Chapter 94 - Freedom For Those That Reach for It

---Soma Familia House---

Approaching their home I could already see Lily and a few others being beaten for their earnings from the day prior. I knew they weren't saints themselves, but I also knew most only did what they had to to survive. If given a proper, safe place to live they wouldn't stay the way they were now. Punching a hole in the wall, some of the debris hit the attackers knocking a lucky few unconscious. Stepping into the room the Supporters quickly grabbed their belongings and scurried off.

"Shit, don't let the little shits-", several of them shouted.

"You have bigger things to worry about, piss ants.", I growled making a mace in my hand, "I saw you attacking those Supporters...you must think you are pretty strong being able to beat a Supporter, right? I mean, you can just replace them am I right?"

Agreeing with me they felt a chill run down their spines as they realized I wasn't being serious. Swing the mace, I separated three of their heads from their bodies spraying their comrades with their blood. Watching the heads of their assailants hit the ground in front of them, the Supporters screamed with fear.

"I am here because you have been using and abusing the Supporters...", I told them with a cold tone, "No one may have listen to their cries for help before, but that changes today. If you get on your knees and beg for their forgiveness I will let you live. Your comrades tried to trick a woman into paying for their fake injuries from kicking her stall...they are currently pushing daisy's."

"Fuck you!!", the Adventurers shouted charging me.

Using my heat vision I reduced them to ashes instantly, then turned to the Supporters cowering in fear. Walking over to them I knelt down and healed their injuries. Asking if they wanted to leave the Familia to strike it out somewhere else they hastily agreed. Seeing this is their only chance at escape they quickly accepted the offer. Breaking their contracts with Soma with a snap of my fingers, I gave them some money to find a new place to stay for the night.

"Why are you helping us?", Lili asked me.

"Because I am a Hero.", I told her with a smile, "A Hero does what others won't, and that's why I came. No one was coming to help you, so I came to save you from this life. If you have any problems with your Former Captain or Vice Captain just let me know. I will make sure they don't bother you anymore."

"Assuming they stick the landing.", Spectre and Ghost Rider snickered in my head.

Going up to see Soma, I found him in his room brew more booze. Unsurprisingly he didn't really react to my present, but I could detect a hint of fear in him. Pulling up a seat in front of his table, I stared him down in the eyes. Giving him a moment to compose himself I asked him he let such actions slid. There was no way he didn't know that the weaker people in the Familia were being beaten for their earnings. They were cheating, stealing, and killing just a cup of his drink...yet he did nothing to punish them.

"Mortals are greedy beings...", Soma told me, "Even if I stop them, they won't change."

"Mortals are also arrogant, prideful, and spiteful...yet all of you Deities still came down to interact with them.", I pointed out, "All of you Deities know the flaws of mortals, but only a few of you actually try to help them fix those bad aspects. It's their choice to commit crimes to get your alcohol, you aren't forcing them too so I can't blame you for that. I can blame you for leaving the weak to suffer in silence because you allow the strong to take from the poor here. You control what they want, and you don't care about their suffering. The problem with immortals is that you have are always looking down on the mortals, you don't see that you are just as corrupt as they are."

Stopping what he was doing he returned my gaze.

"Freya violates the agreement Deities made to seal off your powers, Ishtar desires to overthrow Freya's power by sacrificing an innocent girl...and you sit here in a room content to let the tears and cries of your own family go unanswered.", I told him, "Immortals in this world are imperfect, and have the life experience to show it. All of you have your own faults, weaknesses, and strengths...you just hide them by saying that you superior to the mortals. You took those Supporters in as children, as the leader of your familia you had a duty to protect them to the best of your ability. All of them suffered because you stayed silent, and tried to maintain order by not intervening. You have let your familia cause issues all over the city! Just today several of your familia were harassing Hestia to try, and get free money off her."

"What would you have done...", he inquired.

"When I take someone into my family, I will do anything to protect them from harm. I support them in what ever endeavor they have, and am always there when they fall to help them back up. If they break the law, I will make sure they own up to it and suffer the consequences. You have to show love, but also maintain order.", I replied, "As the leader you are supposed to cultivate their strengths and support their weaknesses. A familia is supposed to be a home, a place where while the outside world may be in turmoil...you can feel safe and loved. That's all those children wanted...someone to give them a home, but you gave them a nightmare."

