A/N: It's been years since my last foray into fanfiction. This is my latest offering in the world of MHA. This fic takes place during the Endeavour Agency Arc and is my take on what an international investigation would entail. Happy reading!

Chapter 1

Izuku mumbled out his schedule for the day as he dragged a comb through his unruly green hair. There were fewer stray tufts than when he had woken up this morning and he nodded, satisfied, before straightening the collar of his hero uniform and checking the fastenings on his gloves. His phone buzzed and he grinned, quickly snapping a selfie with a peace sign before forwarding the reply to "Mom" with a small sunshine emoji. In the hallway, he could hear the others calling out greetings to one another and he hurried out, eager to meet with Shoto and Katsuki before breakfast.

His work-study at Endeavour's agency was turning out to be a challenging but fulfilling experience thus far. Each day presented brand new situations, often testing them to the limits of their abilities, forcing them to make split second decisions. Although Class 1-A had already faced their fair share of danger, something about being out on patrol, feeling like a true guardian of peace and order, stirred a sense of pride and accomplishment within him.

Izuku's gaze brightened when he spotted the familiar blonde and red-and-white hued hair of his classmates in the corridor ahead of him. Shouto was doing a poor job of hiding his drowsiness, while Katsuki looked like a feral creature dragged out of hibernation a month too early.

"Todoroki! Kacchan! Good morning."

"What the fuck's good about it?"

"Good morning, Midoriya. Breakfast?"

They headed for the canteen, greeting the agency's sidekicks on the way. As Izuku collected a tray and loaded it with omelette, soup and fish, Burnin' thumped his shoulder and leaned over conspiratorially.

"Hey Deku, something's in the running. Just got word of it this morning. You three might be involved, so keep your ears peeled."

She winked and headed off, pointing towards the floor above. Izuku scurried over to the table where the two other boys were seated and began shovelling food into his mouth.

"What'd she say?" Katsuki demanded.

"There might be a mission. A big one."

"Hah. About time."

Katsuki and Shouto matched his pace and soon, they were standing to attention, waiting to be briefed in the expansive, oak-panelled office of Todoroki Enji. Izuku shifted anxiously from one foot to another until Katsuki's hard elbow found its way into his ribs.

Endeavour looked grim, more so than usual. He was studying a series of official-looking documents that had been delivered to him in a heavy manila folder. Izuku could make out some printed photographs, naval maps, some profiles with ID shots attached and a USB that Endeavour had already plugged into his office desktop.

Finally, the imposing pro-hero stood, gesturing to Kido to turn on the overhead projector linked to his desktop. An array of information and schematics appeared on a wide, white drop-down background. Izuku looked around and noted the presence of a team of sidekicks as well as the agency secretary and tech specialist. Endeavour gestured to the screen, laying out the details without preamble.

"A request came in that will require a co-ordinated effort. We're giving this top priority since it was delivered by the Coast Guard. The incident report indicates the call came in at 4:30, this morning."

On the screen, photographs appeared, some overlapping others. The quality was a little hazy on those where the camera had zoomed in to try to capture more information. The images showed what seemed to be a medium-sized fishing vessel, all the necessary fittings apparent. The craft looked well-kept and ordinary, apart from the suspicious dark stains that covered parts of the deck.

"Is that . . .?" Izuku gulped as Endeavour's hard gaze met his own.

"The Coast Guard has the vessel in containment, but has not yet permitted anyone to board. This is where we come in. Our agency is going to meet with police and crime scene operatives at the harbour downtown where the vessel is being kept. Once we have cleared the scene of any possible hazards, the techs will collect samples and we will review any new evidence collected with the investigative team. Now, on to what we know."

A different set of data appeared on the screen, showing a GPS image of the possible path the vessel had taken in the last 24 hours. Shouto leaned forward, brow furrowed in concentration. It was the last few hours before the call at 4:30 when the irregularity became apparent. Endeavour traced the path with a finger.

"The vessel was in the charge of one Nakadai Kenji, in the commission of a local fishery that services restaurants in the area. He had a basic crew who did regular runs in the area, covering set locations based on the weather conditions and fishing spots. Now, if you follow," and here his finger tracked the last few hours, "the path of the vessel is here, in red, to show how it deviates from the regular path in blue. The Coast Guard received a call which they have recorded for the investigation."

Here, he brought up an audio file and pressed play. Scratchy static filled the air as Izuku strained to hear any voices. After a few moments, he became aware that the rhythmic sound he was listening to was someone's ragged breathing. Beside him, Katsuki tensed. A whisper came through the static, edged with panic and terror, some of the words barely audible.

"It's here. Please . . . -atch it. They want … Can't see -t coming. Please, anyone …"

This was followed by raspier static and then the distant sound of human voices, screaming, shouting out unintelligible orders. The caller's breathing became louder, more distinct. He was clearly hyperventilating.

"… all die. T- … went overboard. We can't hold … -dn't tell us it was - "

The dull ring of a terminated line abruptly sounded, and an ominous silence grew in the large room. Endeavour clicked out of the audio file and rubbed his chin.

"As you can hear, there was clearly some kind of attack on the vessel. We can't speculate on the exact nature, since we don't have enough information. The Coast Guard identified the vessel almost immediately and tried communicating, but there was no contact after this point. They sent out a patrol shortly after, which found it via registered tracker, and towed it to the harbour. There was no sign of any of the crew on board beside what looked like extensive blood spatter. Nobody, other than the few Coast Guard members who towed the vessel, has been anywhere near it since. It's now anchored in one of their boathouses and a cordon has been created by police and the pro-heroes on patrol in the area."

Endeavour ended the presentation, crossing his arms. "Needless to say, we have to take great precautions when we investigate. There's no knowing what kind of agent caused the attack or whether it's still in the area. Everyone is on high alert. Be extra cautious today and give the police your full co-operation. Our briefing ends here, but I'd like to see the trainees in my office. Now."

While the sidekicks and staff exited to begin their preparations, the trainees in question followed the tall figure of Endeavour, Shouto leading the way. Izuku closed the door, and they lined up in front of his desk. Endeavour seated himself, sighing and steepling his fingers.

"I didn't want you three in on this," he stated bluntly. "There's uncertainty, the hazard and a possible murder investigation. All in all, not recommended for trainee work."

A rumbling came from Katsuki's chest and Endeavour held up a warning hand.

"However, I see an opportunity here. The dangers posed by the League of Villains are going to be part of many missions going forward. While this may not be related, you'll be needing experience with working alongside law enforcement and some familiarity with investigative procedures. Hero work is not always about punching your opponents into oblivion. It's also not always about who is stronger."

Izuku shuffled uncomfortably and Katsuki scowled. Shouto raised his eyebrows at that last statement, something Enji chose to ignore.

"Co-operation, knowledge of how various agencies work together, organising plans of action, analysing data and criminal behaviour, all of these are valuable skills for a hero to have. You three will be involved in this case, but only on the condition that you follow every instruction given by senior members of this agency to the letter. Anything else, and you get taken off immediately."

"Yes, sir!" shouted Izuku, a little too enthusiastically. Shouto nodded and Katsuki gave a terse jerk of his head.

"Good. Now get yourselves ready. We leave in fifteen."