Minoru Mineta's internship has taken a turn that proves to be connected to Midoriya's Apprenticeship to Hawks. Intrigue abounds, and some confrontations are just fated to happen.


I do not own My Hero Academia, it is owned by Horikoshi


Chapter 5 - Puzzles and Patterns


Ryukyu's Hero Agency: (Day 2 of Internships)

While Midoriya and Tokoyami were engaging in the stakeout operations, Mineta found himself fairly busy going over photos, handwritten notes, and what looked to be shipping records from outside the country to Japan.

"Ryukyu, what exactly am I looking for here, it would help if I had something to narrow down what we're looking for," Mineta rubbed his eyes for this had dragged on from noon well into the evening.

"That's the same thing I told Nighteye," Ryukyu commented, "He just said you'd find it."

"Seems like that guy is a such a jerk, Mineta groaned, 'I've been up since 4 AM, while the redesign for my suit was fun, got rid of the stupid over-sized diaper, and finally have a utility belt; it really sucks they pulled me off of being on site for the operation at the last minute, but I got to listen in and look up stuff that helped them real time. That was kind of cool.'

"Well what have you figured out thus far," Ryukyu asked.

'Here goes nothing,' Mineta thought, "I'm just guessing here, but I'm guessing this has to do with organized crime, one of the Yakuza Organizations. The problem here is too many of these small scale items, but they aren't a large enough quantity to suggest they are smuggling anything large scale. The other problem is these items would be stuff that would be going through inspection in any case. That suggests Jewelry or expensive chemicals to either create illegal drugs or perfectly legal pharmaceuticals. The problem I'm seeing if this were about something profit related, they wouldn't mix contraband in with stuff this valuable that is above board."

"Yeah that's what I thought," Ryukyu stated.

"Unless..." Mineta's eyes lit up, "What if it isn't about money, what if there's another motive, and what if they don't need stuff in bulk yet?"

"What are you saying?"

"Well if you were researching the creation of a new illegal drug, you wouldn't be trying to get all the necessary ingredients in bulk, it would substantially smaller quantities. Duplication quirks only get one so far before stuff breaks down... So I think they're in the process of trying to make something, something they think will be big, but it isn't ready for prime time yet."

Ryukyu smiled a bit, "Well that's some good news..."

"Here's the problem," Mineta pointed out while rubbing one eye, "and this goes back to what I said earlier. Everything they ordered at least what I've seen from the records in front of me, could also be for something entirely legit, like research for a new prescription drug to treat cancer, you'd also be very secretive about that too, it could even a new hair dye that looks more natural than what is currently on the market, hell for that matter they could be researching a new color dye for clothing that doesn't fade when washed, all of that would be something they'd try to keep secret. Hell the ingredients and mixing procedure for Coca Cola is still secret and it's been around for what a couple hundred years. All we've really got is speculation thus far, which would be construed as a fishing expedition. What is Nighteye's quirk anyways?"

"It's a form of precognition," Ryukyu stated, "it allows him to view the future. I don't know the mechanics though."

"So that leads credence to the idea there is something there and it isn't what the Americans call 'A wild goose chase,' but his crystal ball isn't enough for search warrants," Mineta looked ready to beat his head on the table in frustration, "I'm not sure we're looking at the right thing either..."

"What do you mean?"

"Wouldn't they keep their most important fund raising legal businesses separate from the illegal stuff? Particularly the lucrative ones with a hefty profit margin. If they're looking to make some cash, they wouldn't risk their proverbial cash cows," Mineta looked up from the desk, "Look, I need a point of focus here, particularly I need to have some idea of the motives..."

"Any commonality in the photos?"

"Yeah this guy, and this old dude," said Mineta almost dismissively, "The old dude isn't in the newer photos, but he was rather old when I saw him last at a charity fundraiser, so maybe his health has declined. Given I don't know either of their motivations or how they tick, I'm not sure what they'd be up to, whether it is illegal or legit. If I remember correctly they are part owners of a major pharmaceutical manufacturer, after-all." He was getting close to losing his temper, 'Okay I get it, you've also had a long day, and some things aren't registering the first time, but how may times do I have to say it till you get the damn point!' he thought.

