A Bright Moon Rises over the Sea (End of Volume Four)

"He's a hero! Why would he attack civilians?" Denki Kaminari stared at the scene before him in disbelief, unable to believe that Pro Hero would lay a hand on ordinary civilians. Even if the other party was rude, there was no need to do such a thing!

However—the people around them not only didn't feel afraid, but actually shouted, "So cool! They're truly Homelander!"

"Just like in the movies, only at times like this will the people be punished by the Homelander!"

Some people chuckled, "This guy's really pathetic, but there's nothing to pity him for. He crossed the line with the Homelander."

Why is this happening? Denki Kaminari was incredulous. He had attacked civilians! In Japan, a Pro Hero like him would be dismissed! But how could these people laugh without any compassion?!

Nakiri poked Kaminari back, covered his lips with the back of his hand, and whispered, "Kaminari- kun, don't look so silly, it's very conspicuous. Homelander's only bottom line is not being insulted about his profession, and this person deserves it."

Kaminari hadn't yet grasped the meaning of Nakiri's words when suddenly, Homelander burst into laughter, landed on the ground, squatted down, and hugged the wealthy businessman who had fallen to the ground. Turning to the passengers, he said, "Haha, I'm sorry to have shown you all my immature side. There's only one thing I can't forgive, and that's when someone insults my profession, insults the heroes who exist to protect the people. They are people worthy of respect and should never be insulted or looked down upon."

"However," the Homelander turned to the wealthy businessman, smiling, "I think this fellow countryman next to me probably hasn't seen me before. His words just now were unintentional and didn't mean anything by it, right?"

The Afghanistan tycoon remained silent, even as the excruciating pain in his foot pierced him. He gritted his teeth and nodded hastily with a look of fear on his face.

Homelander got the answer he wanted, clapped his hands, stood up, and said with a smile, "Alright, I think I've taken up your time. Now let's hurry and take refuge."

A woman mustered her courage and called out, "Homelander, may I take a picture with you?"

"Of course, as long as you can get out safely, I'll let you take as many pictures as you want later." Homelander responded with a laugh, then took off again, his cape with the Stars and Stripes fluttering behind him, flying towards the cockpit amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd.

As he took off, he gave a meaningful glance to Nakiri —no, to the Little Red Riding Hood next to Nakiri whose face was covered by a hat.

Seeing the Homelander leave, Denki Kaminari quickly turned to Nakiri and asked anxiously, "Senpai, why is it like this? All these people, including you, seem to know him very well! And his principles, his bottom line, and so on—why do so many people know about him?!"

"You should watch the movie 'Home Leader' to find out what you need to know."

"Huh? A movie?" Kaminari paused, "What does this have to do with movies?"

Kaminari wanted to press further, but Nakiri shook his head and pointed ahead with his index finger. "More importantly, it's our turn to disembark now."

For some reason, the steel warship did not allow the stranded passengers to board. Each of the lifeboats headed towards different smaller vessels, including cruise ships, cargo ships, and even luxury yachts belonging to some wealthy people. At this moment, each ship showed its goodwill, enthusiastically helping them board and providing them with warm blankets and other equipment.

Kaminari and the others were no exception. With the help of the enthusiastic crew, they boarded a cruise ship, quickly received hot coffee from the kind passengers, and sat down on the deck chairs.

"The ship really sank," Ueno said, sipping his coffee as he watched the giant vessel sink. "I wonder if Jilan is alright."

The distance was now well past the range of Ueno's Quirk "wifi" connection, and there was no way to confirm Jilan's location or heart rate. However, at the last moment before the connection was lost, Ueno's heart rate monitor still showed Jilan's steady heartbeat.

"Hey, I'm telling you!" Ueno suddenly turned her attention to Ibara Shiozaki, who was sitting calmly to the side holding a pot of flowers. Apart from the dress she was wearing, the only thing she had brought with her to the lifeboat was this pot of flowers.

"You're the woman Jilan brought on board! Don't you care about him at all? At a time like this, you're only concerned about that potted plant!"

Ueno wasn't sure what emotion he was feeling, but he just felt a bit annoyed with Ibara Shiozaki.

