The steel gate lifted.
It slammed shut again once the group had passed through.
Ahead, another steel gate slowly rose.
The design ensured that even if a prisoner broke free, the successive gates would block any escape.
After several repetitions, they finally reached the last checkpoint.
A colossal, heavy-duty metal door bore a red × that screamed extreme danger.
A stifling, grim aura seeped through the gap.
"We're here, Mr. Aokiji," the escorting guard said.
"Open it."
Aokiji habitually scanned the interior with Observation Haki.
The instant he sensed what was happening inside…
He silently and swiftly reeled his Observation Haki back.
Hiss…!
I'll have to wash my eyes—and my Observation Haki—when I get home.
Garou, now in prison garb, watched the special alloy door slide open.
Screeech—
"Chu~❣️ …Oh?"
Puri-Puri Prisoner lifted his head at the sound.
Puzzled, he muttered:
"A newbie today? No one told me."
"Well, let's go see, darling~"
He scooped up the vacant-eyed, ashen Fat Prisoner and leapt straight from the third-tier cell.
Chest thrust out, he struck a flamboyant mid-air pose worthy of a stage play.
The limp figure in his arms, back-lit by the harsh lights, looked almost romantic.
He landed with a heavy thud.
Gently setting Fat Prisoner down.
The man swayed, legs like jelly, and the surrounding hardened inmates rushed to steady him.
"How sweet~" Puri-Puri Prisoner sighed in satisfaction. "Boys helping boys—beautiful."
The inmates shivered in unison, terrified he might suddenly pounce and "play" with them all.
Puri-Puri Prisoner turned his gaze to the newcomers entering.
The guards were old acquaintances.
His attention locked on the other two.
The boy in prison garb looked deliciously defiant… and so young—underage?
Then his eyes shifted.
His pupils shrank, excitement flooding through him.
"Aokiji-chaaan—♥️♥️!!"
The burly figure charged in delight!
Arms flung wide for a crushing hug!
Aokiji's eyelid twitched.
A crackle of freezing vapor and the pop of splitting air rang out.
Puri-Puri Prisoner's lunge froze; thick ice sheathed his legs.
Aokiji vaulted several steps back.
Since arriving, no one had ever forced him to retreat so far.
"Say whatever you need to from there."
"Aww—" Puri-Puri Prisoner drooped, lowering his arms.
"I only wanted to thank you, Aokiji-chan, for sending me so many new boyfriends♥️"
He winked and blew a kiss.
"…Keep that up and I'll get violent."
Aokiji had had enough; this was the most brutal attack he'd endured yet.
Behind Puri-Puri Prisoner, the inmates saw their savior.
They streamed past him, sprinting with everything they had.
The guards tightened their grips, nerves taut.
But the prisoners wailed in tears:
"Mr. Aokiji, I was wrong! I shouldn't have fallen for Tsukuyomi's trick! Take me away—any prison will do!!!"
"Quick—throw me in solitary! I never want to come out again!!"
"Waaah—why did I ever commit crimes? I'm scum, trash!!"
"Save us, hero!!"
The scene was beyond pitiful.
It was like damned souls in Hell clawing for a way back to Earth.
They clung to the guards, not to fight, just sobbing and hugging.
Many rushed toward Aokiji, eyes blazing with hope.
Garou regarded these spineless convicts with contempt.
Trash like this warranted this level of security?
Or… he glanced at Puri-Puri Prisoner.
The muscle-bound heart-sweater man was mourning his "boyfriends'" betrayal.
So this guy is the true terror of Stinky Prison?
A blast of frost swept the hall.
Inmates shivered, hair freezing in clumps, and froze in place.
"Scram." Aokiji waved in disgust.
Every inmate here had committed heinous crimes.
They hadn't hesitated to trample others' lives.
Now, their manhood crushed, they felt regret?
They weren't sorry—they were terrified.
Aokiji pointed to Garou:
"He made some mistakes; he'll reflect on them here for a while."
"Only a while? Doesn't sound like a bad boy at all," Puri-Puri Prisoner nodded.
"And underage, too bad♥️"
He could brutalize criminals without a second thought.
But minors were still his red line.
"Guess I'll start with a kiss to break the ice~"
Garou bristled under the lecherous stare—danger on a whole different level.
Not a threat to life.
A threat to something else entirely.
Aokiji wanted out.
With Garou delivered, he turned to leave.
Puri-Puri Prisoner called after him.
"Aokiji-chan, can I join the Hero Association?"
"I keep seeing cute criminal boys on TV and can't resist bringing them home—being a hero would make it so much easier♥️"
Garou scowled.
What did this pervert think "hero" meant?
"I'll mention it to them," Aokiji said, walking away.
The special alloy door sealed again.
The ice on Puri-Puri Prisoner's legs melted.
With a "gentle" smile he advanced on Garou:
"Everyone, let's throw our newbie a welcome party!"
Garou dropped into a guard stance, alarm bells screaming.
Old man… I hope your martial arts can stop a psycho…!!
Z-City, Flowing-Rock Shattering Dojo.
Bang stood before the ice slide; seeing no one around, he considered a ride.
Suddenly he sensed something and looked up.
Garou? (Not that he cared)
——
——
Knock, knock, knock.
Tatsumaki glanced at the door.
She'd changed into pajamas, looking even younger.
Didn't Fubuki bring her key?
Without concern, she used Psychic Power to unlatch the lock.
No fear of intruders—given her strength…
"Eyes feel better now," Aokiji stepped inside.
"Wh-why are you here?!"
She froze, face exploding into crimson as she darted toward her room.
Air swirled in her wake.
Aokiji blocked her first, catching the little curled-hair bundle in cute pajamas.
"Took a mental hit; came to heal."
"A mental hit?" She hadn't even noticed his hands. "You're hurt?!"
"Sort of."
He looked down at her, letting the earlier trauma wash away.
"An Artificial Esper?" Her face darkened. "Is the attacker dead?"
"Not an enemy," he said offhand.
"Not an Esper either—just a future colleague."
"Quit babbling… and what are your hands doing?!"
"Shh—let me heal the psychic scars."