I wandered into the Development Studio and the same time, there was an explosion. I ducked just as a large, metal ring flew at my head.
"That's the third time in half an hour..."
I straightened up, looking at Power Loader. He didn't even turn around from the computer. "Your stuff is ready. I think."
I nodded and walked over to the table where my gloves and sheath sat. I picked up the gloves and put them on. I was about to pick up the sheath, but Hatsume appeared beside me.
"I managed to fit a naginata, two Sai's, a Wakizashi and a bow with a few arrows. You'll need to look after those arrows, as there's not many and it was very hard to develop them. They're made of a metal substance that would be compatible with this sheath."
"Uh, what's a Wakizashi?"
"It's basically a smaller version of a Katana, but just as deadly."
I nodded. "Right. Good to know. So, it's all ready to go then?"
"Yes. If you want anymore weapons, just let me know! I'll keep working on more arrows. Now that I've perfected those few, it should be easier to make more! Give me about a week and I should have been able to make another, say 50, depending on time."
"50?! You really are amazing, Mei Hatsume." I grinned at her. She grinned back and gave me a thumbs up.
"Oh, I know that! I'll see you!" She went off to do whatever it is she does when she's motivated.
I grabbed my stuff and walked out, heading back to the dorm. I started thinking about my time here at UA.
I thought about when I first arrived, USJ Incident, Hosu Incident, classes, my classmates. I had been training every chance I got. I would go to Recovery Girl in my spare time and have her teach me about healing. I had learnt a lot about her quirk, but still knew very little about my own. Hers was fairly straight forward with using someone's stamina and energy to heal them quicker, but mine was a little bit more elaborate than that. Mine didn't use the patients stamina, nor did it use my own. Recovery Girl and I both are stumped as to how my healing works. Regardless, we had been able to strengthen it little by little.
My Reveal had been difficult to practice, since I had to practice on someone else. Not many people had the time or would practice with me.
My shield and weapons quirk was pretty basic. All I had to do to practice with them, is summon them whenever. I had been allowed to do this in some classes, as long as I didn't disturb the other students. I could summon or create small weapons, like daggers or arrows, then get rid of them again continuously through class while trying to concentrate on my schoolwork.
Then there was my Mapping quirk. I still didn't know where that come from, but it seemed similar to that Yellow Pussycat's Search. It had also crossed my mind that this weird new quirk, teleporting or warping, had something to do with it. I had tried calling it Teleport or Warping quietly out loud, but neither seemed to fit what was actually happening.
"Hey, if you've got trash, then bring it here!"
I snapped out of my thoughts and watched as Kirishima walked up to Bakugo with a bag.
"Bakugo, thanks."
"Right!"
"Please take this, too."
"Give it here!"
"Mine, too!"
"Mine, too!"
"And mine!" I covered my mouth as Mineta had to literally drag his to Bakugo. Poor Bakugo. You wouldn't catch me touching Mineta's!
"Thanks!"
"Merci!"
"Thanks!"
I nearly lost it when he started shouting. "You stashed too much away, you bastards!"
I went to walk past him. "Don't worry, Go-Go. I'll take mine later."
"It's my job to do it!"
I shrugged and kept walking. "If you want to do it that badly, you know where I am."
I went up to my room and pressed my hand against the door, dialing Doc's number at the same time.
"Kurogiri wants you."
I blinked. "Wait, what?"
"There's a meeting tonight and for some reason, he wants you there. I told him about the dorm system, but he's insisting."
I didn't reply for a minute, thinking. "Well, it's not like he's going to call the school and ask how I got permission to leave, I guess. We should be safe."
"Shouldn't you be more worried about this meeting? He wouldn't tell me details, only that you're required to be there."
"It's fine. He wouldn't try anything for fear of pissing off my brother. You told him after everyone's asleep?"
"Yes. He agreed. He says to message him when you get here."
"Alright. This shall be an interesting night..."
Later that night, after I had appeared in my room in the warehouse, Kurogiri arrived through his own warp-gate.
"I'm not in the habit of being summoned, especially by you. What do you want, Kurogiri?"
