章節 13: Chapter 13
Nahida returned a week later, just as she had promised.
She explained that the ley line had stabilized, and now the flow of time in both worlds was in sync. Wanderer didn't really understand how that was possible, but Nahida was a goddess for a reason. He figured it wasn't his place to question divine workings.
Today, he was guiding Nahida through the city of Mustufasu. The streets bustled around them, but his focus remained on her.
"Thank you for taking me out today," Nahida said, skipping lightly at his side. "Are you sure this won't interfere with your hero duties?"
"It won't be an issue," Wanderer replied, waving off her concern. "If something comes up, I can deal with it quickly and return."
Faruzan had been busy and insisted that Wanderer look after Nahida for the day. He didn't mind. A little break from his usual routine wasn't so bad.
"Oh, look, there's a beach nearby!" Nahida's voice chimed, her eyes brightening as she spotted a sign. "Can we go?"
Wanderer sighed. "Dagobah Beach? Trust me, you don't want to." From what he have heard, it's a practically a dump.
Nahida just smiled. "It can't be that bad!" She darted ahead, her small frame dancing toward the shore.
She had read his thoughts again. Ugh.
With a resigned shrug, Wanderer followed. But as they arrived at the shore, Nahida's smile faded, her face falling at the sight of mountains of trash littering the beach.
"It is that bad," she murmured, disappointment evident.
Wanderer shook his head. Things like this made him wonder how humanity still functioned. His thoughts were interrupted by a distant voice.
Suddenly, a shout broke through the air. "All Might!"
Wanderer turned, spotting the number one hero in his skeletal form, speaking with a young boy with green hair. The kid seemed familiar.
Without a word, Wanderer strode through the debris, with Nahida quietly trailing behind him. He stopped just behind the emaciated figure of All Might and cleared his throat.
Yagi, startled, spun around before slumping in relief. "Wanderer. It's just you... What brings you here? And... who's this?" He nodded at Nahida, who was staring up at him with unblinking curiosity.
"She's someone I'm looking after," Wanderer said, casting a glance toward the green haired kid. "Her name's Nahida. But I should be asking you—what are you doing here? And with a kid in tow?"
"Ah… well…" All Might stammered, clearly unsure how to explain.
"He's training Izuku Midoriya to inherit One for All," Nahida chirped, causing All Might coughed violently, blood spraying from his mouth. His eyes widened in shock as he stared at the small girl who had just revealed his most guarded secret.
Wanderer sighed. "Right, her quirk… She can read minds. Also makes her a little too smart for her own good." he explained.
Yagi wiped his mouth, his expression turning desperate. "Please, don't tell anyone else."
Nahida gave him an innocent bright smile. "I won't. But I am curious—are you training him to fight, or just building his muscles?" As she glanced at the boy far away.
Wanderer raised an eyebrow, now directing his attention at Yagi, who fumbled for an answer.
All Might hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "...Err..."
That silence told Wanderer everything he needed to know.
"What's the boy's quirk?" Wanderer asked, looking over at Midoriya, who was struggling with his training in the distance.
"He's... quirkless," Yagi admitted, his voice faltering.
Wanderer's eyes narrowed as he studied the scrawny boy. No quirk, no muscle, no combat experience. "And what training did he have before this?"
Yagi opened his mouth, then closed it again.
"Start from the beginning," Wanderer demanded.
Five minutes later, he was glaring at the so-called Symbol of Peace.
"You told him he couldn't be a hero without a quirk?" Wanderer scoffed. "How hypocritical, coming from someone who was once quirkless himself."
Yagi sighed, rubbing his face in regret. "I know it sounds bad, but what else was I supposed to say? I didn't want to give him false hope."
Wanderer turned away, making his way toward the green-haired boy without a second thought. "I'll give you an example of what you should've said."
All Might was about to intervene, but Nahida gently tugged at his sleeve. "Let's see what happens," she said softly. "This could give Midoriya the perspective he needs. It might help him grow."
Yagi hesitated, then nodded, watching silently as Wanderer approached the boy.
Yagi couldn't explain it, but something about Nahida's calm voice made him feel compelled to listen. There was a quiet wisdom in her tone that went far beyond her appearance.
Meanwhile, out on the beach, Izuku Midoriya was struggling to haul a massive tire through the trash-laden sands when a sharp gust of wind, in the shape of a blade, sliced into the ground right in front of him. Izuku yelped in surprise, stumbling back. His wide eyes found Wanderer, hovering above the ground with arms crossed and a stern, judgmental look on his face.
"W-Wanderer!" Izuku gasped, his fear quickly morphing into awe. "What—how—"
Wanderer's cold, piercing tone cut through the boy's stammering. "Can you be a hero without a quirk?"
