319 The Boys: Kenji to the rescue, Kimiko's kiss and Mallory wants to kill Madelyn Stillwell.

Sam found himself overwhelmed by a barrage of blows; this time he was completely outmatched. Letting out a cry of anger and desperation, he activated the device around his neck.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!!"

"Stay away from him! He shouldn't have to press anything!" MM shouted as he pulled harder on the Adamantium chain that prevented Sam from moving.

Allen also mentioned that the brothers had manually activated their devices by pressing a button, but warned not to be complacent as there was a possibility that Sam might have another method of activation.

Sam's eyes glowed with a metallic blue light. At that moment, if Sam had struck any of them, he would have killed them as easily as he would any other human.

MM tightened his grip on the chain, but it felt futile.

Anyone familiar with the power that Supes could wield might wonder: why create a way to enhance monsters that are already uncontrollable?

...

In his office, Stan Edgar looked out the window. This time, his gaze lacked the usual certainty about his actions, mainly due to the use of the modified Compound V.

A normal person wouldn't do this. He already had Homelander, an almost invincible monster, but he decided to create an even more powerful serum to enhance his abilities. Why? Was he seeking the destruction of humanity?

The man took a sip of his black coffee and placed the cup back on his desk.

'The more random factors, uncontrollable variables, and subjects with unknown information added to a plan, the greater the chances of failure,'

Stan Edgar had masterfully used Black Noir to keep Homelander under control. However, he also considered the possibility of his entire plan failing, as no plan is perfect. Neither Sage, Edgar, nor Allen could account for every possible variable.

Stan murmured, "From the moment Homelander was born, I knew he would one day turn against me. But creating a tiger to face a lion is even more dangerous. Now, how about a pack of hyenas?"

Stan Edgar ordered the search for a way to enhance Supe's abilities. Unfortunately, the experiment failed because the modified Compound V when consumed was able to kill Supes, with exceptions. The most powerful Supes could withstand the effects of using that compound.

Stan had Vogelbaum install devices to inject the compound when needed. This was done when Luke and Sam were still young and their skins were not yet invulnerable.

The one thing Stan Edgar couldn't even foresee was that Homelander himself would use that modified Compound V.

"But not everything that shines is a precious gem."

This enhancer had a cost, so it was to be used only as a last resort.

Stan Edgar looked at his computer screen where Sam Riordan's name had a blinking light, indicating that he had used the injection device.

...

Frenchie grabbed Hughie by the neck and pulled back. But Sam charged at them with even greater speed. He didn't need to break the chain; MM simply couldn't stop him. It was like a cowboy trying to stop a bull, and as a result, he was dragged along by Sam.

Frenchie and Hughie felt death staring them in the face, and it was raw and cruel. They had no time to apologize to anyone or say goodbye to their loved ones and friends.

"Hughie! Frenchie!" MM got up after being dragged, only to see his friends on the verge of being turned into pulp.

'Papa... Robin... I'm sorry,' Hughie closed his eyes, but the blow did not come. When he opened his eyes, Hughie was astonished to see that Sam had stopped before killing them. Why was he doing this?

Sam hadn't stopped of his own volition, as his normally expressionless face was now filled with rage.

"RUN!!"

They heard the shout, and even though they didn't fully understand the command, they ran.

Sam didn't look at the trio but at his sword, where a young man of Asian descent glared at him with contempt. He was Kenji, a powerful telekinetic user.

Kenji grunted and made a signal with his hands, lowering them.

From the sewer ceiling, a truck and a lot of debris fell, burying Sam. Of course, this would not stop him, but it bought them time.

Frenchie and MM watched Kenji warily. They didn't dare make a move, but Kenji broke the silence.

— "Kenji, when you meet them, tell them this and they will believe your words" —

"I... am?... Allen's... brother-in....law..." Kenji said in broken English, which left everyone perplexed for a moment. Of course, Kenji didn't know the meaning of his words, but the Boys did, and they began to laugh. Kenji didn't understand what was happening, which only made them laugh more.

...

Outside the sewers, everyone gathered. Charlotte jumped into Frenchie's arms, surprising everyone, including Frenchie himself.

"Stupid, this is the second time you've made me leave you. Next time, I'll stay and we'll both get killed!"

Frenchie smiled. "Of course, chérie!"

...

Allen cleared his throat, making everyone look at him. "You're all very calm despite almost being killed."

Hughie, Frenchie, and MM knew it was true. Even with powers, some could kill them, and they must not forget that.

A truck approached and out stepped Grace Mallory. She looked at everyone present, her gaze stopping on Allen. Her eyes widened in surprise before she turned to Madelyn with a somber look.

