Chapter 44: Good Morning Site Alpha
Kaina looked to her right and then her left before carefully making her way across the street. A decrepit five story apartment building towered over her as she quickly made her way toward the entrance.
Well this place is a dump.
Reaching the door, she found herself coming to a stop in front of a lopsided looking door frame and a rotting door. Giving the door an incredulous stare, Kaina reached out and knocked in the set pattern that the Gentle Court's contact had provided. Her part done, Kaina took a step back and settled in to wait, the ever-present sounds of the city filtering through the silence as she waited for any sign that her signal had been received.
A few seconds turned into a minute which turned into five before the faint shuffling of someone moving could be heard from the other side of the door. Another minute passed as whomever it was came to a stop, clearly waiting.
Cautiously moving forward, Kaina approached the door once more. "I have an appointment."
"Then go see a doctor." Came a wheezing reply, the voice muffled by the door.
"It's not a doctor that I need." Kaina carefully answered, making sure to keep to the script she had been given. "I'm to meet an interior decorator."
There was a pause before the voice on the other side grunted. "And what business do you have with this interior decorator?"
"My business is my own and for my own." Kaina hissed in response as she leaned toward the door.
"So it is." The voice replied before the tinkling of metal on metal drifted out from under the door as a series of locks were undone.
Another minute nearly passed before the last of the locks were undone and the door was pushed open, revealing the rotting wood as just a facade. Instead a solid metal door silently swung open on greased hinges, revealing a nondescript hallway and a hobbled old man.
The man stared up at Kaina, his piercing yellow eyes appraising her. "I know who you are."
Kaina raised an eyebrow as she stared back. "And?"
"And I can't help but wonder why you are here." The old man replied as he waved a hand in the air. "But that's not my knowledge to know." Stepping to the side, he motioned for Kaina to enter. "Third door on the left. Follow the second hall until you reach the end and open that door. Do not wander, we have eyes everywhere." He motioned toward a camera in the corner with his cane.
"Third door and the last door." Kaina repeated as she glanced at the camera out of the corner of her eye.
Taking a step forward, Kaina found herself forced to stop once more as the old man's cane shifted to block her path. Lowering his voice he addressed Kaina once more.
"I know who you are. I know your reputation. Take a word of advice girl." The old man's face turned down in a frown. "Do not become another bullet in that madman's chamber."
Kaina stared at the old man before giving him a slight nod. "I have no intention of doing so."
"Then I wish you luck." The old man lowered his cane and motioned for Kaina to proceed once more.
Stepping forward, Kaina continued down the hall, not sparing him a second glance.
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"Welcome." Shin's face was neutral as he greeted Kaina. "I've been told that you are in need of the Shie Hassaikai's services."
Kaina stared impassively at Shin as a well practiced mask of indifference slid into place.
"Well I've been granted permission by our leader to meet with you." Shin continued on as he motioned to the chair across from himself. "Please sit."
Moving forward without a word, Kaina crossed her legs as she took the offered seat.
"Now." Shin leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he assessed Kaina. "What is it you want from the Shie Hassaikai?"
"Nothing." Kaina answered, her tone neutral. "I don't care about the Shie Hassaikai."
"Then why are you here?" Shin asked through gritted teeth.
Kaina gave a small nod in Shin's direction. "I'm here for you."
"For me?" Shin raised an eyebrow as he sat back in his seat. "I must say that this is the most forward assassination attempt I've ever seen."
"It would be if it was an assassination." Kaina calmly replied as her eyes continued to bore into Shin. "But that's not why I'm here."
"Forgive my ignorance but isn't assassination what the infamous Lady Nagant is known for?" Shin cocked his head slightly to the side. "Isn't that why your name is still feared across the Japanese underworld despite your apparent death?"
Now it was Kaina's turn to raise an eyebrow. "I wasn't aware that people still feared me or my work."