"Well, that's the first time you've said my name."
I narrowed my eyes. "Stop beating around the bush, and spill it."
"There's a meeting between Tomura Shigaraki and Overhaul."
I tapped my chin. "Overhaul...? I've heard that name before..."
"He's the new leader of the Shie Hassaikai."
"The new leader...Oh! I know them! Wait, haven't they been basically wiped out?"
"Almost, but Overhaul is starting to move them back into the light."
"I see..." I turned to Doc. "What do you think about this?"
Doc's arms were crossed, and his eyes didn't leave Kurogiri. "I don't like it. As irrelevant as the Shie Hassaikai are these days, never underestimate them. This sounds dangerous. Almost like a trap."
"Perhaps, but regardless, her presence is required. We need to leave. The meeting will be starting soon."
Doc stayed silent, waiting for my decision. I sighed. "Alright. Let's go. Then bring me straight back."
Kurogiri bowed his head slightly. "Of course." He opened a warp-gate and held out his arm. I looked up at Doc.
"She comes back as soon as it's over. In one piece. Am I clear, Kurogiri?"
"Perfectly. Shall we?"
I stepped through the gate and onto a platform. Kurogiri appeared beside me and the gate disappeared. He pointed to a space between two crates, looking down to the warehouse where the meeting was to take place. I frowned at him, but he waved his hand.
I sat comfortably, making sure I was out of sight. Looking down, I spotted Tomura, Toga, Compress and Big Sis Mag. I frowned again and looked behind me to Kurogiri. He just stood there, with his smoky hand to where his mouth would be.
"Hey guys, I've brought him! I'm back!" I heard Twice's loud voice and looked down again, intrigued. "He was a surprisingly good guy after I talked to him! He said he wanted to talk to you. Isn't that disgusting?"
So. That was Overhaul, huh? He didn't look overly intimidating. Jeans, sneakers, hoodie. Brown hair, average height, couldn't see his eyes, but I dare say brown or blue. Basically looked like a normal person under the age of 30. That is aside from the fact he wore a big, plague mask over his mouth. It was a huge beak shaped thing, red and yellow in colour. He also wore a pair of white gloves. Gloves? I remembered something Doc once said to me.
The only reasons someone wears gloves in this society, is one: if they're cold, or two: There's a reason, and it almost always has to do with a dangerous quirk. Take mine for example. I can turn mine on and off, but what happens if for some reason, I can't control it? It's too dangerous to not wear the gloves.
So, what was Overhaul's quirk, then?
"You brought a crazy big fish, huh, Twice?"
"Big fish? That's ironic. League of Villains." This Overhaul guy's voice was muffled from the mask, but I could still hear him clearly. I wondered briefly how long he actually had that mask for.
"What? Is that guy someone famous?"
"Master showed me a picture of him before. He's what you'd call 'yakuza'. The young head of the Shie Hassaikai."
"The young head of the Shie Hassaikai...So he's the number two of organized crime? Oh my, I've never seen anything like him! He smells dangerous!"
"'Organized crime'? How's he different from us?"
"Alright. Let me tell you. In the past, there were lot's of scary groups that ran the underworld. But, after the heroes started thriving, they were unmasked and disbanded. And once All Might appeared on the scene, that era was over. The survivors who hadn't been caught became designated villain groups. In other words, they were treated like villain reserves just scraping by to make a living under the watch of police."
I thought about Kaiji and his father. I wonder if his father was one of these people...
"Frankly, they're obsolete and should be a protected species."
Protected species? I scoffed quietly. I don't think these guys need protection, Compress. Just watching this guys reactions as the conversation went on confirmed that for me. He didn't move an inch or shift his eyes. He was confident in his presence there.
"So, why is this impoverished yakuza boy here? Are you also on a high because of All Might's retirement?"
"No. It's less about All Might and more about the loss of All for One."
I tensed. Oh hell. He shouldn't have said that. He really should not have said that!
