~NRK~
Ippan frowned as she and Obito finally sat down on the younger teen's bed.
"You want us to… help your quirk-user daughter," she said with narrowed eyes as the man scoffed but grimaced.
"... Yes," the man grimaced, looking sick just talking to them as he gripped his hands together. "She was a normal girl, she's been fine for years, it's not even a quirk that can be figured out easily and we already filed down her teeth," Hokei frowned. "She keeps. Trying. To Draw. BLOOD. This goes beyond disliking quirks, she's not normal," he hissed.
Obito's eyes narrowed.
"We'll handle it," Ippan said immediately, eyes in a glare that had the shorter human flinching before he grimaced, looking away from the teen. "Since you can't."
"Why you little! I'm making sure she lives a good NORMAL life! Not whatever the hell is going on here!" Ouryu growled before covering his mouth as Ippan's eyes widened while Obito's eyes narrowed.
"That's surprising, I'd have thought quirk-users could HELP each other," the young man glared as the man grit his teeth before removing his hands.
Sharp fangs and glowing yellow eyes looked back at him, shocking the man as the younger male didn't so much as flinch.
He glared right through him and the businessman began to feel a cold settle in his stomach as ice filled his veins.
"... Ippan-chan is right, we'll do what you, APPARENTLY, can't," Obito scoffed. 'You're going to eventually regret it as is,' he knew this to be rather factual.
Obito didn't really get quirks and their all-around eccentricities but he knew that suppressing ANYTHING was only going to make the problem worse.
"Tsk, save it, it won't matter in August," Ouryu smirked as the Hokei frowned. "Both our quirks won't matter then," he said simply as he got up and walked out. "She goes to your agency, kid, I'll be waiting," he walked out, leaving the room filled with both confusion and irritation.
"H-He's so… RUDE!" Ippan shouted out the door as she heard the elevators close moments later. "MMMM!" She grumbled as Obito sighed, patting her back. "How?! What is wrong with him?!"
"Tooru-kun, could you close the door?" Obito asked and the invisible girl nodded, hurrying over and doing as he said. "Come on, we can't just shout that into the hallways for anyone to hear, especially if they have good hearing built into their quirk."
Ippan blushed and whined. "I-I just don't…" She looked a bit drained and Hokei nodded as Eri looked up with her pacifier in her mouth. "That's WRONG on so many levels it's sickening."
"Are you okay, nee-chan?" Tenko asked as he stood with Tooru in front of the two sitting teens.
"Y-Yes, I'm sorry, Tenko-kun, Tooru-chan."
"It's alright!" Tooru said. "He was a meanie!" Tenko agreed with a nod.
"... so we're helping someone else?"
"Essentially though I'm worried about his last sentence," Hokei said as Obito nodded.
"Their quirks won't matter? In August? That's… oddly specific," the man's grandson said. "... I have several ideas on why that is and the best guess I have would be either someone not known throughout the world," he frowned as the group blinked before Hokei hummed.
"I'll have Kai working on it," he said as Obito nodded.
"For now, we know our next order of business, next week, anyway," he said as Ippan fiddled with her claws. "?"
"I-It's just… I-I don't know, I still feel antsy about him," she frowned as Obito hummed. "A-And, um, f-food's probably not a good comforter?" Ippan blushed as Hokei snorted while Obito rubbed the back of his head.
"R-Right, yes, I'd… you've caught me red-handed, I'll figure something out."
"It's not your fault! It's not like my figure's been affected, it's just, um, maybe always being happy with food is a bad idea. Maybe something else we can all do?"
"Hmm," Hokei chuckled a bit. "Well, why don't you all go and see a movie? There are also several plays about and then… hmm," he looked sheepish. "We do have our own casinos," he whispered.
"C-Casinos?" Ippan considered the idea as Obito's jaw dropped. "Hm, hm, no, I'm not much of a gambler, O-bi-to-kun," she grinned as he cleared his throat.
Hokei smirked.
~NRK~
Obito hummed as they departed from the hotel in a pair of black cargo pants, a pair of black ninja sandals, a pair of black gloves, and a white t-shirt, the former shinobi's usual katana-carrier left hidden in their room.
"Hmph," he looked down at Eri as the white onesie-clad baby looked up at him before he nudged her cheek with one of his knuckles.
She giggled and he smiled as he heard the others behind him.
"What kinda movie?!" Tooru asked as she skipped up to his side in a bright pink jumpsuit, white sneakers, a pink bandana, and a pair of fingerless black gloves. "Oooh! Will it be a 'caught on camera' movie?!"
"You know more than I would, I've only gone to the movies with people I don't live around anymore," he said as the girl hummed while Tenko came out with a tilt of the head.
Wearing a long-sleeve black top, pants, and sneakers, the 'Decay Kid' hands were covered by black gloves similar to Obito while he also covered the lower half of his face with a white face mask.
"Nee-chan!" Tenko waved her out as she and Hokei chuckled while joining them.
The grandfather hadn't changed much, only putting down his haori to leave him in a dark gray kimono and hakama.
Ippan, on the other hand, wore something 'simple but… attractive.' For Obito, that is.
With her wearing black slacks, a pair of her own Obito-made teal ninja sandals, and a white top with long flowy sleeves.
Oh, he forgot to add it had a slight v-neck, of course, he did. Obito huffed a bit with red cheeks as his grandfather smirked.
"Ready!" Ippan grinned, hair in its usual long style.
"... right," Obito nodded, looking away almost immediately, as Tooru giggled a bit. "Come on," he said, a small towel over his shoulder.
Hokei chuckled. "Our car should be… here," he smirked as a vehicle pulled up.
As they walked off, much to the odd looks of quirkless and quirk-users alike, Hawks tilted his head from above.
"Um… did they have so many of those kids?" He asked his mic, looking confused.
-Hmm?- The woman over the line made a confused sound.
"Well, I think there's an invisible girl with them," he said, unsurely. "There's a boy with light blue hair and I guess that baby is his sister?"
The sound of typing reached his ear as he gave a slow chase after the six.
-We didn't know… I guess since this is recent, it's not one that got fully scoped out. For now, just follow them, this young man is powerful, Hawks. Last I checked, even with the rise in quirkless potential since some 200 years ago, people don't just CUT DOWN BULLETS-
That's right, wasn't it? Hawks blinked in slight awe.
That'd been so cool. H-He was like a samurai in a movie! Speaking of.
