Chapter 38:Midoriya Izuku XXXIV

A/N: And more I-Island, here we go! Not quite there yet to the juicy action scenes (well, not entirely anyways - you'll all see what I mean) but we're getting there. Until then, enjoy some more character interactions!

–So… Wolfram. Are you really sure about this op? I mean, yeah, we're already here. But still. This is I-Island we're talking about–

–I've told you a hundred times, Nobu. And if you'd paid attention during the briefing you wouldn't even be having these worries. What will it take to have that drilled into your skull?–

–I can help with that, boss–

–And I've already told you why you can't, Swordkil. You may be second in command, but that doesn't mean that you can just go around culling down your comrades. Even if they are idiots–

–Hey!– A scoff, originating from the previously identified Nobu. –Alright, alright. Fine. But if we are actually going through with this then what's taking so long? Why don't we just go up there now?–

–Oh for the love of–

–Just say the word boss and–

"Heyo? Michi-kun? Yo!"

Izuku blinks, refocusing himself on the surroundings of his physical body. Hatsume's in front of him, waving her hand in front of his face.

"Whoa dude," Kendou says. "Were you even listening to all that?"

"Of course," Izuku readily responds.

"Oh yeah?" Hatsume asks with a smirk, hands on her hips. "Well then let me test you once again! What were we just talking about, hrm?"

"You and Kendou," Izuku looks to the latter as he continues, "were comparing notes on costume design," Izuku turns his gaze again, this time with his eyes falling upon the blonde girl to his left, "to Melissa here."

"Whoa! So Jakku here really was listening!" Melissa exclaims, using Izuku's false first name to refer to him as per her own cultural norms. "I wasn't expecting that with how unfocused his gaze was staring off into the distance!"

The girl surprised Izuku at first. Not for anything bad, of course, but because of how well she meshed with Hatsume. The two were almost exactly alike in hobbies and dedication to their work, with the only exception of Melissa being a bit more… socially adjusted than Hatsume.

"Yeah. He does that sometimes," Hatsume admits. "Usually it's when he's thinking really hard about something!"

"Mind me asking what you were thinking about?" Kendou asks.

Izuku shakes his head. "I'd rather not say."

After all, him admitting to eavesdropping on a few villains sequestered within the island's service tunnels under their feet and five hundred meters to the south would be rather odd of him. And besides, he'd much rather ponder over said villains' presence than contribute to a conversation not tied to him.

For one, Wolfram's a name he recognizes. He's the leader of an international mercenary group (villain-leaning, of course) who's usually hired for black op missions and the like. And more often than not, for stealing some sort of valuable target. Seeing how they're currently on I-Island, the world's leading institution for quirk-related research, it doesn't take much for Izuku to guess their goal.

It's just a matter of finding out exactly what they're trying to steal. It could be anything, after all. Izuku has another thought. But, there is one thing that's clear at least. It can't be a coincidence that Wolfram and his goons are here when Sensei requested me as well to be on the island.

Izuku suddenly picks up on some rapid movement closing in on his location. It's the slightest bit concerning, having something like that zoom towards him. However, considering the figure's speed and size, Izuku knows long before the figure's arrival that its identity is that of All Might.

Something to think upon later then. But first, keeping up the act of an antisocial business course student in front of the Symbol of Peace.

"Uncle Might!" Melissa exclaims as All Might appears in a blur, signature smile and all. The girl jumps up at the man, the two embracing in a hug. Izuku isn't all too surprised by the presumable closeness of the two, knowing David Shield's relationship with All Might. The inventor essentially was All Might's first sidekick, even before Sir Nighteye himself.

All Might plants Melissa up on his shoulders, and then turns to the trio. "Ah, Kendou! Acting as the early bird while I arrive fashionably late! And with your friends as well!"

"Yeah. Sorry," Kendou says, rubbing the back of her head. "Is it alright that I brought them? I mean if it's not—"

"Nonsense!" All Might cheers. "The more the merrier!"

"Oh! Oh! I know!" Melissa exclaims from her heightened position. "You're meeting up with papa, aren't you Uncle Might? Can they come? I want to show them the lab! Especially Mei! She and I; oh the things we could make!"

