Azur Heroes

Chapter 17

Still no saving yet. Not without some other preparations. This isn't just something you could go in guns blazing and hope for the best after all. So I'll add some other details and pay off Izuku's thoughts and look. While also showing the strength of the shipgirls. Well one moreso given I've illustrated the other well. On with the show.

(No POV)

John Kotov currently had a very large smile on his face, despite the worry of the operation to come. That was thanks to two very important things he found out when he got in contact with his base.

The first was that Yorktown had fully recovered and was walking around and fighting again. "I'm so glad. I wish I had been there when you finished your recovery but…." Kotov trailed off before Yorktown addressing the matter.

"You were absolutely needed. Young Midoriya is strong and happy. And a big part of that is thanks to you. And you kept all the people of Japan safe while he was indisposed." Yorktown said with her usual understanding and caring smile. One that made the somewhat jaded warrior melt.

Cleveland smiles before saying, "you two are gonna make me jealous. Though I would say New Jersey clinging to you like that is doing it too." Jersey gave Cleveland a quick peace sign before saying, "dontcha just love him though? And all of us together will be great!"

Kotov rolled his eyes before addressing the other thing that made him smile. That Kathleen Bate and Hornet had gotten married in the time he was away. "Welcome to the family Kate. The very odd family. But remember what I said before."

"Not only would I not, but I know you'd be the thing I'd fear the least if I hurt Netty. I'm pretty sure E and Yorktown will be trying to put as many planes up my rear as possible." Star joked while holding Hornet's hand. And pulling her in close with a hug.

The commander of Botwa base nodded and thanked his colleague and comrade in hero work for the US. His smile fell a bit while noting that they would need many of them for the mission ahead. "I…. I really hate to ask to do this Yorktown, but I'd like you and Cleveland to be part of the fleet to meet up at Pearl. Take Alabama and San Diego with you. The rest, stay put."

Affirmatives were given while Star resolved to come with them. "This isn't just to support you bro. There were American citizens on I Island. It wouldn't be right if I didn't step up as a hero and save who I can." Kate said with a determined fire burning in her eyes.

John smiled before thanking the number one hero of America and telling them all to be safe. 'Okay. Now to get some other reinforcements,' he thinks before making his way towards the storage hanger.

He'd talked up that he had six cubes to work with, but in truth it was only three so Kotov would have to make them count. But before he could think about that, he spied Izuku scratching his chin and muttering to himself. While looking up towards where UA was.

"Something on your mind Izuku?" Kotov asked upon reaching the teen. Izuku raised his eyebrow before saying, "sort of. I was thinking of something Shinano said this morning. About a force beyond land and sea. And that made me think of heroes."

He reasoned that heroes would often go to wherever they were needed to save lives. Sky, sea, land, etc. "Her dreams and murmurings often come with a grain of salt, but she's not been wrong yet." Izuku said with a shrug before saying he'd talk to the commission and the admiralty.

Kotov nodded before trying to summon a few new ships. Unfortunately, the first one was influenced by his worry for Yorktown. "Hey! Don't stare at me like such an idiot, you pervert! ... I'm cute? Did you really think just complimenting me would make me happy? You moron!" the little catlike destroyer says to her commander while pouting at him.

He clears his throat before asking who she was. The destroyer's frown grows bigger before saying, "What are you looking at? Hammann is Hammann!" John recognized that name and said, "the little destroyer who tried to save Yorktown right?"

Hammann's eyes were wide before acknowledging it was accurate. "Why? You want to pity me?" she said while looking at him in annoyance. "Not at all. I'm hoping you'll still be willing to protect her. Now more than ever." John says before explaining the situation back in San Diego and where they were now.

The little white-haired destroyer grumbles a bit before saying, "okay then. I guess I can work with a pervert like you. If it keeps big sis Yorktown safe." John nods before patting her head. And getting scratched for his action.

He pulled the next two cubes out and got another destroyer and a heavy cruiser. "Fletcher-class destroyer, Smalley. Interests: kickboxing. I did radar pickets, patrols, rescues, diplomatic functions, and basically a bit of everything. My hobbies...? Do I really have to repeat what I said before?" the little blonde destroyer says while taking a kick stance.

