Chapter Four:

Yoichi sat in front of an empty bar, sipping a mocktail. He didn't drink alcohol when on a job—better if he could get the other party drunk instead. The bar had glowing lights running along the walls and half a dozen tables with red chairs, all deserted. Hisashi owned this place, and he'd ordered it closed for the meeting.

The door opened. Yoichi looked up as the vigilante leader entered. Gearshift was short and muscular, with red spiky hair and crimson eyes. He wore a cameo uniform with gauntlets that he used to shoot bullets. The equipment complimented his ability to change the speed of small objects, hence his vigilante name Gearshift. His face would not be called conventionally handsome, but Yoichi had always preferred faces that looked like they'd lived interesting lives. Gearshift had a crooked twice-broken nose, white scars creeping up his neck, and thin lips twisted into a scowl. His small eyes darted in all directions, his posture wary. From reading his file, Yoichi knew that the vigilante leader's real name was Kaiji, last name and family background unknown. Kaiji believed he was meeting All for One to discuss information sharing between their organizations to mutually thwart the military.

Raising his glass, Yoichi said, "Please sit down, Gearshift. I'm pleased that you accepted my invitation."

Grunting, Kaiji took a seat. "I'm only here because you promised me information on my captured people."

Yoichi winked. "Oh, I can do better. We raided a military van less than an hour ago to break our people out, and we freed your vigilantes too while we were at it. They're unharmed and still have their metapowers." Yoichi had ensured that with a word to Gigantomachia. Hisashi didn't have any interest in allying with the vigilantes, seeing them as weaklings skirting around the edges of the conflict between metahumans and the government, too cowardly to commit to a side. But Yoichi believed the self-proclaimed heroes had potential. At the least, they had truly good intentions. If only people like them had been around the day his art studio and home had burned, everything might have been different. "You can make a phone call if you don't believe me."

Kaiji reached into a pouch on his vest. (Yoichi noted where the vigilante leader kept his phone.) Kaiji read some text messages, then his shoulders relaxed slightly. In a grudging tone, he said, "It seems that I owe you enough to hear you out, All for One."

The vigilantes and All for One's forces had largely not come into conflict, but they were not on the same side either. All for One was in a state of war against the government of Japan. The vigilantes were focused on protecting civilians caught in the crossfire. Generally the vigilantes looked down on All for One as a criminal boss, which Yoichi considered unfair since vigilantism was illegal too. Being weak and disorganized, the vigilantes avoided direct conflict with either All for One or the soldiers enforcing military law. But lately, the vigilantes had been uniting under one man: the man reluctantly sitting next to Yoichi at the bar.

As usual, Hisashi had Yoichi impersonate him on less important missions. It was extremely unlikely that the vigilantes would agree to work with someone they saw as a criminal mastermind, even against their shared enemies in the government. However, Yoichi was determined to succeed when not expected. An older brother had his pride.

Yoichi asked, "What would you like to drink?"

Kaiji grunted and pulled out a wine flask. He clearly didn't trust the drinks in his enemy's bar, which was fair enough.

"I called you here to discuss sharing information about government movements," Yoichi said. "But frankly, that's not important enough to deserve my personal presence."

"You want us to join your side." Kaiji's hand tightened around the flask as if he longed to throw it in his enemy's face. "We're not interested. We won't swap information with a shitty would-be dictator, either."

"I have no intention of taking over Japan like a comic book villain," Yoichi said. "That's a lie spread by the government to discredit me. I intend to obtain enough power to force the government to negotiate better terms for metahumans." Hisashi kept insisting that the whole government was on the verge of collapse and he might need to take over, but Yoichi considered that to be wishful thinking. Even if it did come to that, of course Hisashi would need to restore a democratic government to Japan in the long term.

Flatly, Kaiji said, "Save it for someone who buys your bullshit, All for One. If you have nothing else to say, then we're done." He started to rise.

