《Claws and Lightning (Male Zeraora Reader x Boku no Hero Academia)》CH 16: Room for Improvement and An Unsettling Future
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Deoxys has left the battlefield and rejoins Shigaraki and Kurogiri. The former watches over the conflict with Stain, with some agitation.
"What the heck's he doing"?
"Why'd he kill my nomu? And why're those kids there"?
"So many questions, but no answers". Shigaraki comments.
"Why..." He begins scratching himself.
"...Aren't things going my way"? He questions.
"Hmmm"? Kurogiri spots a familiar face.
"Tomura, Deoxys has returned".
Right as he was informed, Deoxys lands atop the same platform. Electrical sparks still flicker from his body, stalling his regeneration.
"Huh? Hey, who the heck were you fighting? Endeavour or any other hero couldn't have left you those injuries". Shigaraki looks to the mutant.
"I had faced (Y/N) Zeraora in combat". Deoxys replies.
The two were momentarily shocked.
"Zeraora was also present"?! Kurogiri reacted.
"That explains all the thunder I've been hearing". Shigaraki confirms.
"So how did it go"? Shigaraki asks for results.
"Conclusion: (Y/N) Zeraora highly skilled and formidable, with impressive combative instincts". Deoxys states.
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure I got that from the last time I faced him". Shigaraki brushed over.
"However, from our clash, I had felt an odd premonition". Deoxys continues.
"A premonition"? Kurogiri asked with confusion.
"Yes. The plan that follows Zeraora's capture may yield disastrous results". Deoxys states.
"Huh"? Shigaraki was also confused.
"That bodes ill for us. What is the cause of this". Kurogiri questions.
"Answer unknown". Deoxys confesses.
Shigaraki's scratching intensifies.
"Argh! First things aren't going my way and now I'm getting bad news about my future plans".
"Alright Deoxys answer this. When the time comes, can you capture (Y/N) Zeraora"? He asked firmly and forcefully.
"By accounting for the experience, I had gained from the battle and the additional applications and utility of my power, and awareness of his strengths. I estimate a success chance of 75% or higher". Deoxys concludes.
The two were surprised by the relatively high percent.
"Interesting. And what of the other 25%"? Kurogiri inquires.
"Mostly dependent on whether what he had done at USJ could be repeated". Deoxys answers.
"Huuh. Makes sense, we don't have any reliable way counter that. At least we got some good news out of all this". Shigaraki calms down.
"Let's head back".
Kurogiri begins forming the warp gate.
"Tomura, what of Deoxys' premonition"? Kurogiri asked with concern.
"We'll deal with it after the fact. Let's see what tomorrow will be on about".
The villainous trio leave Hosu, the heroes clear up the damage and capture the bodies of the defeated nomus. The Hero Killer was rendered unconscious from the injuries he had sustained, thanks to Midoriya, Iida and Todoroki. Zeraora was limping while on his way to join the others.
The havoc had finally died down.
'Paralyses by licking someone's blood'? Having been told of the Hero Killer's quirk, Zeraora reacts accordingly.
"That's right, he carried a whole lot of sharp objects. All he needs is scrap and you'd be paralyzed". Todoroki explained.
"The time limit was dependent on your blood type". Midoriya adds on.
'Makes you wonder how he first discovered quirk'. Zeraora ponders.
"Who knows". Iida comments.
"That aside, you fought with another nomu, huh Zeraora"? Todoroki changed the subject.
'Three of them, well, technically two. Endeavour took out the big muscular one, then he went after the winged one'. Zeraora clarifies.
'I was clearing the damage with some other pros, but then, "it" showed up'. Zeraora recollects.
"The red and blue nomu"? Midoriya asked.
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'Yeah...'
'...I'm having trouble wrapping my head around what that thing was. It was a nomu, but its appearance, powers and behavior. It was way different from the others and the one from the USJ. During the battle, it was learning, adapting, it was able to match my speed even when using Extreme Speed. And the worst part is, it escaped. So, it might end up coming back'.
Zeraora's words had the others gripped with concern.
'But for what's worth, I learned a thing or two from the battle. So, I can use the experience to get better. I even got ideas for new moves'.
The other were mildly envious of the young tiger's confidence, but they too can improve.
