Wow, you guys came through this time around when it came to letting me know how much you want me to continue this project. I'm going to be playing it by ear, and will continue updating for the foreseeable future.
That being said, I do have a major update. I will be working a shit-ton of overtime for the next three-to-four months.
The good news: I have several chapters saved up and there will be an upload twice a month going forward, until my OT is done or I run out of stock chapters. (I can still write, between days, it will just be at a much slower pace.
But like I said, I'm currently up to chapter 50 so won't be a drought anytime soon. So you can at least have a bit more consistency in updates while I'm out for the time being.
My Hero Academia Untold: The Knights of Fafnir
Saga I: Dusk
Arc III: The Sports Festival
Chapter XXXIV: The Ghosts of The Past
"The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."
-Harriet Beecher Stowe
Izuku and Katsuki walked alone with the cleaning supplies they had brought for the occasion. Despite the slightly more somber mood, the two boys couldn't help but chat a little more freely since it was their first time alone with neither family nor other friends to interject. It was a bit of a walk to reach their destination, so they took complete advantage of it.
"I told you to confess to Kyū when you had the chance," Izuku commented with a tiny smirk etched on his face. He was doing his best not to laugh, knowing that Katsuki was feeling the cold sting of reality when Ryūko joined them today. Introducing all of them to a gentleman named Shinya Kamihara, her new boyfriend.
Even though neither of the boys realized it was actually Edgeshot in a very thorough civilian attire.
"If we weren't in a graveyard right now, I would beat your ass for that," Katsuki answered back through gritted teeth, clearly still annoyed by fact. Izuku could almost see the blood vessel in his forehead ready to pop out though knew that Katsuki didn't mean it. Besides, Izuku may have wanted some payback for all of the teasing Katsuki had done to him about Ochako.
Even if it was true that Izuku was crushing on her hard.
"Look at the bright side Kacchan; you're basically free now, right?" The broccoli head shrugged, continuing to speak offhandedly as if he was talking about the pleasant weather they were having that spring day. "Plus you've even dated a bit back in middle school! So I'm pretty sure you'll find someone else."
Katsuki sighed, only to have a shit-eating grin grow on his face as he remembered the story he had heard from Ochako and decided now was a good time to place some bread crumbs. Now it was time to dish out a little payback of his own.
"That's funny," Katsuki began slyly. "I could almost say the same about your princess from back in elementary. You finally gave up on finding her, now that you have Uraraka?"
Izuku's face broke out in a shade of red so fast that even Katsuki worried that his friend would faint.
"N-no-no! I mean yes! I mean...Ochako and I aren't even dating!"
"I don't know. You're still addressing her by her first name, adopted Eri," Katsuki began casually listing off with his free hand. Enjoying the sweet revenge he was dishing out to his best friend. "Hell, Ryūko caught you two cuddling together this morning."
"Kyū promised she wouldn't say anything!" Izuku almost yelled out, hiding his face with his hands. Which only made it harder for Katsuki to hold back his laughter. "I-it was an accident! We were tired from the whole day and just fell asleep when reading Eri her favorite story!"
"News flash," Katsuki chuckled, giving Izuku a bit of a toothy grin."She didn't say anything. I just took a guess from the face she made when she came back from your room when auntie asked her to check if you were awake or not."
Katsuki stopped in his tracks to lean on a lamppost, trying not to die from laughter, he couldn't believe he had gotten it right while Izuku groaned from being fooled.
"So you have let that girl go?" Katsuki questioned as he recovered from the laughter. "Are you free too?"
"That's not the point...I mean," Izuku added a sigh. "It'd be nice to see her again after all this time."
Izuku managed to recover from his initial embarrassment and motioned his friend to continue walking toward their destination. However, what surprised Katsuki was that Izuku's voice was growing firmer. The boy was clearly not going to keep accept his comments lying down, instead it seemed like the his old friend was starting to bite back.
"But, it's been ten years now; holding on to something like that is just desperate," Izuku suddenly turned to Katsuki and smiled. "Like you and Kyū."
"Motherfuc-" Katsuki actually had to bite his tongue to keep from yelling in the middle of the graveyard. But he stopped to clear his throat, just like with anything, Katsuki was determined not to lose. "Ah, I see...good point...so I guess I'll just keep the fact that I think I found your princess recently."
Katsuki's grin grew again as he watched Izuku walk on.
'Three, two, one.'
Izuku nearly tripped over his feet when he stopped and turned around.
"Kacchan, I wasn't born yesterday," Izuku said as he attempted to straighten himself up.
"Besides, you've said that before over the years," Izuku muttered as he looked aside. "And fell for it more than once."
"She's from out of town and only recently moved back," Katsuki retorted as he took the chance to walk past Izuku as they were almost to their destination.
"And how would you know it was her, then?" Izuku quickly countered, following his friend now. "You never met her, and I could barely remember what she looked like!"
"Let's just say, I overheard a very familiar story recently from her point of view...but if you really don't believe me. I have some hardcore proof."
"Let's see it then."
"Ah-ah! I need to do something else first." Katsuki said though the tone of his voice became low as he turned the corner and arrived at the spot they had journeyed towards. Shattered glass, burnt matches, and scrunched-up cigarettes surrounded a modestly sized marble gravestone. However, a passerby would barely be able to see the white stone with all the foul graffiti haphazardly sprayed all over it.
The name carved on the stone read: Hisashi Midoriya.
"Hey there, Uncle...it's been a while, hasn't it?" The blond spoke gently to the gravestone.
Izuku paused for a moment when he turned the corner.
"What did you want to prove, Kacchan...?"
"I swear on my master's grave that I'm telling you the truth," Katsuki said firmly with a straight face, with his hand placed on Hisashi's grave, tensed.
Izuku froze upon seeing his best friend's action. The young dragon knew now that Katsuki was actually being serious, as he would have never done that lightly. So unless the blonde bomber is making a genuine mistake, Izuku was convinced that Katsuki was at least sure that he knew the girl.
"Okay, Kacchan, I get it...I believe you. So can you tell me who she is?"
"I thought you said it doesn't matter."
Izuku face became red once again, but almost as if to prove his point. He mimicked his friend and followed up by placing his hands on his father's grave.
"It doesn't! But I would still like to see her again before asking Ochako out after the Sports Festival." Izuku answered with the most severe look on his face possible, despite how red it still was. Katsuki simply listened as Izuku continued. "I wanted to thank her for making me feel like a hero. Like a knight when I was having doubts, but I also want to let go of the past."
Izuku's face cooled down to his usual skin tone.
"I was too focused on the past, spent too much time hiding because of my father. I can't keep doing that," Izuku straightened up. "I want—no, I need to focus on the future now...and after everything that's happened...I'd like Ochako to be part of it."
Katsuki sighed as he finally admited defeat for this battle but was still determined to win the goddamn war. Still, he had to stop himself from laughing at the irony. He wasn't gonna lie; the more romantic part of him was now a little more determined to make it happen.
"About time you grew some balls."
