Chapter 46

One would think that with the death of Shigaraki and All for One, everything would be better. It was a naive man who once said, 'All is well that ends well'.

*Tick*

My situation had become even worse than it was before.

Earlier, onky a select few individuals knew of my abilities to heal. But, after the battle with All for One was live telecasted on the news, my abilities were on air for the entire world to see.

Within one night, I was the target of criminal organizations, secret societies, and morally grey government agencies. I could 'hear' the clock ticking for them to come and try to capture me or kill me.

'I have to be more ruthless. Capturing the one who comes after me won't be enough. I need to show them that coming after me is bad for business. Deal so much damage to them so that they decide to leave me and mine alone.'

*Tick*

The clock in the room ticked as I waited for my turn to give my statement to the police. I was mentally exhausted and wanted nothing more than sleep.

Tsukauchi, along with the Commissioner of Police of Yokohama Prefacture and an officer of the Hero Association, entered the room to record my statement.

"Alright, Phantasm. Explain in detail everything that transpired during the villain attack on your summer camp and the incident in Kamino."

And so I began to explain how the villains attacked in the night, my capture, my subsequent torture at Shigaraki's orders, and the battle against All for One.

*Tick*

"Phantasm, your safety is going to be the Association's priority. You are an asset we can not lose. With a healing power such as yours, you are even more valuable than Recovery Girl. So, we will be revoking your duties of patrolling effective immediately. You will stay within the walls of U.A. until we say otherwise. However, you will keep your provisional license just in case you need to defend yourself. Is that understood?"

Obviously, I voiced my protest openly.

"No, there's a lot I have to do, and none of it will be done if I'm sheltered all the time. I'm needed in the field, not behind doors, away from 'danger'! I know that Recovery Girl was heavily protected and still is under U.A.'s protection. But unlike her, I can fight! Let me take the fight to my would-be attackers. Wasn't this why I was given the license? To bait the scum and neutralize them."

My fist clenched as my knuckles cracked. I was not going to hide.

But...

"Your pride is of no concern to us, Phantasm. You will not be doing any more field work. This is not a request! You are being ordered to stay put. So listen to your superiors, and don't make us punish you for insubordination!"

I could only grit my teeth and accept my orders.

"You'll be allowed one visit to your family. After that, your contact with everyone will be strictly monitored, and the calls will be traced to make sure they are authentic. Do you have anything to say?"

'Yeah, fuck your mother and your sister's horse hole. Get bent and railed by rabid pigs, you gangrenous penis and balls.'

"... No."

"You may leave."

*Tick*

The ticking of the clock was all that filled the silence in the room before I walked out.

I talked to my parents and informed them of my situation. They were relieved that I was safe, and I didn't tell them about me becoming a target for the target of the entire world.

Meanwhile, All for One was finally confirmed dead. The biggest evil of the world was dead.

A total of 26 Nomu were destroyed. Another 12 were captured, and 15 incomplete experiments were seized. It was a big victory in everyone's eyes... Except mine.

Garaki Kyudai had evaded capture. Even his name hadn't come up so far in the investigation. I knew very well how dangerous it was for him to be free.

He was perhaps the greatest genetic engineer in the world. A man who could make Shigaraki a monster of a being and give All for One two bodies to reside in.

My mind drifted to the Yakuza and the existence of Eri. If Garaki were to come in contact with them and get hold of Eri's blood, it was going to be the worst possible outcome for the world.

Everyone was still reeling from the fact that All Might could no longer be a hero, and his absence could be felt immediately. There was a sudden spike in crimes amongst the more protected areas, which could be directly attributed to All Might's retirement.

Endeavor was more than willing to fill in as the new number 1 hero on the billboards. Many would say that he was overzealous in his approach as the new top hero when he burned a truck full of prison escapees alive, but I digress.

He was doing what he was supposed to do; Instill the fear of death in the hearts of the villains. He wasn't inspiring to the masses like All Might, but the man did know how to handle the villains.

Also, due to the incident, Uncle Lithoba's visit to Musutafu was canceled. Instead, I was going to meet him at my parents's home back in Aichi Prefacture.

I was given three days to spend with my family. A member of the association drove me all the way from Musutafu to Aichi. It was the longest six hours of my life. All the time, I could only try and think of a way to get out of my predicament.

They dropped at the end of the road, which led to my house and said before leaving, "Remember, keep your head low. The Association has been monitoring the area, so there won't be any danger here. Still, keep your eyes open for threats. We will pick you up in three days."

With my bag in my hand, I sighed as they left. I turned around and saw my siblings. They were playing in the garden and had just laid their eyes on me.

"Nii-chan!!" They collectively yelled and exited the gate to run towards me.

"Hey! Careful!"

Their laughter filled the silence of the evening.

'I guess I deserve a break.'

*Tick*

'Hm?'

*KABOOOOOOOM*