Chapter 101: [New Order]
~Ren Y. POV~
[Airport, California, US]
After the event of me being the successor revealed and convincing my classmates to enter UA again Nezu decided it was time for me to head to America. A means to get away from the growing media hounding around Toga's place.
Toga, on the other hand, was moved to UA for protection as news of my ties with All Might was unraveled. And man, it was an interesting experience, to say the least, shocking my classmates with that reveal.
Nezu had me board a private jet of his that finally landed after a few hours. Of course, I wasn't alone in this endeavor, as he sent me a bodyguard for my safety, deciding to send me to a few places to collect samples that were hard to come by.
The first is America, considering I'm after my first target. My bodyguard just so happens to be Lady Nagant as she woke up yawning, "Ahh… get ready, kid. We're about to meet the number 1 hero of America."
I nodded my head in anticipation of this day. With the airplane stopping, we both got ready, making a first impression.
Even I heard All Might give a call to have me meet with her. Stars and Stripes.
Just goes to show how much AFO scared us that they had to resort to powering me up as best as they could. Which meant no more holding the punches back and trying their connections to ensure I stayed at the top.
*THUD*
Feeling the airplane stopping means we reached our destination. Just by viewing from the window, I can see people are already waiting for us.
*Tmp*
Stepping out of the private jet, my eyes wandered to the reception of people. My eyes dart toward the important figures waiting here expecting me.
I wouldn't be that surprised considering the person who came to see me also had her boys tagging along. It didn't take long to see the No.1 Hero in America Stars and Stripes in the flesh.
[Observe].
[Cathleen Bate Lv.? No.1 Hero of America
Description: Cathleen Bate, also known as Star and Stripes, is the No.1 Pro-Hero of the United States of America. She profoundly admires All Might because he saved her and her family years ago when he was studying abroad. Cathleen is also shown to have an intense desire to protect others and seek justice, to the point where she is willing to ruin her own reputation and career for the sake of others.
Her Quirk [New Order] allowed her to set a rule on her surroundings and manipulate and bestow new properties onto herself and the world around her. To activate her Quirk, she had first to make physical contact with the target and speak its name, then explain the rule she wished to impose. She could only impose two rules at any given time.]
Cathleen Bate was a tall woman with a well-muscled build. She had elegant facial features, narrow eyes, and long flowing blonde hair with eight distinct tufts swept backward and fashioned similarly to the ones All Might possess in his empowered form.
Her hero costume was a high-collared skin-tight bodysuit with shoulder pads, boots, and gauntlets. Fitting to her home country and hero name, the upper torso was decorated in stripes, and her gauntlets and collar were studded with metal stars. Completing the outfit was a long, striped cape that resembled the U.S. flag. She also wears a red domino mask like comic book heroes in the U.S.
So many high-level important people were present, but most important of all was Star, who was here to personally greet me in a happy tone, "You must be Ren Yuki, I'm Cathleen, Cathleen Bate. Forgive me, I had to see the Successor of All Might himself after seeing you save him from that villain."
Her introduction, huh? Not the hero one.
I guess it's going to be this kind of visit since Nezu and All Might both called in favor of having me meet with her. And the news of me saving All Might is circulating through social media, so it wouldn't be that surprising she knew of me.
Seeing her, I return the happy greetings in an upbeat tone, shrugging my shoulders, seemingly a bit bashful, "You flatter me, Miss Cathleen. I just did what anyone would've done to step in to help All Might out."
Star simply smiled and twisted her head as she replied in a happy tone, "I was told to be your guide today. If you have any requirements, let me know, and I'll let it be known."
I smiled back and thanked the people who came to receive me one by one, taking note of any potential opportunities, then walked on with Star. I'm not a fool to realize what All Might and Nezu set up.
My importance of coming here was obvious the moment Star arrived. At that moment, it was not only a show of importance but also a guarantee of protection.
With AFO's deep connections around the world, some of his enemies or allies in hiding wouldn't hesitate to sink their teeth into me just to please or show their power, demonstrating by killing me.
Hence, why imagine my surprise when Nezu said he managed to get me a flight to US California for the chance to copy [New Order] with his and All Might's assistance pulling in a favor. And oh boy, they called it in big time for me.
While we casually walked, seeing the scene of California, she spoke up so casually I almost tripped at her blunt words, "So, Ren, do you want my Quirk?"
Almost staggering in place, I managed to stop myself from falling. Surprised by her question, she explained in a casual tone, being direct, "I'll be blunt: I was told to be careful of you and not let [New Order] be lost, but that's not how I wanna do it."
Giving me a large grin, Star said with confidence bubbling from within her, giving off the same charisma as All Might in a proud tone, "All Might call me himself, I am told, legitimately you are being prepared to take on his mantel. And I want to know if you are worthy of that. If you are worthy of [New Order], this is why you are here, isn't it?"
