Chapter 33: Past Echoes
"The present changes the past. Looking back you do not find what you left behind."
― Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of Loss
Izuku
"Infiltrate? How and when?" He repeats.
It feels like his question falls on deaf ears though, Nighteye continuing on with his plan letting his inquiry bounce against the walls until it is swallowed up by the noise of fast typing and note taking by his peers.
"Now the concept of infiltrating Shie Hassaikai won't be easy. We will do it over a three to four week period; possibly up to two months if necessary though we want to get this done as soon as possible before anyone of them catch onto our plans." He begins.
No one says anything, the go ahead for him to continue on.
"The first one to two weeks will consist of gaining trust amongst their members and gathering information on how exactly their operations work not just in crime, but in other fields of healthcare, business, taxes. The third to fourth weeks once enough information is gathered will lead to a plan of taking down their Eight Bullets one by one and then moving in on their leader. Of course at any point this plan can change based upon how quickly we get information and can even take out his key members." Nighteye details.
"We bring in the aid of the other Heroes and police agencies during the latter parts I assume, right?" Mirio inquires at his pause for questions.
Nighteye nods, clicking to his next slide in his PowerPoint. "If all goes well, once his associates are taken down we will be able to get to him and Eri without his quirk hopefully causing too much trouble as from what we've seen so far it works by touch. This is a highly dangerous operation though, especially once we're in his foundation. Any further questions?"
'Relax. Don't overthink it.' Izuku reminds himself, but not even using Infliction on himself is calming the speed of his heartbeat.
Bubble Girl raises a hand beside him, Nighteye pointing to her.
"Is a week enough time to really get into their system? I'm sure any newbie is going to be looked upon with heavy suspicion for quite a while until they prove themselves." She questions.
Nighteye's gaze turns to him then, golden orbs shining; calculating.
"Not if the one infiltrating already has a negative reputation on their backs." He counters.
And it's then he feels everyone's stare upon him, surely reminded of his image strewn across the news, splashed across the headlines in Musutafu and the neighboring cities of Infliction's action in use.
'They really want me to do this?! There's no way I could earn Chisaki's trust in such a short period of time!' Izuku frowns.
Nighteye senses his hesitation, arching a brow. "Don't you want to help Eri? This is another way for you to get close to her by examining how her typical schedule is around him. I'm sure you'll find a window of time when he isn't around her that we can possibly use to our advantage."
Izuku nods, though his lips remain pursed.
"...Not like this though. She won't be able to trust me if she believes I'm working with her 'Father'. Not to mention, how would I even convince him to let me be a part of his organization when I'm sure he's seen that I'm already associated with U.A?" He relates.
"Well, isn't Shie Hassaikai in need of new members? Their numbers have dwindled from their heyday back in the late 80s and 90s. Despite your connections to the Pro-Heroes and U.A., I'm sure it won't be too hard to convince him of you wanting a 'change of pace' knowing how the media and rumors have conveyed you as evil and a menace to society." Centipede determines from across the room.
His stomach tilts as the others nod in agreement, this is truly happening then.
"Don't look so defeated or worried Midoriya. We will place a hidden tracker on you that will keep us posted of your location at all times should at any point this mission need to be aborted." Nighteye explains.
That doesn't make him feel better at all!
But he thinks again of Eri, of his Father on this potentially poisonous medicine already running through his system that this organization created, will continue to create and spread to others.
The others are dismissed leaving just he and Nighteye alone in the room. He clicks off his PowerPoint, gaze taking back to the city below. It's cloudier out today, sky a murky gray of coming rain. He follows his stare to the passing crowds, a sea of colorful umbrellas soon lining the streets as the rain comes down in a light patter.
"I know this is a highly risky assignment I'm asking of you. However, just like in the real world, not every task a Pro-Hero takes on will be simple or straight-forward." He explains.
He pinches the bridge of his nose as the words leave his lips, shutting his eyes at a sudden thought.
Izuku frowns, verdant eyes studying tired golden irises. He imagines he hasn't been getting much, if any sleep pouring over this case. He notes the empty coffee cups and crumpled power bars that fill the trash bin by his desk, appetite apparently evading him as well.
"Don't overuse Infliction! You'll be left with a headache for hours, maybe even a day! And then you won't eat properly!" Ochako instructs him, pulling at his cheek forcing him to meet her gaze.
