The city lights flickered beneath me as I stood on the edge of a skyscraper in Tokyo.
The air was cold, biting against my skin, but I barely felt it. Two years had passed since I left everything behind, two years of surviving on my own in a world that had shown me nothing but pain. I was fifteen now, no longer the weak, quirkless boy I once was. I had evolved into something darker, something that the heroes and villains alike would come to fear. My name was Nemesis.
My suit was a reflection of the battles I had fought and the life I had lived. It was a rugged, patchwork of materials, barely holding together but still functional. The once bright green fabric was now faded and torn, covered in scars from countless encounters. The boots were reinforced with metal plates, heavy and worn from running through the grimy streets. The cape, once long and flowing, was now tattered and frayed, fluttering in the cold wind like a banner of war. My mask was the most menacing part—black as the night, with jagged, dark green lines running across it like veins. The lines pulsed with the same dark energy that flowed through me, highlighting the cold, emotionless eyes beneath.
I sat down on the edge of the building, my legs dangling over the side, and slowly pulled on my mask. As it clicked into place, I felt a familiar calm wash over me. This was my true face now, the face of someone who had been pushed too far, who had seen too much. My true self had been hidden away for too long, and this mask was my way of showing the world what I had become.
Standing up, I looked out over the city, my eyes narrowing as I focused on my next target. The gang that I was after was known as the Crimson Serpents—a group infamous for human trafficking, smuggling, and a host of other atrocities. They operated in the shadows, far from the reach of the so-called heroes who were too busy parading around in their flashy costumes to care about the real issues. The police, those corrupt bastards, turned a blind eye to their activities, probably on the gang's payroll. Disgusting.
Activating One Above All, I leaped off the building, dark energy crackling around my form. With a flick of my wrist, I fired two dark whips from my palms, attaching them to nearby buildings. The whips pulled me forward, propelling me through the air with blinding speed as I soared over the city. My target was their base a rundown, fortified warehouse on the outskirts of Tokyo. They thought they were safe, hidden away from the eyes of the public, but they were wrong. Tonight, I would show them the price of their crimes.
I landed silently on the roof of their base, crouching low as I surveyed the area. The guards were scattered around the perimeter, their eyes scanning for any signs of intruders. I didn't give them a chance to spot me. I moved with the speed and precision of a shadow, slipping through their defenses unnoticed. They were just obstacles, and I had no time for obstacles. With a flick of my wrist, I dispatched the first guard, a quick, clean strike to the throat that left him gurgling in silence. The second guard went down just as easily, my fist slamming into his skull with enough force to shatter bone. I didn't spare any of them. They were criminals, scum who preyed on the innocent, and they deserved no mercy.
Inside the warehouse, the air was thick with the stench of sweat and fear. The walls were lined with crates, most likely filled with illegal goods, and the sound of muffled cries could be heard from deeper within. My fists clenched in anger. These bastards had taken so much from so many, but tonight, they would pay for their sins. I moved forward, my senses on high alert, the dark energy of One Above All thrumming within me.
It wasn't long before I encountered the first of the gang members with powerful quirks. The first one to step into my path was a man with muscles bulging unnaturally, his skin hardened to the consistency of steel. He sneered at me, cracking his knuckles as he advanced.
"You've got some nerve, kid,"
he growled, his voice deep and menacing.
"Coming here alone. You must have a death wish."
I didn't respond. Instead, I activated Shadow Step, my body blurring as I moved at incredible speed. Before he could react, I was behind him, my hand crackling with dark energy. I drove my palm into his back, sending a pulse of energy through his body. His steel-hard skin offered no protection as the energy tore through him, shredding his internal organs. He fell to his knees, blood pouring from his mouth, but I didn't stop. I grabbed his head and twisted sharply, snapping his neck with a sickening crack. He slumped to the ground, lifeless.
The second gang member, a woman with the ability to control flames, unleashed a torrent of fire in my direction. I reacted instantly, summoning the Dark Aegis, a shield of dark energy that absorbed the flames, leaving me unharmed. As the flames dissipated, I lowered the shield and charged at her. She tried to summon more fire, but I was too fast. I closed the distance in a heartbeat, my fist colliding with her chest in a devastating punch that sent her crashing into the wall. The impact left a crater, and she slumped to the ground, unconscious.
The third gang member, a man with the power to manipulate electricity, fired a bolt of lightning at me. I dodged it effortlessly, my body moving with inhuman speed. I countered with an Eclipse Beam, the concentrated blast of energy cutting through the air and slamming into him with the force of a freight train. He was thrown back, his body convulsing as the energy tore through him. I followed up with a Phantom Strike, a rapid series of high-speed punches that left him bruised and broken on the floor.
But it wasn't over. More gang members poured into the room, each one with a quirk more dangerous than the last. One of them, a giant of a man with the ability to manipulate his size, charged at me, his massive fist swinging down with the force of a wrecking ball. I ducked under the blow, my body moving with fluid grace. I countered with a Void Smash, my fist enveloped in dark energy as I drove it into his stomach. The impact sent shockwaves through his body, doubling him over in pain. I didn't give him a chance to recover. With a swift, brutal kick to the head, I sent him crashing to the ground, his massive form shaking the floorboards.
