[Knuckleduster's POV]

Naruhata City.

The city with a fairly busy urban area but sometimes the city becomes very deserted. In the early morning or late at night, the city becomes deserted. This is all due to the Expressway which opened 10 Years from now. That made the cars which use the local roads to travel have decreased drastically.

The city becomes a ghost town as there are no people outside on the roads during the early or late hours of the day and there are no cars on the roads. And this is the best time for the Criminals to pop out of their holes and do their heinous deeds. The number of heroes present in the city has just decreased over the years after the rise of Vigilantes which happened 4 years ago.

The Naruhata Vigilantes, made by 3 people, was considered the main participants in the Trigger Incident of Naruhata City, played a major part in solving the Incident. The Incident was so big that Top players like All Might, Endeavor, and even American Top-Hero Captain Celebrity, had to be involved to solve the Incident.

In the Incident, a surge of people with uncontrolled quirks appeared. These people were termed as Instant Villains and the reason behind the uncontrolled quirk was the contrabanded drug Trigger.

The trigger is used to amplify and increase the strength of the quirk but it has a side-effect, which makes the person lose a part of their sanity, thus making them act on their instincts without any second thought or any care about the damage they can cause.

Even if the Top-Heroes were involved to solve the case, they were not able to completely stop normal citizens and Villains from becoming Instant Villains which made the popularity of Heroes go down the hill and increased Vigilantes' position in Public's eyes, who appeared to be more helpful to the people than the heroes in the city.

But like everything which rose to the top, it also had to fall down. The Naruhata Vigilantes disbanded 2 years later the Trigger Incident was curbed down. The three of us went on our own ways after the disbandment of the team. And one of them was me, Knuckleduster.

At that time, I started investigating the case on my own as my daughter was involved in it. But after a long time of investigation, I met them. My disciple and his girlfriend. We made the Naruhata Vigilantes deal with Trigger Incident and now 4 years have passed after the incident ended. Time surely flies by.

Currently, I am punching a criminal's head repeatedly while having these thoughts. Punching this guy makes me remember those old days.

'Heh. Nostalgic.'

I then threw the criminal to the ground where more of his friends are lying down. I didn't try to kill them or they would've been dead already. These small-time criminals were about to break into a jewelry shop and I happened to be passing by, so I decided to give them a visit.

These were just small-time criminals so they were not that big of a problem to deal with them. But I want more tough enemies. I joined Night Raid to fight more tough opponents which I got within 48 hours of joining and I had to fight Kendo Rappa.

I knew Kendo Rappa from my Pro-Hero days when he was just an underground fighter and I happened to be undercover. We fought at that time and he said I will be a good fighter in the future. During the fight. I scoffed at his claim and won the match with calculated tactics and fast moves.

But after losing my quirk, I became a Vigilante and fought only with fists. I became the ferocious fighter he said I will become.

I met him again but under different circumstances. We were on different sides and one had to die. I was ordered by Night Slash to defeat Kendo Rappa and Kendo was ordered by Overhaul to kill me.

We fought. He was surely excited as he remembered me when I fought him after all these years. When I asked him how did he remember me even after all these years and he said,

'I remember a person by how they fight. And I remembered you as a fighter with great potential but stuck in calculations. Now look at you, You are what I said that day. You became a ferocious and fearless fighter like me, who wants to deal complicated things with the Violence of Fists.'

But after that a missile came and hit Rappa and exploded, shredding him to pieces and burning those shreds to crisp. The missile was launched by Night Slash.

It's not like I hate or resent Night Slash for killing Rappa but I still feel bad for the dead Rappa.

'At least he died in a battle like he wanted to.'

I sighed and left the area, as the place will be now be riddled with police.

....

I was now sitting on my couch, watching TV and drinking some beer. It was all good until my phone started ringing. I picked up the call after I saw the caller ID of the person who called me,

:: Hello Knuckleduster, It's been a while since we have talked like this. Don't you think? :: Voice came out of the phone.

"Don't beat around the bush Giran. I know you don't want to talk to me about my daily life or how am I now after the last time we met. So tell me... What do you want?" I have no time to buy this guy's bullshit. This is Giran. He was my supplier of painkillers and equipment during the Trigger Incident.

:: Heh still the same all-time serious Knuckleduster. And here I thought you might have changed after all these years but... who cares. Yeah, I want to talk to you about something::

"And what if I don't want to listen?" I already have no interest in whatever Giran had to say. At most, it will be a product from the Underworld which I don't want and will never use even If I buy that.

:: Heh, Don't be so impatient. Listen first, who knows you might be interested::

"Just say it. Don't try to create suspense. I don't have all day to waste on you and your stupid things." I roared on the phone. This guy likes to stretch a simple conversation to speech.

:: Fine. Listen, Are you interested in Triggers....::

.....

