NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Shadows at Hosu Station
Chapter 10: Shadows at Hosu Station
The sun dipped low in the horizon, painting the bustling Hosu Station in hues of gold and amber. The rhythmic hum of trains arriving and departing filled the air, blending with the murmur of conversations and the occasional laughter of families. The metallic clink of suitcases being dragged across the platform punctuated the scene, and the steady voices of conductors echoed through the speakers, announcing departures. The serenity was palpable, the kind that wrapped around the city like a comforting embrace.
Amid the throng of commuters, a lone figure moved with deliberate calm. Sasuke Uchiha, clad in a dark blue short-sleeved shirt and gray shorts, his feet wrapped in bandages visible beneath his black sandal-like shoes, navigated the crowd with a quiet intensity. His black eyes scanned the ticket in his hand, the bold letters reading Hosu Station.
"It's good I went home to change," he muttered under his breath, his voice low, almost drowned out by the surrounding noise. He adjusted the strap of his small backpack, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "This bag is unnecessary, but it makes me feel like a real traveler."
As the train whistled its imminent departure, Sasuke stepped aboard with a fluid grace, finding his seat by the window. He sank into it, the cool leather pressing against his back as he set his gaze outside. The world beyond the glass moved with an unhurried elegance—vendors calling out their wares, travelers bidding farewells, the golden light casting long shadows across the platform.
A calm female voice crackled through the intercom, announcing the train's departure. The subtle vibration of the train starting its journey reverberated through the cabin, and Sasuke leaned his elbow on the windowsill, his fingers lightly brushing his chin. His expression remained impassive, but his mind was a whirlpool of thoughts.
Meanwhile, back at U.A. High School, Himawari walked with quiet purpose through the now-empty corridors. The blue-haired girl with long, flowing locks and emerald green eyes moved against the tide of students heading for the exit. The late afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows, casting intricate patterns on the polished floors.
Her steps were measured, her green eyes scanning the hallway as she approached the nurse's office. The wooden door stood closed, its surface reflecting the fading sunlight. Placing a delicate hand on the brass handle, she turned it slowly, her voice soft as she peered inside.
"Sasuke-kun? Are you alright?"
The room greeted her with silence. Stepping fully into the space, she let the door close gently behind her. Her gaze swept across the neatly arranged cots and the desk where the nurse's tools were meticulously organized.
"Not here," she murmured, her tone lacking surprise but tinged with curiosity.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Himawari moved further into the room. Her green eyes shimmered momentarily, a faint glow enveloping them. The world around her transformed. Every surface, every object became coated in hues of green, a spectral overlay that told stories invisible to the naked eye.
She traced her fingers lightly over the edge of a cot, her expression thoughtful. A warm, lingering glow remained where someone had rested, the energy calm and stable. The nurse's desk bore similar marks, indicating frequent use. But nowhere, not on the cot or the air, did Sasuke's unique aura linger.
"It doesn't add up," Himawari whispered, the glow in her eyes fading as the room returned to normal. "You're not one to lie, Sasuke. So why this elaborate excuse?"
She crossed her arms, her gaze drifting to the window. The golden light of the setting sun bathed her features, casting long shadows against the walls. "Four days of absence… something isn't right."
Hours passed, and the once tranquil city of Hosu descended into chaos. Flames danced across the skyline, their crimson tongues licking at the buildings as smoke billowed into the darkening sky. The guttural roars of the Nomu echoed through the streets, their monstrous forms darting through the air with terrifying speed.
On the ground, citizens fled in every direction, their faces masks of fear and desperation. Cars screeched to a halt, some overturned and ablaze, their fiery demise adding to the cacophony of destruction. An explosion rocked the air, the force sending debris scattering and intensifying the screams of the fleeing masses.
Above the chaos, on a rooftop bathed in the orange glow of destruction, Tomura Shigaraki stood like a conductor orchestrating his masterpiece. His disheveled blue hair swayed in the wind, and the grotesque hand that adorned his face seemed to smirk with him. Dressed in black, his tattered shirt and pants blended with the night, making him a phantom against the fiery backdrop.
"This," he mused, his voice a chilling whisper that carried through the tumult, "this is what true despair looks like. Sing louder, my Nomu! Paint the city in fear and ruin!" His laughter was sharp and grating, like nails on a chalkboard.
Beside him, the black mist of Kurogiri swirled silently, his presence a constant shadow to Shigaraki's madness.
In the labyrinth of alleyways below, Izuku Midoriya moved like a green streak of lightning. His One For All coursed through his body, tendrils of green electricity crackling around him as he vaulted over obstacles with precision. His breaths came in sharp bursts, his freckled face etched with determination.
"Iida… please be safe!" he thought, his heart pounding as he followed the faint trail left by his missing friend.
Unbeknownst to him, dark eyes watched from above. Perched on the edge of a nearby rooftop, Sasuke Uchiha observed the hero-in-training. The night wind tousled his black hair, and the faint light of the fires below reflected in his piercing gaze. His blue shirt clung to him in the breeze, the bandages on his feet visible as he crouched.
"Found you," Sasuke murmured, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
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