Reunite!

Lackey stepped back from the podium, looking utterly defeated, his confession hanging in the air like a dark cloud. He had exposed a truth that had been buried for too long, and now, the entire world knew.

His hand shook as he lifted one of the papers, showing it to the cameras—a list of names, circled in red ink. "She didn't know... she was a pawn. And it was all for the benefit of one man: the president. He... he profited from it all—every last life she took. And all of it was to protect his empire, not our society."

Itachi turned to the Madam President after the confession and observed her tense expression. She took a deep breath before addressing him.

"We could have handled this later," she said, her tone sharp but controlled.

Itachi remained calm, his voice steady as he replied, "I'm sorry, but this had to be done now. If we waited, the truth could have been buried, and Kaina would remain a criminal in the eyes of the public. I can't let that happen."

His voice softened as he leaned closer, whispering, "I will do anything to protect the ones I care about."

The president gave him a long look before a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "I've heard about you, Yaoyorozu. A man of great intellect, always thinking ten steps ahead. I see it's true."

Itachi bowed slightly. "I understand I've overstepped."

She raised a brow and crossed her arms. "You have, but we'll address that later. For now, this event will proceed as planned."

Itachi nodded and returned to his seat as the president turned her attention to the shaken lackey still standing at the podium. Her voice was cold and unyielding. "I expect a full list of names—everyone involved. You will provide it at our next meeting. Is that clear?"

The lackey flinched and nodded rapidly before hurrying off the stage, the crowd glaring at him with disgust and hatred. His confession had revealed a corruption many weren't ready to face.

As Itachi sat down, Keigo leaned over, his smirk evident. "Nice job, bro. You really know how to shake things up."

Rumi, also impressed, whispered, "You really shook things up."

Itachi simply nodded. "I did what had to be done," he said, his voice carrying the burden of his past. His thoughts drifted back, reminding him of the painful decisions he had made before. I didn't want to repeat the mistakes of my past… He sighed softly, his mind heavy with memories.

Madam President composed herself and announced, "We shall continue the event. Now, for our No. 3 hero... Endeavor."

Endeavor stood up from his seat, his movements sharp, his expression stern. As he walked to the podium, the room seemed to tense, especially with Itachi and All Might watching him closely. The media turned their attention back to the towering figure as he approached the microphone.

He adjusted the mic and, after a brief pause, began his speech.

"I've been a hero for a long time," Endeavor's deep voice echoed across the room. "And in all those years, I've learned that being a hero isn't about being liked. It's about results. Strength, determination, and the will to rise, no matter the obstacles in front of you."

He paused, his eyes briefly meeting All Might's, and then flicking to Itachi. The weight of his gaze felt heavy with unspoken words.

"For too long, heroes have relied on the image of invincibility," Endeavor continued, his tone unwavering. "But I stand here not as someone who's invincible. I've failed, and I've struggled. But I've always risen. That's what it means to be the No. 3 hero. And now, we face new challenges. Heroes... we are more than just symbols. We are people who carry the burden of society's hopes, dreams... and sometimes, its darkest truths."

His words felt like a veiled jab at Itachi's recent reveal, but Endeavor didn't stop there. "We must be strong enough to carry that burden and fight for what is right—no matter how hard it may be. I believe that strength comes not from power alone, but from the courage to face our pasts and move forward."

He allowed his words to sink in for a moment, the silence growing thicker. "There are some," he said, his eyes locking onto Itachi, "who believe that unveiling the truth will lead to change. But real change? Real change comes from action. From results."

The subtle challenge in his words was clear. Endeavor finished his speech with a sharp nod, stepping away from the podium, leaving the audience to reflect on his message. His speech, though aimed at the crowd, seemed especially directed toward the two heroes sitting before him—All Might, theNo. 1 hero, and Itachi, the rising star.

The Madam President stepped up to the podium once again, her tone final. "Alright, we are done with the speeches. Now, the event is officially over. I request that everyone leaves except for the top five heroes."

As the crowd began to disperse, Rumi gave Itachi a playful punch on the shoulder. "All the best, Itachi."

Ryukyu smiled warmly at him. "Yes, good luck."

Itachi smiled back at both of them and nodded. "Thank you."

