—Cole POV—
Watching the clouds roll by as we approached Japan, I couldn't believe I got suckered into this bullcrap. I told myself I wouldn't get pulled into being a Hero again, but here I was with an International Hero License helping my family expand the agency internationally. It wasn't really that bad though, I had a new pool of Quirks to tap into now which would come in handy.
'Not only that, All For One is a buffet of Quirks just waiting for the taking.', I thought hiding a grin beneath my hand, 'There are others here that can help me get stronger, especially Eri. I can take out that bastard Chisaki, take his Quirk, and make a copy of Eri's Quirk. It will mesh well with my Time Traveling power…whenever I can awaken it.'
"Cole, I know you didn't want to be a Hero but I asked him to send you with me.", grandpa said with an apologetic look, "If I didn't he was going to try to marry you off to Crystal. He is really bent on having Herman's Agency merge with ours."
Looking at him in shock, I clenched my fist in anger. My father had no damn respect for my wishes, and it was beginning to wear thin on my nerves. Letting out a sigh, I thanked him as this was a much better alternative to marrying that woman.
"Don't be too hard on him, he just wants to ensure the agency continues to be in the Bolt Family.", grandpa told me, "Your cousins don't want it either so this was the only option in his eyes."
"Let's not bother debating this now, I am not thrilled with either option. Do you know one of the big reasons I don't want to be a Hero?", I asked.
"No.", he replied.
"When was the last time someone in the agency called me Cole beside my family?", I inquired.
Taking a moment to think about it, he realized no one did. They all referred to me as the next generation of the Bolt Family Heroes or as David's son. Even at the age of twenty they still didn't call me Cole.
'It's only partially true, but it's really the only realistic thing I can tell him right now.', I thought.
"Cole…I am sorry we didn't see it sooner.", he apologized.
"What's done is done, for now, let's just focus on getting this done.", I said seeing the Toyko Airport coming into view, "Who knows, maybe I will meet someone here that doesn't treat me like a Bolt heir. With this outfit, I am sure to stand out enough without using the family name."
Dressed to my recollection of Kessler, minus the cybernetic enhancements, I felt comfortable enough to Hero here. Disembarking at a private terminal, a limo was waiting for us ready to go to the Hero Association Branch office here in Tokyo. Driving through the city, it was refreshing to see that even in this world there was still an anime culture here.
'Hmm…I could write light novels here based on my previous lives.', I thought seeing a business opportunity.
Pulling up to the Hero Association building, grandpa and I headed inside. The Tokyo Branch was very different from the branches I visited in the States, but I wasn't going to complain as it was a nice change of pace. Walking up to one of the available agents, my grandfather and I flashed our licenses to identify ourselves.
"Oh my, it's an honor to meet both of you!", the female agent said shaking our hands, "Headquarters already sent your information over to us, Mr. Bolt Senior, the Branch Chief will see you now."
Motioning for one of the attendants to show him the way, I remained at the counter to finish my paperwork. Deciding to roll with the Hero name Kessler, I put down that my Quirk was called Conduit. Getting some other basic information like height, weight, and eye color from me, I was given my permanent license shortly after that.
"We look forward to working with you.", she told me with a smile.
"Likewise.", I replied with a polite nod, 'I wonder how many times she has to say that a day. I remember some of the Guild Attendants absolutely hated having to say it. Lots of perverts took it as an invitation to touch them…'
Going back to the limo, I got the address of our accommodations from the driver and said I would do some exploring. Telling me to be careful out there, I thanked him and headed off to the outskirts of Musutafu. Zipping through the power lines, I arrived at our residence in moments.
'Seriously Dad…', I thought looking at the mansion he bought, 'Way to keep a low profile. We are the outsiders here, and you purchase a mansion. Why the hell do we need something this big!? Do you realize how expensive the upkeep is!'
Deciding not to go in, I wanted to walk around the city to take in some of the sights. Musutafu was a much quieter city than I was accustomed to which was a pleasant surprise. As I got into the more densely populated areas, I quickly took to the rooftops to survey my surroundings. Since I would be required to patrol every now and then, getting a proper layout of the city would be very handy.
Seeing other Heroes down below me, I didn't see really anything else going on. The school semesters were about to begin in a few weeks so there were a lot of kids on the streets. Spending the last few days of freedom before returning to class, everyone was eager to enjoy themselves.