"But of course!" All Might cheers. "I don't see any harm in it, and I'm sure that your father wouldn't mind. I'll lead the way! You three, follow me!"

All Might marches forward with Melissa still on his shoulders, Kendou and Hatsume not far behind. Izuku lingers for a bit, trying to keep tags on the villains below his feet. He just hopes that wherever they're going, it's not too far from the villain's position. It'd be a pain trying to find them again, after all.

But still. Receiving the opportunity to go on a tour of David Shield's personal lab? This might be exactly what I'm looking for. And I have just the right materials on me to take advantage of it.

The tour so far has been fantastic and informative. Melissa is doing the brunt of the presenting, David Shield himself only giving a brief greeting before he and All Might scurried off to another, more secluded section of the lab.

Little did the two know, Izuku had easy access to their supposedly private conversation. Izuku didn't feel bad about eavesdropping, and besides, the information that he heard wasn't actually anything he wasn't already aware of.

As for the tour, Izuku is almost certain that Hatsume came close a few times to collapsing in absolute awe. Even now, as she's outfitting Kendou with various models of Melissa's own work, the possibility stands to come true.

Izuku's just happy that he isn't the subject of Hatsume's eccentricities for once. And not only that, but with Hatsume distracted and Kendou stuck within the girl's clutches, Izuku has some time to interact with Melissa all by himself.

"So," Izuku begins, "I hear that you're helping All Might with his seminar tonight?"

Melissa turns towards him, leaving her previous attention on Hatsume and Kendou testing out some gauntlets and other personal gear.

"Yeah!" Melissa cheers. She clears her throat. "I mean, I'm quirkless, you know. So I know how it feels to be let down by others and stuff. Not that I let that get to me!"

When Izuku doesn't give any outward reaction, she continues with a smile on her face. "When I first heard what Uncle Might was doing a while back, well. I was just so surprised, you know! It's not often that anybody actually tries to bring up the fact that there are people out there shunned by society because of dumb norms and stuff. The fact that Uncle Might was doing it catapulted the issue into the spotlight!"

"Next thing I know, he called me a week ago and asked if I could help him with the whole thing! I mean, I couldn't say no! And besides, I get to spotlight some of my inventions at the same time!"

"Must be quite the dream, being able to finally be recognized," Izuku says. His eyes scan the room, eventually falling upon a rather populated section of the space stacked with computers. "I mean, I just find it rather impressive that a quirkless individual could do so much, you know?"

"Oh?" Melissa gripes, her arms crossed. "Is that so?"

"Sorry," Izuku apologizes. "I'm not trying to sound condescending or anything. It's just… I don't see many people in our situation being as well adjusted and productive as you are, you know? It's just a nice breath of fresh air, encountering someone who employs healthy outlets for once."

Melissa blinks, her gaze turning from accusatory to something more inquisitive in nature. "Our?"

"Yeah. Now I… don't want to assume, or anything," Izuku starts. "But I wouldn't be too far off the mark if I said that you were picked on as a kid for your quirklessness, no?"

Melissa gives a slight nod.

"I know how it is," Izuku reveals. "I mean, I know that I have a quirk. But just because I'm like the majority of the population doesn't mean that I'm suddenly immune to ostracization, you know? All my quirk does is make me a bit smarter, make me a bit better at analysis. On paper it sounds good. But to a bunch of barely grown children who have very limited views of the world? It's no wonder that my childhood was a cruel one."

"And that's the thing," Izuku continues. "It's not just the quirkless who are shunned nowadays. Those with quirks that require strange components, or people like myself who have quirks they can't even physically present to appease a bunch of kids… People like you and I. Most people like us seemingly just decide to let things be and go with the flow. Even if it means wallowing in self pity and walking down a path of self destruction."

Izuku nods at Melissa. "But you? You're not letting things hold you down. You're striving for the better, working to prove those naysayers wrong. It's people like you who I can find great respect for, you know? So you've got to understand that I'm just excited at the prospect of encountering someone like you."

"I… suppose that I see what you're getting at," Melissa says, a thoughtful expression finding its way onto her face. "Thank you… I think?"

