Chapter 42: Patrols, Plans and Pressure
This is going to be a great week. There was a spring in Rumi's step as she made her way down from the second story of the dojo that was her temporary base. The smell of breakfast hit her nose as she neared the bottom of the stairs. I wonder if they were too embarrassed to sleep last night.
A mischievous smirk pulled at the edge of her lips as she thought back to the previous evening.
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"And that's about it." Rumi said as she finished showing Ochako and Izuku around the dojo that would be their home for the next week. "It's not much but we're here to train not to go on vacation."
"So we're staying here as well?" Izuku asked as he shared a concerned look with Ochako.
"Yes." Rumi motioned toward the pair of rooms, one on either side of the hallway. "Both of these rooms are bedrooms."
"Um… Miruko-sensei-" Ochako started before Rumi cut her off with a glare. "I mean Rumi. Where are you staying?"
"What do you mean?" Rumi raised an eyebrow as she stared up at her two interns before jogging a thumb toward one of the doors. "The room on the right is mine."
"But then where am I staying?" Izuku asked as he looked down the hall as if another door would magically appear.
Rumi's look grew even more confused. "On the left."
"Isn't that where Ochako will be staying?"
"Yes." Rumi looked between them, clearly unsure what the problem was.
Izuku and Ochako shared a look before they both started speaking.
"Well you see-"
"We really haven't-"
A flash of realization lit up Rumi's eyes as she cut them both off with a wave. "Oh I see what the problem is." She grinned at the pair. "Don't worry about me, you two can be as loud as you want." She reached into her pocket and produced a pair of earplugs. "I have high density earplugs I wear at night so I can sleep through anything." She let out a hum as she rubbed at her chin. "Though if you two have enough energy to fuck after I'm done training you I might be doing something wrong."
"Eep." Ochako squeaked as her hands slapped her cheeks, removing her gravity, while Izuku turned tomato red as his brain shut down.
Rumi raised an eyebrow as she watched her intern's reaction to her comment, only taking a second before her smirk grew wider and a mischievous glint lit her eye. Oh they're so innocent.
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The memory stopped as she rounded the corner and entered the kitchen to find her two kits working in sync to assemble what appeared to be a large breakfast.
"What's this?"
The sound of her voice caused the pair to stop what they were doing and turn to stare at her.
"Oh, uh, good morning sensei." Izuku stole a quick glance at the fish he was cooking before looking back at Rumi. "You said that we would be training hard today so Ochako and I thought that it might be a good idea to make breakfast."
"We even made some carrot juice for you." Ochako added as she reached over and handed Rumi a glass filled with said beverage.
Rumi took an appreciative sip before addressing them once more. "Trying to butter me up won't make me go easy on you." She took another sip. "How'd you even know that I drank carrot juice in the mornings?"
"You, uh… well you mentioned in passing in an interview a few years ago." Izuku muttered as he turned away from the pro hero, his eyes locked onto the now cooked fish in front of him while his cheeks flushed red.
Rumi stared at Izuku for a long moment before throwing her head back and laughing. "Damn kit you have one hell of a memory." She flashed him a quick smirk before giving Ochako a wink. "Know any secrets to my morning routine that you care to share?"
Ochako stared blankly at Rumi for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle and nodding toward Izuku. "No hero worship is his thing."
"Well that might explain the analysis angle." Rumi hummed in response as she finished her drink, slamming the glass to the counter once she was done. "Alright kits here's how it's going to go. In the mornings we're going to eat and you ask me any questions you might have because after that we're either training, patrolling or sparring." She looked at each of them in turn. "We will have a break for lunch and dinner but it won't be much. I expect you two to keep up with me to the best of your abilities at all times."
"Um sensei…" Izuku stared at Rumi as he plated their food. "What if we can't keep up?"
Rumi raised an eyebrow. "Giving up already?"
Izuku was already shaking his head before she had even finished speaking. "No. No! It's just that… well…"
"You're the number five hero and we're just interns." Ochako finished for Izuku before adding under her breath. "And you're built and move like a gods damn amazon."
"Fair point." Rumi gave Ochako an appraising gaze. "Also don't sell yourself short in the amazon department."
Ochako's natural blush darkened slightly as Izuku let out a nervous chuckle before Rumi continued.
"I meant what I said. I want you kits to keep up to the best of your ability." She accepted the plate of food Izuku set down in front of her with a thankful nod. "I have high standards but I'm not stupid. I know you two can't keep up with me. Yet." She smirked. "But if you're able to almost keep up well…" Her smile turned predatory. "Imagine how the villains are going to feel."
"Now eat up." Rumi motioned toward their plates with her chopsticks. "Because after this we're going to stretch and then see if your performance at the festival was a fluke or skill."
"How are we going to do that?" Izuku asked as he took his seat next to Ochako.
"By having you two fight me of course." Rumi barked out a laugh as she watched their faces fall. This is going to be fun.
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"Sadly despite it being your first day I'm required to attend meetings for the majority of it." Ryuko gave Itsuka an apologetic smile. "I will have time around lunch and just after dinner to assess your skill and then we can go from there."
"I understand." Itsuka replied, her heart falling slightly. My first day and I won't be doing anything…
"Though despite the fact that I'm going to be busy, it would be a waste to have you doing nothing for the day." Ryuko looked past Itsuka and gave someone behind her a nod. "I'm placing you in Whirl-Chan's care for the day. She will be showing you around our headquarters as well as introducing you to the training program I work off of."
"Thank you sen-"
Itsuka didn't get any further as a head of periwinkle hair suddenly appeared in front of her. Excitement shone in Neijire's eyes as she stared at Itsuka.