Pushing a cup to me he told me to try his wine. Taking a sip of it he waited to see what I thought of it. When I didn't say anything, he asked me how it tasted.

"It was lonely, cold, and empty.", I told him standing up, "If this is the best you have...I am not impressed.

His eyes went wide as he had expected me to falter.

"As the God of Spirits, you should know the best alcohol is always had when you are surrounded by your friends and those you love.", I stated, "With out that...all it is a way to bury your pain."

Closing the door behind me as I left his room, he lowered his head. For the first time in his life, someone told him that his spirits weren't the best and meant it. Some had tried to persuade him for seconds by calling it crap, but no one had downright walked away without finishing their cup. Guilt welled up in him as he started to weep in silence.

"What have I become...", he muttered to himself.

---Outside the Tower of Babel---

Returning to look over the sleigh that Joker had rode in on, I wanted a closer look at the blades on the bottom. Using my enhanced vision to examine the structure the creator was obviously Mayuri or Urahara. Judging by the honed edge, and careful craftsmanship they clearly were the only one with the skill set to make such a weapon.

"Something wrong?", Spectre asked.

"The Soul Society is literally maintains the balance of life and death in their world, and they also guide souls to the other side. These blades were made by the 12th Division Captain or the Former Captain...which doesn't bode well for whatever world they were put on now.", I answered rubbing my chin, "I don't see them making these willingly, and more over...I don't how they made them. A Soul Reaper's blade is the embodiment of their soul and should only be usable by the person who has the soul. This is definitely not Joker's Soul...if anything I feel the souls of several hundred people in these blades."

"There is Dark Magic at work.", Ghost Rider said looking at it, "This isn't natural..."

"You mean outside help made this possible?", I inquired.

"Yes.", he replied, "I smell Demonic energy infused in this blade."

"Hmm...", I said, "I suppose it's possible if one did a Soul Exorcise they could take that, and make an artificial Soul Reaper blade..."

"Someone as twisted and insane as Joker could wield this without any repurcussions, most people would have gone insane.", Spectre stated.

"Either way we can use this sleigh to trace it back to where it was created.", I chuckled with a smile, "Let's go home so we can-"

"Clark-kun!!", Hestia shouted running towards me.

Waiting for her to get close, I asked her what was wrong. Telling me she had heard some cruel rumors about me, she quickly told me what she had heard. Giving her a smirk as she told me everything, all I could was silently listen without being rude. Asking me if it was all true, I quickly nodded my head and opened a portal to my world. Seeing the modern world for the first time, her pig tails started moving around like radar antennas.

"Wow!!", she gasped, "You really are from another world!!"

"Yeah, I came here to hunt down Joker...", I told her.

"Does that mean you can't join my Familia?", she inquired.

Looking up at me with her big blue eyes, it was impossible to tell her no. Telling her I couldn't join at the moment, I did promise that I would join in the future though. Instructing her to be on the lookout for a white haired individual who was as skittish as rabbit, she nodded her head and said she looked forward to seeing me again with a big smile. Watching her leave, I could smell a familiar smell that reminded me of home...where my family was waiting for me.

---Earth-65---

After dropping off the sleigh with Kelex for a thorough examination, I went to see the ninja's again. Having sent the Tailed Beasts ahead, I was hopeful they hadn't said anything because I really didn't want to deal with a pissy Tsunade or a sad Hinata and Sakura. Walking into camp, I watched the children chasing the miniaturized beasts and all seemed to be calm for now. Checking on a few sick people before looking for Tsunade, I found her talking with Kakashi and the Mei.

"What's up all?", I asked with a smile.

"Seems you found the clown.", Kakashi stated.

"Yep, he is currently rotting in a hole with no way out.", I chuckled, "Something wrong?"

"Nothing really...out of the five Kaga's only 2 of us survived, and that was only thanks to Mei being in the Leaf Village for Naruto's wedding.", Tsunade told me, "We have a mix of several different villages here, and we are trying to make as many people happy with how we will govern as possible."

"I understand, planning for the future while you have the time now.", I nodded agreeing with that sentiment.