"No. No I get it. And you are?" he says while looking at the scantily dressed sandy haired heavy cruiser. Who looked him over while licking her lips. "So you're the commander? You're looking at me almost like you want me to feel you up. Things will get fun starting tomorrow. I'm Chicago, fourth ship of the Northampton-class."

Kotov's eye twitches before bringing the two up to speed on the matters of the world and threats going forward. "I do have to wonder if the hero commission will really be up for helping us with this mission." John says with a sigh. Turns out (after waiting a few days) they were willing to hear them out, despite what Mirko had gone through and how the heroes were made to look.

"You sure you want to do this Izuku?" Kotov asked after talking with the teen. Izuku's gaze remained firm before saying, "we need the help. If what the refugees said is accurate, we need help in rescuing the people trapped."

John nods before suggesting that they bring a few of the shipgirls with them. In his case he brings New Jersey, Reno, and Laffey. "Now Laffey. You don't move unless I say so okay? We don't need them more afraid of shipgirls."

"Okay commander. *yawn* Laffey will just do something if you say my name." Laffey says while rolling her neck a bit. Kotov lets out a groan while Izuku calls in Shinano, Haguro and Kawakaze. "You're not taking Atago or Ayanami?" the elder commander asks.

Izuku shook his head before saying, "Atago is training and working to improve her skills with a few of the others. And Ayanami is undergoing the procedures you brought us up to speed on."

The procedures in this case being a full retrofit to bring Ayanami up to a similar level to Laffey. Her as well as Kinu after getting their hands on some extra parts and blueprints to improve them. "And Haguro?" Kotov asked while looking over the new girl.

Izuku shrugged and said, "I don't know. I just thought she might have some insights given her history. That and I thought some of the other ships should get some public exposure." Kotov returned the shrug while noting that Reno had been acknowledged as his sidekick so that's why she was going.

With their bodyguards/escorts/representatives chosen, the two commanders made their way to the main HPSC office building. "Ha…. I'm still not sure about this. Surely we can get support from the other fleets." Kotov said while adjusting his dress uniform. Izuku grimaced slightly before reminding the American about the renewed attacks on Pearl Harbor.

"Rassmussen's girls managed to find the refugees. But since then, the Siren's have been upping their attacks. We can't count on them being at full for this. Besides, if we're doing an infiltration mission then I'd like some others along who specialize in sneaking and underwater attacks."

John sighed while agreeing and they all tried to put their best feet forward for getting hero support. Though a number of them and the heads of the Commission were not willing to give much aid. "Look at what happened to me! Twice! What chance do we have against Sirens?" Mirko hotly demanded while drawing away from Laffey.

The main marine hero Selkie agreed with her. Noting how he and Gang Orca, the two who actually had water combat skills, were of almost no help when dealing with Sirens. "Both during and after the first attack. I lost my arm for crying out loud and Orca got his guts blasted open!"

"That's something we have in common Selkie." Izuku said while adjusting his own prosthetic. He then acknowledged that it would be difficult and possibly suicidal. "But in many ways that is what heroes do. You run into the fray to save lives. No matter if it costs you your own life. It's not as though you'd have to fight a large number of Sirens though."

Izuku then outlines the plan he'd built up to get into I-Island and save the prisoners. As well as accounting for some contingencies and complications that could arise. It impresses a number of the heroes, especially those more tactically minded. But there are others who are not impressed.

"Do you really think we can trust you? After what happened with Mirko as well as how uncontrollable your shipgirls are? I've even heard a number of them were originally enemies. What makes you think we can trust them or you?" the hot-headed Endeavor demanded with his flames roiling.

Kotov rolled his eyes while thinking of a few of the other heroes from the US. Including a different hothead in the top 10 who proclaimed himself John's rival. Not that the commander cared about that. However, this hothead was pushing some buttons that made John willing to call on his ace.

"You couldn't even deal with your own ship and keep them from putting one of our heroes in the hospital. How do we know you can keep those wayward wenches in line to OOOFFF!" Right as Endeavor was starting in about his girls, John called out "Laffey!" and the little rabbit leapt into action.

Before the hero could react, Laffey had kicked him in the face and broken his nose. Endeavor was about ready to unleash his fire, but Laffey was ready with another crippling strike to start a combo.

