Silence fell over the conference room.
Every screen showed a different reaction with multiple heroes exchanging glances.
"Out of the country?" Endeavor scoffed. "The Symbol of Peace is absent during the largest mobilization in a decade? And now he has the gall to ask us to wait?"
Madame President's face frowned "For how long?"
Tsukauchi felt every pair of eyes on him—both in the room and through the video feeds.
"Four hours, ma'am. He estimates arrival at approximately 0430 hours."
The staging area feed erupted.
"Four HOURS?!"
"That's completely—"
"We're ready NOW—"
"The League could—"
"ENOUGH." Endeavor's voice cut through the noise, silencing everyone else.
His flames, however, burned brighter—barely contained fury radiating through the video feed. Every hero in the staging area turned to look at him, then at the camera.
"Detective Tsukauchi," Endeavor said slowly. "Explain All Might's reasoning. Now."
Tsukauchi chose his words with extreme care. "He has concerns about potential hostile elements beyond our current intelligence assessment. He believes there may be threats present that would require his specific participation to counter effectively."
"What threats?" an HPSC operations director demanded from another screen.
"He suspects the technology behind the Nomu may indicate involvement from... a particular individual from his past."
"What individual?" Endeavor pressed.
"That information is classified at the highest levels."
Endeavor's expression went cold. "Of course it is."
He turned slightly, addressing the heroes around him in the staging area. "All Might, who isn't here, who won't explain where he is or what he's doing, wants forty assembled professional heroes to sit on their hands for four hours. Based on classified concerns he refuses to elaborate on."
Several heroes shifted uncomfortably.
"Don't lose your cool Endeavor." Gran Torino started from his position in the back. "This is All Might we're talking about. The Symbol Of Peace. If he of all people is worried about something, it's a valid worry and reason to be cautious."
"Then let him explain what it is," Endeavor's flames crackled dangerously. "If there's credible intelligence suggesting we need All Might specifically, we should be briefed. If there isn't..." He looked directly at the camera. "Then this is just paranoia."
"The day will be up in four hours." Mount lady added. "We've already cleared three blocks; you can't keep that many people in shelters until dawn without questions."
"He's right," Kamui Woods added. "The longer we wait, the higher the chance the 'gas leak' excuse fails. We have no information on the League's movement patterns. If Kurogiri sees a news report or a social media post from a 'displaced' resident, they'll figure something is wrong and warp out in seconds."
Gran Torino frowned. "Everyone, this is All Might we are talking about. Do you really believe he would say any of this simply on paranoia?"
Endeavor humphed. "Wasn't one of his students involved in the YAMANOTE LINE? For all we know this could simply be his desire to get justice with his own hands."
Gran Torino frowned. "That's too far Endeavor and you know it."
"I'll be the judge of that." Endeavor replied "We're professional heroes about to execute a major operation. We deserve actual intelligence, not mystery."
He turned back to the camera. "Detective, can All Might provide concrete evidence supporting his request?"
Tsukauchi shook his head slowly. "He has... suspicions based on analysis of the Nomu. But no confirmed proof."
"Suspicions? We're supposed to halt a prepared operation for four hours ... forty heroes, and days of searching and an optimal tactical advantage, because All Might has suspicions?"
"He's asking for a precautionary delay based on—"
"Based on nothing," Endeavor cut in. "Do you hear yourself detective? All Might's words are practically making a mockery of us."
"Huh?" Tsukauchi was stunned. When did that happen?
Endeavors frown deepened. "You don't even see it ... Do you?"
"Let's assume there is an enemy despite no conclusive evidence. We have Forty of the most capable heroes we could gather in short notice. What you and All Might are insinuating with this essentially means that this "Threat" is an individual we as a collective whole cannot defeat."
His face twisted in fury. "In other words, without All Might, the rest of us are practically useless. If that is the case, what is the point of having us go through all this to begin with? Why not have him lead from the start of he was the only one capable of defeating this threat?"
"That's not fair," Gran Torino said.
"Truth rarely is." Endeavor looked around at the assembled heroes. "How many of you believe we need All Might to capture four villains?"
Nobody spoke.
"How many of you think forty professional heroes—including the Number Two, multiple Top Ten heroes, and specialized tactical support—aren't enough to deal with any threat that appears?"
Still silence.
"If we can't even do this without having All Might on standby to wipe our asses, then Hero society is a joke." Endeavor said coldly. "If such a threat exists, then why have we never been informed about it?"
The silence in the room was deafening. Every hero on the monitors felt the weight of Endeavor's words. It wasn't just about the mission anymore; it was about their worth as professionals.
These people were after all, the best of the best. Many had climbed over countless others to get to their current position. Regardless of how exalted All Might was, Tsukauchi's request was equivalent to trampling on their self worth
Tsukauchi glanced at the main screen, where the Madam President sat like a stone statue. He waited for her to step in—to give him the backup he needed. Just like he previously said, at the end of the day, he was just a detective and had no way to actually stop this.
That power laid with her. As the president, there was no way she didn't know about All For One. Hence she was one of the few who had seen the classified files of the battle five years ago. She knew that "He" was the reason the HPSC had a secret budget for "specialized cleanup."
But she remained silent, her eyes fixed on Endeavor.
'Damn it,' Tsukauchi thought, his stomach churning. 'She's going to let us hang out to dry.'