Her eyes soften then, reddening feeling the eyes of a group of Second Years on them, didn't their lunch breakalready end 10 minutes ago?
"I won't or at least I'll try not to." Izuku replies.
Ochako snorts, loosening her hold.
"That doesn't sound very promising..." She trails off.
"You don't have to say it. All Might used to tell me the same, that I'm not taking proper care of myself when I get into the thicket of an assignment. I used to say the very same back to him, especially after that blow he took from facing All for One the first time. It was something we argued about quite often." He sighs and Izuku stiffens.
'I've never seen All Might argue with anybody.' Izuku considers.
He was even jovial with Endeavor despite the man's clear vitriol towards him.
He swallows, hoping his voice comes out proper as he asks what he's been wondering for a while now about Nighteye's old relationship to his mentor.
And the way he himself is weaved into it all.
"Your quirk, Foresight...did you ever use it to look into All Might's future or mine?" Izuku asks slowly.
Nighteye goes silent, fingers tracing the rivulets of raindrops down the window and he feels his chest knot as the overhead clock's ticking fills the quiet of the room.
Finally his gaze turns back to him, eyes sharp as ever. "I have. That is perhaps the downside of my quirk. I can't tune out the negatives or positives I will see or even see what my own future holds. I saw All Might's death even before he recently retired and I saw scenarios where you die at Kai Chisaki's hand and others where you triumph over him. My Foresight is usually perfect, but it seems to fluctuate when it comes to you." He murmurs, more to himself than to him.
"Now in saying all this, will it affect you taking on this assignment?" He questions point blank.
Izuku shakes his head, Sasaki nodding at his determined look.
'We're going to save Eri no matter what!' Izuku clenches his fists.
Because she came to Ochako that very afternoon for a reason, saw a rare opportunity to reach out for help that that may never come again if they don't move in now.
"So when do you want me to go in?" He asks.
A smile cracks through Nighteye's face, glad he's well and truly on board.
Though he's not sure 'no' was even an option for him.
"This evening. Chisaki is known to enjoy the finer things in life, often seen at 5 star restaurants in Musutafu's downtown district. Tonight, we've received word he'll be at The Riverbank Steakhouse at 8:00 pm holding another meeting; you're invited."
Katsuki
"Haven't I told you enough now?" He grumbles out.
Best Jeanist shrugs. "No, I decide when I've heard enough. This was our deal as you seem to be continuing to forget; now continue."
Katsuki slams a fist down against the table, nearly wanting to bang his head right onto the oakwood table in retaliation, it's like he wants to hear his whole fucking life story!
"What else is there to tell you damn it?! I told you when Deku's quirk activated and now he's at U.A. with me, even in the same class of all places!" He scowls.
Hakamada arches a brow, paying no mind to the pencils that spill out across his desk from his action.
"Well for starters since you're not getting what I'm hinting towards, why do you continue to refer to Izuku Midoriya as 'Deku' when he's clearly proven himself to be at your level or perhaps...even beyond it. Your envy for his quirks doesn't seem to run as deep as I initially thought, so there must be something else going on here." He explains.
Katsuki snorts, shifting back in his chair. "That's what you're so caught up on? I've been calling Deku that for years now. He even decided to turn into his Hero name."
Hakamada clasps his hands together, sighing. "Yes and I'm sure you just believe he's been okay with that since he never had to courage to talk back to you until now. Also, you don't even have a proper Hero name and no, Lord Explosion: Murderer Of All Villains isn't an acceptable public name."
Katsuki shrugged, he never took Deku's feelings into account or really anybody's besides his own.
Why should he anyways?
"All Might has told me Midoriya is taking on an assignment that puts his life at risk should he be caught." Hakamada begins at his silence.
Katsuki looks up then, scarlet eyes narrowing.
"We all take on dangerous missions, what does that have to do with me?" He grunts.
Even if he can't see it, he can sense Best Jeanist actually has the nerve to grin beneath all that denim he wears.
He moves to stand then, forcing him to follow.
A downpour has started outside, thunder rumbling in the distance matching his mood. Gray goes on for miles, raindrops drumming against the windows creating mini rivers along the pavements.
'How long am I going to be here?' He suddenly wonders.
It's been over an hour at least, he imagines Mom is going to be barking down his ear at him when he gets home, complaining of his lack of text or call that he was going to be late.
