Second to last chapter! Enjoy~
The school was completely repaired, but there were a lot missing. Tsu was gone, probably still upset over what had happened with Katakuri's group. The three noticed there were much less demons than before, those having been taken were absent. Todoroki and Hancock were there, but they'd already known about themselves.
Everyone turned to look at the three and Todoroki, who arrived at the same time. Their gazes lingered on Todoroki and Hancock got up and hugged Luffy, thanking him for saving them. He patted her back and said it was the right thing to do, even if he didn't know anybody personally.
She sat down, face red and with a small smile. There were stares at his face, at the mark. Kirishima asked what had happened. So Luffy bluntly told him the truth. "Katakuri ripped my head off, this was there when it grew back," he said simply. Their jaws dropped. Luffy smiled awkwardly. "It seems it would be very difficult to kill me."
"Did it hurt?" Sero asked. Jiro hit his arm, probably thinking it was insensitive to ask.
"I didn't feel anything after it got severed. But he choked me and crushed all of my neck, so that wasn't comfortable. It was a hard fight, but I ended up winning. I don't want to talk about it," he said. They nodded and then turned to Todoroki. Sero, again, was the one to ask. How long Todoroki had known about the demons not just being the three obvious ones.
"A couple weeks. They told me at the make-up provisional license exam," he replied honestly. He was asked if that was why so many were taken, kidnapped. After all, they all had heard about just how many people had been abducted. He looked to Luffy.
He said, "Most, if not all, were partial demons. Their blood was taken and the white blood cells were siphoned out to make the villains able to have regenerative abilities. I managed to destroy everything, but I eventually got help from others."
"Heroes?" Nami asked. Luffy shook his head. He told them that others like them had been trapped there. So the three of them plus two others had wiped everybody out. "Two others like you? Like, with horns and wings? I thought you guys were the only ones like this."
"No, they were like us. There was the one who was the same as I am. His friend was like Zoro and Sanji are to me. I don't know much about him other than his appearance, since he left pretty quickly," Luffy said. A lie here to protect Law. his name wasn't much if he wasn't in Japan and there was no last name, but Luffy didn't want his story here and his official story to the authorities to be conflicting.
Aizawa entered, and looked at all of them. His eyes lingered on Luffy's face for a bit, but he said nothing about it. "Well, since so many are missing from the school, most courses are going to be different and diluted, mostly reviews. A lot of those taken need some therapy, and UA will give them that for free and without punishment by low grades.
"Asui is the only one missing who got taken, but we're going to do hero basic training like usual. It'll be a boring week, but necessary." Then he sighed. "Again, our school was attacked while under our watch, and again, students got kidnapped or died. There were few casualties, so that is a relief. Those who died in the collapsion will have a memorial service later today," the teacher explained, sounding so tired.
This was the fourth time. And the campus was supposed to be safe. They literally attacked the main building. "We still aren't sure how they got on campus without anyone realizing, or how they got the students taken so quickly." Luffy raised his hand. "Yes?"
"Katakuri came on campus with a mirror portal outside and wrapped mochi around everyone they were taking and left with them immediately," Luffy explained. "The mirror portal connected to the mirror world, where people were transported and took into a facility they built. I just thought some might want to know how that happened."
"Thank you," Aizawa said simply. Luffy touched the mark on his face absentmindedly. Todoroki looked to the side at him with a slightly sad expression. Luffy didn't see it. The day was mostly study hall. Aizawa stayed inside with them the whole time, reading or laying in his sleeping bag, but making sure they didn't leave or were hurt.
UA was not a safe place for anybody, and Luffy was frankly surprised that it wasn't shut down this time. It wasn't like at the provisional license exam, where it was off campus. This one happened right in front of them. But, it had happened at other schools and places of residence. It happened to many schools even outside of Japan. So UA wasn't the outlier. People were probably more sympathetic about the situation knowing it wasn't just their issue.
Luffy was asked about the mission while he and his pack at the lunch prepared by Thatch or Sanji. "I can't talk too much about it, but I had to pretend to be one of those taken, and have my blood drawn and pretend I was weak from it. Katakuri realized I was different, so I sort of went on a rampage and destroyed all of their stuff and equipment." Usopp asked how they hadn't recognized them.
Luffy turned his appearance into Zoro, his clothes allowing the change. They changed with him. "I unlocked another power," he said and morphed back. "So I altered my appearance to be somebody else. The plan didn't go as I wanted at all." He shrugged and said it worked out, even if it was really messy.