A faint smile formed on Shin's face as he let out a single chuckle. "Your exploits are still talked about in certain circles though I will admit the younger generation doesn't consider you more than a myth. An oni that foolish old men talk about to scare them into obeying."
So I'm a legend? Nezu or Gentle didn't mention that… Something to talk about later. Kaina internally sighed despite her outward indifference. "I see. But that is not why I'm here."
"I've gathered." Shin rubbed at his chin as he stared at Kaina with new eyes. "So you are here for me personally, not the Shie Hassaikai, and you are not here to kill me." His eyebrow raised once more. "Why?"
"Because I'm in need of answers and your Quirk may be the only way I can obtain them." Kaina calmly answered as she met Shin's stare with one of her own.
"My Quirk?" Shin replied, clearly shocked. "How can my Quirk give you…" He trailed off as a thought occurred to him. "You forgot something." His eyes narrowed. "Didn't you?"
Kaina nodded her head once. "I did. Or more accurately I have been forced to forget things. I find gaps in my memory and blood on my hands that I don't remember putting there."
"Interesting…" Shin's foot bounced slightly as he continued to assess Kaina. "I take it you have your theories?"
"It's a Quirk." Kaina answered. "I know from an outside observer that some form of Quirk is making me do things and I can't remember them."
"Interesting." Shin repeated before he sat forward in his seat. "So what would you have me do?"
"I've undergone certain tests and know that the knowledge of what I've done is still there. That I still know on some level what has happened." Kaina motioned at Shin. "It is my belief that Confession will be able to pull those memories out. Shatter whatever is separating them from my conscious mind." She reached into a pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "I've taken time to mark every incident here as well as any context alongside a series of questions."
"And you wish for me to use my Quirk to ask you these questions in the hope that the truth, the real truth, is forced out of you." Shin let out a contemplative hum before nodding his head slowly. "I can see this working." He lifted his hand to stop Kaina as she started to offer the paper to him. "But first we need to discuss payment."
Pulling the page back, Kaina pursed her lips. "And how much will a service like this cost me?"
Shin shook his head. "Cost? No, there won't be a material cost for this service." He gave her a predatory grin. "Instead you will simply owe me a favor."
"A favor?" Kaina hesitated for a moment. "To you or the Shie Hassaikai?"
"As they have my complete loyalty, such separation is not possible."
Kaina's lips pulled down into a frown. "I can agree to a favor but I have a condition."
"And that is?" Shin asked, his grin having faded to neutrality once more.
"I have the right to decline any assassination targets." Kaina held up a hand to stop Shin as he went to speak. "I know what I'm known for. I know why people may still fear my name but now that I'm free I desire to keep a low profile." She raised an eyebrow. "If I say no you will still hold the favor but I don't want to have eyes looking for me when everyone thinks I'm dead and buried."
Silence filled the room as Shin contemplated Kaina's offer. A minute passed before he slowly nodded his head. "I can agree to those terms. Now it's too early in the morning and I wish to get some sleep."
He held out a hand into which Kaina placed her paper. "What do you wish to confess to me this day?"
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Rikiya let out a content sigh as he turned away from the floor to ceiling window in his office. Today's the day. A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth as he lifted his coffee cup and took a long sip. Giving the slowly waking Deika city one last glance he proceeded deeper into his office. Approaching the bookcase behind his desk, he carefully selected his first edition copy of Meta Liberation War and removed it from the shelf.
A soft click echoed around the empty office before the bookcase swung out on hidden hinges, revealing an expansive study turned war room and a dozen of Rikiya's most loyal followers.
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen." Rikiya saluted his underlings with his coffee cup as he entered the room. "Is everything set?"
"Good morning sir!" Came the resounding reply as everyone looked up from their work and toward their leader.
Rikiya gave them a nod in acknowledgement as he moved to stand at the head of a low-lying table, an expansive map of a city displayed before him. "Are all districts ready?"
