Chapter 46: Midoriya Izuku XLI

A/N: Much later than usual, and I do apologize for that. Nevertheless, I hope that you all enjoy the chapter.

Waking up to the darkness of his room is a pleasant experience to a groggy Izuku, especially when considering the hectic events of the previous night. For once, there's peace and serenity and calm in his morning (a prospect he had missed greatly after spending a week in the same room as Hatsume) and for that he's eternally grateful.

This stands true even despite the presence of the constant, irritating buzz dancing around in his ears. It's still a strange thing to him, waking up to the sounds, but it's something that he has to live with, and he doesn't want to forget that (and forgetting can be a surprisingly easy thing, with a quirk like his and a condition like his coming together in such a pair).

So before he goes to sleep every night he takes the white noise makers out from his ears and places them on his bedside table. Every time he's greeted to the whirring buzz, and every time he allows himself to experience it.

He can't help but feel as if he's cheating out of the full extent of what could be, though. He never is under the full extent of what his tinnitus could bare down on him — his quirk makes sure of that.

But still. When he comes to the waking world, he's once again reminded of what Bakugou's done to him, on just exactly what and why has led him to the path he's on, and of every little thing at stake with the success of his pursuits. It's a sort routine that grounds him to reality, and if a simple temporary annoyance is all it takes to do that he'll do just that.

Once his thoughts begin to fade and his brain begins to stir, he starts to prepare for his day. He reaches over to his bedside, plucking his ever so useful gear into his hands and plants them in his ears, diligently ceasing the noise.

With that done, he begins to readjust his senses and practices a healthy dose of paranoia by making sure there aren't any hidden surprises lying in wait to ambush him the moment he steps out his door or approaches his window — something he especially wants to do now considering his new next door neighbor.

He's just relieved that he didn't wake up to find Toga having snuck into his room overnight. (Small mercies and all that).

Content with what he finds (Tomura up playing games, Kurogiri diligently standing at the bar, Toga still sleeping and Nakajima at his own computer), Izuku gradually removes himself from his bed. He shambles over to the window, reintroducing natural light into the room after he retracts the drawn blinds. When he then turns and his eyes begin to wander around the likes of his room, they center in on his suitcase resting at the foot of his bed.

It's only then that he realizes that he doesn't quite recall actually bringing the thing back up to his room the previous night. Sure, he may have been exhausted and completely done with the situation he had found himself in, but leaving his stuff lying around is a complete oversight on his part. He can't be doing that in future situations that would call for more precise and integral maneuvers.

Still, no doubt his belongings were delivered to his room by Kurogiri. And Izuku knows that he can trust the man to keep to his own business… even if his fate in the man was a bit shaken up after last night…

Unless… Izuku narrows his eyes in thought. That was the entire point? After all, Kurogiri was making a point that I shouldn't rely on him so often. And wouldn't I have more reservations of actually going to him for help if he ended up doing some things that misconvenience or anger me beforehand? Hmm. Need to keep the possibility in mind…

However, the location of his suitcase (laptop and costume stored within together) isn't actually what catches his interest. Rather, it's the blood red envelope resting atop it that does. He goes over to pick it up — wary but not suspicious, knowing that Kurogiri would have analyzed every little bit of the letter before sending it up to Izuku's room.

So, while he may be surprised the moment he pulls out the blood soaked piece of paper, he isn't all too worried (he can imagine a few of his newfound… associates to be responsible for such a display).

Messy handwriting meets his eyes when he unfolds the letter. The scribbled message is nearly illegible, but what he sees is salvageable enough for his eyes to read after a bit of effort.

I've heard that you are back from your trip overseas. We need to renew our agreement. I've gone through your two targets and I'm getting tired of waiting; I've sent my envoy to fetch you.

It's short and straight to the point, and even though the letter isn't signed he already knows the identity of the writer. It's content doesn't really concern him; he has a list of new victims ready and all things considered his schedule for the day is free.

But if anything, he's intrigued by the implications of what he reads; he wonders how Stain — the lone wolf he is — came to be in some sort of partnership. But that's a whole different problem in itself.

Izuku sighs. Can't believe that I deluded myself into thinking that I'd get some time off. He shakes his head, taking a moment to lament his loss.

It's a short reprieve that he adopts, however, because it's not long before he heads to his laptop and gets to work.

Not much I can do about it now if I want to keep Stain content. Best not to keep the man waiting.

For some reason, Stain had chosen Kyushu of all places for the meeting place. The prefecture of Oita, specifically. So of course Izuku had to seek out Kurogiri's assistance in order to cut the travel time to something more manageable.

So there he is, the portal depositing him on a rooftop a few kilometers away from the designated meeting point, standing alongside the envoy that Stain had sent.

