MHA; Traflagar D. Water Law

**Chapter 22: The Offer**

Law sat in the dimly lit room of his small apartment, the faint glow of his phone screen illuminating his face. His wrists were wrapped in light bandages, the remnants of the injuries he had sustained during the training exercise. He wore a loose gray shirt and black sweatpants, his usual attire when he wasn't in his hero costume. His black hair, usually hidden under his signature hat, now fell freely over his forehead. The hat was gone, reduced to ashes in the previous day's battle, and its absence left him feeling oddly exposed.

He ran his fingers through his hair, a habit he had developed since losing the hat, and sighed as he scrolled through his phone. The screen displayed a series of messages and updates, but his mind was elsewhere. The events of the training exercise replayed in his head—Midoriya's overwhelming power, Bakugo's ferocity, and his own limitations. He had won his match, but the cost had been high. His body ached, and his pride stung even more.

Finally, he set the phone aside and leaned back against the wall, his golden eyes narrowing in thought. "System," he muttered under his breath, his voice low and steady. "Are you still there?"

For a moment, there was silence. Then, a familiar, almost teasing voice echoed in his mind. *"Yes, Law-san. Did you miss me?"*

Law's lips twitched into a faint smirk, though there was no humor in it. "Who would miss an artificial intelligence?" he replied dryly. "What I need is a way to get stronger. It's impossible to keep up with what's coming if I stay at this level."

The System's voice was calm, almost infuriatingly so. *"Your control over your power has already reached Level 5. You're doing well, all things considered."*

Law's eyes widened slightly, and he sat up straighter. "Wait, there are levels? You've been keeping that from me?"

The System chuckled, a sound that was both mechanical and oddly human. *"I can measure the strength of every living being in this world and provide precise statistics. But I don't. It would ruin the fun of the game."*

"This is a game to you?" Law shot back, his voice tinged with frustration. "Statistics are important. They're necessary."

*"You're just looking for an excuse not to push yourself,"* the System retorted. *"For example, remember what Midoriya did today during training. And in a few months, he'll face Muscular. Do you remember that fight in the anime?"*

Law's jaw tightened. "Are you saying I should risk life-threatening injuries in every battle?"

*"On the contrary,"* the System replied smoothly. *"This is a free game, and you're in complete control of how you play it."*

Law exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair again. "You're not helping, as usual."

*"Such harsh words,"* the System said, its tone almost playful. *"Fine, I'll give you a small hint. If you want to get stronger in a short amount of time, I suggest you accept the offer you'll receive today from that person."*

Law frowned. "What person are you talking about?"

*"It has nothing to do with me,"* the System replied cryptically. *"Everything that happens in your life is the result of your actions and decisions. Have you heard of the butterfly effect?"*

Law's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying…?"

At that moment, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the apartment, cutting off his thoughts. Law's head snapped toward the door, his golden eyes narrowing in suspicion. No one ever visited him here. His apartment was a sanctuary, a place where he could retreat from the world. The idea of someone showing up unannounced was unsettling.

*"Exactly,"* the System said, its voice fading as if it were stepping back. *"What you're about to face in this life is the manifestation of your actions and their consequences."*

The doorbell rang again, sharper this time. Law's gaze flicked to the corner of the room where his sword rested in its sheath. For a brief moment, he considered reaching for it, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Instead, he stood and walked to the door, his movements deliberate and calm.

He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the doorknob. Then, steeling himself, he turned the handle and opened the door.

Standing in the hallway was a man with messy green hair and piercing green eyes. He wore a sleek gray suit with a long red tie, and his smile was both charming and unnerving. "Hello, Trafalgar Law," the man said, his voice smooth and confident. "Do you have a moment?"

Law's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. *How does he know my name?* he thought. *And how much does he know about me?*

"What can I help you with?" Law asked, his tone cautious but polite.

The man took a step forward, his green eyes glowing faintly. The air around him seemed to shift, and the light in the hallway flickered, turning from white to an eerie green. Law stood his ground, his expression unreadable, as the man spoke again. "You have two choices," he said, his smile never wavering. "Either you participate in an underground, non-legal tournament, or we take your quirk."

Law's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his composure. *A threat like this… it's not something I expected. Even the System said it had nothing to do with this.* His mind raced through the possibilities. The only person he knew who could steal quirks was All For One. Was this man working under him? Or was there someone else in this world with that power?

The green glow intensified, and the floor beneath them seemed to shimmer with the same unnatural light. Law realized that the man's quirk was affecting the environment, and the change in the hallway's lighting was merely a side effect of his power.

"Fine," Law said, his voice calm and steady. "I'll do it."

The green glow in the man's eyes faded, and he took a step back, his smile widening. "How interesting," he said. "I expected you to be afraid or at least hesitant. UA students truly are something else."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card, which he placed on Law's shoulder. "Everything you need is on this card—the date, location, and details. The tournament is at night. I hope you aim for the top."

Law remained still as the man turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. He didn't look back, simply waving a hand in farewell. Law picked up the card and glanced at it, his eyes narrowing as he read the name printed on it: *Malouin.*

His lips pressed into a thin line. "It's the company Aizawa-sensei and the police have been investigating…"

In that moment, it all clicked. The green star he and Aizawa had seen that day—it was the same man who had just stood before him. Law's grip tightened on the card as he muttered under his breath, "This just got a lot more complicated."

.

.

~ More Chapters ;

patr eon. com/Sakana0