As I was looking around the area, I heard a commotion down on the ground. Glancing down at the main street in front of the building I was on, I watched a minotaur-looking guy burst out of the building across the street. Seeing bags of money in his left hand and a hostage in his right hand, I suspected the building was a bank. Using magic to translate what he was saying in real-time, the cops were on the scene in moments.
"All of you stay back!! If you don't this woman is going to get it!!", he threatened tightening his grip on the hostage's neck.
'Seriously…who the fuck says that shit.', I thought looking to see if any Heroes would show up.
Seeing a bunch of Heroes I didn't know start showing up, I was pretty confident none of them were going to take him. By now the woman was pleading for the cops to back away, but they weren't about to let him go. If my guess was right he had nearly a quarter million dollars in hand so they weren't letting him go.
'A Mexican Standoff I see, welp better get to it I guess.', I thought with a sigh.
Dashing into the outlet next to me, I appeared in the bank entryway and look at him. The guy was probably about seven feet tall at most and was jacked. Clearing my throat to get his attention, I politely asked him to let the woman go. Looking at me dressed in a long white trench coat, white suit, white scarf, and grey hood he was probably confused as I looked nothing like any Hero he'd have seen.
"Who the hell are you!?", he shouted.
"Name's Kessler, now let the lady go. I won't ask you again.", I replied.
"You think you have the balls to take me pipsqueak!!", he roared, "I will chew you up and spit you-"
Vanishing from place in a flash of light, I slammed my knee right under his chin. Feeling his jaw crack in several places, he momentarily lost consciousness which was all I needed to extract the woman from his grasp. Jumping back out of his reach, I left her with the police as the villain recovered from the momentary blackout. Catching himself before falling to the ground, he looked around trying to find where the hostage and I went.
"Good Morning Sunshine, have a nice nap?", I harassed him.
Turning around to see me standing behind him, he glared at me full of anger. Throwing the money away, he charged straight at me hellbent on trying to flatten me. Grabbing his arm as he got close, I spun around and threw him to the ground using his strength against him. Hitting the ground hard, he gasped as the wind was knocked out of him. Restraining him with electrical restraints like Cole MacGrath did, I turned to the police and said they should be able to take it from here.
"Holy cow!", one of the officers gasped, "You made this guy look like an amateur!!"
Chuckling at that, I thanked the officer and was going to leave when one of them grabbed me by the shoulder.
"I hate to ask, but you got a license to Hero?", he asked.
'That sounds so stupid…', I thought hiding my smirk, "Yeah, here is my license."
Showing him my International Hero License, he looked at it then me with confusion. Telling me he needed to make a call, the officer walked over to his car for a few minutes. Coming back with a nervous expression, he handed me the license back with a smile.
"My apologies…I didn't realize the Bolt Family was setting up a branch here in Japan.", he said, "It's an honor to work with one of the best Hero families in the States!"
"Please just call me Kessler.", I told him with a smile, "We are in the process of finishing up the paperwork now so please keep this on the down low."
"I understand, I will let the boys know to keep an eye out for you.", he replied not listening to a word I said.
Not wanting to get caught up in an interview, I zipped into a power line and slipped away without any problems. Reappearing a few streets away, I sat down and let out a sigh.
'That was really too easy, being overpowered in a world like this sucks ass.', I thought rubbing the bridge of my nose, 'I have to constantly control my strength so I don't kill someone.'
A few moments later my phone started to ring out of nowhere. Pulling it out of my pocket, I saw that it was my grandfather calling me. Answering the phone, I had to pull the phone from my ear as he was shouting through the phone.
"That's my boy, Cole!! I just saw the footage of your first Hero Act, you showed that villain what's what!!", he laughed with excitement, "Your parents are going to be so proud of you!"
"Please tell me you didn't send it to them…", I said knowing they would go overboard with it.
"Was I not supposed to?", he asked.
Feeling my phone vibrate, I saw that my parents were posting what happened all over social media. Realizing that I was now going to be identified as one of the Bolt's now, I told my grandfather that I had to go. Telling him I would see him tonight, I ended the call and leaned back. Seeing the comments start pouring in, the cat was out of the bag and my attempt to stay separated from the Bolt name went out the window.
'I tried to warn them…when I have to start killing villains, it's going to come back on the family, not just me.', I thought before something else clicked, "Shit…I am going to have to make a few trips back home. If the Nightwalker disappears after I leave, it will certainly raise some red flags. I will keep it up for a few weeks, then stop it completely."
Picking myself back up, I continued my patrol till my grandfather got to the mansion.