"Faster than you when it came to Kyū," Izuku shot back quickly, swiftly learning a karate chop from Katsuki on top of his head.
"Ow..." Izuku squeaked as he rubbed the top of his head. "You're not Iida, Kacchan."
"And you're normally not a smart ass, so what else is new?" Katsuki retorted with folded arms. "Still, I'll tell you who it is...when you beat it out of me at the Sports Festival."
"Kacchan!"
"Hey, you wanna win, and I wanna fight for real. You said you'd catch up to me, right? It's been nearly a year since that slime fucker remember? So you beat me, and you get your answer...and it will be just in time for you to ask Uraraka out after you meet that girl again."
'I gotta remember to film this shit and up my bet against Yū and the Old Hag.'
Izuku looked at his friend with a newfound determination and a giant smile and held out a hand.
"Deal."
Katsuki took it with his own with a wicked grin on his face to match his friend's own determination. It excited him to see that spark in Izuku.
'This is going to be one hell of a Sports Festival...One people are going to talk about for years.'
"Alright then...now let's fix up uncle's grave for everyone else," Katsuki said after breaking off their handshake.
Once again, the Draco Knight Investigation Team had formed up to compile on what they had gathered thus far. Hopes were high as both the police and political wings of the investigation had some critical updates to share. Nezu once again pulled up Sir Nighteye on his laptop in addition to the latest member to join his political staff.
"How's the new office, Gran?" All Might asked his old mentor, who sat next to Sir Nighteye, wearing a well-fitted brown suit instead of his typical outfit or costume.
"Boring, but I get to have access to the microwave anytime I want, so I say it was a fair trade." The retired pro said with a light cough.
Officially, Gran Torino was now an advisor to Sir Nighteye. Unofficially the man was pulling double duty as both additional security and working on making friends within the halls of power. While annoyed at the prospect, the old man understood the importance of his new position despite his great distaste for politics.
"Is this it for now?" Endeavor asked impatiently, looking around the room and noticing that a few regulars were absent today.
"Edgeshot and Ryūkyū will not be joining us today," Gang Orca answered with a relieved groan as he took a seat in Principal Nezu's office. "They have a prior engagement, so I'll take care of informing them of what will be discussed today."
"The same could be said for Tsukauchi," All Might interjected with a nod as he sat at the far end of Nezu's desk. "He's currently working on something with his department and couldn't find the time to join us."
"Very well," Nezu responded with a nod before motioning to their man in charge of the police wing of their investigation to begin the meeting. "Chief Kiriyūin, if you could please start us off."
"Yes, sir," Kaoru began saying as he pulled back his white mane of hair. He looked utterly burnt out with dark heavy bags under his eyes; his suit looked unpressed and worn out. "First, my apologies that it took longer than expected, gentlemen."
"The Commission is playing it safe when it comes to what the investigation wants to reveal to the public, at least when compared to what it has actually uncovered so far at the USJ. At the moment, they have all confirmed that All Might was indeed their main objective. According to all of the minor villains we managed to round up, everything other possible objective was secondary."
All Might put his fingers together and bowed his head; everyone at the USJ. had suffered because of him, and he barely done anything about it.
"However it isn't the only thing we're dealing with," Karou added while straightening his tie. "Unfortunately, with the near-collapse of The Eight Precepts of Death. There has been an increase in drug trafficking with rival gangs, both big and small. All of them trying to muscle in and fill in the gap that has opened up in the Underworld."
"I hear that," Gang Orca suddenly spoke up from his seat. "The amount of busts I've been involved in for drugs like Trigger in its various forms has been causing several headaches for everyone."
The whale man paused let out a bittersweet sigh.
"It reminds me of when the first wave of the hard narcotics hit the scene five years ago from The United Republic of China. I've had to crack some skulls from various small-time thugs and even had a run-in with some Eastern Dragons that were hanging around in Southern Phoenix territory...I was sorely disappointed."
"Disappointed that none of them could actually fight like Draco Knight, I imagine," Best Jeanist commented calmly with a slight smirk hidden behind his denim coverings. Reminiscing his time of having to control the two eternal rivals in their homeroom class as their Class Representative.
"WEAK SHITS!" Gang Orca roared with a slam of his fist. "I want a real fight with a true Dragon once again! NONE OF THEM COME CLOSE!"
"Ehem!" Kaoru cleared his throat to get them back on topic.
"As I was saying, various gangs are currently making a push for the territory that belongs to the Eight Precepts of Death," Kaoru continued as he held up a finger. "However, since Overhaul is still in our captivity, is where I fear things can go wrong since Kai Doumeki was chosen to transport Overhaul to Tartarus."
"Are you serious?!" Endeavor exclaimed, nearly rising out of his seat in outrage; "despite what happened with Stain?!"
Tensei leaned in, knowing this information already; however, he was curious about what Gang Orca had said.
'Southern Phoenix territory? I thought the Southern Branch of the Four Cardinal Kings was officially defunct due to lacking an official boss?'
"Actually, Kai Doumeki himself volunteered for the assignment and will oversee the field operation personally."
"Wait, what?!" Sir Nighteye asked in disbelief; the same shock was felt by almost everyone in the room except Tensei.
It was something that never happened. A member of the Police Commission with the rank of Chief Superintendent personally going out in the field to lead an operation of this magnitude was unheard of. What usually happened when the situations for a ranking officer to show up usually remained in the back of the line and in full view of the press to make themselves look good. While the grunts and Pro-Heroes did all of the heavy lifting.
Kai was doing this for a secret operation with little chance for public recognition in full gear, alongside his rank-and-file officers.
"Indeed I am," Kaoru answered solemnly with a shameful expression as he looked at his large stomach, he had been out of the field for much to long. "Despite his age, he's still physically fit compared to most members of the police commission. He even managed to maintain SWAT level training qualifications with all the standard-issue and special operations gear. Hence, there technically was no reason for the Commission to object to him going onto the field."
The man sighed with humility.
"Only...I don't know when the transport job will happen as it has been listed as top-secret. Only those in Doumeki's staff would have knowledge of it. The only thing I know for sure is that it will happen within the next month."
"Saturday."
The room turned to Tensei Iida, who leaned back into his seat.
"It's this upcoming Saturday, six days from now. My source in Doumeki's staff has already confirmed this with me."
Gang Orca threw back his head and gave out a deep booming laugh.
"HAHAHA! Then it looks like I'm going as well! I just got the invitation for a secret Saturday operation yesterday! I'm supposed to report in two days from now!"
"Interesting," Best Jeanist observed with a causal nod.
"So we might be able to confirm if Doumeki really has been involved in releasing someone with ties to this League of Villains or if the league is operating on their own." The man stopped to look over to Gang Orca. "He wasn't the leading the Operation during the Stain transport, so that says quite a bit of how serious the man is taking this job."
"If I get so much as a whiff that Doumeki will release Overhaul," the whaleman spoke as he cracked his knuckles. "I will personally beat the ever-loving shit out of him."
Best Jeanist rolled his eyes. 'Some things never change.'
