"It looks like things are starting to get interesting." Kiyotaka Ayanokoji muttered under his breath while observing the array of monitors in the laboratory of the late (But very still much alive) Kyudai Garaki. He was looking at one of them specifically. That one being the footage showcasing his generals, Takuya Yagami and Ichika Amasawa taking the stage along with the rest of the tools in Ayanokoji's possession.
'With both of them on the stage the battle should be coming to a decisive end within the next few minutes.' Kiyotaka thought internally before taking a look at the time that just so happened to be listed on one of the monitors. It read '4:55 A.M.' This made Ayanokoji grin for a moment as there was more than thirty minutes until the sun would rise. Because all his tools needed to wipe the floor with those pesky heroes was five minutes tops. And after that this world will be practically in the palm of his hands. There will be no one left to fight against him. Victory will be his. But the demon inside of him read his thoughts as if they were on paper.
'Kiyotaka. Our tools are strong. That much is a given. But don't get ahead of yourself. The battle is not over yet. You don't know because you haven't lived nearly as long as I have. But I know just how ridiculously stubborn insignificant pests who call themselves 'heroes' can be. They are not to be trifled with. I doubt the majority of them will pose as much of a threat. The danger that Izuku Midoriya poses is quite obvious. But there's one other that you should treat with the most excessive caution.' Garaki spoke internally much to Ayanokoji's subtle interest. He knew that Midoriya's forces weren't weak. Suzune Horikita taught him that lesson some time ago. But that didn't mean they wouldn't fall like the pathetic pieces of trash that they are. Then if Garaki's speaking the truth…
'And who would that be?' Kiyotaka asked internally while looking at a few monitors in particular that showcased the security camera footage showcasing the interior of ANHS where all the students are still minding their own business, still none the wiser regarding what's taking place outside right under their noses. The only reason why they are still alive is that they still have value in the sense that they are bargaining chips that guarantee that his country's law enforcement won't dare invade the land below his feet. Though even if they wanted to, destroying the bridge connecting Tokyo to ANHS was a bad move on their part. Even still that just makes things easier for him. So, what could really pose a threat to him now?
"Katsuki Bakugo. That man… even more so than Izuku Midoriya is not to be underestimated. He is a highly dangerous little shit that foiled my Master's plans! If it wasn't for him, then he would have won for sure! But that worthless fucking bastard wouldn't stay dead! Even with his heart torn to shreds, he got right back up and annihilated him! I couldn't even believe that he was responsible for it! But the footage of him MURDERING my Master was no lie! And they call him a 'HERO' for it?! What a sick fucking joke!' Garaki replied internally as his voice grew louder and louder much to Ayanokoji's annoyance.
'How dare they?! HOW DARE THEY?! My Master was a good man! He represented the best of them! What humanity could become if they abandon such trifle shit like love and empathy for one another! A man can only reach greater heights when they possess none of that garbage! S-Shigaraki… he was going to make the world beautiful again… better than it could ever hope of becoming! Midoriya and Bakugo… they took him away from me! They took EVERYTHING away from me! I'M GONNA KILL THEM!' Garaki declared internally while his emotions got so out of hand it made tears drip down Ayanokoji's cheeks. Tears that did not belong to the latter in the slightest.
'Save your tears for someone who actually gives a damn. I'm not doing this for you or your Master. I'm doing this for one person only. Me. I desire to change the world much like the person who originally held the abundance of Quirks that I now hold in my hands. The difference between him and I is rather simple. He lost… and I won't. Mark my words, Garaki. I will KILL Katsuki Bakugo. I will KILL Izuku Midoriya. And I will KILL anyone else who dares stand in my way. Starting with…' Kiyotaka declared internally before turning around from the array of monitors. He then slowly but surely advanced out of the laboratory, as he did the cold air from the built-in air conditions hit him in the face and brought a chill down his spine. This reminded him of the fact that he's been completely naked this whole time.
'I need some clothes.' Kiyotaka thought internally as he could barely ensure that his teeth weren't chattering as a result of the cold air. As he left the laboratory behind, he looked for where Ryuuen landed after Balthazar sent him flying away. It's barely been a minute since then, so he couldn't have gone far if he desired to escape. Ayanokoji couldn't necessarily blame him if he chose to do so. After all, fighting against him now that he has obtained his complete physical form again was a death wish. There was not a chance in hell that he was going to win against him in a one-on-one fight now.
However, Ayanokoji could hear the faint breathing of 'others' deeper into the tunnel before him. He also knew that Ryuuen had made 'friends' with the Americans that invaded what belongs to him. They were going to pay for that. Because what he had meant to finish saying earlier, was that the people he intended to kill first would be… 'them.' Kiyotaka could barely gather any info regarding them, with their only being a single exception. Even still their 'fight' if you could even call it that with the elite espionage force and a few of the Nomus, proved how exceptionally dangerous they could be. Particularly the Japanese woman out of the lot. The other two, not nearly as much of a threat, still needed to be dealt with effective immediately.
'Now then… wherever could they be?' Kiyotaka thought internally while carefully searching his surroundings. He couldn't rely on a Quirk to do so since he didn't have one that did that in his possession. If only he had a handy 'Search' Quirk. Though this meant that his enemies had the ever so slightest advantage. However…
'Step… step.' Much to his surprise, two of his enemies gave their location away seemingly without a care in the world. One of them was a tall muscular African American with a pair of sunglasses on dressed in all black. The other was a much scrawnier looking man who appeared to be French as his name suggests. It was the two men with the names 'M.M.' and 'Frenchie' Respectively.
