Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Vongrak.
Jinx POV.
It wasn't the first raid I'd done, but it was the first one I'd done as a heroine, at least, something of this scale. I'd done jobs for Mom dozens of times, and these last few days I'd worked with Lady Nagant as a heroine, but a raid as a heroine on this level? Yes, it was a first.
And all because of a little girl.
And I couldn't really blame them. The girl, Eri, deserved to be saved. I never really thought I'd be the type to care about children, but ever since that idiot Izumi put THAT damn idea in my head, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
A daughter.
I was going to have a damn daughter. Yeah, I shouldn't be so surprised; literally, part of my body was made to do that. But it was always a distant idea, a maybe, just something that could happen. But for Izumi to say it… it was different. It made it so much more real when someone who could actually see the future mentioned it.
A damn daughter, me. And damn Izumi just dropped it like that and then refused to say a word. That damn idiot was infuriating. The only thing I could get out of him was that she might 'fall from the sky,' and that could mean anything!
Was it perhaps some kind of mistake? An oversight? Anything I didn't see coming?! Was it some kind of Immaculate Conception?! Damn idiot and his riddles!
The worst part was that I couldn't stop thinking about her. What would she be like? Would she look like me? Who was her damn father?! Please, let it not be Ekko… but most importantly, what… what would happen to make that girl sacrifice herself for me? I was about to lose myself in my thoughts once again when the loud noise of a door being smashed made me shudder and brought me back to reality.
I looked at the enormous woman whose fist had burst through the door of the Shie Hassaikai headquarters. That's right, the raid. I gritted my teeth and gripped my swords tightly.
I saw Izumi move immediately, using his foot to stop the villain's fist completely dead with extreme ease, after which he disappeared into the Shie Hassaikai base.
And then the heroes moved, I could see the blaze of fire engulf us after Darkness raised her shield, I could feel the surge of enhancement coursing through my body, nice.
Mirko arrived first with a wild smile at the villain, spun in the air and with her heel struck the head of the enormous woman, stunning her immediately. She didn't even wait to see if she had finished her off; she simply used the villain as a platform and headed inside the mansion while laughing.
I could see half the group split up and head straight inside the yakuza mansion. Ryukyu and the students interning with her had stayed above ground, as had Lady Nagant and us.
I watched as Tanya and Visha took off on the hoverboards I'd helped build. I had to admit, I'd completely forgotten about them. I didn't want to think about anything to do with that idiot Ekko and his Firelights, but Izumi had asked about them, and I knew everything about them. I could build them with my eyes closed.
Even so, the original design was a board, wide enough for both feet and long enough to feel like she was skating or surfing the sky, but Izumi had requested a specific design, especially for Tanya and Visha.
Reducing that board in half, shortening it, and attaching a metal boot to it, like a kind of one-legged ski, at that moment I was really incredulous, not because it couldn't be done, especially since both of our Quirks did most of the work, but because it would lose a lot of structural stability.
A smaller work area would mean sacrificing the power needed to keep a person in the air, something that is solved by their quirk, but there was also the problem that, by placing all the momentum on one foot, it was ridiculous for balance, especially when moving or propelling themselves, but seeing both sisters practically skiing in the sky with such mastery, I had to admit that it was an excellent idea.
Both Tanya and Visha could already fly on their own, or rather, they could propel themselves into the sky and take off; what they lacked was maneuverability, something that the boot with the ski board gave them both.
Especially Tanya, that damn shortstack looked like a fairy as she moved so quickly and fluidly, as if she had been born in the sky even though she had only been learning to fly for a couple of weeks.
A damned, psychopathic, and lethal fairy, I saw as both sisters spun around the villain, their weapons transformed into rifles, they both spun around and ended up face down on top of the villain and fired at the same time.
The explosion of both shots hit the villain in the back and head, dust enveloping her before a scream and a completely black hand emerged from the mist. I clicked my tongue as I watched the villain completely enveloped in metallic black.
