The Junko News office buzzed with energy. Reporters and editors shuffled back and forth, scurrying footsteps and incessant clatter of keyboards creating a symphony of productivity. The open-plan office resembled a battlefield of ideas and ambitions. Posters of past headlines adorned the walls, each a testament to the publication's storied history.

At the heart of the office space stood Mayuko Sakamoto, the indomitable Editor-in-Chief. Her eyes scanned the room from behind her stylish glasses, missing nothing. "Listen up, everyone!" Mayuko's voice cut through the chaos like a knife. Conversations halted, and all eyes turned to her. "We're falling behind. The U.A. Sports Festival is just around the corner, and every other publisher is already saturating the market with stories about it. We need something fresh, something no one else has."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room, but it was clear that inspiration was in short supply. "Boss, it's tough," one of the senior reporters, Haruto, ventured. "The Sports Festival is the biggest event right now, it's all everyone's talking about. It's hard to find a new angle."

Mayuko's gaze sharpened. "That's exactly why we need to dig deeper! We can't afford to be just another voice in the crowd. We need to break the mold. What's happening behind the scenes? Who are the unsung heroes? What's the story no one else is telling?"

The room fell silent, the weight of Mayuko's expectations settling heavily on the team. Then a new voice interjected. "Hey, easy now, Chief." All the reporters looked towards the door. A tall, slender man with glasses, wavy black hair and an angular face strode inside. He had an unbothered, carefree charm about him. "Be gentle with your hard-working employees."

Directing her gaze to the newcomer, Mayuko's attitude softened at the sight of her old acquaintance, Taneo Tokuda. Despite her reputation for being ruthless, she had a soft spot for the freelance journalist. "Hey, Taneo," she greeted, a slight smile playing on her lips. "What brings you over here?"

"Got a proposition for ya," said Taneo, coming to sit at the main table. "Something big. Something sure to put Juzo News on top of the rankings."

Mayuko's gaze took on a new focus. Taneo had a knack for bringing a fresh perspective to the mix. Maybe this was exactly what they needed. She found a place across from Taneo as the other reporters took seats beside her. "I'm listening."

"Last week there was some villain activity over at the docks in Hosu." Taneo leaned back in his seat. "Some high-tech weapons dealers that All Might took care of."

Mayuko didn't look impressed. "Yeah, so what? Some run-of-the-mill gun smugglers aren't anything out of the ordinary."

"Oh, but they are," Taneo countered. "See, these guys were out-of-towners. My source they're a group from America called A.I.M."

Mayuko's brow wrinkled; she leaned in closer. "An international weapons supplier?"

"That's right," said Taneo, "and they weren't the only ones. There was another guy who came over after them. Story goes him and All Might teamed up against them."

Now Taneo had the news team's attention. "Who's the guy?" Mayuko asked.

"Mister Danny Rand," Taneo said, sliding a photo forward on the table. It was a headshot of a young American man with blonde hair in ordinary clothes. "Also known as the Immortal Iron Fist."

Mayuko's eyes thinned. "The rich guy? Of Rand Corporation?"

"That's him," Taneo confirmed.

Haruto scoffed. "Pretty presumptuous name, if you ask me."

Koushun sat straighter in his chair. "Iron Fist? What does his costume look like?"

"These days? Black and yellow almost-tracksuit. Yellow dragon on the chest. Sometimes with tape around the arms." Taneo pointed to his forehead. "And a yellow, bandana-ish mask on the top half of his face. That part never changes."

Koushun's face showed further recognition, getting up from the table to find his desk. He returned with a few sheets of paper, shuffling through it until he found the one he was looking for. "There was a report out of east Musutafu just a few days ago. A guy with that kind of outfit on a motorcycle. Showed up at a robbery, wrecked all the villains and went on about his business."

Mayuko's frown focused on Koushun. "No interviews?"

"None," Koushun answered with a shake of his head.

"And here's the interesting thing," said Taneo. "I've checked the American hero network, and he's one of those unusual types that aren't on it. He's not licensed."

The whole room caught on immediately.

"A vigilante?" Mayuko's gaze went sharp again. "And the cops haven't brought him in yet?"

Taneo's smirk deepened. "It gets crazier." He brought out his phone and clicked it on, sliding it towards the reporters. "Look who else was there."

Mayuko and the others looked down at the phone. A sent picture of three heroes filled the display in a thread of text messages. When Mayuko saw the third figure standing alongside All Might and Iron Fist, her jaw dropped. "Tony Stark?!"

"You're kidding me! Iron Man?!" exclaimed Haruto.

"Yep." Taneo nodded as the dumbfounded reporters listened. "My source says Stark showed up later on. Him, Fist and All Might had a pretty long chat. It's rare to see Iron Man in this half of the world, and it's usually for something important."

Mayuko crossed her arms. "So, two mega-rich vigilantes from America drop in, and one of them decides to just stick around?"

"According to my sources," Taneo said. "Stark said he's here for an 'extended visit.'"

Haruto leaned his cheek against his fist. "Seems like a real mystery."

