Syndicate

by InuKagomeLuver4Eva

The powerful Yakuza clan, Uraraka, has ruled Musutafu with an iron fist for hundreds of years. Now, when the first female heir is born, Ochaco Uraraka must take a stand as rightful ruler of the clan. A fateful encounter with a stranger who saved her life seemed nothing more than a one time event...until he shows up at her door looking for an in. Ochaco x Deku.

2. Revelation

"Midoriya, when I suggested sneaking into the Uraraka clan, I was mostly joking. You can't seriously expect us to pretend to be Yakuza for deeper intel on Ojiro. That's more of a death sentence than being shot at an hour ago!" Kirishima expressed with half exasperation. As soon as they'd returned to the modest apartment, his classmate had gone to work on devising a plan; even going so far as to pull out a large whiteboard from the second bedroom.

"But that's the thing, Kirishima! The best way to get intelligence not available to the public or via conservative methods is to start thinking outside the box! Or in this case," Izuku exclaimed excitedly as the marker squeaked across the board, finally coming to a stop a few seconds later. He tapped the butt of the pen against the large diagram. "think inside of the box. This is what we know about them so far: they're at least ten thousand strong, active and non, they control Musutafu and surrounding areas that also include the coastlines. A powerful syndicate that has been around for nearly three-hundred years and still going strong. The Uraraka clan has heavy influence over a multitude of businesses including banks, retail, stock markets."

"Which are more reasons not to mess with them. Look Midoriya, I get where you're coming from, really. Don't you think this is only going to put Ojiro into further trouble with them? Aren't they going to punish him for what happened earlier?"

Izuku paused. He hadn't entirely forgotten that detail, more so it slipped to the back of his mind during plan formulation. An incident like earlier could potentially see severe punishment, though over the decades the Uraraka clan records indicated their levels of violence have mellowed out. While absolutely a possibility, it was on the low-risk side. "It's always a risk. Records indicate their levels of violence have dampened over the decades, at least with the rising of Kenji Uraraka. He's been the head of the household since the statistics began changing, nearly thirty years ago. Ojiro can absolutely handle himself just as long as he keeps his head down and obeys their orders."

"Do we know who the other person was? The asshole who decided to play revolver roulette today?"

"No clue. Their vehicle windows are always tinted pretty heavily. Whoever it was, they know how to handle a gun. Every shot was intentionally fired in a way that avoided casualties or injury. It's possible one of their higher-ups is behind it. There's still a lot about the Uraraka clan we aren't sure of which is why we need to infiltrate their rankings. We have to find a way to take them down from the inside out, Kirishima. Can I count on you for this?" Izuku looked at his friend awaiting an enthusiastic, comradery response.

Eijiro ran both hands down his face, thumping against the back couch cushions tiredly. He hadn't come here for this. Mina was his main priority now. He hadn't even been able to call her back with everything that went down, the countless unanswered texts and missed calls growing by the minute. The questions of Ojiro's location had been found but it wasn't ideal. Wrapping himself into something so dangerous…wouldn't it just put him in the same situation as his kidnapped friend? "Man…look—"

"I'm not expecting an answer now; I understand the hesitation. Mina is your priority right now. Settling back into your hometown is more important. This could easily evolve into something incredibly dangerous and life-threatening. What I'm planning could very well end my life. If it means putting an end to the reign of terror over Musutafu; I'm willing to do everything. Including sacrifice myself in the process." Despite the plan scribbled out on the whiteboard, it never showed the real costs of infiltrating a Yakuza clan, a heavily influential gang. Today was nothing compared to previous skirmishes with the master puppeteer behind the billowing velvet curtain.

At the same time he understood Kirishima's obvious hesitation. His friend was moving back into town to start a new life with Mina Ashido. That was more important than anything else. Dragging someone else into a personal mission of his was selfish, ludicrous even. Izuku Midoriya always vowed to save every life he could. Setting the marker down in the grooved tray, the detective sat heavily in the chair across from his conflicting friend. He wouldn't force him into getting involved; wouldn't put his friends life in danger.

"I need to call Mina back before she reports me missing, Midoriya. Just…give me some time to think this over? I want to save Ojiro as much as you do, but I have so much at stake right now. Can you do that?" Kirishima asked after worriedly looking down at the angry, vibrating phone in his hand. The device was about to explode from the sheer heat of constant calls and messages. Izuku nodded solemnly as the redhead stood to take the call on the secluded balcony.

In the meantime, Izuku began cleaning the apartment up to declutter. All his time in the office meant less time cleaning up at home and it certainly showed in the moment. It looked more like a bachelor pad than the home of a renowned detective. His mother would scold him for being so messy while at the same time empathizing. His line of work was difficult; it left little to no time for socializing, took every ounce of energy he had, and more often than not had him sleeping at his desk. It'd already been three days since he'd actually slept in his own bed. The office cot was fine but always left him feeling a bit stiff in the neck and back. Carrying the dishes into the kitchen to wash, Izuku let the menial task distract him from the turbulent thoughts.

After tearing through the kitchen, living room, and ensuring the bathroom was in order to be shared by another, Izuku moved to set up the guest room. It probably wasn't going to be the most comfortable thing for Kirishima, merely due to his sheer size, but there wasn't really another option. Originally it was his bed from his mother's house, the latest one from his teenage years. While the mattress had been replaced due to wear and tear, the frame still remained adjusted to his size. A frown ticked at his face at the thought. Maybe he should really update his furniture if more people were going to start showing up, especially his mom. It'd be safer for her to stay in his apartment yet at the same time it could put a bigger target on her back. Flapping out the sheets to ease the storage wrinkles, he got to work making the bed.

By the time all was said and done, it was nearing six and already dinner time. Peeking out at the balcony to check on Kirishima, Izuku noticed he was smoking with one hand ruffling spiked locks. A careful rapping on the glass drew his attention and the detective stepped through the slider to join.

"How'd the call with Mina go?" Izuku asked casually, leaning both arms against the railing to overlook the city. It wasn't a bad view. City buildings with a sprawling older neighborhood at the forefront. The sun always seemed to create the most vibrant hues of color when it just barely kissed the horizon, shadowy lines overstretching the city.

"Let's just say she's on her way over…and she's not happy." Kirishima exhaled heavily with a puff of smoke. He could feel the inquisitive gaze coming from his friend and a hoarse chuckle slipped out. A small wave of the phone gave a silent answer. "I tried to explain everything the best I could, but you know her. She wants to hear it straight from the source. Sorry Midoriya, there's no stopping her."

"No, no, don't worry about it. It's kind of my fault for getting you wrapped into this situation. I'll explain everything when she shows up." Izuku waved a hand lightly. It wasn't ideal to have more people know where he lived, but he at least owed the pink-haired classmate a solid explanation. "You didn't tell her I asked you to help infiltrate a Yakuza clan, right?"

"Hell no! We'd both be dead! Are you kidding me? I ain't trying to die tonight, Midoriya," Eijiro exclaimed with eyebrows shooting to maximum height. "I told her about the shooting incident, and how we may have seen Ojiro, but nothing more than necessary. She's been sick with worry. It's also a high possibility that Hagakure will be in tow; those two are inseparable right now."

"Do they plan to stay together since you're here?"

"More than likely. Hagakure doesn't feel safe being alone in her apartment and Mina won't let that happen. I may end up having to go stay with them both in our apartment, but it's not even set up properly. The movers aren't showing up until tomorrow." Kirishima pressed the butt of the cigarette to his lips, hesitating, then promptly let out a ragged sigh before extinguishing it against his boot sole. "I need to quit this damn habit. Picked that shit up after high school. Doesn't do any good except making me look cool."

"You should see how many smokers there are in the office. Nearly two-thirds are constantly taking smoke breaks to ease the tension of working so many hours. My supervisor, Sergeant Aizawa, even makes the motion of holding a cigarette when he's really stressed out. You'll fit right in," Izuku joked, earning a hearty laugh in return.

"I'm surprised you haven't picked up the habit, Midoriya. Seems like you're constantly stressed out with what's going on around these parts."

"Nah, I never liked the smell and it's not good for your lungs. I tend to take out my frustrations at the gym most nights. Keeps my mind off things."

"Speaking of," Kirishima announced after stretching his arms high above, grunting lightly when his shoulders popped audibly. "I'm starved! What are you feeling tonight? I'll cover since I destroyed your lunch. I'm sure the girls will be hungry too."