Armament Haki, I really hoped it would all be over quickly. We had to finish off Rikiya immediately. Once it was known that Chisaki could fuse with other people, Rikiya was designated as the most dangerous person Chisaki could fuse with.
I finally moved. I couldn't use Haki, so I couldn't easily pierce her skin. I grabbed my swords and moved, letting my Quirk course through my veins and enhance my physique. I felt the momentum immediately and moved faster.
Rikiya moved and tried to hit the nearby police officers and heroes, Ryukyu transformed into a dragon and easily stopped her, grabbing her fist in an iron grip and preventing her from moving, I took advantage of the moment.
I appeared above Rikiya, Third Fang: Devour, I unleashed a double slash with my swords on the villain's back, although it didn't do much since my swords couldn't even scratch her, even so, I kept moving. Fifth Fang: Crazy Cutting, still in the air, I turned and began to attack simultaneously from all sides, always hitting the same point on one of her shoulders.
I used the villain as a platform and jumped back, my swords changed shape and two pistols appeared in my hands and I fired both at the same point several times.
I clicked my tongue when I saw a tiny scratch; at that moment, two bullets struck that spot. I immediately recognized Sinon's Hecate II bullet and Nagant's organic bullet, coated in Haki.
Sinon's bullet arrived first, striking Rikiya's shoulder with force and shattering her Haki. Then Nagant's bullet arrived as if perfectly timed, piercing Rika's shoulder and continuing on, passing completely through her body. I looked in red at the point where both snipers were positioned on the nearby rooftops. They were in different spots to cover more range.
Sinon had brought her beloved sniper rifle to the raid since it was an excellent situation to use it in and it provided covering fire, and Nagant was in charge of making sure that no villain escaped the police cordon, and both helped wherever they could.
Rika lost enough strength in her arm for Ryukyu to manipulate the injured villain and pin her to the ground. I could hear the villain growling, but Ryukyu held her down while the police surrounded her and tried to restrain her.
I placed my swords at my waist as I watched Tanya and Visha land beside me. They both nodded, and we stayed close to the villain. Hmmm, I guess their hoverboards were a hit. I'll have to mention that to Izumi; I'm sure she'll want me to make one for everyone. I at least gave Taylor the idea, as if that damned living plague needed to become even more lethal by being able to fly along with its swarm.
Although maybe I should create one; it would be much better for the transfer. It took them a couple of minutes to completely contain her, along with the thugs they brought in from inside headquarters. Right at that moment, my scroll wheel beeped.
No, everyone's scrolls beeped at the same time. All the heroes stopped simultaneously and pulled out their scrolls. I saw Izumi's number— a group call ? I answered it immediately and put it to my ear, just like all the other heroes. I even saw the police listening intently to their radios. I guess Izumi called everyone. What could be so important that—
"Do?" asked a woman's voice, almost indifferent. I could faintly hear some muffled voices, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. "I just did my job. I needed money. The League of Villains hired me to do something. I did my part, they did theirs," said the woman, who definitely had to be Kei Chisaki, and I frowned. The League of Villains was here?
"And this was just a job?!" Izumi's voice was loud, he sounded truly furious. "Hiding a broken door beneath your headquarters, taking monsters out of the dungeon, and then fusing them with people you kidnapped from all over the world?! Is creating such abominations just a job for you? They're still alive! They are suffering! " I froze in place as my mind raced with the implications.
Was there a broken door underneath? Had Chisaki been taking out the monsters and fusing them with people? People who were still alive while fused?! I could feel my stomach sink; I wasn't the only one. I could see out of the corner of my eye several heroines and police officers pale, or even be on the verge of vomiting at such a sight.
The whole place was deathly silent as we continued listening to the exchange. The more Chisaki talked, the more I wanted to go downstairs and punch her myself, but I gritted my teeth until I heard Aizawa's voice talking to Izumi. Finally, Izumi ended the call.
"Lady Nagant." Sir Nighteye's voice said immediately.