"And I've got a strong feeling it's all about a name they were throwing around." Taneo's voice lowered slightly in pitch. "The League of Villains."

Mayuko felt her muscles subtly tighten at the name. "Those guys that attacked the U.S.J.?"

"The same. Those guys appeared out of the woodwork with a plan to take out All Might. This visit by our American friends makes me think it won't be the last of them."

Mayuko steepled her fingers, focusing intently on the freelance reporter. "And you think you can bring us all the details from this Iron Fist character?"

"I have no doubt, Chief." Amusement touched Taneo's face. "For my usual fee, of course."

Mayuko rolled her eyes with a snort. "Of course." The Editor-in-Chief clasped her hands, silently contemplating this whirlwind of intrigue. An organized ring of high-tech weapon dealers, the appearance of not one but two foreign vigilantes, the involvement of the Symbol of Peace himself, and a trail that led back to the mysterious League of Villains. It was all so unexpected; but in a world full of heroes, sometimes the most extraordinary stories came from the most unexpected places. "Get us your scoop," she said at last, "and then we'll talk."

Taneo flashed a broad grin. "Then I've got some work to do. Be seein' ya." He stood up and brushed off his jacket before exiting the office with a wave.

The morning sun cast a gentle glow over the bustling cityscape of Musutafu, painting the skyline in hues of golden light. All Might stood by the large in his modest home, his eyes scanning the horizon, contemplating recent events. The revelation that the League of Villains had been arming themselves with beyond-state-of-the-art ordinance from A.I.M. was a disturbing one. The Symbol of Peace couldn't shake the feeling that something dark lay on the horizon.

And with this news had come an unforeseen ally: the Iron Fist, Danny Rand.

Five days had passed since the American hero's arrival in Japan, and All Might had been making an effort to keep abreast of his activity. Danny's presence was, admittedly, an ambivalent one. With his martial prowess and strong drive, he'd shown to be a powerful weapon against the forces of A.I.M., and potentially an instrumental ally in the continuing fight against the League. Still, the Iron Fist was an unlicensed vigilante, operating outside the established framework of hero society. Even with apparent—perhaps even reluctant—approval by the powers that be, the American had immediately raised concerns among Japanese authorities.

The Symbol of Peace found himself at a crossroads, his mind already skipping ahead to the possible fallout and repercussions of this chain of events.

Toshinori knew he needed more information about Danny Rand. His instincts told him that this man was noble and trustworthy, but his duty to the law and his fellow heroes required him to be thorough. And there was only one person he could think of who might shed light on the enigmatic Iron Fist. Picking up his phone, he dialed the number he had been given to him over the last week through one of his connections as the Number One Hero.

After a few rings, a woman's voice answered. "Stark Industries, this is Pepper Potts. How can I assist you?"

"Ah, yes, hello Ms. Potts. This is All Might. I need to speak with Mr. Stark. It's urgent."

Pepper's tone shifted, becoming more focused. "Why, hello All Might. I'll get him on, just give me one minute." Her next words had a warm charm. "Big fan, by the way."

"You're too kind," All Might said through a soft laugh. "Thanks for the assistance."

Pepper's voice disappeared, traded out for the sound of a repeating dial. All Might felt anticipation and unease mix inside him as he waited.

The line picked up, and the unmistakable suave voice of Tony Stark picked up. "Yes, this is Iron Man."

The Symbol of Peace pursed his lips. He'd only briefly interacted with the Avengers co-leader those few days ago; he wasn't sure what to expect. "Hello, Mr. Stark. It's All Might."

"Ah, that tracks," the billionaire replied casually. "I figured you'd be reaching out eventually."

All Might smiled slowly, feeling his tension release. "Sorry to interrupt your day. I just wanted to ask a few questions."

"Ask away," said Tony. "My line is always open for fellow heroes."

All Might's throat shook from his faint chuckle. "It's about this former teammate of yours, Iron Fist. What can you tell me about him?"

"Danny boy?" Tony paused briefly. "Well, there's the basics. Only son of the late Heather and Wendell Rand, the latter being the founder of Rand Corp."

All Might's eyebrows raised in surprise. "The research and investment company?"

"The same," Tony replied. "Orphaned at nine via a disgruntled family friend. Taken in, raised, and trained by a lost, mystical city of kung fu monks." Tony chuckled. "You know, the classics."

The Number One felt his mind swirl as he took in the information. He almost kicked himself for not making the connection to the famed enterprise when he heard Danny's last name. Maybe he was more out of the loop with international happenings than he'd thought… Still, Danny's rich upbringing was a surprise, as was the apparent circumstances surrounding his parents' deaths. He hadn't expected that level of tragedy in his history. And a lost city of warrior monks? His western counterparts seemed to have no dearth of fascinating origins. "That's quite the childhood," All Might commented. "What about him personally?"

"Pretty chill most of the time," Tony with an easy tone. "He's got the whole zen master vibe going for him. Lots of drive. Sometimes cares more about others than himself." Tony paused again in quiet thought. "Occasionally has a bit of a temper. And when it comes to throwing hands, he might be one of the best to ever do it."