Yoichi grabbed Kaiji by his collar and pushed him back into his seat. Surprise let him get away with it. Leaning so close that their noses nearly touched, Yoichi purred, "I have a great deal more to say to you, Gearshift. I have a hefty respect for your accomplishments, or I wouldn't have graced you with my valuable time. You've taken a minor metapower and turned it into a combat threat. The military still doesn't realize you're the one who destroyed their Okinawa laboratory, so you know how to keep a low profile. Most importantly, you've united every vigilante worth having in this city. That means you've taken a step beyond your fellows in spandex and started to think long-term." Though he was being flattering, he was not insincere. Yoichi had a soft spot for vigilantes dating back to his childhood comic days. He would prefer to ally with them or at least avoid conflict. Gearshift was his favorite for taking a weak power and figuring out how to use it to the maximum effect, as well as sincerely doing good for the city.

"If I had a plan, I'd hardly tell it to you," Kaiji growled, but the anger seemed to be a reflex. His eyes had gone wide.

Yoichi chuckled at that adorable expression. "The government of Japan is no longer legitimate since they declared a state of emergency and suspended elections. The military has replaced the police to rule this city, yet still failed to restore order. Not only metahumans but everyone suffers from the supply chain issues, food shortages, and brutal law enforcement. More people turn to me than to the authorities when they need help. Revolt is in the air…and something must replace the old order when it falls or Japan will collapse into chaos." He straightened Kaiji's collar. "Will you vigilantes help me save this country?"

"The problem is," Kaiji said softly, "I don't trust you." He yanked away.

"Then you're banking on our lethargic lawmakers to come to their senses." Yoichi shook his head. "That seems very unlikely. At least my side isn't actively trying to murder yours. I know you're smarter than this. You've thwarted ten of my operations and I didn't even realize it was you until later in eight cases."

"Flattery won't get you anywhere with me, and I don't see why you'd bother," Kaiji snapped. Color rose up from his neck to heat his face.

That blush seemed to be from more than merely embarrassment. Oh, how interesting. Yoichi could use this. "You owe me for saving your precious friends from torture, so you promised to listen to me without covering your ears." Yoichi grabbed Kaiji's hands as if to stop him from putting them over his ears, but actually it was an excuse to caress his thumb. He earned a shiver in response. "This world has gone to hell. I started my organization after my house was burned down by a hate group and I nearly died. You and everyone who works for you probably all have similar stories. We're past the point of fixing this with peaceful protest. Change is coming, and if you want a say in how that happens, then you need to pick a side. I don't recommend the government. They stab people like us in the back. If you don't pick, then at the end of the day you heroes won't be good for much more than rescuing cats stuck in trees."

Kaiji was shaking his head, trying to speak. But Yoichi talked over him. "Look into my eyes. I swear I want to save Japan, just like you." Yoichi stared straight into the vigilante leader's crimson eyes and let his admiration show plainly in his gaze. Kaiji went still and transfixed. Slowly, Yoichi leaned in. The other didn't pull away. Not even when Yoichi placed his hand on Kaiji's neck, a cross between a caress and grabbing his throat. Yoichi whispered into Kaiji's lips, "You can't change the world if you won't get your hands dirty. Sometimes to do good, you need to be a bit flexible. Let those rigid morals of yours slip a little, and I'll make it worth your while."

When Yoichi slammed his mouth down, Kaiji's lips parted with soft surrender. He shoved the vigilante leader backward against the bar to plunder his mouth. Biting that soft lower lip one last time, Yoichi withdrew and smirked at his handiwork.

Kaiji's face was a red blushing mess and his lips swollen. Hoarsely, he said, "I'm not interested."

"Oh, I think you are." Yoichi cast a significant glance at the bulge in the vigilante's cameo pants.

Though he'd expected more blushes and a frantic denial, to his surprise, Kaiji snort-laughed. "I don't have any interest in letting you take over my organization, but I have to admit…you look goddamn amazing in that coat." Kaiji lifted up Yoichi's hand and kissed the back of it. His tongue darted out, and Yoichi gasped.

Kaiji had heard the gasp. Yoichi could tell by the smirk on the vigilante's face. Not about to let it end like this, with him at the disadvantage, Yoichi lunged forward. Kaiji moaned into the kiss and tugged on the soft white hair, bringing them closer. Hot pants filled the room. Yoichi kissed his way down that muscular neck, laving his tongue on the scar over the pulsing jugular. It gave him pleasure to feel the evidence that the vigilante's heart was racing, because he knew his own must be, too. Yoichi felt impish enough to suck down and leave a mark, a bit rude perhaps, but such should be expected from a villain. It won him a delicious moan.

