Chapter 15: Chapter 15
Nahida knew she had responsibilities waiting for her back in Sumeru… but she couldn't deny how much fun she was having here. Japan was so much like Inazuma, yet different in a way that fascinated her—almost as if Inazuma had been inspired by Japan itself. It made her wonder if there was a place on Earth that resembled Sumeru. She'd have to do some more reading and research on geography to find out.
For now, though, she was content with reading a thick book on advanced science in the agency's lounge. The topics were quite intriguing, though challenging even for her. She was deeply engrossed in a section about quantum physics when Burnin walked into the room.
"Hey, Nahida!" Burnin greeted with a wave, her usual fiery energy crackling in her voice. "What's up? Whatcha reading?"
Nahida glanced up from her book and gave a gentle smile. "Oh, just a book on modern science and physics. It's fascinating, really." She turned the cover to show Burnin, who squinted at the complex title.
Burnin's confident demeanor faltered. "Oof, way over my head," she chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck. "I'll leave you to that, but I gotta admit, I'm impressed!" She gave a quick thumbs-up, but her earpiece crackled to life before she could say more. Burnin winced at the sudden report.
"Crime alert nearby—gotta run!" she said, flashing an apologetic grin before rushing out of the room.
Nahida watched Burnin sprint out, the door swinging shut behind her. Burnin was a great sidekick of Wanderer's, and Nahida had always liked her energy and dedication. She also couldn't help but think about all the other people who worked in this building, each contributing in their own way.
The initiative Wanderer had taken to hire homeless people as janitors was something Nahida deeply liked. It wasn't just charity—it was giving them a chance to develop skills and reclaim their footsteps. It warmed her heart to see the impact Wanderer was making here.
There was Manami Aiba, one of the kindest souls in the agency. She often brought Nahida tea during breaks, and the two bonded over their shared petite height, though they both silently agreed not to bring it up too much.
Another employee, Jin Bubaigawara—hardworking and always eager to lend a hand, especially since his quirk allowed him to make multiple clones of himself. He was practically a one-man workforce, and his cheerfulness made the office a brighter place.
And then, there's Faruzan. A brilliant scholar from Sumeru, now Wanderer's trusted assistant. Nahida admired her deeply. Faruzan was not only capable, but also a mother raising a daughter who was attending hero school. The thought of Faruzan, with her long lifespan and the years she lived in Teyvat, she still chose to forge a family and bonds here in this world, leaving behind the life she had built for her daughter. Nahida is impressed of her bravery and dedication.
And of course, Fujin. He has changed so much. She remembered the cold, wrathful eyes of the Balladeer, the anger that had once defined him. Now, those eyes were calm, steady, filled with purpose. He had transformed into the Wind Hero, a figure for people to look up to. The world saw him as the hero Wanderer, but Nahida saw deeper—the redemption, the growth, the struggle to move past old wounds.
She was proud of him.
He had found a new beginning in this world, and he was making the most of it. His past still lingered in the background, and he need to confront it, but it takes time. Time he now had.
Nahida closed her book, looking out the window. Fujin was out on patrol, flying somewhere over the city, keeping watch. She wondered where he was right now, what he might be doing. A small smile tugged at her lips as she imagined him soaring through the skies, the wind carrying him unburden.
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Wanderer patrolled the city streets, his sharp eyes scanning for any signs of trouble. His usual scowl was etched deeply into his face—what Faruzan mockingly called his "resting bitch face."
He suddenly halted, nose twitching. Smoke.
Green winds swirled around him as a dharmachakra-like construct materialized at his back. In an instant, he shot up between skyscrapers, cutting through the sky like a blade. Rising above the city, he spotted the source of the smoke—a fire raging in the distance.
Another fire. His frown deepened.
He zipped through the air, a blur above the rooftops. When he arrived, the fire department was already on the scene, and other heroes were rescuing people trapped inside the burning building. But something caught Wanderer's eye that the others had missed.
A man, covered in burnt scars, slipping into a nearby alley. Blue flames flickered on his fingertips.
The arsonist.
While the other heroes handled the rescue, Wanderer knew his task was clear. No one else had eyes on the culprit. He descended swiftly, landing in front of the man with a gust of wind so powerful it scattered debris across the alley.
The arsonist looked up with a scowl, his burnt, stapled face twisting in irritation. His lanky form and disheveled clothes made him look even more unsettling. "Can I help you with something?" he asked, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Cut the act," Wanderer said coldly, his violet eyes narrowing. "I know you started that fire. And you're just walking away while people are still trapped inside, panicking."
The man scratched the burnt, stitched skin on his cheek and shrugged lazily. "I don't know what you're talking about."