"Where's Ryuuen?" Kiyotaka asked as he narrowed his eyes on them searching for any hint of fire that would give away the location of his enemy. This incurred a laugh from Frenchie much to Ayanokoji's displeasure.
"Oh, I'm not so sure he's the one you should be so concerned about Connard." Frenchie said with a smug grin on his face. Kiyotaka was unamused by the fact that he was called Connard. (The word having an abundance of pretty meanings such as 'motherfucker' 'prick' 'asshole' and 'Wanker') Though that didn't stop him from being completely oblivious to the person right behind him.
'BAM!' Kiyotaka's eyes shot wide open as his head was torn right off his neck with incredible strength! He didn't even know what happened till it hit him! Though the instant he figured out his cause of death, it left no room for doubt over who had done the deed. There had only been one person who was left unaccounted for up to this point! The dreaded 'Female' of their group! The woman by the name of Kimiko! But there was nothing that Ayanokoji could do about it as he lost all sense of vision.
'SLAM!' Not even a second later, Kimiko slammed her hands against Kiyotaka's disembodied head with all of her might! This caused his blood to splatter throughout the vicinity. Most of it landing on her face and black clothes, staining them crimson in the process. Without his head, Ayanokoji's body collapsed to the ground. But it wouldn't stay that way for long.
"Ryuuen! Burn the body!" M.M. Demanded with a shout while the scarred man came waltzing back into the part of the cave where the rest of The Boys were located in. He did so while cracking his neck and muttering 'Fuck that monster under his breath.' (The monster he was referring to being Balthazar who could have killed him with the amount of air pressure that he used against Ryuuen by simply slamming his hands together.)
"Go to hell." Ryuuen declared with a sadistic grin before snapping his fingers. At the same time Ayanokoji's body was rendered a corpse as it bursted into flames. Both the head and the body were destroyed. That should have ended things right then and there. But fate had other plans.
"AH!" The Boys collectively gasped while the blood that had splashed onto the ground when Kimiko had destroyed Kiyotaka's head suddenly joined together. First the feet, then his lower torso, after that his upper body, and finally his head. It all happened in but an instant, but Kiyotaka Ayanokoji had returned from death!
"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" Ryuuen shouted while glaring daggers at the man who held not a hint of animosity within his own. Kiyotaka couldn't have even hated them if he tried. They were all just so worthless in the grand scheme of things that it would have been pointless to get mad and throw a fit over them killing him twice. Ayanokoji had much more pressing concerns. First and foremost, of which was-
'BAM!' In an instant, Kiyotaka had closed the distance between him and Frenchie much to the latter's utmost surprise. Ayanokoji clenched the jaw of the Frenchman for no less than a second until-
'BOOOOOOOOM!' Frenchie's head exploded into several chunks scattering onto Kiyotaka and into the distance as well. Ayanokoji had completely annihilated his prey's head with the Bomb Quirk he held in his possession. Its explosive power made quick work of the Frenchman. In the midst of this, everyone else froze, petrified that one of their own had been taken out so quickly. Though this only lasted for but a moment, as the anger in one of them rose to its absolute boiling point.
"You… bastard…" The voice of someone that Kiyotaka had not heard up to this point or anyone else for that matter made themselves apparent. He was about to glance behind him, to see the person who said it, even though he already knew who had said those unforgiving words to him. But before he could-
'BAM!' Kimiko's fist went straight through Ayanokoji's throat! Kiyotaka's eyes rolled back into his head while the Female unleashed a flurry of bones that annihilated his body! The leftover chunks splattered onto the ground.
"RYUUEN!" Kimiko shouted at the top of her lungs much to Ryuuen's surprise. Though not a second later, he clicked his tongue before responding with 'I know!' He then snapped his fingers once more.
'FWOOOOOOSM!' In the process of doing so he unleashed a blast of blue flames targeted at Ayanokoji's body or what was left of it burning it to ashes in the process. After the damage had been done, Kimiko rushed over to Frenchie's corpse. But there was nothing that she could do to save him. His head had been annihilated. M.M. knew this and remained composed as much as he could. Even still he was furiously gritting his teeth to the point they could shatter over their fallen comrade. Frenchie was someone he considered to be a 'Brother-in-arms' over how they had fought alongside each other against Vought for years.
'Drip… drip… drip…' But to Kimiko, Frecnhie was more to her than just a partner. He was more to her than just a friend. Words alone couldn't convey how much he mattered to her. So, instead of saying anything she cried over his corpse while hallowing in agony over not being able to do anything for him in his final moments. At the very least, his death brought with it the end of their fight in this country…
… If only things were that easy.
However, just like before Kiyotaka Ayanokoji had returned to the land of the living in the same way he had done before. Kimiko couldn't believe it. His body was burned to ashes! All the traces of his blood should have been obliterated off the face of the earth! If so, then how was he- Though the moment she realized her fatal mistake, she audibly gasped. Kimiko couldn't help but check her cheek and there was nothing there except her tears. Kiyotaka noticed this.
"Impressive. You realized that it was your own fault that I managed to come back. Honestly, I should applaud you. You may have been successful in your assassination attempt if it wasn't for the leftover blood on your cheek. But just as Jing Ke failed to assassinate Qin Shi Huang, you failed to accomplish anything of value. So, thank you Kimiko. Thank you for being so utterly useless." Kiyotaka said before slowly clapping in applause. Though this only ended up enraging Kimiko to even greater heights!
"WHY WON'T YOU DIE?!" Kimiko yelled out at the top of her lungs before swinging her fist forward! But before it could connect with Ayanokoji's body, his arm swung to meet hers!
