The rest of the day passed in a blur of focused activity for Katsuki. True to Mirajane's directions, Heart Kreuz Tailoring was an impressive establishment, its storefront exuding an air of quality and craftsmanship. The interior was filled with bolts of exotic, shimmering fabrics and displays of intricately designed apparel and armor. The head tailor, a stern-faced woman with measuring tapes draped around her neck like captured serpents, had listened to Katsuki's blunt, demanding specifications with an expression that shifted from skepticism to grudging professional interest as he described the kind of punishment his clothing needed to endure.
Explaining the precise nature of his explosive power without revealing its true origin (his Quirk, a concept utterly alien here) had been a challenge, but Katsuki had managed it with his usual aggressive clarity, emphasizing "self-generated concussive force" and "extreme, localized heat." He'd practically dared them to create something that could handle it.
To his surprise, and their credit, they had risen to the challenge. It had taken several hours, a significant portion of his newly acquired Jewel, and a few heated discussions about material properties and reinforcement enchantments, but by late afternoon, he had emerged from Heart Kreuz with a new set of clothes.
They were exactly what he'd envisioned, if not better. A high-collared jacket of a tough, dark grey, almost black material that felt surprisingly supple yet incredibly resilient. It was lined with a softer, charcoal-colored fabric that wicked away moisture and seemed to have a subtle, inherent warmth. The matching pants were cut for mobility, reinforced at the knees and seams, and made of the same durable, enchanted textile. The entire ensemble felt robust, practical, and devoid of any unnecessary embellishments – pure function, designed to withstand a war zone, or in his case, his own explosive tendencies.
He'd tested it discreetly in an alleyway behind the tailor shop, letting off a few controlled, palm-sized blasts against the fabric. It held. Not a scorch mark, not a tear. The enchantments woven into the material seemed to dissipate the force and heat with remarkable efficiency. A rare, almost imperceptible flicker of satisfaction had crossed Katsuki's face. This was good. Damn good. Worth every last Jewel. He was now, as he'd put it, "broke as hell," but he was properly outfitted.
He returned to the Fairy Tail guild hall as evening began to settle over Magnolia. The lamps inside were lit, casting a warm, rowdy glow, and the chaos seemed to have escalated with the declining daylight. He ignored the usual din, his new attire already feeling like a second skin, a vast improvement over the tattered remains of his U.A. uniform (which he'd unceremoniously discarded in a bin behind Heart Kreuz).
He strode directly to the bar. Mirajane was there, as always, a calm center in the storm. She looked up as he approached, her eyes immediately taking in his new clothes. A small, appreciative smile touched her lips.
"Ah, Bakugo-san," she greeted him. "Your trip to Heart Kreuz was successful, I see. The attire suits you. Very… formidable."
Katsuki just grunted, though there was a hint of grim satisfaction in the sound. "It'll do." He then immediately turned his attention to the Request Board, which had seen some new additions since his last visit. His gaze, sharp and focused, scanned the monster subjugation section. He wasn't done for the day. Not by a long shot. He felt the familiar itch, the need for action, for the release of his power. And he needed to recoup his finances.
His eyes landed on a newer posting: 'Vulcan Nest reported active in the Ember Canyons – extreme heat and aggressive sentinels. High danger.' Vulcans. Sounded fiery. Sounded like a decent challenge.
He ripped the parchment from the board with his customary lack of ceremony and slapped it down on the bar in front of Mirajane. No words were needed. His intent was clear.
Mirajane took the request, her smile unwavering. She didn't comment on his relentless drive, nor did she question his choice of another high-danger mission so soon after depleting his funds on new clothes. She simply took her stamp, pressed it firmly onto the parchment, and handed it back.
"The Ember Canyons are a fair distance to the west, known for their geothermal activity," she informed him, her tone professional. "Be wary of the terrain; it can be treacherous. And Vulcans are notoriously territorial."
Katsuki snatched the approved request. "Yeah, yeah." He was already turning away, the prospect of another confrontation, another chance to unleash his 'Explode' magic and test the limits of his new gear, already fueling him. He didn't spare a glance for the other guild members, many of whom were now watching him with a mixture of awe, disbelief, and perhaps a touch of concern for his sheer, unyielding intensity.
He reached the guild doors, his new, dark attire making him look even more like a harbinger of contained destruction. He paused for a brief second, his hand on the door, then glanced back, his crimson eyes meeting Mirajane's for a fleeting moment. There was no softness in his gaze, only a burning, indomitable will.
Then, he was gone, shoving the doors open and disappearing into the rapidly darkening streets of Magnolia, presumably to launch himself skyward once more, a fiery streak heading west towards a new battlefield. The day had indeed ended on a good note for Katsuki Bakugo: newly outfitted, newly empowered, and with a fresh target in his sights. For Fairy Tail, it was just another evening with their explosive, enigmatic, and utterly relentless new recruit.