Izuku stared at the mirror longer than he should. An eerie sight greeted him, the green mark that had been appearing on the left side of his face. It grew even thicker, like an ink blob smeared all over an empty slate.

Days had passed, and there was still no sign of Kurogiri. Izuku wondered if Kurogiri had already kicked the bucket, but he still hoped, even with all the odds stacked against him.

Izuku turned around to exit the bathroom. It's been Hours? Days, even? He didn't count. His daily routine only consisted of refining his skills in maneuvering the blades and his mobility in combat. But other than that, all seemed hollow.

"All this talk about you being a prodigy," A voice cut through his train of thought. "Only for him to loiter around like a moron with no purpose."

He was greeted by the sight of a slightly enraged Shigaraki sitting on a couch.

Izuku simply averted the man's child, preferring to lay his mind elsewhere.

But this idiot never knew when to stop.

"I don't know how much longer I should tolerate you," Shigaraki said, gripping the sides of the couch tightly, threatening to disintegrate it. "You made me lose one of my finest and capable asset, and now you're stealing my thunder."

Izuku decided to retaliate, "First off, you didn't lose anything. As Sensei had stated multiple times, and in case you didn't get it at first, he's on 'sabbatical', whatever that means. Secondly, I'm not stealing anyone's thunder. At least not on purpos-"

Shigaraki grabbed the boy by his collar and pinned him against the wall, "Any chance you could keep that flapping mouth of yours on check?"

"I don't even talk that much."

Shigaraki's lips curled dangerously, "Oh, I don't like the way you talk back to me."

"What's with the hostility, though? I've done nothing but do good by you," Izuku said, pushing his body against Shigaraki's hold slightly. "Your Sensei was courteous enough to at least not torment me in my time here. I thought students are supposed to take after their masters."

"You don't treat dogs with courtesy." Shigaraki spat out.

Izuku scoffed, "Then I suppose your Sensei was wrong in how he treated you."

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST-?!"

The door moved forward, halting their altercation abruptly. Shigaraki was rattled by the interruption, tilting his head towards whoever it was that opened the door, "We're closed for the day, get lost."

"Good grief, you people can't go a day without starting another pointless scuffle," Giran said, walking forward before closing the door. "I see the newcomer is here this time."

"You," Shigaraki loosened his grip on Izuku, diverting his full attention to Giran. "I told you, we're not receiving visitors."

"Aw c'mon, an info broker's gotta do his job," Giran retorted. "Besides, you're gonna love this one."

Shigaraki's arms twitched, as if he was contemplating to disintegrate this man into pieces or not. "What do you want this time?"

"Just wanted to fill you in about what's been going on with the Yakuza recently," Giran sat on the chair near the bar desk abritarily. "Your boss has his eyes set on one of their projects. I assume you already know."

"Project Mira," Shigaraki muttered. "Something came up regarding this?"

Izuku's brow raised. Project Mira? What even was that? He didn't want to pry, but he couldn't help but get curious.

"They're upping the ante with this one. A little birdie came to me and said that they forced a well known pro-hero to squander more of her resources with less pay. The balls they must've dragged all the way to her doorsteps," Giran bemused, before continuing, "Anyway, with this, the project's going to be finished in about a year's time? Much earlier than the previous estimation. You might wanna play your cards right with this one."

"We can't just form an alliance with them right off the bat," Shigaraki then glared at Izuku. "If I wasn't stuck babysitting this brat, I would've garnered enough men to consolidate the League's power and influence."

Izuku simply rolled his eyes.

"Oh don't be so sour. I'm sure the lad would be quite useful down the line," Giran replied. "Besides, you have my men at your disposal."

"A buncha low ranking villains not gonna do us any good," Shigaraki spat out.

"Ouch," Giran feigned hurt, clutching his chest dramatically. "Anyway, what's stopping you from striking a deal with them?"

"Are you suggesting that we should come to their doorsteps without looking like a credible organisation ourselves? It's all about the presentation. Understand? The presentation. We haven't done anything worthwhile for them to take us seriously, not to mention that we're lacking the manpower to do so," Shigaraki complained to himself, clenching his fists. "We could supply them with weapons, yes, but who's to say that these ingrates wouldn't double- cross us when push came to shove? We have to give them the message that there are consequences to consider if they cross our boundaries."

Giran scratched his chin, "Oh wow, the leader actually has tact this time. What a surprise."

"I'm simply using my common sense, asshole." Shigaraki growled.

Giran simply laughed at that, "Shiggy and common sense don't mash well together."

"The fuck is that supposed to-"

"Alright, alright, calm down," Giran tried to pacify him. "Anyway, you sure you want to hold off from making a deal with the Yakuza? This could be your chance."

"No, and that's final."

"Tried consulting your boss first?"

"Sensei said that everything that goes in here is my say." Shigaraki emphasized. "Not yours, and certainly not that brat's. Mine, and mine alone."

Giran then said in a dismissive tone, "Yeah, whatever floats your boat, Shiggy. Anyway, I was gonna ask you another thing."

"What?"