"South had some complications last night but they managed to resolve them." Mokurai answered as he motioned toward a slightly nervous looking Kisho who clacked his mandibles in irritation.
"One of the subjects' sedation wore off sooner than expected." Kisho bowed his head toward Rikiya, all eight of his eyes looking toward the ground. "The doctor on site felt that the disease resistance inherent in that Nomu's creation caused it to develop a minor immunity to the dosage."
Rikiya eyed his subordinate carefully before slowly nodding his head. "And this was resolved?"
"It was." Reaching into his pocket Kisho produced a small tablet and placed it on the table. "We had to change the drug used and provide a smaller dosage than normal in order to ensure that the beast is ready for the operation."
"Very good." Rikiya gave Kisho a small smile as he took the offered tablet and skimmed its contents. "Yes I see." He looked back at Kisho. "You've done well, Trench, given the nature of the subjects I've forced you to work with."
"Thank you sir." Kisho bowed his head once more before taking a step back and away from the table.
"Now…" Rikiya set the tablet down as he placed both hands on the edge of the table. "Are we ready?"
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Hitoshi didn't even try to suppress his groan as he flopped face first onto his mattress. Night patrols, mysterious doctors, combat training and a hardass for a teacher…. Why did I want to be a hero again?
Rolling over, he glared at the still open blinds on the other side of the small room that had been his home for the last week. What are the odds that they close on their own? He continued to stare at the thick black fabric, silently begging it to move on its own.
Shockingly the curtains didn't obey.
"Well it was worth a shot." Hitoshi sighed as he rolled out of bed and pushed himself upright. Striding over, he quickly grasped the offending cloth and, without sparing the lack of view his window gave, he forced them shut.
I only get five hours… Hitoshi internally lamented as he shuffled through the now dark room and crashed once more onto his bed. No wonder he's always grumpy…
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"You're up early."
"I wanted to watch the sun rise." Tsuyu responded without turning to look at Kanami. "It's, kero, the last time I'll get the chance." She motioned toward the open ocean before them. "Well like this at least."
"Last chance?" Kanami chuckled as she took up position next to Tsuyu, leaning on the railing. "What makes ya think we're not going to have you back as soon as possible?"
Tsuyu's eyes widened slightly as she turned to look at the slightly older woman. "Kero?"
"Yes really." Kanami laughed. "What can I say the captain and the crew like having you around."
"Even after Kobe?"
"Kobe?" Kanami parroted, clearly confused. "What do you mean even after Kobe?"
"Well since I, kero…" Tsuyu's eyes darted off to the side. "Since I froze up…"
Kanami stared at Tsuyu for a long moment before raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms. "And you think that we're going to judge you for that?"
"Yes?" Tsuyu answered, now growing confused herself.
"Everyone freezes up sometimes." Kanami shook her head. "Hell you may have already dealt with all that shit at the USJ but looking for a fight is different." She gave Tsuyu a pointed look. "As I remember telling you."
"I know but-"
Kanami cut Tsuyu off with a wave. "No buts. You did well and sure you froze up for a second but we're not about to hold that against you." She waved at the ship around and beneath them. "This is the Oki Mariner and we want you as part of the crew." A smirk formed on Kanami's face. "Well after you graduate of course."
Tsuyu stared at Kanami for a long moment before bowing her head. "Thank you sensei."
"Sensei?" Kanami rolled the word around her mouth as she said it. "Can't say I hate being called that but I feel the honor should go to the captain."
"I can have more than one." Tsuyu replied with a smirk of her own.
"I guess you can." Kanami laughed before she leaned against the railing once more, staring out toward the rising sun. "Now why don't we watch the show? We'll say our goodbyes when we reach Tokyo tonight."
"Kero." Tsuyu agreed as she too settled in.
