Chapter 48: Midoriya Izuku XLIII

A/N: I know that it's been a while, and I know that this one's pretty short. But, his one is all set up; the next chapter's going to have some action for once. And if things go right, it should (key word) come out much sooner than this one. Guess we'll see…

"Ah, Whisper! Salutations, my good fellow! The afternoon so far has fared well for you, I hope?"

Walking out from Kurogiri's warp gate into the bar with Spinner in tow, one of the last things Izuku had expected to see is Sako Atsuhiro — otherwise known as Mr. Compress — to be bowing, reverently, before him.

"Compress," Izuku enunciates, adopting a reserved, deep voice using his quirk. "What a surprise." Because it most certainly is — somehow, of all things, Izuku finds himself growing ignorant of the ongoings of his own headquarters-slash-home.

First Magne gets the drop on him, then Toga does her whole thing, and now Sako. It's a little disconcerting, considering how well-informed he is on other matters.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of meeting you today?" Izuku asks, genuinely curious. He only hopes that Spinner, standing behind him and eyes scanning the place with interest, can keep quiet long enough for him to get a proper answer out from the magician.

"I'm afraid that the story's nothing particularly spectacular," Compress begins with a flourish of his cane. "But since you have asked, I shall provide."

"Ahem!" Compress clears his throat. "As I'm sure you are aware. I have long since followed the instructions on the paper you had left me. I have subsequently pledged my allegiance to the League, though I have found myself restless as I awaited the call for battle."

"It was last night," Compress continues, "as I lay in bed deliberating on things to pass the time, that I recalled Kurogiri's offer of shelter — a permanent residence, a boon for becoming one of your associates. And so I made a decision, packed my bags the very next morning with the few essentials I have, and ended my sojourn in my dilapidated apartment."

"And as such," Compress stretches his arms out wide, "here I stand before you." He then takes a moment, moving his gaze behind Izuku — no doubt to gaze at Spinner. "I hope that I haven't interrupted anything of importance with my unannounced intrusion?"

Izuku shakes his head. "You've done nothing of the sort. I've just gotten done securing a mutually beneficial accord with an ally, hence the presence of Spinner here." He gestures behind him with his thumb.

"In fact, I should be done handling things with Spinner in a few. If you would like, we could converse further afterwards. Things to expect, things to do as we approach our first major operation; anything that comes to mind. Perhaps even a tour of the place. How does that sound?"

"That sounds like quite the offer; one that I can't in good conscience refuse, in fact." Compress tips his hat. "I look forward to it, Whisper."

With the gesture, it's only then that Izuku realizes that the man's mask has a different appearance from their first meeting. When before etchings of lines made a rough semblance of a face, now they together form kanji; specifically, the character for 'happiness' and 'fortune.'

Izuku hums with intrigue. "Do you have a mask collection, Compress?"

"As a matter of fact, I do!" The man lets out a lighthearted laugh. "You noticed the change, did you?" He taps his mask as he talks. "In that case I express my sincerest veneration! It's a nice change of pace, meeting somebody who can appreciate the arts for once."

"As for its meaning," Compress continues, "I wished to bring forth good tidings. The League has offered me a chance to shine, and for that I will forever be grateful. And what better way to express my feelings than through my very being?" he says, once more pointing to his mask.

Izuku does understand. He has the sentiment that theatrics play a rather important role in their current livelihoods (and by the looks of things, Compress thinks the same).

It's with that thought that Izuku finds himself realize he's enjoying the current conversation in a way he hasn't in a while. He isn't having some sort of verbal pseudo competition with Sensei, he isn't having a talk with a friend veiled with white lies, nor is he using his own brand of charisma to charm a target — allies and foes alike.

He's just having a simple talk about inconsequential things, things that delve away from crime and into mere hobbies —and it excites him.

He finds himself cursing the universe for it's timing of things.

"I'm afraid that I have to cut this conversation short," Izuku says. "The business I have with Spinner must be completed at the earliest convenience."

"Oh, no. I understand completely," Compress says. "Feel free to continue along as you were; I won't hold you up for any longer."

