Detective Naomasa almost trips when he first steps foot on what may as well be ground zero. Barriers that rival a prison's walls hid the devastation site well from the road, but beyond those gates, it's complete fallout. What must have once been business buildings are now leveled, rubble and wood in heaps or piles that would be enough to turn the zone into a junkyard. A huge gaping hole in the ground grants access to a network of metallic hallways that run beneath it. No doubt, a team has already been dispatched to explore where those tunnels lead. However, what Naomasa has to worry about is cleaning up what's on the surface.
Waiting for the detective amidst the crime scene is the Underground Hero that called him here, the pro hero Sir Nighteye who had been investigating the Yakuza as well, and surprisingly Toshinori with an even more surprising fourth person. The latter is much younger than the others, but a blonde like Toshinori and certainly in the profession of hero work judging by the red cape billowing behind him.
Unsure of how long the group has been waiting for him, Naomasa removes his hat to place over his chest in an apologetic gesture. "I take it you've all already become acquainted with one another.", the detective shoots a glance in Toshinori's direction that meets the blonde's eye. Once the two are locked onto eachother, he briefly shifts his gaze to Aizawa, silently asking if he knows that he's All Might. Toshinori subtly shakes his head.
"I don't think you and I have had the pleasure yet.", the younger of the bunch steps forward with his hand outstretched. Naomasa returns the gesture and the two shake in greeting. "I'm Mirio Togata.", he then strikes a pose that practically screams power from the way his muscles flex, "Lemillion!"
"I believe you two will be working closely together in the future.", Toshinori politely interjects by placing a hand on each of their shoulders. When Naomasa looks into the blue of the number one hero's eyes, he can see the sincerity in that statement. Toshinori's smile is so soft and tender that it looks sheepish.
Being a detective, Naomasa reads between the lines. He realizes just who Togata is, that he truly does represent the younger generation of heroes. Seeing Sir Nighteye present all but confirms it. Naomasa smiles, his a sweet sorrowful softness, equally as tender like a fresh cut. "I'm sure we will.", he acknowledges Lemillion as All Might's successor in that moment with a bittersweet acceptance.
"We're working together right now.", Aizawa deadpans with a sense of dry humor. He sizes Toshinori up and down with his eyes, skeptical of the blonde's presence. Remembering him from Nighteye's office, he holds his tongue for the time being. The underground hero is too tired to solve another mystery, so he sighs in surrender before relenting, "I'm still not sure how you factor into all of this, but if Nighteye and Detective Tsukauchi vouch for you, then feel free to listen in."
Naomasa can't decide between wanting to roll his eyes at Aizawa's antics or laughing. The detective can only imagine what the tired underground hero would come up with if he only knew about All Might and One For All. With how far fetched Aizawa's theories usually are, it'd be amusing and entertaining for once.
Aizawa glances around the circle of people that's gathered before beginning, "This was the last known stronghold used by the Yakuza. They were a dying population, an endangered species if you will, and now they've been wiped out in the blink of an eye."
"Cross referencing my reports, the number of stakeouts, sting operations, and all else my agency has done to catch the Yakuza with their hand in the cookie jar.. Aizawa is a hundred percent correct.", Sir Nighteye continues for the underground hero. He smoothes out his combed green hair before elaborating, "All bodies, despite their disfigurement, have been identified. The entire Yakuza is present and accounted for."
Toshinori grits his teeth in frustration, his usual smile vanishing. When the hero gets passionate about something, he has a hard time keeping that righteous rage in check. The blonde's fists tremble at his sides as he applies pressure to clench them tight, "It shouldn't have gone like this.."
"So gruesome.", Togata surveys the crime scene with an equally troubled expression. He seems as though he's only now noticed the corpses. "It's not heroic at all.", is all he has to say about the way the Yakuza was mangled.
Naomasa sees why Toshinori chose the boy now. There's a bit of himself in his successor. They both agree that the Yakuza should have been brought down by heroes and the police. That villains and criminals alike should be defeated by the law. Their view of justice is the same. Naomasa is sure Toshinori chose correctly. He nods his head in humble agreement with their sentiments and his friend's decision for a successor.
Nighteye hums in mutual consensus before continuing, "While this ends the chapter on the Yakuza, it doesn't quite close the book.", his calculating gaze shifts to Naomasa, "As feared, this ties directly into your investigation on the Tokyo Ghoul."
