Chapter 361: Betrayal and Laughter!

The reason he said this to Kota wasn't because he was provoked by the boy's words, but because he saw something familiar in his eyes and demeanor.

It reminded him of himself as a child in his previous life. Back then, he had lost his parents at around the same age. The sadness, resentment, and pain in the boy's eyes mirrored his own.

However, due to his personality, he could only speak up like this now. He had no intention of prying deeper into it.

"Wow!!!"

Just as everyone had found their rooms, unpacked, freshened up, and regrouped in the dining area, they were immediately stunned by the dazzling array of delicious dishes laid out on the long table.

Curry, fried shrimp, roast beef, ham, sashimi, sushi, fried dumplings—along with bowls of steaming white rice—all of it made the tired group feel pure joy from the bottom of their hearts.

"Oh my god! This is amazing!" Kirishima held her rice bowl and shoveled it into her mouth non-stop.

"I'm about to cry..."

Tetsutetsu's actions were almost identical to Kirishima's. Although he was usually influenced by Kaminari, this time, his hunger overwhelmed everything, revealing his true self.

But not just them—everyone, including Kaminari, was fully focused on eating. Even Momo and Aoyama, who always held themselves with poise, were moving three to four times faster than usual.

"It looks like the cats were really starving," said Pixie-Bob, as she placed a plate of freshly made fried noodles on the table with a smile.

"Well, it's only for today that we'll take care of you like this. So eat as much as you like!"

"Thank you!!" everyone replied in unison.

However, no one noticed that Kota, who was helping to carry a box of vegetables in the corner, was looking at Kaminari with a dissatisfied expression.

"You clearly don't know anything, and yet... Hmph!" he grumbled internally, struggling to carry the box into the kitchen.

At the same time, Midoriya Izuku, who was eating, also had his eyes fixed on Kota's retreating figure.

After the hearty meal, the girls became excited when Mandalay, dressed in red, told them there was a natural outdoor hot spring out back.

If they could gaze at the Milky Way above while soaking in the warm spring water, wouldn't their tired bodies and minds be quickly rejuvenated?

"Kaminari's going to the hot spring!" Kyoka walked over with a grin. Seeing the excitement on her face, Kaminari leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Too bad we can't bathe together."

"Ah!"

Kyoka's face turned bright red. She pushed Kaminari away shyly and ran back to her room. The sight made Kaminari chuckle, and the heaviness in his heart eased slightly.

"Kaminari, let's hit the hot spring together!"

Tetsutetsu came over from nearby, joined by Kirishima, Midoriya, Todoroki, and the other boys.

Kaminari waved his hand casually. "Sure, but I'm heading back to the room first. You guys go ahead and start without me."

"What for? Didn't you already wash up earlier?" Tetsutetsu muttered in confusion as he watched Kaminari walk away.

"There's probably something he needs to handle. He's a superstar now, after all. Must have a ton going on," Midoriya said with a gentle smile.

"Alright, alright, let's go! The girls are waiting!!" Mineta shouted impatiently.

"Hey, the hot springs are gender-separated, what do you mean they're waiting for us?" Kirishima had a black line on his forehead. The "pervy grape" was at it again.

Snap.

Kaminari returned to his room, instinctively locked the door, then pulled out his phone from his pocket with a blank expression.

But when he saw the lock screen photo of Kyoka, his gaze flickered with hesitation.

Still, no matter what was going through his mind, his fingers didn't stop. Soon, the screen displayed the number he had called before.

Silence. Complete silence. The whole room felt frozen in time.

All he needed to do was tap his finger to send the address. Such a simple act—but Kaminari couldn't do it.

One minute passed, then five... Time ticked by slowly, until finally, at the thirteenth minute, he let out a long sigh.

Address... sent.

"Haa..."

As if all his strength had been drained, he slumped weakly against the door and slowly slid to the ground.

Staring up at the ceiling, his eyes grew vacant. A vague unease settled in. No... more than vague.

"I finally did it..."

Elsewhere, in a large, dark room, the glow from several monitors was the only source of light. A tall figure sat in front of them.

"Sent."

At that moment, a short doctor in a white coat approached from behind, holding a smartphone in hand. A string of addresses was displayed on the screen.

"You did it, Kaminari-kun."

All For One's lips curled into a pleased smile. He was genuinely happy—ecstatic, even. He loved this feeling of manipulating hearts... and succeeding.

"If someone Kaminari cares about gets hurt in this operation, based on his history, he'll definitely snap and kill.

"That's why you used the whole 'chess players and chess pieces' excuse to keep Shigaraki from showing up in person, right? You were worried he'd fall into Kaminari's hands?" the doctor asked.

When All For One didn't respond, the doctor continued, "But aren't you afraid he'll turn that anger on you? How do you expect him to submit to you under those conditions?"

"I never wanted him as a subordinate," All For One said softly, sitting still before the monitors.

"Kaminari-kun is different from Shigaraki. I don't need him to be a disciple, or a successor. He's just himself.

"I just want to witness the moment Kaminari-kun, adored by heroes, admired by the world, and shining with brilliance—betrays the heroes, betrays everything, and becomes the most dangerous 'villain.'

"I just want to see him fall into darkness and turn evil—because I am darkness. I am evil. I don't care if he hates me."

The doctor was quiet for a moment before saying, "So what you really want... is for Kaminari-kun to kill them all this time? Or at least some of them?"

"No, no, no. There's no meaning in killing them," All For One chuckled.

"I see. So that's why you added that kid to the target list for this operation—to lure Kaminari-kun out!" The doctor suddenly understood.

"And also for Tomomi," All For One said softly.

"The original plan was to expose everything in the third trade and have the Pro Heroes help push Kaminari-kun over the edge.

"But if you think about it, just doing business with me isn't enough to achieve that goal. Shigaraki's idea gave me a better chance to bring about Kaminari-kun's fall—more completely, and sooner."

The doctor adjusted his round glasses and said with a smile, "A public massacre, combined with the grief and regret of losing people he loves—it's definitely effective."

"But what if it fails?"

"If it fails, then it fails. There'll be another chance. Both he and I have plenty of time."

"Besides, Kaminari-kun's bonds are his greatest weakness."

"Are you going to target his parents personally?" the doctor asked, frowning.

All For One shook his head. "No, no, that's boring.

"Isn't it more interesting if Tomomi does it? Then she dies at Kaminari-kun's hands in revenge, and finally, he fully embraces the darkness?

"And I'll be there, watching it all from the sidelines…"

The doctor was chilled by his words and murmured under his breath, "This... this is…"

"This is the third script. I just came up with it." All For One let out a deep, twisted laugh that echoed eerily through the dark room, sending shivers down the spine.

(To be continued.)

***

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