Chapter Eight

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Hawk had been given a new task. This one was different from the usual petty crimes and villain hunts. He had to locate an escapee—a highly unstable child with a space-time quirk. This was a particularly interesting case for him. The kid had essentially 'killed' the staff of the Nursery, causing chaos with his unpredictable powers. Despite the gravity of the situation, months had passed, and Hawk hadn't found a single lead. Frustration was mounting. He was a hero known for his efficiency, but this case was testing his patience like nothing before.

One late afternoon, he found himself perched atop a skyscraper, the city sprawled out below him like a vast, chaotic tapestry. He took a sip of his cappuccino, savoring the rich, frothy texture. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows and bathing the city in a warm, golden light. The hustle and bustle of the marketplace below caught his eye. Something was off. People were gathering, voices rising in a heated commotion.

Sighing, Hawk set down his cup. "Here we go again," he muttered to himself. He leaped from the skyscraper, wings spreading wide as he dived gracefully toward the scene. As he landed, the source of the commotion became clear: a man with a rhinoceros quirk was arguing vehemently with a woman.

"Easy there," Hawk said gently, stepping between them. The man, seeing the number 3 hero, backed off a bit, his aggression cooling slightly. Hawk looked at the woman and then back at the man. "What's going on here?"

"She's been stealing from my shop!" the man shouted, pointing a thick finger at the woman. His nostrils flared, and his eyes were wild with anger.

"I did no such thing!" the woman retorted, her face flushed with indignation. "I was just browsing, and he started accusing me out of nowhere!"

Hawk rubbed his temples. This was the kind of mundane hero work that grated on his nerves. Day in, day out, dealing with petty squabbles and misunderstandings. He longed for a break, a moment of peace to gather his thoughts and focus on finding the escapee.

"Look," Hawk said, his voice calm but firm. "Let's all take a step back and breathe for a second. Sir, do you have any proof that she was stealing?"

The man hesitated, then shook his head. "No, but she was acting suspiciously!"

"And you," Hawk turned to the woman, "did you take anything from his shop?"

"No!" she exclaimed, her eyes pleading. "I swear, I didn't."

Hawk sighed again. "Alright, how about this: ma'am, if you're willing, can you let him check your bag? Just to clear things up?"

The woman nodded, handing over her bag with a huff. The man rummaged through it, finding nothing but personal belongings. He looked sheepish as he handed it back.

"Okay, looks like it was just a misunderstanding," Hawk said, giving them both a stern look. "Next time, let's try to resolve things a bit more calmly, yeah?"

The man nodded, his anger deflated. "Sorry," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head. The woman gave a small, tight-lipped smile and turned to leave, muttering under her breath.

As the crowd dispersed, Hawk took a deep breath, hoping for a moment's respite. But his hero duties were never-ending. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a man slipping quietly into a nearby public library, carrying a bag that seemed out of place. Something about the man's hurried, furtive movements set off Hawk's instincts.

"Can't catch a break," Hawk muttered, flexing his wings and heading toward the library. He launched himself off the skyscraper, gliding effortlessly over the bustling streets below. His keen eyes tracked the man's every move. The bag was bulky and heavy, and the way the man clutched it to his chest seemed suspicious. "What's he up to?" Hawk wondered aloud.

Before he could reach the library, a sudden explosion rocked the air. The ground trembled beneath his feet as a thunderous boom shattered the relative peace of the city. Windows of the library burst outward, sending a rain of glass and debris flying in all directions. People in the vicinity began to scream and scatter in a blind panic, the serene cityscape transformed into a chaotic battlefield.

Hawk's reflexes kicked in immediately. He darted forward, shielding a mother and her child from a shower of falling glass. "Get to safety!" he yelled, guiding them towards a safer area. The acrid smell of smoke filled the air, stinging his nostrils. Chaos erupted around him as the explosion sent ripples of fear through the crowd. "Damn it," he cursed under his breath. "This isn't just some random act. It's a coordinated attack."

As the lone hero on the scene, Hawk felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He dashed to pull people from the wreckage, using his wings to shield them from further harm. "This way, hurry!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of sirens and screams. His mind raced as he assessed the situation. There were too many people and not enough time.

