Two months after the death of Superman and the retirement of All Might, Japan was a nation in flux.
With the retirement of All Might, the former No. 2 Hero in Japan, Enji Todoroki, automatically became the No. 1 Hero in Japan. It may not be the victory he had envisioned, but the Pro Hero named Endeavor had attained his goal. To take All Might's place as the Number 1 Hero.
Endeavor's rise to the No. 1 Hero in Japan, though significant, had not erased the growing unease among civilians and heroes alike. Villains were emboldened, criminal syndicates like the Shie Hassaikai expanded their reach, and whispers of vigilantes operating beyond the bounds of the law added to the tension.
The Naruhata Vigilantes knew that they were not the only vigilantes operating in Japan, but the newer breed of vigilantes that had emerged in the wake of Naruhata Vigilantes' newfound popularity in Japan, shortly after the rescues in Tokyo, had given the vigilantes a bad name. They were said to be no different than villains.
Amid the rise of villains in the absence of the world's greatest heroes, Class 1-A was no longer confined to the safety of U.A. High School's walls. Deku, Bakugo, Todoroki, and their classmates in Class 1-A were now active participants in the fight against crime through their internships, learning firsthand what it truly meant to be a hero in a world that was starting to show its cracks.
The students of Class 1-A did their internships alongside the Big 3 of U.A. High School. They were Mirio Togata, Nejire Hado, and Tamaki Amajiki. Like the top 3 hero candidates of Japan, the students of Class 1-A were no longer just training; they were preparing for what comes next.
With All For One still in Tartarus and the two heroes who had beaten him dead and retired, a war was inevitable. A mad scramble for power was inevitable.
One such mission during the internship brought Deku and his classmates face-to-face with the Shie Hassaikai, a criminal organization led by the ruthless Overhaul.
The heroes had received intelligence about the Shie Hassaikai's latest operation. Overhaul's group was allegedly moving Quirk-erasing bullets and trafficking innocent people, including a mysterious girl named Eri, whose fate would have catastrophic consequences if left in their hands. She seemed to be at the heart of Overhaul's dark plans. All the more reason to save her.
Unbeknownst to them, the futute confrontation in the Shie Hassaikai compound would eventually lead to the fateful meeting between the heroes and the vigilantes.
How does it all lead to that fateful meeting, you ask?
Trigger.
The city of Naruhata never truly slept. It thrived under the neon glow, its streets a battleground for those who skulked in the shadows. Among them, the Naruhata Vigilantes had made their mark, standing as silent sentinels against the darkness that Pro Heroes overlooked. Muggers. Small-time crooks.
One of the darkness that began to envelop Naruhata was the Shie Hassaikai. The group of Yakuza had their influence on the city by being yet another producer of Trigger. They produced their specialized brand of Trigger, making their deals in the shadows of the city, and procured several loyal customers.
And now, the Naruhata Vigilantes were discreetly observing a Shie Hassaikai operation, not knowing that they were about to uncover something far worse than just another new variant of Trigger.
Spider-Man perched on the rooftop; mask pulled down just enough to sip from a can of vending machine coffee. He was fond of them ever since he started associating himself with Knuckleduster and the others.
The bitter taste did little to ease the tension coiling in his gut. He and the vigilantes had been investigating Trigger for over a year since he was first recruited, and while he'd seen what the drug could do, tonight had changed everything.
Below them, the Shie Hassaikai's operation was in motion. It wasn't just another deal. This was a test run.
Knuckleduster clenched his fists. "They're testing something new."
The group watched as a bound man, who was bruised, gagged, and terrified, was dragged into an alleyway by two masked men. Yu's enhanced senses picked up the muted sobs as the prisoner struggled against his captors.
One of the two masked men stood in front of him, drawing what appeared to be a modified pistol. He aimed the gun at the prisoner and fired a shot.
The man gasped, body tensing as the bullet struck him on the shoulder. For a moment, there was nothing but pain. But after the pain dissipated, there was nothing after that. There were no life-threatening injuries.
Then, surprisingly, the Shie Hassaikai released the prisoner from his bonds. Predictably, the prisoner seized the opportunity to fight back against his captors, only to freeze in terror as he realized that the Quirk that he had been relying on for so long... was gone.
Gone.
Not suppressed. Not momentarily neutralized.
Completely erased.
The prisoner barely had time to register his loss before another gunshot rang out from the gunmen. This time, it was a real bullet from a real gun, aimed at his head. He collapsed, lifeless, as the gunman turned away without hesitation. To him, he was just another test subject. Just another loose end tied up.
Koichi's fingers dug into the rooftop ledge. "What the hell was that?" he whispered.
Pop Step, crouched beside him, covered her mouth, horrified. "They... he... they just..."
Knuckleduster exhaled through his nose, a sharp, angry breath. "A Quirk-nullifying bullet."
Yu turned to him sharply. "Nullifying?"
"Not just nullifying. Permanent. That man's Quirk was erased." Knuckleduster's eyes darkened. "Trigger's dangerous, but this? This is something else."
But then, the conversation between the Shie Hassaikai thugs caused their ears to perk up.
"Hey, what the hell, man?!" A thug cried out. "We're supposed to test the antiserum on him as well! We needed him alive!"
"Nah. I know it would work." The gunman said as he admired the Quirk-nullifying weapon on his hand. "Should I test it on you?"
Without any warning, the gunman fired. Just like the prisoner, there was nothing but pain.
His Quirk was gone, but then, the gunman gave the thug he shot an antiserum. After ingesting it, miraculously, the thug's Quirk returned.
In an instant, the thug's contempt for the gunman turned to awe at the ingenuity behind the real plot. "The boss is a genius."
"And tomorrow, we'll be filthy rich." The two thugs returned to being best buds after the little talk.
