NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 33: Recruitment???
"Don't worry Izuku, you're going to be fine,"
He couldn't help the sting in his eyes as he looked at that familiar pink hair and green eyes through blurred vision. He knew that she couldn't really be here, he had seen her leave. He saw her step into that portal to face those villains by herself. While he succumbed to the pain of his injuries.
"I'm sorry…." He hadn't realized the paramedics were there, taking him to the ambulance. His chest grew tight, and his breathing harsher. "I couldn't save you!"
Then she smiled, that same smile when she left. That confident, reassuring smile he had wanted to be able to give as a hero someday. Yet here there was still someone offering it to him. It was bittersweet.
"Don't worry Izuku," Then he slipped away, everything fading with his pain. "I don't wait around to be saved anymore,"
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The aftermath following the villain's attack was no less chaotic than the first time. The location had made it harder for authorities to arrive sooner as well as ambulances for the injured. It was ironic that the place chosen for safety reasons was used for its isolation to launch an attack. The end result was injured and poisoned students, as well as three missing persons, two students, and one hero.
Though Sakura had been taken with Katsuki, her clone had remained.
'I wish the original had at least called me back,' It was an awkward position to be left when she heard that the original had willingly stepped away with the villains after Katsuki had been taken. But it was understandable that this was an ultimatum situation that she couldn't refuse because she didn't know what might become of Katsuki.
These villains weren't like the criminals back in her world, they may be calculating but they could also be impulsive and lose themselves to whims. She couldn't count on predictability, so staying close to the problem minimized the risks.
Of course, that meant the clone Sakura was left with scrutiny from everyone. First, she and her classmates were taken to the hospital for checkups before the police would call them in to take statements.
It was between this routine that Sakura was cornered by her classmates in Momo's room. Izuku had been taken in for some surgery and Chiyo was currently tending to his injuries. Though clone Sakura had taken care of his burn wounds, unfortunately, his bones were shattered like shards of glass again and would need surgery before she could administer proper treatment. This was worse than what he had done to himself at the sports festival and Sakura had even sensed some ligament straining.
Once again she was denied access to treat Izuku after the ambulances took him in.
She had been able to treat Momo's head injury though, she also had some minor cuts and bruises. It was her and another student from class B that had the misfortune of encountering the Nomu that the League had brought with them.
Mina swallowed heavily, her hands trembling as she addressed the clone, "So you've been taken by them as well Sakura?"
"Seems that's the case," The clone replied casually.
"What were you thinking?!" Tenya hissed, "Of all the ludicrous things! You willingly put yourself at risk like that!"
"It's foolish," Shouto said in agreement. "You walked straight into danger, and we can't help you,"
The clone sighed, "It's not like they're planning on killing us, of course, that could change at any given moment. Even so, it was my choice, so it's nothing for you all to feel guilty about,"
Her classmates gasped in disbelief, "How can you say that?!"
"If the original body dies, then I'll disappear as well, since that hasn't happened yet it's safe to assume that I'm fine, and I won't let them do anything to Katsuki," Of course, the clone knew she probably wasn't going to be sticking around overnight here. It was tiring to keep clones active, and she didn't have the massive chakra supply like Naruto who could hold over a hundred clones for hours on end.
And if a fight was coming, she would want to conserve.
The original must have had a reason for letting her stay like this. Perhaps to relay what her likely thoughts were and to keep them from trying anything foolish. This way she would also be able to deal with the League on her terms instead of heroes. Hopefully, it would prove more effective.
"You say things like that as if your life isn't on the line right now!"
Sakura narrowed her eyes at Tenya, glancing as his voice attracted the attention of some hospital staff down the hall. "I know better than anyone what's at stake, which is why I did it. I was a primary target of theirs and they obviously had this planned out. To use Katsuki to bait me into obeying as their plan B was impressive and that says something. They're cautious of me. That means they aren't looking to face me in a straight-out fight,"
Ochaco held her hands together, she and Tsuyu had encountered the female member of the League and though she had only pulled knives on them without revealing her quirk, she had a literal taste for blood and a look in her eyes that felt like ice was running through their veins.
"How many reckless acts can you commit before you realize the danger you're in?" Tenya asked, holding out his hands as if begging with frustration. He stood rigid, but his face was like a rock ready to crumble. "Do you really intend to take on the league by yourself and save Bakugou?"
The clone shrugged, "I can't read the mind of the original, but since we're the same person I can assume her actions. She probably intends to save Katsuki and Ragdoll,"
And try to take down the villains once and for all so that they were no longer a nuisance that could come back. They were making themselves inconvenient.