"The general fear right now is that the League will attempt to break out Overhaul to quell down the Underworld infighting."
"Makes sense," All Might interjected as rubbed his chin. "Some of our best operations against groups like Yakuza happened during bouts of infighting. It is much easier to obtain evidence and gain leads for future plans when captured grunts begin to grumble with disapproval and start looking for a better deal."
"Unfortunately, that is all I got for now," Kaoru replied with a frustrated sigh. "My department has been tasked with dealing with these gangs and drug peddlers. So I'm a bit stretched thin regarding what I can do for now investigation-wise after our part after looking into Doumeki's department with Internal Affairs."
Tensei wanted to speak up and talk about what the Section Chief left out regarding the three students with red flags in their background checks. However, he knew better than to step on the toes of their highest ranking friend on the police. So instead, the speedster made a mental note to contact Kaoru privately in case there was something else he knew that Hajime didn't and to make sure that Principal Nezu knew at the very least.
"That is excellent information; thank you, Chief Kiriyūin." Sir Nighteye said from the laptop. "Now, from my end, I have some good news. Thanks to the latest rounds of elections. The Neocons have been forced to reshuffle some of the committees they've had a monopoly on for years. This is in part of one of their allied parties had recently split off from their movem-"
"Get to the point, Nighteye," Endeavor said with a huff, his fiery hair blazing with impatience. "We don't care where the bureaucrats and politicians go; just get on with the results."
Even from the laptop, Sir Nighteye's glare could be felt as Nezu cheekily moved the screen to face the flame hero.
"As I was saying...with this shake-up, several of my party members have joined some of those vital committees. This includes the committee for the National Diet's finances, and we have already discovered a number of oddities in the budget."
"Sounds like prior committee members might have been cooking the books." Nezu guessed correctly before taking a sip of his tea.
"Indeed, that appears to be the case, Principal. If what Representative Yoshi discovered so far is true, then we are looking at a budget deficit of at least a trillion yen(*1)."
"HOW MUCH?!" Kaoru exclaimed as the rest of the Draco Knight team all reacted in the same matter.
"And that's just an initial estimate, as he is still investigating the budget and is still finding holes. Then he needs to find out where the money is going and how it gets there to make sure it stops."
"Holy shit..."
"Thankfully, this is the evidence we've been looking for, gentlemen...proof of Neocon corruption. Once the Representative is done with his audit, we'll have enough proof to launch a full-blown public investigation. It has taken us six years, but we've finally struck gold."
All Might grinned; this was it. Progress! Real progress in the investigation to eliminate the corruption that can finally allow them to reveal the six-year-old truth to the world without a government that was empowered by the lie.
'If all goes well, Draco Knight's name could finally be cleared this year!'
"How long do you think the audit will take, Nighteye?" Best Jeanist inquired as he fixed himself up from his earlier shock.
"It could be between two to three months at best."
'Almost near the end of the first term,' Nezu thought as he counted the months in his head. 'We might even be at summer break when it is done.'
"Stop joking around, Nighteye." Endeavor grunted with folded arms, annoyed by the answer.
"Two to three months," Nighteye repeated as he held up the same amount of fingers.
"Representative Yoshi has already encountered resistance from the other committee members who still hold the majority. Then there is the fact that he still has his normal duties as a Representative. Also, remember that there are other committees we need be looking over for corruption. Like investigating the HPSC who helped vote for Draco Knight's downfall and HUC for helping prop up those the anti-foreign Pro-hero laws."
"And the Police Commission needs to be looked over," Kaoru added with a firm nod.
"That is critical, Endeavor. The sooner we can get some of the foreign Pro-Heroes who live in the country back on duty, the easier it will be to have time to answer bigger calls." Best Jeanist interjected. "It's best that Nighteye gets a more detailed audit so they could fix at the seams where the system tears, making sure it doesn't happen again."
"Bastards can't hide for much longer." Gang Orca commented as his hand scratched the bottom of his chin.
"Indeed, and since I don't want to spend the rest of my career here," Sir Nighteye said, motioning to the office behind him. "I'd like to make sure that everything is fixed here before I take my leave. So I don't have to come back to fix it up again."
"Does anyone else have anything to add?" Nezu spoke up, looking over his team. "With the Sports Festival looming next month, I've asked for additional security measures to be undertaken and would like to formally ask you all for your own cooperation."
"I've already made plans to dispatch members of my reserves to assist when the time comes, Principal," Kaoru answered with a nod. "They are yours to use as you see fit."
"I'll be there," said Endeavor sitting up straight. "Along with a few of my sidekicks."
"And so will I," All Might swore to everyone else in the room. "I will not have a repeat of the USJ."
"I appreciate you all," Nezu commented as he bowed his tiny head. He placed his paws together and sat there with quite a severe look. "Major progress has been made, and the holes are slowly being blown open in the hull of the Neocon ship."
"However, this is where we must act with the most caution and vigilance. The Neocons know that the noose is slowly starting to come around their necks and will surely try their hand to stop themselves from losing power when they hang. We need to make sure that when we compile the evidence, it is done lawfully that the courts cannot dismiss easily, and we should be ready to fight a full-blown legal battle when the time comes."
Nezu glanced at Kaoru, unknown to everyone else except All Might.
The Chief arrived earlier before the meeting to share some disturbing information about three students. Given that they only had circumstantial evidence relating to the Draco Knight investigation, he found it best to keep those cards close and do an internal investigation. Mouse-Bear Rodent knew that just one accusation alone could ruin the life of an innocent, if he made an incorrect decision, assuming that there even was a traitor at all.
"You are all dismissed."
As the room began to clear out, the Pro-Heroes and Police Chief, save for Tensei as he, turned back at the entrance to see that his father-in-law hadn't moved, which made him nervous. The tension had been thick before the meeting and shown by his general attitude throughout. Now whatever was eating at Endeavor was finally coming ahead.
"Father, we-" Tensei tried to intervene as he approached, but the fiery man wasn't having it today.
"I'm staying for a moment longer, Tensei." Endeavor interrupted flatly, looking at All Might and the Principal. "There is something I need to address regarding my son's education here. Wait for me outside; this won't take long."
Tensei hesitated but knew Endeavor needed to get it off his chest; so he compiled and made his exit.
/
It would be nearly half an hour later when Enji Todoroki returned to the limo they used to get here. The man was pale and silent.
"Get us back to my Agency," Endeavor ordered gruffly to their driver. The man quickly bowed his head and turned on the car. Tensei could see that the man was shaken, which made Tensei curious.
'What kind of conversation did Endeavor have with All Might and Principal Nezu? What would leave him so stunned?'
"Tensei," the man spoke in such a soft tone once he raised the sound-proof divider between them and the driver. Tensei wouldn't have believed it came from his mouth if he hadn't seen it come from his very lips.
"I can't tell you about what happened in there...All I can say is that we need to get this case done as soon as possible." Enji Todoroki had just learned of All Might's greatest secret and now knew that the rank of number one wasn't far away from his grasp.
