1:32 PM

"That stupid Demon Cyborg," complained Tatsumaki as she soared through the sky with her arms folded.

Beneath her were Bang, Puri-Puri Prisoner, Speed-o'-Sound Sonic, Atomic Samurai, Child Emperor and Mumen Rider outlined by a light green hue. Fubuki carried her fan club using her psychic powers as well.

"He could have at least called Saitama first before leaving," added Child Emperor as he held the 8-Cube in his hands. "But it's all the same. He said he remembered the path from the map we looked at anyway. And even if he gets lost, we can call him once we find Caped Baldy."

Fubuki flew over to Mumen Rider who was peddling despite being 4000 feet above the ground.

"Why are you doing that?" she asked.

"Not everyone gets to say they've peddled through the sky. Plus, it makes me feel like I have super powers."

"O-okay…"

"What a lame reason," Tatsumaki criticizes. "Why can't you behave like the other guys…"

As she finished her sentence, she noticed the other guys she was referring to have all taken poses similar to that of a western superhero flying with either one or two fists in front of them.

"...Good grief…"

"Ah," Child Emperor exclaimed. "It appears we're nearing our destination. Drop down in three meters."

"Race you down," Mumen-Rider joked.

"Idio-" Tatsumaki began.

"You're on," said Speed-o'-Sound Sonic.

"Bring it," agreed Atomic Samurai with a confident smirk.

"Loser gets a big ol' bear hug from behind," jubilantly said Puri-Puri Prisoner.

"Try hugging the back side of my jet-pack," said Child Emperor. "...actually, don't."

"Eat my dust whippersnappers," said Bang.

"You're in the sky," said Fubuki.

"...Eat my sky dust whippersnappers."

"You know, I can just drop you all and see who falls the fastest," said Tatsumaki in a casual tone.

The ambulance van seemed almost out of place among the numerous military grade vans scattered in front of the crowded alley. The premise was comprised of various people from Judgement and Anti-Skill. To a foreigner, the presence of children and teenagers would have appeared off. In fact, the alley looked more like a school dance than a crime scene. This wasn't helped by the various amounts of casual conversations that were going on.

Among the people standing out were five identical looking middle school girls, a damaged cyborg and a bald man in a cape.

An Anti-Skill agent attempts to talk to one of the quatopletes who was adjusting machine gun as she sat against a wall.

"Uh...you can't have that," he said.

"You will respect Misaka's amendment right to bear firearms, says Misaka as she holds her weapon closer to her like a mother bear protective of her cub."

The Anti-Skill officer groaned.

The heroes from Z-City landed in an open space near the hospital van. Several students and Anti-Skill members redirected their attention to them as they walked to Saitama and Genos, the latter who appeared to be bowing down rapidly.

"Genos, come on dude." Saitama said. "You can't go around attacking little girls like that. It's not cool. And very unheroic."

"I am sorry sensei. But these girls were armed and heading to your location so I assumed they were after your life. I will accept any punishment you will give me."

"Okay, knock it off."

"Yes sensei."

Genos proceeded to punch off his left arm.

Saitama turned around after he heard a few footsteps and smiled at the sight of a few more familiar faces.

"Oh. Hey guys. So you finally made it."

Child Emperor opened his mouth to speak but Tatsumaki carelessly pushed past him as she floated over in front of Saitama. She looked him in the eyes with an impatient expression.

"Yeah, thanks for making us come all the way out here to get your sorry bald ass."

Saitama stared at her with a blank expression. He moved his head to refer to the group.

"Who's idea was it to bring the brat?"

The rest of the heroes walk over to him. Tatsumaki started to complained but Saitama phased her out. Bang spoke over her.

"We all came because we were concerned of your disappearance. Not one of us is here against our will."

Tatsumaki turned to Bang.

"D-don't make it sound so mushy!"

"Aw, shucks. That's actually pretty thoughtful of you guys."

Puri-Puri Prisoner raised his right hand.

