章 25: Hero Work!

Itachi woke up to the faint glow of dawn, the clock reading 5 a.m. Stretching, he sighed before heading to the shower. The cool water washed over him, clearing his mind as he mentally prepared for the day ahead. After dressing in his military uniform, he stepped outside. There, waiting for him, stood his commanding officer, Star. She greeted him with a smirk.

"So, you're up early," she remarked.

"Yes, ma'am," Itachi replied with calm precision.

Star's eyes glinted. "Are you ready to give it your all today?"

Itachi met her gaze and nodded. She grinned, pleased with his determination. "Good. Let's get to work. You've got a long day ahead of you."

"Yes, ma'am," Itachi responded, his voice steady. Star smirked again before gesturing toward the rest of the squad.

"Fall in line," she ordered. Itachi joined the female soldiers, all of whom were eyeing him curiously. Star pointed toward a stretch of land covered in thick mud and tangled wires. "Do you see that, Aegis?" she asked, using his hero name.

Itachi's gaze followed her finger, locking on to the obstacle course. He nodded.

"You have to bear crawl beneath those wires, but here's the catch—no knees or chest touching the ground. Understood?"

Again, Itachi nodded silently.

Star's smirk grew wider. "Alright. We'll start in groups of five. The rest of you, warm up."

The squad nodded and started their stretches. Soon, it was Itachi's turn, alongside four of the female soldiers. Star crossed her arms, studying him with a playful gleam in her eyes. "Ready?"

He nodded once more, focused.

One of the female soldiers chuckled. "Don't get distracted," she teased, her smirk matching Star's.

"If he does, he'll have to face the consequences," another added with a sly grin.

Itachi exhaled, unfazed by their remarks, and took his position. Star raised her voice. "Now!"

They launched into motion. Itachi bent low, his body steady as he bear-crawled through the mud beneath the wire, muscles tense but precise. Mud splattered against him, but he moved with the grace of a predator, avoiding contact with the ground. Star watched him closely, her smirk never leaving her face.

He was the first to emerge from the course, mud clinging to every inch of his body. Breathing deeply, he looked down at himself, now completely covered in grime. A sigh escaped him as he reached up to touch his hair, mildly concerned about the state of it.

"That was... fun," he thought, a small, amused smile playing on his lips despite himself. But his attention shifted when one of the female soldiers approached, nudging him playfully.

"Don't worry, your hair's fine," she said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Itachi glanced at her, a rare look of gratitude flickering in his eyes. "Thank you."

She laughed softly. "Do you have something for your hair?" she asked, still smiling.

Itachi nodded. "Yes."

She tilted her head, curiosity still lingering. "So, what do you use for your hair? It always looks so… perfect, even after training."

Itachi hesitated for a moment, unused to these types of casual conversations. "I use a natural oil blend," he replied quietly, his gaze drifting back to the rest of the squad.

Her smile widened. "Natural oils, huh? I might have to try that. Your hair seems to survive anything, even all this mud."

Before Itachi could respond, Star's sharp voice cut through the air. "Don't get distracted!" she barked, her tone firm.

Both Itachi and the female soldier straightened instantly, their previous ease replaced by formality.

"Apologies, ma'am," they said in unison, their voices tinged with embarrassment.

Star smirked, shaking her head slightly. "Save the hair talk for later. We've got work to do."

Star crossed her arms and grinned as she addressed the group. "Now, you'll be flipping tires," she announced, her smirk deepening. "And this time, everyone will participate."

The soldiers, both men and women, gathered into line as Star gestured toward a series of large tires. "Do you see these tires?" she asked, her voice carrying an edge of challenge.

"Yes, ma'am!" they responded in unison, standing at attention.

But then, Star pointed to a tire that was easily twice the size of any of them, one used in construction vehicles. Their eyes widened, a murmur of disbelief spreading through the ranks.

"This is the largest tire we've got," she said with a smirk. "It's not just for show. What you have to do is try to lift it."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, some soldiers voicing their doubts. "How can we do that? It's impossible…"

Star held up a hand to silence them, her smirk never fading. "Wait. Let me finish. First, you'll try without your quirks, then with them."

A few soldiers shifted uneasily. "But, ma'am, we don't have strength-based quirks."

Star's gaze sharpened. "I'm not going to punish you if you fail. Just try." Her eyes flickered toward Itachi. "I'm especially interested in one person."

Itachi met her gaze and understood immediately. She wanted to see his Susano'o. He glanced at the massive tire, thinking back to his previous life. If he were still in his old body, he could have lifted it without much effort. But now, in this world and lacking chakra, it would be difficult.

Star then ordered, "Men, try your luck."

One by one, the soldiers attempted to lift the tire. Most could barely budge it, sliding it a few inches at best. The female soldiers fared no better, their efforts just as futile. Eventually, it was Itachi's turn. The group's attention shifted to him, and whispers spread through the crowd.