"What happened with Katakuri-"
"He said he didn't want to talk about it," Zoro told Nami harshly. Luffy looked down. He wouldn't give the truth to anybody, especially not to his classmates who already saw them as very different.
Luffy simply said he most likely died of blood loss in the mirror world. He was dead either way. "He was scary. More scary than All For One or Blackbeard. And he was smart. Our fight was just back and forth injuries. I was covered in blood by the end, but the only mark I have from it is this," he said, pointing to the stripe.
Then he gave a small smile. "The stupidest thing in that fight was when I created a ton of little mes. I told them that the big man wanted to play with them, and they swarmed him and climbed up his body. It was a good distraction. So that power wasn't completely useless, I guess."
Some of them laughed, and Luffy shook his head. It had been so ridiculous and unfunny at the time. He was doing everything he could to win and live. He touched his face, brows furrowed. "Are you okay?" Usopp asked.
"Yeah," Luffy replied. Aizawa told them to get back to work once lunch was over. Study hall was boring and nothing really happened, so they changed it to working on their homework from their work studies internships.
Luffy, Zoro and Sanji had no homework from it, since the mission had been completed. Nobody had said a word about the rest of the world learning of demons. Maybe they just didn't want to acknowledge it. Or maybe they wanted Tsu to come back, since they knew she was probably one. Even if she didn't admit it, she was taken, so was probably a demon. She hadn't known.
Hero basics course seemed to be set up because of the mission Luffy had done. It was a stealth practice. There were recorders all over the interior of one of the buildings in the training area, and they were to make it to the top without making a sound. They'd lose if they were detected by being too loud.
They were put in pairs, and Luffy was with Nami. Luffy was easily quiet, but Nami nearly stepped on one of the cans littering the floor. Luffy picked her up around the waist with his tail and put her down where no cans were, gently enough that the landing made zero noise. They found doors locked or barricaded. The only way out was the elevator shaft.
"I can't climb that," Nami whispered. Luffy jumped quietly to the cable, and moved his tail so she could grab onto it and he easily moved it to the rings of the ladder in the wall, both climbing up silently. Luffy got out first, and again used his tail to get her out silently. They tiptoed through this floor, and found they had to make their way up stairs.
Both of them went as quietly as possible, and made it to the top. But there was a heavy door in their way. They stared at it, unable to know how to get around it. He found a partially open window, and opened it wider, easily. He peeked out and to the side, seeing a window was open on the other side. He motioned his hand to out the window, and both of them got out and shimmied their way to the open window, climbing in easily before they touched the button that announced they'd completed the exercise successfully.
"Hell yeah!" Nami said, and they gave high fives. They walked out the other staircase that was perfectly clear. They went down into the viewing basement. All Might congratulated them on being successful. Bakugo and Sero scowled, having been the first to fail when Bakugo got angry and kicked a can at the beginning, absolutely pissing Sero off.
Sanji had done well with Hancock considering she refused to let him touch her. It was lucky she was in shape and flexible. They had a different setting, not just one building being used. Zoro had barely made it with Usopp, and ended up just carrying him on his back everywhere. He jumped over things completely, barely opening his wings and catching air to land neatly.
He took the least time, finished in five minutes after being an amazingly silent runner, barefoot. After his example, most went barefoot, but Luffy and Nami didn't. Neither of their shoes had loud heels.
Zoro was napping in the corner, sitting against the wall. Everyone else was watching the screen. Luffy and Nami's had been second to last, so there wasn't much longer in class. Everyone was subdued. The lingering effects of the most recent incident were very present. Things wouldn't be the same again. Every villain attack changed things.
It made everyone closer, or everyone more fearful. Now, it was mostly fearful. That villains could get into the school so easily. And the fact that almost all students lived on campus, well, it kind of made little sense to keep them congregated anymore. They were in more danger being all together.
It was clear that the school couldn't protect them by just being on campus. There weren't nearly enough hero teachers to keep things feeling and actually safe.
It was after they had changed that the memorial service was held. Everyone was wearing their uniforms, and gathered neatly in front of dozens of photos of the dead. Luffy heard so many sniffles and cries. But this time, it was not because of him. It was not his fault, he hadn't even been one of the targets this time. It was a relief, not feeling or being blamed by anybody.
This time, he'd saved those taken. He was on the opposite side, not blamed for the bad, but for the good. Though many of those who'd been stolen were not there. Some were, and they didn't seem to be being treated any different.
