•Manipulation• [BNHA × Male!OC]

Chapter 172: Sleeper Agent Activation Sound

"Toya is dead..." Endeavor whispered in disbelief.

"I'm alive, it's the undeniable truth. How did you not recognize me? Did it not even cross your mind because flame-types are a dime a dozen?" he laughed.

He offered to do a paternity test if the hero didn't believe him, but he'd already done one and the positive results were being shown right now on TV.

"Endeavor, this is a present from me. I did some digging on those spy bastards, Hawks and... Ryo."

Shoto perked up.

"To affiliate himself with us, Hawks even killed the number three, Best Jeanist, can you believe it?!" he laughed.

"And Ryo," he grinned down at Shoto. "You two were close, right brother? He could never stand to hear your name leave my mouth, but he had no idea of our relationship so I'll forgive him."

"Don't talk about him!" Shoto seethes, but his protests are ignored.

"But what's unforgivable is what that boy has done before. You won't even believe the number he's killed, not to mention..." he glowered down at the hero.

"He might as well be the Master's own kid."

Dabi has a serene expression on his face as he steps back, cupping his hands to his ears as though listening. Listening to the thousands of people who've had their faith in heroes shaken by the broadcast, listening to the people who are outraged and angry.

Listening to his success.

Shoto can't tell if he wants to scream or cry.

He grits his teeth, looking hopelessly up at his older brother.

"Thanks for being alive and well until today, Endeavor!" Dabi yelled, finally leaping down from Machia.

Endeavor is frozen in shock, his breathing shallow.

"Dad, he's coming! Dad!" Shoto yelled at the unresponsive man, arming himself with flames.

"Protect Midoriya and Katsuki, Nejire and I will handle him! Please, move! Protect them!" Shoto begged his petrified father.

"Hey! Do that later, please!" tears pricked at his eyes.

He didn't want to lose anymore people.

"Flashfire Fist," Dabi spoke calmly, drawing the attention of everyone who recognised the significance of that move.

"Prominence...!"

He drew closer, lit with blue flames like a meteorite from the heavens, crashing down upon the earth to rage its fury.

And just as he was about to hit, cables fly in from above.

They wrap around Dabi and the other villains, enwrapping them. Ryo had been caught in them too.

"Sorry for the delay," a voice sounds from above.

"Best Jeanist is back on the job, starting today!"

It was a huge boost to morale, to see a hero who'd supposedly died return alive and well.

That in itself dispelled some of the despair that Dabi had wanted to inflict.

Katsuki spat blood as Iida helped him to his feet, but the sight of his old mentor made him feel better, not that he'd admit it.

"They said... he was missing..." he grinned.

"Bastard," Dabi hissed, "you were supposed to be dead, it was a real corpse." He thought back to the body Hawks had presented him.