Here's the chapter. Enjoy!

Rikiya motioned to a small table in his office. One that looked more friendly and informal, to pretend they were friends, not boss and employee. "Please Haru, take a seat."

"With pleasure," Jackdaw said.

Rikiya and Jackdaw both took their seats. Rikiya reached for his own wine vintage, but Jackdaw pulled a bottle from his bag.

"A gift from an operative who runs a vineyard. His own vintage." He poured the drink. Probably, trying to ensure Rikiya didn't poison him. After all, only one of them could murder the other and get away with it in this city.

Though perhaps not in some territories. Which was the problem.

"Thank you very much," Rikiya said with a smile that radiated warmth in the same manner as a space heater. They toasted and took a sip. "Quite lovely."

"Only the best for you, sir," Jackdaw said with a smile that almost looked sincere.

"You always pick the best for a man who doesn't know a jackal from a bird."

"Oh, I knew. My name in the organization was more of a…family in-joke. So, what did you want to discuss?"

"Oh nothing important. I see several businesses you have close public ties to recently contracted with Uraraka constructions. The family business of the Pro Hero Uravity."

"She's helping our political goals, so we're giving her a token of goodwill, assuming she notices."

"And if she doesn't?"

"Then we've hired a quality company to repair the buildings the kaiju broke."

Rikiya folded his hands. "And you want closer ties to Uravity?"

"Her anti-quirkism work advances the cause. Many of our people grew up discriminated against for being heteromorphs. Curbing that allows them to use their quirks more freely, since they can't turn them off, followed hopefully by the rest of us."

"Yes, Even if they aren't her main beneficiaries of course." Rikiya raised a brow.

Jackdaw shrugged. "So long as it helps the cause, I'll take the help. Sometimes liberation requires working with people you disagree with. Or even dislike." His expression remained unchanged.

Rikiya smirked. "Of course. Though as you work with Uravity, just remember: There may come a moment where you can no longer pretend to be on the same side anymore." He kept his usual cheerful smile.

Jackdaw's smile became toothier. "Of course Rikiya. I always keep that in mind."

"I also would like to know why you didn't consult me when sending so many resources and operatives to help with rebuilding after the kaiju attack last month."

"Many of our people had families there. It helped them and gave us goodwill. I didn't think you needed to be brief."

Yes, that independent streak is the issue. "I like to be informed about any large movements by subordinates. We run a delicate operation. It must be unified."

"Very well, I will inform you next time sir. There is another thing though. These kaiju attacks, we've heard rumors that some are deliberate. Have you put any feelers on that?"

There was no hint of suspicion hidden or otherwise. In fact, he looked genuinely curious. Rikiya couldn't make his poker face too obvious. Instead, he looked solemn, "I've heard of them and we're looking into it." Looking for those two backstabbing weasels. "I'm keeping it close to the chest. I'll let you know if we find anyone." Specifically he'd let him know when they'd killed those two and blamed them for everything. "You can count on us for this. We lost people in Tokyo too."

"Very well," Jackdaw said, seemingly placated.

"There is one thing I must ask of you," Rikiya said. "You're one of our most prominent leaders, second only to my inner circle due to the size of your legion-"

"You flatter me. I'm just a soldier. If I were to go away, another would easily take my place. Out there, we're just a group of likeminded fellows. Nothing like your forces here."

"Why Jackdaw, you lead an army second only to Deika's legion. Dishonesty does not suit you. You're part of this army just like us."

"Of course."

"There is one more thing." Rikiya's expression became firm. "I need you to inspect your troops' training and skills. Tell me about their readiness."

Jackdaw sat up straighter. "Now? Are the authorities closing in? I heard about Trumpet resigning from the Party-"

"Nothing like that," Rikiya said. He clasped his hands. "The time is coming."

Jackdaw's seemed confused. "The time." His eyes widened. "Already? I thought we needed to gather more strength. Besides, our platforms are passing-"

"Bandaids on a hopelessly mauled limb," Rikiya said with a wave. "Amputation is needed. Right now the government is weak."