The puppet took a step forward. "If you've done nothing wrong, come with me. Let's clear this up."
The man clicked his tongue and sighed, shaking his head. "I actually kinda like you, you know? You kicked that flaming garbage of a hero off his ranking spot." His grin widened, a cruel edge to it.
Wanderer's eyes narrowed further. A grudge against Endeavor, no doubt.
"But I'm not looking to get caught today," the man added, his grin turning wicked as blue flames ignited in his palms.
Wanderer didn't hesitate. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a powerful gust of green wind that hurled the man back into the alley, slamming him in the ground. The arsonist skidded across the ground but recovered quickly, rising to his feet with a sneer.
Blue flames erupted from his hands, waves of fire surging toward Wanderer, the heat warping the air. But Wanderer simply clenched his fist, forming a sphere of air that sucked in the oxygen, extinguishing the flames before they could touch him.
The arsonist gritted his teeth, eyes flashing with frustration as he dropped into a stance that looked all too familiar.
"Stop right there!" a voice shouted from behind the arsonist.
Wanderer's attention snapped to the other end of the alley, where a group of 3 heroes were rushing toward them. His heart sank.
The arsonist's smirk returned. "Perfect."
His flames began to condense, shrinking into a single, deadly point that radiated an intense blue light. The heat was palpable, distorting the very air around it.
"STOP NOW!" Wanderer's voice cut through the chaos, but it was too late. The man unleashed a burning hot blue sphere before it exploded, roaring torrent of azure fire, directly at the approaching heroes.
In an instant, The puppet shot forward, leaving a shockwave in his wake. He positioned himself between the paralyzed heroes and the inferno, raising his hands as a powerful cyclone erupted around them, trapping the deadly flames within its swirling vortex.
The blue flames merged with the wind, creating an ethereal, spinning tower of fire. The ground cracked and melted beneath them, debris and ash scattering in the scorching heat. Yet, inside the cyclone, Wanderer kept the flames at bay, shielding the heroes.... no, rookies from certain death.
When the flames finally dissipated, Wanderer released the cyclone, revealing the aftermath. The alley was charred black, the ground melted, and the surrounding buildings scorched. The arsonist, however, was gone.
One of the heroes—a young man with crystal arms—finally found his voice. "H-he couldn't have gone far, sir!"
"YOU IMBECILES!" Wanderer roared, his voice echoing through the alley. The group flinched under his furious gaze.
"I had it under control! But you rushed in without thinking, and now the arsonist escaped because I had to save you!" His words were like a slap, cold and cutting.
The rookie with the crystal arms muttered, "W-we were just trying to help, sir…"
"Help?" Wanderer's eyes blazed. "You could've helped by managing the fire or evacuating the building! Did any of you even check it before charging in?"
A second hero, wearing a yellow helmet, stammered, "But you were here—"
"I was here because I expected you rookies to handle the situation while I apprehended the suspect! He was hiding, and none of you would've seen him unless you had a bird's eye view like me! Did you even notice him before I fought him?"
Silence. The realization dawned on their faces, and they looked down in shame.
"This isn't a game," The puppet continued, his voice cold as steel. "If you're just looking for action, you're in the wrong profession. People's lives are at stake."
Without another word, Wanderer turned, glared at them one last time and shot into the sky, leaving the shaken heroes to contemplate their failure.
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"Are you the girl who was labeled as a villain?" Tsuyu asked Himiko as they rode the bus toward the UA facility.
Himiko fell silent, her gaze shifting to Tsuyu. "What about it?" she responded, her tone cold and distant.
The air on the bus shifted. The rest of Class 1-A shuddered at the iciness in her voice. Izuku, especially, felt an odd familiarity in it.
"So you are," Tsuyu continued, her voice neutral but with a strange sincerity. "I just wanted to say, it's good to see you're trying to be a hero now."
Himiko's cold stare softened, relief in her tone, "Yeah… I was. But Uncle Wan helped me."
"Uncle Wan? W-wait, you're close with Wanderer?!" Kaminari's eyes widened, leaning forward in his seat.
"It makes sense," Momo chimed in thoughtfully. "Considering Wanderer's agency and the connection with the Toga family."
Mina's eyes lit up with excitement. "What's he like? Oh! Can you get him to sign something for me?"
Himiko raised an eyebrow at the pink girl. "And what would that be?"
Mina paused, blushing furiously. "N-never mind!" She quickly sank back into her seat.
"I'm with Mina, though," Sato added. "What's he like when he's not working?"
Himiko shrugged. "Pretty much the same—grouchy, serious, and hardly ever smiles."
