Multiversal Recruitment

Walking with the sunset at my back, I set out to look for information. I knew a bit about My Hero Academia, but not nearly enough to know every city and its location.

"How do you convince someone? Forget it, who the hell would even consider this?" I sighed in frustration, looking at a public news broadcast playing on a television outside a store, approaching it to watch.

The headline was about All Might—unsurprisingly—saving as many people as possible, with a bit of promotional flair.

"I wish I could... but if convincing regular heroes is already hard, convincing All Might is impossible. He loves this world too much," I muttered, disappointed, watching the screen.

But suddenly the news changed, switching to live coverage. The heroine Mirko was fighting some villains in the city of Musutafu, wearing her usual wild smile.

Meanwhile, my interest peaked. I watched the news, focusing specifically on Mirko.

"Strong, agile, wild... but above all, an adrenaline junkie. She might be..." I smiled to myself, considering Mirko a very viable option.

"But she's also a hero. Despite her attitude, she chose this career for a reason. It won't be easy to convince her, but it's doable—and way better than nothing."

I added Mirko to a mental list where, until then, she was the only one.

"Either way, I need to hurry. I only have three days left to recruit someone... System, what happens if I fail to recruit anyone?"

[The host will be returned to their original world without the benefit of a companion, and the current world will be blocked until it is unlocked again via the roulette.]

Biting my nails in frustration, I imagined that scenario: back to the cell. I had the super soldier serum now, but I'd need more than that to break iron bars and escape an admiral who might respond to the Celestial Dragons' call.

"I definitely need to find someone. I don't know what the benefits will be, but I need everything if I want to escape when I go back... It's a race against time."

Sighing with disappointment, I began walking, still searching for information.

"And I was just starting to enjoy my freedom. Looks like... not yet. But soon, I'll be completely free. And the Celestial Dragons... will be the ones kneeling and begging for mercy..." My eyes darkened as my serious expression made my crimson eyes gleam with a thirst for holy blood.

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The next day, I sat on a bench—the same one I'd slept on, not wanting to waste the little pocket money I had on a hotel.

I ate a light breakfast: four ham sandwiches and two sodas, which still tasted like a feast.

After eating, I leaned back against the bench.

"Right now, only four people come to mind who might even consider my offer," I recalled my mental list, which I'd been perfecting the night before.

"First, there's Mirko—strongest of all, but the hardest to convince. Then Lady Nagant: she's likely to accept but is the hardest to find, and I don't even know what point in time I'm in. If she's in prison right now, she's completely inaccessible."

Frowning, I tried to find a way, but nothing seemed viable.

"Even if she were free, I don't know where she is or how to find her. If I had more time, maybe I would've considered her more seriously, but I can't afford to waste time on a search that may not succeed."

It was a shame. I truly regretted not being able to recruit Lady Nagant. She'd be an excellent partner and one of the best snipers—doubtful I'd find someone better.

"The third option is Toga. If I talk to her properly, she's the most likely to accept but... she's weak."

Her quirk was strong and versatile, but only in her own world. In my world, it would be of little to no use. Maybe like a weaker Mr. 2. The blood requirement was a problem, and I wasn't sure if she could replicate Devil Fruits.

"Twice is also a good option. If I become his friend, he could be the most loyal of all," I reflected, remembering the anime's Deadpool—a very solid option.

"Alright, I'll have to cross out Toga and Nagant. That leaves Mirko and Twice—assuming I can find Twice. Same problem as Nagant, I don't know where he is..."

Clicking my tongue in annoyance at my lack of intel.

"Mirko's the easiest to find. I just have to cause some trouble in her patrol area."

With a decision in mind, I stood up from the bench and started walking.

"Right now, I'm in Hosu. I need to get to Musutafu—that's where Mirko was patrolling and probably where Twice is too."

Without further delay, I got to work.

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Coming out of the train station I'd taken to Musutafu without any apparent problems, I walked out with my hands in my pockets.

"Now... how do I make sure Mirko comes—and more importantly, that I don't get my ass kicked by her?" I asked myself, one hand on my chin, eyes closed in thought.

"Knowing her, the best way to convince her is by defeating her in a good fight—and most of all, one she enjoys. But... I can't fight." I scratched my head in frustration.

"With the serum, I shouldn't be weaker than her... but not stronger either. I'm probably equal in raw power, but she fights way better than I do."

"I'll have to come up with a better plan."

Just as I was about to take another day to plan properly, I saw an explosion in the distance. People turned their heads while others ran, fleeing.

"A villain!" "Run!" "Call the heroes!"

Meanwhile, I stared at the smoke column, thoughtful.

(She might come—or not. But I can't waste this chance if she does.)

"I'll have to improvise, I guess," I muttered with a not-so-confident smile, checking my dual pistols at my sides and running toward the chaos.