"My turn," Kaiji murmured. His eyes gleamed red-gold in the soft light. He nibbled on the tip of Yoichi's earlobe with a maddening gentleness. Kaiji seemed to love Yoichi's hair, digging his fingers deep and breathing into it. They attacked each other's lips by mutual agreement, a battle of tongues.

The moment balanced on a see-saw. Neither of them pulled back and neither of them moved their hands downward. Yoichi wanted to take it even further, to take back control, to win. It was not like him to be the one wanting instead of the one who left other people wanting more. He felt intrigued and maybe even impressed.

"Now you've gotten a little taste of what I have to offer," Yoichi whispered, nipping Kaiji's neck. "I'll be in touch…next time I have something I want from you." Then he strolled out of the bar.

Once out of sight, Yoichi pulled out the phone he'd stolen from Kaiji during their make out session. Time to take this to Dr. Garaki and see what information he could get off it. He always succeeded in his missions, one way or another. But it was a pity to end like this. If not for the stolen phone, the bodyguards ready to storm the building if he took too long, and who he was pretending to be, then Yoichi would have been tempted to drag the vigilante leader upstairs and see if he could make that tight ass loosen up. (Figuratively or metaphorically, Yoichi wasn't picky about positions.)

Yoichi did not plan to tell his brother about exactly how he'd gotten this phone. Even twins didn't need to share some things. Besides, the story would never get back to Hisashi since Kaiji would never tell anyone that he'd kissed All for One.

Kneeling with his forehead to the floor, Kaiji said, "I'm very sorry. I kissed All for One."

Sitting with his legs crossed, Sanzou groaned and pinched his temples. "All for One? Really? I know we have rules but I would have been happier not knowing about that." Kaiji and Sanzou had a polyamorous relationship. They were both allowed to fool around with whoever they pleased as long as they used protection and told each other about it. Both of them were open to dating another person separately or together, but they lived busy lives and they'd yet to find someone serious.

Lifting up his head, Kaiji said, "I had to tell you right away because the bastard stole my phone."

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck…" escaped Sanzou's lips. Sparks from his power Fa Jin danced down his arms. His pineapple hair stood even more on end than usual. "Argh, I should overthrow you and take over as leader."

"I would deserve it." Kaiji lowered his head again.

"You should have known better. Do I even have to tell you that All for One is a no?" They'd agreed to give each other veto power over anyone they didn't feel comfortable about their partner sleeping with. "I can't believe I have to tell you of all people that All for One is vetoed. Didn't you say just yesterday that you thought he might be an even bigger danger than the government? Ugh. Do you still have Gearshift?"

"Yes, I checked right away." Kaiji tossed a penny in the air and made it rise in slow motion.

"That's a relief." Sanzou rolled his eyes. "I understand that bad boys have their appeal, but can't you date another guy with tattoos and a motorcycle instead of our mortal enemy who could steal your metapower by touching you?"

Kaiji turned bright red all over. "I didn't mean to! It just happened! He was being all not sociopathic and…articulate."

"Please tell me you weren't won over by All for One's villainous monologues. You might need to have your head examined."

"And it seemed like he really liked me."

Starting to get worried, Sanzou demanded, "You do realize he pretended to like you long enough to get his hands on your phone? Surely you're not still under the delusion that he cares about anything except what he can get from you. He's All for One!"

"Look, I swear this has nothing to do with the kiss, but do you think All for One might be redeemable?" Kaiji scratched his head. "He seemed genuinely sincere when he was talking about the greater good of Japan. We could have misjudged him. What if he started his organization to help people and got a little off-track?"

Sanzou leapt to his feet. "That does it, I'm taking you to the doctor to be examined for head wounds or effects of a metapower." As he dragged Kaiji by his ear, Sanzou added: "Since it apparently needs to be stated, I'm adding a new rule to our relationship: no kissing All for One!"

