Chapter 11: Stepping Up

"Did you see?"

"See what?"

Tomura let out a near growl as he slammed down the tablet in his grip, sliding it over to Deku. The green haired teen grabbed at the device to prevent it crashing to the ground off the high counter but took a moment to look over it with hooded red eyes, a neutral expression on his face as he remained almost unnervingly nonchalant.

"That fake Hero, that blonde gorilla, is going to be teaching at U.A! Stupid NPC is going to try to instruct other NPCs!"

"Word was he was supposed to last year but bailed for whatever reason, probably something about Hero duty. What a waste of planning that was." Deku gazed over the news article with the same near dead expression. "If he is actually going to be there this year however..."

"We can get back at him for Sensei." Tomura sounded near gleeful despite the venom. "Trying to pin him down while he's doing so called heroics has been a bust. Damn man is like a super flea with his strength and jumping away. Can you imagine in a school though? He'll be preoccupied with his precious students, trying to protect them in a confined space."

"And it's been another year... he should be getting weaker due to the injury Sensei dealt him..." Fifteen year old Deku reasoned, his mind beginning to turn. He reached over for one of his stacked notebooks and pulled it close, opening it. "This might be our chance. Plus the Doctor has been messing around with that project of his for a few years, at least one should be ready. I know Sensei saw to it before... Either way this could be it."

"The press can to do most of the intel gathering for us. They're so enamored with their precious Symbol of Peace they don't care what info is exposed, the for once helpful stupid NPCs. Media hounds."

"True, best take advantage of free resources. But it looks like we need to do some infiltration and I believe we have the perfect candidate." A ghost of a smile appeared on Deku's face despite the hollow look in his red eyes. "We can get back on track to fulfilling Sensei's wishes. Besides, the world needs to know the League is here and still kicking for those already aware of us."

It was time to fulfill his conditions as agreed.

"It'll be like a kick to the teeth." Tomura grinned widely in full view as he currently did not have "Father" upon his person; it was just the two of them alone in the base for the time being and he felt calm enough to not need the dismembered hand. His red eyes looked wild though a hopeful, longing tone entered his voice, "If we make enough noise Sensei will be sure to hear about it. We can finally see about breaking him out with All Might gone."

"We'll tell Toga-chan and Dabi when they get back with Kurogiri-san." Deku scratched at his notebook, starting to jot down variables and accounting for U.A. staff Quirks as he flipped open the Quirk Analysis notebook he used last year when brainstorming at All Might's possible position at the iconic school. He began mumbling as he scanned over the info, prompting Tomura to snort.

"Why infiltrate when we can burst in with a bang? A grand entrance that makes a statement. We've been in the shadows long enough nursing our wounds! We've been leveling up!"

"Before we do anything we need someone on the inside to confirm and get information. You can't go after them through the front door."

"Can't? As if that door could stand up against my Quirk."

"More like shouldn't for the element of surprise, but let's put that down as a backup plan." Deku wrote down the idea to literally gatecrash. Maybe it wouldn't be to that extent but more than likely it could be reformed for another strategy. "We've got a few months to plan before the school year starts. We'll be ready by then. We have to be."

"We will," Tomura grounded out as he grabbed at dart from the holder on the counter. With practiced aim he threw it into the grinning poster of All Might, nailing the 2D Hero between the eyes. A twisted smile formed as he glared at the mutilated poster. "It's about time we pressed f for the mighty Symbol of Peace, minus any actual respect."

Deku merely nodded as he scribbled, the emptiness he felt inside giving way to a slight twinge of hope, even relief. It would all be over soon. He just needed to do his part and leave it to the others. He had his role to play and that was it, he just had to stay put and not get into trouble.

It would work out. It had to.

"What do you mean you're sick?" Tomura demanded, instantly decaying the magazine he held. He let the remnants fall into the ground while Kurogiri heaved an inward sigh at yet another mess to sweep up, seriously considering investment in a vacuum cleaner or two, maybe even a robot vacuum.