Then, on their orders, the Shie Hassaikai loaded up their equipment and prepared to slip away into the night. But the Naruhata Vigilantes had other plans.
Knuckleduster gave the signal. The team swooped down, striking with swift precision. Yu's webs ensnared two before they could react, while Pop Step's agility kept her out of harm's way as she delivered sharp, disorienting strikes. Knuckleduster took the brunt of the fight, fists slamming into the remaining Hassaikai agents with brutal efficiency.
In mere moments, it was over. The gunman, who they purposely saved for last, tried crawling away before Knuckleduster grabbed him by his arm, twisting it just enough to make his intent clear. "Start talking," he growled. "Where did that bullet come from?"
The gunman's breath came in ragged gasps. "I... I didn't make contact with the guy himself," he stammered. "But some say... it came from the boss."
"Who's the boss?" Spider-Man asked, even though the most senior of the gang of vigilantes, who was a former Pro Hero, already knew the answer, seeing that the boss he was talking about was under constant surveillance from the Pro Heroes as a prominent member of the group of Yakuza.
The thug swallowed hard. "Overhaul."
Knuckleduster tightened his grip. "And?"
"I... I just received it! A whole crate of them! Pistols and bullets. And... the antiserum." The thug answered quickly.
A whole crate of those Quirk-nullifying bullets and the antiserum? "Where?" Knuckleduster demanded the shipment's location.
"In the warehouse! Lot 13. We were... we were told to pass them out to the others tomorrow."
"Why? Why would you need those guns?" Knuckleduster demanded the motive. He had a hunch from what he heard that they would all be filthy rich, but he needed confirmation.
"We had orders to start cleaning up the Quirks here! Then, we sell the antiserum! That's all I know, I swear! That's all I know!"
"If you're lying, I'll break the other one," Knuckleduster growled.
"The other what..." The gunman screamed as Knuckleduster gave the arm a twist, breaking it. He was knocked out swiftly with a punch to his head.
The team exchanged glances. The Shie Hassaikai weren't just experimenting with something dangerous. They were being led by a monster. And now, they had his name... and a lead on his goal.
The Naruhata Vigilantes immediately got to Lot 13 after leaving the thugs for the police to handle. Inside, there was a shipping crate containing more of the Quirk-nullifying bullets and the specialized pistols needed to fire them. And another crate containing the antiserum, which were kept in glass bottles.
The Shie Hassaikai weren't just dealing in Trigger anymore. They were playing God. They would erase Quirks with the Quirk-nullifying bullets, and then, sell the antiserum to cure the afflicted. Creating supply and demand. They would be filthy rich. It would be much more lucrative than simply selling Trigger, as long as they had the supply of bullets to create the demand, and a supply of antiserum to answer those demands.
With this, the Yakuza would truly return to their former glory.
And the Naruhata Vigilantes had just been put on their trail.
The next day, Oguro's contact received photographs of Overhaul as he was kept under surveillance by the Pro Heroes. He may no longer be the Pro Hero O'clock, but he still had friends. Contacts, to be exact. Both in the Pro Hero world and the criminal underworld. He only entrusted the knowledge of his new line of work with a handful of those friends.
Knuckleduster observed the photograph further as he was determined to get closer to Overhaul.
The photograph, taken from a CCTV footage, showed Overhaul in a plague mask holding a little girl by his side as they walked down the street.
Was the girl his daughter?
No.
The girl wasn't his daughter. Iwao Oguro knew that for sure, because he was a father. He had a daughter, Tamao Oguro. She was alive, despite being far away from him. He was happy with it, as long as she didn't go back into the world he fought against.
Iwao knew that Tamao now travelled a lot with the band she was a part of. She was the guitar player in the band, which had always been her dream. Knuckleduster knew that he hadn't always been supportive of his daughter's dream, but seeing her happy, and, most importantly, alive and well, was enough for him. He made her promise to choose her friends and bandmates wisely, especially after... everything that had happened to her.
That was one of the reasons why Iwao Oguro returned to the crime-fighting scene after hanging up the mantle of O'clock. He became a Quirkless vigilante to save his daughter. Turns out, he didn't need a Quirk to defeat some villains, or saving a life, for that matter. After saving his daughter, he decided to make it his job.
The look on the little girl's face as Overhaul gazed upon her told Knuckleduster a lot about their relationship. It wasn't love. Overhaul saw her as an object. A thing. Nothing more. Nothing less.
He may not love her, but he still needed her. For what?
Further investigations and questioning into the Shie Hassaikai operations, along with the help of his various contacts, allowed him to find out who she was, and how important she was to Overhaul's plans.
"Her name is Eri." Knuckleduster showed the three young vigilantes a photograph of the girl Overhaul was seen walking with from the CCTV footage he had seen. "She is the source of the Quirk-nullifying bullet the Shie Hassaikai is planning to use."
"How?" Kazuho stared at the photograph Oguro had handed over to her in shock. How could a girl be the source of such a weapon?
"Her Quirk. I asked one of my contacts to follow Overhaul's movements. He took these photographs for me."
Yu immediately questioned how Knuckleduster's contact had taken the photographs, as several of the photos were obviously taken from behind enemy lines. To take those photographs would mean to position himself right in the hostile's camp. Right under their noses.
"Let's just say that he's a master of stealth." Oguro didn't feel the need to reveal more information about this particular contact. Oguro knew that his contact preferred to stay underground evet since he retired from his works in the criminal underworld.
Still, Knuckleduster knew that he was every bit as competent as he was in his glory days. He was a thief. A damn good one.
In some of the photos, the Shie Hassaikai thugs were visibly looking right at the photographer. But the photos didn't show any reactions from the thugs. As if the photographer holding the camera was... invisible. Or they didn't mind being photographed for evidence, which was incredibly unlikely.