The memorial was depressing, and Nami was unable to control the dark cloud above their heads, thinking of the pain her best friend was in. Vivi was alive and standing next to her, but she'd lost a friend from her class.
After the service was over, there was an announcement to everybody. Nezu spoke, standing on the podium. "Due to the recent incident, we've come to the conclusion that being all in the same place is dangerous for the students as a whole. We've decided to move students back to their homes. Of course, if something keeps you from returning, you are welcome to stay in the dorms."
Nobody, not a single student, protested. Nobody seemed to want to stay. It was sad. So different from the beginning of the year. It didn't affect the trio, since they hadn't moved to the dorm in the first place. The students would be moving out that week. Classes would still continue, but after school was out, they would pack up their things and move out.
When the announcement and memorial were over, Luffy asked, Do you think we could help them move out? Like, have them tie their things to our backs in beast form?
I think that's a good idea. We'll ask, Sanji replied. Zoro agreed. The three called them to get their attention. "Do you guys want help moving things? I would only take a few trips to tie everything to our backs in our best forms, since we're pretty big. It would take less effort for everyone."
Kirishima said it was a good idea, and the rest of the class agreed. Everyone was sullen, but some said things about being glad to see their families and pets. Being allowed off campus. Luffy sighed. "This year was a mess. And it's not even over yet." They all nodded. A collective sigh was made. Nami's cloud had gone away. Aizawa approached them, just looking so utterly exhausted. Not like he had before. More like someone who was eaten alive by stress. So many times, the school, and he, had failed his students.
They were attacked at USJ, the training camp was a targeted attack on Luffy, some of his students had died in an activity that he was partially responsible for. And now this, his students swiped out from under their teachers. It had been Present Mic inside, but still. His class had faced danger too many times.
"The moving vans will be driving here, and movers will come to the dorms. We'll start today. I'm sorry it's so abrupt, but the sooner the better."
"We're going to help move things. Tying heavy furniture to our backs would be helpful. In our beast forms," Luffy said. Aizawa said it was a good idea, and the students went to the dorms and started moving things outside, Zoro helping them carry things down the stairs while Luffy made portals to deposit packed cardboard boxes outside.
After most of the furniture was outside, they tied the furniture to their backs, draping them over so something heavy was on either side. Almost everything fit on all three of them. The class stared at them in awe, not a trace of fear. The three slowly walked to the moving vans, not jarring anything. They carried largest furniture hanging by ropes in their mouths.
When they got to the many moving trucks, the three of them laid on their stomachs while the movers and students untied the furniture to move it into the vehicles. They all looked a bit sad to be leaving one another, but they would still see each other daily. When the dorms were empty, it was almost a sad sight.
Luffy was looking at the sky as it grew pink and orange. Dinner time was soon. Everyone was picked up from their families. It seemed they'd all been contacted. There were a handful in other dorms who had to stay for personal reasons, and they were all moved to two dorms, since that was all who were staying behind.
The three walked through a portal once everyone was gone, and Zoro and Sanji flopped onto the couch. "We that was a depressing school day," Zoro said with a sigh. "At least we can't be blamed this time. Not that anybody really blamed us for the Blackbeard incident…"
Luffy sat on the carpet and said, "At least everyone gets to see their families. And go out places, not caged to the campus. I'm glad we never had to stay there, though." The other two nodded. Luffy touched his face. Zoro told him he was brave to give them any details. Luffy nodded, but didn't say anything.
It was the same time that day as it was the day before when Sanji's mom called. He didn't answer it again. And deleted the voicemail like he had before. Luffy wondered if their relationship would ever heal. It would take a lot for her to make up for what she'd done, and the sour and bitterness of the memory over the time the two had been staying at the agency. "Why don't we go spar before dinner?" the blonde offered.
The three of them went to the training room and fought violently. More than usual. Taking out their stress on each other while knowing they'd all be fine in the end.
-x-
"Luffy, you've been requested to help in another agency's case," Marco said in surprise, having just put down the phone. Luffy was looking for Izo to cut his hair since it had grown longer than he liked. Luffy raised his eyebrows.
"Just me?" Marco said all three of them. "Why did they go through you and not Hawks?" Luffy wondered. It was kind of weird to go through an agency that wasn't using him. Maybe it was short notice, and he had two days off from his work studies.
Marco said it was easier to contact the Whitebeards since they were with them most of the time. Luffy asked who it was. "The Nighteye agency," he said. Luffy hadn't heard of them. "Sir Nighteye is the hero in charge and was All Might's former sidekick. I know you don't care about that much, but he's highly regarded and respected," Marco explained.