"The emperor of darkness who ruled over all of the underside of society. My generation treated him like an urban legend, but our elders believed they had a reason to fear him. Even after he was rumored to be dead. But this time, he showed up in the flesh. All Might retired, and All for One was thrown into Tartarus. In other words, right now, for both those in the sun and those in the shadows, there is no leader."
I frowned. No leader, huh?
"So then, who will be the next leader?"
Who indeed...
"If you know who my Master is, and you're still still saying that...Are you here to challenge me? I'm the next leader. Even now, I'm gathering my troops. Our numbers will increase soon. And with that power, I'll crush hero society starting with it's head."
"Do you have a plan?"
"A plan? You little...You came here to join us, didn't you?"
"A goal with no plan is called a delusion. If you present me with a delusion, then how am I supposed to react? What are you going to do after you increase your forces? How do you plan to manage them in the first place? What kind of organizational chart are you trying to create? Starting with the Hero Killer: Stain, there was also Muscular and Moonfish. They were all first-class game pieces, but you lost them right away, didn't you? Did you not understand how to use them? You can't even manage ten or so crazy people, and you're talking about increasing your forces? What'll you do after gathering power that you can't control? You need a plan in order to achieve your goal."
Look, mate, you're not wrong, but you talk way too much...
"And I have a plan. I didn't come here today because I wanted to join you."
Wait...What?
"Twice, don't bring people before checking their intent."
"In order to execute my plan, I need a lot of money. There isn't really anyone willing to invest in some obsolete, small-time yakuza. But it'd be different if I had you guys, with your increasing name recognition. Put yourselves under me. I'll show you how well I can use you. And then, I'll become the next leader."
I dead-panned. Go home, and die.
"Go home." I grinned as Tomura spoke at the same time as my thought. I blinked as Big Sis Mag jumped up and attacked Overhaul.
"Sorry, yakuza boy, we didn't come together to be under someone. I met up with my friend the other day. She's reserved and shy, but she's someone who is still my friend evening knowing my past. She told me, 'Those who are bound by the chains of common sense, laugh at those who aren't'. I'm here because I don't want to be bound by anything! We will decide were we belong!"
I watched closely as Overhaul removed his glove. I widened my eyes and went to shout, but I felt a firm hand over my mouth and an arm around my body, pinning my arms. "Hush. Tomura Shigaraki needs to learn."
I watched in horror as Overhaul touched Big Sis Mag's arm and her skin slowly started to bubble, until she finally exploded. All that was left was her pelvis and legs. I felt my eyes twitch and tears run down my face. I was shaking, but held in place by Kurogiri's grip. I felt like throwing up, but Kurogiri's grip around my stomach stopped anything from coming up.
"You all made the first move. Argh, that's filthy. That's why I hate stuff like this."
"Wait, Compress!"
I shifted my eyes and spotted Compress jumping towards Overhaul, his arm reaching out to him. I struggled a little, but the grip was tightened.
"This guy's trouble! I'll use my Compress to seal him away!"
He managed to touch Overhaul, but nothing happened. What?
"I can't use my quirk?!"
"Don't touch me!" He shoved Compress away, exploding his arm. I struggled again.
"No." I barely heard Kurogiri's voice as I watched Tomura run at Overhaul. I blinked as I saw a small flash of light and something landed on the floor. Overhaul noticed it too.
"Shield!" A big man wearing the same mask as Overhaul, and goggles, jumped in front of him. Tomura grabbed him and he crumpled to pieces.
"I see..."
"Tomura Shigaraki has to learn." I frowned and shifted my eyes to Kurogiri.
I looked at the scene below again as I heard The wall behind Overhaul exploded and people who I'm guessing were his minions, came through.
"If you'd started with that, it would've been a lot easier to understand what you wanted."
"That was close, Overhaul."
"You're late."
"I missed a shot. But there was enough immediate effectiveness."
I frowned. Missed a shot? That light. It wasn't a light, it was a reflection of something.
"Wait, where did you...? We weren't being followed!"
"It was probably someone's quirk."
"It'll be hard to make objective decisions like this. Right. It's unproductive to cut down each other's forces, anyway. We're even right now, with one corpse on each side. It's a good time to stop. Let's cool our heads and talk again another day. We'll owe you an arm."
