Warnings: soulmates, soulparents, Tsukauchi/Izuku, selectively mute Izuku

Hakamata's POV

This was a terrible idea. How had Tsukauchi and Eraser convinced him this was a good idea? He knew that they had a point that this might be their best chance at stopping the assassins. However using a top hero as bait could not end well. Especially if there was something they were missing in terms of quirks.

Tsunagu sighed as he turned to enter an alley. If it wasnt for Eraser he wouldnt know that someone was going to make an attempt on his life. A street informant had sent word that they heard rumors of the attempt. They didnt know which assassins or when. The information they could provide was the group.

Dorn, an assassin group known by every hero in Japan. No one knew where they were based out of. There were hundreds of kills were said to have been done by the group. The leader was simply known as Samis. There was no last name or description to go with the name.

Tsunagu heard that the Commission wanted the group brought down. One of the higher ups had been murdered a year and a half ago. It was the first of many kills made by the assassin Zil, the Shadow. What their real name was no one knew but he was making a name for himself.

Not much was known about how Zil killed beyond his preference to knives. There were never any witnesses. The kills always happened where there were no cameras and in the dead of night.

Eraser thought if Tsunagu patrolled later than normal and in the back alleys he might be able to draw out the assassin. Part of him hoped the underground hero would be wrong. Something about this case didnt sit well with. A gut instinct said there was something they were missing.

If Tsunagu's senses werent on high alert he might have missed the way Fiber Master twitched. His quirk picked up the fibers of someone else's clothing. Three people small in stature and light on their feet. They were following him at a distance and in the night of the new moon it was impossible to see them.

Discretely Tsunagu activated his emergency signal. A touch based sensor given to him as a gift from Nezu. It seemed the chaotic rat had an interest in the assassins as well. What for was anyone's guess.

As he was about to turn another corner the three made their move. An explosion was set off loud and bright. Momentarily he was blinded. It was only thanks to Fiber Master he was able to avoid a knife to the gut.

When his eyesight recovered he found two in front of him. A third was on the rooftop above him. The three were small much smaller than he was expecting. It couldn't be... where they actually children?

There wasnt any time for him to consider this as he was attacked again. The smallest of the three lunged the knife going to slash across his chest. It was easily dodged by the hero.

A somewhat taller boy came at him and tried to cover his partner. Unlike the first his movements werent quite as refined. He swung too wide leaving his side open for a counter attack. Tsunagu kicked him in the ribs sending the assassin into the wall.

Popping sounds were heard above him. He jumped back just in time to avoid an explosion. As the explosion cleared the first assassin was back on top of him. The movements were precise and with deadly intent behind them. Even a single faltered step could end his life.

Trying to use the fibers of their clothes to limit their ability to move was proving fruitless. None of their clothes were denim and the blend of fibers was not favourable for his quirk. Someone had skillfully done their research to give these three the best shot at killing him.

The three assassins went at him one had his hand drawn back palm open. Instead of the explosions he was expecting there was nothing. A figure in black kicked the assassin in the back knocking him off balance.

The explosive assassin faced off with Eraser. He drew a knife like the other two assassins. The three glanced at each other then back at the two heroes as if weighing their options. Tsunagu saw the way the tallest's hands shook. Unlike the other two he did not have the same conviction. Maybe they could use that to turn the tides of this battle.

Before he could say a word however a gunshot rang out. There was a hiss of pain from the smallest assassin. A wet spot was already forming on his shoulder where he had been hit with the bullet.

Eraser blinked in surprise. A mistake they took advantage of immediately. Another stunning explosion was set off meant to stun not injure or kill. When their eyesight recovered the three figures were gone.

Tsunagu could hear Tsukauchi berating the officer who had taken the shot. Their intentions had been to capture Zil not kill him. Once again the assassin had gotten away.

For the first time since he had learned of Zil's existence he understood the name. Zil meant Shadow in Arabic. He was exactly that a shadow. If it hadnt been for Fiber Master's warning he would have died in the first attack. And the fact that he was almost completely sure that they were children. That he was going to have to share with Tsukauchi and Eraser. They were not going to like it.