The detective is startled by suddenly being made the center of attention. Under the gaze of Nighteye no less, whether that stare is with his foresight quirk activated or not, it's unsettling. Naomasa does his own surveillance of the crime scene before responding. Though he'd already seen it all on the way in, he really takes in the amount of destruction. This time, he thinks about it rather than just looking. "How do we know this was the ghoul? While the bodies are his M.O, this wreckage isn't.", he inquires the group to see if they managed to gather any concrete evidence yet.
Of course, Aizawa is the one to speak on behalf of them when it comes to this part. "This wreckage is from a rampage. Based on my theory that the ghoul is a preteen or a teenager, a temper tantrum isn't far fetched.", and it's of course all based merely on speculation.
"That's an assumption, Aizawa. We've been over this.", Naomasa refrains from slapping his palm too hard into his face. He swears he feels wrinkles starting to come in at this point.
However, Nighteye is quick to defend Eraserhead. "What's not an assumption is that the Yakuza was holding a child here. Once that child went missing, this happened.", he prevents his glasses from sliding any further down his nose by pushing them up, "That can't be a coincidence."
"Not you too.", Naomasa winces in sympathy for Toshinori's former sidekick. He knows what it's like to be roped into Aizawa's crazy conspiracies and to actually start believing them. Trying to remain the voice of reason, he persists, "That still doesn't mean it was all the ghoul."
Aizawa crosses his arms over his chest before asking with a raised brow, "Weren't you the one who originally suspected the ghoul was involved with the Yakuza?"
Naomasa opens his mouth to deny the claim, but remembers asking that question when Aizawa first contacted him about the Yakuza resurfacing. "That's only because I didn't expect you to call me for any other reason.", he says as an excuse more for himself than the team that's assembled. When he sees none of them are convinced, he goes for a different approach, "Look.. I'm trying to be optimistic here. We don't want this to be ghoul related. It's almost like you're hoping this is the ghoul's work."
"I am hopeful.", Aizawa admits. All heads turn towards the underground hero, surprised by his statement. Naomasa wonders if all that sleep deprivation and caffeine finally destroyed his mind. That's until he explains himself, "If it is, then we have another lead towards catching them. The ghoul has never acted on impulse this emotionally before. I told you, there's people influencing their actions now."
As much sense as that reasoning makes, Toshinori shakes his head. "I'm with Naomasa. We don't want this to be the ghoul.", that remark doesn't help better Aizawa's opinion of the blonde judging by the frown he wears. Toshinori sees the expression and returns it with his own, not backing down. He explains himself like Aizawa had to for everyone to understand, "If they are just a child, then we want them to be rehabilitated. Going from robbing blood banks to this is a big leap in the wrong direction."
Nighteye massages his chin as he mulls over both sides of the argument, stroking a nonexistent beard of wisdom. When he can't decide which one he agrees with, he shifts his focus back to Toshinori. "After all that the ghoul has done, you think they can still be rehabilitated?", it's a valid question that he directs at the symbol of peace.
Except, it's that symbol's successor that answers. "Anyone can be saved.", his smile is a radiant ray of hope brighter than the sun. Toshinori's smile is much more reserved, but noticeable when Togata adds, "That's the job of a hero."
Aizawa takes interest in the younger hero and directs his own questions towards him. "What if they can't help themself? What if it's more than blood? What if they can only eat flesh?", but his tone sounds like genuine concern and not some sort of counter argument.
Taking pity on the poor boy so that he doesn't fall under Aizawa's wrath, and having had enough of the group's bickering, Naomasa decides to intervene. "We'll cross those bridges when we get there. Right now, we need to focus on actually finding the ghoul.", he glances from member to member of the rag tag team, "That's why we're all meeting, right?"
"Yes.", Nighteye nods, "This has become a group effort. We all need to report to one another if this is to work."
Aizawa faces Nighteye to tack on, "We should break into teams. We'll accomplish more that way. Since the Yakuza was yours to begin with, you can follow this rabbit hole to see if it goes anywhere."
But Naomasa doesn't want to let the underground hero become team captain if he can help it. The detective pulls way too many all nighters as it is. "And what about you?", he asks Aizawa to see if he can trip him up.