Izuku froze, the question paralyzing him as much as the hero's glare. "A question you asked All Might," Wanderer continued, "and that buffoon gave you the wrong answer. So let me answer it—with questions of my own."
Wanderer landed softly on the sand, each step deliberate as he closed the distance between them. "Have you trained your body to handle the dangers of hero work before he offered to give you his quirk?"
Izuku's heart pounded. The knowledge Wanderer had about his situation was unsettling, but more than that, the hero's presence was suffocating. "N-no," he stammered, taking a step back.
"Have you studied martial arts? Any form of combat training to prepare for fighting villains?" Wanderer pressed on.
Izuku felt his back hit a pile of garbage. "N-no…"
"Did you consider a different path? Working behind the scenes in the logistical side of hero work? Support? Strategy? Anything that doesn't involve the front lines?"
"No..." Izuku croaked, his voice trembling with the realization of how little he had prepared.
Wanderer's expression hardened. "Then tell me, Midoriya, how do you expect to pass a hero exam without preparation? Without training? Without a body that can withstand the blows of a villain who will kill you without hesitation?" Wanderer's voice grew sharper, almost cruel in its truth. "Police officers spend years preparing to catch criminals. Firefighters train endlessly to rescue people from disasters. Medics spend years studying to save lives. So tell me, Izuku Midoriya—what have you done to prepare for a job that will put you directly in the line of danger?"
Izuku stared at Wanderer, the harsh words crashing over him like waves. He opened his mouth to protest, to explain how everyone doubted him, how he was bullied, told he'd never make it. But deep down, he knew that was just excuses. Writing in his notebooks, daydreaming about being a hero—it wasn't the same as preparing for the reality of it. He'd done nothing to make it real.
But even with that truth staring him in the face, something inside him wouldn't break.
"I know I haven't done enough," Izuku said, his voice trembling at first but growing stronger with each word. "But I'll work harder than anyone to make it happen. I won't give up." He straightened his back, his green eyes, filled with raw resolve, met Wanderer's fierce gaze. "I'll make it work, no matter what."
The two stood in tense silence for a long moment, locked in a stare-down. Then, unexpectedly, Wanderer's lips curled into a smirk. "There it is," he said, stepping back. "Conviction. That's what I was looking for. I had to make sure the next wielder of One for All wasn't a coward."
Izuku blinked, confused. "Wait, how do you know about One for All!?"
Before Wanderer could answer, Yagi approached them. "Because he was there the day I got my injury," Yagi explained, his voice soft but steady. "I told him about my quirk after he saved me."
"Really?!" Izuku turned to Wanderer, eyes wide with disbelief.
Wanderer rolled his eyes. "I was nearby at the time, nothing more."
Yagi began recounting the story of that day—how Wanderer had intervened, how the events unfolded. Wanderer, of course, couldn't resist adding his own snarky comments about Yagi's recklessness. The conversation eventually shifted to the topic of All for One, a villain Izuku hadn't heard much about. That revelation led to an hour-long explanation, one that left Izuku stunned at the complexity and danger surrounding One for All.
During the explanation, Nahida stood quietly, watching All Might with a thoughtful frown. She could hear something faint in his mind—not static, but thoughts, distorted and unclear. There was something about One for All that wasn't fully understood.
Eventually, Wanderer and Nahida left Yagi and Midoriya to continue their conversation in private. As they walked along the trash-ridden beach, Wanderer sighed, his frustration evident. "At least I stepped in before that buffoon caused any real damage…"
Nahida remained quiet for a moment, before speaking softly. "There's something off about his power…"
Wanderer glanced at her. "Off how?"
"It's more than just a quirk that stockpiles power," she said, her voice thoughtful.
"From what I've gathered, it's a crystallization of multiple generations, all their accumulated strength… but also their essence."
Wanderer raised an eyebrow. "Their essence?"
Nahida met his gaze, her eyes filled with concern. "What if One for All doesn't just stockpile power… but souls?"
Wanderer's eyes narrowed. "...That would be a bigger headache than I thought."
===========================
Fuyumi had just finished her last class of the day, her mood light as she walked through the park on her way home. Ever since she landed the teaching job, she'd been feeling fulfilled—and surprisingly, the experience of dealing with Himiko had helped her manage even the rowdiest students.
As she adjusted the strap of her bag, deep in thought, she suddenly bumped into someone. She looked down to find a pair of bright green eyes staring up at her.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Fuyumi knelt down quickly, smiling at the small girl in front of her. "Are you lost?"
The little girl blinked at her before shaking her head, her silver hair swaying softly. "No, I was just walking ahead of Fujin," she said calmly.
"Fujin?" Fuyumi tilted her head, glancing around. "Is that your guardian?"
