We entered the forest and I couldn't help but feel giddy. What is our first clue? Where to look for it? How will we know if it is our clue? Should we check every tree? Or should we look for disturbed soil if it is buried? Should we look for any cave? Should we ask the animals? Koda would have been so happy to do that.

"Shut up you damn nerd" black haired boy shouted and put his hands in pocket and started walking faster.

Hmm. I really should pay attention when I am thinking. What if I spill the secrets of our plan to catch a villain in front of him? That would be quite a scene. Imagine a villain asking me the flaw in our plan and I blabber it out in front of him with no restriction. Yeah that would earn me so many points in becoming the best hero.

Focusing on the task. We really need a plan. Without one, we will be roaming aimlessly in this mountain. I gather courage to verbalise my idea. I never have a problem in saying my thoughts out loud but when it is Kacchan, well that's a complete different story. I need to think about the consequences before telling them to Kacchan.

Timidly, I say "Kacchan. We need a plan to find our clue. Maybe we should..."

"I know that nerd. YOU don't give commands to ME."

Suddenly, he stopped and stared at something to his right. I followed his gaze. I didn't know what I was looking at. There were just some tall trees but then something caught my eye. There was something different about that far away tree. I squinted to make out what that is. I opened my mouth to voice my thoughts but Kacchan had already started moving towards that tree. I simply followed him and we found it was an arrow scratched on the tree's bark. When we searched other trees, we found similar arrows on them and we started following them.

We walked for an hour and came across a tree with a downward arrow. There was a whistle tied at the end of the arrow. I wonder why would we need a whistle? Kacchan started digging with his bare hands. "Kacchan wait. I have a trowel. You don't need to use your hands." I squeaked.

"Don't you dare to slow me down. Do what you want for all I care but don't you poke your fucking nose in my business."

"Okay Kacchan. I will just dig around to cover the ground faster." I said in a bored voice. After a bit of searching, I found my trowel in my bag and started digging next to him.

After half an hour of digging, we were both covered in dirt and sweat and Kacchan found a wooden box buried deep in the ground. Silently, I started digging around the box so that we can pull it out. We noticed a lock on the box when it was out of the ground. Kacchan concentrated on searching for the key while I concentrated on the engravings on the lock. There was a symbol of flying bird and a microphone.

I started looking at the tree from all angles to search for the key. I found a small hole in the tree's trunk opposite to where we found the box. Maybe the key is in there? The hole was not much high but due to my short height, it will require climbing to get a peek inside. I climbed the tree and looked closely in the hole. It was pitch black and I couldn't see anything inside so I leaned a bit more to adjust to the darkness. I felt a sharp stinging sensation on my nose that I lost my hold on the tree and fell on the ground with a cry.

"What are you doing shit head?" he said as I rubbed my nose and looked at the hole to see what happened. A woodpecker peeked out of that hole and was curiously watching us.

"Kacchan, I think the key is in there." I said as I stood up.

"And how do you know that? Did Aizawa told you?" he snapped.

"NO. I saw a bird engraving on the lock. Maybe it's a clue. I don't know about the microphone though."

"If you're messing with me to slow me down, I will KILL YOU."

He launched an explosion right beside the hole. The woodpecker shrieked, swooped down and gave a hard peck on Kacchan's head. He blasted explosions with both his hands to keep the bird away. The bird simply flew to the hole and perched on the edge. I would have felt sorry for him if the situation wasn't so comical. I giggled lightly and covered it with a cough.

"SHUT UP DEKU. If you are so smart ass, you fetch the key."

I started looking for some seeds in my bag to offer the bird. To lure the bird to the seeds I had placed near the tree, I made a peculiar noise. After a few tries, the bird started heading towards the ground and Kacchan started to climb the tree. When he reached the hole and tightened his hold on tree to reach inside the hole with 1 hand, the woodpecker flew right next to him and gave 3 pecks on his hand. He yelped and slid down the hole ungracefully.

"I saw the key there. But how to fetch it with that fucking bird protecting it?"

Suddenly, it all clicked in my head. Why there was a whistle tied to this tree. I quickly brought the whistle around and blew it. The bird instantly flew away a bit but came back as soon as I stopped.

"Kacchan, one of us need to make a loud noise to keep the bird away so that the other can go grab the key." I exclaimed proudly. It has to be Mic sensei's work here. Such a great way of announcing our 1st victory to Aizawa sensei.

I know why sensei chose this particular mountain for us. This week, his shift is nearby this hill and he wants to keep an eye out for us. He thinks we will kill each other any moment. Well, I have other plans.

"Then give me whistle. I will KILL that bird for hurting me." he said while snatching the whistle from me.

"Okay, Kacchan. On the count of three..."

"PHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.."

With an eye roll, I quickly scaled the tree, felt around in the hole for the key, found it and slid down when I saw the bird flying away because of that shrill sound. Stumbling next to the box, I worked on the lock and the box opened with ease.

Kacchan came running back and snatched the box from me. There was a scroll sitting gracefully, mocking at our appearance. The box had a purple velvet bottom with golden sides. A golden thread was tied around the scroll. The box as a whole looked extremely luxurious. The lid of the box had an emergency medical kit stuck to it.

I grabbed the scroll and untied the thread but Kacchan snatched it from me. "Do you have a death wish. Keep your filthy hands away from my clue dickhead." he shouted. I watched him reading the scroll and draw his brows together in confusion. I glanced over his shoulder to read it myself.

I come from muddy places but am beautiful and pure.

People love me for my looks and my spiritual charm.

I have your next clue. Come and get it before I close the shop for the day.