The end of an Era was coming, and they all had to be ready for it when it arrived.
To many people, All Might like a god. Admired and respected around the world, but ordinary people often forget that in the end; he was still a mortal man, and mortal men grow old, get sick, and eventually die.
Though as much as Enji had coveted that spot on the charts, there was always a tiny piece of him that knew that the world still needed All Might to shine brightly, to be the beacon of hope.
A bright flame that sheltered the people from the darkness and despair.
Now that Enji knew that fire was dying, he would serve as its watchman to help keep to flames burning for a long as he could. If the flame was suddenly snuffed out, the land would fall into darkness and despair. When the time came for the fires to die naturally, Enji would be ready to take All Might's place as the new enduring flame that would continue to keep the darkness at bay.
Izuku and Inko sat on their knees in quiet prayer as the incense burned. The offering of a salmon riceball—Hisashi's favorite snack was placed in front of the white marble gravestone. The noon-hour sun shined overhead the recently cleaned grave, making it nearly glow a pearly white, marking the two boys' excellent work in such a short amount of time.
A mark that Inko was grateful for as she knelt in prayer, especially since Katsuki had volunteered to help Izuku clean it.
'Oh, Hisashi...I wish you could have been here to see everything now.' Inko said in her prayers, 'I know that you would have loved to see Izuku and Katsuki at UA, making all sorts of new friends. I also know you would have been delighted by our recent addition to the household.'
Inko turned to see that off in the distance; Ochako and Eri were taking a walk around the grounds. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough space for everyone to offer their annual prayers together. So they decided to take turns in pairs to offer their respects to the deceased Pro-hero. Ochako insisted that they would be last out of respect for everyone else who came that actually knew Hisashi in life.
'Mitsuki and Masaru are sorry they couldn't come to visit you, but Ryūko and Shinya are here. Along with Katsuki, Yū, and someone who's a big fan of yours, Hisashi...can you believe it? Even now, you still have fans!'
Inko breathed out a silent sigh of relief.
'I found your final letter, honey...I'm so sorry I never delivered it like I promised I would. I just don't know how I would be even able to deliver your final message to Kai now. I maybe could try contacting Saya? Unlike Kai, Saya never seemed to share the same sentiments about whatever happened thirteen years ago between you.
Inko looked at the grave of her deceased husband.
Hisashi Midoriya
"Find comfort and strength within courage and love."
DOB. 194 Q.E. - DOD. 228Q.E.
Inko turned to face her son, who still seemed deep in his own prayers.
'I swear, I'll deliver it for you as I swore to you on that night. The final night that I saw you alive. I'll make sure that Kai gets it. Whatever happens from there is left to heaven.'
"Are you all done, Izuku?" Inko asked quietly to not disturb the peace of the hallowed grounds. Izuku turned to face his mother, looking almost serene as he answered.
"Almost...well," Izuku answered with shy smile as he scratched the back of is bushy hair. "I'm saving the last thing I want to say when Ochako and Eri come to see him. I can't be rude and not introduce them, right?"
That answer made Inko smile warmly, Izuku was growing more and more confident in himself, and she couldn't be happier about it.
"Okay, I'll go get Ryūko and Shinya while you check up on Katsuki and Yū, alright?"
Izuku hummed his response as the two rose up together.
"Oh my goodness, she's such a widdle angel!" Alex exclaimed, looking at a picture of Eri that Izuku had shared with with the senior's group chat.
Hitoshi, however, hoped that Alex was too distracted with his phone as they continued their assault on their trainer. Unfortunately for him, Alex was only pretending to be distracted and continued to skillfully dodge, block, or counter every hit with his free hand.
"She's even in an All Might onesie! Oh lord, it is just a cuteness overload!" Alex said almost mockingly with a large shit-eating grin as he kicked away Hitoshi's last attempt to strike him. They had been at this for the last few hours. Alex had demanded that the two trainees were to land twenty successful strikes against him.
Thus far, they've only managed six.
"Now, Yanagi!" Hitoshi yelled out as he quickly got up from the ground.
"Right!"
Hitoshi and Reiko moved in for another double team attack, this time going for a pincer move. The silent lass came up to his right with an assortment of floating objects she used as makeshift weapons and launched them. At the same time, the boy charged again with a quarterstaff on hand. Unfortunately, neither were skilled nor coordinated enough.
All Alex needed to do to ruin their plans was take a few extra steps towards the Mind Binder.
"Thanks for the heads up!" Said Alex as he grabbed the staff with his spare hand before Hitoshi could even swing it and then pivoted the boy to face Reiko. Using the lad as a human shield against Reiko's projectiles, forcing her to back off.
"Just look at that adorable little face!" Alex said, placing the cellphone screen up to Hitoshi's lightly bruised face as he got into his personal only had mere nanoseconds to see a picture of a white-haired girl with blood-red eyes. She had a small horn on the right side of her forehead, dressed in a Silver Era All Might onesie who was looking shyly at the camera. That's when Hitoshi felt a sudden tug at the other end of his quarterstaff.
"Oh shi-"
Before Hitoshi could say anything else he was flung overhead by Alex, who used the quarterstaff as leverage. Making him land right on top of Reiko, who had returned to try her luck again. The American took a few casual steps back, turned on his phone's camera mode, and took a quick picture.
"Ooooh, lordy! You two should control yourselves!" Alex exclaimed with a suggestive whistle. "You know there is a time and place where you guys can make out in private, right?"
The two Liaisons had basically landed face to face. They looked at each other before looking at Alex, then back to each other as their faces turned bright red. They quickly scrambled to get off each other and back on their feet, unable to look at each other from the embarrassment.
"Aww...and here I was hoping to add another ship to my list," Alex teased with that same grin. He leaned on Hitoshi's stolen weapon while still holding on to his cellphone with his free hand.
"Silence pedo," Hitoshi commented as he got into position again, red-tinted face notwithstanding.
"Whoa there, cowboy," Alex stood as he held up the staff threateningly. "Them's fighting words ain't no one touching that little angel inappropriately on my watch. I have killed before and I will kill again if needed to protect that child"
"Then why are you so interested in her?" Reiko questioned, still eyeing the American with suspicion while still recovering from her own blush.
Alex was quick to defend himself from their accusations.
"This is Eri; she's the girl who saved my life when I was in a coma. I'm pretty sure you guys have seen her here before."
Alex pulled up another picture of Eri with her surrogate family and show it to his trainees. The two liaisons looked at the screen and were surprised with what they saw. They had known about the child having seen her a handful of times before the USJ incident, but didn't know many details aside from having her Quirk assessment being done at UA.
"She was with 1-A...with Draco Knight's son, right?"
"Yes indeedie," Alex answered as he put his phone away. "I think she is his adopted sister? I honestly don't know all of the details."
"Is that even safe to do? Draco Knight's family adopting a kid?" Hitoshi observed, remembering the raised concerns about Izuku after the aftermath of the USJ.