Another gang member, a woman with the power to manipulate metal, tried to ensnare me with chains of iron. I dodged the chains, using Shadow Step to move out of her line of sight. I reappeared behind her, my hand crackling with energy as I unleashed a burst of dark whips. The energy tendrils wrapped around her, tightening like a vise, before I yanked hard, slamming her into the ground with enough force to crack the concrete. She lay there, groaning in pain, but I didn't stop. I couldn't afford to. These people were monsters, and I was the only one who could stop them.
As the battle raged on, the warehouse became a warzone, the air thick with the sounds of battle. I moved like a blur, my body adapting to the onslaught of attacks, my mind focused solely on the destruction of my enemies. I took on one gang member after another, each one falling before me in a brutal display of power and precision.
One of the last gang members, a man with the power to create shockwaves while clapping, tried to blast me off my feet. But I was ready. I planted my feet firmly on the ground, channeling the dark energy of One Above All into my legs. As the shockwave hit, I absorbed the impact, using it to fuel my next attack. I leaped into the air, my fist crackling with energy as I brought it down in a devastating l Void Smash. The impact shattered the ground beneath me, sending shockwaves rippling through the warehouse. The man didn't stand a chance. He was crushed under the force of the blow, his body crumpling like a ragdoll.
The warehouse was in ruins, the walls scorched and crumbling, the floor littered with the bodies of those who had dared to stand against me. But I wasn't done yet. I could still hear the faint sounds of movement, the desperate attempts of the remaining gang members to flee. I wouldn't let them escape. They would all pay for their crimes.
I tracked them down one by one, using my enhanced senses to follow their scent, their fear. The last of them, a man with the power to manipulate shadows, tried to hide in the darkness. But I was the master of the shadows now. I stepped into the darkness, becoming one with it, and emerged behind him. He didn't even have time to scream as I drove my fist into his back, the dark energy tearing through him like a blade.
As the last of the gang members fell, I stood in the center of the carnage, my chest heaving with exertion. The warehouse was in ruins, the air thick with the stench of blood and sweat. But it was over. The Crimson Serpents were no more. I had done what the heroes and the police couldn't, or wouldn't, do. I had brought justice to those who deserved none.
Timeskip
Detective Tsukauchi Naomasa stood amidst the ruins of the warehouse, the remnants of a brutal battle clear in every shattered wall and bloodstained floor. The air was still thick with the stench of burnt flesh and charred metal, a grim testament to the chaos that had unfolded here just hours earlier. The scene was a nightmare—a grotesque painting of violence and destruction that even the most hardened officers found difficult to stomach.
Tsukauchi had seen many things in his years on the force, but this… this was something else. He adjusted the brim of his hat, eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene, trying to piece together what had happened. The rumors of a vigilante known as Nemesis had been circulating for a while now—a figure shrouded in mystery, striking fear into the hearts of both criminals and, it seemed, the authorities. But this was the first time he had seen the aftermath of one of Nemesis's actions firsthand.
"Detective," a voice called out, pulling him from his thoughts. Tsukauchi turned to see one of his officers approaching—a young man with cat-like features, his tail flicking nervously behind him. His name was Officer Yukihiro, one of the newer recruits, but sharp and reliable. In his hands, he held a thick file, the official report of the incident.
Tsukauchi:Give me the rundown, Yukihiro
Tsukauchi said, crossing his arms as he prepared himself for the details.
Yukihiro nodded, flipping open the file. His expression was grim as he began to read from the report.
Yukhiro:At approximately 0200 hours, we received an anonymous tip-off about unusual activity at this location. Upon arrival, we found the entire building in a state of severe destruction. Initial assessments indicate that the battle involved numerous individuals with powerful quirks. The level of damage suggests a combatant of extreme power, potentially on par with All Might in terms of sheer destructive capability.
Tsukauchi's eyes flicked to the walls, which were scorched and cracked, some barely standing. He'd already noted the crater in the center of the floor, and the way the concrete had been shattered, as if by a force beyond human comprehension. "Casualties?" he asked, though he already knew the answer wouldn't be pretty.
Yukihiro's ears flattened against his head, a clear sign of his discomfort.
Yukhiro:There are twenty-three confirmed dead, all members of the gang known as the Crimson Serpents. Their bodies show signs of extreme trauma broken bones, internal bleeding, burns, and what appears to be severe energy-based injuries. A majority of them were incapacitated before being executed, which aligns with Nemesis's known methods.
Tsukauchi's expression remained stoic, though his jaw tightened slightly. Nemesis's actions were precise, ruthless no one was spared. The vigilante had made a habit of leaving no survivors among the criminals he targeted. It was a brutal method, but effective, leaving a clear message that no one was untouchable.
Tsukauchi:What about the wounded?
Tsukauchi asked.
Yukihiro sighed, glancing at the report.
