There is a certain thrill with overkill. As a villain, it is bad practice but I often forget how young those of the League truly are. With everything that has happened, and the threat of Quirk Nullification bullets being aimed specifically at us, it was good that they got to have some fun. It let off some steam.
I could see the way everyone was relaxed when they returned from the raid. Tomura was even in a good mood. I saw why when the Noumu High End returned. That Noumu is really a crowning achievement. It's loyal not just because it was ordered to be but because it wants to be. It was carrying something when it emerged from my warp gate, something it set down carefully on the bar.
It was some sort of safe. Tomura opened it with his usual finesse by disintegrating the door. Quirk Nullification bullets were inside.
I'm told it is almost the entire stock but no one saw Overhaul. They were being stored in a government building. Apparently UA wasn't considered safe enough, which makes sense. It is a school. It has good security and the actions of the League have ensured that security there is tight and robust but it is still a school. You do not store things that Villain's might be after in a school. The government building made sense.
Tomura is happy we have them. The best course would be to destroy them but he wants to keep them. I understand. They are a resource but they are a dangerous resource. We don't have a sniper at present, though apparently Tomura has a plan for that. He hasn't said anything but I know the look he gave me. I'm not going to like it.
At the moment, if he plans to use them, the question must be who to use them on.
Hawks, who still apparently wishes to join us? Best Jeanist, Edgeshot? Any of the heroes in the ranks… or someone else? Maybe a newer hero, Lemillion? He's making a name for himself and is rather like All Might. Someone in training? Though Imoku has given assurances via Toga that he's already taken care of some of the more dangerous possibilities.
Tomura demanded a further explanation and will accompany Toga next week. Apparently he hasn't been watching the news.
-afop-
There were times when Kazue Matsushita thought that she would be remembered for destroying hero society. Then she told herself to be reasonable. She had done one interview with one villain to expose one supposed hero. It was the same as the exposes she did on politicians and the public deserved to know the truth about the people serving them. It wasn't her fault that things had spiraled out of control.
And she was doing her best to help regain any control. She was interviewing the new heroes and today she had quite an old hero… comparatively speaking. The number one Hero Hawks. Hopefully he'd be able to put some perspective on things.
"And we are back in three, two-" The last number was silent and Kazue plastered a smile on her face as the cameras refocused.
Hawks did the same, ruffling his feathers artistically. It was a good shot.
"Today I'm speaking with someone who needs no introduction!" Kazue said happily, gesturing towards the Pro-Hero. "The Number One Pro-Hero in Japan, Hawks!"
He stretched out one wing as he gave a sunny smile.
"So," Kazue said, "your rise to the number one spot has been pretty quick!" It was a nice open statement.
He grinned at her. "It has, and in some ways, I feel a bit cheated."
"Cheated?" She inquired.
"Yes! I always admired Endeavor when I was a child. The Hero Endeavor, not anything else," Hawks clarified quickly raising one finger to forestall objections. "I liked the way he never gave up on being Number One."
"A tough position," Kazue agreed.
"And it's only now that we're really talking about it. Everyone else was just happy All Might was there. They left a lot of things to him. No one was trying to take his place… Except Endeavor. I admired that. I admired the drive, the dedication, the will to do better. It's that which I think makes a Hero."
"An interesting take," Kazue said. "At the moment though the public isn't too happy with the Hero Public Safety Bureau."
Hawks shook his head. There was a soft smile on his features. "I don't know why. Everyone is focusing on the failures, instead of seeing the success. Instead of saying that fifty-percent of those enrolled failed, why don't we say that fifty-percent passed. Interestingly, the assessment has shut up all those people saying that Endeavor's youngest son was just going to follow in his big brother's footsteps. It must have been a big step for Shouto to release that information but I admit it's been effective.
"In general, the assessments have been a good thing, though I do think they are administered early… but since there is the opportunity to be re-assessed, I think it can be dealt with."
"You think it's administered too early?"
"Of course! Are you the same person now, as you were when you where fourteen, or fifteen, or sixteen?" Again Hawks shook his head, ruffling his feathers. "The answer is no. So I think what we are seeing is the assessment picking up those who just aren't quite ready to be Heroes, which given that they are in training, I think that's fair!" He grinned again.
Kazue nodded her agreement. That was a reasonable assessment and she was sure that others would see it that way.
"Besides, this is another way of getting different people into heroics."
"You don't like the schools?"
"Not at all, though, as you know I didn't go to UA. I have nothing against UA, their results speak for themselves but I think the system could be a little more open. Currently it's so closed, and if it was open, then the public could see in a bit more, they can trust more, and the assessments are one way of doing that."
"But how will they open the system and allow different people into heroics?" Kazue asked, sounding genuinely confused.
"Because, with the assessments came a rule change," Hawks said expansively, waving his wings. "If you pass the assessment and can get a traineeship at a registered Hero Agency then you can be a hero too."
"Wow, really?" Kazue's eyes widened. She hadn't seen that part of the rules.
"Really. And it's a good thing. Though I think people do need to be aware of what they are getting into if they go that route. It means that someone who wasn't ready to be a hero when they were younger can apply later and still do it. I think that will make the system a lot more robust, though I don't think there's any trainee registered Agencies yet. I'm sure there will be."
"That is a big change!" Kazue agreed.