Before the girl could respond, a familiar voice spoke from behind.
"There you are."
Fuyumi turned and blinked, spotting Wanderer—though he was in his civilian disguise, casually holding a grocery bag. His usual calm, unreadable expression softened ever so slightly when he saw the girl.
"Oh!" Fuyumi straightened up, her smile brightening in recognition. "Is she yours?"
Wanderer's eye twitched ever so slightly. "No, she's not mine," he said, sending a quick glance at the girl. "Nahida… don't run off like that." He looked back at Fuyumi. "I'm just looking after her."
Fuyumi's eyebrows lifted in slight surprise, then she chuckled softly. "Fujin, huh? That name suits you."
Wanderer stiffened, shooting a subtle glare at Nahida, who seemed to smile innocently up at him.
"Hey," Fuyumi's voice took on a playful scolding tone as she crossed her arms. "Don't look at her like that. She just gave the name of the person who's responsible for her. What's wrong with that?" Her own playful glare met his.
Wanderer's frown deepened, his eyes narrowing slightly. Fuyumi didn't back down, matching his intensity with her own teasing look. They held their stare for a moment, the tension strangely charged but not hostile.
After a beat, Nahida tugged on Fuyumi's sleeve, breaking the moment. "How do you know each other?" she asked with genuine curiosity.
Fuyumi looked down at the girl, her expression softening as she explained, "I tutored someone he saved once. He also helped me get the teaching job I have now." Her smile returned as she glanced back at Wanderer.
He shrugged. "I just recommended you. You got it because you passed the interview on your own merit."
Fuyumi's smile widened, a little spark of playful warmth in her eyes. "Well, I wouldn't have had the experience if it wasn't for you giving me the opportunity to help with Himiko. So really, I owe you."
Wanderer crossed his arms, trying to hide the faint twitch of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're giving me too much credit."
"Well, I can't help it if you're the modest type," she teased lightly, giving him a soft nudge with her elbow.
Wanderer blinked, slightly taken aback by the unexpected closeness. He cleared his throat, his expression remaining stoic, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of something unguarded. "Anyway, don't let me keep you from your day," he said, shifting the attention away from the warmth creeping into the interaction.
"I should get going," Fuyumi agreed, stepping back with a light smile. "I've got to head home and start dinner. Nahida right? Take care." She knelt briefly to pat the girl's head gently. As she stood, she gave Wanderer a casual wave, her eyes lingering on him for just a moment longer than necessary. "Good to see you again… Fujin."
Wanderer merely nodded, his eyes following her as she walked away. After a few moments of silence, Nahida's soft giggle broke the air.
"... So, that's Fuyumi." Nahida smiled up at him, her eyes twinkling with a knowing look.
Wanderer raised an eyebrow. "Did you really have to give her that name?" he muttered, though there was no real frustration in his voice.
Nahida giggled again. "Faruzan told me all about how you two look cute together. And I agree."
"What does that have to do with anything?" he replied, the confusion in his voice genuine.
Nahida gave him a thoughtful look. "You're not very familiar with romance, are you?"
"I know what romance is," Wanderer said, glancing at her with a puzzled frown. "But what does it have to do with this?"
Nahida smiled sweetly, shaking her head. "Oh, nothing. Nothing at all."
===========================
"Fucking heroes," someone grumbled under their breath.
Inside a dimly lit warehouse, two groups stood opposite each other, the tension thick in the air. It was a drug deal, but nerves were frayed. The lion-headed leader of one side slouched in his chair, sniffing as if annoyed by the mere situation. "They're breathing down our necks, can't even find a decent spot to meet up," he growled. His golden mane rustled as he nodded toward one of his lackeys, who approached with a duffle bag in hand. "You got the money?" he asked, flashing a toothy grin.
Across from him, the leader of the other group—a woman with scaly skin that glistened like a reptile's—snapped her fingers. One of her men stepped forward, presenting a suitcase and flicking it open to reveal neatly stacked cash. "We have what we promised," she said, her voice sharp. "But do you have what you're selling?"
The lion-headed dealer smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Of course I do. What do you take me for?"
"I hear rumors you've been scamming buyers with fake drugs. So how about you prove me wrong and open the bag?" The woman's slitted eyes narrowed, clearly unimpressed.
The lion druggie shrugged, feigning innocence. "Hey, hey, I'm as good as my word." He opened the duffle and tossed a brick of white powder toward her. She caught it, inspected it closely, then glanced at the bag, unimpressed.
"And I'm just supposed to trust the rest of it's the same?" she asked, her tone dripping with suspicion.
Before the dealer could respond, a hooded young man from her group stepped forward. His face was mostly obscured, only his sharp chin and part of his mouth visible beneath the hood's shadow. "Excuse me," he said quietly. "May I take a look?"
