This is a much shorter chapter. I didn't even notice that until today...so sorry about that.

Preparation

"You'll have Best Jeanist for backup." Hawks' voice came hastily through the speakers. He sounded a bit out of breath, as if he was in mid-flight.

Enji grunted. "About time." It was over four months ago that Best Jeanist had disappeared. Stubborn fans still insisted that he was on an undercover mission and would be back soon, but most were starting to doubt that explanation. The public was getting increasingly convinced that Best Jeanist must have been kidnapped and murdered. There were a lot of theories about how his death was covered up by the authorities, to not devastate the public's trust in heroes. Best Jeanist couldn't stay hidden for much longer.

"It took much longer than expected," Hawks admitted reluctantly. "But it can't be helped. If the League learns of his survival, my cover would be shot."

"I know," Enji relented. "It's also preferable for us if they don't know about him when we can finally confront him. He's our ace in the sleeve."

"Right," Hawks agreed. "We can't even tell the other heroes. Last time it took barely a week for Dabi's identity to become public knowledge."

Enji gritted his teeth at the memory. He didn't comment on it. "It's unfortunate, he sighed "but we could use his help. At this point, if it becomes public that he's been hiding instead of helping during the last few weeks of crisis…that might affect his approval. No matter how necessary it was, it won't be recognized as such."

Hawks hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I'm sure Jeanist knows that."

Of course, he did, Enji had to agree.

"Did you already tell your interns?" Hawks continued after a small pause. "Just got the memo from the Hero Commission that they are supposed to help in the evacuation."

Enji's shoulders slumped a little. Soon, he was going to go on patrol with Bakugou, Shoto, and Chargebolt. He intended to tell them then, he just didn't know how yet. "I got the mail," he replied, dodging the actual question.

"But you haven't told them yet," Hawks added smartly.

Enji sighed. "I don't know how. I'm sure they'll be excited to do something real and important…" At least Bakugou would be, he knew. Chargebolt would appreciate it too – maybe – he seemed like the easily excited kind, even if he might not want to face the League. Enji knew that once he told Deku, he would want to get involved as well.

That left Shoto, and that was the actual problem.

If Natsuo's insistence to involve himself was anything to go by, Enji didn't think Shoto would be happy with just evacuation duties. That was what was needed of him. And in any case, Enji didn't want him anywhere near Touya – but he was sure, Shoto wouldn't feel the same.

"Shoto?" Hawks asked knowingly. Enji heard him huff. "Well, he'll have to understand it. It's his job after all."

That didn't help Enji. Of course it was Shoto's job to do what he was needed for – and that was evacuation. Enji wasn't sure he could bring the boy to understand that, though.

"What would you do if it was your brother?" he asked, frustrated.

Hawks chuckled. "Well, thankfully, I'm an only child." Annoying little bird… He was dodging the issue and both Enji and Hawks knew it. "I've got to go, big guy. Good luck with the brats."

Enji didn't even get the chance to say his goodbyes.

Half an hour later, he met Bakugou, Chargebolt, and Shoto by the entrance of the agency, in costume and eager for the day. Bakugou was already halfway back out of the door by the time Enji arrived.

"Stay, Bakugou," Enji said, waving the boy back before indicating for the other two to follow him. He let them into a small, adjourning room, that was empty aside from a janitor. Enji asked the man to leave them alone for a moment.

"What is it?" Bakugou asked impatiently. "What about patrol?" He stood, ready to move, with his hand still on the door handle. Shoto and Chargebolt looked curious too.

Enji crossed his arms. Then he unfurled them again, hanging his hands loosely at his side. Shoto frowned worriedly, and Bakugou only became more impatient. They must've noticed that he was nervous. "I've received a notice from the Hero Commission that your help will be needed for a big mission next month."

With that, he finally caught Bakugou's attention. Grinning broadly, the young hero fully turned to Enji.

"You need our help, huh?"

"Is it about the League?" Shoto asked, a lot quieter.

"Yes," Enji replied, throwing an irritated glance at Bakugou. He turned towards the other two. "In a month, there will be a joint raid against the League and several of their hideouts. We hope to strike a devastating blow stopping them before whatever they plan can come into fruition."

"About time," Bakugou grinned. "I've been waiting for a chance to get my revenge."

Chargebolt shoved Bakugou in a friendly way. "You think they're gonna put you on the frontlines, Kacchan?" he asked, amused. "I doubt that. We're just kids."

Enji nodded at him. "You're right. You will all be given orders – most likely to help with the evacuation. And you're expected to stay on your post." As he said it, he looked at Shoto. The boy frowned a little, but he didn't say anything.

Bakugou growled in frustration. "But I'm the strongest!" he complained. "I'll kick those losers' asses." He crossed his arms.

"You'll stay where you're needed," Enji turned back to him. He had expected Shoto to defy him. Of course he should've thought about Bakugou. "If I can't rely on that, you'll stay at home." In all honesty, he didn't doubt that the likes of Bakugou, Shoto, or Deku had the necessary power to hold their own against most League members, if not a Noumu. But he wouldn't endanger them like that… Never mind it would be embarrassing if the adults needed a few kids to do their job.

Bakugou huffed. "I know my job. It's a waste, that's all I'm saying. Put the losers on—" he wisely interrupted himself before grinning savagely. "But I won't fail. Nobody's going to die under my watch!"