"That's not your responsibility!" Tenya argued. This was such a difficult and confusing conversation to have since he knew this wasn't the real Sakura.
"The school is going to have a hard time dealing with all of this as well," said Tsuyu. "You shouldn't go out of your way to put yourself in any more danger, this will also reflect on the school and the teachers. We know you're strong Sakura, but if you go breaking the rules then you're no better than the villains,"
Sakura scoffed softly with a bitter smile, "That's not an angle to use if you're trying to convince me not to fight. The rules aren't relevant to me,"
"Yes, they are-
"Not when it's my life and someone else on the line,"
Sakura realized that what would happen at this point would likely affect the school's credibility. There were already reporters swarming the hospital trying to get a statement and the full story. Although some half-truths were already being broadcast on all forms of media possible. However, that wasn't her main concern. The public image of U.A. wasn't going to come first for her, and neither was following the rules.
"Well it's not like you can do anything now, since I'm already gone," Sakura stated bluntly. "It's better for you to stay put and follow the rules like good students, help settle things with the school. But the situation is different for me, I'm in the best position to act, so you all don't have to,"
Ochaco gasped, "What are you saying?"
Tenya didn't wait for her reply though, "You're being as reckless as I was that time!"
"And who was it that saved you?" The clone countered. Tenya and the rest of her classmates stopped their protests.
"I've lived through far worse than abduction and I've come out of it alive. I'm not some novice who needs a teacher to tell them in which direction to throw a punch. Those days have been over for a long while. You still have a long way to go before you think we can talk on equal footing on these matters. I have lived through a hell on earth that would break you."
Tenya didn't know what to say, but he was clenching his jaw that Sakura knew he wanted to do more to prevent her from doing anything. It was a pointless effort though what he was talking to was nothing more than a clone. Though she had a will it embodied the real Sakura through and through and their minds were set.
"Sakura, what do you mean?" Ochaco asked, but she simply walked away. Leaving them to wonder.
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Shouta was watching Sakura skeptically. Cool as a cucumber, she sat in the waiting area. Detective Tsukauchi had joined them at the hospital instead of letting her come down to the police station, as she warned that a clone would likely vanish and they didn't want to waste time with regular procedures.
"If you want to get any information out to the original, you should say it while I'm still here," Sakura said. "When I vanish all of my memories will transfer to the original and I don't want to spend too much time here so have your say now,"
Tsukauchi folded his arms, "Listen Haruno, we've been preparing to apprehend the league and we will certainly find you and Bakugou."
It seemed that they'd been looking into the villains for a while now. But she couldn't know how far ahead they were.
"What exactly are you planning to do?"
"That won't concern you, because your involvement will be limited to rescue," Shouta said. There were still many loose ends to tie before the plan could be implemented, the main objective was to find the missing students and hero and bring them to safety but there were other tasks that he didn't want Sakura trying to handle. "You're only concern is staying out of trouble, and placating the villains but no unnecessary engagement,"
This matter might have been something greater than they imagined, but this wasn't something they were intending to share with anyone outside of the heroes' circle. That included the students.
"So you want to send your assurances to the original instead of your actual game plan?"
"Yes," said Shouta, "You and Bakugou will be saved. So there will be no need for you to endanger yourself unnecessarily, do you understand? Forget that it's against the law, you cannot go against the league by yourself, endangering your life and potentially Bakugou's and Rag Doll's. Just stay calm and wait for us to do our jobs and save you,"
"I understand what you're trying to order me to do, but that's no guarantee I'm going to listen," She couldn't assure anything else. This was a type of extraction mission for her as well but Sakura would want to put an end to this threat. The League had escaped from the USJ, but they had continued to cause problems and were deliberately targeting the school and its students.
"Haruno-
The clone then vanished into a puff of smoke leaving behind an empty chair.
"Do you think she's going to listen?"
Shouta sighed, running a hand over his face. "I hope so,"
He hoped that she could believe in the heroes to save her.
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News of the League of Villains' attack on the training camp had become the number one topic in the media. There wasn't a single new station or paper that didn't reiterate the events. And many of those stories came with pictures, but none of the actual camp since only police, medical dispatch, and firefighters were given the location.
The media was also kept at arm's length from the students and the teachers were yet to give a statement, but that just gave them an excuse to fill the time with theories and criticism of the heroes and the teachers of U.A. in what they believed to be lacking.