With the room nearly empty, only the top five heroes remained: All Might, Itachi, Endeavor, Hawks, and Best Jeanist. As the doors closed behind the last of the media, Endeavor, who had been silent up until now, turned to face Itachi, his eyes burning with restrained fury.

"How did you become No. 2?" Endeavor's voice was a low growl, his body tense.

Itachi looked at him, his expression calm, and replied, "I don't know."

Endeavor's fists clenched. "Don't play dumb. How much money did your father invest to get you there?"

Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly, still composed. "How much did you invest to stay as the former No. 2?"

The tension thickened as Endeavor's face contorted in anger. "You have no manners, boy."

Itachi met his glare without flinching, his voice even. "I think you need manners more than I do."

Then, in a barely audible whisper, Itachi added, "Your children have better manners than you."

Endeavor's face flushed with rage, his eyes burning with barely contained fury. He took a step closer, his entire body radiating hostility.

Hawks, sensing the explosion about to occur, whistled. "Nah, nah, let's not go there, big guy. Cool off, eh?" He then put on an innocent face, hands raised as Endeavor shot him a glare.

Just as things seemed to escalate further, All Might stepped in between the two. "How about we calm down, eh?" he said, his voice gentle but firm, trying to diffuse the situation.

Endeavor growled under his breath but didn't say anything further. It was clear he wasn't going to back down easily, but for now, he restrained himself.

The Madam President, noticing the tension, stepped forward and cleared her throat. "This isn't the right place for this. Let's move to the conference room."

The heroes nodded, still tense, and followed her lead as they made their way to the more private space. Itachi walked silently, his mind clear, though he couldn't help but notice the smoldering gaze of Endeavor lingering on him.

As they reached the conference room, Itachi took his seat beside All Might, with Keigo, Endeavor, and Best Jeanist seated opposite them. The Madam President, now much more serious, sat at the head of the table. Her expression conveyed the gravity of the situation as she began, "You all know why we're here."

The heroes nodded in acknowledgment, and she continued. "Well, the culprit has been caught, so Lady Nagant is no longer guilty of the worst charges. Thank you, Aegis," she said, glancing at Itachi, who bowed respectfully. She then added, "But your methods, Aegis, while effective, have worsened the image of the Hero Public Safety Commission."

Itachi met her gaze and nodded. "I understand, but I didn't have another option. Those men... they were hiding in plain sight, casting shadows in the light."

At that, All Might's expression darkened, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "All for One..." he muttered.

Itachi nodded in agreement. "Exactly. I've been waiting for the right time, but if I hadn't acted, Lady Nagant might have been sentenced as guilty. And even if she weren't, she could've spent the rest of her life in Tartarus. I couldn't allow that."

The Madam President looked at Itachi, her brow furrowed as she spoke. "There are many documents within the HPSC, some of which have been destroyed. According to Keigo's recordings..." She glanced at Hawks, who winked in return, causing a small smile to flicker across her face.

Itachi, now serious, continued, "What if I told you those documents were deliberately Destroyed"

Her eyes widened, disbelief crossing her features. "How can you say that?"

With calm precision, Itachi replied, "The person who confessed, I trapped him in my genjutsu. He's been stuck for three hours in a nightmare of his own creation. And if he hadn't shown up to confess, I would've haunted him for 50 years if needed. In doing so, I accessed his memories, and from those memories, I learned that the documents were intentionally concealed."

The room fell silent as the weight of Itachi's words sank in. The Madam President sighed heavily, clearly troubled by the revelations. "Very well," she said after a long pause. "I see your point, and I understand the necessity of your actions. But it doesn't change the fact that Lady Nagant killed two innocent people, even if she was manipulated by the HPSC."

She leaned back in her chair, her decision made. "She will serve three years in prison," she declared.

The room shifted uneasily, and Itachi's face was marked by sadness. All Might, noticing his expression, spoke up with a gentle smile. "How about we reduce it by one more year?"

Everyone turned to All Might, including Itachi, who seemed surprised by the suggestion. "I've met her. She's a good person—honest and bright. She went through something terrible, and while she did take two lives, they were working for the HPSC, and she was forced into it. I believe we should reduce her sentence."

Best Jeanist nodded in agreement. "I've seen her work. She's always been diligent and sincere. I stand with All Might."