"I'm fine with—"

A heavy pounding on the door had them both on guard, heads snapping back to look at the door. Kirishima withdrew his pistol and held it in the ready position as Izuku opened the door, hand reaching for his side. One thing he learned was to never go anywhere unarmed. Even in his own home. Another round of pounding had them stealthily shifting forward. Either it was Mina angrily requesting entrance to the apartment or it was someone luring them to a trap after today's brass shower. Izuku held up a hand, reaching for the covered peephole after glancing back at his friend. A tight nod. The metal latch shifted aside as wary emerald peeked through. All he saw was a head full of pink hair and a scowl that would send even the toughest of men scrambling.

"It's just Mina," The detective breathed out as nimble fingers unlocked the deadbolts. Eijiro swiftly lowered his pistol though kept it out just in case. She could've been followed, it was always a possibility with his line of work, but the risks were higher in Musutafu.

"Midoriya!" Mina chirped happily as the door swung open, the scowl disappearing as she hugged him tightly. She pulled back to hold him at arm's length, quickly scanning over him with a cheeky grin. "You've grown! Not that shy little nerd anymore, are you? You totes remember Hagakure, right?"

"Hi Midoriya," Hagakure gave a timid wave as the pinkette strolled into the apartment in search of her boyfriend. "Sorry about all this, Mina demanded we show up and get answers."

"Of course! It's nice to see both of you again, it's been a long time. Make yourselves at home." Izuku beamed while motioning for her to enter.

"Thank you. I…can I ask you something?" The blonde lowered her voice to avoid the others hearing, motioning for him to bend down a little. Both hands were twisting anxiously together.

"About Ojiro." Izuku stated, earning a nod of confirmation. "Let's talk about it inside. I'll go over everything I know, promise."

It took a few minutes for everyone to settle down; Mina was scolding Kirishima for not answering soon in between smacking him about how worried he'd made her. Hagakure remained fairly stoic on the couch, eyes easily taking in the sparse decorations of the apartment. Kirishima, obviously, was trying to calm his fuming fiancé down. Izuku sat across from them with fingers intertwined over his knees, preparing himself for the difficult conversation to come.

"So," Mina started while sitting beside Kirishima and Hagakure on the couch, turning a serious golden gaze to the patiently waiting detective. "I know this is sudden Midoriya; I'm really sorry for barging in like this. It's not that I don't trust what Kirishima says, I figured you could explain everything better since you're more familiar with what's going on. And I know I'm skipping ahead right now…but did you really see him?"

"We had a fairly positive visual confirmation of Ojiro earlier today." Izuku stated simply. Going into too much information right off the bat could overwhelm them both, especially Hagakure. "Though it's not one hundred percent. While it appeared to be him, I can't confirm fully."

"He's okay?" Hagakure quietly interjected, shimmering azure eyes searching for confirmation in steady emerald.

"He appeared to be physically fine at the time of interaction. Though he left the scene shortly afterwards and we lost track of him."

"How can you know for sure though? Was it just the way he looked, or you heard his voice?" Mina took over the questioning as tears welled in Hagakure's eyes. She latched on her hands and squeezed firmly. "Kirishima didn't go into too many details, just mentioned briefly what happened."

"I called out his name and he instantly looked over at us. That pretty much confirms it was Ojiro." Kirishima supplied quietly, staring hard at the table his knees were lightly grazing. "But like Midoriya says; it's not a full confirmation. While it looked like him and he reacted to his name, there wasn't a full visual. I know my gut is telling me it's Ojiro and I completely trust the feeling."

"What happens now? Does the city start looking into his disappearance?" Mina continued. She didn't miss the glance between Midoriya and Kirishima. "Whatever you guys are trying to hide, don't. Hagakure's been through enough. Not just her, but the entire class is worried as well. A few others were even talking about coming back to help search."

"Hagakure, I need you to be prepared for what I'm about to say. It won't be light news," Izuku started after taking a steadying breath. Hiding it from her would only increase the duress she was under. A trembling nod gave him the go-ahead. "The incident where we encountered Ojiro wasn't too far from here, right down the road a few blocks in fact. The bigger issue is who he was with. There's a notorious Yakuza group that controls the city and has been around for a few hundred years now. Due to other ongoing investigations, I believe Ojiro is working for the Uraraka clan as a personal driver or security detail."

"He's…part of a Yakuza group?" Hagakure breathed with a hiccup, not bothering to wipe away the tears. "But why wouldn't he…shouldn't he have at least let me know? Why would he just run off and join? Did they force him to by threats?"

"Easy, easy," Mina soothed the blonde, one hand rubbing against her back and the other holding a hand firmly.

"We don't think he was forced to join. Being a driver means they've gained some level of trust with him and can see he has potential. If he's also doing security, then he's moving his way up the rankings. We don't have enough information to verify these ideas; they're nothing more than highly educated guesses. This all still needs to be run through the proper channels with the police." Izuku tried to remain professional despite the frustrations welling within. They'd been so close to getting him back, yet he slipped right through their fingers by escaping in a blacked-out vehicle that would most likely be dumped and burned. Leave no traces.

"What can you do about it, Midoriya? You work for the local police force, right? As a detective?" Mina tried to contain the surging emotions, yet her voice was becoming thick with repressed grief. Kirishima rubbed her back reassuringly. "Can't you tell them all this so they can get him back?"

"I wish it was that easy, Ashido, I really do. While a report has been filed, there's a whole chain of command it would need to go through in order to be considered top priority. Even then a mission to negotiate with the most powerful clan in the area isn't easy. The Uraraka clan overwhelms our force by thousands. Their level of influence could crumble so many businesses and lives, that's just how strong their hold on the city is. It could also put Ojiro into more danger by trying to intervene."

"So we just let him go? Let him become a part of a ruthless gang that could kill him at a moment's notice? Bullshit! I'm calling bullshit on that, Midoriya! There's another way and you know it! You're smarter than this; you can find a way to get him back!" Mina abruptly stood; fists clenched at her front as she shouted at Izuku. Any hand that attempted to reach for her was shaken off, the pinkette refusing to break eye contact with the detective. "Find a way to get our friend back! We'll all fight until the end to get him home! I don't care what it takes; Hagakure is suffering. We're all suffering."

Izuku bit down on the inside of his cheek as Kirishima and Hagakure helped the pinkette back onto the couch to calm down. He wanted to help, more than anything he wanted to help his friend get back home safely. But there were restrictions, rules he had to abide by at the police force. He couldn't just waltz right into the main mansion and demand him back. That would get him killed for sure. Kirishima didn't want her to know about the plan brewing; her reaction now just confirmed it should be kept silent.

"I'll do everything within my power to ensure he gets back home safely; you have my vow."

All three looked up at Izuku as he stood at attention, closed fist over his heart. Kirishima slowly dragged himself from his girlfriend before shifting to stand beside Midoriya, mimicking the same gesture. Simultaneously, they both bowed as trained in the academy. Hagakure pursed quivering lips and stood with support from Mina, wavering the slightest before following suit.

"I'm putting Ojiro's life in your hands, Midoriya and Kirishima. Please bring him home safely."

---

Ochaco thrummed her fingers against the dinner table out of slight frustration, the sound lost in the sea of rambunctious men feasting. Another elaborate celebration. A mix of every imaginable type of food from roasted duck to katsudon, a plethora of sides and drinks included. The Uraraka clan had acquired a long-sought shipment company that handled nearly thirty percent of Japan's imports and exports, making them the third largest in the country. The clan now owned just over half of all shipyards and docks in Japan, further lining their pockets with heavy profit. With heavy profit came more luxuries such as finer dining, vacations, improvements to the properties. It also meant her parents would be out of the house more often; the last acquisition had them gone for nearly two months. Of course, there were always people around. Just not the people she needed most.

"I can hear your tapping from the other side of the table."

Aizawa shifted into the empty seat beside the heiress with two plates; one filled with roasted chicken, vegetables, potatoes, and oddly enough a bowl of rice. The second had meticulously placed desserts that slid to a stop in front of the brunette. She wasn't surprised; any time there was a celebration, her appetite waned so she merely sat there observing. Aizawa always made sure she at least got some of her favorite deserts before the ravenous men got to them. A fork poked at the normally appealing mochi, doing nothing more than leaving small indentations in the squishy flesh.

"You have the hearing of a bat," Ochaco mused softly. A scoff in response.

"Bats use echolocation, not specially trained human ears. Upset you couldn't see all those cats today?"

"No…mother and father are going to be leaving for a while again to finalize the paperwork on the new acquisition. It just means I won't see them for weeks, if not longer. It happens every time the clan buys a company out. They go sign the papers, examine the goods, send a few local gifts, take some time off, then they come back to the daily grind. I don't exactly have parents for at least half the year."