"Well that would suggest to me that drugs are involved," Ryukyu commented.

"Y-yes, but the problem is we don't know if they are the illegal or legit kind," Mineta groused, "Look Ryukyu, I don't know how to say this any more plainly, I just don't have anything here to suggest much in the way of nefarious purposes looking at these shipments, unless there is something that I haven't seen. Has there been anything odd as far as what is being advertised to criminals, any rumors..." Mineta paused his tired mind stumbled upon a wild idea, 'Maybe I'm looking at this wrong, maybe what we're looking for won't be found here, what if the thing that would get them in trouble is either already in Japan, or is being shipped differently from all this stuff.' He took a deep breath, "What if the stuff that would actually get them in trouble isn't mixed in with these shipments at all?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, think about it," Mineta yawned, "these are their legit businesses that yield major profits, if they had to acquire stuff for something more illicit, they would be used to acquire the things that nobody would would have any suspicion of them ordering... I think the ingredients that would get them in trouble is already in Japan. They don't need to import it."

"I think you figured it out," Ryukyu praised Mineta, "Now, what do you know about the younger man?"

"Kai Chisaki? I saw him last two years ago at a fashion expo, he appeared loyal to that old man, I thought he was his adopted son..." Mineta's brow scrunched deep in thought, "I really don't know much about him. I actually thought he was just a rich businessman until all of this. He liked to frequent certain charity events, probably to maintain an image."

"You mean like one of the ones happening tomorrow evening?"

"Probably..."

"Well fortunately for me that we have some invitations, since it involves a fashion showing," Ryukyu smiled.

"Well that's cool...wait, WHAT?!" Mineta looking panicked, 'This can't be happening, someone kill me now!'

"Calm down!"

"But if my mother is there!"

"Minoru, look at me, have you been harassing any girls that have come in looking at outfits, have you been peeping on them?"

"Well no, but..."

"Minoru, if the worst she can throw at you is porno magazines, it's embarrassing, but I can throw it right back at her in spades and utterly destroy her by implying she was contributing to the delinquency of a minor then blackmailing the kid, namely you, into designing her stuff," Ryukyu grinned, "People would be more apt to sympathize with you, particularly since you aren't behaving that way now. Plus it would be a good way to show off the changes to your suit, Grape Shot."

He grinned slightly at that, "I'm not sure we should be in hero costumes though."

She sighed, "True, I forgot it is a suit and tie affair isn't it, I can get away with my costume and so can Najire, but you don't have your license yet, so you don't have a reason to be in one for this. It would be good for you to try to get a read on him though."

"True," Mineta commented.

"There is one thing you neglected though."

"What?"

"You're with me, so wear the suit."

Mineta grinned, "Yes ma'am!"

Mineta's phone buzzed.

"What is it?"

Mineta looked at his phone, "Midoriya, it's a text saying he's fine... Wait what kind of message is that? What did he end up mixed up in now?!"

"Your friend is working for Hawks, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Well rumor has it they were doing a stakeout if I remember correctly, I guess they hit pay-dirt."

"Still he wouldn't be involved in... Wait he was wasn't he?"

"Well rumor has it Hawks made his two interns apprentices and got them learners permits, so probably..."

"Let me guess he's in Hosu?" Mineta was starting to put two and two together, and with the Hero Killer out there he was kind of worried for Midoriya whom he had started to see as his brother.

"Good guess, the site was one of the pictures you looked at..."

"Wait, so are we working the same case?"

"Pretty much, sometimes multiple agencies will work the same case if the case is big enough," she admitted, "Though Hawk's agency was pulled in last minute..."

"I'm sure it was," Mineta muttered then yawned.

"Jealous?" she teased, then stopped when she saw his eyes, "Something wrong."

"Nothing I can talk about, anyways, I'm guessing there are some things about this I don't need to know," said Mineta.

"No, in this case you're probably going to know the most out of all the interns, but there is stuff you won't be able to talk about," Ryukyu commented, "What's wrong?"

"I get it, but really if we were doing something like this Midoriya would have been a good choice for this, he can by hyper-analytical, but that's primarily with quirks... The problem here is I feel Nighteye has ulterior motives..."