"Hi! I'm Hado Nejire or Whirl-Chan and sensei told me I'm going to be in charge of you." Nejire smiled as she started to bounce in place. "Ooh I LOVE your costume. Did you model it off of sensei's? Do you know martial arts? I think I remember you from the festival, you grow your hands right? What was it like working with all of those support students? Are they your friends? I wish I had more than two friends." A sad smile quickly darted across Nejire's face before it vanished. "I'm excited to have a kohai of my own! Oh we're going to do so many things together, like patrolling and maybe each other's hair and then we can get some lunch. OH but wait maybe-"
Ryuko cut Nejire off as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hado I think you need to let Kendo answer some of your questions before you make any plans." She gave Itsuka a sympathetic smile.
"I… thank you sensei." Itsuka gave Ryuko a nod before she turned toward Nejire. "Let's see if I can answer your questions Hado. No I didn't model my costume off sensei's, yes I practice martial arts, my Quirk is called Big Fist, they're fun to work with as they are my friends." She flashed Nejire a grin. "And I'd love to be friends with one of The Big Three."
"OH sensei can we keep her?" Nejire squealed as she turned her best puppy eyes toward Ryuko.
"She managed to keep up with your questions." Ryuko winked at Itsuka. "We might have to."
"YES!" Nejire grabbed Itsuka by the arm. "Lets go kohai! I need to show you around so we can get to training."
Only one thought ran through Itsuka's head as she allowed Nejire to pull her away. What did I just get myself into?
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"And finally this is the training room." Nejire beamed at Itsuka as she pushed open a set of double doors that led to a cavernous room with padded floors and walls.
"Damn." Itsuka whistled as she looked around, doing her best to take in everything. "I didn't expect it to be this big."
"Why?" Nejire tilted her head to the side, reaching almost a ninety degree angle.
"I've just never seen a training area like this." Itsuka spun slowly around as she continued to assess the amenities the room had. "Why is it so large?"
"Oh!" Nejire giggled for a moment before activating Wave Motion and taking to the air. "We need the space to practice flying of course." She grinned down at Itsuka. "Or did you forget that sensei can turn into a dragon?"
Itsuka slapped a hand to her forehead, suddenly feeling very stupid. "Right…"
Nejire giggled once more as she floated above Itsuka. "Don't worry my little kohai, it's easy to forget things. I do it all the time."
Shaking her head in response, Itsuka motioned toward the decently large pile of punching bags that were stacked in the corner. "Those are adamtine grade bags." She raised an eyebrow as she turned to look up at Nejire. "Are we allowed to use them or are they for sensei in her dragon form?"
"We can use them." Nejire responded as she darted across the room toward the bags in question, causing Itsuka to jog after her. "We have so many because sensei sometimes gets so focused that she forgets that she has claws and tears them to shreds."
"Her claws are that sharp?" Itsuka asked as she lightly kicked at the bag in front of her. "I mean of course they're that sharp but it's an adamtine grade bag. They're meant to be nearly impossible to tear."
"Nearly not actually." Nejire commented as she let her Quirk go, dropping to the ground next to Itsuka. "Did you have any other questions? Please have more questions. I'm actually enjoying answering them."
"I mean…" Itsuka scratched at the back of her head as she stared at Nejire's overly earnest look. "Um, what are our average days going to look like?"
"Oh that's easy." Nejire waved a hand as if to dismiss the question. "Sensei always takes the newest interns on the morning patrol. So expect to be walking around from seven until noon helping out here and there. Sensei is very good about helping everyone she can so you might be doing anything from stopping a robbery to helping a cat in a tree." She tipped her head slightly to the side as she assessed Itsuka. "Well maybe not the tree for you, unless you can fly." She gasped. "Can you fly? With your hands growing you might be able to push off and do like a jumping fly move and from there-"
Itsuka grew her right hand as she held it up in a 'stop' motion. "Hado, the rest of the day please?" Seeing the disappointed look on Nejire's face she quickly added. "I don't think I can do that but maybe we can try later?"
"Great!" Nejire pumped a fist in the air before she continued. "So after patrolling you'll get lunch and then it's training for the rest of the day." Her beaming smile returned. "Soooo yeah that's about it."
"And what time does the morning patrol start?" Itsuka started to make her way back toward the door, Nejire's steps bouncing as she hurried to catch up.
"Eight but I get up at six-thirty so I can get ready and meditate. Yuyu said I should meditate in the mornings as it helps me focus and she's always right. I mean I don't feel too different when I meditate but Yuyu wouldn't lie to me so it has to be working." Nejire grinned as Itsuka pushed the door open for her. "OH we should meditate together! We can wake up and meditate in the mornings until we're ready to go on patrol and maybe then I can start to feel more focused."
Itsuka gave Nejire a patient smile. "I'm more of a coffee in the morning kind of girl."
"Coffee?" Nejire let out a giggle as she shook her head. "I'm not allowed to have coffee. Well not since the incident."
That's probably for the best. Itsuka raised an eyebrow. "What incident? What happened?"
"I don't know!" Nejire lamented as she threw her hands up. "But Yuyu and sensei banned me from ever having coffee again." Her lip pulled into a pout. "And I don't even know why."
How… Itsuka shook her head. You know what. I don't want to know.
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"I must admit I was a bit surprised that you accepted my offer." Kugo said as he led Mezo down a well worn concrete ramp.
"Really?" Mezo asked as an eye spawned to look at his new mentor.
"Really." A small smile pulled at Kugo's lips as he continued looking ahead. "Is it safe to assume my placement on the hero rankings played a part?" His white eye markings raised slightly where an eyebrow would be. "I promise that if it was, I won't treat this week any differently."