All Might gave a soft approximation of a laugh. "One of the best, huh? Can't say that doesn't match up." The older hero's expression turned thoughtful. He was pleasantly surprised by the explanation. His new ally sounded like a very honorable person. Part of him couldn't help but linger on the thought of Iron Fist's temper, his brain trying to conjure up an image of the monkish hero angry over something; though, maybe most people had that to some degree.

"Danny's good people," Tony said. "He'll be good to have on your side."

"That's the impression I get," All Might agreed. He'd meant the words he'd said in Iron Fist's defense to Tsurugamae. Thinking of that interaction caused another thought to spring to Toshinori's mind. "Speaking of which… I knew not all of you American heroes were licensed pros, but seeing him totally clueless about the whole thing was surprising."

"Ah, that." Tony's voice stayed calm, but it sounded like he could sense where All Might was going with this. " Well, it's one of those cultural differences. We've always had a lot more of one than the other. Things slip through the cracks."

"Right." All Might paused, remembering Danny's words about the concept. "He also mentioned a lot of people getting hurt over the same kind of issue. Do you know anything about that?"

It took a few seconds for Iron Man's voice to reply. When it did, it held something resembling strain. "That… goes back to some uncomfortable history for a lot of us."

All Might frowned slightly. He could sense unease Tony's sudden unease. Whatever this uncomfortable history was, it sounded important. "Rough ground?" he asked curiously.

"Bloody waters," Tony corrected gravely.

All Might went still. That didn't bode well. "What happened?" he asked after a long moment.

Tony was quiet for three more seconds. When he began his explanation, his voice sounded heavier. "The Superhuman Registration Act happened. After an incident involving a lot of collateral damage… and casualties… enough people decided that we should try and be more like you guys in Japan. All superhumans and costumed heroes were to be registered, licensed, and work under S.H.I.E.L.D. as paid government employees."

All Might let out a low breath. Collateral damage… He could practically see the dark memories as Iron Man recounted the tale. The American government trying to regulate and keep watch on the heroes after such an incident sounded like a noble idea to him, but the pain in Tony's voice gave him pause. "That sounds like a very… controversial decision for you all."

"You don't know the half of it." Iron Man took a breath, probably running a hand through his hair. "I was all for it at the time. After what happened, all those deaths… I thought we needed to be put in check."

All Might listened intently. He could hear the emotion, the guilt in Tony's voice. He was surprised to hear the events, whatever they were, still weighing on the Avenger's conscience after so long. "I'm sure you did," the Number One said gently. "But I can guess the situation turned bad?"

"You know what they say about hindsight," Iron Man replied with a low scoff. "The other side of that bill was that any heroes who didn't hang up their masks for a normal nine-to-five weren't just to be considered criminals, how you guys view vigilantes in general, but were to be hunted down by S.H.I.E.L.D. and imprisoned. No jury or trial, either."

All Might's eyes widened. Even with his own mildly disapproving stance towards unlicensed heroics, that was… extreme. "That's…" He trailed off, not sure what to say for several seconds. "That sounds like something many heroes would have objections to."

"Captain America key among them," Tony added.

All Might snorted gently, sporting a thin smile. "Of course."

"Yeah, obvious one, right?" Tony muttered in a half-amused tone. "It wasn't long before everyone was choosing a side."

"I assume you and Danny ended up on different sides of the argument?" All Might proffered.

"You'd assume right," Tony answered. "Some of us told ourselves… I told myself that we were doing the right thing. That it was a necessary compromise. A growing pain we could work out the details on later." The inventor sighed. "Even when heroes started dying. Before you knew it, we were so caught up in the fight, we didn't realize the damage we were doing." Tony took a breath, regret lacing his every word. "And I was so caught in believing I was right, I didn't care about the people I was siding with to get it done. Never got through to my head how I'd been so wrong, how the whole thing was never worth it… until I was staring at Steve's corpse on a gurney."

All Might sat in stunned silence. That was… That was terrible. A whole new perspective that he had never expected was laid out before him. He felt pain for the American heroes who lost their lives. And Captain America… The First Avenger had also fallen in the struggle? Even if it had been years ago, Toshinori knew that the weight of something like that never fully lifted. He blinked, something else coming to mind. "But wait, Captain America. He's alive, isn't he?"

Tony managed a dry snort. "That happens more than you'd think for us." There was another heavy pause. "But the past never dies."

'The past never dies…' The words repeated in All Might's mind as his thoughts swirled. It was hard to figure out how to react, considering he only had Iron Man's side of the story. But he did what he could, taking a deep breath and drawing up his own words of encouragement. "But there's always tomorrow."

There were a few seconds of silence, then another soft chuckle from Tony. "Wow, you're almost as good at those motivational aphorisms as 'Cap."

All Might laughed lightly. "I have my moments."

The two heroes shared a few more beats of silence. "Keep an eye on Danny boy," Tony said, his voice soft yet earnest. "It might be tough for him out there by himself. He could use a friend."