"It means I'm not feeling well, duh." Toga snapped back though she hardly looked her usual self. Her hair was down, messy, and she was still wearing her purple pajamas covered with a grinning mouth pattern while her eyes were mere slits with fatigue and a deeper blush covering her face.

"You're supposed to be our infiltrator! That's today in case you forgot!"

"Oh yes, I totally planned to get sick today. Genius self saboteur, yep that's me!" Toga rolled her eyes though she grimaced as it made her headache worse. "I didn't realize you thought so highly of my abilities, Tomura-kun."

"Why don't you just try and get your butt out there? This plan hinges on you!"

"I can't do it! If I'm transformed and throw up I revert back within minutes, no matter how much blood I have! And I only have enough for roughly an hour!"

"Maybe you should watch what crap you eat!"

"It's not food poisoning! Or are you trying to pick on a girl's figure? Rude, eyes and hands to yourself!"

"Ugh, not this again, you weirdo."

"Seems like the flu to me," Kurogiri cut in, eying the situation as Tomura was clearly inconvenienced and Toga in no mood for a tongue-lashing. "Unfortunately the best cure is rest and keeping hydrated. I can go fetch some meds for Himiko Toga."

"And puking your guts out to flush your system." Dabi added, a hand propping up his chin out of boredom as he sat at the bar, watching lazily.

"Thank you, Kurogiri-kun. Nice to know someone cares!"

"I care, Toga-chan. It's concerning but it can't be helped if your Quirk is affected. For now you need to get better." Deku admitted, worried for his friend's current state but also the plan. There was a reason why one came up with multiple plans but who would have thought step one was going to be obliterated all together? His mind raced for another solution while Toga looked at him with a soft expression despite her feverish state.

"I could try for you Dekkun. I always give my be-" A troubled look suddenly crossed her face as she visibly paled, causing Tomura to jerk back to get out of range.

Dabi wordlessly held up the open trashcan next to him and Toga grabbed it before proceeding to hurl. Deku grimaced as she threw up, feeling their plan hanging more so dangerously by a thread.

"All Might is most likely doing heroics all day, according to his usual schedule for the past few years and months. He'll be away from U.A. so this is our chance to slip in and get info on the classes he teaches and what they have planned. The school year has barely begun they won't suspect anything within the first few weeks let alone days." Deku reasoned, trying to block out the sounds of Toga's heaves while Tomura snapped she take it to the bathroom before she snarled maybe he'd like a souvenir. "Plus the student Toga-chan is impersonating is only supposed to be gone for today. We have to get the ID back before the school realizes something is up."

"Maybe we can move it to tomorrow or another day." Dabi suggested, focused on the pensive looking teen.

"It might be too late then. We want to catch the students off guard as well before they get any real training."

"Here's a thought: how about you go?"

"Huh!?" Tomura and Deku exclaimed in unison, Toga preoccupied with her personal barf bucket.

"You're the right age for a first year. No one will be the wiser if you're in disguise. It just has to be a quick job instead of Toga integrating herself since she'd be pretending to be an existing student."

"Oi, who's calling the shots here?" Tomura demanded, bristling at the suggestion for multiple reasons. "You want to send Deku into that den of wannabe Heroes?"

"No... he has a point." Deku realized, thinking it over though his heart began to race. Him actually on the grounds of U.A? Could he pull off an infiltration as his first solo field mission for the League? Finally the first in how many years since he had joined and taken up a backseat role, advising and seemingly passively calling the shots. "I might be the only one able to pull it off. It's my plan after all, it's my turn to take a chance. Success takes precedence since this might be our only window."

"You're not-"

"Yes! Dekkun can do it!" Toga suddenly exclaimed though she looked worse despite the excitement in her eyes, clutching the trashcan close. "He can do it! He can act!"

Deku almost smiled grimly at that.

"That's three to one so far." Dabi pointed out, Tomura clearly unhappy despite his covered face. He tilted his head to glance at Kurogiri. "How about you, Mist Man?"

"I believe fully in Young Deku's abilities. Admittedly, I am not fond of the idea but it isn't my place to stop him. Tomura Shigaraki and Young Deku lead the League, I am but a means."

