My Hero Academia: The Dragon's Quirk

The sky over I-Island had shifted from bright blue to a golden orange as the afternoon sun began to set. However, that natural beauty felt like a mockery of the new reality gripping the island. Inside the main control tower, now serving as the PLF headquarters, Slither oversaw the final transfer process of 'Asset E' with cold efficiency.

The giant cryogenic container was carefully lowered into a cargo elevator shaft, heading towards the most secure sub-level laboratory at the base of the tower. The room had been re-fortified, and dozens of PLF and Humarise scientists had set up their workstations, ready to continue their research on this source of limitless power.

"With 'Asset E' secure here, and the island's defense systems under our control," Slither reported to Re-Destro's hologram, "even if every hero in Japan shows up, they won't be able to touch us."

"Don't get arrogant, Slither," Re-Destro replied. "True strength isn't an impenetrable fortress, but the ability to destroy your enemy before they even approach your gates. Prepare all defenses. I want that island to be a kill zone for anyone who dares to approach."

Aboard the naval destroyer serving as the command center for the HPSC fleet, Japan's finest heroes gathered around a holographic strategy table. The air was heavy with the heat of the day just passed and the heat of restrained anger.

"What are we waiting for?!" Mirko roared, punching the holographic table until the image flickered. "Every second we wait, those terrorists are strengthening their position! I say we charge in right now!"

"Reckless, as always," Edgeshot countered, his voice as thin as paper yet sharp. "There are over ten thousand civilians and scientists trapped on that island. Our first priority is to ensure their safety. A frontal assault will only give the enemy thousands of hostages."

Endeavor stood in their midst, radiating an aura of power that silenced the other heroes. He had to play his part perfectly. "Edgeshot is right. We can't be blind. But Mirko is also right. We can't give them time."

He pointed to the map. "Here's the plan. An infiltration team led by Edgeshot will sneak in under the cover of night to disable their main anti-air defenses. A ground team led by Mirko will clear a path in the industrial sector to create an evacuation route. I..." he looked at the towering main tower on the map, "...will handle that tower personally."

The plan sounded logical and strong. No one knew that he had just set an attack path that would create the perfect chaos, exactly as Hawks had designed.

As twilight painted the sky in shades of purple and indigo, the atmosphere on the alliance's coral island base grew more tense. The heat of the day had given way to a humid night full of anticipation. The team performed a final check on their equipment.

Hawks stood before his main monitor, which displayed the movements of the hero fleet forming a steel ring around I-Island. "They're in position," he said. "According to the HPSC intel I managed to intercept, the main assault will begin at dawn, around 04:00. That gives us one full night."

He turned to Tatsumi and Akame. "The PLF will focus all their defenses to the north, facing the fleet. That's our diversion. You will enter from the south side, through the underwater route we've mapped. Remember," he emphasized each word, "your target is the lab tower. Plant the malware. Visual confirmation. And most importantly, do not be seen by either side. To the PLF and the heroes, you do not exist. You are ghosts."

Leone approached Tatsumi, who was standing at the edge of the cliff, staring at the lights of I-Island that now looked like trapped jewels.

"Seeing all that..." Leone said softly, her usual cheerful tone a little deeper now. "Makes my stomach churn a bit. And I don't get churned easily." She looked at Tatsumi. "You sure you're ready for this, Dragon Boy? Facing that 'Ice Queen' again, even if she's just asleep?"

Tatsumi didn't take his eyes off the island. "I'll never feel 'ready' to face her," he answered honestly. "But I have to do it. Not just to stop the PLF, but... for Akame. And for everyone waiting for me back home." His motivation had crystallized within him, no longer just about survival, but about protection.

Leone smiled, a genuine, warm smile. "Good answer." She ruffled Tatsumi's hair as she often did. "Make sure you come back in one piece, okay? You still owe me a whole lot of drinks."

The night grew later. They waited in tense silence, with only the sound of the waves and the whisper of the wind as their companions. Every minute felt like an hour.

Suddenly, far on the horizon, the night sky above I-Island exploded in a brilliant orange flash. A few seconds later, a deep, earth-shaking boom reached their island.

BOOM!

Hawks flinched, staring at his monitor. "What the hell?!" A single, massive heat signature shot from the hero fleet towards I-Island at incredible speed. "It's Endeavor! He's attacking ahead of schedule! Dammit, that old man can never follow a plan!"

The assault that was supposed to begin at dawn had now started in the middle of the night. Chaos had arrived sooner than expected.

Hawks wasted no time. He turned to Tatsumi and Akame, who were already on high alert, their faces illuminated by the distant flashes of fire.

"Change of plans! The diversion has begun! Now is your best chance while they're still confused! It's time to go!"

Tatsumi and Akame looked at each other. There was no hesitation in their eyes. Only cold determination. With a single, simultaneous nod, they ran to the edge of the cliff and leaped into the dark sea below.

The party had started. And they were the first uninvited guests.