Sensei arrived at the hospital. This time everything was quick and without preludes at the entrance to the clinic. Imagine Taiko's surprise to see Sato in such a humiliating position. Sensei brought him in chains and severely beaten by his guards.
-What happened, Sensei? - asked Kyudai.
-He'll tell you himself. - A comfortable sofa was prepared for Sensei and expensive wine was brought right in Kyudai's spacious office.
-I-I made a mistake while protecting Sensei and thereby humiliated him.
Kyudai also showed due respect to Sensei, and he was respected in return for his long service to the scientist. In the criminal world, reputation is very important, even more important than money. When the stakes are too high, you need to be tough and react to any humiliation or leniency. Taiko also understood this perfectly well, and heeded another lesson from Sensei. No matter how much of a friend or acquaintance Sato was, they were just working together, nothing more. And there was absolutely no desire to stand up for him.
-What should we do with him, huh, Daruma? - All For One bowed his head majestically, wine in hand.
-Let me ask, what is his quirk? - Taiko intervened.
-Gigantification. -Kyudai looked at Taiko first, waiting for his reaction, and there was one.
-Nomu. - Taiko gave his verdict. - "Anything is better than death, there is a chance to keep your sanity." Kyudai agreed, nodding. Sensei liked the idea.
-No-o-o... - Sato whispered, he was quickly injected with a sleeping pill and lost consciousness, Taiko called Johnny's portal and teleported along with the body.
Having tied the body to a stretcher and sent it to the concrete pit with the giant's body, Taiko left him under anesthesia and returned to the office under the interesting gaze of Sensei. After that, Sensei left, saying that he expected the Gigantomachy to be over at their next meeting.
Taiko rubbed his eyes. Today was a really hard day, he wanted to get home as soon as possible next to Kuin, and the constant thought of her safety stirred his mind. After all, they did not live in a favorable area.
-I think that's all for today.
***
A very bright day has come for Taiko, literally. The sun blinded him with its rays in the morning and made him wake up. Kuin was snoring in her pajamas next to him. A couple of weeks have passed.
Taiko read about strong supplements that can do a lot. He bought magnesium and calcium, ashwagandha, creatine and melatonin in tablets. Constantly supporting the body with good food, vitamins, quality sleep, sufficient magnesium and the influence of ashwagandha increases stress resistance, and quality sleep better restores the body from damage, including muscle damage. Psychological stability stimulates better control of your quirk.
Also, taking care of basic hygiene: face, body, hair and teeth care. In Japan, a full set is quite expensive, so his pocket was significantly emptied. Taiko was already thinking about how to make money, this action from Kyudai to supply him with three corpses for Nomu was only a one-time event. Kyudai really helped a lot, but nevertheless, Taiko continues to hate what he does.
After all the morning procedures, Taiko smelled nice and felt more cheerful and calm than before. The constant anxiety playing somewhere in the background went away. He started cooking breakfast for himself and Kuin. They both really liked the recipe for toast with honey (not surprisingly).
Noticing the news broadcast on the TV with the words "missing" in the background, he turned up the volume.
-...as the police say, they have brought in the heroes to search for the fourth missing child. The authorities are imposing a curfew, and police patrols will be patrolling around the clock.
-"It's not far from us, in the neighboring city. It looks like the influence of the heroes and the police will only grow."
-There are also several missing teenagers in the city of Jaku.
-"Yeah, now the police are scurrying around there, and all because of a few drops of blood. I don't want to deal with this anymore." Hearing that Akiko had woken up, Taiko switched the channel to a music channel. He can only guess who these kidnappers are, the news didn't say directly, but it's clear to everyone, children can't "accidentally get lost" several times in a row. -"Maybe Kyudai? No, he only makes Nomu out of adults. Some pedophiles. Better keep an eye on Kuin for a couple of days until the fuss dies down."
***
The school Kuin attended was nearby, on the edge of a relatively safe area, but that didn't guarantee anything. -"Kyudai is planning something big, it looks like he wants to create a real giant-nomu. Let's not interfere with him."
