Ochacko Uraraka leaned her head against the countertop, empty bottles littering the pub's tables and counter. The wood felt cool under her forehead, but she couldn't stop wishing it was colder. She gazed into her glass, and her reflection stared back as she traced the cup's rim with her finger. Her Navy uniform drooped from her figure as if it was weighed down by stones in its pockets, but she couldn't be bothered to join her peers. Instead, Ochacko stayed at the dimly lit corner of the bar, away from all the laughter and melody.
All that hard work and toil. So much ambition, so many expectations. All for naught. Not even the slightest hint of recognition from her superiors, just an impoverished glass of sake she could barely afford. She felt the tautness of her uniform fabric and its inadequacy shielding her from the harsh reality of her plight.
She'd seen the advice many times before: train harder than anyone else, and you'll get ahead. She pulled her hands away from her sword scabbard, letting them clench into fists. She'd spent countless hours honing her stances, breathing techniques, and swing arcs – never aware that it would all be useless compared to someone who could fire energy blasts with just a thought.
Ochacko growled as she scanned the pub; everyone seemed to thrive while she struggled to stay afloat. Her eye soon caught a short, green-haired man at the bar. His worn cloak and air of confidence didn't match his unassuming outfit. He smiled appreciatively around him as he savored every bite and sip with a sparkle in his eyes, effortlessly enjoying life's small moments.
"Lucky bastard," Ochaco whispered.
Unfortunately, he seemed to sense her staring. His head perked up, and he glanced over his shoulder, focusing on her. Her chest tightened, and she looked away. His smile was bright enough to blind her, but the crinkles around his eyes told her he knew exactly what he was doing. He returned to his meal, eyes sparkling.
Did he not catch that? He must've, he wouldn't turn around otherwise. Or maybe he didn't hear her. Perhaps he was so high off life that it didn't matter.
She clenched her fist. Why? How was he so...
content?
She was torn from her thoughts when an arm wrapped around her shoulder rather forcefully. The man in uniform grinned at her with a flushed face, drink in hand, "C'mon Ochacko, live a little!" She watched as the other marines laughed and joked about. "We got the whole gang today! We all could use another drink or two!"
Ochacko sighed, "I'm not in the mood today, Hanta."
His permanent grin grew as he patted her back reassuringly, "If it makes you feel any better, not all of us Devil Fruit users get those promotions!"
A faint glimmer of comfort broke through her bitterness as she watched Hanta sip his sake, juice dribbling down his chin. She took a deep breath and tried to swallow the bitter envy that churned in her gut. "No offense," she said, smiling wryly at Hanta, "but not all devil fruits are made equal."
Hanta laughed, "Touché, but ouch." He then gestured to the man at the bar, "I noticed your little confrontation. That your lucky charm?"
Ochacko slowly turned her head, drinking at the sight of the mysterious green-haired man. His face was aglow with contentment as he savored every bite of steak with a glass of warm milk by his side. She felt a strange tugging sensation within her chest before finally tearing her eyes away from the lone diner, "He just... looks so happy."
"He does look like he's enjoying himself, doesn't he? You know what they say, 'When life gives you lemons.'"
"You make lemonade." She finished.
"I'd prefer a cocktail, but whatever floats your boat."
Ochacko snorted, "You guys are a bunch of drunks."
Hanta shrugged his shoulders, "What can I say? I like a good time. But I like it better when everyone has a good time." Hanta grinned mischievously, "Life's short, especially as a Marine. You gotta make the most of it."
Ochacko nodded slowly as she processed his words, "Thanks for the offer, Hanta, but I think I'm just gonna go back to HQ." She raised her glass, "For what it's worth, you did cheer me up. Thanks."
His grin turned to a melancholy smile, "Just doing what I can."
They raised their glasses with a resounding tink, "Cheers/Cheers!" They both said. Both parties chugged the rest of their sake, and Hanta let out a satisfied sigh, "That hit the spot! I think I need another!" He turned to walk back to the Marines, "See ya, Ochacko! Get back safe."
As he returned to their comrades, Ochacko's smile faded, and a frown took place. Hanta was a great guy, but no amount of distraction could help her clear her mind. She looked around the bar, flickering candlelight falling on the faces of her crew, their happy conversations bouncing off the walls. Everyone seemed so carefree and content with having each other as a family. Meanwhile, all Ochacko had was misery; while it was a familiar company, she knew not to indulge in it too much.