The lion druggie glanced at the scaly woman, who gave a nod. "Be my guest."
The hooded figure knelt by the duffle bag, sifting through its contents with calculated care. The woman muttered under her breath, "About time Kinji showed some initiative."
"Uh, ma'am," one of her henchmen whispered, "Kinji couldn't make it. That's Daru."
"No, no, that's Adaki," another henchman chimed in.
The woman's eyes snapped to the hooded man, suspicion growing as her gaze hardened. "Who the hell are you?"
"... Half of this is fake," the young man said, standing up without acknowledging her question.
The lion-headed dealer bristled. "You're full of shit! It's all real!" he growled, drawing a gun. Instantly, guns were drawn on both sides, tension crackling in the air like electricity.
The hooded young man scoffed. "If this is how organized you are, it's no wonder you're about to be busted."
As if on cue, the warehouse bay doors exploded open with a crash. "Alright! Hands in the air!" Fatgum's booming voice echoed as he stormed in, flanked by other heroes.
"Heroes!" The lion druggie turned toward the hooded man, who had already launched himself into the air, his hoodie flying off to reveal Wanderer. The swirling green wind at his command explodes, causing the criminals to fall and stumble.
Fatgum hurled something through the air—a familiar hat spinning like a frisbee. Wanderer caught it effortlessly and placed it back on his head, his expression cool.
"Oh... shit," the lion-headed dealer whispered, face pale like ice, as realization dawned. He was dealing with The Wind Hero, Wanderer.
===========================
Later, outside the warehouse, Fatgum bit into a takoyaki, savoring the flavor as he spoke. "So, long story short, this gang's been selling drugs, but some of the product's been fake. Just powder. They're scamming clients to make quick cash."
Wanderer shook his head, arms crossed. "Idiots. Trying to double-cross their own customers like that? They deserve whatever's coming."
Fatgum nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "Once we get the info on where the lab is, we can shut this whole thing down. Thanks for the assist today. That was one hell of a performance, pretending to be part of their crew."
Wanderer smirked. "They're too stupid to notice the switch until it was too late. Sometimes, it's almost too easy."
Fatgum chuckled, wiping his mouth. "You know, I wouldn't be surprised if you end up as the number one hero someday."
Wanderer's smile faded. "All Might is still around… though he won't be forever." His tone grew more serious, a hint of melancholy creeping in.
Fatgum's expression sobered. "True… but most people don't realize that, do they? Me? I'm just here trying to do my part while I still can."
"Complacency is spreading," Wanderer muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Too many heroes these days are content to sit back, not realizing how fast things are falling apart."
Fatgum's face darkened. "There's a lot of rumors going around, you know… about heroes getting killed. Someone's out there targeting them."
Wanderer scowled, the wind picking up around him in response to his growing frustration. "I've heard. I've been looking into it, but nothing solid yet. If you find out anything else, let me know." Without another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the fading light.
===========================
"Damn it!" Endeavor's voice boomed as his fist slammed onto the desk, the force rattling the objects around him. His eyes were glued to the TV, where yet another report detailed of Wanderer's success in solving a high-profile case.
"That brat," Endeavor growled, his teeth grinding in frustration. "He's staying ahead of me... more cases, longer patrols... it's like he isn't even human." His hands clenched into tight fists, trembling with barely contained anger. "I've pushed myself to the limit, given everything—everything—and I'm still behind him!"
He rose from his chair and stormed over to the window, glaring out at the city as if it had personally wronged him. His expression was twisted with fury. "Shoto... I'll push him harder. He will surpass All Might and Wanderer," he vowed, his fist tightening even further. "He has to."
===========================
In a dimly lit lab, the sound of medical machines beeped rhythmically, casting a faint glow on the figure strapped to the equipment. All For One lay there, his face masked in shadow, his voice cold and calculating as he spoke into a secure line.
"And what of the first Nomu, doctor?" All For One's voice, though weakened, held an air of command.
"He'll be ready soon, sir," came the response, the doctor's voice crackling over the line. "Just some final adjustments left."
"Excellent," All For One replied, his lips curling into a sinister smile. "And the second one?"
There was a brief pause before the doctor spoke again, a hint of frustration in his tone. "The second one's taking a bit longer, sir. The first was easy—we've prepared quirks specifically tailored to counter the number one hero. But Wanderer... he's faster, more elusive. I need quirks better suited to neutralize him."
All For One chuckled darkly. "Take your time, doctor. We have all the time in the world... Soon, those two fools will be dead, and their quirks will be mine."
His smile widened into something twisted, eyes gleaming with malevolent glee as he pictured the downfall of the two greatest thorns in his side.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票