--Saturday, July 25, 2172
In a well-lit room, a tall and elegant man sat reading a detailed report alongside a beautiful woman, both of them facing multiple screens displaying various individuals. As they listened, murmurs of surprise and even suspicion could be heard in different languages, until one of the people on the screens couldn't help but ask, visibly incredulous.
"Seriously, are there really so few casualties in such a chaotic attack…?"
"Yes, we confirmed it three times. The attack resulted in only six deaths—four workers and two tourists who had the unfortunate luck of being right where a portal opened." The man explained in a serious tone, though internally still in disbelief at the outcome. Another person on the screens spoke, and an automatic translator echoed in unison.
"Was it thanks to All Might?"
"Largely. All Might saved ten times more people on his own than most other heroes, but there was something else. The professional hero Midnight and the hero group Pussycats joined the battle and rescue efforts, managing to save thousands of people and also defeat a significant number of Nomus. Together, they achieved results comparable to All Might's.
"Beyond that, many civilians testified that just before the Nomus could touch them, they were torn apart by clean cuts. There are at least a hundred similar accounts, and even some cameras captured matching footage. These 'invisible cuts' alone were what saved the most civilians below the Pussycats."
The woman explained in a serious tone while manipulating a kind of tablet, at which point videos from the cameras appeared on everyone's screens. Another person on the screens commented gravely while watching a terrifying Nomu fall into two pieces just before reaching a woman running for her life.
"I'm guessing these 'invisible cuts' aren't something from I-Island."
"No, we're currently investigating the matter, but we don't have anything concrete. All we know so far is that Saito Kai, a shareholder and senior researcher from the Yaoyorozu Group, can do something similar with a sword and was relatively nearby." The man explained seriously, prompting an older woman to ask in a grave tone.
"The genius kid from the Yaoyorozu Group is a hero?"
"He's a student at UA in Japan, and his strength is considerable. He managed to take down one of the hydras single-handedly without so much as a scratch." The woman explained with a serious expression, looking at Kai's photo in the displayed files with a strange glint in her eyes.
"On top of being a technological genius, he's also that strong of a hero? What the hell did Japan do to get so lucky…?"
A man muttered while shooting a dark look at one of the representatives on the screen, who was clearly trying to suppress a smile—the Japanese representative. Hearing this, a few others on different screens couldn't help but nod with similar expressions, also eyeing the man struggling to hide his grin.
It was truly infuriating that this tiny island nation could have the world's most powerful hero and, on top of that, people like the Pussycats, Midnight, and, most importantly, Saito Kai. At his young age, he could already be considered a strategic weapon with significant geopolitical impact, arguably even more important than All Might himself, the strongest hero in the world.
After all, the Yaoyorozu Group is at the forefront of the world, especially in the design and production of cutting-edge chips, a field in which young Saito Kai works. So much so that even I-Island has been forced to purchase licenses and finished products from them—something many of those present considered a great shame.
As representatives from various nations and private sponsors began taking notes to analyze the troubling situation of this island nation more closely, one of the representatives—the oldest-looking of all—spoke in a serious and accusatory tone. He stared intently at the pair in the center of the room.
"Putting that aside, we need a very good explanation for this invasion. We spend billions of dollars a year on security alone, and not only did we suffer a severe breach, but a highly dangerous archived research project was also stolen. This is the worst disaster in I-Island's history."
The man couldn't help but adjust his tie nervously, as this matter could cost him and several others in operational management their heads. But soon, with calm professionalism, he explained in a serious tone while the woman beside him manipulated the tablet to display all related documents.
"The investigation has already yielded some results. The theft of the device was carried out by Samuel Abraham in collusion with two other researchers, but this morning we found their bodies in their rooms. Everything points to them having committed suicide in the midst of the chaos. Meanwhile, David Shield, the lead researcher on the project, has solid alibis and agreed to cooperate.
"As for the invasion, we're currently investigating, but since it involves a spatial quirk, progress is complicated. Under normal circumstances, I-Island's continuous movement and distance from any landmass make it very difficult to use a spatial quirk to gain access. However, due to the I-Expo, I-Island was forced to stop, which opened a window of opportunity for the enemy.
"Something like this wasn't anticipated in any security reports or audits, so our systems weren't prepared for it. Therefore, to address this, new audits have been initiated alongside several emergency research projects to develop specific defenses against similar scenarios."
As he finished his explanation, the man looked firmly at the people on the screens, hoping his attempt to deflect blame would be effective. At that moment, nearly everyone on the screens fell silent and began discussing with what appeared to be their advisors. After a few minutes, one of the individuals on the screens activated their audio and spoke in a serious tone.
"Samuel Abraham is just a scapegoat. That device is so dangerous that we can't play the usual games and turn a blind eye. I request an emergency vote to temporarily revoke the diplomatic immunity of everyone with access to that device. We need the investigation and control team to have full authority to pursue the culprits."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
…
Following the man on the screen's words, several others concurred one after another, which led the man and woman standing in the center of the room to subtly let out sighs of relief. The woman soon commented while rapidly manipulating the tablet in her hands.
"Currently, the minimum quorum is met, and over 30% have agreed to initiate the vote, so it proceeds. As instructed, we will vote to temporarily suspend diplomatic immunity for anyone with direct or indirect access to archived research number…"
As the woman explained, the complete and detailed question appeared on each screen alongside the option to vote yes or no. After a few minutes, everyone had voted, and the woman announced the result aloud in a solemn tone.
"The YES vote wins with 79%."
…
…
…
"Is all of this really necessary…?"
