The four of them set out for their stakeout, taking their positions to cover the two graveyards from different angles. Ace and Itsuka stationed themselves in an abandoned house across the street, while Mirio and Ryuichi watched from the opposite side, each maintaining a clear view of both graveyards.

As they waited, the tension was palpable. They kept their eyes peeled for any sign of movement, knowing that the figure they had seen before would likely appear again at the same time. Sure enough, right on cue, the massive figure emerged from a crypt, wielding a different but similarly ominous shovel.

Ace and Itsuka spotted him immediately. Ace turned to Itsuka, urgency in his voice. "Itsuka, report what we've found to Mirio and Ryuichi. We'll need their help to deal with this and figure out what's really going on."

Itsuka nodded and quickly used her walkie-talkie to relay the information to Mirio and Ryuichi. Meanwhile, Ace moved closer to get a better angle on the figure. He whispered to Itsuka, "Use your large hand as a distraction. I'll provide cover with my flames and try to force him into retreat. He might think he can escape if we don't follow him."

Itsuka gave a determined nod and prepared to execute her part of the plan. She summoned a large hand and slammed it down from above, targeting the figure. Her goal was to draw its attention toward herself.

Ace readied his flames, pointing his fingers at the target. The large hand successfully caught the figure's attention, and Ace fired a series of fire bullets at the monster from a distance. The figure, too focused on the large hand, was caught off guard by the fire-based attack, which forced him to retreat towards the mausoleum.

Ace and Itsuka quickly moved toward the mausoleum and opened the door. Ace used his flames to illuminate the space, but once again, they found nothing inside except a coffin and four walls. The figure had disappeared without a trace.

The two of them stood shoulder to shoulder, staring into the empty mausoleum. It was strange that the figure had vanished so completely. Ace examined the coffin, a thought forming in his mind.

"Itsuka, do you think the coffin might be fake?" Ace asked, realizing that he hadn't considered this possibility the night before. "It feels wrong to mess with someone's grave, but it might be a cover."

Ryuichi and Mirio arrived behind them, having made their way over when they heard the commotion. Ryuichi joined the conversation. "There's a good chance the coffin could be a fake or a false grave. It might be used as a cover to keep people from discovering what's underneath."

Mirio nodded in agreement. "If the coffin is a decoy, there could be a hidden passage or another way out. We need to check it carefully."

Ace approached the coffin and tested the lid. It was solid and firmly shut, but he noticed that the bottom was not sealed to the floor. It was heavy but seemed movable.

"Itsuka, could you give me a hand with this?" Ace called out.

Itsuka smiled. "I got this," she said as she picked up the large tomb with her enlarged hand and moved it aside, revealing a passage with a ladder that went down into an area below them.

"So, it is a passage," Ryuichi commented as he looked down. "Ace, why don't you lead the way down? You can use that flame ability of yours to give us some light."

Ace nodded as he moved carefully onto the ladder and started his way down the damp and cool chamber. It was a good climb, about 50 feet or so, before he reached the bottom, finding himself in an old crypt built for the extra dead bodies of the city above from a time before quirks.

Ace used the light from his hand to illuminate the whole area around them as the others descended. It was a narrow corridor that went in two different directions, but one was blocked off by bars, leaving only one path to follow. It was clear that the people they were following had taken this route.

"One direction means we have to be on guard," Ryuichi reasoned, calmly looking at the others. "They will be expecting us to come from this angle, and we are in their lair. That means they know it far better than we do."

Ryuichi looked around for clues, finding a number of them. He made notes and took several photos with his phone, sending them to himself to have a record of everything that had happened so far.

Ace nodded and walked with Mirio ahead of the others. The corridor was narrow, with old stones all around and the smell of death fitting for a place where the dead had been put many generations before.

The four of them came to four rooms at the end of the corridor. It was easy to tell that this was where the dead bodies had been taken. Two of the rooms contained human remains that had been recently moved, and one had a body that had been experimented on or worked on in some way. It was all rather unpleasant.

Ryuichi moved quietly, taking pictures and gathering evidence, trying to figure out what was happening and who was messing with the dead. As they walked into the fourth room, the large monster from before was standing with its back to them. In fact, there were two of them, looking like twins. They were both large, strong, and inhuman in appearance, like Frankenstein's creations. They stood in a room filled with information, seemingly guarding it.

"I think we are going to have to fight them," Ace said to Mirio, looking at the two figures. "You take the left one, and I'll take the right. Itsuka, back us up. Ryuichi, while we create this distraction, gather what information you can."

Ace moved in fast, raising his hand and throwing out a powerful fire fist that hit before the monster even woke up. Mirio moved in too, hitting hard, and when the monster counterattacked, his strike went right through Mirio's intangible body.

Itsuka summoned her large hand to assist, while Ryuichi focused on collecting evidence. The room filled with the sounds of battle as Ace, Mirio, and Itsuka engaged the monstrous figures, determined to uncover the truth and stop the grave robberies once and for all.

