"So, among the heroes present, who can break free from their restraints and stand up now?"
Kaminari patted his mother's back reassuringly, then took two steps forward and scanned the room, his voice cutting through the silence.
There was no response.
Frowning, Kaminari looked up at All Might, who was lying on the stage. "All Might, what about you?"
"Wait a moment..."
All Might's face flushed red as he strained against his bindings. The blue energy bands wrapped around him trembled, slowly coming apart as wisps of steam-like white smoke seeped from his body.
"Ughhh—!" His muscles bulged as he struggled with everything he had. "How can I just lie here and do nothing?!"
Veins protruded on his forehead, his face contorted in pain and determination.
"I... I am... the Symbol of Peace!!!"
Crack!
Kaminari noticed small cracks forming on the restraints binding All Might, but it was clear he still needed time.
"Even All Might is struggling so much… It looks like I can't rely on the other pro heroes right now."
Kaminari sighed. If the heroes had been in better shape, he could have entrusted his parents to their care and gone to provide backup.
To be honest, he was deeply worried about Kyoka and the others. Based on the intel Tetsutetsu had given him, there had to be at least forty or fifty villains—if not more—and they were all heavily armed with automatic rifles.
"In that case..."
Crack!
Kaminari activated High-Voltage Mode, golden electricity flaring up around his body. Closing his eyes, he used Radar to scan the surrounding area once more.
The villains' reinforcements would arrive soon—after all, this venue housed all of the island's pro heroes, making it one of the most strategically important locations after the tower's summit.
But what puzzled him was why the villains hadn't simply executed the heroes on the spot. Wouldn't that have been much easier?
If he were in their position, he would have eliminated all the pro heroes immediately.
Sure enough, in his black-and-white Radar vision, he spotted a dozen armed soldiers pouring out of a distant elevator.
"Pikachu, stay here and protect my parents."
After issuing his command, Kaminari turned sharply and strode toward the exit.
"Come back safe... son!" His parents pursed their lips, watching him go with worried expressions. Yet, as they looked at the bold righteousness kanji on the back of his cape, they felt an inexplicable sense of trust and security.
"Sorry... I... I still need more time..." All Might gritted his teeth, still struggling against his restraints. He looked at Kaminari's back, frustration and guilt flickering in his eyes.
"Please, Kaminari boy!"
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da!
Gunfire erupted outside, louder and more intense than before.
Many of the elegantly dressed women in the hall instinctively closed their eyes in fear, clinging to their companions or murmuring silent prayers.
"Ahhh!"
"Why—why aren't the bullets working?!"
In the spacious corridor, a squad of black-clad soldiers had been firing at the approaching blond teenager for nearly twenty seconds.
Yet, they were now forced to accept the impossible reality, their weapons were useless.
The instant the bullets left their muzzles, they stopped dead in the air, as if frozen by some invisible force. It was like a scene straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Some soldiers with sharper vision noticed faint golden electricity flickering around the suspended bullets, as well as in the surrounding air.
Click, click, click!
Soon, their magazines were empty. But instead of reloading, the soldiers exchanged glances, then tossed their rifles to the ground in unspoken agreement.
However, this was not a sign of surrender.
Because beyond their firearms, they had something even deadlier—Quirks.
"Hmph, looks like you're not with the League of Villains," Kaminari remarked as he observed their shifting postures and predatory stances.
Their eyes, expressions, and battle movements were clearly different from the villains at USJ.
"Don't compare us to those low-life thugs!" A massive soldier, easily twice the size of a normal person, stepped forward. His bare hands transformed into sharp leopard claws, his eyes narrowing into menacing yellow slits.
"We're trained combatants! Our Quirks are just as strong as yours, heroes!"
"But..."
"Unlike you heroes, we don't waste time on useless things. We dedicate everything to training for fighting and killing!"
"Oh?" Kaminari arched a golden eyebrow, then smirked. "Are you saying you're stronger than heroes?"
"Without a doubt!!"
Boom!
The leopard-clawed soldier launched himself upward, instantly landing on the ceiling before dashing toward Kaminari at incredible speed.
"Kill him! Damn hero!"
"!!!"
Simultaneously, the other black-clad soldiers sprang into action. Some charged along the corridor walls, while others stayed put to unleash ranged attacks.
It was an overwhelming sight, like a dozen uniquely powerful monsters rushing toward him from all directions.
"What's the difference between soldiers and minions?"
Faced with the oncoming assault, Kaminari remained expressionless.
He simply raised his right hand.
And in the next instant, all the suspended bullets in front of him abruptly changed direction.
"To be honest..."
Before he could finish speaking, dozens of bullets surged forward, propelled by electromagnetic force. Golden streaks of light crisscrossed the air, forming a dazzling three-dimensional web of destruction.
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
Unfortunately, the beautiful spectacle was accompanied by the sound of bullets piercing flesh and agonized screams.
The golden bullets struck their targets with pinpoint accuracy, embedding themselves in arms and legs. The larger, more physically enhanced enemies received the courtesy of two or three shots each.
"My legs... I can't move my legs!"
"It's electricity! The bullets are carrying electric currents, our bodies are paralyzed!"
The leopard soldier clutched his injured arm, staring in horror at the bloody holes in his limb.
The gunshot wounds hurt, but for these soldiers—hardened by Quirks and rigorous training—it wasn't enough to take them down completely. Their enhanced bodies could still withstand the pain.
"Now... tell me, what's your faction called?"
"We..." The leopard soldier sneered, about to respond.
But Kaminari cut him off.
"Forget it. I'll just ask your boss directly."
"You—?!"
CRACK!
A blinding surge of golden lightning filled the corridor, and in mere moments.
No one remained conscious except Kaminari Denki.
---
Meanwhile, outside the central tower, in the entertainment district's moonlit plaza, a mysterious figure sat beside a fountain.
Judging by his size, he appeared to be a boy.
What made him stand out was his strange attire, despite it being the scorching midsummer month of July, he was bundled up in a thick white hooded leather coat, reminiscent of an Eskimo.
Not only was his entire body concealed beneath the heavy fabric, but even his hands were tucked away inside the coat's pockets. His legs swung back and forth idly, betraying an air of boredom.
"Hurry up... hurry up... hurry up. I haven't gotten any exercise all day!"
(To be continued.)
***
This book is complete. Support me on Patreon to read all advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.