Despite expecting it, reality was always bitter. If she admitted the threat was real, she had to admit the Commission has been lying to the Top Ten for years.
Indeed, those were here thoughts at the moment. On the other end of the screen, the director of this whole operation, the President of the HPSC sat in her chair in silence.
On one screen, Endeavor stood surrounded by forty heroes—some of Japan's finest, all ready to execute. On another, Tsukauchi looked increasingly desperate, waiting for support that wouldn't come.
She knew exactly what All Might was worried about. All For One.
Five years ago, she'd been the one to coordinate the cleanup.
It had been the right call then. It remained the right call now.
If she admitted All For One might be alive or validated All Might's concern in any way .... Then she'd have to explain why the HPSC had hidden that possibility for five years. Why the Number Two Hero had never been briefed. Why the Top Ten had been kept in the dark about Japan's greatest threat.
The political fallout would be catastrophic.
Just as All Might's name and words carried weight, so did the combined displeasure of 40+ heroes.
Especially with All Might's injury and declining power. Would they fall out with dozens of other heros just for a hunch? Worse, if the information leaked, and with forty heroes on this call, it would leak, mass panic would follow.
The entire foundation of post-war hero society was built on one narrative: All Might defeated ultimate evil. We are safe now.
Revealing that "ultimate evil" might still be alive would shatter that narrative overnight.
'No.' whatever contest there was in the decision was squashed.
Better to let the raid proceed. Better to trust in forty professional heroes with overwhelming tactical advantage. She'd rather risk a massacre than lose control of the narrative.
And if All Might was right? Then she'd deal with the aftermath. Spin the story. Control the narrative. Ensure the HPSC's authority remained intact.
That was her job. To ensure stability and control of Hero society. Heroism could be left to the actual heroes. That's what they were paid for.
"Madam President," Tsukauchi tried one last time. "The risk—"
"The risk of inaction is greater, Detective," the President finally spoke, her voice overly calm. She didn't look at Tsukauchi; she looked at the tactical map. "We have forty-two Pros on site and a window of opportunity that is closing by the second. If we tell these heroes to stand down for four hours based on a 'hunch' that All Might won't even explain to his peers, we undermine the very foundation of the Hero Public Safety Commission."
Madame President looked at Tsukauchi through the screen. "Detective, I will ask again. Did All Might provide any concrete evidence? A name? A specific Quirk profile that justifies halting forty Pros and an HPSC strike force?"
Tsukauchi felt the blood drain from his face. She wasn't just staying silent; she was actively burying the truth to save the Commission's image.
"Madam President," Tsukauchi pressed. "All Might's intuition has never ..."
"All Might is currently not in Japan," she interrupted, her gaze shifting to the Detective. "His absence is noted, and his concerns have been recorded. However, we cannot compromise tactical momentum based on historical anxieties.
She finally turned her gaze to address Endeavor directly.
"The HPSC does not make tactical decisions based on ghost stories, Endeavor. If All Might has intelligence, he should have filed a formal report before leaving the country. Since he did not, we must rely on the strength currently assembled."
Endeavor's flames flared in a brief, triumphant burst. "Then the answer is no. We move at 0100."
"Then it is settled. Endeavor, you have the field command. The breach proceeds as scheduled at 0100 hours."
"Wait!" Gran Torino stepped forward, his small frame nearly overflowing with anger. "You're making a mistake. You think this is about All Might's ego? He's trying to save your lives! If you breach that building and the man he's worried about is there, your 'rankings' won't mean a damn thing!"
Endeavor looked down at the veteran hero, his expression one of cold pity. "Hmph. Can someone tell me where this old timer came from? How the hell did he get involved in this case?"
Tsukauchi felt stiffled. "He ... He's an acquaintance of All Might."
"Not just an acquaintance." Gran Torino said with narrowed eyes. "I trained him myself. Which is why I am saying you're making a big mistake."
"Heh ... I should have expected you were connected to be standing up in his favor." He gave the old man a last look before turning away. "I don't have any more time for this. It's already been decided. If you don't want to join the raid, just stay out of the way and watch. It'll be the same with or without your help."
Those were his last words on the subject. And judging from his gloomy look, everyone was sure he wouldn't entertain another discussion.
'Hmph. How dare you look down on me, All Might.' Enji Todoroki thought with burning fury. Without a doubt, there was no way he would have let this stand if the president had decided to side with All Might on this ridiculous reasoning.
He would have either stormed that building himself, or worse, the HPSC would have to find a New Number Two and deal with the fallouts that came with it. 'Thankfully, not everyone was as dumb as these two idiots.'
So what if All Might was right? He would never believe there was an enemy who could take down a squadron of heroes of this caliber. Especially when that came from All Might, a guy with outrageous strength.
To him, probably every enemy was the same.
The screens began disconnecting one by one.
Senior HPSC officials first, their feeds cutting to black with brief acknowledgments. Department coordinators next, returning to their monitoring stations.
Madame President's feed remained active for a moment longer, her expression carved from stone.
"Detective Tsukauchi," she said, voice devoid of warmth. "Inform All Might of the Commission's decision. Operation Kamino proceeds at 0100 hours as planned. If he arrives in time to participate, he may join as an additional asset. If not..."
She didn't finish her words. The next moment, her screen went dark.
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