I own nothing. May contain Out of Character moments.
"Today, we'll be patrolling and doing some reconnaissance. Bubble Girl and I will be directly examining the area of interest. Mirio, you will take your underclassmen and watch the surrounding vicinity. We are to be on the lookout for the leader of the Shie Hassaikai." Nighteye said as he stood before the small group he led.
Right now, Mineta and Midoriya, as well as Mirio and Bubble Girl, were standing in Nighteye's office. And though Mineta and Midoriya only arrived an hour ago, they were thrown into their first real task. But while patrolling wasn't exactly the most threatening duty for a Hero, the shorter boy knew better than to let his guard down. Because as Mineta's week with Fenghuang showed, things could pick up without warning.
And considering they were chasing a man who publically wears a plague doctor's mask…
Mineta knew he and his partner were wading through some seriously nasty business.
"The Yakuza… They're usually pretty quiet these days… So if he and his group are being investigated, they must be up to something big." Midoriya commented, examining the photo of the Shie Hassaikai leader. He was a young man with dark hair, sharp eyes, and wore the aforementioned plague mask. He didn't look particularly threatening…
But something didn't feel right about him either.
"Big enough for him to be assembling the remaining families and meeting the League of Villains. But since there is no concrete evidence of their activities, the Hassaikai aren't classified as a criminal organization." Bubble Girl explained, putting notes and files away in a folder.
"Hence the leg-work for today... So, is there anything else we should know about the leader before we start the investigation?" Mineta asked.
"Just one, do not engage unless I say so. Overhaul, real name Chisaki Kai, isn't a foe we can spontaneously apprehend. If by chance you run into him… Just observe and note when you saw him, where you saw him, and what he's doing." Nighteye replied.
"You got it Sir! We'll be all over Overhaul the way overalls go over all the hauls." Mirio said, smiling his usual smile. Mineta simply stared at his senior, completely unsure of what to say. And when he looked to his partner, the shorter boy found Midoriya equally baffled by Mirio's strange sentence.
"You'll get used to Mirio's antics…" Bubble Girl commented with a tired chuckle.
"You shouldn't, it makes life less amusing. But I digress… Let's begin the investigation, move out." Nighteye said before making his way to the door. Both Mineta and Midoriya nodded, quickly following the lanky Hero with their best foot forward. They didn't know what to expect… However, Mineta was certain they'd be able to overcome it together.
It was time for the best Hero duo to make their debut!
…
"I say that and yet nothing…" Mineta thought as he and Midoriya continued to follow Mirio. Upon arriving to the city where the Shie Hassaikai was based in, the Heroes split up as planned. But after about two hours of patrolling, they couldn't find anything but people casually going about their day. And while that was normally a good sign…
The shorter boy knew, from experience, that this was usually when something surprised them. They were, after all, in enemy territory.
"And that's how I keep track of where I am in a city." Mirio explained, finishing his tips to navigating new cities.
"That's some really good advice Togata-senpai, thank you!" Midoriya replied as he finished scribbling it down in his new memo pad. Since this was an investigation, the green haired boy opted to take one with him. He even titled it Hero Analysis Pocket Edition No. 1.
"Don't mention it. Still, I'm surprised you didn't learn much during your work week… Were you still traumatized by the League attack?"
"Not really… For various reasons, I'm just a little inexperienced about these things. In fact, if it hadn't been for Mineta-kun, I'd probably be even further behind." Midoriya answered, gesturing to his friend. And to that, Mineta simply shook his head and jabbed his thumb at the green haired boy.
"And if it wasn't for this guy, I probably wouldn't be half the man I am now."
"I think I'm the same… You really helped me pull through some tricky situations." Midoriya replied.
"And I got through some stuff thanks to you. I guess that makes us even?" Mineta asked.
"I guess it does now that I think about it..."
"For dudes who have no idea what they're doing… You two are pretty well put together. It's no wonder people are looking forward to your debut as the next great Hero Duo. Got a name yet?" Mirio commented, drawing in the duo's attention again. Mineta looked to Midoriya as Midoriya looked to Mineta. The two then faced their senior and shook their head. That was a topic they haven't resolved yet…
"It's a work in progress." They answered simultaneously. Mirio stared at the two before letting out a boisterous laugh, attracting even more attention from the citizen's around them. The smiling blonde then hung his arms around Mineta and Midoriya, despite the former's height.
"Yep, you guys are something special. I'm sure you'll have no problem picking the right name, even if it'll take some time. In fact, it took me quite some time for me to come up with my own name." Mirio said as his laughter subsided.
"You did?" Mineta asked. That sounded a bit unbelievable as his senior was a bit of a simpleton when it came to subjects outside of Heroics. But then again, a Hero's name is supposed to denote one's identity and purpose. It's something that REQUIRES thought. And if you're careless, you'll go through a lot of embarrassment before the name, and you by association, becomes something respectable.
"Of course my grapey junior, it's going to be an important part of me after all. So I spent night and day coming up with the perfect name… And the result of all that thinking is a name I know I wouldn't regret having, Lemillion." Mirio answered.