Speaking of, when was the last time she saw her parents? It had been two years since she joined the Marines, though it felt like an eternity ago.
Her stomach grumbled as it did so often these days. She was used to hunger, having gone without meals on more than one occasion to save money. Perhaps it was just the alcohol talking, but Ochacko couldn't stand being there any longer.
She began to walk away, her tired feet nearly dragging as she tried to remain balanced when, suddenly, the bartender presented a steak before her. The smoky aroma tickled her taste buds and made her stomach grumble louder. The temptation of a full meal was tantalizing, but the guilt of accepting something for free weighed heavily upon her.
"Excuse, sir, but I didn't order anything."
The bartender smirked and pointed, "It was a generous offer from Mr. Playboy over there."
It was the green-haired man. He offers a smile and walks over to her. "I noticed you eyeing my meal earlier," he said with an easy smile.
He gestured for them both to sit as he fixed up two glasses of warm milk and placed them on the table before them. He then handed out some utensils and looked intently into Ochacko's eyes.
She couldn't meet his gaze, "You didn't have to do that, you know. I was just about to leave."
"Nobody has to do anything, and who says 'no' to a free steak," he patted his belly, "Besides, I got two more orders waiting for me, so it's no problem."
Ochacko eyed him from head to toe. He didn't seem like much of an eater, "How do you-"
"Name's Midoriya Izuku." He interrupted, "As for how I knew, let's just say I have a knack for reading people."
Ochako snickered, "Actually, I was gonna ask how you eat so much food."
His cheeks flushed as he rubbed the back of his head, "Well, a man's gotta stay strong for the journey ahead. Can't do that on an empty stomach."
Logical but expensive, she thought. She questioned how he could afford such luxuries. Still, he was generous enough to lend a hand, so Ochako decided to humor him, "Really? And what do you do for a living?"
He rubbed his chin comically, "That's a tough one... I like to think of myself as..." He snapped his fingers triumphantly, "a superhero!"
This time, she audibly laughed. "If only being a superhero was a paid profession. You would certainly be my hero, but I have another question."
"Shoot," he said.
She raised her glass, "Why milk?"
"Well, you certainly don't need anymore to drink." He gestured to the empty sake bottles littering the counter, making Ochacko's cheeks burn, "Plus," Izuku flexed and patted his biceps, "It's good for the bones."
Ochacko giggled, "Well, thank you for the meal." She said before enjoying a small bite of the steak.
It was like heaven. She cut into the steak, anxiously watching as the juices oozed out. She took a bite and closed her eyes, letting the flavor linger on her tongue. She slowly savored every forkful, marveling at the deliciousness of each morsel. It was a perfect balance of spice and salt. The steak was so tender and juicy, like eating a cloud. It was so good she could cry.
Izuku chuckled as he cut into his steak, "I thought you'd enjoy it."
She took another, much larger bite, "Are you kidding! This is amazing! Thank you so much!" She looked over to Izuku, "So what brings you to Lougetown? The only people who come here are locals, Marines, and your occasional pirate."
His eyes widened at the word 'pirate.' How could she be so insensitive? Most people in East Blue hated pirates. Ochacko franticly waved her hands, "Sorry! I didn't mean to pry, but you seemed like a free spirit."
Izuku stared at her in disbelief before smirking, "No need to fret. I'm just visiting. Been at sea for a few weeks now and need to restock on supplies, maybe meet some new friends."
That made sense. Lougetown was a common stopping point for pirates headed to the Grand Line, but ever since Smoker took over, that had been fine. Nowadays, it was mainly Marine ships and your occasional trader, "Independent? Are you a sea trader? We haven't heard from any in months." She asked, surprised.
Izuku hummed while sipping his warm milk, "I am independent, but I wouldn't call myself a trader." His eyes glowed, "I prefer the term adventurer."
Ochacko stared at Izuku, her eyes shifting between curiosity and confusion. His expression was intense like a current of unseen energy was pulling him, "You're interesting," Ochacko said, her voice soft but stern. "But do you know what you're getting yourself into? The danger there is real. Pirates and bounty hunters lurking around any corner. Plus the celestial dragons..."
Izuku laughed, "Not to toot my own horn, but those guys couldn't catch me even if they tried!" He pointed to his midsection and continued, " I can feel it here. Sometimes you gotta break a leg if you want something in this world."