She ran forward and adjusted the gun section of her rigging to fire backwards. Then went down into splits before punching forward with a blast recoil from her guns. Right into Endeavor's testicles. Oh but she didn't stop there.

Before he could really begin to crumple from the punch, she used her other gun for a strong uppercut to the same spot (different side though). As Endeavor was falling though Laffey quickly came up from her splits and flip kicked the man in the chin. The doing multiple critical blows to Endeavor's body and legs.

The man tried to get one hit in though, but Laffey wouldn't let him. Right as he was throwing a punch, Laffey got in faster with recoil punch to the man's right shoulder. Breaking part of the bone, before getting in with more blows to the side and arm. Then finishing with a grab and suplex that would make a pro wrestler proud. Then holding Endeavor's unbroken arm behind him while keeping two guns trained on his butt and nuts.

"Laffey!" Kotov called out while glaring at the man and the rest of the gathering of 'heroes'. Many of whom were now afraid of the idea of fighting with or against shipgirls or Sirens. Mirko herself was currently cowering in a corner. "I think you might have screwed up any chances for support there Master." Izuku said with a flat face. Though he didn't disagree that Endeavor deserved some of that.

"Not entirely young Midoriya!" a newly arrived voice booms out. That being All Might who had just arrived at the building. And witnessed Laffey's latest act of brutality. But he steeled himself before saying he would join them on the mission no matter what.

When the president of the commission tried to intervene, All Might held up his hand to speak again. "My niece….. was on I Island. In fact I believe she is still there. I need to get her out." The deathly serious tone All Might has and the look in his eyes tells all of the heroes gathered that he would be going no matter what.

Izuku nods before admitting that he might not be part of the main insertion group if that was the case. "We might have you work with someone else. Namely, Master Kotov's newest sister. Kathleen Bates, or Star and Stripes. She's going on this mission too."

Hearing that name drop shocks all of the heroes and administrators (well except Endeavor. He was still in pain and barely responding) and a few others feel truly inclined to try and help if two number one heroes were going.

But Kotov cuts them off. "You didn't want in when this was just a crazy rescue mission. So you don't get to have any say in the matter," he said with a cold glare back to the heroes. But a few from the top ten don't buckle. Those being Best Jeanist and Edgeshot.

The former notes that he could possible restrain or try to counter some of those they would be up against in the mission. And the latter said, "this is a mission that requires some stealth. As one who has dedicated to the way of the shinobi, it would behoove me to take up this task."

"Okay. That's at least three. But I guess the rest are out. Sorry for taking up your time." Izuku says before putting on his cap to leave. And the heroes follow behind. One though makes a rather crass and rude statement and pays for it. "Laffey!" Kotov calls out before the shipgirl gives Yoroi Musha a broken body.

Once outside, the two thank the other heroes who were willing to work with them. "But it's still going to be difficult to do more with just these numbers. Even with any reinforcements from the US." Kotov noted with a grimace. "Then perhaps I can get you some other support and aid Commander Brawl."

The voice that called out was the principal of UA, Nezu. "I can't promise much, but perhaps a few of the teachers and students at UA might have what you need for this mission. A number of them even have provisional licenses. Even the first years. Though not all."

Izuku and John share a look, as if questioning if they could really entrust this to them. "Not to worry you two. I can vouch for a number of the students and teachers. I believe they will be just the extra umph we need." All Might said with a thumbs up.

They hummed before agreeing to at least meet with the people Nezu had in mind. And the next day, Izuku was standing at the front gates to the top hero institution in Japan. 'I always wished I could go here. Though now….. I guess it doesn't matter too much.' Izuku thought with a smile. Shinano and Kawakaze rested their hands on his shoulders to encourage him. Gently pushing him forward to go into UA.

"Couldn't wait could you?" Kotov asked as he caught up with Izuku. The boy blushed before admitting going to the school was a dream. "Difference is, now you're a pro hero seeking help from them. You kinda passed them by." John said with a smile and wink.

Izuku looks up at the man in surprise before acknowledging the accuracy of his point. The two then make their way to Nezu's office with their girls before being directed to a conference room. There, Izuku outlines his plan once more for the teachers. While getting some critiques and help with the operation from Nezu himself. With Haguro putting in her own thoughts based on her soul's experiences to compare with the High Specs hero.