Hisashi was in a brilliantly good mood on account of his adorable twin brother, who had stolen valuable information all for his sake. The pesky vigilantes had been planning to intercept a shipment of military weapons. Hisashi made it there first. He slaughtered the soldiers, briefly entertained himself by letting a couple stragglers run then hunting them down, and finally examined his spoils. There was a new tank! Yoichi was going to get such a large birthday present for this. Hisashi would smother his twin with hugs and kisses as soon as he washed all the blood off.

Taking a moment to pose on top of his new tank, Hisashi declared, "I am death, destroyer of worlds!"

A tree branch broke, drawing his attention. A dozen shadowy figures moved in the forest. A man with spiky red hair stood in the front, gaping at Hisashi with his mouth hanging wide open.

Hisashi tilted his head "More soldiers?" His eyes flickered down to the standard cameo costume of the local vigilantes. "Oh, never mind, you can run away. Shoo." He waved his hand. Yoichi wanted to remain on good terms with the vigilantes, still believing he might be able to turn them into allies. Hisashi had his doubts, but after such a great gift he was in the mood to indulge his twin. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time Yoichi had pulled out gold from the trash.

The vigilante leader looked at Hisashi with an oddly disappointed expression. Perhaps disappointed he hadn't secured the tank, or that he could never in a million years be as cool as a villain. Then the vigilantes turned and vanished into the forest.

Sitting on their shared bed, Kaiji said, "Whoa, you were right, All for One is an irredeemable asshole."

"I'm always right," Sanzou said. At the nightstand, he undid his ponytail. "Seriously, though, you already knew that."

Kaiji shook his head. "I feel like a veil has been lifted off my eyes. Before he seemed so charming…but this time he just monologued like a dumbass high schooler with too much power. He didn't even remember me…I thought I'd at least made a bit of an impression…I guess you were right, and he lied to get my phone. Ugh, I've learned my lesson about charismatic villains. It won't happen again."

Behind the bluster, Sanzou recognized sincere hurt in his lover's tone. Damn, All for One had really gotten to Kaiji. Rising, Sanzou went over to the bed and hugged him. "You're amazing, and the indifference of a jerk doesn't change that. I'll help you find someone new to distract yourself from the disappointment, okay? We haven't done a threesome in a while. That will take your mind off the ugly jerk."

Into Sanzou's arms, Kaiji muttered, "Thanks. I swear I'm completely over All for One. The shitty asshole didn't do anything for me tonight. I don't understand it. His features were the exact same, so why did he seem so handsome the other day and so ugly tonight? Do you think I could have been under the influence of a charm power?"

"I've been wondering that too," Sanzou admitted. His lover's reaction had seemed very out-of-character. Especially because Kaiji had always been open and loud about his low opinion of All for One.

"It's the only explanation for why All for One seemed like a completely different person to me." Kaiji took a deep breath. "I'm going to have to come clean and tell the others about what happened at my meeting with All for One. They need to be prepared, and we need to have a group meeting to figure out if All for One's new charm ability works by touch or eye contact."

Unfortunately for Kaiji, it quickly became apparent from future fights and encounters that All for One did not have a charm ability. In lighthearted mockery, the other vigilantes on his team added a new rule to their whiteboard specifically addressed at their leader: No kissing All for One.

Hisashi had just concluded a meeting with his lieutenants concerning the upcoming attack on the Special Power Military Team. One soldier had a mole ability he had his eye on, perhaps to give to Gigantomachia. He expected them to leave promptly so that he could go home and share his experiences with his twin as usual, then cuddle on the couch watching television. Instead, they all seemed to be collecting their pens and closing their laptops with unusual slowness, eyes on him anxiously.

Clenching his fist, Hisashi growled, "Whatever it is, spit it out."

The terrified man to his right stammered, "M-master, it's about the vigilante leader…we wanted to know if we needed to handle him carefully. Not that we're planning to pick a fight with the vigilantes right now, we have our orders. The orders that came in right after you met him one-on-one. We all really, really want to know if we'd die slow and painful deaths if he accidentally got injured in battle."

The entire room seemed to be holding their breath waiting for a reply.