Sitting in a comfortable hair-washing chair in the middle of the largest and most luxurious suite in the entire hotel, Kai couldn't help but ask, feeling a bit helpless as he looked up at Nemuri right above him. Nemuri, who was applying a facial cream to Kai's face, responded with a smile while adjusting the headband keeping her beloved's hair back.
"Of course it is. Our Kai worked so hard, and we have to pamper him properly."
"That hydra was nothing special. There were way stronger things on the Spider's Island by the dozens." Kai replied with a tone full of disdain. Ryuko, who was tenderly washing Kai's hair, commented in a playful voice.
"I saw it, darling. When a Nomu was about to grab a kid who was too far for anyone to reach in time, it was suddenly sliced cleanly in half like magic."
"Really? Someone can cut a Nomu cleanly without showing themselves? How interesting. I should look for that person; they must be strong." Kai said casually. Tomoko, who was trimming the nails on Kai's right hand, chimed in with a joyful voice.
"Don't be shy! It was you! You helped people on the streets!"
"Of course it wasn't me. Since when do I help strangers? Don't get weird ideas; it was someone else. I was with Yumiko and Keiko the whole time; ask them and you'll see."
Kai said seriously. The girls couldn't help but laugh amusedly, at which point Shino, who was filing the nails on Kai's left hand, commented with a beautiful smile on her face.
"Don't try to hide it. You couldn't let innocent people die in front of you, so you sent your swords to help. We know everything. Hundreds of people were saved by 'invisible cuts.'"
"Hundreds? Whoever did it has skill. I really need to find them." Kai replied calmly. Nejire, who was washing Kai's right foot, laughed brightly and added.
"And super handsome and cool too. The perfect man."
"Hey, I'm gonna get jealous if you keep praising another guy like that." Kai grumbled irritably, prompting giggles among the girls. Momo, who was doing something similar to Nejire with Kai's left foot, commented with a huge smile.
"Girls, don't tease him. Our Kai is a very bad man who doesn't help anyone. We already know that. It's not like he's too shy to admit it or anything like that."
Momo's comment caused another round of laughter among the girls, who continued pampering their beloved with huge smiles on their faces. Meanwhile, at a table on the balcony, Yumiko, Keiko, and Chatora were drinking tea with amused expressions. Yumiko asked in a cheerful voice.
"By the way, what happened with your trip? When will they reopen the airport?"
"We haven't been informed yet. Looks like we'll have to spend a few more days here. Luckily, communications have been restored, and we were able to explain everything to Principal Nezu."
Chatora replied calmly. Keiko took a sip of her tea before commenting while looking out at the city, where hundreds of robots and people could be seen working to repair the damage.
"I'm a bit surprised everything is so calm. I expected these guys to take advantage of Kai's actions to gain leverage or just put him in a tough spot…"
"Well, everyone saw Kai defeat that hydra, and we helped quite a bit too, so it's hard for them to make things difficult for us in the short term." Chatora said as he turned to look at the city as well. Yumiko glanced at Kai and commented while setting her cup on the table.
"But problems will come anyway. Since David Shield accepted the proposal, I don't think I-Island will let him go so easily."
"Don't worry about that. The entire legal department is gearing up for the 'war.' David Shield is ours." Keiko said with a confident smile, prompting Chatora to turn to her and comment somewhat helplessly.
"Seriously, you guys are unpredictable… Managing to recruit a big shot from I-Island in the middle of all this chaos…"
"Fufu, we simply seized the opportunity when it presented itself." Keiko replied amusedly, making Chatora shake his head while Yumiko let out a small giggle.
…
…
…
In front of one of I-Island's inland lakes, Bakugo sat in silence, his gaze lost, occasionally tossing rocks into the lake and watching them skip. At that moment, a young man with messy green hair approached from a distance, something Bakugo seemed to sense as he turned to look behind him. As his eyes landed on the green-haired youth, an image overlapped with one of his memories in his mind.
+++
{How lucky, Kacchan. Your quirk is amazing! I hope I get mine soon.}
In the middle of a wooded path, a young Deku walking behind Bakugo and burdened with big bags, commented with a voice full of longing. Hearing the boy, a young Bakugo couldn't help but sling the net he carried over his shoulder, then looked back and replied in a voice full of pride with a hint of disdain.
{It doesn't matter what quirk you get, Deku. You'll never beat me.}
+++
"Kacchan! I was looking for you! You didn't show up anywhere!"
Bakugo started to get lost in his memories, but he was abruptly snapped out of them when the concerned voice of the young man rang out as he approached. Seeing that annoying face of someone who had always been beneath him and who should never have even been able to catch up, Bakugo couldn't help but comment in a rough voice.
"…You've always made me sick."
"Kacchan?" Midoriya couldn't help but stop in his tracks and look at the blond youth, who turned to stare at the lake and continued speaking in the same tone.
"You had no quirk and were useless… So how the hell did you get into UA and get a quirk?"
"That…" Midoriya tried to explain, but the words got caught in his throat, at which point Bakugo continued with the same rough tone, now laced with a hint of mockery.
"I couldn't stand your damn satisfied face as you climbed higher and higher… I always knew I was better, that I'd teach you a lesson, that rocks are just rocks… But today, I barely managed to take down a few Nomus in the back while trash like you and that arrogant bastard got all the attention…"
"That was just the situa—"
"Shut up!"
Midoriya tried to explain, but he was cut off mid-sentence by Bakugo, who jumped up from the ground and turned to face him, speaking in a voice filled with equal parts hatred and determination as he pointed at the solemn Midoriya.
"That all those damn useless idiots in our class did better than me was bad enough. But for someone I thought was just a pebble in my path to be recognized by the hero I've always admired before I even realized it… Let's fight right here, right now, you nerd bitch. I want to see what made All Might notice you before me!"
***
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