He has no idea what Best Jeanist is even getting at, but he knows bringing up All Might would get his attention.
Reluctantly, he accepts the can of soda he passes him, gazing at their reflections within the neon yellow glow of the soda and snack machines.
"Has Aizawa ever told your class the story of Oboro Shirakumo?" Hakamada asks, taking a seat at one of the nearby benches.
Katsuki plops down beside him, shaking his head.
He takes a sip of the lemon-lime drink, distracting his hands and eyes from the way his onyx orbs turn somber.
"Ahh, I wouldn't have expected him to have though I think it's one you should hear Bakugo." Hakamada relates.
He clicks his tongue to retort, but his voice feels dry even with the bubbling of the soda still on his lips.
Whatever happened can't be good.
"Shirakumo was a chipper guy excited to be a Hero, took to his work-studies with a passion that rivals my own for fashion. He was I guess you could say your Midoriya except Aizawa never bullied him; just annoyed the hell out of him with his constant positivity."
Something of a smile crosses Katsuki's lips before it fades, sighing.
There's always a 'but' coming with stories like these. A negative that makes all of those positive moments turn into buried memories...
"Then shit went down; huh?" He guesses.
Hakamada nods, staring at the forming puddles by the bushes.
"Yes, the anniversary of that fateful work-study is coming up. He died on a rainy like this protecting children from a villain's attack. It reminds me of you and Midoriya. You see, I don't want history to repeat; none of us do for the future generation of Heroes. The fibers and materials that bind you all just need a bit more strengthening." He murmurs.
Katsuki swallows, a single word that can hold so much power.
'Dead.' It echoes in the back of his mind like a record he can't turn off.
Gone before he even started his hero career, before he even graduated from U.A...
Hakamada crumples up his empty can before tossing it into the recycle bin, eyes darkening as he looks him straight on.
"Its similar to you and Midoriya in a way and that's why I asked All Might to give me more details of this plan Nighteye is doing, specifically his plans for Midoriya." He explains.
Katsuki's brows furrow together at his silence.
"...Well?" He scowls.
Best Jeanist raises a hand, still pausing for apparent dramatic effect, brushing a hand through his blond locks.
"He couldn't tell me much as he hasn't talked to him in years, so I asked Centipede as he's been an old client of mine especially for his suits. With a promise of a future discount, I was able to obtain an answer!" He finishes proudly.
Katsuki rolls his eyes at his theatrics until he abruptly pushes a finger into his face.
"Get ready Young Bakugo, you're about to help Midoriya with this assignment. Build your friendship back up from where it all went wrong!"
Katsuki crushes his can, not caring if remnants of fizz splash at his hands, unsure if he's being serious or not.
"What the hell are you talking about?!" He snaps.
But Best Jeanist is already behind him, combing and jelling at his hair much to his growing rage.
"I'm talking about that you'll be joining Midoriya on this assignment as a bodyguard of sorts. But first we'll need to do something about this hair of yours; it seems you haven't had a proper haircut in years." He hums.
"Oh fuck off!" Katsuki barks, hands crackling with flames about to blast his face off.
Hakamada casually cocks his head avoiding the blast that goes through the ceiling turning it a coal black, fibers snapping him in place onto the bench.
So this was all just an elaborate plan,
"Hold still, we need you to look like a proper young man and heavens knows you're not going to make it easy for me. We can't waste anymore time; you're needed at the restaurant by 8:00 pm sharp." He motions to his attire.
All his cursing is ignored and briefly as he moves to find a mirror does his mind flicker back to his story of Aizawa-sensei.
'It reminds me of you and Midoriya, we don't want history to repeat...'
All Might
"Wait, they're both on the case?! I don't think it's good to have the both of them in same room, it's bound to get volatile and blow their covers!" He warns.
Best Jeanist shakes his head, clearly not having spent enough time around Katsuki when he's causing a wake of destructive explosions to U.A.'s property.
"Nonsense, while I understand your concerns All Might, Young Bakugo needs to learn to work with others and the only way that will happen is if he's given more team-based assignments." He voices back with ease.
"Yes, but Shie Hassaikai?! This is what Sasaki has been working on for months and he's finally put a proper name to the face of its organization." Toshinori bellows.