Mezo was quiet for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. "The topic did come up but by then I had already narrowed it down to two heroes and both were in the top ten. The real reason I accepted your offer and not the others is because I felt that you might be able to help me fit in as a heteromorph hero."
Kugo came to a stop before he turned and stared down at Mezo. "Is that so?"
Mezo nodded in response. "I have other reasons, of course, but mostly I wanted to work alongside a pro hero that has gone through what I have or even worse."
"I see…" Kugo gave Mezo one last appraising look before he started walking once more. The pair walked in silence for a long moment before coming to a stop on a public balcony that overlooked the port.
Kugo let out a deep sigh as he placed his hands on the railing in front of them. "Is that why you wear the mask?"
Startled, Mezo jumped a bit at Kugo's sudden question. "Sir?"
"Your mask. You wear it because of something in your past." He looked down at Mezo. "Correct?"
At a loss for words, all Mezo could do was nod.
"I don't mean to pry but can you take it off?" Kugo's tone was gentle and his gaze had a fatherly air about it as he continued to watch Mezo.
Mezo only hesitated for a second before he reached up toward his mask. "Sure." As part of his costume the mask wasn't removed so much as it pooled around his neck. Now maskless, the jagged scar that cut down his face was now visible as he turned to look at Kugo.
"It looks like it just missed your eye." Kugo quietly commented as he took in the long healed injury. "What happened?"
Once more Mezo hesitated before answering. "I… I saved a little girl from some falling debris and the next day a group of older boys cornered me and accused me of setting it up so 'a beast' can be a hero." He reached up and traced the scar across his cheek. "One of them slashed at me with their Quirk and I managed to get far enough away that this is all they did."
Kugo let out a deep clicking noise, clearly angered, before he took a deep breath to steady himself. "So you wear the mask to hide the scar?"
"I wear the mask because a different little girl was frightened by my face and I never wanted to make a child worry again." Mezo quietly answered as he hung his head.
"Wearing a mask in hero work is not a bad idea." Facing forward and toward the bay, Kugo looked at Mezo out of the corner of his eye. "But wearing a mask every day? It's hiding who you are."
"I just don't want people to be afraid of me at a glance." Mezo whispered.
"Then you need to make sure people get used to you without a mask." Kugo sighed as he fully looked away from Mezo and toward the lines of cargo ships waiting to enter Tokyo Bay. "You might not know this but my agency focuses on port patrols." He gave the view in front of them an all encompassing wave. "Do you know why I'm stationed in Tokyo instead of Nagoya?"
"Because it's the capital?" Mezo offered, unsure where his mentor was taking their conversation.
"That's one reason." Kugo nodded his head in acquiescence. "But between my rank and the number of my sidekicks, shouldn't I be in Nagoya? Why am I not patrolling the largest port in the country?"
Mezo stared at Kugo for a long moment before slowly shaking his head. "I don't know."
"Not even a single guess?" Kugo prompted in a kind tone.
The sounds of the port washed over the pair as Mezo stood and silently contemplated. It lasted a few minutes before his shoulders sagged and he let out a sigh. "If I had to guess it's still because Tokyo is the capital."
"Well it wasn't a trick question." Kugo laughed as he stood fully upright. "But the reasons behind choosing Tokyo aren't what I'm sure you're thinking of." He motioned for Mezo to follow him as he started toward the docks. "Tell me what happens at a port?"
"Goods are exported and imported." Mezo immediately answered as he created a half dozen eyes and ears to look around.
"And?" Kugo prompted as the pair continued down the docks.
Mezo let out a contemplative hum before snapping his fingers. "People. A port also moves people."
"Exactly." Kugo nodded toward what was clearly a passenger liner slowly carving through the waves and towards the nicer part of the port. "We have guests, immigrants, and our fellow countrymen all departing off those ships and international sailors on the shipping side of things."
Kugo turned to address Mezo. "What better way to help further the cause of acceptance for heteromorphs than to have them be front and center to those who enter the country. To show that we are not going to hide who we are but we are in fact just like them." His smile took on a more wistful air. "We are human too."
Mezo's mouth fell open as he stared up at the pro hero, his brain and mouth trying to catch up with each other.
Noticing his silence Kugo continued. "I asked you why you wear your mask. I told you that it is hiding who you are." He placed a hand on Mezo's shoulder. "Trust me young Shoji, the world may not be perfect. Some people may see us as monsters of beasts but we are human." He gave the younger man a warm smile. "So why hide? Show the world that you are who you are and maybe we can take a step towards acceptance."
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Why am I so dumb. Hitoshi mentally groaned as he rolled over onto his stomach and pushed himself upright. I should have just gone with Ms. Joke…
"You're never going to learn like that." Shota's drawling voice pierced through Hitoshi's inner thoughts.
"Maybe I should get a turn." Hitoshi muttered under his breath as he pushed himself upright, settling into a ready stance as he did so.
"You will when I trust that you won't just wrap it around your neck." Shota replied as he raised an eyebrow at his student. "I know that Midoriya helped you with the basics but this is the real thing." Without another word Shota launched the coiled capture scarf at Hitoshi.
Seeing the attack coming Hitoshi stepped to the side, letting the weapon shoot past him only to see Shota punch his elbow into the part of the scarf still in his hands. Moving on instinct Hitoshi dropped to the floor, causing the cloth-like material to brush against the top of his hair.
"Good." Shota commented as he once again twisted the scarf around, causing the end to take a ninety degree turn and wrap around Hitoshi's legs. "But you stopped moving as soon as you hit the ground." A flick of his wrist sent Hitoshi rolling around the ground as the momentum carried from Shota and into Hitoshi.
