All light becomes blotted out. Darkness drapes over from above. The sun is consumed and concealed, hidden somewhere behind a featureless gray blanket of low leaden clouds. The gunmetal color comes with an accompanied firing of rifles up into the sky. An echoed boom rings throughout the heavens as the shots reverberate in a manner to some type of distant thunder. It creates a hushed silence over the gathered assembly of people who stand below the sky's silvery sheet. Police in uniform line either side of an aisle while a casket is carried between their formation.

Sansa Tamakawa, with quivering lips, releases a series of shaky breaths that furls out in puffs. An all encompassing careless cold that's chilling to the bone pushes past his coat of cat hair. Exertions from the officer's mouth are abetted and released as veritable smoke; the miniature clouds of grayish breath dissipate in mere moments but the inhalation of thin air that fills the man's lungs just as promptly replaces those condensation clouds. He helps hold the coffin of his fallen friend as it's marched forward – each step adds extra weight to the burial box that rests upon his shoulders – his heart feels about just as heavy.

Tamakawa passes the recently deceased police captain's sister, Makoto Tsukauchi, who stares blankly ahead with dried eyes rather than shedding tears like some of her brother's other remaining relatives or familial friends. Makato stands at the forefront of the first row with her hands clasped together in prayer. She flew in from America as soon as she received word about her brother's passing. Tamakawa has to look away from her. He feels ashamed that he was there on I-Island and yet did nothing to save her sibling. It's just too much for him to handle so soon in his own timing of grief.

All Might waits at the end of the aisle so that he can take the casket from Tamakawa and the other officers. He's more than strong enough to carry & support the weight of the coffin by himself as he does. As Naomasa's close friend in the hero licensure department, and as the symbol of peace in Japan, nobody disagreed that this would be the most suitable sendoff; All Might lays Naomasa Tsukauchi to rest with folded flags of both Japan and the United States placed atop the casket. Everyone watches as All Might then takes a shovel and covers the coffin with the first pile of dirt to bury it.

All Might starts the ceremony on this note, turning to the group of cops that came to meet him. Naomasa's network of close work associates takes turns with the next couple of dirt scoops. When it becomes Tamakawa's turn, he hardly has the strength to dig up any dirt to add onto what's already been packed over the grave grounds. His hands grip the shovel's stick tightly but they feel light to the touch as they shiver. The tool almost slips out of his hold when it comes time to pass it to the next person. Especially since it's Makoto who extends her hands to take the shovel from him per the orderly line. Again, Tamakawa diverts his eyes; his ears fold over and flatten as he bows his head.

Nobody can disagree that it's a fitting funeral to finalize the departure of what was an absolutely stellar detective and what could have possibly been an even greater police captain. But to Tamakawa, it still doesn't feel like enough once the burial is completed. After all of the bullets have been dispensed from the riflemen, things somehow feel lacking. Tamakawa looks around, surprised to see such a large turnout and yet still wishes there were more people to pay their respects to his colleague's passing. There are no perfect last words to give. There's never the right amount of flowers, gifts, or offerings. Hell, he isn't even satisfied with how many times the burnable incense is replaced.

It could be the guilt that he himself feels alone. He hangs his head while getting down onto his knees. Tamakawa thinks about how they had been talking to one another on the phone before it happened. He knew where his partner was and yet he didn't go there to help. No, even sooner than that, Tamakawa tells himself that he should have gone with Naomasa Tsukauchi from the beginning instead of staying behind at the hotel room. Those are his sins to bear for the rest of his days and nights. He swallows, eating them and sending them to his stomach where it hurts the most.

When Tamakawa raises his head, he looks up beyond the cloudy sky. Just as he had stared towards I-Tower when Naomasa died, he searches above for what he saw that day. The only other one responsible for Naomasa's death was seen swinging from the tower back then. And now, hiding from behind a chimney smokestack like some sort of demonic shadow that haunts, Tamakawa sees his fellow sinner again. Tamakawa's cat-like gaze narrows when he spots Spider-Man in a dark suit – dressed for the occasion, no doubt – Tamakawa feels as though the vigilante betrayed his friend by letting him down more than he himself did.

And since Spider-Man decided to attend the funeral by watching at a distance like the criminal that he currently is, Spider-Man must feel some similar way.

The symbiote suited Spider-Man starts a reckless swing. It's one with all of the power but with zero of the responsibility.

Tangible fluids that replicate what would otherwise be webbing stretch out and latch onto a satellite tower. The black whip type of protrusions flex but remain firm before propelling their emitter forward at a forcefully fast velocity.

Pigeons have their peace disturbed, feathers flying as they flap out of range from a dark purple blur that whizzes by. Particles and leaves blow upwards from a strong uptake of wind that gets produced by the fast swinging figure.

Office workers release startled gasps when Spider-Man passes by outside their building, a powerful flying leap from him causing the windows to rattle & shake from the might of the vigilante's momentum. A few of the older gentlemen grasp at their chests, believing that they nearly received a heart attack. The younger generation of workers either hurry to glass panes to close their window blinds or make an attempt at catching a glimpse of Spider-Man while he may still be within viewing vicinity.

Spider-Man drops, doing a nosedive, taking the wind down with him. When he draws close to the ground, he sends out another stretch of organic 'webbing' to bring himself back up. The low swing comes close to an intersection where cars have to slam on their brakes and swerve to avoid a collision. They honk their horns behind him but he's already gone.