"I will." The Symbol of Peace's words had a firm conviction. That was one promise he intended to be true to. "I appreciate the time, Mr. Stark. Thank you."

"No problem, and thank you." Then the line clicked off.

Toshinori Yagi turned his gaze back to the horizon, determination etched into his features. This conversation with the Avengers co-leader had given him some much-needed insight on Iron Fist, and context for his intriguing friend's perspective. The world of heroes was vast, and the lines between right and wrong, good and evil often blurred. But one thing was certain—if the heroes of Japan were to stand a chance against the League of Villains, they would need all the help they could get, no matter where it came from. The fight was far from over. But with allies like Danny Rand and possibly Tony Stark, they might just have a fighting chance.

Aoi Ward was usually a bustling center of commerce and life. But today, it had turned into a battlefield, the streets echoing with the sounds of chaos. On the main street, the Porcupine Villain known as Quillstorm faced off against a small group of heroes. He stood over six feet tall. His brown hair, long and bristling, was hardened and shaped into spikes, forming a living arsenal around his body. The villain's hair seemed alive, lashing to and fro, firing strands like missiles at any hero who dared approach.

The Lion Hero, Shishido, snarled in his throat. His beastly appearance and power made him a formidable presence on any battlefield, but even he was wary of Quillstorm's dangerous Quirk. A female hero in a wasp-like costume touched down near him, a wounded civilian in her arms. "This isn't good," she said sharply over the din. "That Quirk won't let us get close to him. We're gonna have to hold out until a long-range hero shows up."

"We can't afford to wait!" Shishido's deep voice replied, his eyes flicking left and right to the half-dozen wounded civilians pinned down on the sidewalks. Wary as he was of Quillstorm's power, the hot-blooded lion man wasn't about to stand by while innocent people were at risk. Defying logic, Shishido charged forward, muscles rippling under his costume as he sprinted toward the villain. His sharp claws extended, ready to strike.

Quillstorm caught the Lion Hero's approach and smirked, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Too slow!" With a flick of his head, he sent a barrage of quills flying towards his opponent. Shishido twisted and turned, his heightened reflexes allowing him to evade most of them, but one quill found its mark, slicing into his left bicep.

"Argh!" Shishido growled, feeling the sharp pain radiate through his arm. He stumbled, then quickly leaped back to avoid another spray of quills. The wound was deep, blood seeping through his costume and dripping onto the ground. The lion man gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with determination despite the pain.

"Hey, quill-head!" A shout from behind Quillstorm drew the villain's attention.

The Solar Hero, Sunblast, stood tall and proud, his sun-emblazoned costume glinting with the reflection of the light. Sunblast's Quirk allowed him to absorb and store solar energy, which he could then use to amplify his physical strength. Gathering that energy, Sunblast's eyes glowed fiercely orange, his muscles expanding, surging with power that he used to lift a nearby car above his head. "Let's see how you handle this!" With a mighty heave, he hurled the vehicle with incredible force toward Quillstorm.

Quillstorm's eyes widened in surprise, but his reflexes were sharp. With a nimble leap, he dodged the incoming projectile, the car crashing onto empty space and careening past the criminal.

Time seemed to slow for Shishido as he saw the car rolling towards him. His lion-like instincts let him spring to the side just in time, the car crashing into the ground where he had been moments before. Heat flushed through the lion man's body. That reckless oaf Sunblast almost hit him. And he thought he was hot-blooded. Shishido's sharp rebuke failed to leave his throat when his sharp ears picked up a faint cry. He turned to see a civilian, a young woman with a bleeding leg, struggling on the ground.

"Hang on!" Shishido called out, forcing himself to ignore his stabbing pain. He dashed toward the injured woman, scooping her up in his uninjured arm. Luckily, the car Sunblast had thrown now lay right-side-up again, creating a temporary barrier. With a burst of speed, Shishido carried the civilian behind the car, gently setting her down. and rushing with her behind the car, just in time to avoid another fired barrage of hair needles from Quillstorm. "Stay low," he instructed, his voice calming despite the urgency of the situation. "You'll be safe here."

The young woman nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Shishido gave her a reassuring nod before peeking over the edge of the car to assess the situation. Quillstorm was still on the offensive, launching quills every which way. Sounds of impact rapped against the side opposite Shishido and the civilian as the spikes embedded themselves in the car doors. The Lion Hero took a deep breath, his mind racing as he tried to formulate a plan. He and the other heroes needed to distract Quillstorm long enough to get in close. His quills were lethal at range, but if they could get close, slip in while his attention was elsewhere, they might have a chance. Shishido glanced at the injured civilian at his left, her eyes filled with fear and hope. He knew he couldn't let her or anyone else down.

"Hairy situation, huh?" a new voice said from Shishido's right.

