Chapter 88: The Eternal Truth That Has the Bigger Fist and Justice
Shoto looked at Aoi with a quiet intensity, the weight of his thoughts still lingering in his eyes from their earlier conversation. He hesitated for only a second before speaking.
—Brother, I only have one last doubt. Can you answer it?
Aoi met his gaze steadily, the soft hum of the motorcycle engine fading into the background as they stood in the quiet street.
—Yes, speak. What is your doubt?
Shoto took a slow breath, choosing his words carefully.
—Seriously, brother. Your behavior doesn't fit how a hero should be. But here's the problem: you said the government doesn't like people with that human factor. So how do you plan to coexist with them? The chance of them attacking you just because of your personality combined with your power is high.
Aoi fell silent, letting the words settle between them. Shoto had raised a sharp point—one that deserved careful consideration. Aoi's mind turned inward, reflecting on the reality of the world they lived in.
—It's true, this point. After all, in the manga, Koichi helped so many people and was expelled just because he didn't have a license. If it weren't for that American hero, he would have been arrested. If they treat Koichi from Boku no Hero Vigilantes—who follows All Might's rules to the letter—this shows that the government doesn't care if you're good or not. They care that you follow the rules they made. And even if I say I don't depend on a quirk to fight, the chance of them finding an excuse like "your strength came because you used your quirk to have it, so it is part of the quirk" is very high. They will definitely do this if the situation demands it. So there's only one way to guarantee the safety of those I love: I can't hide my power. If I hide it, they only see a part, they will think there's a chance and act, ending up generating a war between us. So only one option remains: nuclear test.
Aoi opened his eyes fully and looked directly at Shoto.
—Brother, I thought about it and only found one answer. While I live in this world until my planet is ready, I'm going to have to coexist with them. So I'm going to have to do the nuclear test so the world sees that I have the button to pull everyone to die together if they attack me.
Shoto's eyes widened in genuine shock.
—Brother, do you plan to attack a country?
Aoi shook his head slowly, his expression calm but resolute.
—No, I don't plan to. What I'm thinking is going up into space and there opening the eighth gate and throwing a punch with all my strength that can destroy a continent so their satellites can see it. I'm going to show the world that they are not the only ones who can press the red button.
Shoto stared at him, processing the sheer scale of what Aoi was describing.
—Brother, but can you open the eighth gate? And aren't you afraid they will join together to attack you if they know about your power?
Aoi gave a small, knowing smile.
—First, I can use the eighth gate if I want and if I close it quickly, just one punch. The consequences will only be my arm becoming useless for one day because my regeneration will be fixing it. And your second question is simple: countries are rulers, not heroes. They only act in two situations: either there's profit or it's about their country's survival. But I'm not going to attack them or say I want to be their king. So why would they risk attacking me and possibly losing everything when there's nothing to gain in this war? Besides the difference in strength. Adding to the fact that I don't obey Japan, their fear of Japan using me to attack their country doesn't exist.
Shoto nodded slowly, the logic sinking in.
—Well, that's true. I understand your point. It's like a country that didn't have a nuclear bomb finally making one and doing the test to show the world they have it so they won't be treated any way anymore.
Aoi's voice was steady.
—They just can't know about my children or that I'm a new race that lives forever because that activates the condition for them to unite. The fear of being replaced by my race and the fear that I'm going to stay here forever. If they don't know anything, even if they see my power, they won't care because they will think that in a few years I'll already be dust. So for them it's not worth entering a fight that stakes the fate of the world against a mortal being who will die of old age.
Aoi's mind drifted for a moment, drawing a quiet parallel.
—It's like Madara: if he doesn't want to declare war on the ninja nations and just wants to live in peace, despite having some spies monitoring him, they are not crazy enough to mess with him. After all, even if he is defeated, the final price will be too high and the first country to take the first step will certainly not survive. No one wants to be the first.
Shoto exhaled, a mix of relief and lingering worry in his voice.