Once more the new support student found himself face down and groaning into the tatami mats that Shota had set up.
"You're getting better." Shota calmly commented as he wrapped the capture scarf around his neck and approached his downed intern. "Any questions?"
"How did you do all of that?" Hitoshi bit out as he pushed himself into a sitting position, eyeing the scarf around Shota's neck warily. "Midoriya and I couldn't get anything like that to work when we tried."
"Because you don't have the proper wrist control or practice with the timing." Shota answered as he offered Hitoshi a hand up, one which he gratefully accepted. "What you and Midoriya worked on was the most basic of basics. What you need to work on is the proper technique."
"So what we did was pointless?" Hitoshi sighed.
"Did I say it was pointless?" Shota countered as he folded his arms across his chest. "I said it was the most basic of basics. That means you have a starting point for us to work up from." He motioned toward the metal briefcase that held Hitoshi's costume. "So suit up and we'll get you started on some proper training with your capture weapon."
A quick grin darted across Hitoshi's face before he strolled over toward his costume case, his stride clearly at odds with the excited energy he was giving off. A couple minutes later Hitoshi reemerged from the changing room fully suited up.
"I hope you don't mind me taking a little inspiration." Hitoshi drawled as he motioned toward his costume. Between the combat pants, belted pouch and capture weapon it was clear that the former general education student had taken more than a little inspiration from the pro hero. The only distinct differences between the two were the complex re-breather that rested around Hitoshi's neck and the deep purple, bordering on black, that colored everything.
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Shota's mouth as he looked at his student, clearly seeing where Hitoshi's comment came from. "What's in the pouches?"
"First aid supplies, a compass, emergency flare and." Hitoshi reached into one of the larger pouches on his belt and produced a small puck shaped object. "The support team made these for me." Flicking his wrist he sent the puck sailing through the air before it came to a stop, sticking onto a nearby wall. Lifting his re-breather he whispered. "Tactical speakers."
Shota stared at the speaker, an eyebrow raised, before he turned back to Hitoshi. "Do they work with your Quirk?"
"Yes." Hitoshi answered with a faint smirk.
"Good." Shota walked over and peeled the speaker off the wall before approaching Hitoshi. "Now that you actually look the part, let's go over what we're going to be doing this week."
Hitoshi nodded his head as he gave Shota an expectant look.
"Our mornings will be training until lunch like we did today. After lunch we'll go over the basics of patrolling and what that means for an underground hero." Shota gave Hitoshi a look. "I assume you want to be an underground hero?"
"It is the more logical choice given my quirk." Hitoshi answered, missing Shota's smirk at the turn of phrase. "I'll leave the household names to Uraraka." He paused for a moment as if considering something. "And Midoriya."
Shota's eyebrows nearly shot off his face as he gave Hitoshi a shocked look. "Midoriya? You think he'll become a household name?"
"Of course." Hitoshi answered with more than a little venom as his eyes narrowed into a glare. "He's going to become the first Quirkless hero and that will make everyone pay attention." He pressed on, seeing Shota's continued stunned reaction. "I for one want to be there for his debut."
"And why's that?"
"Because I want to have a front row seat when he kicks in a villain's teeth because they underestimate him." Hitoshi answered, his look daring Shota to argue with him.
Shocked, Shota stared at Hitoshi for a long minute, his foot tapping slightly as he attempted to regather his thoughts. The minute stretched on to two before Shota shook his head and muttered under his breath. "I need to talk to the rat." He refocused on Hitoshi. "I wasn't aware that you and Midoriya were close."
Hitoshi chuckled in response as he crossed his arms. "You must not have been paying attention. He helped me see that I was being a hypocrite." A sarcastic smirk took over his features. "Though he's annoying with his always excited attitude. Makes me want to take a nap."
"I can relate to that…" Shota muttered as an evening with Emi, Tensei, Hizashi and Nemuri flashed through his mind. He shook his head to dismiss the thought. "Where were we?"
"Learning about being an underground hero." Hitoshi responded as he split his hands into his pockets.
"Right." Shota nodded his head a few times. "After going over the basics we will be proceeding on the mission I have in Osaka. While I can't give you any details we will be spending our evenings on a combination of protection and surveillance."
"What are we protecting and/or surveilling?"
Shota stared at Hitoshi for a long moment before letting out a tired sigh and shaking his head. "I don't actually know. Nezu made the assignment and told me it was a special project he was working on."
"So we know nothing?" Hitoshi gave Shota an incredulous look before it twisted in confusion. "Should I even be here for something like this?"
Shota waved Hitoshi's concern away. "Nezu assured me that having an intern wouldn't be an issue as long as we stick to protocol and aren't seen." He fixed Hitoshi with a hard stare. "So part of your training will be exactly that. How to remain unseen."
Unflinching, Hitoshi met Shota's look with one of his own. "I can do that."
"Then I hope you don't mind if I put that to the test." This time Shota made sure to adjust his scarf as he spoke, ensuring that Hitoshi saw his smirk.
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"I'm telling you if we use carbon nanotubes the reinforcement of the structure would offset any additional weight we gain."
"Why risk the weight gain when we can go with nanomachines instead."
"And risk them breaking down and failing?"
"Are you implying that my nanomachines will fail?"
"I'm implying that any support gear that needs to be on at all times will inevitably fail."
"The basic structure of the gear doesn't need to be made of nanomachines. We can use a core of carbon fiber."
"Then we use carbon nanotubes instead."
"Ok so we use the carbon nanotubes as the base and then nanomachines to build the gear."
"That doesn't solve the charging issue."
"What if we allow for rechargement due to motion?"
"OH that would work! But what about any stress factors? They could cause a breakdown as well."
