Even with the emergence of quirks, some things just don't change. While many governments embraced quirks in everyday life, with heroes becoming prominent figures, others clamped down, strictly. This is the case for the last bearers of a dying ideology. In the People's Republic of China, for example, almost all persons with powerful quirks are repressed and catalogued by the state. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea conducts similar repressions, but they are often more lethal. These measures were to suppress the idea that those with strong quirks are inherently better than others. From what they saw of the US and Japan, they realized that these superhumans would compromise the integrity of their ideologies, already strained by the very existence of billionaires within their nations.
In spite of their repression, Mao's beloved CPC understood that persons with strong quirks could still be useful. The People's liberation army would often take the young, strong quirked children and mold them into hero-soldiers, unlike how Japanese and American heroes would rise to the job of their own accord. These Chinese Hero-warriors were thought of as more of a deterrent rather than an offensive force. Were.
In Japan, Around the time that All Might was training a young Midoriya to inherit his quirk, a reactionary party managed to gain an electoral hold over the National Diet. Within several months of whirlwind legislation and reform, they had reinstituted the powers and deification of the Emperor, in effect restoring the 1867 constitution. They also abolished the constitutional restrictions on the Japanese military, angering the Chinese and Korean governments to a great extent, although it was justified to the international community by simply pointing across the narrow seas to the Chinese and Koreans.
In the Fall following the retirement of All Might, The Chinese government decided to start playing hardball with Taiwan, now that the most powerful known superhuman was out of the game. While the First-years at U.A. were trying on new winter outfits and the Number One Hero was reconciling with his family, the negotiations flared up into a firestorm. In spite of the UN valiantly trying to prevent an escalation, the Chinese government would not be deterred, and launched a land invasion of Taiwan, spearheaded by their new Quirk-based special forces. Within the week, Most nations had taken sides in the conflict, with the notable exceptions of India and France, both of whom viewed the conflict as beyond their purview.
The US and Japan, alongside much of the British commonwealth commit to military intervention, with the alliance drafting their top heroes to fight alongside the army as plans begin to unfold. Nuclear attack was ruled out as too costly and too great a risk of escalation. Our story begins on a crisp fall evening, at a well-kept property in the suburbs.
Enji Todoroki looks over the summons, emblazoned with the Imperial Seal. He'd suspected this moment would come, but here he is, reading the orders to report to the headquarters of the recently-renamed Imperial Japanese Army. Many thoughts cross his mind, but none of them are to shirk this duty. This is especially true when the Emperor himself had given the command. The Todorokis are an old-fashioned family, they never really stopped venerating the Emperor. Enji looks over at the messenger, dressed in an immaculate uniform, white gloved hand still somewhat extended out to him.
"Is there anything else?" Enji cocks an eyebrow, looking at somewhat flustered messenger.
"No, sir, just never thought I'd meet you in person. I apologize that it must be on such a dark occasion." The messenger begins to turn to leave, presumably he has more business to attend to.
"Wait, What's your name, young man?" Enji shouts to the man, carefully folding the letter.
"Hayasuya, sir, Corporal Hayasuya Ryu." He turns a little to give the answer, seeming a little confused.
"I wish you luck in these dark days, Hayasuya-san." Enji gives a shallow bow, which the young man returns before jogging off to the motorcycle he'd arrived on. Enji watches him before he closes the door, sighing. He walks back into the living area, where he'd been interrupted having dinner with Natsuo and Fuyumi. The two watch him, curious as to the nature of his visitor at this hour. Enji silently returns to the table, settling down onto his knees.
He stares down at his bowl, deep in thought. Natsuo gets over his curiosity, and returns to eating, remaining silent. After a moment, Fuyumi breaks the silence.
"Father, who was at the door?" Concern flashes across her face, she had seen the news. She'd even deemed it important enough to show the official announcement of a declaration of war to her students the previous day.
"It was a man from the Army. I'm supposed to report to army headquarters in the morning." Enji takes a bite of his noodles, somewhat preoccupied with the implications this letter brings. He'd known that if Japan were to go to war, he'd probably have to do this, but he'd never expected to do so so soon after his rise to the number one spot. His eyes flick up to his two children. They both have their eyes on him, despite the odds being in favor of this, the two are still surprised.
"A-Are you going to go?" Fuyumi stammers, one hand grasping the edge of the table.
"It's my duty, what sort of hero am I if I don't serve my nation to my fullest?" Enji sighs, looking at the two with sincere worry. Should the worst come to happen, who would defend the family? Shouto is skilled, but he's young, and doesn't have the same experience in aiming to kill that Enji has. Of course, killing with a quirk like Hellflame or half-cold, half-hot isn't too hard. Much of Enji's training at U.A. was preventing himself from going too far.
Silence reigns at the table, before Natsuo stands, his expression unreadable.
"I'll be back...I've got things to think about." He exits the room, the sound of him putting on his shoes and leaving the house can be heard. Enji and Fuyumi continue to eat in silence for a few moments.
"Think there will be another invasion?" Fuyumi shudders a little, remembering the photos she'd seen from the last time Japanese troops had made their way to the Chinese Mainland.
"Perhaps, I honestly don't know." He grimaces. While he wouldn't refuse, the idea of turning his powers on soldiers doesn't appeal to him that much. "I'm actually more concerned that the Chinese may launch an invasion here...and I wouldn't be around to help those I care for." He pushes his bowl away, not really that hungry anymore.
"Ah." Fuyumi nods, in total understanding. She finishes her bowl in silence. Enji stands, picking up the table.