Hisashi blinked. "Who's leading the vigilantes again?"

His minion looked surprised. "He goes by Gearshift."

Someone in the back murmured, "Savage…"

"Oh, right." Hisashi remembered people by their metapowers. Gearshift was a weak speed-changing ability that didn't even work on large objects. Many times before, he'd instructed his people to avoid killing someone with an ability he wanted to steal. That must be why they were asking. But he had no particular interest in taking such a weak power. "He only has a peashooter. I don't care what happens to him."

Everyone in the room choked. The same person gasped, "Savage!"

Considering himself delayed enough by this nonsense, Hisashi left while they were muttering among themselves.

All for One's minions, who had heard rumors of their boss seducing the vigilante leader, had been wondering if they needed to handle their boss' new fling with kid gloves. However, not only did All for One not remember Gearshift, he'd even referred to his dick as a peashooter. The minions had no idea what on earth that meant—too small? But wouldn't a peashooter be large? Did it mean too big? Or a funny shape? Was it a reference to premature ejaculation? However, they could clearly tell that Gearshift had not satisfied their master in bed.

As the rumors spread, Kaiji could only continue to futility tell people that it had only been a kiss, All for One had never even seen down there!

Kenta Iguchi still wasn't quite sure how he'd ended up on the Special Power Military Team. He'd been born with a mole mutation that gave him oversized hands with very long claws and fur all over. Probably for this reason, he'd been abandoned at an orphanage as a child. Everyone acted scared of him. He'd always tried very hard to keep his mouth shut to hide his pointy teeth and make no sudden moves around people. But when he'd been fourteen years old, he'd been arrested by a policeman while fleeing from a riot. Although he'd been uninvolved, no one had believed him. No one had even listened to him. His public attorney had barely bothered to speak in his defense and he'd been tried as an adult. Kenta spent the next two years in prison before a man in a suit and sunglasses offered to get him out if he agreed to join the military.

With barely a moment of hesitation, Kenta had accepted. It had seemed like his only chance to live. As a scrawny sixteen-year-old with a mutation, he'd been bullied so badly by the other prisoners that he'd been sent to solitary for his own protection. He did not think he had much to offer the military but apparently his mutation was considered powerful. He could dig a hole through solid metal with his claws. He'd attracted government attention when he'd broken out of his cell in a fit of insanity after spending nearly a year in solitary confinement. The man had a talked a lot about how he'd be saving Japan and told Kenta to pretend that he was eighteen.

Now Kenta slept in a room packed with a dozen bunkbeds full of other metahumans and trained nonstop. He felt very scared but at least he was being fed regularly.

During the middle of a training session, the lights went off.

While those around him shouted and stumbled around, Kenta reacted by instinct. He'd been in a prison riot before. The sudden lack of power gave him the same bad feeling. When he'd first come to this base, he'd scoped out hiding places. Kenta ran out into the hallway. Alarms were flashing. He ducked into a closet. First he threw a tarp over his body, then he crouched down behind a giant metal furnace. The heat would hide his body from most tracking abilities. A row of mops and brooms would deter anyone not willing to make the effort of moving them. Kenta had also arranged the mops so that it looked like there wasn't any space behind the furnace to an outside observer.

Hunkered down and breathing quietly, Kenta waited.

The screams were distant at first. Kenta placed his hands over his ears, his claws digging into his hair. He had no particular loyalty to the military but he hated to hear others in pain. His overly sharp teeth gnawed into his own skin.

Loud footsteps came from the hallway. Someone screamed, "It's All for One!"

Kenta trembled. All for One was a boogeyman. A lot of people didn't think he existed. But at the whisper of his name, the military forces retreated. It didn't matter if All for One was alone or accompanied by his followers. The man alone was an army.

Slow, steady footsteps followed the fleeing people. More screams came closer. Kenta shook harder. By now he could hear the blood hitting the walls outside.

Someone shouted, "I surrend—" The words were cut off by the ripping of flesh and a body hitting the floor.

Still those dreadful footsteps came closer, without hurrying. If only the monster would hurry up and pass.

The closet door opened a crack. By primal instinct, Kenta froze. He didn't even breathe. It felt like even his blood had stilled in his veins.

