Chapter 123: Chapter 33
In his office at U.A. High, Principal Nezu sat perched on a stack of cushions, a steaming cup of tea in his paw. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air and catching the sheen of his white fur. Nezu, a creature of indeterminate origin—mouse, dog, bear, perhaps a touch of badger—was a marvel of nature and nurture. He possessed High Specs, a Quirk that gifted him with intellect far surpassing that of any human.
He enjoyed brewing tea and giving long-winded lectures about education.
Nezu had endured experiments by humans trying to figure out his gifts, which left him with a mean streak.
Nezu, with his usual attire: a white dress shirt, a dark red tie, a black double-breasted waistcoat, matching dress pants, and orange sneakers.
The television mounted on the wall flickered with images of Kamen Rider Den-O's recent escapades. The news anchors debated the merits of vigilantism, the collateral damage, and the ethical implications of a hero who operated outside the established system. Nezu, however, was more interested in the how than the why.
An intriguing development, he mused, sipping his tea. A hero without a Quirk, or so it seems.
The emergence of Quirks had reshaped society, creating a world where power was often synonymous with genetic lottery. Those born with extraordinary abilities were lauded, trained, and placed on pedestals. Those without were often relegated to the sidelines, their potential overlooked, their contributions undervalued.
Nezu, of all people, understood this dynamic. He, too, was an anomaly, an outlier. An animal blessed—or cursed—with human-level intelligence. He was grateful for his position as the principal of U.A., where he had the chance to shape future heroes, but he never forgot his past. The scientists who saw him as nothing more than a subject, the society that struggled to accept him.
And now, here was Kamen Rider, a young man who seemingly defied the Quirk-centric world. His abilities, derived not from genetics but from some external source, challenged the very foundations of hero society.
"So, a teenager has the skills to beat Muscular?" Nezu mumbled to himself.
Nezu swirled the tea in his cup, his beady black eyes fixed on the screen. The news report shifted to footage of Kamen Rider Den-O, the camera capturing a close-up of the teenager's face as he addressed the crowd.
Nezu leaned forward, his whiskers twitching. "Intriguing," he murmured, a hint of a smile playing on his snout. "Very intriguing indeed." He thought about how he could use this teenager to the benefit of U.A.
[KNOCK KNOCK] 🔔
The door to Nezu's office burst open, and All Might strode in, his presence filling the room with an almost tangible aura of hope and strength. He wore a bright yellow suit, immaculately tailored to his muscular frame, a crisp white shirt, and a blue tie adorned with a subtle pattern of tiny "V"s.
"Principal Nezu! I am here!" All Might boomed, his voice echoing through the office.
Nezu chuckled, unfazed by the sudden entrance. "Ah, All Might, always a pleasure. Please, come in, come in. No need to announce your arrival like a one-man parade." Nezu gestured towards a plush armchair. "How goes the training of your successor?"
"Young Midoriya is progressing admirably!" All Might replied, striking a pose. "He has the heart of a hero, that is for certain. Though, mastering One For All is proving to be… quite the challenge."
All Might's gaze then drifted to the television screen, where the footage of Kamen Rider Den-O continued to loop. His brow furrowed slightly as he watched the young vigilante in action.
Nezu followed All Might's gaze. "And what, pray tell, is your opinion of our mysterious Kamen Rider?"
All Might sighed, his smile fading slightly. "His intentions seem… well-meaning, I suppose. Protecting the innocent is always commendable. But resorting to vigilantism is not the answer. We have a system in place for a reason. A framework of laws and regulations to ensure that heroes act responsibly."
He paused, his expression turning somber. "And if what I've heard is true… that he has killed villains… I simply cannot endorse it. Even though I have killed villains before, it was only as a last resort. It was only because the villain was too powerful and dangerous to be kept alive, and was going to hurt people. It was the only way to protect innocent lives."
Nezu nodded, understanding All Might's perspective. "I appreciate your viewpoint, All Might. But I also consider Kamen Rider's. He is, after all, still quite young. And from what I've gathered—watching the news, reading police reports, scouring the internet—he seems to be, at his core, a good person."
He steepled his paws in thought. "He has saved countless people from danger. He has helped those in need. And those villains he seemingly kills… they are rather… unusual, to say the least."
Nezu narrowed his eyes slightly. "Those he killed were mutant-type quirks. I do not know why he chooses to eliminate these kinds of people, but I believe there is a deeper meaning to it. Some connection we have yet to uncover. Like these people, for example. The hippo and gorilla-looking people had no ID, no history. It was as if they just suddenly appeared."
He turned back to All Might, his expression earnest. "With proper guidance, All Might, with the right kind of mentorship, Kamen Rider could become a truly great hero. A force for good that could inspire hope and change the world."
Nezu paused, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "And there's also the matter of him claiming to be Quirkless."
All Might's head snapped up, his blue eyes widening in disbelief. "Quirkless?! But… how is that possible? To possess such power without a Quirk… it defies all logic!"
On the television screen, the camera zoomed in on Den-O's belt, a sleek, high-tech device with glowing buttons and intricate circuitry. The reporter speculated on its origins, suggesting it might be a support item of unprecedented sophistication.
"Indeed," Nezu mused, tapping a paw against his chin. "Kamen Rider states that his power stems from his belt. Whether he constructed it himself or acquired it elsewhere, it is quite the piece of amazing technology."
He paused, a faraway look in his eyes. "The abilities he displays are diverse, varied… almost as if he possesses multiple Quirks."
A flicker of alarm crossed All Might's face. He remembered a shadowy past figure who had possessed multiple Quirks. One For All was created to face this man, but even then he still lost. The same man injured him, leading to his weakening condition today. The thought that there might be someone else with the same capabilities sent a shiver down his spine.
"Does this Kamen Rider have any connection to… that person?" All Might asked, his voice unusually grave.
Nezu shook his head. "I do not know, All Might. I wish I did. That is what I am hoping to discover."
He sighed, his gaze softening. "But I do hope that someday, we can come into contact with Kamen Rider and see if we can help him or not."
All Might stared at the television screen, his expression thoughtful. "What is he doing right now?" he wondered, his mind racing with possibilities and concerns.
Meanwhile, with Ace.
Ace stirred, his eyelids heavy. A dull ache throbbed behind his temples, a souvenir from his latest tussle with the Pro Heroes and the Taros. He blinked, trying to dispel the fog clouding his mind. Where was he?
His gaze drifted upwards, settling on a ceiling he didn't recognize. It wasn't the familiar, slightly stained plaster of his room above Starry. This ceiling was a smooth, pristine white, adorned with a delicate, floral-patterned light fixture. Panic began to set in.
He propped himself up on his elbows, his eyes darting around the room. It was undeniably feminine, filled with the telltale signs of a woman's domain. A vanity table overflowed with makeup brushes, lipsticks in every conceivable shade, and small bottles filled with mysterious liquids. Dresses hung in the closet. High heels were stacked on the floor. This was definitely not his room.
Then, he felt it. A subtle shift in the mattress beside him. He froze, his heart pounding in his chest. Slowly, cautiously, he turned his head.
Lying next to him, tangled in the silk sheets, was Mt. Lady.
She was out of her hero costume, her long blonde hair splayed across the pillow. She was completely naked. Her face was relaxed, her expression peaceful. She was fast asleep.
Ace's mind short-circuited. He sat upright, his eyes wide with disbelief and dawning horror. What is going on!!!
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz