a/n: ugh, 2021 was bad for me. old shit i thought was over relapsed. mental illness is a bitch, thank god it's not contagious. i hope you don't get it.
Chapter 3 (Part 2/2)- a time to mend
Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. (Eccl. 3:16)
The police's notice on the Hero Killer was something that lurked in the back of Iida Tensei's mind. A warning against pros in Hosu with blood types B and AB to as much as possible, not to confront Stain. He himself had Type B blood. The email marked as urgent also said that they've acquired private specialists to help with the Hero Killer's case. Private specialists that he's supposed to meet this morning according to his schedule.
When the elevator doors opened to his office, he was a bit surprised at who the Police sent. For one, he could tell that they were all younger than him. Tensei will turn 31 soon but the three looked to be mid-20s at most. The man who exuded the presence of being a leader wore a royal blue button down, a white coat and equally pristine white pants. His long hair was pulled back with a stylish blue ribbon and a parted fringe. The other man had a shaggier look that reminded him of Aizawa. He wore a black vest over a long-sleeved white shirt and black pants. Both had their weapons in the open. The only woman had long dark hair and wore the usual career woman's outfit but with the addition of a snakeskin scarf and stockings with no shoes, her eyes were striking red. Overall, they looked like stylish office workers that spent Friday's Happy Hour with a sword duel, far too tailored to be the average salarymen though.
"Fancy office ya got 'ere", whistled the shaggy man as he looked around Ingenium's office. "Saitani Izo, call me Izo. At yer service"
"Hasn't Ryouma told you to shut your trap since you're a rude little bug", the woman said tactlessly.
"Now, now, the two of you. You're embarrassing us in front of Ingenium-san", said the man as he waved his gloved hands at the two. "I'm sorry about my partners but this doesn't happen often, I swear. I'm Sakamoto Ryouma and this is Oryou-san."
The woman named Oryou-san ignored Tensei, the other man grunted. He focused on another detail. "Named like the Bakumatsu hero?"
"Exactly like the Bakumatsu hero", his two companions chorused eerily.
Sakamoto smiled sheepishly, a charming twist in his lips. "Well, our family name is already Sakamoto so my parents decided to name me after him."
"That's terrible. They really had to be really vintage for a name", Tensei commented. "Back to business though, you're the private specialists that the Chief sent over to help with the Stain case right? Do you have any update on that?"
"Ah, yes. Oryou-san has some record of that noseless bug", said the woman as she floated serenely and handed over a tablet opened to a series of video files. From the thumbnails, he could tell that it was the two men with their swords out and a hunched-over figure that Ingenium knew was Stain. He played the video, and again with the speed slowed down so his eyes could catch up to the agile movements. He's aware enough of what to look for if he speculates a video to be faked, none of which is present in this one.
"Consider that as our audition as your bodyguards. We know that you have a lot of sidekicks, Ingenium-san but we know that we are the right people for this kind of job.", said Ryoma with a pleasant smile. Tensei felt assured with this man.
"'Sides ya feel like someone who ain't lettin' their lackeys ge'hurt with someone like the Hero Killer runnin' 'round, ya got free meat shields with us here.", added not-Aizawa as he threw a cocky smirk. "We've experience with this ol' bodyguard business." If the video was anything to go by, that confidence bordering arrogance is backed up by Izo's skill with a blade. (500)
One of these days, he will review the laws that cover underground heroics, vigilantism and private firms which are different concepts but have a lot of overlaps that could be dizzying. Bodyguarding a pro-hero like Ingenium sounds absurd on so many levels. "You haven't made the same offer to other pro-heroes, I assume?", asked Tensei.
"We did", answered their leader. "But the less we can say on what happened in Endeavor's office, the better."
"Endeavor's second only to All Might, I'm sure he's less...warm of your offers", Ingenium said. Anyone knows how proud the Number 2 hero was and he wouldn't get any outsiders to help him.
"Oh no, Izo is being rude that Oryou-san wished that stupid fire person turned Izo from a bug to a firefly."
"You should really stop provoking Izo-san with fights, Oryou-san", scolded Ryoma with exasperation. "It makes us look bad."
The woman nodded, "If Ryoma says so then Oryou-san shall comply."
"Tha' ain't stoppin' the woman from tryna start a beatdown", added Izo.
Tensei cleared his throat. They were being too comfortable in the pro-hero's presence, he felt like an intruder. "How long do you plan on being my shadow?"
"We'll stop when we get Stain but we're confident that we'll finish it by UA's Sports Festival", replied Ryoma.
"The Sports Festival will be on the day after tomorrow." Tensei would know. He was a UA graduate and Tenya has been running through their orange juice supply to prepare for the event.
"Yes and I'm confident with Izo-san's abilities to capture him. Stain is a capable swordsman and assassin but he's nothing compared to a genius like him.", added Sakamoto as he nudged at the other man whose face was turning alarmingly red. A genius, huh? Oh well, there were different kinds of intelligence after all.
"Sh-shut up, yer just puttin' me up with him since Ingenum o'er here 'cuz the one who's used to shadowin' people"
"So how do you plan on capturing Stain before tomorrow night, Detective?", interrupted Ingenium. The three-man team the police hired seems to be more than capable of getting the Hero Killer themselves considering their personal skills. He wonders why they became private eyes. Ingenium was starting to get the idea that he'd be the trio's bait to lure out Stain and he'll probably be the one getting credit if Sakamoto's plan goes through. He doesn't mind, it's a win-win situation for both parties.
The woman procured a map of Hosu and gave it to Sakamoto. Red lines marking lesser-used routes and circles between buildings. "We marked possible areas where he could attack. The map doesn't show the back alleys but we've marked the buildings and landmarks where he could carry out his modus. I'm sure you're familiar that Stain chooses to confront pros one-on-one but he'll have a harder time with multiple opponents. Izo-san's Quirk allows him to follow you around in your usual patrols almost without being detected but the drawback is that it falters when Izo-san decides to attack."
That Quirk is certainly useful when they're hired to get information about cheating spouses or shady business deals. Not that he's undermining a private eye's work, private detectives and heroes work on the opposite side of the same coin that is the law enforcement. Adultery and fraud are still crimes, after all but are largely left out of Pro-Hero work.
Ingenium continued to analyze the map handed to him, "You've mapped out routes from my patrols that correspond to alleys where Stain prefers to attack. That's very thorough."
It terrifies him a bit that a competent private detective could stalk his path, but then again Ingenium is a public figure. "I feel bad for making you do all the work, Sakamoto-san but I'm starting to see why the Chief got your agency in this case."
"Thank us later when we get tha' Shitstain in cuffs. I dunno 'bout ya, motorboat but no plan survives enemy contact", Izo-san said. His irritation was understandable since he'll be following around Ingenium until they come across Stain.
Ingenium could see why they got rejected by Endeavor (aside from the man's personal pride). Sakamoto sighed, "Sorry about Izo-san's rudeness, Ingenium-san. He may have left the country but the country never left him."
"I'm still wary about you, Sakamoto-san. I'm sure you chose me out of the active pros here in Hosu since I've been known to be…relaxed with vigilante activities. We can smooth out the details later, but..."
"The hard part would be dealing with the media storm and the possibility of the League of Villains using Stain for their agenda. The UA Sports Festival is a convenient smokescreen so that the authorities could prepare for a press release after that event.", said Sakamoto. The woman, Oryou-san, was dozing in midair while Izo was tapping his foot impatiently. "We're planning to help your sidekicks for crowd control. With Oryou-san here, we're planning to monitor things from high up."
Despite the proof of their combat prowess against Stain, some part of Ingenium has lingering concern on the three. Their status as private detectives (assisting the police) makes them closer to underground heroes than civilians but he can't help but worry about them. Maybe the part of him that is both a pro-hero and an older brother made him hesitant to accept their aid. Still, those voices are crushed by the part of him that's concerned about the damage that Stain brings to pro-heroes and civilians alike. Besides, his sidekicks are around the trio's age. "I feel a little bad to let your agency run all the things but the police didn't let you do this without the proper checks and balances".
"We try to have a good relationship with the authorities. Our agency is specifically hired by the police to subdue the Hero Killer because our skillset are the best against him. Of course we'll do our very best to fulfill this request. You and your sidekicks should continue doing the good work that you usually do and leave that villain to us.", assured Ryoma. The confidence and authority oozing from the man silenced any doubt he had.
"I expect you to do your responsibility as I will do mine, Sakamoto-san", said Tensei as he offered his hand. He thought that Ryoma looked surprised but it faded quickly as a blink of an eye, the other smiled.