Shishido turned his head, looking to the source. His eyes were met by another hero. The young masked man in black and yellow crouched beside him, poking his head over the front edge of the car. "Something like that," the lion man replied gruffly. "We've been trying to stop this spiky pest, but his Quirk is a real problem. If someone can keep him occupied, I might be able to get behind him and—"

Shishido paused mid-sentence as he took in the new arrival's appearance. The yellow half mask, the slim build, the black and yellow colors, and that dragon emblem on his chest… it all brought a recent rumor vaguely to mind. Then his mind went hot with new anger. "Hey, I know you! You're that American vigilante, Iron Man!"

"It's Iron Fist," Danny corrected, ducking a couple more hair spikes. "Get it right."

"…That's a lame name," Shishido commented after a moment; then he remembered he was supposed to be angry. "Wait, I don't care!" The Lion Hero's eyes went hard, his jaw tightening. "When we're done with this mess, I'm gonna do what any self-respecting hero should when it comes to vigilantes like you and—!" Shishido's angry words were interrupted when he suddenly dodged another volley of spiky quills directly towards them, the spikes shooting through two of the car's already-cracked windows.

"Big talk coming from the guy with only one good arm," Iron Fist replied distractedly, ducking this newest set of stray quills as he kept his eyes focused on the Quillstorm. On the sidewalks in front of them, entreaties and pained cries from wounded victims were audible. "Ugh, there's no getting to the bystanders as long as that guy's shooting like this. There isn't anyone here who can create some more cover?"

Shishido's expression darkened when the porcupine's spiny quills whizzed overhead again. He was instantly annoyed to realize he was just having similar thoughts, but he wasn't out of words for the American yet. "Stay out of this, vigilante! You don't belong here!"

"I think there are more important things to worry about than—" Iron Fist's reply was cut off when he reacted to another fired quill; this one sailed straight for the young woman Shishido had rescued as she tried to stumble away from the scene. Iron Fist caught the deadly projectile right before it could bury itself in her back. And that evaporated all of the Living Weapon's patience; his masked eyes went narrow. "All right, enough of this." With a chest full of fire, he dropped the spike and bounded over the car's hood, going directly for Quillstorm in a burst of speed.

"Hey, you—!" Shishido's words died abruptly as Iron Fist charged. He'd seen that look, that righteous fury on the American's face. When Quillstorm threw out another spread of spikes, the foreigner ducked and weaved around them without taking a single hit. Shishido's surprise was obvious. This vigilante was not only shockingly fast, but appeared even more nimble than he was.

Iron Fist was two-thirds of the way to Quillstorm in an instant. At one-third of the way there, the Porcupine Villain grinned at the new challenger. He controlled his spiked hair to wrap himself in it, creating a shell of spiked armor around his whole body. The only part of him left uncovered was his eyes. "Come on!" Quillstorm taunted, abundantly confident in his defense. "Just try it, hero!"

The onlooking heroes balked at the maneuver. "Oh, that's cheap!" the wasp heroine shouted in complaint.

Even Shishido looked aggravated, a growl rumbling in his throat. None of them had known Quillstorm could use his Quirk like that. He'd stopped firing, possibly because he couldn't use the defense and projectile attacks at the same time, possibly due to sheer overconfidence, but the spiked armor left the American no openings to attack.

But the dragon of K'un Lun showed exactly how much he cared about that as he darted right up to Quillstorm, triggered his golden namesake, and with a shout of indignation, decked the villain straight in the face with an overhand right. Instead of ending up with a mangled hand perforated by metallic, half-inch-thick quills, his nigh-invulnerable Iron Fist crushed the criminal's spiked hair underneath its force and drove straight through to its target. Loosed blood and a shattered jaw were the results as Quillstorm was sent flying to the opposite sidewalk, crashing through the wall of a building with a resulting cloud of dust.

Shishido's jaw went slack, his eyes bugging. The vigilante had just demolished Quillstorm's defense like a house of cards, taking the criminal out with a single thunderous blow. "Damn," Shishido said aloud, unable to help his smile. "That's one hell of a right hand."

The other heroes on scene were similarly amazed. "Holy crap… He punched him right through the spikes!" a male in a full-body white and navy costume commented, cringing as he grasped his own right hand, probably imagining what would have happened if he had tried. All around the street, gasps and murmurs of admiration from heroes and civilians alike went around as they processed what just happened.

Danny regarded the wrecked hole of the establishment he'd sent Quillstorm through, breathing away his tension. 'Good thing he never trained his Quirk to shoot and shield his body at the same time,' he thought. 'If he'd bothered to work on himself more, that would have been pretty dicey.' He paused, looking with some regret at the aftermath. Hopefully the owner's insurance policy covered villain damage.

Shishido's eyes stayed steadily on Iron Fist. His feelings of hostility were slowly melting away, replaced by curious fascination. The American was strong and skilled, with a powerful Quirk. He seemed as ruthless with criminals as himself, and he had helped save lives today. Who exactly was this foreigner?

Then he shook his head, clearing his thoughts. No, that didn't matter. At the end of the day, he was a vigilante, and vigilantes were still criminals. It was his duty as a hero to bring the man in. But Shishido had to admit, he was having more and more trouble staying mad at this American. He could really fight.