"Cloaking tech?" Koichi guessed.
"Cloaking tech." Oguro nodded.
"I knew it." Koichi knew that was the only possible reason why the contact could infiltrate the base and take the photographs he was seeing without being seen.
"I bet there's a lot of Yakuza in there." Yu saw the number of men in the background of the pictures he had been seeing. They were numerous.
"It will be a big fight. It's four of us against an army." Kazuho never forgot the power of the four vigilantes, including herself, with the new training she had been receiving from Spider-Man and Knuckleduster. Still, she knew they were outnumbered.
"Yeah, and he told me that he will send reinforcements coming our way." Knuckleduster would never forget hearing his contact saying that he would send this particular 'reinforcement' under his responsibility.
"That's great!" Kazuho was glad to hear that they would get help. "How many men does he have?"
"One," Knuckleduster answered bluntly, which caused Kazuho's previous excitement to turn sour. "But he's good. I'll take his word for it. And he was eager to help people like us."
Knuckleduster remembered what his contact had told him about the new blood that had been assisting him in his stakeouts and covert operations.
Now, the vigilantes had an objective: find the girl.
During the raid on Overhaul's compound, Deku's team stumbled into the aftermath of a fierce battle. Several men were knocked out cold with visible bruises.
The air was thick with dust, smoke, and the sound of combat echoing through the dark, maze-like corridors.
Emerging from the shadows, they saw three figures locked in combat with Overhaul's henchmen in a single large room below them: The Crawler, Knuckleduster, and Pop Step. They were the Naruhata Vigilantes.
The students of U.A. High School, Class 1-A included, had heard of them before and saw them in the news, but it was the first time they saw them in action before their eyes.
Knuckleduster, with both of his hands armed with the very tools that gave him his namesake, tore through his enemies with brutal efficiency, taking down multiple Yakuza thugs with bone-shattering punches. His every move was raw and precise, driven by sheer will and experience.
Pop Step moved like a blur, darting through the chaos with acrobatic grace, helping civilians trapped in the crossfire while using her Quirk to evade incoming fire. She then attacked the Shie Hassaikai with nothing but her fists and legs. As her Leap Quirk was not of much use in terms of offense, she relied on the Capoeira training she had received from Spider-Man and Crawler. The usage of Capoeira in tandem with her Leap Quirk was proven to be effective. As an idol, she was familiar with dancing. So, for Pop Step, this was just another dance.
The Crawler, who was once an unremarkable street-level vigilante in the eyes of the public during his debut, including the young heroes of Class 1-A, was now moving with purpose and control, sliding through the narrow corridors using his Quirk in ways that seemed almost heroic. He had unlocked the power of flight and almost changed his name into Skycrawler, but his power of flight was impossible to use in the enclosed space he found himself in, and he decided that the name Skycrawler was too long. He still preferred to use the name Crawler. The name just... rolled off the tongue.
"Who... are they?" Deku gasped, watching Knuckleduster knock a hulking brute unconscious with a devastating uppercut.
"The Naruhata Vigilantes," Mirio muttered grimly. "They're not registered heroes... but they're fighting to protect these people."
Overhaul's enforcers began to regroup, bringing out their favorite Quirk-enhancing weaponry that could overwhelm even Pro Heroes: their refined variant of Trigger. The situation was spiraling out of control. Despite their differences, Deku and his classmates couldn't stand by.
But then, Mirio took one look at Overhaul, along with his right-hand man, Chronostasis. Without waiting any further, Lemillion ran towards him, fully intent on getting Eri away from his clutches. He left the small group of younger students of Class 1-A with the vigilantes.
Wave after wave of Yakuza were coming towards them. It was as if the Shie Hassaikai had united every Yakuza clan and group in Japan under one banner. The vigilantes were vastly outnumbered against the army the Shie Hassaikai had amassed. Every one of them were under the influence of Trigger. There were no grotesque transformations or mindless rampages, but the Yakuza's Quirks were enhanced. The students knew that the Naruhata Vigilantes were formidable, but they also knew that it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed.
"We have to help them!" Uraraka urged.
Without hesitation, Midoriya launched himself into the fray, jumping down to help them. He made a big entrance by smashing through an oncoming wave of enemies from above before webbing a large thug with Black Whip before using him as a wrecking ball on the others. The rest were swiftly dealt with as he made full use of his Full Cowl attacks.
Bakugo and Todoroki charged in from another corridor, unleashing a devastating combo attack that tore through the crumbling base.
The heroes and vigilantes found themselves fighting side by side, driven by the same purpose. To protect the innocent, even if their methods were worlds apart.
What stood out to them most, however, was the Naruhata vigilantes' newest member, Spider-Man, the young vigilante with a peculiar Spider Quirk. They knew that his Quirk allowed him to scale walls, possess incredible strength, agility, and reflexes, and a spider-like sense that would help him detect incoming threats. His powers made him a formidable force in the underground hero world.
As more of the students of U.A. High School arrived on the scene with their Pro Hero instructors to act as reinforcements for the raid, as the Pro Heroes realized that the Shie Hassaikai had more manpower than they thought, they were surprised to see the vigilantes already engaged in a fight against Overhaul's men. And alongside them was Spider-Man, who moved with the grace and precision of someone far more experienced. The vigilantes had one goal in mind, which aligned perfectly with the heroes': to help rescue a girl named Eri, who was the key to Overhaul's sinister plans.
But what startled the students, Tsuyu Asui in particular, was the familiarity with Spider-Man's movements, his fighting style, and the way he approached battle with a calm but determined resolve. The truth became clear when Spider-Man used a familiar web-shooter as he fought like the insect he was named after. Just like...