"That's a deal, hero-san", replied the white-clad man as he took Ingenium's handshake .
In and out, Izo thought as he heard his own breath doing their job of keeping him alive. Well he's dead but breathing exercises and meditation still has its intended effect of calming him down. At the moment, he really hated Ryoma gallivanting off with this human engine's sidekicks and probably charming everyone with his effortless charisma.
As for Izo, he wants nothing more than to piss himself and rot under the sun or get his sword through that Shitstain again. But no, pro-heroes had to be part-time celebrities as well because he lost count of how many times this Ingenium guy waved back to every soul who greeted him on the street and every fan who stopped them to take a selfie with the guy. He thought of photobombing those selfies in annoyance but decided against it. Thankfully, the streets are mostly clear of people on a weekday morning after rush hour.
The manslayer was getting seriously bored but he has to be alert on this bodyguard job. Assassins weren't really that common as it was then and that's why Stain stands out. A dead Shogunate officer was commonplace in the Bakumatsu but not here. He doesn't want a dead client and the publicity spiral when someone like a super popular pro-hero would die in his watch.
Imagine if they had a list of stupidly skilled upstart swordsmen and assassins in Kyoto during their time, it'll be a shitlist of people the general public dislike but became popular after they're long dead given that shit like novels, TV shows and video games were made with some of familiar names slapped onto those. Back then, they had women, gambling, booze and murder to pass their time. Nowadays, those old shit are dressed more glamorously, he blames Ryoma for that.
Izo looks at the length of his shadow, it's nearing lunch time. There was no sign of Stain despite the high chance that he will be in this area based on his previous attack patterns. If the bastard retreated because Izo made his left hand a useless lump of flesh, well that means that Stain was nothing more than a clucking chicken.
"Don't slow yerself down 'cuz of lil ol' me, I could catch up", said Izo. Ingenium flinched in surprise, it wasn't obvious but Izo's trained eyes didn't miss the minute reaction.
"There's no reports from my sidekicks, they've finished evacuating the surrounding streets. He might come out anytime now."
Static sounded from the comms devices that Team Idaten handed them. Ah, Izo thought, speak of the devil and they shall come. He could feel the tension of a good fight, the singing of steel in his veins. The sun was hot and high in the sky, the assassin knows this song and dance.
He noted the landmark and location of where the villain was spotted by Ingenium's many pro-hero gave out instructions to his underlings, Izo didn't hear a single word. He didn't care. Okada Izo, the Ghost of Tosa, had a job to do. "Ya got the location, right?", asked the pro-hero.
Izo's confirmation was a manic grin filled with blood lust. "Go ahead, good sir. Im'ma show ya a sword as swift as a falcon."
Ingenium nodded and took off. Look at that, Izo thinks as he was literally smoked by the other man's arm-engines. Maybe he shouldn't have fucking bragged about his agility to someone who could outrun a car with a burst. Izo was observant enough to conclude that those engine things could only send the pro forward in a straight line, he'd have to slow down to confront Stain who lurked on the alleyways.
He'd have to use the shortcuts mapped in his memory in order to catch up. Izo ran as fast as he could, pushing his magical body so he could catch up against a human motorcycle. Those subordinates gave the location and in his mind's eye, Izo could see which path he should take to get there as soon as possible. He fucking wished that the pro-hero didn't get to be gutted by that Shitstain or else he fails being a bodyguard.
Izo wasn't thinking. As soon as he heard a clash of metal, he drew his sword from its sheath. He saw a familiar protected back from last night. The manslayer rushed into the narrow alleyway, crouched down and sent three swift slashes towards Stain's back, a start of a familiar dance. As the villain was still processing the shock of having three fatal wounds blooming on his body, Izo shifted his body so that he was face-to-face with Stain and quickly stabbed the man through his gut. The villain's makeshift protection lightened the blow. The hitokiri could tell that the consecutive wounds made Stain lose consciousness. It'll be simple enough to finish this shithead's life.
Don't slice, he thinks. It's the old familiar routine to simply slash through the villain's organs like it was butter and he'd be dead. His sword was buried in a non-fatal area but if it were another assignment from Takechi-sensei, he'd have carved from the stomach, up to the left lung, heart, clavicle, jawbone, cheeks, eyes and brain in one swift blow. Don't slice upwards because the bastard will die and you won't get the fucking paycheck in full and Ryoma will be disappointed in you. And you won't have money for booze and betting.
