Chapter 105 Kugutsu

[3rd POV]

Kugutsu stared at the blade out of his chest as blood drizzled down his mask, staining his clothes. He collapsed onto his knees and gasped for breath. Now, all he could think of was how his life led up to this point.

Kugutsu didn't have a good childhood, as most he could remember was being beaten by his hated father. For anything he does, Kugtusu's father will beat him endlessly. Even when he hasn't done anything wrong, his father will always find a reason. His mother had already died from the abuse, and his father threatened to kill Kugutsu if he ever said anything.

Eventually, Kugutsu forgot what it's like to smile... Every time he saw others' happiness, something clicked in him, and he was enraged. Why couldn't he smile like others? Deep in his heart, he wanted to do nothing but break those smiles. However, the only thing that kept him sane, his lifeline, was a dog.

One day, Kugutsu found that dog on the streets and secretly brought it home. He hides it from his father, and Kugutsu thinks that he may be able to smile again. Sadly, his dream was shattered when his father discovered the dog. Knowing that Kugutsu was purposely hiding it from him, the father was beyond mad and killed the dog right in front of the boy.

Seeing the lifeless body of his only friend, Kugutsu snapped, and for the first time in his life, he lashed back. He attacked his father, and the man was surprised by Kugutsu's strength.

Kugutsu tortured his father for a week, occasionally force-feeding him just so the man could live through the next day. During his torture sessions, Kugutsu noticed that with every cut, his lips twitched and the smile on his face becomes more comprehensive.

Ultimately, the father succumbed to his wounds, and Kugutsu's grin faded. He desperately wanted to relive that feeling again, so he continued killing. Throughout his murder spree, he also tried to bring the dog back to life.

Kugutsu's quirk allows him to create metal-like strings from his wrist and control them at will. Unlike Best Jeanist, who manipulates strings, Kugutsu's thread was a part of him. He learned about human and animal anatomy by connecting his thread to their nervous systems and muscle tendons. That day, his victims became his toys.

From then on, Kugutsu discovered a new way to use his power. That day, he starts to corpses and controls them from afar. He will weaponise those corpses and turn them into abominations. Kugutsu found this hobby to be joyful, and that pleasurable feeling soon returned, many people have different reasons to smile, and this was his...

With this newfound skill, he could finally revive his friend. However, reanimating the animal wasn't enough. He had the urge to make it perfect. Thus, he replaced the dog's body with puppet parts, making it faster, tougher and more robust. In time, with the help of the League of Villains, he implanted a gigantification quirk into the animal, turning it into a beast, and despite all that, Kugutsu was slain by the boy in front of him...

Does Kugutsu feel regret? He doesn't know, it's meaningless to be thinking about it anyway. But he wondered what will happen if he actually have a decent childhood. Will he still end up like this? Kugutsu chuckled at the mere thought and with his final breath, Kugutsu have fallen.

Shoto panted for breath and he pulled the wakizashi out of the villain's chest. He dropped the blade and he suddenly felt pain all over his body. The poison have already travelled throughout his body and he lost the strength to stand.

With a thud, Shoto collapsed and stared at the ceiling while gasping for air. Shoto concentrated to try and freeze his body to slow down the circulation of the poison.

Breath in.

Breath out.

Shoto continued this routine as tried his best to stay alive. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice kept telling him to give up and to take the easy way out. He gritted his teeth and he ignored the irritating noise as the pain accelerated.

Shoto glanced at the wakizashi beside him: 'Even if you're not here, you're still saving me huh....' He thought to himself.

"I'm sorry, Kaede, I don't think I could last...."Shoto muttered and he wished maybe to see her one last time as darkness obscured his vision.

"Sh...."

"Shoto..."

He frowned as a familiar voice called out his name: "SHOTO-kun!" Shoto's eyes snapped open and the person he wanted to see the most was kneeling next to him.

"Kaede....."

"Don't speak! Save your strength!" Kaede ordered and she bit her lips as she stared at Shoto's dishevelled form

"It's too late..." Shoto smiled wryly, "Please forgive me...."

Darkness sets in once more as Shoto's mind was consumed by it. However, a bright light shone in that pitch blackness, illuminating it.

Shoto sensed Kaede's hand on his chest as strength entered his body and he felt a strange warm liquid dripping onto his forehead. Shoto's vision began to clear and his eyes widened with shock.

Blood leaked out of Kaede's mouth as she used Daikoku to give Shoto strength while absorbing the poison into her own body. Since it's poison, Kaede couldn't normally convert the harmful liquid into energy and had to manually cleanse herself with Chakra. She also left an incision on her wrist, allowing the contaminated blood to flow out naturally.

Kaede began to cough as the effect of the toxin was also affecting her. Shoto wanted to shout for Kaede to stop what she was doing. However, Kaede didn't listen as she gritted her teeth and continued the procedure.

Shoto could tell Kaede was suffering but she held on until all the poison was safely removed and destroyed. Kaede's face was pale as her breathing became heavy, the stress of saving Shoto have left her exhausted.

Shoto finally sat up and grasped her shoulder: "What are you doing, could've died, you should've just let me!"

*SLAP*

Shoto's cheek stung as Kaede slapped him and he stared at her in shock. Tears were flowing out of Kaede's eyes and Shoto felt nothing but shame. He realised how much his words must've hurt and he was remorseful. Shoto promised himself that he will protect Kaede yet right now, he was also the cause of her sadness.

Shoto gently reached out his hand and wrapped his arms around her like a cradle. Kaede's body shook like a frightened animal as she wept: "I..... I'm sorry... I.. shouldn't have... slapped you..." She mumbled between sniffs.

"No, it's my fault, I shouldn't have yelled at you...." Shoto said in a soft tone, "I don't want you to hurt yourself because of me..."

"But I don't want you to die Shoto-kun!" Kaede yelled as she tightened her grip, "So please..... don't die... Don't say that again... I... I don't know what to do... if... if you're gone...."

"I'm sorry, could you forgive me?" Shoto muttered and gently stroked her hair.

Kaede nodded as she leaned on his chest. After furiously apologising and countless reassurance from Shoto. Kaede finally calmed down and the two broke away from their embrace.

[Kaede POV]

Earlier, my tunnels led to a dead end and I could hear sound from the other side, I busted through with my fist and was met with a horrifying scene. I shivered slightly as I still can't get the image of Shoto's sickly figure out of my mind.

I took a deep breath and wiped the remaining tears off my face: "We should go, we still got a world to save."

Shoto nodded as we continued our journey and eventually reached a vast stone gateway. I could feel that something extremely dangerous was waiting for us on the other side. I glanced at Shoto, we nodded at each other and I opened the door.

"Welcome...." A male voice greeted us upon our entrance...

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I hope you enjoy it!