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Izuku let out a content sigh as he slowly regained consciousness. It's been a hard but good week. A quiet murmuring to his right caused a smile to break through as he stared lovingly at Ochako's still sleeping form. One mittened hand rested on his chest while the other had snaked its way under him, causing her to hold Izuku as if he was an oversized teddy bear.
It's going to be weird to sleep on my own after this. Izuku chuckled quietly to himself at the thought. And to think I'd be blushing waking up like this just a few days ago. Shaking his head he watched Ochako for a moment before reaching over and gently shaking her.
"Chako. We need to get up, Chako."
"Five more minutes." Ochako tiredly slurred as her arms tightened, pulling Izuku even closer.
"Chako, if we don't get up now we won't have time for breakfast." Izuku softly replied despite parts of his brain arguing that he should listen to his girlfriend and stay in bed.
"Rumi will understand." Ochako muttered, her voice becoming more focused and clear as she further woke up."
"Will she?"
"Gahhh!" Startled, the young couple instinctually pushed themselves apart, accidently shoving both of them onto the floor.
Rumi threw her head back and laughed as she watched the pair scramble. "Man, you kits are still too easy."
"It's not like we expected you to barge into our room." Ochako answered as she sat upright, rubbing the back of her head.
"And we're not late or anything." Izuku added as he shot Rumi a glare.
"Well I wasn't going to but then I heard a certain someone say that I would understand the pair of you lazing about in bed this morning." Rumi smirked at Ochako as the younger woman's face started to turn crimson. She turned to look at Izuku. "And you're right that you're not late but something came up and we need to head out early."
Rumi's response caused the couple to perk up.
"Something came up?"
"What happened?"
"Nothing's happened." Rumi paused as she mulled over her words. "Yet." She shook her head. "A contact of mine is going to be in town today and I want the two of you to meet them. So get up, suit up and we'll head out."
"A contact?" Izuku asked as he pushed himself upright. "Like with the HPSC?"
"No." Rumi smirked at her two interns. "Just get ready kits. Today you're going to learn that the world isn't all sunshine and roses and sometimes you need to think outside the rules."
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Nectar of the gods… Itsuka closed her eyes as she clung to the cup of coffee in her hands. How the hell do people survive without coffee?
"By drinking tea." Ryuko responded, causing the younger woman to jump in her seat, as she took a seat across from Itsuka, tea in hand. "Good morning."
"Mornin'." Itsuka mumbled as she shot Ryuko a quick glare.
"Right coffee first." Ryuko smirked as she reached over and snagged an apple from a nearby basket. "Though you really should show your sensei the proper respect."
Itsuka gave Ryuko a noncommittal grunt as she took a long pull from her drink.
"I have to admit. Between you and Hado we have both ends of the 'am I a morning person' spectrum covered." Ryuko nodded toward the training room. "She's been up for an hour already."
"Hado is a monster." Itsuka muttered as she set her coffee down and rolled her neck. "I don't know how anyone can have that much energy on that little sleep."
"She is a bit different." Ryuko conceded as she turned to look back at Itsuka. "But we're all different in our own way."
"Fair." Itsuka sighed before dragging a hand down her face. "I should really stop trying to do my best Shinso impression in the mornings."
Ryuko raised a questioning eyebrow. "Shinso?"
Itsuka opened her mouth to respond before closing it. "Have you met Eraserhead?"
"Once or twice." Ryuko answered, clearly confused.
"Well picture him but younger and with purple hair." Itsuka let out an amused snort. "Actually Shinso's interning with Eraserhead this week."
"I see…" Ryko said, unsure how to respond. "Anyway. What do you want to work on this morning?"
"I get to pick?" Itsuka asked as she set her now empty cup down.
"We don't have a patrol set for today and given that it's the end of the week I wanted to offer you the opportunity to request a lesson." Ryuko motioned toward Itsuka. "So what do you want to cover?"
A gentle quiet overtook the pair as Itsuka mentally ran through possible training ideas. "Well Hado and I determined that her idea can work in theory but I haven't had time to practice…" Itsuka gently kneaded the palm of her right hand with her left as she looked over at Ryuko. "Do you think we can work on that?"