"I only came to catch a glimpse of your ass. Honestly."

"Ah. Well it's a sweet ass so I can totally see where you're coming from."

"Sensei," Genos cut it with a grave tone as he reattached his arm. "Have you apprehended Abicus?"

"Oh...about that...See, this city has its own protocols for dealing with super powered bad guys. I tried to explain to them that I was a hero from another dimension but then they told me to get my bald head examined. Then I tried leaving with Abicus by force but some pig tailed girl teleported him back to the ground mid jump. And I can't just punch them out. That'd be kind of rude. And unheroic. And half of these people are children anyway. Luckily, Genos showed up and said you guys would explain the rest."

"Well," Child Emperor snidely said. "I'm sure when I explain the properties of my 8-Cube to them, they'll have no choice but to believe us."

Using his spider like mechanical legs, Child Emperor walked over to a small gathering of Anti-Skill members.

"Gentlemen, I am Child Emperor and this is my genius."

One of the Anti-Skill members put on a concerned face.

"You better keep your pants on. That last kid that said to me mooned me and ran away."

Tatsumaki, Fubuki, and Bang were with Child Emperor as assurance.

"...and that's how I deduced the necessary energy requirements for interdimensional travel," Child Emperor proudly said to the exhausted officers.

"You know," a man began. "You could have just shown us how it works."

"If I could, I would done that from the start. It needs to charge for a few hours. You should have known that because I was explaining it."

"...Cheeky little fuck."

"Look," Tatsumaki impatiently cut it. "We don't have time to argue." She pointed at Abicus who had a flashlight shined in his eye. "That man is a criminal wanted by the Hero Association. That makes him our responsibility."

"No," another Anti-Skill officer cut it. "That makes him our responsibility. He committed a crime here in Academy City. It'd be different if you were from another country but you're all clearly Japanese."

"Uh, Iwata," said a woman in her early 20s holding a smart phone. "I did a background check earlier when that scary looking robot man said they were from something called the Hero Association."

"Yeah, it's a total bull, right Asuna? Just a couple of over enthusiastic manga fans who think they can be vigilantes just because they've got abilities. Look, if you guys want to join law enforcement, then you should have joined Judgement. You'd fit right in with the other kids."

"I'm 28," Tatsumaki said.

Iwata blinked at her a moment. Then he turned his attention to Child Emperor.

"You'd fit right in with the other kids."

"Um, sir," Asuna continued. "I thoroughly searched the Internet. There's no such thing as a Hero Association. At least online. There's no website or new reports or even forum posts."

"They could be an underground group like Skill-Out except they're espers."

"And I've asked a young girl to Judgement perform a thorough search on them based off their they let me take. There's no proof of any of them ever being in the esper curriculum."

"Nothing a good hack job can't fix."

"Sir, they say their from Japan yet there's no proof that they even exist. And given that they have abilities, they could have only lived in Academy City."

"Plus," Child Emperor added. "We're famous. So there's no way we could be from this Japan if nobody knew about us."

"Okay, I don't know what you people are on about but..."

Tatsumaki flew into the officer's face. He leaned back disconcerted.

"Excuse me?! 'You people?!' What the hell's that supposed to mean?! What, do we look sketchy to you or something?!"

"That lady over there has a bunch of armed people in suits surrounding her and she's not a politician or celebrity so yeah. You're sketchier than the rough of a Da Vinci design."

"...! Why you…! Who the hell do you think you're talking down to?! I should just flip this entire goddamn block upside down and just take him away from you incompetent morons! "

"Tatsumaki… please stop talking," Bang said with a sigh.

"Yeah, you sassy brat. The grown ups are talki- HURK?!"

The young officer known as Iwata was wrapped in a light green hue as his throat seemed to be crushed. Asuna gasped and backed up.

"You stop talking too…"

Mumen Rider chained his bike to a parking meter as a few Judgement members gossiped.