"This kid can't possibly do it…"

"He's fast, but is he that strong?"

Star watched him closely, a smirk playing on her lips. Show me, Aegis… Show me your power.

Itachi sighed, stepping forward. He placed his hands on the tire, feeling the weight of it. This is massive, he thought. With a deep breath, he braced himself and pushed, causing the tire to slide slightly. The soldiers watching widened their eyes in shock.

"He moved it… without his quirk," one soldier murmured in disbelief.

Star's smirk deepened. "Good. Now, use your quirk."

Itachi glanced at her, and she nodded in approval. He sighed again, knowing what was expected. His Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan activated, his eyes glowing with crimson intensity. Should I use one hand or two? he wondered. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. To be honest, I've been waiting for this.

Star, overhearing, chuckled. "Then don't overthink it. Just use it."

Itachi nodded, deciding to go all out but keeping it controlled. Slowly, the red skeletal form of his half-Susano'o emerged around him, ribs and two large hands materializing. The soldiers stared in awe, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and fascination. Even Star couldn't hide her impressed expression as she studied the form up close.

This is terrifying, she thought, smirking to herself.

With ease, Itachi lifted the enormous tire, holding it in his Susano'o's hand. The weight was nothing to his construct. He turned to face Star, who watched with approval as the other soldiers looked on in stunned silence.

After a moment, Itachi sighed, lowering the tire back to the ground. His Susano'o still hovered around him, and he felt the familiar sensation of his eyes beginning to bleed. This is the first time my eyes have bled, he noted, though the pain was minimal. He wiped the blood away calmly, still deep in thought.

Star noticed the blood and her smirk vanished for a second. "Deactivate it, now," she ordered, her voice sharp with concern.

Itachi nodded, deactivating his Sharingan. As he wiped the remaining blood from his face, he reassured her. "Don't worry. It happens sometimes."

He glanced away, thinking, I think it's because I used a more refined part of the Susano'o. He sighed again, realizing this might be a new drawback in this world. This body is different... I need to be careful.

Star glanced at Itachi, concern flickering across her face. "If you want, you should go to the medic."

Itachi shook his head, his expression calm. "Don't worry, ma'am. It happens sometimes."

She studied him for a moment longer before sighing. "Are you sure?"

He nodded firmly.

"Alright then," she relented, though her eyes still held a trace of doubt. "Training's over. Everyone, head back to your barracks, freshen up, and get some rest."

"Yes, ma'am," the soldiers responded in unison before dispersing. Itachi turned to leave with them, but Star called after him. "Aegis, come here for a second."

Itachi paused, nodding as he walked over to her.

"I've been wondering something," she began, her voice quieter now. "If you don't mind me asking… have you gotten any offers from Japan's Hero Public Safety Commission?"

Itachi's brow furrowed slightly, and he shook his head. "Not officially… but I've heard through a friend that they've ranked me."

Star crossed her arms, an amused look crossing her face. "That means you've received an offer, you dumbass. They just haven't told you yet."

Itachi blinked, realizing she was probably right. "But it's not official," he replied. "I haven't heard anything directly from them."

Star sighed. "Do you know why I asked you?"

Itachi shook his head again.

"Because the American Safety Commission is also interested in you," she said with a smirk, her eyes locking onto his. "They've been keeping an eye on you."

Itachi looked at her, processing her words before responding, his tone respectful but resolute. "I'm honored, Master… but I have to return to Japan. Someone is waiting for me."

Star's expression softened, and she smiled knowingly. "I understand." Her tone shifted, becoming teasing. "Well, after your little 'lovely' time with Japan's No. 3 hero, you can always join the American Safety Commission if you change your mind. The door's always open."

Itachi blinked, the faintest blush creeping onto his face as he caught her teasing tone. "I'll think about it," he replied, keeping his voice steady despite the subtle embarrassment.

Star chuckled, patting his head affectionately. "You're adorable sometimes, Aegis." She glanced at her hand, now covered in mud from their earlier training. "Looks like I got myself dirty too. I guess I'll have to get cleaned up too." She gave him a playful shove. "Now, get going."

Itachi nodded, offering her a final smile before heading back to his barracks. Once there, he showered, letting the warm water wash away the mud and exhaustion from the day's training. After changing into clean clothes, he sat on the edge of his bed, deep in thought about what Star had said.

America... an open door. But Japan is where I need to be, for now.

TimeSkip 1 year:

A year had passed, and Itachi's fame had skyrocketed. He stood beside Star, scrolling through his Instagram feed, where his name and face seemed to dominate. The number of reels featuring him was overwhelming. He paused on one particularly flashy video labeled: World's Most Handsome Hero. A sigh escaped his lips.

"This is too much attention," Itachi muttered, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him. What is going on?