"Hey, you busybody!" A shout drew attention from everyone in the vicinity. Iron Fist perked, turning right to see Sunblast coming towards him.

Shishido felt his attitude harden. He could see where this was going. Sunblast was known in the Pro community for his repugnance; an arrogant hotshot and glory hound. The only reason Shishido himself never had to deal with his unpleasantness was due to already being an established pro. But Sunblast never passed up the chance to throw his weight around with rookies. Apparently, he'd pegged the new face of Iron Fist as being lower on the totem pole; easier pickings for his anger.

The Solar Hero marched right up to Iron Fist, his hands balled into fists and nostrils flaring. "What's your malfunction?! We had that!"

Iron Fist stared up at Sunblast for several seconds, his expression impassive. The marital artist glanced around the area at the damaged buildings, the damaged vehicles, and the injured civilians being attended to by some of the other heroes. Looking back at Sunblast, he raised an eyebrow. "You and I might have different definitions of the phrase," he replied, sounding rather unimpressed with the Solar Hero.

Sunblast caught the implication of the comment; he did not like it. "You smart-mouthed little punk! Do you have any idea who you're talking to?! Newbies like you should know your place and—!"Sunblast's words abruptly trailed off. He squinted, appearing to note the stranger's foreign accent, his eyes running up and down Iron Fist's frame. Then it clicked. "Wait a minute… I recognize that tacky outfit. You're the one they're talking about, aren't you? That American vigilante."

A few soft gasps came from the observers on the sidelines at the word. The pros and civilians murmured among themselves at the news, even more locked in on what was taking place than they'd been before. Subtly, Iron Fist reached into his pocket, pressing a button on his phone.

A very un-heroic smile spread across Sunblast's face. He looked like he'd found the perfect justification for venting his emotions. "Too bad you didn't get the memo, eh gaijin? Heroics by unlicensed people are illegal. Which I'm happy to inform you, makes you a villain."

Shishido folded his arms, not getting involved, but watching with great interest as things played out. While he didn't care for Sunblast in the least, his statements about the American weren't wrong. A couple of the other pros started to tense, looking ready to get in on the action against the supposed foreign criminal.

Danny's eyes narrowed slightly when the word 'gaijin' left his newest critic's mouth, but he kept his emotions under control. He could sense Sunblast and the other pro heroes' growing animosity. He was dangling on the precipice of a confrontation. He'd have to play his cards very carefully. Taking a soft breath, he replied calmly. "This might come as a surprise to you, but I did get the memo, and I've already been approved to do work here by your Public Safety Commission."

"Wait, what?!" Shishido couldn't contain himself this time, his head whipping from Sunblast to Iron Fist and his jaw nearly dropping to the floor. Sunblast and every other Japanese citizen looked equally stunned at the rebuttal. Had they really just heard that? This unlicensed foreigner, this vigilante had been authorized?

For five seconds, no one spoke, no one moved; only stared.

"Oh, you have, have you?" It was Sunblast who broke the ensuing silence, studying Iron Fist with ill-concealed scorn. "And what if I don't believe you?" The Solar Hero's eyes started to glow orange, his activating Quirk building up power in his body. "What if I think I should teach you a lesson, and then let the police decide what to do with your scrawny—!"

Just as Danny feared a fight was about to break out, before another word left Sunblast's mouth, the cold touch of steel pressed against the loudmouthed pro's neck. The Solar Hero's eyes went wide, abruptly halting his steps. He glanced down to see the blunt side of a curve, a three-foot blade right against his Adam's apple, his reflection visible in the polished steel, and a chill going up his spine. Standing very still, his eyes followed the blade down to its wielder who had abruptly appeared at his right. A pair of stony brown eyes looked back at him from behind a white half-mask.

Iron Fist's eyebrows raised. That figure, with her long, dark hair, red and black outfit, classic sword and wakizashi combo, and iconic white mask featuring with traditional red circle symbol of Japan's sun on the forehead, was one he instantly recognized. "Katana!"

The other pros looked taken aback at the sudden appearance. Tatsu Yamashiro, while not extremely popular or famous compared to her peers, was an intense and very capable hero. Once a vigilante herself, in recent years she'd come to adhere to the licensing requirements that were Japan's standards, if for no other reason than to remain unbothered in her home country. Her tales alongside other international heroes and vigilantes alike were the stuff of wild urban legend, and all of her Japanese colleagues knew she was not a woman to be trifled with.

Even Shishido was surprised. Katana had appeared instantly, like some sort of ninja. The rumors of her capabilities were no exaggeration. He stayed watching, wondering where this new development was leading. Today day was getting wilder every moment.

Katana stared unblinking up at Sunblast, her dark eyes cold with warning as she held her sword up in Iron Fist's defense. Sunblast felt a trickle of sweat slide down his forehead. He was afraid to move, afraid to even blink, his heart racing like a panicked rabbit's. The samurai woman held his gaze for three heartbeats longer, then mercifully retracted her sword from his neck and sheathed it, placing herself between Iron Fist and Sunblast. Only when the blade was fully put away did the Solar Hero remember how to breathe.