"Work on what?" Ryuko gently asked. "I know Hado had an idea and that the two of you have discussed it but not what the actual plan was."
"Oh…" Itsuka gave Ryuko a sheepish smile as an embarrassed blush crept up her neck. "Sorry sensei. I thought that Hado would have told you."
"Despite her talkative nature Hado is quite adept at keeping secrets." Ryuko leaned on the table and closer toward Itsuka. "So what was this secret idea of hers?"
"So on my first day she made a comment asking if I could fly." Itsuka shook her head. "I know I can't actually fly but she suggested that I might be able to imitate it."
Intrigued, Ryuko motioned for Itsuka to continue.
Seeing the motion, Itsuka did just that. "Hado and I looked into some gymnastic moves and we think that with Big Fist's increased strength I should be able to give myself enough 'oomph' with a handstand to get airborne for a little while."
"But?" Ryuko prompted.
"But we haven't had time to test it." Itsuka gave Ryuko an apologetic smile. "I didn't want to interfere with your training ideas so between that and patrols…" She trailed off.
"I see." Ryuko nodded her head a few times before pushing her chair back and standing. "Well why don't we go and test it?"
"Really?"
"Of course." Ryuko's face twisted into a sarcastic smirk. "But I'm only going to observe. You have to work it out with Hado."
"Oh…" Itsuka sighed, a smirk of her own forming. "Well I guess her kohai can do that."
++++++++++++++++++++
"Good." Dannon gave Emily an appreciative nod as he rolled his shoulder. "I think we can confidently say that you have more control over your laser."
"And why did we have to get up this early to test that?" Emily grumbled as she lowered her hand while giving Dannon a tired look.
"If you can control your Quirk when you're tired then you can control it at any other time." Dannon took a step to the side and motioned toward the target behind him. "Now full strength."
Emily opened her mouth to respond before closing it once more and, with a shake of her head, raised her hand toward the target. After a moment of concentration a thick beam of light erupted from her hand and immediately punched a fist sized hole through the thirty centimeter thick target.
Dannon let out a low whistle as he stared at the wall behind the target, through the target. "Very good." He turned back toward Emily. "How's your hand?"
"It stings a bit." Emily shook her hand out before turning it palm up to see her skin was red. "Is that a sunburn?"
"Most likely." Dannon gently took Emily's wrist as he started to assess the damage to her hand. "That's definitely a burn." He reached into a pouch on his belt and removed a small container of ointment. "Here rub this on your hand it's my own brand of burn cream."
"Your own brand?" Emily asked as she took the offered container.
"You're not the only one to accidentally burn yourself using your Quirk." Dannon chuckled for a moment before wincing slightly. "Though I think I would have preferred to have a burn on my hand instead of my face."
"You…" Emily trailed off before a laugh worked its way out of her. "You burnt your face?"
"More than once." Dannon laughed. "Unlike Light Arrows my Quirk can only do lasers so the learning curve was a bit… well let's just say harsher."
"How often did you burn yourself?" Emily asked, her curiosity piqued.
Dannon's smile faltered slightly as he winced once more before with a sigh he answered. "About once a week."
Emily stared at her mentor for a moment as she fought back her urge to laugh. "Is that why you designed this cream?" She shook the container in her hand.
"That's exactly why I designed that cream." Dannon replied with a nod. "But I can honestly say that I don't expect you to need it anywhere near as much as I did."
"You think I'm going to have my control better sooner than you?" Emily whispered with more than a little awe working into her voice.
"No." Dannon bluntly replied as he watched Emily's face fall. "Don't get me wrong, the control you've been able to obtain this week is amazing. But it takes time for your body to adapt to new Quirk usage and that is exactly what this is."
Emily nodded her head in understanding. "So then why will I need it less?"
