The following week of school was unbearable.
All Tomo could think about every day and every night was the upcoming mission. Toru would be there. He could finally see her again. He had taken for granted what her presence had done for him every single day. Life without her had felt so empty. Tomo was focused and determined. No matter what it took, he would get her back.
Slowly, but surely, the week had passed and Tomo had been summoned back to Kyoto by Crust.
Tomo was instructed to immediately head to the meeting room upon his arrival. Despite it being just past sunrise, everyone else in the agency, including the recently returned Sakura, was already waiting for him. Tomo took his seat quietly and waited for Crust to begin.
"Thank you all for coming here so early in the morning. We are here to discuss our plans regarding the Cult of Amaterasu," Crust began steadily. He then turned to Sakura, who got up from her seat to walk to the head of the table.
Cult?
"Good morning everyone," the head sidekick greeted. "As you may or may not know, my Quirk lets me display a video of any memory that I have. I am here to share my disturbing findings regarding the religious group that worships the sun goddess Amaterasu."
Sakura then took off her glasses and turned her back to the room. On the blank wall in front of her, a video projected from her eyes, showing everyone what Tomo assumed was a video of her memories from her infiltration. He watched closely.
"The group has a massive following," Sakura narrated as the video showed her memory of her walking around the temple. "Most of them have your normal, run-of-the-mill Quirk. The prominent members have light-related Quirks. The higher ups…"
The video flickered and Tomo saw a pale woman with beautifully angelic eyes. She smiled at the "camera" and showed off her Quirk by making a clone of herself. "The higher ups have high-tier villain Quirks," Sakura concluded. The video continued flickering to show the Quirks of different people she had met. Tomo could see the potential power in nearly every one of them.
"How have they amassed this many individuals with such power without anyone noticing?"
"Isn't this a bit too much?"
"Should we request for some backup from another agency?"
The mutters from around the room continued as people voiced their opinions. Tomo could understand their concerns. Alone, any one of those people could cause problems for any hero outside of the top 50. Together, the potential was terrifying.
Sakura nodded before turning to Crust, who had remained quiet the whole time. He held a prominent frown on his face. "Crust? Any thoughts on what we have seen?"
"That first woman is the one," Crust replied. Anger was growing in his voice. "There's no mistaking those eyes. She's the one from that night I was attacked. They must have him. Mr. Tanaka must be somewhere there. We have to get him back."
"I deduced as much," Sakura agreed. "There were too many people for me to track so I can't say if I came across Mr. Tanaka unless you want to sort through the entirety of my memories, but I did come across someone else of interest."
A new video was projected.
"Oh! I am terribly sorry! I didn't… I didn't, uh, see you there. Not because… you know…"
"I know what you mean. Don't worry about it."
"Oh, right, where are my manners!"
"I am Saki."
"Toru."
The room was quiet as the feed shut off.
Tomo's heart was racing. She was so close. Toru was right there. Sakura had even spoken to her. He just had to go to that compound and drag her back.
The resident skeptic of the agency, the sidekick known as Mouse, spoke up. "It's a trap waiting to happen; no doubt about it. We can't handle this many people if a fight breaks out. Even if we had the firepower to forcefully retrieve Mr. Tanaka, the League of Villains getting involved could make it very messy."
"I absolutely agree," replied Sakura immediately. "Therefore, I have a plan. A non-violent one, if it goes well." She looked at Tomo. "We don't have to do this by force. We can retrieve our kidnapped victim subtly. Through infiltration."
"You want me to do it, I'm guessing," Tomo observed.
Sakura nodded. "Not only do you have the best Quirk for my plan, but you are also the right age and have a recognizable face."
"Isn't having a recognizable face a bad thing…?" Mouse asked.
"No," Sakura answered with a grin. "First of all, everyone here has a publicly recognizable face; it's a part of the job. The chance of any of us being recognized during the infiltration, while low, isn't non-zero. And, it's also true that Totality might get recognized for taking part in the UA Sports Festival. However, even if someone happens to recognize any of us, what's more likely to happen if someone suspicious appears at your compound? Them being a sidekick belonging to the top 10 hero agency? Or them being random first-year UA student, far away from UA and during the school year? No one will suspect Totality to be there so they'd just assume their recognition is mistaken."
"Ah. Makes sense to me."
"So what's the plan?" Tomo asked. "What do you need me there for?"
"There's a room in one of the temples," Sakura started. She pulled up another video clip. "I've only seen the highest ranked officials ever enter that room alone, but a few people have been escorted in there as well. There is something suspicious going on in there and I suspect it to be very important given how secretive they are about it. I tried asking around but no one could answer what's behind that door."
Tomo then saw Toru standing by the door in the video.
A part of Toru felt bad. Mr. Kan did say he would catch up to her, but she didn't realize just how long it would take. She had been waiting for him by the door as directed for nearly an hour.
"I'm so sorry, my dear," the old voice of Supreme Priest Kan called out tiredly. "Time has a funny way of slipping away quickly at my age." He slowly limped past her to open the door, fumbling his keys for a while before finding the right one.