"It will be but the Agencies have to embrace it, so we will see. I think in a few years, it will be normal."
"Ah, so people shouldn't start applying just yet."
"Not yet. Until then though, I'm still aiming for a world where heroes can enjoy a bit of boredom," he said happily.
Kazue chuckled. That particular statement was becoming very much associated with the Number One hero but in a good way. It meant that there wouldn't be villains, though she quickly sobered. "You aren't concerned about the calls that say that most villains are actually common criminals, and that we don't need Heroes to deal with them?"
Hawks shook his head. "It is true, and we overlook the great work the police are doing," he said. "But saying that all villains are just petty thieves or common criminals is generalising far too much. It forgets that there are still those out there who are truly worthy of the title villain. The League still exists and we know they are still working towards some sort of goal."
That was true. The news had been full of reports that the League had been seen stealing something highly classified from a Government Building. Everyone was being tight lipped on exactly what had been stolen.
"They are indee-" Kazue stopped at the beeping that was coming from Hawks. She couldn't glare but they had asked him to make sure his phone was off for the interview!
"That's not-" The hero pulled out a small device. It was too small to be a phone but he stared at it intently. "There's been a call for all Heroes in the area," Hawks announced with a smile. "Time for work," he added, flapping his wings and quickly disappearing into the dark that was the rest of the studio.
Kazue looked at the spot he had been sitting. "Well," she smiled at the camera, "that was the Hero Hawks! And you can see, a Hero's work is never done!"
-afop-
I took Tomura to the weekly meeting with Toga. We waited in the lounge of the apartment for Toga before Izuku arrived. Toga came in her usual disguise of Imoku's mother. She gave Tomura a nod, knowing he'd be here, and then started making several phone calls.
I had forgotten how much Izuku could eat. Toga seemed to be quite used to it. She ordered extra for us. It was nice not to cook.
Though we weren't there for dinner. Izuku had news for us. Good news, for once. He knew where Overhaul was.
Tomura wasn't that interested until Izuku reminded him that even if the man lacked the means at the moment, he knew how to make Quirk Destroying bullets. There was no reason he couldn't try with a different quick… Something like the Pro-Hero Eraser Head's quirk for example might be able to be mutated into a bullet form.
Izuku also reminded Tomura that it was Overhaul who'd given the Quirk Destroying bullet's to the government, and now they knew it was possible. It was now a military thing.
It's not that I believed Tomura had forgotten about Overhaul, I believe he just hasn't assigned him an appropriate threat ranking. Imoku had a suggestion for how to deal with the problem. Hit him with one of his own anti-quirk bullets.
Tomura liked it. The notion appealed to his twisted sense of humor, though Izuku was quick to encourage Tomura to kill Overhaul after removing his quirk. Quirk removal, after all, does not remove knowledge. I can see the beauty of using his weapons against him. There is a certain amount of irony there. It would be justice. Though killing him seems a waste after removing his quirk, we are unlikely to get the chance to kill him if he has his quirk.
Tomura asked about some of the up and coming Heroes, Lemillion especially. Izuku didn't know anything much about that one. The boy had graduated from UA, with a quirk mutation appearing in his last year, granting him incredible strength. He was working for Nighteye Agency, which was only notable as it was run by the only sidekick All Might ever had.
That information was enough to garner Tomura's interest. Any link to All Might was enough to get his interest. While the League could take out All Might now, there was little point. The world wouldn't fear a group who had to attack a man who's quirk was gone. We would be seen as weak. Tomura didn't like that, but he accepted it.
But Sir Nighteye, and all the heroes of his agency, those were fair game. We could take them out, and Tomura had been looking for something to do recently.
Though Imoku hadn't asked for Tomura to be there, just to tell him about Overhaul, or to give what little information he had about other Heroes. His information gathering within the government had been going well. More importantly he was maintaining his position easily. I checked the polls after our visit. For an Independent representative, Imoku was very popular. He had the highest approval rating of any of the Representatives. Sensei had indeed chosen well.
Imoku told us there was some sort of big operation within the Hero Public Safety Bureau. It wasn't unusual for there to be a big operation. What made this one special is that it was to deal with us. The League.
Tomura was happy about that. Apparently we are big enough that even the Government is against us, not just their Heroic agents. Imoku warned us to be careful. He didn't know what the operation involved and he wasn't even meant to know it existed but that's never stopped a villain. He would tell us more if he could. Even with his happiness, Tomura agreed to be careful.
After all, if the League fell to just this, then history would just remember us as another bunch of villains, not those who changed the world.
We weren't going to fail.
-afop-
"Ragdoll… Or would you prefer if I call you Tomoko?" The question was soft.
"Tomoko," came the answer. It sounded dejected. "I'm sorry, Representative Kakurete," an apology followed. "I just don't know why you asked to meet with me."
"Please, call me Imoku. Representative Kakurete makes me feel old!" The statement was accompanied by a laugh.
"I still don't know why you asked to meet with me."
Imoku nodded. "I'll be honest, it's because of what happened to you."
"Humph! So you want to meet the freak?" She hissed, but there was no passion to it. Her voice was tired.
"No, why would I think that?" Imoku challenged.
"I'm quirkless."