Hawks leaned back casually, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "Well, I know her quite well. She was our senior, after all. A kind person, always thoughtful and dedicated..." His gaze shifted meaningfully towards Itachi, his smirk deepening. "And from what I've heard, she's especially close to someone."

The implication in his words was unmistakable, and Madam President's sharp eyes caught on quickly. She glanced at Itachi, her curiosity piqued, then shifted her gaze toward Endeavor, who had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the conversation.

"What about you, Endeavor?" she asked, her tone expectant.

Endeavor crossed his arms, his fiery presence as imposing as ever. His expression remained unreadable as he answered, "I don't care."

The Madam President,nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful, seeing the unity in their opinions, andsighed once more before nodding. "Alright, two years in prison. Aegis, do you have any objections?"

Itachi shook his head. "No, Madam President."

She nodded in acknowledgment. "Then the meeting is adjourned."

Just before the President stood, Itachi spoke up again. "Madam President?"

She paused and looked at him. "Yes?"

"May I meet with her?" he asked.

She considered for a moment before replying, "Yes, but only for 20 minutes. After that, you can visit her in prison."

Itachi nodded in gratitude. "Thank you."

With that, the Madam President stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "Meeting adjourned."

As the meeting finished, all the heroes walked out of the room. Outside, five of the lackeys involved in the scandal stood trembling, their faces pale with fear. Itachi looked at them with a cold, piercing gaze—one that was mirrored by the other heroes, even Endeavor. The tension in the air was thick as they passed by, and no words were exchanged.

Once they were out of earshot, Keigo broke the silence, his tone light and teasing. "Congratulations, man! You did it!"

Itachi smiled softly, acknowledging the success, and replied, "Yes, we did."

Keigo smirked, his playful nature showing as he began to tease, "Now you should go meet her, man. She's probably waiting for you, all emotional and grateful. I can already hear it now... 'Oh, my handsome hero!'" He pretended to act out a dramatic scene, hugging himself and continuing, "You came to save me, Kaina!" He pretended to tear up and added with a flourish, "And then, you two kiss under the moonlight…"

Itachi shook his head, exasperated but amused. "Act like an adult for once, Keigo."

Keigo just laughed, shrugging it off. "Come on, admit it. You're happy. Just say it!"

With a small smile, Itachi replied, "Yes, I am."

Keigo grinned. "Good. Now go. She's on the top floor, right next to the president's office. I'll give you some alone time, but don't do anything stupid, okay? Remember, there are CCTV cameras."

Itachi sighed, amused by Keigo's antics. "Thanks for the warning, Keigo."

As Keigo was about to leave, Itachi called out, "Thank you, bro."

Keigo glanced back, smirking. "Yeah, bro, don't sweat it." With a wave, he left.

Now, Itachi stood alone, his heart beginning to race. He could feel a slight nervousness building up as he made his way to the interrogation room. His steps quickened, and with each one, his anticipation grew. As he reached the room, he paused for a moment outside the door, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

When he finally opened the door, his gaze landed on Kaina, sitting there with handcuffs on her wrists. Her eyes were puffy, likely from crying, and her usually well-kept hair was messy and disheveled. She looked up at him, her expression filled with a mixture of sadness and relief. Seeing her like this made his heart pound even faster.

Itachi stepped inside slowly, closing the door behind him.

Itachi opened the door slowly, and the sound of it creaking echoed in the quiet room. Kaina sat at the metal table, her wrists bound by handcuffs, her eyes dull and red from crying. Her hair, usually so well-kept, hung messily around her face. When she looked up, her eyes widened in surprise, though the weight of everything kept her from smiling.

"Itachi..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the raw emotion in it was unmistakable.

Itachi stepped into the dimly lit room, closing the door behind him softly. For a moment, he just stood there, looking at her, his heart aching. His eyes were filled with sadness as he tried to find the right words. All his power, all the abilities he possessed—none of it mattered here. None of it could fix this.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low but steady. "Kaina... I wanted to see you."

Kaina looked up at him, her lips trembling. Her voice was fragile, barely a whisper. "I... I wanted to see you too, Itachi." Her words wavered with the weight of everything unspoken between them.

Itachi's gaze softened, and he took a step closer. "I've cleared your name, Kaina."