Surprised by my own speed, I got halfway there quickly.

"I really underestimated this serum. Let's see how it goes."

I soon reached the crowd, standing in the back. I could see a man up front—seemingly normal but with a belt full of useless items like rocks, knives, even ninja shurikens. Looked like he was robbing a bank solo.

"Back off, everyone! If any hero comes near, I'll blow up the whole bank with everyone inside!" shouted the villain with a rabid attitude. Behind him, a bunch of scared people crouched, apparently terrified of... rocks?

I overheard some curious civilians beside me, sneaking closer discreetly.

"Did you see what he did earlier? That huge explosion?" "Yeah, luckily it was just a threat. It's weird—he grabbed a stone from his belt and when he threw it, it exploded." "S-So, are those bombs in his belt?"

Analyzing their words, I deduced the man's quirk.

(Seems like everything he touches turns into some kind of explosive... The other possibility is that he just disguises grenades, but the variety makes that less likely.)

I looked around. Heroes were arriving—but no sign of Mirko.

"Disappointing..." Still, I stayed a while longer, watching as the heroes tried to negotiate with the villain, who was waiting for his hostages to gather the money.

None of them dared get close, all too aware of the previous explosion.

(How long are they going to wait? Even a cop could handle this guy...) I felt a bit disappointed at the lack of action and started getting desperate. Too much blah blah blah.

"Agh, I'm done..." I turned, ready to leave, when I heard something that made me stop immediately.

"L-Look over there—it's the heroine Mirko!" "The number 5 heroine!?" "Hahaha! That villain's done for!"

Before I could even turn around, I heard a cry of pain. I spun quickly just in time to see Mirko, in the flesh, her usual wild smile on her face, landing a massive kick to the villain's face, sending him flying into the bank—knocked out cold with a single blow.

"As expected from the number 5 heroine!" "She took him down in an instant!" "Amazing!" "Mirko, Mirko, Mirko!"

Everyone around started cheering. Even the other heroes couldn't help but admire her.

Salazar watched with indifference, his focus locked on Mirko.

"Mirko..." finally in front of me, just a few meters away. My mind raced to find a way to get her attention.

I couldn't waste this opportunity. Only one thing came to mind.

A fight!

Mirko, meanwhile, ignored the applause, looking down at the unconscious villain in disappointment.

"So boring... didn't even last one kick. I thought he'd be interesting!" She prepared to jump away—but her rabbit ears twitched slightly. She turned her head curiously toward the crowd.

"Oh, I see..." she said, grinning wildly. She looked up as I launched a downward axe kick.

"You want some too!?" she yelled, crossing her arms as the kick landed—forcing her to slide back a bit, surprised.

"He's strong..." Far from concerned, a thrilled smile spread across her face.

People around us gasped in shock as someone suddenly attacked the heroine.

"Is he crazy!?" "I-Is he another villain working with the other one!?"

Salazar stared at Mirko, who looked back like a predator—not in a sexy way.

"Mirko... I didn't expect to meet you so soon, but I can't let this opportunity go," preparing himself mentally and physically for a tough fight.

At those words, Mirko raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Eh? So you were looking for me? Are you some crazy fan or something?" she said, crossing her arms with indifference.

"Hey! Get away from Mirko!"

Other heroes, eager for fame, rushed in. Salazar frowned.

"Tsk... just as I feared." Reaching behind him, he drew a gun, pointing it at the crowd without looking, eyes still on Mirko.

"Alright, listen up, heroes. My target is Mirko. If anyone interferes, I'll start shooting—I don't care who."

The spectators panicked, staring at the barrel aimed at them.

"Are you insane!? You're surrounded, drop the gun and surrender now!" "If you pull the trigger, we'll come for you!"

Salazar looked at them. Despite his terrible situation, he didn't lose his composure—he'd learned to handle pressure well. But truthfully, he was improvising.

"Maybe you'll catch me, but... are you willing to live with the deaths you'll cause trying?" His position was clear—he didn't care about getting caught; he'd take as many down with him as he could.

The heroes near Mirko clenched their jaws, unsure what to do, until they saw her step forward, facing Salazar.

"If I fight you, you won't kill anyone?" "That's right."

Mirko wrinkled her nose, then smiled carefreely.

"Fine, I'll do it. But when I beat you, you'll tell me why you're so obsessed with me—I don't remember anyone like you."

"I've got nothing against you. I just want to talk—and for that, I'd rather use my fists." He smiled defiantly and holstered the gun.

Apparently, it worked—her savage grin widened.

"Okay! Nobody interfere! This crazy fan is mine!" Without waiting, her legs itching for action, she launched herself forward.

"This is gonna be complicated..."

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Quick poll: Who do you prefer? Mirko, Lady Nagant, Twice or Himiko Toga?