"There you go, three votes of confidence plus the kid's willingness. That's four. Majority rules."

"Yay! A makeover!" Toga barely managed to utter before proceeding to hurl once more, letting out a disgruntled sound as her enthusiasm was sabotaged.

"Yeah well we need a uniform first, genius. Didn't have to worry about that with Toga." Tomura pointed out grumpily, clearly seething that this had somehow turned into a democracy. "Can't just waltz in there without one. It's Deku's skin on the line, not yours."

"Giran-san has many contacts, I'm sure he could procure one on short notice, for the right price." Kurogiri pointed out, proud that Deku was stepping up to be in a plan rather than just the deviser.

"Just whose side are you on?" Tomura growled, earning a shrug from the mist man as he pulled out his cell phone, awaiting the say so.

"I can do it. Let's go for it." Deku gave a nod and Kurogiri proceeded to call Giran while Dabi looked triumphant with a sly grin and Toga gave a thumbs up as she apparently resisted another urge to throw up. Tomura let out a tsk, earning a slightly apologetic look from his foster brother but he cut him off before he could say more.

"Fine, it's your plan, Deku. Just don't be doing anything stupid so I have to pull your ass out of the fire. Brother's keeper and all that junk."

"Of course. You know I hate to be a burden." Deku gave a small smile though it didn't reach his dull red eyes despite his tone being sincere. "Besides I'll need your help for the new plan. Still up for gatecrashing?"

This earned a wide grin from Tomura, though it remained unseen, "Of course. Been itching to enter that level for months."

"Giran-san is able to provide a U.A. uniform though it will cost a bit. It will take a little but we'll have it within a few hours. I shall pick it up when he notifies me." Kurogiri announced as he hung up the phone.

"Perfect, we'll be in time for lunch break. Students all in one place, staff's guard down." Deku looked confident, the plan starting to take better form. "But about a disguise…"

"If we cover your freckles that should help, Young Deku, but your hair…"

"I have the perfect cover up for his skin tone!" Toga managed, momentarily powering through her sickness. She raced off to her room, apparently to fetch the makeup, trashcan still in hand.

"Just dye it." Dabi pointed out, gesturing to the youngest of the group. "Black would be easiest to hide his true color tone. If you want to wash it out right way get the cheap stuff. Maybe some hair gel too; change your hairstyle to really throw people, do the opposite."

"Let me guess, you used to die your hair in your rebellious youth." Tomura jabbed, earning an indifferent response from Dabi who turned away.

"Who's to say? Maybe you should give it a try."

"It's makeover time!" Toga sang as she rushed back, somehow managing to not look a complete sick person. This however was quickly undermined by yet another bout of tossing her cookies to which she swore into the trashcan's depths.

"Uh… maybe someone else should handle that. Go rest up, Toga-chan." Deku shied away, not really wanting to entertain the image of her having an accident on him.

"No!"

"You want to get him sick too? Go away you contagious bug." Tomura waved her off, looking disgusted. "Have to Lysol this whole place, quarantine in fact. Just hand over the makeup."

"My makeup, my rules! Besides, as if you know how to apply it properly!"

"I'm sure we'll figure it out." Dabi dully noted, gesturing toward the bathroom with complete disinterest. "You can check our handy work when you're no longer spewing your guts."

Toga looked about to argue before suddenly grasping her stomach and racing toward the bathroom, grumbling. The trashcan, apparently near capacity or rather tolerability with its contents, was forsaken. "Don't. Touch. His. Face."

"I shall go fetch those meds, as well as the other supplies." Kurogiri promptly formed a Warp Gate and vanished, leaving the assortment of teens to fend for themselves as they squabbled over who would lay their hands on Deku.

"You ready?"

"Whenever you are, the press is like vultures paired up with starving hyenas. There's no need to incite them, they're completely Hero crazy."

