Chapter Thirteen
The black streaks across snow-white skin and clothing—evidence of the damage just sustained, crossing even the demon's right eye—began to disappear rapidly. The disguised Doma squeezed his eyes shut in an amusing way and drew a deep breath of air for the first time in a considerable while. His face twisted into something resembling pleasure as he spoke with cheerful mockery, throwing his teal eyes wide open:
"Smells like delicious roasted meat."
The shocked expression on Endeavor's face flickered almost imperceptibly when he heard those words, and a nauseating lump rose in his throat. This was, in the highest degree, revolting. And deeply unsettling. What had just happened was, to put it with a single epithet, beyond the pale of all reason. That regeneration was simply incredible and absurd—the creature had healed at the same rate it had been fighting.
That was to say nothing of the fact that every Quirk was supposed to have a downside. When you received an ability or a power, you typically paid for it. The ability to produce fire heated the body; ice did the opposite. Quirks that augmented physical strength reduced endurance and placed greater strain on an unprepared body. Regeneration, ordinarily, accelerated the aging process.
Setting aside the fact that the monster should have aged five years from that stunt alone, it was worth noting that it had even restored its own head. Enji Todoroki had not wanted to kill the "vigilante"—the attack had been meant to force him to dodge, allowing the hero to execute his hastily devised plan—but what had actually happened knocked him entirely off course. The oni, despite clearly having the option, had simply not dodged.
Life was supposed to be impossible after the destruction of the brain, by definition. Regeneration Quirks should not have been capable of circumventing this limitation—everything had a ceiling. This only confirmed, once again, the axiom that the factor of Quirks was far more multifaceted than any human could conceive. Manipulation of time, of space, of matter, of energy—how could any of it be explained by simple changes in the body?! Another anomaly.
Of all the thoughts in the fiery hero's mind, only that last conclusion had managed to pass through. If this "cannibal" was effectively invulnerable to enemy attacks, and the visible ceiling of his healing factor was nowhere in sight, then pouring everything into a battle of attrition was an extraordinarily stupid idea. A creature like this would never tire. There remained the possibility that the demon could only regenerate a finite number of times—but that possibility needed to be disregarded. Endeavor was not in a position to be running experiments.
"Well, since you won't come to me, I'll come to you~!" The grey lips stretched into an unpleasant snarl of four sharp fangs, and as the head tilted slightly, a shadow fell across the forehead, making the entire composition considerably more sinister.
Doma didn't bother taking a stance before launching forward—he simply shot upward like lightning, shattering the asphalt yet again. And it was a foolish move, however expected it was in light of the new facts about his ability. The hero was far more maneuverable, able to move freely in flight—something the demon lacked. By choice, of course—oni possessed an extremely broad repertoire when it came to manipulating their own bodies.
Not squandering the opportunity that had landed in his lap, the source of furious flame evaded all damage from the fist thrown at him and put on a passionate fire show. The scorched heap of embers dropping from its own accumulated momentum appeared to return to its original state instantaneously, mid-air.
Pulling himself together, the demon landed softly on the road on the other side with nothing but the click of shoes. Endeavor, sweating on the parts of his cheeks not covered by flame from the rising temperature of his own body, watched with a sullen gaze the back of the demon as it turned unhurriedly to face him. All he needed to do was hold the creature until backup arrived—then something could be figured out.
Fixing a penetrating gaze on the calmly levitating figure, "Enmu" sank into thought. How to make the fight more interesting? If he began to use his Blood Demon Art in earnest, the hero would likely lose quickly. He could have provoked him by harming innocent bystanders—but he was one of the "good guys" now. Not dignified.
The demon's dilemma was resolved by another thunderclap that seized the attention of both combatants. Dust rose again, though far less of it. Beneath powerful legs in yellow footwear, a fine web of cracks spread through the ground. He had leapt down from one of the white apartment buildings—windows now blazing with light—as the narrow streets here offered no other quick route to the target.
Raising a fist clenched tightly and standing in a posture of proud and magnificent bearing, the enormous silhouette of a muscular man drew himself up to his full and considerable height. His lips shone with the whitest, widest smile, and beneath fair hair, blue eyes shimmered with a light that was at once mysterious and furious.
All Might, in full, stood directly before the alleged villain. Planting his hands on his hips, he declared in a loud and unwavering voice:
"There's no longer any need for concern! Why? Because I am here!" Endeavor, watching from behind, touched down with an extremely sour expression, all but rolling his eyes. "You'd better rest, Endeavor-san—I'll handle everything from here!"
"Finally, someone showed up…" Todoroki watched the back of the Symbol of Peace with unmistakable resolve in his gaze. "Be careful, All Might. This bastard is extremely dangerous: strong, fast, and capable of regenerating even his head at an incredible rate—but I feel there's something more."
"Understood!" He spoke with that same courage and boldness, with evident respect. "I will not allow you to do as you please, villain!"
Doma, listening to this brief exchange, smiled with sardonic anticipation. Narrowing his unsettling eyes, he all but sang his next words, ignoring the context of the situation entirely:
"Why, I mentioned you just recently!" A happy, truly blissful smile bloomed across his deathly pale face. "Dreams do come true."
The number one hero's blond brows furrowed, and a dark shadow fell across his face, lending it a distinct and unmistakable weight of authority and threat. The fire in the eyes of Enji, standing behind him, blazed only brighter. All Might replied with fury:
"I have no intention of being an idol to a vile murderer—so you'll be spending the next several years behind bars!"