"Yeah, it's just we have a lot of uncertainty right now.", Mei sighed, "Going to a copy of our world will only cause everyone problems, but with the numbers we have in a few generations we will no longer be able to use our Chakra. By then our bloodlines will be mixed with those that don't have Chakra so it will cease to exist. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but for us our heritage is important."

"I understand, your culture for your descendants will only be stories.", I acknowledged.

"Add that to not being able to bury our dead, being stuck here, and...", Tsunade sighed, "I am sorry...it's not your fault this is happening."

"It sort of is...", I said looking at my hands, "I-"

"We know what happened, we saw the devastation those Black Lanterns were causing. All of us acknowledge you had to do it, otherwise they may have come for us.", they replied with a soft smile.

Thankful that they understood why this happened in the big picture, I felt bad for them. I could certainly help find them a home, but they were right. In a few generations their heritage would only be legend as their access to Chakra waned till it faded away.

"Kid, if they are this concerned wouldn't one of those cultivation worlds work for the majority of them? Those people have Chakra and Energy Manipulation.", Spectre stated.

"Yeah, but at their current strength they would be slaughtered by an Average Sect.", I retorted.

"Why not let them have that option?", he told me, "It's their lives to live."

Understanding that I presented the option to them. Showing them several options they turned me down, and said that those worlds looked incredible dangerous. Stating that not everyone here was a shinobi, it would be even more dangerous for those without Chakra. Saying that they liked the option of living in my universe the best, they said they would have to integrate with my world over time and maybe Quirks with Chakra would appear from those offspring.

"Excuse me...", Hinata said softly as she approached us.

Looking back I saw that Sakura was also with her with a determined look. Asking them what was up, they told me they had a request.

"We would like you to help us train to get stronger.", they said.

"Me?", I questioned, "I am not a shinobi."

"Please!", they shouted, "We...we have to so something to help!! Our futures may have been stolen, but we want to prevent anyone else from losing theirs!!"

Seeing the determination in their eyes, I understood how they along with Ino, Tsunade, and Mei ended up in my harem. If we would end up working together, I could see how the potential for romance would spark. With them working with us, I could ensure their safety and happiness so I was more than happy to do it.

"If your third compatriot is game, I am more than willing to bring you onboard the team.", I chuckled.

"Damn, I thought you couldn't see me.", Ino laughed popping out of a puff of smoke.

"If you three are willing to learn, I will tell you that our trainers will put you through the wringers.", I chuckled, "Don't come crying to me if Rumi, Natasha, and Selena push you to the breaking point."

"We won't!", the three said saluting me like I was a commander.

"Got room for us?", Tsunade asked pulling Mei in, "I am tired of sitting here on my ass, I want to get some action!! I want to wipe the smirks off all of that bastard's comrades!!"

"Haha, I am sorry to say I have already taken care of him personally.", I told them with twisted smile, "He is serving an eternal sentence in Purgatory all alone in an empty white space."

"How is that torture!?", Tsunade shouted.

Showing her a view of the prison, they saw him rocking back and forth screaming for someone to say something. Pleading for even just a word he was trying to bite his hand off and tear his face apart. Seeing the mental breakdown he was having, all of them were at a loss as to how this was torture. Explaining how his personality was and how he functioned, they understood that robbing him of any interaction would literally break him.

"He will stay isolated from everything for lifetimes, with not a single word spoken to him. Eventually his insanity will reduce him to a crying sac of flesh, but he won't ever die. Forever will he be stuck in an infinite loop of silence that will never break.", I said closing the view, "For a normal person it would be terrifying, but for a man that fears nothing but isolation this is Hell. No amount of pain or torment I could have ever given him would have made him truely regret his actions."

"Thank you.", Hinata said bowing her head, "I don't think I can repay such a-"

Giving her a hug I told her she didn't owe me anything. Saying that I wasn't a Hero for profit, I was a Hero for those that needed a shoulder to cry on. Sakura quickly hugged me too before the two of them started crying. Patting their backs softy, I could hear the sounds of snickering behind me. Deciding not to react to the older women, I held the two women till they finished crying. Opening a portal to my world, I took the five women back to HQ so they could get training.

---MHA Universe (Clark's World)---

Leaving the women with the instructors, I told them to take it easy today but tomorrow would be hellish for them. Heading off to have lunch with the girls at school, I would finally be able to see the new Izuku.

