The hour-long Shinkansen ride was spent with Kaminari and Tetsutetsu speculating about the relationship between Midoriya and All Might. By the time their discussion ended, both were left feeling a mix of emotions.
To put it bluntly: envy and jealousy.
After all, this was All Might they were talking about—the No. 1 Hero in Japan, the Symbol of Peace, who had held the top spot for decades.
However, Kaminari didn't feel too bitter. He already had a master of his own, and his current mentor wasn't bad at all. Besides, All Might's fighting style didn't suit him.
But Tetsutetsu was another story. He was practically drowning in his own speculation, his eyes filled with admiration and envy.
And it was understandable. In every way, All Might seemed like a perfect mentor for someone like him.
What about Daimon Goro-sensei, you ask?
Well, Daimon-sensei was only a judo instructor, not a real master in the hero sense. The two roles were entirely different.
What neither Kaminari nor Tetsutetsu realized, however, was that the relationship between All Might and Midoriya was far more complicated than they could imagine. While it was indeed a master-disciple relationship, it was a unique one that defied normal conventions.
---
Soon, their Shinkansen arrived on time in Saitama City. After walking together for a bit, Tetsutetsu and Kaminari parted ways at an intersection.
Tetsutetsu had to head to his judo dojo for training, despite Kaminari's suggestion that he take a break after not sleeping the previous night.
But the stubborn Tetsutetsu refused, saying, "It's just one night without sleep, that's no reason to skip!"
Anyone who's ever pulled an all-nighter knows how miserable it feels to take on high-intensity physical tasks without proper rest. Kaminari could only watch as Tetsutetsu's tired figure disappeared into the distance.
"Damn… if you don't push yourself to grow stronger, who will?" Kaminari muttered with a sigh. He couldn't help but admire Tetsutetsu's persistence. Hard work had always been a principle he believed in.
Shaking his head, Kaminari refocused his thoughts. "Let's head home. I still need to meet this bodyguard named Snatch."
---
About thirty minutes later, Kaminari reached the gate of his residential complex, his signature Pikachu bag slung over his shoulder. But something immediately felt off.
The usual guards, who were often seen slouching in their posts while scrolling on their phones, were nowhere to be found. In their place stood two men dressed in strange, formal uniforms.
Not only that, but the entrance was surrounded by unfamiliar equipment, several pieces of tech he didn't recognize, though he could easily identify at least two as cameras.
"What the… did they move an entire police station here?"
Kaminari glanced toward the guard room and found two uniformed police officers stationed inside. Even the old "Guard Room" sign had been replaced with one that read "Police Room," complete with a shining police badge.
"Oh, and they even brought a patrol car…"
Under the watchful gaze of two pro heroes, two police officers, and multiple cameras, Kaminari walked silently into the complex. Sure enough, a police car was parked in the nearby lot.
"Dad, how much did all this cost?" Kaminari thought to himself as he scanned the area. Is this what they mean by 'money makes the world go round'?
Unbeknownst to Kaminari, this wasn't entirely about money. While wealth could get you far, getting the police this involved required more than just cash, it required influence.
In this case, the Mitsui family and the Yaoyorozu family had discreetly offered their support, ensuring everything went smoothly. They didn't spend a dime themselves, but their involvement ensured that Kaminari's father had all the resources he needed.
---
As Kaminari approached the building where his family lived, he suddenly stopped and closed his eyes.
He wanted to get a sense of how many people were in the complex now, especially the newcomers. It was, after all, where his family lived, he needed to be thorough.
In a matter of seconds, an invisible electrical pulse spread from Kaminari's position, rippling outward. The "world" in his mind expanded, growing clearer as dozens of presences appeared.
Most of them were professional heroes, stationed strategically around the complex. Some patrolled their designated routes, while others remained hidden, ready to respond at a moment's notice.
"Four, six, twelve, fifteen… twenty… twenty-one," Kaminari counted silently. "Twenty-one professional heroes and six police officers."
The two policemen standing at the automatic door to his building seemed to notice him. Kaminari must've looked strange, standing still with his eyes closed. The officers exchanged a quick glance and nodded to each other.
One of them stepped forward cautiously, a gentle smile on his face. "Hey, you okay there, kid?"
At the same time, the other officer stayed back, his hand resting near his waist—just in case.
Although they recognized Kaminari, their primary mission was to ensure his family's safety. And in a world of quirks, you couldn't take anything for granted.
"It's nothing," Kaminari said, opening his eyes and smiling. "I just didn't get much sleep last night. A bit exhausted, that's all."
He chuckled lightly, noticing their professionalism, and added, "But seeing all of you here makes me feel safe. I think I'll finally get a good night's sleep. Thank you."
The two officers blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting such a polite response from a wealthy kid. A moment later, they broke into wide grins.
"Hahaha, no problem, kid!" one of them said cheerfully. "You can relax, we'll make sure you don't have to worry about a thing."
"That's right," the other added with a grin, thumping his chest. "If any of those scumbags try anything, they'll have to get through me first!"
---
With a quick thank-you, Kaminari stepped through the automatic door and entered the building. After riding the elevator up, he finally reached his apartment.
"Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep!"
"Pika-pika~"
The electronic lock chimed, and the familiar Pikachu-themed doorbell sounded. A moment later, the door swung open.
But instead of being greeted by his mother or father, Kaminari found himself face-to-face with a serious-looking man. He was middle-aged, with sharp features and a pair of striking, upturned white mustaches reminiscent of a certain "Whitebeard."
"Uh… you must be the Sand hero, Snatch?" Kaminari asked, quickly piecing things together. He offered a polite smile, closing the door behind him.
The man nodded slightly, though his expression remained stern.
"I wouldn't say 'famous,'" Snatch replied, his deep voice carrying a calm weight. "I only came here because I heard that villains were targeting innocent families like yours. Protecting people is my duty as a hero and my responsibility."
***
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