"What do you think his ability is?" a young lady asked.

"I don't know. Superspeed?" her idiot male associate asked without giving much thought.

"Then why the hell would he have a bike?" said another male peer with short green hair.

"Well, why does that speedy hedgehog use a car in racing games?"

"Maybe that's his only means of getting around?"

"Sonic runs everywhere Yuki."

Speed-o'-Sound Sonic looked over for a second but decided whatever those teens were talking about wasn't worth his time.

"Excuse me, sir!" said Yuki waving at Mumen Rider. He was annoyed that people were talking about him so carelessly but he turned to them regardless. "Can you please come here?" He walked over without complaining.

"How may I be of service young lady?"

"What's your ability?"

"Uh, pardon me?"

"Oh, you know. Superpower as they probably call it in your universe."

"Dude," said the green haired man. "Don't tell me you just go around fightin' bad guys with not kindov powers."

"..."

"What?! Are you like, actually fucking crazy?!" asked the idiot.

"Yeah, seriously. Is that even legal?"

"Yeah! What if you run into some super strong dude or something?"

"Do you at least have gadgets Or a sidekick?"

"No, sorry. Aha, I've got none of those."

The Judgment officers were startled at that remark.

"But that's okay. What I've pledged to is much greater than any of those things. I became a hero because I believe in a world with everlasting justice for all. That peace and community and smiles are something worth protecting."

"Bro, tell me you know a martial art or pressure points or something."

"I guess learning that before becoming a hero would have been the smart thing to do. But that's okay. It's not about winning and losing. What I can do doesn't change what needs to be done. I can't wait for the day I think I'll be prepared. Truth is, I don't think anybody's really fully prepared for life's obstacles. That's why we get help. And give help in return."

There was a brief pause. The teenagers stared at him with concern and intrigue.

"...Well, I'm gonna go report to my colleagues. Bye."

Mumen Rider turned around to walk towards the group where Bang was restraining Tatsumaki while Iwata rubbed his neck.

"But what do you do?" the idiot asked.

Mumen Rider stopped walking. He looked back at the youth with a slight smile.

"I do what I can."

Puri-Puri Prisoner stood next to a few Anti-Skill members as they leaned against a van while periodically sipping coffee.

"Yoohoo~ Officers," he said in a melodic kind of way. "I've been a naughty boy. Why don't you come over here and cuff me? And don't forget to give me a full body cavity search. Who knows where I could be hiding dangerous weapons."

The male Anti-Skill members failed to keep their composure as they were being sexually objectified by a man twice their size who looked like he could simultaneously bench press the two of them.

"S-sexual harassment of an Anti-Skill member is a felony," one of the Anti-Skill members nervously said in a low voice.

"Oh~~~ Well then Aren't you gonna hit me with your batons? You can be as brutal as you like. I love a man in uniform."

The Anti-Skill members sighed in unison as sweat dropped down the side of their faces.

"Isn't that a prisoner's uniform? Aren't you supposed to be a hero?"

"Yeah, what's up with that? Is it just a gimmick like how they use in pro wrestling or did you really do some shit?"

"Why don't you find out?"

"Well yeah, that's why I aske-SWEET JESUS!"

...Why don't we see what the other heroes are up to, shall we?

Atomic Samurai flirted with a blushing Tessou Tsuzuri as they leaned against a wall.

"So are you eighteen?" he asked.

"S-sir, I have important matters to attend to," she shyly said looking at the ground.

"So yes?"

"S-somebody, please help…"

"Being coy will only make me pursue harder. And it's kind of doing it for me. Same with the glasses too. It's a super cute look on you."

"Stoooooooop, I'm on duty."

Speed-o'-Sound Sonic and Genos were at their wits end as they found themselves surrounded by a group of fawning Judgement girls.

"They're so pretty!"

"I wanna touch his hair!"

"The scars make him hotter!"

"I cope with my father issues by selling my body to older men!"

