Hi guys! Night_Rider567 here.
I forgot to add this earlier, but I wanted to explain the villain threat rating system I'm using in this chapter (and will continue using throughout the story). So here it is:
Villain Threat Rating System (1-10 Stars)
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1 Star – Nuisance Level
Petty criminals, minor thugs, villains with quirks that have no combat application. Can be handled by a single police officer or a hero-in-training. Examples: Pickpockets, shoplifters, quirkless criminals.
2 Stars – Minor Threat
Low-tier villains with basic combat quirks or weapons. Requires a trained sidekick or multiple police officers. Minimal danger to civilians if addressed quickly. Examples: Street muggers with minor strength quirks, small-time arsonists.
3 Stars – Moderate Threat
Villains with useful combat quirks and some fighting experience. Can injure unprepared heroes. Requires an experienced sidekick or a fresh pro hero. May cause localized property damage. Examples: Gang enforcers, villain squad members.
4 Stars – Elevated Threat
Trained combatants with dangerous quirks. Can hold their own against lower-tier pro heroes. Often part of organized villain groups. Capable of threatening small groups of civilians. Examples: Lieutenant-level villains, skilled mercenaries.
5 Stars – Significant Threat
Elite villains with powerful quirks and extensive combat experience. Require pro heroes to handle safely. Can threaten city blocks if unchecked. Often have criminal records and known tactics. Examples: Veteran villains, specialized assassins.
6 Stars – Major Threat
Extremely dangerous individuals capable of challenging multiple pro heroes simultaneously. Their quirks can cause widespread destruction. Often the leaders of major villain organizations. Require coordinated hero response. Examples: Organization commanders, high-end mercenaries.
7 Stars – Critical Threat
City-level dangers. Their quirks can devastate large areas or threaten hundreds of lives. Require multiple pro heroes working together. Often have body counts and catastrophic incident histories. Examples: Disaster-level villain leaders, escaped death row inmates.
8 Stars – Catastrophic Threat
Nation-level threats. Can level cities or cause mass casualties on a regional scale. Require top-tier heroes and coordinated government response. Public awareness causes widespread panic. Examples: All For One's inner circle, apocalyptic cult leaders.
9 Stars – National Crisis
Threaten the stability of entire nations. Their actions could collapse governments or exterminate millions. Only the top heroes in the country can hope to engage them. Every appearance is a national emergency. Examples: Prime All For One, fully realized god-tier quirks.
10 Stars – Humanity Extinction Level
Theoretical only. Threats capable of ending human civilization entirely. No single hero, not even All Might at his peak, could guarantee victory. All military and hero forces combined might still fail. Examples: Awakened God-level threats, quirks that have broken reality.
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Notes on Usage:
· 1-3 Stars: Street level. Police and sidekick territory.
· 4-6 Stars: Pro hero territory. Requires licensed heroes.
· 7-8 Stars: Multiple heroes required. Top-ten may be needed.
· 9 Stars: National emergency. All hands on deck.
· 10 Stars: Theoretical. Pray it never happens.
Just wanted to clarify since this the rankings that izuku will use to classify the threat level of villains. Hope you're all enjoying the story so far. Things are about to get more fast paced in the next few chapters...
Update Schedule: I know I haven't made a proper update schedule before, so here it is—at minimum, I will post 3 chapters a week! Between college and work, my time's pretty limited, but I'm committed to keeping this story moving for you all. To be honest, I'm not sure if that's the norm for fanfic updates, so please let me know—I'd really appreciate the feedback. And thanks for being patient with me while I figure this all out!
On the Pacing of this story: I'm also going to work on making chapters more fast-paced going forward. I'll be honest—I have a tendency to write slow, detailed world-building and character moments (as you might have noticed with three whole chapters set in one party 😅). While I love that deep storytelling, I know it can feel slow when you're waiting for updates. I'll try to find a better balance between building the world and keeping the plot moving in each chapter.
Consider this the end of the setup—after this chapter, the fun is officially going to begin. Strap in, because things are about to pick up!
I try to respond to your comments as fast as I can—I genuinely value every single one. Your thoughts, insights, and feedback mean the world to me and keep me motivated to write more. So please, keep them coming!