The realization hit him hard: the earlier commotion had been a distraction. This was a terrorist attack, meticulously planned to draw attention away from the true target. Hawk's mind raced. How many people were inside the library? How many were trapped, injured, or worse? He could feel the panic rising in his chest, but he forced himself to stay focused. "Think, Keigo, think," he told himself, reverting to his real name in the moment of crisis. "You've got to save them."

He wondered how many people had died in there. The thought made his stomach churn, but he pushed it aside. There was no time for hesitation. He needed to act fast. He looked around desperately for any sign of help, but it was clear he was on his own. "Where the hell are the other heroes?" he muttered, frustration bubbling up inside him.

"Yo!" A cheerful voice broke through the turmoil. Hawk turned to see a young boy with white hair and glowing blue eyes, partially obscured by his round blue sunglasses. He couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen, and yet he stood there, seemingly unbothered by the chaos around him. His casual demeanor was at odds with the severity of the situation.

"You seem… troubled," the boy said, a hint of amusement in his tone. He looked around at the wreckage, his glowing eyes taking in every detail as if he was merely observing a street performance.

Hawk chuckled bitterly, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all. "Yeah, what do you think?" he replied, still scanning the area for anyone else in need of help. His voice carried an edge of exasperation that he couldn't quite hide. "There's been a damn explosion, and people are hurt. Of course, I'm troubled!"

"Why aren't you going inside that building to save them?" the boy asked, tilting his head slightly. His curiosity seemed genuine, almost innocent, which only added to Hawk's irritation. How could anyone be so calm right now?

Hawk glanced at the inferno consuming the library. The flames were roaring, the heat intense and suffocating. He didn't question how the boy knew there were people alive inside. Those glowing eyes probably had something to do with it. "I can't," he admitted, frustration lacing his voice. "The fire's too intense. I can't risk more lives by going in there without a plan."

The boy nodded thoughtfully, as if considering Hawk's words carefully. "Tell you what, I'll go rescue them, and you don't report me. Deal?"

"Wait, wh—" Before Hawk could finish his sentence, the boy turned and began walking towards the blazing building. Hawk's hand shot out to stop him, but the boy was quick. With a sense of urgency, Keigo called out, "Hey, kid! Stop! It's too dangerous!"

The boy ignored him, his pace unchanging, almost casual. Hawk watched in disbelief as the boy walked straight into the inferno. The flames seemed to part around him, creating a clear path. It was as if he commanded the fire itself, bending it to his will. "No, no, no!" Hawk muttered, his mind racing. "This can't be happening."

People were screaming and Hawk once again engaged in helping people around the street.

Two minutes later, the place was clear. But the kid…

He spotted a water tank on a small building near the burning library.

He was just about to break the water supply tank to try and douse the flames when he saw silhouettes emerging from the blaze. His heart skipped a beat. Could it be? The shapes grew clearer, and soon he could see the boy leading a group of survivors out of the burning library. It was surreal. The heat that had been unbearable mere moments ago seemed to have no effect on the boy or the people he was guiding to safety.

"What?" Hawk was left stunned, watching as the boy nonchalantly guided the survivors away from the burning building. His mind struggled to comprehend what he was seeing. "How is this possible?" he whispered to himself. The kid had not only walked through fire but had saved a dozen lives in the process.

"Here you go, folks!" the boy said, his tone as casual as if he had just helped them cross the street. The people, dazed and covered in soot, expressed their gratitude, tears of relief streaming down their faces.

"Who are you?" an old man asked, his voice shaky with relief and disbelief. His hands trembled as he reached out to touch the boy's arm, as if to confirm he was real.

The boy smiled, his blue eyes twinkling behind the sunglasses. "Just a person trying to figure out who he is," he replied enigmatically. His words hung in the air, adding to the mystery surrounding him. With that, he turned and began to walk away.

Before anyone could say another word, he disappeared, melting into the chaos as if he had never been there at all. The crowd murmured in confusion and awe, unsure of what to make of their savior's cryptic statement.