A danger lurked behind those words that she couldn't ignore. He stayed deathly still as Ochacko nodded, "So what would you risk for your... desires?"
"Tell me, Ochako was it? Can I ask you something?"
She saluted, "Uraraka Ochako at your service. And sure! I've asked plenty. By all means!"
"Answer me this." Izuku's eyes narrowed, and his mouth cramped like an orchard. "Are you willing to put your life on the line? For your dreams?"
A rush of energy flowed through Ochacko's body, a giddy disbelief that echoed in her chest like she just had to do something or more like she could do anything. But this was something entirely out of her realm of understanding.
"For my dreams...?" Her voice trembled as she repeated his words.
Izuku nodded slowly. His eyes were like burning embers in the night. A knot formed in her stomach. She hid behind the cup, taking a sip of her milk. She had always been taught to be cautious and to measure the risks before taking any significant actions.
And yet...
"I... think so," she said hesitantly. "I'm a Marine." She looked at him, brow furrowing, "And why don't you join? You'd be a hero-"
Izuku slammed his fist down on the bar with a roar. "That's not how they operate!" He shouted out. "Justice and order are different things!"
Ochaco felt heat fill her cheeks as she quickly surveyed the area. Everyone nearby was watching their confrontation. Izuku lowered his head, obscuring his face behind a curtain of hair, "I'm sorry," he muttered. "I didn't mean to make a scene."
She leaned closer to him, lowering her voice as his words echoed in her mind. "If you oppose Marines, why did you help me?"
His shoulders shrugged noncommittally as he fiddled with the barstool beneath him. He spoke in a whisper, barely audible, over the cacophony of the room. "You needed help," he replied, continuing, "Heroes act; Marines follow orders."
Everything seemed to freeze around them as the two locked eyes. Ochaco dug deep within herself to keep her stare steady - yet he would not back down. A deafening silence descended on the room as if they were the only two in a timeless battle of wills.
"Orders? What kind of orders?" she asked.
He leaned closer to her. "A contract," he said softly, "A price on safety. A line not to be crossed." His words hung in the air like smoke around them both, "I don't need lines."
The implication of his answer made her stomach turn, and her hands twitch for the handle of her blade. "Don't forget who you're talking to," she warned.
"Trust me, I'm well aware." he said, smirking, "But tell me, Ochaco, what are your dreams?"
She blinked several times, unable to comprehend this sudden swerve in the conversation. After what seemed like forever, she shook her head to clear her thoughts and offered a guarded reply, "My dreams?"
He nodded, "Your dreams."
She had never taken the time to consider her dreams. Since childhood, all she had wanted was for her parents to provide for her parents and create a stable world around her. But was that enough? Was it too generic of a hope? To shallow? And should she even discuss these thoughts with this man before her? He came across as an idealist, even extremist, but his conviction was absolute.
Plus, he did buy her some food.
She twirled a lock of her hair, "Well, I guess my dream is to make a difference in the world," Ochacko said slowly. "To be a part of something bigger than myself."
Izuku's eyes lit up with understanding. "Noble, but it takes more than wanting," he said quietly.
She's always understood that. She enlisted in the Marines to bring absolute justice and peaceful serenity to the world, as their mantra promised.
To make the world safer for them.
A challenge in her voice, she met his gaze, "I know, and I think I'm ready."
Izuku frowned, "Why do you only think?"
Ochako bit her lips, "I guess...I'm just not always sure," she admitted.
Izuku nodded thoughtfully and leaned back in his stool chair, "You're humble, but you're lost. A hero isn't defined by the sum of their power, but by the sum of their heart." he pulled out a notebook and flipped through its contents. From whence it came, she didn't know.
He continued, "Royalty, Marines, pirates, bounty hunters. It's a big world. The question is... " He slid the notebook across the counter, directly before her. "How will you leave your mark?"
Ochako stared at Midoriya's hero notebook—its worn cover and yellowed pages. It was filled with sketches of people, islands, and landmarks he'd encountered, plus notes about potential allies or enemies. There were even a few treasure maps! This wasn't any ordinary notebook; it was a real-life map to becoming a hero! Or vigilante, by Midoriya's definition. Intrigued, Ochako flipped through its contents.
"Creepy, I know, but you can never be too sure these days," Izuku said.
Ochaco gaped, "You did all this yourself?"
Izuku smirked, "It's a work in progress. Keep flipping."