"Yes," he agreed, nodding. "That doesn't change who you are though, does it?" Imoko questioned. He crossed his hands in front of him. "I'm sure when you became a hero, you envisaged many outcomes. A realistic hero will consider the good outcomes and the bad. Death is obviously one of the bad outcomes. Incapacitation somehow, another but I doubt any Hero would ever have thought about losing their quirk, especially a hero who saved so many people."
She glared at him. It was half hearted as best. "So you did come to look at the freak."
"No, I came to offer you a job," Imoku countered.
The glare took on a confused aspect.
"I came to offer all the Wild Wild Pussycats a job," Imoku added.
"You're lying."
Imoku gave her a hard look. He had allowed a certain amount of casualness in their discussion but there was a limit. He was an elected Representative of the People, that meant he was due some respect.
"I'm sorry, Representative," Tomoko apologised.
"I understand it is unexpected," Imoku waved away the apology graciously. "I'm sure that you are aware that as a group the Pussycats ranking has dropped." That was putting it mildly. The fall in their ranking was comparable to Endeavor's. They had gone from rank 32 to 411. "It was too be expected, and I'm sure your team mates will be able to regain their standing." He told her.
"But I won't."
"But you won't," Imoku agreed. It might be cruel but it was reality. Ragdoll's quirk was gone and Sensei wasn't going to give it back any time soon. "That's why I want to offer you all an alternative, or just to you if the others want to continue."
Tomoko was silent for a few moments. Imoku could tell she was thinking. She sighed heavily. "What is it?" She was obviously expecting it to be some sort of work to help him.
"Even without your quirk you can help people," Imoku told her. "You can save people," he added for good measure. He had a soft smile. It covered the snarl he wanted to express from the similar memory he had of words like this. He wondered if All Might even remembered them?
"I can't do anything! I can't feel them anymore," she objected.
"So you are saying your quirk is the only way you can do your job?" Imoku stated. "I must have a problem in my office then," he continued, "since the only office staff I employ are quirkless. I hate to think of the state of my paperwork if quirks are the only way to get things done!" He mocked.
"It's not the same! I can't feel them anymore," Tomoko repeated. Her eyes flashed. "If I can't feel them, I can't tell the others were they are."
Imoku snorted. "That is true, but you can still save people without a quirk."
"How?" She demanded, disbelief liberally coating her voice.
"By joining the rescue services as a dispatch officer," Imoku told her. "You have skills beyond your quirk and defining yourself only by what your quirk allowed you to do is limiting. I know you can move beyond this. I know you can do better and I want to give you that chance."
"Rescue services?" Tomoko seemed confused.
"The people you've worked alongside in large disasters," Imoku reminded her. Heroes were so quick to forget. Sometimes disasters were so large that Heroes couldn't get everyone. Then Rescue Services did the work. And even more generally, it wasn't like the Police were just waiting for a Hero to arrest someone for them. Heroes forgot there was a whole support structure that did the grunt work that kept them looking good.
"They need dispatchers, and I suspect, with your ability to keep track of things, you'd be one of their best."
"But I can't keep track of things!" Tomoko objected.
"Of course you can," Imoku said. "Your quirk helped but-" he tapped his head, "- you also have to have been smart enough to keep up. So you can do it without your quirk. Maybe it won't be as easy but you can do it. You can still save people."
Her yellow eyes looked at him. Imoku kept his expression encouraging. She blinked at him and he heard her breath exhale. "Just me?"
Imoku understood. "All the Wild Wild Pussycats if you, and they want," he repeated what he had said earlier. It would be a better statement if they all came but if he could even get one, then that would also work.
"I'll ask," Tomoko told him.
Imoku smiled. He had her.
-afop-
It's been relatively quiet lately. That is a bad thing. People get slack. People have been slack, which is why once again we are now stuck in a single room. The League's core numbers haven't gone up recently but we have gained more associates. Those who form part of the Action Squad have those they order on behalf of the League.
That means that at least we all fit into the room. It's just one of many retreat points we have. Tomura learned enough to set them up in advance. Once we figure out what happened, and know the extent of any compromise, we will move to one of our back up locations.
But it brings back unpleasant memories. And we lost the Noumu in our escape. It is the reason we managed to escape but it is still a loss.
Tomura is raging. He's doing it silently, but the main thing to figure out is what to do next, and of course, who betrayed us.
I suspect it was no one. I suspect it was simple comfort, that too many of us were seen coming and going from the bar. As I said, quiet leads to complacency. I suppose I should be thankful that it means no one betrayed us.
And the one thing I can say for sure is that we managed to take the anti-quirk bullet's with us. If that was the point of the raid, then we still have them. That is our victory, even with the loss of the Noumu.
I expect any plan to take out Overhaul will be superseded now. We have to strike back, we have to do something to show that the League is still there. It is our obligation and our right as the League. It is expected and I know Tomura is planning it.
He has come a long way, just the way Sensei wanted.
They've both come a long way.
-afop-
"It's an ambush!" Mirio screamed into his comm, even as he phased. "It's the League," he managed to get out before the device fell off him. He recognised the black warp gate several had emerged from. He sank into the ground as several shots impacted where he had been.
Fire, Mirio recognised. That meant Dabi was there and it probably meant the little girl who had needed help was Himiko Toga. Miro controlled himself and went forward, estimating where the 'girl' might be. All the League had been implicated in many jobs.