He held the door open for her. "After you, child."
Toru stepped through the door and was met with the sight of a rather plain looking living room. Kan hobbled up past her and approached a bookshelf. He pulled out a book and retrieved a hidden key. Then, he approached a particular spot in the room and painfully bent down with a groan as he moved the floorboard. He inserted the key into the hidden door and opened it, gesturing for Toru to follow.
"What you are about to see, you must not share with anyone," Kan explained. "Everything here is only for the eyes of the Children of Light. If you tell anyone else about this, I'm afraid I will have no choice but to snuff out your light. Am I clear?"
Toru gulped, feeling the intensity of his words. "Crystal," she replied.
"Very good, then," Kan said with a smile. "Now, then, why don't we get started. Our goal is to see if you are the One. I will warn you, the ritual may be a bit uncomfortable, but nothing that will ultimately harm you. I ask that you bear with it with your strength."
"Alright…" Toru said a bit nervously. "And if this all works, I'll be able to talk to Amaterasu? Are you sure?"
"Yes. We have had prophets in the past who claimed to have spoken to our goddess, but their light has long since been dimmed, and the world turns to ruin more and more every day. We need the Light of Amaterasu to shine upon us once again so that we can cleanse the world of Darkness."
Toru kept to herself just how much she agreed with the idea of cleansing Darkness. She would bring up that idea again another time. "Very well. What do I have to do?"
Just then, the door opened and a man entered. "Ah, I hope it hasn't started already. You called for me, Noon?"
Toru and Kan turned to their visitor. "Ah, yes, Daybreak, perfect, right on time. You can help Toru here start the ritual and guide her to the Light. This is your first time guiding an awakening, correct? You should be more than ready."
"Noon? I thought your name was Kan," Toru asked. The question was redundant as she already figured it out with the context, but Toru needed to buy some time as she calculated the addition of a new variable with Daybreak's arrival. If this ritual went poorly, Toru was sure she could take down the old priest, but Daybreak was young, healthy, and potentially powerful.
"I go by both. Noon is my codename amongst the Children," Kan replied. "The name follows my position in this organization as its head much like the word noon represents the sun at its peak."
Does that mean Kan is the most powerful? Or is it just that he's the leader? If the position of the sun parallels their powers, then Daybreak would be the weakest? Or the one with the most potential? Ah, I dunno, this is so confusing.
"Toru Hagakure! Pleasure to meet you," Toru introduced herself.
Daybreak smiled kindly. "Tsukiro Tanaka. Same here. Don't worry, I may be newer here, but I am more than ready to guide your Light. Think of me like a senpai."
"I'll be in your care then."
"Very well." Daybreak gestured for Toru to sit. Once she did, he lit a ring of fire around them. Toru startled but Daybreak reassured her. "Stare into the Light. The fire will guide you to our Lady and reveal Her voice. Listen for Her call."
Toru obeyed and stared at the fire. It looked like just regular old fire to her, but she stayed quiet and tried to focus.
Daybreak held out a cup of liquid to her and a knife. "A drop of your blood is required in this before you drink it."
Toru looked at him skeptically before deciding to obey him anyway. She nicked her finger and let a drop of blood fall into the strange blue liquid that was clearly not water. "What is this anyway?"
"Drink," Daybreak commanded, ignoring her question. He then began chanting.
Toru frowned, beginning to think these people were actually just crazy.
"Trust us, Child," the voice of Kan rang out encouragingly nearby.
Toru shrugged and downed the liquid in one gulp, coughing as she did. It tasted terrible, but she felt no different. As she held the knife out for Daybreak to take back, her senses began to dull. Toru noticed this alarmingly.
Daybreak reached for the knife.
Toru felt her instincts screaming at her. Danger was imminent, but her body was beginning to go unresponsive. Just what was in that drink? She began to panic. What have I gotten myself into?
Daybreak continued chanting.
A dull pain, feeling eerily similar to a knife stab, tingled Toru's back before she lost consciousness.
Tomo watched the video feed end with Toru talking to an old man and then walking inside.
"This was taken 8 days ago last Friday," Sakura explained. Her voice was steady and objective, but the way she would occasionally meet Tomo's eyes began to make him feel nervous. "In the time that I've been there, I've seen 3 other people enter that building. None have since returned. That includes Shinechaser."
"Do you think she's…" Tomo began but found himself unable to ask the question.
"I don't know," Sakura replied honestly. "If they were able to take down someone like Shinechaser, then we need to raise our priority on taking down this group."
"I want in," Tomo declared. This was his chance to save her. There was no way he would turn his back on her now.
"Good. Crust, do you agree with me bringing Totality for this?"
Crust seemed deep in thought. While this was mainly Sakura's mission, Crust was still technically the leader of the operation. His silence showed Tomo just how troubled the man was about this whole thing. "I trust Totality with you, Sakura, but I would like to help as well. I know I can't just barge in there without drawing a ton of attention, but surely there is another way."