Stain's eyes were white, he won't be waking up anytime soon with the massive wounds that ran red. He pulled out his sword buried in the villain's body, squelching as he did so. He pulled out a cloth, wiped off the blood and returned the blade to its sheathe. Izo quickly got into the task of binding the guy when the other people would get around to retrieve Stain, tying some fancy ropes around the bastard.
When he saw Ingenium, Izo could feel his world coming down from the seams. I fuckin' failed, he thought. I had one goddamn job in the entire world and I fucking failed.
He approached the weakened pro-hero, ignoring the apprehension creeping up. "Ingenium, ya hear me?", he asked the man lying face down on the ground. This was bad, he fucking failed his job of being a bodyguard. Ryoma will berate him for this.
The pro-hero groaned and something was lifted from Izo's chest. He grabbed a thermos strapped alongside his swords, it was filled with green tea mixed with an orochi's saliva. "I'll move ya, 'kay?"
Izo hauled Ingenium and propped his body to lean against the alleyway's walls. His client was responsive, which was good in Izo's books. "Here", Izo said as he slipped the green tea-magic saliva fusion to the man's parted lips.
As soon as Izo saw the sign of the pro-hero gaining some color on his face, he grabbed his first-aid supply and turned on his comms device. "Yo, we got Stain's ugly mug unconscious in the location ya sent. Get medics here as soon as possible 'fore this Shitstain actually dies. I'm attendin' to yer boss's injuries." He shut off the thing before anyone answered.
Izo may be an idiot but he wouldn't have a brilliant career of being a manslayer without knowing a thing or two about human anatomy. He could tell that there was a stab wound through the spine which could be career-ending for this human engine. Paralysis, at worst with no chance of walking and if the hero had better luck, he'd be able to retain movement for his legs. Either way, it doesn't look good for Ingenium. "Goddamnit, ya shouldn't have taken off tha' fast. Shitstain may have spared yer life but not yer career, dipshit."
Iida Tensei had the audacity to smile at Izo's remark. "Well, you were there to make sure it doesn't have to be worse than this, right? You did a good job of being a bodyguard."
Some frustration stirred in Izo, "Let's give up a round of applause for' surviving an assault from the Hero Killer, ya and 23 others! I don't give a fuck 'bout ya but Ryoma would be after my dumb ass when he finds ya havin' to be a cripple!."
The former pro-hero frowned, "I saw your face when you attacked Stain, you were about to kill him. You...you shouldn't take pleasure in killing or injuring people like that."
Old song and dance, Izo thinks. The alleyways with unconscious bodies, his blade drinking blood and familiar words echoing from time long gone. He'd heard the same from a man both he and Ryoma respected, a man who he once played bodyguard to[1]. "If I hadn't did tha', yer head will be rollin' on the ground."
Loud sirens came into their ears, Izo stepped aside as he finished wrapping gauze at the stab wound. He glanced at the notorious vigilante who remained unconscious. A handful of sidekicks rushed into the alleyways along with medical responders and police officers. The villain, too, was receiving medical treatment for the injuries the manslayer inflicted upon him.
Ryoma and Oryou stood at the mouth of the alleyway talking to some of the police. No doubt, making excuses for Izo's actions. "Yo", Izo greeted as he approached them as silently as he could. "I kinda failed at this current gig with our client possibly crippled by Stain."
His friend regarded his surroundings with a calculating gaze. "Ingenium isn't our client, the police force is. They got our agency to aid in the capture of the Hero Killer and you did exactly that."
Ryoma and his way with words brought him farther from Izo and led him to a life where he has to guard himself from assassins, with his friend being a key figure for an alliance that would change history. His skill with people and negotiation is certainly more useful in this age of commercialized heroism. Ryoma would get their agency out of this mess, Izo was sure of that.
In the sunlight, Izo couldn't see any shadow from the people shuffling around. It's high noon and the manslayer was unsure if this morning's event was a job well-done. They have a notorious villain and a mangled client, a mixed bag of results in his professional opinion. Izo didn't like to think at the moment, he wanted some lunch.
