Chapter Five: Reigen II

"Man, what is with this place?"

The place he's trapped in is a superpower society just like out of his Caped Baldy manga. They have rankings and merchandise and everything.

Can spirits isekai you into manga?

No. No. The names mostly imitate Japan. They aren't named after letters.

But geez. Quirks seem to have messed with people's brains because it seems to reduce a lot of people to the mentality of children. How does this place even function? Insurance must be through the roof. People must regularly be left homeless when their homes are collateral damage. And work hours – is probably fine. Office workers don't need to be in the office nearly as long as they do.

Reigen's stomach grumbles. Urg. He's been wandering for too long.

He opens his wallet. The bills are still wet. He takes a ten thousand yen note out and alters between fanning it and blowing on it in a poor attempt to dry it faster. What is he doing? It should still be legal tender.

He goes into the store and at the check out says, "What do you mean it's not real money? Hideyo Noguchi is on it right there!" Not to mention the serial numbers authenticating the bill.

"Who?"

A lot of people don't know the people on their currency. Reigen tries to explain but the cashier and the person in line behind him look even more confused.

"I'll just go."

He must have gotten lucky with the coins earlier. The shape and weight must have been enough.

He isn't proud of it, but searches for some kind of a food bank, soup kitchen, or shelter. He doesn't make much money from Spirits and Such Consultation Office, but it's enough to get by. A fact he prides himself on.

He swallows his pride to use those services. Better fed then dead – not that he would die that quickly from a lack of food.

"You're kidding me." Apparently, access to these services are nearly impossibly without valid ID.

Reigen is cold, without food, and he'll probably be sleeping on the streets at this rate.

He thinks about going to the police, but what is he supposed to say? Hey, I'm not from around here? I swear my ID and money isn't fraudulent? He still has flashbacks from the insurance company not believing his fire claim while the rest of Seasoning City was being destroyed – and that was broadcasted!

He turns down an alley, considering his options, when he sees a group of kids. Late elementary? Early middle school? He can't tell.

"Quirkless loser." One kid kicks another into the brick wall.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"

The fallen kid keeps his head down but the other four turn his way. "Oh, it's just some hobo."

He'll admit he isn't looking his best, but isn't that a bit too far? And even if he is currently homeless, he's still their elder. "You really have no manners. More importantly, you can't go around beating people up."

One of the kids approaches and aims a kick at him.

Snot nosed brats. "Self-Defense Block!" Reigen side steps the kick and catches his foot causing the kid to fall on his back.

"Hahahaha. How could you lose that easily, Suoh? Weren't you bragging earlier that you're going to be the next All Might? Your strength means nothing if you can't even land a kick."

Suoh's face lights up bright red. "I will be!" He finds his way back to his feet.

All Might? Was that some kind of a hero name? "You want to be a hero?"

"What kind of stupid question is that? Of course, I want to be one. I will be one."

"If you want to be a hero then become a good person first." Reigen points down to Suoh. "No self-respecting person beats on others. And you—" He points to the rest of the crowd. "You're not any better. Beating someone you go to school with isn't cool." Their school uniforms give it away.

"Who does this geezer think he is?"

"What are you going to do? Tell our parents?"

Reigen considers telling them that he can curse them, but then remembers Mob's concerned reaction when he let a client believe that before.

"What's so great about your quirks?" He adopts the language easy enough.

"Is that why you're defending him? You're a quirkless loser too." The quirkless kid's shoulders tense.

How does he always end up in these situations? At least this is a small enough problem. He wouldn't be able to fight against a world dominating threat on his own.

One of the kids starts bragging. "Of course, they're great! Suoh gets stronger with each strike. Takuma has night vision. Ichiro can find anyone from a picture, and I can regrow limbs."

To steal a quote from Mob, "And that still won't make you popular. You can get stronger through basic exercise." Even someone like him can boost his strength. "Lights exist for a reason. Technology makes it so night vision isn't required. Databases and CCTV can find people too. In this day and age most people can easily be found." Right, not his home. It should still be the same though. Hopefully. "And regrowing your limbs means you have to lose it in the first place. It would be in your best interest to stay in one piece.

"If you don't respect your elders, and you don't respect your peers, then there will be no one left to look up to you."

"You. You." Iricho and Suoh look to each other sheepish at being torn at. Takuma is speechless, and the kid bragging is fuming but unable to form coherent words. "Let's get out of here."

Reigen walks over and offers the beaten kid a hand. "You alright?"

"Thanks." He brushes the dirt off his uniform.

"The bullying is concerning. You should tell your school, but don't let their words get to you. Even quirkless nobodies like us have bright futures." Reigen pats the boy's shoulder.

"You're really quirkless too?"

"100% There's much more to life than having a quirk. They've let their quirks blind them, but you don't have to let theirs blind you too. Keep studying, explore your interest, and everything will work out in the end."

The boy sniffles holding back tears. "Thank you for helping." He bows and walks off.

Now to get out of here. Reigen still needs to determine a plan of action.

That is until some sketchy man approaches him with a work opportunity. Sketchiness exists on a scale though. He used to be a salesman. He knows. So, he's willing to at least heat him out. It doesn't need to be permanent. Maybe just enough to keep him fed until he finds Tome and Serizawa.