She obeyed, analyzing each page. With every page turn, her brow furrowed, and his smirk grew wider. What did he want her to see?
"Stooooooop, there!" Izuku said. Ochaco looked at him, lips slightly parted. This one had the slightest detail out of all the pages.
What could it mean?
"Read what it says." He said.
"When there's nothing to be gained, rising to the challenge at those times is surely the mark of a true hero?" she read aloud. A name was signed under it, and her eyes widened, "Signed by All Might!? The Symbol of the Seas!?"
Izuku let out a hearty laugh, "The one and only!"
But how could someone who hates pirates have their personal journey endorsed by one? Unless there was something he'd been hiding...
Ochako's face froze in a stare, "Izuku... Are you-"
"A filthy pirate!"
A record scratched as the diner door creaked open, a tall figure silhouetted against its light. Every face in the joint turned as polished boots with engines tapped against the tiles. The man was dressed in blue and armor, a badge with kanji for justice near his heart, and glasses hiding a stern face.
A set of technological tools hung at his waist, organized in an orderly fashion. From his specially designed boots to his neatly styled hair, every detail about this guy was disciplined and controlled.
Ochako's gaze intensified as she scooted an inch closer to Izuku. She watched him stand firmly with his shoulders back and chin up, unflinching under the other's scrutiny.
He cast his gaze around the room. Everyone had frozen in place, their eyes glued to him. His eyebrows raised to his hairline, and he pantomimed, gesturing back to himself.
Tenya jabbed his finger in Izuku's direction, "You're the scallywag I'm lookin' for! Midoriya D. Izuku!"
Izuku frowned, "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
He bowed with a flourish, "I'm Tenya Iida of the Iida Family! I've been sent to apprehend you for your crimes!"
The diner came alive with chatter.
"No way! He's related to Tensei!? Is that his younger brother?" said a Marine bar patron.
"He must've taken over after the incident..." said Hanta.
Ochako glanced between the two. You could cut Tenya's leer with a knife, yet Izuku seemed unfazed by the accusation. Should she intervene? Her mind tells her to follow her duty. But her heart was a rebellious soul and a courageous fighter.
In the end, her heart won the battle.
"And you..." Tenya continued, "You need no introduction!"
Swiftly, he pulled a wanted poster from his pocket and held it high.
WANTED
Monkey D. Luffy
Dead or Alive
฿30,000,000
"Deku! The infamous vigilante pirate!"
That... certainly was not Izuku. However, the name "Deku" did ring a bell. It reminded her of 'dekiru,' and he fits the definition. He had the can-do attitude of a rookie pirate, or as others would say, the arrogance of one.
Her eyes darted between his notebook and her new... friend? Deku was a brash newcomer to the East Blue who had caused a ruckus in Orange Town after singlehandedly defeating a slime man with a bounty of fifteen million beri. He had become infamous for charges of destruction of property, resisting arrest, but mainly, his vigilantism...
Plastic clacked as Izuku brought out a pair of round glasses, adjusting them as he examined the wanted poster. His eyes darted back and forth between the photo of a dark-haired boy with a straw hat and the description beneath. Narrowed eyes lit up as he said, "Ah, I see the problem." He removed his glasses and grinned, "That's not me. Hope that helps."
Tenya scowled fiercely, "You can't fool me, buccaneer!" He adjusted his glasses, lights reflecting off the lens, "These eyes miss nothing!"
"You might need new glasses," Izuku said.
Tenya struck out with a vicious chop that caught him off guard. His reflexes were quick, and he managed to jump back just in time, though the surprise on his face was still evident.
"I fear you're the one who's mistaken!" Said Tenya, "Make it easier for all of us, and come with me!"
Ochako looked around the room, taking in her fellow officers and the civilians looking on. She saw that Izuku was dug in, and Tenya wouldn't budge either. Resigned to her duty, she sighed. "Mister Iida, with all due respect…" She said, throwing a glance at Izuku before turning back to Tenya. "That really isn't him."
Tenya's eyes widened in disbelief, "Even a Marine officer such as yourself is taking up for this lawless brigand?"
"No, she's right, man." Said Hanta, "That's definitely not him."
Tenya rubbed his temples and sighed heavily before shouting desperately, "I can assure you it is! Look! It clearly says here, 'Wanted! Dead or Alive, Monkey! D! Luff….'"