Hearing her blunt response and honest voice, I couldn't help but laugh lightly. She does follow All Might to a T as I responded in an embarrassed tone, "Hahaha… yes, you would be correct, Miss Cathleen. I just didn't think you would be so blunt about it like All Might that caught me off guard."
She grinned even wider, seeing I was comparing her to All Might. Flattery will get you anywhere if you know what to say to appease the person in front of you.
But that's just how I honestly feel in her presence I couldn't help but compare the two in charisma and mannerisms. However, that was she spoke up as we walked in a neutral tone, "Good. I saw what you did on the news, saving my Hero when he was about to beheaded. You have the guts to move and act before the other heroes did, even saving their asses. But…"
That was when Star stopped mid-walk and looked at me under her stare as she asked in a serious tone, "… Are you okay taking up the same burden that All Might has to carry? Are you ready to do it? Becoming the next Symbol of Peace?"
Not faltering under her stare, I slyly grinned confidently as I spoke out honestly about how I felt, "No. Because I'll become the one to surpass him one day. The one he entrusted me with the future of the next generation to follow and lead by example so that anyone can become the next Symbol of Peace. No man can stay a symbol forever… not even All Might nor I. I'll be the first to show that anyone can be a hero and inspire all for everything to be all right when my time to shine comes. But till then, I'm merely the successor till the day comes."
Star turned her head around as she whispered in a proud tone for me to hear, "… I see. He is just like me; he was influenced by All Might as well."
Cathleen knew what power I had was strong. And I would be even stronger with [New Order] and [One for All] stacking them together.
I have the potential to do too much damage, but I also have the potential to do just as much good, it's probably why she's asking me immediately. Before this, I made sure to have an empty slot for this since Star's Quirk is simply too powerful to ignore.
That was when Cathleen gave her hand to me for a supposed handshake as she spoke, agreeing with my words in a thankful tone, "Heh. You're probably right, kid. There will be a time in the next few years when All Might would probably retire. But I'm glad he picked you to pick up the mantle. For what it's worth I thank you for saving my hero."
Seeing the chance, I grasped her hand, holding it firm, shaking it with a light nod, agreeing with her words in a confident tone, "You're welcome, Miss Cathleen. I promise to use your Quirk wisely and responsibly."
[Ding!]
[The host found the Quirk [New Order]. Would you like to copy it?]
[Skill: [New Order] copied!]
[New Order] copied! This will be worth it.
Skill List.
----
PP Cost: Varies
Description: [New Order] allows the user to set a rule on the user's surroundings, allowing him to manipulate and bestow new properties onto himself and the world around him. To activate his Quirk, the user must first make physical contact with the target and speak its name, then explain the rule the user wishes to impose. Every 50 Levels, add a Rule.
[Rule]: None
----
Oh… this is so busted. For every 50 levels, I can add a new rule, huh?
It sounds very restrictive but fair. Then does that mean Star is level 100?
Hmm… no. That isn't likely it's probably because she had 1 Rule before she leveled up, naturally gaining her 2nd rule for her [New Order].
That's the most reasonable sense I can make. But I didn't have any time to ponder anymore as Cathleen spoke up, grasping me tightly in an excited tone, "With that out of the way, how about I show you around California? I want to hear your story of how you became All Might's successor directly from the source!"
I couldn't breathe before she let me go. I managed to get a moment of fresh air as she showed me around California for the rest of my summer break.
It was Nezu's suggestion to keep me out of harm's way before making the UA Heights Alliance accessible for all and my newest living condition. But seeing the chance I might as well enjoy my last moment of freedom in America.
Shame Melissa didn't come as she would've been a great guide around this California version of this world. But while letting Star show me around with Lady Nagant being my bodyguard, I managed to try refining [New Order].
[The user has used [Gene Refinement] on [New Order]. Would the user like to go ahead and refine the Quirk? [Yes/No]?]
Clicking ahead, I momentarily stopped as I felt something new happened to me. Fortunately, I had [Transmute] to make the process instantly rather than relying on my [Cellular Activation] to lessen the pain.
It didn't take long for my Quirk [New Order] to be refined. Although I was a bit disappointed by the results, it's still better having it improve than without.
[Ding!]
[The Quirk [New Order] has been refined! Notable differences have been made in the description of the refined Quirk!]
Skill List.
----
PP Cost: Varies
Description: [New Order] has been refined to allow the user to set a rule on the user's surroundings, allowing him to manipulate and bestow new properties onto himself and the world around him. To activate his Quirk, the user must first make physical contact with the target and speak its name, then explain the rule the user wishes to impose. Every 25 Levels, add a Rule.
[Rule]: None
[Rule]: None
----
Tch. The Quirk didn't change exactly as I was hoping but adding another Rule is still good than one Rule.
With that, I began to enjoy this peaceful vacation in America, away from the villains in Japan. I just hope when mid-August comes, I will be prepared for the battles ahead and planning for my future…