A semi truck comes barreling down a road up ahead. Instead of pulling himself up over it or going around the vehicle, Spider-Man instead swings straight at the incoming truck. He twists himself at an angle to fit through the small gap where the trailer connects to the tractor unit. The vigilante passes through before firing another line of elastic symbiotic string and hoisting himself back towards the city's rooftops.

Spider-Man soars up into the sky, suspended high above the city by his black bindings that assist him with grappling from the buildings they anchor themselves to. His arms pulsate with power, the second layer of skin tightly tensing around his muscles every time a new 'web' is spun. His calves carry him into a full frontal flip while his legs also display a tremendous thew. An advanced amount of agility carries the vigilante across the terrain of skyscrapers.

What usually requires an intensely accurate calculation and extreme focus with his Spider-Sense as a guide now comes easily. There's no withholding what he's capable of as he enters high altitude arcs or performs low hanging maneuvers. Everything has been enhanced and improved upon to operate on a higher level that he wasn't even aware was achievable. It brings out a side of him that dares to push past those boundaries and surpass what were once limits to his potential.

There's no other way to describe what he's feeling flow throughout his very being other than an output that is utterly euphoric. If he had previously believed web swinging before to be a sensational sense of freedom, then this experience by comparison is by much farther completely liberating. He didn't have a chance back on I-Island to fully appreciate the power of the symbiote and the full functionality of what it's capable of. He was thrusted into using it before getting to perform a test drive. Now, he's getting a good feel for what it offers.

Spider-Man would let out a whoop of exhilaration if not for his mood. Matching the dark atmosphere and blending into the shaded sky, his negative emotions give way to an aggressive exhibition of his prowess. A dark purple sheen coats over his otherwise black exterior. The symbiote by nature is of this design, and though it is capable of copying the camouflage of other colors, it is choosing to express the host's feelings without vibrant reds or blues. A corrupted cloud of thought looms overhead with two white eyes peering through. The spider symbol that represents this power – that was once much too small and timid – is now a large emblem bright enough to stand out and be noticed for once.

It's now that the symbiote's host fully comprehends how amazing it is that it can create this for him. And not only is it capable of creating a concealing costume when he's Spider-Man, but it also crafted 'clothing' when he was blending back in with the evacuated I-Island crowds. It's somehow mastered replicating materials & fabrics to no longer look or feel like just a slimy surface. Though, as Spider-Man, he prefers to keep that natural viscous texture for the sake of having an intimidating appearance – because, right now, he doesn't feel like being a very friendly neighborhood Spidey – he allows the symbiote to fully bond with him in both physicality and mind.

Even if the symbiote can technically be considered as stolen, it's not like there is anyone for Spider-Man to return it to now anyways. I-Island blew up and David Shield – the jerk – is completely M.I.A. It's only right that the symbiote be put to good use with a good home. And out of everyone up to par for that duty, they already share some experience together that it should be him. The symbiote has learned his techniques as a style and form fitting mode of managed movement. The 'webbing' gimmick may have been a trait learned by Itsuka Kendo but the skill is something learned and put to practice by HIM too. It's fascinating that for all that the symbiote can do, it chooses HIM, and he doesn't want to let it go just yet for that reason among other reasons.

Because… who the hell else is going to choose him? Everybody else hates him. Spider-Man squints his white lensed eyes as he furrows his face in anger. Gwen– Melissa– David Shield's daughter despises and blames Spider-Man for what happened. MJ– Kendo– the other tried to interfere with him while he was dealing with Doctor Doom; she doesn't trust him enough to do what is necessary. The police are out to get him again just like the HPSC because he doesn't have Captain Tsukauchi to watch his back anymore. Not even his own freaking mother–

Izuku blinks to see past the tunnel vision that started closing in around him. His white lensed eyes are wide as he stops his swing to flip and adhere onto a nearby building's wall. Those thoughts – especially where that last one was headed.. – they were a bit intense for his usually thrown pity parties. Maybe things between he and his mom have been rough but they aren't THAT bad. They could never become that bad. Could they? Izuku brings a hand up to his head, tenderly touching it while wondering how he could have possibly formulated such an unfathomable idea that his mom might turn on him.

The stress must be starting to get to him. First he blew his friendship with Shinso. Then he screwed things up with Jirou – even if Kaminari did deserve reconstructional face surgery – she probably thinks even lesser of him now after I-Island as well. Tokuda died because of him. Captain Tsukauchi died because of him. Who knows what All Might must think or Eraserhead, even after all they've done together and been through. Izuku slowly moves his hand away from his face to look at the symbiotic glove that holds it and he's pretty sure the symbiote is the only one that gets him anymore.

There was a while there that Izuku thought he and Naomasa were going to be some sort of crime fighting duo. Just like when they did a stakeout together discussing girls and teamed up to take down Kingpin. He imagined a world where he could still become a hero helping hand in hand with law enforcement as a vigilante. Maybe some day they'd have even set up a 'spider signal' on the police precinct rooftop or something of that manner. He really thought he'd have been able to form an alliance like he did with Eraserhead. But now… Spider-Man has found a new partner… in the symbiote – and it is one that will never leave him – he can always rely on the symbiote as an attributed ally.