Speaking of which…

Izuku eyes the young man he finds himself accompanying. He's very obviously a heteromorphic type given his reptilian features and wild, swept back purple hair. Spinner, as the man had initially introduced himself, plays the role of a Stain fanboy if his gear (knee guards, katana, and strip of cloth tied around his eyes) and general demeanor are anything to go by.

Izuku's willing to call the man a fanatic, especially when he takes into account how religiously he defers to talking praise of Stain. Of course, it's not something entirely unique.

Stain fanatics are nothing new, the group springing into existence when the very first of Stain's murders broke the news. After all, Stain's ideology is a highly attractive prospect to those who have experienced wrongdoing in the form of negligent heroes or discrimination.

Izuku can admit it: if he hadn't been picked up by Sensei all those years ago, there would be a good chance that he might have ended up in Spinner's shoes. After all, the number of people supporting Stain skyrocketed after that video of Hosu went viral, and still they grow in number by the day. With how things have gone, fans old and new alike exist on the streets; Izuku's just not sure which category Spinner belongs to in that regard.

What Izuku can confirm about Spinner — it wasn't all too hard to run the man's face through his laptop's database — isn't actually all too much. His real identity is that of Iguchi Shuichi, a man of age twenty and a shut-in living with his parents. More than likely, he has went through a mix of discrimination for both his looks and his quirk, Gecko. If he's anything like those that Izuku knows of, it makes sense why he'd be attracted to the words and ideas of Stain.

Izuku can't quite paint a full picture of what drives the man; he would need further analysis if he wants to construct a proper dossier. But he can, at the very least, look at the practical reasons for keeping the man around. For one, his quirk.

Gecko is a rather simple quirk — it allows the user to effortlessly cling to walls and other sheer surfaces with some fairly strong adherence. It's not exactly anything too impressive, but it has its uses. It's potential for practical use in the real world would normally manage to keep the heat of discrimination off of an individual with such a quirk. But for someone like Spinner, who has an appearance like his? It would simply be more fuel to the fire.

But such individuals aren't in the same mindset as Izuku. Gecko would allow Spinner to traverse a cityscape with ease, allowing him to act as a spy and scout. Not many people look up, after all, even in a world with quirks.

Izuku can't think of the uses. Especially when he considers the fact that the climbing aspect of Invisible Wall's quirk didn't transfer over, just his invisibility. And seeing as to how Izuku would greatly appreciate Tsubasa being able to climb walls…

"You know, you're not exactly what I expected."

Shaken from his thoughts, Izuku looks up and over to Spinner. The man is clad in a concealing hoodie that hides his most identifying features alongside the gear he has on. The pair of them — Izuku donning similar wear — are currently walking through the backstreets and alleyways of the city in order to make their way to the meeting place.

"How so?" Izuku questions through his mask, using his own voice.

"Hmm…" Spinner strokes his chin in thought before answering. "I… just thought that you'd be taller?"

Izuku blinks. "Really?" he responds, voice flat.

Spinner lets out a nervous laugh, hand moving to rub his neck. "I mean, it's just. Hm." He shrugs. "I've heard of the stories, you know. Of the vigilante Whisper prowling the streets, a bogeyman that strikes fear into evil incarnate. An avatar of vengeance for the feeble and weak; someone who… Well. What I've heard paints quite the picture and, and… I guess I didn't know what to expect, really."

Spinner hastily clears his throat. "But that's not to say that I'm disappointed! It really is an honor, really! You're really inspiring, sir!"

"No need to get so worked up," Izuku says. "You made a fair observation; can't fault you for that. And cut the fervent admiration. I've done nothing deserving of it."

"What!" Spinner exclaims. "But you've—"

"I don't want to hear any of it," Izuku cuts him off. "Anyways, we're almost there, correct? I can hear Stain mumbling to himself just a little ways away."

"Wow, you can hear that? We're so far away though! You really are as good as they say!"

Much to Izuku's displeasure, the rest of the trip continues like this. Spinner completely ignores Izuku's words, instead spouting out one thing after another, unable to hold in his awe in meeting one of his idols.

At the very least, Izuku does find himself seeing some light in the situation: Spinner is Stain's problem. Sure, Izuku's not actually sure how a man like Stain can put up with someone like Spinner without stabbing the man in annoyance. But at the end of the day Spinner chose one idol over another, and Izuku's happy that it was Stain and not himself.

He couldn't imagine Spinner joining the League too, not when the group already has a one similarly-minded fan in the form of Mustard. He's not sure that he could mentally survuve such a handful, not when the group's already populated with an unstable eccentric in Toga, a literal man-child, and several mass murderers more likely to run off and do what they want than listen to his orders.

Eventually, the two of them arrive at the rendezvous point. Izuku finds some pleasure in Spinner not actually noticing that fact, the man continuing to talk as Stain stares at them above from his rooftop perch.