After listening to what Giran said, I tried to call La Brava but her phone is busy so I called Danjuro.

:: Hello... Oguro-san? What happened? You usually don't call me...::

"Make arrangements for a meeting. I am leaving for Hosu right now. I will arrive there in 80 minutes." I said and rushed out of my house.

I 'borrowed' a car which was parked on the side of the road. I will return it later. After that, I drove towards Hosu City. While driving, I called Night Slash.

It came busy the first time, I tried again... this time the call connected.

:: Why are you calling me at this time? I am on a date, you old virgin::

His comments always make me want to smash his head on the ground and then repeatedly kick him when he is laying on the ground unconscious. And when he wakes up, kneels in front of me, and begs for mercy, I will then Knee-bash his fucking head.

But I controlled these thoughts and replied.

"Come to Hosu as soon as possible, you little shit. I have arranged a meeting at Danjuro's apartment. I have something very important to discuss with you all and this includes you, Mr. Night Splash.

Leave your date, Because whatever you do, she will not let you smash as you sound so desperate for sex ... like a 25-year-old Virgin. So pack up and come to Danjuro's Apartment as fast as possible."

:: I am not a Vir..:: He tried to say something but I just hung up the call.

'That was satisfying.' I thought and continued driving.

_________________________________________________________________

[Shido's POV]

'FUCK!!!' I wanted to throw the phone on the wall but I stopped myself. I am currently in the male restroom of the restaurant. I was having a dinner date with Fuyumi now I will have to leave because of this old man's call. But he said he has something very important to discuss with everyone and I don't think Knuckleduster will overexaggerate a small issue.

Then if he said something is important, then it is important. I decided to go to Hosu City.

I left the restroom and went to the table I reserved for dinner where Fuyumi was eating the main course. We arrived at the hotel at 7:15 PM, which was a little late than the time for the reserved table but luckily it was not booked by any other person so I had to book it again.

The reason we got late was obviously Fuyumi took too much time in getting ready but I didn't say anything to her because In the end, we got the table so... all is well.

I sat on the seat in front of her and started eating the main course quickly. Fuyumi looked at me and continued to eat her dinner. After I completed my main course, I took Fuyumi's hand in mine.

"Sorry, Fuyumi..." But before I could say anything more,

"Vigilante Work?" She asked.

"Yeah..." I was feeling guilty as I had to interrupt our date for work. Knuckleduster told me to come urgently so it's not like I can complete our date and then go to Hosu City.

"Don't feel guilty about it, but just try to make it up later okay?" She asked with a smile to which I just nodded.

I paid the bill and we left the restaurant. While walking outside the restaurant, I was thinking about how to make up for today's date and then I had an idea.

"Fuyumi, come with me." I turned to her and grabbed her hand.

"To where?"

I did not reply to that and ran to a dark alley with Fuyumi.

"Why are we here Shido?" She asked me but I didn't reply.

I scooped down and picked Fuyumi in a princess carry. This shocked Fuyumi as this was so sudden and we are outside.

"Ah! What are you doing Shido? Somebody will see us."

I ignored her question and,

{AEZAKMI} - Disable Wanted Level  [Cheat Activated]

{ROCKETMAN} - Spawn Jetpack  [Cheat Activated]

I then fused my finger with her body, so {AEZAKMI} effect also affects her.

Fuyumi was shocked by so many things, First, a futuristic-looking thing suddenly appeared on my shoulders, Second, I suddenly disappeared in front of her but she was able to somehow sense, Third, She felt a finger fusing with her body.

But before she could ask anything, I activated the Jetpack and we flew off to the sky with Fuyumi in a princess carry. Due to the sudden loss of ground, she quickly wrapped her arms around my neck and started shouting loud with her eyes closed. But I don't think anybody will be able to hear her screams, as they are suppressed under the effect of {AEZAKMI}.

..

"Hey, Stop screaming and open your eyes."

Fuyumi complied and slowly opened her eyes but still screaming. When she completely opened her eyes and saw the view, she stopped screaming.

In front of her was the vast dark sky which is filled with stars which are scattered here and there in an unordered manner but it didn't reduce the beauty of the sky instead it increased the beauty of the sky with its small glow, which can be considered insignificant in the sky but when they are scattered everywhere, it created a serene picture.

She then looked down and saw the city which is supposed enveloped in the darkness of the night like the sky but the lights of varying colors counter the darkness at bay and make the city look like a bright spot in the world filled with darkness. She could see people going around, couples on their date, children with their parents, all from above.

"Does this makeup for the interrupted date?" I asked Fuyumi who is currently so mesmerized by the scenery that she was looking at all this in a daze.

"It does..." She said in a daze.

"Really?"

When she heard my question, she shook her head and came out of her daze, she quickly replied,

"No... I mean it doesn't... you need to make some more personal time for me to make up for the date."