Star smirked, peeking over his shoulder. "Well, there are some good edits," she teased, before adding with more enthusiasm, "What am I saying? Every edit is good!"

Itachi swiped to the next reel, where someone had dubbed him Star's Shield. He considered it for a moment before admitting, "Well, that's not a bad title."

Star chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. The world can't get enough of you." Her tone shifted as she grew more serious. "But enough about that. We need to get down to business."

Her change in demeanor caught Itachi's attention immediately. He straightened, his playful mood fading into focus. "What's the situation?"

"We need to find someone," Star began, her voice tense. "His name's Ralph Pearson, villain alias: Drainer."

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "What's his quirk?"

"Power drain," Star replied with a hint of disgust. "He drains powers from people. But that's not the worst part…"

Itachi looked at her, sensing the anger building beneath her words.

"He specifically targets women. Civilian women, and even female pro heroes." Her voice dropped, filled with loathing.

Itachi's eyes widened at the revelation. His expression hardened, understanding the seriousness of the situation. His focus sharpened; this wasn't just another mission. "Do we know his last location?"

Star nodded. "His last known whereabouts were in [xx, New York City."

Itachi's gaze shifted toward the horizon, his resolve firm. "I'll handle it," he said quietly, though the intensity in his voice spoke volumes.

Star met his eyes, trusting his abilities. "Be careful. He's slippery, and we still don't know the full extent of his quirk."

Itachi nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "I'll bring him down."

As they landed, Star's phone buzzed with an incoming call. She answered swiftly, her expression growing tense. "Star, we have news. We've spotted Drainer on [xx] Street, very close to your current location."

She nodded, urgency filling her features. "Understood. We'll be quick." Ending the call, she turned to Itachi. "Now move."

Without hesitation, Itachi sprinted forward, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of the target. He had an earpiece connected to Star, who was feeding him real-time updates. "Take a left," she instructed, and he did so, racing through the narrow streets with lightning speed.

"He's heading towards an alleyway," Star's voice came again, firm and focused.

Itachi nodded silently, increasing his pace. As he rounded the corner into the alley, his Sharingan activated instinctively. What he saw made his blood run cold. A man, Drainer, had a woman pinned against the wall, her clothes torn and half-naked. The woman, tears streaming down her face, weakly reached out, her energy visibly draining from her body.

"Stop there!" Itachi's voice boomed with authority.

Drainer turned, a sinister smirk spreading across his face. "Well, well, look who is here Aegis a new hero, huh?" His voice oozed with confidence, and he kept his hand on the woman, watching her writhe helplessly. "Her energy... it's delicious."

The woman gasped, her voice weak and desperate. "Sir Aegis... please... help me... he's doing something terrible..." Her voice cracked, fear and exhaustion evident in every word.

Drainer chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with malice. "Her body is perfect. After I deal with you, I'll enjoy some more time with her."

That was the final straw.

Itachi's gaze sharpened, and in that instant, the world around Drainer began to shift. The colors drained, and his surroundings twisted as the Genjutsu took hold. He had unknowingly walked into Itachi's trap. The world he once stood in turned pitch-black.

"W-what?!" Drainer's voice wavered, panic creeping into his tone. He looked around wildly but saw nothing but endless darkness.

Itachi's voice echoed coldly through the black void. "You've chosen the wrong person to cross."

Drainer's body felt cold and lifeless, as though it had turned to stone. He looked around, realizing he was naked and tied tightly with ropes. Panic surged through him, but when he looked up, his defiance returned, forcing a smirk onto his face.

"You've trapped me in this Illusions for three years?" he mocked, trying to sound brave. "I know your tricks, it's all just illusions."

Itachi stood before him, his Sharingan gleaming. His face was cold, disgusted. "That's your mistake," Itachi replied in a low, deadly tone.

Out of nowhere, five women appeared before Drainer—three older, including one pro hero, and two young girls. Drainer's false bravado started to fade. He could see the pain etched on their faces.

With his twisted smirk gone, Drainer tried to remain composed. "I did the right thing," he muttered, attempting to justify his sick actions. "These girls—these women—they have bodies meant to be used."

Itachi's eyes darkened, his disgust deepening. "You deserve hell," he growled.

The women, holding sharp peeler-like tools, moved toward Drainer. The first woman, with a shaking voice, said, "You ruined my life."

The second, tears in her eyes, whispered, "I wanted to become a doctor."

The pro hero spoke next, her voice filled with venom, "I just started my career… you destroyed everything."

The two girls, trembling but fierce, stared down at Drainer. "You stole our lives," they said in unison.

Fear surged through Drainer as he struggled against his bindings. "No… no!" he screamed. "This can't be happening!"

But Itachi only watched, cold and unmoved. "Your quirk doesn't work here," he stated flatly.