'BAM!' Specifically, Kiyotaka slammed his fist against her shoulder! This caused the arm that she was just about to hit Ayanokoji with to come back down anticlimactically. Kimiko's eyes went wide out of sheer disbelief. She couldn't move her right arm now. The bones in her shoulder were broken and would take time for them to heal. Too much time. She needed to fight. No. She needed to KILL this demon right here and now!
'CRACK!' But before she could even so much as move her left arm, Ayanokoji grabbed it and slammed his knee against her elbow rendering it immobile in the process. This caused Kimiko to spit out some of her blood before being choked by Kiyotaka ruthlessly.
"Did his death upset you? I was not under the assumption that you two were close. I could have hurt you in any number of ways. But it seems that I landed a devastating blow onto you by complete accident. It really wasn't anything personal. I just wanted a new pair of clothes. That's all. So, do not fret about it. If you want me to let you join in him in whatever world that exists beyond space and time, then just say the word." Kiyotaka spoke while showcasing complete indifference toward the woman he was choking out with tears streaming down her cheeks. But the man clenching his fist hard could not sit back and watch this unfold any longer.
"You motherfucker!" M.M. Yelled out before unleashing a barrage of bullets at Ayanokoji! But before they could hit him-
'BANG! BANG! BANG!' Each and every one of them directly hit Kimiko much to his surprise! M.M. knew that Kiyotaka Ayanokoji was incredibly fast! But this was just insane! He couldn't track any of his movements even when he was looking directly at him! One moment his back was turned against him, the next he turned around and let Kimiko take all of the gunfire! Though even as she was ruthlessly hit by the barrage of bullets, a few of them passed through her body and hit Ayanokoji much to his growing annoyance. Even still, the rain of bullets ended soon after it began. And then…
'BAM!' Kiyotaka tossed Kimiko's lifeless body onto the ground like trash. M.M. couldn't believe it. Two of his comrades had been dispatched in the blink of an eye by the demon in front of him. It was then that he realized just how unprepared he had been for this. Even by cooperating with Ryuuen and Midoriya, they could not hope to achieve anything in this hellhole. Was this where he was going to meet his end too? Would he never be able to see his family ever again? M.M. couldn't help but reflect on his past memories and more specifically his daughter Janine's shining face. It was almost as if he could hear her say 'Don't leave me, Daddy.'
"I surrender… please… don't kill me." M.M. muttered quietly before slumping to his knees with a face full of regrets. Ryuuen noticed it and was utterly speechless. Though seeing him like this made the scarred man grit his teeth out of utmost frustration before turning his head to glare daggers at Ayanokoji, who looked as emotionless as ever. He could tell from a glance that this monster held no sympathy for this man or any of them whatsoever. It's not like he expected him to. But even still, how could someone not be even the slightest bit taken aback by it?! This man… he wasn't human…
… He was a demon disguised as one! There was nothing remotely human about Kiyotaka Ayanokoji other than his physical appearance! Even though Ryuuen knew that was the case now, he couldn't just back down! But before he could do so much as anything about it-
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. If you so much as move an inch toward me… I will KILL you. But it doesn't have to go down that way. So, I'm going to give you a choice Ryuuen. Listen carefully. You have three options. First, you can try to attack me. Maybe you'll get lucky and set me on fire. But it won't do a damn thing to kill me. The only one of us who will die, will be you. Second, you can join me once more. I will give you a sizable country for you to rule. You can do whatever you want with it as long as you don't get in my way…" Kiyotaka spoke before his voice trailed off for a moment as he wondered if he should even say what he was about to say next. He decided to do it anyway.
"… Finally, you can leave if you want too. Perhaps, you'll be able to escape this place and make it to some faraway land away from my reach. But know this. If you ever decide to interfere with my plans ever again… you will DIE. So, what's it going to be Ryuuen?" Kiyotaka finished while Ryuuen continued to glare daggers full of immense hatred at Ayanokoji. He didn't want to ever admit it. But deep down he knew that Ayanokoji was right. If he were to ever face him again, it would only spell his demise. Even now, as Ryuuen suffered pain throughout his entire body due to possessing the Blueflame Quirk, he didn't want to die. Not to him at least. So, there was only one choice-
'Step! Step! Step!' -And that was to run away. It made Ryuuen sick to his stomach. But running away like a coward was the only way he would get to survive and live a life that didn't have him at the beck and call of such a grotesque monster.
"A wise but foolish choice." Kiyotaka muttered quietly before turning his sights away from Ryuuen and back to M.M. who was begging for mercy on his knees. It was the sight of him doing so that granted Ayanokoji a new emotion he had not yet experienced before. Just what could this feeling be? He did not know. So, he simply trudged forward until he felt a sense of animosity directed at him. This made him freeze for but a moment as a chill ran up his spine. Did Ryuuen return?! No, it couldn't be! He lost all of his will to continue fighting, knowing how pointless it was to do so! So, then who could it be?! But just as he turned around, he was met face to face with something truly unexpected.
"Impossible." Kiyotaka was barely just able to get that word out of his throat before his head was ruthlessly slammed by the head of another! But who could it be?! Ryuuen had escaped! M.M. was on the ground! Both Frecnhie and Kimiko were supposed to be dead! So, how in the hell…
… WAS SHE STILL ALIVE?!
"RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Kimiko let out an ear-piercing roar from the depths of her soul before slamming her head against Ayanokoji again!
'BAM! Every hit…
'BAM!' … Every strike…
'BAM!' … There was nothing that Kiyotaka Ayanokoji could do as his head was ruthlessly struck again and again. This didn't allow him the chance to even think. Much less process what was actually going on. But in the midst of that, Kimiko continued her assault as she slammed her head against Ayanokoji's again and again and again. Kiyotaka certainly had a greater healing factor compared to what Kimiko possessed.
