Nighttime,
Izuku's room...

Hari's POV

I put Izuku down in her bed back, since she couldn't move on her own. She was extremely exhausted... After Overhaul forced himself on her. And the fact that her whole body was aching so badly after the "punishment time" made it worse.

He has gone too far! Never once I thought he would hurt Izuku to the point she was THIS TRAUMATIZED!

Izuku stared at my face with sadly, her eyebrows furrowed in heartache. I could only give her a small smile of reassurance. I patted her head gently. "We swear we will get you out of here as soon as possible. Just believe in us, Izuku." I said, and she nodded her head silently.

"I will bring you another food. You haven't eaten your dinner yet, have you?" Nemoto asked, which hit me with realization. Shoot... He was right. Izuku hadn't eaten anything yet.

"Hmm..." Izuku weakly hummed in response. She seemed quite worn out, and it was all that deadbeat's fault.

"Alright then, we will take our leave now." I stood up from her bed, but Izuku suddenly gripped my sleeve. "Don't leave me...alone...again..." She begged, looking at the two of us pleadingly. My heart clenched at this painful sight.

"I promise I won't leave you again... For now, give us some time to make a plan to free you and Eri from here." I held her hand gently, and tears all of a sudden pooled in her eyes. She was hesitant, but released me from her firm grip.

"See you again, Young Lady." Nemoto tugged a smile for her, only to he responded with a silent nod.

As soon as the two of us left her room, I pulled out my gun and pointed it to Nemoto. He seemed pretty shocked by my sudden action.

I have doubts in him... I don't think he will easily betray Overhaul, considering how he has sworn his life and loyalty to Overhaul. Out of the Expendables, he was the most loyal to our boss...

... That's why it is difficult for me to believe in him.

"What's the meaning of this, Chrono?!" Nemoto shouted at me in dissatisfaction. I narrowed my eyes at him, inspecting his expression and behavior.

"From my observation, you are the most loyal to Overhaul.... That's why I doubt you, Nemoto." I spelt out my thought without hesitation. A sweat rolles down the side of his face.

"Why...you..." Nemoto was speechless by my statement. "Answer my question honestly and I may consider letting you go, Nemoto. Are you serious to betray Overhaul?"

At last, I aired out the question that had been lingering in my mind.Nemoto was silenced for a moment, but I didn't care. I didn't care how long it would take for him to answer. I will wait here all day if need, because the answer will decide his true status here...

...my enemy, or my ally.

"....I'm serious. I have no faith in Young  Master anymore. He promised me he would not to hurt Young Lady, but.... He betrayed my trust. That is why.... I decided to turn my back against him." Nemoto clenched his fist with strong-willed determination.

Honestly, I was surprised by his answer. I never imagined he would take such action...

"Young Lady... Is the only person I could trust... I will follow her forever and protect her every danger, even if it means I have to sacrifice my life to save her. So... Let me protect her along with you, Chrono." Nemoto stared at my face solemnly.

His explanation left me speechless. I retreated my gun from his face, putting it back the pocket of my raincoat.

"I see... If that is so, then I'm going to trust you. But know that, if I sense even the slightest hint of betrayal, I won't hesitate to end you in one second." I gave him one last warning, but he didn't waver even a little bit.

I see... Him, too...

He has decided to side Izuku for real.

"If that ever happens, then I want you to kill me... Chrono. Because I don't want to become a nan who betray a very kind-hearted, sincere woman like Young Lady. I rather die... Then betraying, or lying to her." Nemoto looked up to me determinedly.

I nodded my head, agreeing with his demand.

"Now that we have come to an agreement, do you have any plan in your mind?" Nemoto started.

"Yes... I have organized a strategic plan... Even before I knew Overhaul's filthy doing." I answered, slightly mocking my supposed-to-be-respected boss.

"....tell me everything."

•••••

Shie Hassaikai underground base,
E

ri's room,
Next morning...

Eri's POV

.... I was laying still in bed, motionless... Doing nothing. I could only silently wait for the next painful procedure time to arrive. This would occur again and again, unstoppable.

I stared at the dark ceilings blankly, my mind swirling with train of thoughts, before Neechan's face appeared. I was really shocked when I remembered her.

Chisaki-san's venomous, disturbing words echoed in my head as I recalled the moment he took Izuku-neechan away from me, while I was brought back to my room by the other yakuza.

"No, please! Don't hurt Neechan! Don't take her away from me! Izuku-neechan... Please...don't leave me again.." My voice became weaker as time passed, since I had been screaming at Chisaki-san from the top of my lungs, while struggling to free myself from the yakuza that was holding me tightly. Chisaki-san - who was carrying Neechan in his arms - turned to look at me, face darkened with murderous intent.

"You will never see her again for the rest of your life, you cursed monster... I won't let that happen for the second time.... Because of your existence, she betrayed me. Now, I need to discipline her in harsh way. And it's all your fault." He said huskily, halting my action.

I stopped thrashing and struggling. Tears began to fall from my crimson eyes again. My body trembled violently, as I seeped in his venomous words.

Before I realized it, I passed out without warning.

"What is he...gonna do...to her...?" Negative thoughts and idea of Neechan was hurt by Chisaki-san... Because of me... Struck my head.

N-no... Izuku-neechan...

Why...? Why did I agree to run away with her? Why did I get her involved?

Because of me... Now... Chisaki-san hurts
Neechan...

Isn't there anything I can do to help her? I don't want her to suffer like me too.

The door of my room suddenly opened slightly. I was curious and shocked– who opened the door...?

Wait... If the door is opened, then that means... No one is outside guarding the hallway!

I can do it...

I may can't save Neechan by myself... But if I run out of the base... And look for someone who can help me... Then Neechan can be rescued!

I hopped off my bed and rushed out of my room as fast as I could. I just wanted one thing ; I wanted to save Neechan!

Please.. I hope there is someone out there who can help us...!!

•••••

Several moments later,
Somewhere in the city,
Morning...

Third Person's POV

A blonde-haired young man wearing hero costume, with the number "1,000,000" written on his chest, walked past an alleyway while humming a song.

All of a sudden, a silver-haired girl bumped into him. The kind hero crouched down to her and asked softly,

"Sorry,that must have hury!" He was about to pick her up by the armpits, but she flinched at the sudden physical contact.

"Are you okay? Can you stand up?" He asked, tilting his head in confusion. 'She is shaking violently...' He thought strangely.

Eri looked up to him with pleading eyes. Tears started to fall, since she felt very relieved to see a hero.

"M-mister..." She nervously spoke up, but footsteps behind her alerted the young girl.

"Now, now... You can't go around causing trouble for heroes." Kai appeared from the dark alleyway. The young hero lifted his head up, hardly believed in his own eye sight. Yet he didn't show any sign of surprise.

'Chisaki... What is this man doing out here?' Mirio internally gasped in astonishment.