Hawks blinked as he saw their destination, speed easily capable of keeping up with the vehicle they were in.
"The movies?"
Getting out of the car, Ippan last, the group looked up at the venue with interest.
"We don't own a movie theater, do we?" Obito whispered with a raised brow at all the people going in as his grandfather chuckled.
"Not us," he smirked as the young man hummed before nodding.
"Understood."
They walked in, going into a 'Fast Lane' line before being let in, their 'ensemble' of individuals shocking many once more.
One of the individuals blinked in surprise. 'Wait, isn't he that guy?' He thought, cupping his chin, rubbing his stubble before groaning as his… date ran up on him.
"Shou-kun! It's been too long!"
He groaned.
Inside the movie theater, Tooru gasped at everything while Tenko blinked, covering his ears.
"It's so noisy," they said in unison with different 'expressions'.
"We need to stay together, kids," Ippan said, looking around, sniffing the ear, and flicking her ears. "I-It is a lot, though…"
"Come on," Obito nodded to them, urging them forward. "We'll just grab a few sandwiches and be on our way."
As they huddled behind the young man with his grandfather at their side, the group walked towards the snack bars in the space.
Standing in line, Obito raised a brow at the feeling of a stare from his side before looking that way to find a pair of curious eyes staring at him.
They tilted, big brown eyes sitting in a slightly pudgy, squishy-looking even, face with big round cheeks and chestnut-colored hair.
Wearing a small tan t-shirt, a brown skirt, and similar brown boots, the small child grinned nervously and innocently at him as he nodded.
"Yes?"
"U-Um, m-mister? D-Do you know where, um, theater 1-12 is, I-I think?" She asked, bunching up a bit of her skirt in her hands. "Kaa-chan is there…"
Obito blinked. "What are you doing away from your…" The young girl sniffled and Ippan giggled a bit. "I don't, not yet, we're supposed to choose our own movies first but I promise we'll help you find her."
"R-Really?"
"Yes."
"He's good at promises!" Tooru told the shocked girl. "Hi!" She greeted as Tenko tilted his head.
"H-Huh?!" The other small girl flinched, looking at the moving clothes in confusion. "U-Um, is your quirk moving stuff with your mind?! Are you super small?!"
"Nope!"
Tenko tilted his head. "Girls are weird," he muttered as Hokei laughed.
Getting their things, Ippan, Hokei, and Tenko holding them, Obito was led by his hands on both sides by the small chestnut and Tooru.
"Ooh! This one!" Tooru said as they stopped by one of 14 movie 'murals'. "See! 12!"
The other girl nodded rapidly. "T-The movie about the cyber cop!" She grinned as Obito raised a brow at her.
"Hmm, I think it's called Cyber Cop, Obito-kun," Ippan said as he chuckled.
"Yes, so it seems," he said, looking up to see that, yes, it was called 'Cyber Cop'.
Notably, the fifteenth movie… that was rather excessive.
"So, should we just go to see it?" Hokei offered as the lost child gasped.
"Y-You should! I-It's super cool about a cyborg who fights crime!" She squealed excitedly, arms moving up and down rapidly, Tooru copying her.
"Hmph, do you all mind?" Obito asked, amused.
"Sure!" Ippan smiled. "It sounds like a good time."
"Alright," Tenko nodded with a giant bottle of water in his arms.
"Yep!" Tooru giggled.
"Very well, let's go," Hokei chuckled.
Buying their tickets, the man working both the booth and the ticket desk's jaw dropping, they walked down a hall for maybe two seconds before hearing a shouting woman.
"O-Ochako-chan?!" She squealed as the girl, Ochako, gasped.
"Kaa-chan!" She ran at the woman who scooped her up.
"Oh thank goodness, your father said he lost you after the bathroom," the mother said in relief, hugging her child close before looking up at Obito and his group. "T-Thank you, I can't imagine you were expecting this."
"It's fine, it's not like it was much trouble, she even helped us pick out a movie," Obito said as the woman chuckled a bit.
"I hope it's a good one."
"It's ours, kaa-chan!" Ochako grinned as the woman blinked. "We're gonna see Cyber Cop!"
"Yeah!" Tooru agreed as Hokei chuckled.
"She's quite taken with the movie, it seems," he said as the mother sweatdropped.
"Yes, we can't figure out why."
They followed the woman to the 12th theater before heading in, the sight of only the previews meaning they weren't too late.
They found their seats right behind the Uraraka family, the father of Ochako thanking Ippan, Obito, and Hokei for their help as he ran back in.
Two hours later, the two groups left the theater with raised if not amused moods.
"I didn't think cybernetic enhancements were so… versatile," Obito found the word as Ippan giggled.
"I-I guess having some humor is also what keeps the series going!" She grinned brightly.
"Yu-huh!" Ochako grinned. "It's the bestest series ever!"
"Hmm, you all have a nice day, alright?" Ochako's father said, rubbing the back of his head. "And, once again, we're eternally thankful for you finding our little girl."
"Yes," the mother bowed. "Have an amazing day and, hopefully, you two get the same treatment if one of your own gets lost," she grinned as Ippan blushed a bit while Hokei laughed.
Obito groaned.
~NRK~
The end of the week came and went, leaving Obito, Ippan, and the kids entering a familiar rebuilt house.
"Thank goodness, I-I missed here," Ippan said with a bit of embarrassment. "Though, is it safe?" She asked Obito who nodded.
"From now on, not only will we not be here that often but our men will be patrolling the perimeter," he said. "There's a high chance that you'll be getting attacked by our mysterious vigilante," Obito whispered as her eyes widened. "So, we'll be handling it from there and deal with this man."
She nodded a bit nervously, holding his bicep as they went in.
There, in the living room, Kai nodded to the five as they entered, getting up from the couch with Deidoro. "News, good and bad."
"... Ippan, can you take the kids onto the second floor?" Obito asked her softly as she nodded, letting go and taking Eri from him.
Once they disappeared, Obito walked over before sitting in a new recliner.
"Go."
"Good news first, I've reinforced the home with steel in every way, sorry this took so long."
"No issue, I'm glad you could help."
"Hmph," Kai nodded before looking at their 'spymaster'. "Tell him, Dei."
