SMRY: Condiment and Ded Hands have a conversation and run into Japan's resident Magician. Elsewhere, Plague Doctor and Big Bad have a small meeting about a certain quirk, and the list of those in line to get it.
Desolation: A Tomura Shigaraki SI-OC
Chapter Twelve: Where My Haters
We walked in one of the older parts of town. The parts that had become more slum-like. Soon after Mustard had joined the League, we had made it a habit to wander around the more impoverished areas and provide help where help was needed. When we weren't volunteering at a soup kitchen or passing out money and food, we would talk about different topics as we passed the old and decrepit buildings.
In fact, this is what we were doing now.
"Is this why you had me lie about the quirk destroying bullets?" He asked me.
"Sort of." I replied after a second of careful consideration. "I had heard rumors that Overhaul was planning something that would 'level the playing field' against heroes."
(His methods are to be abhorred and thus he must be destroyed.)
"But that isn't the only reason." Mustard prodded.
"No." I admitted. "I wanted Jirou to tell the UA staff about your threat, as it might turn their attention towards the Shie Hassaikai."
"You want the heroes to take down the Yakuza."
(I dislike strategy games.)
I smirked. "Yep. I'm not sure about the other Yakuza groups, but the closest rival organization we have is the Shie Hassaikai."
"So you want the heroes to take them out for you." Mustard said with confidence.
"You catch on quirk." I replied to him as we passed under a canopy. "Having the heroes take them out would eliminate a rival without us having to sacrifice any men or any resources."
"Indeed! It is a very good plan." A third voice says.
(Who the fuck—?)
My eyes went wide as we both turned towards the voice behind us and prepared for combat. Standing on the canopy behind us was a man in a yellow trench coat, top hat, and a white mask depicting a smiling face. I quickly guessed that this was Mister Compress.
I relaxed myself, and Mustard followed my example. "And you are?" I asked him, even though I knew the answer.
"I, my good man, am Compress." The man leapt down the canopy and then did a deep bow. "Mister Compress. Magician. Actor. Playwright. Master Thief."
"…And why are you telling us this?" Mustard asked, hand edging away from the grip of the revolver.
"Because, my good man, YOU are both members of the League of Villains!" The man complained.
"Okay…" I began.
(Eccentric fucker, isn't he.)
"Then why are you talking to us? I doubt you want to be associated with terrorists." I asked, curious as to why he was here before the League had even declared it's ideals.
"Well, my good man, I normally wouldn't. Most of the terrorists that I know of just are taking out their rage at the world, or just causing violence for the sake of violence." The master thief turned his head towards the western horizon. "But you are a little bit different. Most wouldn't go out and actually bother to help people."
He…had been correct. Most criminals would not do anything for anyone for themselves. Most people would not do anything for anyone but themselves. A lot of heroes were the same way. Did I fault them for it? Only partially. It was what they were taught. It was how I was taught. Should I expect mankind to change as I wanted them too, discarding selfishness so that they could save one another? Should I expect them to tear down the walls between each other so that understanding—true understanding—could seep through and eradicate these systems built always on the suffering of others?
…Yes. I should. Because mankind cannot continue onwards like this. I carry this truth with me, as Mustard carries his sorrowful rage, as Twice carries his haunted voices, as Izuku Midoriya carries the legacy of eight chosen ones upon his back. If they could do all of this, then the least I could do was make the world better in my own way.
"Let's skip the pleasantries and get to the point, Mister Compress." I spoke. "Do you want to join us, and make a better world?"
I could not tell if the man was smirking under the mask or not, but the way he tipped his hat…
"I would be honored…Death Hand Shimura."
Overhaul took a sip out of the fine wine he had saved for such an occasion. The tests for the new quirk suppressing bullets had gone well, and he had been able to get a more effective dosage out of Eri today. If the girl hadn't taken to attempting to run away at the first sign of freedom, perhaps he would have let her out for a walk. Oh well, no use dwelling on the past.
The Yakuza boss looked at the ceiling. The girl should be more grateful. He thought. She is contributing to the eradication of mutations and deviancy in this world and returning it to something more…pure. That, and she is supporting the return of the Old Man's organization. Once the Boss has seen what I have done, I will return him to power, and together we can rule Japan as we were meant to…as Father and Son…
His thoughts trailed off as Kurono entered the room, a sort of nervousness in his posture. "Th-there's someone here to see us, Kai."
Overhaul set his jaw. "And who would demand the attention of the leader of the Shie Hassaikai—!" His voice froze as the man entered the room.
A small, portly man with a mustache and goggles entered the room, followed by a much larger man in some kind of brown cloak. Overhaul wasn't frightened of the man in the goggles, for he was confident enough in the fact that he could take on a man who looked to be in his fifties and probably wasn't in the best shape. No, he was cautious of the man whose lower jaw looked like it was made of solid rock.
"Greetings." The portly man said. "I am known as The Doctor, and I am here on behalf of a man named All For One."
Overhaul felt his stomach drop.
The fabled king…
Overhaul put on a smile made of glass under his mask. "And what have I done to receive the King's attention?" He asked.
"Your quirk suppressing bullets." The Doctor replied, pulling out a red, needle tipped bullet out of his white lab coat. "We…retrieved it from a small group of vagabonds that you sold it too." The older man placed the bullet back into his pocket. "But what is more interesting to me, Chisaki Kai…"
Overhaul almost lunged at the man for the use of his former name. Then he remembered the behemoth in the room.
"Is where the bullets came from." The Doctor put a hand under his chin, an unnerving smile covering his features. "Imagine. The most feared weapon on the planet…made from the blood of a small orphan."
Overhaul paled. Of course! Of course, he knew about the wretched child! Had the Doctor been sent to kill him? Or was there something else at work?
Overhaul let out a quivering breath. "What do you want?" He asked, trying to keep the steel in his tone.
The Doctor put on a Cheshire cat smile. "Someone wants to speak to you."
The behemoth reached under its cloak and pushed down on something that sounded like a button. At the sound of the man's voice, Overhaul was no longer Overhaul. He was Chisaki, small, weak, Chisaki Kai, who had nearly died of disease and hunger when he was living on the streets.
"Hello Overhaul. I wish to speak to you."
Overhaul took a few breaths, gathered all of his remaining composure, and then spoke. "A-and what do y-you wish to speak to m-me about." He stammered.
"Your goal. If I have guessed correctly, you want to return the Yakuza to its former glory, correct?"
Overhaul swallowed nothing, trying not to sob at the oppressive presence of the voice. "Y-yes sir."
"And you will do so through these bullets and the men you have gathered to you?" The voice questioned again.
"Y-yes sir." Overhaul spoke again.
"And what if…these were not your only resources?" All For One asked.
For a moment, Chisaki's heart froze in his chest. Then he opened his mouth. "You mean…"
"Indeed." All For One replied. "I am willing to offer you my research, my wealth, and even my quirk. All you have to do is prove that you are worthier than my other four candidates, and the power to rule Japan is yours…"
AN: Sorry this took so long. Work and school are proving to be a bit difficult. Anyway, next time we get Bone Hurting Juice going to Monke about advice on how to train combat-wise.