In a couple of weeks, Taiko came up with several ways to make money. Rob a store or the most absurd idea - rob a cash collector. -"Cash collectors need training, and you won't get much from stores or gas stations, it will only raise a fuss, and the presence of cops will increase." Taiko thought while drinking cola in the park, opposite the main entrance to Kuin's school. It was a lesson now, so there were no children on the street.
While away the time, he did push-ups and squats on the playground.
After waiting for Kuin to return from her last lesson, he called a taxi and together they went home. Taiko was on edge today because of the kidnappers, but being with Kuin made his soul calmer. Having exchanged everyday questions like: how was your day. Taiko left Kuin with Kyudai.
- So, I made you something to eat. Do your homework, I'll check.
- Are you staying for long? - a sad girl's voice was heard behind him.
- Maybe I'll be there late at night. Don't be bored. - Taiko left with a heavy heart, it was better to leave her with Kyudai than alone at home. - "She's not stupid either, but how scary it is to leave her."
The first thing to do was to resolve the issue with the driver.
- Good afternoon, Sensei. Am I disturbing you?
-Are you on business, Taiko?
-Can you tell me if you have any work for me?
...
-"Maybe I shouldn't have gotten myself into this?" - Taiko wondered while standing on the roof of the night city of Musutafu. All For One announced to the entire criminal world about a reward for every hero killed. After this announcement, many foolish pseudo-villains were caught by the police for attempted murder. A couple of heroes were still wounded, but this event did not become as widespread as planned.
Taiko in his uniform listened to All For One, trying to tell how things were currently. Many people began to turn away from Sensei, and he was ready to pay big money so that they would help him maintain influence.
-Until recently, a very strong hero appeared in Japan, so to speak. So strong that he would have enough strength to destroy my entire empire. - All For One spoke to Taiko, staring at the night city. -Taiko, you're a smart guy, you know what I'm getting at?
-Soon everything will be different from before because of the drop in crime. All because of the Almighty? -Taiko didn't really like this hero nickname, too self-confident. -Too pompous a nickname.
-Apparently the time spent next to Ujiko was useful. Don't underestimate him because of his hero name. He's truly unique. It seems he's the only one who can fully cope with... Well, it doesn't matter. -All For One realized that he almost said too much, and changed the subject. -In general, no matter what I do, sooner or later I'll be ousted and forgotten.
-Why are you telling me this? I'm just an assistant.
-Hah. I think you're keeping a big secret, Taiko Garaki. Nothing is known about you except the day when Kyudai adopted you.
-My parents abandoned me, and the old man began to look after me. - the guy calmly leaned against the railing.
-You're lying. Even if so, this is very unlike Kyudai. I've known him for a very long time, you can't even imagine how long, he would never do something like this in his life. Most likely, you are of some value to him, maybe you have a unique quirk... - he finished his glass of All For One wine and put it on the tray for the servant who approached. Taiko tried not to show his wariness, a chill ran down his spine. -...or a unique skill? In any case, apparently there is something difficult about you. That's why you are here now. I heard about your successes from Kyudai, you succeeded in helping him in the lab, in particular, we are talking about field work.
Taiko guessed what kind of work he was talking about.
-You're still too young, perhaps naive and arrogant, but something tells me that I'll be able to "trust" you, if you earn it by working for me, of course. -All For One rarely says this word. He didn't expect too much from a nine-year-old boy. -You'll start small for now. My deputy will give you assignments, ask him for whatever you want. You need to be serious in this matter, no one will play games here.
-As you say, sir.
When Taiko left him, All For One began to think about his replacement, in case of a worst-case scenario. Not just a replacement, but a full-fledged successor to whom he would pass on his eponymous quirk. His sights fell on Nana Shimura's grandson. He could raise Tenko Shimura to be a real villain, as if a joke on the late Nana - a heroine to the core. He enjoyed causing trouble for this family even after the death of the annoying Nana Shimura. What made All Might - Toshinori Yagi, One For All's successor, incredibly angry.
-Quirks a century ago weren't as strong as they are today. I think I'm losing my grip...