Izuku nods. "Kurogiri should help you acclimate until I get back. In the meantime… just watch yourself. Some of us here are a bit… eccentric."

"I wouldn't expect anything less. We're an odd band of merry misfits and outcasts afterall, are we not?" Compress says with a chuckle as he walks off.

As the man heads upstairs, Izuku lets out an amused huff. "That we are," he whispers to himself.

After a moment he begins walking, as gesturing for Spinner to follow as they approach the bar's resident bartender.

Kurogiri sets down the glass he's wiping as the duo approaches. "I assume you have further business elsewhere, then, seeing to the presence of your companion?"

Izuku nods. "The Doctor, if you will."

Kurogiri pauses, quirking an eye as his gaze turns to Spinner.

"He knows about what he's getting himself into… or, well, will entirely when I tell him in a bit," Izuku provides. "But he is going willingly — part of a deal I made with Stain."

"Hmm." Kurogiri crosses his arms together. "If you say so." A portal opens to the side. "I wish you luck, then."

"Come, Spinner." Izuku gestures to follow, and before long the two of them are deposited in the midst of Garaki's labs.

"You did good," Izuku begins as the warp gates closes. "Listened to my advice and actually stayed quiet. Observed, rather than reacted."

Spinner lets out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I, um… I wasn't actually."

Izuku blinks, and he spares a glance back at Spinner. "Hm?"

Spinner coughs. "I wasn't actually observing or anything like that. I was nervous. And in awe. I mean, I was standing in the middle of your headquarters! The League's headquarters!" Spinner pauses, clears his throat, and gives a sheepish look at his outburst. "In other words… I don't think that I could have spoken up if I tried."

Huh… Explains why his heart rate was so high up then.

"Well," Izuku says, "in that case…" He shakes his head. "Anyways. How much do you know of the esteemed Doctor?"

Spinner lets out a sigh of relief upon the change of topic. "So we are meeting with him then?" When his question goes unanswered, Spinner clears his throat. "Not much, if I'm honest. Just that he's one of the best in his work — well, technically the only one suited to his work seeing as nobody else can do what he can do… Biological engineering of super soldiers, I mean. Well, super soldiers by today's standards, anyways."

"So basically, all that there is to know about the Doctor when you aren't myself or Sensei." Izuku nods to himself. "Sufficient, for what comes next."

"Which is…" Spinner trails off.

"Basically, I plan to have the Doctor take a quick gander at you so that he can copy your quirk."

…

"What?"

"You heard me right," Izuku confirms. "The process will involve you going under to ensure your comfort, but it's fairly unobtrusive — nowadays, anyways. From the notes I've found, back when he first started the Doctor had to rip open—"

"Don't need to know that!" Spinner interrupts, shaking his hands out in front of him. "I just… So he's going to copy my quirk? He can do that?"

"He can. As for the why… Your quirk is exactly what I'm looking for to finish a personal project of mine. If you're lucky, you'll get to meet said project in the future."

Spinner blinks. Once. Twice. "You mean that you're saying that my quirk is contributing to the creation of one of those nomu things. And one personally being crafted by you?"

"To sum it up," Izuku pauses. "Yeah."

"Holy smokes!" Spinner very nearly jumps in the air. "I'm honored, sir, I really am! Wow! I can't believe it! Can this day get any better? First I get to meet you, I watch you talk down Hawks of all people, and now—!"

Spinner's state of bewilderment has him completely unprepared for the canister that's lobbed straight at him. Izuku himself backs up from the steady stream of gas that's pouring out from the container, but for Spinner it's already too late. He drops to the floor unconscious, snoring within seconds.

"Seems like you finally got around to finishing those grenades," Izuku muses, turning his gaze towards the direction of where said grenade had been thrown. "Those samples of Mustard's gas proved sufficient, then?"

"That, and I have the reloading system up and running too. Just make sure that your zealous admirer doesn't break it when he uses it; it wasn't exactly an easy thing to make, considering my specialty."

The Doctor turns away from his work to face Izuku, pulling away his blood-soaked gloves and putting them off to the side. "Now, would you mind mentioning whatever it is that made you think it was a good idea to bring that blubbering loudmouth to my lab? He's drooling all over the floor."

