Heroes in the Dark: Prelude to Raid (chapter 42.5)

8:00 am, in front of the police station…

Thanks to Nighteye taking a peek into that flunky's future, we learned of a secret underground facility in the Eight Precept Compound – an area not in the public records. And the little girl we were out to save was hidden away in a room down there. On his way to her room from the underground entrance, the man didn't make any stops or detours, so we weren't clued in to the entire layout of the basement. Still, the route he took represented the quickest path to our goal. This was critical information, given the otherwise daunting prospect of searching the entire compound…

Aizawa checked the time again. He and everyone else were quickly becoming restless as the anticipation for what was to come continued to build.

…Even still, this mission is already throwing obstacles at us that we couldn't have predicted until just recently. I've been worrying about bringing the students into this the whole time, but now it's too late to have them step back.

The pro hero surveyed the expanse of people preparing for the yakuza infiltration. Police were forming ranks, heroes discussed the plans openly, and the students – his students – were clustered together, whispering amongst themselves nervously. This sort of behavior was to be expected. It was a big mission that would provide them with significant challenges. But that wasn't all of it. They couldn't leave out any details about this process, or else risk sewing confusion into the ranks. And so, a mere two days after Nighteye confirmed that he'd likely be unable to get any more details about the situation at hand, they'd had to explain to everyone involved that there was a new target awaiting them in the underground stronghold.

Aizawa hadn't liked it, seeing the expressions on his students as he explained that Tokoyami was down there with Eri. He'd seen confusion, horror, and hope. There was too much to be taken from that information – that their classmate is still alive, but in a precarious situation; that he's not directly with the League of Villains anymore, but this new scene is potentially worse. And that he can maybe be rescued, but there's no way to know if he'll resist or not. That hurt most of all: Nighteye's decision that Tokoyami couldn't be seen as a dependable ally given the circumstances, and thus would become a target of attack and suppression.

The students had been understanding of this fact, much to his relief. He couldn't have them hesitating in the heat of battle, although stating mere words and actually experiencing something were two very different things. He could hope that they'd stick their ideals and do what was best for the sake of the mission when the time came. Obviously they were going to do whatever it takes to get him back, but not over the success of their primary target, and likely not without it getting a bit rough. It was difficult to know exactly what to expect, after all. Even though they knew many of the strong quirks they were meant to encounter and had the abilities of countless yakuza committed to memory. But if anything they were determined to complete this mission 110%, and that meant ensuring the safe retrieval of their friend once the little girl was secure. It was the most they could stand to gain.

As for what might happen once they get Tokoyami back into their custody… that would be complicated. A lot had happened since he was last seen. And more likely, the student has gone through a lot behind closed doors. He didn't want to dwell on that too much, but it was hard not to imagine what might've happened when the child had been reclaimed by the villains. It was already hard enough trying to understand what someone who'd been in their grasp just a few days is going through, but by now several weeks has passed without word, and all he could do is direct his attention to the students that were right in front of him.

Aizawa had already been briefed on young Bakugou's experiences in the hands of the villains. Just as one might expect, it was a stressful and terrifying experience. Bakugou is proud, of course, so even as he had retold his experiences he acted like none of it bothered him. But he was still just a kid, and since the Kamino incident and his successful rescue, his performance in school had been lacking. Aizawa wasn't sure what to do with him, or even if there was anything to do, but his poor marks and declining grades spoke for themselves. Bakugou, for all his ability, hadn't even been able to make it through the hero license exam, and had almost brought Kirishima and Kaminari down with him. Then after that failure, he'd gone and vented all his frustrations in an unregulated fight with Midoriya…

Aizawa thought back to when security had alerted him to the fight. Those two problem children have had their skirmishes in the past, but this was something else. Aizawa was still annoyed that he'd had to step into the fray at such a late hour to separate them before any more damage could be done. But ever since that fight had met an unsatisfactory conclusion, Aizawa couldn't help but notice that the distance between those two had become even more cold and contemptuous, like the unfinished business had left a scar on their already haphazard relations. As a teacher, he was able to notice the way the mood had shifted in the classroom. Moral felt low, Bakugou's outbursts became less frequent but more self-contained, as though he were directing his anger elsewhere, Midoriya was particularly sullen, and the class wouldn't stop looking around that empty desk in the middle of the classroom.

