Chapter 57: Rescue MissionAuthor: Geraint
(3rd Person POV)
Ichika squinted his eyes as he listened to Mr. Yaoyorozu's explanation about his alleged involvement with the rebel group. Confusion and disappointment welled inside him — the man claimed he was set up by his business partners and had no idea he was at a rebel hideout. To Ichika, the story didn't quite add up; it failed to connect with the intelligence his organization had gathered.
Sweat dripped from Yaoyorozu's temple as he anxiously glanced at the people around the room.
"That's all! I swear, I have no involvement with the rebels!"
"So you're saying you didn't know those weapon parts were meant for rebellion? You claim you were set up to take the fall?"
"Yes…"
Mr. Yaoyorozu avoided Ichika's gaze, which only fueled Ichika's frustration.
"Do you think I'm that stupid?"
No reply.
Ichika sighed and leaned back in his chair.
"Mr. Yaoyorozu, as an inventor and support engineer, I can tell those parts are precisely designed for guerrilla weapons. There's no way you didn't know."
Mr. Yaoyorozu trembled.
"Also… if you have a better reason, why bring your family there? Unless—"
Ichika noticed the man breathing heavily before he broke down in tears.
Thud!
"Someone! Get him a glass of water!" Ichika ordered, checking on his condition.
The man bowed his head.
"Please… spare my family! I'm the only one responsible! They have nothing to do with this! It's all my fault!"
Ichika sensed something was off and glanced at the old man, who was on a phone call confirming something.
They decided to leave the room for now.
In the president's main office, Ichika sat casually atop a table, biting into an apple.
Pffft!
He spat it out.
"So sour!"
Wiping his mouth with his wrist, he asked, "Anyway, where's Mera?"
The old man standing before him answered, "He was sent to the hospital for severe abdominal pain."
"I told you not to overwork him."
"Well, the commission is still understaffed. Many Pro Heroes are quitting after the scandal, and the government cut the budget."
"Hahaha! Poor them."
"But you're banned from becoming a Pro Hero here, and that's not something we can change."
"I know… because I have a villain record here that can't be erased. The chaos I caused is still fresh in everyone's minds."
The old man was silent.
"Don't worry. I have another way to become something better than just a Pro Hero here."
Ichika smiled.
"Seriously, this kid…"
"Back to business! Any news on his daughter's whereabouts?"
"As you guessed, Falcon. We can't find her anywhere—home, mansions, nowhere. She's been missing for a week."
"If she was really kidnapped, that explains everything."
"What will you do?"
"I'll go look for her myself."
Ichika jumped off the table.
"But we don't know where she is. Shouldn't we hire Pro Heroes to help?"
"I don't want to bother them with that trash pickup duty anymore."
"You're horrible. If they find out it was you who assigned them that, they'll be furious."
"Hahaha! That's why, keep it quiet. They need to work hard to regain the public's trust if they want to keep being Pro Heroes."
"I see. Good luck, then."
"Thanks. Time's running out. I have to go. See ya, Master!"
Ichika used the stones to teleport away.
The old man sighed and muttered, "If it's him, this mission will be swift even alone." Then he left the room.
Outside a certain residence, a middle-aged man hastily packed his things into a green car. Nervously glancing around, he relaxed when he saw no one nearby.
"Okay, I'm done! Need to get out of this city before they find me!"
He jumped into the driver's seat, started the engine, and adjusted his rearview mirror—then froze.
On the back of his car sat a figure in black armor.
Heavy Breathing~
"Waaahh!!"
He screamed and tried to open the door but was yanked back inside as it locked.
"Someone! Help me!"
He pounded the window.
"No one's around to hear you."
"Please! Spare me!"
The armored figure spoke coldly.
"Why are you scared? I haven't done anything yet."
"Please! I was just following orders!"
"Then why betray the family you served for 15 years? They treated you like one of their own. Is this your thanks?"
"No! Please—Ugh! Ah…"
The black armor grabbed him by the throat with a force choke, cutting off his breath.
"I find your lack of loyalty disturbing."
"Please…"
The man struggled and began to suffocate.
"Where is the daughter?"
The black armor's voice grew harsher.
"Ugh! Yaoyorozu's company… is facing bankruptcy!"
The black armor released him.
"Ugh… Ahh…"
The man gasped for air.
"Others are struggling too, thanks to Yamagi Industries. They've taken over businesses with tech that's like science fiction. Competitors try to copy it but fail. No one understands how it works—it'll take years of study."
"Clearly, you're informed. Then why kidnap the daughter?"
"Because he refused to support the rebel group made up of rival business leaders. With his matter manipulation Quirk, he can create almost anything, but he refused to provide arms. Instead, he partnered with Yamagi Industries, which has ties to All Might. The others wouldn't allow this and kidnapped his daughter to force compliance."
The black armor's rage flared. He ignited a red beam saber and pressed it close to the man's neck.
"Last chance! Tell me where they're holding her, or you won't live to regret it."
The man shook violently.
"Hie~ I swear I won't lie! Please believe me!"
"Answer!"
"Yes!!"
He revealed the rebel group's main headquarters where the daughter was held.
The black armor knocked him out and teleported away.
(To be continued.)
A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.