"I've been working on an impact resistant material to build nanomachines out of but it's untested and we'd need a subject to use it before we make a leg out of it."
Yuuko let out a soft cough, causing Mei and Mellisa to stop their conversation and turn toward the other support students in the lab with them, who had been watching their back and forth with a mix of fear and interest.
Seizing on the opportunity, Yuuko spoke up. "What if we build some kind of glove for Uraraka?
"Uraraka?" Melissa's brow scrunched up as she wracked her brain to remember where she knew the name.
"The winner of the sports festival." Rui provided as they pushed themselves up from their seat and approached the board that Melissa and Mei were using. Looking over his shoulder he addressed Yuuko. "That might work but she needs her fingers free for her Quirk."
"It could just cover everything but her pads." Maina offered as she watched Rui add to the impressive amount of sketches on the wall.
"We could still cover them if we have it retract when she wants to use Gravity Control?" Taji offered as he leaned back in his seat before he shook his head. "Actually that wouldn't work. We'd need to somehow link it to her thoughts and that's just…"
"Ok so Uraraka is out." Yuuko gave a thoughtful hum as she stared at Rui's drawing. "What if we make something for Kendo?"
"She wouldn't have the power behind the punch to test it." Mei answered as she tilted her head to the side, staring at the drawings that she and Melissa had done. "Melissa needs a real stress test and Kendo won't give us the right data."
Melissa gave Mei a shocked look. "How do you know what I'm looking for? I haven't mentioned the parameters yet."
Mei looked up at Melissa for a long moment before letting out a manic cackle. "I know because I have access to every data bank on the island that's not a private server."
"But we run on a private server." Melissa answered as she looked past Mei and toward the rest of 1-H for help.
"Mei is…" Rui started before the woman in question cut him off.
"I'm inside the building and have access to the servers so that we can work. It wasn't too hard to gain access to everything ." Mei laughed as she pulled out her laptop and started to type, ignorant of the fact that everyone else clearly didn't agree with her statement.
"Ok so you have access to our servers…" Melissa shook her head as she made a mental note to talk to her father about their security. "And since you know what I'm looking for do you have any ideas?"
"No I…" Mei trailed off before her face split into a manic smile, a lightbulb almost literally forming over her head. "Iida."
"Which one?"
"How would he help?"
Taji and Maina commented at the same time.
"The pro hero and he's missing a leg." Mei answered as she looked over at Melissa.
"Wait the hero who lost his leg to the Hero Killer?" Melissa asked as she stared at Mei, still processing how exactly she had the information she did.
"I believe that's who she means." Yuuko answered as she leaned over Mei's shoulder to look at her screen. "What did you have in mind?"
"We need something to test impact strength and durability." Mei's hand flew across the screen as she started to draw a rough outline of a prosthetic leg. "And since his Quirk gives him super speed…"
"It would accelerate the tests because the stress it would be under would be more consistent." Melissa finished, her eyes lighting up. "We need to reach out and get his measurements."
"No need." Mei laughed once more as she pulled up a set of drawings that she'd already done.
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"You should have told me Toshi." David absentmindedly rubbed at his eyes with one hand while the other reached for his drink on the table.
"David I'm sorry but I thought-" Toshinori started before David cut him off with a raised hand.
"You should have told me." David finished his drink as he gave Toshinori a smirk. "But more importantly you should have warned me that I would need more to drink."
"You're not mad?" Toshinori carefully asked as he watched one of his longest friends reach for the decanter and pour himself another drink.
"Oh I'm pissed." David answered, his smirk fading. "But I can see some of your logic behind keeping this close to your vest." He stood from his chair and moved toward the floor to ceiling window that overlooked his lab. "I just wish you told me six months ago."
Toshinori raised an eyebrow as he watched David stare out the window. "Why six months ago?"
"Because that's when I started on a project that I thought would help you." David sighed. "Sam and I have seen the steady decline in your power and knew that we needed to do something." He ran a hand down his face. "Six months ago we made a breakthrough and started to work on a machine that would increase the power of a Quirk. Think trigger but without the downsides."
"That's…" Toshinori started to respond before trailing off as the lengths his friend was willing to go to hit him. "That's an amazing discovery."
"And a dangerous one." David took a sip of his drink as he watched Melissa engage in an animated conversation with the 1-H students. "I plan on destroying my work and research."
Once more Toshinori found himself shocked by his friend's dedication. "But why?"
"Why?" David let out a mournful laugh. "Tell me Toshi. What would happen if a villain got their hands on a device like that?"
"A boost in power without the loss of reason." A shiver ran down Toshinori's spine. "And if someone reverse engineered it…"
"Exactly." David turned away from the window so that he could face Toshinori once more. "So while I'm pissed you kept this from me I'm grateful that you told me when you did."
Toshinori bowed his head. "You're a good friend David."
"I could say the same about you." David chuckled as he walked back to his seat, offering Toshinori a quick smile. "So you've passed on One for All to this young woman. Uraraka, correct?"
"Yes she is my successor." Toshinori smiled as he looked off into the distance. "Already she's shown she is more than worthy of the title."
David nodded a few times before he pointed at Toshinori with his glass. "If I may. Why didn't you choose Midoriya? His story seems to be quite similar to your own."
"I will admit that after getting to know the young man better it was more than tempting to shift toward choosing him as my successor." Toshinori paused as he gathered his thoughts. "But in the end I felt, and still feel, that Uraraka is the best choice for my successor. She has already proven that she has the right attitude and the mindset of a true hero."
"I may not know him but couldn't you say the same about Midoriya?" David raised an eyebrow. "What that young man accomplished during the festival was nothing short of extraordinary."