He ignores the last part, instead finding a grin growing underneath his mask. "I found it," Izuku says, voice laced in relief. "The final piece; the final quirk that I want."

The Doctor lowers his gaze to the floor. "The lizard, you mean?"

Izuku huffs. "Spinner isn't a test subject. He's an ally, one who volunteered for this."

"Now those are words that I have not heard in a long while," the Doctor mutters, staring off in the distance. "I suppose thatbIncan get to work on him right away."

"No lasting damage," Izuku demands. "I want him up and running to one hundred percent when you're done with him. You just need to copy his quirk after all."

"But of course," the Doctor affirms as he begins to pull Spinner up off the ground and onto an operating table. "You're lucky that I was working on inconsequential things when you barged in here, otherwise I wouldn't be so willing."

"I'm sure," Izuku says. He takes a moment, turning around to observe the countless vats that line the room. However, one in particular catches his attention. "And… what of Tsubasa? How long till?"

"After today?" The Doctor hums, thinking for a few seconds. "Well, my nephew is very nearly done incubating. Just need implementation of this new quirk here and I say… one or two weeks. Depends on how well his body accepts or rejects the new addition to his arsenal."

"Not too long then… I suppose that I can wait until then," Izuku hums. "I've already gotten this far."

"But of course you will!" the Doctor laughs. "Your first foray into my art is coming to fruition — it's an accomplishment unlike any other! If you were anything but excited I'd call you foolish!"

"I'm sure that the reason why I'm excited and the reason why you're excited are two completely different things."

"You say that now, my boy. But when the time comes?" The Doctor shakes his head with a smile. "You'll understand."

"I suppose that we'll see." Izuku inclines his head. "Until later then, Doctor."

A phone call later and Izuku's walking through another one of Kurogiri's portals and into the bar. Compress is nowhere in sight — setting up his room, from what his quirk tells him. Instead, two individuals have taken his place.

Toga's sitting in one of the booths, talking her mouth off and waving a knife around in her hand with manic glee. Across from her, much to Izuku's mild surprise, sits Giran. The man's nodding along as Toga goes, maintaining a passive face despite the thinly veiled murderous eccentricities the girl across from him is displaying.

Izuku finds that he isn't able to avoid notice (much to his displeasure) as Toga immediately turns her head in his direction as he steps onto the bar's floor.

"Whispy!" She launches herself from her booth, Izuku dodging her lunge by the skin of his teeth. Toga recovers rather quickly, though Izuku's able to raise an arm fast enough to stop her advance.

"Whispy!" the girl exclaims again as she playfully pushes against Izuku's outstretched arm. "I heard that you brought a lizard man back with you! Who was it?"

"Nobody you need to concern yourself with," Izuku says — and it's true. After all, given Toga's obsession with Stain, Izuku most definitely doesn't want the girl to know that he's recently been in close contact with Stain or his disciple. It'd just cause him unnecessary irritation, he's sure.

Izuku takes a moment, tilting his head in thought as he recalls the past seconds in his head. "You're referring to me with my persona rather than my real name, Toga?"

The girl fervently nods her head. "Mhm! I know that you like your identity being secret and all that!" She leans forward a bit, lowering her voice. "So I'm being discreet!"

"Huh. Rather thoughtful of you," Izuku says slowly, somewhat surprised. It wears off though, once he considers the current scenario. "Though… quite unnecessary at the moment. You see, Giran already knows who I am. Name, face, and all."

"He does?" Toga shrills.

"The others upstairs still asleep still don't though," Izuku hastily adds, "so keep it up around them at the very least. I do appreciate the thought, though."

"Of course, 'Zuku! After all, I— Ah!"

Izuku abruptly retracts his arm and steps off to the side, causing Toga to careen to the ground. Satisfied with his work, Izuku then makes his way over to Giran, sitting in the very same spot where Toga had been not long before.

"Can't say that I expected to be seeing you today," Izuku says as he peels off his mask, placing it down on the table in front of him. "What do you have for me?"