Izuku decides to be merciful in some way at the very least, however, and decides to call out to Stain himself. "You need, you really need to work on your penmanship, Stain. One would think your handwriting to be good, considering the skill you employ with your hands. I had to spend nearly a minute looking at your letter before I knew what you were saying, you know?"

Spinner himself freezes as Izuku speaks up, his mouth snapping shut. His head jerks upwards towards Stain's position, eyes widening in realization. And before Izuku knows it, Spinner has prostrated himself completely into a dogeza, knees on the floor and head pressed to the ground.

"My apologies Master Stain! I got too caught up in meeting Whisper and I lost myself! I promise that it won't happen again, sir!"

Stain huffs, jumping down to the ground. "Stop that this instant. On your feet; I won't take such pity. I am annoyed, yes, but simply see to it that it does not happen again."

"Of course!" Spinner exclaims, launching himself to his feet.

"Good. Now stop groveling; such an action is unbefitting of someone under my tutelage." Stain brushes past Spinner, stopping as before Izuku. The two stare each other down for a moment, both calculating their next move. Spinner, off to the side, can't conceal his amazement of two of his idols being in one place at once, though both ignore him.

Eventually, the silence is broken, Stain humming before he speaks. "I see that you are talking to us using your own voice, this time."

Izuku nods. "That I am. See it as a sign of trust, even if it's only a small gesture."

"No doubt another attempt to get me in your good graces." He sighs. "You have what I asked for?"

Izuku smirks. "Straight to the point, eh? Not unexpected, but still. I mean, we are here to do business, and that means we can be courteous with one another. I'd like to have a little chat first; catch each other up on our own plans. I'm sure that we can both benefit from such, no? And yes," Izuku continues," before you ask, I do have what you want. And I'll give it to you — but only after a nice and pleasant discussion. No sooner."

"Quite some nerve there boy," Stain says, glare intensifying. He crosses his arms. "But fine. If only because I know how much of a hassle having you on my tail will be, now that your ranks are growing."

"Heard about that, did you?" Izuku asks, genuinely interested. After all, it isn't quite common knowledge that the League is (was, if Izuku has anything to do with it) recruiting. For Stain to know… well, Izuku supposes it makes sense. A man like him can't survive as long as he has doing what he does without connections.

"No matter," Izuku continues. "Though, since you seem to know about that, how about we talk about Spinner here? I'm curious; I didn't take you as an individual who would go to take on an apprentice, after all."

"I saw potential in him. That's all," Stain says. "Circumstance saw fit for us to meet. In his eyes I saw a flame that very few have the capacity of. I took him under my wing, and I've taken him on a single, successful hunt. And now, here we are."

There's a short silence after the words leave Stain's mouth. He shows no signs of feeling the need to reveal anything else. Izuku shrugs, deciding that's likely the best he'll get out of the man.

"Heard about that," Izuku says. "Arbalest, hmm? A nice choice, considering her… questionable decisions as of late. That makes three then since we've last talked, seeing as you've taken care of both The Fly and Death Arms. Much more efficiently and cleanly than you did Arbalest, might I add." Izuku tilts his head forward. "I heard that you were nearly caught by Ingenium after you dealt the final blow to Arbalest?"

"I get it," Stain scoffs. "Your plans are useful, I will admit it. Cuts down on the hassle of the usual preparations I usually partake in. So there's no need for all that smug expression that's no doubt hiding behind that mask of yours."

Izuku raises his hands up placatingly. "You caught me. No need to rile yourself up over it." Izuku reaches into his utility belt, taking a small flash drive within his grasp and holding it out for Stain to take. "These are plans for two more heroes. I'm going to be somewhat busy soon, so try not to roll through them too fast, hmm?"

Stain swipes the flashdrive from Izuku's hand. "Only two? Again?"

Izuku shrugs. "What can I say? It's what I see most fitting at the moment."

"Tch." Stain turns and starts to walk off, gesturing for Spinner to follow. "We're done here, Spinner. Let's—"

"Hold on for a moment there, Stain. We're not quite done yet."

Stain turns back around with a grunt. "And why not?"

Izuku hums, head bobbing from side to side. "Well… You see. You've had time to contemplate the points I brought up from our previous conversations. I… have an offer, if you're willing to hear me out."

It's a strange thing, seeing a man without a nose flaring his nostrils. And yet Stain does just this in response. "It must be good, if you're willing to go so far as to make such a spectacle of it."

Izuku nods. "I personally think so. I mean, I'm sure that you'd like to strike at the source, no? The source of all this… rot? The cause of the way things are? The true hands controlling the puppets?"

Stain taps his fingers against his side. "You mean the Commission."

Izuku nods his head. "I do. And it just so happens that I have the resources and information that would allow you to strike where it matters most. Say… the current President."

