We arrived at the police station shortly after the sirens died down. The patrol car moved in tense silence through the streets, still thick with smoke and dust. Beside me, the square-jawed officer didn't say a word. He just kept jotting things down on his digital notepad, occasionally glancing my way as if trying to solve a puzzle that didn't fit.
As soon as I stepped inside the building, the atmosphere shifted. It was an ordinary place beige walls, the smell of cold coffee and metal but just crossing the doorway was enough to feel the stares. The receptionist froze mid-typing. An agent exiting a nearby room stopped mid-sentence. Others quickly averted their eyes, as if an invisible pressure had settled over everything.
My Dominant Aura was active. Not by choice I still couldn't fully control it. It was a dense presence, exuding authority and raw power even as I stood in silence, hands in my pockets, posture relaxed.
The officer who brought me Nishida, as I learned from his badge guided me to an interview room. Nothing like the movies. No two-way mirror, no harsh lighting. Just a simple table, sturdy chairs, and a holographic screen linked to the station's central system.
"Have a seat," he said. His tone was controlled, but the accelerated heartbeat betrayed his discomfort.
I obeyed. For a few seconds, only the sound of the recording filled the room. Then Nishida began.
"Full name?"
"Haruki Sakuragi."
"Age?"
"Twelve."
He hesitated before the next question.
"Did you use any Quirk during the confrontation?"
I shook my head.
"For a few seconds, to protect civilians. But in the fight itself, I only used physical strength."
He raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. He knew someone like me taking down a villain of that level didn't make sense... until he felt the invisible weight of my presence. The room seemed to shrink over time, like my very existence compressed the air.
"Are you aware that, as a civilian, interfering in a villain incident can lead to sanctions?"
"I'm aware. I also knew that if I didn't step in, Miss Yuraki would likely be dead."
Silence. He typed something on his tablet.
"The Hero Safety Commission will review this case. Given the circumstances, it's unlikely you'll face serious punishment. But until you're licensed, any similar involvement will be monitored."
I nodded. I was already expecting that.
He ended the recording and looked me in the eye for the first time. I felt my Dominant Aura tighten around him. His gaze faltered.
"So you're Haruki Sakuragi, the young programming prodigy from Japan," He said with a look of surprise and respect.
"The one and only," I replied with a smile.
He let me go soon after, with a warning that I might be called for an official statement in the coming weeks. When I walked out of the room, the hallways were still quieter than they should've been. The Dominant Aura had done its job. It wasn't fear, exactly but an instinctive respect. An unspoken message.
Don't mess with me.
As soon as I stepped outside the station, the system finally reacted.
---
Mission Complete: Neutralize the villain before the arrival of official heroes.
Reward: 500 special seeds can become seeds of any plant in the world, even those that don't reproduce by seeds.
Bonus: Metal dagger with paralyzing poison.
Bonus Requirement: No civilian casualties.
---
I ignored it for now. I needed fresh air.
Night had already draped Tokyo in a bluish-purple veil. The sky was clear. The fight was over, and peace, however fragile, had returned.
I walked over to a bench overlooking the city and sat down, gazing at the sky.
Since I came to this world, it was the first time someone important to me had been in danger.
And while things turned out well this time, there's no guarantee it'll always be like that.
The fame I've been building is huge… but still not enough.
After all, I've never used the system to its full extent. All I've done so far is create games and enjoy doing it.
But there are better ways to gain fame. Ways that involve what I know from my old world.
I still had doubts about plagiarizing ideas… but now I'm sure.
Right now, there are four years left until the main events of the series begin.
With a resolute mind, I stood up. Took a breath, gathering my thoughts.
In these four years, my focus will be to become as famous and influential as the top 10 heroes of any country.
With that, I returned home, already mapping out my next steps.
---
Three years have passed since the villain incident and the trip to the station.
Today, I'm fifteen.
By now, my life has moved far beyond that of a genius game developer. The world now knows me as Haruki Sakuragi, the mind behind works that redefined modern entertainment. Not just a prodigy a cultural force.