His expression dropped into defeat as he slumped onto his knees with a thump, "Curses! A public humiliation! In front of this outlaw, no less!"
Ochako tried to stifle a laugh as she watched Tenya's misery. Despite his overreacting tendencies, she couldn't help but feel a smidge of pity for him.
Moreover, were his accusations true? Her eyes flicked back to Izuku. The notion that he could be a pirate tangled itself into a knot of disbelief in her gut. He had been nothing but amiable, a far cry from the brash and reckless pirates she'd heard of. Even if he were a pirate, Smoker wouldn't have hesitated to take him down; the man was a human lie detector when it came to sniffing out lawbreakers. Pirates might be cunning, but subtlety was rarely their calling card.
Izuku eyed the bounty hunter with mild amusement before turning back to Ochaco, "Anyways, it's still a work in progress, so-"
"DON'T IGNORE JUSTICE!" Tenya shouted robotically as his arm waved erratically, "You may be free-spirited, but you're still a wanted man, and you're coming with me!"
"Wanted?" a blissful sigh left his lips, "It is nice to feel needed."
"Don't play dumb with me!" Tenya proclaimed as he began rummaging through all of his pockets. Wanted posters littered the ground as he frantically searched for the one he was looking for, "Drat! I know it's in here somewhere..." he mumbled.
Tenya's face scrunched up in confusion before he raised another inaccurate wanted poster for a man named Kai Chisaki. The room fell into a silent pause before breaking into chuckles and laughter. Ochako watched him battle embarrassment. However, she held back her snickers, her heart sunk with sympathy. Poor guy.
Tenya flushed a deep shade of red. "This is no laughing matter!" he shouted, flustered, pulling out another wanted poster. He threw it onto the table for all to see: "The proof is upon this paper! This criminal is dangerous!"
The room had suddenly turned into a sea of suspecting faces. All gazes trained on Izuku. She noticed a brief flare of emotion in his eyes—annoyance? Pity?—before it disappeared again.
Wanted
Dead or Alive
Roronoa Zoro
฿60,000,000
Ochako furrowed her brow in puzzlement, casting a quizzical glance at Izuku, who responded with a nonchalant shrug. Despite standing in the crosshairs of serious accusations, he seemed strangely unflappable. Then again, Tenya was utterly convinced that Izuku was embroiled in criminal activity. Those with the most to hide often donned the most convincing masks of innocence.
Taking it from the table, Izuku studied the poster as he had the last one. "This guy looks pretty cool," he said with a grin. "Must be pretty tough to have a bounty like that."
Tenya stared at him incredulously. "Are you serious? You're just going to stand there and admit you're a wanted criminal?"
Izuku smirked, "What can I say? When life gives you lemons, become a pirate." He winked at Ochaco, and her cheeks warmed. He slid the paper back to Tenya. "But seriously, I'm not this Roronoa guy either."
His face lit up with surprise, and he flipped the poster in his direction, "Roronoa...?"
He again fell to his knees, "Perhaps I do require new lenses..."
Izuku patted his back, "We do both have green hair. Happens to the best of us." He jumped out of his chair and said, "It's been fun, but adventure is calling my name!"
Leaving? Already!? After everything, he dropped on her? Heroes don't usually leave behind the people they 'save,' yet he was off in a rush. She noticed his notebook still in her hands. "Hey, wait-" Ochaco tried to call out. But before she could get a word out, Tenya grabbed Izuku by the wrist hard enough to prevent him from leaving.
Izuku attempted to shrug him off, but his clutch only tightened, "Mean grip there, big guy!" he said cheekily, voice laced with sarcasm.
Tenya slowly stood up and faced Izuku with seething anger growing beneath his skin, almost as if he were boiling. His voice dropped an octave lower as he said, "Do you think this is some kind of joke?"
If it was, no one was laughing anymore. For all his charisma, few would actually tolerate it when the joke was on them, and Tenya had reached his limit. Back and forth, Ochacho's eyes darted between the two, neither showing any sign of backing down.
She held Izuku's journal in a vice grip against her chest as she and the patrons observed their stare-off. Reputation, justice, and pride were on the line, but if you asked Izuku, the line never existed. The only line he saw was grand.
Something heavily conveyed on the pages of his notebook...
His expression dropped slightly, "I'm just here to have fun." said Izuku.