"D-dammit," Speed-o'-Sound Sonic said under his breath. "I'm a goddamn ninja. How is it that these amateurs were able to spot me while I masked my presence?"

"Teenage girls seem to have a very accurate radar in regards to men they find attractive it seems," says Genos, equally disturbed.

On the street at the one end of the alley, Mikoto Misaka stood outside of an open hospital van with her hands on her hips and a very angry expression. She has a bandaid on her left cheek.

(How do I always end up having a woman angry with me?) Touma Kamijou thought as he lays down in a hospital bed.

"You just couldn't pass up the chance, could you?"

Touma gulped.

"W-well, you see it's a funny story actually…"

"And shouldn't you be in school anyway?"

"...I don't think you're in any position to talk."

Mikoto shut her eyes as electricity flared around her body.

"Well, if you had stayed in school then you wouldn't have gotten hurt! And don't call me a hypocrite!"

Touma jumped back in his bed.

"Are you trying to send me to an early grave?! And since when did you hear me calling you a hypocrite?!"

After a few seconds, the electricity died down. Mikoto squeezed her nose with her index finger and thumb and sighed heavily.

"Why are you always doing this?" she said sadly.

"Huh?"

"Why are you always running around and trying to solve everyone's problems like some sort of damn superhero? Why do you keep putting yourself in these situations where you get beaten to a pulp? Is that how you get your kicks? Are you some sort of adrenaline junkie or masochist?"

"...Mikoto, you're reading too much into this."

"You got stabbed through the stomach!"

That shout was enough to draw the attention of a few Anti-Skill and Judgement members.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I meant you literally walked right into it as some sort of desperate and reckless battle plan! This is exactly what I mean…! Why do you…"

Mikoto's voice cracked.

(Why is this so hard to say?) she asked herself.

"Why do you do this to yourself? Do you just hate yourself? Are you unable to forgive yourself because of something you did in the past?"

Mikoto knew that last part was definitely not true given the personality of the boy before her but the words flew out regardless as she was desperate for answers.

"...Don't you have someone that cares about your well being enough that you don't want to disappoint them?"

Touma stared blankly at the sniffling third ranked level 5. Anybody else would have been baffled to receive such regard for such a powerful individual. Ranks were meaningless when it came to matters of the heart. Touma Kamijou believed that deep down, people were more than just the strength projected. That everyone had some form of humanity.

It was that humanity that lead to Abicus' hubris and downfall.

And it was that humanity that made tears flow from Mikoto Misaka's eyes.

"Well, for starters," he finally said after a brief rumination. "It's got nothing to do with my loved ones. I just can't stand by if someone needs help and I have the power to make a difference. It's not because of something boring like truth and justice or some grandiose sense of judgement. I just do it because it's the right thing to do...Or rather because that's how I feel. It's just the way I am. And I think you know that very well. Speaking of which, you can't really criticize me either since you're doing the exact same thing for your sisters right now. You of all people should understand how I feel better than anyone.

"I won't apologize for doing what I did but I am sorry for making you upset, Mikoto. I didn't mean to make you cry but I guess that's just the kind of luck I have. I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me, Zapper."

Touma smiled as he said that nickname. Mikoto's face turned bright pink.

(Dammiii~t. How am I supposed to stay angry at you when you say stupid sweet things like that? You jerkass!)

"Uhh, are you sick or something? Your face looks awfully red."

Mikoto's face then took on the shade of a bright tomato. After she looked away, she quickly rubbed under her nose with her right index finger.

"Uhh…*sniff* Yesh, actually. I had a cold thish morning *sniff, sniff* and it looks like it's coming back."

"...At least wipe your nose with your sleeve. That's very unlady like."

"Shut up!"

In spite of how she sounded, a slight smile formed on Mikoto's mouth.

#10032 arrived in a motorcycle, stopping to the left of Mikoto. In her hand was a plastic bag making a rectangular crevice at the bottom. She took out the rectangular object, a short sleeved white boys' school shirt, size medium, and places it in front of Mikoto.