"Why do you think?" A rare playfulness overtook Dannon as he stared expectantly at Emily.
"I don't kn-" Emily cut herself off as it hit her. "I wear my gauntlet."
A laugh escaped Dannon as he nodded his head. "You wear a gauntlet." He paused for a second as he stared at Emily's arms. "Though if you're going to work in the field you might want to think about getting a second one for your right arm."
Emily stared down at the arm in question before slowly nodding her head. "I think I might need that."
"Well you told me you built it yourself so I'm sure that making a second won't be an issue." Dannon smiled at his intern before he rolled his neck, glancing at the clock as he did so. "Well that's enough for our early morning." He turned back toward Emily. "How does a large breakfast and some talk on theory sound?"
Emily's eyes lit up while at the same time her stomach gurgled. "That sounds like a plan."
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"How do you feel about another lap before we call it a night?" Melissa's voice echoed across the empty track as the members of 1-H stared expectantly down at the Iida brothers.
"I think I can handle it." Tensei shouted back a smirk firmly entrenched on his face.
"Alright let's have you run at seventy-five percent then." Melissa leaned away from the microphone and pivoted in her seat so she could see the screens easier.
Moving to the starting line, Tensei flashed Tenya a reassuring smile. "Still worried about me little brother?"
Tenya looked at his brother as if he had grown two heads. "Of course! This leg hasn't been cleared for testing! You shouldn't be doing this!" He motioned toward the small command booth that Melissa and 1-H were sitting. "They're pushing this too far and we should report them to some form of authority."
How are we related? Tensei chuckled to himself before he stared Tenya down and shook his head. "Tenya, I willingly signed up for this new leg." He motioned to the appendage in question. "I saw the contract, I read the terms and they are more than generous."
"B-but-" Tenya started before Tensei cut him off with a wave.
"Would you prefer me to not return to hero work?"
"O-of course not!" Tenya loudly protested, his face twisted in horror. "You're the best hero there is!"
"Then if I'm to be the best hero I can be, why wouldn't I have the best prosthetic?"
"Of course." Tenya agreed, causing Tensei to give him a 'and there you have it' gesture. Tenya couldn't help but shake his head. "But what if it fails?"
"Then it fails and we move on to the next prototype." Tensei confidently answered as he nodded his head toward the booth. "And if that one fails we move to the next and the next." He reached over and placed a hand on Tenya's shoulder. "Tenya, I know you only want what's best for me but there are times to worry and this is not one of them. Tell me, what's the worst that can happen if the leg fails?"
"You crash." Tenya immediately replied.
"And what does an Iida do when they crash?" Tensei fought back a smirk as he watched his younger brother slowly come to the conclusion he was wanting him to reach.
Tenya's brow scrunched up before it suddenly cleared and a chastised look took its place. "We get back up."
"We get back up." Tensei repeated before removing his hand from Tenya's shoulder, his smirk returning. "So why don't we show them what we can do." He turned to look at the command booth. "How does one hundred percent sound?"
"Like a-" Melissa started before a startled shout filled the mic and Mei took over from where she shoved the blonde inventor out of the way.
"DO IT! Really test that baby!"
"Well you heard the lady." Tensei winked at his brother as he lowered himself into a modified sprinter's stance, his arms extended at his side.
"We're racing?" Tenya carefully asked as he eyed his brother warily.
"Only if you can keep up." Tensei replied as the engines in his arms rumbled. "So keep up!" His warning given his Quirk flamed to life.
"Recipro Burst!"
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"How have you been enjoying the week?" Kugo asked as he glanced down at Mezo.
"It's been… I think enlightening is the only word." Mezo responded as he rubbed at his de-masked chin. "I can't say that I expected this week to go how it has."
Kugo tilted his head slightly to the side. "Oh?"
"I already told you that I was hoping to have you help me as a heteromorphic hero but I didn't imagine what that could mean." Mezo let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I thought that you might give me some guidance on how to navigate the world or how to keep the press off or something."
