NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40: The Parent's Concern
Toshinori walked through the bustling streets of London, his mind racing with the implications of the intelligence he had gathered. The atmosphere felt charged, as if the city itself was holding its breath in anticipation of something sinister.
Toshinori: [muttering to himself] "They're planning something big. I can feel it. I need to investigate the major areas of the city before it's too late."
He paused for a moment, taking in the architecture and energy of London, but his thoughts were consumed by the urgency of the situation.
Toshinori: [determined] "I can't let them execute whatever plan they have without a fight. I need to find out where All for One might strike next."
He quickly formulated a plan, deciding to split his efforts between key locations known for villain activities and areas that might hold strategic value for All for One. With a deep breath, he set off toward the nearest underground station, ready to dig deeper and find clues that could lead him to thwarting their plans.
Toshinori: [thinking] "I just hope the others are safe and that I can find them before it's too late."
As Toshinori approached Big Ben, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. His eyes scanned the area, looking for any signs of trouble or hidden clues. But when he spotted Deku and James Bond, the No. 1 Hero of Europe, he couldn't believe it.
Toshinori: [whispering to himself, smirking] "Deku? What's he doing here... and with James Bond, no less. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. Typical heroes and their sense of honor. But... maybe I can use this to my advantage."
He watched from a distance, observing the two as they spoke, and couldn't help but chuckle at the situation. Despite his independent approach, Toshinori knew having backup might not be the worst thing in the world, especially with the looming threat of All for One's plan.
Toshinori: [still muttering to himself] "Guess it wouldn't hurt to team up with them, at least for now. Let's see if they've picked up anything useful."
Toshinori's surprise entrance quickly turned into an emotional confrontation. The tension in the air was thick as Deku turned to face his son, his frustration visible in his eyes. Without hesitation, Deku slapped Toshinori across the face, the shock of it reverberating through the moment.
Izuku:[voice trembling with emotion]* "Do you have any idea how worried I was, 01?! You could've at least told me you were leaving!"
Ochaco stepped forward, her voice filled with both concern and frustration.
Ochaco: "He's right, 01. You're a grown man now, but that doesn't mean you can act so recklessly! You don't have to face everything alone."
Toshinori rubbed his cheek where his father had slapped him, but his expression remained calm. He knew they cared, but he couldn't shake the deep distrust he held for heroes. His memories were fragmented, and the only clear thing was that his distrust was tied to the loss of his arm—and to the heroes he blamed for it.
Toshinori:[sighing, trying to remain composed]* "I didn't expect you both to yell at me like this, but... I have my reasons. You both know I can't trust heroes—not after what happened."
He looked down at his left arm, or rather, the absence of it. The reminder of his past haunted him, even if the details were blurred. Deku and Ochaco exchanged glances, both of them understanding how deeply this scar ran for Toshinori.
Izuku:[softening his tone] "We know... we know why you don't trust heroes. And we never wanted to force you to remember. But you don't have to do this alone".
Ochaco:[gently] "We're here for you, no matter what. But please, let us help you. You don't need to carry this burden by yourself."
Toshinori's expression softened slightly, but the conflict within him remained. He didn't respond immediately, still processing everything as the weight of their words hung in the air.
Then Toshinori turned his attention to the man standing beside his parents, the No. 1 Hero of Europe, James Bond. Despite his distrust for heroes, he extended a polite nod.
Toshinori: "So, you must be Mr. Bond. It's a pleasure to meet you."
James returned the gesture with a calm, confident smile. "The honor is mine, 01."
Toshinori's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied James, searching for any hint of insincerity. "There aren't many heroes who've earned my trust. I hope you won't be one to disappoint me."
James met his gaze without wavering, his expression resolute. "I understand your reservations. But rest assured, I'll do everything in my power to earn your trust and prove myself worthy."
Toshinori gave a slight nod, feeling a sliver of hope. For once, he thought, maybe this hero wouldn't let him down.
Toshinori led the way toward the entrance of Big Ben, his posture serious but composed.
**Toshinori:** "We need to head inside and check for any leads. If All for One's planning something big, there might be clues hidden within."
Deku nodded, his voice firm but cautious. "Just remember, 01, this tower is London's pride. We can't afford to damage it."
Toshinori shot a glance back at his father. "I'm well aware, Deku. We'll be careful. Zero damage, understood."
James Bond, observing the exchange, felt a sense of relief. These two understood the gravity of the situation and the importance of preserving such an iconic symbol.
James: [nodding approvingly] "It's good to see you both value the significance of this place. Let's hope we find what we're looking for without any unnecessary risks."
Together, they approached the tower, ready for whatever awaited them inside.Toshinori's powerful aura radiated through the area, knocking out every villain in sight without even lifting a finger. The surrounding air felt dense, but no harm was done to Big Ben or the environment.
Toshinori: [smirking slightly] "Well, looks like we're clear now."
James was visibly impressed, crossing his arms as he nodded in approval. "Impressive. You managed to neutralize all of them without causing any damage. A rare skill."
Deku:[smiling faintly] "That's 01 for you. Let's move inside and find what we came for."
Ochaco, her expression filled with urgency, added, "We need to hurry. If All for One is making his move, we don't have much time before things get worse."
With the villains taken care of, the group entered the tower, they entered the tower, the dim light illuminated ancient artifacts and maps lining the walls. Toshinori scanned the area, his instincts kicking in as he searched for any clue about All for One's plans.
Toshinori: [pointing to a map] "Look here. This map indicates several locations across England, but one stands out: Stonehenge. There's a marked gathering there tomorrow night."
Deku:[leaning closer to inspect] "Stonehenge? Why would they choose such a historic site for their plans?"
James:[frowning thoughtfully] "It's a significant location, rich in history and mystery. If they're planning something there, it could involve a large gathering or a ritual of some sort."
Ochaco:[nervously biting her lip] "We need to warn everyone and figure out what their plan is. We can't let All for One turn Stonehenge into a battlefield."
Toshinori nodded in agreement, his expression serious as he folded the map.
Toshinori: "We'll need to move fast. We can't afford any delays if we want to prevent whatever is happening at Stonehenge."
The group quickly gathered their thoughts and prepared to leave Big Ben, knowing the fate of many depended on their actions in the coming hours.