"That Stendhal guy, he's making moves," Deidoro frowned as Obito did the same. "It was weird, at first, ya know? He did just attack random stuff and people, robbers here, a bad part of town there, and more stuff. It was always like he was 'against the bad guys'... but he's been attacking vigilantes and hero candidates," Obito blinked. "I don't… I don't really get it. Not me, Young Boss, but it seems like this guy's an idiot or something."
"He's currently situated in Naruhata or, at least, that's where he was last seen a lot. Tips and rumors say that he's originally from there but that could all be a crock of shit," Kai informed.
"... Haa, what is the 'bad news'?" Obito asked, already feeling the headache coming on.
"He's declared that if the yakuza don't come out and fight him, he'll out us," Kai hissed as Obito held his forehead in disbelief. "He's clearly delusional and this might very well be a trick to bring us into the light."
"I understand what you're saying, he's literally announced this? From where?"
"It's been found randomly all over Naruhata," Deidoro said, tapping his chin. "Cards, wanted ads with no faces, and basically just a bunch of bullshit teal graffiti. He's seriously on something if he thinks that'll work."
Obito frowned at that before his eyes narrowed. "Teal graffiti?" He asked as the two nodded. "... explain to me, Dei, Kai, was this graffiti odd in other ways?"
"... Foxes," Kai realized in disbelief. "There were a lot of fox motifs on it!" He hissed. "He knows."
"To be fair, wouldn't anyone notice?" Deidoro offered. "No offense to your lady friend, Young Boss, but she sticks out like a sore thumb."
"I know but he also saw her before," Obito said. "She was not only seen with me, Kiruka, and Rappa but I'm still on the internet about the assassination attempt at the mall, and about my recent forays into occupational interviews."
"Yes, about that, was that necessary?" Kai winced as Obito sighed.
"I'd honestly got caught up in the moment. I was literally attacked again AND that organization is curious to me. Speaking of, were you able to find anything on that, Kai?"
"Hmm, it's odd, nothing really illegal but they help and interact with anyone with quirk issues. It's seemingly just a samaritan parade," he explained.
"I see, thank you," Obito frowned. "... Did he give a date on our 'fight'?"
"... In a month's time. We believe he'll be trying to get as much information on us as possible before then to try and 'bring us to justice'," Deidoro sweatdropped. "He sounds retarded."
"He's certainly mentally well enough to do this in the middle of Naruhata," Kai said. "We all know what will very well happen even if he loses. That's a target on your back we can't allow… I'll go and handle this fully and completely," he said with cold eyes as Obito cupped his chin.
"... then come with us when we go, Kai."
"Of course, Young Master. Now, as for your upcoming rounds this week. This will be your first-ever judging."
"... what?" The sound of knocking on the door got a small chuckle out of Kai.
~NRK~
Obito's eyebrow twitched as he wore a dark blue three-piece suit with a similarly-colored fedora, the group riding in the car.
"I'm judging TODAY?" He asked his, usually THE wisest, underling as Ippan giggled a bit as Eri sat in the young man's lap in a familiar small kimono. "Kai."
"I know," the older brunette said with raised hands, dressed as he usually was but with a small green coat over his shoulders with a hat covering his head. "I just figured your ability to adapt would come through."
"It will but I don't like being surprised with things I've never done."
"What about the farm?"
"That's different. I can expect it when going to a farm, not a pageant."
"Hmm, well, Young Boss," Deidoro raised a finger. "It's a talent contest or something. Ya know? Like that super old show, uh… Oh! 'Dancing With the Stars!', from America!" Dressed in a more normal black suit with sunglasses and a hat like Kai.
Ippan giggled in her 'bodyguard uniform', mask currently off. "We know you can do it," she said as Tenko nodded, wearing his 'boy guard uniform.'
Tooru tilted her head, now curious. "You judge stars, nii-chan?" She said in awe.
Wearing a small pink kimono with 'flashes' of light on it, the invisible girl had on a small conical hat, black gloves, and a pair of small black boots.
"No but I get the feeling I'll be judging a large number of wealthy individuals, unfortunately," Obito grunted as she nodded.
Hawks blinked as he followed them out of Tokyo into the Mustafu Ward.
"We're heading to Mustafu," he said to his earpiece.
-I wonder why. It might be yakuza business, Hawks-kun, don't let them out of your sight as best you can-
"Alright."
Ippan's ears twitched and she tilted her head looking through the back window.
'Huh?' She blinked as hummed. 'Did I hear something?'
Maybe she was just a bit anxious, this was another facet of life neither she nor Obito knew anything about and that didn't fill her with confidence.
She combed her claws through Tenko's hair as they were driven to their destination, their hotel.
When the vehicle came to a stop, they were let out to the interest of other… rather finely dressed people who blinked in shock and surprise.
"H-Huh?" Ippan blinked as she got out, shocking them more. "... W-Wait, do these people not…?" She whispered to Kai who shrugged.
"This area's mixed, don't worry about it," he said as he ushered the group inside of the hotel's lobby.
Obito simply pat Ippan on the back as they approached the front desk woman who wore an impassive look.
"Room under 'Akatsuki'," Kai said as she balked at him before choking at Ippan, the kids, Obito, and then Kai again. "YES," he hissed and she jumped before scrambling to grab the key cards and their fingerprints.
… everyone else's fingerprints besides the bashful Ippan.
"It's not like you won't have one of us near you," Obito whispered as she nodded, holding his bicep. "... Do whatever makes you comfortable," he muttered, rubbing the back of his head. 'We look like-'
"H-Have a good day, s-sirs, m-madam!" The woman squeaked before she blushed at the two teens, bowing lower to hide her face. 'I-It's probably like two giants rocking the foundation!' She'd have to be careful on that floor.
The group walked off, heading up an elevator before reaching the top floor of the nice hotel.
Going into the third room from the elevator box, they walked in to find three beds, a large open living space, a large bathroom and closet near the front door, a mini-fridge, a large TV, and a trio of ceiling-reaching windows that allowed them to stare out at the world below.
"T-This is a bit much, isn't it?" Ippan choked as they went in and sat on the beds. "... T-These sheets."
"Y-Yeah, they're really nice," Tenko said as he bounced a bit. "So, when does he go to the talent show?" He asked Kai who sat on a couch by the beds.
"Hmm, it's in two hours. You'll have time to get used to this room and eat, this will be our home base for the next six days," he said as Obito nodded, Tooru hurrying onto the first of the three beds and jumping onto it. "There's a lot of good things here, sir, you can just order them. It goes to our bank here."