"Yu?" Tsuyu's voice trembled slightly, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Yu Onomae froze for a split second, recognizing the voice. His eyes softened under his mask as he turned to face her, but he couldn't stop now.
After his spider sense went wild for a split second, his focus quickly returned to the fight, webbing one of Overhaul's goons to a wall before backflipping out of the way of an incoming attack. But Tsuyu knew it was him, her old childhood friend, the boy who had been by her side in her early school days. They had parted ways when he transferred schools, and she had never heard from him since.
"Tsu... you know him?" Deku asked, dodging an attack and glancing at her in surprise.
Tsuyu nodded, still processing what she was seeing. "Yeah... we grew up together."
The fight continued, but the revelation lingered. Yu, now Spider-Man, was no longer the boy Tsuyu remembered. He had taken on a new identity, fighting in the shadows with the Naruhata Vgilantes, operating outside the law and outside the system that heroes like her were part of.
As the fight escalated, Spider-Man swung into action, using his webs and agility to subdue enemies, but he and his friends' goal remained the same as the heroes': To rescue Eri.
The students of Class 1-A joined the effort, but tension was thick in the air. They knew they were on the same side, but the lines between heroes and vigilantes were thin, and the two groups didn't entirely trust each other. At least, not yet.
Yu's connection to Tsuyu complicated things further. He had disappeared from her life without explanation, and now he was back, fighting alongside vigilantes and breaking the law.
But as the battle raged on, it became clear that the Naruhata vigilantes, despite their methods, shared the same values as the heroes. They wanted to protect the innocent and stop Overhaul's twisted plans. Yu, in particular, fought with a sense of responsibility that reminded Deku of All Might's words, that a hero is someone who saves others, no matter the cost.
Yu's spider sense flared up, a warning buzz in the back of his skull that told him something terrible was happening. Without hesitation, he swung away from the battle against the Yakuza armies, trusting that Tsuyu and her friends could handle things. He raced down the maze of corridors, his body moving on instinct, toward a large chamber, which was the site of Overhaul's battle with Lemillion.
When he arrived, the sight made his heart sink.
Mirio Togata, one of the best, if not the best, hero candidates in all of Japan, was hunched over a small, terrified girl. A bullet was lodged in his arm, his breath came in ragged gasps, and his body trembled.
Yu had seen that bullet before. He knew what it was capable of.
Lemillion, the top hero candidate in Japan, was now powerless.
"You're powerless!" Overhaul's voice echoed in the chamber as he advanced, his movements methodical, predatory.
Yu didn't hesitate.
With a flick of his wrist, Spider-Man's web zipped across the room, yanking the gun from the hands of Overhaul's lackey before he could fire another round. The weapon clattered across the floor. In the same motion, Yu launched himself into the air, tucking his body into a somersault before slamming both feet into the lackey's chest. The force sent the man flying into the far wall. He crumpled, unconscious. Yu shot several webs at the lackey, ensuring he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.
Overhaul's cold, calculating eyes snapped toward Yu.
"The spider vigilante..."
Yu didn't give him time to say more.
A web shot forward, splatting directly over Overhaul's eyes, forcing him to lurch backward, which bought him some time to regroup with Lemillion.
Yu landed next to Mirio, bracing himself in a low stance.
"Are you okay?" he asked, glancing at the young girl Mirio was shielding.
Mirio gritted his teeth. He was shaking, whether from exhaustion, pain, or anger, Yu couldn't tell. But he still smiled. "I can still fight. Thank you, Spider-Man."
Yu nodded, fists clenching. "Good. Because we're bringing Eri home."
Overhaul's expression darkened. His fingers twitched, and Yu could tell he was preparing for another attack. Yu tensed, his spider sense buzzing...
A flash of motion. Another one of Overhaul's lackeys was preparing yet another weapon to be fired.
Nope. Not this time.
Yu's webbing fired before the man could act, slamming his arm against the wall. "Sorry, but that's cheating," Yu quipped, yanking the pistol away and flinging it across the room. "Play fair." The lackey was quickly webbed down.
Overhaul straightened, his muscles tensing beneath his long coat. Then he slammed his palm to the ground. In an instant, the floor beneath the two heroes shattered as Overhauldisassembled the floor and reassembled them into jagged spikes that shot toward Yu and Mirio like spears.
Yu flipped out of the way, twisting midair, webbing Mirio's shoulder and yanking him and Eri out of danger. They both landed in a crouch.
"Well, at least you are playing fair," Yu joked, rolling his shoulders. "Are you good, Lemillion?"
"Good," Mirio said, standing. "But one of us should get Eri to safety."
Yu hesitated. His spider sense was flaring again, but this time, the danger wasn't aimed at him.
Overhaul's hand was already reaching for his own gun, preparing to fire yet another Quirk-nullifying bullet.
A punch landed before he could fire.
Overhaul recoiled, staggering back. His gaze darted around wildly. His attacker was invisible.
"Show yourself!" Overhaul yelled to thin air.
Then, another hit struck him. A powerfulkick slammed into Overhaul's ribs, dropping him to his knees.
Yu knew exactly who was attacking before he even saw him. His spider sense had picked up his presence and his movements.
It was someone like him.
Then, the figure swung toward Overhaul, revealing himself mid-air before landing a flying punch to the villain's face.
The impact was devastating.
Overhaul's plague mask shattered into pieces, and he was sentflying into the far wall. The unknown Spider-Man fired several webs, pinning Overhaul to the rubble.
Yu blinked.
Another Spider-Man?
His suit was like Yu's, but different. It was much more loosely fitting. The gloves weren't seamless, the design was simpler, yet there were distinct features. Expressive lenses. Padded elbows and knees. A pair of red shoes with black stripes. Stylish.