"I was thinking that maybe me and that newcomer should go out for a drink, and a chat of course. Is that allowed?" Giran inquired.

Shigaraki stared at Giran, then back at Izuku. His gaze lingers for a while, before sighing, "Do whatever you want."

"Excellent. Midoriya, do you mind?"

"No," Izuku shook his head. "Anything that gets me off this shitty bar, even if it's just for a little bit."

"Splendid. Let's go, shall we?" Giran then took Midoriya outside of the bar, leaving Shigaraki to muse to himself.

"That brat.." Shigaraki muttered to himself. "Hope he knows how to navigate the streets discreetly."

...

The bar wasn't anything too fancy. It was a bit too filthy, but nothing that Izuku can't handle. He was used to filthy. All that was on his mind was: What did this guy want with him?

Izuku watched as Giran violently downed another round of whiskey. He was astonished by this man's innate tolerance to alcohol and it's after effects. Perhaps it was a quirk?

"You're not drinking your fill," Giran said a bit drunkenly. "Let loose, kid."

Izuku scoffed, "I'm lavished."

"Oh, you're not the fun type, are you?"

Izuku simply shook his head.

"Right, right, this is the last round, promise." Giran then downed another fill, feeling the burning sensation in his throat reverberating across it. "Ugh, fuck! That's good enough."

Izuku stared wordlessly at the table, not saying another word.

"Not everyday I get to hang out with the Emerald Ghost himself. What an honor. Too bad he doesn't drink," Giran nudged him on the shoulder.

Izuku sighed, "I'm a minor, sir."

"Does that matter? I think your innards are tough enough to handle a little sprinkle of alcohol regardless," Giran chuckled. "Shiggy's been treating you well?"

"Define 'well'."

"I'll take that as a 'no'." Giran shook his head in disbelief. "I don't know what the guy behind the television screen was thinking when he chose that guy as his successor. I mean, I get the desperation, but choosing a man-child of all people is a new low."

"I'm baffled myself, believe me," Izuku said ludicrously.

Giran slouched his arms over Izuku's shoulder, grinning as he said, "Fortunate enough, you won't have to worry about him anymore."

"Why's that?"

"You'll be working with me. The boss's concocting a plan to kill All Might, and that involves you," Giran explained

"Oh."

"Didn't tell you, did he? I'm all too familiar with his tendency to keep secrets-"

Izuku interrupted, "No, he briefed me about the plan. Not about who I'm working with, though."

"Ah," Giran's eyes widened a little, pulling his arms away from Izuku. "You seem a little...I don't know, conflicted about this."

"Am I?"

"Dunno. Just a hunch. Guys I know say that I'm quite keen on reading people just by their expression alone," Giran then leaned forward, "Is your heart really into it?"

Izuku looked at him, his brow raised. "What are you talkin-"

"Nah, it's fine. Forget I asked," Giran waved him away dismissively. Then, he said again, "By the way, Kurogiri's safe."

In that instance, Izuku's head whipped to the side, meeting Giran's eyes with a fierce gaze.

"He's staying over at my quarters for the time being," Giran said, his tone a bit reassuring.

Izuku then said, his tone slightly pleading, "C- can I see him?"

"Hm. Nah. Maybe not now," Giran then stood up. "It's the least I could do for now. Anyway, I gotta run. You take care, newcomer."

Izuku was about to protest, but Giran was already headed towards the exit. He sighed, then slung over the robe on the desk into his head, wrapping it around him and covering a good portion of his body, including his mark and the blades on his back.

The boy went outside of the bar, with the shade of the night looming over where he stood. He was met with the sight of the turbulent sky, indicating that it was about to rain soon.

And it did.

He sprinted forward, as the droplets began to increase their frequency. But then, his eyes caught something. No, someone. A child, sitting on a bench with no adult to watch him over.

Izuku stopped, eyes filled with concern. Should I help him? The question lingered on his mind. The urge was strong, but Izuku couldn't stay out here any longer. Someone was bound to catch him.

Without thinking even further, Izuku approached the child. He gently crouched to the kid's level, lowering his tone as he asked, "Are you lost?"

The kid lifted his head, meeting the gaze of the stranger with the veil. He nodded, before saying, "Y- yes, I was walking with mommy, and then..um.. I can't find her anywhere..."

Izuku placed his hand gently on top of the kid's shoulder, "Do you know her description? Anything that stands out so we can try to find her?"

"She's wearing, um, a headband, a red headband, and a red dress," The kid stuttered.

"Let's go and find her," Izuku said.

But the kid refused, recoiling from Izuku's touch, much to his confusion. "What's wrong?"

"Please. I don't want to go anywhere," The kid said, almost pleadingly.

"Why? You shouldn't be out here. Bad people are everywhere, and you don't want to meet one, do you?" Izuku said, his brow raised.

"Mommy told me that if I ever get lost, I should stay put, and not move," The kid explained.

"Why?" Izuku inquired.

"The Ghost," The kid shuddered as he said the name. "The Ghost is out there. I'm scared. I don't want him to hurt me the way he hurt those kids. He killed them. I- I saw the news.."

