Chapter 88

Gentle's form blurred as he charged forward, enhanced by La Brava's quirk. Reiji barely had time to react. His system pulsed in warning:

[Speed Spike Detected – 2.3x Normal Velocity]

Reiji's shadows coiled tight, forming an instinctive barrier around his core. Gentle crashed into it with explosive momentum, the force cracking the rooftop tiles beneath their feet. Reiji was pushed back a few steps—his arms crossed to brace.

Gentle didn't pause. He rebounded from a shattered pipe, twisting through the air with practiced ease, coat flaring like a cape. His eyes had a focused gleam—not of malice, but of conviction, almost admiration for the opponent before him.

Reiji lashed out with three separate shadow strikes—two wide sweeps to intercept, one thick tendril to anchor. The tendrils hissed through the air, slick and fast like whips. Only the anchor connected. Gentle's coat snagged on the tendril, throwing off his spin just enough for Reiji to charge.

They met again midair—this time, with fists.

Reiji's punch grazed Gentle's cheek, forcing his head to snap to the side. But Gentle's rebound-enhanced palm struck Reiji's ribs cleanly, sending him spiraling. Reiji tumbled and rolled along the rooftop, using shadows to soften his fall. Pain flared along his side, a dull ache that tightened his breath, but he bit it down. He couldn't afford to show weakness.

Both fighters landed at opposite edges of the rooftop, panting hard. Small bits of debris scattered around them. The rooftop bore new cracks and indents, a quiet testament to the clash. Dust drifted in the wind, and the faint scent of scorched concrete lingered in the air.

Gentle hunched slightly, sweat glistening under the rooftop light. "You're… strong," he said between breaths. "Not just physically. The way you calculate… it's exhausting to fight."

Reiji didn't reply at first. He was studying Gentle, blinking as his system data flickered across his view. Gentle had the power to cause real harm. Yet every blow was restrained.

He's holding back, Reiji thought. Why?

Their eyes locked. Reiji adjusted his stance, his shadow spiraling around his legs. His breathing steadied.

"I'm ending this," he said plainly. "Before someone else gets involved."

Gentle gave a slow nod. "Then let it be one final note."

He launched forward—this time without tricks, without curves. A straight charge. Reiji didn't hesitate. His shadows surged upward, weaving into a dome trap as he advanced directly. He knew Gentle's rhythm now.

Gentle leapt onto a bent satellite dish, rebounding hard to Reiji's blind side. A bold angle—but Reiji anticipated it. From the left, a shadow clone formed mid-sprint, intercepting.

Gentle twisted in midair to avoid the clone. That adjustment cost him.

Reiji was already below. His real body crouched low, palm flat against the rooftop.

His shadow burst upward like a geyser—thick and fast—wrapping around Gentle's limbs and locking him midair. The air thudded with pressure. The light from La Brava's quirk shimmered faintly as it began to fade.

The two crashed down with a muted thud. Reiji's shadows cushioned the landing just enough to avoid injury. Gentle lay on his back, limbs restrained, breathing hard. The faint glow pulsed once… then flickered out entirely.

From the shadows, Reiji approached slowly. His boots tapped against the cracked rooftop, echoing through the silence.

He stopped a meter away, voice even. "Why didn't you go all out?"

Gentle turned his head slightly, the edges of a tired smile forming. "Because that's not what this was about."

Behind them, La Brava's voice cracked. "He just wanted… to be seen."

Reiji turned his gaze to her. She was no longer hiding. She stood behind the ventilation unit, her laptop clutched tight to her chest, eyes red and glassy. Her small frame trembled, but her resolve didn't.

Gentle closed his eyes. "I've made my mark. That's enough."

Reiji's system lit up with another prompt. For a moment, nothing happened—then it blinked in with a soft chime:

[Target Neutralized – Status: Passive. Detain or Dismiss?]

Reiji stared at it. His hand hovered slightly, but he didn't move. The logic said to detain him. But something deeper—a gut feeling—said otherwise.

Gentle lay still. He didn't resist, didn't struggle. He was done.

Footsteps echoed from the stairwell entrance.

The metal door slammed open. Cementoss stepped onto the rooftop first, Hound Dog close behind. Their eyes scanned the scene quickly, hands at the ready.

A spotlight from below swung into position and locked onto the rooftop. Gentle flinched at the brightness but didn't move. His arms remained outstretched, restrained.

Cementoss's voice boomed. "Step away from him. Now."

Reiji didn't move.

La Brava stepped forward, voice shaking. "Please—he surrendered! Don't hurt him!"

Hound Dog growled low in his throat, stepping toward Gentle. "Is this the guy?"

Reiji's hand hovered midair. His system still blinked at the edge of his vision:

[Awaiting Command.]

He could feel all eyes on him—La Brava's pleading, Gentle's silent acceptance, the officers waiting for confirmation. The weight of responsibility pressed down harder than any blow he had taken. His shoulders tightened, and for the first time in the battle, his hand trembled slightly.

His thoughts clashed violently. Turning Gentle in was protocol. But he hadn't come here to destroy. He came to be seen, to protect what mattered. Gentle wasn't a villain in the traditional sense. He was… something else.

A soft wind swept past, carrying the distant hum of music, the faint sound of laughter, clapping, and singing from the festival grounds. Reiji's eyes flicked toward the horizon—toward U.A., still glowing under the setting sun.

Then… a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Reiji… what are you going to choose?"

It was Aizawa.

His voice wasn't commanding. It wasn't judging. It was simply asking.

To be continued.

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