Hawk stood there, speechless. This boy had not only walked through fire but had saved a dozen lives in the process. Who was he? And why was he helping? Hawk's mind swirled with questions, but there were no answers in sight. "Hey, are you okay?" a woman's voice snapped Hawk back to reality. She was one of the survivors, a young woman with a soot-streaked face and a grateful expression.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Hawk replied, still trying to process what had just happened. "I'm just… amazed." He glanced at the library, now a smoldering ruin, and then back at the spot where the boy had disappeared. "Who was that kid?" he wondered aloud.

"Thank you for helping us," the woman said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "And thank that boy, whoever he was."

Hawk nodded, though his thoughts were elsewhere. He had a new mystery to solve now, and it was one he intended to get to the bottom of. The escapee was still out there, but so was this mysterious boy. And something told him their paths were destined to cross again. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead. "Keigo," he thought to himself, "you've got work to do."

oOo

Izuku entered the sweet shop, his eyes scanning the colorful display of treats and the few patrons scattered around the cozy interior. He looked around until he saw someone familiar. His grin widened, his white hair catching the light and his glowing blue eyes twinkling with mischief.

He approached her table confidently. "Yo! Tengen-sama! Long time no see!"

The petite woman with light hair looked up from her laptop, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. "Satoru Gojo," she acknowledged, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Izuku sat down across from her, waving a hand dismissively. "Don't call me by that name. I am kinda in… uh… disguise?"

"Of course you are," she sighed, closing her laptop. "Is that Star and Stripe limited edition sunglasses?"

He tilted them, "You bet."

"So," she began as he sat down. "Tell me about… this rebirth of yours."

"Well," he began sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "You know, Tenodakume pretty much foresaw everything. He must have told you."

"Yeah, yeah," Tengen said with a roll of her eyes. "Your nephew is now your ancestor. How amusing."

"Bruh, no big deal," Izuku said with a casual shrug. "How have you been?"

"Okay," she replied. Her eyes took on a faraway look as she recalled the centuries that had passed. "Spent the last 400 years doing various things to pass the time. I explored the world, learned countless languages, dabbled in different professions, and even took up painting and sculpting. I've written books, both fiction and non-fiction, and mentored a few promising individuals along the way. I've seen civilizations rise and fall, technologies evolve, and cultures transform."

"Woah, so much for immortality cursed technique," Izuku remarked, impressed.

"No kiddin'," she said, her tone laced with a hint of irony. "So, what do you want?"

"Are there any jujutsu sorcerers out there?" he asked, leaning forward with interest.

"No," she replied simply.

"Oh," Izuku said, slightly disappointed. "And the Gojo inheritance…?"

"You can access it," Tengen confirmed, her gaze steady.

"So—"

"Say, 'Izuku'," she interrupted, leaning closer with a curious glint in her eye. "Why have you joined UA High?"

Izuku smiled, his eyes softening. "Family is important and one should always look after them."

She quirked an eyebrow but said nothing. Instead, she leaned back in her chair and studied him for a moment. "Want some Midnight ice-cream? My treat."

"Oh yeah, Tengen-sama!" Izuku exclaimed, his grin returning. He leaned back, relaxing into the chair as the weight of his rebirth and the future ahead seemed to lighten, if only for a moment. Tengen called over a waiter and ordered the ice-cream, a small smile playing on her lips as she did.

As they waited, Tengen looked at him thoughtfully. "So, what's your plan, Izuku? Beyond UA High, I mean."

Izuku shrugged, his expression turning serious for a moment. "I want to make a difference. To use my powers for good. To protect those who can't protect themselves. It's what I was born to do. And now, it's what I've been reborn to do."

Tengen nodded slowly. "You always were a bit of a hero, even back then. Just be careful. The world has changed, and not all of it for the better."

"I know," Izuku said softly. "But I have to try. It's in my blood."

Their conversation paused as the waiter returned with two bowls of Midnight ice-cream. Izuku dug in eagerly, savoring the rich, dark flavor. Tengen watched him with a fond smile, her own spoon moving more slowly.

"Here's to new beginnings," she said, raising her spoon in a toast.

Izuku clinked his spoon against hers. "To family and to the future," he agreed. They both took a bite, the ice-cream cold and sweet on their tongues.

For a moment, the centuries between them melted away, leaving just two old friends enjoying a simple pleasure in a world full of possibilities

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TBC

Revised: 29/06/2024