"At an expense for peace?" He slowly dug through every pocket in his coat until finally pulling out the wanted poster for everyone to see. "Vigilantism, piracy, destruction of public property, impersonating a Marine officer, resisting arrest, harboring fugitives..."
Meanwhile, Ochaco had an epiphany. She flipped back to the cover page of Izuku's notebook, which contained his name written in kanji:
「出久」
It spelled out Izuku, but if you rearrange the last symbol...
「デク」
Deku...?
WANTED
DEAD OR ALIVE
MIDORIYA D. IZUKU
฿10,000,000
The crowd stared at one another in disbelief. The breeze fluttered the paper, sucked in from the edges, and flung about as if caught in a typhoon.
Every patron in the bar now had their eyes on Izuku. Some were in awe, some in shock. Marines already had their hands on their swords, ready to call the attack.
"Your actions have been deemed unlawful. You cannot remain unpunished while others bear the cost of your misdeeds."
Izuku's eyes fell from the poster and down to the ground. His lips lacked color, and his green hair fell in his face like a curtain. He quickly bit his lip, and his eyebrows narrowed.
"As I said." Tenya grabbed a pair of stone handcuffs from his utility belt and strapped it around Izuku's wrist, "You're coming with me."
He glanced down at the cuffs. "And if I refuse," said Izuku.
"I'll simply make you."
A bead of sweat rolled down Izuku's temple. He slowly surveyed the room, taking in every individual's expression, mainly hesitant faces and bulging eyes that seemed to be on guard, and stared back. Others exuded unadulterated disdain. Even through all the shock, one look remained prevalent in their gaze.
Fear.
His eyes softened, and the crease on his forehead vanished. He nodded, "Fine." he said, "I'll go."
Ochako shifted, a lump forming in her throat. Something about this guy... Deku. So carefree, yet cautious. He'd never surrender on his own, but amid a crowd, his resolve was no less steeled, but his goals seemed to change.
He may have proved criminal, yet Ochaco felt a strange pull inside her, urging her forward. She tugged at Tenya's sleeve, but his eyes were wide and unseeing. She tried to pull him back, but he shook her off with a sharp arm jerk.
"Still defending this scum?" asked Tenya.
Ochako struggled against the urge to speak up, her tongue biting hard against the inside of her mouth. Tenya's grip around Izuku's wrists constrained his movement, and she felt a weight in her chest as they departed. But then Izuku turned back, and all other details faded away—all that was left was the tenderness of his gaze upon her.
It was as if the whole world had ceased to exist, and only they remained in a vacuum of time and space, connected by something far more significant than words could describe. Izuku's eyes shone mysteriously, making Ochako shiver as their gazes intertwined.
She had never second-guessed the typical perception of a pirate: brash, reckless thieves driven by selfish motives. At first glance, Izuku fit the bill. But there was something different about him—something magnetic. He was audacious, unpredictable, and oozing with a charisma that gave him the aura of a comic book superhero. It was as if he was a man who could face any peril without blinking.
A man who could save the world, all while wearing a smile.
His gaze lingered upon Ochaco for a moment before turning towards Tenya again, a broad grin on his face, "Welp, I had a good run."
Tenya confined his other wrist, "Don't think so highly of yourself. We'll be taking our leave."
Everyone's eyes followed the figure of the departing pair until they could no longer hear their trailing footsteps. It took another few seconds for someone to finally release a heavy sigh, which was the cue for everyone else in the room to release a collective breath of relief. Almost immediately, conversations started up again as if nothing had happened while all the lingering whispers went unnoticed.
Ochako stood alone at the empty bar, her eyes unfocused. She knew too little about Izuku already, but to think he'd simply walk away from it without any explanation? She steadied herself against the bar and sauntered out after them, hands shaking and heart pounding in her chest.
Ochako would be damned if she let that man walk free after tricking her like that. She needed to know more. Much more.
Curious eyes ogled the two men as they walked down the street. The stark contrast between the young man beside Tenya and the distorted figure on the wanted poster was disconcerting. The air was tense, yet the pirate beside him displayed an alarming lack of concern. This disconcerting ease clashed vividly with the dynamic image that adorned Izuku's wanted poster, which Tenya had studied meticulously earlier.
In the poster, Izuku was captured mid-battle, his eyes ablaze with an unwavering resolve. He was lunging forward, fist extended, as he took on a monstrous, sludge-like villain, the background a chaotic swirl of debris and smoke.