"Midoriya is an alright kid," Alex answered with a quirked brow, now it was his turn to look at his trainees with suspicion.
"Oh, don't tell me; you've been avoiding him now?" Alex questioned with a slightly sterner look.
"I heard from my former classmates that almost everyone outside of Class 1-A has been avoiding him lately. Moving to the other side of the hallways; sitting as far away from him at the cafeteria and other things of the like."
The indigo-haired teen simply shrugged his shoulders.
"To be honest, aside from our joint classes, we tend to avoid the Hero Course in general," Hitoshi answered honestly before getting back into a defensive position. "So it isn't like we avoided Midoriya on purpose. But it does mean less competition for us, though."
"Hold on, time out,"Alex called out to halt their training as his stern gaze turned into one of confusion. "What do you mean?"
Hitoshi and Reiko looked at each other again as if thinking about what to say. Then, with a nod between them, the lass answered first after relaxing her stance.
"Several Non-Hero course students plan to drop out of the Sports Festival before it even starts. Some of them are even considering to publicly protest the Sport's Festival out of fear of Midoriya. They hope to use the public's general fears to help them force UA to get their way."
"Seriously?" That was all that Alex was able to say incredulously as his eyes widened.
"Seriously," Hitoshi responded firmly with a rare smile. "But as I said. I'm not going to complain since among those dropouts are some of our own rivals for our liaison spots who kept saying they would replace one of us. They've pretty much shut up about taking our spots now that Midoriya's secret is out. Which lets us focus on getting into the Hero Course without worrying "
"Interesting..." Alex said quietly to himself as he leaned on Hitoshi's stolen quarterstaff again. 'I think Principal Nezu might need to hear this.'
"I know that the Business Course students seldom bother to participate in the Festival," Alex couldn't help but smirk.
"And most of the Gen Eds tend to hang back unless they're Liaisons or gunning for promotion," Alex commented, remembering his own experiences throughout his tenure. "But for a planned mass dropout like this before the festival starts? That's completely unheard of..."
"The Vice-Rep from Class 1-B has been making a big deal of it," Reiko added with a motion of her hands. "He's been the one stirring up the crowd using his friends in General Studies to call for a boycott of the Sports Festival if they don't get their way of being permitted to drop out due to safety concerns."
"That's the only annoying part since it could interfere with our possible promotions to the Hero Course," Hitoshi sighed as he finished up.
'OK...Nezu is really going to want to hear about this.' Alex thought with tried to rattled his brain. 'Class 1-B's Vice-Rep...who was that again? Damn it, I'm still having trouble remembering some things from the past couple of weeks. No matter, Nezu will know who it is.'
"Alright, guys," Alex rechecked his cellphone; this time to check for the hour.
"I think we're done for today," Alex declared, much to the disappointed looks on the faces of his trainees.
"It's still early, though," Hitoshi commented, watching the barely overhead noon sun.
"This Sunday was only a half-day given that we only officially started your training yesterday," Alex answered as motioned them to collect their supplies as he stretched out his arms.
"Sundays are your planned rest days, so you don't overwork yourselves. However, since tomorrow is the start of the Golden Week holiday from school. We'll continue our training at the UA's Omega Survival Training Grounds. Nezu and Aizawa gave me the okay to use it during the week."
Alex had quite the wicked grin hidden as he turned around. Reiko sighed with some relief and rubbed her shoulders while Hitoshi, though not as tired, seemed to accept the answer. Their mentor, however, didn't want them to feel like the rest of the day was a complete waste. So he decided to spicy it up with a rather generous offer. "But if you guys want, I can take you both out to eat, and we can talk a little more about your plans for the sports festival."
"You know...to get some early planning while using me a resource...plus I'll cover the tab," Alex suggested now that he had received his final paycheck from Comicman. Even Anima had thrown something extra that added to his TV contract bonus for his time on Animal Buddies. He was golden for his return to the States. Both trainees seemed to gain a spark in their eyes when they processed the offer made to them.
"I could eat," Reiko admitted, thinking about what she would like to get for lunch.
"I could use some pointers for the Festival."
"Excellent! Then let's go hit the showers! Once we're all refreshed, we'll meet up again and head out." Alex proclaimed, hoping to gather more information on this possible protest of the Sports Festival because of Izuku.
'I owe UA, and I owe the Midoriyas for saving my ass. I'll be damned if I don't help out where I can.'
"Would you like a drink?" Kai asked as a somewhat drowsy Ryu entered his private office.
This was their first private meeting alone since the USJ. On his desk was a shiny silver tray that contained a whole pot of freshly brewed hot coffee. The boy's nose wrinkled from the strong scent. Seating himself across the desk of his adoptive father. The young Fire-eater was a little annoyed by Kai's sudden call, as he had caught him before leaving to visit his siblings.
Still, Ryu did find the situation strange.
The two had barely spoken to each other since the USJ incident, and their relationship had come to a strange turning point. So to say it was awkward was kind of an understatement, but the two tried to carry on with their business. Kai had become less cold toward him, and Ryu, in appreciation, had been less snarky and more respectful, even in private. Though it helped that the man and his wife had helped him around the house during his recovery. Still, business was business, and Ryu didn't know what to expect now that Saya had returned to work and they were alone once again.
"Yeah...I could go for a cup...please," Ryu answered cautiously.
Kai hummed in response and poured him a cup. The young man accepted and took a sip of the bitter drink. It did help wake him up from the lack of sleep, a problem that had recently developed thanks to the nightmares and stress.
"Yesterday, I got out of the meeting with The Police Commission, and many things were discussed," Kai added as he held up a file, only to slide it to the boy. "Including you, I have no doubt that UA will be informed about your past ties with your father."
Ryu put down the cup and reached for the file with some hesitation. Opening it, he could see the report of the night when the disgraced Representative Takumi Saito had committed suicide twelve years ago by burning down his own estate with himself as the only survivor found in the wreckage.
Ryu breathed the tiniest sigh of relief.
'Nothing new...'
"However, it also revealed our ties to you," Kai explained as he pulled up the news reports on his phone and showing them to Ryu."This means UA will most likely be keeping a closer eye on you. I have no friends there to begin with, and that idiotic move that Representative Kimura made against your American upperclassman using HUC only made things worse."
Ryu's scanned the screen and began reading the headline links.
/
Neocon favor continues to fall!
The New Democracy Party splits from the Neocon alliance! Neocons forced to reshuffle several committees with other rival parties to maintain power!
American Ambassador Sarah Diaz continues to condemn the continued mistreatment of foreign Pro-Heroes and Foreign Exchange Hero Course students! Seeks added appeals to the Prime Minister for review.
Representative and Big Neocon boss Hideyoshi Anno has refused to comment on growing concerns!
/
"You're not the only one that UA will be keeping an eye on, however," Kai continued, sliding another folder to Ryu, who looked at the man questioningly before looking at the folder with a familiar name on it.
"Wait...Kaminari?" Ryu asked to be sure he saw reading things correctly. "Why the fuck would UA be keeping an eye on him?"
"Read the file if you want to know why."