In honor of Naomasa, Spider-Man decides that all crime is punishable today. It'll make for the perfect field test of the symbiote that he blows off some steam this way. The vengeful vigilante stares at his open hand a while longer, and then he closes it into a clenched fist. He rekindles the pent up frustration and anger that he's been harboring and uses that as fuel for his future fights that will be his one man war on crime. Spider-Man backflips from off the wall that he was on as he picks up from where he left off on this outlet of an outing.

There are particular places that criminals like to lurk. Shady secluded spots and other areas that meet the 'out of sight means out of mind' criteria of the public are where scum stays. The HPSC took to calling it 'the underground' and heroes like Eraserhead started becoming assigned there. But the superstitious and cowardly lot that scurries around like rats or snakes waiting to strike at the heart of the city have a tendency for rearing their ugly heads now and then. Spider-Man searches from the sky until some sorry shmuck is stupid enough to show themself.

He gets lucky – and them unlucky – when he finds more than one skull to smack. What looks like some sort of illegal package shipping is transpiring behind the back of a warehouse – typical as it is cliche – and the gang of criminals doing it is a messload. Some got gimmicks, like one guy is wearing a burlap sack over his head as some sorta scarecrow visage and another has a bird beak shaped mouthpiece, whereas others stick to the basics like wearing a medical mask to hide their face. Spider-Man recalls similar looking idiots when he infiltrated the Yakuza for a short while.

Regardless of who these bad guys are associated with, the vigilante intends to disrupt their illegal activity. As a matter of fact, he decides to do so with a full front assault as a show of force. Spider-Man could very easily web them up from the shadows and pick them off one at a time. But by attacking head on against the group all at once … he'll be showing them that he means business, which ought to send a message loud & clear to the rest of the Yakuza. Spider-Man smiles under his mask. It's time that he lets morons like this know that this neighborhood belongs to him.

When the noir mode of Spider-Man drops down, he does so by landing atop one of the Yakuza's parked loading vans. He makes contact with all of his weight, completely crushing the top of the vehicle and caving in its roof so badly that the tinted glass windshield & windows blow out. It's an entrance that makes his presence known and leads to everyone else present getting in defensive stances. Most of the Yakuza activate their quirks, whereas others draw their weapons like katana blades and firearms. Spider-Man raises his head to fix them all with a narrowed gaze, unbothered by the hostile response to his arrival.

Three stooges step forward to represent the entirety of the Yakuza force that's been caught in the act. The scarecrow guy is on the right and a brutish medical masked man with a shaven head stands to the left; front and center is a lanky fellow with a bird beak mouthpiece and blonde hair that's parted to one side. They make for quite the interesting trio and they sure do seem to think so highly of themselves because of that if not evident by the way the blonde guy asks, "Do you know who you're messing with? Do you know who we are?"

Spider-Man stands up as the sky shades the purple of his symbiotic suit until it becomes fully blended into the black of the atmosphere. His white eyes and emblem are all that illuminates his looming position. Tiny tendrils flit and flick from his form as his bonded partner responds to the rising adrenaline that starts to flow into his system.

Spider-Man discredits the group's Yakuza status when he gives them his own personal answer as to all they are to him, "You're practice."

The old fashioned Shoji Japanese sliding door that makes up the room's entrance and exit is pushed closed behind Kai Chisaki. His feet cross the wool tatami carpeting that covers the floor before he crouches down to join the other Yakuza class representatives at a long table that's low to the ground. Per customs and tradition, they have a noticeable lack of chairs. Chisaki, a severe germaphobe, is careful not to fully sit down. Despite the Yakuza's cleaning staff being top class, there's not enough cleaning to warrant his comfortability in such a setting.

Joi Irinaka, the organization's treasurer, has crafted his own personal seating arrangements out of money bills. Per the norm, as general manager, he's responsible for controlling and administering the business activities of the organization – as such, he's constantly counting stacks of yen – the slight throne is perhaps warranted in that case. Chisaki knows his loyal underling means no disrespect by it, at least.

Respect is of utmost importance within their organization. Hence why the others don't sit cross legged and instead rest upon their knees. Only Silvermane is permitted a pillow to be beneath him to diminish discomfort from 'sitting' in such a manner. Yes, the older man is being given special treatment both on account of his age and his high position, but it somehow seems unfair at times. Chisaki would much rather have a comfortable couch and cushion seating arrangements be provided for their lounging.

That's just another thing to be chalked up on the list as something he and Silvermane disagree on. When the time comes for there to be a change in the Yakuza's hierarchy, then it will be Chisaki who ultimately gets the final say though. He had learned a lot from his boss and does respect him, but there's a point where plans need to be prioritized for the future generation so things aren't run into the ground by a senile old man.

This meeting's set of topics is a good compilation of examples to provide proof of that.

For starters, there are talks about this vigilante character called Spider-Man interfering with their activities again. It was an easily overlooked issue when it was a one-off with Swarm & Vulture but is now becoming a recurring cause for concern. That Silvermane doesn't think to lay a trap to exercise their force and squash the pest proves they need a new figurehead to take charge sooner rather than later. Forget laying low and biding time; now is the best opportunity to resurface.

Speaking of resurfacing and reclaiming the Yakuza's rightful glory as the leading criminal organization in Japan, there is also the conversation about Kingpin's replacement. There are now searches for a new Big Man. A lot of their benefactors and associates are trying to take a step up. Chisaki knows that they can't stoop so low as to be lesser than any of those other organizations if they are to achieve their goals. Silvermane's delay in action there is a cause for concern too.