Kurogiri was their transport but Himiko was their spy. If he could take out any of the League then it would a good thing.
"We are on our way!" The voice came from his comm, shockingly loud to make sure he heard. There would be no other information given, since the agency knew his comm would no longer be hist. But that gave the Villain's notice that they had a time limit.
Mirio burst from the ground. He'd timed it right and was rewarded with the wide eyes of Himiko. He swung one arm, letting his quirk fade. She saw it and reacted but she was too slow and Mirio's fist hit her temple. Himiko collapsed into a heap.
This was meant to be a routine patrol! That's why he, a side kick, was out on his own. Sir Nighteye knew he could be trusted from his internship. He phased again as another ball of fire lanced through his position. And was that gas?
That changed the priorities. Before he fell back into the ground Mirio looked around. He could see members of the League everywhere, including one covered in hands. Tomura Shigaraki was here! But he couldn't see the Mustard.
Not every Hero had memorised who was in the League and their abilities, but Mirio had a stake in that. With All Might being his mentor, and… More than that. With him carrying on the legacy of One for All, he felt obligated to destroy the organisation One for All had made. All Might had taken out the leader, Mirio now had to take out the rest.
Still phased, he powered up One for All, readying a punch and then he pushed up, emerging from the ground. He smiled as he realised he was on target behind Muscular. He hit the large Villain as hard as he could. Usually he would have held back, or tried with his own strength but he knew how strong this villain was. The man staggered and tried to hit him but Mirio was already gone. One for All was still new to him. He had the strength but he was working on integrating it into his fighting style. It was hard work but it would be worth it. That's why he was with Sir Nighteye's agency still. The man knew All Might and knew how to help.
He heard the call 'Gas Masks', and assumed the League would be donning them. The call though gave him a better location for Mustard and he moved towards it. Practice meant he could hold his breath while phased, but he still needed to breath when he came up and that meant he couldn't have the area covered by gas. He leaped up in front of where he estimated the villain to be, already swinging.
Except… It wasn't Mustard. Mirio felt his eyes widen even as he swung. The other villain obviously knew what he was thinking because he grinned, right before he collapsed. But the damage was done. Mirio took a breath. It was bad. He could taste the gas but he gritted his teeth. It wouldn't be enough to stop him. He grunted with effort as he swung around, not phasing and using the time to properly assess the situation.
The agency would be here soon. He just had to hold on for a it more. Miro saw Dabi. The villain was on the ground and smirking at him. At least Mirio thought it was a smirk. With the facial burns it was hard to tell. Mustard was actually near Toga, putting a mask on her face. Muscular was glaring at him and looking down at him from a balcony was Tomura. Behind him was Kurogiri
It was most of the League. At least, the ones who were powerful. Before he had to take another breath, Mirio phased again. Just in time.
He caught sight of a small warp gate right in front of him and he felt something pass through him before he sank into the ground. He knew where Mustard was now, and even if he couldn't take out that villain he could get one of the masks.
Mirio re-emerged where he knew Mustard would be. The other villain apparently knew that's what he'd do because Mustard tried to put up a defense. It didn't work and he dropped. Mirio was happy about that and grabbed at a mask. He'd have to figure out what went through him later, for now he needed that mask.
The air he breathed through it wasn't fresh. It was hot and tepid but it was clean. That was good!
He glared at the League. They still seemed confident. There was no reason for them not to be but Mirio couldn't help a smile when he heard the noise of the agency arriving.
"More pests," Tomura growled, and Mirio saw the gun in his hands. That explained what had passed through him. They'd tried to shoot him, though this was a new thing for the League. Tomura didn't usually use a weapon. The hand covered villain glared at the newly arrived Heroes.
Mirio stood still as several warp gates opened over those who were unconscious. They passed over their forms before disappearing. Darn it. They really had to take out Kurogiri!
Thankfully the others recognised that. The agency had trained together for years. They knew how to work together. Instead of gas masks, Mirio was amused to see that they all had bubbles over their heads, no doubt giving them fresh air to breath.
What surprised him though was that Sir Nighteye was there. With his quirk he didn't always enter combat, then Mirio knew he was being stupid. The League was here. The same League that had taken out the Eight Precepts of Death and the same League that was terrorising Japan.
Somehow, Mirio could see the smirk adorning Tomura's face, even with the obscuring hands. The man held up something. Mirio didn't know what it was but from the way Sir Nighteye stiffened he did. Wait… obscuring hands… not an obscuring gas mask. There was no gas up there…
He hauled the tepid air into his lungs and phased. The mask clattered to the ground but Mirio didn't hear that, instead he was moving to the building Tomura was in. There was only Kurogiri and the League's leader there. Kurogiri had a fatal weakness. Even the first years… they were now second years had worked that out. And so long as Tomura didn't touch him with all five fingers, then he was just a regular man.
This would be the end of the League.
Mirio leapt from the ground. By his reckoning, he'd be slightly behind the two villains when he emerged. It wouldn't be easy, but it would be doable.
There was a flash of white and a loud noise. The villains didn't wear white! Then as Mirio materialised, something crashed into him. It was Sir! There was red against his back.
"Tch!"
Mirio recognised Shigaraki's voice. "That was the last bullet," he said.
"Get back," Sir Nighteye said, pushing himself free of Mirio's hold.
"What, Sir?"
