Feels like it's been a while since we got the last chapter, huh? I'm glad to be back at it before the weekend comes around, especially since Easter is going to be pretty busy for me. I'm already doing quite a few short requests and focusing some time on "Reality" while also making sure I've got things with my job taken care of.
But anyways, it's time to get into the start of a brand new arc for "Through the Rough"! This arc will last about ten chapters. I've heard some of you ask if it's an Edens Zero arc put into the story, and I'd recommend you wait and see before casting any judgements. I'd also like to mention that I've put out a notice asking for possible scenes to be included in Season 3 and beyond of this adaptation. So if there's an idea you've got, I'd love to see it!
That's enough about all of that. Let's get back into the story!
"This can't be right! THIS CAN'T POSSIBLY BE RIGHT!" Müller yelled repeatedly and angrily to Drakken, Seth, and Diego, "That Master Code copy was only flawed because of Spider's incompetence!" he claimed out of frustration. They were inside a laboratory, with the mob boss crossing his arms over his chest as he listened on to the mad doctor's ranting. "My experiments are far more useful than that bastard with you-know-who!" he insisted firmly.
"Huh..." Drakken exhaled in frustration, "Tensai Nagai..." he began, causing the long-nosed researcher to flinch in fright upon hearing his real name, "you're light years away from doing what he did with the Nomu," he told him, "And furthermore..." he continued, approaching him as he nervously stepped back, "you've only got one good thing left in this game," he pointed out, glaring at him menacingly.
"A...And what's that?" the doctor stuttered in question.
"Hermit Mio, obviously," Drakken responded, giving off a grin.
"O-Oh, yes!" Müller responded with a stammer, regaining a sinister smile, "I can remake copies of the Master Code Quirk! Better ones even!" he proclaimed, "So long as you're willing to provide me test subjects, I can make up an army-!"
"Yeah, that's not happening," Drakken firmly interjected.
"...What?" Müller uttered out, quite stunned by what the mob boss was saying.
"Here's the deal..." he began to suggest, "Instead of using people like that damn Spider, you can use yourself," he advised, "I don't think anyone could use Master Code better than you," he pointed out.
"But... I don't even have another Quirk to use in battle with it..." the doctor noted, shaking a little.
"You've got machines, right?" Drakken inquired back, "So use 'em for yourself," he insisted while placing his hand up against the wall making dark blue markings appear along his fingers, "Otherwise, you'll be completely helpless if a hero shows up..." he pointed out before crushing the metal panel and forming it into a gauntlet over his arm.
"HEEE!" Müller shrieked as he stumbled back, "A-A-Alright!" he stammered out, "I'll do it!" he declared, bowing his head.
"Good," Drakken responded before walking off past him, "As thanks for your help, we'll give you some backup," he promised to his surprise, "Seth, Diego," he called out to his colleagues, getting their attentions, "you're on guard duty for this old coot," he told them, "If things go awry, erase all the evidence you need to," he added.
"E-Erase...?" the doctor stuttered in question.
"Understood," Seth responded.
"We'll take care of things however we need to," Diego vowed. Their boss left, giving off a final wave. Müller trembled for a moment before balling his fists angrily.
"That... dirty lowlife...!" he grumbled out, "He thinks he can mock me for my genius?!" he questioned in rage.
"Hey," Diego said, getting his attention as he looked to see him and Seth approach, "We need to get you ready for what's ahead," he pointed out, "What are you gonna end up doing?" he inquired curiously. The doctor's expression shifted into a crazed smile.
"Oh... I had the perfect idea..." he answered while chuckling.
"Huh..." Rebecca exhaled, unzipping her uniform in the locker room. Two days had gone by at the I.U.A. since Stain was apprehended. The police chief of Hosu, Kenji Tsuragamae, had visited to inform the agency about the situation. As Jaguar had described, the real story was covered up in the favor of Endeavor and Mirko being the ones to take down the Hero Killer. Though it was a lie, it had to be told to save the six U.A. students from facing harsh discipline in spite of their heroics.
The Leaper Quirk user was content with that fact, taking out her phone and looking through her messages. Most of them were from her female classmates, who were curious and concerned to know about what happened the night of the attack. She responded by telling them that she would say more when they returned to class. However, there was a person she was actively texting with.
Izu: I've raised my limit on One For All to about 10% now
At least for a little bit before I start hurting
Rebecca smiled. Her best friend was progressing quite well. Thanks to only having minor injuries from the battles in Hosu, he could still train for the rest of the week with Gran Torino. And he was getting stronger.
Becca: at this r8, u'll b the nxt all might in no time!