Yu's mind raced. Is this the reinforcement Knuckleduster was talking about?
Overhaul grit his teeth. With a quick movement, he disassembled the webbing pinning him down and reassembled it into a solid mass. Hurling it back toward his assailant.
The second Spider-Man dodged effortlessly, slipping between Overhaul's attacks like water. He darted forward, sliding under Overhaul's legs before delivering two consecutive kicks to his back. The force launched Overhaulstraight toward Yu.
Yu moved in an instant, twisting his body and delivering a brutal right hook to Overhaul's jaw.
Mirio joined in, despite having lost his Quirk.
Yu had never seen anything like it. Even without his powers, Mirio was still a force to be reckoned with. His movements were calculated, each strike precise. He fought with the instincts of a warrior. Someone who had trained for this moment his entire life.
Yu found himself in awe.
For a moment, he saw a glimpse of what Mirio must have been like with his Quirk. The ability to phase through attacks, to strike from unexpected angles. And yet, even now, stripped of that ability, he was still keeping up.
The three of them, Spider-Man, the second Spider-Man, and Lemillion,overwhelmed Overhaul in a relentless assault. The villain, once so composed and in control, was now desperate. His body trembled. His breaths were ragged.
Before they knew it, it was over.
Yu turned to Eri, who was staring at him with wide, fearful eyes. He softened his voice. "You're safe now."
She hesitated. Then, slowly, she reached toward him, her tiny fingers grasping the edge of his glove.
Yu clenched his jaw. He promised to himself, that no one was ever going to hurt this kid again. Spider-Man and Mirio shared an understanding look. The gesture was clear, even though the former was masked.
As the battle concluded, the heroes secured Eri's safety. In the aftermath, Yu and the second Spider-Man disappeared into the shadows as the Pro Heroes arrived, praising Mirio's bravery.
Before he vanished, Yu met Tsuyu's gaze.
A silent understanding passed between them. They had a lot to talk about.
And as for the other Spider-Man? He was nowhere to be found.
Tsuyu and Yu met in a quiet corner of the city, away from the chaos of their recent battle. The sun was setting, casting long shadows as the two faced one another, masks off for the first time in what felt like a lifetime. Tsuyu, her large, expressive eyes full of emotion, took in the sight of her childhood friend, now so different but still familiar.
Yu... Spider-Man leaned against a nearby wall, the tension in his body easing as he removed his mask entirely. His face, though marked by the weight of the life he had chosen, visibly exhausted from the countless battles as a vigilante, still bore traces of the boy Tsuyu remembered. The air between them was heavy with unspoken words, memories of a past that seemed distant, and the weight of everything that had transpired.
Tsuyu was the first to speak, her voice soft but direct. "Yu... why? Why did you put on that suit? Why become a vigilante?"
Yu exhaled deeply, his gaze falling to the ground for a moment. "It's... a long story, Tsu."
"I've got time," Tsuyu said, her tone gentle but persistent. She wanted to understand, needed to know what had driven her old friend to walk such a dangerous path.
"A year of silence, and this is how I find you? A vigilante?" Tsuyu's tone turned from gentle to disappointed.
"Sorry." Yu had planned to tell Tsuyu about his... part-time work, albeit with a few truths withheld, on the night after the bridge incident. But then, the Naruhata Vigilantes happened. After he was welcomed into their ranks, he had forgotten his old life; the life he had before his pursuit of vengeance. The conversation he had planned with Tsuyu never happened. She had never heard from him for over a year.
But, in a way, Tsuyu had also forgotten the life she had before getting into Class 1-A, as they became a tight-knit group of young heroes in training. Like Yu, Tsuyu had found new friends. Still, they both knew that Yu owed Tsuyu an explanation for everything that happened to him.
Yu straightened up, running a hand through his hair as he prepared to tell her everything. "A few years after I moved away, things got... bad. My dad... he was murdered. I never told you. It was only a few months after we lost touch, but it tore me apart. The police had no leads, no justice, nothing. I was angry, Tsu. I was angry all the time."
Tsuyu's heart sank as she listened. She had always wondered why Yu had disappeared from her life so suddenly, but she hadn't imagined it was something so tragic.
"I wanted revenge," Yu continued, his voice hardening as he recounted the memories. "I didn't care about the law or doing things the 'right' way. I just wanted to find the person who took my dad from me and make them pay. So, I built the suit and made my web-shooters. I thought if I could harness my Spider Quirk and take justice into my own hands, I could make things right."
Tsuyu's throat tightened, but she let him speak. There was more, and she knew it.
"But..." Yu's voice softened as he stared into the distance. "Then one night, while I was out looking for leads, I stumbled across an attack on the bridge. A boy, no older than ten, was trapped in a burning car, hanging off the side of a bridge. I could hear the fire crackling, the metal groaning under the weight. The whole thing was going to fall any second."
Tsuyu blinked, her breath catching as she imagined the scene.
"I swung down there as fast as I could, and pulled him out, but he was too scared to climb up the side of the bridge. He was frozen, crying. So, I did the only thing I could think of, I gave him my mask. Told him that if he put it on, he'd be strong enough to climb."
Tsuyu's heart clenched as Yu smiled faintly at the memory.
"And you know what?" Yu asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "He did it. He put on the mask, and he climbed. I watched him get back to his mother, and... seeing her relief, her tears when she held him... it hit me. I realized then that this wasn't just about me. It was never just about revenge. I could do more. I could help people. I have to."
Yu paused, looking directly at Tsuyu. "That's when I decided to be Spider-Man. To be a hero, not just a guy out for revenge. And that's when I met the Naruhata vigilantes. I met Knuckleduster, Pop Step, and Crawler. They showed me a different path. We started working together to protect the people the Pro Heroes couldn't always reach."