"Lemillion… What does it mean?" Midoriya asked.
"It's my hope. I'm no All Might, but I want to be able to help and save at least a million people. It sounds like a lot and I'll probably get beat up in the process… But it's what I want to spend my life doing."
There was something about those words. Mineta didn't know whether it was the smile on Mirio's face or the shining eyes behind his visor… But those words had weight to them. Eccentric their senior may be, but this was just proof that Mirio was just like Midoriya. And when the smiling blonde stepped forward, Mineta saw just how reliable his back was. And that billowing red cape of his just made it all the more pronounced…
It's little wonder that Mirio, right now, is the top candidate for Number One Hero.
"So, come on you two! Let's get to work! When you're in costume, you're first and foremost a Hero!" Mirio said before confidently marching forward. Midoriya reacted first, quickly following him with a resolute 'yes sir'. Mineta was a little slower, but only because he was too busy admiring the strength of the Heroes before him. And before the shorter boy could allow his doubts to surface, he took off after them.
"One day… I hope I could have a back as reliable as theirs…" Mineta thought as he was about to catch up to Midoriya. Suddenly, in an instant, a white blur bumped into the green haired boy's side. It was small, so it didn't knock Midoriya over. But the blur did fall to the side walk, allowing Mineta to see what, or who, it was…
And there sat a very young girl with white hair, red eyes, and a single horn on one side of her forehead. She would've been adorable… Had Mineta not noticed the three massive red flags on her person.
The first flag was her plain but incredibly worn dress and lack of shoes… It was as though she didn't own any other article of clothing…
The second flag was the bandages that wrapped her arms and legs… It was like she just escaped out of a hospital or something…
And the third flag, the worst of all, was the absolutely fear and terror that gripped her body and soul…
Who or what put such a young girl in that state? And as though the universe heard Mineta, the answer came waltzing out of the alley the girl came out of. The voice that called to her was gentle enough… But the shorter boy could feel an ominous dread filling the air. For the person before them was the head of the Shie Hassaikai, Overhaul.
"Please excuse my Daughter, Heroes. She tends to get carried away when playing and ends up hurting herself. Kids could be so troublesome sometimes. Come Eri, we need to head home." Overhaul said calmly, his eyes focused on Midoriya. But despite that, Mineta could still feel the man's contemptuous gaze on them all. And then there were his words… Mineta could tell he was lying.
However, before either the shorter boy or Midoriya said anything, Mirio stepped forward. But not before putting Midoriya's hood up for discretion.
"We should be the one's apologizing; none of us were exactly paying attention to what's around us." He said.
"Rookies then... Then it's little wonder I'm not familiar with you three… Which office are you affiliated with?" Overhaul replied, his gaze turning more inquisitive.
"This guy's trying to fish for information… He knows he's being investigated… But at least Senpai got that covered…" Mineta thought as he watched Mirio deflect the question easily. The shorter boy then turned to the girl that was still clinging to his partner. Almost as though Midoriya became a life line…
"We can't draw attention to the investigation… But we can't hand this girl back over to him either… Is there a third option anywhere?" Mineta thought as he began thinking about their possible solutions. But because of the lack of information surrounding Overhaul, the shorter boy couldn't create a proper plan. Even the plans he did create had major flaws to them…
Running away assumes Overhaul was slower than the three. But the guy was still pretty young and could have a speed Quirk like Iida. Failing that, Overhaul could use whatever criminal resources he has to hunt them down.
And fighting assumes Overhaul was weaker than the three of them. But that assumption could easily get them killed, since Overhaul's Quirk is, again, unknown.
"Come on you two! We've got to finish patrolling the area by noon, good day." Mirio said, nodding to Overhaul before he began walking away. Mineta flinched as he quickly looked between his partner and his senior. Was he really just going to leave? Doing that would stop drawing unnecessary suspicion towards Nighteye's investigation...
But, Mineta knew what, considering how tightly this little girl was clinging to Midoriya, was actually going to happen. And a terrified whimper from the little girl was all that he needed to confirm that. Mineta looked over and saw the stalwart spirit burning brightly within Midoriya's eyes. Yeah, this was inevitable…
"Your daughter seems to be very scared… And she's barefooted and covered in bandages… Did something happen before now? Because this doesn't seem like normal 'playing around' to me." Midoriya asked as he carefully and protectively held the little girl.
"… Please do not impose your idea of normal on other families. Eri is very different from most other children, much wilder and more unorthodox. As such, I have to be a lot stricter with her, hence the apprehension." Overhaul replied, no doubt lying to cover the truth. But no matter what he says, the thin façade had already shattered. This man was doing something with this little girl.
And Mineta finally mustered enough courage to call him out on it.
"Sir, spare us the lies… You've done something to this girl, haven't you?"
Overhaul, Mirio, and Midoryia's eyes snapped to the shorter boy. And while the former two were stunned that he asked such a question… Midoriya simply nodded as Mineta returned the gesture. This won't be like what happened over the summer. This time, for sure, Mineta had Midoriya's back.
