Authors note:
Speaking: "…"
Thinking: '…'
_
Shoto pov
The next day, evening
League of Villains bar hideout
Opening the door to the place he'd become very familiar with over the last few days, the ice user stepped into the bar finding Tomura, Kurogiri and Kuroka already inside waiting.
„ You took your sweet time Shoto, you know I don't like to wait" the leader scoffed after finishing his drink and slamming it on the counter for the smoky barkeep to refill.
„ You know I'd also like to get here sooner, but school takes up a lot of time." he stated making his way inside, before sitting in the stool next to shigaraki „ Kurogiri can you make me a daily special today" the fire user ordered politely.
„ Why certainly, young Shoto" the warp user commented getting to work immediately. Slamming his hand on the table Tomura got mad „ Why the hell are you even going to school in the first place, your plenty strong already if you ask me. Not like they're teaching you anything useful right?"
„ That might be true, but I didn't go there to get stronger in the first place place. You of all people should know the benefits of being able get inside and all the political influence it gives. Considering you needed my help to disable the security cameras in your little break in"
Wanting to fume at being proven wrong the villain wanted to argue against the young man but alas, he was telling the truth. Having someone on the inside does make their plans much easier. „ Guess your right about that, as much as hate to admit it"
„ Speaking of the break in, you stole a curriculum for shotos class didn't you? So what's the plan, do we attack them?" Kuroka asked lazily her feet kicked up on one of the other tables.
„ I'm glad your asking, because we're meeting someone important today. Someone who will help us with our plans" he proudly declared.
„ Anyway, Kurogiri you did give them the right address right. I swear if you screwed this up I'm disintegrating you right now" he scoffed.
„ Of course, Tomura shigaraki. They should be arriving any second now" the bartender confirmed while placing a new glass of sake on the counter for Tomura to drink.
„ Well, speak of the devil" Shoto mused as he felt an approaching presence heading towards the door ‚ There is a strong awakened aura signature coming here, looks like this will be quite interesting after all. Might as well see whats going on' he thought, his facial expressions ever stoic.
As the door opened a two figures entered, one significantly smaller than the other. The shorter one was the guy with the awakened aura, he was wearing a space helmet and an ethereal cloak. The other one was much taller but because he was wrapped in a hooded black cloak, you couldn't really make out any features.
" You better be nexus, or I swear I'm gonna murder you and Kurogiri" Tomura stated aggressively pointing at the man wears the space mask. " Indeed I am, and judging by that attitude out yours, you must be Tomura shigaraki?" Nexus confirmed.
" You got that right you space punk. Now how about the thing you promised us, you do have it with you, don't you" the blue haired man asked impatiently scratching his neck.
" Of course, it's right here behind me. And I must say the Nomu technology of your master combined wonderfully with our very own nanotechnology. The master was quite pleased with the results" nexus bragged gesturing to the figure behind him.
" So that's the upgraded nomu you promised. Hopefully it's as powerful as you claim, otherwise I'll blame your incompetence if we fail at the USJ in three weeks."
Standing up the leader of LOV walked up to the figure examining it. While he did that Shotos eyes briefly met with where he believed nexus' eyes were behind his mask, narrowing his eyes he turned away and took another sip from his drink ' His control of aura is much to flimsy for him to be of any real threat, he probably can't even sense that I have any aura of my own'
" so what exactly does this upgraded nomu do that a regular one can't?" The hand man asked lifting the cloak over his head so he could look under. "Well it was made by utilizing the masters quirk, it's entire body is made from Nanites and as such is able to change its atomic structure at will into anything you can imagine"
A hand emerged from the cloak, and after getting Tomuras attention its shape changed multiple times, from axe to sword, guns and even pure flames, shape and material was free to change. " Impressive isn't it, it's this power that made the master the no 1. Underground villain in America. Though I suppose that doesn't mean anything to the pupil of the great demon lord." Nexus said referring to Ban and Tomura respectively.
" Yeah, yeah, I guess credit's due where it's due. It's a pretty sweet power to have at your disposal. With this it's almost guaranteed that we can damage UAs reputation real good" Tomura excitedly exclaimed, while relentlessly scratching his neck.
" I wouldn't be so sure about that, boss. Midoriya will be there after all" Shoto interjected his gaze lingering on the masked aura user. " And whats that supp..." Tomura started but was cut off by nexus " Are you perhaps referring to Izuku Midoriya, the famous quirk scientist?"
" don't you cut me off you bastard!" Tomura yelled only to be ignored. " Yes I am, do you perhaps know him?" Shoto confirmed,
" I see, well we do have a history together but by now me that's already fourteen years back. Though if he's there this might be a bit more difficult but, alas it will be a good opportunity to see the limitations of this nomu." Nexus stated rubbing his chin in thought. " DONT IGNORE MEE!"
