"Ha… ha… ha… ha… ha… ha… ha…"
A man with thick gold chains around his neck and wrists ran through the alleyway, breathing heavily.
Suddenly, he vanished — and in his place stood a trash can.
Several meters away from where the man had disappeared, another man sat casually atop a fence, looking down at the gold-chained man now lying face-first on the ground.
He jumped from the fence. With a heavy thud of combat boots, he landed smoothly.
Walking toward the fallen man, he knelt beside him.
"What did I say about stealing?"
"Absolutely not…" the man mumbled weakly.
"What was that? Couldn't hear you. Must be the wind."
He snapped his fingers.
The man on the ground was replaced by a splash of falling rain.
"AHHHHHHHHH—!"
The scream of a man plummeting from thirty meters echoed through the block — only to be swallowed instantly by the heavy downpour that followed.
Another snap.
The man lay on the ground again as if nothing had happened.
Still screaming.
The man who had jumped down from the fence snapped his fingers once more. The body vanished.
Another snap. The body returned.
He repeated the motion several more times.
After a dozen snaps, he pulled a red bat-shaped cutout from his pocket and slid it into the trembling man's jacket.
"That should do it."
Another snap.
The unconscious man disappeared from the alleyway.
"Time to go home."
One final snap — and the masked figure vanished into the night.
---------------------------
"In other news, reports continue to come in regarding the vigilante responsible for delivering criminals into police custody en masse. Citizens are questioning whether licensed heroes are fulfilling their duties — or growing complacent.
Due to these developments, the Hero Public Safety Commission has issued the following statement:
'The Hero Public Safety Commission hereby reiterates its position regarding acts of vigilantism within Japanese territory.
While we recognize that some individuals who engage in unsanctioned hero activity may believe their intentions are rooted in justice or public protection, the use of a Quirk in combat, enforcement, or rescue operations without proper licensing is a direct violation of National Quirk Regulation Law.
Hero society stands upon three foundational principles:
Public Safety.
Legal Accountability.
Professional Oversight.
Licensed Pro Heroes undergo years of accredited training, ethical education, and operational supervision to ensure that their actions minimize collateral damage, civilian harm, and criminal escalation. Vigilante actions, regardless of intent, exist outside this framework and pose significant risks to both civilians and infrastructure.
Unregulated intervention may:
Compromise ongoing Pro Hero operations.
Escalate villain behavior.
Endanger bystanders.
Interfere with law enforcement coordination.
The Commission emphasizes that justice without authorization is not heroism — it is disorder.
Citizens wishing to contribute to society through heroics are encouraged to enroll in certified hero programs and pursue proper licensure. Heroism is not defined by power, but by responsibility under the law.
The HPSC remains committed to maintaining peace, stability, and trust in the hero system.
"Order sustains hope."
— Hero Public Safety Commission
Government of Japan
If you have any information regarding a vigilante operating in your area, you are obligated to inform your nearest police station or licensed Hero immediately.'"
A hand holding a remote pressed a button. The channel changed.
"This just in — another criminal has been recovered in police custody, reportedly apprehended by law enforcement. However, this time investigators were able to identify the approximate location where the suspect was subdued and discovered an active CCTV camera that captured footage of the vigilante.
Viewer discretion is advised."
The same hand pressed the button again.
"The Police have released a lookout notice for the vigilante, now identified as 'Red Hood.'
Citizens are advised to exercise caution. Red Hood has been reported to have assaulted licensed Heroes during multiple encounters.
The Metropolitan Police Department has issued the following statement:
'The Metropolitan Police Department formally addresses the individual operating under the alias Red Hood.
Red Hood is a masked vigilante active within city limits. This individual has engaged in multiple unauthorized confrontations involving armed suspects, organized crime affiliates, and repeat offenders. While some incidents have resulted in criminal apprehension, all actions occurred outside legal authority.
Red Hood is not a registered Pro Hero.
Red Hood is not affiliated with the Hero Public Safety Commission.
Red Hood operates under no municipal or national law enforcement mandate.
We acknowledge public sentiment surrounding this individual's activities. However, unilateral use of force — particularly lethal or excessive force — undermines due process, destabilizes investigations, and risks civilian lives through crossfire or retaliation.
Justice must operate within lawful boundaries.
The MPD remains committed to protecting civilians, apprehending offenders within legal limits, and coordinating with licensed Pro Heroes to ensure structured and accountable responses.
Citizens are strongly advised not to approach or communicate with the individual known as Red Hood. Any information regarding his identity or activities should be reported directly to the MPD tip line.
Crime must be confronted — but the law cannot be replaced.
Further updates will follow as the investigation continues.'
— Metropolitan Police Department
Public Affairs Division"
The hand switched off the television and tossed the remote onto nearby furniture.
The man rose.
He walked down the corridor, exited the house, and headed several hundred meters down the street.
At the corner, a diner was just opening.
He approached and lightly tapped the shoulder of the young man unlocking the door.
"Starting a bit late, aren't you?"
"Morning, Mr. Jin. Stayed up watching the game. Didn't get enough sleep," the young man replied with a yawn.
"Couldn't miss it, could we?"
Smiling faintly, Jin stepped inside, the young man following close behind.
Taking a seat at his usual stool near the counter, Jin said, "I'll have the usual."
"Rice, fried fish, miso, and pickled vegetables. Got it."
The young man tied on his apron, then wrapped a cloth around his head, covering his hair and forehead before moving briskly into the kitchen.
Jin sipped the complimentary green tea, lost in thought.
Within minutes, customers began to trickle in one by one, greeting Jin — the regular who arrived before everyone else — and the young cook bustling steadily behind the counter.