Chargebolt hit Bakugou on the back. "Is that a challenge, Kacchan?"

"Hah!?" Bakugou turned on him. "Challenge? You losers can't keep up!" He raised his fists. "But you can try, even if you'll only see my back, Pikachu!"

"Good," Enji interrupted them. He was glad for Bakugou's energy. He didn't doubt that Bakugou meant every word and would probably be one of the most competent heroes working on evacuation during the mission. However, Enji feared he had a different job for Chargebolt...That had to wait, though. For now…

"Could you give us a minute?" he asked the two boys before turning to his son. "I need a moment with you."

Shoto nodded. "Of course." Bakugou and Kaminari looked at them strangely, but left them alone as requested.

Enji sighed. "I know it will be difficult," he started uncertainly, once Bakugou and Kaminari were out of the room, "but I need to know I can rely on you staying on your post."

Shoto scoffed. He leaned back a little, glaring up at him. "I want to stop Touya as much as you. And no matter what you think, I'm not an amateur anymore. I know how to do my job."

Enji was surprised by his son's maturity. Should he have expected it? Shoto had learned a lot from Gang Orca; he knew the kind of hero he wanted to be… However, Touya was just half the problem.

"It's not just about Touya," Enji explained. He had thought about not telling Shoto, but he'd find out eventually. Enji would rather Shoto found out about Natsuo as soon as possible, so he could get used to the idea.

"What else?" Shoto asked suspiciously.

Enji's shoulders slumped a little. "It's about Natsuo." From the way Shoto looked at him, Enji could tell he didn't understand. "He insisted on helping despite how much I tried to persuade him to do the opposite."

Shoto shook his head. There was a worried confusion in his eyes. "…How? He's not a hero."

Enji nodded. "He teamed up with the police – they and the Commission see him as an asset to get to Touya. Natsuo wants to do it too…" He shook his head. "I tried to persuade him—"

"Well, persuade harder!" Shoto growled. "He shouldn't be there. What would he do if something goes wrong?" He dragged his hand through his hair. The disheveled strands and pale skin made him look panicked.

"There's no use talking to him," Enji insisted defensively. "But I'll be there all the way."

Shoto huffed with dry amusement. "What? You're going to fight Touya and who-knows-who-else and also keep an eye on Natsuo? Seriously? Why can't you just forbid it?"

"I can't." Enji deadpanned.

Shoto seemed to understand immediately. "Yeah – alright, I get it. But why would Mom…Damn!" His fists shook at his side. "You should've told me sooner. Maybe I could've – maybe I still can persuade him to take a step back."

Enji doubted it, but he wouldn't stop Shoto from trying.

"In any case—"

"In any case?" Shoto parroted him. "How can you be so casual about—"

"—I've had time to get used to the idea," he hissed in frustration. "In any case," he started again, his voice more forceful now. "I need to know that you'll stay away."

Shoto stared up at him with big, round eyes. His eyebrows rose to his hairline. For a moment, he looked helpless, lost, but then he shook his head. "How can I?" he whispered.

"Shoto!" Enji warned. He would leave Shoto at home if he had to. He might not have custody over him as a parent anymore, just like with Natsuo, but Enji wasn't just Shoto's father. He was also his boss and mentor during his internship. As such he had a certain authority over him.

Shoto clearly understood the unspoken threat. "You can't do that, Dad! They're my brothers," he cried out. "You can't keep me away. I'll do it, alright!? I can do the evacuation, but please…let me stay close, just in case."

Enji was reluctant. Yet, he saw that he had to offer Shoto something. Working against Shoto, forcing him to stay home – yes, he might have the legal right to do it, but as it was with Natsuo, there was no telling whether Shoto would listen to him.

"No," Enji stayed stubborn. "I need you somewhere else." His gaze drilled into Shoto's bi-colored eyes. "I will have Natsuo evacuated as soon as I can. As soon as Touya is unconscious, I'll remove him from the battlefield, too. I need a hero to be there for them, and to make sure that Touya can't escape."

The emotions in Shoto's eyes changed from impatience and worry, to contemplating acceptance. "…Okay," Shoto said after a while. "But you know, if Natsuo doesn't arrive within a certain time—" There was no need to finish the sentence. Enji knew what he meant.

He'd have to leave Shoto far away from the battlefield. That way, even if Natsuo didn't arrive soon enough, Shoto wouldn't be able to reach the battlefield in time. Enji couldn't afford three of his children to suffer from his mess. Not any further than they'd suffered already.

When Shoto, Bakugou, Chargebolt, and he finally started their patrol a few minutes later than usual, Enji could barely concentrate on his work. Worry was eating away at him, leaving behind an exhilarating fear. He worried, but he knew what to do… There was a plan.

All Enji had to do was not to fail.

He could do that, just once, couldn't he?

Enji had been a failure as both a husband and a father. He had never managed to catch up to – forget about surpassing All Might. He hadn't become the number one hero the way he had imagined. Even after becoming the top hero by default, he'd failed at that too, and couldn't keep the position for more than a few months.

The grand conclusion of his many endeavors was that – no matter how stubborn he was – he had never succeeded at anything he had set his mind on. This time, however, he couldn't afford to fail.

And this is the last one.

Now, I think I have everything set up for the final confrontation. Which will start next chapter. I hope I didn't forget anything. I am a bit nervous about it.