"Huh?" Jinmu immediately sensed something was wrong. "What happened here? Were you fighting Shina Etsuha? What was the result? Did you extract any blood?"
This time, more members of the Hassaikai had been deployed. Their primary objective was to recruit Shina Etsuha into their ranks. If he refused, they were to subdue him and extract his blood for research purposes—something directly tied to the organization's core project.
"…We failed," Otomoto said grimly.
"Failed?!" Jinmu's voice rose sharply. "Even working together with Ranbo Shoulder Movement, you still failed?! Didn't your quirk uncover any weaknesses? Even if he couldn't win, Ranbo should've at least injured him!"
Being questioned repeatedly, Otomoto's expression darkened with irritation. "This has nothing to do with me. My quirk was completely reflected back at me—I almost exposed everything. And as for Ranbo…" he let out a cold laugh, "from start to finish, Shina Etsuha didn't even get touched. In the end, he was taken down in a single move. I didn't even have time to react."
"…What?!"
Jinmu's eyes widened in shock as he turned toward the crater nearby. Only then did he notice that Ranbo Shoulder Movement—once considered one of their trump cards—was lying there like a lifeless heap, barely clinging to life.
"Damn it… his strength has already reached this level?!" Jinmu muttered.
"Now do you understand?" Otomoto said coldly. "It wasn't luck that he defeated All For One. He actually possesses that kind of power. We completely misjudged him. In my opinion, Shina Etsuha's priority should be raised to the same level as our main target… if not higher."
"Hmph. That little girl is still the core of the plan," Jinmu snorted, though he didn't argue further. He stepped into the crater and carefully examined Ranbo's condition. His expression gradually turned serious.
"This… was really done in a single strike? He's barely holding on. At this rate, he'll be dead in minutes."
"The earlier exchange only fractured his bones," Otomoto explained. "But that final move launched him into the air and slammed him down. That's what caused this."
"…Terrifying," Jinmu muttered. "Every bone in his body is shattered. His internal organs are almost completely destroyed. Only his heart is still beating. To think this was caused by a single blow… that must have been his 'finisher.'"
Among experienced fighters, a "finisher" referred to a decisive move—one that amplified attack power at the cost of immense strain, often ending the battle in a single strike.
From Ranbo's condition, it was clear that Shina Etsuha's finishing move was devastating beyond measure. If not for Ranbo's amplification-type quirk reinforcing his body, he would have been reduced to nothing but pulp.
Even now, survival was nothing more than a fragile thread.
"In any case, we need to move. Only the young master can treat injuries like this," Jinmu said as he hoisted Ranbo onto his shoulder. "Next time, we do not engage him alone unless we are absolutely certain of victory."
Otomoto nodded. "Agreed. Facing Shina Etsuha head-on without preparation is suicide."
"Who's there?!" a Hero's voice suddenly rang out.
Both of them stiffened.
"Damn it," Otomoto muttered. "That bastard made too much noise—Heroes are already here. Let's go!"
Jinmu immediately activated his quirk. The approaching Hero suddenly lost his balance, staggering uncontrollably before collapsing face-first onto the ground.
Taking advantage of the moment, the Hassaikai members quickly retreated and disappeared from the scene.
…
At Hosu Station—
A handsome Hero stepped out onto the platform. He wore glasses, and behind him stretched a pair of enormous wings. Dark feathers shimmered faintly, giving off a sharp, metallic sheen that instantly drew the attention of the surrounding crowd.
"No way… is that the No. 3 Hero, the Winged Hero Hawks?!"
"It really is him!"
"I can't believe we ran into him here!"
"Quick, take a picture!"
"He looks even better in person…!"
The excited chatter rose all around.
Hawks paid no attention to the commotion. His sharp gaze swept across the surroundings, searching for any unusual presence.
"…Looks like I'm the first to arrive," Hawks murmured.
At that moment—
BOOM!!
A massive tremor shook the distance, followed by a thick plume of smoke rising into the sky.
Faint screams echoed from afar.
Hawks' eyes sharpened instantly.
With a powerful beat of his wings, he launched into the air, flying toward the disturbance. Within moments, he arrived above a park.
At the center was a massive crater—clear evidence of a recent battle.
Near the edge, a Hero struggled to stand, swaying as if drunk before collapsing again.
Hawks descended and landed beside him.
"What happened here?" he asked.
"…Villains…" the Hero muttered weakly. "Their quirk messed with me… I can't even walk properly. You have to catch them…"
Hawks narrowed his eyes.
"Which direction?"
The Hero raised a trembling hand and pointed toward the path the Hassaikai members had taken.
Without another word, Hawks spread his wings and shot into the sky—pursuing them at full speed.
..
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