"Get back," came the order again. It didn't help that Mirio could see the red stain getting bigger. His eyes fixed on it. He could barely see anything else. He couldn't hear anything either. There was a rushing in his ears that was odd given everything else.
"Let's go Kurogiri," Shigaraki said.
"No!" Mirio cried as he realised what had happened. Sir had…
Kurogiri said nothing and Mirio could only watch as the warp gate opened and the two villain's disappeared.
Sir Nighteye stumbled forward. Mirio caught him. "Sir!" He cried. He couldn't do anything as the man fell. "No, please, Sir!"
"I'll be fine," Sir Nighteye said. Mirio didn't believe him, not with the stain that large. He could now hear the others rushing to their position. "You have to watch for the hidden, Mirio," Sir Nighteye said. "You have to watch for the hidden one."
"No Sir!"
The other's burst on to the balcony and Mirio allowed himself to be pushed away as Centipeder started first aid.
God, what had he done?
https://discord.gg/ZX2R5h2cEm
Tomura was initially angry to learn that we hadn't killed Sir Nighteye. He had been aiming at Lemillion, using my warp gate to ensure the bullet hit close. However, a few hours online made Tomura much happier. The League hadn't killed Sir Nighteye, we'd done something better. We'd removed his quirk. True, we wanted to remove Lemillion's quirk but taking out All Might's sidekick is a good consolation prize. Especially the removal of his quirk.
When Sensei removed Ragdoll's quirk, the Hero's kept it quiet. It wasn't that hard with three other members of the team. The public knew something had happened. The Wild Wild Pussycats dropped dramatically in the rankings but that could have been due to simple injury. Thus, there's really only been rumours that quirk removal was possible.
The League proved it. And the League was feared for it. Ironic that it is Overhaul's legacy we are credited with. Theoretically removing Lemillion's quirk would have had the same effect. In practice, I think it wouldn't have hit as hard. Sir Nighteye is more known in the industry, has garnered more respect. Lemillion is new and it would possibly been written off as just another loss.
The only frustration Tomura had with the affair was how easily some members were defeated. Toga will have to train. As will Mustard. We need some fresh blood because our abilities are too well known. Giran has been quiet lately. He's still shipping supplies but he has to be circumspect. The Hero community isn't stupid. They have to know he's connect to us. Someway.
It means though, if we want to take out Overhaul, either they are going to have to be better, or we need more resources. The next Noumu isn't ready yet. They can't be made as fast as they used to be. Tomura is frustrated about that, and with the loss of High-End, even if that was the reason we avoided capture, it means one of our best Noumu's is gone.
We still have enough bullets. Tomura hasn't been wasteful with them, despite the missed shot at Lemillion. I think Tomura will save one for Overhaul, though Izuku has requested two. He assures us its for the businesses, not the Government, which means he probably wants to duplicate them. I don't like the idea but I think Tomura does. The concept of being able to get more, especially with the fall out from Sir Nighteye is attractive.
Dabi continues to meet with Hawks, who after this last incident appears to be more than eager to change sides. He's given us some information. Nothing very dangerous yet. Tidbits. He knows they are, and he knows we will check their veracity. It will be a devastating blow to lose another Number One Hero, especially since there is no heroic way to spin defection.
We need more resources, though Izuku is already giving us everything he can. The businesses Sensei left are profitable and that profit goes to us. But even so, it's a large war, one we have to continue to fight and one where both sides lose. We kill the heroes and they…
Perhaps there is a way to get what we want.
-afop-
"I think as a nation, as a world we should be ashamed!"
Nedzu listened to the speech. It was being given live and while he was not human, he appreciated good oration when he heard it. Imoku Kakurete was a first term Representative but he was a very good speaker. The man rat knew he was going to go far, despite Imoku's status as an independent. Nedzu could tell.
And that worried him.
"We have forgotten where we came from. We refuse to look back because we are afraid. And in that fear we are lashing out at those who remind us of that past. How else can you explain an 80% difference in suicide rates, not just in Japan, but globally, between those of us blessed with a quirk, and those who were born normal, without a quirk!"
There was something…
He'd only met Imoku Kakurete once. The man had been affable, pleasant, even when giving the news of the new assessments. He had been genuinely caring, just as he was now.
"Eighty percent more!" Kakurete was reinforcing his point. "Do we think we can just ignore it, that it will go away? Of course not! We forget, that not so very long ago, we were all quirkless. We don't like to hear it, we don't like to know it and we ignore that 20% of the population born today is not blessed with a quirk. Instead we persecute these people. We bully and belittle them.
"We try to pretend they don't exist." Imoku paused at that announcement.
Nedzu nodded slightly. This was a political speech given at a press conference and like all political speeches there would be fact checking done on it available to the public. UA's Principal already knew Kakurete's facts would be true. The politician was one of those who preferred to rely on truth rather than easily disproved lies. Such an earnest politician should be celebrated but perhaps that was the problem…
"Japan has a long history of ignoring what it does not like! Have we already forgotten our shame? Have we forgotten how insular we were? How we called those of mixed race not Japanese? We made a mockery of ourselves then. We forgot that there is no mixed race, there is only one race on this planet, human! But we were content to draw shallow definitions. We were content to push the issue aside, ignoring the pain it caused. Are we once again content that if it is not public, if it does not affect us, there is no shame? That forgets that an absence of shame is not the presence of honour! It forgets that ignorance, that deliberate dismissal is the very definition of dishonour!"