"It was." Toshinori agreed as he began to drum his fingers on the armrest of his chair. "But young Midoriya he's…" A faint smile formed on Toshinori's face. "He is great without a Quirk whereas I'm great because of one."
"So then shouldn't we imagine what he would be with One for All?" David offered as he carefully watched Toshinori.
Toshinori was silent for a moment before he slowly shook his head. "We can imagine but having spoken with both young Uraraka and young Midoriya I can say that he would have declined One for All if it had been offered to him."
"He would?!" David didn't try to hide his shock as he started at Toshinori, his jaw hanging loose. "He would turn down a Quirk?" He took a deep breath to steady himself. "Sorry, just something like that…" He glanced toward the window. "I've seen how Mel has been treated and having seen his scars..."
"You thought that he would be jumping at the opportunity to have a Quirk like everyone else." Toshinori finished. "Honestly? So did I until both young Uraraka and young Midoriya confirmed his choice. Apparently he made comments about not wanting a Quirk long before he even knew what One for All was."
David stared at Toshinori for a minute, letting the silence between them stretch on before he slowly shook his head. "Well that just makes me regret his decision this week even more."
"His decision?" Toshinori asked, clearly confused. "What decision?"
"His decision to not join us here." David smiled as he took another sip of his drink. "I extended him an offer to have his internship here but he politely declined."
"Ah well…" Toshinori rubbed the back of his head as he let out a soft laugh. "Sadly I think the offer to train alongside Miruko and young Uraraka all week trumped his desire to learn under yourself."
"Miruko huh?" David chuckled quietly to himself. "Well if I can't have him here this week maybe I can find time elsewhere."
"And when would that be?"
David's smirk grew. "Why during the I-Expo of course."
++++++++++++++++++++
"And what did you think about your first patrol?" Haruo asked as he smiled down at Setsuna.
"I loved it." Setsuna answered, a massive smile on her face. "I know we didn't do much but it just felt good to be going around in costume helping people."
Haruo let out a booming chuckle as he opened the massive door to his agency. "Just try and keep that energy through the whole week." He stood to the side to allow Setsuna to enter before himself. "Tokyo might have the highest density of heroes but that also means we have the highest concentration of villains as well."
Setsuna looked up at the pro hero. "So today was a slow day?"
"Very slow." Haruo replied as he led them deeper into his agency. "But you take the good days when they come. It helps take the edge off the bad ones." Having reached his office he shrugged off his red and white coat, placing it on a waiting hanger, before walking around his desk and taking his seat while motioning for Setsuna to take the one opposite him.
Haruo was silent as he watched Setsuna take her seat, only speaking once she had settled. "You know I was surprised that you accepted my offer."
"Really?" Setsuna's shock raised her voice by an octave. "Why would you be shocked? Sure you're not top ten but come on you're an amazing hero! Hell in the community polls you're almost always near the top."
Haruo held up a hand to stop her. "Regardless, I was still surprised and I was hoping that you could tell me why you selected my agency for your first internship." He folded his hands on top of his desk while giving Setsuna an expectant look.
Setsuna stared at the pro hero for a long moment as she gathered her thoughts before, with a shrug, she smirked. "Do you want the logical reason or the real reason?"
A rumbling chuckle escaped Haruo. "Let's start with logical."
"You're a pro hero that operates within the heart of downtown Tokyo with a nearly spotless record and the public adores you." Setsuna absentmindedly played with her hair. "I want to be a hero that everyone knows they can approach. Someone that even the littlest of kids will want to run up to and hug because they see me as welcoming."
"A smart decision." Haruo's smile only grew. "I will say that to be that type of hero requires both dedication and for you to be yourself." He nodded toward the window behind him. "Many heroes put on a persona while they work. Take your teacher Midnight for example. She has a very clear 'on' persona and one that she keeps to herself."
Setsuna cocked her head to the side in confusion. "But people love Midnight."
"They do and they trust her as well but everyone can see that Midnight and Nemuri are two separate people if they ever meet the latter." Haruo motioned toward Setsuna. "See both Midnight and yourself have an advantage that I will never have." He raised an eyebrow. "Care to guess what that is?"
Setsuna crossed her arms in front of her chest as she considered his question. "This might sound a bit blunt but because you're like four hundred centimeters tall?"
A genuine laugh escaped Haruo as he clutched at his side. "That is part of it." Another chuckle slipped out before he steadied himself. "I was going for my appearance in general rather than my height."
"Oh." Setsuna awkwardly shifted in her seat. "I mean I didn't want to assume-"
Haruo cut her off with a wave of his hand. "It's not an assumption if it is a fact." He paused before continuing. "I can't be mistaken for someone else which means that I am always 'on' no matter when and where I am. As such, who I am as a person is also who I am as a hero." He paused once more. "To use your example this means that even without my costume I still have children approach me because they know who I am." He motioned toward Setsuna. "You on the other hand won't run into this issue."
"I see." Setsuna scratched at her cheek. "So you're saying that I can't be a hero like you because I'm not like you?"
"Of course not." Haruo shook his head. "I'm saying that if your dream is to be the most approachable of heroes, someone whom everyone loves, being genuinely yourself is the best course of action."
Setsuna stared at Haruo for a moment before she slowly nodded her head. "I think I understand."
"You have plenty of time to work it out so don't worry about something like this on the first day of your first internship." Haruo grinned at her. "Now that was the logical reason. What was the real reason?"
Setsuna's cheeks immediately flushed red as her eyes darted away from Haruo before she whispered under her breath. "Because you kinda look like a dinosaur."