As always, comments are always welcome! Let me know what you think, what you're excited to see, or if you have any questions.
Thanks for reading,
Night_Rider567
Izuku's Point of View:
I turned to Jarvis, the cold clarity still humming in my veins. "Give me the list Jarvis I want to see exactly what I'm up against."
Jarvis's sleek head lifted, and for a moment. Then—quite unexpectedly—a soft blue light emanated directly from his sensor-eyes, and a holographic display materialized in the air before me. A grid of faces, names, quirk classifications, and threat ratings, all projected with perfect clarity from my snake's eyeballs.
I blinked.
"Jarvis," I said slowly. "Did I... install holographic projectors in your eyes?"
A pause. "Yeas sir? The schematics you provided included several optical enhancements. I was not aware holographic projection was among them, but the functionality appears to be present."
I rubbed the back of my neck. "You know what? I was so excited when I built you and Silk's bodies that I may or may not have added some extra features I may have forgotten about." I waved a hand dismissively. "Eh, whatever. It's not like they're harmful to me."
I stood up to see the list clearly, stepping away from where I'd been sitting on the dusty floor.
Then I heard a whine from where I was sitting.
I glanced back towards the sound and Saiko was staring at me, her lower lip caught between her teeth, her magnified eye wide with something that looked almost like distress? She'd been leaning slightly toward where I was sitting, and now that I'd moved, she looked like I had deprived her of something?
That was weird..... Really weird. But I pushed it aside for now. I needed every second I could get to plan and think.
Then Saiko's attention shifted to the holographic display, and her expression transformed in an instant. Her eyes went big, sparkling with raw, unfiltered fascination. Her mouth formed a perfect little 'o' of wonder.
"Incredible," she breathed. "Full-spectrum holographic projection from an ocular housing no larger than a standard serpentine eye. The miniaturization alone would require—" and just like that I lost her.
She was mumbling.
I looked around the room. Momo was staring at the floating display with wide, awed eyes. Her parents looked similarly stunned—Renjiro's jaw was slightly slack, Sayuri's hand pressed to her chest. Kenji Intelli was leaning forward like a man witnessing something impossible and Hanako's gentle face held an expression of profound amazement.
Even Alfred was affected.
I glanced at the butler, expecting his usual mask of professional composure. Instead, I saw his eyes—those perfectly trained, unflappable eyes—go wide. His eyebrows actually rose. His lips parted slightly. For one glorious second, Alfred looked genuinely, completely shocked.
Then he caught me looking at him with slight amusement, and the mask snapped back into place. But I'd seen it. Oh, I'd definitely saw it and I filed that away for later amusement.
I got no idea why they are reacting like this, after all it's just a simple hologram. Whatever, right now I have work to do.
I turned back to the hologram and scanned the list. Jarvis had organized it perfectly, using the star system exactly as I'd designed it. Thirty hostiles. Three commanders. Eight combatants worth worrying about. Nineteen support personnel who were essentially non-factors.
My eyes moved down the display, memorizing faces, quirks, threat ratings, countermeasures.
Goro Takamura – Alias "Ironhide"
· Threat Ranking: ★★★★☆ (4-Star Individual) / ★★★★★★ (6-Star Tactical)
· Role: Overall Leader / Field Commander
· Quirk: Fortress Frame – Enhancer-type quirk granting significant superhuman strength (approx. 3-ton lifting capacity) and extreme durability against blunt force trauma and conventional firearms. Speed and agility are notably reduced due to mass increase when quirk is fully active.
· Notes: Former registered hero "Fortress." Fled prosecution for corruption and excessive force. Commands through fear and tactical experience. Primary ground-floor hostage commander.
· Countermeasure: Mono-molecular blades bypass durability. Speed disadvantage can be exploited.
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Akihiko Mori – Alias "Wildfire"
· Threat Ranking: ★★★★★ (5-Star)
· Role: Secondary Commander / Area Denial / Heavy Offense
· Quirk: Pyro Cloak – Emission-type quirk allowing generation and manipulation of flames from entire body surface. Capable of projected fireballs (long-range) and sustained flame streams (mid-range). Significant combat experience. Extensive arson-related criminal history.