"Wouldn't surprise me. Anyways, don't stay up too much later," she ordered, "You were getting really short tempered and your speech is starting to slur."

"Yeah I'm calling it a night."


Ryukyu Hero Agency: Day 3 - 10:00 AM

"No Nejire, that guy would be the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Fujimoto; that guy is Mr. Yotsubashi, he's the CEO of Detnerat," Minata was sitting at a work table drinking a cup of coffee with Nejire showing her photos of various people that would be there. Both of them were in regular clothes, since the event was supposed to take place later that evening, 'Jeez, Nejire is pretty and all that, but she needs to be focused here, we're going into a lion's den.' He remembered how cutthroat fashion designers could be, worse offending the wrong person could mean the loss of a patron. He'd texted Asui earlier about this, so she wouldn't get the idea that he was fooling around, not that she entirely believed him at least until his boss vouched for him. Which was fair given the start of the year, but it still hurt.

"How do you remember all those names?" Nejire asked him.

"I had to attend a lot of these stupid events," answered Mineta.

"That's why I was having him quiz you on the names, though you don't have to be perfect at it," said Ryukyu walking up behind them, "Mineta you need to get a nap, we'll get you up again with plenty of time to get ready."


Hosu: Cafe 12:15 PM

The paperwork had proceeded rather smoothly, as the group ate, though when they proceeded to talk about the over all case and looking at photos of the labels of some of the boxes, the packaged materials, as well as the papers they recovered... "Hold it, that's probably not from Canada or the United States..." Midoriya interrupted.

"Of course it is, the lettering scheme is," Nighteye glared at the boy who looked utterly sure of himself.

"It's Spanish," Midoriya replied definitively, "that or Portuguese, I'm bi-lingual, I can speak English, including some of the stranger dialects of it about as well as I can Japanese. I can also read English just as well as I can read Japanese. Some of the characters in the text are not used in the English language. I can puzzle out some of it, but I can't read all of it, I can't read or speak Spanish or Portuguese."

Nighteye looked again, 'He's just trying to... No, he's actually right, I was just reading it automatically, but I didn't catch it because I can read multiple languages, I just saw the lettering and overlooked the additional markings... I should have seen this, maybe I'm overtired...' He sighed, "Good catch, it looks like I missed it because I can read both Spanish and English so fluently."

Rocky about choked on his drink to see Nighteye actually admit he made an error.

"That doesn't mean it didn't come from the United States though, but it makes it less likely."

"Excuse me what, how does he know so much about the U.S.?" Mr. Centipede asked.

"His dad works in the States, so it stands to reason he'd likely know the language, not to mention it is taught in schools, though there isn't as much emphasis as there used to be," Hawks commented.

"Hey sir," came a voice behind Midoriya at that moment, whom almost jumped out of his chair.

"Hello Mirio, glad you could make it," Sir Nighteye commented smiling slightly.

"Yeah I was wondering why you wanted me to come in my hero costume? Hosu is a little out of the way from where your agency is."

Tokoyami's eyes narrowed, 'This is no coincidence that he's here,' he thought darkly, "Before this continues any farther, I want to know your intention Nighteye."

"Seconded," commented Rocky, before Mirio and Mr. Centipede could jump in to defend their boss.

"I'm guessing it has to do with the phone call at 2:00 AM," said Hawks neutrally.

"Give me an honest answer Fuzzball," Sir Nighteye looked directly at Rocky, "Could you take on the Hero Killer?"

"Not without a good deal of intel and I probably would need prep time," Rocky answered, "Based on why little I've heard, he's stealth attacker like myself. While I'm probably better at the stealth, he's far better at close quarter's combat. Plus with that paralysis ability, you don't mean..."

"Mirio is here as an insurance policy, can you key in Mirio's phone track your distress signal or Midoriya's, or Tokoyami's?"

"Sure, but Mirio hasn't graduated yet?"

"I may not have graduated, but I actually have a Provisional License," Mirio looked perplexed, "I thought hunting him would be close to vigilantism."

"You're not tracking him, you're tracking the fuzzball and Midoriya," Nighteye remarked, "It's extremely irritating, but Manual didn't agree to meet here..."