"636 new presences below headquarters, give or take 10." Lady Nagant said without hesitation, I looked down at the ground.
"We're descending, Mirko. Finish off your villain and come back. Jinx, Tanya, and Visha, join our group quickly. You're among the few heroines present with weapons and dungeon-monster fighting experience. We'll need all the help we can get to contain this disaster. The rest of you, guide and assist the police in getting the villains and Shie Hassaikai members away from here and begin evacuating the entire area."
"Izumi will buy us time until we arrive. We'll try to contain everything inside, but if for some reason the monsters surface, there must be no civilians present. Ryukyu, your group will oversee everything on the surface. Nagant, make sure nothing that isn't us leaves headquarters." Aizawa added without hesitation.
"Yes, Eraser Head!" We all shouted at the same time. I put away my scroll once more before running towards headquarters without hesitation. I could feel Tanya and Visha flying behind me. This had gotten complicated.
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Darkness POV.
Mirko was strong. She was unstoppable. Once Izumi had sneaked inside the headquarters and we all pushed our way into the building, she was in front of us, with a wild smile, kicking every villain without stopping. Each of her kicks hit the villain hard, knocking them unconscious immediately.
She moved and bounced with complete freedom off the walls as she punched the villains, not even when the walls moved it stopped her, even against three of the villains who were part of the core of the Shie Hassaikai, whom we should be careful with, they were immediately knocked out at a terrifying speed, Mirko did all that with a huge smile on her face as she continued to advance.
I couldn't help but think how similar she was to Izumi; he'd really chosen someone just like him for his internship. I focused on continuing to run while eavesdropping on the conversation.
I could see Mirio Togata's anxious expression, and I could understand it; he could practically overcome all obstacles and reach Eri, but he had decided that he would remain as part of the group.
With Izumi going after Eri, our job was to take down every villain in our path. It wasn't a race to catch Eri, but a race to defeat the villains. Izumi would take care of Chisaki, we would take care of the others.
As we continued advancing, one of the walls moved and attacked Aizawa-sensei. My eyes widened, I turned around and tried to push him out of the way. Apparently, Fat Gum had the same idea; he was partially absorbed by his fat, and we were both pushed through a hole in the wall.
We rolled through a long tunnel until we finally fell into a completely dark room.
"Huh? What are you, a chicken?! What are you doing!?" Fat Gum asked as he realized I was here, I smiled slightly.
"I tried to protect Aizawa, but I got swallowed up by your fat." I told Fat Gum honestly. He just nodded as he stood up, and I did the same as I grabbed my sword and shield once more.
Fat Gum's words stopped when someone appeared from the shadows, a muscular woman with metal knuckles ready to attack us.
My body reacted on its own; I raised my shield and got into position. I saw her fists turn black with Haki and gritted my teeth. My body shuddered and my bones groaned from the dozen blows I received on my shield. Her punches made me stumble back several inches, but finally, it ended.
"Tch, fighting with weapons and swords is crude, anyone who gets hold of one can win, that's not a fight, a real battle is when you use your inner strength to kill... you understand, right?" The villainess asked, frowning, I didn't recognize her, her gaze was fixed on me, I could almost see a look of contempt, but I ignored it.
"Darkness, are you okay?" Fat Gum asked, dusting himself off.
"In perfect condition, let me have the defense." I said without hesitation, Fat Gum nodded.
"Her blows are strong, be careful," Fat Gum said simply. The villainess moved once more. This time I took a step forward, even with her arms enveloped in Haki. I moved my hands and expertly met each blow with my shield; none passed past me.
The villain's attacks stopped almost immediately. I shifted slightly to the side where Fat Gum moved forward and tried to strike the villain, only for a translucent shield to appear and block the blow. My gaze shifted behind the villain; a second villain had appeared. My eyes widened, but I still managed to shift my body and position myself in front of Fat Gum once more, just in time for Rappa to attack again.
I defended against all the attacks. Really strong punches and a barrier, what an annoying combination, and I'm telling you! I looked at Fatgum, we both specialized in defense, we definitely couldn't break through that barrier no matter what.