A shadow cast on the wall: a giant of a man with a trench coat billowing around him. Eyes glowed red in the darkness.

The closet door closed. The footsteps retreated. Still Kenta did not dare breathe. Silent tears rolled down his cheeks.

Although Hisashi and Yoichi usually watched anime together on weekends, work came first. Hisashi would be taking on the Special Power Military Team today, and he never let Yoichi go near serious danger.

Yoichi had total confidence in his brother's strength. But as he leaned back on the sofa and turned on the television, he felt a bit lonely. He decided to wait up so that he could greet his brother when he returned and maybe analyze his new metapowers together.

Briefly, Yoichi wished he could see that attractive vigilante leader again. Even days later, Yoichi still remembered that kiss. He wished he'd met the man as himself. That would have simplified making contact again. Was there some way Yoichi could pretend it had all been a misunderstanding and he'd never meant to be mistaken for his twin, then reveal his real identity?

Only a handful of the most high-ranking people knew that All for One had a brother, and only Dr. Garaki and Gigantomachia knew about the swapping. It would be very foolish for Yoichi to reveal himself to a hostile vigilante just because the man happened to be a good kisser. The world was full of good kissers. What a shame that Yoichi only wanted this particular one. If Kaiji had joined their side, then maybe Yoichi could have persuaded his brother to let him in on the secret. But his offer had languished unanswered. Yoichi supposed Kaiji must be upset about the stolen phone, because he knew himself to be an amazing seducer. There had definitely been reciprocated interest.

To distract himself, Yoichi jotted down ideas on how to use metapowers in his notebook. He tried to think of interesting uses for his future enhancement or regeneration ability. But there simply wasn't much to do with such a boring power.

Yoichi supposed he ought to be happy that he was getting a metapower, even a weak one. He'd asked his brother for so long. But Yoichi had a feeling that Hisashi had been lying to him about something. He knew his twin like his own mind. The faint shadow of guilt had lurked in eyes identical to his own.

For hours, Yoichi debated with himself. Just before the laboratory would close for the night, Yoichi donned his black coat and high heeled boots.

Hisashi did not knock, so Yoichi pushed open the door to the laboratory. "Ah, good. You're still here, doctor. I'd like a printout of my brother's test results."

Dr. Garaki swiveled around in his chair. "Easy enough, master." His eyes watched Yoichi's hands.

For the last half a dozen times Yoichi had pretended to be his brother in front of the doctor, every single time, Yoichi had twirled a lock of his hair at the start of his act. He'd left this fake tell partly because the doctor enjoyed guessing right so much, but also partly so that he would be able to guarantee success when he truly needed to pretend.

Yoichi's hands hung slack. The doctor's gaze relaxed. He pressed a button on the computer. The printer hummed to life. "It won't take long to print. Don't leave it lying around, you don't want Yoichi to see. What do you need it for?"

With great effort, Yoichi kept his face from showing his horror. Don't leave it lying around, you don't want Yoichi to see. He'd already suspected, but having it confirmed still struck him like a gut punch. The hypocrisy was sickening. Hisashi had always insisted that Yoichi had no right to secrecy or privacy because they were twins. Apparently it didn't go in the other direction.

Yoichi tossed off a careless smile. "Oh, I simply want to double-check before finding a metapower for my little brother. He's so weak and fragile." Yoichi was fully aware how his brother talked him down (and lied about their birth order) behind his back.

Dr. Garaki snorted. "If you want me to tell the fool he's too weak for any power, then I'll mock up some tests. He doesn't deserve anything from you."

This time, Yoichi could not keep the shock from showing on his face. He had not realized that Dr. Garaki scorned him behind his back. He'd thought they were friends. The doctor noticed. "My apologies, Master. I know how much you love him, useless though he may be. He doesn't understand the extents to which you've gone to ensure his survival and comfort. You're a good older brother for dragging around that deadweight." He handed Yoichi the papers.

It was all Yoichi could do not to scream about how many times he'd uncovered information for his brother or kept Hisashi from making a boneheaded mistake out of arrogance / desire for a metapower. Also who the hell was the younger brother here? Instead, he swept out of the room with a haughty head toss. Once alone, he collapsed against the wall. His fingers trembled on the paper. Slowly, he looked down and read.