Ryu looked at the file, eyes widening as he read the report.
"Wait...there's no fucking way!"
"There is no solid evidence to prove it, but given his own past. It is possible," Kai commented solemnly, looking at the boy with a piercing gaze. Ryu shook his head, almost wanting to laugh; he knew it wasn't true. It just couldn't be true.
"Kaminari is a good guy," said Ryu, scoffing at the very idea being suggested. "And I mean this in the nicest way possible...but the guy is a fucking idiot. There is just no way that he could be a spy for the villains that attacked us. No matter who his father is, trust me...I know you got the wrong guy."
And Ryu, with that, slid Denki's file back to Kai.
"Believe it or not, I agree with you. Right now, the Commission is more or less convinced that the bounty placed on your heads was more a ploy for revenge. Still that being said, we needed to consider all possibilities."
"Revenge?"Ryu questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"An example could be your ties with your dead father."
"Oh...Of course," Ryu actually chuckled upon hearing this tidbit. "My old man's ghost will haunt me until the day I die. What else is new?"
"Kaminari's villainous family history," Kai grunted after another sip.
"And in this boy's case," Kai added as he slid one last file to his adopted son.
"Now, I'm personally not too familiar with him, but I know he is the nephew of one of the higher-ranked Representatives of the Neocon movement. The Neocons aren't popular with villains either, so the idea of targeting a family member of Representative Yori isn't an impossibility."
Ryu opened the file and was immediately annoyed by the featured picture.
"Oh, that pretty boy douche from 1-B?" Ryu questioned as he now looked at Kai with an accusatory look. "Wait, how the hell did I not know about this?"
"The Mizuoji family isn't directly involved in politics," Kai answered calmly as he refilled his coffee with the pot without skipping a beat. "But they are a rather wealthy and influential family much like the Todoroki and Yaoyorozu families."
"Only those families aren't aligned to the Neocon movement," Ryu observed with a frown.
"But his is, so he is to be left alone," Kai warned while tapping his finger on the table.
"The Neocons are in a lot of hot water right now, and since our relationship as father and son is public now." Kai paused to hold that same finger up."So you should avoid pissing off that family as much as possible."
Ryu nodded begrudgingly, if he need to play ball with a blueblood to keep all of his plans in order, then so be it.
"Which brings me to my endpoint, The Sports Festival," Kai leaned forward with a curious expression. "What are your plans for it?"
Ryu drained the remainder of his coffee before answering.
"Since I don't care about being a Pro-Hero," Ryu answered with a bored expression. "I'm not concerned about gaining a top-level internship."
"So I was planning on laying low and pretending to do my best. I'd probably lose on purpose during the second round, where most people tend to lose," Ryu explained as he motioned for Kai to refill his cup, while continuing to explain his plan. "And now that we know UA will be keeping a closer eye on me, I'll just stick to that idea and continue to keep a low profile. Play safe and off the radar. Let the others get the glory and keep eyes off of me."
"Good answer," Kai responded with a nod as he placed the pot down and leaned back in his seat. "We're almost done here, but I wanted to address one last thing with you."
"What?" Ryu questioned as his eyes narrowed with suspicion upon hearing Kai's tone of voice becoming surprisingly gentle.
"I want to say that I'm sorry you got mixed up in this," Kai said sincerely, looking back at the boy. It was only recently that the veteran cop realized that he might have been more harsh and cold toward the boy due to him being a constant reminder of his past. Even how Saya had treated him was a painful reminder of the man.
Ryu really did seem like Hisashi's ghost.
This boy had almost taken Hisashi's place in his life. From the man's original name to even living in their former guest bedroom in his house like Hisashi once did for a brief while in his youth. Given how the two never reconciled since Hisashi's confession that night fourteen years ago, it was easy to see Ryu as a continuation of that grudge.
Yet, it wasn't until the last meeting Kai had with Hideyoshi that, only in hindsight. Ryu hadn't really done anything to warrant such treatment. The original snarky, snappy Ryu he had met was clearly a response to his own initial attitude towards the lad.
"Are you alright, old man?" Ryu questioned, a look of confusion on his face. Given everything between them, Ryu wasn't sure where the man was going with this sudden change. Again Kai ignored the comment focusing on what he needed to get off his chest.
"When I read the USJ report, which included the statements from the classmates you saved...I was... surprised by your actions."
'Shit,' Ryu swallowed hard. 'Is he pissed because I stepped in?'
"You did a good job...it was an idiotic move to risk your life like that...but you did a good job."
Ryu's brow narrowed with confusion.
'What? He's...not mad?'
"Pardon?" Ryu questioned, unsure if he heard that correctly.
"I said you did a good job," Kai repeated with the same soft expression.
'Okay...the fuck is going on?' Ryu was really confused now as he replaced the coffee cup on its saucer on the desk. "But I fucked up! If I had let them die...then the Neocons would be better off politically, right?"
"It wouldn't have been worth it. You're all just children," Kai admitted shaking his head. The lives of children became too precious to just throw away for a simple political advantage. The only reason he accepted Ryu as his adopted son was because Hideyoshi had forced his hand.
"When we first met, I honestly thought of you as more of a drone, ready to follow Hideyoshi to the letter. You gave the appearance of a sneak and a cheat," Kai spoke honestly with a shameful expression on his face. "You proved me wrong when you stepped in and saved the lives of your classmates despite there being no real benefit for you. And as far I know, you haven't been recognized for this act of valor...so I will at the very least."
"You're making me far sound nobler than I was," Ryu grumbled with folded arms. He was no hero; Kai had it right the first time. He was a sneak, a cheat, a bastard who had to claw his way up in the world.
"I...did consider it, you know?" Ryu confessed with a shameful sigh as he looked away. "Leaving them there to die. How could I be praised when I had to think it over? A decent person wouldn't have hesitated."
"You didn't let them die. That's the difference between thought and actions. You can think shameful things, but it's your actions that ultimately prove your worth," Kai answered him sincerely. "Your actions saved people, be proud of that."
Remember what you are. The real you.
Remember who you are. The real you.
"I simply concluded that my actions would have been the best result for everyone," Ryu retorted with a lie, trying to sell the point by scoffing at Kai's words while ignoring the others.
"You're talking about your life insurance policy, aren't you?" Kai leaned forward on his desk again as if trying to gauge the truth from the boy. "Was that why you were willing to throw your life away like that?"
"If I croaked, everyone would have been happy," Ryu answered with the most logical excuse he could think of on the fly. "UA loses the spy watching them, you get rid of me, the Neocons get a rallying cry, and...my actual family gets secured financially."
Ryu seemed a little more comfortable with this lie, wanting to detach from the confusing emotions he was felling at that moment.
"Plus...it was one life for the price of six; it was just the logical answer," Ryu added as if that were the icing on a cake.
"Your foster family wouldn't have been happy. Saya wouldn't have been happy," Kai answered back with an exhausted sigh, making Ryu freeze as he was reminded of the fact.
