Chapter 25: Making Money the legit way.
Not just anyone can become a villain.
"Fire! There's a fire!"
To become one, you need a goal—a motive to keep you going.
"Save me! Kyaa! Save me!"
A goal powerful enough to justify yourself to none other than yourself.
"Amazing! You're amazing, Mechamaru!"
Shigaraki shouted in excitement, seeing Mechamaru standing in the middle of the bank's reception, surrounded by burning people everywhere.
He didn't even move a finger; in the blink of an eye, every person surrounding Mechamaru simply ignited in flames.
"Hehehe, let me help you..." Shigaraki's eyes turned crescent as he raised his hand toward the stunned bank employee.
Under her horrified gaze, Shigaraki's hand approached her face. But just before Shigaraki could turn her to dust, a flame ignited on the employee's body, making her scream in fear and roll around in an attempt to extinguish it.
"It seems you got her first, Mechamaru."
"Let's focus on breaking the vault first."
"Okay!"
Shigaraki replied cheerfully before making his way toward the sealed doors.
Mechamaru gave the burning people a look. By now, all of them had fallen, motionless, with flames continuously burning on their bodies. If he wanted, he could have turned them to ash in an instant, but that wasn't his goal.
He stopped burning a very minute layer of their skin before halting the flames. The sudden burning sensation was enough to shock them into unconsciousness while sparing them from severe harm.
Perhaps it was the last shred of conscience he retained, or maybe it was his greed for harvesting faith points from them. Either way, he didn't plan to kill anyone.
"You... monster!"
Mechamaru turned his head after hearing the loud voice. A man in a chicken outfit appeared at the front gate of the bank.
It was a hero.
Mechamaru looked at the unknown hero with his green, orb-like eyes.
"You! I'll bring you justi—Aaargh!"
Before the chicken hero could do anything, his body was covered in flames, burning his skin and making him scream in pain. His miserable, struggling figure was reflected clearly in Mechamaru's green eyes.
Before executing the heist, Mechamaru had carefully chosen the bank's location. It was far from the reach of most major heroes.
By now, the chicken hero had stopped screaming, and silence once again filled the room.
After some time...
"It's done, Mechamaru! We've collected all the money!"
Shigaraki waved at Mechamaru while exiting the bank's vault.
Mechamaru nodded at him, then looked at the surveillance camera that had been recording everything until now. With a single glance, the camera burst into flames and disintegrated.
"Let's go," Kurogiri said as his shadow flickered and covered both Mechamaru and Shigaraki before they disappeared.
While they vanished with all the money, the police outside continued to vigilantly watch the bank's entrance.
It was inevitable. Kurogiri's ability was just too convenient.
----
Back at the Villain's Hideout
Mechamaru was sorting through the cash, gold, and other valuables they had stolen.
"I've informed the dealer," Kurogiri said.
Mechamaru nodded and got up. But just as he was about to leave, a hand rested on his shoulder, followed by an excited voice.
"Hey, hey, Mechamaru, how long will it take to create that super robot you told me about?"
Shigaraki's eyes shone as he asked the question.
Mechamaru looked at him. Shigaraki had agreed to rob the bank because Mechamaru told him about the super robot. Without that incentive, he wouldn't have been able to convince Shigaraki, who only wanted to destroy everything. And if Shigaraki hadn't agreed, neither would Kurogiri nor the dealer who would help them procure the parts.
"A month? If we can get all the parts—"
"Kurogiri, tell the dealer to hurry up!" Shigaraki commanded excitedly.
"Yes, Shigaraki..."
----
UA Class 1-A Exam Hall
With his head resting on his hand, Kurokai closed his eyes and silently enjoyed the morning sunshine streaming through the window. Meanwhile, everyone else in the class concentrated heavily on the exam in front of them.
'The questions are the same as Kurokai said...' Jiro's eyes sparkled as she stared at the paper with questions identical to those Kurokai had taught them. Her hands trembled with excitement. For the first time in her life, she felt she could get good grades!
Jiro wasn't the only one feeling this way. Kaminari and Kirishima were equally thrilled, mentally thanking Kurokai for his help. Even Momo couldn't help but steal glances at Kurokai from time to time. Seeing his carefree attitude—as if the exam didn't matter at all—left her with an inexplicable sense of defeat.
'Strength, looks, intelligence, character... Kurokai-kun is perfect in every area,' she thought.
Kurokai's strange behavior suddenly flashed through her mind.
'Well, maybe his character is a little crooked...'
Momo shook her head to erase the thought, focusing back on her test.
After everyone had completed their papers, they submitted their answer sheets to Teacher Eraser one by one.
When it was Kurokai's turn, he handed his sheet to Teacher Eraser with a smirk and whispered, "Try harder next time."
Eraser Head's face darkened instantly. He nearly crumpled the answer sheet in frustration but held back. He still had to grade it.
Kurokai's test was different from the others. Eraser Head had stayed up all night crafting a custom paper specifically for him, determined to see the kid struggle. But Kurokai had finished it in just five minutes, his relaxed demeanor infuriating the teacher.
"You might as well frame it," Kurokai quipped before returning to his seat.
Crack.
The sudden sound of something breaking caught everyone's attention.
Eraser Head's Office
Eraser Head sat silently, staring at Kurokai's answer sheet.
It was impeccable.
Every answer was correct.
The kid was a genius.
But instead of anger, Eraser Head felt something different.
"This kid... he's something else," he muttered with a rare smile.