Sakura nodded. "I expected as much. Okay, here's the plan. I'll take Totality back with me. He is around the age of all the people I've observed going into that building and we will try to send him in there so he can report to us what's inside. He'll be hooked up to our communication system and Crust can stay on standby nearby in case things go south. Once Totality learns what we're dealing with, we'll reconvene and discuss our next steps."
"This is too dangerous!" Mouse exclaimed. "We can't send in a first-year into the belly of the beast like this without any immediate backup!"
"I can do it," Tomo declared confidently.
"We don't have anyone else in the target demographic available," Sakura interjected. "Unless we want to forcefully make our way in there, this is the only way that I can see. Every person I've observed going in there has been between ages 12 to 18. It has to be him."
"Then get a third-year or something! Someone with more experience," Mouse continued.
"I can do it!" Tomo repeated. "I can't just sit by while my sister is in there. Let me prove myself. I can do it."
Mouse turned to Crust, an annoyed expression on her face. "Crust! Talk some sense into them! You can't seriously be considering this!"
Crust eyed Tomo and Sakura. After a long pause, he spoke, "I want to be on the grounds the day he's approved to go inside. Somewhere closeby to intervene if necessary."
"Your presence will negatively affect the mission. If the League sees you snooping around, who knows what will happen," Sakura replied plainly.
"I'll go as a civilian. People will still recognize me, but if I go there just as a citizen taking a day off to pay my respects, it won't be as suspicious. There is no other way I can approve of this."
Sakura nodded. "Very well. There's one more thing. In exactly three weeks, there will be a massive festival. The Kannamesai Festival dedicated to their goddess. That is the best time to get our entire agency inside as it is open to the public. As much as I hate to use the public as cover, that will be our best chance to retrieve both Mr. Tanaka and Shinechaser. I must reemphasize, the goal of this mission is to complete it with as little confrontation as possible. We do not want to start a fight with anyone involved. Ideally, we will retrieve our two targets without any violence."
"When will you go?"
"As soon as Monday, if that's alright. That gives us just under 3 weeks to get assimilated and scheme."
"It's decided, then," Crust affirmed.
"Where is she?" asked Tomura Shigaraki. The agreed upon week has passed since the annoying cult had taken Shinechaser and the girl back wasn't with the cult woman who had taken her.
Yumiko smiled. "Toru Hagakure is resting within our grounds after a long and productive week. I did not want to trouble her with making this difficult journey when nothing of importance would happen. I have your cash right here in the briefcase." She held out the briefcase to Tomura.
Tomura frowned. "Is this some kind of joke? We had an agreement and you aren't holding up your end of the deal. You said you would return her after one week and we would further discuss our plans. Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you right now." He took a threatening step towards her and the woman frustratingly continued smiling at him, unafraid.
"You cannot snuff out the Light. If my Light dims, another shall take my place. My intent isn't to hide Shinechaser from you, Tomura Shigaraki. If you would like to see her, you are more than welcome to visit our temple and take in its glorious Light. Perhaps you may even come to appreciate our ways."
Tomura had enough. He didn't care enough about Shinechaser to personally check-in on her, but this woman was infuriating. He swiped at her, intending to Decay her on the spot. The woman flickered and Tomura's hand went straight through her. She smiled. "Violence isn't the answer here, Tomura Shigaraki. This is not a fight you want to start, especially when your numbers are spread so thin. Tell me, how many allies do you have present with you at this very moment?"
Tomura stared at his hand, confused, as he flexed his fingers. The woman seemed real enough but he couldn't touch her. She knew way more about him than he did of her and it frustrated him. Twice and Toga were still with the yakuza, Shinechaser was with this woman's cult, Dabi was off somewhere doing who knows what, and Kurogiri said he had some important mission to take care of. All he had available was a one-armed Mr. Compress and Spinner. As much as he hated to admit it, Tomura knew he was outmatched. At least while he didn't know what this woman's Quirk was.
"Fine," Tomura admitted through gritted teeth. "What do you want?"
"I want to buy Shinechaser from you. She is worth way more to us than to you. Of course, you will be properly compensated for her worth."
"Deal," Tomura replied instantly. It wasn't like he held Shinechaser in very high regards. Getting some more money out of her was a very good deal for him.
Yumiko looked a bit surprised at his quick answer. "Very well." She motioned towards the person driving her car and he came out with 3 more briefcases. She presented them to him. "This is triple what our agreed upon amount was. I hope this is enough to satisfy you."
Tomura took the case with a grunt and, deciding the meeting was over, turned to head back inside the hideout.
"Did it go well?" Spinner asked from inside. "I don't see the girl. Is she ok?"
"I have another target to add to our list. This cult. We're going to crush them after we deal with the yakuza," Tomura declared, ignoring the questions. "We just need the perfect opportunity to strike and then all of our competitors will come crumbling down one after another. Then, we can move on to the bigger picture."
A/N: Thanks for reading. I actually had to make a literal calendar to map out the days all the different events of these past few chapters. Keeping track of the timeline is tougher than I thought.