The women reached Drainer, and one by one, they began to peel the skin from his body, stripping it away with deliberate cruelty. Drainer's screams filled the air, loud and desperate as every inch of his skin was torn from him. His body shook violently as he begged for forgiveness, for mercy—but none came.

The pain was unbearable, and just as Drainer's mind was about to collapse, his body began to heal. He gasped for breath, horrified to see his skin restored. "I-I'm alive?" he whispered in disbelief, thinking the torture was over.

But the women were there again, peeling his skin once more. The agony repeated itself, his screams growing louder and more desperate. "Please! Stop! I beg you! Make it stop!" he howled.

Itachi's voice cut through his torment. "It's only been one minute."

Drainer's eyes widened in terror. One minute? The torture was set to continue for three years. His body shook as the realization of his eternal punishment sank in. This was his hell, and there would be no escape.

In reality, Drainer's body slumped to the ground, unconscious, utterly broken. His mind was shattered beyond repair.

Itachi stepped over to the woman Drainer had drained of power. Her body was weak, trembling, and her eyes were half-closed in exhaustion. Without a word, Itachi removed his hero outfit's cloak and gently placed it over her.

"Cover yourself," he said softly.

She nodded weakly, clutching the cloak. Her energy was almost completely gone, and she struggled to even stay on her feet. Itachi's eyes filled with quiet sorrow as he watched her. "He drained every ounce of your strength," he murmured, his voice filled with a mix of anger and sadness.

Leaning down, he offered his hand. "Should I help you?"

Embarrassed but grateful, she looked up at him and nodded. "Please," she whispered.

Itachi carefully lifted her into his arms, cradling her gently as if she were fragile glass. "Don't worry," he said softly. "I'll take you to the hospital."

Just as he turned to leave, the police arrived, securing Drainer in handcuffs. One of the officers, grateful, approached him. "Thank you for your work, Aegis."

Itachi nodded in acknowledgment but kept his focus on the woman in his arms. Another police officer, a woman, stepped forward. "We'll take care of her, sir," she said with a reassuring smile.

Itachi carefully handed the woman to the female officer. "Make sure she gets to the hospital," he said, his voice firm. "And get her something to eat."

The woman blushed slightly under his caring gaze. "Yes, Aegis," she responded with a respectful nod.

Itachi watched for a moment as the officer gently led the woman away. His heart ached with a sense of sadness and anger that he kept locked away. He had a brief urge to kill Drainer for what he had done, but he fought it down, knowing he couldn't let himself lose control.

Taking a deep breath, he turned away from the scene and made his way back to where Star was waiting for him.

As Itachi made his way back to Star, his mind was heavy with the scene he had just witnessed and the grim justice he had delivered to Drainer through his Genjutsu. The weight of the power he wielded wasn't lost on him—it came with the responsibility to exact justice, not vengeance. Though he felt an overwhelming urge to kill Drainer for his heinous crimes, Itachi knew that the justice system needed to play its part.

Star, standing near their rendezvous point, was on her phone, coordinating with authorities and making sure everything went smoothly. When she saw Itachi approaching, she hung up and gave him a nod.

"Good work, Aegis," she said, her tone serious but laced with pride. "Drainer's done for. Police will handle the rest."

Itachi simply nodded, still processing the encounter. His expression remained stoic, but inside, he couldn't shake the feeling of disgust and anger for what Drainer had done to his victims. Star seemed to notice his silence and stepped closer, giving him a look of understanding.

"You made the right call," she said quietly. "He'll face the consequences, but you did more than anyone else could today."

"I hope so," Itachi muttered, glancing back towards the scene of the crime. "The women he harmed... they'll need time to heal."

Star sighed, crossing her arms. "Yeah, they will. But thanks to you, they get that chance now. You gave them hope."

Itachi nodded, though a part of him still felt conflicted. "It's not always enough."

Star, sensing his inner turmoil, gave him a pat on the shoulder. "You did what you could, and that's more than enough."

They both stood in silence for a moment, watching as the police and paramedics wrapped up the scene. Itachi could see the woman he had helped being escorted into an ambulance by the female officers. She glanced back at him one last time, giving him a weak but grateful smile.

Star noticed the interaction and smirked slightly. "Looks like you've got another admirer."

Itachi sighed, shaking his head. "That's the last thing I need."

Star chuckled before turning more serious again. "Anyway, we should debrief soon, but first, let's get back to base. You've done enough for today."

Itachi nodded, following her lead. Despite the weight of the day, he couldn't help but think of the future—of the justice still left to serve and the lives still needing protection.

As they walked, Star spoke up again, her voice softer. "By the way, about all those Instagram reels… World's most handsome hero, huh?"

Itachi sighed deeply, knowing she wouldn't let him live it down. "I wish they'd focus on something more important."

Star smirked again. "Maybe, but like I said before, every edit is good."

With that, they continued on their way, knowing their work as heroes was never truly done.