Luffy asked what the case was about. Marco said he wasn't sure, but that their power would be very helpful. Most of all, Luffy's. "He's invited and requested you three go to the meeting tomorrow, being filled in and then asked if you want to take part." Luffy wasn't sure he wanted to work with another agency. He worked with Hawks. All three of them were planning on working under him when they graduated until they were known and liked enough to maybe start their own.
"It would be a good experience to work with another agency. But it's your choice, I won't force you," the phoenix said simply. "He apologized for short notice, but word of how you took care of the kidnapping case spread through the pro-hero world. About the infiltration and abilities used," he elaborated.
Luffy said he'd talk to Zoro and Sanji about it. "Izo is on patrol right now but when he gets back I'll find you. He's been irritated with how long your hair has gotten, too," Marco said in amusement. Luffy thanked him and went to find Zoro and Sanji. Zoro was in the training room and Sanji was cooking with Thatch.
Well, he should get their opinions soon so they could get back to Nighteye. Guys, I gotta talk to you both. Meet in the training room?
Haruta is in here, too, right now. The kids room is empty, Zoro's voice said.
Sure, that's fine.
I'll be there soon. I just have to get the pie out of the oven in five minutes.
Okay.
When they did meet, they sat on the comfortable couch across from the ballpit and block area. It needed to be organized soon, but with kids coming in almost daily, there was not really any point. They didn't care much about the toys being disorganized. "What's up?" Zoro asked.
"Another agency requested our involvement in a case with them. The Nighteye agency. They invited us to a meeting about the situation, and we can decide whether we want to take part. Marco says working with multiple agencies is good for experience. It sounds interesting, and there's no big cases with Hawks at the moment." Zoro and Sanji thought before Zoro said it sounded interesting. That they might have a longer break from school, since it was so damn depressing now.
Sanji agreed, saying, "Why not?" Luffy formed a portal on Hawks. He got his attention. "Yo, what's up?" he wondered, since they weren't on duty that day. Luffy explained the situation, and Hawks said he was perfectly fine with that. But he was annoyed that he didn't go through the agency they were working at and instead called their personal phone.
Well, not a personal phone, but the one connected to their home to get the answer sooner. "I could have called you. Oh well, I guess it was short notice and he wanted to get to you faster." The three nodded, and Luffy looked unsure. "It's really fine if you go. I know you won't be stolen out from under me. Make sure to tell me ahead of time if and when you'll be gone."
Zoro said, "If we choose to participate at all." Hawks nodded, and said he had to go.
"Good luck, chicklets," he said and Luffy closed the portal. Zoro hated being called that, but Hawks abused that fact and called Zoro that nickname the most. Luffy stood up and went to tell Marco, and then went to get his hair cut.
The next day, the three of them flew their way to the Nighteye agency, not feeling like using a portal. They were skipping school for this. They landed in front of the building, their GPS watches telling them they had arrived, and walked up the stairs and inside. They found a bunch of pro-heroes gathered. Nobody they recognized.
Well, Uraraka and Tsu were there. Then they saw Kirishima. Luffy walked up to Tsu and asked how she was doing. "I wanted to get out of the house. Not go to school." Luffy told her nobody would judge. She knew what he was meaning. "Ochaco-chan told me everyone accepted Todoroki-kun and Hancock-chan, but I'm still nervous."
Luffy understood, and they got there just in time for the meeting to be called. Kirishima asked if Hawks was working with them. "No, it was just us three requested. Don't know why, though," Sanji answered. They walked inside, and the three of them sat at one end, taking up the most room. They weren't looked at twice, which was nice. Well, besides one other guy. He glared at all of the students. There were three there that Luffy hadn't met but knew who they were. The Big Three, the top three students in the school at the moment.
He honestly thought that spot would go to the trio, as they didn't lack experience, but it was understandable that they weren't good enough. Nighteye began immediately, and they got the gist of the mission pretty well. A suspicious looking gang of some sort, the Shie Hassaikai, was thought to have been making drugs that erase quirks. And that the ingredients for the drug came from a young girl, Eri.
It was evil, and they were supposed to rescue the little girl. It was a rescue mission, they weren't supposed to defeat Chisaki, the leader. His villain name was Overhaul. They were told he could disassemble things. Disfigure people. A glance was made in the trio's direction by Nighteye. He clearly knew about Luffy's ridiculous healing. Regrowing his head and all.
