As he spoke, Shigaraki pressed the gun directly against Bakugo Katsuki's forehead, looking as though he might pull the trigger at any moment.
The situation was dangerous.
Yet Bakugo's face showed no panic.
Cold sweat still slid uncontrollably down his temples, but his eyes remained sharp.
Because Bakugo could tell.
Shigaraki did not actually seem intent on killing him.
More importantly, Shigaraki's attention was not entirely focused on him. His gaze kept sweeping across the surroundings, as if he were wary of something.
Why?
Who was he guarding against?
All Might, the Number One Hero, had already been sealed away.
So what else was there to fear?
Had All Might escaped?
Or was there someone nearby who could threaten him?
One of the top heroes, perhaps?
Thinking of that, Bakugo suddenly grinned.
There was no better news than realizing that, aside from outside rescue forces, there were still active combatants on their side.
Just knowing that was enough for him to work with.
For example, he could use it to make Shigaraki hesitate to kill him.
Or delay him here so he could not go after anyone else.
Thinking this, Bakugo completely ignored the gun pressed against his forehead, casually wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and sneered.
"Then let me go."
"Who knows? If you release me, maybe those heroes will spare your life."
Hearing this, Shigaraki tilted his head and pretended not to understand.
"Oh? Heroes?"
"What a shame. I haven't seen any heroes."
"I've only seen a bunch of cowards."
"Maybe the heroes you're counting on are among those cowards too, hiding somewhere and crying for their mothers."
Then he deliberately added,
"And if you're hoping those civilians will come back to save you, I suggest you give up."
"They ran very quickly."
"They didn't look like they were planning to suddenly grow a conscience and come back for you."
What Shigaraki did not know was that, not far away, a nearly invisible strip hanging in midair trembled faintly.
The movement vanished in an instant.
Perhaps Shigaraki had not noticed.
Or perhaps he had noticed long ago and was simply waiting.
Seeing Shigaraki deliberately play dumb, Bakugo felt the situation becoming increasingly troublesome.
If this bastard kept pretending not to understand, Bakugo would not be able to draw out any useful information.
Still, after hearing that the civilians he had saved had not been intercepted again and were currently safe, Bakugo felt slightly relieved.
At least they had escaped safely.
His effort had not been wasted.
That was probably the only good news he had received today.
Thinking this, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Is that so?"
"Then they're safe."
"Good."
Seeing this, Shigaraki became genuinely curious.
"Oh? Good?"
"Shouldn't you be angry?"
"After all, you saved them. But when their savior fell into danger, not one of them came back to help you."
"They treated you like that, and you're not angry?"
Bakugo's face turned cold.
"Of course not."
"I protected them because I'm stronger than they are."
"It's not like I did it for a reward."
As he said this, his expression became completely matter-of-fact.
Clearly, deep down, he truly believed that.
"Besides, they're weaker than me. What could they even do if they came back?"
"Die?"
"They needed saving because they were too weak to escape on their own, right?"
Because I'm stronger than them, I protect them?
Interesting.
Was this the mercy of the strong?
Thinking this, Shigaraki narrowed his eyes slightly.
He was becoming more and more interested in pulling Bakugo over to his side.
"Interesting."
"You didn't spout some grand nonsense about a hero's duty."
"Instead, you call it the mercy of the strong?"
"Kid…"
"I'm starting to like you more and more."
"You're far better than these useless pieces of trash beside me."
Hearing that, Bakugo's lips curled into a cold sneer.
Being praised by an enemy like Shigaraki did not feel like an honor.
Especially when the comparison was a bunch of losers he had already beaten.
How was he supposed to be happy about that?
"Is that so?"
"I'm not happy at all."
"Being compared to trash is disgusting."
As he spoke, Bakugo deliberately swept his gaze over the fodder villains Shigaraki had called trash.
His eyes were full of contempt and disdain.
He was trying to provoke them.
Maybe he could use their anger to create a chance to escape.
Noticing his scornful gaze, the fodder villains immediately burned with rage.
They wanted nothing more than to rush over and beat Bakugo to a pulp.
Unfortunately, Shigaraki had not given the order.
So they did not dare act recklessly.
As for the "friendly interaction" between Bakugo and his useless subordinates, Shigaraki could not be bothered to care.
In his eyes, those fodder villains were nothing more than disposable tools.
Once this plan was over, they could crawl wherever they wanted.
He did not want them anymore.
After all, they were simply too useless.
They could not even defeat a middle schooler.
How embarrassing.
Having subordinates like this made him lose face.
Thinking this, Shigaraki shrugged and answered Bakugo casually.
"What does your happiness have to do with me?"
"As long as I'm happy, that's enough."
Then he unconsciously looked Bakugo up and down before saying with some emotion,
"But I have to admit…"
"The way you are right now really does resemble how I used to be."
"Well, our thoughts are probably different, though."
Hearing this, Bakugo became unusually furious.
"Watch your damn mouth."
"Who the hell is like you?"
This bastard actually said they were alike?
Said the future strongest hero was similar to some third-rate villain?
Even insults had limits.
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