'I would've been able to rush over and back you guys up, but I was blacking out a bit. Then again you guys handle things anyway, so ehh'. He shrugs.
"Actually, speaking of that..." Todoroki speaks up.
"When we received Midoriya's message, you could've gone ahead, but you told me to go instead".
'Well yeah, I could've. But you owed Midoriya an apology for your behavior back at the Sport Fests. And honestly, if I went, the first I would've done is punch Iida across the face'. Zeraora spoke bluntly.
'I mean look, you trying to get vengeance on the man who crippled your brother, is one thing. But you leaving in the middle of a disaster zone, with civilians who could've used your help and abandoning your senior who you interned with, is really inexcusable'.
'Not to mention incredibly glaring and hypocritical, from someone like you who always pesters us on the importance of doing things by the book'.
'Granted, if you didn't show up Native most likely would've been killed. But something tells me, you weren't really considering that'. Zeraora chews out Iida.
"Zerachan..."! Midoriya calls attempting to defend Iida.
"No Midoriya. He is absolutely right. I let my anger get the best of me and acted out of pure selfishness".
"Stain was correct, I had strayed too far from the hero's path". Iida admits to his mistakes.
A brief silence overtook the room.
"Which is way I must dedicate myself to fixing my mistakes". Iida reaffirms his resolve.
...
...
'Well, we all have something to improve on'. Zeraora states.
The group all nod in agreement.
Their discussion was soon interrupted by the appearance of sudden guests.
"Funny. Couldn't have said it better myself".
"Good to see our little warrior are up". Gran Torino and Manual entered the room.
Midoriya and Iida react to seeing their respective internship seniors.
"I'm still gonna chew you out, but..."
"Before that, you've got a visitor".
The UA students stand from their beds and are greeted by a tall man who bore a dog-like head and face.
"This is Kenji Tsuragamae, Hosu's Chief of Police". Gran Torino introduces.
"Tsuragamae!! Chief of Police"?! Midoriya reacts with shock.
"Please stay seated, WOOF". Tsuragamae advised Midoriya, due to his injuries.
'The Chief of Police coming out here. Guess this isn't a formal visit'. Zeraora thinks to himself.
"So, you're the UA students who put a stop to the Hero Killer, WOOF".
'Well technically, they did. I was dealing with something else'. Zeraora speaks up and clarifies.
"Right, WOOF".
"As for the Hero Killer. He's currently in treatment for his burns, broken bones and a number of other serious injuries, WOOF".
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"At the dawn of this extra-ordinary era, the police moved to prioritized leadership and to maintain the status-quo..."
"...So, they decided not to use quirks as weapon".
"The profession of "Hero" rose as one that would fill that void, WOOF".
"Authorizing the use of such might... of these powers that could very easily kill was a heavily criticized decision at first, but it would garner public support".
"But those without permission..."
"Those who inflicted harm without explicit instructions from the police and the powers that be..."
"Even if they were to face someone like the Hero Killer..."
"Such action would represent a stunning breach of the law".
"You three, as well as you pro hero mentors... Endeavour. Manual. Gran Torino".
"The six of you must be dealt with strictly and impartially".
Zeraora was appalled by what he listened to.
'Excuse me'?! Zeraora spoke up, with clear annoyance in his voice.
'The Hero Killer was moments away from taking the life of another pro hero, and you're talking about punishing the people who stopped that'.
'If Iida didn't take action, then Native would've been killed. And if Midoriya didn't rush in, then they both would be dead'.
'You telling us to ignore the lives of others just to follow some ridiculous laws'?!
'Aren't supposed to help others'?! Zeraora argued.
Tsuragamae didn't respond, instead he took a moment to analyze the young tiger.
"(Y/N) Zeraora. Your identity slipped my mind for a moment". Tsuragamae comments.
"The UA first year who won the Sport Festival, and who laid out a powerful statement before the events began".
"No ordinary student could speak with such powerful words, especially a first-year student. Meaning you must have close connections with other Pro Heroes".
"Your mental maturity impressive for someone your age, however you are still naive to the laws of society. Clearly, the pro hero, or heroes you're closely connected to have not educated you well enough".
...
...
A thunderclap flashed through Zeraora's mind; the insult thrown toward the Pussy Cats was something the young tiger would not tolerate.