Considering Eraserhead doesn't smile often, and his grin is nowhere near as bright or assuring as Togata's or Toshinori's, the shivers that run down the detective's spine are to be expected. "Don't worry, Tsukauchi, I'm not off the hook either. As a matter of fact, you're with me.", Aizawa says with a toothy smirk.
"What?! Why?!", Naomasa grabs his head in bewilderment. He has no hat to scrunch, only hair to pull. He just might yank it all out.
"We've still got the mask shop to investigate. It's been long enough that you got that search warrant we talked about, right?", Aizawa reverts to his usual all business and no pleasure demeanor to remind the detective of their previous arrangement.
Remembering that tie to the Yakuza and potential lead on the ghoul, Naomasa nods, "Yeah.."
"Then it's settled.", Aizawa concludes the meeting by starting to break away from the small huddle.
Before he can walk too far away though, Toshinori catches him by the shoulder. When Aizawa looks back, "What about us?", the deflated hero gestures between himself and Togata.
Aizawa's shrug knocks the blonde's hand off his shoulder. "You tell me.", he dismisses the two before resuming his walk towards the exit.
When the blonde turns around to ask the others for their input, Naomasa shrugs too. "Sorry, Toshinori. I always hate to admit it, but when Aizawa is right, he's right.", the detective deflates just as much as the fraile form of the hero once he makes that confession.
Seeing nobody else has a task for them, Nighteye offers a solution to the pair of blondes, "The best you two can do is patrol this general vicinity and hope the ghoul keeps a small hunting ground.", before waving for them to leave too.
"Yeah..", Toshinori sighs as he follows behind the retreating form of Aizawa, "We can only hope."
Little does the hero know, the Tokyo Ghoul actually is nearby. Working his regular shift at Anteiku, Akatani Mikumo serves coffee to customers while occasionally taking a sip from his own cup. Meanwhile, Eri sits at her usual table waiting for him to finish working.
The little girl looks up from her coloring book to see a boy sitting at the table across from her. He has evenly split peppermint hair and a burn scar that reaches from his hairline to the bottom half of his cheek. What interests her the most about the customer, however, is what he's holding in his hands.
Eri is startled by surprise when the boy looks up from the novel that he's reading. Heterochromic eyes squint when they meet the horned girl's. "Yes?", the boy tilts his head as he tries to gauge the child that's been staring at him.
"S- Sorry.", Eri squeaks out as she shrinks in on herself to the size of a mouse. Past traumatic experience has her recalling the punishments she would get from the Yakuza. She glances in the direction of Akatani, knowing that he'd protect her. Yet, she can't help but be afraid of what the scarred boy might do to her.
Recognizing the small girl's body language all too well, the boy softens his glare. "There's no reason to apologize.", he says as an attempt to put her at ease. When Eri looks back up, having not expected that from him, he tries to follow her eyeline. He's not usually self conscious about it, but he has a feeling he knows just why a child would take interest in his appearance as well as be afraid of him. "Were you staring at my scar?", he asks.
Eri's eyes widen with her mouth, a panicked realization dawning on her. "N- NO!", she exclaims to clear up the misunderstanding. Her eyes fall on the book in the boy's hands. "I just.. My brother is reading me that book..", her voice wobbles a bit but she works up enough courage to give an explanation.
Realizing he jumped to conclusions, the boy's own eyes widen a bit. He too looks down at the novel he's holding. He doesn't think the little girl in front of him is the right reading age for it, but he isn't the best at estimating how old somebody is either. He's fairly certain the girl is no older than ten though. Unfamiliar with how to interact with kids, he's a little more awkward than usual when he says, "Oh. Yes. It's very good."
Relief relaxing her expression, Eri perks up a little. "Mhm.", she nods in agreement, "I don't understand some of the words sometimes, but big bro teaches me what they mean."
The boy nods too, pleased that he was right in the assumption that she wouldn't be able to read a book of that level. "That's nice.", he's uncertain of how to reply though. He's not used to being social, let alone with a kid. Scrambling for a way to break the awkward silence, he finds another common ground, "I have older siblings too."
That must have been the right thing to say, since Eri's mouth hangs open in awe. Her eyes shimmer under the sunbeams that shoot through the window. "Are they as nice as Akata-nii?", the interest she has to hear his answer has her leaning forward in her chair.