· Notes: Temperamental. Known to escalate situations unnecessarily. Primary ground-floor hostage commander alongside Takamura.
· Countermeasure: Fire-resistant materials, rapid closure to melee range, suppression of ignition sources.
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Reina Shirogane – Alias "Thorn"
· Threat Ranking: ★★★★☆ (4-Star)
· Role: Tertiary Commander / Assassin / Flanking Specialist
· Quirk: Spike Body – Transformation-type quirk allowing generation of sharp, bone-like protrusions from any point on skin surface. Spikes can be launched as projectiles (effective range 15 meters) or used as melee weapons. Rapid regeneration of expended spikes. Criminal record includes assault, armed robbery, and suspected assassination contracts.
· Notes: Prefers indirect engagement. Will target isolated individuals. Primary ground-floor hostage commander.
· Countermeasure: Maintain distance from unknown surfaces. Predictive movement to avoid projectile trajectories. Spider-Grip wall scaling to deny her angles.
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COMBATANTS
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Taro Yamada
· Threat Ranking: ★★★☆☆ (3-Star)
· Role: Breacher / Close Assault
· Quirk: Reinforced Frames – Enhancer-type granting increased skeletal density and minor strength amplification. Hits harder than average, more durable than unenhanced human.
· Notes: Standard frontline muscle. No tactical subtlety.
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Yuki Aoki
· Threat Ranking: ★★★☆☆ (3-Star)
· Role: Scout / Flanker
· Quirk: Sonic Step – Emitter-type allowing short bursts of enhanced speed (3-5 seconds) accompanied by audible sonic crack. Limited utility but dangerous in confined spaces.
· Notes: Uses speed to reposition and flank. Predictable pattern—always attacks from blind side after activation.
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Kenji Watanabe
· Threat Ranking: ★★★☆☆ (3-Star)
· Role: Control / Capture
· Quirk: Tendril Lash – Transformation-type allowing arms to elongate and split into flexible, prehensile tendrils (max extension 8 meters). Tendrils have limited strength but can entangle and restrain.
· Notes: Prefers to immobilize rather than kill. Overconfidence in reach advantage.
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Mika Sato
· Threat Ranking: ★★★☆☆ (3-Star)
· Role: Distraction / Area Denial
· Quirk: Flash Bang – Emitter-type allowing hands to generate intense light and sound bursts on contact with any surface. Disorients opponents, creates chaos.
· Notes: Works in tandem with assault teams. Blind spots exist immediately after discharge.
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Junichi Endo
· Threat Ranking: ★★★☆☆ (3-Star)
· Role: Breacher / Heavy Support
· Quirk: Impact Absorption – Emitter-type allowing skin to absorb and redistribute kinetic energy from impacts. Can store absorbed force and release it as concussive blast through palms.
· Notes: Dangerous if allowed to build charge. Empty him early.
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Haruki Tanaka
· Threat Ranking: ★★★☆☆ (3-Star)
· Role: Marksman / Overwatch
· Quirk: Pinpoint – Emitter-type enhancing visual acuity and trajectory calculation for thrown or projected objects. Not a true projectile quirk, but lethal with standard firearms.
· Notes: Stationary during engagement. Poor close-quarters capability.
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Rina Kobayashi
· Threat Ranking: ★★★☆☆ (3-Star)
· Role: Infiltrator / Sabotage
· Quirk: Phase Step – Transformation-type allowing partial intangibility for 2-3 seconds. Can pass through thin barriers (drywall, glass, standard doors) but not reinforced security doors or load-bearing walls.
· Notes: Limited use. Pattern recognition makes her predictable after first phase.
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SUPPORT / NON-COMBATANT (But Still Dangerous)
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Daichi Yamamoto
· Threat Ranking: ★★☆☆☆ (2-Star)
· Role: Technical Support / Door Specialist
· Quirk: Unlock – Emitter-type allowing user to bypass mechanical and electronic locking mechanisms by touch. Works on standard pin-tumbler locks, electronic keypads (by overriding signal), and basic magnetic locks. Does NOT work on biometric scanners, retinal scans, or multi-factor authentication systems with isolated power sources.