"Let me guess, told you that you can take your crystal ball and shove it," Rocky snarked only to try to make himself look smaller than usual when both Hawks and Nighteye glared at him, "Okay I get the point, but did you get mine?"

"I get what he's saying," Midoriya interjected, "it depends on whether people believe Nighteye's quirk shows the future set in stone or if it is only a possible future."

"Are you hauling your protege into this because you're trying to prove a point?" asked Hawks.

"In this case no, Mirio's quirk happens to be perfect against the Hero Killer."

"Wait what's his quirk?" Midoriya had out a small notepad that caused Tokoyami to look very uncomfortable.

"It's called Permeation," Mirio explained, "It basically let's me phase through things, it has it's downsides, but yeah I think it would be an advantage unless the Hero Killer starts targeting other people."

"One of those downsides would be potentially cutting off your own senses?"

"That's where experience comes in," Mirio grinned, "I've turned my experience into power."

"Okay fine, hopefully enough people get there before the Hero Killer takes out Ingenium's younger brother," said Hawks with a deadpan expression, "Lunch has been fun, but we need to get this report submitted. Let's try to all meet up around 6:00 PM."


Summary from Izuku Midoriya's Journal:

We didn't know it then, but that evening was when the League of Villains launched their attack on Hosu, and what Nighteye didn't tell us, is that I would have to face the Hero Killer on my own, briefly until Rocky arrived. Rocky would end up getting taken out of the fight fairly quickly, due to bad luck or someone else's interference. There was a flash of light at a critical moment directed at Rocky, which blinded him. The Hero Killer saw both that flash and then Rocky's shadow as he came in and dodged his attack. He had a chance to kill Rocky at that moment, but just delivered a blow to the back of his head to render him unconscious, probably mistaking him for another student that impressed him, that or he wanted to judge him later. I personally believe however, that Stain decided to spare Rocky because someone else intervened to blind him at a critical moment, so in Stain's line of thinking, killing the Squirrel Hero at that moment was somehow wrong. It's just speculation on my part, but it would fit with how it seemed Stain had his own moral code. The person that ultimately ended up showing up as the cavalry was Shoto. It took Todoroki, Ida, and myself to take down Stain, while Native could do nothing but watch, and Rocky was unconscious.

Hawks and Tokoyami were on the other side of town dealing with a Nomu, and then a massive traffic accident and fire caused by said Nomu. Mirio got bogged down facing off against another Nomu, and it took the intervention of Endeavor to put that one down and keep it down. At the end of it all, I got snatched by a flying Nomu while Hawks was still fifteen seconds out, only to be rescued by Stain, who got loose in the confusion,he then passed out after trying to throw down against the assembled heroes as a groggy Rocky had climbed up to get elevation to try to attack Stain, but fell and would have hit the ground if not for Hawks. I was hurt, but not badly enough to need to be stuck in the hospital, just on-site medical treatment. Rocky on the other hand got a trip to the hospital, turns out he got a really bad concussion.

The fallout for that night though...well Hawks told me that out of the three students, I was the only one that wasn't potentially in any trouble for vigilantism. Surprisingly, Nighteye actually vouched for me that I was looking for Ida, not the Hero Killer when I stumbled into the situation, thus it threw everything into the strict letter of what I was allowed to do under the Learner's permit. As to what the fallout for Ida and Todoroki, well that would ultimately be, decided the next day... - Izuku Midoriya


Notes:

Ultimately I decided for the fight with Stain to go down as canon, with the exception of Rocky's attempted intervention and a third party attacking Rocky's eyesight at a very critical moment. I felt that the Hero Killer wouldn't go for the kill at that moment, because he would have been attacking someone that had just been blinded by someone else. He had to get Rocky out of the way quickly, but given he had an open opportunity to take him out of the fight without killing him. He took it. Not to say that he wouldn't have inflicted death or injury later, but at that moment, it just conflicted with his ethics.

I also put that Nighteye vouched for Midoriya looking for Ida when he stumbled into the middle of Stain about to kill Ida, because even if Nighteye doesn't like Midoriya, he isn't going to lie to get him into trouble. So the main difference here is that if there is fallout over the fight with Stain; Midoriya isn't affected by it, because he was within the letter of the law.