"Shouta," Nedzu said to the other in his office. "What do you think?"
Class 2-A's Homeroom teacher looked at the TV, his eyes focused on the politician who was speaking. "He makes a good speech."
Nedzu knew he shouldn't have expected much more. He gave the imitation of a smile. "He does," the Principal agreed. Aizawa couldn't keep up with his intellect but he was smart enough not to make himself appear dumb. "You've never thought about him?"
"Those who are quirkless, we consider beneath us. We don't notice when they disappear. We just look away. But we know where they are going. We've always known, we just choose not to know. We choose to look away as those who are quirkless are pushed to the edges of society. Are bullied, belittled, and discriminated against. We feel as if we do nothing wrong when they are turned away. We feel as if we can because they are somehow lesser!"
"Not really," Shouta replied.
Nedzu looked at the Pro-hero. "Perhaps you should," he suggested.
On the screen he could see the way several reporters were looking down at their phones. No doubt they were already checking Imoku's words. From the distasteful expressions the Principal could see, the reporters weren't liking what they found but since they hadn't interrupted, the rat-man already knew the reporters hadn't caught Kakurete in a lie.
"Those we deem quirkless, and even those with quirks deemed useless, gather in our slums and our ghettos. They have no other choice. Why? Are they less human? No! It is proof that our society has become skewed. Too often to we blindly worship those with strong quirks, and ignore others. Too often do we focus on that one aspect, the quirk, ignoring the man beneath."
The politician didn't name anyone but Nedzu was confident that even the most dense would understand the reference to Endeavor. Aizawa must have thought so too as he glared at the screen. Endeavor was still causing Heroes problems, even after the Hero Public Safety Bureau delisted him. The court cases were dragging on. Not as sensational as they had been but a constant grind, a constant mark against the work heroes were doing.
"We have forgotten compassion, and I will change that! As an elected representative of the people, all people, I am going to instigate a policy in my offices to try to counteract the injustices being done, to try to bring some balance back to the world. Where there are two applicants for a job, both equally qualified, no more will I allow discrimination against one who is quirkless. I will hire only quirkless people because I know that they are people too and I will treat them as the humans, with dignity and compassion that they have the right to!"
"Perhaps I should," Shouta agreed, as Imoku opened the floor to questions.
There was a barrage of noise as all the reporters cried out for attention. Imoku picked one and the others silenced. "Is that for your political offices or your business interests?"
Nedzu nodded at the question. It was a very good one. Imoku Kakurete had come to the public's attention as a director of quite a few businesses. The type of business that just ran and didn't cause problems. Very quickly though he'd moved into politics.
"As far as I can, all of my offices," Imoku replied with a smile. "There are a few positions in my various companies that benefit from specific quirks, so those will still be hired out. I view the quirk then as part of the qualification for the job unfortunately, but most jobs do not require the use of quirks, and I believe we have forgotten that in society's almost single-minded focus on them."
UA's Principal saw the way Aizawa's eyes narrowed. The lower part of the pro-hero's face was covered in his capture weapon but the gesture meant he'd probably resisted the urge to snort.
On screen Imoku gestured for another question.
"Is this part of any new legislation you want to get through?"
Another pointed question. Nedzu could see the way Shouta was becoming interested but the underground hero wasn't known for his optimism. If something, or someone, looked to good to be true, then it usually was. Aizawa had made his hero career looking into such things.
Imoku gave a pleased smile at the question. "Actually, it is," he said firmly. "I haven't quite got it written yet, because there have been more immediate issues, but I do want to introduce legislation to the Parliament that will make it illegal to discriminate against anyone on the basis of their quirk. We seem to have forgotten that quirk or not, humans are humans, and we all have the same basic rights. I find it sad that such a thing might need to be legislated but if that's what it takes, then that is what I will fight for."
"He's good," Aizawa murmured.
Even with his intellect it took a moment for Nedzu to realise what Shouta meant. Imoku Kakurete's words were good, but so was his acting. Inwardly Nedzu was pleased. If the underground pro-hero was thinking that, he'd go the extra in investigating, and the Principal felt that to learn anything of note about Kakurete, it was going to require a Plus Ultra attitude.
-afop-
The facility where they are holding the Noumus thankfully isn't Tartarus. But it isn't going to be easy to break into either. Dabi asked Hawks to confirm which Noumus were incarcerated. I think he was pleased to learn that his Noumu is still alive. As is the original Noumu created to kill All Might at the USJ. That news pleased Tomura.
I managed to remind him that we shouldn't retrieve any Noumu that wasn't conditioned to obey one of us. Sensei did have a few that obeyed only him. Tomura listened but dismissed my concerns. Those Noumu captured have been those who obey him. He is not concerned. I just hope there aren't any extras.
My reasoning is convoluted but perhaps I am reading too much into the circumstance. I am not convinced that Hawks truly wishes to defect. If he truly did wish to defect, he could simply go on a rampage and join us. That would send an appropriate message. He has not. Instead he remains the Number One Hero. It is good to give us information but thus far he has yet to give us anything truly useful.