"Man… it really does feel like you all are connected everywhere," Ippan said as Kai and Obito nodded.
"Of course, though, don't be fooled. At best, we're the most known in the wards surrounding the center of Tokyo, anywhere beyond that like Deika City, Hosu, and Naruhata aren't filled with our influence."
"It's dangerous for you to go to those places alone, basically," Obito said to her as she nodded.
"I wasn't planning to, I already feel like it's rather unsafe outside," Ippan said as he rubbed the back of his head. "I-I'm not blaming you! I mean it! I'm happy when we go out!" She said quickly as Kai snorted off to the side while Tenko tilted his head and Tooru giggled.
Obito huffed, cheeks red. 'Dammit, you have to realize what you're saying, right?' Don't tell him she was an oblivious person when it came to double-entendre. "For now, let's just eat."
They did, ordering from the hotel's pretty diverse menu before resting.
An hour and a half later, they were already in a car heading towards the Chewie Talent Agency.
"So, the show, have you ever been to one, Kai-san?" Ippan asked as she caressed her mask in her hands.
"Only on a few occasions, when Boss was showing me the ropes. It's essentially what it is and we'll be up in the VIP booth observing. If we feel like it? Make a recommendation, pick a favorite, or even sponsor someone. We have systems for that as well and we've made quite a bit of money on some talented individuals," Kai said with a nod as Obito hummed.
"I wonder what their reaction will be upon meeting me? I know how people like them could be, they did seem to interact with my ex-parents well but that's very likely to be due to them both being human," he said as Tenko tilted his head. "Any information on them?"
"I can. The files said that the two who heads the operation are actually old friends of the Boss," the group looked surprised as Kai nodded. "Hmm… one of them is an older man by the name of Kazuya Monoma. The other is a man by the name of Masaru Bakugou, actually. He used to be a fashion designer of the agency before being put up for head management. Deeper information reveals he has a son who has a quirk which can cause explosions," he seriously, expression very intrigued.
Tooru balked. "W-What?!" She squeaked as Tenko's eyes bugged out.
"E-E-Explosions?!" He choked.
"T-That's… oh dear," Ippan looked very nervous. "He has been treated well, right?"
"Well… from what I know, the mother has had some issues with disliking those with quirks in the past but her marriage seemed to have shifted that around. Though, she does show some hesitation with her son when it comes down to it," Kai admitted as Obito nodded.
"I understand that fully. At least she's not neglecting him," he said intently and was relieved when Kai shook his head.
"Not from what we found out. It just seems like appropriate caution."
"Still, that's… I-I do get it," Ippan whispered as she ruffled Tenko's hair, the boy looking a bit nervous. "Tenko-kun… doesn't remember when his quirk activated but he's also got trauma from it," she sighed as she combed her fingers through the downtrodden boy's hair.
"He doesn't remember?" Kai asked. "I could-"
"Kai," Obito intercepted, eyes closed. "Let's not worry about it," he said as his eyelids lifted ever-so-slightly to look at the slightly nervous but gracious Tenko. 'I've seen those eyes before,' Obito had a feeling there was more to this story that not even Tenko knew.
So, he let the boy keep his secrets, he knew how important those were and how devastating they could become.
They reached the location in slightly uncomfortable silence before getting out, Kai allowing the five to exit while holding the door.
"Hmm," Obito looked up at the blue building with white window frames and a red roof.
Above the square entrance sat the name of the agency in black font with a bold effect on it.
"Let's go in."
"A moment, Young Master," Kai said while adjusting his gloves. "They're going to be retrieving us."
Right that moment, the door to the establishment slid open revealing a trio of people standing there.
One of them was very familiar, the sight of Ouryu not doing their expectations any favors before they noticed the other two.
One of them was a man of average height, around 5'9, with fair skin, a bit of a mustache, kind brown eyes, and slightly frizzy brown hair. The man smiled kindly, his spectacles shining in the nearly-evening sun, as he straightened out his black business suit.
"Welcome," he said to them as they came over, Ouryu staying back with crossed arms and closed eyes. "Obito-kun, correct?" The man asked with a smile as Obito nodded.
They shook hands before bowing.
"I see and you are? Apologies, I know both the heads' names but not their faces," Obito said as they stood up, seeing the man waving his hands.
"No, no, please, I'm Masaru Bakugou, the second-head of the Chewie Talent Agency and a rather recent friend of your grandfather," Masaru said with a chuckle as he looked at Obito's entourage. "Hmm?" Masaru looked up at Ippan who flinched, mask on.
"G-Good afternoon," she said kindly as the man nodded, looking surprised.
"I wasn't aware… ah, wait, that's right, he did say something about this," Masaru chuckled a bit as Obito's eyebrow twitched as Ippan blushed.
"Let's not… you don't need to say it," they said in unison as he smiled 'knowingly'.
"I know, I know-"
The man's introduction came to an abrupt end as Obito winced before Ouryu came rushing over with a growl.
"Himiko let go," he hissed as Obito looked down at the small child who'd decided biting him was her newest interest.
Black eyes locked with hateful green ones, their owner's sharp teeth latched onto his palm while he felt the flick of a tongue licking up his blood.
"H-Hey, back off!" Tooru said as she hurried over and tried to pull the girl off before Tenko came around as well.
"G-Get off, nii-chan!" He said as Obito sighed before reaching over and pinching the small girl's nose.
She flinched and struggled before letting go of his palm with a gasp and falling back with Tenko and Tooru.
"Whoa!"
Obito's hands lashed out and the three were back on their feet before they could hit the ground, the young man sighing as he crouched to their levels, bleeding palm quickly tended to by Kai who grimaced.
"That wasn't very lady-like," he said to the girl who huffed, turning away from him before flinching as she heard growling.
"Himiko," the girl, Himiko, flinched before swallowing. "You-"
"It's fine," Obito said as he shook his bandaged hand. "Well, it's not but you've said it yourself, she bites, I wasn't expecting it to be so open but I expected it would happen," he added as Ouryu stared at him like he was insane. "I'm serious, let it go," he said simply as he observed the shocked girl before him who huffed, mumbling something.
Finally getting a good look at her, the two features from before held true, her green eyes with slit pupils and sharp teeth, but she also had fair skin and chin-length dirty blonde hair that was smoothed down the back.
Wearing a white and blue elementary school uniform, Himiko Toga turned away from Obito as Ippan crouched to their level as best she could.