However! What he was solely lacking was the defense to compensate for it! Ayanokoji had his body destroyed by Homelander multiple times throughout their fight! But Kimiko was able to take blows from her peers who also possessed Compound V much like herself! This included Homelander! She might not have been a match for him one on one fight, but here… here her head was all she needed…
'BAAAAAAAAM!' To absolutely crush Ayanokoji's head into oblivion with! All M.M. could do was watch the carnage unfold until the demon's head had been turned into mincemeat. In the midst of this Kimiko's head remained intact! Her skull certainly took a beating after having slammed her head against Ayanokoji's over thirty times. But it was enough for her to remain conscious and make decisions. It was then that she took out a lighter from her pocket. The same one that belonged to Frenchie. She had taken it away so that he wouldn't do drugs again. And it was this small piece of metal that was her last hope!
"T'es qu'une merde… Va au diable… Tête de noeud." Kimiko spoke in French before delivering the final blow. Her words, that she heard Frenchie speak on multiple occasions which meant (You're nothing but shit… go to hell… dickhead.) Was all that she had to say to the demon who took away her beloved. Not even a second later just as Ayanokoji's head was about to take shape once more-
'FWOOOOOM!' She dropped the burning lighter in her hands onto Kiyotaka's face, burning it in a fiery blaze! But it wasn't enough! She couldn't just burn the head! Kimiko needed to burn the rest of the body! But there was nothing that she could do to ensure that! And just as she realized that Ayanokoji rose from the grave with his face set ablaze! It was only now when his face was melting that his true identity had been revealed! All that could be seen was the grotesque monster that he has always been hidden underneath his relatively handsome appearance. This right here was the true Kiyotaka Ayanokoji! But even though that much was clear, what else could there be done-
"Hasta la vista baby!" M.M. yelled out before throwing a grenade at Ayanokoji! The pin had been taken out! Meaning that it would explode in less than a second! And just as it hit Kiyotaka in his burning head-
'BOOOOOOM!' The grenade let out its mighty explosion! It completely engulfed Ayanokoji! For a second Kimiko thought everything was over. The fire from the lighter combined with the explosive power of the grenade should have been enough to do him in this time. It was then Kimiko felt a sense of relief wash over her, feeling content that she had avenged her beloved. But just as she closed her eyes-
'BAM!' Her head was ruthlessly torn off her neck. Before she even knew what happened, Kimiko lost all traces of her consciousness. Her body went limp the next moment afterward and completely collapsed onto the ground. It was then that Kiyotaka stared at his enemy's head while burnt to a crisp. But as his blackened body regained its original color, he took notice of the facial features belonging to Kimiko. And after giving it some thought he reached his conclusion on the matter.
"What a revolting woman… try coming back from that." Kiyotaka muttered quietly as he paid her back in full for what Kimiko did to him before letting her head fall unceremoniously to the ground. M.M. could only watch out of intense fear as the predator turned to face his prey. This made M.M. avert his gaze and close his eyes, knowing damn well he was next on the chopping block. But to his utmost surprise, instead of receiving a blow that would certainly kill him, all he received was a word. And that word was 'Marvin.'
"H-How did you- M.M. spoke only to be cut off before he could finish speaking by the demon who still draws breath.
"Oh Marvin. Of course, I know your name. You were the only one out of your group that I was able to gather any information about. Your 'comrades' I don't even know who the hell they were other than their names 'Frenchie' and 'Kimiko.' I tried to the best of my efforts to gain any sort of information regarding who they were, but there was nothing that I could find. The sole exception to this was you Marvin Milk." Kiyotaka admitted much to Marvin's surprise. (His nickname M.M. was merely just his initials.)
"What the hell do you want with me? You can't expect me to tell the people coming for your ass to back off. They will know something's up." Marvin admitted with a scowl. But Ayanokoji figured as much.
"You actually think that I want them to fall back? You see, that's where you're wrong Marvin. I want them to come here. I won't allow them to make their way back to America. I will show the whole world just how useless it is to fight against me. I'll make it so that when everything is said and done, there won't be anyone who will resist. Only then will I be able to take what's rightfully mine. Only then will be able to make this world 'better' than it could ever hope of becoming in the hands of senile men who have no idea what to do with the power they hold in their hands!" Kiyotaka declared while looking down on Marvin as just another pawn in the possession of America. To him the world's leaders were no different from him.
The men and women who are allowed to govern countries use their own people to their own advantage as tools just as he did and discarded them into the dumpster once they were threw with them. Except the difference was that they valued a never-ending conflict above all else! This was the difference between them!
"However, what I want is an END to conflict! I will create a world… a utopia where none have to fight and die! A unified planet under one ruler! Because if there are multiple kings, or presidents or whatever you want to call them, there won't ever be peace! That's why I MUST stand at the top of the world so that no one will have to scrounge through trash just to get by! One where Janine can smile and not have to worry about being shot over her skin color! Doesn't that sound like a perfect world, Marvin?" Kiyotaka asked while extending his hand toward Marvin. But then…
"… Hahaha… hahaha… hahaha!" Marvin began laughing in small bursts much to Ayanokoji's surprise. He didn't see that reaction coming in the slightest. What could have incurred this? Even he did not know. Just-
"What's so funny, Marvin?" Kiyotaka asked while glaring daggers at the man below him. But even though this might result in his death, it was just too damn funny for Marvin to pass up laughing on! And the fact that Ayanokoji was so serious about it only made it even more funny! Though just as he was about to end the life of the man on the ground in a fit of rage, the man began speaking.