When they were told all the locations, and that they all had to look at them separately, Luffy raised his hand. The first time any of the three said a thing. "That isn't necessary. If I have a photo of him, I can find him easily. It would save quite a bit of time."
There were two partial demons in there, but the three knew that they could only make portals. Only Luffy and Law were able to create windows that nobody else could see. Rock Lock, the cranky hero glaring at them, pointed out that the people would see his portal. It would be obvious.
"Unlike partial demons, I can form windows. They're invisible on the other side. I'll be able to find their base quickly," he said, not backing down. He wouldn't let this guy walk all over them. Nighteye gave him permission. Luffy opened a window in the middle of the table in the air, as big as a large TV and found Chisaki easily.
Luffy made the view move through the place and to the outside. It was at what looked like an old fashioned house. Nighteye requested he see where Eri was. Luffy nodded and the window was on the little girl in a bedroom. She was in bed crying quietly, and had bandages all over her arms and legs. He made the window go through the halls and they knew it was the same place Chisaki was.
"So, she's being kept at the headquarters. Well, that just took care of a lot of time. Thank you, Luffy," Nighteye said. Luffy nodded and the window disappeared. Rock Lock glared at him, and Luffy stared right back. He didn't avert his eyes, the other hero did.
What a jerk.
Yeah.
The plan, again, fell on Luffy's shoulders. Well, not completely, but Sanji and Zoro would be on standby again, irritating them greatly. Luffy was irritated as well. They were a team. They knew why he went alone last time, but they were each invited, and again, those two were to be kept as the translator for Luffy's thoughts.
Since they knew where they were, the heroes would go as soon as possible. Nighteye, at the end of the meeting, asked if the three would take part. "Is there any other task Zoro and Sanji could take?" Luffy asked. Sanji told him it was fine. "You guys are my team. I won't exclude you." Some respect was shown to him while also irritation.
Nighteye was patient and did not look annoyed. "During the mass kidnapping, they ended up coming as back up, correct? They could be back up as well this time. You three are very conspicuous, which is why Luffy would be altering his appearance." Luffy frowned, but the other two told him it was fine. They nodded to him, agreeing to go.
"Okay, we'll take part," Luffy said.
"What happens if Chisaki tears you apart? Will you be able to bring them as back up?" Rock Lock asked, as if Luffy's death would just be annoying and inconvenient. Luffy told him he didn't have to worry about Luffy dying. "And why is that? You're still just a kid."
"My head was ripped off and grew back fine. This mark is the only consequence of that happening," he replied bluntly, honestly. Rock Lock backed down and everyone looked a little horrified. "I'm fine," he said when they changed to sympathetic and pitying expressions. After all, Luffy was only 15 and had been decapitated.
They were to meet back there the next day. It was happening really fast, but they did say they'd been following the case for a long time, the investigation didn't just start and they were rushing headfirst with no planning.
When they left, Luffy was incredibly irate. He was glaring the whole flight back. "I can't believe you've been sidelined again. I know you're both stronger than many in that room," he grumbled. Zoro said it was part of the plan. "I know, but we're a team! I know I had to do it alone last time, and I get why I can be the only one to go deep into the base, but still! It's not fair to you, you guys are part of my team! We should work together!"
Zoro laughed and said, "We appreciate your feelings, and wish to do more as well, but this is what we gotta do. The price we pay for being recognizable. You were only invited to come because you can change appearances. The other stuff are just bonuses." Sanji nodded and said they'd have plenty more cases they could take on together.
Luffy was still irritated. Sure, he had the most abilities, but Zoro and Sanji matched him in strength and speed, as well as regenerative powers. At least he wouldn't need to worry about their quirks being erased. They had quirks, originally. Luffy didn't have quirks, but he wasn't going to be reckless and disregard the drug and assume it was unable to hurt him.
When they got home, they weren't supposed to say much about the mission, but he did rant to his brothers about his irritation with Zoro and Sanji being seen as lesser. "Well, you take up more attention, Lu," Ace reasoned. "They'll have their chance to shine, don't worry."
Luffy frowned and put his head down. "I don't want them to look up to me. We're equals. I want everyone to treat us that way. But it was me. I killed the nomu. I took out the League of Villains by myself. I rescued all the partial demons. But nobody seemed to acknowledge Zoro and Sanji's help in that. I just want to share the spotlight with them. They're my pack, but I'm not their leader," Luffy explained. Sabo gave him a fond smile.
"You're a great friend, Luffy. They're lucky to have you." Luffy blushed and gave a shy smile. He always did his best to be their great friend. They were so important to him.