Stain narrows his eyes. "As… tempting as that sounds, I know that such a thing wouldn't come for free. You're purposely stringing me along with a limited list of targets in order to keep a leash on me. And what you're offering is something huge — huge enough that I could potentially be satisfied enough to cut off our agreement. I'm sure that you know this; so what's the catch?"

"It's a simple thing, really," Izuku begins. "I do you a favor, and in return you do me a favor." Izuku crosses his arms behind his back. "In other words, I give you the means to strike at the Hero Public Safety Commission at its heart. And in return? All you have to do is allow me to borrow Spinner here for a day."

Stain's glare only intensifies. Izuku doesn't miss the way Stain's hand moves to rest on one of his daggers, nor the way the man's stance shifts ever so slightly.

"Hmm. More protective of Spinner than I thought. And they can't have been together for longer than… what? A month? Interesting…

"Well?" Izuku asks after nearly a minute of silence.

Spinner walks up to Stain's side and exclaims, "Whatever you say boss, I'll do it! Just say the word!"

Stain's eyes shift to Spinner. "You are aware of the company Whisper keeps? Of not only that man-child, but of the talks of being associated with The Doctor?"

Spinner nods his head. "Of course, sir!"

"And yet you offer yourself still?"

"As long as it benefits you, you can do whatever at my expense, sir!"

Stain relaxes — marginally — upon hearing the devotion in Spinner's words. "Hmph. A fool is what you are, for deferring to me so blindly. But no matter. If that is what you desire, then what right do I have to stop you?"

Stain shakes his head, reverting back to his previous, less intense posture. He looks over to Izuku. "This offer of yours. For how long will it be open?"

"For as long as it needs to be," Izuku offers.

"Hmm." Stain looks over to Spinner, back to Izuku, and then finally back to Spinner. "I see. In that case… Spinner."

"Yes!" The man shoots up, back straight and saluting.

"Go with Whisper now."

"As you say, sir!" Spinner bows, then moves over to Izuku's side in an instant.

Izuku, meanwhile, lets out a surprised huff. "Really now? Sure you don't need more time to think about this?"

"Why?" Stain asks. "Isn't this what you want? You want Spinner for something, why delay?"

"Of course," Izuku says, not even trying to hide his intentions. "But I still like to see this thing we have as an equal partnership. I don't wish to pressure you into anything or make you make hasty decisions."

"I've thought it through, boy. And I'd rather get through whatever schemes you've concocted in that head of yours sooner rather than later. Won't have to worry about you calling in any favors or you pushing this on me at an inopportune time as a result."

"And now isn't that time?"

"Guess I'll have to see."

"Hmm." Izuku crosses his arms. "And you really think that I'd do that?"

"I think that you would if doing so benefited you. Even more so if the resulting benefits outweigh whatever negatives would arrive as a result."

"You know me well," Izuku says. "That's all for now. Should I expect another bloody letter next time you wish to contact me? Can you at least work on your penmanship then?"

Stain turns without another word. He scales up the side of the building and zooms off into the night.

"So. Cool."

Izuku turns to look at Spinner. "What do you mean? You've been with Stain for a while now… Do you react like this everytime?"

Spinner lets out a nervous chuckle. "I mean… at first? Yeah." He clears his throat. "But I stopped after the first week! It got easier to internalize it! But then you came along and I couldn't help myself! And then you two got to talking, and then—"

Sheesh. Reminds me of how I was before… Izuku blinks. Wait… He actually is my problem now, even if only for a short time. Sure, I need his quirk for Tsubasa. But still. Why do I do this to myself?

Izuku shakes his head, letting out a sigh. Before he can wallow in regret, he starts walking. Spinner follows in step, continuing to ramble on and on and on.

Izuku's about to call up Kurogiri to open up a portal when it happens.

He inhales a breath, stopping in his tracks. Something's entered his range — but not from the ground. Rather, from the sky. A figure dive bombing straight down through the clouds, a fluttering of feathered wings nearing ever closer to their position.

Izuku finds it in himself to speak while he tracks the approaching individual. "Spinner."

"—onder what the others are like? I mean—"

"Spinner."

Too fast for a proper escape. Can't risk Kurogiri. Too slow. Besides; what if he just flies through?

"If what I heard is true then—"

"Spinner."

The words stop. "Oh, you used your quirk," Spinner gulps. "Yes?"

"We're about to have a visitor. So stop talking, and prepare yourself. You don't know what's coming."

And neither does Izuku himself. All he knows is that he recognizes the sound that's caught his attention, and that he doesn't consider himself lucky enough for it to be simple happenstance.

The Winged Hero, Hawks, is coming. And he's after Whisper.

A/N: And there we are. Stay tuned for next time!