Katana was known for a virtual, if not official, vow of silence. She rarely spoke, preferring to let her actions speak for her. She did so now, withdrawing a small tablet from one of her pockets. She tapped the screen four times and held it up towards Sunblast.

The Solar Hero blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. Was she trying to show him something? He leaned in, wondering what it could be.

What Sunburst was shown was a page from the Public Safety Commission's main site, under the announcement and update brackets. Within one of the recent publications, tucked far away in a mass of updates that could easily be missed by the undiscerning eye, was one short sentence: Until further notice from this body, the American vigilante Daniel Rand—alias: Iron Fist—is temporarily granted full rights and permissions to engage in Heroic work within Japanese borders. The blurb was very brief and lacked detail, almost purposefully covering only bare basics, but it was indeed an official Commission update.

Sunblast was speechless, his eyes widening comically. He read the lines over and over again in disbelief. "How the hell… They actually did it?!" Every other Japanese person at the scene heard Sunblast's outburst loud and clear. They looked at each other, just as shocked.

Danny released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He clasped his hands and inclined his head to Katana, his voice full of deference and gratitude for his acquaintance. "You're a lifesaver, Yamashiro-san."

Katana finally took her eyes off Sunblast, looking back at Iron Fist. She still didn't say anything, but nodded, a faint smile gracing her face.

Shishido watched the entire exchange in astonished silence. Seeing the American on a name basis with an infamously secretive and stoic hero like Katana was sending his mind spinning. She was notorious for never talking in public, yet here she was exchanging friendly glances with this vigilante. Who was this guy? How did he know her?

Iron Fist glanced around. The looks of bewilderment from most and subtle hostility from a couple—particularly Sunblast—made him suddenly want to be somewhere else. Fortunately, the familiar engine whine of his motorcycle came rolling up behind him, summoned by the control he pressed earlier. He reflexively grabbed the seat to mount it, but not before sparing one more glance to his fellow warrior. "I owe you, Katana. Can I reach out to you while I keep searching for the League?"

Katana answered him with another nod.

Shishido's forehead knitted at the mention. The League?

Iron Fist gave one more grateful bob of his head to Katana before he revved his bike, and then he was whisking away down the street. The samurai heroine watched him speed off for several seconds, her black hair flowing in the wind. Then she returned her gaze to Sunblast, cold as ice once again. If the Solar Hero had any further issues at the moment, he could apparently take them up with her—if he dared.

Sunblast didn't look interested. He backed away and strode down the street with a grumble, stewing in his wounded pride.

The other pros were even more perplexed than before. So much new information was bombarding them all at once. Shishido especially was more curious about the American than ever. Not only did Iron Fist have the likes of Katana as allies, but the Public Safety Commission had sanctioned his actions? And who was this "League" he wanted to find?

Unbidden, a name sprang up in the Lion Hero's mind. The League… Did it have something to do with the recently emerged League of Villains?

There were just too many questions.

The League of Villains' hideout was eerily quiet. Dim lights cast long shadows over the wooden surfaces and brick walls. In front of the bar stood Kurogiri. The League's second-in-command methodically wiped down the counter. It hardly needed cleaning; it was more of a ritual to pass the time. But he did so with a subtle in his posture.

A low hum filled the room, drawing his attention to the monitor mounted on the wall next to the end of the bar. The screen flickered to life, displaying neon pink letters of two words: Sound Only. Kurogiri straightened, immediately recognizing the presence. He dutifully approached the monitor and waited.

"Report, Kurogiri." A voice issued from the monitor. It was calm, almost soothing, but laden with an unmistakable undercurrent of authority and power.

The tension in the Warp Gate villain's shoulders only increased. "There's been… an unexpected development. It appears A.I.M. was intercepted upon their arrival. Their agents have been seized and the newly arrived product was destroyed."

There was a heartbeat of silence before there was a reply. "I see." The response was measured, the tone betraying no hint of anger. "Heroes, I presume?"

"Correct," Kurogiri confirmed. He had a good idea of how this conversation would go, but continued regardless. "A.I.M. was caught off guard and raided before the exchange could take place. From my initial efforts, I learned that All Might was involved."

"Ah." The voice went low and silky with amusement. "So my old adversary continues to gallivant on his borrowed time."

Even with no visual connection, Kurogiri nodded. "Yes. It appears he arrived not long after the shipments had arrived at the designated space at the Hosu docks." The second-in-command brought his arm across his chest and bowed his misty head. "Forgive me, my lord. Our previous deals with M.O.D.O.K. have never encountered such incursions. Had I suspected something was afoot, I would have used the drones we previously purchased from them for extra security."

The voice's response held a note of reassurance, almost comforting in its detachment. "Your concern is gratifying, but unnecessary. There are always unexpected factors. We can't control every outcome, no matter how meticulous our preparations." There was a moment of pause, then it spoke again. "And our high-minded merchant and his minions were unable to move or conceal any of the supply before All Might arrived? All of it was destroyed?"

