The forest burned around them, the orange glow of fire casting eerie shadows against the trees. The scent of smoke and scorched earth filled the air, mixing with the distant shouts and explosions from the ongoing battle.
Reiji carried Kota on his back, the kid's small hands gripping his shirt tightly.
"You're shaking," Reiji muttered.
Kota immediately tensed. "I-I'm not!"
Reiji smirked. "Yeah, sure, brat."
Despite his usual teasing, he could feel it.
Kota had just come face-to-face with the man who killed his parents.
And he barely escaped.
[Not bad for a kid. But he's still too weak for this world.]
Reiji's golden eyes flickered as he sprinted through the forest, dodging flames and debris.
Then—his instincts screamed.
He skidded to a stop, golden flames flaring around him.
Someone was blocking his path.
And not just anyone.
A figure with long white hair, a mask covering his face, and cold, calculating eyes.
Shigaraki Tomura.
And he wasn't alone.
To his left, Dabi's flames flickered in the darkness.
To his right, Toga giggled, twirling a bloodstained knife.
Behind them, several other villains emerged from the trees.
Reiji's grin widened.
"Finally," he muttered. "Some real fun."
Shigaraki tilted his head, observing Reiji like a scientist studying an experiment.
"You're not running," he noted.
Reiji smirked. "Why would I? I just finished stretching."
Toga giggled, eyes gleaming with excitement. "He's soooo interesting, isn't he, Tomura~?"
Dabi exhaled a lazy breath, crossing his arms. "Tch. You really don't act like a hero, Kurobane."
Reiji chuckled. "Because I'm not like the rest of them."
Shigaraki's lips curved into a grin.
"Exactly," he whispered.
The air grew heavier.
"You don't hesitate. You don't follow rules. You fight like us."
His red eyes gleamed in the firelight.
"You should be with us, Kurobane."
Kota stiffened on Reiji's back. "W-What?"
Reiji, however, didn't even blink.
[Ah. There it is.]
The real reason they were here.
This wasn't just an attack.
It was a recruitment.
Reiji chuckled, shifting Kota slightly on his back. "So let me get this straight. You come here, burn down a forest, almost kill a kid, and now you want me to join your little villain club?"
Shigaraki's fingers twitched. "You don't belong with those fake heroes. You think like a predator, not prey."
Reiji sighed dramatically. "Man, you guys really love your little speeches, huh?"
Toga giggled again. "Come on~! We could have so much fun together! You like making people bleed, don't you?"
Reiji rolled his shoulders.
"Fun offer, really. But I'll pass."
The air shifted.
Shigaraki's smile faded.
"You sure about that?" he asked, voice dangerously low.
"You could be more than just another disposable hero. You could be something greater."
Reiji's smirk didn't waver.
"I already am."
Then—he vanished.
Shigaraki barely had time to react before—
BOOM!
Reiji reappeared behind them, flames erupting outward in a massive shockwave.
The explosion sent villains flying, the sheer heat forcing even Dabi to jump back.
But Shigaraki didn't move.
His red eyes locked onto Reiji, fingers twitching in anticipation.
Then—he lunged.
Decay activated.
Reiji's golden flames roared, countering the deadly touch just in time.
FWOOOM!
The two clashed mid-air, Reiji's fire crackling against Shigaraki's decaying aura.
Kota screamed, gripping Reiji tighter. "HE'S GONNA KILL US!"
Reiji grinned.
"Nah. He's just trying to keep up."
Then—he vanished again, using Phantom Step to reappear deeper into the forest.
Reiji landed smoothly, finally spotting the camp in the distance.
He could hear the battle raging—students and pro heroes fighting against the invading villains.
But his focus was on getting Kota to safety.
"K-Kurobane," Kota stammered, gripping his shirt. "Are… are you really not gonna join them?"
Reiji smirked. "You that disappointed?"
Kota shook his head furiously. "N-No! It's just… they think you're like them."
Reiji chuckled. "They're not the first."
Kota hesitated. Then, in a quiet voice:
"But… you're not, right?"
Reiji didn't answer immediately.
Then—he smirked. "Of course not."
Before Kota could say anything else, Reiji handed him off to Mandalay, who had rushed toward them.
Mandalay's eyes widened in relief. "Kota! You're safe!"
She turned to Reiji. "What happened?!"
Reiji rolled his shoulders. "League of Villains made their pitch. Didn't like my answer."
Mandalay stiffened. "They… tried to recruit you?"
Reiji grinned. "Told you I was popular."
But before Mandalay could respond—
🚨 BOOM! 🚨
A massive shockwave erupted from the forest.
Reiji turned, golden eyes narrowing.
[Oh? What now?]
And then—
A dark, massive figure emerged from the flames.
Muscular? No. Too big.
Dabi? No. Not his style.
Then—Reiji saw it.
A massive, hulking Nomu.
Its red eyes locked onto him.
Mandalay's voice shook. "They brought… a Nomu?!"
Reiji cracked his neck, golden flames igniting around him.
"Heh. Guess they weren't done playing."
Then—the Nomu lunged.
End of Chapter 37.
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