Tsuyu listened intently, her wide eyes reflecting the weight of Yu's words.
"And then Superman died," Yu said quietly. "And All Might retired shortly after. The world has changed. Things have changed. There's no denying that. The vigilantes and I... we knew we couldn't stay in the shadows anymore. It wasn't enough to just fight small-time criminals. We had to step up and do more, pulling our weight in this hero world despite not being heroes."
The world needed more heroes, no matter who they were or where they came from.
"That's when Knuckleduster found out about Eri, the girl that Overhaul had. We couldn't sit back and let her suffer, not when we had the power to help. He then searched for their hideout and... you know the rest, Tsu."
There was a long silence between them, broken only by the distant sounds of the city. Tsuyu finally spoke; her voice low but filled with emotion. "Yu... I didn't know. I didn't know you went through all that. You're not the same boy I knew, but... I'm proud of who you've become."
Yu blinked, her words catching him off guard.
"I know you had to walk a different path," Tsuyu continued, "but you're still the same person deep down. You wanted to help people. You wanted to make a difference."
Yu looked down; his chest tight with emotion. "Tsu... I never wanted to drag you into this. I just..."
She cut him off gently, placing a hand on his arm. "You didn't drag me into anything. I chose this path too. I'm a hero, just like you. And maybe we're doing it in different ways, but we're both trying to protect people."
Yu's eyes softened, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a sense of peace. They had both changed, but at their core, they were still the same. They were two friends trying to make the world a better place.
The two stood in the quiet for a moment longer, before Yu pulled his mask back on, ready to return to the fight. But as he prepared to leave, he looked back at Tsuyu, knowing that, for the first time in a long time, he wasn't alone.
Wearing his casual clothes instead of his usual vigilante gear, Iwao Oguro moved through the dimly lit hallways of an aging apartment building. The flickering overhead lights buzzed softly, casting long shadows against the peeling wallpaper. He arrived at a door on the eighth floor and knocked firmly.
No answer.
He wasn't surprised. His contact was cautious.
With a quiet sigh, he opted for the scenic route: the fire escape.
He didn't have his grappling hook with him, as it was stashed with his vigilante gear, so he did it the old-fashioned way. Hand over hand, he climbed the metallic staircase, his muscles tensing with each pull. Despite his age, Iwao still had the stamina of a fighter. Years of brawling on the streets had kept him sharp. When he reached the window, he tested the latch. Unlocked.
Slipping inside, he landed soundlessly on the wooden floor.
The apartment was small and unassuming. Just another forgettable space in Naruhata. But Iwao took in the details.
To the far right, a table stacked with takeout containers. The kind of diet that came with a life of secrecy. Just ahead of the table, an open cabinet revealed an array of electronics. Mixers, wires, and audio equipment. Iwao wasn't well-versed in musical devices, despite his daughter being a musician, but he recognized high-end gear when he saw it.
On the left, a makeshift gym setup. A weight bench, scattered barbells, and a heavy punching bag with worn leather. Someone who stayed in shape. Someone who needed to be ready.
Right next to the window was the computer setup. Multiple monitors, the hum of the cooling fan barely audible. Iwao had dealt with enough tech-savvy informants to recognize high-level encryption when he saw it. His contact wasn't just some common thief. He was a professional.
But his eyes lingered on the table against the left wall.
A different set of tools.
The suit. The utility belt. The gauntlets, which was equipped with retractable claws designed for cutting through glass. And the grappling hook. Tools of a thief.
He was about to step closer when a voice cut through the silence.
"You'd make a good thief, Knuckles."
Iwao smirked. He didn't flinch. Didn't even turn. He had felt the presence before the voice came. The man had been watching him the entire time.
From the upper corner of the room, a figure dropped down silently, landing just behind him.
Iwao gave a small chuckle. "And you'd make a good vigilante, Prowler."
He finally turned, eyes locking onto his contact.
Aaron Davis. The Prowler.
It was a name that carried weight in the criminal underworld.
Once a prolific thief in New York, Davis had made his way to Japan, and now, he was Iwao's most valuable informant. He was the one who provided the intel on Eri. The one who had gotten close enough to snap photos inside Overhaul's compound.
Davis was dressed casually, but there was an air of precision in the way he moved. His movements were calculated and deliberate. He was a man who knew how to stay in control of a room, even without a weapon in hand.
Iwao studied him for a moment before speaking. "You have a good nephew."
Aaron's expression barely shifted, but there was something behind his eyes. The slightest flicker of emotion.
"What do you mean by 'good'?" Aaron asked. "Good kid? Good fighter?" He folded his arms. "Or both?"
Iwao gave a small nod. "Bit of both."
Aaron exhaled through his nose. "Can I trust you to protect him?" The question was low, serious.
"You have my word."
Davis studied him for a moment longer, then gave a small nod. But there was something else... something still lingering. Iwao could tell.
"But you think he won't need protection, don't you?"
Aaron scoffed, shaking his head. He leaned against the table, looking away. "It's not about how good he is, Knuckles. It's about... him. Just like his old man, he always wants to do what's right, even if it means fighting enemies he can't beat."
Iwao understood that all too well.
Youngsters. Always charging in headfirst, fists swinging, convinced they could take on the world.
Miles had done just that. He faced down Overhaul without anyhesitation.Putting himself in the line of fire. But that reckless attack had given Mirio and Yu the breathing room they needed.
"I tried to talk him out of it, you know? Being a vigilante. I trained him as best as I could, but... in the end, winning or losing comes down to the man in the mask," Aaron continued. "I didn't want to repeat the past. To have him end up like his old man. But he did anyway. He convinced me to train him."