Tomura and Deku stood nearby the large building that was U.A. Before the massive entrance gate was a swarm of bodies, the hounding press who were muttering amongst themselves about possible sightings and interviews with the apparently elusive All Might; the man was evidently as slippery as an eel when it came to impromptu interviews. They were practically chomping at the bit for a scoop, for any bone to be thrown their way. One could say they were ready to climb the walls if it wasn't possibly electronically reinforced.

"Y'sure you didn't just want someone to walk you to school for your first day?" Tomura jest, titling his head toward his foster brother as his black hoodie obscured most of his features, hanging close to the buildings to avoid detection. He was rewarded with a light scoff, Deku clearly focused on the mission.

The younger teen had his back to him, wearing what looked like an authentic U.A. uniform while sporting black hair that was spiked. From behind one could swear he was an entirely different person. Even more so when Deku turned to glance at him, showing a freckle less face and pure red eyes that looked as droopy and lifeless as Dabi's.

This was their first field mission together yet why did it feel off? Especially when he looked at Deku who had really started to change a couple of years ago, the almost obnoxious enthusiasm and innocence gone. It was like something had been stripped away suddenly then slowly rebuilt before being peeled away once more to barely any resemblance of its original state.

The strategist had refused to divulge anything, save something about punching out a jerk; Tomura left it at that, knowing Deku had questions about his own backstory yet stayed his curiosity.

So help him if he ever laid eyes on those who had tormented the squirt in his previous life; if they had caused him to be as he was presently… hell wouldn't be enough to pay. Sensei had given him as a gift after all and he was his responsibility. He had to present Deku intact when Sensei made his return, he had to show he was responsible, capable. No one else was allowed to torment the squirt; he was his squirt.

"Watch yourself." He added seriously, coming out of his thoughts, to which Deku turned slightly, tapping his ear where an earpiece was hidden beneath his hair.

"Not exactly going in alone. You'll be able to hear and make contact in case anything goes wrong. Plus you can call the others."

"Ugh, I don't want the sound of Toga's puking filling my head. I'd just mute her mic."

"Heh, that'd be hard to forget. Okay, I'm switching the common, on your signal."

"Mission, start." Tomura grinned hand twitching with anticipation as he strode toward the gate, the press unaware of who was slipping into their circle, Deku at his heel but far enough to avoid drawing attention; the press was too engrossed to pay heed to an apparently latecomer U.A. student and a random bystander.

All it would take is one touch, and U.A.'s world would come crashing down. A single hand to bring their formidable wall crashing down in mere particles and to unleash the wild dogs of the media onto the school grounds. A single boy genius to slip in and make a fool of U.A.'s so called security. They would be none the wiser and this pleased Tomura greatly.

This was the day that would mark the beginning of the end of All Might and revenge for Sensei.

"I'm in." Deku breathed as he stood in a hallway of U.A. He glanced around to ensure there were no cameras or others in sight. It seemed everyone was indeed in the cafeteria on lockdown, though he wasn't entirely sure on its location. Leave it to U.A. to have all existing blueprints under lock and key somewhere on campus and no directory to be found; they made warping impossible for anyone unfamiliar with the innards if the school.

Signs above doors were his only indicator though thankfully there were a few on walls labeling which building held what courses and, as always important, which direction the bathrooms were.

From outside he could still hear the commotion of the media as they swarmed the campus, practically out for All Might's blood like demented fans, or rather rabid bloodhounds. Tomura had slipped away as the gate crumbled, letting Deku blend in with the swarm as he kept low.

Thanks to the confusion it was easy to split off. He hugged the sides of the yard, before cutting toward the H-shaped building's entrance, distancing himself from the crowd. He was able to slip inside without needing to use the ID they had swiped from Toga's intended victim, who was currently at home sleeping off multiple doses of chloroform, courtesy of Kurogiri.

"Move fast, you have ten minutes tops. Five more likely." Tomura's raspy voice came over the comm link as he monitored the situation outside.

"Right. I'm going radio silent until I'm done. Don't want to draw suspicion by seemingly talking to myself."

"A bit late for that, already a habit."