Ryoma and Oryou remained in the police office with the post-arrest processing and whatever the police would ask of Ryoma. Hell, they could be discussing payment or interrogating Stain if they bothered not to send the villain straight to prison. Izo wondered how prisons changed, were they still using torture for lowlifes? Are the guards willing to poison vegetables if requested from a head honcho in the same prison? [2]
He was alone in the hotel room with an open laptop, scrolling through the shadier chatrooms and forums. The kinds where the marginalized and the dissatisfied aired out their frustrations- villain enthusiasts, aspiring criminals, or just normal citizens who were jaded with Hero society and fulfilled their darker impulses by hanging out here. What'd the old saying go? The walls have ears and news have wings? Izo was sure it's wrong but he's no wordsmith or poet. The only poem he did was his jisei before his head got lopped off his body in his hometown. He still sees the clear skies on that day [3].
News did travel fast, it was only afternoon but murmurs of the Hero Killer's arrest in Hosu were already starting to be talked about in these websites. Those who were more or less confirming Stain's alleged arrest were quickly shot down by other users. Honestly, these forums and discussions are a riot. It's like watching a bar fight bubble and break among wannabe villains and pathetic lowlifes.
Whatever talk about the Hero Killer is overshadowed by the UA Sports Festival. Though these discussions leaned more towards the shady shit, pro-heroes and by extension, hero students and the surrounding hero culture just pervades into everything. It baffles Izo so much. When he was the same age as the UA students, he'd been kicking ass and taking names in dojos around Edo. It wasn't that different to those brats was it?
Anyways, the fact that UA was the hotter shit and that there's no info going out about Stain means that the three of them could chill for a short while before a storm would descend to their detective agency. He wonders if that old geezer Giran would take his wager for this year's Sports Festival. The first years get the most hype from the media because of the League's attack and the weird braindead things that Izo was sure weakened All Might, the number one hero.
Ah, fuck. Giran and the League. Izo ain't the brightest bulb in the box but he'd probably hold back on betting if it's Giran who gets his cash. That broker had his nicotine-lined fingers in every pie. Maybe he'd look at other places that took bets for the UA thing? Maybe he'd be even wiser and not bet anything at all, that'll be a miracle.
The hotel door opened, Ryoma and the snake came in looking a little more ruffled than usual. "You're early.", commented Izo as a greeting.
"I checked up on Ingenium in the hospital and signed several NDA's with their agency. Team Idaten said they'd make a public statement once Ingenium himself comes into decision. They're releasing it in the near future. I haven't discussed much with Chief Tsuragamae since they're busy packing Stain to Tartarus.", said Ryoma, taking off his white hat.
"They're also sending regards for the work you did, bug. Of course, that white beetle human wouldn't be better if it wasn't for Oryou-san's super special stimulating brewed tea.", added Oryou.
"Woman, that's just yer fuckin' drool.", responded the manslayer impulsively.
"Oh yeah, that too. The tentative plan is to say that Ingenium defeated Stain but received a grievous injury not unlike Stain's previous victims. The story will hold as long as nobody would scrutinize that Stain has wounds that couldn't be obtained by Ingenium's fighting style.", said Ryoma as he sat on a dresser chair. Not that it matters when the media would air whatever narrative the police force would make. Not many would look beneath what the news would spoon feed to the masses, except the so-called villains who are up to something. Even if the villains do look it up, few have the resources to do so and it isn't easy to break in and out of Tartarus.
Izo couldn't care less to be honest. As long as he gets his share of payment, he'd be fine. Sometimes, he wonders why the three of them even bother with this whole detective bullshit when by all means, they've already accomplished what they were supposed to do. Been here in this country, lived by the sword and died by the sword, carved their names into the dank-ass record that was the Throne of Heroes.
Ah well, some enjoyment in this second chance of life? He wouldn't consider the divorce court dramas a second chance in life, but they were entertaining to Izo. "If the media hounds come around, ya better be the one holdin' the fort, Ryoma."
The so-called detective hummed, "I'm not expecting the police to be the one who'll send those sharks on us. I also think you underestimate your appeal to the masses, Izo-san. If the replies to our Twitter are anything to go by."
The manslayer froze, unspoken dread settled on his bones. "What do you mean?"