The room went silent as Haruo processed her words, all while Setsuna wished for the floor to open up and swallow her whole. The silence dragged on for more than a minute before Haruo threw his head back and laughed, his whole body shaking.
Setsuna could only sit and stare as wave after wave of mirth washed over her mentor, tears slowly starting to run down his face. Another couple of minutes passed before the pro hero managed to reassert control over his emotions, though a smirk still pulled at the edges of his mouth. "Well I can't say I expected an answer like that."
Embarrassed, Setsuna crossed her arms and muttered. "It's the truth."
Another laugh slipped out of Haruo before he held up a placating hand. "I'm not judging you for your reasoning." He gave the younger woman a genuine smile. "In fact I appreciate your candor more than you know." He pressed a button on his desk and a wall behind him shifted to reveal an expansive collection of old movie posters and what appeared to be a rubber costume based on the pro hero himself.
Confusion etched itself on Setsuna's face as she stared at the ancient collection. "Um, what is all of that?"
"That is my own obsession." Haruo smirked. "Or did you think that I came up with Godzillo on my own?"
"I…" Setsuna stopped as she looked at the costume once more. "I mean I figured it was based on those old movies but I didn't think that… And since you look like…" She trailed off as she motioned toward the collection in question.
"I may have been born like this but there's something about the series that drew me in." He shrugged. "So if I can name myself after something like Godzilla then who am I to judge you for taking an internship based on wanting to work with someone who looks like a dinosaur."
Setsuna stared at Haruo for a long moment before her shoulders sagged in relief. "You're taking this better than I am I think."
"Because I see it as a compliment and you expected me to be insulted." Haruo chuckled once to himself before he folded his hands on the desk, his face suddenly stern. "But now that I know the truth there is something we need to address."
"Y-yes?"
"Your hero name." Haruo's grin returned as he watched Setsuna's shoulders sag in relief. "Lizardly works but why don't we figure out something more directly dinosaur related?"
Setsuna's smile lit up the room as she pulled out her phone.
++++++++++++++++++++
Heterochromatic eyes locked impassively onto the incoming wave of targets. A small smirk danced at the edge of Shoto's lips as he raised both hands at the same time. When the targets got within a meter his smirk turned into a full blown smile as he brought both arms down at the same time.
The second the motion started a wave of piercing ice erupted from nowhere on their left while a blistering torrent of fire consumed everything in its path on their right. A manic gleam appeared in his eye as the purple-black flames consumed his opponents on the right, turning them into nothing more than molten slag in seconds.
"This is AMAZING!" A distinctly Himiko cackle tore through Shoto's throat as she let the borrowed Quirk tear sing through her veins, pouring more and more power into the purple-black fire. All too soon a feeling of exhaustion washed over her, causing her to stumble and the steady connection she had been feeling to fail.
"Damn." Himiko panted as she ran a hand across her forehead. "That was a rush." She looked around the training area that Nezu had prepared for her, noting the extensive scorch marks that covered the right side. Maybe I can convince him to let me go again.
"I think it's safe to say that you are enjoying yourself."
Turning, Himiko gave Nezu a beaming smile as she allowed Shoto's form to melt away, leaving her in her costume. "You can say that. Shoto's Quirk is… well it's almost addicting."
"How so?" Nezu asked as he took a seat at the small table he had set up, motioning for Himiko to join him.
"The power behind his fire it's just…" Himiko shook her head. "It's hard to describe." She paused for a moment as she took her seat. "But Ochako is right. Shoto has been holding back."
"Yes he has." Nezu agreed as he produced a pot of tea and a pair of cups from seemingly nowhere.
"How'd you-"
"Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies." Nezu answered, cutting Himiko off, as he poured them both tea.
"Right…" Himiko eyed Nezu warily for a moment before refocusing. "Why has he been holding back? We've all been giving it our all and yet he's not fully trying?"
Nezu let out a contemplative hum and he took a sip of his tea before answering. "Think about how you just described using his fire." He raised an eyebrow. "What words were you using?"
"Um." Himiko's brow scrunched up as she tried to remember her exact words. "Well it felt powerful and gave me a rush while using it."
"And you outright said it was addicting." Nezu added as he gave Himiko a pointed look. "I can't claim to know why Todoroki doesn't use half of his given powers but I know that Hound Dog has been working with him on it."
"That's good." Poor Inui-sensei, that's one hell of an uphill battle. Himiko took a sip of her tea to cover her thoughts.
"So Himiko, how have you enjoyed your internship so far?" Nezu casually asked as he continued to watch her.
"It's been… interesting." Himiko tapped at the side of her cup with a finger as she thought. "I didn't expect it to be like this."
"What, you didn't expect me to open a veritable bank of blood so that you can test the limits of your Quirk?" Nezu smirked to himself as he watched Himiko's face. "I can change the arrangement if you want."
Himiko quickly waved her hands in front of her. "No. No, I think what we've been doing is fine."
"I had a hunch you would feel that way." Nezu laughed before his face quickly turned serious. "But there is one thing we need to talk about."
"And that would be?"
"What you saw in my office."
Himiko felt her heart stop as she stared blankly at Nezu, her brain scrambling to come up with some sort of response. "I-I didn't se… I don't know what…"
Nezu raised a paw, cutting off her rambling, before he set his cup down and folded them. "It's a simple question. I want to know what you saw in my office last night when you snuck in."
"How'd you-" Himiko's hands flew to her mouth but it was too late.
"I know you were in there because I let you be there." Nezu gave her a patronizing look. "Did you really think I have no security measures for my office?"
Sensing that she was trapped, Himiko shifted her stance. "Of course not. I just thought that…" Her eyes darted to the side as she nervously swallowed. "...that maybe you forgot to lock the door and that didn't activate them."