Especially since above all else, there's a new player pining for the position of Kingpin. A mystery character calling themself 'Tombstone' is currently sweeping up assets and building connections to get involved. If the Yakuza doesn't step up, then Tombstone may just very well be a fitting title for what is left of them – especially in Silvermane's case – this could spell the end of their organization without there even being a gang war to put up a fight for its survival.

"Next order of business…", Silvermane coughs into a fist before bringing it down onto an open palm, "I'd like to know how our weapons management is going. How are we on guns and pushing past the ban?"

Chisaki comes out of his rumination of thoughts to pay attention now. While, yes, it is an important topic… that's not all it is to him for this meeting. The gun topic is a cue. It's a cue for their arms dealer, and his direct reporting assistant Hari Kurono, to pull out a pistol that was smuggled in recently.

"As you can see, we're getting our guns just fine" The firearms topic is also a cue for Kurono to use that gun, "Our ammunition is good too", he shoots Silvermane square in the chest. Three times.

Chisaki smiles under the magenta mouthpiece that he's currently wearing. He had originally planned to put the boss into a coma but ultimately decided a more direct hostile takeover would help to cement his position as a replacement much sooner. As loyal as Kurono is to him, there was nobody better suited to conspire with for this arrangement.

But Chisaki's smile soon slips. Silvermane starts to shift and stand up, getting off of the floor. A yellow aura wisps around the man, and the bullets that had been put in Silvermane's chest slowly slide out. The rounds clatter onto the ground and the holes they had produced close as Silvermane heals.

"Chi–", Kurono turns towards his co-conspirator with a baffled reaction to what they are witnessing. But before Kurono can give away Chisaki's involvement in the assassination attempt, Chisaki rips off his gloves to use his overhaul quirk and kills Kurono in a gorey manner.

It's a messy coverup but one essential to make Chisaki still appear loyal to Silvermane. He looks back at the now recovered man with as much surprise & confusion as his betrayed comrade nevertheless. How Silvermane healed and – now also appears slightly younger than he did before, with less gray hairs – is beyond him.

Unless… Chisaki's eyes widen when he recalls Eri's rewind quirk. He himself had planned to use it to weaponize a quirk canceling round of bullets, which simultaneously would solve some of their gun smuggling operation difficulties. But that Silvermane used Eri to rewind HIMSELF…

"Boss..", Chisaki can see that Silvermane's wrinkles have diminished. It's like the Yakuza figurehead has de-aged a whole five years. This changes EVERYTHING.

The rejuvenated man looks down at himself, just as perplexed. Whereas he had started trial testing Eri's quirk on his body, it never quite took effect before. But as he stares down, he sees the bullets that he was shot with and figures out why the quirk factor may have been delayed. If his theory is correct, then he presumes Eri's rewind quirk takes effect on him only when he receives damage to his body.

Silvermane starts to laugh. He laughs so hard that he has to brace himself against the wall as to not fall over. Not since he was young was he able to launch into hysterics such as this without coughing. It's just like the good old days. He whips his head back and spreads his arms out, thanking the heavens that he can be so joyously young again. He laughs and he laughs.

The Yakuza watch with wide eyes as their leader expresses euphoric elation. After witnessing the elder man's death and then resurrection into a slightly younger form, it's either a strained & strangling silence or an equal expression of awe in the form of laughter that they are able to respond with. The room is full of conflicting emotions that are high while everybody processes the situation.

Chisaki wasn't expecting such a reaction from Silvermane after an attempt on his life about as much as he wasn't expecting Silvermane to survive the assassination attempt. "Are you okay?", his breath is as shaky as his voice while he inquires about the man's sanity more than he had before.

"I've never been better, Chisaki.." Silvermane finishes his fit of laughter with a cease of chuckling. The grin that's plastered on his face can rival even All Might's. The toothy smile doesn't even falter when Silvermane finally addresses Kurono shooting him, "Just be sure to find out if there are any other traitors and eliminate them for me. Okay?"

Chisaki nods his head, too afraid that the residual shakiness in his voice will give away that he himself is a traitor. Especially since he's not so sure if he wants to betray the man anymore. He had been concerned about the future of the Yakuza possibly being impeded by Silvermane's aging. But now, he can see a remnant of the man who brought him up into the organization to begin with. And he feels he can rely on that man again.

Silvermane looks at the blood that's been spilled already. The way Chisaki crossed the room so quickly and effortlessly without hesitation was something he would have once been envious of. But now, he feels capable of doing about just as much. Staring at his open hand, he then begins to close it into a tightly formed fist, and he can feel the strength that's been restored in it that can make it capable of crushing a person's skull. He himself is able to be as powerful as that again.

"Ah~ It's good to be young!", Silvermane smiles as he stands over his still bow-seated underlings.

For the house of the symbol of peace in Japan, it's a surprisingly small place to step into. Then again, Melissa supposes she shouldn't have expected anything less of the humble hero that is her honorary uncle. He's a modest man who doesn't flaunt the money he makes from being in his highly held position; a massive mansion or a huge resort isn't Toshinori Yagi's style and never has been. Ever still, it's a quaint home that remains very warmingly welcome as an inviting environment.