"Trust me, this will be good for him. The boy can't be coddled like in his middle school days, needs to see what the real world is like for Heroes and-"
"Stop talking about me when I'm right fucking here!" Katsuki's voice cuts in and Hakamada sighs.
"Not to mention needing new lessons in manners." Hakamada ends, glancing back to Bakugo now somewhere off screen.
Toshinori chuckles weakly as they say their goodbyes, ending the FaceTime.
He certainly had his work cut out for him, but he did clean up nicely at least from the brief glance he saw of Bakugo's hair and black suit.
'I can only hope Young Bakugo doesn't literally blow his or Young Midoriya's covers.'
He turns his attention back to his paperwork, invoices he still needs to answer, and papers that need grading and review.
Just as he manages to get to his third page of documents does his phone ring out again, Gran Torino calling this time.
"Hello, your old sidekick is quite busy I heard with your mentee!" He mentions.
Toshinori nods before realizing he can't see him, forcing a small hum of agreement.
"Have you been reading the papers? It shows there's been a trickling rise in crimes related to petty theft, armed robberies, and assault/harassment of female passengers on the trains." Gran Torino brings up, the real reason for his phone call.
'I've been avoiding any type of news and you know that.' He groans internally.
For the longest time after all the news only wanted to discuss him, the end of the 'Golden Age' of Heroes as Endeavor stepped into his Number 1 spot. Interviews with people he rescued in the past and other Heroes he worked with going over his legacy. The more sensationalist and gossipy programs worry about the villains who will use his retirement to their advantage, the criminals that have been waiting for this moment.
But what stings the most are the comments for each of these various tabloid magazines and newspapers teaming up with the the media outlets, the ones that only want to point out all his imperfections.
"Did you see how skeletal All Might looked after that fight? Seems to me like All for One took the real win there."
"Lol, true! Never thought I would see the day I associate All Might with my Grandpa's figure!"
"Ugh, why of all people did it have to Endeavor? Like yeah I know he'll get bumped up from the Number 2 spot to Number 1, though he doesn't deserve it! He's always been power-hungry and this is just going to go straight to his head! I'll take skinny, coughing up blood All Might any day over him."
"Liar! The way All Might looks now a sudden breeze could knock him down!"
He's already gone and clicked open up one article's comments discussing his complete Hero timeline. Once he's clicked one, he's gone down the rabbit's hole.
"I shouldn't be doing this." He mutters, scrolling through the sea of comments on his true form, the good memories they have of his glory days, the worry for Endeavor stepping into his shoes...
"You still listening?" Gran Torino asks, startling him out of the message board and article enough to close out the tab for good.
"Yes! Err, no I mean! Ah, just repeat whatever you said." Toshinori repeats, taking in the storm outside.
"I was just saying Nighteye will most likely put Midoriya on the Shie Hassaikai case. He's part of that fallen Yakuza group. I've seen some of their handiwork lately in operations outside of crime and tattoos." He re-explains.
"Like what?" Toshinori questions, sitting forward in his seat.
"Healthcare, a 'fantastic little red pill' that takes away illness and enhances one's quirk. The side effects though...can be costly and sometimes even deadly from the current analysis." Gran Torino reads from some article he has close by.
He glances back up to his monitor, he's only managed to get 5 papers graded in the past hour.
Maybe he should call it quits for now, mind still too distracted watching the way lightning ripples through the air like a jagged river, rumbling at the windows making him stiffen.
'This is bad weather to be out in.' He purses his lips, lightning flashing white against a bundle of steel gray clouds as if in agreement with his silent assessment.
Villains often used weather like this to their advantage though...
So many of his students are probably at their work-studies, preparing for their last patrols of the day. He imagines Young Midoriya is about to finish up Nighteye's final paperwork, possibly if he's lucky get a front row seat to his unique way of catching and studying criminals.
'Or maybe he's throwing him right into the fire...' he thinks more grimly,
"How does this connect back to me? Recovery Girl never gave me any red pill that I can recall recently." Toshinori asks after a moment.
Gran Torino snorts into his phone and Toshinori can picture his crooked grin, annoyance that it's taking him so long to figure out what he's implying.
"Your mentee silly. His Dad took one of these pills as part of their clinical trial."
Ochako
"Err, I don't know if Galas and I truly mix!" Ochako mentions weakly, reddening as the light blue gown she had been eyeing is now being practically pushed into her hands.