Confirming the Noumus is useful but can be a double edged sword. He has confirmed the Noumus we know about. There may be others. I do not believe Dabi has asked, thus if we go, and find there are others, it could be we who are attacked by them. Maybe it is a pointless worry but I do not like the game Tomura is playing with the Hero. There is too much that can go wrong.
It is not an election year, but Imoku is giving speeches as if it is. The public is listening. That's a good thing for us. I think Tomura actually cackled when he saw the opinion polls. As a villain he doesn't have to pay attention to them, there is, after all, no ranking for villains but he does understand that Imoku needs them to be positive.
Toga looked happy as well. She seems to enjoy her weekly visit to Imoku and I assume she is proud of him. It is rather odd. She is as vicious as always, and quick with her knives but she does have a soft spot for Imoku. It is good. It means her act as his mother will be better.
One thing has bothered me recently though, even with Imoku's success. He has gotten in contact with his real mother. The woman doesn't know it but Imoku is using his own missing person's case. He is very eloquent about it but I was still surprised to see her standing there. He pointed out the differences in the way his case was treated, compared to another and was genuinely solicitous in his dealings with his mother. I think Toga was jealous when she saw the footage but she doesn't know the truth.
I will find time to question Imoku myself. I think on this, Tomura would overreact, and…
Imoku… Izuku knows, there is no turning back.
-afop-
"Kurogiri!"
The warp villain was pleased to hear the different tones in the greeting. There was surprise but also pleasure. It was reassuring given that he was dropping in unannounced.
"You are alone?"
Imoku nodded, not offended at the question. It was for his protection as well. "And here is secure," he told the bartender with a smile. Here happened to be quite a nicely appointed lounge room. There were two plush couches separated by a coffee table. A sideboard was against one wall, decorated with various knick knacks, that looked as if they'd been collected over a lifetime. "What brings you here?"
Kurogiri drew his essence in close, resuming his human form. It required a bit of concentration. He preferred to spread out but Imoku was not an enemy. "I think you know."
For a moment Imoku looked confused, but then he nodded. He didn't reply. Instead he rose from the couch he had been sitting on and went to the side board that was in the room. Kurogiri watched as Imoku pulled out two sniffers and a large bottle of whisky. He was pleasantly surprised to see that it was his favourite.
"You remembered?"
"I remembered," Imoku replied, bringing the glasses and alcohol to the couch. He put them on the table and again left, disappearing briefly. When he returned he had a small bowl of ice, tongs delicately balanced on the top and a jug of water.
The bartender watched as Imoku prepared his drink. The boy really had remembered, Kurogiri thought as he accepted a glass.
"I take it you disapprove," Imoku said after they'd both taken a sip.
Kurogiri sighed. "It is not my place to approve," he said diplomatically.
"But you do. What did Tomura say?" Imoku asked.
The warp villain shook his head. "He doesn't know."
Imoku snorted at that and gave Kurogiri an odd smile. "It has its dangers," the man admitted and while Imoku was at least 40 now, thanks to Sensei's quirk, Kurogiri saw again the fourteen year old he had been. "I can't say that I have never missed her," he added.
Kurogiri remained silent. He was thankful that Izuku was telling him the truth. And he knew from the way the boy was sitting that he was speaking with Izuku, not Imoku. He was sure that after Sensei's training Izuku could lie with the best of them but this was a hurt Izuku. This was the child the League had taken in and Kurogiri would listen.
"I do miss her, and I regret her pain," Izuku said, swallowing hard. "But-" With that single word his voice was hard. "I will make sure she is the last."
He wasn't sure what Izuku meant with that.
Izuku saw his confusion. As always the boy could read him. "Or at least, that's what I'd say if I was giving a speech. I know she won't be the last hurt this way, but maybe this way I can make her pain mean something, maybe I can give her something to live for."
Kurogiri nodded.
"And nothing I've said is a lie."
"Really?"
"Really," Izuku confirmed. "Sensei taught me that the greatest pain lies with the truth. That's what make it so sad. The police spent two days on my case. Two days and then they moved on. No leads, they said. Not worth pursuing. That makes me angry."
"You know it is true," the bartender felt obliged to point out. With Sensei involved, there never was going to be any leads.
"That doesn't make it right," Izuku was unexpectedly fierce.
"No, it doesn't."
"There was another case after mine," Izuku continued, ignoring his response. "A boy I once knew. He disappeared under similar circumstances."
Kurogiri felt a wave of apprehension at the words. Thinking back… which wasn't really that far back, he suspected he knew who Izuku was talking about. A couple of the League's associates had been questioned, which simply told the warp villain that someone in the winged boy's family had been involved with something very bad. He'd stopped thinking about it after that.
"The Police spent weeks on the case. There were no leads but somehow it was worth pursuing. The only difference in the case is that he had a quirk. Why did they give her neither hope, nor closure?"
The warp villain didn't say anything. There was nothing to say. Some might say they were sorry but what did he have to be sorry about? Nothing. This was society's failing. This was what they were trying to prevent.
"That's why the system has to change," Kurogiri eventually reminded Izuku.
"That's why the system has to change," he agreed. "And making it illegal to discriminate on the basis of a quirk is just one way I will change the system."
"And the others?" The bartender asked, referring to the removal of Heroes. That was their true goal.