"You know they're doing it out of obligation. Ensuring the Uraraka clan stays strong with new business ventures is something you'll have to learn. Once the throne is passed down to you, you'll travel all over the world to meet with building owners, sign over titles, inspect warehouses. It's part of the job. Not a fun one at that, but necessary. It's how we've survived through the toughest of times." Aizawa replied in between bites, causally watching over the rest of the table. "These men understand the heavy responsibilities resting on your shoulders, Ochaco. Even if you can't be with your parents all the time, you still have family here. Lean on them for support."

Ochaco briefly studied Aizawa before looking at the rowdy bunch of men. True, a lot of them she'd grown up with. They were like big brothers and uncles. Always watching over her, teaching, encouraging, giving in to every whim. And she saw them as family, no doubting that, it just…wasn't the same. Growing up as an only child, she'd only had them to rely on. Getting to know other people outside of the clan was heavily restricted due to security risks. Not even the children of higher-ranking thugs could play with her. It became a rather lonely childhood. She just wanted someone to talk to, gossip with, shop with. Do normal young adult things. Sometimes it was just so suffocating living in these walls.

"Thanks for the dessert, but I'm going to pass on it tonight and return to my quarters. I'd like to be alone for a bit." Ochaco shifted her chair outward, pushed it back in, and promptly walked away with sharp eyes watching.

Shota set his fork down, staring at the retreating heiress. Almost instantly he could read the loneliness radiating from the slightly defeated form. This life wasn't an easy one; isolation from normal society being the biggest problem. Yet a person who seemed friendly could turn around and stab her in the back, taking out the heir to the Uraraka name. It was a risk they couldn't take. But at the same time, he needed to look out for her happiness. The heavy burden she was about to inherit would only suffocate her more. Being surrounded by thousands of bodies oozing testosterone didn't help any. Maybe that's why she was so insistent to get out of the familiar walls. While it wasn't his decision to make, he was going to bring it up to Kenji. Tonight. They were leaving in the morning to finish paperwork for the new company halfway across the country.

Screeching back in his chair, Shota tossed his napkin onto his half-finished plate and immediately made for the office where he knew his boss was residing. An appearance at the feast was tradition to thank the men for their hard work, but duties always called him away at the last minute. He'd barely made a minute speech prior to departing for the prison cell. The two men guarding his door promptly stepped aside at his arrival, knocking three times to announce a requested audience. A knock back from the inside confirmed entry.

Kenji was sitting at his desk sorting through papers while mumbling to himself about numbers and inventory. Fumi was resting on a lounge reading a book, kind eyes darting up at the disturbance. The missuses of the household always held a softer side for the long-term Yakuza, sometimes referring to him as her son. She was the one who insisted on allowing him to stay after he was roughed up in the alleyway. Though barely a decade older than himself at the time, Fumi Uraraka acted naturally in a motherly manner. Shota gave a proper bow in greeting, discreetly noting the way she flapped it off like usual. Still, protocol was protocol in front of the boss.

"Shota, what brings you in so late? Are you enjoying the feast?" Fumi asked while setting down her book after marking the page. The readers perched upon her nose shifted up to rest atop slightly graying locks. With how busy they'd been lately, getting to the hairdresser wasn't easy. Shota made a note to have a house call made before they left in the morning.

"Pardon for the interruption. The feast is wonderful as usual, madam. I'd like to speak about a personal matter regarding Ochaco, if I may do so." That statement instantly caught both of their attentions, two pairs of eyes swinging to land on him. Kenji dropped his papers carelessly then leaned back in his chair, eyeing the posture and tone of his most trusted member.

"What's going on with Ochaco?" Fumi questioned as her husband finally got up from his chair, deciding to stretch to ease the stiffness.

"I have some concerns regarding her overall wellness. Recent attempts to venture outside have failed for one reason or another. I feel she's beginning to recluse due to the lack of proper socialization with people her age. In other words, she's lonely."

"Lonely?" Both parents replied, a concerned look shared. Shota merely nodded.

"Ochaco doesn't get out as much as she needs to, and the other members here don't meet the typical young adult socializing requirements. While I understand the safety concerns correlated to letting just anyone into her life; Ochaco needs to find some friends around her age. She needs the leash to be unclipped."

"How do you propose to follow through with this idea, Shota? I'm assuming you have some sort of plan to remedy this problem. While we can only do so much as parents, our schedule no longer allows us the luxury of quality time with our daughter." Kenji tiredly dragged a hand over his throbbing eyelids. He needed to sleep. Racing thoughts have kept him up the past few weeks about the buyout. Even now the work had yet to be finished.

"…do you recall giving me a timeframe on that answer regarding Izuku Midoriya?" Shota could see an eyebrow perk up at the mention despite a hand still covering both eyes.

"Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" Kenji drawled with the edges of his lips curling upwards. Fumi looked between them with furrowing brows, not comprehending the hidden message.

"While I can't guarantee how exciting it'll be with him, he's the best chance she has at escaping these walls and enjoying her life. Mashirao Ojiro was another consideration, though he was recognized earlier in the street. This means that the plan will have to be unveiled by morning with a few minor tweaks to the original wording. And I'll have to come up with a story about escorting a foreign official's daughter. He's perceptive; he'd figure it out quickly otherwise."

"You have my blessings, Shota!" Kenji cheered, suddenly swooping around the desk to clap Shota on the shoulder. "Whatever needs to be done in order to ensure Ochaco is happy and safe. I trust you will make sure that happens? Perhaps trailing along in the background?"

"Consider it done, Kenji."

"Woah, woah, woah! Hold on a second," Fumi interrupted with hands thrown in the air. Both men turned to look at her quizzically. "Why does it sound like you're handing her off to be married? Kenji,"

"Dear, there's nothing to worry about! Just getting Ochaco a new bodyguard who can show her a life outside of these walls!" Kenji quickly switched to appeasing his suspicious wife.

"And who exactly is this mysterious bodyguard?"

"A detective under my care at the agency. The same one who saved Ochaco's life in the alleyway." Shota filled in as Kenji was currently receiving a silent, yet threatening look from his wife. Apparently he never told her. Big mistake.

"The way I see it, you would know best how to handle that situation, Shota. Can I leave it in your hands?" Fumi asked sweetly, glancing over at the trusted man.

"Of course, Madam. Everything will be handled. If you'll excuse me I need to make some phone calls. I'll make sure your morning appointment is set prior to your departure."

"Appointment…oh! You mean these wispy things? I hardly remember them with how the schedule is lately! Thank you for reminding me, Shota. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Fumi waved at the retreating Yakuza before whirling on her husband the moment the door clicked shut. "Dear, why didn't you inform me of this matter? You wouldn't be hiding stuff from me, hm?"

"O-of course not, darling! I would never—"

Shota grimaced as he heard the hushed arguing through the office doors, merely pulling out his phone to make a few calls. Kenji had a bad habit of not telling his wife about current events, including the most recent situations involving their daughter. Fumi Uraraka was a force to be reckoned with when it came to protecting Ochaco.

The line rang once, twice, three times then it clicked.

"Shota, what a pleasant surprise to hear from you. How did your errands go?"

"Well enough. Listen, I have a favor to ask. I know things are stretched tight as is, but I need Izuku Midoriya for a special request." Aizawa could hear the seat shuffling through the line, indicating the man was leaning forward with interest and a bit of wariness. It wasn't often he asked for a favor regarding one of the detectives, so it was understandable for the hint of suspicion. "Another personal request for security has come through the line. A few weeks, diplomats daughter that is hanging around while her father is on business. I'll send the details via email; you'll have them by morning."

"…what about the Yakuza incident?"

"I've got that handled. There's a few favors to call in to get some more bodies in the office. Midoriya will be under my direct eye for the duration of the visit. He can handle himself." Shota slowed to a stop down one of the numerous hallways, staring hard at nothing while awaiting an answer. He wasn't an easy person to sway; decades of experience and the man could easily sniff out deceit and lies. But he wasn't the only one with years of exposure to the darker side of society. Nearly thirty seconds went by and for a moment Shota thought the old man had become lost in memories of trauma once more.

"Get your favors in here by morning and you can have Midoriya for a month. Any longer than that and the cases will keep piling up; he's the best at organizing every file we have. I also want a full case report of who the diplomat is, where he's going, his duration of stay, country of origin. The works, Aizawa. We need to make sure his stay is tracked for legal purposes. Those are my only requests."

