My Hero Academia: Thunder God

Ten minutes earlier, on a busy highway lit up like a fiery dragon, Snatch was driving a mid-range black car, blending seamlessly into the flow of traffic. His temporary employer sat in the back seat, eyes closed, resting.

This was their daily routine, unchanged except for the time Snatch had been ambushed by several villains. His job was usually simple and uneventful.

In the back seat, Kaminari's father also had his eyes shut, but he wasn't sleeping. His mind was busy with thoughts about his company.

The business was growing rapidly, and profits were steadily climbing. The "Pokémon" IP had even expanded internationally.

Recently, the company's main focus had shifted from Japan to the International market, which had proven to be immensely profitable.

It was a bit surprising, even puzzling how much the International fans loved "Pokémon." Game figures and other merchandise were selling at astonishing rates.

"It looks like we need to establish a department specifically for international fans," Kaminari's father mused. "The next IP, 'Yu-Gi-Oh!', should be developed simultaneously in Japan and internationally."

Suddenly, Snatch's urgent shout interrupted his thoughts.

"Boss, watch out!!"

"Boom!!"

Before Kaminari's father could react, a deafening explosion filled his ears. The car was violently flipped, and the entire world turned upside down.

---

Outside the highway, more than a dozen strange-looking individuals followed a muscular man with red, lion-like hair. They strutted boldly, ignoring the chaos and screams around them, wearing mocking smiles.

"Hahahaha, well done, Black Cannon!"

The leader, Nicholas Fu, looked back approvingly at his subordinate. Black Cannon's right hand was still smoking from his Quirk. Among all of Fu's followers, Black Cannon's power was the most destructive.

His Quirk allowed him to turn his hands into black cannon muzzles, capable of firing powerful explosive shells. According to him, the explosions grew stronger with his physical condition. Unfortunately, the man had no ambition and rarely trained to improve himself.

Still, Fu didn't mind. If Black Cannon became too powerful, it might threaten his position as the leader of the Black Tiger Gang.

"Hey, I didn't mean to hit the car that hard. I hope the 'goods' inside are still okay," Black Cannon muttered nervously, eyeing the overturned vehicle.

He'd intended to aim three or four meters away from the car to force it to stop, but the shot had landed closer than planned.

"Relax. Snatch is in there," Fu said with a dismissive wave. "With his Quirk, he'll keep the goods safe."

Sure enough, under the watchful eyes of the Black Tiger Gang, a ball of earth-yellow gravel surrounded the two occupants of the car. The sand protected them as it opened the shattered door and floated them safely out.

"Who are you?!"

Snatch glared at the gang with a stern expression. His heart sank when he realized how many there were, but he kept his composure, focusing on the red-haired man at the center.

In truth, he didn't care who these people were, they were clearly villains. However, stalling for time until the police or Pro Heroes arrived was his priority.

"Naive."

Nicholas Fu sneered, dismissing Snatch's question entirely. Their mission was simple: strike fast, grab their target, and leave.

For Fu, kidnapping Kaminari's father was more valuable than obtaining the SIS alloy. With the father as leverage, he could pressure Kaminari Denki into handing over everything they wanted.

It was a win-win scenario: the ransom and the bounty.

He gave orders to his subordinates: "Four of you, stay back and watch the perimeter. The rest of you, come with me!"

Turning to Black Cannon, Fu commanded, "Hit him hard. If his sand can't hold together, he's powerless!"

With that, Fu crouched low, his legs compressing like coiled springs. His calves had transformed, a result of his Quirk.

"Boom!!"

Fu launched himself like a missile, leaving cracks in the concrete where he had stood. He became a red blur, rocketing toward Snatch at incredible speed.

Behind him, the other villains activated their Quirks or pulled out firearms, unleashing a storm of attacks at Snatch.

"Snort!"

Seeing negotiations had failed, Snatch turned his body into gravel. A massive sand fist rose to meet Fu's incoming attack.

"Witness the Black Tiger's Heartbreaker!" Fu shouted, his voice carrying a hint of arrogance. Strangely, he spoke in fluent Chinese, suggesting he might have Chinese heritage.

As he yelled, his arms transformed into massive springs, coiling with power.

"Boom!"

Fu's punch shattered the enormous sand fist with ease. Without even pausing to glance at Snatch, he charged directly toward Kaminari's father, who was standing nearby.

"Not on my watch!"

"Sand Shield!"

The gravel protecting Kaminari's father formed into a circular barrier, enveloping him entirely. The loose sand visibly condensed, taking on a metallic sheen.

"You think a pile of sand can stop a tiger charging downhill? Don't make me laugh!" Fu sneered, his fiery red hair whipping behind him like flames.

"Black Tiger's Heartbreaker!!"

Activating his Quirk again, Fu lunged at the sand shield, delivering a powerful blow.

"Boom!!!"

The impact echoed loudly, but this time, Fu's punch failed to break through. Instead, his fist was slightly injured, the skin split from the force.

"What's going on? Why is this so hard?" Fu stared at the sand shield in disbelief. "Snatch's Quirk is just sand manipulation, isn't it?"

His gang had done their homework on Snatch. Nowhere in the reports was there mention of a defense like this.

---

On the other side, Snatch felt a moment of relief when he saw that Fu's attack hadn't penetrated the shield. It allowed him to refocus on the other attackers.

Though the bullets and Quirks of the minions seemed insignificant, they still posed a threat. After all, Snatch's entire body couldn't turn into sand. A hit to an unprotected area could spell disaster.

"So, you want to outnumber me?"

"Let's see who really has the advantage!"

With that, the gravel at Snatch's feet shifted. Under the stunned gazes of Black Cannon and the other villains, twelve faceless sand figures formed around them.

"Sand Clones!"

The battlefield's dynamic shifted instantly. No longer was Snatch surrounded by the Black Tiger Gang—instead, the gang now found themselves surrounded by Snatch's army of sand clones.

***

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