She touched his hand with concern and he shrugged, Himiko's eyes peeking out at them.
"A-Apologies, usually Himiko-chan is very well-behaved and amazingly talented," Masaru rubbed the back of his head with a bow as the girl clenched her fists and let her head drop. "Haa, please, Himiko-chan, y-you've been a good girl, of course, you have, but you can't just go and bite people."
"B-But I have to," the girl muttered in a small voice impossible to hear.
Ippan's ears twitched as her eyes softened.
"Alright," Obito stood up with Ippan, their personal charges going by them or minding Himiko. "Come on, let's go before we make more of a scene," he said simply and calmly as Masaru swallowed nervously at the shocked eyes around them before nodding quickly.
"Please, right this way!"
"H-He's pretty tolerant," Hawks said as he leaned over the edge of the building across from the agency. "I mean, t-that looked like it hurt."
-Perhaps the other children under his care have similar quirks?- The woman over the line offered.
"Maybe?"
Going into the building, Obito raised a brow at all the curious individuals who were looking at him oddly or in disbelief.
"Ah, apologies, Kazuya-kun and I have been trying to break it to everyone smoothly but getting all those interpersonal meetings was a bit of a nightmare," Masaru explained as their group came to a stop at a small podium by a wall, the 'talent' gathering around them with looks of interest. "Ah, I'm glad you all could make it to our bi-monthly show. You all may not know this, we'd been trying to get these things handled piece-by-piece but that didn't work out," he admitted. "The CEOs of the agency have stepped down and been replaced by this young man here."
"HUH?!" The collective shout of disbelief was palpable as Obito rolled his eyes.
"C-Can he run it?" Someone asked.
"We don't just take anyone, Bakugou-san," another agreed.
More and more of such disagreements were declared as Masaru nodded.
"I understand, it's not wrong to feel a bit uneasy about a change to such a young gentleman but I have on good word that he's more than fit to handle this situation," he said simply as they stared at him oddly. "Also, you all remember Hokei-san, right? He's his grandson and that baby on his chest is his little sister."
Their heads snapped to the blinking baby, Eri, before looking contemplative.
Ippan placed a hand against Obito's bicep. "Are you alright?" She asked him and he nodded, Ouryu's purposeful turning away completely ignored. "Has this happened to you before?"
"A little bit but I handled it by proving my worth, I suppose that will come into play here," Obito said as she nodded, giving him a squeeze before letting go. '... Exactly what am I thinking right now?' He'd felt… happy to have her concern for him?
He felt a bit disappointed that her grasp had left him?
What?
'No, I'm not… with Ippan, right?' That wasn't… it shouldn't be possible, he hoped.
"For now, how about we just see how things go, alright?" Masaru offered the gathered group. "Tonight's show isn't to be ignored, especially. We've already had quite a few companies and individuals want to sponsor some of our members. For now, just focus on that."
They dispersed quickly, it seemed the knowledge of sponsorship made their complaints take a back-burner.
"Apologies, Obito-kun."
"No, I literally went through this with a few other businesses as well," Ouryu's head snapped back around as Himiko blinked before pouting, crossing her arms, and looking away from him with a huff. "... right, I just proved myself to them and things have gone well so far though it's only been a week."
"YOU?" Ouryu looked horrified as Obito raised a brow. "You have to be lying."
"I don't regret to inform you I'm not. I was left with a lot of responsibility to handle and overseeing it is now my responsibility," Obito said simply with crossed arms as the man's face grew conflicted with self-interest, getting a roll of the eyes from the younger brunette. 'Of course, now that you know I'm valuable in your eyes, you want to rethink our relationship.'
Well, good luck trying, ya bastard.
"Hmm, Kazuya-kun should be nearby, he was handling some of our paperwork," Masaru said as Kai nodded.
"For now, what should he do in the meanwhile?" He asked and the bespectacled man chuckled.
"Go around and look at the talent, I suppose. It'd do him good to become familiar with some of them bit by bit," he said before blinking as the group was approached by a… familiar woman and child?
Well, to Obito, at least.
Itsuka pulled on her mother's arm, the girl dressed in a karate gi. "B-Bakugou-san! Is… I-Is my instructor here?" The girl asked as her mother chuckled nervously a bit while the bespectacled man hummed with a cupped chin.
"I can see where he is, though, that will leave you unsupervised for, at minimum, thirty minutes, Itsuka-chan," he winced as the girl wilted while her mother frowned.
"I mean no respect, Masaru-san, but this happens far too often, you understand," she said as the man nodded with a sigh, ruffling his hair. "That man's constantly missing and I don't know why. Maybe it's vigilantism, maybe it's different appointments, but my daughter is supposed to be allotted a tutor."
"I know, I know, haa, it's just a bit difficult with him, you know how he is."
"... I do," the woman looked uneasy as Obito frowned.
"Is something wrong with her trainer?" He asked her as Itsuka looked up at the suited-up Uchiha before her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
"W-Well, young man-sir!" The woman corrected as Kai hummed with a nod. "The way things are going… w-we don't know your name?" She said in some embarrassment as Obito and Masaru blinked before the older male slumped.
"I'm sorry, Kendo-san," Masaru whined as she looked a bit guilty.
"N-No, it's fine, I know we're in that time of the year again."
"Obito Uchiha, at your service," Obito said, taking his hat off and holding it to his chest as he bowed to the now fully embarrassed woman. "Kendo-san."
"N-No, please, it's fine! I-It's just that I'd like to see if that man can't… just… not teach her?"
"Bakugou-san, who is her tutor?"
"A former military man by the name of Goto Imasuji," Masaru explained while adjusting his collar. "He's a notable close-combat martial artist, Obito-kun," he said while rubbing the back of his head. "It's just that… w-well, he's not the most smooth individual."
"Constantly missing," Itsuka's mother began with a frown. "His lessons seem to be going well but every week it's like he's missing for half her visits and/or temperamental."
Ippan frowned. "N-No offense, Bakugou-san," she bowed. "But why do you keep him around?"
"He's actually notable in a lot of contests, competitions, and the like made for those with quirks. He's very much one of the strongest men in all of Japan and he's… w-well, he's good for gathering business as well."
"He sounds mean," Tooru said as Kendo gasped.
"Y-You're the guy from the internet!" She said in awe as Obito blinked.
"Um, excuse me?" He asked. "Apologies, Itsuka-kun, I'm not sure I understand."