The mouse like hero nods before saying, "the plan is quite good. And if we use Mic here properly, then we will have the perfect chance to save everyone." Present Mic looked a bit indignant at the phrasing of his boss's statement. "But….. I'll do all I can to help those folks. And give those Sirens a headache like they've never felt before!"

Of the other teachers, Hound Dog, Cementoss, Snipe, and Power Loader had also agreed to go and help. "My quirk is obviously useless in this scenario. As is Kayama's and Kan's. So we should stay back," the scruffy looking hero Aizawa Shouta said while resting his eyes.

Midnight meanwhile looked over Izuku and admired what an impressive young man he had become. 'Hard to think he was that little kid who gave me orders back in the day and saved us from a villain,' she thought with some mirth.

Nezu then brings forward that they could use a few of the students as well for this matter. "It's true they haven't been fully trained in something of this magnitude. But…. if the Sirens are increasing their aggression, we need to be ready." John thinks to himself that it was like a lion tossing the cubs off a cliff with what Nezu had in mind.

But when the profiles of a few of the students were brought up, he could see the potential of a number of them. Especially: a young girl who was invisible, a young man who could phase through objects and attacks, a young lady who could make any object, and a boy who could command animals with his voice.

"I think I see a few good candidates here for the mission. Izuku? What do you think?" John asked while scratching his chin. But he barely responded. His eyes fixed on one name on the roster of students: Bakugo Katsuki. "Kacchan," he muttered almost bitterly.

The American didn't fully understand and asked that they meet with most of the teens listed to talk about the strategy involved. "Of course. Vlad, Eraser, please bring your students to the auditorium." Nezu said before Izuku could stop anyone.

And he was quickly swept along to standing before most of the current hero classes of UA high. Something that actually incised his former friend and bully, as he recognized Izuku right away. 'The Hell is that damn Deku doing here?! And standing with that hero from the USA!?' he thought while grinding his teeth in annoyance.

But he wasn't the only one frustrated. His pugilistic rival in class 1-A, Kamakiri Togaru, was glaring at the pair because of how the focus of being a hero had shifted thanks to them. Even if in a round about way, most villains were not fighting as much and as such combat heroes were less needed.

'I've been stuck doing assignments and working with heroes who don't fight anymore because of them!' the mantis headed boy thought while looking the two commanders and their ships over.

Speaking of the ships, a number of the students were admiring the girls' appearances. Some more blatantly than others. And even more were feeling a bit overshadowed or outclassed by the look of some of even the younger looking girls. Though a certain raven headed teen had his eyes drawn to the cruiser with Izuku.

Izuku was still nervous, but Kawakaze took his hand for a moment to calm him down. With Shinano coming behind him to let the young commander rest on her breasts. And drawing the ire and jealousy of many of the teens. The green haired teen takes a breath before thanking both of them and starting up the screen behind him.

"Alright. I know many of you know who the shipgirls are at least. As well as Commander Brawl here. On the other hand, I'm less known. My name is Midoriya Izuku and I am the commander of the shipgirls of Moncal base. It's a pleasure to meet all of you."

Izuku gives a light bow before bringing up the main plan he, Nezu and Haguro had put together. "We'll have roughly three fleets assaulting the island at once. One full from myself and Commander Kotov, as well as a combined fleet of our girls to fight as needed. Not only that, but we will have a few pro heroes on board the flagships to draw some attention. Namely, All Might and Star and Stripe."

Jaws dropped hearing the two big name heroes that would be participating in the attack on I Island and murmurs of excitement were quickly spreading. But then a student raised their hand. "If you're planning to attack the island, then why do you need heroes? It seems like a bit of risk no?" the engine legged teen Ida Tenya said with a flash of his glasses.

"The truth is we aren't going for a full assault on the island. The attacks will be to draw attention for a special operation. Infiltrating the island to rescue the people trapped inside." Izuku then shifted the image of I Island to show a somewhat graining picture of a few people who appeared to be captives within the island.

Kotov stepped up and noted he and Izuku would be leading a team to infiltrate the island and extract who they could. "But we need more to work with. And…. well this sounds weird but Izuku's carrier girl Shinano has some visions and it pointed to needing forces beyond land and sea."

