Akira stopped in his tracks, frustration bubbling under the surface. Who would be foolish enough to listen to a fugitive shouting "stop"?
The towering man had clearly taken his decision to leave as a challenge. With a heavy *thud*, the man leapt in front of Akira, blocking his path.
"Kid, you don't seem to understand what I mean," the man growled, his deep voice resonating with menace.
Akira remained calm, his expression unreadable. In his previous life, he might have panicked and scrambled to find a way out. But now, equipped with the Sand-Sand Fruit and his newfound resilience, he felt no fear.
"Isn't it better if we both mind our own business?" Akira said coolly, his voice steady.
The man hesitated, momentarily thrown off by Akira's lack of fear. His instincts told him this wasn't an ordinary teenager.
"Who are you? A professional hero? Or…" The man narrowed his eyes. "Are you just like me?"
Akira smirked faintly. "Neither. Just a regular guy."
"Cut the crap," the man snapped, his voice laced with suspicion. "Your eyes say otherwise. Either way, I can't let you leave now."
Akira sighed, his tone turning firm. "You can't kill me. It's as simple as that."
The man's lips curled into a savage grin. "Oh, really? Then let's test that theory!"
---
A One-Sided Battle
The man's muscles swelled grotesquely, veins bulging across his crimson skin. Steam hissed from his body as his Quirk activated in full force. With a roar, he leapt high into the air and came crashing down with a devastating punch.
**"Disappear!"**
The ground beneath them cracked, spider-webbing outward before collapsing into a massive crater. Dust and debris flew in all directions.
The man straightened, his breath heaving, as he surveyed the aftermath. "Looks like I smashed you into bits," he muttered smugly. "Guess I've gotten stronger."
But his confidence shattered when the sand in the pit began to stir.
Akira reformed seamlessly from the granules, his calm expression unchanged. With a swift motion, he swung his arm, slamming a fist into the back of the man's head.
The impact sent sand flying from Akira's hand, and the man turned, wide-eyed, to see Akira's head regenerating as if nothing had happened.
"What the hell is this Quirk?" the man stammered, his voice betraying his fear.
"I told you," Akira said, his voice steady, "you can't kill me."
Enraged, the man lunged again, his attacks growing more frantic. Fists flew, feet kicked, but each strike passed harmlessly through Akira's sand-like body.
Minutes passed. The man's movements grew sluggish, his breaths labored.
"This… What kind of monster are you?" he muttered, his voice trembling.
---
A Hero's Arrival
Akira crossed his arms, his expression calm but serious. "You're wearing yourself out. I don't need to rush—I'll deal with you when the time is right."
He raised his arms, transforming them into sharp, sand-like spikes, ready to counterattack. But before he could act, a shadow loomed above them.
With a mighty crash, a figure landed between them, sending a plume of dust into the air.
"W-Who's that?" the man stammered, stepping back instinctively.
As the dust settled, a familiar voice boomed.
**"Fear not! Because I am here!"**
Akira's eyes widened in disbelief. "All Might…?"
The towering figure of the Number One Hero stood tall, his confident smile radiating pure charisma.
The man's bravado faltered as panic set in. He knew that All Might wasn't someone he could defeat. Without hesitation, he turned and leapt, attempting to escape.
But All Might's speed was legendary. In a single bound, he closed the distance, his fist clenched tightly.
**"SMASH!"**
The villain crashed into the ground, forming another massive crater.
---
A Desperate Fight
The man groaned but managed to stand, his Quirk flaring once more. His body swelled to an even more grotesque size, muscles and veins threatening to burst.
"All Might!" he roared, his voice filled with desperation. "I won't go down without a fight!"
The villain charged, fists flying as steam hissed from his body.
All Might stood firm, his smile unwavering. "Then come at me with everything you've got!"
The ground shook as their clash began, a battle of overwhelming strength and unyielding resolve. Akira watched from the sidelines, impressed yet cautious.
*This world's heroes are on another level. But someday… I'll stand alongside them—or above them.*
For now, however, Akira knew it was best to let All Might handle this. He stepped back, allowing the iconic hero to shine.