(Nezu POV – U.A. Principal's Office)
I sit at the head of the conference table, paws folded, gaze lowered. The room feels heavier than ever, the air thick with dread, pressed down by the weight of the silence. Around me, U.A.'s finest sit with equally grim expressions. Even Aizawa looks more severe than usual, and that is saying something.
Just minutes ago, we were grading practical exams. A normal, calm day.
Then the emergency alert came in.
"...How bad is the situation?" Aizawa asks first. His tone is calm, but there's a faint edge beneath it, brimming with tension even he can't hide.
"Just a few more seconds, Mr. Aizawa." I say, and the absence of my usual cheer draws even more concern from the room.
The seconds crawl. Then the windows seal shut, the lights dim, and the projection system hums to life. On the far wall, a screen flares bright and reveals a sight that guts the room of what little hope remained.
Satellite footage of Cathleen Bate intercepted mid-flight on her journey back to America, and currently fighting for her life.
A lone figure surrounded by enemies in the open sky.
The teachers stiffen as their muscles tense, and jaws clench.
"AFO has made his move." I say, my voice low and grave.
Midnight blinks, baffled. "Um… who exactly is that?" She asks, speaking for most in the room.
I wish we had time to explain… but we don't.
"He's the one responsible for All Might's injury." I state quickly. "The architect of Japan's darkest era. We can cover the details later, but right now, we must focus on the matter at hand."
Shock ripples across the table, but they steady themselves admirably. Years of experience and discipline kicking in.
"It's safe to assume his goal is to steal Star and Stripe's quirk, New Order." I continue. "If that happens, the resulting chaos would be catastrophic."
'If he gains that quirk, he'd likely be able to recover from the injuries All Might inflicted, and by then… he'd be effectively unstoppable.' The thought punches through me like a cold spike.
"All Might has already departed and is traveling at maximum speed, while the HPSC is mobilizing every available hero…" I pause.
Cementoss finishes the thought for me. "But you don't believe they'll reach her in time."
I nod grimly.
I press a button on the console. The satellite footage shifts to the side, and a new overlay appears: a tactical map, updating live. All Might's icon streaks across the ocean, zooming towards Cathleen's location.
"Based on All Might's current speed, and the pace of the battle…"
On the footage, one of the jets supporting her is obliterated in a flash.
"…She is likely to fall before any reinforcements reach her."
Vlad King slams a fist onto the table. "So we're just supposed to sit here and watch this villain succeed?"
"If there were another option, I would have already acted." I answer, meeting his gaze evenly. "But we have minutes at best. I gathered everyone here to brainstorm any solution… any possibility, we might have overlooked."
The room falls into heavy silence.
Deep thought. Desperation masquerading as contemplation.
I know, they know, that I have already run through every strategy, cross-referenced every contingency, and simulated every likely outcome using my quirk.
And none were viable.
'A perfectly executed trap…' I think bitterly.
'They intercepted her at a point maximized for isolation. A five-minute delay even for All Might. They allowed her plane to depart, then scrambled its communications to delay it warning us, while giving Cathleen false hope so she won't flee, expecting backup that may arrive too late.'
The footage worsens. AFO multiplies his clones, summons additional allies emerge from portals, and slowly smothers the limited airspace Cathleen and her allies have to maneuver.
Then—
"Actually…" Aizawa speaks, his voice low. "There might be something. I'm not certain, but it's worth checking."
Every head turns toward him.
"During internship feedback, Mirko mentioned, in passing, that she praised Kata for teleporting to her home for training." Aizawa's brows knit slightly. "I knew he could teleport, but I assumed the range was limited, so I didn't think much of it."
My eyes widen.
'So did I.'
I had ruled it out as a short-distance spatial manipulation, limited to the same range most of his abilities are. But if the range is larger, or even unrestricted…
Hope ignites within all of us, as fantasy becomes possibility.
"Then we must confirm this immediately!" I declare, reaching for my phone. "There is no time to waste."
(Kata POV – Kata's House)
"Aaaah—" Eri opens her mouth as wide as she can, eyes sparkling in anticipation.
A kernel of popcorn lifts from the bowl, floats through the air in a graceful arc, and plops right into her mouth.
She smiles brightly, before chewing with a content and joyful expression.
She's perched on my lap, her legs dangling languidly, completely enraptured by the animated movie playing on the TV.
Himiko, meanwhile, is sprawled along the couch without a care in the world. Her head rest against my shoulder as she leans against me, like I'm a pillow. The exact moment Eri gets her popcorn, Himiko opens her mouth too.