As a hero and a teacher, Aizawa couldn't help but turn his regrets over in his head. There was only so much he was able to do these days. Maybe that's why he'd been pushing so hard for other opportunities to fall into place. He knew that things had to change in the school following the grief of losing a student and beloved teacher. They couldn't dwell too long on the "what-ifs" of the world, and could only continue teaching the next generation of heroes as best they could so that failures like this could be prevented in the future. So that the chance to succeed could be enhanced.

That's why…

Aizawa noticed the sound of anxious shuffling behind him. The student hadn't done much to stray far from him since reaching the police station, given the unfamiliar climate of this situation. But that was probably for the better, since he wasn't as experienced as those who'd been training in the hero division longer.

"We're heading out soon, aren't we?" asked a muffled voice.

The corner of Aizawa's mouth twitched. "Adjust your scarf a bit. I know you're still not quite used to using it, but you should at least keep it from impeding you… But in any case, it won't be too much longer now. Getting nervous, are you?"

Shinsou moved his scarf to be more secure, hiding his grimace behind it. "I have that right, don't I? I know we've been preparing for this, but nothing can truly account for the feeling of actually being here. It's all been going… fast."

Aizawa could agree with that sentiment. He'd had a pull a lot of strings within the school and the rules to allocate this position for his prodigy, but he'd made it work somehow. Aizawa had been adamantly training him in secret since the Sports Festival, and has more recently been pressing for his inclusion in the hero division. It probably would've been better for the student to wait until his second year to transfer, but Aizawa needed to see change in the classroom, and had voiced his reasons clearly with the staff. He'd had to arrange special testing to ensure his aptitude for the hero course in front of the faculty, but the student had scored well enough to make an impression. With U.A. in the predicament that they were in, he was able to attain the approval for Shinsou's transfer quicker than he would've expected normally. He was working painstakingly to catch up with the rest of the class, but Aizawa was already confident in his abilities by this point. If anything, he was the best thing that could've happened to class 1-A at the moment. It had given his class something exciting to talk about between the drudgery, and they'd welcomed him with open arms just like he'd anticipated. Even if Shinsou himself was initially skeptical about including himself among them, the class' insistence of forging friendly relations was a force to be reckoned with.

But that was then. This is now. And at the moment, the least he could do was reassure his students. "I made sure to bring you along on this mission because I knew you'd be able to handle it. And if there's ever a moment where you think you can't, then I'll be right beside you."

Shinsou cast a wary glance at a couple passing heroes that gave him a side-eye, whispering about the fast-approaching mission in hushed tones. From their perspective, the purple-haired student probably looked out of place with his UA sports gear and more rugged appearance. But standing next to Aizawa, nobody could debate his right to be here. After all, even though he hadn't gotten into the class soon enough to get his provisional license, Aizawa had managed to get him assigned on this mission through the "work-study" they had forged. Forgetting the fact that this mission was significantly more dangerous than what a work-study would normally allow, and the fact that Shinsou hadn't had nearly as many villain encounters as any other student of class 1-A, Aizawa was certain that this was the right decision to make. Not only was it great experience for the student… but he had no doubt that his quirk would be a valuable asset in the field. It was the same reason why Aizawa himself had been put onto this team. Although he imagined the amount of students from his class taking up this mission was also part of it. He had to admit that it was something of a relief that he'd be able to keep an eye out for them this time. He'd already been negligent of that in the recent past, and was growing weary of his mistakes. This time around, they were sure to succeed with the firepower they held, and he was determined to not have anything unforgiveable happen to any of his students so long as he could help it. That included the kids that were in a much darker place right now.

"Shinsou, even though this is your first mission, I don't want to see you taking unnecessary risks if you think it's too much. Do your best, but also don't be afraid to take a step back if something unpredictable happens and it gets too dangerous. Even with all the intel we've gathered, it can be hard to predict what'll be awaiting us inside the yakuza headquarters. But after seeing the growth you've made thus far, I believe you'll do just fine."