Izu: I hope so...
By the way, how are you and Yaoyorozu?
Becca: all good here!
momo's thinking of changing her costume a little aftr the internship
something less revealing, i hope...
izu?
Izu: Sorry...
Kinda needed a second to compose myself...
"Pfft...!" Rebecca laughed out, covering her mouth and giggling into her hand.
"Is something wrong, Bluegarden?" Momo asked, also in the locker room as she was putting on her hero costume.
"Oh, no!" the Leaper Quirk user responded with a wave of her hand, "Just texting with Izuku," she told her.
"Midoriya?" she inquired on as she blinked, "Is he still in the hospital?" she guessed out of concern.
"No, he's actually training with that Gran Torino guy he decided to go to," Rebecca replied, "In fact, I think he's doing super well," she mentioned.
"That's good to hear," Momo noted, "He did quite a bit for us that night..." she recalled.
"Yeah..." Rebecca agreed. Just then, she noticed the door open. Coming in were Itsuka and Setsuna, dressed in their costumes.
"Oh, hey!" the Big Fist Quirk user greeted as she and her classmate approached, "You girls been good with Jaguar teaching?" she inquired curiously.
"Definitely!" Momo answered with a smile.
"We've gotten super tough, especially with someone as strong as him leading us!" Rebecca added, flexing her right arm with a wink.
"Well, the guy used to be in the top ten..." Itsuka noted, while Setsuna took notice of the Leaper Quirk user's phone in her left hand, seeing that she was messaging someone, "He was even stronger than Justice at one point..." she recalled.
"Really?" Rebecca inquired curiously, "Well, I'm surprised he dropped so low in rankings..." she admitted.
"I think it's due to his violent nature when in that form..." Momo pointed out as she sheepishly scratched at her cheek, "Anyways, what have you two been up to?" she asked, "You've been working with Miss Holy, right?" she guessed. None of them noticed Setsuna detach her right hand and have it float over sneakily to Rebecca.
"Yeah, and we just uncovered something pretty big..." Itsuka told the girls, causing them to blink in surprise, "You heard about Hermit Mio, right?" she inquired.
"Oh yeah..." Rebecca recalled, knowing that she was the one Shining Star Hero who had gone missing.
"Well, we'd been helping Miss Holy investigate the Müller Royal Laboratories, where they thought she was being held," the Big Fist Quirk user explained, "And we finally figured out a location where this Müller guy might be," she mentioned.
"And maybe where Hermit is..." Momo concluded, putting her hand onto her chin. Rebecca took on a hardened expression. The Shining Star Heroes were some of her idols back in the day, and they were like sisters. If it was possible for her and her friends to save Hermit, then she'd want to do so.
All of a sudden, a camera flash went off, getting her attention along with those of Momo and Itsuka. They noticed a disembodied, floating right hand holding up a phone. And once the Leaper Quirk user noticed it was hers, she gasped.
"Heh!" Setsuna chuckled out, returning her hand to her arm with the phone, "Figured you were snapping a pic for boyfriend, so I decided to lend a helping hand! Literally!" she remarked to Rebecca, who was trembling with embarrassment, "Now to just send it..." she said, readying her left pointer finger.
"AH, NO!" Rebecca shrieked as she started to lunge out. Unfortunately, she was too late as the Lizard Tail Splitter Quirk user hit the send icon. "A-Ah..." she stammered, paling with fright.
"You're welcome!" Setsuna remarked, tossing her the phone. She caught it, having a blank, embarrassed look on her face.
"Um... weren't you texting Midoriya?" Momo inquired. Both Itsuka and Setsuna blinked in surprise, looking over at the Leaper Quirk user, whose whole body turned red. The picture sent was essentially of her cleavage.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" she shrieked in embarrassment.
"Kid, you alright?" Gran Torino inquired to Izuku, who was looking at his phone with an embarrassed look upon his reddening face. He stared at the picture of Rebecca he had been sent, blushing heavily. Ultimately, he managed to shut off his phone and pocket it.
"I-I-I'm fine!" he stuttered in claim.
"Yeesh..." the Jet Quirk user muttered out, "You kids are always on your damn phones these days..." he grumbled, continuing to trot on ahead.
"Huh..." Izuku sighed in embarrassment, wondering why Rebecca had sent him such a picture. He smacked his cheeks to recompose himself, taking a deep breath and hurrying off after his mentor. He assumed that he'd see his best friend back in class. Little did he realize that they'd see each other sooner for another mission...
And that's 42 chapters in the books! Hope everyone reading enjoyed and has a wonderful weekend to boot! Thanks for you continued support as always!