"I don't know if you're trying to fool yourself or if you're that damn delusional… But there's no way in hell that's what you want. I can see through you for who you really are. A utopia? Hahaha… don't make me laugh. A motherfucker like you can't live in a world without war and bloodshed. Because if what you really wanted was that 'perfect world' then you would have tried to fix it instead of tearing it down to hell." Marvin declared with a smirk on his face. This made a vein bulge from Ayanokoji's head as before he knew it, he let his emotions get the better of him.
"A-A-A- Before Kiyotaka even knew what was happening, he began choking Marvin. But this was noticed by Garaki!
'Ayanokoji! Get ahold of yourself!' Garaki shouted internally. This brought Kiyotaka back to his senses as he let go of Marvin not a moment later. This caused the African American to violently cough as he was on the verge of losing his life. Ayanokoji noticed this and was taken aback by it all. When did he begin choking that man? He didn't even realize that his hands were on him until the damage was being done. He has always been in control of his emotions. That's what made him 'better' than the rest of humanity! And yet, he let such a revolting piece of garbage anger him to such an extent?! It was inconceivable for a man of his status to feel such rage toward someone far beneath him!
And yet, that's exactly what happened. Kiyotaka Ayanokoji had let his emotions get the better of him. And it wasn't even the first time such a thing occurred. People in the past that he had come into contact with such as Suzune Horikita and Nazuna Asahina were able to get him to feel such incorrigible emotions by just speaking to him! But even those foolish women did not come close to how much Izuku Midoriya had angered him when he said those words of his-
'He's doing this because he's afraid of me! Afraid of what I will do to him once I get my hands on him! But don't worry, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji… even after everything you've done… I'm not going to kill you. The most selfless girl I've ever met reminded me that one man shouldn't use his hands to kill. So, even though you deserve it you'll get to live. But where you'll be living is in a cell for the rest of your life! While knowing that these incredible people that you've deemed worthless completely rejected you! They beat you! All of my friends beat you! I BEAT YOU!' That declaration made Kiyotaka Ayanokoji feel an intense amount of rage that he thought was not possible for even to feel! But how the hell was that possible?! It shouldn't be!
"Haha… don't be so surprised. You're only human after all." Marvin declared much to Ayanokoji's intense displeasure. To even be compared to the trash beneath him made Kiyotaka want to split Marvin's skull open right in front of his daughter! But he resisted the temptation as he knew that emotions such as anger and hatred were just as beneath him as love and empathy were. There was no need for such things that would only make him a lesser being. So, he simply ignored the man on the ground and made his way to the corpse of the man named 'Frenchie.' He then stripped all of his clothes off of the Frenchman before putting them on. Even though he felt warmer now…
… The clothes on his back had a nauseating stench to them. Did that man ever even bathe?! No matter. They will do. For now. Marvin's clothes were too big to fit on him and Kimiko's were the exact opposite. This left him with no choice but to keep moving forward…
… Until all of his enemies were destroyed. Though suddenly Kiyotaka paused for a moment as he heard something and responded with 'Got it. I'll be right there.' Much to Marvin's bewilderment since he had no clue who Ayanokoji was talking too. But then…
'FWOOOOSH!' Kiyotaka then snapped his fingers as the gate belonging to Warp Gate opened. Marvin wasn't even surprised anymore. Too much has happened in such a short amount of time that he highly doubted anything would ever surprise him again. Even still-
"Come with me, if you still desire to live." Kiyotaka commanded as Marvin knew that he would have no chance of surviving against the Nomus below the mountain they were in. He didn't have any desire to go to the next world until he sees Janine grow up into the beautiful woman, he already knew she would become in the future. So, he followed Ayanokoji and left the corpses of his comrades behind. The vortex then dispersed behind him. And not even a second later-
'BOOOOOM!' The bomb that Ayanokoji left in the cave as a result of his Bomb Quirk completely obliterated the tunnel. In the process of doing so the falling rocks became the graves for both Frenchie and Kimiko.
A few minutes ago…
I stared at the young man with brown hair (Who I hadn't yet known that his name was Yagami) and the girl with magenta hair styled in twin tails (Who I also hadn't known that her name was Amasawa up to this point in time.) with a look of absolute bewilderment. I couldn't believe what they had just admitted too. That they were indeed part of the same organization that birthed Ayanokoji! The White Room! I had barely known anything about it, only a few tidbits of info supplied to me by Sakayanagi. But even still, if such a place birthed a monster…
… Then those two are undoubtably monsters in their own right! But the people around me were not aware of that fact.
"The White Room? What kinda place is that?! Sounds shady as hell if ya ask me!" Sudo snapped back with a shout. Though Amasawa saw through Sudo's tough guy act as mere bravado and laughed in response to it.
"Oh, you're interested in it? I can give you a tour of the place… once you're in a body bag." Amasawa replied with a sadistic grin while chuckling in delight over Sudo's reaction showcasing immense fear. Suzune noticed this and stabbed (Poked) Sudo with her trusty pen!
"Sudo, snap out of it! She's just trying to get inside your head!" Suzune said with an annoyed look on her face. Not at Sudo but for their enemy manipulating him and trying to sike him out when his participation is vital to our victory! Though Amasawa kept chuckling in delight now that her attention was focused on Suzune Horikita.
"Oh, Suzu~Chan. There are many places that I want to reach my cutesy little hands inside of… and your head is not one of them." Amasawa admitted with a smile. But her words went against the look on her face. They were ice cold and sent a chill up Horikita's spine. In the midst of this Yagami carefully observed the so called 'heroes' before his eyes with the intention of killing the first person who decides to slightly move an inch toward him. A smile too was present on his face in stark contrast to his malicious intentions. But Manabu was not going to let Amasawa or anyone else scare his little sister.
