Chapter 51 – Different ideals, same goal.
[A few hours before the attack]
A bar in Kamino was the League of Villains' base of operations, and its calm, welcoming atmosphere was now stained with blood. The furnishings were cut and badly damaged. A clash had just ended, and the guest had won, not the host.
Kurogiri stood behind the counter, his arm wounded and, if you can describe it like that, bleeding. Tomura lay on the ground, one blade stuck in his right shoulder and another poised to slit his throat, while the guest's foot blocked his left arm.
Over him loomed a muscular, intimidating man, slightly engobed, with red eyes full of murderous intent. He had a flat, triangular face, almost without a nose, a very long tongue, and long black hair held in place by a mask-band. He wore a dark combat suit, covered in metal armour, with weapons housed on his body; his torso was sleeveless, his arms wrapped in yellow bandages, and at the ends he wore black bracelets, a watch on his left arm, metal knee pads, reinforced boots, and a blood-red scarf.
«For things to be accomplished, conviction and devotion are needed.» The guest's voice was hoarse and harsh, yet sharp. «The weak who lack both cannot survive. Therefore, they must die.»
That tone, like the hoarse rumble of death, frightened Tomura. He already feared for his life, but now that he was literally in the hands of the Hero Killer Stain, he could not ignore his lethality. His wounded pride did not let him give in. He laughed, a laugh without amusement.
«Ouch… you're strong enough, I admit it.» he said, then turned to the man made of black fog «Kurogiri, get this guy out of here. Hurry up!»
«I can't move...» Kurogiri said in frustration «It must be your quirk, hero killer.»
The word "hero" caused a slight tremor in Stain. His eyes sharpened, almost as if he had received a very personal insult in the form of a euphemism.
«The word "Hero" has lost its meaning.» he spoke hatefully «This rotten society is full of impostors and criminals who abuse that status to do what they want. All of them must be purified!»
The blade, ready to cut Tomura's throat, moved imperceptibly, but just enough to touch the embalmed hand covering the young man's face. Tomura panicked at once.
«Wait, wait… this hand… you can't…»
Panic turned to anger, hatred, and a desire to kill Stain. Stain immediately noticed the new strength born of those feelings, and saw the real person emerge behind that embalmed hand. His red eyes did not miss a single movement of Tomura's.
«I'll kill you.»
Tomura's tone was certainly full of anger, but also incredibly cold. The right hand, despite the blade planted in his shoulder, moved and touched the blade pressing on his neck. This began to disintegrate and become dust.
«Apparently, you're a chatterbox, huh? Conviction and dedication? I have none of that!» he spoke with icy, yet furious calm «But if you'll let me tell you one thing, what keeps me going… is All Might.»
Tomura's eyes widened: a sick hatred appeared in them, and reflecting that same madness, a horrible smile was formed.
«I want to crush with my own hands this society that idolises that bag of shit!!!»
When the blade turned to dust, Stain sensed the danger and understood more about the man he was holding. He jumped back, freed the young man, and watched him rise despite his wounds. Tomura stood up with renewed vigour and smiled.
«Now I understand...»
«Huh?!»
«You and I are different in every way. But we have the same goal.» Stain stated without taking his eyes off Tomura «Destroy modern society!» he finished, reholstering the blade.
«Are you kidding me?!» Tomura asked angrily «Before you attacked us, didn't you say I'm one of those 'types you despise the most'?»
«It was just a test.» Stain said disinterestedly «People only show who they really are when they come face to face with death. Although distorted, I was able to sense your belief……... it will be interesting to see what comes of it.»
The Hero Killer's voice held interest and calculation, but the atmosphere stayed tense: none of those present believed it was over.
«Our ideals don't match, but I won't interfere with your plans. However, I could get rid of you if you put a spoke in my wheels.»
The meaning of what Stain just said was clear: mutual non-interference
«Get rid of us… I don't want a madman on my team.» Tomura stated irritably. «Tsk… Take him back to where you found him, Kurogiri.»
«Let's finish our chat. I have to go to Hoshu…» Stain said seriously «I have some business to finish.»
*****
Above a water tank on one of Hoshu's many roofs, a black hole with misty outlines formed, and from it Stain emerged, accompanied by Tomura.
«Ah, Hoshu.» Tomura spoke sarcastically «It's better than I thought…»
«More sacrifices must be made to purify this city.» Stain stated, ignoring Tomura's sarcastic tone.
«So these are the outstanding issues you were talking about?»
«It took you less than expected to figure this out.» Stain said in a tone of amused mockery.
«Keep joking...»
«Only those who have committed extraordinary acts have the right to be called 'heroes.' Too many brag about this title they don't deserve.» Stain began indignantly «Until this world understands this, I will continue to act.»
After that statement, Stain moved toward the next 'sacrifice.' Tomura watched him go, scratching his neck in annoyance as the sun slowly descended and the wind blew.
«But what an emotional speech I just heard from the mouth of a bloodthirsty psychopath.» The tone of voice was low and annoyed «I almost feel moved by how an idiot can be so brave…»
«No idiot would have been able to do what he did.» Kurogiri spoke, attracting Tomura's attention.
Kurogiri materialised at his side. His torn clothes from the clash at the bar had been replaced, restoring his professional aura.
«All the cities he terrorised saw a visible increase in crime and, as a result, further sensitised the heroes. It was an effective method, though one criticised on moral grounds.»
«A hero killer who pushes other heroes to try harder.» Tomura's tone of voice hadn't lost its sarcastic edge, but it was also monotonous «Training heroes by eliminating others? Crazy stuff!»
Tomura crossed his arms and brooded, dissatisfied with the results of the Hero Killer that had just been reported to him. In the end, it was just as Stain had said: the same goal, but different ideals.
«I won't stand by and watch him brandish a sword and make a name for himself. If he wants destruction, then he will have all the destruction he wants.» Tomura said, laughing sickly «Let's play a game. Your pride, self-esteem and prestige will be at stake. I'll crush them, dear my 'senpai'.»
Tomura turned to Kurogiri. The man, composed of black mist, was there, waiting.
«Kurogiri, pass me the cellphone.»
At those words, the fog man passed a cellphone to his protégé
«What are you thinking, Shigaraki?»
«Simple.» Shigaraki smiled as he pressed a specific key sequence «We don't need Stain, but his name… so we'll take it, leaving his body behind.»
When the person on the other side of the phone answered, Shigaraki smiled fiercely.
«Sensei… How many Nomu can the doctor provide me?»