The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the desert landscape as Gojo and Launch trekked through the barren stretch of land. The wind howled, carrying sand with it, as the duo made their way toward a nearby town. Gojo, in his usual carefree manner, was humming a tune, while Launch—currently in her sweet, docile form—was walking just behind him, quietly enjoying the relative calm after their last battle with the bandits.
"Are we almost there?" Launch asked, wiping the sweat from her brow. "I've been walking for hours."
Gojo glanced over his shoulder, flashing her a grin. "We should be there soon. Besides, I thought you enjoyed the quiet."
Launch smiled faintly, but there was an undeniable restlessness to her. "I do, but I also don't mind getting into a little trouble. You know, mix things up."
Gojo chuckled. "Trouble always seems to find you, no matter where we go."
The moment she spoke those words, Launch's nose twitched. She paused mid-step, a sudden feeling of discomfort overtaking her.
"Achoo!"
In an instant, the world around her seemed to shift. Her gentle demeanor, her innocent gaze, her soft-spoken words—all of it was replaced by a fiery and dangerous aura. Her hair, once soft and blonde, now shifted to a vibrant blue as her eyes turned hard and cold. The woman who had been walking beside Gojo was gone, replaced by the fierce and deadly Launch.
Gojo's grin widened as he heard the familiar sound of her transformation. "There she is," he muttered with a smirk.
Launch—now the dangerous, no-nonsense version of herself—cracked her neck and looked at Gojo with a deadly glint in her eyes. "What did I say about trouble?"
Gojo raised an eyebrow. "I think you're the one who invited it."
When the two finally arrived in the town, the usual tension in the air was palpable. It was clear that something was off—the streets were eerily empty, and the few people who were out seemed to be in a hurry, as if trying to avoid something. The entire town felt like it was holding its breath.
Gojo, noticing the strange atmosphere, immediately sensed that something was amiss. "This place feels like a powder keg ready to explode. Keep your guard up."
Launch, now fully in her fiery personality, gave him a sharp nod. "I've got it covered. Let's see who's behind this."
The two walked deeper into the town, passing dilapidated buildings and abandoned stalls. It didn't take long before they spotted the trouble—four large, intimidating figures blocking the entrance to a narrow alleyway. Their energy was palpable, and the aura they gave off was oppressive.
"Step aside," one of them barked, his voice rough and grating. "This town's under our control now. Leave if you know what's good for you."
Gojo smiled slightly, the playful glint in his eyes not betraying the deadly calm that surrounded him. "Oh, don't worry. We were just leaving. Weren't we, Launch?"
Launch didn't even look at him as she walked forward, cracking her knuckles. "I don't take orders from anyone."
Before the bandits could react, Launch was on them. She moved faster than the eye could follow, her speed blurring into a streak of blue. With a series of quick, precise strikes, she disarmed one of the men, throwing his weapon to the side. She spun around, landing a powerful punch to another's stomach, sending him sprawling into the ground. Her movements were fluid and brutal, each hit calculated to incapacitate her opponents with surgical precision.
Gojo, still standing casually with his hands in his pockets, watched the action unfold. He was enjoying the show, but his mind was focused on the bigger picture. The tension in the town wasn't just about these punks—it was part of something larger, something ominous. But for now, he let Launch have her fun.
With a final, vicious kick, Launch sent the last of the bandits flying into a nearby wall, knocking him out cold. The alley was silent again, save for the sound of Launch's heavy breathing.
"That was too easy," she muttered, wiping a small streak of blood from her lip. Her gaze shifted back to Gojo, who was still watching with an amused smile. "Are we done here?"
Gojo nodded slowly, his smile never faltering. "For now. But we're not here for the usual trouble. This place… it feels like it's been hollowed out. There's something bigger at play."
As the two continued their investigation, it became clear that the town had been under siege by a powerful force. The local populace was too terrified to speak out, and no one dared to help Gojo and Launch as they pressed for answers. They spent hours combing the town, questioning the few brave souls who still roamed the streets.
Eventually, they came across a small tavern hidden in an alley, where an old man—weathered by time and hardship—was willing to talk. After some convincing, the man revealed that a powerful criminal organization had taken over the town in exchange for "protection," but the price was steep. They were selling the people's resources and forcing the locals into dangerous work.
Gojo wasn't interested in the petty details. "Where are they?" he asked, his voice unwavering.
The old man hesitated, but then, seeing the determined look in Gojo's eyes, he spoke. "They've set up shop in the old factory on the outskirts. But be careful—there are rumors of a new weapon they've acquired."
Gojo nodded, signaling for Launch to follow him. As they left the tavern, the weight of the situation finally settled in. This wasn't just some random trouble—it was part of a larger, more insidious scheme. And with Cell's appearance looming on the horizon, Gojo knew that things were about to get even more chaotic.
Launch, her fiery personality still present, turned to Gojo. "Ready to blow up another base?"
Gojo grinned. "Always."
As the two of them made their way toward the factory, the world around them seemed to hold its breath once more. The storm was coming, and nothing—not even the Earth itself—could stand in its way.