Tsukauchi Naomasa stood in the dimly lit briefing room, facing a group of the most prominent heroes in Japan. The atmosphere was tense, the weight of the discussion heavy on everyone's shoulders. The once-invincible symbol of peace, All Might, stood with a somber expression, his eyes shadowed with concern. Endeavor, Japan's current Number One Hero, wore a scowl, his fiery demeanor tempered by years of responsibility. Beside him, Inferno whose presence once radiated with pride and power looked like a shell of his former self, his face marked by deep lines of grief and regret. Hawks leaned casually against the wall, though his usual light-hearted air was absent, replaced by an intense focus. Best Jeanist stood with his arms crossed, his sharp gaze reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Inferno, his voice low and laced with bitterness, was the first to speak.
Inferno:Why are we here?
He asked, his tone dark and annoyed.
Inferno:I'm not in the mood for any more bureaucratic nonsense, Tsukauchi.
It was no secret that Inferno had changed ever since the loss of his son. The grief had hollowed him out, leaving behind a man who now lived with a perpetual sense of anger and guilt. Tsukauchi knew this, and he understood that calling Inferno here was a risk. But he also knew that the situation with Nemesis required the attention of heroes who had seen it all who could handle the unimaginable.
Tsukauchi:Please, bear with me, Inferno
Tsukauchi said calmly. He glanced around the room, making eye contact with each hero.
Tsukauchi:You're all here because the situation with Nemesis has taken a turn we didn't expect.
All Might's voice broke through the silence, filled with concern.
All might:Nemesis... I've heard about him. A vigilante, right? But from what I understand, he's only been targeting criminal gangs. Why are we involved now?
Tsukauchi nodded, acknowledging All Might's question.
Tsukauchi:Yes, that's correct. Until now, Nemesis has focused on taking down criminal organizations particularly those involved in human trafficking, illegal drug trades, and other heinous crimes. He's been operating in the shadows, dealing with threats that the police often struggle to control.
Endeavor grunted, crossing his arms over his chest.
Endeavor:So he's a rogue hero. We've dealt with those before. What makes him different? Why does it require us to get involved if he's only cleaning up the streets?
Tsukauchi took a deep breath, preparing to drop the bombshell.
Tsukauchi:The reason you're all here today is because we've uncovered new evidence that ties Nemesis to an old case—one that dates back two years. A case involving a mysterious facility that was destroyed in an explosion of light. At the time, we found nothing but corpses and residual energy that we couldn't trace back to any known quirk.
He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a worn, yellowed document. It looked old, fragile, and was marked with various seals and classified stamps. Tsukauchi placed it on the table, and the heroes leaned in to get a better look.
Tsukauchi:This document is the only piece of evidence we recovered from the facility
Tsukauchi explained.
Tsukauchi:It's a report on something or someone referred to as 'Subject 13'. The contents of this report are... disturbing, to say the least. But it might explain why Nemesis is as dangerous as he is.
He began to read from the report:
Tsukauchi:Subject 13 has shown rapid development in both physical and mental capabilities, far exceeding our initial expectations. His quirk, if it can be called that, allows him to generate and stockpile energy in ways we've never seen before. This energy manipulation is not limited to the physical plane; it extends to the manipulation of matter, the disruption of quirk-based abilities, and the amplification of his own physical prowess which is already extremely boosted with the quirk
The heroes exchanged uneasy glances as Tsukauchi continued.
Tsukauchi:Strength tests indicate that Subject 13 can exert force equivalent to or greater than All Might at his peak. His speed and reflexes are unparalleled, allowing him to react to threats almost instantaneously. Additionally, his body seems to possess a rapid adaptation mechanism, enabling him to recover from injuries at an accelerated rate. This regenerative ability makes him nearly impossible to incapacitate through conventional means.
Tsukauchi paused, letting the gravity of the information sink in before moving on to the more unsettling parts of the report.
Tsukauchi:it has also been observed that Subject 13's mental state is deteriorating as his power grows. He exhibits signs of extreme stress, paranoia, and dissociation. Despite these symptoms, his intelligence remains intact, and he is capable of complex strategic thinking. He has, on multiple occasions, demonstrated the ability to outmaneuver and neutralize groups of pro heroes in simulated combat scenarios.
There was a collective intake of breath as Tsukauchi reached the final, most critical part of the report.
Tsukauchi:The potential of Subject 13 is terrifying. If left unchecked, he could pose a threat not only to villains but to society as a whole. His power, if harnessed and controlled, could reshape the world. But if he were to turn against us… it's unclear if anyone could stop him.
Tsukauchi set the document down, the silence in the room thick with tension. "Now, from what we've gathered," he continued, "Subject 13 is Nemesis. And based on the evidence we've collected, Nemesis is a child—a young boy, no older than fifteen."
The room erupted in stunned disbelief.
"A child?" Hawks was the first to speak, his usually calm demeanor replaced by shock. "You're telling me this vigilante, who's been taking down entire criminal organizations, is just a kid?"
"That's insane!" Endeavor growled, slamming his fist on the table. "How could a child possess that level of power? And how did he slip under our radar for so long?"