Izuku's face grew pale when he heard that. He composed himself, clearing his throat as he asked once again, "W- what kind of images did you see?"

The kid sobbed uncontrolllably afterwards. Izuku rushed in to console him, "Hey, hey, please, breathe. You're okay, you're okay."

This was his fault.

"I'm alone, the Ghost, he'll kill me, tear me apart, limb from limb-"

"That's NOT gonna happen," Izuku strongly assured, gripping the kid tightly.

"How can you be so sure?" The kid asked with tears still sliding down his eyelids.

Izuku stammered on his words, "Because I... I'll protect you."

Will you?

Izuku decided to gloss over the voice, focusing his attention only on the boy.

The kid looked unsure. "But, how? How are you going to-"

"With my life," Izuku urged, gripping both of the kid's shoulders with his hands. "I swear it. Nothing's gonna happen to you."

Izuku didn't know if his words invigorated the kid's trust in him. He just hoped for the best. Izuku couldn't just leave the kid here all alone if he decided otherwise. However, to his surprise, the kid slowly nodded. "Promise?"

Izuku smiled, "I promise."

"If the Ghost finds us," The kid uttered the name like it's a bad omen. He then continued, "You won't leave me?"

"I'll face him head-on," Izuku reassured once again. He offered the kid a hand-up. "C'mon. Your parents must be worried sick about you."

Then, the kid stayed close to Izuku's waist for the remainder of the trip. Izuku occasionally would peek at the child, who was clinging to him like a lifeline. It was ironic, wasn't it?

You're a monster.

Izuku was startled by the voice. This was not the time for this. He decided to keep the voices at bay.

Izuku then decided to ask, "Do you know your parents numbers?"

"No," The kid shook his head.

"Why?"

"They saw no reason to. I don't have a phone yet," The kid said.

Izuku decided to ask once again, "What's your name?"

"Daizuke," He replied.

Izuku simply nodded, noting it on his head. As they walked further, Izuku realised that he was probably running thin on time, but he couldn't leave Daizuke to wander the streets alone.

The rain subsequently stopped after a while.

He thought of handing him over to the local authorities, but it might complicate things. Izuku couldn't risk himself being seen, because his appearance was anything but inconspicuous, even with the veil wrapped around him.

A few seconds later, however, he saw something that he didn't expect to see. In this city, least of all.

It was the two strange men from before. The ones that visited him on the hospital and asked him questions.

Then, something clicked in his mind. An idea.

...

Yagi wasn't having the best day of his life. Other than the fact that he didn't sleep for two straight days, they were no closer to the end of Izuku's trail.

Or the Ghost's, at least.

He was surprised that Tsukauchi was still eager and fresh to solve the case. But as a hero, Yagi needed to be strong and steady.

"How are you holding up, Naomasa?" Yagi asked.

Tsukauchi sighed, "I tried asking the local residents, yet hardly any of them ever saw him in action. It's quite strange."

"I'm not lucky either here," Yagi clutched onto his forehead, massaging it at a slow pace. "Best description I got was that he had a 'green mark' around his left eye."

"Green mark?" Tsukauchi raised his brow. "Like..a tattoo?"

"I don't even know. The description is ambiguous at best," Yagi shrugged. "Wanna call it a day? I think I could use a little rest."

"Su-" Tsukauchi was cut off when someone approached them. He was wearing a veil that covered a good portion of his body. On top of it all, he was with a child.

Yagi noticed this as well. "Naomasa, am I going crazy, or is that guy approaching us?"

"Don't assume things. He's probably just-" Tsukauchi, yet again, cut himself off. "Wait, nevermind, he definitely is approaching us."

"Err, better to stay alert, then?" Yagi suggested.

The mysterious figure stopped walking. His grasp loosened around the kid's hand. He then cleared his throat, before speaking in a peculiar, weak voice, "I'm a sickly old man. I can't stand the environment of the outside world. Please, take care of this kid for me."

Tsukauchi's brow furrowed, "Wait, wha-"

"Please. He is lost. He can't find his parent's. I want to help him, but I can't," The man tried to reason with them. "If you both have the slightest decency, the least you could do is take him to the police department."

Yagi stepped to the front, agreeing, "Alright, fine. Leave him to us."

"Toshinori-?"

"It's fine. We can look after a kid alright," Yagi took the kid by his hand and pulled him to his side. He then lifted his head, staring at the man's concealed eyes beneath the veil.

He could see them faintly, but not clear enough to make anything out of it.

Yagi squinted his eyes, though. He tried to decipher something, because something definitely feels off.

"Is there something else that you need?" The man asked politely.

Then, there it was. A shade of green, extending from the upper side to the lower side of the eyelid.

It couldn't be-

Before he could get a better look at him, the man hastily ran to the opposite direction.

"Wait!" Yagi tried to chase after him, but his lungs burned. He couldn't. Blood seeped out of his mouth as he attempted to run again.

"Toshinori?!" Tsukauchi ran after his friend, holding him by his shoulder, "What's wrong?"

The kid looked at them, confused.

Yagi wipes the blood from his lips, his eyes trained on the kid, "We may have just found our number one lead to the Emerald Ghost."