"I bought the requested object according to your specifications, reports Misaka as she hands big sister the article of clothing she requested."

"What the hell is this? I asked for a black vest! 'Requested object' my ass, this is the exact opposite of what I asked for!"

"Yes, but the store that Misaka went to only had short sleeved shirts and Misaka rationalized it would be better than returning empty handed, explains Misaka to her seemingly dull and overly hormonal big sister."

"Then. Why. Didn't. You. Go. To. Another. Store?"

"...Misaka does not like your tone of voice. Do not tell me you want a spankin-"

"Just, give me that!"

Mikoto snatched the shirt out of her sister's hand. #10032 revved the motorbike's engine and drives to a different part of the street.

"Misaka is not getting paid enough to deal with this shit, complains Misaka as she drives away and is out of earshot."

"I heard that!"

"No you didn't."

"Grrr…"

Mikoto turned to face the confused Kamijou. She tooks the cased in shirt out of the bag and looked at it for a moment.

"Catch."

She single handedly tossed the shirt at Touma who leaned forward to grab it. He studied it for a second before returning the same confused look at Misaka.

"A school shirt?"

"You're gonna catch a cold if you run around with just one t-shirt on."

"Aw shucks, that's surprisingly nice."

"Excuse me? Surprisingly?"

(No comment.) Touma thought before he said something he may regretted and extend his stay at the hospital.

"But, you didn't have to do this...wait, I don't owe you anything, right? If that's the case, take it back."

Touma held the shirt in front of him but Mikoto turned around and walked away with her hands on her hips.

"Idiot," she said.

(I suppose I should thank her. She went out of her way to get this for me after all.)

"Thanks Zapper."

Mikoto stopped walking and turns her torso around revealing an annoyed expression. After staring back at him for a moment, she stuck her tongue out and pulls down on the skin under her left eye with her index finger.

"Neeeh~"

She then walked away with strides that lifted her legs all the way up like some sort of wind up British toy soldier. A sister turned around as she was approached.

"Big sister, that is an unflattering way to reveal your undershorts, says Misaka unsurprised at her sister's attention begging shenanigans."

(First she yells at me on the brink of tears and now she's winking and smiling?)

The unfortunate young man folded his arms and sighed.

"Girls are so confusing," he lamented out loud without realizing.

"Tell me about it."

Touma shifted his focus about a foot to the right and was greeted by the shiney cranium of Saitama.

"Wah! Don't do that! I could go into shock!"

"I doubt that. You seem like a tough kid."

"Yeah, a tough kid that's mortal."

"Right, right…So, ya mind explaining what exactly went on in that fight?"

"What do you mean? You saw. I punched him in the face and knocked him out."

"Come on kid. Don't be slow. You got stabbed in the stomach but then broke the sword by touching it. And then you punched a guy I wasn't able to hurt at all. And to be fair, I'm pretty sure I'm literally billions of times stronger than you."

Touma squinted in irritation.

(Yeah right. Who the hell does this guy think he is?)

"My name isn't kid. It's Kamijou Touma. And I don't think I feel comfortable explaining anything to some bald western comic book fan who might also be some sort of pervert."

A large vein resembling a lightning bolt appeared on the left side of Saitama's head.

"Kid-"

"Touma."

"...Touma...for the last time. I am not a pervert. I'm a freaking superhero! Look at the damn cape!"

"Then prove it. Show me your 'super powers.'"

Saitama stared at the unbelieving Touma for about a second. He detested his use of air quotes.

"Fine!"

Saitama ran back a few steps. He crouched down and leapt so fast into the air it appeared that he disappeared before Touma's eyes. A radius of about half a meter was cracked. After a few seconds, Saitama descended towards the ground.

"See?"

Touma continued to fold his arms with a very unimpressed look on his face.

"What? I just showed you my super strength. You can't doubt me now."