"Understood. All documentation will be submitted and ready by the time you open your email in the morning. Have you heard from Midoriya since he left this afternoon? I'm near his apartment, I'll probably swing by to check on him." Of course he hadn't, he was the one who shot at him earlier. Feigning ignorance at its finest.

"You didn't hear?" Surprise filtered through the phone. Shota habitually notched a brow despite not talking to him in person. Old habits die hard, apparently. "Midoriya and a new transfer got caught up in a shootout near the Musutafu shopping center. Suspected Uraraka clan activity after they identified a missing friend of theirs as the driver. They took off before any cars could track them down. Be on your guard, that group is up to something with an increase in public sightings. Supposedly, the next heir to the Uraraka name will be taking over by the beginning of the year. It's the only information we have on them for the time being."

Word was getting around. Not only was Shigaraki encroaching on Uraraka turf, now it was becoming well-known that the heir was soon to take over. Shota scowled deeply. For this whole broken leash deal with Ochaco to work, a low profile was required. At least until she ascended the throne. Now that the precinct was aware, things were going to become scrutinized under a microscope; including his scheduled disappearances from the office. He pinched the bridge of his nose tightly. What a clusterfuck. "Anyone injured?"

"Thankfully, no. I'll need both of them, and you, in my office, first thing to go over the details. We can bring up the month-long release from duty contract while we're at it. If you could swing by his apartment, that'd be great. I have a feeling our new transfer will be there too."

"Understood. Thanks, Chief."

"See you in the morning, Aizawa. Watch your six."

The call ended. Shota remained still for a minute, digesting the information. Either someone was slipping details to the police…or they had a rat. An unknown leaking bits and pieces of confidential secrets directly to Chief Yagi. Nothing of the sorts had made its way to his desk, as it should when it came to the clan. That's how the system was designed there; any incoming Uraraka clan intel was to be sorted appropriately then given directly to him. That's why nearly a quarter of the office was undercover. There was Hawks' note that arrived; just details that Shigaraki was on the move into Uraraka territory. Did it have a secondary meaning? An underlying warning? A full sweep of all members would take weeks, if not months to complete to sniff out the snitch. It could be someone of lower or higher ranking. Aizawa scratched at his beard. He'd need some help with the interrogations.

But first; he needed to check on his troublesome detective.

_B_

Izuku watched as his friends settled around the tv after dinner to catch up one of the latest drama series; Love without Boundaries. Despite not knowing anything about it, he soon found himself watching tidbits of the show in between cleaning up. A private investigator falling in love with the daughter to a powerful mafia boss. Highly unrealistic, yet just intriguing enough to numb his brain from the actual mafia boss he may encounter soon enough. Right now it was the detective being assigned a case to escort a powerful politicians daughter around town. Even if that were to happen, it wasn't in his job description to do as such. He was a detective, not a babysitter.

Drying his hands on the hanging towel, he couldn't help but keep getting sucked into it. A no-nonsense detective with the drive to crumble an entire mafia empire. A reserved young woman sheltered from the real world. No way they were compatible. Why would they even consider pairing the two together? The detective could easily use her as a tool to infiltrate the mafia group then take them down from the inside. One plot hole after another. And they looked obvious in public! Nearly shabby, on-edge looking man with a primmed and proper young lady. Who wouldn't see through that obvious guise?

"Yo, Midoriya! You've got a visitor," Kirishima suddenly called out, drawing the real-life detective back to his senses. Somehow he'd shifted closer to watch the drama not realizing there was knocking on the door. Sheepishly, Izuku thanked him before moving to greet the unexpected visitor.

"Sergeant Aizawa! What are you doing here?"

"Just came by to check on you. Heard about what happened earlier. You two good?" Shota asked with a small wave, Midoriya obviously surprised to see him. At least he didn't say 'Sorry for nearly blowing your brains out!'.

"Yeah, yeah. Narrowly dodged having our heads blown off. I take it you heard from Captain Yagi on that?" Izuku lowered his voice, closing the door just a little more to prevent peeping eyes. He didn't want to disturb them with work-related problems. "We suspect the Uraraka clan was behind it, possibly carrying a higher-ranking member or even the boss himself around town."

"That new transfer, was he the one who answered the door?" Izuku nodded. "I need to have a chat with both of you, somewhere private. It's regarding what happened and how things are going to move forward."

"Sure. Uh…I have some other guests over right now, but the office should be fairly soundproof. I made sure to install some sound muffling panels for case audio."

"Lead the way." Shota gruffed with a nod.

Izuku let his supervisor in, quickly drawing a few more pairs of eyes to the newcomer. They all greeted one another cordially, Aizawa even apologizing for interrupting the evening. Directing his superior to the office, the detective made his way over to Kirishima who was half-watching the show, half-keeping an eye on the newcomer. A few words whispered into his ear and both men followed suit into the office. Aizawa was already shuffling through paperwork when the door shut behind them both.

"You're the new transfer?" Shota began the moment the lock clicked, not even bothering to look at the towering redhead while flipping through reports. Nothing about the Yakuza yet. Just normal cases going back a few months. At least his notes were thorough.

"Yes, sir. Eijiro Kirishima." The redhead replied with a swift bow.

"What's your specialty?"

"No specific specialty though I tend to support crime syndicate eradication efforts alongside daily neighborhood patrols."

"Length of term?"

"Three years."

"How much do you know about the local Yakuza?"

A red flag popped up from its bindings within Izuku. Why would his superior be drilling him about the local gang? He could see the hesitation within Kirishima, the redhead unsure of how to answer. Where was Aizawa going with this…

"Only what Midoriya has informed me of. Generational control, weakening violence records, guesstimated number of members—"

"You were told specifically not to get involved in the Yakuza matter," Aizawa slammed down a printed copy of Nakai Okura's case file, both men flinching at the sudden frigid tone. "Or did you not clearly understand my instructions earlier, Midoriya? Now you've added another target to the list. I should suspend you for your recklessness."

"S-Seargeant Aizawa, I can explain…" Izuku trailed off as the shorter man strolled up to him, eyes ablaze with silent fury. A hand abruptly grabbed him by the collar, just like before, and pulled him in closer.

"Explain? You want to explain to me how you disobeyed a direct order? By all means…I'm listening. And while I'm listening, you can also come up with a reason for the whiteboard not-so-discreetly tucked away. Why does it show plans to infiltrate the Uraraka clan? Step. By. Step." Shota hissed at the very nervous detective. To say he was pissed was beyond obvious. He was nearly downright murderous. All the hours of meticulous planning now beginning to swell prior to flushing down the drain.

"Y-you see…uh…t-there's this thing…" Izuku sputtered out while trying to avoid eye contact with Aizawa. Scary! He was probably going to skin him alive! Holy shit, he fucked up! "…I-I uh…"

"I'm going to be dropped six feet in the ground by the time you spit it out," Aizawa growled, narrowing his eyes even further. For what he was about to assign Midoriya to, he needed to scare him away from any Yakuza thought; Ochaco's safety was priority. God forbid he figure out her true identity.

"Have you heard of this new show, Love without Boundaries?" Kirishima suddenly interjected. Izuku sent him a small, discreet warning shake of his head as Aizawa turned an unimpressed gaze to him. "I-it's about how a detective goes undercover to escort a politician's daughter around town and stuff. We were doing nothing more than speculating on how the Uraraka clan operates and if it was similar to the series! Just stupid stuff, really,"

"Really? Then did you know that in the end of that show both parties end up dead because they were found to be hiding a romantic relationship with one another? And that it led to the complete and utter downfall of a powerful Mafia which in turn crumbled society due to their connections practically keeping the city running? A pathetic excuse. Since you're now involved in this, you're going to be reporting directly to me from now on."

"Y-yes, sir!" Kirishima sharply snapped to attention, nearly giving himself a concussion in the process of saluting.

"Since you're both so keen to play the roles of a drama series; you're being assigned on a month-long deployment. Starting tomorrow. I suggest you read up on how to act as a bodyguard, Midoriya, because you're now in charge of the only daughter of a high-ranking diplomat. And you, Kirishima. You're going to be their driver. Following every. Single. Move. Don't think I'll be letting you go alone. I'll be watching…every…step…of…the…way." Shota enunciated the last five words harshly to get the message through. The fear was practically radiating off in heavy waves. If he weren't enjoying their expressions so much in the moment, it'd be a photographable moment. Though, he supposed, the memory alone would suffice.

