.
"Didn't All For One tell you that my suit is bulletproof? Just give up and run away," said Joshua.
"I can't," said Lady Nagant.
"I guess that we will just have to do this the hard way," said Joshua.
Joshua pulls out two smoke bombs and drops them on the ground. The smoke is dispersed and covers Joshua's movements. Lady Nagant shoots a shot into the smoke but it hits nothing.
"Where did he go?" asked Lady Nagant.
"Under you," said Joshua.
Lady Nagant looks down and sees Joshua hang onto the rooftop. Joshua grabs her foot and pulls her off the rooftop. He then grabs her head and punches her multiple times. Lady Nagant tries to headbutt Joshua, but she just hurts her head.
"I forgot to tell you that my suit is made out of the hardest metal on Earth. My bad," said Joshua.
Lady Nagant is too dazed to respond and just looks at Joshua.
"You're not much of a talker, are you? I like girls who don't talk a lot, so I'll go easy on you," said Joshua.
Joshua's gloves start to spark with electricity and he touches Lady Nagant. She is shocked by a couple thousand bolts of electricity. She screams in pain for a few seconds before she passes out. Joshua grabs her unconscious body and lands on the ground.
"Now, where is your accomplice?" asked Joshua.
Joshua looks up at the rooftop and sees a man staring at him. The man sees the vigilante looking at him and runs off. Joshua grabs his grappling hook and grapples to the rooftop. He quickly runs after the guy and grabs him before he can jump off the rooftop.
"Kai, do you believe that I will just let you go?" asked Joshua.
"I just want to see the old man!" exclaimed Chisaki.
"He's dead," said Joshua.
"No, he's not! You lie!" exclaimed Chisaki.
Joshua dangles Chisaki over the street below him.
"I can help you meet him. You deserve to see your old man in hell after what you did to Eri, but I won't kill you. I'll make you suffer for the devious things that you did to Eri," said Joshua.
"What are you going to do?" asked Chisaki.
"I'm taking you to the cave. There, you won't see your old man ever again," said Joshua.
"Wait! I have to-," said Chisaki.
Chisaki is unable to finish speaking before Joshua punches him in the face, knocking him out.
"STEPH, make some room in the cave. We're going to have some guests," said Joshua.