"Entering the graveyard." Deku rolled his eyes as he uttered the stealth code before switching off the comm, biting back a "later hater" as he attempted to focus. He had to be quick but stealthy, who knew when someone would pop up. Though thankfully the school alarms were blaring, meaning the students facility were preoccupied with responding to the imminent threat.

Activating his Quirk and letting it surge through his legs he made a dash through the halls, hoping he was maintaining a panicked student persona rather than an infiltrator scoping out the place. He dashed by a large door labeled Class 1-A, apparently empty as well as a few others before skidding to a stop before a door that had "staff" above it.

He glanced around before knocking on the door urgently, hand in pocket as he grasped a knockout gas canister. If need be he'd use it as a diversion to send the teachers towards as he could easily chuck it down the hall a ways using his enhanced strength; Toga had been coaching him in acting, though he knew a bit about on his own in selling a persona.

When there came no answer he pitched his voice slightly higher with worry, knocking again and calling, "Sensei?" After counting to ten with no response he grasped the door's handle and gave it a tug.

Thankfully it seemed in the chaos someone had left the door ajar, or perhaps it lacked a lock in the first place.

Slowly he eased the door open, peeking inside to make sure the coast was clear. Glancing back into the hallway to confirm the all clear despite the alarms blaring he slipped inside and shut the door.

A small sigh escaped Deku as he stood in the empty room, various files scattered on the desks. He eyed a nearby computer but made his way over to the desks, hoping what he needed was out in the open—hacking a computer system was out of his expertise, plus it didn't hurt to give a look around before attempting the navigate the school's electronic filing system. He scanned over the folders and gingerly pushed them aside, memorizing their layout. All Might's schedule had to be somewhere to tell his courses and lesson plans.

U.A. students were known to be away from the grounds for various training exercises and field trips. Message boards had betrayed that much from apparent alumni as well as those who didn't make it to graduation. However the school seemed to have someone on PR and social media duty to make sure no secret locations were exposed as messages were marked as edited or removed perhaps because they gave too many details.

All Deku needed was confirmation of when All Might would be away from U.A. but preoccupied with students.

"It would pay to have a spy in here. If only Toga could go long term..," Deku muttered as he flipped open various files, skimming and memorizing. It was unlikely the Number One Hero was instructing the General Studies, Support or Management departments. That meant he needed the Hero Course files so he could ignore classes C through K. For the top hero school A and B were who to look for, the future Hero candidates hoping to go Pro.

He glanced at the nearby clock on the wall, noting he had roughly three minutes left out of the estimated five. His attention shift back to the files, scanning until he saw tabs marking "1-A" "1-B" on some folders pushed off to the side.

He snatched the two up and opened 1-B first. Inside on top was a ledger noting the homeroom teacher as well as what looked like an attendance sheet. Various papers were behind it including a sheet with photos of the students with their names noted but nothing of their Quirks like one would find in a yearbook.

So Vlad King was in charge of the second first year Hero Course class; there was no mention of All Might as an instructor and Deku frowned, quickly placing the file back where he found it. He flipped open Class 1-A, heart thudding in anticipation as he silently pleaded this to be the right one.

Like the previous file a ledger sat on top with the class's attendance, noting the homeroom teacher as Eraserhead—so Dabi was right about that rumor, but that meant things were instantly more tricky with that particular Hero on the grounds as his Pro name said it all: erasure.

Noting that extra challenge to plan around, he flipped the page to look at the staff listing for other courses and had to take a breath.

Foundational Hero Studies. All Might.

This was it.

Quickly he took out his portable scanner and carefully waved the wand like device over the paper, digitally scanning the document. Using just a phone would be ideal but there was the risk of the photo being hard to read or the phone being damaged so it was precaution to do both.

With his heart racing with excitement he turned the page and looked over the next document: a form citing leaving the grounds for special training at someplace called U.S.J. For the excursion Eraserhead was listed as supervisor and instructor as well as Midnight and... All Might.

Attempting to calm himself, Deku scanned it and took a photo using his phone with his free hand as he read it over quickly. The permission to leave the grounds had been granted and the date was for... in two days!