Kurogiri nodded once more. "Correct, my lord." His glowing yellow eyes stared at the purple video screen, trying to discern his master's thoughts.

"Tell me, Kurogiri. Have you heard the recent rumors floating around Musutafu the past several days?"

Kurogiri's shadowed head perked. This was new to him. "I have not. What sort of rumors are they?"

"There's talk of a foreign hero with notable fighting skill appearing around the city." The voice was steady, almost intrigued. "Not like one of our more professional heroes, but an American vigilante."

Kurogiri's hazy expression sharpened. His interest was fully piqued. "Someone outside official pro hero jurisdiction…" The gears in the villain's mind turned. The only reason his master would even broach such a subject in this context could only be… "And you believe this vigilante to be involved with scuttling the sale from A.I.M.?"

"Consider. With his compounded injuries after the U.S.J. attack, All Might's visible time in the public eye has diminished even further than it had been for the past five years. The cost of his victory over the Nomu at U.A., no doubt. More tellingly, any sparse heroics he's been involved in have been confined to Musutafu. Even if he were to learn of the deal taking place in Hosu, it's less likely that he'd arrive in time to sabotage all of A.I.M.'s arriving weaponry. But if someone else got there first…"

Kurogiri's glowing yellow eyes widened as he took in the information, mulling over the new theory his master presented. It made sense. All Might's recent activities had indeed been more localized, and his injury from the U.S.J. attack had certainly impacted his ability to act quickly across distances. "You suggest that this vigilante had been alerted to the weapons sale and managed to reach it before All Might even knew about it?"

"M.O.D.O.K. had no shortage of enemies," the voice replied, calm and precise. "His recent failure at the hands of the Avengers is partly what prompted A.I.M. to expand into the Japanese black market. This man may be one of their extended allies. Now consider that under normal circumstances, a vigilante of any nationality would be roundly taken in by the Japanese authorities. But if the American and All Might were to defeat M.O.D.O.K. together…"

Kurogiri's expression became more focused as he listened. The pieces were beginning to form a clearer picture now. A newly arrived foreigner, the thwarting of the weapons sale, All Might's appearance, and the vigilante's trail of continued efforts. Everything was connecting in his mind. "They learned of the League of Villains' connection to A.I.M. The American and All Might came to an understanding. And with the Number One Hero's validation, he's been allowed to continue his heroics in Japan."

"And now a new enemy pursues us," All For One intoned.

Kurogiri's eyes narrowed. This new picture didn't bode well for the League. Another hero was on their trail; more potential obstacles to their goals. "The implications of this are… troublesome. And you wish for me to investigate this new enemy further?"

"Naturally." The supervillain paused. "But do not inform Tomura yet. Not until you have a more complete picture of this vigilante and his activities."

Kurogiri nodded. A sensible request. The young lord tended to let his emotions rule his actions, something Kurogiri had learned to work around. No need to worry their hot-headed leader in the making if it wasn't necessary. "Understood, master. I'll keep the matter between us for now."

"Good." A few beats of silence passed before All For One spoke again. "The situation could prove troublesome. For this vigilante to come all the way here and remain so to continue his search suggests he's a very driven individual." The silk returned to the Symbol of Evil's voice. "But it could also be quite interesting. Given Japan's averse stance towards unlicensed heroics, I anticipate he'll encounter no small amount of opposition."

"Indeed." Kurogiri agreed, the amusement in his master's voice not lost on him. "The hero system in Japan is notoriously strict regarding unlicensed activities. He's likely to incur the enmity of both the police and other pro heroes who won't take kindly to his actions."

"The conflict between this visitor and the other pros may even work to advantage," All For One said. "We'll continue to monitor the situation and see what opportunities present themselves. Make good use of the surveillance drones to aid in your investigation."

Kurogiri nodded acknowledgment. "Understood, master. However, there is a possibility that these events may lead to increased scrutiny. If this vigilante has indeed become an ally of All Might, the HPSC may be more inclined to act."

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. Given how conservative many of the older committee members are, not even the backing of the Symbol of Peace may be enough to change their minds about an unlicensed foreigner."

Kurogiri hummed thoughtfully. All For One had a point. The Public Safety Commission wasn't exactly known for being flexible in their policies, even with the Number One's metaphorical stamp of approval. Still… "Even if not, there's also the chance of the U.S. becoming further involved. They've sent one of their own here, after all. They may continue to try and pull strings."

"Agreed." There was another beat of silence. "Until then, learn what there is to know about our American visitor." There was the sense the Symbol of Evil was smiling wider. "We'll see what part he has to play."

Kurogiri gave another nod. He could tell his master was quite curious to see how this would all unfold. The idea of a new player on Japan's stage, a foreign one at that, almost seemed to excite him. "Understood, my lord. I'll begin looking into the situation at once."

The saga continues. Some context is given for my personal take on Civil War, and Mr. Fist's name slowly starts to spread. What I'm really excited for is the next part. Leave me your thoughts and comments and feedback and I'll see you next time.

-SSD