—I understand. It's a matter of time for them. Even if you're strong, you're still a human who will die over time. It doesn't make sense to fight to the death with a powerful person where the price of winning is high and the reward is none, and the chances of dying together are even greater just to kill a being they believe will die of old age.
Aoi gave a small, approving smile.
—You understood.
He turned and began walking out of the cafeteria with Shoto following close behind. As they stepped into the cool afternoon air, Aoi's mind continued to turn over the implications.
—After Shigaraki killed Star in the original, the United States didn't send anyone to avenge her, which shows that between countries it's every man for himself. But it was kind of obvious, that fact: everyone for one caused chaos for years in Japan and no one sent help. So if they didn't do anything, why would they join now to face a guy who is 20 times stronger than All Might and who doesn't want to dominate the world? They would have to be insane to pull the pin on a grenade without reason. The most they should do is investigate my whole life to learn about my personality and decide how they will interact with me.
Shoto gave a tired, somewhat sad smile as they walked.
—For you, brother. Just so you can act the way you want, you have to have that power to warn the world.
Aoi returned the smile, though it carried a trace of weariness.
—You don't need all this power if I just wanted to be king. It would be enough to kill them all. But since I want peace without killing anyone, I need to show overwhelming power that shows that the cost of attacking me doesn't compensate for the risk of failure.
Shoto's smile grew a little warmer.
—Well, and that's why you're a good guy, right?
Aoi swung his leg over the motorcycle seat and looked back at his younger brother.
—It's in these moments that I wish I wasn't a good guy. It's so much easier to be an idiot.
Shoto chuckled softly.
—For the innocent people who live in this world, I thank you for being a good guy.
Aoi shook his head with a faint grin.
—Go. I'm going to set up the places for everyone to sleep after training. You should go soon before the old man shows up to annoy you.
Shoto nodded.
—Well then, good training for you.
Aoi started the motorcycle, the engine rumbling to life beneath him. As he pulled away, his thoughts continued to drift.
—It's sad that to not fight, you need to have a power much greater than necessary to fight. How complicated humanity is. Well, I'm going to solve the power of the portals and Star's blood because after this display it's going to be a little difficult to move in secret. But if I already have the portal of the bees along with my return to life that I can use to change my physical appearance, this will allow me to work hidden if I need to draw attention when necessary. And then I just need to finish my plan to get out of here. This power display is just so they don't try anything funny while I'm here.
Aoi slowed as he approached the familiar gate of his home. He opened it with practiced ease, the metal creaking softly, and pulled inside.
Arriving home, Aoi opened the front door. Rei, seeing her son, smiled warmly.
—What happened, my son?
Aoi returned the smile, though it carried a hint of weariness.
—Nothing. I'm just thinking how annoying it is to become famous.
Rei raised an eyebrow, surprised.
—Why all of a sudden?
Aoi shrugged lightly.
—Ah, nothing. It's just that sometimes you plan one thing, but there are small curves in the direction of your objective.
Rei smiled gently.
—It doesn't matter as long as you manage to reach those objectives, right?
Aoi's smile widened, genuine this time.
—Yes, it doesn't matter.
He glanced down and noticed Matatabi batting playfully at his shoe. With a soft chuckle, he scooped the kitten up and placed her carefully on his head, where she promptly began kneading his hair with tiny paws.
Aoi looked back at his mother.
—Mom, my classmates who are coming to train arrive today. So ask the drivers to rent a bus and pick them up at the UA gate. They'll be waiting there.
Rei nodded.
—Alright, son. Then what about the rooms for them to stay?
Aoi thought for a moment.
—Well, separate one room for the boys and another for the girls and it should be enough. More space for Rumi and Ryuko and Nemuri.
Rei smiled, a knowing glint in her eye.
—They are in the room discussing what name they are going to give the children.
Aoi laughed quietly.
—Well, I was left out. How sad. I have to fight for my rights if my son is called Zoro.
He turned and ran upstairs, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the house.
Rei watched him go, shaking her head fondly. Then she turned to prepare everything, a soft smile still playing on her lips.