"They really are an intense course. Classes only started a few days ago." Deku continued to speed-read, turning the page in hope to find more about the mysterious U.S.J. Sure enough there was a blueprint with notes scribbled on it. Perfect, Kurogiri just needed to know the coordinates and infiltration would be easy; if not, they could always use satellite photos to pinpoint it thanks to its shape if no informant could offer up its location.

Deku glanced up to see he had one minute left and hurried to scan and photograph the blueprint. The facility had to be in Musutafu too; they just needed confirmation.

Absorbed in thought he moved on to the next piece of paperwork only to find a similar class photo type roster. Nineteen faces gazed back at Deku from the paper—apparently out of twenty students one was invisible—but one in particular made his breath catch, his heart in his throat. Spiky ash-blond hair and intense sharp red eyes that were all too familiar, including an odd expression that looked caught between a scowl and grin that screamed dangerous excitement.

He was here. Of course he was.

He'd always been told his Quirk was incredible and he had repeatedly swore one day he would be better than All Might and be the next Number One Hero. Of course he'd want to attend where All Might graduated from, the number one ranked high school for heroics and declared top Hero Academy in Japan. Ambitions aside, he looked exactly like his younger bully self and it made Deku want to throw up and scream all at once.

Kacchan was in the same building as him.

The boy with an explosive temper and penchant for violence to get his way was actually going the distance with his dream. On his way to becoming a Pro Hero while he had crushed Deku's childhood dream repeatedly.

U.A. was letting in someone with his talent despite his clear attitude problem? His past aggression toward anyone he saw as beneath him? Blatant use of his Quirk in public despite the law banning none licensed use? Though because Deku had never filed formal complaints against his former childhood friend, on top of teachers turning a blind eye, there were no official records of his savagery.

The so-called top Hero school was admitting the worst kind of villain without even knowing it: a sheep with a golden fleece that dazzled everyone, ignoring the wolfish grin and power hungry eyes. A wolf in sheep's clothing.

A low beep from his phone jarred him out of his state, nearly dropping it as he quickly checked it. Tomura had texted: One minute. Dogs being wrangled.

Deku took a deep breath while counting to four before exhaling after a second, counting to four once more. He was here for All Might, for Sensei's objective, nothing more.

Kacchan was a small fry, an explosive bully who Deku had no reason to be afraid of any longer; he had a Quirk of his own and was in company of people that would make the average person's hair stand up. He wasn't the same Deku that had been left beat up on the playground; he'd come too far.

If he did recognize Deku the jerk probably wouldn't care and if he did he'd probably try to strong-arm him, intimidate him, into caving. However unlike before Deku would not budge not let himself be a doormat.

Deku blinked, feeling his Quirk tingle beneath his skin. He would have his time, just not yet. First came toppling All Might and then he could focus on how to deal with his rediscovered childhood bully. The blond wouldn't be going anywhere unless U.A. tossed him out before graduation and that meant Deku had all the time to figure out how to deal with him; after all he had studied Kacchan for years and could easily replicate his notes from his childhood of the explosive bully.

Deku quickly scanned and photographed the roster before tucking the pages back together and in order. He moved to fix the files on the desks as he had found them, whether stacked or sprawled as if someone had been in the middle of reviewing them.

Less than one minute left; he had to get out before any staff walked in on him. He slipped his phone and scanner back into his pockets before reaching up to tap his comm link to turn it back on, "Got it. I'm on my way out."

The line buzzed for a moment before Tomura's voice greeted him, "Good, hurry up, Beansprout."

"See you on the other side." He affirmed, keeping the line open just in case as he headed for the door, sliding it open and glancing around to confirm no one was around. He stepped out of the room and slid the door close gently to avoid a loud bang.

Taking a breath and sticking his hand in his pocket to double check the portable scanner and his phone he made his way down the hall, backtracking the way he'd come. As he rounded the corner he almost ran into what seemed to be a moving a wall, jumping back in surprise.

"Whoa!"