But Kaina's eyes, heavy with sorrow, dropped to the floor. She turned her face away from him, as if ashamed to meet his gaze. "That doesn't matter... It's over for me, Itachi. I... I'm a criminal now."

Itachi watched her, his heart breaking at the sight of her retreating into herself. Gently, he reached out, his fingers lifting her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. "No, you're not. You were never a criminal, Kaina. They manipulated you, used you."

Her tears began to fall, streaking her cheeks as she looked away, shaking her head. "I killed people, Itachi... innocent people. I can't take that back. I can't erase what I've done."

Itachi's thumb brushed against her cheek, wiping away her tears as his voice softened. "You didn't do it because you wanted to, Kaina. They forced you, twisted everything around you, made you believe you were doing the right thing. But you're not defined by their lies."

Kaina met his gaze again, her eyes full of pain. "You don't understand... You've never killed anyone. I see their blood on my hands every day."

Itachi's heart clenched. He knew that feeling all too well, the unbearable weight of blood on one's hands. He took a deep breath, the memories of his own past flashing before him—his clan, his family, the lives he had taken.

"I do understand," he said quietly, his voice steady. "More than you think. But I also know this: you were forced to do it. You were pushed into a corner with no way out."

His hand cupped her cheek, and she leaned into his touch, her tears still falling. Her shoulders shook as she looked at him, guilt and sorrow swirling in her eyes. "Why are you here, Itachi? Why are you saying all this? After everything I've done... after all the people I've hurt..."

Itachi held her gaze, his eyes filled with warmth. "Because I love you, Kaina."

She looked at him, startled, her breath catching. He gave her a warm smile. "Do you know why I fell for you? It's because you're kind. You're brave. And..." His smile grew, teasing just a little. "You love cute things."

A small, tearful laugh escaped Kaina's lips, and Itachi chuckled softly, the heaviness between them lightening for just a moment.

Kaina's smile faded, replaced by disbelief. "You still believe in me? After all of this?"

"I've seen the truth," Itachi said, his voice unwavering. "I know what they did to you, how they twisted everything. But now it's over. The truth is coming to light, and you'll have a chance to start again."

Kaina shook her head slowly, her voice filled with doubt. "How can I start again after everything I've done? The people I've hurt, the lives I've taken..."

Itachi's grip on her hand tightened, his gaze steady and full of resolve. "Redemption is possible, Kaina. I know it feels impossible now, but protecting even one person can start to heal those wounds. You'll have your chance."

Kaina stared at him, her tears slowing as his words began to sink in. For the first time in a long while, there was a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Itachi smiled, his thumb brushing over her hand. "You're not alone in this, Kaina. You've never been alone. And no matter what happens next... I'll be with you."

Kaina's wide eyes searched Itachi's face, looking for any hint of doubt, any sign that his belief in her was wavering. But there was none. His unwavering gaze and quiet confidence in her were so unexpected that it made her heart ache. The tenderness in his eyes felt like both a wound and a balm, something she hadn't realized she needed so desperately.

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she whispered, "I don't deserve you, Itachi."

He gently wiped the tear away, his fingers warm against her skin. "You deserve more than you think," he said softly, his voice steady and full of affection. "And I'm here to remind you of that."

For a moment, they just sat there in silence, their eyes locked on each other. The weight of everything they had been through hung in the air, yet in this quiet space, there was a sense of peace. Itachi's gaze flickered down to her lips, and without thinking, he leaned in. Kaina, sensing his movement, met him halfway. Their breaths mingled as they closed the gap between them, and for the first time, their lips met.

The kiss started slow, tentative, but it quickly deepened. Passion swelled between them, an unspoken exchange of emotion and understanding. Kaina's hands, though cuffed to the table, tightened, her fingers curling instinctively as her lips pressed against his. Itachi's hand gently cupped the side of her face, his thumb grazing her cheek as he kissed her with a tenderness that made her heart tremble. Their connection was electric, filled with everything they had never said, and at that moment, it felt like the rest of the world had faded away.

When they finally broke apart, Kaina's eyes were still filled with tears, but now they were mixed with something else—hope, maybe even a hint of joy. Itachi smiled softly at her, his forehead resting gently against hers. He whispered, "You're not alone anymore, Kaina. We're in this together."