Melissa rolls her luggage behind her through the doorway and looks around. It's something short of being a penthouse. Though it does have more than one bedroom for her stay, so that makes it have plenty enough space for the time being. The living room is attached to the kitchen by the front door which makes things relatively close and easily accessible as well. It's not like she's used to from when she lived at I-Island with every resource being an entirely separate facility and not just a room – much less a combination of shared accommodations – but it's something she feels she can get used to in time.

If this were a visit or a vacation on better terms, Melissa is sure she'd be thrilled about seeing her uncle's house and would be begging for an immersive tour. Considering she and Toshinori just came from her other uncle's funeral reception though, emotions are very mellow currently. They aren't sporting smiles per the norm and haven't very much spoken since the drive over. There's also the ever present sorrow that comes with her father's added disappearance, hence the need for this new living arrangement in the first place.

She gives her recently developed keeper & guardian a grateful look. This goes beyond just babysitting her like when she was little and she can't express enough how much she appreciates his generosity now that she is older and in need of a place to call home. All Might is a hero in a lot more ways than one, whether he knows it or not. He shows her to her room where she can unpack and get settled in. He even offers to help her, insisting to aid however he can despite her persistent protests that he has already done enough.

"Well, then at least allow me to cook you a meal" Toshinori offers her a gentle smile not unlike his efforts as All Might when smiling, all as a way to try and make her feel at ease like everything is going to be okay even if things don't feel like they will be. "You must be hungry by now", he suggests different dinner options that he may as well print & present her with a menu. Typically, things are okay whenever he is around, hence his catchphrase that goes along with his signature smile.

But… the problem still remains that her father isn't there. And her father never was much of a chef that would make dinners for them to eat. "I actually think I'm just going to get some sleep a little early tonight… Sorry, Uncle Might.." Melissa apologizes that she'd rather skip eating. She lost her appetite and it'd be a waste of a good meal anyways.

"Oh.. Okay then", Toshinori nods while giving the grieving girl her much needed personal space. He isn't much of a parent. He's never had children of his own to figure out the whole parenting thing. But he feels that this is the right thing to do. Even if it saddenly pains him. Or, so he hopes it is the right thing to do.

When her caregiver leaves the room, Melissa closes the door and locks it. The private place is so quiet and empty. It's a fitting setting for how alone she feels in this new and unnatural change of life. She goes to the bed and lays down so that she can bury her face in a pillow. She cries, muffling her sobs as much as she can.

There's no place like home. Spending some nights in the slammer always does well to remind Daiki Sai of that. No matter the number of times that it took him being bailed out by his mom, it's only now that this lesson has decisively stuck with him though. Daiki sighs, deeming his delinquent lifestyle of committing crime is officially over. Team Reservoir Dogs is done; his buddies will be pissed at him for 'breaking up the band' but he can't do this to his mother anymore. Spider-Man is always stopping them and putting them away. It's time to turn over a new leaf and give it up already.

When he enters through the front entry door frame of his mom's house, he has to duck down on account of his size so as to not bonk his huge head on it. His mutation came from his father's side – the deadbeat decided not to stick around and raise him – so living accommodations are in short supply around here. But again, even so, these arrangements are much better than a damned prison cell. It dawns on Daiki that he never actually ever did thank his mom for always helping him out of a pinch, "I'm back! Thanks for getting my bail!", he calls out to her to let her know this time around that he's grateful.

"You got yourself into trouble again? Gosh, Daiki! I'll save your scolding for later.." But the goliath's mother surprises him with her response; it sounds like she didn't even know that he got arrested, much less was the one to pay his bail. As Daiki shifts off his shoes, he spots another pair of sneakers by the home's welcome mat. For a second, he thinks it's his former gang mates come by to try and convince him to go out with them again. But then his mother adds, "We have a visitor, Daiki Dear! Such a kind gentleman! I made cookies and tea for you two. Go and join him in the lounge."

Daiki's mom knows his friends as 'hoodlums' instead of 'gentlemen' and they'd come together in a plural fashion rather than just one. Whoever is waiting for him in the lounge alone is somebody he's never met before. And though Daiki may not be the sharpest knife in the kitchen drawer as they say, he is still willing to bet that the guy paying him a visit is one and the same as to who probably paid his bail for him. The brutish boy warily enters the lounge area to get a good look at this mysterious 'gentleman' character who is paying him any attention for some strange reason.

The man waits with one leg crossed over the other. He's dressed fashionably; the guy's got on a dark blue suit – minus wearing a tie – but it blends with his cyan colored length of hair. The stranger smiles, a single scarring standing out amongst the other mouth sores covering his lips. His eyes are as equally creased & crusted at the corners, red orbs peering out from darkened rings. Already, Daiki can tell the nature of this spontaneous visit from the freakish fellow can't be anything other than bad natured.

Daiki swallows his own saliva to keep himself from saying something stupid that might set the guy off. Despite deciding that he wants out of the criminal lifestyle, he knows better than to outright turn away the person that bought his bail for him. Especially since this fellow is clearly a higher class of criminal from him and his buddies. The way the man is dressed implies there's more at work here like a crime organization and not just simple street work.

Daiki dares to eventually ask the big question, "Who are you?", while warily taking a seat across from his odd visitor.

The 'gentleman' who had seemed so graciously generous before responds in a way that might suggest otherwise, "If you don't already know my name.. then you're not worthy of an introduction.." The way the mysterious man leers as he leans forward additionally implies that bail buyout comes at a loan-like cost, much to Daiki's distress.