Ibara Shiozaki raised her head and looked at the moon. Under Ibara Shiozaki caress, the potted plant in her hand stretched out a few more centimeters in the moonlight. If you looked closely, you could see that Ibara Shiozaki seemed to be counting the petals.

"I believe in Jilan, he'll be alright," Ibara Shiozaki said calmly.

What does this mean? Is it saying that you don't trust that guy?

"Tch." Ueno had nothing to say, and could only irritably turn his attention to his coffee, blowing bubbles through the straw.

The restaurant manager, who had helped Kaminari and Minoru Mineta at the cafeteria, stood next to Erina Nakiri, and the two leaned against the railing, watching the sinking of the Voyager.

"Miss, I didn't expect us to run into each other again at this time. It seems that every time I do, you end up seeing me in such a disheveled state," the manager said with a wry smile.

Although he was a crew member on the ship and had some rights, strictly speaking, he was employed by the ship and was just a cook. At this time, employees like him enjoyed the same treatment as the passengers, leaving together in lifeboats. Coincidentally, the ship he was on was the Nakiri and the others had boarded.

Nakiri shook his head and smiled, "It's unavoidable, isn't it? After all, you didn't do anything wrong."

Then, Nakiri continued, "I've asked the crew, and this ship is also going to IIsland. Once we're on the island, I'll introduce you to a job at a hotel under the Totsuki Group. But I have a favor to ask of you. I hope you can let Kaminari and Mineta continue working as waiters under you as 'compensation,' without mentioning my name."

"Young Miss," the steward sighed, "Wouldn't it have been better if you had intervened? It would have made those Hero Course students owe you a favor. Are you still thinking about that completely unrealistic plan?"

Nakiri tossed his hair, looked up at the moon, and said, "I know it's unlikely, but don't I have the right to dream?"

The enthusiastic crew assumed Little Red Riding Hood was simply exhausted from all the things she had been through and fell asleep, so they offered her a room to rest. Tsukimi Machi's Quirk is "Object Force Solidification," so while she was making her "eyeballs" float, her body was also bearing the weight of the eyeballs, which made her, who was already weak, even more tired.

At Nakiri's suggestion, she accepted the crew's kindness and curled up next to Little Red Riding Hood.

Wait, that's strange. Why is there a button-like patch of skin on the back of Little Red Riding Hood's neck?

Tsukimi Machi's eyes were fixed curiously on the back of Little Red Riding Hood's neck. After hesitating several times, she finally made up her mind and reached out to press there.

A cargo ship.

"Everyone's on board, so I should be able to go to sleep now," a crew member said, yawning as he looked at the now empty lifeboat and secured it with ropes. "Honestly, we're supposed to have a tough battle tomorrow, and tonight we have to run into a shipwreck. What bad luck!"

He complained as he turned to leave the edge.

Suddenly—"Splash! Splash!"—a sound like something emerging from the sea rang out.

The crew looked down and saw a soaking wet, blond man gripping the rope net on the ship's side, panting heavily.

Without hesitation, the crew member shouted, "Hey, are you a victim too? Don't worry, I'm coming to rescue you right away!"

After shouting that, he looked around and began searching for a rope. There should have been several other people on deck helping, but they assumed the victims had already boarded the ship, so they yawned and left.

Just then, a large hand landed on his shoulder. "Leave this to me, you go and get some rest."

The crew member turned around and immediately saluted. "Sir, no, Captain, I understand!"

After saying that, he handed the place over to the newcomer without hesitation, seemingly without considering that he alone would not be able to rescue the victims.

The man known as the captain watched his crew members leave, yawned, and casually kicked down the metal plate at his feet, seemingly aiming at the blond victim! However, just as the plate was about to hit the victim's head, it miraculously stopped in mid-air!

"Get on top, I can't hold on for long," he said.

Without hesitation, the victim quickly climbed onto the ship's side, and the iron plate, after supporting the weight of a person, was still floating in the air.

Then, he casually pointed with his index finger, and the iron plate slowly rose up, carrying the victims like an elevator!

"Grab my hand." The man reached out his hand to the victim.

Only then did the victims see that the person reaching out to them was a tall, red-haired man wearing a steel mask.