"The kaiju are still trampling our cities. The current government's our best resource against them. Then when the crisis is abated they'll be weakened-"

"And able to muster their full strength against us. This is necessary. Within the year, we move."

Jackaw looked like he was about to protest. However, he straightened himself out and said, "Of course sir. You know best. I sometimes forget that I don't have the full picture you have. My troops will be ready."

"Good. I expect your report," Rikiya said with a smile.

They stood up, and shook hands. As they passed Rikiya's desk, Jackdaw noticed the book on it. "The original edition?"

"Yes," Rikiya said, picking up his copy of the Meta Liberation War. "I know some parts are unsavory today, hence our revisions in the official version, but we must pay attention to the original as well. Everyone in Deika studies this one."

"We are Destro's army, aren't we?" Jackdaw said.

"What else would we be?" Rikiya said.

Jackdaw and him said their farewells, then Jackdaw met his secretary (bodyguard) at the elevator, and gave a final salute to Rikiya. Rikiya watched from his office as they left the building.

Putting the extra duties on Jackdaw's shoulders should keep him in line. The man was too powerful to keep, but too necessary to lose. The rural legions were more loyal to him than Rikiya, poisoned by their watered-down ideology. Rikiya needed to wait a little more before killing him. Then he'd rise to reclaim his ancestor's glory, clean of any internal threats.

Half-hearted fool.

Supremacist bastard.

Haru entered his waiting car. As usual, it had waited elsewhere under heavy watch to deter Rikiya from any funny ideas. If those didn't work…there were other contingencies if he died. Not that it mattered right now. Now, Haru held back the borderline panic.

That idiot. They were just about to win peacefully, and he goes and decides to start his war?! Of course he developed the original Destro's allergy to winning!

Haru sighed. Who was he kidding? Liberation was never Rikiya's goal, domination was. The desire for mere free quirk use was mainly prevalent from Haru's factions, encouraged so the many oppressed members would join. Open supremacy can only give you so many newcomers, at least at first.

Sadly, Haru's faction's attempt to use Rikiya was backfiring. His efforts to "educate" the younger members, of whom Deika had many, was too successful.

Still, four thousand out of fifteen is nothing to ignore.

Haru pulled out a book, an account of the first Meta Liberation War. He opened it to a section on Phoenix, one of the first great Heroes, who many of Haru's faction "unfortunately" admired. A man Haru was sympathizing with more and more with each passing day.

Ochako arrived at a small cafe. Zenichiro Sekizawa was there, waving to her. "Ochako! How are you?"

"Hey Sekizawa!" she said. "How've you been?"

"Been well. Living in much better climates than before, with far fewer rules, and far fewer bugs!"

"Joining the AMF was the best thing that happened to you and you know it!"

"Maybe. It did give me a great opportunity. I'm working for a journalist now!"

"Which one?"

"Taneo Tokuda, investigator and photographer. Hired me because he needed extra muscle, which I had along with inside knowledge of the AMF. He needed that last one due to getting scooped by "The Ginger Terror" so many times."

"Yuri Tachibana?"

"Yuri Tachibana. You wouldn't believe how good she is at getting AMF people to talk."

"She is the commander's daughter. What are you working on now?"

"Oh nothing major. Some exposes on the Hearts and Mind party, some Heroes who escaped justice, the normal stuff. Plus some leads his accountant has given. Those are more side jobs."

"And the main job?"

Sekizawa grinned. "Kaiju spotting. Turns out I'm very useful at letting him know where and when he can get a photo without getting killed. Lets him get what no one else can, alive anyway. Wouldn't you know, being Izuku's driver helped me with something! Many of those shots included you."

"So that's where those came from." Ochako muttered. She then said, "I'm mostly doing Rescue Work, but, off the record-"

"Course! You're a friend, not a job."

"Some of my friends are investigating the you-know-whats."

Sekizawa nodded. "Boss is so mad I can't tell him about those. Have they found anything?"

"Nothing yet."