Shinsou looked only slightly more convinced. He fiddled with the controls of his Artificial Voice Chords, which had only just recently been completed in time for this mission and still required some getting used to. But it would have to be sufficient. "Yes, sir," he said, voice still muffled.

Aizawa accepted that response. Shinsou was well aware of his position. Although speaking of taking unnecessary risks… Aizawa spotted another one of his students mingling within the crowd. Right now, before they began heading out for Overhaul's location, he felt as though something needed to be said. Aizawa began making his way over, picking up on what the student was talking about as he approached.

"The pros are all so calm! I guess they're used to it," Kirishima said, brimming with nervous excitement. He was clearly enthused to be a part of this, especially considering how close his scores had been in the provisional license exam. It was that kind of optimism that would help the morale here.

The same couldn't be said for Midoriya. His eyes were steely, his muscles tense. He'd already felt responsibility for this mission long before it had ever commenced, and coupled with everything else it had been not so forgiving to him. He looked out over the ranks of people that had gathered under a singular goal, scouring for one specific person with a frown tugging at his face as though he were seeking out a ghost. "…Gran Torino's not here… I wonder why?"

Nighteye, standing nearby with the rest of their group, answered for him "It turned out he couldn't come," he answered easily, sparking a brief moment of surprise and disappointment within the already despondent student.

The police coordinator picked up the explanation. "Tsukauchi learned of a big development in the League of Villains case. He was distraught not to be here, but we've got plenty of people already. It's no great loss. Although…"

As Aizawa closed in on the conversation, he noticed the whispers that were starting to take place among the units in response.

"Wait, wasn't the Wing Hero supposed to be here too? What happened to that…?"

A hero scoffed in annoyance. "Hawks? The agency put in a request for him to be part of the mission, but he didn't seem too interested in taking up the offer. I bet he doesn't even realize how important this mission is…"

Someone else chimed in, keeping their voice low. "I heard he decided to duck out only after the news of the League's involvement was explained."

"I bet he just didn't want to get involved with this slow-paced investigation. Probably had better things to do. He's quite the number thr— two hero we have, huh?"

Gossip at this time? Learn to focus on the matter at hand. Those things aren't important right now. It's not like we're terribly short on numbers. But more importantly…

Aizawa came up behind Midoriya. People were getting ready to start, so this might be his last chance to make sure that they're on the same page. The last thing he needed was this student of all people getting into trouble as he so often did. Although I can't always help it if trouble always manages to find him first. "…Hey."

Midoriya turned to him abruptly, caught off guard. "Ai…raserhead!" he stammered, remembering to use his hero name now that they were in the field. It was a good thing that he was adaptable, especially after everything that had happened. But Aizawa couldn't shake the feeling that something would go wrong here, and that it would somehow end up revolving around him. Midoriya needed to be prepared for the challenges ahead, but at least he would be there to watch over him this time.

"You remember why I'm sticking around the Nighteye Agency squad, right?"

A determined expression defined the features of his face, and he clenched his hands at his side. Aizawa couldn't turn any of the students away from this mission now, let alone Midoriya. They would just have to do everything within their power to make ends meet. "…Yeah."

The head police coordinator raised his voice above the clamor, and everyone else quieted down into a tense silence. Enough time had passed. Everyone knew what they had to do. The heroes and police force were ready. Aizawa could only hope that the students were also ready. He couldn't allow for anything to befall them if he could help it, but right know his priority was for the success of the mission. "Heroes. They're probably gonna put up a fight, y' know," he began, gazing out over the gathered ranks. "So if you spot any one of them resisting or trying anything funny, I'm counting on you guys to deal with it! We're up against a mafia group that's somehow survived until now, so don't let your guards down for a second. Get in there… and do what you've gotta do!" Everyone was waiting in suspense, movements hinging on his command. Until it rang out over their heads…

"Move out!"

The heroes had begun their mission.