They may be a group of oddballs, but they took him back when the young tiger wandered the streets with no memories of his past. They are family to him.
'Let me make one thing clear'. Zeraora spoke in low and ominous tone.
'I don't care about what you think of me, I don't care if you respect and admire my abilities, and I especially don't care about some half-baked law'.
'But. Anyone who disrespects or insults my family...'
Zeraora bore a cold predatory glare, the pressure he exerted was so immense it rivalled Stain's bloodlust.
Midoriya, Todoroki and Iida all flinched with fear. Manual and Gran Torino began sweating profusely. Tsuragamae was taken aback by the young tiger's tone.
"Hey hey hey! Calm down kid! Listen to what he has to say"! Gran Torino attempts to calm the enraged predator.
However, the electrical aura radiating from Zeraora's body repelled the elderly pro hero.
No one would dare make a move. Tsurgamae had to be very mindful of his next words, or else the thunder beast would strike without warning.
Tsurgamae composes himself to resume speaking.
"Now... all of that is what I'm obligated to tell you, as the police".
"But... the real question is whether or not to deal with this issue publicly, WOOF".
"If we let the story out, you'll be lauded by the public, but you won't be able to avoid punishment".
"But if we keep all this nasty business to ourselves..."
"The Hero Killer's burns will support the story that Endeavour was the key operative. He'll receive the accolades, WOOF".
"Fortunately, the number of eye-witnesses was small enough that we can hush up this whole matter before it can cause problems, WOOF".
"But in that case, your decisive action and achievements will remain unknown to the general public".
"What do you say?! I'm an understanding man".
"So, when it comes to a promising group of young people, I'd rather not have to pursue charges over this admittedly massive indiscretion, WOOF"!!
Tsurgamae explains the situation in further detail. The chief of police had the young tiger's undivided attention. However, a part of him was still unsatisfied with the outcome.
"Thanks for everything". Midoriya, Todoroki and Iida all bow in gratitude.
"The world's an unfair place. You'll receive none of the commendations that you might have otherwise, but..."
"At least as someone invested in keeping the peace..."
"I can thank you". He bows in gratitude for their efforts.
"Also, (Y/N) Zeraora..." He turns to the young tiger, his predatory glare hardens.
"I apologize if I have offended you in any form. Please bear in mind that my statements towards you were not said with the purpose of insulting you or the pro heroes you have close ties with".
"As I said prior the world is an unfair place, it is also imperfect".
"Thus, your anger is absolutely valid".
"Again, I apologize". Tsurgamae bows to Zeraora.
The young tiger processes his words, there was nothing but genuine sincerity in his words.
'Next time start with that'. Zeraora spoke calmly, his rage has finally been quelled.
The young tiger went back to his bed to lay down and rest, but Tsurgamae stops him.
"Zeraora-kun, one more thing"!
'Huh? Now what'?
"Nothing major. It's regarding the villain you fought during that night. We were hoping you could share some information about, since it escaped and all". Tsurgamae explains.
'I'll do that later, I'm too tired to think right now'.
"I understand".
Tsurgamae and the two pro heroes leave the UA students to rest and recover.
"That was... intense". Midoriya comments.
Todoroki and Iida could only nod in agreement.
The trio turned their gaze to Zeraora who was already fast asleep.
"Zeraora can be quite terrifying when he's enraged". Iida comments.
"Is this what he was like during outburst at the USJ"? Iida asked.
Midoriya and Todoroki nod their heads confirming it.
"It was so unreal, I knew him since junior high, but he never actively made himself stick out. He just kept to himself all the time". Midoriya explains.
"I still remember the fear I felt from the whole ordeal. It's like... something else took over". Todoroki adds in.
Iida was unsure how to process the information given to him.
The trio remained silent, all while Zeraora snores.
Within the confides of his hideout, Shigaraki watches and reads the events that transpired at Hosu. The incident involving the Hero Killer had all of the attention, while the Nomus and Deoxys' exploits were seeming ignored.
Shigaraki was seething with rage, the chaos he attempted to unleashed with the Nomus was treated as nothing more than an afterthought. He crumbled the paper in his hands, the League of Villains were beginning to look like a sideshow.
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