"Is it just him? " Bakugo's sharp eyes darted over the figure before him, scanning every inch, trying to gauge the perimeter. His breath came in short, controlled bursts as waves of heat pulsed from his palms, keeping him hovering in midair. "How many guards are stationed here? " he muttered under his breath, his voice tight with urgency. His gaze flickered to the shadows beyond the stronghold. "Are those ninja dead? Did he kill them? "
His stomach twisted. He glanced over his shoulder, a slight wave of unease creeping in.
"What the hell is this guy's deal? Is he with All For One? Does he know about Tsuki? " The thoughts clawed at the back of his mind, gnawing at his focus.
"Are you here for Akai-chan?" the man's voice sliced through the tense night air, smooth and unnervingly casual. A slow, sickening smile crept across his face. "Ms. Tsuki Akai? The master's favorite."
A sharp chill stabbed through Bakugo's chest, his breath hitching involuntarily. His muscles tensed, his hands trembling just slightly before he steadied them.
"What?" he stammered, the word barely a whisper, his throat suddenly dry.
The man's grin stretched wider, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "Right on the money then, huh?"
Bakugo's heart slammed against his ribs. "Damnit." Without another second of hesitation, he propelled himself forward, rage igniting in his veins. "WHERE IS SHE?!" The blast ripped through the air, roaring toward the man like a force of nature.
But in a blur, he was gone—hovering effortlessly above, looking down at Bakugo with the same maddening smile.
"You're rather aggressive, aren't you?" he remarked, almost playfully.
Bakugo gritted his teeth, fury boiling beneath his skin. "Damn bastard," he spat, scanning the area. "He's fast." He dropped to ground level, his boots hitting the pavement with a sharp crack. Without slowing, he launched himself forward, blasting his way across the empty street, propelling faster and faster. The stronghold loomed ahead, just forty meters away. "I don't have time for this crap. This mission isn't about these villains ... it's about getting Tsuki back."
"Did you ignore me?"
The voice rang out like a phantom in his ears. Bakugo's eyes widened. He whipped his head to the left; and there he was. The man was running beside him, matching his speed step for step, completely at ease.
"How the hell did he catch up to me? " Bakugo's chest tightened, his pulse racing in his throat. He ground his heels against the pavement, skidding to a sudden stop. The momentum sent bits of concrete flying as he quickly reeled himself in.
He clenched his fists, squaring his stance. "I guess this guy isn't someone I can just ignore."
Straightening, Bakugo jerked his head toward the looming stronghold, his voice sharp and cutting. "Are you the boss here?"
The man tilted his head, as if considering the question carefully before humming in amusement. "The boss?" His grin widened, eyes gleaming with something far too sinister. "Mmm, no. That would be the one you call All For One," he said, letting the name roll off his tongue with an eerie fondness. He giggled softly. "Is that what you're referring to?"
Bakugo felt a familiar heat rise under his skin, his jaw tightening as a vein throbbed by his cheek. "This guy is really starting to piss me off." He swallowed down the urge to launch himself at him right then and there, knowing he couldn't afford to waste energy.