"Just who are you people really? What's in it for you to ally with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji?" Manabu asked while adjusting his glasses with his usual no nonsense look on his face. This prompted Amasawa to click her tongue in annoyance.
"Tch. So, you're one of those people. Overly serious and to the point. I hate your type the most. The sole exception is Ayano-Senpai. Whenever he acts cold, he's really hot. But when anyone else does it… I just want to tear out their innards and hear them scream their brains out." Amasawa admitted with a lovey-dovey look on her face when talking about Ayanokoji that immediately transitioned to one that was utterly demented. Everyone around me was taken aback by her verbal proclamation. Even Manabu was. But there was one other who was just as taken aback as we were all were.
"Y-You're fucking insane." Kushida muttered under her breath while her eyes were wide open out of utmost shock. Though Amasawa heard her and chuckled quietly for a moment until-
"Care to repeat that you bitch?" Amasawa said with a scowl on her face as she suddenly closed the distance between her and Kushida much to the latter's utmost surprise. In the midst of that she glared daggers with a look on her face that practically spelled out that she was perfectly okay with killing her too. This realization made Kushida tremble out immense fear. Amasawa noticed this and smirked in delight.
"Wow, this sure is weird, don't you think? I can't believe you're trembling in fear of a girl younger than you. I'm not even close to your height. And I sure as hell don't have nasty scales all over my body. But you know, I really think it would be in your best interest for you to cherish this feeling, Kikyo~Chan." Amasawa spoke while staring up at Kushida. But even though that was the case it was much more like she was looking down on her. In her current form, Kushida should be able to beat her with ease in a contest of strength. But even still…
… This demon disguised as a cute girl made her almost vomit upon hearing those cold as ice words and the smile on her face that went completely against what she was saying. But Kushida saw past that smile and witnessed firsthand at what the true face of the vile monster before her looks like. However, as Kushida thought that one wrong move would spell her demise, Yagami carefully watched what was unfolding out of the corner of his eye with a smile and knew that he had to intervene.
"Amasawa-San, you're scaring her. Ayanokoji-Kun, wouldn't want you to crush the sprits of our allies when we are better suited to demolish our enemies, don't you think?" Yagami said while having that fake smile of his own plastered onto his face. In response Amasawa tossed one of her twin tails behind her shoulder before leaving Kushida behind much to her surprise.
"You're right. Ayano~Senpai wouldn't want Kikyo~Chan to be depressed and feeling like she's not good enough until she at least kills at least one of those 'heroes.' So, go on. You can kill one of them now. Though I'm not too sure if Deku~Kun should be killed just yet. Also, I call dibs on sweet little Hiyori~Chan. I want to pluck her feathers one by one, as she screams bloody murder. So, aside from those two, the rest should be fair game." Amasawa declared while grinning from ear to ear while a chill ran up Hiyori's spine. I noticed this and shielded her from Amasawa much to her delight.
"Oh, Deku~Kun, you really are Hiyori~Chan's knight in shining armor, aren't you? I must say that I admire your heroic aspirations to protect her. I mean what caring boyfriend would want his girlfriend to be tortured painfully and slowly until her mind completely shatters? Well, unless you get off on that. And if you do, after all this is over, I can send you a video showcasing little ol me plucking each and every one of her feathers out of her back. Though I'm sure you have a few kinks of your own. I sure do. So, maybe I should strip her naked first an- Amasawa continued while the air grew heavy as her words somehow became even more ruthless until I couldn't bear to hear another word out of her about her intentions to hurt Hiyori!
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" I shouted at the top of my lungs silencing her in the process. I had a face full of anger while glaring daggers at Amasawa. She noticed this and her grin became even wider out of utmost delight.
"Oh, you really are hot you know that? I think my heart skipped a beat there. Tell you what. I could postpone killing your 'friends' if… you want to play with me for a bit?" Amasawa asked while blushing and extending her hand toward me. Even though the distance between us was a good fifteen meters, it was as if the palm of her hand was about to touch me. In the midst of that I struggled to swallow down the spit in my throat over the intensity of the atmosphere combined with how chilling her words were. Though there was one thing that confused me.
"I'm not sure what we would be playing… but I refuse!" I snapped back with a serious look on her face. Though the combination of the words I spoke and the look on my face made her laugh hysterically.
"HAHAHAHA! Oh my god! No way! You're a virgin, aren't you?! You know I shouldn't be too surprised given how 'innocent' both you and Hiyori~Chan are. But in all honesty… that kinda just makes it better." Amasawa admitted while my face became instantly bright red once I figured out what she was referring too by 'playing' with me!
'Oh god, she's insane! Though… why am I getting a strange sense of déjà vu?' I thought internally while the image of a certain blonde-haired girl in a school uniform carrying a knife in her hands appeared in my head. Though I discarded the thought immediately afterward as I focused back onto the situation at hand.
"How could this be happening?! I knew that Ayanokoji had allies on his side… but people from the place he came from?! I didn't see this coming in the slightest!" I muttered quietly to myself while trying to think of ways that could counteract this! But how could I when I don't even know what that girl's (Amasawa) Quirk is! Not to mention the league is right there, waiting to strike the second we make a move! I can avoid getting hit. But I'm not sure if my friends will be able to do so! Just what is the best course of action to avoid any casualties on both sides?! But as I tried to desperately figure out an answer to that perplexing question, someone chimed in.
"Fufufu… you really didn't see this coming, Midoriya… well I guess it would be pretty hard for anyone to predict this sudden turn of events… everyone except for yours truly of course." A familiar voice spoke with an all too familiar chuckle that made my eyes shoot wide open the instant I heard it! Of course, I did! I highly doubt I could ever forget her even if I tried. After all…
… She's my precious friend that I love with all of my heart, Arisu Sakayanagi!