" in that case let me ask a question as well, young man. What exactly is your relationship to him?"
Momentarily surprised by the question Shoto was in thought for a mimen before answering " He's my senseis best friend, and my teacher at UA. And thats all I'm willing to share with a shady figure like you"
Evading the lunges of the enraged Tomura nexus appeared to be satisfied with that answer and said " I see, in that case, I think it's about time I take my leave. The master awaits my return." He turned to leave but stopped just before the door. " Goodness I almost forgot. NX 4 from now on you are to follow all orders received by the individual known as Tomura shigaraki. And do greet you master for me" the space man added before disappearing through the door leaving the league alone with the new Nomu.
" What the heck was his deal. How dare he ignorant me and then dodge all of my attempts to punish him" Tomura fumed, ready to go after him, if Kurogiri hadn't intervened.
Watching this scene play out Shoto went into his thoughts ' Well this certainly took a turn. I'm sure Midoriya will be thrilled to hear the Blackwood family is back in action.'
_
Hitoshi's POV
Same Time – Tokyo's Rooftops
Jumping from roof to roof, occasionally using his new chained blades to swing, Hitoshi raced through the night in his Oni getup. He was en route to a sudden meeting with his master. Landing silently atop one of the tallest buildings in the city, the young assassin sheathed his blades in their usual fashion, crossed diagonally across his lower back.
These new blades, unlike his old ones, couldn't phase through matter. He now had to manually use his awakened property for that. Black chains, marbled with glowing pink cracks, were bound to each weapon. The hilts were wrapped in pinkish-violet leather, and each crossguard bore a delicate pink flower in full bloom, elegant, yet deadly.
But the true highlight of these weapons was the blade itself: pristine white, like it had been carved from Aincrad's purest marble. Intricate carvings of vines and blooming flowers glowed faintly along its surface with a soft, ethereal pink.
Beside him, another figure landed with a whisper of displaced air, a woman with abyssal black hair and piercing violet eyes. Her black armor shimmered with feather-like adornments, each raven feather seeming to devour any light that dared to touch it.
"So let me get this straight," the masked assassin said flatly, glancing her way as she brushed dust from her armor. "You don't remember anything, yet you can still manifest a spiritual body and use aura like nothing's changed?"
"Yeah, I don't get it either. Call it muscle memory, I guess," she replied with a shrug, casually scanning the rooftop. "Anyway, where are we even going?"
"We're already here." Hitoshi knelt, placing a hand on the concrete. A ripple of black and gray aura spread from his palm, covering the ground beneath them. "Brace yourself. We're about to drop through. And keep everything you see and hear today to yourself, though I'm sure he'll say that himself."
The ground beneath them shimmered, turned ghostly, and they passed through as if the rooftop had vanished.
'I wonder why the master suddenly moved our meeting to today,' Hitoshi thought as he landed soundlessly on the polished wooden floor below. Selene, on the other hand, wasn't so graceful.
'I'm a betting demon, and I'm putting all my money on her,' the demon princess said smugly through their mental link.
'As much as I hate to admit it... for once, I agree with the destruction freak,' Mask muttered.
'You dare call me a freak, you bodyless monstrosity?! I'll erase every fiber of your damn existence!' she snapped, her voice echoing, though she couldn't use her powers in the mental realm.
'Both of you, shut it. Now's not the time. He's already here,' Hitoshi warned. The familiar pressure in the air confirmed it, his master's presence. It wasn't suffocating like his sensei's, nor as tightly controlled as Midoriya's. It didn't crush you with raw strength, it simply was. A presence that commanded attention through sheer existence.
Looking ahead, he saw the man seated casually in a living room chair, a tablet in hand. On its screen were pinned articles, profiles of random individuals, from Izuku's stepfather to Shiketsu's principal, and even a weathered construction worker. A strange lineup, but if he was looking at them, then there was more to it than met the eye.
The man turned his head slightly, silver hair catching the light and brushing against the chair's headrest. His golden earring rods gave a faint chime as he moved. Crimson eyes, sharp, emotionless, locked onto Hitoshi's purplish-grey gaze. With a flick of his gloved hand, he shut off the tablet, rose to his feet, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it with a flick of crimson flame dancing from his gloved fingertip.
"Master Theodore," Hitoshi greeted, bowing slightly and gesturing toward the woman beside him. "I brought her, as you instructed."
"Splendid, Hitoshi. Then let's skip the pleasantries and begin," the spy said, tone smooth but cold. Hitoshi's discomfort spiked. He hated being here. Hated showing respect to this devil. But most of all hated that he had no other choice.