Daiki glances back towards the kitchen to make sure his mother doesn't overhear or enter to get involved more than she already has in whatever this is. He whispers low in order to keep his voice down while asking, "What do you want from me?"

The sinister stranger smiles again. He cocks his head to one side when he responds to Daiki's question with a counteractive inquiry, "The real question… Is what do YOU want?"

Daiki stares ahead, blinking with confusion. The set of red eyes staring at him in return are unwavering that they do not blink back. When the eyes' owner directs Daiki's attention to a newspaper that his mom stays subscribed to, things become a little more clearer though.

"Do you want revenge on the one that keeps putting you in prison?", the newspaper is laid open on a page with an article about Spider-Man's change in attire but it's certainly the same Spider-Man that keeps getting in Daiki's way, "What if I told you that I have a way of helping you to get that revenge?"

Taking a stroll back home feels like an odd choice for him currently. Typically he opts for this mode of transportation when too tired from web swinging – all those aerial maneuvers require a lot of exertion of his energy – but the symbiote handles a lot of the difficulty for him now that he isn't tired at all. Not physically tired anyways. Perhaps he decided to walk home through the ol' neighborhood because he's more-so mentally drained. And whereas web swinging can be therapeutic in its own right, sometimes an empty head space is better than one filtering dozens of thoughts. Whatever the case, his late night return being through the front door and not his window will at the very least help to quell things with his mom.

But before he can make it fully up the block to use the standard house entrance to his home, he spots someone waiting for him right out front of it. Some guy is leaning against the planted tree by the sidewalk opposite to it the way Bakugo used to when waiting to bully him during their younger years. Having not quite had his fill of busting heads yet even after tonight's crusade, he wouldn't even mind some punk trying to stir up trouble anymore. But when he draws closer to the waiting figure, he realizes that this is somebody he recognizes who wouldn't create such a fuss.

A tabby headed man stands up straight to greet the baffled broccoli headed boy, "Izuku Midoriya", and he holds no real malice when he supplementally asks, "Don't you have a curfew?" Honestly, it's more of a rhetorical question not meant to be answered anyways.

Izuku remembers the cat quirked character from when they were on a shared evacuation ship together while leaving I-Island. He also remembers as Spider-Man from long before even that when they had a brief run-in during a Yakuza & Vulture incursion. "You're.."

"Officer Sansa Tamakawa", the cop produces his badge as though he needs to present proof of his position before putting it away. "Don't worry, you aren't in any trouble – as far as I can tell – I'm just here to ask you a few questions."

"Okay..", Izuku stays slightly guarded since he still finds it odd that a cop would come here and seek him out without reason but goes through with the pleasantries & commonalities ever so, "Do you want to come in?"

"That's very kind of you but this shouldn't take long", Izuku will admit to being relieved that he won't have to explain a cop paying him a visit to his mother when Tamakawa declines the invitation to come inside though. There's also some relief in knowing this supposedly shouldn't be a very long conversation.

"Okay", Izuku scratches behind his head to check if his Spider-Sense should be warning him of any hidden malicious intent but the officer seems sincere and so he carries on with asking in return, "What do you want to know?"

"You were on I-Island when..", Tamakawa seems to choke up on his words – or perhaps a hairball – before he clears his throat. "Does this look familiar to you?", but the man speaks clearly when he produces a circular glass carveout in a ziploc evidence baggie.

Izuku reflexively responds, "No?", but some part of him – maybe the symbiote side of his being – also feels like he should find it familiar somehow.

Tsukauchi would always joke with Tamakawa about a detective role being out of his depth, but Tamakawa can still manage to pick up on Izuku's hesitant answer even if those jokes held some truth in them. "You sound unsure", Tamakawa's whiskers wobble as he purses his lips.

"No", Izuku answers again – this time more confidently – he shakes his head, "It doesn't look familiar."

One of Tamakawa's triangular ears twitches. "It had your handprint on it", he raises the bag of evidence a little closer for Izuku to get a second look at its contents.

"From I-Island.. ?", Izuku takes a second to mull over why his handprint would be found on something considered police evidence. Then he recalls the first meeting he had with his other half, "Oh! It must have been from when Gwen – Er, Miss Shield – was giving a private tour."

"Melissa.. ?", Tamakawa is just as surprised as Izuku to discover the coincidental connection that can be made between them and the container's cutout piece of glass fragmentation.

"Um, yes.. Melissa.." Izuku himself wonders how Tamakawa knows the girl while Tamakawa wonders the boy's relation to her too. Though that seems self explanatory to an extent for them both when Izuku asks, "How is she?"

And again – self explanatory – when it is followed by Tamakawa answering, "I wish I knew", with a sad stare in his eyes.

"Yeah", Izuku acknowledges that they can mutually share an understanding of how shitty the situation is for them both when they care for her but obviously can't do much to help from their positions.

Tamakawa shakes aside his sadness, "You seem to know her and everyone involved a little more than I originally thought so I'll spare you with one final question", and gets things back on track with their talk.

Izuku nods, "Sure", appreciating that.

Tamakawa sincerely asks Izuku the question he wants to know the answer to most, "Who were you to Naomasa Tsukauchi?"

It's a question that takes Izuku by surprise. It's a question that he doesn't know quite how to answer at first. As Spider-Man, he sought to become the detective turned police captain's technical partner. As Izuku Midoriya, he's sure that he was nothing more than a problematic child. Well, to be fair, he was probably just as much of a problematic child to Tsukauchi as Spider-Man too but that's besides the point. Izuku smiles, a small sad smile, as he thinks of an answer that he himself believes Tsukauchi would have agreed with.