---U.A High---

Having put this off for long enough, I arrived just as the women came in for lunch. Seeing that I had come for lunch today, they ran over to me and gave me kisses. The Izuku I saw was a chiseled, confident, muscular guy and next to him was a timid, quite Bakugo...who I almost laughed at for being in a dress. Remembering these two were definitely not the ones I knew from before I kept myself under control.

"Clark!", Izuku shouted, "About time you showed up for lunch again!! Come and sit!!"

'Son of a bitch...this isn't Izuku, this guy must be an Imposter.', I thought looking around, 'Where is the Emergency Meeting Button?!'

Taking a seat among my girlfriends I watched Kacchi, as her nickname was now, being pulled close to Izuku. Telling me that they had started a serious relationship recently, he was telling me all about their adventures. Behind my poker face I wore a face of disbelief as this was definitely outside my wildest dreams.

"So Clark, how's it feel being with so many women?", Izuku laughed.

"I love it, these ladies are the best in my opinion.", I said giving them a smile, "Kac...Kacchi, how is your mother doing?"

"She...she is fine.", Kacchi said softly, "She asks about you a lot."

"...about me?", I asked with silent gulp.

"Yeah, since Dad ran off with another woman she has been really lonely.", Kacchi stated, "Do you think you can take her in!! She has been asking me to invite you too dinner!! It's for saving me at the beginning of the year!!"

After her announcement steam poured from her head, and she buried her face in Izuku's arm. I had no idea about the circumstances other than that I had saved her, and now I learned that her mother was single. It kind of made since as her parents had probably changed a lot...meaning that if me hunch was right...

"Izuku, how are your parents?", I asked.

"Mom and Dad are off on their anniversary!", he chuckled, "Thanks for the suggestion of where to go, they are loving it in Italy."

'So now Izuku has his parents around, and Kacchi has a single mother...', I thought, 'I mean...as long as her mother is similar...I am not going to turn her away...'

"Haha, someone sure loves mature women!", I heard the two Spirits in my head laugh.

"Now Kacchi...what did you mean take her in?", Momo asked.

"I am sorry...I meant to come see her.", Kacchi replied in a soft voice.

"Sure...I can come over for dinner.", I answered, "How about next Friday?"

"...I will let her know.", Kacchi said.

Spending the rest of lunch listening to Izuku and Ida talk about sports. It was clear the lunch room had much more of masculine atmosphere now that Izuku was a confident person. He was really steering the conversations, and was seemingly still a good guy. Judging by Kacchi's looks it seemed he treated her a lot better than in the prior situation, which was good to see. Before lunch was over I got a call from Kelex stating that we had a breakthrough with the sleigh. Excusing myself I gave my girlfriends kisses before heading to the Fortress to see Kelex.

---Fortress of Solitude---

Giving me a reading for the sleigh's manufacturing, I sent it off to the Alliance and decided to scout out the world the sleigh came from, but as I went to the lab to get some things Selena and Ivy pulled me to the side. Asking them what was up, they causally dropped their clothing as Harley jumped on my back.

"We are only going to take a little bit of yah time.", Harley promised, "We just wanna have a little bit of fun."

"Aren't you three working?", I asked.

"We will be soon big boy.", Natasha said, "HR says you need a break from work."

"Whose head of HR?", I asked with confusion.

"Yu is, for now...she isn't the best.", Ivy laughed.

Looking the four of them over, at this moment I didn't think she was bad at HR. Taking me to the bedroom, Jean was waiting on the bed with a naughty smirk on her face. Closing the door behind me, I locked it and playfully tossed the women on the bed.

"Haha, I guess it's break time.", I said falling into the bed with them.

---Sometime Later, ???---

Having left the five of them passed out on the bed, I went to go explore the world the sleigh was on. Slipping onto the world it looked like a warzone, everything was crumbling apart with rotting corpses strewn every where. Soul Reapers, humans...no one escaped from the area I arrived in. Still sensing life here on the planet, I flew off to locate the source to see if I could still save people here.

Finding a small community of Soul Reapers protecting a community of humans in the middle of nowhere, I flew down and went to the first person I recognized...Kenpachi. Giving me a look that screamed 'Let's Fight' I sighed at him. Telling him to keep his keeping intent in check, I said I didn't have time to play with him today.

