Chapter 26: Chapter 25: New Teammates.
Outside the Villains' Hideout.
A strange group stood together, looking entirely out of place.
A pale-looking girl in a school uniform, a man with half his face burned, a magician cosplayer, a lizardman, a guy dressed in black with white stripes, and finally, a woman who looked more like a man.
Himiko Toga, Dabi, Mr. Compass, Spinner, Twice, and Magne.
Giran looked at the villains he had carefully selected, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Despite the short notice, the quality of recruits was guaranteed.
After giving them one last look, Giran raised his hand to open the door to the Villains' Hideout.
But... he couldn't open it.
"What is this...?" Giran's eyes narrowed, his gaze locked on the seemingly ordinary wooden door.
Raising his hand, he felt the surface.
"Wait! This isn't wood! It's metal!"
His eyes quickly moved to the door handle, where he noticed a fingerprint scanner.
Curiosity sparked in Giran's mind, but just as he was about to speak, the door clicked open.
"Come in, Giran."
Hearing the familiar voice, Giran relaxed, forcing his usual fake smile as he pushed the door open.
"Shigaraki-san, you must know the League values you greatly. That's why I assembled this team so quickly—" Giran's voice trailed off and froze.
The reason?
The complete transformation of the Villains' Hideout.
The bar had become a futuristic sanctuary of menace, with sleek black walls glowing with pulsating neon-blue circuitry. A transparent counter glowed faintly, shifting with holographic patterns as luminous bottles floated above in defiance of gravity. Soft ambient lighting bathed the room, accompanied by the faint hum of hidden machinery.
Digital screens on the walls displayed cryptic symbols and mission data, giving the space an air of constant vigilance.
Kurogiri stood behind the counter, his warp mist swirling ominously, exuding an oppressive aura. Mechamaru sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, his green eyes focused on the blueprint in his hand.
In the middle of it all sat Shigaraki, perched on a floating chair with his hands resting on his lap. His old, tattered outfit seemed chaotic against the sleek, futuristic surroundings.
For a moment, Giran forgot to breathe.
The next moment, he masked his shock and smiled, relying on his professional instincts.
"Hehehe, Shigaraki-san, it seems a lot has changed since my last visit..."
Hearing his words, Shigaraki's lips curled into a wild, unconcealed grin.
Sitting on the auto-adjusting chair, watching the surprise on his guests' faces, filled him with a strange exhilaration.
"Wow! Is this really the League of Villains?!"
Shigaraki turned his head to the pale girl in the school uniform—Himiko Toga.
She looked around excitedly, her eyes sparkling like stars.
"It's waaaaay better than the abandoned house I used to live in!"
"Hmph! So what? It only shows they've got a lot of money! I'm here because of Hero Killer Stain!"
Shigaraki's eyes narrowed at the mention of the detestable name. The speaker was Spinner, a human-lizard hybrid.
For a moment, Shigaraki wanted to reduce him to dust but remembered his friend's advice. He focused instead on the group.
His eyes landed on Dabi.
"There's a familiar face," Shigaraki muttered.
Dabi smiled silently, offering no reply.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance! I am Mr. Compass, descendant of the Bandit King!" Mr. Compass removed his hat and bowed theatrically.
"I'm Magne," the last member said plainly.
"Hehe, Shigaraki-san, I can vouch for their abilities. If you have no issues, I'll take my leave now," Giran said, seeing Shigaraki nod in approval.
Despite his irritation with the Stain incident, Shigaraki couldn't deny Giran's competence.
"Hey, hey, Shigaraki-kun! Are we part of your team now? Can I touch that? That!" Himiko Toga pointed at the floating holographic display, bouncing with excitement.
Shigaraki ignored her.
"Yay! Thank you!" Toga took his silence as permission and dashed toward the hologram, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
The others soon joined, exploring their new surroundings.
But then Shigaraki's voice cut through the room.
"Just remembered two things."
The group turned toward him.
"I am the leader," he stated firmly.
"And my friend..." He gestured toward Mechamaru.
"Is the second in command."
All eyes fell on Mechamaru, who remained seated, studying the blueprint.
Toga was the first to react.
"Hello, Shigaraki's friend! I'm Toga!" She extended her hand toward Mechamaru.
Mechamaru lowered the blueprint and looked at her with his glowing green eyes. Grasping her delicate hand with his cold, metallic one, he stood up.
"My name is Mechamaru."
After giving the group a brief glance, he began to sit back down when Toga suddenly leaned into his vision.
"Hey, hey, Mechamaru…" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Why can't I sense any blood from you?"
A tense silence filled the room.
"Stop bothering him, or I'll kill you," Shigaraki's cold voice cut through, making everyone freeze.
"I-I was just playing, Shigaraki-kun! I didn't mean to bother Mechamaru!"
"It's alright," Mechamaru said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Really? Yay! Mechamaru, can I be your friend?"
"Of course," he replied simply.
"Hehe."
To everyone's surprise, Mechamaru patted Toga's head.
Feeling confused, she glanced up at him, only to find him addressing the group.
"I am your friend, Mechamaru."
------------
Ps: if you like the story then give power stone and review.