"F-From the two attacks?" Obito's eyes widened as she nodded. "I saw 'em both! You and that other guy, and this lady," she pointed at Ippant who giggled a bit. "Beat up the bad guys!"
"Hmm?" Masaru blinked, looking confused. "Wait, were you involved with some trouble, Obito-kun?"
"... I got into two large altercations," he admitted.
"And then he fought a ton of people with a sword!" The girl said in awe as Tenko snickered.
"Nii-chan's super strong," he said and she nodded rapidly in agreement.
"He is!" Tooru cheered as Itsuka's mother blinked.
"Um, I'm sorry… young lady?" She said to the air.
"It's fine!"
Okay, so there was a child there, good to know. Then again, she was looking at clothes on… someone, she guessed.
"C-Can you teach me, mister?" Itsuka asked, eyes full of hope and shining stars.
Obito's cheek twitched as Masaru chuckled nervously.
"I-Itsuka-chan, he can't be here for all of your appointments, he does have other businesses to overlook," he said as Itsuka's mother blinked.
"Huh? I-I'm sorry, you made it sound like he looks over more companies."
"... I do," Obito admitted and the woman's face went neutral. "... ma'am."
"I-I think I need to sit down."
"S-So you can't?" Itsuka looked downtrodden as Obito's eyebrow twitched. "Mmm," she scuffed her foot against the ground.
"Hm, hm, maybe it wouldn't be so bad, Obito-kun," Ippan whispered as he hummed, holding one of Eri's hands as the baby looked around. "I mean, we are here for only a week and she's just a girl."
"I know where you're heading with this, I get it, I do," he whispered back as Himiko tilted her head at them, peeking out the corner of her eye.
'They're so… touchy-feely,' that was weird.
Her dad hated doing that with her, he didn't even walk her to the car! So, why the heck were these two so nicey-nice to each other?
She steamed a bit before looking at the other kids and locking onto Tenko, the boy's small mannerisms and the like gaining her interest.
"Hmm," she tilted her head.
"... I can't guarantee you'll take this over your own tutor's training-" Obito began to say only to be cut off with a gasp.
"YES!" Itsuka squealed as he sweatdropped, the others chuckling around him. "C-Come on, sir! We've gotta get to work!" She said as she grabbed his hand and pulled him away.
"S-She's strong for her age," Obito said as he was dragged away.
"Um, h-he is going to be alright, right?" The older Kendo asked as Masaru chuckled a bit.
"Well, you've heard the news about him, no? I've forgotten but he's actually really strong despite his quirkless status, Kendo-san," he said. "Come, we can watch so you can be sure about this."
"Obito-kun actually tutors myself, Tenko-kun, and Tooru-chan," Ippan said with a nod as the woman blinked up at her.
"I see… well, if he can even tutor someone older than him, I guess that's fine."
"... W-Wait, um, I-I'm only a year older!"
"Huh?!"
The woman's jaw dropped as she looked up and Ippan fiddled with her fingers, odachi bouncing a bit on her hip.
"Y-You're so… um!" She looked a bit flustered before bowing. "A-Apologies!"
"N-No! No, it's fine!" Ippan bowed back.
Himiko tilted her head at the two before her eyes went after Obito and Itsuka.
"Hmph."
"Alright," Obito removed his hat and blazer, folding the latter item and placing it, along with the hat atop it, on a small ottoman. "Tell me more about yourself, Itsuka-kun. What do you want to do? What's the end goal of your training?"
"I-I wanna be a hero," the small girl whispered to him and Obito looked at her red cheeks in surprise. "I-I got saved by some o-one night and I want to be super cool and save people like them," Itsuka admitted with a peek up. "I-I'm not weird, right?"
"Hmm… a bit," he smirked as she whined. "But it's not wrong to want to help people, much less for the reasons you just gave me, but I hope you're able to truly understand what you'll be going through before you actually step into that life," Obito said simply as she tilted her head.
"L-Like in manga and stuff, right?"
"Mostly so, it's all on paper in those books, Itsuka-kun, when you're actually experiencing those things, it's… so much more different."
She observed the melancholic look on Obito's face before nodding.
"A-Alright! C-Can you teach me those things, Obito-sensei?" Itsuka asked as Obito's eyebrow rose.
'Sensei?' Oh no, not even Tooru called him that.
Usually, it was just 'nii-chan', so this would be different.
"I… In all honesty, Itsuka-kun, I don't want to make you experience those things, not if I can help it," she looked confused at his words. "I said it, didn't I? It's not the same. Especially if you just want someone to do it to you, it won't be the same, as is, and may leave you worse off."
"I-I don't really get it."
"That's fine, for now, show me what your previous instructor taught you," Obito said as he looked around before rolling over a sandbag and frame, locking the movable punching bag into the ground in front of Itsuka. "How many punches would you say you know, Itsuka-kun?"
"Um," she considered her hands. "Six!"
"Please, demonstrate."
As the others caught up to them, Itsuka's mother tilted her head as her daughter went through her punches and then kicks.
"I see, you've got a good grasp on each one of them. I guess Imasuji-san was a good practitioner, at least," Obito said. "What about combos?"
"I-I know a few!" Itsuka said with gusto as Tenko tilted his head before tapping on the back of Masaru's hand.
"Hmm? Tenko-kun?" The man smiled kindly.
"Do you have any wooden daggers?" Tenko asked, Ouryu, Himiko, Masaru, and Mrs. Kendo balking. "C-Can I practice my forms?" He followed up nervously as the man rubbed the back of his head.
"Well, we do have training equipment. One moment," Masaru hurried to a closet behind them.
"You know about knives?" Himiko whispered to the confused Tenko who blinked.
"Isn't that dangerous?" Mrs. Kendo asked Ippan who hummed before nodding.
"You're not wrong but Tenko and I aren't… Obito-kun helped us out of a really bad situation," she said simply as the woman gasped while Ouryu scoffed. "We don't ever want to be in that kind of trouble ever again, not if we can help it. Obito-kun was kind enough to give us more than that and we don't want to take it for granted."
"I-I see, curious, I guess younger people have been on the rise with marriage as of late."
"W-What?! No!" Ippan burned, ears flagging. "I-It's not like that!" She squeaked as Tooru giggled while Mrs. Kendo blinked.
"O-Oh! Apologies!"