"Madelyn Stillwell, filthy whore..." Mallory said with contempt

Madelyn replied coldly. "Grace Mallory, you're no better than me at manipulating people..."

Madelyn had been submissive to everyone since seeking their help, but facing Mallory, she did not hold back.

Frenchie tried to stop Madelyn, but MM held him back.

"Give me a reason not to kill you right now."

Mallory's voice was filled with resentment. She was serious; they wanted Madelyn for the information she refused to give. Otherwise, Mallory, Frenchie, and Butcher himself could have put a bullet in her head a long time ago.

Madelyn showed no fear despite knowing Mallory's threat was real. She needed to prove her worth.

Madelyn remained silent, knowing she had to say something that would convince Mallory that preserving her life was more valuable than killing her.

"The Sage Grove Center in Pennsylvania..."

Mallory frowned. "What do I care about a mental institution?"

"Stormfront has a small science lab there. They're trying to stabilize Compound V to use it on adults without side effects..."

"That bitch... we should have captured her!" Maeve growled.

When Allen sent her flying with a small burst of energy, she felt her life was in danger and fled through the underground. Allen prioritized turning Madelyn over to the CIA and let her go. He wasn't sure if Homelander was nearby, and chronologically, Homelander should have killed Madelyn by now, so he wasn't sure if he wouldn't kill her upon seeing her.

"Well, that's something, but it's not enough..." Mallory's eyes narrowed.

Madelyn wasn't frightened; she simply stared silently at Grace Mallory. "Five years ago, you attempted to blackmail a member of the Seven. He informed Stan Edgar, and as a result, your grandchildren were killed. Although the target was you, Grace Mallory..."

Mallory drew a gun and aimed it at Madelyn.

"Watch your words, Stillwell... they might be your last..."

"There's someone at that facility who handles lost cases..."

Mallory's gaze trembled as her breathing quickened. "Are you saying Lamplighter is there?!"

"Yes..."

Allen sighed. Madelyn's story matched what he knew, but there were differences.

Felicia – It seems... it seems that in this world, Lamplighter acted under Stan Edgar's orders and not of his own volition...

MJ – It's so awful. Mallory's grandchildren were innocent, they were just sleeping in their grandmother's bed.

Frenchie stepped forward. "Madame Mallory, let me bring Lamplighter to you!"

Five years ago, Frenchie had been responsible for monitoring Lamplighter, but it only took a moment of neglect for a tragedy to occur.

Mallory didn't respond but seemed to have aged. After this incident, Madelyn was taken under protection and care.

The mission was over, with little left to do. MM returned to find his wife and daughter, Hughie went to see his girlfriend, Robin, and Frenchie left with Charlotte.

Allen stopped Maeve before she left, which made her happy.

"Are you alright?" Allen asked, looking at her seriously.

Maeve hadn't technically done anything wrong, but to Stormfront, her actions would appear suspicious, and she would certainly report to Homelander.

"I'm fine... I really did nothing more than smile at a handsome man who showed up..."

Allen frowned and took out a pendant, placing it around Maeve's neck. It had a small red gem similar to a ruby, but it was a core that allowed the pendant to use the power of fragments to protect the wearer.

Maeve touched the necklace and looked at Allen in silence.

"You might want to keep it; it could save your life..."

Maeve didn't hear Allen's words due to the shock of receiving a gift out of nowhere. She wore the pendant, feeling the atmosphere become ambiguous. Eventually, she decided to leave after thanking Allen.

[Host, you're not thinking of targeting her too, are you?~]

'No, but I am aware that if we keep relating to each other we will end up feeling attracted to each other.'

...

...

...

Allen returned to his apartment and was immediately tackled by Kimiko, who hugged him tightly.

'Welcome back~'

"Kimiko?" Allen said, trying to regain his balance.

"Tsk, Kimiko, it's cheating if you knock over the furniture," Cate arrived behind them, annoyed at not being the first to greet Allen. She puffed out her right cheek, also wanting to hug Allen.

Annie appeared third, standing with her arms crossed, looking calm yet quite thoughtful.

"I'm glad to see you all safe, and it seems there were good results."

Artoria, sitting invisibly on Allen's shoulder, began speaking telepathically.

Artoria – 'They did well and did not get in trouble with the police or destroy anything.'

'Got it...'

Artoria – 'You should talk to Annie; she has something for you.'

'I will, thanks.'

Allen returned Kimiko's hug and then cupped her cheeks, causing her to look at him in confusion.

Allen smiled. "I have a surprise for you..."