Ace pulled back as Itsuka helped him, looking for openings to strike with her large hand, throwing powerful punches. Ace moved to the right and left, making himself a hard target as his whole body started to glow with fire, creating a surreal sight as they battled their opponent. The monster threw haymakers without any finesse or skill, relying solely on power and endurance. It became clear that he had no other tricks up his sleeve. This made the fight manageable for Ace and Itsuka, who coordinated seamlessly. Ace threw a combination of fiery attacks, burning the creature, while Itsuka slammed him against the wall. The two worked well together, with Itsuka following up Ace's attacks without needing any verbal cues. She struck hard and relentlessly, determined not to hold back.

Their fight ended much faster than anticipated. Meanwhile, the monster facing Mirio was also quickly subdued. Mirio had identified its weaknesses, delivering precise hits to its stomach, sides, and back to knock it down and out. Ultimately, it was not much of a challenge for Mirio, and the four of them emerged victorious.

While the others were fighting, Ryuichi focused on gathering evidence. He took pictures and collected papers, organizing them into an old folder he found. His ability to quickly determine what was important was as impressive mentally as the others' physical abilities. By the end of the two fights, Ryuichi had compiled a substantial file of evidence, including numerous photos of the room.

Ryuichi looked at the others with a confident expression. "Good work, everyone. I think we have everything we need. This doesn't appear to be the main base, which is concerning," he remarked. "Let's head back. We all need to get some sleep before class tomorrow. I'll review this paperwork and the photos, analyze them, and then hand the evidence over to the police. Of course, I'll keep a copy for our records."

"Sounds good," Ace commented, glancing at the two monster-like creatures and then at Mirio, who found an old chain and tied them up. "I'll go report this to the cops right away. They'll send someone down to handle this."

"Maybe the police can find some information too," Itsuka reasoned, hoping that any possibility of uncovering the truth would be helpful.

"It would be nice, but we'll see," Ryuichi said, hoping for the best but having his doubts.

As everyone else was leaving, Ace noticed a small device on the ground. Not familiar with the tech in this world, he picked it up and put it in his pocket, planning to ask Ryuichi or someone else about it later.

The four of them headed out and went their separate ways. Ace stood looking at Itsuka, giving her a warm and kind smile. "Thanks again for having my back. I think we showed once again why we are such good partners and work so well together," he said proudly.

Itsuka returned his smile. "Absolutely, Ace. We make a great team. Let's get some rest and be ready for whatever comes next."

Itsuka and Ace went their own ways back to their dorms that night, each trying to avoid drawing attention as they slipped in after curfew. With very little sleep, they faced a normal day of studies and work the next day. Ace barely managed to get up, making his way to class only to quickly notice that Itsuka wasn't there. He felt a surge of worry, hoping she was just tired.

As soon as he could, Ace went to check on her and knocked on her door. Finding it unlocked, which was odd, he stepped inside her well-kept room, only to find it empty. On her desk was a note labeled "Hello, troublemaker."

Ace opened the note and started reading. It explained that the people they had been investigating had captured Itsuka on her way home. The note demanded the return of the flash drive containing data from their last experiments, along with a promise to leave them alone. In exchange, they would release Itsuka. The note warned that any sign of police involvement would result in harm to her, placing the responsibility on their heads.

They were given a full day and night to decide. The note emphasized that it would be wise not to mess with powers greater than they knew and to accept that they couldn't change anything. As Ace read, his anger boiled over. He was furious that someone was using a friend against him.

Determined not to let this slide, Ace knew he had to find Mirio and, most importantly, Ryuichi before turning over the information to the police. He needed to figure out a plan to save Itsuka. He didn't trust this group to uphold their end of any bargain. His eyes shined with determination as he prepared himself to confront whoever was behind this and bring them to justice.

Ace quickly headed to Mirio's dorm, hoping he was there. He knocked urgently, and when Mirio opened the door, Ace quickly explained the situation. "They've taken Itsuka. They're demanding the flash drive in exchange for her release. We have a day to decide, but I don't trust them."

Mirio's expression turned serious. "We need to act fast. Let's find Ryuichi and come up with a plan."

The two of them hurried to find Ryuichi, explaining the situation as soon as they met. Ryuichi's eyes narrowed as he listened, already formulating a strategy. "We need to retrieve Itsuka without handing over the data. First, we need to pinpoint their location. The note might give us some clues."

Ryuichi carefully analyzed the note, noting any details that might hint at the kidnappers' location. "We also need to consider a diversion to keep them off guard while we rescue Itsuka. Mirio, your quirk will be crucial in this."

Mirio nodded. "I can phase through walls and take them by surprise. We need to coordinate our efforts to ensure Itsuka's safety."

Ace felt a surge of hope as they discussed their plan. "I'll be ready with my flames to cover our retreat and keep them distracted."