Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Dragon of the West
Tamayo's POV
Life outside the mansion was far from simple. Though we had built a sanctuary for ourselves, the world beyond its gates teemed with chaos. Still, I found joy in the small clinic and tea shop we ran in a quiet corner of the city. The clinic was a testament to my knowledge and skills, a place where people could come for healing beyond the limits of modern medicine. The tea shop, managed by Iroh, offered solace to those seeking peace amidst their busy lives.
The clinic, while modest, was equipped with tools and medicines far beyond what this world had seen. The goddess had granted me knowledge from multiple realms, and I used it to heal those who came to my doorstep. Rumors of my abilities had begun to spread, and though most attributed it to a "quirk," I knew the truth. This world understood little of what lay beyond its borders.
One evening, as I prepared herbs for a new salve, the clinic doors burst open, and two men staggered in, carrying a third between them. The man in the center wore the tattered remains of a hero's uniform, his chest heaving as he struggled to breathe. Blood soaked through the fabric, pooling on the floor beneath him.
"Help him, please!" one of the men pleaded. "He was ambushed by villains. He's not going to make it!"
Without hesitation, I rushed to the hero's side, assessing his wounds. They were deep, jagged gashes, likely from a blade, but there was something more—an aura of malice that clung to him like a shadow. Poison.
"Prepare the operating table," I instructed a nearby homunculus nurse, who immediately sprang into action. With precision and speed, she wheeled out the necessary equipment, sterilized tools, and set the table for surgery. The efficiency of the homunculi never ceased to amaze me.
The hero was placed on the table, and I began my work. The tools I used were unfamiliar to this world, gleaming with an otherworldly light. The poisons were potent, but my knowledge ran deeper. Slowly, methodically, I fought to pull him back from the brink.
Iroh's POV
As Tamayo worked, I stepped outside the clinic to ensure no unwelcome guests approached. The streets were quiet, but there was a tension in the air—a stillness that set my instincts on edge. I had seen enough battles to recognize the signs of an ambush.
It wasn't long before I spotted them. A group of men, their faces obscured by masks, advanced toward the clinic. Their movements were slow, deliberate, and their eyes glinted with malice.
Villains.
One of them stepped forward, his voice mocking. "We're here for the hero. Hand him over, and we won't make this messy."
I clasped my hands behind my back, keeping my voice calm but firm. "This is a place of healing. Turn back now, and no harm will come to you."
The man sneered, stepping closer. "You think you can stop us, old man? Do yourself a favor and step aside."
I sighed, taking a step forward. "I am giving you a chance to leave with your dignity intact. Do not mistake my kindness for weakness."
The villains exchanged glances, their hesitation clear. But then one of them, emboldened by the scent of blood in the air, lunged forward. The others followed, their movements chaotic and reckless.
It was over in moments. I moved with practiced precision, disarming and disabling them without unnecessary force. A burst of flame here, a sweep of my leg there—each action deliberate and efficient. The street was soon littered with groaning bodies, the air filled with the faint smell of scorched fabric.
But one figure remained standing.
The man was unlike the others. He wore black and purple clothing, his hands bristling with blades, and his body wrapped in barbed wire that glinted menacingly under the streetlights. He stepped forward slowly, his presence exuding malice.
"Impressive," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "But I'm not like those fools."
I raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of my tea. "You seem intent on proving that. I urge you to reconsider."
The man smirked, his blades clinking together as he flexed his fingers. "I'm not here to talk, old man. I'm here to take what we came for."
With a sigh, I set my teacup down and adjusted my stance. "Then I'm afraid I must insist you leave."
The man didn't wait. He charged with reckless abandon, his blades slicing through the air. The barbed wire around him snapped forward, attempting to ensnare me. But I had faced worse foes in my time.
I sidestepped his attack, using a burst of fire to sever the wire mid-flight. The flames danced around us, illuminating the street as I countered his every move. He was fast, but I was faster. He was strong, but I was stronger.
With a final, well-placed strike, I disarmed him, his blades clattering to the ground. The barbed wire unraveled, falling limp at his feet as he dropped to his knees.
"You fight with passion but no discipline," I said, my voice calm but firm.
The man glared at me, but there was no fight left in him. He tries stumbling to his feet, but he fails falling back onto the ground.
His eyes darting toward me with a mixture of anger and fear. I could hear the distant wail of sirens approaching, signaling that the authorities were on their way. I turned to the other incapacitated goons scattered across the street and took a moment to adjust my robes, ensuring not a speck of dust remained. Appearances, after all, mattered.