Izuku nods. "Of course. Just giving credit where it's due, you know?"

It's at this moment that Izuku senses All Might and David Shield approaching, their previous engagement now concluded. Knowing All Might's general demeanor, Izuku won't have to do anything extra. His arrival will prove to be the most opportune moment to act.

The door to the room slams open, easily gathering the attention of everyone in the room. "Hello everyone! I'm back from my talk, with David trailing not far behind me!"

There we are.

Izuku backpedals a bit, reaching into his pocket as he does so. He makes sure that he's still looking towards All Might, all while ensuring everyone's attention is posed somewhere else.

It's not long before he bumps into the cluster of computers he had seen earlier before. From his pocket he retrieves a flashdrive, which he then taps it against the surface of the computers' towers. It takes a bit of finnicking and listening to the vibrations to find an open slot to plug the drive in, but all in all it takes but a few seconds.

Ten seconds later, Izuku pulls the flashdrive out. Program implanted, and with none the wiser. Concealing the small piece of tech back into his pockets, Izuku slowly makes his way back to the group at large.

"AHA! Young Michimoto!" All Might exclaims. "Finally joining us, are you?"

"Sorry," Izuku mutters, rubbing the back of his head. "I just wanted to take a closer look at some things before we left. The technological marvels here are just too admirable to pass up, you know?"

"Always nice to find kids in this quirk-filled world who still appreciate technology," David Shield announces as he appears in the door frame, just behind All Might's huge form.

"Of course," Izuku nods. "Though I shouldn't expect any less from the one and only David Shield, eh?"

"Enough buttering me up. Even if I do appreciate it," David laughs. "Right, you kids. I know that you're enjoying your time up here and all, but I can't quite leave you all unsupervised up here while I head out. Even if you do have my daughter with you. I'd be highly unprofessional!"

"That's fine, papa! I have some ideas!" Melissa exclaims as she turns towards the group. "I'm sure that there are still a few things you guys haven't seen yet anyways! How'd you like an insider's view on the workings and research of I-Island, hmm?"

Izuku found some excitement in the challenge of having to keep tabs on several different things all at once. It was a bit disorienting, dividing his attention between the various sounds located in the underground and the ones above it.

For one, Izuku can tell exactly where on the island Bakugou is based off of the signature sounds of explosions alone. Unlike Kendou, his presence isn't a surprise to Izuku; he had seen the boy's name alongside Kirishima Ejiro's on the island's attendee list.

Todoroki and Yoarashi aren't far, in fact they're watching Bakugou at the very moment. They're around because of Endeavor; Yoarasshi likely brought on as a favor from Todoroki. He's fairly sure that they're partaking in some sort of quirk competition: he's just disappointed that he won't be there to see Yoarashi outspeed Bakugou's time on the course.

The Yaoyorozu heiress and a couple of her classmates are around touring the place as well, just as it is with Ingenium's younger brother. Their attendance is the result of their family's influence, and again isn't too much of a surprise.

What is a surprise, however, are the identities of his servers at the cafe that Melissa had led the group to. After all, the identities of the part-time workers hired on for the week-long event isn't exactly information the island publicly announces or stores on an easy-to-reach server.

He takes care not to show his surprise on his face, however. Rather, he kicks back in his chair and closes his eyes, allowing the conversation to continue around him as the servers approach.

Sero Hanta doesn't react any differently from how a server would, smiling and greeting the group. Sure, his gaze may linger just a bit longer on the girls — completely glazing over Izuku — but he attributes that to normal teenage boy hormones,

The other server, on the other hand, has widened eyes and his mouth agape, eyes completely pinned on Izuku.

Sero ends up jabbing Kaminari Denki, very likely thinking the latter is too openly gawking at the girls present. Kaminari merely gulps in response, averting his gaze entirely. On the other hand, Izuku barely refrains from smiling in amusement.

Though, Izuku does make sure to mentally mark down to only confront Kaminari completely off Yuuei grounds. The boy's poker face is basically non-existent, and Nezu would be on the boy's case within a nanosecond… If Nezu doesn't already know, that is.