"Sakayanagi! You predicted this outcome?!" I shouted out with utmost surprise, unintentionally alerting the league in the process!
"Sakayanagi~Chan… wait. I don't see her anywhere. Just where is that cute cripple?" Amasawa asked no one in particular while looking everywhere for where Sakayanagi could be! However, this wouldn't work! Because she's not on the battlefield! She's somewhere completely different! But how could this be?! How was I able to hear her voice if she wasn't actually present? The answer might not be obvious from a glance but if you were to take a look at my right ear you would notice that there was an earpiece in it! All of my friends had them! And Sakayanagi was able to communicate to all of us with them! Apparently, it's cutting-edge technology from America! At least that's what M.M. said. Though Amasawa noticed just that!
"Oh, you have one too! Check it! I have the one that's the same color as my hair! Pretty cute right?" Amasawa asked with a smile while pointing at her left ear that had an earpiece the color of magenta. It was exactly like she said. The league was also using the same stuff we were! I wouldn't be surprised if they were able to acquire them due to the influence that Ayanokoji's father had when he was alive! Though in the midst of this Yagami carefully listened to every one of Amasawa's words.
"As much as I didn't want the truth regarding that piece of information so carelessly exposed, Ich-oops. How careless of me. I almost revealed her identity. Not that it would matter even if I did say her real name in the grand scheme of things. But it would be for the best to keep that info a secret. So, if you're still wondering just who we are, I'll give you the codename I just made for myself. You can call me… Mr. Electric. You can already guess why I'd call myself that right?" Yagami or Mr. Electric said while maintaining that fake smile on his face. In response Amasawa let out another chuckle before responding to him.
"I'll overlook your carelessness Taku-hahaha. Whoops. I guess I almost revealed your name too. Such a shame if these 'heroes' found out what your real name is. But whatever. That was a great idea you had, so I'll do the same thing. You all can call me… Ice Queen. Though I wonder if that was a big enough clue for you?" Amasawa or Ice Queen admitted while smiling to her hearts content. Mr. Electric did the same thing though I could have sworn, I saw his eye twitch over Amasawa's intentional carelessness. Even though they were allies and part of the White Room, were they not on the best of terms with each other? I couldn't help but think that in the back of my head. Though my thought process was cut short as Sakayanagi laughed out of absolute delight.
"What you just said gave me everything I needed to know… Ichika Amasawa." Sakayanagi spoke through the earpiece. However, she wasn't speaking to us. I hadn't heard the name she said before. But to do to process of elimination it could only belong to-
"Huh?" Amasawa muttered under her breath as her smile vanished without a trace as she no doubt heard Sakayanagi's voice on her earpiece! But how was this possible?! Surely Sakayanagi shouldn't be capable of this! Her Quirk was IQ not hacking the comms that the League were using! But I wasn't alone in this thought as my friends must have thought the same thing! Though that didn't include the man calling himself Mr. Electric!
"Just what have you done, Arisu Sakayanagi?" Yagami asked with his carefree voice and a smile even though whatever he was thinking completely betrayed that look on his face! But in response I heard Sakayanagi's laugh once more!
"Fufufu! Oh, Takuya Yagami. I genuinely thought you were smarter than this. You're from the White Room after all. Aren't both you and Amasawa supposed be the… how did you put it? Hmm… oh right! The 'cream of the crop?' Oh please. You are nothing more than frauds if you actually think you come remotely close to your senpai." Sakayanagi said much to Yagami's utmost annoyance as his eye twitched once more. But in spite of all of that, he kept smiling or at least looking like he was.
"So, you've been listening on this entire time? Well… that's quite unexpected to say the least. Though I have no idea why you chose to reveal that info so carelessly now. So, I'll repeat myself once more and ONLY once more. Just how are you doing this Sakayanagi?" Yagami asked while his right eye kept twitching again and again as if it were sparks of lightning just waiting to go off! Even still, Sakayanagi laughed!
"Fufufu! You really are a braindead fool if you seriously can't figure it out. Do you honestly think I'm that much of a tech whiz that I'd be able to hack your comms? I might be far smarter, oh wait I am. We established that fact, but even I'm not capable of that. So, the answer should be pretty obvious even to fools such as yourself." Sakayanagi said while I thought to myself about it for a moment until I reached the natural conclusion! If Sakayanagi isn't doing this then someone must be helping her! If so, then… wait. Could it actually be-
"M-Matsushita?" I muttered quietly much to Sakayanagi's delight. So much so that she laughed to her hearts content! Yes of course! Now I remember! Matsushita was able to hack her way through ANHS's database to obtain news articles relating to the disappearances of the victims that Ayanokoji murdered! It was her skill for hacking that made that and what's currently happening around me possible!
"Fufufu! You've earned yourself a gold star Midoriya! Though unfortunately I won't be able to give you one given how far away I am from you. But you knew that already. Though I'm not sure about Yagami and Amasawa. They still seem under the foolish assumption that I'm somewhere in the vicinity. Not that I could necessarily blame them though. They are absolute foolish buffoons. Fufufu!" Sakayanagi declared before laughing once more much to the annoyance of one particular Magenta haired girl.
"Ok, enough of that shit. Your incessant 'Fufufu' is like nails on a chalkboard. So, why don't you do us a favor and shut the fuck up already." Amasawa said with a scowl on her face while a vein bulged from her forehead. If Sakayanagi was here, she would no doubt try to subject her to the worst form of torture imaginable. But that's exactly why Sakayanagi couldn't stop laughing. She quite literally had the home field advantage!