· Notes: Non-combatant. No physical enhancement. Primary responsibility was facilitating entry and clearing internal security doors. Currently positioned near main entrance, coordinating with breach team.
· Critical Vulnerability: Complete lack of combat training or enhancement. Lowest physical threat in entire operation.
· Countermeasure: Literally anyone with two functioning arms and a slight attitude problem.
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ADDITIONAL COMBATANTS (2-Star)
Names redacted for brevity—full dossier available upon request
· Kenta Suzuki – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Grip Lock – Hands can adhere to surfaces temporarily. Limited combat application.
· Aoi Nakamura – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Echo Locate – Enhanced hearing, can map environments via sound reflection. Scout support.
· Ryota Ishikawa – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Light Step – Reduces footfall noise significantly. Infiltration only.
· Mai Tanabe – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Clarity – Minor enhanced vision. Spotter for marksman.
· Nao Higashikata – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Pocket – Can store small objects (fist-sized or smaller) in extradimensional space. Logistics only.
· Shota Kitagawa – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Flex – Minor joint hypermobility. Contortionist. Infiltration only.
· Yuna Shimizu – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Scent Trail – Enhanced olfactory tracking. Would be dangerous if combat-capable. She is not.
· Kaito Nakamura – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Static Touch – Minor electric discharge on skin contact. Stun-level only.
· Ema Yoshida – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Memory Glimpse – Can read surface thoughts of unconscious or willing subjects. Interrogation support.
· Riku Hayashi – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Dull Edge – Reduces sharpness of blades on contact. Niche counter to bladed weapons.
· Sora Endo – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Breath Hold – Extended oxygen efficiency. Underwater operations specialist. Irrelevant here.
· Mei Fujikawa – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Stack – Can perfectly balance objects. Party trick, not combat.
· Takumi Abe – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Paper Skin – Reduces friction on skin surface. Can squeeze through tight spaces. Infiltration.
· Asuka Mori – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Dampen – Reduces sound within 2-meter radius. Stealth support.
· Ren Sugimoto – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Knot – Can tie any knot instantly. Logistics.
· Hina Kudo – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Memorize – Photographic memory. Intelligence gathering only.
· Yuto Igarashi – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Calm – Emits low-grade pacifying aura. Minor emotional suppression. Non-combat.
· Miki Aihara – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Fold – Can fold any non-living material along precise lines. Logistics.
· Daiki Kanno – ★★☆☆☆ Quirk: Polish – Restores surface shine. Actually useless in combat.
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TOTAL HOSTILES: 30
· 4-Star+ Command: 3
· 3-Star Combatants: 8
· 2-Star Support/Non-Combat: 19
"Polish?" I said aloud. "Someone brought a guy who can make things shiny to a hostage/kidnapping situation? Seriously?"
Jarvis's voice was perfectly dry. "Every operation requires logistical support, sir. Though I confess, the tactical application of surface restoration eludes me as well."
I chuckled, but the amusement faded quickly as my mind churned through the tactical data. "You know, Jarvis, cannon fodder is useful too. Some of these vermin are just human meat bags—meant to be sacrificed to the heroes in order for the commanders and maybe some of the combatants to flee." I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "Leave enough bodies behind to stall the heroes, buy escape time. It's ugly, but it's smart."
I stared at Ironhide's face on the hologram.
"I have to give it to him. He's quite smart. But considering he used to be a hero, he must know how they think. How they'll react. What they'll prioritize." A cold smile touched my lips. "Sadly for him... I'm not a hero. Not yet. And I don't think the way they do."
I frowned, my gaze dropping as I considered the problem. If I was going to do this—really do this—I needed one more thing. One critical piece that would help me immensely.
But before I could dive into that, I need to apologize to them for loosing my cool.
I turned to face the Yaoyorozus, my expression carefully controlled. "I'm sorry I lost my temper like that. It was unbecoming of me, and I—"
Renjiro held up a hand, cutting me off mid-sentence. His face was still pale, but his voice was firm. "You do not have to apologize for losing your temper, Izuku. I lost my temper myself moments ago when I learned what that man planned for my family." He paused, a muscle twitching in his jaw. "I understand."