Releasing Midoriya, Aizawa didn't even give him time to relax before tossing an envelope at both of them. They caught them before quizzically, fearfully, looking up at the Seargeant.

"S-Seargeant Aizawa, sir, you…I thought you were…joking?" Izuku stuttered out as his fingers shakily undid the tape and metal prongs, reaching for the papers inside. A fast scan drained the color from his face, the detective scanning twice, thrice, before finally looking incredulously at his boss. "You're not joking…"

"Do I look like the type to joke?"

"N-no, sir!"

"Good," Shota gave them an eerily cheerful grin. "One other thing; not a word to another soul or I'll find you in the middle of the night, drag you out of bed, and use you as bait for the sharks at the docks. Got it?"

Both quickly nodded, afraid to speak another word as the office door was unlocked. Aizawa silently entered back into the living room to quickly converse with the ladies, apologizing once again for disrupting their evening. Izuku followed slowly behind with gaze averted from the curious ones on the couch. Kirishima was right on his heel, the envelope clenched tightly between fingers to the point his knuckles turned white. Upon reaching the front door, Aizawa opened it first, partially stepped out, then turned back to them both with a neutral expression.

"I'm entrusting both of you with this mission. Protect that information with your lives. Once you've memorized it all, burn it. Leave no trace. I'll see you at nine sharp for a meeting with Captain Yagi."

"Understood, Seargeant Aizawa." Both replied with fast bows. Fingers tapping on the door quickly drew them back up to see the officer giving an ominous grin.

"One more thing…if you continue to look into the Yakuza business, I'm going to put you through the most unimaginable torture known to mankind. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Shota gave an easy wave, shoved his hands into his pockets, and strolled down the hallway whistling a cheerful tune.

The door to the apartment slowly creaked shut.

---

Nine. That was when she was supposed to be dragged around by Aizawa for some errand he'd planned. Although quite out of the ordinary, it still gave her the freedom she yearned for. Her parents had already left for their official business trip, so the heiress was left to manage the household solo. Well, more so just act as the official face. The inner workings were being handled by those directed immediately beneath her father. Urgent matters would need to be handled at her discretion. Straightening out the invisible wrinkles for the thousandth time, Ochaco critically stared at her reflection.

Chestnut locks pulled back into a braided bun with tendrils framing her face, auburn eyes concealed with grey lenses to lighten the recognizable eyes. Even makeup had been applied, though most of it was hidden beneath the medical mask she was forced to wear. Simple diamond twisted earrings adorned both ears. They were a gift from her father on her twelfth birthday; she just never had the chance to wear them outside of the mansion walls. Light tan slacks paired with a white, thin, long-sleeved blouse and charcoal jacket made up the outfit for the outing. Three-inch heels added height and prevented the hem of the slacks from hitting any puddles or trash. Professional yet still considered casual in her book. Regardless of where she went, Ochaco had the weight of her family name always looming.

Grabbing the simple cream baguette purse from the awaiting shelf, Ochaco made for the door to meet at the waiting point. Aizawa never mentioned how long they'd be gone, just that he needed to run an errand and her presence was required. Guards swooped in to guide the heiress to the front door where a car awaited her arrival. Everyone bowed out of respect and while resisting the urge to wave off the silly gesture, Ochaco kept her chin tilted up. She would have to get used to it once ascension to the throne was complete. It was just a part of the customs she lived and breathed daily. Funny enough, though, Aizawa never seemed to follow that policy except in the presence of her parents. Perhaps it was because he raised and nurtured her from childhood. Perhaps he did it to be a pain. Or…

Shota Aizawa didn't recognize her as an official authority yet. One of the last arguments they had was him clearly stating that until she ascended the throne, Kenji Uraraka was the only authority he recognized. In a way it made sense; why give respect to someone who hadn't earned it yet? Being an heir was worthless unless the shimmering tiara was nestled atop the rightful crown. Demanding respect and having a Yakuza member bowing to weightless whims showed weakness and a lack of loyalty. Ochaco rolled her lips together beneath the mask. There was still so much she needed to know and only three months to do so.

Unlike the last time they departed Uraraka grounds, Aizawa was primed in a black suit with hair slicked back into a low ponytail. His usual habit of sticking his hands into both pockets was nowhere to be found as he directed lower ranking thugs. They all followed his orders quickly, the room seemingly in organized chaos. The clicking of her heels became picked up thanks to his inhuman, non-bat hearing, and he turned on his heel. A fast nod of approval at the chosen outfit.

"Your fashion sense is finally getting better now that a stylist is here," Shota remarked evenly as the heiress stopped a foot away.

"Who says it's not mine? Being cooped up all these years just means I had plenty of time to play dress up. I'm surprised you're not in your street clothes. What gives?" Ochaco shot back lightly. Aizawa let out an amused huff, briefly closing his eyes then turning them towards the main doors.

"This errand requires more than looking like a comfortable hobo. Nonetheless, the lethality is still there. Ready to go?"

"Are you going to tell me where we're going?"

"Nope." Ochaco merely let out a fed-up sigh. She took back the thought from earlier; he was definitely doing it to be an ass.

It was another cloudy day as they embarked down the stairs to the awaiting SUV. Ochaco glanced around for the blonde driver from the day before, yet he wasn't anywhere to be seen. A frown ticked her expression. They didn't do anything to him, right? He seemed so nice and even helped her with the roiling motion sickness that Aizawa created by driving like a maniac. Instead, another driver took his place. An older man, middle aged or so, with dark hair and shades that matched the onyx tint of his suit. The white gloves popped starkly against the outfit and vehicle as he opened the door for her, offering a hand of support. Gratefully taking it, Ochaco nodded her thanks and climbed in. Aizawa slid in the other door.

"What happened to Ojiro? I thought he was going to be my driver for a while," The brunette brought up after pulling the mask below her chin. With windows tinted darker than a moonless night there wasn't a need to keep wearing it for the moment. "He didn't get in trouble for yesterday, right? That wasn't his fault."

"He's been pulled from the field temporarily due to being identified on the street. Your father won't punish him for something beyond anyone's control, Ochaco. They've moved him to the training room." Shota replied while pulling out his phone. Fingers flew across the screen as a message was typed then sent. Dark grey shifted over to look at the heiress. "It becomes too dangerous when a civilian identifies one of our own, so we have to switch them to a different job until things cool down. Not to say he won't be able to go back out, it just won't be for at least a few weeks."

"I see,"

"Now, we need to get down to what's going on today," Shota shifted in the oversized seat to better face her. "I told you I had an errand to run. It goes beyond that. The whole point of going out is for you to socialize more with people your age. You're withdrawing. An isolated ruler becomes a deranged one."

"Are you expecting me to become a psychopath?" Ochaco asked with a snort, huffing out a laugh. Though his serious expression quickly wiped any joy from her body. He wasn't joking. "Sorry, continue."

"We're headed to the U.A. Police station to meet up with the people assigned with escorting you around town. You'll be given two hours initially to do as you please. Keep in mind that there won't be special treatment for you; you have to act like a responsible, normal adult. Don't flash your Yakuza card at anyone for any reason. Don't give them a reason to suspect who you are. Your first name is fine to use with these people."

"Hold on. You always tell me not to give out my real name but now it's okay? What's the deal with that?" Ochaco balked. What in the hell was going on? Don't use your first name. Now it's okay to use your first name.

"You'll see." Aizawa said. "For a last name you'll be using the alias of Haniko. The awaiting party is aware of this. Your background is as follows; only daughter to the high-ranking diplomat Akagawa Haniko. Northern territory diplomat in charge of northern European communications and peace treaties. He's here for work and is asking a personal favor for escorting you around the area until he returns from his business venture. You have ten minutes to memorize this page of background information."

Ochaco took the paper without further complaint, auburn quickly skimming through the information. Likes: green tea, starry skies, sweets, mochi. Dislikes: dishonesty, aggressive car driving, unsweet foods— "Did you literally take my own interests and slap them onto paper? Seriously? What about this screams discreet?"

"Did you want to continue your career as a failed actor and potentially blunder your cover? Again."

"…"

"That's what I thought. More importantly, you need to go over the background of your father; there's bound to be questions asked. Keep it short and simple. Your bodyguard can tend to be…a bit inquisitive, putting it lightly."

Izuku checked his watch for the hundredth time. Sergeant Aizawa was supposed to arrive by nine, yet it was already two minutes past. Normally the officer remained punctual even when coming in looking haggard and sleep deprived. It was threatening to rain again so heavier than normal traffic was a possibility. Kirishima stood by his side with a seemingly wandering mind. Last night was a lot to take in and despite the girls prodding for questions, they both had to remain tight-lipped. An Aizawa threat was a promise, not a speculation. He would use them as bait. As fun as the aquarium could be, becoming shark bait wasn't on their bucket list.