Tsukauchi remained calm, though he understood their reactions. "I understand how hard this is to believe. But the evidence points to it. The facility was conducting illegal experiments, and they created something—or rather, someone—far more powerful than they anticipated. Nemesis broke free, destroyed the facility, and has been on the run ever since."
Inferno, who had been silent up until now, spoke in a low, trembling voice.
Inferno:If he's just a child… and if what you're saying is true… then he's been living on his own, using this power, fighting… all alone?
Tsukauchi nodded solemnly.
Tsukauchi: Yes. And it's likely that he's been deeply traumatized by whatever they did to him in that facility. His actions, while targeting criminals, are still those of someone who is acting out of pain, fear, and anger.
All Might looked down at the table, his expression one of deep sadness.
All might:A child... To think he's been carrying this burden, fighting this fight all by himself... And we had no idea.
Best Jeanist, who had been listening intently, finally spoke.
Best jeanist:If this is true, then he's more than just a threat. He's a victim. We need to approach this with caution. If we go after him with force, we might push him over the edge.
Hawks nodded in agreement.
Hawks:Yeah, this kid's been through hell. We need to help him, not just stop him. But if he's as powerful as this report says... it won't be easy. He won't trust us.
Tsukauchi looked at each of them in turn.
Tsukauchi:That's why you're all here. Nemesis is incredibly powerful, but he's also a scared, traumatized child. We need to find a way to reach him, to help him before he loses himself completely. But make no mistake if he views us as a threat, he won't hesitate to fight back. And given his capabilities, that could have disastrous consequences.
Endeavor clenched his fists, the flames around him flickering slightly.
Endeavor:Then what's the plan? How do we approach a kid who's strong enough to take down pro heroes and has every reason to hate us?
Tsukauchi sighed, rubbing his temples.
Tsukauchi:We need to gather more information. We need to find out where he's been hiding, what his current mental state is, and if there's anyone he trusts. We need to be prepared for the worst, but our goal should be to reach out to him, to show him that we're not his enemies.
Inferno's gaze was distant, his mind clearly elsewhere.
Inferno:A child who's lost everything... I can't even imagine what that's like.
Tsukauchi nodded, understanding the weight of those words.
Tsukauchi:Which is why we need to act with compassion as well as caution. We're not just dealing with a vigilante we're dealing with a child who's been hurt, betrayed, and left to fend for himself in a world that's been nothing but cruel to him.
All Might, the former Symbol of Peace, straightened up, his resolve clear.
All might:then let's find him. Let's bring him home. We'll do whatever it takes to make sure this child knows he's not alone anymore.
The others nodded in agreement, though the tension in the room remained palpable. They were facing an unprecedented challenge, one that would test not just their strength but their humanity. Nemesis was a force to be reckoned with, but he was also a child a child who needed help, even if he didn't realize it.
Tsukauchi could only hope that when the time came, they would be able to reach Nemesis before it was too late.
Timeskip
The abandoned industrial building was shrouded in an eerie silence, the kind that made your skin crawl. The rumors I'd heard were sickening children being sold to organ traffickers and other monsters. I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to burn this place to the ground, but as I moved deeper into the building, it became clear that something was off. The area was almost too quiet, as if everyone had already cleared out.
Nemesis:What the hell is going on?
I muttered under my breath, my senses on high alert.
Then, out of nowhere, I felt it a sudden disturbance in the air. My instincts kicked in, and I barely had time to react as several threads, almost invisible in the dim light, shot toward me. I dodged every single one with ease, my movements fluid and precise.
Nemesis:if it isn't Best Jeanist
I said with a snort, recognizing the threads as his signature attack.
Nemesis:You're quite skilled.
There was no immediate response, but I knew I wasn't alone. The tension in the air was thick, and my mind raced as I realized what this meant. "A pro hero," I thought. "That... means—
Hawks:Subject 13 or Nemesis
a voice called out, and I recognized it instantly as Hawks.
My heart pounded in my chest as the realization hit me. They'd finally figured it out. They knew who I was. Anger surged through me, dark green energy crackling around my body as I activated One Above All, the artificial quirk that had been grafted onto me during those hellish experiments. Without wasting another moment, I shot out of the building like a bullet, but before I could get far, I felt something wrap around me—vines, strong and sturdy, holding me down.
I glanced down and saw the wood constricting around me. "Kamui Woods," I thought with a snarl. But it was completely ineffective. With a burst of power, I broke free of the vines as if they were made of paper, splinters flying in every direction.
As I landed on the ground outside the building, my eyes swept over the group of heroes assembled before me. Hawks hovered in the air, his wings flared out behind him. Best Jeanist stood ready, threads poised to strike again. Mount Lady and Kamui Woods were positioned on either side, prepared to use their quirks at a moment's notice. But my eyes were drawn to the two figures at the forefront Endeavor, the current Number One Hero, and Inferno, the man who had once been known as Hisashi Midoriya. The same man who had abandoned me, his own son, because I was quirkless. The man who had given me the pathetic name "Deku," branding me as useless.
