Chapter 18: Chapter 17: A World of Opportunity
The aftermath of the battle in Los Angeles was still fresh in Tomura's mind as Kurogiri opened a portal, his misty form swirling like a storm cloud. The city had been left in ruins, the heroes barely managing to hold their ground against Tomura's relentless assault. Yet, as the villain stepped into the portal, his thoughts weren't on victory. No, his focus was on Kurogiri—the loyal companion who had been integral to his plans but now needed to evolve.
Emerging from the portal, they stood in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Gotham. The air was cold and heavy with the stench of damp concrete. Tomura glanced at Kurogiri, his crimson eyes gleaming with a newfound determination.
"Kurogiri," he began, his voice calm but commanding, "your mist is useful, but it's a liability. We need you to have a proper form, something solid... something unbreakable."
Without waiting for a response, Tomura reached into a nearby crate, pulling out a set of gleaming silver samurai armour. Its polished surface reflected the dim light, and its design was intricate, as if crafted for a warlord. He gestured for Kurogiri to approach.
"This will be your body," Tomura declared. "Your mist will flow through it, and you'll become more than just a portal. You'll be a force."
Kurogiri hesitated for a moment before nodding, his misty form dissolving into the armour. As the mist intertwined with the metal, the armour came to life, glowing faintly with an eerie blue hue. Kurogiri's voice resonated from within, deeper and more resonant than before.
"I am ready, Tomura," Kurogiri said.
A smirk spread across Tomura's face. "Good. Now, let's go meet Poseidon. We have work to do."
Tomura and Kurogiri travelled to a luxurious skyscraper in Gotham, its penthouse suite occupied by none other than Poseidon. The self-proclaimed god of the seas stood by a floor-to-ceiling window, his trident leaning against the wall. The view overlooked the chaotic city below, its flickering lights mirroring the storm in Tomura's mind.
Poseidon turned as they entered, a smile playing on his lips. "Shigaraki. You've arrived. Just in time."
Before Tomura could question him, another figure stepped into the room. An older man with a stern expression and a monocle glinting in the dim light. Sir Reginald Hargreeves.
"Tomura Shigaraki," Hargreeves said, his tone formal and calculating. "A pleasure to finally meet you. Poseidon has spoken highly of you."
Tomura tilted his head, sceptical. "And who are you?"
Hargreeves straightened his posture, his voice firm. "I am Sir Reginald Hargreeves. I've been assembling a group of exceptional individuals—a family, if you will. I invite you to join us."
Tomura raised an eyebrow. "A family? Sounds like a waste of time."
Hargreeves smirked. "Hardly. I'm building a force that will shape the future. Poseidon is already assisting me. And I've recently taken in another promising individual—Kusuo Kageyama."
At the mention of Kusuo, Tomura's expression darkened. The memory of their clash in Los Angeles resurfaced. "You're working with him?"
Poseidon interjected, his tone calm. "Hargreeves has a vision, Shigaraki. And whether you like it or not, Kusuo is part of it. But we're here to discuss bigger matters."
Hargreeves gestured for them to sit, and the three began discussing their ambitions.
Poseidon leaned forward, his trident resting beside him. "We need to make our mark on the world. Establish dominance. I've been considering Wakanda. Their resources, their technology—it could be ours."
Tomura frowned. "Wakanda? Do you know what you're suggesting? That's a fortress. We'd be fools to try."
Before the discussion could continue, the television mounted on the wall flickered to life. The news anchor's voice filled the room.
"This just in—billionaire inventor Tony Stark has been rescued from Afghanistan. Stark Industries confirms he's recovering at home."
Tomura's eyes narrowed. "Tony Stark... He could be a problem. Or an opportunity."
Poseidon nodded. "Agreed. But there's more."
The news continued, shifting to a story about a young man in his twenties, spotted in Kansas. The footage showed a blurry image of Clark Kent lifting a tractor with ease.
"A boy from Smallville," Poseidon said. "Strong, fast, invulnerable. Someone to watch."
Hargreeves tapped his chin thoughtfully. "The world is filling with extraordinary individuals. We must act quickly."
They discussed other emerging forces—the hero group of turtles operating in New York, the family of Incredibles making waves in Europe, and a mysterious figure named Omni-Man gaining notoriety in the UK. Each mention was met with varying degrees of interest.
"And then there's the supernatural," Poseidon added. "Werewolves, vampires, and magic schools like Hogwarts. The UK is a hotbed for the unusual."
Tomura smirked. "Let them have their magic. We'll deal with the real threats."
Finally, their conversation turned to Zebraman and Buckaroo Banzai in Japan, and a wild, enigmatic figure known as The Mask causing chaos in Brazil.
"The world is changing," Poseidon said. "And we will change it with it."
Tomura stepping out onto the balcony, the Gotham skyline stretching before him. His new cloak billowed in the wind, and Kurogiri stood silently behind him, the silver samurai armour gleaming in the moonlight.
"Let the world change," Tomura said, his voice low but resolute. "We'll make sure it changes in our image."
Poseidon and Hargreeves joined him, their expressions equally determined. The three figures stood together, a dark trinity poised to reshape the future.