"No, I don't think I will. You know, this is a blast actually. I think I have a knack for… hey Matsushita what's the word for what I'm doing? … Oh right. 'Trolling.' Yeah, it's super fun." Sakayanagi admitted while grinning in delight and laughing her butt off much to the annoyance of both Amasawa and Yagami who have had just about enough of her antics.
"So, Matsushita is with you right now? Hmm… I wonder where that might be. Perhaps… the school?" Yagami said though right after he finished, Sakayanagi laughed in utter delight again! Not just because it was so funny, but also to piss him off all the more!
"I knew it… you are the most foolish braindead nincompoop of them all, Takuya Yagami. Though you get second place Amasawa. Congrats to the both of you for being such utter fools! Fufufu!" Sakayanagi replied much to the overwhelming annoyance of the self-proclaimed 'Cream of the crop!' Yagami was just barely able to hold himself back from lashing out at this point. But Amasawa had long since hit the point of no return.
"Listen here you fucking cripple! I will personally make sure that you aren't able to so much as breathe once I'm done with you! You stupid fucking annoying piece of dog shit! Now tell me… JUST WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU ALREADY?!" Amasawa snapped back at the top of her lungs. I was completely taken aback by the sudden loud outburst along with everyone else around me! Not to mention her aptitude for swearing like a sailor! But the same couldn't be said for Sakayanagi as she replied with 'Hmmm… no.' Much to Amasawa's absolute annoyance. Though in the midst of this, Yagami's jaw practically dropped as he was hit with a sudden realization. This prompted Amasawa to mutter his name under her breath. Though Sakayanagi heard that too.
"Cat got your tongue? Or perhaps you finally realized the obvious you braindead fool? Fufufu!" Sakayanagi replied before laughing once more! But it was then that Yagami realized that they really had been played for fools. His eyes then narrowed as he tapped his earpiece. And then…
"Ayanokoji… I think you should go to the school right now." Yagami said while smiling. In response Kiyotaka replied with 'Got it. I'll be right there.' Though the former already knew what was waiting for the latter. Which was-
'FWOOOOSH!' The purple vortex belonging to Warp Gate opened as Ayanokoji emerged from it along with M.M. Kiyotaka made sure that the coordinates were specifically made for the cafeteria knowing that all of the students would be there only to find…
… That there wasn't a single person at all in the vicinity.
"… What?" Kiyotaka muttered under his breath. Though he was heard by none other than the cute girl listening in on his earpiece!
"Oh, don't be so surprised Ayanokoji-Kun. Did you honestly expect for all of us to be sitting ducks for you? Hardly. That's why we are all making our way far far away from you. You see, the pincer attack that yours truly so cleverly came up with had an ulterior purpose. It was done so that your attention was focused on what was going on around you… and not what was happening several kilometers away from you." Sakayanagi admitted with a serious look on her face while recalling the important lesson her father taught her when she was young-
'Arisu. The way to win in a game of chess doesn't mean that you have to completely outsmart them. In fact, all you need to do is something so simple that anyone can do it. You just have to gather their attention away from you. Once you do that, you practically flipped the chessboard on their head. And that gives you the right to say- Her father's words came rushing back to her while she was conversing with Ayanokoji. And then…
Chapter 77: Flip the Chessboard
"Checkmate." Sakayanagi declared before knocking down the opposing King Piece with her Rook! After hearing her proud proclamation, Ayanokoji made his way outside at a frightening pace!
'Step! Step! Step!' He then leaped several meters upward by using the Quirk Air Walk before landing right on the roof with utmost precision! But it was then that he saw what was just barely visible in the distance. It was a ship. But not just any ship. It was-
"The cruise ship? Just how were you able to get your hands on it… Sakayanagi?" Kiyotaka asked while Sakayanagi for once did not laugh in the slightest. After all, she was speaking to the same person that she fell for once upon a time. However, that person is long gone. Or maybe he never really existed in the first place, and it was Sakayanagi's imagination that fueled the image of 'Ayanokoji-Kun' in her mind. Either way, this was her way of paying him back for all the suffering he caused Midoriya along with atoning for her past mistakes too.
"I couldn't have done it alone. Even I don't have that much influence. Thankfully a certain loudmouth fool on our side happened to have connections to the Prime Minister." Sakayanagi admitted while reflecting on that 'loudmouth fool' for but a moment before discarding the thought. But not before muttering 'Thank you' under her breath. Kiyotaka heard it but ignored it as he wondered about something entirely different.
"So, whoever the person you're referring to is, he or she was able to use their connections to secure the cruise ship? Even if that's the case, only an absolute idiot would have the gall to cross treacherous waters into uncharted territory knowing full well that it could spell their demise." Kiyotaka declared while the cruise ship got further and further away until it practically vanished from his line of sight.
"Yeah. Maybe you're right. I'm probably a fool for telling you any of this. But you know what Kiyotaka Ayanokoji? … you're too. Sayonara." Sakayanagi finished before letting out a breath of relief as she finally got that off her chest. Though she was comforted by Matsushita.
"You're really brave Sakayanagi. I honestly don't think I could have said any of that even if I wanted to. There might not be much I can do to avenge Shinohara… but hopefully this will do. Though I wish I could see the look on that bastard's face right about now." Matsushita admitted with a smile on her face. But once again Sakayanagi didn't laugh even if she had every right too. She merely nodded in affirmation. In the midst of this, Sakayanagi heard a voice on the intercom. One that belonged too-
"Mark my words… I will get all of you home, no matter what." The voice belonged to none other than to Sae Chabashira as she was making damn sure that her words would become reality by steering this vessel to freedom!
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: Man Vs. Monster
Go Beyond!
Plus Ultra!
