...
Frowning Izuku watched as Henri argued loudly with Orion. They had been arguing off and on for two days. Echo thought all three of them should go after Overhaul. There was a child's life at stake and they couldn't just ignore the danger. The second reason was more for the protection of the world and not just one child. One For All the only known quirk that could face off against All For One. If they hesitated the Ninth Holder currently a first year going into his second year at UA. Mirio Togata.
Izuku didn't know the specifics about One For All and how it worked. It was an enormous secret that didn't come out until after the Overhaul Raid during the first year of Katsuki's time at UA. Three UA students had died in the raid. Two of which were from 1A. Mirio's involvement with One For All had come out with his death. The public had been surprised and unsure if a One For All user could even be considered human. A group would call Mirio a Nomu in human form. A title that stuck even during the Fall when his abilities could have saved lives.
The final death happened after the raid due to his injuries. Sir Nighteye. Out of all the heroes Izuku could currently encounter that was the one he feared the most. Seeing their future could break the morale of the group. Then again they knew that no future was set in stone. Would it be worth gaining the hero's aid? He needed time to consider this option.
"You can't decide for us, Orion," snarled Henri, "This is a decision Delta has made and we will follow him in. Besides if we bring down Chisaki Kai now it is one less villain we have to stop or kill later."
Orion snapped back angrier than Izuku had ever seen him, "You aren't ready for Overhaul! He will kill you!"
Izuku questioned with his arms folded across his chest, "Your quirk, Orion? Or is it that you're underestimating us?"
Orion flinched and stammered out, "I..I..."
Izuku raised an eyebrow. It wasn't his quirk then. If it was then he wouldn't be so nervous about answering Izuku.
He paused and took a breath to calm himself before he answered, "It isn't my quirk but I know you three. You are not ready to face down Overahul. Especially not for a rescue mission where a child is involved. Izu... No Delta listen to me. This can only end in tragedy either on our end. Or that little girl dying. Please listen to me!"
Izuku did listen and he did consider it. However he could not standby and allow a child to be abused. Not when he knew and can do something about it. In his original timeline he had prayed that someone anyone would see what was happening to him and care. No one did. He would not subject another child to such a fate.
Slowly Izuku shook his head and said, "I'm sorry Orion. The moment I learned about what was happening to her my intervention was guaranteed. We will however need to take precautions. Henri, Zach," both men stiffened and looked at him, "Make your just in case letters and decide who you're going to give them to."
Their eyes widened before glancing at each other. Then they bowed their heads agreeing, "Yes, Delta."
Orion could only watch as the three departed. His eyes shone with anger and frustration. Izuku felt for his friend and mentor but this had to be done.
...
Light snow fell as Izuku climbed up the side of the agency building. It was a tall building that at first glance wouldn't appear to be a Hero Agency. In fact it wouldn't appear to have hand and footholds. Izuku was skilled at finding them in unexpected places however.
Izuku was in his new gear appreciating how it moved with each movement. It was warm and he didn't feel the bitterly cold wind through it or through the gloves. Even his face mostly covered as it was, was protected from the wind. With each passing moment he was becoming more comfortable in his new gear.
Finally he was able to pull himself up onto the final ledge just outside of the window he had been aiming for. Izuku pulled the cloth mask away from his face and took in a breath of cold air. It was refreshing.
From his position Izuku could see out over the district. Not a lot happened in this area given how close it was to Best Jeanist's Agency. Criminals were too afraid of the Number Four Hero. Villains would regularly choose to go after easier targets. Which was why Musutafu was such a prime target even with UA close by.
Izuku huffed. Something wouldn't ever change but he would do his best to make things better for his home. Even if it meant giving Best Jeanist everything they had on All For One's movements starting next year. Names and dates. At least the ones that Abbott knew. It wasn't a perfect list but it would have to do. Jeanist was the one adult he trusted in this world.
Carefully Izuku turned on the ledge so that he could look into the window. As he expected, Jeanist was inside at his desk. Despite being a Daylight Hero Jeanist didn't hesitate to work late nights as needed. With the introduction of Katsuki to his household these late nights became fewer but something must have come up.
So not to scare the hero more than necessary Izuku rapped his knuckles lightly against the glass. No matter his efforts, Jeanist still startled significantly at the sound. His head searched side to side looking for where it came from. Then reluctantly looked behind him as if he was expecting a scare.
The look turned into one of shock as the two stared at each other. Izuku smiled and gave a short wave. Jeanist looked at him like he was a ghost. Did he break the hero?
To his surprise the man rushed over to the window and opened it. Izuku pushed himself through it and stood out of his crouch. His knees cracked loudly causing Jenaist to wince.
"What were you doing on the window sill?" Questioned Jeanist in a higher pitched voice showing his discomfort, "Better yet how in the fuck did you get to the window? This is ten stories tall."
Izuku answered as he pulled off his bag, "Easy really. I climbed the building. The views from up here are positively gorgeous."
"They are," agreed Jeanist with a soft smile before he seemed to remember how exactly Izuku knew that, "Why are you climbing up the side of my building? I have a front door and my receptionist knows to let you in whether I'm here or not."