We were about to move once more when a loud noise shook the room, then another and another and another and finally the ceiling collapsed, a figure fell and landed in the middle of the room with a huge wild smile.
"VILLAINS!!!" Mirko exclaimed sadistically and lunged forward, attempting to attack the villain with her fists. The translucent shield reappeared, but Mirko's foot passed right through it as if it weren't there. She followed us all the way here?! And how strong were her legs?!
The villain with the fists moved and received Mirko's foot with her own attack; the clash between the two blows made the ground tremble. Mirko jumped back with a wild smile.
"Heh, I thought I wouldn't have a good fight, but-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, shut up and start fighting." Mirko interrupted dismissively; the villain with the fists didn't seem annoyed, she just let out a laugh.
"Ha! You understand, Mirko! " Said the villain as she lunged forward. I moved to take the blows without hesitation. It seemed the villain could only hit in bursts, because after a few moments, she stopped again. Fatgum and Mirko came out from behind me and moved to attack. The shield tried to stop her, but Mirko broke it easily once again.
Fatgum seized the opportunity and struck the shield-wielding villain while Mirko focused on the other. The fist-wielding villain tried to stop Mirko's attack, but the force of her kick sent her fists flying backward. Mirko spun around and kicked the villain in the chest, sending her flying several meters away from the other.
The villain with the shield created another, much smaller barrier around herself, preventing Fat Gum from hitting her. I raised my shield and pulled the villains towards me. The villain with the barrier was surprised; the imbalance broke the villain's barrier. Fat Gum took advantage and punched the woman hard in the chin, then used the momentum to keep hitting him without letting go or moving far enough away to prevent her from recreating her barrier.
The villain with the fists was strong, but Mirko was stronger, more relentless, faster; her kicks came from all sides, she moved in the air and spun with incredible dexterity; the villain wasn't fast enough to react and the blows began to fall on her body quickly.
A well-placed kick to the head made her stagger. Mirko showed no mercy, spinning her several times in the air, and her metal foot struck hard against her head, strong enough to push the villain to the ground and crack her.
The villain seemed to want to get up, but Mirko dropped down with the villain, both legs flexing and hitting the villain's head once more, burying her even deeper into the ground.
Mirko then spun around on the ground with a wide smile.
"Come on! We have more villains to kick! " Mirko said with sadistic glee. I couldn't help but shudder and bite my lip at such a display. No, bad Darkness, none of those thoughts while on hero duty.
At that moment, our scrolls beeped at the same time, we looked at each other confused but still took it out, I saw Izumi calling everyone at the same time, I accepted the call immediately.
"Do?" asked a woman's voice, almost indifferent. I frowned, but listened more closely. "I just did my job. I needed money, the League of Villains hired me to do something, I did my part, they did theirs." The woman said, "The League of Villains was here?" I looked at the heroines beside me who also frowned.
"And this was just a job?!" Izumi's voice was loud, he sounded truly furious. I shuddered slightly; Izumi didn't get angry easily. " Hiding a broken door beneath your headquarters, releasing monsters from the dungeon, and then fusing them with people you kidnapped from all over the world?!" Is creating such abominations just a job for you? They're still alive! They are suffering !
My eyes widened at the implications. Humans fused with monsters?! That sounded awful. When they finally finished speaking, I almost felt like throwing up.
Finally, Aizawa and Sir Nighteye took command and practically barked orders; once we were done, we immediately put away our scrolls.
"Fat Gum!" Mirko shouted through gritted teeth.
"Yes! Fataxi!" Fatgum shouted. Before I knew it, I was completely absorbed by Fatgum. Fatgum moved towards the hole in the ceiling, then jumped. Mirko appeared below us and kicked Fatgum hard enough to send us flying several floors.
Mirko appeared beside us without any trouble. Mirko kept kicking Fatgum through the corridors to propel us at high speed. We had to get to Izumi quickly.