"What's wrong, Takeyama? You don't look so good…"
Inside Takashimaya Supermarket, a female Pro Hero noticed the change in Yu Takeyama's expression and asked with concern.
"I've found the criminal we've been tracking—they're in Tanshoin Town!" Yu Takeyama said urgently. "Etsuha is right next to them. Given how much those people know about me… they'll definitely go after him. I'm heading out first!"
Before she even finished speaking, Yu Takeyama had already pushed through the crowd and sprinted in the direction Shina Etsuha had gone.
"Right next to Etsuha…?" The other Hero frowned, worry flashing across her face. "Please don't let anything happen…"
…
"Hahaha! Mt. Lady's little brother—the so-called quirkless nobody—is really here!!"
In Tanshoin Town, a towering man with bulging muscles burst out of the supermarket, a crazed, bloodthirsty grin spreading across his face.
His target was clear.
Shina Etsuha.
"…Is my name really that famous?" Etsuha muttered, rubbing his forehead in irritation as he listened to the man rattle off his identity. Was this really how villains saw him? As nothing more than a convenient weakness?
"Hmph. Once I've got you, those useless Pro Heroes won't dare to act recklessly," the muscular man sneered. He crushed a steel pipe in his hand with ease, flashing a wide grin filled with gleaming white teeth. "Now get over here, kid. I'll make very good use of you."
"That guy… it's the Muscle Killer!"
Among the crowd, several onlookers immediately recognized him.
"The Muscle Killer? Who's that?"
"Idiot! He's the one who slaughtered the Waterhouse family two years ago! What is someone like him doing here in Tanshoin Town?!"
"They're really planning to use Etsuha against the heroes? Disgusting!"
"So noisy…"
The muscular man frowned at the chatter, irritation flashing across his face. Then he flexed, his body swelling as muscle fibers writhed beneath his skin.
"Well, once I grab this brat, everything will be under my control."
In an instant, his muscles expanded dramatically, his strength surging to several times its normal level. He took a step back—then launched forward like a cannonball, charging straight at Etsuha.
"That's insane—using a quirk like that on a kid?!"
"What a monster!"
"I'll never get to read Etsuha's manga again…!"
The crowd cried out in panic and despair.
But no one noticed—
The icy blue light that flared to life in Etsuha's eyes.
"…I can see it."
Not just see it.
To Etsuha, the man's movements were painfully slow—full of openings. In the instant he analyzed the attack, at least three different countermeasures formed in his mind.
"Ice—"
"Don't even think about it!"
Just as Etsuha was about to activate his power, a figure dropped from the sky.
With explosive force, the man grabbed the Muscle Killer mid-charge and hurled him away.
Bang!
The villain's massive body slammed into the street, carving out a crater upon impact.
The one who stood between Etsuha and danger was now clearly visible.
He wasn't particularly tall, and his appearance was somewhat plain—but there was an undeniable sense of reliability about him. The moment he appeared, the crowd erupted into cheers.
"It's Death Arms!"
"The Hero with fists of justice!"
Street crimes involving quirks weren't uncommon, and with so many Pro Heroes operating nearby, the civilians quickly regained their composure. Instead of fleeing, many stayed behind, watching the confrontation unfold.
Death Arms stepped forward, placing himself firmly in front of Etsuha. He wiped the corner of his mouth and spoke calmly.
"Looks like I got here first. You alright, kid?"
"Uh… yeah, I'm fine," Etsuha replied, nodding.
But inwardly, he couldn't help feeling a little regretful.
That had been the perfect opportunity to test his power in a real fight. Now that a Pro Hero had arrived, there was little chance he'd get involved.
"Oh? Death Arms, huh?"
The Muscle Killer rose from the crater, his muscles writhing unnaturally beneath his skin, like living creatures. The earlier blow seemed to have done little damage.
"This is getting interesting. Looks like I'll be surrounded by Pro Heroes soon… not exactly ideal."
"…Something's off," Etsuha muttered under his breath, narrowing his eyes.
The man's reaction was too calm.
There was no fear.
"The Hero Killer incident hasn't happened yet… which means he probably hasn't joined any major villain organization. So why is he acting so confident?"
As Etsuha analyzed the situation, the Muscle Killer moved again.
With a powerful leap, he launched himself forward, his arm swelling grotesquely as muscle fibers gathered into a massive, dense fist.
"Die!"
Death Arms' eyes narrowed. He planted his feet firmly, his fists cutting through the air with a deep, rumbling sound as he prepared to meet the attack head-on.
The two were about to collide—
But at the last moment, the Muscle Killer suddenly changed direction.
His other hand snapped forward.
A jagged stone appeared in his grip, and with the full force of his enhanced muscles, he hurled it like a bullet straight at Etsuha.
"Die!"
"Not good!" Death Arms' pupils shrank.