Aaron rubbed his head as he remembered agreeing on training him. Before the powers, he would adamantly refuse to train Miles to be a second Prowler. But then, after the bite, he had powers. Knowing that his nephew had superpowers eased his mind a bit. That was when he finally agreed to train Miles.
"I told you reinforcements would come. And he's hyped up."
"It's a good thing he is a vigilante. And it's a good thing he was there, Davis. He saved Yu, Lemillion... and the girl."
Aaron sighed, rubbing his face. "I know. I heard the news."
Iwao leaned in slightly. "Tell me about him."
Aaron glanced at him, then nodded. "His name is Miles Morales. Student at I-Island Academy. Bright kid. Always wanted to be a hero ever since he was a kid. Especially after he saw the big blue boy scout flying over the island, helping people after All For One's attack last fall."
Iwao frowned slightly, memories surfacing. Superman. He had fought All For One in a battle that shook the world. It was a prelude to their showdown on USJ, which happened last winter.
But what stuck with Iwao was what happened after USJ. The world now knew about Kryptonite. It had appeared during the fight at USJ. And then, just as quickly, it had disappeared.
"And his mother?" Iwao asked, recalling what little he knew of Miles' background.
"Back in the States. Councilwoman now. Busy. She sent Miles to study in I-Island Academy last year, hoping his gift in robotics could do some good."
Aaron's voice softened slightly. "It made sense, you know? I-Island has the best tech in the world. And the best part? He could be a hero by helping heroes. It was a no-brainer."
Iwao gave a small nod. "So you came from the States to keep an eye on him."
Aaron smirked slightly. "Yeah. Guess I did."
"It's a good thing," Iwao admitted. If Davis hadn't moved to Japan, they wouldn't have met. He wouldn't have gained one of his most important sources of information.
Aaron glanced at him. "And his abilities... a Quirk?"
Iwao narrowed his eyes slightly. He already had a suspicion.
Aaron shook his head. "Nah. Born Quirkless. Just like me. Just like his old man." He hesitated. "But then... something happened."
Iwao's gaze sharpened. "What was it?"
Aaron exhaled, rubbing his jaw. "It was at school."
There was weight behind those words. A story behind them.
Iwao crossed his arms. "I'm listening."
Aaron nodded, glancing toward the window. His expression was distant now, lost in memory.
And for the first time, Knuckleduster had the feeling that this conversation was about to go in a very interesting direction.
Meanwhile, a new guest in the Naruhata Vigilantes' base told the vigilantes his story.
"So, let me get this straight..." Yu leaned forward, arms crossed, his brows furrowed as he tried to process the story. "A spider bit you? And that's how you got your powers?"
Miles Morales, the new visitor in their home, gave a small nod. "Yep. A radioactive spider."
Koichi, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow. "A radioactive spider?"
Miles leaned back, crossing his arms. "I snuck into the I-Island robotics lab in the middle of the night. Wanted to get some ideas for a project I was working on." He paused, a small smirk forming. "On my way back, I had to avoid security, so I ducked into the radiology lab. Thought I'd wait it out until the guards passed."
"And that's where it happened?" Yu asked.
"Yeah." Miles held out his hand as if he could still see the moment play out. "That's when I felt it. A spider crawled up my hand. Red and blue, like nothing I'd ever seen before. It sat there for, like, two seconds beforeit bit me. I smacked it off, brushed my hand, thought nothing of it. Just went back to my dorm and crashed."
"And the next day?" Koichi asked, already suspecting the answer.
"I changed." Miles flexed his fingers. "My hands kept sticking to everything. My senses went up to eleven. It was... overwhelming."
Yu nodded, recognizing the symptoms. He had been through the same thing when his Spider Quirk first manifested.
Kazuho tilted her head. "So, technically, you're still Quirkless?"
Miles shrugged. "Yeah. No Quirk. But I've got these spider abilities." He glanced at Yu. "And when I started seeing Spider-Man on TV,you,I knew what I had to do."
Yu gestured at Miles' suit. "And your costume?"
"I made it myself," Miles said with a hint of pride. "Took some improvements from a Halloween costume my friend got me."
Koichi chuckled. "Spider-Man costumes are everywhere now. Yours probably blends right in."
It was true. Unlike The Crawler, whose makeshift hero outfit was basically an All Might hoodie, or Pop Step, who wore an idol get-up, Spider-Man had a proper superhero suit. Something you could actually buy in a store.
In fact, Spider-Man's costume had become a Halloween best-seller. Alongside outfits that turned kids into living vampires or illusionists, Spider-Man suits were all over the market. The secrecy surrounding his identity only fueled the popularity.
But Miles wasn't wearing a store-bought suit.
Yu studied it again, curiosity growing. "You said you madeimprovements?"
Miles grinned. "See for yourself." He pulled off his mask and handed it over. "Go ahead. Try it on."
Yu hesitated for a moment before slipping it over his head. The moment he did, his vision changed.
The mask wasn't just fabric. There were internal wirings. The lenses weren't just decorative. They moved, adjusting with his expressions. A built-in heads-up display flickered to life, showing information in real-time.
Yu's eyes widened. "You made this?"
Miles smirked. "Not just a Halloween costume, huh?"
"This is amazing." Yu pulled the mask off, holding it carefully before handing it back. "Can you make one for me? With the moving lenses?"
Miles chuckled. "Maybe."
Koichi leaned forward. "So, how did you even hear about us?"
Miles leaned back in his seat. "From the news. And my uncle."
Yu blinked. "Your uncle?"
Miles nodded. "I snuck into his place a couple of times. Curiosity would often get the better of me, long before I had these powers. That's how I found out he works for Knuckleduster."
Koichi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Wait... who's your uncle?"