"I'll deal with the dishes todnight, washing helps me think." Enji carries the bowls to the sink and grabs a sponge and soap. As he washes, he looks out the window, sighing a little. He'd hoped things wouldn't get to this point, but hopes are all of irrelevant in the face of international politics. As he rinses the first dish, his phone buzzes. He glances down at the screen as it buzzes again. It seems he's being texted by several heroes. He picks up the phone and reads the Texts.
The first was from Thirteen.
Enji, did you just get a letter from the army?
Enji sighs, before quickly responding. Yes, I suspect our worst fears are coming true.
He flicks through a few more, they all are asking a similar question. Enji cocks his head. Why would they all be asking him? then it strikes him. They're asking him because he's the number one hero. He's the white-hot beacon of justice for society. He begins throwing out quick messages to each, mostly enquiring as to where they're being sent and giving reassurance that things will be alright.
Once Enji finishes the dishes and reassuring heroes, a process that took about twenty minutes, he walks into the room where the television is kept. Fuyumi is already there, having tucked herself beneath a blanket. She's intently watching the news. He takes a seat next to her, finally focusing on the television.
The news is presenting the speech made by the Prime Minister with the American president. The Japanese prime minister has an emissary from the crown standing next to him, while the President has a hero, dressed in what looks to be some sort of Jumpsuit and a Cowboy Hat.
"who's that with the president? I've seen him before." Fuyumi looks over at enji, presumably using this as a light, distracting conversation.
"That's the number one American Hero. His hero name is Castle Bravo. I forget what his real name is, Toshi probably knows, but either way his quirk is that he can shoot blasts of neutron radiation from his hands. Interesting guy." Enji looks over the man on the screen, silent as the President talks about "preservation of freedom" and "a commitment to global peace at all costs". He'd never met the man, but he'd read plenty of interviews. While he's certainly got a degree of fame in his homeland, he's not too well known internationally, since he gets most of his funding from the US military rather than typical sponsors. He seems level headed, although from footage of his work there's an edge of violence to his style, not unlike that one kid in Shouto's class. Enji thinks for a moment, what was his name? Bakuon? Bakira? Bakugou! That's it. Enji nods to himself, glad that he can at least remember that.
He realizes he doesn't know Shouto's class that well at all. Sure he knows Midoriya and Iida, the former for his performance and the latter from his brother, and Of course he's familiar with Yaoyorozu, since her family and his have known each other quite a while. That, and he's pretty sure Shouto has a thing for her. Regardless, other than that group, Enji really doesn't know any of them beyond their appearance and quirk. He furrows his brow, surprised at this realization before he remembers that he's not alone.
He looks over at Fuyumi, who seems concerned at best. The news has gone from the speech to footage of soldiers of the quickly thrown together alliance mobilizing. Of course, Enji realizes that She's probably concerned that he might not be her only relative to be conscripted, since Natsuo is of fighting age. He tries his best to put on a brave face before putting a reassuring arm around her. She jumps a little in surprise, but as soon as she realizes what it is, she leans into the half-hug. The pair keep their eyes on the news, knowing that no matter what happens, nothing will be the same for the Todorokis.
Meanwhile, several hundred miles away, the Number One American hero stares out of the window of an airliner. He chose to pay for his own ticket, buying a first-class trip to Japan. He adjusts his position in the seat, stretching a bit. He cracks his fingers as he thinks. He'd heard that he would be working closely with the Number One Hero of Japan. He presses play on a video he'd watched several times of Endeavor defeating the villain which had left him scarred. His eyes flick over the battle, taking in every aspect. To him, every battle can be broken down into components. In this case, despite the villain having the element of surprise and what seems to be an edge in physical strength, Endeavor still managed to defeat it through the application of his quirk in the exact right way to eliminate the villain with minimal collateral damage. He nods as he sees the final moment approach, where the number two hero aids him with the feathers. He hasn't heard much about this hero, just the reports about his larger scale actions. Either way, during the briefing he'd been told that Hawks would remain in Japan to assist in maintaining civil order, presumably because his quirk is unsuited to combat., presumably since his quirk is less suited to large-scale warfare. He checks his watch, a breitling engraved with his squadron markings. He chuckles a little.
He always found it funny that even though he never really fought in the air, he ended up with the United States Air Force. It was claimed that it was because his quirk is comparable in nature to radiological weapons and the Army and Marines haven't had nuclear ordnance in many years, and the navy doesn't really have a use for a superhero who has all the hydrodynamics of a brick. In reality, he thinks it's just because the army has yet to truly embrace heroes into its doctrine, while the Air Force is perfectly willing to acquire a new land force consisting of persons with incredible abilities that require minimal field support. Regardless, Tex Phillips has been assigned to be the American representations among the heroes earmarked for combat deployment.
He'd been cross to find out about that, since it meant it would take longer for him to get to work. The arithmetic of war always fascinated him, Sun tzu, Rommel, Clausewitz, he'd read 'em all. All of them would say that it was unwise to have a great asset away from the field for an extended period. He understands the logic, getting to know his allies, but isn't the best way to know a man to see how he works in battle?
Either way, here he is, waiting for the Japanese coast to come into view as he returns to reviewing the information he's been given. The documents read like most military documents: Boring, concise, and highly informative if you can sit through them. The Thermonuclear Hero allows a smile to play across his face as he reads. It's ironic, when he was a boy, sitting in history class, the Imperial Japanese Army was an enemy, now, they're the greatest allies in conflict against the Chinese. He mutters a little under his breath, this is going to be a long evening.