He doesn't, right? I mean, he would have done something about it by now…

Sero ends up taking the orders, Kaminari stiffly writing everything down as he does his best to stare at nothing but the notepad in his hands. His nervousness is palpable, though Izuku's sure that he's the only one who knows as to what extent.

It's not long until everyone's order is taken — Izuku asking for a simple pastry himself — and the two servers start to head back into the restaurant. Izuku finds it to be a timely moment to intervene.

"Hey you."

Kaminari jumps in place, catching an odd look from Sero just beside him.

"He can't hear me, of course. But you can. And I'm requesting a little meetup in the back. Let's say… in about a minute. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

Kaminari shakes his head. "N—no."

–What was that?– Sero asks.

"Didn't say anything about making him not hear you. Better think fast."

"Uh, nothing!" Kaminari blurts out. "Must have been the wind!"

"Smooth. Don't keep me waiting."

Izuku lets out a sigh, standing up from his seat. "Don't mind me, everyone. I need to add something to my order. I'll go get… What was his name again? The one with a bolt in his hair?"

"Sparky-boy!" Hatsume exclaims.

"It's Kaminari," the Yaoyorozu girl responds, tone tinged with slight dismay.

"Ah, right," Izuku nods. "Thanks. I'll be back in a bit."

Izuku walks his way into the restaurant, though just as readily exits through a separate entrance. He strolls his way up to the back of the building, where a fidgeting Kaminari is standing around.

"Can't say that I expected you here, of all places," Izuku announces.

Kaminari jumps in surprise, turning around to face the newcomer. "I, uh. Right. Michimoto. I could… say the same?"

"Mhm," Izuku hums, moving to lean against the building's wall. "I assume that you're working to make some cash on the side. Not a bad idea. Always a nice thing to commit oneself to, I say."

"Right…" Kaminari clears his throat. "So, um… You didn't just sneak all the way onto I-Island just to talk to me, did you?"

Izuku huffs. "I'll have you know that I was invited as a plus one. As I said, your being here was actually unexpected. Though I will admit that it does come with some benefits, no doubt. Like I can contact you, rather than later. Isn't that great?"

"Yeah," Kaminari sighs. "Wonderful."

"Anyways," Izuku begins, "normally, this would be the part where there'd be a fair amount of things I'd like to ask of you about your school year so far."

Kaminari narrows his eyes. "But…?"

"But, if I'm to be honest, I heard enough on the plane ride here. And I don't need a repeat at all. So I'll keep it short." Izuku looks over at his informant. "Happen to know the location of the training camp that your class and 1-B will be going to once summer break is over?"

Kaminari blinks. And then gulps. "W—Why?"

Izuku sighs. "I'll be honest. Personally, I'd rather that I didn't know. But I'm not the one who's 'in charge' of this stuff," Izuku says, emphasizing with air quotes. "So… We're planning something. I'm sure that the plan is partially to piss me off, though it's not like I can just say you know? As per why, the details you have no need to know."

"Well. Erm." Kaminari averts his eyes.

"Yes?"

Kaminair scrunches up his face. "I… don't know?"

"Hmm." Truth. "Yeah, that makes sense, I suppose," Izuku says. "Got to hand it to that rat; really knows how to play the game. I'm guessing you won't be told until you're actually on the bus?"

Kaminair hurriedly nods.

"That's fine then. Just keep your phone on when the time comes; let it ping so I can track it's trajectory via satellite positioning. We have Kurogiri, after all."

"But—"

"Just stay out of the way, and we'll stay out of yours. Try to keep as many as you can out of harm's way, and everyone will be coming out of the situation for better or worse."

Kaminari falls silent, no donut his ideals clashing within himself. Izuku isn't worried though. He knows the face the boy's making, understands his hard-boiled determination to see things through, no matter how much they falter with his ideals. It's the same thing he went through with Ibara, after all.

"I trust your mother's treatments are going well?" Izuku abruptly asks.

Kaminari blinks, a frown taking up his lips. "You mean you don't know yourself?

"I try not to get caught up too often in my Sensei's dealings."

