Chapter 81: Hero Ranking

[Kaede POV]

"Kaede-chan, it's starting!" Ochako shouted from across the room.

"Ok, I will be there soon!" I yelled back as I finished brewing my tea and hurriedly went to the lounge.

I sat next to Mina and Ochako, and together, we watched the television screen.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Japanese Pro Hero Ranking Announcement!" The commentator announced through the television. Today's ranking was special as it was the first time ALL Might won't appear on the ranking!"

The crowd applauded as the floor of the giant stage started to open, and ten people were elevated onto the stage. I cheered when I saw my onii-chan at the centre of the group. When the top ten heroes were on stage, the commentator revealed the current ranking for pro-heroes

No. 1 Hero: Red Crow

No. 2 Hero: Endeavor

No. 3 Hero: Hawks

No. 4 Hero: Best Jeanist

No. 5 Hero: Edgeshot

No. 6 Hero: Mirko

No. 7 Hero: Crust

No. 8 Hero: Kamui Woods

No. 9 Hero: Wash

No. 10 Hero: Yoroi Musha

[3rd POV]

"Hey hey, Enji-san, you must be jealous that Itachi took first place right?" Keigo (Hawks) whispered and nudged Endeavour's shoulder.

But to his surprise, Enji answered calmly: "It's not a simple feat to defeat All for one. Itachi earned it."

"Are you truly Endeavour and not an imposter?" Keigo replied with shock, and it was well known among the heroes that Itachi and Enji have some sort of rivalry. But now, the competitiveness seemed to disappear in a span of a night miraculously!

Enji was about to reply but was interrupted as the top ten heroes were told to voice their comments about their ranking. When it was finally Itachi's turn, he took the microphone and ran his fingers along the edges of his Kasa hat. He stared into the crowd, and his usual cold expression unnerved some people while others thought it was very cool.

At this moment all Itachi was thinking of was what would his little sister do in this situation. Kaede has the ability to motivate people and unite them, which is something Itachi lacks and he admires her because of it.

He took a deep breath: "Heroes were the protector of society as we fight the darkness so the people can live in the light and as the number one hero, I won't disappoint you. Even if I don't live up to the same level as All Might, I will make sure that none of you will ever have to face that darkness.

I won't fail..."

The crowd were stunned. They could feel the weight of Itachi's every word. There was silence before thunderous applause sounded in the room as the audience celebrated the new number-one hero.

"Wow, Kaede-chan, you brother sure know how to be awesome," Mina said with stars in her eyes as she watched the event.

After Itachi's statement, the event goes on for a little while until the pro-heroes finally left the stage; Kaede stood up from the couch: "Okay, I'm going back to my room now; I still have to finish some leftover homework."

Without waiting for her friend's response, Kaede hurriedly left. Mina and Ochako glanced at each other. They felt something was wrong but they couldn't really pinpoint what was it.

Their worries were correct; in an empty warehouse, a man wearing a white theatre mask was staring at the five giant nomu in front of him.

"I would have preferred soulless puppets..... They worked way better than living garbage like you. Kugutsu muttered.

The nomu growled, but they didn't do anything, Kugutsu smirked: "I guess in a way you already are... Hood, you will lead, I want Red Crow and Endeavour dead, understood?"

"Your wish is our command." The nomu named Hood answered in a low and hoarse voice. He slowly stood up and leapt high into the air, creating a giant hole in the warehouse's ceiling, and the rest of the high-end nomu followed along.

Kugutsu looked at the giant hole and scoffed as he left the warehouse.

Back to the heroes, Keido invited Enji and Itachi to have dinner at a yakitori restaurant on top of a sky scrapper building.

"So, you must have a reason for bringing us here," Enji said as he stared at Keigo.

"I need help. There been rumours that multiple nomu have been spotted in my district," Keigo explained.

"But rumours were just rumours, besides, you won't be needing both of us to take out some nomu. What was the real purpose." Itachi pointed it out.

Keigo sighed: "This won't be the best place to talk about it." He said and stared at Itachi.

The number one hero nodded and activated Tsyukomi Space.

A few seconds later...

Itachi brought Enji and Keigo back into reality. The two heroes were stunned as it was a lot to take in, from what Keigo told them, things would get more chaotic in the foreseeable future. But Itachi was not afraid. No matter what evil throws at him, he will prevail.

"Are there other things we should know?" Enji asked.

Keigo shook his head: "They're still wary of me so they haven't told me much." he said while shrugging.

He looked out the window but suddenly frowned, Enji and Itachi glanced at where Keigo was looking, and their expressions immediately darkened. Even if Itachi just made the vow, it was simply too fast...

Five huge black figures were soaring directly toward them, Enji and Itachi glared at Keigo, wanting an explanation. However, Keigo was just as confused as they were. Itachi and Enji clicked their teeth. This wasn't how they expected the dinner to go.....

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I Hope You Enjoy It.