"And yet?" Kugo prompted, curious where his intern was taking this.
"And yet I never imagined having a conversation that would have me leaving without my mask. I went into this week expecting to find some tips on how to survive and, well, not tips on how to thrive." Mezo turned and gave Kugo an appreciative smile before dipping into a low bow. "I can't find the words to thank you properly for what you've done for me this week sensei."
"Sometimes words aren't needed." Kugo answered with a small bow of his own. "I will admit it's been nice to find myself with such an attentive student."
Standing upright once more, Kugo looked out toward the docks for a moment before turning back to Mezo. "I know it's early but how does one last dock patrol sound?"
Mezo raised an eyebrow as he stared up at Kugo. "We won't patrol tomorrow?"
"No." Kugo shook his head. "Tomorrow I want to work on Quirk training so I've assigned some of my sidekicks to our patrol so we can dedicate ourselves to that task."
"I see…" Mezo nodded his head a few times before a soft smile formed. "Well then we better not keep the dock workers waiting."
"As much as they would love it if we did." Kugo laughed as the pair descended down the ramp and toward the docks proper. "Where should we start today?"
"I think we should-" Mezo found himself cut off as a loud boom echoed down the wharf. "What was that?"
"It sounded like a shipping container fell." Kugo's eyes scanned the area around them. "We should go and check it out." He turned to look down at Mezo. "Tentacole keep an eye out. It might be nothing but at the same time…"
"Be prepared for the worst." Mezo finished as he schooled his features to be more serious.
"Good lad." Kugo smiled before taking off toward what looked to be a rusted out storage building, Mezo hot on his heels.
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"Good morning." Yawara yawned as he entered the kitchen. "I see the others roped you into making breakfast."
"I offered." Kashiko replied as she glanced at the food spread out along the table. "You've all helped me so much this week and I just wanted to give something back."
"Well all we were going to ask was that you continue to train and do your best." Yawara smirked as he took his seat at the table. "But I'm not going to complain about having breakfast as well."
"It's nothing too special." Kashiko mumbled under her breath a moment before Tomoko and Shino walked in.
"Good morning my kitten!" Tomoko called out as she bounced into the kitchen, a smile on her face. "I hope you made some fish!"
"Tomoko…" Shino warned as she gave Kashiko an apologetic smile. "I'm sure whatever Sekigai has made will be perfect."
"Well she made fish so of course it's perfect." Tomoko laughed as she took her seat, pulling a plate full of said fish toward herself in the process.
"Did either of you get Ryuko up?" Yawara asked as he too started to load his plate.
"I popped my head in and told her that breakfast would be ready soon." Shino replied with a smirk. "Though we all know how she gets in the mornings so we might not see her for some time."
"I can go get her." Kashiko offered as she looked at the other three people in the room.
"No, let her have her 'beauty sleep'." Tomoko snorted as she motioned for Kashiko to take the seat across form her. "Besides, we need to talk about our plans for the day."
"Plans?" Kashiko asked as she took the offered seat and started to make a plate for herself. "I thought we would keep training."
"There will be some of that but you've pushed yourself quite hard this week." Tomoko answered. "And as your sensei I feel that you could enjoy a little break."
"And because we told her to give you one." Shino whispered conspiratorially to Kashiko.
Kashiko stared at the group's leader for a moment before nodding her head and looking back at Tomoko. "So what are we doing for this break?"
"Well are you up for a little hike?" Tomoko asked as she nodded past Kashiko and toward the window behind her.
"A hike?" Kashiko twisted in her seat to look out the window in question, spotting the everpresent mountain towering in the distance. "Wait do you mean…"
"We figured a hike and a camping trip were in order." Yawara beamed while jogging his thumb toward a stack of backpacks near the door. "The agency has the next today and tomorrow off so we wanted to offer you a chance to do a bit of climbing and camping with us."