The frown on his face shifted to an angry snarl.

Sanzou opened the tent flap. "I've settled our new members in. Most of them aren't fit to leave the medical tent."

Kaiji nodded. "Thank you. You're as efficient as always." Arguably it was strange that he dated his second-in-command, but their relationship long predated the vigilante organization. They'd started as vigilante partners. Sanzou always said that for there to be an imbalance of power, he'd need to actually get paid for this job. As matters stood, there was little hierarchy among the vigilantes. Any of them could leave at any time. They were more like a pack of wolves who came together when they had a larger target they wanted to hunt down. It would be a challenge to integrate the fleeing former military members into this structure.

"Hey, are you sure about this?" Sanzou lingered at the doorway. "By taking in the surviving members of the Special Power Military Team, we're challenging All for One." It went politely unspoken that All for One would probably not even consider them enough of a rival to be called a challenge.

Kaiji sighed and leaned backward in his chair. "I'm not sure, but this is the right thing to do. A lot of them were in bad situations and forced to join the government. There's a sixteen-year-old kid in that group. If we throw him out, we can't call ourselves heroes. Now is the moment when we have to decide if we're worth more than rescuing cats stuck up in trees."

Sanzou nodded. "Yeah, I couldn't throw out the kid either. Since he seems to have the metapower All for One wants the most, we might as well take in the rest too."

"It's not only altruism," Kaiji said. "All for One told me that if we wanted to become a player in this game and change this chaotic world, then we need strength. He might have turned out to be less impressive than I initially thought, but he was right about that. The military gathered some of the strongest metahumans in the country. If we want to stand a chance, then we need them."

"If you're planning to take on All for One in earnest, we'll lose some people with the most survival instinct."

"I'll write a speech for tomorrow."

Sanzou snorted. "Oh, planning to drive off even more people then?"

Kaiji threw an eraser at his partner.

OMAKE TIME!

Omake: The Minions Talk Part Two

Minion #1: The boss has seduced so many people he can't even remember their names by the next day.

Minion #2: Savage!

#

Omake: Meanwhile Back with the Vigilantes

Kaiji: I really can't understand how much All for One changed after the first time I met him. Is there any chance he has an identical twin?

Sanzou: I would mock you even more for that stupid theory but I feel sorry for you. All for One's people have been taunting us that their leader said you have a peashooter.

Kaiji: Uh, what does that even mean?

Sanzou: I have no idea. But our people are retaliating by claiming that All for One fell head over heels in love with you and then insulted you because he got dumped.

Kaiji: You've been doing what?

Sanzou: We can't fight the rumor about your peashooter with claims that you never slept with him because that's boring. We need an even spicier rumor to spread faster.

Kaiji: You don't understand, I don't want more rumors about me and All for One. I want this all to die down.

Sanzou: It's far too late for that. Especially now all the vigilantes have joined in on the rumor spreading.

#

Omake: Alternatively, Behind the Fourth Wall

Third: Whoa it's such a disappointment that Yoichi is a villain in this AU.

Second: …

Third: I said WHOA IT'S SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT THAT YOICHI IS A VILLAIN IN THIS AU!

Second: I think I'm into it.

Author's Note: Kaiji is the Second One for All user and Sanzou is the Third One for All user. As of the time I'm writing this, they have no canon names. This is my first prequel fic after I found out both of their canon quirks, which I will be using.

Check out my amazing commission, from Poysean, a very talented artist with lots of Yoichi/Second art at a href=" /Poysean5" /Poysean5/a. I love it! Villain Yoichi looks very cool and menacing. I adore the colors and shading. Delete the spaces to get the link:
tumblr.
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aimportantdragoncollector/718487986752356352/a-sneak-peak-of-the-next-chapter-of-the-devils

Technically Yoichi should have short curly hair in this scene. But if he does then he looks exactly like All for One, and AFO/Second is my NOPT. Therefore, I made an executive decision to take artistic license and give Yoichi the long hair of his soul. He looks way better this way. Artistic license solves all problems.