The police arrived moments later, several officers stepping out of their vehicles with weapons drawn. They took in the scene—the injured villains groaning on the ground, the barbed-wire-wielding man restrained but conscious, and me standing calmly with my hands clasped behind my back.
"What's going on here?" one officer demanded, stepping forward.
I offered a polite smile and a small bow. "These gentlemen attempted to breach the sanctity of our clinic. I merely persuaded them to reconsider."
The officer's eyes narrowed as he sized me up. "You can't just use your quirk like that. You need a hero license for this kind of intervention."
I raised an eyebrow, pulling a small, elegant card from the sleeve of my robe. Handing it to the officer, I watched as his expression shifted from suspicion to surprise.
"A hero card… and a quirk counseling certification?" The officer's tone was incredulous. "How—?"
"It seems your standards are rather straightforward," I said with a chuckle. "I found the process amusingly simple. Tea, after all, has a way of bringing out honesty during evaluations."
The officer returned the card with a reluctant nod. "You're cleared for now, but next time, leave it to the pros."
"Of course," I said, bowing again. "I will endeavor to let them arrive sooner."
Before the officer could respond, a powerful gust of wind swept through the street, scattering loose debris. A shadow passed overhead, and a moment later, a figure landed with a resounding thud, one knee on the ground, fist planted firmly in a superhero landing pose.
"DON'T WORRY, CITIZENS, FOR I AM HERE!"
Kirito's POV
Even as an infant, I could sense the tension in the air. The energy outside the clinic was chaotic, a clash of forces that stirred something deep within me. Though I couldn't understand the voices or actions around me, I felt the determination in my mother and the strength in my uncle.
The white fox appeared beside me again, its presence calming. It nuzzled against me, and I reached out instinctively, my tiny fingers brushing its soft fur. Together, we watched as the world unfolded, waiting for the day we would step into it.
All Might's POV
I stood tall, taking in the scene. Villains subdued, officers securing the area—everything seemed to be under control. My gaze fell on the restrained figure wrapped in barbed wire, who glared at me as the police cuffed him.
"DID I ARRIVE TOO LATE?" I boomed, turning toward the man responsible for the cleanup.
He was a giant of a man, broad-shouldered and imposing, yet his expression carried an air of serenity. He greeted me with a warm smile and a respectful bow, his demeanor calm and composed.
"Not at all, All Might," he said. "The situation was handled with care. I trust you'll find everything in order."
I scratched the back of my head, laughing awkwardly. "YOU'VE GOT A GOOD GRIP ON THINGS, I SEE."
He gestured toward the clinic behind us. "My sister-in-law is currently tending to an injured hero. Perhaps you'd like to check on him?"
Tamayo's POV
I was finishing the final touches on the hero's treatment when the doors opened once again. A shadow filled the doorway, and I turned to see a towering figure clad in red, blue, and gold. His presence was commanding, his smile bright and unwavering.
"Thank you for saving him," he said, stepping forward. His voice was loud yet sincere. "Heroes don't always get the help they need, and you've done something remarkable today."
I gave him a polite bow. "It is my duty to help those in need, hero or otherwise. There is no need for thanks."
But as I rose, I noticed something peculiar. The mighty All Might, the Symbol of Peace, was staring at me with an expression I couldn't quite place. His wide eyes, slightly parted lips—it was as though he had been struck speechless.
And then, without warning, the first words out of his mouth were: "MARRY ME."
I blinked, momentarily taken aback, but quickly composed myself. Offering a small smile, I replied, "I respectfully decline."
All Might froze, his face turning an interesting shade of red. "AH—OF COURSE! MY APOLOGIES! THAT WAS… RATHER FORWARD OF ME."
Before the awkwardness could deepen, one of the homunculi entered the room, cradling Kirito in her arms. She moved with the grace and precision typical of her kind, and as she approached, she gently handed Kirito to me.
The atmosphere shifted as I held him close, his small form nestled against my chest. All Might's expression softened as he looked at the child, his booming voice lowering to a more reverent tone. "Is… is this your son?"
I nodded, smiling down at Kirito as he stirred in my arms. "Yes, he is my son. His name is Kirito."
All Might took a step closer, his larger-than-life presence somehow gentler now. "He's lucky to have someone like you as his mother. It seems he has a bright future ahead of him."
I glanced at Iroh, who had entered silently and stood by the door, his tea in hand and a knowing smile on his face. Together, we had created a place where Kirito could thrive. No matter what challenges lay ahead, I was determined to give him the life he deserved.