A faint trace of a smile crosses the boy's lips. He wants to laugh at the nickname the little girl gave her brother, but refrains from it as to not upset her. "Yes. They are.", his smile softens as he speaks with fondness, "Especially my sister."
"I have a big sis too!", Eri bounces with joy in her seat. She radiates with happiness over being able to relate with the boy in so many ways. The coloring book she has just so happened to be one that Himiko herself doodled in. The blood red crayon colored heart that the blonde drew makes Eri say, "She's nice like Akata-nii, but silly!"
Familiar with the concept of siblings, the boy can't withhold a small chuckle this time. "My sister is silly too.", he says while recalling the occasions that his sister would try to cheer him up.
Taking a moment to pause his work of taking orders, Akatani checks on Eri with a glance. When he sees his younger sister talking to some random guy, his instinct to protect her kicks in. "Eri! Are you alright?", the brotherly barista is at her table in a flash. He looks her over for injuries, not finding anything, but only lessens his concern when she nods in confirmation that she isn't harmed. Akatani then remembers where he's at and feigns being apologetic to the customer, "I'm so sorry, sir. She's usually too shy to do this sort of thing."
"She was no trouble.", the boy waves dismissively before extending that same hand, "You must be Akata-nii."
Taken aback by the customer's usage of Eri's nickname, he stumbles over himself a bit before being able to shake hands. "Ah.. I- It's actually A- Akatani.", he stammers with a small blush of embarrassment.
The boy's small smile returns when he sees the red dusting the barista's cheeks. "I like Akata-nii better.", he shrugs his shoulders as he teases Akatani.
Seeing Akatani's blush turn even brighter, Eri tilts her head in curiosity. Glancing between the two boys, she innocently asks a not so innocent question, "Is this like when you and big sis flirt?"
The boy with peppermint hair raises a brow, sending Akatani into a full spiral. "It's not like that!", he blurts out in an attempt to avoid a miscommunication,"H- Her 'big sis' isn't actually blood related." After trying to salvage the situation, Akatani mumbles under his breath, "I shouldn't have told her what flirting is.."
The customer's smile stretches as he watches Akatani murmur. He finds it amusing how easily flustered the waiter gets. "I'm Shoto.", he interrupts the panicked jumble of words.
Akatani pauses, not quite catching what was said during his mutter frenzy. "Huh?", he blinks.
"My name.", Shoto explains before reintroducing himself properly, "I'm Shoto Todoroki."
Being a former hero fanatic and closet otaku, Akatani jumps at the recognition of the boy's family name. "Todoroki?! Like the number two hero Endeavor Todoroki?!", he shouts in a moment of euphoria over meeting the number two hero's son.
Shoto's smile drops at the mention of Endeavor. "Yes.", Akatani flinches at the cold bite of the boy's tone, "Can we not talk about my father though."
Just now noticing the burn mark on Shoto's face, Akatani comes to his own assumed conclusions. "Oh..", he bows apologetically for having been insensitive, "I'm sorry."
Shoto feels the other boy's eyes on his scar. Placing a hand over the permanent burn, he sighs and clears up any misplaced thoughts, "He wasn't the one that did this if that's what you're thinking." Shoto can see surprise mixed with confusion cross Akatani's face before his expression becomes something more relieved. What Shoto says next wipes that relieved expression away, "It was my mother's doing. She hated my quirk."
Shoto turns his head, no longer looking at Akatani directly. "Um..", Akatani swallows whatever condolences he could have given. He's sure Todoroki has heard all of it before and that those words are just empty without meaning by now. Looking at Eri, Akatani instead comes up with a potential solution to the burn victim's shame. "I know we just met and this might be presumptuous of me.. but Eri and I get ridiculed for our quirks too.", Shoto's head shoots up in surprise and he finds himself staring at the pair of illegitimate adoptive siblings again, "So we actually attend this.. Quirk support group.. Maybe you would like to come with us?"
Staring at the two who claim to be brother and sister, Shoto can't find any physical similarities between the two. One's hair is a pure silky white while the other's is a charcoal black. Yet, he can still see the bond that they share. For two people who get ridiculed for their quirks, they exude an attitude that Shoto can't say he's familiar with. In the short span of time that he's met them, they made him smile more than he has during the past year. Unable to turn down the offer of such good people, Shoto says, "..I would like that."