Yukhiro:We found twelve individuals who were in critical condition, all of whom have been transferred to the hospital under heavy guard. Their injuries are severe, but most are expected to survive. Their accounts are currently being documented, but initial interviews suggest they were victims of the Crimson Serpents' human trafficking operations. It seems Nemesis may have spared them, though they're all in a state of shock. They're terrified, not just of the gang but of Nemesis as well.
Tsukauchi nodded slowly, understanding. Nemesis didn't just kill he terrorized. The survivors were likely more afraid of the vigilante who saved them than the criminals who had enslaved them. It was a twisted irony, but one that Tsukauchi had come to expect in this line of work.
"What else?" Tsukauchi asked, sensing there was more to the report.
Yukihiro hesitated, his tail flicking nervously again before he continued.
Yukhiro:There were also significant quirk-related incidents. Several members of the Crimson Serpents had powerful quirks one could manipulate metal, another could generate shockwaves, and a third had the ability to grow to immense sizes. Based on the damage, it's clear that Nemesis fought and defeated all of them. The precision of the attacks suggests a high level of combat training and experience. The survivors mentioned seeing dark whips of energy and a figure moving at incredible speeds, taking down their captors one by one.
Tsukauchi's mind raced as he processed the information. Dark whips of energy… He'd heard rumors about those, whispers of a quirk or perhaps a modification of one. But the speed, the efficiency it was beyond what he had imagined. Whoever Nemesis was, they weren't just a vigilante; they were a force of nature, a hurricane that swept through the underworld, leaving destruction in their wake.
Tsukauchi:And the building itself?
Tsukauchi asked, gesturing to the walls.
Yukihiro nodded.
Yukhiro;the structural integrity of the building is compromised. There are deep cracks in the foundation, likely caused by some form of energy attack. The central area of the warehouse is completely destroyed, with evidence of a massive impact, possibly from a quirk or a weapon. The damage is so extensive that we'll need to bring in engineers to assess whether the building can be salvaged or if it needs to be demolished. It's clear that whoever did this was not concerned with collateral damage.
Tsukauchi looked around, his gaze lingering on the remains of the building. It looked like a battlefield, as if a war had been waged here, and in a way, it had. But this was no ordinary battle it was a massacre, one that left no doubt as to who the victor was.
He let out a long breath, his thoughts churning.
Tsukauchi:So, Nemesis, huh? Damn it, we missed him.
There was frustration in his voice, but also something else concern. He had been tracking Nemesis for months now, but the vigilante always seemed to be one step ahead, striking with surgical precision and vanishing without a trace. It was as if they were a ghost, haunting the underworld and eluding the law at every turn.
Tsukauchi's gaze fell on the shattered ground, the craters that dotted the warehouse floor.
Tsukauchi:This level of destruction… it's almost like All Might himself came through here,"
he muttered. The thought was unsettling. All Might was a symbol of peace, a beacon of hope. But Nemesis… Nemesis was something darker, a reflection of the world's ugliness.
He turned back to Yukihiro, a question forming in his mind.
Tsukauchi:There's something I've been wondering
Tsukauchi said slowly.
Tsukauchi:We've been gathering intel on Nemesis for a while now, and there's one thing that doesn't add up. There's a chance that Nemesis is actually still a child.
Yukihiro blinked in surprise, his cat-like ears perking up.
Yukhiro:A child, sir?
Tsukauchi nodded, his expression thoughtful.
Tsukauchi:Think about it. The way Nemesis moves, the height, the way he no, *they* have been described by the survivors. Everything points to someone younger than we've been assuming. A kid, maybe fifteen, sixteen at most. And if that's the case…
Yukihiro's eyes widened as the realization hit him.
Yukhiro:if that's the case, then Nemesis is a child soldier… someone who's been through hell and come out the other side as a weapon.
Tsukauchi nodded grimly.
Tsukauchi:Exactly. And that would explain a lot. The brutality, the precision… This isn't just someone out for revenge. This is someone who's been trained, conditioned to kill. But there's more to it than that. Nemesis isn't just a killer he's also a victim. And that makes him even more dangerous, because he's fighting for something deeper than just justice. He's fighting to survive.
Yukihiro swallowed hard, the weight of the detective's words sinking in.
Yukhiro:But if Nemesis really is a kid… what do we do, sir? How do we stop someone like that?
Tsukauchi's gaze was distant, his mind racing through the possibilities.
Tsukauchi:I don't know
he admitted.
Tsukauchi:But we can't just let this continue. If Nemesis keeps going down this path, more people will die. And eventually… eventually, he'll cross a line he can't come back from.
Yukihiro nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Yukhiro:Do you think we'll ever find him? The real him, behind the mask?
Tsukauchi sighed, running a hand through his hair.
Tsukauchi :hope so, Yukihiro. Because if we don't… if we can't reach him in time… then we might be looking at a future where Nemesis isn't just a vigilante. He could become something much worse.
The two men stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation hanging heavily in the air. Around them, the ruins of the warehouse creaked and groaned, a grim reminder of the battle that had taken place here. Nemesis had struck again, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. But this time, Tsukauchi felt the chill of something else—a growing realization that Nemesis wasn't just a threat to the criminals of Tokyo. He was a threat to himself, a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.