"He was.. He was our friend."

Tamakawa blinks back his initial shock at that answer. It's not necessarily that the boy claims to have been his partner's friend that comes as a surprise. It's the verbiage that the boy chooses to use in his wording. Tamakawa misinterprets the 'our' as being inclusive of him and not a lab experimentational symbiote. He smiles, sadly, too. Because the thought of their shared friendship with the recently deceased man is a bittersweet thought to have.

"That answer works enough for me, Midoriya.." Tamakawa bids farewell to his fellow friend with a courteous bow, "Sorry for your loss."

Izuku bows back, returning the gesture. "You as well, Officer Tamakawa."

Inko Midoriya watches through a crack in the window curtain blinds that she uses as a concealing cover while her son finishes speaking with someone unfamiliar outside. As soon as Izuku and the odd man part ways, the worried mother quickly closes the curtain before Izuku can spot her peeking out. She inhales and then exhales deeply. It's not quite an act entirely but she still forces herself to wear a smile for when he walks in through the front door.

"Sweetie", Inko clasps her hands together – more like starts wringing them out in an attempt to soothe her anxiety – and goes to greet her son at the home's entrance, "Who was that outside you were talking to?"

Izuku gives a disinterested shrug, not fully paying attention to the question. "Nobody important", he brushes off the topic to avoid answering any further. Rather, his eyes flit to a hanging clock and he instead chooses to address an alternative issue, "Sorry about coming home late."

It's Inko's turn to respond with a small shrug. It's not like either of them needed to look at the clock's time to know that the hour is late. She spent quite some time looking out the window, which is all that's required to know that it is dark out. "I'm getting used to it by now", she lets him off easy since there's no point pestering him about it over and over again anymore, "It's hard to remember sometimes that you're not just my little boy anymore."

Izuku hums as he hangs his head. His mom's unspoken disappointment is worse than her warranted anger. But worst of all is that she stood by the door without going to sleep until he got back out of love & concern, not even willing to admonish him when he returned home. He apologizes again, "Then we're sorry for making you stay up waiting", this time for that reason in particular.

Inko notes the way Izuku says 'we', but misinterprets the meaning behind it in a sense similar to Sansa Tamakawa. She has no reason to think that her son is referring to himself as being more than one. So she instead believes that Izuku means 'we' as in his job's boss & co-workers were keeping him out longer than usual. "Your father would work late all the time too", she lets her son know that she understands if that is the case.

Izuku doesn't have it in him to correct her so he just agrees, "Mhm.." In a sense, staying out as Spider-Man is technically a form of work too anyways.

Inko hesitantly reaches for her child but stops short. She isn't sure how to broach this without being an overbearing parent. She's aware that she can be fussy and she doesn't want to turn Izuku into an overly reliant Mama's Boy or anything but… he's her only son, and he is all who she has left after Hisashi's passing, so she doesn't want them to become distant either. "Honey, is everything okay?" Her voice wavers with her mustered up courage to say something as she tries not to break down into tears, "I know we don't talk much anymore and that you have your reasons for being a bit more .. 'reserved' .. but you're going through alot and I hope you know it's okay to talk to me."

Izuku avoids her gaze, turning his head to look in the other direction. First his father died. Then Tokuda. Now Tsukauchi. Tragedy has been following him from father figure to father figure. Each man to look up to in his life didn't just pass away, but they were taken from him. For someone his age, it's only natural to then start keeping people at an arm's length as to not be hurt when losing anyone else. He distances himself so that he can't get hurt anymore. But in doing so, he has only since then been hurting himself sooner.

"Everything is fine", Izuku takes a step back from his mother to avoid being roped into a hug. He keeps his head down, still hiding his eyes so that they don't lock with hers.

Inko can't hold back her tears anymore. They don't spill over or stream down her cheeks but her eyes become watery as she yearns to help her son but feels that she can't at all. "I'm not going to punish you for being honest, Izuku.." She desperately tries one last time to let him know that she is willing to listen to his problems without judging him.

Izuku shudders, the symbiote shivering across his skin as it nips at him like a bitter bite of something chilly. He's starting to grow tired of these recurring conversations that keep going absolutely nowhere. With all the other problems in his life, he doesn't want to come home to this constant nagging anymore. But regardless of his pent up frustration, he manages to hold back from snapping at his mother. He instead sadly pleas what he was hoping for all along from these talks that are becoming a regulatory routine, "Mom.. You have to believe us.."

Inko waits for her son to raise his head and look at her but he never does. She starts to see that he's recently become somebody else lately. "I do, Izuku.. That's the problem.. I'll always believe you.." She turns away from him in order to give the metamorphosing time of boyhood into adulthood some space. Even so, she misses her son. "So it hurts to listen to you lie.."

Their skull styled masks reflect on the polished metal weaponry strewn across the table in front of them. It's an impressive assembled arsenal, shipped in from America in huge cargo containers. The assorted guns range from semi automatics to lower caliber kinds of shooting. High artillery rounds are supported on stands like they have put together a personalized shoppee of sorts. The Creature Rejection Clan glance between their acquired firearms and eachother; a few CRC members whistle to express how impressed they are while others survey the setup with their hands on their hips or folded arms.