Izuku pipes up with, "and to me that meant heroes. They are supposed to go where they are needed and save who they can. And that is what we need you to do for this operation. We have some maps and routes for getting in and out. And we have a few ideas on who would be best."

The screen then shows the few who were greenlit for participation in the rescue. And two were especially annoyed about it. "Hey! I've got a quirk that causes explosions! I can dish out enough firepower to cripple these bitches!" Bakugo shouted after not seeing his name listed.

The mantis teen also asks why he couldn't go to as well. "I can cut through plenty with my quirk and cause all kinds of chaos!" Izuku sighs before saying neither of them would even be close to enough. "Trust me. You don't have anything we need. You're useless in this situation."

That incises both of them to the point the two leapt at Izuku to attack. "Laffey! Kawakaze!" Izuku and John shout and the two girls jump into action. Laffey blasting in and intercepting Bakugo's punching arm before blasting him back with a recoil boosted punch of her own. Kawakaze meanwhile drew both of her blades to block and then flip kicked into a downward spike kick to knock Kamakiri to the ground.

Bakugo unleashed as strong of a blast as he could, but Laffey was ready and kept both arms in front of her to block and dissipate the heat. Then taking advantage of another wide swing to slip behind the brat and start in with some heavy hits to the body and then breaking his right arm.

For the other pugilistic teen, he brought out as many blades as he could to intimidate Kawakaze. Her disinterested look though didn't falter as she took a somewhat lax looking stance while facing the boy. Which made Kamakiri furious as he tried to attack. Only for his own blades to get in the way, while the destroyer easily deflected any attack and cut back with a few of her own.

For the explosive fool though, he refused to give up and held up his hand to fire a series of shots from left hand. But Laffey took an idea that Izuku had about other weaknesses of quirks and quickly gripped a pressure point that stopped the boy from causing an explosion.

"Hey! Let go!" he demanded before Laffey looked back to her commander. It was clear the boy wasn't going to stop, so he nodded to say she was okay to do what she needed to. Which in this case first involved slowly breaking all of the fingers on Bakugo's left hand.

And when she still refused to back down, Laffey threw him to the ground before using a special barrage of punches. Using her cannons to rapidly pummel Bakugo's face until it was unrecognizable. Only stopping when John called out her name again.

Kawakaze on the other hand used the back of her blades to break a few bones herself. Right down to cracking off one of Togaru's mandibles before stabbing both of her blades through the boy's legs. Making him cry out while gesturing to both in a panic.

The destroyer then kicked him in the stomach to knock him back before punching Kamakiri to knock him to his back. Stomping on his groin while pulling out her blades. As she was sheathing them, the angry green teen brought out another blade on his arm to get one hit in.

Izuku shot her a glare, and Kawakaze understood what it meant. Right as he tried to attack, Kawakaze quickly drew her blade and struck faster than anyone could see. She was behind Kamakiri as she started to sheath her blade once more.

And upon fully sheathing it, all of the blows caught up with him. Including the fact that she had cut clean through his blade with her own. Let alone cutting off his other mandible and using the back of the blade to brutalize his body.

The two then call off the shipgirls before Recovery Girl was called in. "This is becoming a ridiculous habit with you two," she said before whacking all those involved with her cane. Bakugo's face had healed up enough to let him see and Izuku took this time to show them all what they were really up against.

He took off his jacket and showed them the prosthetic arm he now had and recounted what had happened and how he lost it. While a pair of students called out "manly" hearing what happened, it strikes major cords with all of the students. Especially those who were asked to participate in the mission.

"I know you're scared. But think how those people feel. They aren't trained for this. They weren't ready for the fight that came to them. You have had some training, and they need your help. So now you need to take this stand. And show if you truly are heroes." Izuku said with a fixed glare to the rest of the students. One that most would compare with his mentor who had his arms crossed in his own determined stance.

The oldest, a blonde teen named Togata Mirio, stood up and said, "I'm definitely scared. If that's what a shipgirl can do when they hold back. It looks like we don't stand a chance. But I agree. We have to do this for all of them. Or else…. What's the point to everything we've been training for!"

The others who were requested each trembled as they stood but nodded to the pair of military heroes and showed that they would help to rescue those held captive by the invaders. Izuku had a small smile before nodding and saying they had to prepare for the mission ahead. "So let's get started."