Checking his watch again, the little hand had just hit three minutes past when a murmuring rippled through the office. Both emerald and crimson snapped towards the commotion. People were whispering amongst themselves as a group of higher-ranking officers made their way through the cubicles; the apparel alone were enough to discern undercover. Kirishima, being taller than his classmate, was able to get a better look at the mysterious person being ushered through the gossiping workers.

"Why don't you boys wait in my office. I need to help escort our guest to a secured conference room. It won't take me long," Chief Yagi stepped beside Izuku silently. If the detective hadn't been on guard his presence would've startled him. A boney hand rested firmly against his arm and Izuku looked down at the slightly shorter man. "Then we can get down to what we need to. Deal?"

Chief Yagi was a skeleton of his former self; once brawny, enthusiastic, always rushing into harms way. After a severe side injury that left him with slowly failing respiratory issues, he had to step out of the field to desk duty. Now he shuffled around the office and acted as a direct commander for risky missions. Dulled blonde locks were slicked back from his usual casual down style, the change only exacerbating his now gaunt facial features. Piercing blue eyes from younger days were shrouded with a layer of darkness that reflected decades of trauma. Even his suits no longer fit well, the material often hanging from the remnant muscles keeping him standing. Toshinori Yagi looked more like a walking skeleton than a former number one hero.

"Of course." The green-haired man agreed. A head motion had both U.A. Academy graduates shifting towards the open door as the Chief moved to greet the newcomer. Glancing back curiously once in the doorway, Izuku merely caught a glimpse of grey eyes staring right back. With a blink they were gone.

"I couldn't get a great look at her, did you? Her security detail is insane. Do you guys often get special cases like this?" Kirishima asked once the office door silently shut, leaving the two in silence as they waited. Crimson trailed over the numerous awards and photographs lining the desk and walls, taking them in with awe.

"Not normally, at least to my knowledge. I'm usually always on a case involving gang related crimes and deaths. I've never seen her before and the case file doesn't go over a ton of information, just the basics about her. Ochaco Haniko. Aged twenty. Only daughter to famous diplomat Akagawa Haniko, Northern European communications and peace treaties. He resides further South but is entrusting his daughter to Aizawa's care while handling work. Huh. That's strange."

"What's up, Midoriya?" Kirishima asked once he leaned back from admiring a golden era photo of Captain Yagi. His friends eyebrows were furrowed as he scanned over the file again, muttering to himself. "Uh oh, there's that infamous muttering. You're starting to get a crazy theory, aren't you?"

"What? Sorry, still a bad habit," Izuku chuckled with a hand ruffling already wild locks. "It's just that the name sounds a bit familiar from a case a few weeks ago, but that name isn't too uncommon. I've never known Sergeant Aizawa to take on a case like this. We've provided extra security for diplomats before…just never this directly."

"Think there's a specific reason he chose Sergeant Aizawa?"

"It's nothing more than an old favor,"

Both men jumped at the sudden gravely voice. Aizawa had snuck in behind them silently. The men snapped to attention much to the Yakuza's hidden amusement. Good to know they took his warning to heart. A hand dismissed the gesture as he sat at the chair closest to the wall, planting one leg over the other. It took a few seconds though the two followed suit, slightly nervous as they waited for Captain Yagi. Izuku kept his focus on the slightly crumpled document clenched between fingers.

"Sergeant Aizawa, sir, can I ask a question regarding the details of this case?" Eijiro raised a stiff hand. Once he got a brief nod of approval, he continued. "I understand us acting as both bodyguard and driver for Miss Haniko, but is the timeframe correct? Only two hours a day to begin with?"

"That's correct. Miss Haniko has tended to live a more sheltered life travelling with her father to high-risk areas. For her safety, she's been kept inside for the most part. There have been a few attempts on her life in the past." Shota answered easily. Not a total lie; a few have attempted to assassinate or kidnap the only heir to the Uraraka name. It didn't end well for the perpetrators once he got ahold of them. "I was notified of his arrival to the city prior to his departure for a tour around the country. He asked a favor. I agreed to that favor."

"It must be terrible being locked up all the time…" Izuku muttered to himself, unaware of the brief, softening gaze of his superior.

"So, does that mean she's never hung out with people her age? I wonder if she would get along with Mina—"

"You are not to allow unauthorized personnel near Miss Haniko. I don't care what her relationship is to you; any and all unauthorized people are to be considered a threat." Aizawa interjected firmly. The background checks were yet to come back on the two women in Izuku's apartment last night. While they didn't seem the type to attempt harm upon Ochaco, it was a risk he couldn't take.

"Are you terrorizing the new recruits again, Aizawa? You really should learn to be nicer." Chief Yagi asked while entering his office, closing the door behind him. "Don't mind him, he's always grumpy with new people. It's just his personality."

"I can hear you,"

"I'm well aware!" Chief Yagi let out a bolstering chuckle, a hand raising to his side as it died off. "Alright, alright. We're on a tight schedule today so we need to get started. Midoriya. About yesterday. Start from the beginning."

Izuku started from the initial mission he was sent out on and explained every step of the process until reaching the part where Aizawa showed up at his door with two envelopes. Chief Yagi listened intently while Aizawa merely sipped on his dark roast, eyes remaining on the desk as he soaked in the words. Then it was Kirishima's turn, relaying his arrival to the city and running into Izuku. Overall, the meeting took about ten minutes with full explanations. Without another word, Toshinori took a case file from the printer tray and placed it on his desk, sliding it towards the two officers.

"Mashirao Ojiro. Aged twenty-one. Five-foot-nine. Blonde hair, dark eyes. Missing for three weeks as of this Friday. Disappeared without a trace. No letters, no texts, no calls, nothing. The file was reported by his girlfriend, Toru Hagakure. Around this time of year Ojiro goes to martial arts training up in the mountains. When he didn't come back after the anticipated date, this missing person's report was filed. According to what you just told me, Midoriya and Kirishima, you're fairly certain you identified him as the driver of a blacked-out SUV. Sound correct?" Yagi asked.

"Yes, sir. I even called out his name and he responded by instinctively looking over. We weren't able to get a full confirmation, but just from his physical response it appears to be him. The problem is we can't confirm who he's working for." Kirishima slid the paper back onto the desk after skimming through it to confirm the details.

"It's theorized that he's working for the Uraraka clan. Someone like Ojiro is useful due to his martial arts background and ability to follow orders. If that's the case, it's probably best to avoid direct confrontation. Ojiro would be safest remaining in their custody according to the latest statistics of the Uraraka clan violence data. Since Kenji Uraraka took over nearly thirty years ago, the levels of violence the syndicate has committed dropped exponentially. While they're a force to reckon with I don't believe he's in any danger right now." Izuku added and the police chief leaned back in his chair to digest the news. After a minute or two he turned to look at Aizawa, contemplating.

"You're brooding pretty hard over there, Shota. Lay your thoughts on the table."

"I agree with Midoriya. Trying to force a trade or creating a confrontation isn't safe nor wise. With the widespread control the Uraraka clan has over the city, it could lead to more than one incident. Ojiro sounds like he can handle himself just fine. For now, we'll continue to monitor and follow-up on any leads that come our way. Acceptable?" Shota deduced after a brief pause, shifting to look between the three. Toshinori seemed to accept the plan while Midoriya and Kirishima looked a little crestfallen about the news. He would personally ensure the safety of their friend. The only reason something would happen is if another member lost their cool. "I understand he's your friend. At the same time you need to understand that he's in a precarious position if he is confirmed to be working under the Uraraka name. Their violence may have dwindled over the past years, but that doesn't mean they aren't still capable of getting rid of nuisances. Keep your chin up and pray he remains unharmed."

Izuku nodded, unhappy with the results. While he wanted to save his friend more than anything, Aizawa was right; rushing in or agitating the hive could result in a more dangerous situation and it was already precarious to begin with. Kirishima let out a heavy sigh, dragging a hand down his face. He couldn't imagine the weeks of stress the redhead was under knowing Ojiro went missing. Satisfied the matter was, temporarily, resolved, Chief Yagi stood from his chair was a grunt of effort.

"Alright. It's time to get to work now. I'll be joining you three in the conference room though Aizawa will be taking the lead. Is Miss Haniko ready?"