Didn't he remember the last time she and Izuku went to a function?
"Not with that attitude! Come on, mingling with the other officers is a good way to collect intel and get a who's who of the big shots in the company to form connections once you're out on your own with your own Hero agency." Nishimura explains.
Ochako squirms, still unsure what to make of such a fancy dress.
Ayame, Nishimura's wife pokes her head in at their arguing, hazel orbs lighting up clapping her hands in delight.
"Oh so this is the little troublemaker! My lovely husband here speaks of you so often. Ahh, and is that my old dress that I wore for the annual awards ceremony for the Heroes?"
Ochako nearly drops it as if it's fire then, Ayame snickering louder at her fear.
"Don't worry; you're welcome to borrow it! Haven't worn it in years and it will probably fit your figure better than it does me!"
' I never wore fancy things like this until I started at U.A. Until I started dating Deku...'
Ah, she shouldn't have thought of him! Ayame's grin turning catlike; teasing.
Ugh, she could be Mina's twin with a grin like that.
"So...what's his name?" Ayame chirps questioningly, suddenly hovering by her side.
"Huh, what?" Ochako sputters, Ayame's grin simply widening.
"Who we're modeling this for silly? I mean this a multipurpose dress; doesn't just have to be used for a gala event! It's great for date nights or even-"
Nishimura tugs her back before she goes into a tangent.
"She's wearing it exclusively for work-study purposes only Dear! The police are having a Gala function tonight to discuss the next steps for dealing with Shie Hassaikai and The League of Villains." He explains, sighing at her huff.
They remind her so much of Gamps and Gamma.
'Seems like everything is going to have to be indoors if this weather doesn't let up soon.' Ochako frowns, she had been hoping to see how their light show would've gone off but these gray and black clouds look like they're hear to stay through the night.
"I wonder what assignment Izuku has been given." She murmurs, turning towards her phone.
Her text message had gone through, but Izuku hadn't yet read or responded to it.
She shakes out the nerves in her hands, silly to be thinking of love when her mind should be on Eri.
"I'm going to try it on now!" She announces, shuffling for the bathroom before either can speak.
Just as she's trying and failing to get the zipper up does her phone light up, grabbing it before it tumble off the ledge.
The All Might jingle she set purposefully for Izuku is coming through.
'Sorry I'm replying back so late! Nighteye has me running between tasks and is preparing me for an infiltration tonight! Don't be alarmed if you see some negative news coming about me, I warned Mom and Dad already too.' She reads.
It takes her time going over it twice, letting out a loud "Huh!" before clamping a hand over her mouth muffling her shock.
Her heart skitters in surprise, fingers turning clammy.
"Everything okay in there Ochi?" Ayame's voice floats in from by the door.
"Yeah, just making sure it zips up all the way! Be out in a second!" She calls back, trying not to start floating upwards in her rising anxiousness.
Her focus turns back to her phone, typing out a message quickly.
'What?! When?' She sends back.
A minute later his reply comes through and her stomach fills with knots, cold dread washing over her like water pulling her under. The sensation of drowning hits, fresh bile on the back of her tongue...
Even shaking herself off from head to toe doesn't stop this numbness from hitting her all over. Tacking on a smile to pose for Nishimura and Ayame like everything his fine when she finally walks back out.
"Looking good!" Ayame cheers as she does a twirl.
'Don't think about it!' She hisses to herself in warning, focusing her mind on readying herself to show the other officers all she's learned from Nishimura that will prove she's ready for a difficult case.
Cases like dealing with Shie Hassaikai's Eight Bullets.
Because this is what they must do to save Eri, get into the heart of her 'Father's' main base of operating and the associates that are aiding him in his experiments.
All the while Izuku's message repeats on loop, burning in to her mind for the rest of night.
'Tonight. I'll prove to him that I'm just what he needs for Shie Hassaikai.'
-x-
I know I haven't been properly editing my latest chapters and for that I apologize. It's my laziness and exhaustion for writing this story often at night after work; not a good excuse, but it's true. I feel like when I'm re-reading a chapter before I post it that it's fine enough how it is without a full edit/scouring for my mistakes. This story is hard for me write and stay motivated on at times and that mentality keeps me from updating and fully making use of editing it.
Izuku and Ochako are both going to different events, events where their paths may just inevitably across! Let me know your thoughts as always!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!