Chapter 59: The Notorious TerroristAuthor: Geraint
(3rd Person POV)
After wiping out the rebel forces at the mansion, the black armor removed his long cloak and gently covered the young girl's trembling form. He wiped away her tears with a finger, then turned to the rebel leader's prone body.
Heavy breathing~
"Stop playing dead. I know you're still alive. No snake that big can be strangled to death," he said coldly in Arabic.
The body twitched and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahahahaha!"
The man sat up, a menacing smile spreading across his face.
"How did you know? I'm impressed you speak my language," he said.
"To think they hired a notorious terrorist and villain from the Middle East," Ichika muttered.
The rebel leader pulled off his mask, revealing a long curly beard.
"I'm Viper," he said. "After being cornered by the West's No.1 Pro Hero, I fled country to country until I heard about Japan. I thought this would be my new base, but the country's still strong. Thanks to greedy businessmen, I entered easily—wanted or not. Taking over this country would be perfect."
Ichika removed his helmet, revealing his face, and reignited his red light saber, pointing it at Viper.
"I won't let you terrorize my country. I'll do what must be done."
"So you're the famous musician, Fujiwara Ichika. Let's see if you can protect that girl."
Viper pressed a trigger.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions shook the building, the floor crumbling beneath Ichika.
"Clever…"
Ichika grabbed the unconscious girl and leapt away just as the mansion collapsed. With no choice, he teleported away, much to Viper's shock.
"What?! He disappeared?"
Viper ducked under falling debris.
"Tch, no fun. Time to escape."
Outside the city, Viper crawled from a small tunnel.
"I have to leave before they call All Might—agh!"
Suddenly, a spear of lightning pierced his shoulder.
"Do you think you can escape that easily? You die here."
Viper screamed as his skin erupted in purple scales, limbs shrinking and disappearing. His form morphed into a giant, vicious snake.
"I'll eat you whole—girl and all."
Ichika smiled calmly and ejected his melting black armor, now corroded by venomous liquid.
"Scary snake, huh?"
"Yeah, and dinner."
Ichika raised his left hand; thunder rumbled overhead.
"Lightning Release…"
A lightning dragon descended, roaring—
Kirin!
Boom!
The lightning engulfed the serpent, reducing it to sizzling ash.
"People like you are my prey. Thanks to you, I'm richer… in dollars! Hehe… easy money."
Ichika adjusted his loosened necktie as the remains smoldered.
Back near the forest, Ichika carried the unconscious girl on his back.
"She's the same age as me? And huge—bigger than Toru!"
In her sleep, she whimpered,
"Mom? Dad? Please save me…"
Ichika smiled gently.
"Just wait. I've sent your location—they'll come soon."
Walking toward the main road, she stirred and opened her eyes.
"Where are the bad guys? Are you one of them?"
"Do I look like one?"
She shook her head.
"You're Momo, right?"
"Yes…"
"You okay? Anything hurting?"
She looked down.
"I think so."
"That's good. Your parents will be so happy to see you safe."
Curious, she asked, "You saved me, right? Where's the black armor?"
"It melted—had to take it off."
"So you were inside it? You look like a bad guy."
"Maybe, but I think it's cool."
"No way. I'll make you one someday."
"Sure, but not now—you look like you'll collapse."
"I can't eat to replenish energy—"
Rumble~
Her stomach growled, and her face flushed red.
"Haha! You're hungry!"
She hid behind his back.
"You're a Pro Hero, right? What's your real name?"
"Fujiwara Ichika."
"Ichika-sama?"
"Yeah."
"Your name's familiar."
"I don't care much."
Suddenly, cars approached in the distance.
"This is it, Momo."
Ichika gently put her down.
"Ichika-sama?"
She looked sad, but he patted her head.
"Don't worry. Someday, we'll meet again."
"Promise?"
"Of course!"
He waved goodbye, then mischievously pointed behind her.
"Momo, behind you!"
She spun around—nothing.
"Huh?"
Turning back, she froze in confusion—Ichika vanished.
"You tricked me, Ichika-sama!"
"You dummy!"
"Momo!"
Her parents ran from the cars.
"Mom! Dad!"
She ran into their arms.
"I'm so glad you're safe!"
Tears flowed as the family reunited.
(To be continued.)
A/N: I'll fix mistakes later.