Jiro smirked. "That video of him laughing and roasting that one villain is the only one of him laughing."
The video had gone viral, amassing over 200 million views in a week.
"He does get riled up," Himiko added. "But that's usually because of my mom."
"Your mom works for Wanderer?" Ochako asked, curious.
"Yeah. She's his assistant."
Shoto, who had been quietly listening, remained focused as the conversation switched to his father's rival. It was always strange hearing them talk about Wanderer. The name that his father constantly growled, aside from All Might.
"We're here," Aizawa's voice cut through the chatter as the bus pulled up to the domed facility. Everyone's attention shifted as they prepared to disembark.
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Wanderer scowled as he, Nahida, and Faruzan stepped into the UA building after disembarking from their sleek black car. His sharp eyes scanned the entrance hall, but his mind was elsewhere.
'The Unforeseen Simulation Joint, attacked by a group calling themselves the League of Villains...' he thought in disdain. 'Who names their group something so ridiculous?'
Faruzan, walking beside him, was clearly worried. "I need to check on Himiko," she murmured, her steps quickening. Wanderer noted the tension in her voice but stayed silent. His own thoughts were occupied with a different matter: The Nomu…
'A creature with multiple quirks...' His brows furrowed as he recalled a certain villain. Only one person could bestow multiple quirks like that. All For One. The villain he and All Might had fought years ago.
"This place is amazing," Nahida's voice broke through his thoughts, her eyes sparkling as she skipped ahead, taking in the architecture with childlike wonder.
Wanderer shot her a quick glance, but said nothing. He appreciated her lightheartedness, though he wasn't about to show it. Faruzan, however, was more focused. "I have to find Himiko," she said, her worry evident as she started walking faster.
"We'll catch up with you later," Wanderer responded, his tone curt but not unkind. "We're heading to see All Might." With a nod, they parted ways, Faruzan disappearing down the hall as Nahida fell back in step beside him.
They navigated the building quickly. Wanderer remembered the layout from his time here—every hallway, every door etched into his memory. Soon, they arrived at the room Nezu had directed them to. Wanderer opened the door to find All Might, his successor Izuku Midoriya, and Detective Tsukauchi, deep in conversation. He had met the detective during past cases, impressed by his sharp instincts and his quirk that made detecting lies easy.
"Wanderer!" All Might's eyes widened in surprise as the door opened. "What brings you here?"
Wanderer stepped inside, his expression as unreadable as ever."Faruzan wanted to check on Himiko. I came because I have some questions about this... League of Villains." Wanderer scowled, the name leaving a bad taste in his mouth. "More specifically, that monster they used."
"Nomu," Tsukauchi chimed in, his tone serious. "We're conducting an autopsy on it now. We should have results in a few days." As Tsukauchi spoke, his eyes drifted downward, spotting a small figure peeking from behind Wanderer's leg.
"Hmm? Who's this?" Tsukauchi asked, blinking at the little girl.
Nahida smiled innocently, stepping out from behind Wanderer. "Oh, don't mind me. I know everything." Her tone was gentle, but there was an air of mystery to her words.
Wanderer glanced down at her. "Her names Nahida. She can read minds," he explained bluntly.
Tsukauchi's quirk confirmed the truth of that statement, though it didn't ease his surprise. "So... she knows about—"
"One for All? Yes," Nahida replied, her voice soft but certain. She then turned her gaze toward Izuku, frowning slightly. Without hesitation, she skipped forward and climbed onto the edge of his bed. "You're not using your quirk right," she said plainly.
Izuku blinked, startled. "H-huh? How can you be sure?" His confusion was clear, though there was sincerity in Nahida's eyes that made him sit up straighter.
Wanderer moved closer, noticing the casts on Izuku's arm. His eyes narrowed. "… Is this from using your quirk?" he asked, though the answer was obvious. Izuku nodded sheepishly.
Wanderer sighed. "What exactly are you doing when you use One for All?"
Izuku hesitated. "I… I imagine an egg in the microwave?" he answered hesitantly, his voice quiet as if expecting criticism.
Wanderer stared at him, his expression flat and unimpressed. Nahida tilted her head, considering the analogy. "Not a bad metaphor," she mused thoughtfully. "But it doesn't quite fit."
Before Izuku could react, Wanderer's hand came down with a swift but controlled smack to the back of the boy's head. "Idiot," Wanderer chided, earning a yelp from Izuku. "What does All Might do when he calls on his quirk?"
Izuku rubbed his head, wincing. "Umm… he buffs up?" he answered uncertainly, glancing nervously between Wanderer and All Might.
"Exactly," Wanderer replied. "Imagine yourself as a balloon, and One for All as the air. Too much air, and the balloon pops."