I looked around the room. Sayuri was nodding slowly, her arms still wrapped around Momo. Kenji Intelli gave a solemn nod of agreement. Hanako's gentle face held nothing but understanding. Even Alfred, standing rigid by the door, inclined his head in a small, respectful bow.
A genuine smile touched my lips. "Thank you for your understanding." I glanced down at Momo, still held protectively in her mother's embrace. "It's just... Yaoyorozu-san and Intelli-san are my first real human friends. And I got angry when I learned that villain wanted to hurt her."
The effect was immediate and dramatic.
Momo's eyes went wide. She squirmed out of her mother's grip with surprising strength, practically launching herself across the dusty floor until she stood directly in front of me. Her face was bright red, her eyes sparkling with an intensity that made me take a half-step back.
"Really?" she breathed, her voice high with excitement. "I'm your friend? Really?!"
Before I could respond, I felt a presence materialize at my other side. Saiko had moved with shocking speed, her usual measured grace abandoned in favor of raw determination. She grabbed my free hand—the one Momo hadn't already seized—and held on tight. Her magnified eye was enormous, gleaming with barely contained joy.
"Really?" Saiko echoed, her voice slightly breathless.
Both girls stared up at me with identical expressions of sparkling anticipation. Their eyes were practically glowing.
I blinked, caught off guard by the intensity of their reactions. "Yeah? You guys are my friends, right? Sorry, I'm not great at socializing with people who aren't my mom or Hikaru."
The words left my mouth and something in my gut immediately clenched.
Why do I feel like I just made a mistake?
I looked down at them—really looked. Momo was practically vibrating with joy, her earlier terror completely forgotten, her eyes shining like I'd just handed her the moon. Saiko, usually so composed and analytical, was beaming with an unrestrained happiness that transformed her entire face.
Saiko looked like she was about to say something else, her grip on my hand tightening slightly, but then the door slammed open. The sharp sound echoed through the room and both girls jumped. They immediately let go of my hands and ran back toward their parents.
A man stepped into the room, one of the villains. He scanned the space, his eyes lighting up when he saw all of us gathered together.
"Jackpot," he muttered with a greedy grin. "Boss is definitely giving me a raise for this—"
He never finished the sentence.
I moved before he could even reach for the radio on his waist.
A web shot from my wrist and sealed his mouth shut. At the same time, I closed the distance and kicked his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard. Before he could even process what was happening, I drove a punch into his kidney. The air left his lungs in a silent convulsion, his body curling in on itself.
With his mouth sealed and his breath knocked out of him, there was no chance he could make a sound.
I quickly shut the door again, guiding it closed with controlled, steady pressure so it wouldn't make any noise. Once it clicked into place, I locked it.
Then I walked back toward him.
As calmly as I could, I activated my claws. The retractable mono-molecular filaments slid out from the fingertip housings with a faint, deadly shimmer.
I crouched beside him and spoke in a cold, quiet voice. "If you make a sound, these are going to start working on you. And I'd rather you stay alive and in one piece. Now, don't we?"
His eyes went wide. He froze completely.
I stood up and kicked him hard across the head. His body went limp immediately.
I grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to the corner of the room. A few quick shots of webbing pinned him securely to the wall and floor. Even if he woke up, he wouldn't be going anywhere.
I removed the radio from his belt and took the gun from its holster. Then I tossed both toward Hikaru. He caught them easily without even looking.
When I turned back around, everyone in the room—except Hikaru—was staring at me. Their faces were a mix of shock and disbelief.
I looked at Jarvis. "Who's this idiot I just knocked out?"
Jarvis sounded slightly unsettled but responded. "That was Daichi Yamamoto, sir. The individual with the Unlock quirk."
I let out a small chuckle. "Well, that's convenient. The one person who could help them access most of the entrances and doors in this place just wandered right into our room. Well that's one less problem to worry about."
Then I turned toward the Yaoyorozus.
"I'm going to need your help," I said. "There are two things I need you to create for me. By the looks of it, we're running out of time. So... can you guys help me get ready to deal with these villains?"
They were still stunned, but as my words finally sank in, their expressions slowly shifted. Realization crept into their eyes as they began to understand what I was asking—and what it meant.