"I see." Nezu calmly took a sip of his tea, letting Himiko stew for a moment longer, before he re-asked his previous question. "So then what did you see?"
"Izuku's parents and Kaina dressed in combat gear of some kind were getting out of a van with some kind of big cat and a woman my age." Himiko paused for a moment as she thought back. "They all looked like they'd seen some shit. The woman especially looked out of it and the cat was covered in blood."
Nezu nodded slowly as he continued to watch Himiko. "Anything else?"
"No, after seeing the woman and the cat I left as fast as I could." Himiko shook her head with a sigh. "I keep finding ways to stumble my way into secrets it seems."
"Yes, well, I think I can take the blame this time." Nezu gave Himiko an apologetic smile. "You see I was hoping you would grow curious and see what you saw last night. Maybe not the Midoriyas but specifically the Tsutsumis."
Himiko gave Nezu a confused look. "Who?"
"Kaina, the woman and her Quirk." Nezu explained as he set his now empty cup down on the table.
"Oh." Himiko mentally kicked herself for not putting that together. "But why were they… Why did they look like that?"
"Because Ms. Tsutsumi and her Quirk, the cat you saw, were kidnapped and Kaina alongside a few others went to rescue her."
"Oh." Himiko lamley repeated as she stared at Nezu. "Why was she kidnapped?"
"Because of her Quirk." Nezu sighed as he shook his head. "She was being hunted down by a group of extremists due to the nature of her Quirk."
Instantly the world around Himiko turned red. "Who? Why?" Her eyes blazed as she fixated on Nezu. "Do they still need help?"
"The who doesn't matter at the moment and as for the why? They saw her connection to Kaishin, the cat, as an abomination that needed to be fixed."
Himiko gnashed her teeth, tasting blood as her fangs bit into her lip. "Bastards." She looked past Nezu and toward the door. "Is she still on campus?"
"Yes. BUT!" Nezu nearly shouted the second word, causing Himiko to pause her attempt to leave her seat. "But they need time to recover and we will grant them that." He fixed her with a very pointed glare. "She is a guest at the moment but she will soon be in the heroics program. Save your desire to help until she is standing shoulder to shoulder with you."
"She needs help now." Himiko growled.
"And she is getting it." Nezu replied, his voice calm. His steely look turned soft as he met Himiko's eye. "Himiko I know you want to help her but for now let her talk to professionals and her recently returned mother."
Nezu's last statement forced an involuntary question out of Himiko. "Recently returned?"
"Kaina and her daughter have not seen each other since the latter was a baby." Nezu calmly explained. "They have a lot to catch up on."
++++++++++++++++++++
Kaina's fist froze centimeters away from the door in front of her. I can do this. Her hand didn't move. I can do this. Her mind ordered her hand to knock but her body refused.
I can do this. Her body remained in place.
I can't do this… Slowly her fist lowered until her arm was at her side while at the same time her shoulders sagged. Giving the door one last glance she turned on her heel and started to walk away.
Coward. She's your daughter, she deserves an explanation. She deserves the truth.
Her feet continued to carry her down the hall despite her thoughts begging for her to do the opposite. Consumed by her thoughts she missed the sound of the door she had been standing in front of opening and a figure slinking out.
She gets kidnapped and instead of consoling her you're running away. Running away from your little girl. Again. And this time she-
Kaina's thoughts came to a screeching halt as a wet nose pressed itself into her hand, forcing her body to quickly follow suit. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Kaishin standing behind her, his ruby red eyes staring up at her.
"Mom. We… We need to talk to you."
Tears threatened to spill but not at the sincerity in Kaishin's tone. No, they were forming because of one simple word.
Mom.
"I…" Kaina started before she slowly shook her head. "Alright. But I need something from you first."
"What?"
"I need your name." Kaina gave Kaishin a sad smile as she sank to a knee, a hand gently brushing through the Quirk's mane. "You… you couldn't speak when I left and I…" A tear rolled down her cheek. "I need to know your name. To know what to call my son."
"Mom…" Kaishin's eyes shone as he stared at Kaina, his emotions clearly fighting to stop his emotions from coming to the surface. He bowed his head. "I'm Kaishin."
"I'm glad to finally meet you Kaishin." Kaina smiled as she continued to run her hand through Kaishin's fur. "How is she?"
"She needs her mom." Kaishin immediately answered as he turned to look toward the door he had exited from. "She needs to know how you are alive." He looked back at Kaina. "And so do I."
"You thought I was dead?" Kaina whispered as she felt her heart stop.
"That's what mother told us." Kaishin growled as he mentioned Haruki. "She told us you died on a mission saving people."
"Oh." Kaina paused as she contemplated her next words. "As glad as I am to be alive I wish it was that simple."
"Something else happened." Kaishin's words made it clear that it wasn't a question but a statement of fact. "What happened?"
Taking a deep breath Kaina pushed herself back to her feet. "I'll tell you but Akina needs to hear this as well." She nodded toward the door.
"Of course." Kaishin replied as he padded over to the door in question.
Letting Kaishin lead a stray thought occurred to Kaina. "How did you get out? Did Akina open the door for you?"
"Lever handles." Kaishin answered with a laughing chuff as he reached up with a paw and pulled the handle down, the audible click of a door opening echoed down the empty hall.
"Right." Kaina chuckled to herself before she felt her nerves start to give in once more. "Right…"
Kaishin spared his mother one last look before he nudged the door fully open and strode into the room, coming to a stop next to Akina's bed.
Still standing in the doorway, Kaina could only freeze as she spotted Akina sitting on the edge of her bed looking at her.
"Hi mom."