"Will you tell me if you do? We'd love to be first."

She gave him a coy smile. "Nice try."

"Worth a shot. You learn a lot of fun stuff while doing journalism. Like how Slidin' Go can magically get out of trouble without issue."

"What do you mean?"

"The guy has a tendency to duck trouble unscathed. For instance, there was an incident a few years back about him using excessive force. No substance but you know how these go. Heroes get accused, authorities quickly investigate, clear the Hero, done. But no investigation here. They just dropped it."

"Could they have just decided there was nothing there?" Ochako said.

"Maybe? Boss thought it was more that some of the Hearts and Minds people made it go away. He's cozy with them, often sponsoring their stuff, friends with their leaders and the like." Sekizawa shook his head. "Boss hates that party, almost impossible to get info on them. Thinks it's suspicious."

"Huh. Let me know if you find anything in your investigations," Ochako said. "If you help us, I'll tell you things I'm allowed to say. Hey, maybe you'll find something we didn't."

He beamed. "Boss'll love that! Less than a year and I have my first source!" Their food arrived. Sekizawa began gorging himself.

Ochako's eyes narrowed. "That wasn't your plan was it?"

He looked up from his food. "Only a little. I mostly just think it's nice reconnecting with old friends!" He took a big bite. "I love no longer being on rations."

"Be careful, you get tempted to pig out when you first retire," Ochako said. "I didn't because I was too busy training for the Hero exam."

"Duly noted." He glanced up. "Maybe one of these times you can give an interview on those early days. Plenty of former G-Force are intrigued."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. Besides, it's different from the usual seeking a new assignment, security work, or joining the GPN."

"Godzilla Prediction Network? That small amateur research group? Do a lot of AMF join them?"

"They're run by former AMF scientists, so yeah. They've been expanding quite a lot in the last few months. Boss wanted to get some photos, but one of their members was already a photographer. He was so mad"

Ochako snickered. Oh to see some of those reporters thwarted."One more thing. Off the record-"

He rolled his eyes. "It's off."

"I'm also taking on a new intern!" she said, clenching her firsts in excitement. "The Healing Hero Restore. She's capable, if inexperienced, but eager to learn."

"We've written on her! Congrats!" said Sekizawa. "She'll be a great student, and you'll be a great mentor!"

"Aw, thanks!" Ochako said. Frankly she needed that encouragement. Lately the thought of mentoring a student was more terrifying than the Villains. Or kaiju. "I've never done this before."

"World is changing. We have to change with it, eh?" Sekizawa said.

"I couldn't agree more." Her thoughts drifted to Midori. "Megaguirus showed up yesterday."

"Heard. Two victims when that thing flew by a campsite," he said. "Cops are cagey. Boss thinks they're hiding something."

"Privacy?" Ochako said.

"Maybe. Maybe I'm just getting paranoid!"

"Driving for Midori will do that," she muttered.

Sekizawa looked unimpressed. "You did it for four years and now give rescue aid to kaiju attacks. You're as bad as him."

She glared. He wasn't cowed in the slightest. "Save it for him when he does something stupid again," Sekizawa said.

"Oh I intend to."

The two broke into a fit of laughter and continued their meal. Halfway through there was a loud crashing outside. Ochako looked and saw a villain doing a smash and grab. Sekizawa already had his phone out.

"All yours," he said.

She smiled, nodded, and ran out. Outside, the Villain magnetically pulled all the metal jewelry in the vicinity to his waiting hand, laughing all the while. He turned around and had just enough time to panic at the sight of a charging Ochako swinging a car at him like a baseball bat.

Yup, Haru is MLA but he's not exactly on board with Re-Destro. Not necessarily good, but possibly a lighter shade than Rikiya.

For those who haven't read it, Phoenix was the main character of the entry in this series called the Fall of Destro. Not essential reading, but might be useful.

And Zeni is finally in his calling, similar to his counterpart in Mothra. It's nice to see where he's been.

Hope you enjoyed! Reviews make me smile!