The lab beneath Jaku Hospital hummed with a low, constant pulse—the heartbeat of something ancient and cruel.
Masato stood silently in the middle of a glowing chamber, shirtless beneath his battle jacket. Mechanical arms surrounded him like metal vultures. Dr. Garaki tapped away at a digital interface, eyes gleaming with mad ambition.
"You've performed well, Masato. Exceptionally well."
Masato didn't reply. He was still replaying his fight with Mirio in his mind. Not because he lost—but because something had shifted.
Something in him.
Garaki turned, a grin stretching across his wrinkled face.
"Are you ready for the next stage?"
Masato's expression remained unreadable. "I thought I already had your best work."
Garaki chuckled. "That was merely the foundation. A base to ensure you survived this next part."
He pressed a button. A massive pod opened, revealing a chamber of glowing blue liquid and what looked like nine swirling orbs—each pulsing with unique energy.
"These," Garaki said, "are the result of decades of work. My finest custom-made synthetic quirks. Not stolen. Not copied. Created."
Masato's eyes flickered. "…What kind?"
Garaki raised a hand, counting off each one with relish.
1. Void Step – instantaneous micro-warp dashes through space. Not true teleportation, but close. Perfect for rapid positioning and dodging.
2. Chrono Shift – limited personal time acceleration. Up to 5 seconds of heightened perception and speed.
3. Gravitas – localized gravity manipulation. Can increase or decrease gravity within a 20-meter radius.
4. Spectral Clones – illusory combat clones that mimic movement with 80% synchronization.
5. Aether Armor – an energy-based suit that activates passively when under threat. Increases defense and reaction time.
6. Phantom Blaze – blue-black fire that phases through solid matter to burn internal structures.
7. Shock Net – a web-like tendril attack that delivers high-voltage electrical paralysis.
8. Pulse Suppression – nullifies sound and vibrations within 10 meters. Makes the user a true ghost.
9. Mind Fortress – complete mental defense against telepathy, mind reading, or psychic interference.
Masato narrowed his eyes. "And the cost?"
"Nothing for you. Your body—modified with the perfected regeneration serum and cybernetic nodes—can handle it. You're the culmination of everything I ever dreamed of creating. Even the Nomu pale in comparison."
Masato looked at the chamber. "Put them in."
Garaki's grin widened. "Excellent."
The procedure began.
Pain was immediate.
Not from damage, but from growth—his nervous system stretching, his brain recalibrating, every nerve and muscle twitching as the new quirks rooted themselves into his core.
He gritted his teeth but never screamed.
---
Hours later, Masato stood before the mirror.
His body shimmered with faint energy. His eyes now carried a mirrored gleam—data running across them in faint golden light.
"Run diagnostics," he said.
> Status: Synchronized. All quirks integrated. Efficiency: 96%. Core link: Stable.
He clenched his fist. Flame danced across his knuckles—blue and silent.
"Good," he whispered. "Let's test them."