I sigh.
Then telekinetically toss popcorn into her mouth as well.
'What an amazing use of my quirk.' I think dryly… but I keep doing it anyway. They've turned it into a game, and they're both so happy that I see no reason to stop.
Eri stays locked onto the screen, while Himiko stays locked onto me, smiling mischievously as she nudges closer, nudging and nudging until she's basically fused to my arm.
"I think I did really well on my exams today." She says with a smug grin.
"Oh?" I glance at her. "You must've worked really hard. I really hope you pass."
She leans even closer. "Mhm~. Because if I do… that means you have to take me on a date tomorrow. I get to pick, and you've gotta follow my rules. No takebacks now."
I continue feeding popcorn to Eri, who's humming happily with every bite. "I know. I like spending time with you, and I wanted you to pass… so it's a win-win."
Himiko giggles and practically coils around my arm like an anaconda, delighted with herself. Meanwhile, Eri keeps watching the movie, oblivious, and smiling each time Himiko bumps her slightly.
It's a peaceful, warm, and strange home full of misfits who somehow fit perfectly.
But, of course, it doesn't last.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I float it up in front of me.
'Nezu?' I raise an eyebrow. 'At this hour?'
Knowing him, it should be very important if it couldn't wait till the next day.
I answer immediately.
"Hello."
"Forgive the abruptness, but we don't have time for pleasantries." Nezu's tone is tight, and find with urgency. "There's an emergency. AFO is currently engaging Stars and Stripes, and we require your assistance. Can you teleport long distances?"
I pause, processing the information.
'AFO is heavily injured. He shouldn't be able to beat her.' I think. 'Is he attacking because she's no longer in America?'
I'd find it weird if that was the only thing doing him, but…
'It doesn't matter.' I decide.
All that matters is that I can't let him succeed.
"…Send the coordinates." I say simply.
I slide my arms under Eri's and lift her gently off my lap, setting her next to Himiko on the couch, before standing up.
Without my shoulder to lean on, Himiko tips sideways with an ungraceful "Huh—!" and her head lands directly on Eri's lap.
Eri blinks down at her. Then gives a soft, earnest smile and begins patting Himiko's head like she's soothing a sleepy cat.
'Cute.' I think, unable to suppress a small smile.
"I have to step out for a bit." I tell them. "Eri, I need you to be good and… make sure Himiko behaves."
Eri immediately straightens, tiny hands clenched into determined fists.
"You can count on me!" She declares with heroic seriousness.
"Hey!" Himiko protests, sitting up halfway with an exaggerated pout. "I can behave! I'm very responsible, okay?"
I give her a long, flat stare.
"Make sure to tell me if she misbehaves." I say to Eri.
Eri giggles. "Okay! Come back safe."
"I will." I promise, patting her head gently.
Himiko narrows her eyes at me, clearly demanding equal treatment.
So I pat her head too.
I check the coordinates Nezu sent, and in an instant, space bends and fold around me, as I carve a path towards my destination.
********
A/N: Hello Everyone! How are you all? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book out.
I'll start off with saying, yes, this chapter is a bit shorter than usual. Usually, I decide the chapter into 3 or 4 sections, and this one is about 3/4. I removed the 4th, and decided to make it the start of the next chapter. A d before you get mad, let me explain...
The left 3 sections all, for some reason, would've ended on a cliffhanger. A steep one. And, I couldn't extend the chapter by 2 sections in the time I had, so I went with this. I'll be releasing the next chapter tomorrow, without delay, so I ask for your patience 🫠. And that chapter would conclude this arc.
Nextly... I have a question for you all. Do you think New Order can be replicated by Kata? Like, could he just give himself the quirk and use it. Meaning, that it's purely genetic, and there's no mystical property to the quirk he can't yet grasp as it fundamentally has to do with law manipulation (which'd be an ultimate level power of compared to Telekinesis).
Now, before you get trigger happy, please understand the consequences. If the quirk is purely genetic, things are easy for everyone... Including the villains. Meaning, it'd be a shame and tragedy of Kyudai could mass produce New Order and arm Nomus with them...
I'd be quite worried about the heroes after that, if it were me (yes, I'm threatening everyone🤣). But, if there were a mystic element, Kata could only replicate New Order after advancing his Telekinesis a stage again, while also making it impossible for villains to do the same.
So, essentially, I'm asking, do you want people to be more likely to die? Or Nah?
But, it's all up to you.
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
Anyway, I hope you all have a great day/night 🌉