"Will we be back in time for me to leave?" Kashiko hesitantly asked, her tone making it clear that she was excited but double checking.
"Barring anything crazy happening we should summit today, spend the night at the top and then head back tomorrow." Tomoko explained with a smile firmly in place. "Plenty of time for you to leave us on Sunday."
A grin broke out across Kashiko's face. "So when do we leave?"
Tomoko's grin somehow grew even larger. "As soon as breakfast is done and Ryuko wakes up."
"Oh so we're not leaving today." Kashiko replied, causing the others to laugh.
++++++++++++++++++++
"You've done well." Haruo gave Setsuna an encouraging pat on the back. "Most interns find it hard to wake up for an early patrol."
"I wish I was in bed." Setsuna grumbled under her breath as she stared longingly at her empty travel mug. "Remind me why we had to get up before the sun?"
"The morning commute is one of the most vulnerable times of day." Haruo replied as the pair made their way down the street. "The evening commute is next but it's nowhere near as dense as the morning." He motioned toward the swell of people making their way down the street or toward the nearest train station. "People leave at different times in the evening but in the morning…"
"Everyone goes to work at the same time." Setsuna concluded as she looked around, her head detaching for a second so she could see in a full three-sixty arc. "Ok I get that but why us?"
"We're up on the rotation." Haruo laughed as the pair continued on.
"The rotation?"
"A little known Tokyo secret." Haruo winked conspiratorially at Setsuna before he pulled out a small book and held it out for her to grab.
Taking the book, Setsuna gave Haruo a confused look before she cracked it open, revealing a pair of screens instead of pages. "What's this?"
"This is the secret to why the heroes in Tokyo have the fastest backup response times and are the least exhausted despite the size of the city." Reaching over Haruo tapped at the screen, pulling up a timetable. "The HPSC rules state that any hero must have a set rotation and time that they patrol unless an exemption is given." He motioned to the time table. "But since those assignments are assigned by your ranking and not your skill or preference we took matters into our own hands."
"And changed who does what when." Setsuna whispered as she stared at the book/screen in her hands.
Haruo nodded. "This way people get when or what they want instead of being forced into a patrol or route that they hate."
Setsuna kept reading the screen for a moment longer before she looked up at Haruo. "So what's the rotation?"
"The rotation was our solution to a problem that arose due to the more free-form nature we adopted." Haruo lowered his voice as he leaned in conspiratorially. "Nobody wants to deal with people before they've had their coffee."
++++++++++++++++++++
"Final checks are complete sir."
"I have confirmation that all of our civilian members have been moved out of the city."
"Hero teams are on standby and ready to respond when given the signal."
A cruel smile split Rikiya's features as he took his seat in the middle of the command bunker. Leaning back in his throne, he turned to address Tomoyasu. "Are Curious and her reporters in position?"
"She confirmed that they are ready and waiting." Tomoyasu answered as he looked up form his laptop and toward Rikiya. "Athena is also by her side as ordered."
"Good. I know she knows what footage we need but remind her anyway I want the image of today so burnt into the Japanese mind that people won't even want to question any policy changes we request."
"Of course sir." Tomoyasu nodded once while his fingers quickly typed out the reminder for Chitose.
"Now…" Rikiya steepled his fingers in front of himself as he stared toward the wall of screens in front of himself, glancing at Koku as he did so. "We're ready?"
"Yes sir." Koku bowed his head. "Final confirmations were just given as you heard and I've been informed that all captains are ready as well."
"Perfect." Rikiya's smile only grew as his hand reached over and flipped a plastic cover off a large green button. "Time to usher in a new age. A free age of Meta abilities." He pressed the button.
Moments later, on the other side of Japan, the signal was received.
Stimulants shot into slumbering Nomu awakening their fury while at the same time more than a kilometer of explosive laced concrete detonated.
And Tokyo began to burn.