Really? He didn't know about the open invitation for him to use the facilities. Honestly he thought the offer had been a joke. Or if he was serious that it was only for when Jeanist was there. He made a note of it to look into later.
If there was a later. His brow furrowed at the depressing thought. This could very well be his last interaction with Jeanist. For some reason the thought made his heart hurt. Jeanist had been good to him.
"What's with that look, Izuku?" Questioned Jeanist, "That's more serious than I expect from you outside of patrol."
Izuku didn't answer. Instead he bent to a knee and opened his bag. Right on top was a file, a letter and a notebook. It had all the information Jenaist would need to take up the fight. Just in case.
He held them out to Jeanist who took the three objects with obvious wariness. He didn't open them and seemed to be confused as to why Izuku would be giving them to him now.
Rubbing the back of his neck Izuku explained, "We are going on a dangerous raid in a few nights. Because of the nature of our work we wanted to have a backup plan. Just in case we don't make it back."
"It's that bad?! What kind of raid? If you give me some time I can raise a group to help. Who are we facing?"
There was genuine concern in Jeanist's voice and eyes. Not for the first time Izuku realized this man truly cared if he came back. He wanted Izuku to be safe and at the same time wouldn't try to stop him from doing what needed to be done. That was what made him different from other adults.
He wanted to tell Jeanist who they were going after. To have backup would make their mission much easier. He trusted Jeanist with his and Katsuki's lives. Trusted the man with the truth of their situation. Surely he could trust him with this.
Izuku opened his mouth to accept the offer when he remembered the pictures from the raid in his original timeline. Heroes and police with horrific injuries. Three students dead, practically torn apart by their enemies. His hands shook at the thought of Jeanist dying because of him a second.
Slowly he shook his head and whispered, "Not this time Jenaist. We will be able to do it ourselves."
Jeanist didn't take that however and asked holding up the objects, "Then what is this about then? You have never needed a backup plan before."
It was true but he wasn't willing to back down on this issue. They would take care of Overhaul without Jeanist.
Resolutely he replied, "The answer is no. We know what we are doing Jeanist. Making a backup plan was a long time coming anyways. The second fight with Quake made us realize just how vulnerable we are. I hope we never need it but just in case I want you to hold onto these."
"Izuku..." Whispered Jenaist in a pain tone.
That's what broke him. He headed back for the window and before Jeanist could say anything more he began to scale down the building.
Halfway down he heard Jeanist shout, "Use the door next time!"
Golden eyes watched as Izuku retreated acros into the night. Unseen by vigilante or hero.
...
Early in the morning Naomasa walked into his office as he took a sip of his bitter coffee. It was too early for his taste but he had paperwork that needed to be done. So unfortunately an early morning it was.
When he looked at his desk he blinked in surprise once and then twice. On it was a letter that had not been there when he left the night before. There was a pang of fear in Naomasa's heart and he didn't know where it was coming from. More likely than not it was just a thank you letter from a victim or family member of a victim. He got them every now and then so it wasn't that uncommon. The receptionist would put them on his desk after running it by one of the drug dogs. The one time there has been a laced envelope was enough for the entire office. Yet the fear did not go away as he nearer his desk and he almost called out to Sansa who was close enough to hear.
When he got close though he could see the handwriting on the letter. It was familiar and he recognized it. It was from Delta, or Izuku. Had he discovered that Naomasa knew his name? Was it for his way of saying goodbye?
Before he could open it however he read what the writing said. Don't open unless we don't come back. What the fuck did that mean? Then his phone pinged.
Snakelady's Nightly Annoyance
Escapedvigil: Sorry about the breaking into your office, Pantsonfire. I didn't want to answer questions that it would undoubtedly bring up.
Pantsonfire: When did you change my name? No wait stupid question. Better yet why did you put a letter on my desk?
Sleepyhobo: You got one too? Nezu said he was holding onto mine so I didn't open it. Apparently he caught Charlie breaking in. Escapedvigil the air vents really?
Pantsonfire: I did but what are they for?
It was silent for a long time. Naomasa was almost tempted to tear open the envelope just to find out what the hell was going on. Finally they got an answer.
Escapedvigil: It's a just in case measure. We are going after someone soon and they are dangerous.
Sleepyhobo: Who are we going after I'll form a Task Force?
Escapedvigil: No. Not you. Just Echo, Charlie, and myself.
Naomasa's blood ran cold. They were doing it again. Taking everything upon themselves without even considering taking someone else with them. They were just kids. Why? Why did they feel they had to take the weight of the world onto their shoulders? Aizawa must have felt the same even though he didn't know the full truth.
Sleepyhobo: If you don't know if you'll come back alive you should let a hero go with you. Damn it! You have backup now! Let us help you.
Pantsonfire: Delta... if you're unsure about a raid and your safety you should let us help. Our agreement stays true
Escapedvigil is now offline.
Sleepyhobo: FUCK! WHY WONT HE LET US HELP?! What is so important that they have to go at this alone?!
That was the question wasn't it?