Giran lights up a cigarette before responding. "I've received an update from one of my sources today. As fortune has it, I've come across information regarding one of the groups—"

Izuku's hand darts to his side, grabbing one of the cushions that make up his seating. He raises it up to his head, and within moments a knife imbeds itself into the cushion, its blade missing Izuku's neck by mere centimeters.

"—you wished to be kept posted on," Giran finishes, unimpeded.

Izuku nods with interest, putting his makeshift shield down as he does so. "Mind t—"

"Those cushions are not cheap, Izuku," Kurogiri interrupts, his chastising voice echoing through the room in a mockery of Izuku's own ability. "They are imported, and not easy to come by. I expect you to respect the establishment's furnishings while you are here."

Izuku clears his throat, a repentant smile on his face. "Sorry, Kurogiri!" He yells before turning his head back to face Giran. "You were saying?"

Giran lets a stream of smoke escape through his teeth. "I have word of a meeting going down involving the Blazin' Tigers and a representative of the Shie Hassaikai. And hear this; I have a one hundred percent guarantee that said representative is none other than the one you've been looking for."

"The mysterious Nemoto," Izuku says with a smirk.

"Ooh! Are you guys talking about the yakuza?" Toga exclaims, planting herself into the open space beside Izuku (much against the latter's wishes). "Anything I should know?"

"Just that they're likely responsible for the large uptick in disappearances in and around Aichi," Izuku mutters.

Nevermind the countless abducted quirkless individuals included in that set that neither the media nor the public give a damn about to even mention.

"As for other matters…" Izuku continues, "they've yet to be confirmed."

"Really?" Toga hums, placing a hand under her chin. Without warning, her other hand shoots out towards Izuku, knife in hand. Unfortunately (for her), Izuku sees the attack coming and grabs her arm before it connects, slamming it onto the table and causing Toga to lose her grip on her knife.

"Nice reflexes, Izu-kun!" Toga giggles despite her predicament. She turns her head, a dreamy look on her face. "Can I sit in your lap?"

Izuku lets out a sigh. "No."

"But—"

"Where and when is this meeting being held?" Izuku interrupts, gaze falling back to Giran.

"Aichi, because of course," Giran says without missing a beat. "Rather close to home. But hey, what do I know? I'm not in charge of them bird freaks."

"Mhm." Izuku hums. "And when?"

"Ah, right. Err…" Giran leans back in his seat. "Sometime tonight."

Izuku blows some air through his teeth. "Best I can get, I suppose. Shame, though. Seems I'll have to postpone the tour I had planned for Compress…"

Izuku then nods his head towards the info-broker. "I appreciate the heads-up, Giran. I'll make sure your trip to share with me hasn't gone to waste."

"Splendid! That's what I like to hear," Giran says with a clap. "I'm not surprised though; I shouldn't expect anything less from my favorite client."

"I know right!" Toga yells, leaning forward atop the table. "Isn't Izu-kun the best?"

Giran blinks, taken aback by the sudden surge of praise. He takes a moment, eyeing the two young teens in front of him as he takes another drag of his cigarette. "You know, you two make a—"

"Don't."

Giran instantly raises his hands in surrender. "Alrighty there. Chill; I meant no harm."

"Good," Izuku mutters as he settles back down into his seat, ignoring the manic, gleeful, expression on Toga's face.

"Now," Izuku says, "I just need to get Mustard and then we can—"

"Can I come?" Toga asks, scooting closer to Izuku. "Please please please!"

"I—" Izuku pauses, stopping himself from finishing his thought.

If I refuse her request and yet bring along Mustard… That won't end well. Hmm… unless they're already friends? Possible, but without further confirmation… And knowing Toga, barring her from coming along would stir up or exacerbate any friction in the group if it already exists…

"I know it's a lot to drop on ya," Giran says, "especially after your talk with the little birdie. But I'm sure you can pull through."

Izuku narrows his eyes at that. "That barely just happened."

Giran smirks, crossing his arms together. "I have my ways."

Izuku lets out a sigh. He takes one last look to his side, eyeing the begging expression on the girl beside him.

"Fine. You can come."

He just hopes that he doesn't end up regretting his decision.

A/N: And there we have it. Stay tuned…