"I am surprised you were one of the Soul Reapers that survived this shit.", I told him.

"It was by choice, I can tell you that much.", he replied, "A bit hard to fight when your opponent launches a surprise attack, and knocks you for two weeks. You with that Clown Posse?"

"No, I just killed the clown.", I answered.

"Uh huh...whatever.", he sighed, "Things have been awful quiet around here, care to fight me?"

Before I could answer he launched himself at me. Grabbing him by the back of the head, I slammed him into the ground knocking several feet into the soil. Continuing to walk into camp, I left him to reflect on his life choices in silence. Walking into the camp I found Orihime and Ishida sitting around a campfire with Rangiku and Rukia. Seeing walk over the four of them got ready to fight me.

"All of you are so jumpy, I haven't even said hi and you are already to fight me. Kenpachi really is rubbing off on all of you.", I chuckled, "Seriously though, don't waste your energy fight me. I am not your enemy."

"Who are you?", Rukia demanded.

"In a way you Soul Reapers work for me.", I said exerting my Death Aura around the camp, "I think you can guess who I am."

Quickly sheathing their swords, the two Soul Reapers apologized to me. Telling the other two stand down in a hurry, they said they needed to stand down. Ishida immediately asked who I was so I spelled it out for him.

"I am Life and Death.", I said, "I am the Guardian of the Defenseless, and Protector of the Innocent. The reason I am here is because I killed a clown who led me here. Safe to assume you know who I am talking about."

"Yes...", Aizen said.

"Who the hell let you out of your cage?", I asked.

"We didn't have much of a choice, we needed all the hands we could.", Rukia stated, "We have less than 500 people left...all the rest are dead."

"I am sorry for your loss.", I apologized.

"If you are all of that, you sure showed up late.", Aizen jabbed.

"This isn't the only world that has had problems...", I refuted, "I have been trying to save as many people as I can. Just over a week ago I freed several dozen worlds from enslavement, and had to rehome all of them. Maybe if you weren't such an ass you could have helped out just a bit more, arrogant prick."

"Haha.", Aizen replied.

"Anyways, Urahara around?", I asked.

"He's over there with Little Lightning Kitty.", Rangiku giggled.

Heading over to wear she pointed, I wandered over to speak with him. I needed to confirm if Mayuri Kurotsuchi or Urahara had been the one to help Joker. Announcing my presence before entering tent, I walked in and found the two of them discussing a plan to come find me. Seeing the picture from the broadcast on the desk, they were clearly trying to make a method for contacting the Reed's. Turning around to see me, Urahara dropped his pencil with a relieved look.

"Looks like we don't have to get his attention.", Urahara sighed.

"Do I need to sign an autograph?", I chuckled.

"No, we could certainly use a place to stay.", Urahara stated, "We are all on our last legs here."

"I can arrange that, but first...who assisted the Clown?", I asked.

"What do you mean assisted the Clown?", Yoruichi questioned.

Planting part of the blade from the sleigh in the dirt, I stared at Urahara for an answer.

"This is the reason I ended up coming here. Several billion people were cutdown by blades like this, and their souls were destroyed.", I told him, "Only two people are capable of something like this...Mayuri Kurotsuchi or you."

"Several billion...", he hanging his head.

Sensing he knew, I asked him if it was to spare the people here. Nodding his head he admitted to having made the blades in exchange the safety of the people here. Telling me that after making the blade they almost went back on the promise, and that was when the broadcast came over the televisions.

"When they saw you they panicked, and left us here.", Urahara stated.

"You don't need to apologize to me...there is only a few people left from the world I mentioned. One of the women was about to get married when this happened...her husband to be was among the dead.", I told him.

"I...", he said feeling guilt well up in his chest, "I was only trying to save us...if I hadn't done it we'd be dead."

"You did what you had too, I don't fault you for that.", I told him with a soft smile, "Just know that not everyone you will meet will agree with that."

"I know...I was prepared for that.", he said, "I...I just didn't think he would kill that many."

"Come on, let's get all of you out of here. Is that Old Man Shunsui around?", I asked.

"Yeah, he's off reading a book.", Urahara stated, "Let me show you where he is."

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Author Note: All I can say is...the plot thickens nicely. Have a nice day readers!