"Oka, I will do that. But let me drop you to your house first." I said and controlled the jetpack to descend downwards.

"NOOOO... Take me to your house." She said and tightened her arms which wrapped around my neck.

"Why? Eri will be home tonight. So we cannot..." Before I could continue what I wanted to say. Fuyumi pulled my ear hard.

"Do you think I am the horny dog who always wants sex? I thought it will be a good idea to spend a night with you and Eri, but it seems there is another dog who is in heat."

I ignored her comment and flew in the direction of my house.

...

"Expect me to come at around 12 AM. If you still feel hungry, there is some bento in the fridge, just heat it up and it will be ready to eat. Okay bye. I will bring Eri back with me." I dropped Fuyumi at my house and told her some instructions. I then equipped Night Slash suit and left my house.

...

Knuckleduster was pacing back and forth in Danjuro's Apartment with Danjuro and La Brava could be seen sitting on the dinning table. Eri is currently in a room with her tablet watching cartoons as they didn't want her to be involved in the talks.

I entered the apartment through the opened door of the balcony, deactivated {AEZAKMI} and stored the Jetpack in the Inventory.

"Well, Hello There." I greeted all of them.

"Quick, Take a seat," Knuckleduster said and took a seat. I did like he said and took a seat next to him.

"Okay, I am going to make a call, so just listen to whatever the guy says," Knuckleduster said and then called someone. He then placed the phone in the middle of the table and turned the loudspeaker on.

:: Hello? ::

"You can say what you said to me earlier. And you don't have to worry about anything. These are the people I can trust, so just say whatever you said to me, without any changes." Knuckleduster assured the man on the other side of the phone.

:: Since you insist then I will talk... I have a piece of information that I think you guys will be interested in::

:: There is a problem with the stocks of Trigger in the underworld. The number of Trigger in the black market is at the lowest since the introduction of Trigger in the Underworld::

"Isn't that a good thing?" Danjuro pointed out.

:: And that is where you are wrong my friend. The raw materials of Tigger are being sold in bulk to the Trigger Producers. And the raw materials are so vehemently sold, that there is a shortage of the raw materials in the black market and they had to resort to importing them to meet the demand. Do know what that means? ::

"Someone is trying to horde the entire stock of Trigger in the black market and the producers of Trigger seem to have a deal with the same person, so they are making Triggers in full force for them. This means this person wants Trigger in a huge amount and very urgently." I said my conclusion.

:: Nothing less to expect from you, Mr. Erebus or should I call you Night Slash now. Well, it was also surprising for me when I found my customer is a famous Vigilante. I was stupid that I didn't realize it earlier. It was so obvious.

You took a list of High-level Villains from me, they all died. Everybody calls it 'Villain Slaughter Week'. You took details about Shie Hassaikai from me and they are nowhere to be seen. Now everyone calls it 'Two-Explosion Incident of Hosu'.

And now look at you, You made No.2 hero to chase you around. I am proud to have such a customer... :: Giran said in his casual tone with no sincerity.

"Well, It was obvious, but I think you should continue with the information." I interrupted Giran.

:: Well, I will continue but at least meet me at my shop once after this, okay? It will be good publicity for my shop... Then where was I?...

Yes, the conclusion... Mr. Night Slash is correct. Someone is blocking the Triggers supply routes and claiming it all. And all the Triggers in the market were also bought in one transaction. The triggers which are now in the black market are just the leftovers.

And the thing is, the person behind all this is really powerful as they broke the equilibrium of the Underworld and they defied the rules of the Underworld as they made a direct deal with the producers without a middle-man from the Underworld who takes the position of a neutral party and there is no retaliation from the Top Dogs of Underworld::

"So much Trigger is being created under the nose of the government. What are they doing?" La Brava asked.

:: The government seems to have the same view as the previous thought that our friend presented here. They think it is a good thing that the Triggers are all-time low in the Underworld. The HPSC agents don't even know the news about the deal and the raw products' shortage.

The moment they reported the shortage of triggers, the HPSC started patting their own backs and celebrated it. They didn't even suspect of a conspiracy behind this::

"It seems President Ige is really incompetent as the rumors said," I said as I remembered what Hawks said to me during our fight.

:: Yeah, she is... But that's not the point we are talking about here::

"Are you sure it is not that Person wants the complete monopoly of Triggers in Japan, so they are creating the shortage and when the demand hits high, they will start selling them at high prices," I asked, as this also could be a possibility?

:: What I am going to tell you is the reason why this conclusion is wrong::

"What is it?" I asked,

:: I also had the same speculation at first but just a few hours ago, I received the news that the triggers which were bought and then to be-produced ones will be exported. If they wanted to really make a monopoly on Triggers then what is the reason to export the stuff unnecessarily::

What Giran said is right, but there is something important I need to ask first,

"Exported to Where?"

:: ....To America ::