"Originally, I'd planned to have this conversation after finding a way of breaching Eira's castle. But since she's been generous enough to leave Mrs. Crowley in your care, I've moved up the timeline." Theodore gestured toward the couch encircling a sunken fireplace.
Once everyone was seated, Shinso removed his Oni mask. His spiritual body manifested, and he lit a cigarette of his own. "So, I was right, this is about her."
"Yes," the man confirmed. "Seems my lessons in espionage weren't wasted on you after all." Hitoshi glared.
"In any case... Selene," Theodore continued, turning his attention to the woman. "You'll be pleased to know, I know who caused your memory loss."
Both aura users tensed. Not because it was shocking, Theodore was the best spy alive, but because of how casually he said it. As if exposing deep conspiracies was just another Tuesday.
Selene spoke first. "Sorry if this comes off rude, Hitoshi, but... who the hell is this guy? And what exactly is your relationship with him?"
"I'd like to hear that answer too, my dear student," Theodore chimed in.
Just as Hitoshi opened his mouth to answer, Selene added, "Wait, is he like... your dad?"
"Huh?!" Hitoshi's face twisted in pure confusion.
"I could be, right Hitoshi?" Theodore teased.
"Over my dead body."
"No, he's not my father. He's the bastard who saved me from your attack that nearly killed me... then replaced my parents with clones to blackmail me into working for him."
"You know," Theodore exhaled smoke, "that wouldn't have been necessary if you'd just accepted my offer."
"Yeah, well I'm never willingly selling out my friends for you. Still don't get why you need me so badly. If you're such a brilliant spy, do it yourself."
"Because there are only two people in the world I can't monitor 24/7. One of them is Midoriya. And yes, normally I'd just kill you and take your place. But unfortunately I can't replicate aura signatures. So... deal or no deal."
"You're sick. You'd kill someone as kind as Hitoshi without blinking. You kidnapped his parents and replaced them with fakes! You monster!" Selene shouted, starting to rise.
"Selene, wait—" Hitoshi warned. Too late.
She froze mid-step. The air around her turned dense, crushing. She couldn't move.
"You're right," Theodore said flatly. "I don't have a heart. I lost the ability to care a long time ago. These days, only two things matter to me, and neither justice or peace is one of those things."
He stepped forward. "And in case I didn't make myself clear: I can kill both of you whenever I want. The fact I'm offering you answers is already more mercy than most get. So sit down and listen."
The wind obeyed him. Selene was forced back into her seat.
Just as Theodore exhaled a fresh puff of smoke—
His world spun.
His severed head hit the floor.
Selene stared, stunned. The man's torso and legs remained seated, pink flames devouring his body. The head, now detached, was similarly engulfed in soft pink fire.
"Ahh... feels great to be back out," came a distorted voice from behind the chair.
Hitoshi stood there...no, something in Hitoshi's body stood there. His hair had turned snow-white, fading into pink at the tips. A mask covered the right side of his face, white with a single pink horn at the forehead and markings etched across it.
But it was his eyes, glowing bright pink, and his twisted smile that confirmed Selene's suspicions. The vine markings on forearms glowed with the same energy, and his right hand burned with pink flame.
"Well, nice of you to come out, Seraphina," the severed head said, calm as ever. "But you should know, cutting off my head won't kill me."
"Maybe not," she replied, smirking. "But good luck reattaching it with your flesh melting under my destructive flames, you regenerating bastard."
"Who said I needed to reattach it?"
A hand materialized around her neck, lifting her off the ground, attached to another Theodore. Who casually stood there.
"When that body wasn't even the real me," the new one said coolly.
'Damn... that was just a clone?!' Selene cursed internally.
'Told you it wouldn't matter if I let you out,' Hitoshi muttered through the link.
'Shut up! If I was in my body with all my powers, this wouldn't have happened!' she snapped back.
"Damn you, bastard!" she roared, just as control slipped away. Hitoshi retook his body, the transformations fading. The violet-haired assassin returned to himself.
Setting him down gently, Theodore asked, "So... feel better?"
"Yeah. Chopping your head off really clears the mind," Hitoshi replied dryly.
"Well, you're welcome to try again anytime. But we both know you can't kill me. If you really want a shot, you and Seraphina would need to work together in perfect harmony. And I don't see that happening anytime soon."
He sat back down in his chair. The earlier clone's body had already turned to ash. Lighting another cigarette with the last flickers of the pink flame, he took a drag.
"Back to business," he said coolly. "It seems... my brother is finally making his move. I don't know the full plan yet, but someone is backing him. And I'm not talking about the league of villains"