Rage filled me, and I could feel the energy inside me building to a dangerous level. I knew that if I didn't control it, it could consume me—but at that moment, I didn't care. All I wanted was to make them pay, to make them understand the pain they had caused.
Hawks:NEMESIS, stand down!
It was Hawks again, his tone calm but firm.
Hawks:We don't want to hurt you. At least let us reason.
But I wasn't listening. My focus was entirely on the man standing in front of me. "INFERNO!" I roared, my voice filled with all the anger and hatred I'd been holding back for years.
I launched myself at him, my fist glowing with dark energy as I prepared to deliver a blow that would make him regret ever laying eyes on me.
"VOID SMASH!"
I yelled as my fist connected with Inferno's side. He barely had time to react, and although he activated his Flame Breathing quirk, it was too late.
The impact sent him flying through the air, crashing into the side of the building with a force that shattered the wall. Flames erupted around him as he tried to recover, but I was already on him, not giving him a moment to catch his breath. My fist slammed into his gut again, and I could feel his ribs crack under the pressure. The flames around him flickered weakly as he struggled to maintain his composure.
Nemesis:Not so powerful now, are you?
I snarled, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the ground.
Nemesis:All those years you called me worthless how does it feel to be on the receiving end?
Before I could land another blow, a flash of red feathers zoomed past me, forcing me to release my grip on Inferno. Hawks was in front of me in an instant, his wings spread wide as he tried to push me back.
Hawks:Stop this, Nemesis! You don't have to do this!
he shouted, his voice tinged with desperation.
I gritted my teeth, the dark energy around me crackling more violently.
Nemesis:You think you can stop me?
I growled.
Nemesis:You're just as guilty as he is!
I swung at him, but Hawks was fast. He dodged my punch, his feathers slicing through the air toward me. I twisted my body, dodging most of them, but a few cut into my arm, drawing blood. I ignored the pain, it would Regenerate anyways focusing on the hero in front of me.
But before I could retaliate, the ground beneath me suddenly erupted with massive vines, courtesy of Kamui Woods. They wrapped around my legs and torso, trying to pin me down. I struggled against them, but then Best Jeanist's threads joined the attack, reinforcing the vines and binding my arms to my sides.
"Damn it!" I snarled, feeling the pressure of the combined restraints. "Let go of me!"
All might:Nemesis, please!
It was All Might this time, his voice strong yet filled with concern.
All might:We're not your enemies! We're here to help you!
I laughed bitterly.
Nemesis:Help? Where was your help when I was being tortured? Where were you when I needed saving?
I screamed, the rage boiling over as I felt the energy inside me reach its peak.
Nemesis:I don't need your help!
With a deafening roar, I unleashed the full power of One Above All. Dark green energy exploded from my body in a massive shockwave, obliterating the vines and threads that held me. The sheer force of the blast sent all the heroes flying back, struggling to stay on their feet.
I was free.
Before anyone could react, I launched myself at Inferno again, who was still recovering from the initial attack. His flames flared up, but they were nothing compared to the power I was wielding. My fist collided with his chest, and this time, I didn't hold back. The impact created a shockwave that rippled through the air, sending Inferno crashing to the ground with a sickening thud.
"Enough!" Endeavor's voice boomed as he unleashed a massive wave of fire in my direction, the heat intense enough to melt steel. But I wasn't fazed. With a flick of my wrist, I sent a blast of dark energy to meet the flames, the two forces colliding in a blinding flash of light.
I could feel the energy surging through me, growing more unstable with each passing second. It was intoxicating, this power this ability to make them all pay. But it was also tearing me apart, pushing me closer to the edge of losing control.
Hawks came at me again, his feathers aiming for my vital points, trying to subdue me without causing lethal damage. But I was faster. I sidestepped his attack and grabbed him by the collar, slamming him into the ground with enough force to create a crater. Before he could recover, I raised my fist, ready to deliver the final blow.
But then I hesitated. In that split second, I saw something in Hawks' eyes fear, yes, but also something else. Something I hadn't seen in a long time.
Compassion.
"Nemesis…" he gasped, his voice strained.
Hawks:I'm sorry… for everything.
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. The anger inside me faltered for just a moment, and in that moment of hesitation, I was hit by a massive wave of water that knocked me off my feet. Mount Lady had transformed into her giant form and was using the fire hydrant nearby as a makeshift weapon to douse the area, creating a steam cloud that obscured my vision.
I scrambled to my feet, disoriented, but before I could regain my bearings, I felt the ground shake beneath me. The next thing I knew, a wall of fire was coming straight at me Endeavor's doing. He was using everything he had to push me back, to overwhelm me.
But I wasn't going to let that happen.
With a roar, I unleashed another wave of dark energy, cutting through the fire and creating a path straight to him. I rushed forward, my mind focused on one thing making him pay. But as I got closer, I noticed something in his eyes, something that gave me pause.
It was the same look Hawks had given me.
Compassion.
But before I could react, I was hit by a powerful blow from the side. All Might had finally joined the fight