"… You Heroes sure are perceptive." Overhaul said with an abnormally calm sigh. He then turned around and going back into the alley he walked out of. Beckoning for them to follow…
"If you want to know, follow me. It's an embarrassing topic, and I don't want to talk about it in the open."
Mineta couldn't help but scowl. This was obviously a trap. But he, Midoriya, and Mirio had no choice but to follow since they couldn't just run away with the surface level evidence and assumptions they had about Eri. So with one hand on his baton, Mineta took point as Mirio and Midoriya, who carried the small girl, followed. And not even a few steps into the darkness did Overhaul begin talking.
"I've been worried about Eri lately… She never listens to what I say and always causes trouble for me…"
"Raising a child… Can be difficult, huh?" Midoriya asked carefully. Mineta clenched his teeth as the atmosphere continued to sour between the two parties. As such, the shorter boy removed the baton off his hip and quietly extended it with his other hand. If there was going to be a time for a fight… It would be now…
"Yes… They can be quite hard to understand… Especially when they need to think about the kind of person they want to become…" Overhaul said as he stopped walking. Mineta then noticed how, when he began taking off one of his gloves, the dread surrounding the man intensified. The façade had finally fallen and all that was left was his killing intent.
Mineta instinctively got into his stance, unfazed by the dread after having experienced worse in Master Eclipse. But after Overhaul had darkly peered over his shoulder, a white blur began to dash past the shorter boy. And while fast, Mineta was able to react to it thanks to Midoriya and their games of catch.
In one motion with his left hand, Mineta held the small, stiff hand of Eri. And when she saw what had caught her, she began to desperately try and pry out of the shorter boy's grip.
"I-I'm sorry… But I have to g-go back… P-Please let me go…" Eri said, almost on the verge of tears. And looking deep into the desperation that reflected off her red eyes, Mineta saw it. She was trying to protect them from Overhaul. And the guilt written all over her face told the shorter boy this wasn't the first time this happened either…
Making him realize that several people probably died trying to help this poor girl.
"And we're next…" Mineta thought as he looked up to Overhaul. Luckily, the man stopped removing his glove and just blankly watched them. However, the dread that he exerted still hung all around them. If Mineta didn't let go now, Overhaul might just make good on his threat.
From behind, the shorter boy heard Midoriya and Mirio quietly arguing on what to do. But right now, all Mineta could focus on was Eri's terrified little hand and the Villain who's coercing the little girl. What should he do at this point? Let go and live to fight another day? Or risk it all to save her here and now?
"Five." Overhaul counted as he slowly stepped forward. Mineta stiffened as Eri's struggling became more frantic. If that was how the bastard was going to play it… Then this really was now or never. He HAD to choose.
"Four."
"Please… I'll be okay… So please... Go…" Eri said with a whimper. Mineta clenched his teeth and stared deeply in the girl's despair filled red eyes. It was heartbreaking, looking into her tortured soul… But instead of giving into it, the shorter boy's spirit was instead kindled by the darkness. One way or another, sooner or later, they will rescue this girl. However, for now… With a heavy heart…
He had to let go.
"We'll save you, I promise…" Mineta thought, his expression trying its best to convey that message. And though the girl didn't react, the shorter boy knew, at the very least, she acknowledged his intent. He then released his grip, Eri quickly scurried to Overhaul. The dread in the air had finally dissipated.
"… Once again, I apologize for taking your time. Let's go, Eri." Overhaul said, tightening his glove before walking away with Eri. The girl listlessly followed at his side, causing Midoriya to try and call out to her. But with one word from Mirio, the green haired boy was forced to swallow his words.
"He got her to follow because he showed his killing intent. If we cause more of a scene, Overhaul will only be harder to catch. Let's wait for Sir's orders and cool our heads."
But even if he said that… Mineta couldn't keep his thoughts calm. And as the rain moved in to match the three's mood, the shorter boy looked at his left hand.
He could still feel the little hand he held.
And by extension, he could still feel Eri's fear.
A fear Mineta himself was all too familiar with…
"Damn it… Damn it all…"
And that has been Chapter 100!
Here we are folks, the big 100. It's kind of unreal, that I've gone this far. I honestly don't know what to say...
But what I do know is that I've learned a lot from my experiences writing this story and I hope to learn even more as I continue. One thing I do want to learn though is to cut down on the chaff and filler. I think I'm slowly getting better at that, but it's hard to tell. Let me know if I've gotten better at anything since the beginning of The Saint and The Sinner.
Other than that, I've got nothing else to say... Except that I'm addicted to Xenoblade Chronicles 3! I've been sitting with my bro and recording our reactions to it. And let me say this, it's a wild ride. I don't know whether or not we'll post those videos in the future... But at least we'll have a record of the feelings we felt playing it.
But don't worry, I haven't forgotten my promise last update. As a special thank you, I'll be updating every week throughout August. So get ready to fill your gullet with more adventures of our heroic duo.
So with all that said...
Until Next Time. T1.