Himiko tilted her head at the fox girl? She thinks so even if she hadn't seen her face and she said she wasn't a grown-up.
Her eyes went back to the 'student-teacher' pair and blinked as the man nodded, holding onto his little sister as she looked at the jingling sandbag with interest.
"I'm curious, Itsuka-kun, do you have a quirk?" Obito asked the girl who nodded before Obito blinked as her hands got big.
They seemed to be thrice her size and it seemed to only be her hands.
"... are they heavy?"
"I-I don't think so," the girl said as she held out one to him and Obito grabbed the digit before humming.
"I wonder… it seems more like you simply get stronger as they grow, they just feel like normal hands, don't they?"
"Yu-huh!" The girl said as Tooru came around to look at them.
"Whoa, they're bigger than me!" She said as Itsuka blushed a bit. "Can ya lift lots of things with 'em?"
"Y-Yeah, they help a lot when we're doing spring cleaning," Itsuka said as her mother nodded as she and Ippan turned their heads.
"She's able to lift the couch," the woman said with some disbelief still shining through, it seemed. "I-It's not perfect, she's only a little girl, but I-I'm pretty sure that's not what kids, even nowadays, do."
"I'd imagine," Kai said as Masaru hurried back over with a wooden dagger in his grip.
"Here you are, Tenko-kun, it's one Goto-kun used a lot, actually, to teach knife drills," he said. "Itsuka-chan actually knows some of these."
"She does?" Obito said with interest before humming. "... Itsuka-kun, how would you like to spar with Tenko-kun?"
"S-Spar?" Itsuka looked both anxious and excited, eyes alight with fire. "Sure!"
"H-Huh?" Tenko looked a bit fidgety. "I-I'm about to spar with a girl?"
"Only if you want to," Ippan reminded him. "Itsuka-chan could also just spar with Tooru if she wants."
"You can fight?" Itsuka asked the rubbing-the-back-of-her-head Tooru. "D-Do you also know some martial arts?!"
"A-A bit?" Tooru answered unsurely. "I-I learned my own kind from nii-chan."
"You can teach us our OWN martial arts?" Itsuka looked on the verge of exploding as Obito hummed before shrugging.
"I know a decent amount of combat arts to teach you how to use your quirks to their utmost," he said and the carrot top squealed a bit as her mother looked to Ippan for confirmation.
"Obito-kun's been teaching me swordsmanship," she explained. "And Tenko-kun is learning dagger forms, and Tooru-chan is learning evasion-based combat."
"I-Isn't he eighteen?" Mrs. Kendo asked.
"Seventeen."
"I-I'm sorry, are we sure he's still a teenager?!"
"Obito-kun's background is steeped in a deep family-based culture," Masaru chuckled a bit and Ippan was left wondering if he really knew the truth behind the Uchiha name. "He's got lots of aunts and uncles with differing skills and attributes. I know he's worked on a far quite a few times, actually."
"I have," Obito said. "Accounting, farming, most menial chores, cooking, fighting, calligraphy, and more, I've enjoyed learning them."
Ouryu flinched while Himiko tilted her head.
"But we've gotten off track. Are you up for it, Tenko-kun?"
"... A-Alright," Tenko nodded, messing with his wooden knife. "... it's almost the same weight as my other one."
"Goto-kun was a big man, he was easily almost seven feet tall," Masaru said as the group blinked. "He needed adjusted tools."
"Alright," Tenko nodded as he walked over to the girl who grinned. 'Girls are so weird,' they weren't like his sister.
"Over here," Obito said as he got up before leading them to a bit of the mats nearby. "Let me double-check. Itsuka-kun, how long have you been coming here?"
"Nine months!" The girl said. "T-This place had no problem with people with quirks and I made a friend!" Itsuka added as he smirked.
"Gotcha. Then you'll know what is and isn't in your league, at least on some level," Obito nodded. "Tenko-kun, you'll be going into a spar, you've done this before, this will be new for both of you."
"Y-Yeah," the Decay Kid nodded. "Y-You'll stop us, right?"
"Of course, though you two will just have a win condition, a rule that tells you when the spar is over. For you both, the aim is to get three hits on your opponent, don't try to hurt each other but you both should always be prepared to take hits. No fight ends harmlessly when both sides are of equal experience so don't let fear control you."
The two nodded as he reciprocated.
"Back up a bit."
Doing as he said, Tenko breathed out and pulled down his mask before assuming a general stance.
With his legs widened, with most of his weight on the back one, he held up his arms, the one with the wooden dagger held in front of his unoccupied hand.
Itsuka looked on with a focused look, assuming a basic boxing stance.
"Alright, are both of you ready?" Obito asked, arm raised, standing between them a bit back.
"Yes," Tenko said.
"Yes, sensei," Itsuka said.
"Then let the spar… begin," he brought his raised arm down.
Once he did, Itsuka inched forward while Tenko did the same.
'He's around my same level, right?' She thought. 'Or is he better than me?' Itsuka wasn't sure but if he got to train with a strong guy then he must have been pretty tough!
She'd hoped to get in closer, he had a weapon and she didn't, so Itsuka could be forgiven for being caught off guard as Tenko got in close like a phantom.
"?!" She scrambled back, stumbling, as his knife barely missed her chest. "Eep?!"
Tenko's eyebrows furrowed as he chased her, knife swinging around for her stomach.
He landed his hip as Itsuka hit her rear, whining a bit as he flinched.
"A-Are you alright?" He asked her, fidgeting a bit as Itsuka nodded a bit shakily, getting up and looking embarrassed.
"A-Are you alright, Itsuka?" The girl's mother asked and the small carrot top blushed more with a bashful nod.
"Y-Yeah," Itsuka pouted a bit as Masaru chuckled. "Mmm."
"Regain your focus and composure, Itsuka-kun," Obito said simply as Eri pat his cheeks, the image hard to take seriously. "Focus. You'll need to be able to recover on a dime and be prepared for battle once more if you're going to live out your goal," he advised as the girl perked up before nodding rapidly.
"Y-Yes, sensei!" She declared, regaining her stance as she felt some excitement bubble into her chest. "I-I'm ready, Tenko-senpai."
"Huh?" Tenko perked up before looking pleased. "I'm a senpai," he realized as Ippan giggled with Itsuka's mother.
Tooru made a 'grinning' sound as Masaru chuckled.