"It's called Pretty Privilege, bug. Also, a lot of people on the internet are, I quote, thirsty.", answered the snake with air quotes. Should Izo be troubled that a mythical monster could understand social media better than him? He'll worry about this later until it's completely erased from his mind.
"How's Stain?", the manslayer asked in an attempt to detract the conversation away from his apparent Twitter fame. He actually doesn't give two fucks about the S-class villain.
"Critically injured", responded Ryoma as if those two words answered everything. "When I asked the Chief, he said that he's under emergency surgery. As for Ingenium, he's in a stable condition right now."
Izo winced, some of his concerns for this morning weren't fully removed. "Will tha' surgery reduce my pay?"
"Would you believe that they asked the Hero Commission for an additional budget?", said Ryoma with a shrug. "Apparently, there's an interagency agreement between them and the police when it involves high-ranked villains."
Izo would leave the bureaucratic bullshit to Ryoma, it's the reason their play-detective thing had his name on it. (It's also fucking hilarious when people's instinctual response when Ryoma introduces himself always goes, "from the Bakumatsu?" and both he and the snake would affirm that as some sort of joke among the three).
"Ya know any other bookie 'side from the gold-toothed bastard with the fashion sense of a blind granny?", asked Izo.
"Giran?", asked Ryoma with a tilt of his head, his fringe falling over one eye. "I know some but they're more predatory than Giran."
Izo waved his hand, all bookkeepers are pieces of shit. "Irrelevant."
"Oryou-san wished to partake in human activities like betting", announced the snake.
The manslayer scowled at her, "And ya thought high an' mighty of yerself by not doing stupid shit like tha' before?"
"It's because of the frog-girl from class 1A, isn't it Oryou-san?", asked Ryoma gently which was a bit dumb of him since he already knows the answers to his questions.
The serpent-woman nodded in confirmation. "Yes, Oryou-san believes that the frog girl would be able to defeat all the other bugs, because frogs love to eat bugs especially on rainy days."
"I'm sure the kids will put up a fight against the frog girl, Oryou-san. UA's students aren't bugs that could be crushed so easily, said Ryoma.
The floating snake sneered, "Are they?"
"Yeah, Ryoma. Are they?", repeated Izo. Those brats could be the next Sakata Kintoki but they're fallible to a manslayer's skill.
The negotiator sighed, "Just let me look on my phone to make a call, okay? I'll make sure both of your wager goes through the smaller bookies."
"Can ya also get a drop on Eraserhead an' ask 'im which one of his brats best becomes a cash cow?", requested the assassin as Ryoma scrolled through his phone.
"No", answered Ryoma without looking up.
"'It's why 'm askin'' ya to ask Eraserhead, dipshit", said Izo. He noticed Oryou's hair to stiffen and raise on its ends, like a cat's. "Tha' flamin' fleabag Endeavor has a son who's a freshie, right?."
Ryoma's phone buzzed with a dial tone. "You can't treat those students like prize horses, Izo-san."
Had he not known who dwells inside this clandestine location, Giran would've thought that this place was just another speakeasy. Much more devious than the usual secret establishment, though.
"Have you heard the buzz below-ground, Shigaraki?", he asked as a greeting. The broker welcomed himself inside the League of Villains' hideout.
Despite the pale hand obscuring the younger man's face, Giran could tell that the so-called leader was displeased. He noticed the bandages wrapped around a shoulder peeking through Shigaraki's all-black ensemble. "What is it? If it's about Stain you shouldn't have bothered going all the way here."
"Stain has recently rejected our offer to join the League of Villains and left us with some injury", explained the smokey Kurogiri. If the Hero Killer left something to the warper, the butler's clothes covered it.
"Hmmmm...media's hush-hush about it but Stain's under arrest. I bet it's eclipsed by the upcoming UA Sports Festival. Thanks for that, by the way.", said Giran, throwing a gold-toothed smile.
"Thanks for what?", asked Shigaraki. His hand grasping a barstool carefully.
The businessman villain pulled out a stick from his pack of cigarettes and chewed on the deathstick, "Under the table bets are all-time high with your attack on the USJ. Usually, the third-years get all the attention but Class 1-A has a lot of cash going for them thanks to you."
The poor barstool crumbled into nothing. "If you don't have anything to do but taunt us, get out of here before I turn you to dust."