"Yes. I'm going to remind you both of this," Shota stood with zero effort, one hand wrapped around his coffee while the other shoved deep into a pocket. "Don't pry information out of her regardless of any burning questions. She's already been through enough and doesn't need strangers trying to get close. This is a job. Behave yourselves."

"Understood."

Ochaco kept her eyes to the phone currently entrapped between both hands. Her parents had yet to acknowledge their arrival at their destination and worry slowly gnawed. They'd left before the sun even rose. Shouldn't they be almost there by now? It was after nine already…the estimated time was three hours by plane. Their departure was around five in order to be on time for their meeting.

"Miss Haniko, is everything alright?" A man to her right asked lowly, crouching slightly to be heard better. One of the men who worked directly beneath Aizawa, Morimoto Surai. He was actually older than her mentor by at least two decades though remained one of the most diligent members of the Uraraka clan for nearly the entirety of his life. Even before she was born, he worked under her grandfather.

"Check on my parents." Ochaco ordered quietly without averting auburn orbs. Discretion was key. Not like the whole room wasn't filled with strictly undercover Yakuza. Regardless. Her temporary bodyguard could enter at any moment. Morimoto nodded before excusing himself from the room to make the call.

She could be overreacting; her parents were often swamped with maintaining their business ventures and ensuring the stability of the Uraraka clan. One time it took her mother a month to reply to a text asking about something trivial. By then even Ochaco forgot why she asked. But without them in the same city, it made the heiress uneasy. A knock on the door only a moment later had her instinctively standing, hands resting overlapped against her front. She'd worry about that later, for now she needed to focus on the task at hand.

"Pardon the interruption," Aizawa spoke formally, a hand raised as he stepped into the room. "Miss Haniko, thank you for your patience. I'd like to introduce you to the two detectives that will be escorting you around for the next month. We would also like to go over the terms of the contract if you're fine with that."

"Of course, Sergeant Aizawa. I appreciate the hospitality shown so far." Ochaco slightly bowed as her mentor-turned-officer motioned for someone to come in behind. Oh, how much shit he was going to get when they got home. Playing detective? Was that what he did in his free time? It was almost like that new drama, Love without Boundaries. She'd known he was absent quite often during the daylight and this just confirmed where he resided.

"Miss Haniko, my name is Chief Toshinori Yagi. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please, let us know if there's anything we can do for you." Chief Yagi beamed, bowing the slightest angle his fragile body allowed. Ochaco returned the gesture though deeper, tendrils swishing downward.

"The pleasure is all mine, Chief Yagi."

"These two will be both your bodyguards and drivers. They're highly capable of protecting you during the daily outages. Feel free to request anything of them," Aizawa picked back up as two officers dressed in U.A. apparel entered. "To the right is Izuku Midoriya, he'll be your personal bodyguard and will remain at your side the entire duration of your outings. To the left is Eijiro Kirishima, a recent transfer who will be in charge of escorting."

"Miss Haniko, it's an honor to meet you in person." Izuku stated warmly with a bow.

"Please, let us know if you require anything and we'll do our best to help." Kirishima mimicked the gesture as well.

"It's very nice to meet you both. There's really no need for formalities, you can just call me Ochaco." Ochaco dropped into a little lower of a bow to conceal the widening of her eyes. He fucking knew! Aizawa intentionally brought the man who saved her on a golden platter! It all made sense why he said to use her real first name; there was a chance Izuku Midoriya would recognize her from that day. Creating a fake name could create suspicion into who she truly was. But did he recognize her with different colored eyes and a mask?

"With formalities done, let's get down to the details of the contract. There are some guidelines that need to be mentioned for both parties, ones that weren't discussed prior." Aizawa motioned for everyone to take a seat. Ochaco sat across from him with a we're talking about this later stare that he promptly ignored. Izuku and Kirishima sat about two seats away from her on either side, leaving breathing room for the young woman. Ochaco resisted the urge to glance at Izuku.

It was nothing more than Aizawa restricting areas to visit; avoiding the more dangerous parts, areas with lack of police presence, borders of Musutafu. Not like Ochaco wasn't aware of all of this, but he had to put on a front to cover any footprints left behind. A few shops had been banned. Her favorite places to visit were obviously allowed. Even the cat café she'd used as an excuse to get near the alleyway where she was attacked was allowed. An eyebrow notched slightly at that remark. Why allow it all of a sudden? Was Shota realizing he couldn't restrict her every move now that ascension was nearing? Or maybe it didn't matter anymore since he was pairing her with the rapist savior.

The meeting went on for well over thirty minutes. While she wasn't growing weary, a coffee would help. That could be the first place to visit.

"Questions?" Aizawa asked the group once he finished, the paper resting atop the desk.

"None on my end," Ochaco remarked lightly with a cup rising to her lips. While she wouldn't be able to extract any information from Aizawa at the moment, she'd at least try to dig further into the life of Izuku Midoriya. "I'd like to make the first stop at a nearby coffee shop. Any recommendations?"

"There's one actually right down the street, a few blocks from here. They specialize in iced drinks and bakery items." Izuku immediately piped in, facing the brunette. She could see brewing excitement swirling in earnest emerald. Interesting.

"Sounds great. Sergeant Aizawa, Chief Yagi; thank you for your time today. I'd like to start my errands before my other commitments. Gentlemen," Ochaco gracefully stood prior brushing the wrinkles from her outfit. "If you wouldn't mind escorting me to the coffee shop. I feel some walking is in order."

"Of course, Miss Haniko. We'll be taking our leave now." Izuku stood with Kirishima following, both bidding their farewells to the superiors.

The Yakuza members slipped from the room without another word to go about their day. Aizawa would keep an eye on them, that Ochaco knew. No one dared to mess around under his sharp watch. Morimoto diverted his gaze away after she locked eyes, searching for an answer so desperately sought. The quick break informed her of the lack of information. A frown ticked at concealed lips. What was going on? Glancing over at Aizawa who was escorting them from the building, she casually tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. A discreet nod covered by another coffee sip. He'd look into it. That was the great thing about him; even the tiniest of details caught his attention. It was what made his stealth the highest in all of the clan…and the most valuable.

"This way, Miss Haniko. Would you prefer an umbrella now?" Izuku asked while holding open the door for her to exit. Her heels tapped the concrete lightly. "The weather is supposed to remain steady for the duration of your errands though it's been known to change on a dime."

"I'm fine for the time, thank you. You don't have to be so formal, Detective Midoriya. Ochaco is fine."

"Of course, Miss Ochaco. I'd like to say that it's a beautiful name."

Ochaco felt déjà vu hit her like that rival clan member did with his cock. Just like the night in the alley. Did he already recognize her? Looking up at him from beneath coated lashes, the Yakuza studied his expression. Neutral though wary of every person passing by, eyes constantly checking the surroundings, head practically on a swivel. He didn't seem to be flirtatious in any manner, more like open and honest. Auburn diverted back to the path they were treading. An inkling told her it was more than coincidental he said it that way.

"I appreciate the compliment. My parents mentioned that on the day of my birth, the first tea leaf yield of the year had ripened just over the mountain as the sun rose. They saw it as a sign of good fortune and luck. So, Ochaco was born."

"That's a very endearing story, Miss Haniko. You must be very special to your parents," Izuku replied warmly, briefly glancing down at the young woman. The familiarities were too much. Name. Chestnut hair. Voice. Dressing style. What he couldn't confirm in that stormy weather was the color of her eyes. But regardless; she was absolutely the woman he saved in the alley. For now he'd keep it to himself.

"They truly are. May I ask you a question?" Ochaco diverted away from her family. No need to dig into that monstrous spider web. The sound of tires slowly moving instinctively caught her attention, so she looked back to see a blacked-out SUV trailing a good twenty feet behind. Kirishima. Not the most discreet method of following though who was she to complain. Hopefully a better driver than Aizawa.

"Of course, Miss Haniko. I'm a fairly open book,"

"Since you're a detective, does that mean you deal with a lot of perpetrators? The reason I ask is merely to better understand your job title and responsibilities." No need to ask about the alley; she already knew it was him from the patches of freckles. And the fact that he openly gave his name.

"Typically no. It really depends on what I get assigned to. Most of the time I arrive on a crime scene and gather evidence, talk with witnesses, the works. There have been a good handful of times where I've directly interacted with a suspect." Izuku replied lightly as he eyed a trio of men watching curiously. A sharp glare sent their gazes elsewhere. They did kind of look out of place… "I graduated from U.A. Academy and came directly here for work. It's been about three years now and I couldn't be happier with what I do. I want to make the streets a safer place for everyone."