"And I wouldn't have been happy with that result, and I'm not referring to you as me losing a spy," Kai hummed again. "Circumstances aside, I'm still legally your father and...It would pain me to see you die in such a manner."
Ryu's face went blank as he processed what the man had said. 'What the fuck is going on?!'
It seemed like sheer madness! First, Saya and now Kai was trying to cozy up to him?
Was it a trick or was it real?
He lies; they're all liars.
He's telling the truth. You know he has nothing to gain by lying to you.
He stands to gain a loyal new pawn.
Yet he knows you're not just a pawn. He said it himself.
Ryu shook his head, trying to collect his own thoughts and make up his own mind.
"You have a family now...all I ask is that you consider that before making any more rash actions," Kai finished up before turning his chair around to look out the window. "I'm going on a long assignment two days from now and don't expect to be back for at least a week, so...would you please take care of your mother for me while I'm gone?"
Ryu sat there speechless. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words would come out. His mind seemed focused on one word that Kai had said.
Family.
Stop with your delusions. They will ruin you.
There is nothing wrong with wanting a home.
'A home that I know I will never be allowed to have when everything is said and done.'
That one word had forced him into silence. No matter how many times he tried, he couldn't find a proper response; in the end, Ryu simply stood up.
"Yes, sir," was all Ryu was able to say as he rose from his seat in a flat neutral tone and aimed to leave Kai's office when the man spoke up again one last time.
"Be careful if you visit Anno's office again," Kai warned him from behind his chair. "I fear that his growing paranoia may soon drive him to do something foolish and rash."
Ryu froze just before reaching the door.
"Understood."
And with that, Ryu left the office to leave the house; he would have a lot to think about for the rest of the day.
Ochako walked alone on the cemetery grounds, having left Eri with Izuku, who had some snacks for them to share. She would have liked to join them, especially since Izuku had brought in Mochi for her specifically, but she wanted to check something out.
Time was limited since Katsuki and Yū were already making their offerings to Hisashi's grave. The whole thing only took about ten, fifteen minutes tops. Plus, it didn't hurt that she was also avoiding Ryūko's teasing from earlier this morning. Despite how comfortable it was sleeping next to Izuku and Eri, it was also rather embarrassing.
Ochako had walked to the far side of the graveyard where she was with Eri earlier. She had seen something that caught her eye but wasn't sure if it was just a trick of the eyes. Ochako walked down the stone pathway and into the older graves. Some had been left unkempt by the families who had long since stopped visiting or possibly long since died out.
'I know it was here somewhere...' Ochako thought to herself as she began seeing gravestones with more unique designs. Some were made out of multiple colored stones or featured beautifully detailed images of various natural and mythical creatures. These weren't common for average Japanese gravestones, which were often simple and small in design.
Only people with a lot of money or clout could have gone the extra mile for these graves. It was like making a significant statement about who these people once were in life.
'Here it is...'
Ochako stopped in front of the grave she found earlier, that one that made her pause and want to come back when she had the moment. It was almost funny; she had come here earlier with Eri because the child had been curious about these unique graves. Yet this grave, while larger than some of the others, was far plainer in appearance. It seems odd as it was surrounded by gravestones that primarily featured dragons of western and eastern designs. As well as birds, several kinds of birds, in fact, but perhaps the one thing that surprised Ochako the most were the names on the grave.
Keiko Kasei
D.O.B 174 Q.E. – D.O.D 207 Q.E
Suzaku Kasei
D.O.B 146 Q.E. - D.O.D 212 Q.E
Ochako remembered the moment she saw the surname.
Kasei.
That strange surname that kept coming up in the strangest of places and considering it wasn't a common surname,to begin with made it standout even further, especially with the Kanji the family employed.
仮性(*2)
A kanji that could be read as false or fake wasn't something that most people would have liked to have to represent their families.
Ryu was case zero.
While the boy wasn't anything special, aside from looking a lot like Draco Knight, there wasn't much to his personality she could really latch unto. All she really knew about him was that he was a reasonably nice person. And if what Eri, Tsuyu, Fumikage, and Tōru had said about him was accurate at the USJ, he also incredibly brave.
Though he might be a bit of a pervert, as discovered by the girls when he and his friends were caught with a questionable manga during lunch on the day he returned to UA.
It wasn't until she learned that Hisashi's original surname had been Kasei that something in her head clicked. Finding the same surname in Draco Knight's hometown temple graveyard seemed too much for it to be a mere coincidence now.
'But who do I ask about it?'
Ochako may have been broadly accepted by the Midoriya and Bakugou households. Still, she didn't want to be too forward about these sensitive topics so rapidly. As she was reminded by the sadness on Inko's face when she admitted to Hisashi's terrible childhood. Meanwhile Ryūko wasn't at the house often enough and was more often than not with Inko or Izuku.
And forget asking any of the Bakugous, not after that whole song and dance she had to do during the aftermath of the USJ. As Ochako continued to think, she noticed something strange about the gravestone, a strange gap that spaced the two names. She crouched down and gently bushed some heavier grime and dust that covered the spaces.
Only to be interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Mama," Ochako let out a squeak as she jumped at the little voice and turned to see Eri tilting her head in concern. "Papa says it's time to see his papa."
At this, Ochako let a small chuckle as she held to her chest.
"Oh, Eri...you scared there for a...moment,"Ochako managed to say between breaths and bits of her constant laughter. Eri, unfortunately, didn't seem pleased with being the one who scared her surrogate mother. Her eyes quickly began to well up with tears.
"I'm sorry, Mama...I didn't mean...to."
"Oh no, sweetie, I didn't mean it like that!" Ochako swiftly said, sobering up from her initial reaction. Everyone had quickly learned that specific phrases or descriptions that Eri could perceive as negative about her were a quick way to set her off.
Being called scary was one of them.
Ochako quickly scooped up the small child in her arms and held her tightly.
"I'm sorry I meant to say that you surprised me, Eri," Ochako whispered reassuringly as she gently rubbed her back. Thankfully Eri seemed to be soothed quickly, pacified by the warm feeling in her heart.
"N-not sc-scary?" Eri managed to ask with a couple of sniffs of her nose.
"No, no…not scary at all, sweetie. How could I be scared of an angel like you?" Ochako cooed as she began walking back to Izuku; she didn't want to worry him and keep everyone else waiting. The gravestones were left forgotten, with no one to read the additional markings that had been hidden on them.
N
W+E
S
Keiko Kasei
D.O.B 174 Q.E. – D.O.D 207 Q.E
N
W+E
S
Suzaku Kasei
D.O.B 146 QE – D.O.D. 212 QE.
Green and Pink
For the last few days, his nightmares featured haunting flashes of green and pink. The colors had begun to sicken him whenever they crossed his mind, for they reminded him of the two brats who had kept him from his prize. He stirred awake to the buzzing of machines that produced nauseating beeps here and there, reminding him that life was still beating within him. He was laid flat on his back with the blaring white lights above, a constant reminder of his failure to get his prize back.