The school that was usually greatly praised for its ability to produce some of the greatest heroes of all time, was now the subject of ridicule for its lack of safety in real emergencies such as this.
These last two days had been filled with silence for the most. Katsuki wasn't even spewing threats at the villains. Sakura had kept from prodding as she wanted them to make the first move, since there were hostages involved, including herself. If it had been just her, then things would've gone much differently.
It seemed Tomura had intended to wait for this story to spread across allowing his mood to sweeten in sick delight. Sakura was hoping this would make him vulnerable to subtle interrogation.
The television screen was small and the distance was a bit straining on the eyes, but Sakura could identify the three reporters sitting around the table to discuss the incident at the training camp as if they had a full understanding of what transpired. It was the night news when U.A. was finally willing to make a statement and they had called on the two homeroom teachers of the first year's heroics classes. Shouta and Sekijiro, the principal were also making an appearance and the clipped rolled of the press conference.
It was the first time Sakura had ever seen her homeroom teacher clean-shaven, his hair sleeked back and in a neatly ironed suit that was almost as stiff as him.
Shouta began by apologizing publicly for what happened. Though it was an incident that they had done their best to prepare for and couldn't help, there was still a stream of ridicule that followed in the form of questions from reporters.
"We apologize for causing unease in society due to our negligence in properly defending ourselves as a place of learning. We are truly sorry." The three took a deep bow. There was something that disturbed Sakura about seeing the man she had come to blows with bowing his head in this manner.
A reporter blatantly brought up the events following the League and U.A. from the start of the year, the attacks that had led to students being injured, and highlighted the school and faculty as incompetent and incapable of taking care of its students even though the situations weren't something that could be helped. Two of them had taken place outside of school, yet they were still directing it negatively onto them.
'It's ridiculous that they are having to answer for something they couldn't help,'
U.A had amazing security, but it wasn't like they could keep constant watch over their students. But because the faculty were also heroes, this was another bad reflection on those who took the profession of protecting and serving. Now the glamour of heroics was being sullied due to these events.
When they were asked to explain their countermeasures, Nezu gave a long list of security features they would be implemented from here on, but it wasn't what the reporter wanted to be said. This was merely baiting.
'I think I'm starting to get what these guys are really after,'
The image shrunk and the screen turned black, revealing Tomura's reflection. As he set down the remote he chuckled behind the hand on his face.
"I'm so grateful for all the publicity we've been getting. Don't you agree?" He turned back, looking at the two students sitting in their seats. Katsuki was restrained to a chair of steel with leather straps, his hands bound together, wrapped in cloth tight, and then sealed with an iron cage ending just above his wrists.
His companion wasn't in a much better state. Sakura had been tied to a metal chair with a good weight, her arms and hands were bound separately in a type of padding instead of metal. Suppose they were meant to be resistant to people with strength-based quirks.
"So, this was just an attempt to turn society against heroes, and you figured you'd try some head-on recruitment?"
Tomura gave a malicious grin behind the hand on his face, Sakura could feel the trickle of malicious intent. He seemed calmer than when they had first encountered him, it was like watching a child begin to mature. This might not be a good thing, since a childish persona made for more instinctual reactions that could border on predictable. It was something Sakura could play on easily, especially since he was the ring leader of the group.
However, if he was going to keep a calm demeanor it would be harder to break through to get the reaction she wanted. As she wasn't the only one being held against her will, she needed to be more calculated in her approach. Katsuki also wasn't one to openly cooperate despite their circumstances.
He was intelligent enough to know his actions would be a consequence for her as well right?
'He better,'
"Try looking at it from a new perspective," suggested Tomura, "Heroes are being criticized for dealing with things a little off the mark. But so many turns against them just because you students were allowed to put up a fight to protect yourselves since the heroes couldn't protect all of you at the same time. Don't you find that bothersome?"
Sakura held her head high, "Of course, heroes' rules are troublesome but it seems that you know my take on things already,"
One of the villain's Spinner, with a quirk that made him look like a lizard, was leaning up against the wall. His attire Sakura noted, was very similar to what Stain had worn. The league had clearly used Stain's appearance and the media's speculation of association to lure in recruits that followed the same fanatic beliefs. It was similar to how kids admired heroes and aimed to become them.
There was also the villain who introduced themself as Magne. These two Sakura hadn't directly encountered.
"Once a hero receives compensation for their actions, they aren't heroes anymore. That is Stain's teaching,"
Katsuki gritted his teeth in silence, but he kept his glare hard on the first day they arrived. He refused to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing fear in him. Especially Sakura who hadn't so much as batted an eye when she was restrained or held at knifepoint by one of these crazy villains.
