The wind howled between buildings as Reiji and Hawks soared over the city, their silhouettes streaking across the sky like twin comets—one red and graceful, the other burning with golden intensity. Reiji trailed behind, his cloak flapping violently in the updrafts, body ablaze with golden Hellfire as he propelled himself forward using clone-aided thrust bursts. It wasn't perfect flight, not yet—but it was getting close.
Every push against the wind required focus. Reiji could feel every bruise, every strained muscle from Hawks' hellish aerial training earlier. But none of it slowed him. If anything, the ache in his body made him sharper—more alive.
Hawks looked over his shoulder mid-flight, wings pulling him into a wide glide. "Keep pace, rookie. We're tailing a ghost. Don't lose me."
Reiji surged forward, a clone appearing just behind his foot to kick him forward in midair. The momentum launched him a few feet closer. "Tch. I'm right behind you."
They crossed into a quieter part of the city, descending like shadows toward a rooftop that overlooked the eastern business district. The setting sun spilled gold over glass buildings, turning the streets below into rivers of light and shadow. From their vantage point, everything looked calm. Deceptively calm.
Hawks crouched near the edge and pointed to a narrow alley nestled between office buildings. His sharp eyes scanned every detail.
"That's where she was last seen," he said. "A little girl with a horn. Crying. Scared. Being pulled by a man in a plague doctor coat."
Reiji clenched his jaw. The name already burned in his mind. "Overhaul."
"Nighteye's team tried tailing him discreetly, but he vanished into the back alleys. We've only got scattered reports. But one thing is clear—he's dangerous. And the girl might be the key to something far worse."
Before Reiji could respond, his communicator came to life.
"This is Togata. We just made contact. Target is here. The girl—she's clinging to Midoriya. Overhaul's here too."
Reiji tensed, fire flickering along his arms.
"Permission to engage?" he asked sharply, fists already beginning to glow.
Hawks grabbed his shoulder. His grip was firm. "Not yet. He's still playing innocent. If we jump now, he might lash out. And with a kid involved, one wrong move—"
Reiji exhaled sharply, barely restraining himself.
[New Objective: Tactical Assessment. Status: Hold Position. Await engagement window.]
The system's directive echoed with a red border. It was logical. But it grated against his instincts.
Down below, Midoriya stood frozen, torn between action and reason. Eri clung to him like he was her last hope. Her tiny frame trembled with every breath. Her tattered cloak fluttered gently, revealing too-thin arms and bare feet. The expression in her eyes was haunting—not just fear, but desperation.
Opposite them stood Overhaul, dressed in pristine white, his gloved hands calmly resting at his sides. His gold-embroidered plague mask glinted under the sunlight. His posture was relaxed—too relaxed.
"She's my daughter," Overhaul said, voice like smooth poison. "She gets scared easily. Sorry you had to see her like this."
Reiji's fists trembled. "He's lying. That's not a father. That's a captor."
"Yeah," Hawks murmured beside him, his eyes narrowed. "But if she doesn't stay with Midoriya, we lose our proof."
Mirio stepped forward slightly. "Let's go, Midoriya."
But Midoriya didn't move.
The world seemed to hold its breath.
Then, slowly, heartbreakingly—Eri let go.
Her small hands released Midoriya's uniform. She turned, head down, and walked back to Overhaul. Her shoulders trembled, but she didn't cry out.
Reiji's breath caught. "What the hell is she doing?!"
And then he saw it.
A thin line of red.
Blood.
Seeping through the fresh bandages around her arms.
The system flared.
[Emergency Trigger: Blood Pattern Detected. Threat Level – S]
Reiji moved.
A massive surge of Hellfire burst beneath his feet. His clone launched upward and kicked off his back mid-air, boosting him forward.
"Wait—!" Hawks shouted. "We haven't confirmed—!"
But it was too late.
Reiji shot off the rooftop like a missile, the air around him warping from the heat. The people below heard nothing until it was too late.
Midoriya turned, eyes wide.
Overhaul looked up.
Their eyes locked.
Reiji descended like a flaming meteor.
And then—
The entire street exploded into chaos.
End of Chapter 54
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