"How admirable of a dream, Detective Midoriya. It sounds like you really love what you do,"

"Mm. My biggest dream is to ensure everyone can live a safe and happy life. But right now it's difficult with so much going on. Crime rates are rising, skirmishes between rivaling gangs have nearly doubled in the past few months, and there's even some issues with a local Yakuza clan. Oh! I'm so sorry, I'm sure you don't want to hear about all this!" Izuku suddenly looked ashamed with a hand to his neck, giving her an apologetic smile. Ochaco shook her head lightly in response.

"It all sounds terrible and I'm sure it makes your job more difficult. I don't mind how the conversation goes, to be honest…I don't really get out much. Having someone near my age at least gives me the chance for a normal conversation. You'd be surprised how lonely—" Ochaco stopped mid-sentence, suddenly aware of what she was about to say. A head tilt away from her bodyguard avoided the surely empathetic expression thrown her way. Damnit. She was forgetting the strict boundary needed to keep her highly sought after identity secret. Here she was just spilling every pent-up thought. Aizawa would surely hold another lecture.

"I apologize if that brought up any bad memories," Izuku spoke softly, eyes diverting from the now silent brunette. It wasn't intentional; he barely knew anything about the daughter of a powerful diplomat apart from what was in the file. But even then, it didn't take much to see how sheltered of a life she lived. "We're nearly at the coffee shop, is there anything specific you'd be interest in?"

"I'd like to see the menu before deciding, though something sweet sounds good." Ochaco clenched the purse handles a little tighter. She needed to see…

"They make a really good caramel macchiato if that's to your liking, or even the hazelnut and dark chocolate iced coffee is good for hot days and when you're craving something on the mild side. They have some great pastries as well! I personally prefer their cinnamon rolls, but there are scones, tartes, crepes," Izuku began on a tangent of what the shop sold, listing each item on his fingers until he had to start over. It wasn't until he reached for the shop door that he noticed Miss Haniko was wandering over to the alleyway. She seemed to be lost in thought, not really focusing on anything other than the narrow space between buildings. He could hear Kirishima pulling into a nearby spot with the door already popping open.

Ochaco stopped at the entrance of the alley, staring hard at the narrow passage. The same isolated area where only rats and starving cats thrived. Where a scorned thug nearly violated her purity. A few puddles remained from the latest round of storms, reflecting the stormy sky above. A single step. Then another. One after the other she placed down the broken concrete and trash filled path. Her mind was racing in sync with her heart. This filth splattered place would've been where the last breaths on earth were taken. Had it not been for…something dripped onto her nose, causing the brunette to look up. Rain. A few splatters here and there, nothing more than light drizzle. Then they became larger and heavier, splashing against the puddles with force.

She raised a hand to the skies; water trickled from the palm and trailed down her arm, absorbing into the expensive jacket sleeve. It was cold, frigid in fact, against the racing heat of her skin. Ochaco swallowed. That single moment in time…

The rain pattering chestnut hair abruptly stopped and the heiress looked over to see Izuku holding an umbrella above. A solemn look on his face told her everything. He already knew. Shifting to face him better, Ochaco made to reach for the mask concealing her identity. Tinted red lips slightly opened as the cover lowered, silently preparing to speak. Emerald search auburn intensely.

"You remember that day," Ochaco started barely above a whisper, watching for any sudden flickering of emotion. Izuku remained impassive albeit attentive. "Where I was dragged down here and nearly assaulted. Yet you showed up out of nowhere and took down my attacker without a second thought. Whether or not it was divine intervention…I need to know. Why did you save me that day?"

"Why wouldn't I save a person in need?" Came the simple answer.

"You could have been injured; you don't know what he was capable of."

"It didn't matter. You were being attacked and on the losing end."

"Do you think I'm incapable of defending myself?"

"Not at all. I believe you're someone who can handle themselves perfectly fine, though that doesn't mean there aren't times when you need to accept the hand reaching out to help."

Accept the hand reaching out, huh?

Ochaco let out an amused huff prior to pulling the mask back up. "It's that simple, is it?"

"Nothing is ever that simple, Miss Haniko, but everything doesn't have to be so complicated either." Izuku stated firmly as the rain picked up around them, nearly thunderous against the umbrella. His dark green jacket was beginning to become soaked at the shoulders though he didn't seem to mind. The young woman was studying him as if to figure out an unanswered question.

"I wish it were that easy, Izuku Midoriya. Life isn't a fairytale. Not everyone gets the opportunity to reach beyond the darkness for that extended hand. Not everyone gets a happy, carefree ending." The heiress turned away with the intention to walk back towards the waiting vehicle. Coffee no longer sounded appealing with the turbulent thoughts plaguing her judgement. A gentle pressure against her wrist halted the movement, the brunette slowly shifting back to look at him. Auburn locked with emerald and for a single moment, the world seemed to slow around them.

"Whenever you're in trouble," He started softly, resolutely. "Feel free to call upon me, Ochaco. I am here."

Aizawa watched from a neighboring rooftop as the only daughter of the Uraraka clan stood in the alleyway with his troublesome detective. He knew what her plan was from the beginning; she needed to accept the failure and use it to move towards becoming the head of the Uraraka clan. It'd plagued her for nights on end. There were times he'd found her wandering the halls late at night or sitting out in the garden with eyes on the starry skies. No amount of words would heal that mental block. The Yakuza leaned back onto his heels, cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. While the situation wasn't ideal, it was necessary.

The hunch that Izuku already knew who she was became noticeable during the meeting. Glances, intently listening, even going so far as to excitedly talk about his favorite coffee shop. To most it seemed the detective was attentive in his line of work, which was true, though Shota knew better. He could see the gears already turning in his head prior to departing his apartment last night. As soon as his eyes searched over her name, the flame flickered from a spark. Choosing to keep her first name not only made it easier to create a cover story but would also garner his attention away from the Uraraka clan. Was it risky? Completely. Necessary? Absolutely.

"Eraserhead…come in…" A radio crackle drew his attention from the two adults.

"Go ahead."

"Confirmation of Fumi and Kenji Uraraka's arrival to their destination. Turbulence had them rerouting."

"Excellent. Keep me posted." Shota released the button on the intercom nestled snugly in the shell of his ear. One less thing to temporarily worry about. Sharp eyes watched as the duo made their way back to the awaiting vehicle. It seemed Ochaco was done for the day already. No doubt she wanted to go home and isolate for a bit.

Swiftly sliding down an escape ladder to a nearby alley, the Yakuza member weaved his way through buildings to reach the back of the police station. He told Chief Yagi he was going out for a smoke nearly ten minutes ago, his standard smoke breaks being nearly fifteen depending on the level of stress. Hopping a bent fence with ease the detective cleared the last obstacle and slowed to a casual walk through the parking lot. A few other members were lingering around for reconnaissance and security. It always helped to have extra hands in the police department. They gave a brief nod of acknowledgement before shifting into position.

Snuffing out the cigarette on the bottom of his heel, Shota tapped his badge against the reader and pulled the door open. Time to deal with the aftermath. A few subordinates stopped him along the way with questions about cases or new files to add to the growing pile on his desk. Phones were nearly ringing off the hook in the office and for a moment Aizawa wondered if something had gone wrong in his short time away. Surely another member would've directly alerted him if it was gang related. That's how they were trained. Report any gang activity directly to him. Morimoto, an older member of the clan, sidled up to the Sergeant as he made for his office. A note slipped between hands as they talked about a casefile concealing said note. Then he was gone.

Shutting the door to his office and closing the blinds to indicate he was unavailable; Shota threw the other files aside and nimbly unfolded the note. Dark eyes scanned over it multiple times, a scowl deepening on his exhaustion dragged face.

Unknown attempted forced entry to backup safehouse last night. Nancy-34.5780; Echo-136.5276 . Target slipped away. Fire. Unsalvageable. Two down.

Shota Aizawa crumpled the paper with the strength of ten men. Things were progressing faster than expected.

---

A hooded figure perched precariously atop a tsunami demolished house, eyes scanning the area almost lazily. Fast missions were no fun; there was still plenty of excitement to be had as the night was young. Though the few lives swallowed whole by the burning flames of hatred was a small consolation prize. They were sneaky. Hiding a safehouse in a small, deserted area of Matsusaka city. Far enough from the main location yet still accessible by sea. Clever, clever, Yakuza. Though not clever enough. One by one they were going to smoke out every safehouse until there was nowhere left for them to hide.

Then…

"Off with your head, Ochaco Uraraka."