Except for the fact that I found out that the treatments Kaminari's mother is getting are more in the way of placebos than actual treatments. Syringes treated and laced with some specialized quirks, and the apparent signs and base ailments are gone. All too keep Kaminari on a leash, for sure.

After all, I know that the Doctor has miracle cures of all kinds stashed away in his lab; especially one for the mother's current ailments. It's unfortunate that there's nothing I can do about it now. Not if I want Sensei off my back.

"She's… doing good, I suppose," Kaminari slowly answers. "She's happier, complains less about aches and pains. She's almost to her old self, and… Yeah. I am thankful for that, you know."

Izuku nods. "I just hope that all this is worth it for you."

Kaminari gives a slight nod. "I think so."

"Then that's that, I suppose," Izuku finalizes. "Though, keep in mind. As per our agreement, you do have to go along with my plans. Even if said plans aren't directly tied to Yuuei. So heads up: I might need you to help provide me cover later. Who knows. There's a chance, with what's going to go down. So just keep it in mind."

"Wait, what?"

"Just keep your eyes peeled and ears on alert," Izuku says, remaining vague. "Now, don't mind me. I need to get back before the others get suspicious. I'll already be ditching later for more…" Izuku lets out a small laugh. "Scandalous activities, if you catch my drift?"

Izuku pushes himself off the wall, and starts to walk off. "I'll be seeing you, Kaminari Denki. Until then…"

Izuku can feel Kaminari shivering at that last word, no doubt feeling violated in some way as he feels his bones vibrate to speak. But it's a necessary tactic, to have the boy remember his place. Even if Izuku doesn't really like the prospect. But what must be done must be done, and all.

Like what comes next.

"AGGGHHHHH! You fucking, little piece of—"

Swordkil is interrupted by a fist careening into his face, forcing him to collapse to the floor. He ends up sprawled against the concrete walls of the island's subterranean service tunnels, his gaze angrily looking up at his attacker as he tenderly grasps his right arm.

"Keep it down will you?" A mocking, almost child-like voice echoes. "Screaming of that caliber would draw attention… Well, if I wasn't making sure your scream couldn't be heard, anyways."

Above Swordkil stands the notorious Whisper, his featureless mask peering down at the injured villain. In his hands is a rather bulky metal pipe, one that he begins to lazily twirl around.

":Still is a pain though, me hearing your obnoxious screaming up close. So I'd rather you didn't. Or you might get another helping of this pipe here."

"Whisper, you fucker. The hell did you come from?" Swordkil growls. "I should have heard you with how quiet it is down here."

"Are you dumb? I mean, you obviously know who I am, so excuse me if—"

"You little shit! You broke my arm! If you think you're getting out of this alive—"

And what exactly are you going to do about it? Hmm? I mean, it seems to me that you're curled up helplessly on the ground, so—"

Swordkil lunges up, his uninjured left arm transforming to accommodate the sprouting blades that are signature to his quirk. His movement is fast, Izuku will give the man that. But Izuku had seen the attack from miles away. And he's also much faster.

Izuku weaves his way to the side of the mercenary's attack, dodging it with ease. He ends up on Swordkil's right, the side with his now broken arm. It's a simple step forward and a quick swing of the pipe in his hands to the already tender limb that again has Swordkil collapsing to the floor to reel in pain.

"Try that again and I'll go for your other arm instead. Hehe."

Swordkil snarls. "You have… no idea what you've gotten… yourself into."

"Really? Because quite honestly I find it the other way around. I mean, you and your team are planning something big this week. All despite there being a large gathering of heroes present. If that isn't the definition of blind stupidity, then I don't know what is?"

"You take that back! I won't take you insulting Wolfram's intelligence!"

"Look, Swordkil." Izuku pauses. "I can call you Swordkil, right? I mean, you probably prefer it to me calling you by name. Your real name, that is. I mean, you might take offense if I do that. Might see me looking down on you and all."

Izuku laughs. "You know, the reviews calling you underplayed your fragile ego. I mean, I don't usually act this flippantly during these encounters. I didn't really think that the tough guy act would have worked on you though. Hence, here we are."

"I'm going to break you, you little shit."