"Sh-"

Deku stared at the tall blond haired man he had almost plowed into who in turn stared at him, apparently biting back a curse in English. Though it would be more accurate to call him a skeleton given his thin face and dark eyes. Despite his impressive height the newcomer was slouching slightly as if tired or perhaps attempting to look less intimidating.

Deku's heart pounded, lacking intel on the person presently standing in the hall with him. He felt vulnerable despite the others swearing his disguise was perfect: his freckles concealed, his hair dyed black and spiked, and his eyes fully red so there was no remnant of Izuku Midoriya or defining feature of Deku. Still, it didn't stop the gut feeling he was exposed like a cockroach in the middle of the kitchen floor.

Both seemed startled and floundering in what to do, clearly not prepared for any encounter. It would have been comical at the amount they apparently were sweating though the blaring alarm did little to calm nerves.

"At ease, young man." The tall blond skeleton spoke, his voice deep and reassuring with a hint of familiarity as he was calm and level despite his earlier startling. He held up his large hands in reassurance, "It's all right, it's a false alarm. Given I haven't seen you around you must be from one of the other courses."

Deku quickly nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

However he must have had an incredulous expression because the man held out his hands in mock surrender though his expression was kind, "I'm indeed with the school though as a special case. I'm certainly not part of the press, the cause of the hubbub as far as I can tell. Destruction of property for the sake of an interview? Shameful. All Might's not even here."

Right, the security wall aka the "U.A. Barrier."

Well, technically the destruction wasn't the press' doing. In fact, the one responsible was lurking nearby, waiting for him to finish as the comm link was still open and thus was probably listening in on the conversation the best he could.

"I'm fairly office bound however so it's not a surprise students don't know me. They're more enamored with my boss, All Might. I serve as his secretary."

"Oh?" Deku couldn't help himself as the man continued, feeling his Quirk hum through his veins, ready to be released if he stopped his mental hold on it. All Might's secretary? This tall man who looked like death warmed over?

What would All Might do if he tried to take this man right now? Take him like he took Sensei? Would he be viable leverage, worth the risk of deviating from the plan?

He looked at the skeletal man harder, trying to pick up on anything that would hint his Quirk. Despite the man hardly looking like he could fend for himself, there was something that made Deku's skin prickle with caution that apparent easy prey was not necessarily without some kind of trap.

The man stood there at ease, almost too helpless like a mother bird pretending to be injured to lead a predator away from her young. Just what was his Quirk?

"What are you doing here though? Everyone should be in the Cafeteria."

That jolted him out of his thoughts. Right, the Cafeteria. The perfect place to corral everyone and keep them out of their way. Why couldn't this man be part of the "everyone?"

"I... I was in the bathroom when the alarm sounded and panicked. I got turned around and thought the teacher's lounge, the staff room, was safest because... you know, they're Pros?" He lied, managing to look embarrassed at the prospect of being caught with his pants literally being down. Indeed he felt himself blush at the stupid excuse, knowing the other side of his communicator was probably laughing if Tomura heard.

Of all the strategies he could come up with why did that one have to come out? He mentally banged his head in shame.

However the excuse seemed plausible enough to the man as he nodded with understanding. "We can't decide where we will be in a crisis, only what we can do. Whether in the Hero Course or not, that was quick thinking to get help and seek out means of protection instead of going with the flow blindly. Very promising. What is your Quirk if I may I ask?"

Deku's tongue would have turned to lead if he had not practiced his answer for years, lying through his teeth, "Analysis. I sorta obsess about things and pick them apart."

"A strategic Quirk, that makes sense." The man nodded, a grin slowly forming on his pointed, seemingly emaciated, face. He extended a large thin hand toward Deku, "Name's Yagi. What's yours, young man?"

"Akatani, sir." He swiftly replied, it rolling off his tongue with perfect ease; he had prepared it for some time: his alias to his alias. Yet another layer to shield the boy who was once Midoriya. He held back on giving a first name unless prompted as a full name would narrow down the search in the large school if inquires were made.