One of the CRC members, a squeamish fellow despite having been apart of the cult for a very long time, throws nervous glances in the direction of the CRC member beside them. They ask in a worrisome tone, "You got these from the Yakuza?"

"Yeah! They're smuggling in all sorts of weapons nowadays", the secondary CRC character fails to notice the tone of their comrade's voice and cheerfully pumps a fist into the air to express excitement over receiving weapons for the cult.

The squeamish clan member shifts side to side, still nervous. "Exactly my point.. What if we owe the Yakuza now? How do we know these are authentic?"

Before the squeamish CRC character can get a response, their conversation is interrupted by the warehouse's doors being knocked down behind them. They and the other gathered cult members turn around to see who has disrupted their gathering. What they see is somebody wearing similar attire to them. It's a guy with a skull mask much like theirs and a matching skull emblazoned bulletproof vest. Heavy combat boots thud with stomping steps forwards, each step echoing against the silent onlooking crowd of clan members.

The odd one out from them all not only makes a dramatic entrance, but he moves past the CRC members to inspect the guns much more closely than them. Everyone surrounding the individual shares sneaked glances and exchange quick looks with one another. Nobody bothers to complain about the warehouse door damages just yet for sake of disturbing the mutually agreed upon silence as they survey the scene. The scene settles as much as it does shift even further when the newcomer grabs a shotgun from the weapons line.

The two CRC members who had been conversing earlier look at one another. After a moment of more silence, the CRC character who is in favor of the Yakuza given weapons chuckles and says, "The new guy seems to like em."

But the still squeamish clan member of the pair isn't as amused. They point out that there's still something off about this new guy's recent additional arrival, "I- I don't think we've had anybody new join recently.."

It registers in the cocky clan member's mind that this is a fair point. They do a doubletake while wondering, "Huh? Then who the fu–"

The 'new guy' who doesn't seem to be a new addition to their cult afterall, levels his wielded shotgun, and then blows a bunch of brains out the back of the CRC member's helmeted head.

A commotional panic rises amongst the crowd of remaining Creature Rejection Clan members when they witness the murder happen. One of the younger CRC characters rushes forward while shoutingly asking, "Oi! What the fu– ?!"

They get gunned down too. A single shot puts a huge hole through their chest. An empty shotgun shell falls out, smoking, and clatters against the ground.

A fearful silence falls over the room again. Many of the CRC members hold onto one another and sweat underneath their masks. They are too scared to speak or to make a move. Those who want to run worry about getting a bullet in the back. Anyone who might have thought to challenge their cult culling shooter loses the will to fight.

"You all always talk big about punishing anthropomorphic types", the shotgun wielding character turns towards them all and cocks the weapon so that it's primed to fire & be used again, "I'm thinking maybe it's about time somebody punishes all of YOU."

On behalf of the Creature Rejection Cult, a seemingly brave enough member stands out from the collective crowd to speak against the outcast who dares to wear their symbol in a form of mockery to them. They ask this rebellious anti-hero, "Who the fuck are YOU to make that kinda judgment?!"

"Weren't you listening.. ?" The entire Creature Rejection Cult gets their answer as more gunshots ring out, "I'm your PUNISHER."

AUTHOR NOTES

~Dun, DUN, DUUUNNN~

First the mystery of Black Cat, and now two additional yet to be revealed character meshings have been incorporated - who do you all think The Punisher is? What about the mention of Tombstone? At least one of these identities will be revealed next chapter, so get your guesses in now!

This chapter was meant to be a bit of a 'filler' and 'setup' piece, sorta like an intermission, but I actually had more fun writing it than I thought. There's so many subplots/plotlines that I want to keep developing on the back burner and I want to get the right balance from here on for when they get their built up payoffs.

Let's start with Silvermane's further development. I thought it best to utilize Eri's Rewind quirk in place of a 'time tablet' as typically done in Spider-Man comics and especially like the way it was used with All For One's de-aging process in canon that it's how I want it to be applied to Silvermane story wise here. The whole Benjamin Button backwards rewind process being due to accumulating damage is really cool and just makes sense to me.

Per 'Daiki', this is still the canon character from Team Reservoir Dogs, I just gave him a name & background for the sake of the story - I don't like inserting OC's or OCifying characters too much but this is an instance that may call for it - there's something planned for this guy too based on his appearance and what I hope is the right translation (according to Google) for the last name I chose to give em.

I was originally going to write Melissa out of the story after I-Island but I think her addition to the cast of characters this way can maybe hopefully bring some more drama to the story. What with the symbiote saga starting, may as well amp up the girl trouble!

Even Sansa Tamakawa, only after killing off Naomasa did I think of a way to give him more of an involvement moving forward so he's not just a side character; more diehard Spidey fans may or may not be able to figure out what my plans for his character may lead to.

Nevertheless, thank you CapoPerk for your always awesome encouraging comments/reviews - I was worried that last chapter may have been TOO fast paced but I'm glad you liked it!

And theMAX360, congratulations on being my 100th review/comment, that's pretty cool! Your criticism is valid, and I somewhat felt the same myself when writing out Tokuda, but hopefully I make up for those sudden deaths with the fallout content of funerals & the aftermath that comes with character deaths like memorabilic emotional grieving.

But I digress! That is all for now! Till next time, my dear readers!

-Courtesy of your friendly neighborhood author!