Sheesh. Bakugou much? Probably too consumed by rage to properly register my words.

Izuku reaches down with his pipe, flipping the man over on his back so he's properly looking at Izuku. From an even further down position to rile him up more, of course.

"Behave, will you? I mean sure, your friends may be a little over eighty-four meters away, but no amount of yelling is going to get their attention. It's not my fault that you wanted to take a smoke break. And it's not my fault you guys decided to hunker out in this labyrinth of a place. You're on your own."

"You know, normally there should be people around here. Keeping up maintenance and stuff. Sure, the island doesn't necessarily need constant maintenance, but the residents do like to stay on top of things. So it is a bit strange that there's nobody around except you and your buddies."

"Fuck you."

"I'm guessing… that you had insider help?"

Swordkil narrows his eyes, but otherwise doesn't speak a word.

Ah. Heart rate is increasing however… He may not be saying anything, but that alone is telling enough.

"Hmph. It's true then. Thanks for the information."

"The hell you talking about?"

"How about your plan, hmm? Mind telling me what you're after? An assassination?" Izuku pauses. "Espionage?" Another pause. "Or maybe… A heist?"

Swordkil's eyes flicker away. And his heart beats faster once more.

"Like I'd tell you."

"Heist it is."

Izuku ignores the gobsmacked look on the man's face. Instead, he lifts up the pipe in his grasp in one hand, and lets it fall into his other, open hand. "Would you be willing to tell me the… object you're trying for? And think long and hard now on your next words. I mean, you'd still like to be able to utilize your quirk, wouldn't you? Two broken arms would definitely put a dent in that plan, don't you think?"

There's a hint of fear in the man's eyes, but it lasts for only a second. Before Izuku knows it Swordkil's eyes are back to being shining in anger. "Fuck you."

Though as much. Too loyal to willingly give up information. Probably would have gotten better results with Nobu or Daigo. But that's fine; information gathering was only a secondary goal here, after all.

"I'll be honest here. I expected more from the ex-right hand man of Wolfram. Shame."

"Ex…?" Swordkil's face twists in rage. "Watch your tongue! I am Wolfram's right hand, and I always will be!"

"No. As of now, you were. You really think your boss would accept you as is?" Izuku scoffs.

"You know, you're lucky that you were in China when I was looking for a quirk like yours…" Izuku cocks his head. "Actually, in all honesty I might have just glanced you over. I found someone with a much better blade-protrusion quirk than yours. Yours is fairly weak in comparison—"

The man tries rising up in anger again. But, again, Izuku can hear every little movement the man's making. And before Swordkil knows it, a metal pipe is colliding with his head, knocking him right out.

Hearing both the man's heart rate and breathing slow, Izuku lets out a sigh. "Now, that was exhausting. Do limelight heroes really act up like that all the time? No wonder they can't properly focus on what matters when it comes to heroics."

Izuku shakes his head. He's just happy that he had the foresight to search Hatsume's stash for something resembling a wagon. He wouldn't exactly have a nice time escorting the unconscious villain to a position where he can be apprehended by the island's private security force.

Though, the best part is that he doesn't even need to make up a reason for the police to take the man in. Swordkil is notorious enough a figure to warrant his own international wanted poster. If anything, he'll be held without question until the events on the island die down. And Izuku's willing to bet that there won't be any news of the capture until after the week ends. I-Island wouldn't want to rile up a panic until after their event, after all.

And besides, with Swordkil in custody security will be on high alert; they might help against the upcoming conflict, even.

Izuku grunts, lifting the man up onto the wagon. With a quick flex of his quirk, he finds that the other members of Wolfram's squad are still lounging around none the wiser.

Izuku doesn't doubt that they'll be suspicious with Swordkil's long absence. But by the time they head up a search party the man will already be in custody. They won't search anymore than necessary, lest they risk jeopardizing the mission any further. They'll write him off as a deserter. And Izuku's fine with that.

And that's one down. And the most hotheaded of the bunch as well. That should ease up on the casualties… Just a matter of figuring out the end goal now.

A/N: And there we go! Mostly some more actionless buildup… Well, except for that end there. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Things will finally be heating up; next time! Till then!