"We know that you didn't join U.A because you wanted to play hero," Dabi clarified. "The hero public safety commission hauled you there after all your little stunts that should be giving you a record. Why is that? Do you think they were looking out for you? No. This was just a ploy to get you to become one of their puppets, with power like yours they weren't willing to risk passing you up to the villains. Unlike so many others they would've just shoved away into the dark,"
'These guys are already this far in,' That information wasn't exactly public knowledge. No one knew about her deal with the commission. There seemed to be an agenda for that group, but she couldn't care less if it kept her comfortable while she tried to complete her mission. When it served no purpose, she was determined to take her leave. That's why she wanted to take care of this group once and for all.
"I do what I want," Sakura stated.
"That's exactly why you should consider a change," Tomura said but she scoffed in turn. "The strange system of transforming people's lives into money and glory…The society that sticks tight to those rules…The citizens blame the losers rather than encourage them. Our fight is to question: What is a hero? What is justice? Is this society truly just? We'll have everyone thinking about it."
"Even if it costs people their lives," Sakura bluntly interjected. She knew that they were looking to unravel people's insights on heroes in society. Although her own beliefs were combatant against the majority, Sakura still understood that pulling the veil off their heads could lead to great repercussions. The League of Villains weren't looking to get society to open their eyes as individuals but were aiming to get a new collective perspective that was in their favor instead.
"We're planning on winning, you like winning too don't you Bakugou?" Tomura looked at the blonde now. "Dabi release his restraints,"
The flame villain looked back at his leader, "This guy's gonna fight you know, and there's no way I'm letting her free,"
"No, keep her restrained for now, but we are scouting them,"
'He has gotten smarter,' Just like they had used Katsuki as her leash, they were doing the same to him. If he wanted to escape, he would have to abandon her while trying to fight his way through on his own. Her life might even be used as a bargaining chip if he misbehaves.
Sakura laughed, "What a joke. You think this guy's gonna join you just because you promise an easy win,"
"It's so much more than that, it's the freedom to do whatever you want. Isn't that why you never listen to the commission or the heroes?" Tomura chided, but Sakura didn't respond. He looked at Katsuki again, "Release him,"
"He's going to go ballistic," Dabi stated.
"He should be able to tell from the current situation that he has no possibility of winning if he goes off here,"
Dabi looked at Twice, "Untie him,"
"What? Me!? No thanks!" Despite saying this, Twice walked over to Katsuski and started undoing his bonds. His expression had become stoic in that time, the rage leaving his face. As if he had become complacent.
"Don't do anything stupid," Dabi reminded him.
Sakura chuckled, "I get it, you think that if you keep me restrained he won't think about busting out on his own, ironic that you're counting on his heroic spirit when you're trying to turn us to the villain's side. But we haven't gotten along since the beginning of the year, so it's a fool move to keep me hostage against him,"
Tomura raised his shoulders, "Not at all, we're merely trying to show you our intentions. We won't harm you but if we release you both, you're likely to escape with your strength. You're strong, but you've been held back haven't you? Even punished despite your actions that saved others. Everyone here has different circumstances but people, rules heroes, we're all shackled by them,"
Katsuki rubbed his wrists which were finally free. He was quiet as Tomura walked up to him, "So you should understand-
The heavy smell of heated smoke filled the bar as Katsuki released a small explosion hitting Tomura in his face and knocking the handoff. "I've been listening to you idiots blabber on and on, learn to summarize! Basically, we want people to hate us so join us, that's what you're saying right? And holding Fivehead hostage against me? What a joke!"
The bonds around Sakura fell as she stepped out of her restraints her body had turned to liquid. The escape jutsu was one of the first skills taught to them at the academy and though they were strong, Sakura was able to step out freely with her small form and cut through on the inside using a chakra scalpel.
Katsuki grinned. He hadn't been expecting her to just escape but at least he didn't need to try blasting through them while fending off the villains.
"I've already been won over, by the way, All Might looks when he wins!"
Sakura chuckled at the grin on Katsuki's face when his eyes still reflected some fear. At least he understood the situation they were in. The villains were all standing upright, ready for a fight.
Sakura cracked her knuckles, "Hero and villains are all irrelevant to me. I just do what I want. And right now, I want to get back at you bastards for kidnapping me,"
The room filled with a strong bloodlust, "Hope you're ready,"