Chapter Text
Two years ago, Keigo looked on as Depestilous used his Quirk on Keigo's son Yoi.
"Good, the treatment seems to be taking hold," Depestilous noted.
"So it's done then?," Keigo asked.
"Far from it," Depestilous said, "Terminal illnesses tend to require multiple applications of my Cellular Manipulation Quirk, to account for the possibility of remission."
Keigo nodded in understanding.
"You're the doctor. You know, it's funny. Growing up I always wanted to be a policeman instead of a hero, since I felt like heroes were redundant. But seeing your work, I realize there are things heroes can do that the police aren't equipped to handle."
"You wanna know something funny?," Depestilous asked, "Growing up I wanted to be a doctor. My Quirk always seemed better suited to helping patients rather than rescuing civilians. But chance saw me in the same middle school class as All Might."
"Really?," Keigo said in surprise.
"Despite being Quirkless, he was earnest in his desire to be a hero," Depestilous said, "Everyone else laughed at him, but I thought he had heart. He was training his butt off everyday to be able to be a hero despite his Quirkless state. Which became moot when he ran into Zero-G and was given One For All."
Back in the present, the police were set up in siege positions as several of the Diary Holders headed in through the back. Karyuudo still had his business and couldn't come, Tsubaki had to watch over her organization, and for Reisuke it was bedtime since it was late at night.
"Seems the Zodiacs are trying to target us directly," Keigo noted, "Luckily, they haven't yet copped to our Future Diaries yet. Gives us a path that they can't anticipate."
"How long do we have before they decide to switch targets?," Takao asked.
"About half an hour," Keigo said, "My diary shows they've already set something up in the hospital. We'll need to drive them there. But it's risky. My son's still undergoing treatments."
Takao looked at his diary.
"Luckily what constitutes a victim for me isn't necessarily my next kill. So I can still track down the Zodiacs if I intend to hunt them."
"We can't waste too much time," Yomotsu said, "My diary is telling me that if we stall too long they'll burn down both the precinct and the hospital."
Meanwhile, Yoshimi Soma, the Zodiac Assassin known as Horse, was waiting on the roof of the hospital.
"Has there been any sign of the hunters?"
"They aren't with the police force outside the precinct for some reason," Eiji noted, "I don't like this. Something similar happened when Monkey tried to infiltrate the Amano residence hoping to convince the hunters to stay their hand."
"Curious," Yoshimi said, "Well, the Tomita brothers are in position in case of the worst. Kanae is currently in the hospital waiting to ambush the hunters. A shame Rat didn't want to join us."
"He claimed there was no future where we come out on top in all this," Eiji said, "I'm worried. His Clairvoyance Quirk has never failed to show us a path to success before."
Another figure came up to the group, the Zodiac of the Rabbit known only as Usagi.
"My friends haven't been able to spot the group for some reason. The Omekata is locked down, and both the Hojo residence and that kennel are empty."
"They know we're after them," Eiji realized, "Call your friends to consolidate here. Keep this building under siege. We need to start considering whether or not it's worth continuing this action."
"We must continue this," Yoshimi insisted, "If we allow the hunters to continue to exist, they will only impede Duedecuple's goals further. We were hired to kill Infinite, but so far we have been unable to deliver. This change of strategy is necessary, I assure you."
Meanwhile, Minene had managed to chase off a figure carrying what looked like a CO2 canister on his back.
"Some sort of ice thrower. Didn't know such a weapon existed. Well, my Mortar Cannon hit him, but he's not taken down, so no points yet."
Keigo had found the incendiary bomb the figure had planted, his diary letting him know exactly how to disarm it.
"Masumi, get a bomb squad in here. I've disarmed the detonator, but we need a proper disposal just in case. I'm not taking chances. We're heading for the hospital."
'Okay, but you'd better hurry, sir,' Masumi said over the radio, 'Your wife Naoko is heading there to check on your son.'
"Wait a moment," Yuki said, "That was the name of the woman hosting the bridal fair."
"Shit, as if we didn't have enough to worry about," Keigo said, "Let's get moving. I'm not about to let those bastards hold my family hostage."
He headed off as fast as he could.
"He won't have to worry," Yomotsu noted, "My diary hasn't shown me that they even know about his family being here."
Depestilous was looking after Yoi as Naoko walked in.
"How is he doing?," Naoko said.
"Still stable," Jotaro assured her as he removed his mask, "Heh, it's ironic. This mask is modeled after old plague doctor masks, yet the kid said every time he sees me wearing it, he feels at ease. Like he'll never get sick again. Well, things have been going well for the last two years. Yoi's heart has been getting steadily stronger. In a few months, he should be able to live a normal life rather than having to be in and out of hospital for regular checkups."
He then heard the sound of footsteps outside the room, passing by but not stopping. He quickly put his mask back on and reached into his satchel to pull out a small chain weapon. He took a peek outside and noticed two men.
"Nagayuki," the first man said, "Wasn't expecting you here so soon. Things go alright?"
"Hardly," the man named Nagayuki said, "Crazy thing, Takeyasu, but it looks like they were able to sus me out."
'The Dragon and Snake of the Zodiac Assassins,' Depestilous realized, 'The infamous loose cannons known as the Tomita brothers. What the heck are they doing here?'