Eri
Overhaul stirred as the young girl began swimming in his thoughts again, anger pulsing as he remembered that not only had she slipped away from him twice! He had been outplayed by a psychopath and defeated by mere children! Children who stole Eri away! The girl who was the key to all of his plans to cure humanity of the plague and get the ultimate revenge against his long-dead master, Eri's grandfather.
The Rat
The machines began to beep louder and more rapidly as his blood pressure skyrocketed. That was the only title worthy for the son of a bitch who betrayed him; his former master. On that night six years ago, when the man he respected turned into a government witness was the night Overhaul had decided to make his move.
His move to seize power.
A chance to rid him of all that stood in his way to being supreme ruler of the Underworld. The Rat, the Emperor, and the Heroes who were there on that fateful day. And it was until recently, he thought that only All Might had escaped that night, but he was wrong. The Emperor was still alive and was still calling the shots from within the shadows.
The Emperor
All For One, the one who made even the greatest of Yakuza: The Four Cardinal Kings brought to heel under his banner. It was why he was referred to as the Emperor of Darkness. He had led the most significant decline of Yakuza influence throughout the years in the underworld with the unwitting help of All Might.
Only the Kings had managed to hold on to more significant pieces of the underworld pie that they were permitted to have, yet it wasn't enough. It was never enough for the ambitious former rulers underworld. Every King, every boss had once conspired one way or another to one day rid themselves of the Emperor.
However, this would always bring up one key question.
When the Emperor of Darkness was gone, who would dare lay the claim to lead them all?
To him, the answer was obvious; it should be himself. It was his desire to be that leader as he was the heir to The Eight Precepts of Death. He was the one with the vision to restore the Yakuza way and lead to a new era of cleansing the population of the sickness that plagued most of them.
The Heir
Yet...his plan wasn't flawless, however, as the Cardinal Kings often made their own power moves to make themselves bigger than The Eight Precepts of Death. A major part of his plan called for the use of the quirk destroying bullets he had been trying to develop with Eri's blood to even the playing field. His secret weapon would have been vital to dealing with the Western and the Northern Kings.
Those two gangs often made the most moves to gain more strength.
Their leaders had access with money, manpower and extremely powerful Quirks; they were not people to be taken lightly. Yet the South and Eastern gangs were the bigger mystery that always confused Overhaul on how he would deal with them. The South still hadn't named a new boss; no new Phoenix King had yet to be crowned for the last fourteen years.
Why?
Whenever other gangs, including his own, made grasps for Southern territory; the Eastern Dragons would move in to block them and protect the South, but ever actually took them over.
Why?
The Dragons could have overtaken the South at any time, so why didn't they?
Why protect a land without a King?
Why not conquer it for themselves?
Why?
Even with Tomura being the Emperor's Heir, calling the shots, there would be no way that he could have that much influence over them. No, there had to be another player on this game board. One with actual ties to the Yakuza with the right background...but who? And how could this unknown player have such influence without being known to other Yakuza Lords?
"Come on now! You have a patient to supervise."
A voice with a sickeningly sweet tone called out as the door to his holding cell opened and closed, snapping Overhaul out of his thoughts. Two sets of footsteps made their way closer and closer to him until two figures loomed over him, a policeman and a nurse, or so he thought at first.
'Must be here to check over my blood pressure...' Overhaul thought as he steadied his breathing, making those nauseating machines calm their insensate beeping. From the corner of his eyes, he could see that the nurse was prepping a syringe; filled with what Overhaul wasn't sure about as the nurse was partly turned away from him.
However, the officer with blood-red eyes got too close to Overhaul's face with a smile that only filled him with a familiar sense of dread.
"Ah, Overhaul! Don't worry, don't worry, we're friends!" The officer exclaimed with a shit-eating grin. "Just let the nurse do her job, and you'll feel much better!"
'Her?' Overhaul questioned mentally as he looked at what appeared to be a male nurse who came into view and was ready to inject. He was too weak to move and resist and even speak. He felt a pinch as the needle went into his arm. Only then that he realized that the needle wasn't injecting something into him. It was draining blood out of him.
"Remember, Himiko, we need to balance his blood humor(*3) so we can't take too much!" The officer joked with a chuckle.
"Of course, our dear plague doctor would know all about the humors, no?" The man added with a mocking face, looking down on Overhaul and leaning into the side of his face. Overhaul grimaced and hissed as the man invaded his personal space, his breath touching his very skin, causing painful hives to break out on its surface.
"Next Saturday, Tomura will be sending our brother," the man whispered as he motioned to himself and the nurse.
"To free you. Meanwhile, we're just collecting an advance on your payment for the service. Don't worry, though." He suddenly smacked Overhaul's shoulder. "The blood will be going to a good cause, hehe heh."
'Brother? Shigaraki has siblings?!'
"I'm...done...Mimicry..." The nurse said with a deep voice, yet meekly voice.
"Oh, good! Just keep calm, Overhaul; we can't have you strain yourself before getting back into the action. Until then, take care," The officer said, pulling away from him with a tip of his hat. All the while, Overhaul managed to glance at the cop's nametag when it flashed against the lights above.
'Nishimoto...Tomura's inside man...he did say he had contacts within the cops.'
"Come on, Himiko, I only have enough clout to give us a few more minutes. We need to be going, or we'll get caught." The officer said, motioning to the nurse, who looked like his skin was beginning to drip off. "Oh shit! Your makeup is running up already? I swear getting rid of your blood lust was one of the worst things that happened to you! Oh well, I suppose you lose some, you win some."
Overhaul groaned with annoyance with the officer's mannerisms, grateful that the two were leaving.
'And I thought Shigaraki was annoying.'
Still, this was good news help was coming. Soon he would be free and have another chance to get what he sought. His thoughts turned to that green-haired brat, Draco Knight's kid; maybe it was fate that the two would clash again when he was out. Once he got rid of Tomura, he would ensure that Eri wouldn't be far from his grasp with that boy and girl from the USJ shortly following.
He would force Eri to watch him obliterate the two again and again, that would teach her...indeed, that would teach her the true meaning of fear.
Or at least that is what he thought...
Author's Commentary
1 Trillion Yen(*1) Approx 7.7 Billion USD at the time of writing.
Kasei(*2) I spend ages looking for the correct name I could use for this surname. There are several ways and words that one could use in the Japanese language to say "Fake, False, etc."
Kasei was the closest one that was quite uncommon and sounded like a name. It is also an ironic name if you know the meaning of the name of every character in the story born with the last name Kasei.
Humors:(*3) Humorism was once the most popular theory of western-based medicine that was based on four human elements: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. It was believed that illness was caused by an unbalance of one or most of these humors. This was still the most popular theory next to the Miasma theory that disease was spread by bad air, which is why Plague Doctors (The mask that Overhaul's beak mask is based on) wore to prevent bad air from being inhaled. For the sake of this story, Mimicry was pretty much just mocking Overhaul when referencing the humors due to his choice in wardrobe.
There's not much else to say, but hope you look forward to what comes next!
With love, ZX