"There are literally millions of different esper abilities that allow you to elevate yourself into the sky and replicate the effects of super strength. Offense Armor, the ability to manipulate nitrogen particles. Reflection, the ability to manipulate directional forces-"

"It's not freakin' Reflection! It's 100% pure super strength that I obtained from a very intense workout regimen! 100 push ups! 100 sit ups! 10 km running! Every single day! Then I ate a banana afterwards! I slept in the hot summer without the AC and slept during the harsh winter without a blanket to build the mental fortitude to handle such power! But most importantly, I didn't quit! I stayed on my schedule everyday for three years before obtaining unimaginable, incomprehensible, immeasurable strength! I even went bald because of the incredible amount of stress I went through! So don't freaking tell me I'm not a damn superhero!"

"What kind of lame ass origin story is that? I bet you spent like five minutes coming up with that one. The workout's not even that intense. You sound like some sort of public service character that's trying to teach kids the benefits of exercise. What sort of naive child do you think I am?"

Saitama grit his teeth and clenched his right fist.

"So is super strength your only 'superpower?'"

"Oh. Well, I guess super strength and durability and a little superspeed. Although I think that last one's still part of my super strength."

"I mean, you'd still be moving at speeds well beyond normal human capabilities so it's still superspeed."

"Makes sense. But my main thing is punching things really hard."

"Seriously?"

"Like, super hard. I could easily shatter the biggest building here."

"You know, I'm willing to believe that but I just don't see the point in the get up. I think it's a little much. I don't mean to sound rude but dressing like that is just asking for trouble. Creeps everywhere are looking for reasons to gang up on someone."

"For the last time, I'm a superhero."

Touma looked at the shirt in his lap for a moment as if lost in thought.

"Things like heroes are unnecessary."

"Huh?"

"Sure, having some super amazing person solve all of the problems you can't sounds great but that's just a fantasy. Reality isn't so nice that it offers cheap solutions like that. But if there's someone in trouble and you have the power to help them, then shouldn't that be reason enough? Can't you save someone if you're standing right there, at that very spot?"

Saitama stared blankly at Touma as he continues to speak.

"I mean, sure. Everybody wants to be brave and strong or be blessed with some talent but not everyone's fortunate enough to get that blessing. That's just not the way things are. But is that even necessary? Having super strength, speed, wit. Do you really need those things in abundance to want to make a difference? Or to even make a difference period? Isn't it enough that you have the power to make a positive difference in someone's life even if you're scared?"

For the first time since they met, Saitama deeply contemplated what that boy had said. He looks to his right and scratched his cheek with his index finger, making sure to carefully phrase himself to express his philosophy.

"Well. Yeah. I guess you're right there. The power doesn't define the hero. Matter of fact, it's how you use it to the benefit of society that draws the line between hero and villain. Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to be a hero of justice. But...I guess you don't have to be brave like you said. Or courageous necessarily."

There was a brief pause.

"In fact, you could be totally emotionless but I guess as long as you get the job done, you know, saving people and shit, then that's all that really matters. You know, doing the right thing I guess sometimes there are greater things than any one person's emotions."

Saitama gaze at deep blue sky and saw clouds slowly moving through the air. He reminisced about the day he decided he wanted to be a hero, when he was just a little boy. And then he thought back to three year prior when he decided to quit job hunting to follow that dream. In that span of time, even if he's lived a life of mediocrity or normalcy, the passion to serve the greater good quietly grew in his heart. It started as an ember that spiraled into a great flame that could no longer be ignored.

When he thought about it, he saw a bit of himself in the young boy before him. In that he too would help those in need in spite of his weakness.

Saitama did not want to become a hero to be strong. He became strong because he wanted be a hero.

(Maybe that kind of drive in and of itself is another kind of strength.) Saitama thought as he squinted.

"You know, for some kid, you're pretty profound. Does this-"

"Oh wait," Touma said abruptly.

"What is it?"