All my manga are published under my own name, in a weekly magazine I founded and personally edit: Lazy Weekly. It started small but became a staple. That's where I published titles like Black Clover, Tokyo Ghoul, Death Note, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Attack on Titan, and Frieren. Stories that defined generations in another world, now shaping a new one here.
People wonder how one person can have so many revolutionary ideas.
With games, I took the same path. Minecraft, Undertale, and Fortnite were relaunched under new studios that carry my name. The LazyEngine, my exclusive game launcher, became the only way to play them. No Steam or Microsoft if they want to play, they play my way. And they do. Hundreds of millions. Every day.
For music, I created LazySongs, an app to rival Spotify. On it, besides licensed tracks and many songs I made "inspired" by artists like Ed Sheeran and Imagine Dragons, I also released original songs that I sing myself. For that, I bought a basic voice modulation skill from the system. It was enough to tweak my voice into that of a digital idol. And it worked. My songs top the charts constantly.
I also launched my own line of clothes, accessories, and collectibles based on the characters and worlds I created. The merchandise took on a life of its own. T-shirts with famous Death Note quotes, action figures of the Titans, plushies of Minecraft mobs, Sans backpacks… The physical and online stores under the LazyDeity brand sell everything, and everything sells out in days.
And yes I reveal my real identity as the creator of each project. Manga? Signed. Games? Live presentations with my name and face. Music? Clearly credited. The world knows Haruki Sakuragi.
But my secret persona, LazyDeity, still exists.
Occasional streams, edited videos, a face always hidden by digital shadow, a modulated voice. A legendary figure on the internet whose actions and words always seem to align with mine… and yet, no one dares to point out the obvious.
Maybe it's fear.
Maybe it's respect.
Or maybe my Dominant Aura is working better than I thought. Which, by the way, has only grown stronger over time.
Today, my fame rivals that of top 10 pro heroes. In some Asian countries, people even say I'm more well-known than Endeavor himself. Worldwide, my name is already synonymous with talent. There isn't a child who doesn't know a product I've made.
But I know it's still not enough.
U.A. is still on the horizon. And there's only one year left before the entrance exam.
The era of Haruki Sakuragi, model student, is coming to an end.
The next step? Becoming a symbol. A hero who shapes society like he shapes his creations.
Because I've already conquered the digital world.
Now… it's time to dominate the real one.
---
The sound of my footsteps echoed through the still-quiet hallways. School life continued as usual, but something felt different that morning. Maybe it was the weather or maybe it was just the anticipation hanging in the air ever since the principal asked to meet me before the first class.
I knocked twice on the door.
"Come in."
The principal stood adjusting his glasses, while some papers were neatly laid out on the desk. He forced a smile when he saw me.
"Haruki-kun, thank you for coming."
"No problem," I replied, stepping closer.
"Please, have a seat."
I sat in silence, waiting for him to get to the point.
"I have a somewhat unusual request," he began. "The Ministry of Education is organizing an interschool science fair quite an ambitious project. Schools from all over the region will gather to exchange ideas and showcase creative student projects."
I nodded, not interrupting.
"And since our school was chosen as one of the hosts, we've been given a big responsibility. We need to extend the invitations to the other schools… and honestly, we thought no one would be better suited than you."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Because you command respect. And, well… no school would turn down an invitation coming from you. Your presence alone brings a certain gravity to things."
I stayed silent for a few seconds, thinking.
"I don't mind helping," I finally said. "But just to be clear I'm not planning to present anything at the event."
He seemed surprised but didn't push the issue.
"I understand. Even so, just having you represent the school will make a huge difference. Most schools have already shown interest. They're just waiting for your confirmation."
"Alright. I can visit the schools and talk with the coordinators."
The relief on his face was obvious.
"Perfect. The first meeting will be this week. We'll send someone with you, of course the student council president."
I nodded again and stood up.
"If you have anything ready for me to review before the visits, feel free to send it."
"Of course. And Haruki… thank you. Truly."
I gave a slight smile.
"I'm just giving back what the school gave me."
I left the office with a touch of nostalgia, remembering how my journey started with a school presentation.
And depending on which schools I visit, I might even run into someone from the canon… which could be interesting.