All the while, Ouryu cupped his chin with a frown. 'He's connected, seemingly very well off,' he winced mentally at that burned bridge. 'And ridiculously capable physically,' hadn't there been something about assassins?
Had this boy who was barely an adult really brush off an assassination?
Himiko felt her nerves twinge as she watched them… be happy.
That wasn't fair, how come she had to have a mean dad and annoying mom? H-How come Himiko Toga had to be punished for not even doing anything?! Why did she get ignored?
Her eyes furrowed and she wore a neutral expression, circling the perimeter of the group unnoticed.
The two kids were at it again, the sight of it confusing Himiko to no end.
Tenko was a boy and he was older, he'd be stronger, wouldn't he?
Then she watched as Itsuka actually got in a counterattack which didn't hit, mind you, but it was enough to confuse the little bloodsucker.
'That's not how it works,' Himiko huffed as she found her place behind Ippan, leaning around the tall woman… girl? She didn't know, she said she wasn't a lady so she'd stick with teenager! 'Hmm,' what should she do?
She had to figure these people out, they didn't make sense and it hurt… her head, only her head.
Nothing else.
Back with Tenko, the boy barely slipped out of the way of one of Itsuka's rather fast punches. 'She's so small and fast!' And Obito had said he wasn't pretty quick on his feet, too!
Tenko considered his next move as Itsuka grinned, looking more alive now than she'd been earlier.
The Decay Kid breathed in a shaky breath before he switched it up.
Himiko tilted her head at the new stance with interest.
Similar leg distance but a bit more narrow, his posture was also straighter and the boy's knife hand was held by his cheek opposite the arm with his free limb held out.
'What's that?' She blinked as Itsuka asked on a similar wavelength.
"Y-You changed it up?" The young ginger asked curiously as Tenko nodded.
"Nii-chan taught me two different forms," he explained as Obito hummed. "O-One's basic knifeplay," Tenko said once more as he firmed up his stance.
Itsuka looked more excited as Tooru giggled.
"A-Alright!" She grinned as she inched closer towards the boy before dropping the pretenses altogether and rushing the nervous-looking Tenko.
Her fist swung out at his stomach, smaller size giving her a slight advantage-
Tenko rolled past her before tapping her on the stomach as Itsuka stumbled a bit.
"H-Huh?!" The girl turned to see the boy getting up and regaining that stance once more. "W-When did you?!"
"Oh?" Masaru shot Obito a look that the young man chuckled at.
"It's a stance and mindset for getting into an opponent's guard. At least, it works well with close-quarters combatants who have to get in close and are of similar height," the Uchiha explained as Tooru nodded.
"I'm super good at it!" The invisible girl declared as Mrs. Kendo sweatdropped.
"I-I've a feeling you're the best at it," she said as Ippan giggled.
"YEP!"
Back with the sparring kids, Itsuka tilted her head.
"Do you have a quirk, Tenko-senpai?" She asked the now-flinching Tenko. "?"
"I-I don't like to talk about it," he said with a wince as Ippan nodded. "Please."
"Sorry."
"N-No, it's fine, it's not your fault."
Himiko mentally locked onto that nugget of information. 'Was he told to also hide it?' She knew these two were too nice! 'I need to talk to him.'
If he wanted to, he could run away with her, it would be nice to have an actual friend.
"Alright, give me your best shot, senpai!" Itsuka said as she rushed him. 'I gotta focus,' she told herself.
She didn't want him to disappear on her again.
Tenko lunged at her last second and Itsuka rolled opposite the way she thought he rolled.
Recovering, she grinned at the surprised boy before going after him again, the boy looking worried before she blinked as he tackled her to the mat.
One tap to her neck and Itsuka gaped at him as Obito clapped, Eri on his shoulder.
"Well done, both of you," he said as the others came over sans Ouryu. "You're taking well to our lessons, Tenko-kun," Obito said as the boy grinned.
"T-Thanks, nii-chan, I-I kinda just tackled her when I didn't know what to do," Tenko blushed as he got off Itsuka and helped her up. "Sorry."
"N-No, it's fine! I mean it! I just thought you'd use the knife," Itsuka pouted as Tooru giggled a bit.
"You can't just think he'll use a knife, Itsuka-chan, what if he had rope?" She offered and the other girl looked confused.
"W-Why would he have rope?"
"It's not important to question that when it comes to a fight but what will he do with the rope is more important," Obito explained as the carrot top tilted her head.
"I-I don't get it," she said. "... S-So, you'll have to teach me!" Itsuka said immediately as he snorted while Ippan giggled a bit. "R-Right?"
"I'm already doing this, I wouldn't go back on my word but you'll have to understand, I'll be here one week every month. I don't live in Mustafu so I travel to get here from elsewhere," Obito explained as she nodded vigorously. "But, while you're either on your own or without your teacher which I'll be looking into," he said. "I'll figure out a small regimen for you to do so you can keep progressing, alright?"
"Yes!" Itsuka grinned.
"Well… I hope things will solve themselves, Obito-kun… U-Uchiha-san! I'm sorry!" The girl's mother bowed repeatedly in confusion as Obito shook his head.
"Either or is fine, I'm certainly not old enough nor respected enough around here to be stingy about it."
"Hm-Hmm, you've proven quite capable, Obito-kun," Masaru chuckled as the young man nodded.
"That's one of many, I suppose. For now, Itsuka-kun," Obito turned to the eager-looking girl. "Hmph, I'd ask you to exercise until I get back. I need to go over some paperwork and some maintenance checks. In that time, see if you can't do 30 push-ups, sit-ups, kicks, punches, 1-2, 1-2-3, and 1-2-3-4 combos, alright?"
"Alright!" The girl grinned. "The '4' is a kick, right?"
"Got it in one, roundhouse ones, by the way," he said as she nodded before hurrying to her sandbag. "... Tenko-kun, Tooru-chan, can you keep her company?"
"Sure!" The invisible girl cheered.
"A-Alright, I do the usual, right?" Tenko asked and Obito nodded. "Okay. I'll see you soon, nee-chan, nii-chan."
Ippan nodded. "Could you keep an eye on them, Kendo-san?" She asked the woman who chuckled.
"Of course, please, go handle your business," she said.
~NRK~
That's another one down the hatch and ready for submitting.
Before anyone asks, I'm working on Void Breathing 13, it's just a lot of planning, like always.
So, good luck, I'm gonna be doing as I do.
Ciao.
~NRK Out~