"Pleased to meet you." The man shook Deku's offered hand. "You'd best hurry along, looks like the crisis has been adverted, Akatani-kun. I think your fellow students should be calming themselves now. "

Deku noted the alarms indeed had ceased within the past few moments and realized his window was closing. "Right!" He started to turn but halted, remembering to quickly bow before bolting past Yagi, toward where the Cafeteria apparently was. Once he rounded the corner he double-checked his location before heading toward the meeting point as he took a few deep breaths, feeling proud of himself as adrenaline pulsed through him.

He slipped out of his U.A. jacket and flung it over his shoulder as if he were casually wondering the campus while forgoing the uniform's red tie, done by Kurogiri, and pocketed it. After glancing around he quickly stripped off the white uniform shirt and bundled it with the jacket. He proceeded to loosen his hair from the gelled spikes as he passed an outside water fountain, regaining his shaggy look as he rain a wet hand through it.

Sporting a plain navy blue long sleeved shirt that blended with the shadows underneath his disguise, he eased his way toward the entrance where the press was still being shoved back through. Present Mic was shouting something about All Might being away on Hero duty and that trespassing coupled with destruction of private property meant legal action. He could not help smiling with pride that the staff really seemed oblivious to the heist he had just pulled off.

"Have a good first day of school? If you're grinning like an idiot that better mean you double-checked your success."

Deku looked up at the familiar voice, grinning almost dangerously as he managed to slip through the mess of reporters back outside onto the street. "Of course. I even took photos on my phone just in case. Ran into someone unexpectedly but it's fine." The smile grew wider and Tomura seemed surprised, judging from his body language as he ducked his unmasked face so his hood hid it.

Deku puzzled for a moment, catching something that sounded like "mirror" but that was it. Before he could ask, his mouth opening, Tomura promptly snagged the bundled up uniform jacket and shirt. He pulled it out of reach before using Decay, disintegrating the clothing instantly as the two walked nonchalantly.

Deku started to protest, thinking of what Kurogiri might have had to fork over for the probably authentic uniform but Tomura beat him to the punch.

"No evidence." Tomura informed as mere fiber particles remained, barely big enough to call dust. He looked at Deku before abruptly flicking his forehead causing him to wince and slap his hand over the injury as the older teen began slinking off to the shadows of the next nearest building. "Come on, Mr. Pants Down. Let's get that crap out of your hair. Black's not your color."

Deku rubbed his forehead, flushing over the nickname but hurried after as he ran a hand through his shaggy black hair, eyeing the dark tips. Tomura pulled out his cell phone and tapped on it before raising it to his ear, "Kurogiri, achievement unlocked. Bring us back."

Instantly a Warp Gate appeared before the two and Tomura gestured at Deku to go first. "Come on, MVP."

"Wha, really?"

"Pft, yeah. Missed your play of the game though. Being the lookout is overrated, assigned support party member role is boring."

"If you say so, senpai. I thought you were the DPS with that move. That was pretty cool."

"Shut up and get your kiss up ass inside."

Smiling, Deku entered the Warp Gate with Tomura close on his heels, leaving Musutafu behind. It all went off without a hitch, save a minor hiccup that seemed like nothing in hindsight now that he was off the school grounds. His first time back in Musutafu and his cover hadn't been blown despite the unexpected encounter as well as his discovery regarding the student files.

Kacchan was at U.A. His former childhood friend and tormentor was easily within reach yet in a whole other world, unaware of Deku. As sickening as his unjust privilege was, Deku couldn't lose sleep over it. He wasn't worth the agony.

Today he could be proud of himself for his success, of his progress.

U.A. had no idea what was coming their way, who had infiltrated their pristine grounds. Better yet All Might was in for a big surprise in just a few days. Nothing would be the same and with it Deku's life would change once more.

Though something within wondered at had things been different, was this was a glimpse of what could have been? Him a student of U.A. amongst prospective Heroes? A fragment of an alternate fate, another destiny, if not simply a forsaken dream?

As Deku disappeared into the portal all stray thoughts vanished along with him as he returned to where he belonged, where he was valued and would stay.

For now.