Giran raised his hands, a universal sign of surrender. "Don't get riled up on that. I have some people in mind who are good recruits in your little group. Rumors have spread about Stain's capture but we're awaiting confirmation. Have you heard about Ingenium though?"
"The Hero Killer Stain left for Hosu when it was clear that he would not be joining us. We believe that if he had anyone in mind that he'll attack, one of them could be Ingenium.", answered Kurogiri neutrally.
"Team Idaten's public statement has caused some stir since it aired but it's buried beneath all the Sports Festival hype. Speculations run that the Turbo Hero is actually Stain's final victim.", said Giran.
"And? I couldn't care less about someone other than All Might.", remarked Shigaraki with irritation.
The warper was more polite than his charge. "Do you know anything about Stain's arrest? We have heard details about it but we can't verify the claims."
"Here's the tea", said Giran. He could feel the pale manchild's added annoyance, "No pro-hero was involved. It was purely from the police force along with quote-unquote, private specialists. "
"Like bounty hunters? That job's instinct and no self-respecting vigilante will work closely with the police". Good, he piqued Shigaraki's interest with this tidbit.
"I think it's private detectives. They're not that uncommon and the persons of interest I have in mind are spot-on to who helped the police arrest Stain.", explained Giran. He doesn't have proof of Sakamoto and his male partner's prowess with a sword but they wouldn't carry those blades with such nonchalant confidence if they didn't have the skill or talent to back it up.
The moment he'd heard from the grapevine that private help was acquired with a top-ranking villain's arrest, his mind immediately went to the small but successful detective firm. Of course, he doesn't have hard evidence that it was them. Giran likes to think that his instinctual hunch on the Sakamotos' involvement was correct, his knowledge about the underground was widespread enough that he couldn't think of anyone else but the odd trio.
Shigaraki tilted his head in interest, "Tell us more about these private detectives."
Giran has his reputation in the underworld that solidified his foundation in this business, one of those is his perceived professionalism. "Hmmmmmm, it's just my personal guess.", the dealer said as he pulled out a plastic lighter for his cigarette. "But even if you pay me upfront, my dealings with them fall under professional confidentiality."
"We get it. Any chance of these people working for us? There's a chance since they're a private party ", answered Kurogiri quickly. Shigaraki swiftly turned to the warper in annoyance.
He thought of one Sakamoto Ryoma (named after the Bakumatsu-era hero, heh, hero is a bastardized word in a society of Quirks) and answered Kurogiri's question carefully. "If he were to join the League, he'd usurp the leadership in one day. Unite the Underworld in one week to form a paramilitary organization working under him. In one month, he could topple the current government."
"You're joking.", said Shigaraki. Come to think of it, Sakamoto and Shigaraki aren't far in age, the broker thought.
Maybe Giran was exaggerating but he has interacted with Sakamoto enough that he thinks the young man would actually do that. "Maybe so, but if that man has charisma to convince even the most unlikely groups to unite.", added Giran.
"So no chance for this private party to work with us", concluded Shigaraki. He crossed his arms, "Anything else to inform us aside from potential recruits?"
He inhaled and blew smoke. "Well you're right about that one. Anyway, I'll chip in my wager on Endeavor's son for your betting ring."
"How much will you put at stake?", asked the bartender. For a moment with the talk about the UA students being gambled on like racing horses, everything was perfectly fine and dandy. Business as usual for Giran.
[1] A reference to Katsu Kaishu who was Ryoma's mentor and someone that Izo served as a bodyguard.
[2] It's said that Takechi Hanpeita had the prison food poisoned so that the members of the Sonno-joi who got arrested won't spill. It's also referenced in Izo's My Room lines.
[3] Izo's Bond CE, this chapter is me simping for Izo.
guys, i mean this seriously. every notification i get...those follows, faves and comments genuinely lift me up. i reread the reviews u leave to make myself feel better. someone left just a string of heart emojis for a review and god, it just brightened my day despite all the shit my brain blender goes into.
personally speaking, 2021 was shit. i relapsed, fucked up my education cuz of said relapse and there were a lot of days where my emotional processing is a downward spiral. thank u so much for the support u give towards this pet project of mine. i'm not going to ask for reviews or anything, i'm content at being able to get this out after almost a year of being in my drive. the things we do for our silly waifu collector game.
(yes, i'm aware of ryouma lancer, anyway i'm bethanybeatdowns on tumblr if u're interested)