That visual suggested a hardened criminal, a man of action and danger. It evoked a sense of urgency and threat that was starkly absent in the casual demeanor of the person walking beside him. It was unnerving, to say the least, and it left Tenya wrestling with an uneasy question:
What other complexities were lurking behind that disarming smile?
"Can you take off my handcuffs now... People might get the wrong idea," he said with a wink.
Tenya sighed and sighed, "You pirates have no tact."
He hummed thoughtfully, "Tact is overrated. Who's to say when you've crossed a line?"
"Perhaps read the room." Tenya said, "Not everyone tolerates such gaucheness."
For the first time, his smile dropped, replaced by a somber look, "I'm well aware. Thanks."
Tenya gave Izuku a sidelong glance. The young man's emotions were difficult to read. He was like a chameleon, constantly adapting to his surroundings. It was unnerving, and despite himself, Tenya couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him. He cleared his throat and looked straight ahead, "We're almost there."
Izuku's eyes flicked towards him briefly before returning to scan the bustling street. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in how he held himself that suggested he wasn't a stranger to this situation. Tenya watched as Izuku's eyes darted around, taking everything in. Perhaps he was searching for an escape route or a weakness to exploit. It was a possibility that couldn't be ignored.
Deku's face contorted with a sudden ferocity as he inhaled deeply. An explosive, "ACHOO!" shattered the air, accompanied by a sharp dink.
Tenya recoiled in shock. He could've sworn that sneeze was powerful enough to cut through stone walls. His arms flailed mechanically, "Mind where you detach your mucus!" He said, "This armor is costly!"
Izuku sniffled, "Sorry," He wiped his nose, "That surprised me too. Someone must be talking about me."
Suspicion crossed Tenya's mind like an eclipse. Could this be trickery? Izuku's sniffles said otherwise, but pirates are known for their deceptive skills.
Izuku's nostrils flared and twitched, "Damn. Now my nose itches like crazy."
Tenya's expression softened slightly, "Well, we'll be at the station soon enough. You can take care of it then."
"But I can feel another sneeze coming any second. Don't you have a handkerchief or something?"
Tenya recoiled, "Why would you assume that!?" he said.
"Do you not have a handkerchief?"
"Not for scum like you!" The audacity of these pirates never ceased to amaze Tenya. "You could, at the very least, ask politely."
"Fine." His usually jovial countenance changed to sternness, and his eyes narrowed into a glare. "Sir!" He said, waving his arms robotically, "May I please have the honor of procuring your handkerchief?"
"Don't mock me!" Tenya said. "But very well." He reached into his shirt pocket, pulled a cloth, and handed it to Izuku.
Izuku smiled, "Freedom and allergies don't mix. Thanks." He blew his nose and handed it back.
Tenya grimaced as he tossed the snot rag in a nearby garbage can, "Don't thank me yet, pirate. We still..."
Wait a second...
"HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO ESCAPE YOUR CONFI-ACK!"
Before he could finish the thought, Izuku flicked him in the forehead with such force that he soared into an alleyway like a cannonball.
Izuku zipped down the street, cackling as green lightning crackled around him. He glanced back as he waved his previously cuffed wrists, the chain broken and dangling from them, "You should invest in some sea prism stone! Might do ya some justice!"
That dreadful no-good pirate! How could he expect class from a low-life criminal? A rumbling growl rolled up Tenya's throat as the turbines in his calves burst to life.
This would not go unpunished.
Wassup.
Okay, not every chapter is gonna have an author's note. Sometimes I have nothing else to add or say, and that's fine. The story should speak for itself; if it doesn't, I'll just improve on that. Anyway, I decided to double-upload chapters because why not? It hasn't been released in a long while, and I think it's a decent surprise. Once again, though, this chapter isn't the most exciting in terms of action, but I do feel it is necessary. How do you feel about it? Was there anything to improve on? Could anything be added? Taken away? An outside perspective is key for me when it comes to writing stories. It shows what works for the target audience and what doesn't, so I can incorporate my ideas into something that most people can appreciate.
I'm in the process of working on the next chapter. I've got all the main beats figured out, so now I just need to write them out and do A LOT of editing. I'm not really a fast writer, unfortunately. I get a little jealous of authors who can pump out long chapters and stories like it's nothing. Shoutout to 3PeopleInACoat, by the way. It's crazy how they can pump out quality writing in the timeframe they do.
That's all for now. Until next time dear readers.