I narrowed my eyes and growled through Kurogiri's smoky hand. You'll owe more than that, you murderous fuck!
"Bastard, I'll kill you!"
"Tomura, I can cut him. I'm going to, ok?"
"No."
"Let me take responsibility!"
"No."
"Wise decision, Hand Guy."
"It doesn't have to be right away, but the sooner the better. Think carefully, about your own organization and stuff."
Overhaul threw a card, which landed at Tomura's feet. I bared my teeth. I really wanted to cave that guys head in.
"Give me a call when you've calmed down a bit."
"Wait, you bastard! Why did you stop me, Shigaraki?"
"Jin, more importantly, take Atsuhiro to the doctor."
Twice started talking quietly to Compress and Kurogiri picked me up by the waist, his other hand still covering my mouth. I struggled a little, tilting my hand towards the floor.
"What is it?"
I could tell he wasn't going to remove his hand, so I shifted my eyes to the floor where whatever it was, dropped.
"Ah. I see. I saw it too." He moved away from the scene and created a warp-gate. "There was two. I will retrieve one later and give it to the doctor. He might be able to make sense of it. The other I'll leave for Tomura Shigaraki." He stepped through the warp-gate and placed me next to the kitchen sink, where I started to throw up.
I barely heard Doc next to me, asking questions.
"...What happened?!..." I felt him move my hair out of the way. Finally, when I'd finished throwing up, I turned the tap on and splashed cold water on my face.
"Kurogiri..."
"Yes?"
"Why? Why did you take me there? Why did you stop me from doing anything?" I turned on him, eyes blazing. "Why are you going to give us thing? What's your motive? You're Tomura's lackey, not mine."
"I'm not a lackey..." Kurogiri and I both ignored Docs comment.
Kurogiri stood on the other side of the kitchen bench. He didn't speak for a moment. "I am loyal to Tomura Shigaraki's master, therefore Tomura Shigaraki."
I nodded. I already knew that. I also knew he hated me and wanted me out of the way.
"However..."
I raised my eyebrows.
"...Tomura Shigaraki is...Difficult. Childish. Immature."
"...That's the same thing..."
"You, surprisingly, are a lot more level headed than he is." He stopped speaking, watching me.
"Meaning...?"
He took his hand out from behind his back and placed something on the bench. I frowned and went to look at it. A tiny dart? I looked up at Kurogiri.
"I am loyal to Tomura Shigaraki's master, therefore loyal to Tomura Shigaraki. However, the Master is also your master, Kitia Shigaraki..."
I widened my eyes, finally getting what he was saying.
"Take this dart. Analyze it. Figure out what it is. Do what you like with it. I've done my part." He went to walk away.
"Kurogiri...Wait..."
He stopped, but didn't speak.
"Why...Is that why you hate me? Because you feel like you have to be my keeper as well?"
He turned his head slightly. "I don't hate you. You're just an annoyance." He turned again, creating a warp-gate and left.
I scoffed, finally realizing why he had always said that. He didn't hate me. He didn't want me dead. I was just an extra person for him to deal with. To 'keep'. An annoyance.
I shook my head, smirking. "So. All this time I thought he wanted me dead, but in actual fact he was just keeping an eye on me and making sure I didn't die. Figures." I lifted the dart between my thumb and forefinger. "Doc..."
"Yes?"
"See what this is filled with. Overhaul said he had a plan, and my money's on it having something to do with whatever this is." I handed him the dart. "I need to get back before I'm missed."
Doc shifted his feet.
"What's wrong?"
"Kurogiri told me what happened while you were throwing up. I'm sorry about Mag...And Compress..."
I narrowed my eyes and set my jaw. "Overhaul is going to pay. He's going to pay for Mag, and he's going to pay for Compress. I'll make sure of it."
"What are you going to do?"
My eyes shifted to Doc. I didn't say anything, I just stared at him for a minute. "I need to get back before I'm missed. Call me when you figure out what that is."
He didn't speak for a few seconds. "Yes. I understand."