Nahida nodded, smiling gently as she glanced around then at the boy and elaborated. "You need to control the amount you let in. Just enough to keep the balloon steady, but not too much that it bursts."
Izuku's eyes widened in sudden realization, and he began mumbling to himself as his gaze drifted down to his lap, his brain clearly working through the concept.
"That should keep him from breaking his bones every time," Wanderer muttered before turning his attention back to All Might. His voice grew heavier. "I believe All for One has returned." His solemn gaze rested on the blonde hero.
The room fell silent as All Might's face paled with shock. "Impossible… we destroyed him," he said, disbelief in his tone.
Wanderer crossed his arms and leaned back on a wall, his gaze sharp as he looked directly to All Might eyes. "We didn't find a body. I had my suspicions, but now it's clear he's getting help. Medical help."
Tsukauchi frowned. "What makes you so sure?"
Nahida spoke up again, her soft voice cutting through the tension. "All for One was severely injured in his last battle. His body would need extensive medical attention to recover, and healing quirks are rarely effective with injuries that severe. And that Nomu… it had multiple quirks. From what I understand, the human body can't handle multiple quirks unless it's specifically modified. Besides, there's only one person who can have and give multiple quirks."
Tsukauchi sighed in frustration, rubbing the back of his neck. "So we're dealing with All for One… and a doctor who specializes in quirks."
"This is bad…" All Might gritted his teeth, his knuckles whitening. He scowled as he still couldn't believe it but they had a point.
Izuku, who had been quietly listening, looked up at his mentor, worry evident in his voice. "All Might? Will… will I have to face him?"
"No," All Might and Wanderer said in unison, their voices firm.
Toshinori shook his head. "No, Young Izuku. He's my responsibility."
"Our responsibility," Wanderer corrected, his voice sharp as he glanced at the blonde hero. "In case you've forgotten, you're running on the last embers of your quirk. You pushed yourself too far fighting the Nomu this morning after stopping other crimes. You're overexerting yourself."
"How can I just stand by while people are in danger?!" All Might protested, his voice filled with frustration.
Wanderer frowned deeply at Toshinori, "How many times have we been telling you? Have you forgotten there are other heroes in this city?" His words hit hard, and All Might flinched, looking away.
Wanderer glanced at Izuku, then back at All Might. "You'll die one day."
"H-he can't!" Izuku's voice cracked in panic.
Nahida tilted her head and turned to Izuku. "Does he have immortality?" she asked softly, despite asking such simple question, her intent was conveyed.
Izuku fell silent, leaning back as the harsh truth dawned on him.
Wanderer gave All Might a steady, meaningful look. "You've built a symbol of peace, one that makes people see you as invincible, untouchable. But you're not a god, Toshinori. You're mortal. And no matter how long you keep fighting, age will catch up with you."
Tsukauchi sighed and nodded grimly. "He's right, Toshi. You can't keep doing this forever."
All Might's sighed in frustration, the weight of his situation settling on his shoulders. "I… I can't help myself from saving people," he admitted quietly.
Nahida looked between All Might and Izuku. "A flower cannot bloom when it's neglected," she said, her voice echoed, sad yet filled with wisdom.
All Might blinked at the little girl, confused. "What?"
"You're focusing too much at the whole garden, tending to the crops that other farmers can work on but in your home, the seed you planted isn't growing correctly." Nahida looked at Izuku. "You've been ignoring it and letting it grow with minimal attention."
All Might's eyes widened as he looked at Izuku, guilt washing over him. Izuku, avoiding his gaze, fidgeted awkwardly on the bed.
"I... I'm sorry," All Might murmured, his voice heavy with regret. The realization hit him—he hadn't been giving his successor, the attention and guidance they needed.
"Think about it," Nahida said gently as she hopped off the bed, her tone compassionate yet firm.
"I agree," Wanderer added, turning toward the door. "I'll speak with Gran Torino about this. I assume you haven't yet."
All Might winced and coughed in surprised.
"Thought so," Wanderer muttered before heading out, Nahida following close behind.
As they walked down the hallway, Nahida glanced up at Wanderer. "Things are moving… I can feel it," she said quietly.
Wanderer closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them, resolute. "I know… but I'm prepared."
Nahida smiled softly, looking at the puppet she had come to admire. 'You've come a long way,' she thought, pride swelling in her chest.
"... What are you smiling about?" Wanderer asked, giving her a suspicious look.
Nahida giggled, shaking her head. "Nothing."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Gamblerect
Gamblerect weekday is here, school and work is piling on me. erratic updates would be frequent but I'll try.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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