Chapter 006 (Twelve-Year-Old's Stand)

The once serene air of the beach resort now buzzed with an oppressive tension.

The sky, previously draped in sunset's soft, warm hues, had turned into an abyss of foreboding darkness, with thick clouds rolling in like harbingers of doom. The emergency alarm echoed through the corridors, its shrill tone hanging in the air like a thick fog, amplifying the growing sense of dread.Aoi and her bodyguard Adam hastily made their way to the hotel's security center. The laughter from earlier, the carefree moments at the beach, now seemed like a lifetime ago. The rapid thud of their footsteps against the polished floors, coupled with the distant crash of the waves, underscored the reality that they were trapped in a remote and vulnerable location.Adam moved like a predator through the dim hallways, his body poised with the precision of a soldier, his eyes scanning every corner for signs of danger. His demeanor was calm but unyielding, a machine of war, honed through countless battles and situations far worse than this. There was comfort in his presence, a sense that no matter what they faced, Adam would meet it head-on.

"They're coming through the jungle. From the north," Adam's voice was low, almost a growl, as he checked the data on his high-tech wrist device. "Multiple hostiles. It's worse than we thought."

Aoi, her face a mask of calm resolve, nodded. Her youthful features belied the weight of responsibility she carried. "We need to move fast."

As they neared the security center, Aoi turned back to the group. "Momo, Shoto, Raiden, Lumina—you need to head back to the hotel's main building. The security here can handle this. The situation is under control."

Raiden, usually the one to lighten the mood with a joke, shook his head, his usual grin replaced by a look of fierce determination. "Are you kidding me, Aoi? This is exactly what I've been training for. If I want to be the USA's top hero, I can't stand back while danger's on our doorstep. This is the kind of moment that defines us."

Shoto stepped forward, his voice calm yet firm. "I've seen my father handle villain attacks since I was young. I'm not going to stand by and do nothing. We're here, and we're fighting."

Momo and Lumina both nodded, their faces set with determination. Momo spoke up, her voice resolute. "We're with you, Aoi. We may be young and inexperienced, but we're more than capable of handling this. I'm sure the hotel's defenses can do everything, but we just want to help."

Aoi paused, her eyes scanning each of their faces, sensing their unwavering resolve. Each one of them was prepared to stand by her, to fight alongside her despite the dangers. For a brief moment, the tension in her shoulders softened.

"Thank you," she conceded, her voice carrying both gratitude and acceptance.

With that single phrase, the bond between them was solidified, a mutual understanding passing through the group. They were no longer just comrades; they were a unit, determined to protect not just the hotel but each other.

As they reached the hotel's security center, the group entered the nerve center of the operation. Monitors flickered with images from various security cameras. Titanforce, the hotel's A-rank protector, stood like a monolith in the middle of the room. His massive frame was barely contained by his sleek black suit, and his face, carved from years of battle experience, was etched with concern.

"The northern defensive barrier has been breached," Titanforce said, his deep voice filling the room. "The rest of the hotel is secure, but this one point was compromised. The villains must have someone with a warping quirk, or there's no way they could have gotten through."

Aoi remained calm, though her eyes darkened. "What's the situation?"

Titanforce turned, his sharp gaze immediately locking onto Aoi.

"There are about eighty hostiles, highly organized. My team of thirty is ready to engage. Five will remain behind to protect the hotel from inside the perimeter while the rest will spread out into the jungle to engage and cover the breach," Titanforce replied, his voice steady but serious.

Before anyone could react, Raiden spoke up. "We're joining you."

Aoi stepped forward, her delicate frame and youthful appearance in stark contrast to the hardened heroes in the room. "We want to help."

Titanforce's face tightened. His gaze bore into Aoi, and his voice became more commanding. "Miss, you shouldn't be here. You need to get back to your main hall immediately. If anything happens to you—if they reach you—everything we're doing here will be for nothing. The hotel, its guests, all of it will be lost."

Aoi held her ground, crossing her arms and meeting his gaze without flinching. "Titanforce, this is my hotel. These are my people. I won't stand by while others risk their lives for something that is my responsibility."

Titanforce's expression hardened. "You're twelve years old, Miss Aoi. Your safety is our top priority. We can't risk you in this fight."

"And what happens if your men can't hold them off? What happens if they break through? Am I supposed to hide while my people are in danger? I refuse."

There was a deadly silence in the room, her words hanging in the air like a challenge. For a moment, even Titanforce was at a loss.

"You don't understand, Miss," Titanforce said, his voice softer but still firm. "I've fought in wars, seen strong heroes fall. These aren't just thugs—they're organized. We can't let you risk your life."

Aoi stepped closer, her voice rising, edged with fire. "Don't underestimate me. You haven't seen my quirk in action, have you? I'm not just some kid. Unless we're dealing with an S-rank villain—and I mean an actual S-rank—I can crush anyone within fifteen seconds."

Titanforce hesitated, his eyes widening slightly. The rumors of Aoi's quirk had reached him, as they had anyone who had ever worked with the Yukimura family. He knew her lineage, the reputation behind it. But even so…

"This isn't just about strength, Miss Aoi," Titanforce said, his tone measured. "It's about strategy. You could be outnumbered, overwhelmed."

Aoi shot back without hesitation. "You think I don't understand the risks? I know what's at stake. But this isn't about recklessness. It's about ownership. I own this hotel. I have a duty to protect everyone inside it. We don't have time to waste. The enemies already outnumber us—we need to use everything at our disposal."

Titanforce stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. Though she was only twelve, her resolve was undeniable, her determination more mature than most adults. He had seen enough in his years to recognize the unshakable sense of responsibility that came with power.

Finally, he let out a heavy sigh. "Fine. But you stay here with Adam. You protect the hotel from inside the perimeter. I can't let you go into the jungle to engage directly."

"Deal," Aoi said with a slight nod, knowing she had pushed as far as she could. Her eyes flicked to Adam, her protector standing silently by her side, his expression unreadable.

Titanforce turned to his team, his voice booming once more. "We move out in teams. Stay sharp, stay coordinated. These villains aren't playing. If they get past us, there's no telling what could happen."