She nodded, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Her heart was still pounding as she replied with a tearful voice, "I love you too." Itachi smiled and hugged her to his chest. After a while, she calmed down and swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. "How long do I have before they... take me?"

Itachi's expression darkened slightly, but he remained composed. "Two years," he said quietly. "The president agreed to reduce your sentence."

Kaina let out a small, shaky breath. "Two years... That's less than I expected." She rested her forehead against his again, her voice soft. "I don't know what I would've done without you."

Itachi brushed a strand of hair from her face, his eyes filled with quiet determination. "You're strong, Kaina. You would've found a way."

Before she could respond, there was a knock at the door. They both heard it—a reminder that their time together was running out. Kaina's hands were still cuffed to the table, a harsh reminder of her reality. Itachi turned toward the door, but before he stood up, he leaned down and kissed her again. This one was shorter, gentler, but no less filled with feeling. Kaina blinked in surprise but kissed him back, her heart aching at the thought of him leaving.

When the kiss ended, Itachi straightened, his heart heavy. He nodded, as if reassuring himself as much as her. "I'll see you again soon," he said, his voice filled with quiet certainty.

As he turned to leave, Kaina's voice broke through the stillness. "Itachi."

He paused, looking over his shoulder at her, waiting.

Through her tears, she smiled softly, her expression filled with gratitude. "Thank you. For believing in me."

Itachi's lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Always," he said.

And with that, he left the room, the door closing softly behind him. His heart felt heavy with the weight of their circumstances, but there was hope now. Even in the darkest moments, there was light, and Kaina wasn't alone anymore.

In the empty room, Kaina stared at the door, her hands still cuffed to the table, but for the first time in a long time, she felt... something like peace.

As Itachi stepped out of the interrogation room, he was surprised to see Madam President standing by the window, her gaze fixed on the outside world. Her presence was calm but carried an unspoken authority. Without turning to look at him, she spoke softly, "You took more time than expected."

Itachi's heart skipped a beat. He lowered his head respectfully, replying, "I apologize, President. Thank you for allowing me this moment."

As he moved to walk past her, her voice stopped him. "But I must say," she continued with a slight, knowing smile, "you certainly made the most of your time."

Itachi froze, his eyes widening in realization. "You... saw?"

She turned slightly, her eyes still fixed on the scene outside, yet her voice held a teasing undertone. "The glass is one-way. We can see inside, but from within, you can't see out."

A wave of embarrassment washed over him as he processed her words. His normally calm demeanor faltered, a slight blush dusting his cheeks. He quickly bowed his head. "I... didn't realize."

Madam President chuckled softly, her tone more sympathetic than chastising. "Don't worry. It was... quite the touching scene."

Itachi's slight blush at her remark, and he bowed once more. "Thank you," he said quietly before turning to leave.

As he walked away, the President watched him go with a soft smile, her gaze lingering on the interrogation room for a moment. She looked at Kaina through the glass, her expression softening with sympathy.

Meanwhile, Itachi made his way down the hallway, his mind still reeling from the President's words. As he reached for the door to leave, a smile slowly crept onto his face. His fingers grazed his lips, remembering the brief, tender kiss he had shared with Kaina. A rare laugh escaped his lips, quiet at first but filled with genuine joy.

The sound of his laughter echoed in the corridor, and for a moment, those who passed by couldn't help but notice. A group of women standing nearby blushed as they watched him, entranced by his rare smile. His usual stoic expression had melted away, replaced by a handsomeness that radiated from his quiet happiness.

"Wow, he's even more handsome when he smiles," one of them whispered, her cheeks turning pink.

"He looks... different," another added, watching him with wide eyes.

Unaware of the attention, Itachi exited the building, finally feeling the weight of the world lift off his shoulders. The absence of the usual media crowd allowed him a moment of relief, and he sighed, grateful for the quiet.

Climbing into his car, Itachi leaned back in his seat for a moment, closing his eyes. His mind drifted back to Kaina, her face, her voice, the weight of her hand in his. He smiled again, his heart lighter than it had been in days. As he started the engine and began to drive, thoughts of Kaina lingered in his mind.

He couldn't help but think of how much he cared for her, how deeply their bond had grown. He smiled softly as the road stretched out before him, his heart set on helping her find her way back to freedom.