"Aaron Davis." Miles' voice softened. "He is the Prowler." Then, after a brief pause, he corrected himself. "Was the Prowler."
Koichi mouthed the name. "Prowler..." It sounded badass.
But then Kazuho tilted her head as she found a match after a quick search on the internet through her phone. "Wait, he's a thief."
Miles nodded. "Yeah. He was."
Koichi looked between Miles and Yu, his mind racing. If this guy's uncle was a criminal...
Yu glanced at him and sighed. "Oguro-sensei doesn't tell us much about his informants. Only what we need to know. But we trust them when it counts."
Koichi still looked unsure. "So, how did your uncle even meet Oguro-sensei?"
Miles crossed his arms, a small smirk forming. "Now that's a story."
The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the cramped dining room of Aaron Davis' flat. The place was small, barely enough for two, but it served its purpose. Davis didn't cook, but he knew how to make a good cup of coffee. No fancy machines, no fuss. Just mugs, drip bags, and a kettle.
Oguro leaned back in his chair, taking a sip. The bitterness grounded him. It had been a while since he'd had a quiet moment like this.
"Remember our first fight?" he asked.
Davis chuckled, swirling his cup. "Yeah." His lips curled into a half-smile. "Hard to forget the first time I met the real Knuckleduster."
The first time Aaron Davis had come to Japan, he was determined to turn over a new leaf. Not too new, though. Petty jobs weren't going to cut it, so he stuck with what he knew best: stealing. But this time, he had rules.
"I took what I needed from bad guys. That's all," Davis said, tapping a finger on the table. "Robin Hood, but, you know, less giving to the poor. More 'keeping myself fed.'"
Oguro set his cup down. "You stole from the Shie Hassaikai, Davis. You took their Trigger money. That's dangerous."
Davis waved it off. "I've dealt with worse back in the States. Old-school mobs like the Maggia. Biker gangs like the Pale Horse. Ran jobs for them, skimmed off the top, never got caught. Broke into their lockups more than once." He shrugged. "Not my first rodeo."
Oguro studied him. His words weren't bravado. They were fact. Davis wasn't just a thief. He was a prolific one.
The first time Knuckleduster saw the Prowler in action, Davis had been robbing a Shie Hassaikai storehouse. The same one Oguro had planned to hit. He had been waiting for the right moment to strike when he spotted an unexpected guest.
A thief in a sleek, purple-and-green suit slipped past the Yakuza guards like a ghost, moving without a sound. The man was precise, quick, methodical. No wasted motion. By the time Oguro realized what was happening, the thief had already grabbed two duffel bags stuffed with cash and was making his exit.
The Yakuza never saw him. Never even felt his presence.
Oguro had, though. And that meant he had a new target.
The moment Davis leapt from the warehouse rooftop, Knuckleduster fired his grapple gun, the rope coiling tight around the thief's leg. But before he could reel him in, Davis reacted. He wasfast.A flick of his wrist, and retractable claws severed the line in one clean stroke.
Oguro scowled. A pro.
He had tried to chase, but Davis was different from the street thugs and villains he usually fought. With his gear, he could scale walls, leap impossible distances. Meanwhile, Oguro was bound by the limits of his own body. With his grapple gun disabled, he couldn't keep up.
The thief vanished into the night.
Back at his hideout, Oguro had started digging. He cross-referenced the thief's tactics, his tech, his modus operandi. And he found a match.
The Prowler.
An American thief. Had been off the grid for five years. And now, for some reason, he was in Japan, stealing from the Yakuza.
But why?
Oguro hadn't expected to run into him again so soon. But fate had other ideas.
He found Davis by accident at a construction site. The man stood out. Not just because he was African American in a country where foreigners were rare, but because of the way he worked.
Davis scaled the metal framework of the building with an ease that defied logic. He climbed to places his coworkers wouldn't dare, securing rivets in spots no ordinary worker could reach. No harness. No fear. Just instinct.
Oguro had asked around. Some of the workers spoke highly of Davis, said he was a hard worker. Others weren't so kind as they whispered about the foreigner, thegaijin, as they called him, speculating that he was up to no good.
Oguro had followed him home. And when Davis stepped inside his flat, the truth was laid out on the table.
The tools of the Prowler. His gauntlets, his mask, his identity.
"You really should try hiding your gear better," Oguro remarked, glancing toward the same table now.
Davis smirked. "I was working on upgrades. And besides..." He exhaled sharply, amusement in his tone. "Leaving it out kinda helped me that night."
Oguro remembered that night well.
Davis had noticed him tailing him. And instead of running, he waited.
When Oguro stepped inside, the fists started flying. Davis put his gauntlets on to give himself an edge over the vigilante.
Davis fought hard, harder than most, but there was something different. No killer intent. Just a man trying to get an unwanted guest out of his home.
The fight ended in a draw. But what came next changed everything.
A conversation.
A deal.
Oguro knew Davis' type. He was a thief, sure, but he wasn't evil. And in this world, there was use for men like him. A man who could slip past security. Who could steal without a trace. Who could get into places even Knuckleduster couldn't.
"Hell of a hook," Davis muttered, rubbing his jaw unconsciously. He had taken one hell of a punch that night. "Can't wait for the rematch."
"I can wait," Oguro said dryly. "It was a draw. And you're still my informant." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a few neatly bundled stacks of cash. "Which means you're still on my payroll."
Davis took the money, flipping through the stack with a practiced hand. "Appreciate it," he said.
Oguro leaned back. "And technically, this is honest work."
Davis snorted. "Never thought I'd see the day."
Oguro's voice was calm, steady. "You've helped us. You've done good."
For a long moment, Davis didn't respond. Just stared at the cash in his hand. Then, finally, he pocketed it.
"Yeah," he muttered. "Guess I have."