𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 ⌈𝐈⌔𝐌 ✗ 𝔽!𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹⌋

Chapter 075

CHAPTER 75: Ashes and Aspirations

The sirens echoed in the distance, the whine of tires slicing through the chill of night as the police convoy sped down the rain-slicked road. Inside the armored vehicles were restrained Yakuza members, including the broken shell of Kai Chisaki—Overhaul—stripped of his power, his pride in tatters. Their destination: a secure hospital under strict hero surveillance.

But the road ahead had already been claimed.

Perched atop a dimly lit overpass, the League of Villains watched, their breath curling in the cold air. Tomura stood at the edge, his crimson eyes locked on the convoy below.

“The way to achieve victory in Shogi is by taking the opponent's king,” he murmured, fingers twitching in anticipation.

Dabi scoffed beside him. “Shogi isn’t that simple. You don’t just win by charging in and smashing everything.”

Mr. Compress spoke over the phone, his voice amused. “Still, a checkmate is a checkmate. Thanks to Himiko and Twice, we know exactly where the Yakuza are.”

A gust of wind swept past them, but it wasn’t just the chill that raised the hairs on their necks—it was her.

Unseen by most of them, a figure emerged from the shadows of the bridge’s support beams. Hydrax. Cloaked in black with her long hair damp and trailing behind like drowned silk, she watched the League with calculating eyes. Water shimmered faintly at her fingertips, pulsing like a heartbeat. She had been following them for some time, curious… and quietly pleased. Chaos called to her like a lullaby.

The convoy drew nearer.

Himiko and Twice arrived, their footsteps light. Himiko grinned as she twirled her knife between her fingers. “You’re gonna love this,” she chimed.

Twice threw his arms out with theatrical flair. “Overhaul’s a wreck! Emotionally shattered, reputation ruined, and oh—he looks like he just got run over by a karma truck!”

Tomura’s lips curled into a grin.

“Let’s end this.”

As they prepared their ambush, Dabi turned to Spinner. “Quit weaving the van around. This isn’t about Stain anymore.”

Spinner hesitated. “But—”

“It’s necessary,” Tomura snapped.

From her perch below the bridge, Hydrax raised a single hand, her eyes narrowed. The air trembled. Behind the convoy, a wave of corrupted, black-stained water surged upward from a nearby drainage system, coiling like a serpent. It crashed against the asphalt, sending a police cruiser spinning out of control.

That was her warning shot.

“Looks like I’m joining the dance,” she whispered, stepping forward, water swirling at her heels. The League turned slightly at the sound of the explosion—only Tomura smirked.

“I wondered when you’d stop lurking.”

“I like watching the pieces fall first,” Hydrax replied coolly, then raised both hands.

Dabi launched a preemptive blaze of blue fire at the lead vehicle, but a police cruiser intercepted it, screeching as it veered into the flames. From within, the Sand Hero Snatch emerged, his body partially shifting into grit.

“Stand down!” he barked. “You’re not getting past me!”

Tomura took the distraction. He lunged forward, his Decay active, fingertips inches from the steel of the vehicle.