A young man appeared behind Allen, someone Kimiko hadn't expected to see again. Kimiko looked stunned until Allen gave her a reassuring pat on the back. She snapped out of her daze and embraced her brother.

...

In the living room, Kimiko and Kenji began talking while Annie watched from the kitchen and Allen cooked.

"I can't believe he's Kimiko's brother..."

"Why?" Cate asked, standing next to Allen as he prepared the stew. Allen had long since grown accustomed to Cate not respecting his personal space.

"Kimiko..." Allen had a subdued look as he spoke, "Kimiko told us her story yesterday. She came from a village in Japan that was attacked. When her parents were killed, Kimiko stopped speaking due to the trauma. A lot happened, and she ended up being injected with Compound V. Unlike you and Annie, she wasn't a child when it happened...Compound V in adults is torture and most don't survive, after that, she became an assassination tool and ended up coming to the country to serve as a supervillain and die at the hands of Homelander."

"..." Cate stopped moving and her expression turned sad.

"Kimiko no longer had any hope of seeing her brother as she believed his fate was also miserable."

For Kimiko, her past had seemed to disappear, or so she thought, but now her younger brother was here once more.

Kimiko and Kenji talked for an hour before she finished, then came to Allen for a hug.

"Th... thanks..."

To everyone's surprise, Kimiko spoke. Her voice was a bit hoarse and weak, but she spoke with her own words.

Allen looked at Kimiko in surprise, she impulsively kissed him, leaving the other girls in shock.

Kenji cleared his throat from the kitchen entrance.

"Sis, have some decency!"

Kimiko turned and growled at her brother, then turned back to continue, but Cate grabbed her by the clothes.

"Hey, don't think you're the heroine just because you had a moment in the spotlight!"

Annie stepped between Allen and Kimiko. "Kimiko, I understand you're happy, but think about the situation for a moment!"

The argument among the women continued as Allen left the kitchen and signaled for Kenji to follow him.

They walked to the window and looked out.

"You're quite the popular guy. I can't believe my sister would reject me for you, she couldn't bear to stop seeing you."

Kenji's voice carried frustration, jealousy, and a bit of joy.

"However, I admit she looks happy with you..." Kenji paused, "My hatred won't disappear..."

"I know..."

"But I admire your judgment... If there's anyone in this country who can make my sister smile like that, maybe not everyone is a monster..."

"Thanks..." Allen smiled as he reached out to shake his hand. "Kenji, join The Boys... they need your power..."

"I have no choice, do I?"

"No..."

Allen couldn't convince Kenji with just words, so he used his power. Kenji had two choices: abandon his destructive path and join The Boys, or Allen would stop him and turn him over to the police.

This was no joke. Kimiko definitely wouldn't like it, but Kenji had strong powers, and he hadn't even developed them to their full potential. Someone like that, who has no limits in killing, was too dangerous.

Initially, Kenji wanted to say he preferred to die rather than cooperate, but he didn't want to do so without seeing his sister again, so he agreed to cooperate with Allen temporarily.

It was only when Kenji talked with his sister about how much he had changed that she had a sparkle in her eye he had never seen before. She spoke about meeting Allen and blushed when she mentioned dancing with him, making her experience many new things.

Kenji looked at Allen from the side, 'In just a few days, this man has made my sister happier than she's been in the last decade...'

Kenji had to choose between protecting his only family or fulfilling his vengeance. In the end, Allen even gave him a way to seek revenge, at least against those who had caused them pain.

"Hey, brother-in-law..."

Allen was surprised to hear that way of addressing him. He turned around immediately and saw Kenji's serious and threatening gaze.

"Allen, if anything happens to her..."

"I won't allow it."

Kenji's eyes examined Allen's expression, seeing no trace of doubt or weakness but a strong sense of responsibility and commitment. Kenji was reassured by Allen's seriousness and was now certain he could leave his sister in Allen's care.

The dinner continued with a pleasant atmosphere.

When it was over, Allen offered the apartment next to his own to Kenji, who accepted it without hesitation.

"Alright, I'll take it as a dowry, brother-in-law."

Coming from a rural town, he still had the concept of a dowry in mind and joked with Kimiko about it.

She turned bright red and ran away. The other two girls didn't speak Japanese and didn't understand what had happened, but Kimiko's reaction and the blush on Kimiko and Allen's faces made them feel jealous.

...

The next day, Kenji was recruited as a member of The Boys. With someone like Kenji, the organization felt quite formidable.

With this, everyone prepared to break into the Sage Grove Center, the place where super-terrorists or supervillains, as they were known, were created, and also the place where the person responsible for destroying The Boys years ago was located.

===

A/N: Today is a good day earning brother-in-law approval.

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