He looked down on his lap with eyes opened wide and his pupils dilated.

"I totally forgot that you were from another dimension. I thought you were just a screwball in a onesie."

The wind blew during an awkward pause.

"Hey kid. Anyone ever tell you're kind of an asshole?"

Touma sighed and hung his head low.

"A fair amount, yes, but with fists rather than words."

"Well, don't beat yourself up over it so much. Just try maybe not being such a-"

"...Being such a what?"

After a few seconds, Touma looked up. Saitama seemed to longer be present. He scanned the perimeter. The alley and the surrounding area were completely devoid of people. Lonely cars and police tape were left in their wake.

"Oh no…" Touma said in an irritated manner. "Not this shit again."

"So, that's the kind of greeting I get, huh?"

On his left, a tall red haired figure wearing a black priest robe walked towards Touma. He balanced a cigarette between his lips as the smoke traveled past the barcode tattoo under his right eye.

"Good. That's the way it should be.."

"You know, this whole "We're allies but that doesn't meant we have to like each other" thing is a bit played out Stiyl. You're starting to come off as some sort of cliche anime rival."

The two meter tall magician placed the cigarette between his index and middle fingers. He took it out of his mouth, exhaled then sighed with his eyes closed.

"Save your childish insults for someone who cares. I believe you know why I'm here, correct?"

Touma's mouth hung open for a moment before dropping completely and letting out some sort of choking noise.

"Uh…"

"So I take it you don't have Oswald's Saws."

"UH…"

"*Sigh* This is why I smoke…"

"Y-yeah, w-well fighting off magicians isn't exactly the healthiest thing to do around, hence my current state."

"I don't recall asking how you felt."

Touma slightly gritted his teeth. A vein appeared under his right cheek. He then put on a smug smile and took on a patronizing tone.

"You know, you should be a little more thankful. This is like, what? The third time I've been stuck doing your job for you?"

"...Out of coincidence."

"Right, sure. But was it a coincidence that you didn't just use whatever spell or doohickey that allowed you to track the saws in the first place instead of just coming here to berate me?"

"I did, for your information. I couldn't just waltz right in with all of these Anti-Skill and Judgement officers around. That'd be starting an unnecessary fight while possibly allowing the target to escape. So I did the smart thing and set up a people clearing field so that anyone unnecessary would leave the premise. But I only set it up from about a third of the entrance of the other side of the alley and around here. Nobody would be able to get close enough to see us.

"Abicus is now surrounded by more security than before. So unless Academy City's security forces are more incompetent than my initial suspicion, then we should be good until the end of this conversation."

"So how did you know I was here? Did Tsuchimikado tell you where I was?"

" I didn't ask. *Inhale*"

"Then how did you know where to find me?"

"I saw a hospital van. I assumed you'd be involved somehow. Now, I'm only here because using your Imagine Breaker would make it easier to destroy the saws. Once I execute Abicus, the rest will be left to you."

"Is it really necessary to kill him? "

"Stop asking stupid questions, we're short on time. I'll activate another people clearing field so that we'll be able to get him alone. Get off your lazy ass and follow me."

"For your information, I was stabbed in the stomach."

"Knowing you, you probably did it to yourself."

Touma raised his finger to argue but sighed and stopped himself.

He looked at the plastic bag on his lap. He took out the shirt from the plastic bag and ripped apart the plastic case. He hastily threw on the shirt and struggled to squeeze his head through the top without unbuttoning it. He whipped the covers on his lap off and, after he grabbed his side with his right hand and grunting, hopped off of the hospital bed leapt out of the hospital van, landing in front of Stiyl.

"Well, alright then," he smoothly said with a look of determination in his eyes. "I don't like how this has to end but I guess it can't be helped. Now, if you're done harassing me, we've got a bad guy to cat-"

An ear splitting noise cut through the air. The ground beneath them shook and threw them off balance. An enormous cloud of black raised from the end of the alley.