"Baby steps Kurogiri. Baby steps," Izuku told him with a grin. "Once the world accepts that the quirkless are people too, it makes it easier to have them accept that the majority of villains aren't really villains. Besides, the Government is about to announce compulsory yearly assessment of active heroes, and they actually took it a step further, without my prompting," he added with a laugh.
"What have they done?" Kurogiri was intrigued both at the news and Izuku's mention of prompting.
"They are extending the assessment to immediate family."
Kurogiri was silent. Then he started thinking about the implications. They were huge. "What happens if someone fails?"
Izuku shrugged, making the transition to Imoku again. "Depends on how badly. Some heroes are already undergoing counselling, so they'll get off easier, since they are already taking steps to address the problem." Imoku didn't seem impressed with that but Kurogiri knew the Government couldn't be too harsh. They couldn't afford to lose any heroes at the moment. "It gets more complicated with the family. Though the idea to extend the assessments to the family came about after the court ordered assessments for all of Endeavor's family." Imoku grinned. "Forced, wrongful, long term incarceration of his wife has not done the poor dear any favours and his eldest children…" Imoku chuckled.
"But his youngest," Kurogiri reminded him. Endeavor's youngest was still enrolled in UA's hero course. His results, or at least an edited version had been released to the public to prove that despite everything little Shouto did want to be a hero for the right reasons.
"The foundation will crumble," Imoku shrugged. Shouto was just one more up and coming hero, nothing more.
"I imagine it will," Kurogiri agreed. He'd seen what that type of abuse did. It festered until it could be held back no longer.
They sat together in comfortable silence. Kurogiri let himself have the opportunity to enjoy his whiskey. There was so little time these days for just relaxing.
"I do have something for you this week," Imoku broke the silence eventually. "Tomura asked for it a while back so I was waiting to see Himiko but if you are here, I might as well tell you now. It's not that time sensitive."
The bartender tilted his head in askance.
Imoku put his glass on the table before he rose and disappeared. When he returned he was holding a sheaf of paper. He held it out for Kurogiri to take.
"You won't be surprised," the politician told him. "I'm sure you are suspicious already."
Kurogiri wanted to read the documents now but he knew it was best to wait. With Imoku's hints, he could only imagine how bad it might be for them. This did not bode well, and Kurogiri wasn't buoyed when a sharp grin spread to Imoku's features.
The laugh was pure evil. "I usually don't mind putting Tomura straight," Imoku said.
The warp villain's mind flashed through all the times Izuku and Tomura had had private talks, or where Izuku had explained something to Tomura… He tried not to gulp.
"I'm actually glad I don't have to tell him this."
Kurogiri suppressed a shiver. He really didn't like the sound of that.
-afop-
There are several things happening in the world that the League has largely ignored. Not because they are not important to us. They are. But because there are so many other things to do.
I am thankful that I read the information Izuku gave me when I saw him before I gave it to Tomura. Most of the documents were on official letterhead. They were the outlines of a plan. By itself it was bad. The Hero Public Safety Bureau planned to infiltrate the League. It was a surprisingly bold plan for them. But a plan is just a plan. It was the other documents that were truly dangerous. There were several corroborating documents containing texts and other information which confirmed that the plan was going ahead.
Again, that didn't surprise me. The League was now leading most of the underworld. The organised part anyway. There were a few Yakuza families who kept to themselves and there was always random thugs who thought they could make a quick buck or a name for themselves with their quirk. But the League was where most wanted to be. The original members were enjoying the notoriety but they were learning that it also took work.
So the fact that there was a plan from the HPSB didn't surprise me. What surprised me was the hero chosen to implement that plan.
Hawks.
The number one Hero. Though, looking at the documents, at the time the plan was proposed, he was only the Number 2, and it seemed as if Endeavor would cement his position in number one by sheer dint of solved cases, if nothing else.
To say Tomura was livid would be an understatement. Dabi was similarly angry. They were both ready to go out immediately and attack the hero. Thankfully it was daylight, and we have not yet properly settled from the last move. Tomura calmed but there is hatred burning in his eyes at the thought. He lashed out at the fire villain a bit too. It is Dabi who has been leading the way in getting Hawks onboard.
Dabi took some damage. Not a lot. He's more careful than that, but I think he's also aware that taking some damage was the best way to avoid taking more, in the long run.
He probably got away with so light a punishment because of the third set of documents in the folder. Izuku has always been interested in quirks. He had supplied an outline of Hawks', complete with official information, and notes on where he believed the information to be deliberately lacking. On the last page of handwritten notes, there was a battle plan, designed to take Hawks out. It required Dabi and several Noumu.
I have no idea how Izuku knew we'd be going after the imprisoned Noumu. It's possible he didn't know and his plan was his suggestion that we do. That would be a wise thing to do, actually. It would have given Tomura a subtle nudge in that direction while allowing him to behave as if he'd thought of the plan himself. He might still do that. I know the plan came from Izuku but the others don't and Tomura knows I will not contradict him.
In public. Which includes in front of the League.
Leadership rests on such fragile trust, after all.
It has cemented our plan to go after the Noumu. Tomura is planning it properly now. It has evolved from the 'break in and get them' into something approaching workable.
But that is our plans. It ignores the efforts of Izuku. I believe many of his plans are coming to fruition as well. Not everything but I can see the foundation.
The Government has implemented assessments on all Heroes. They are to be yearly but if a big event happens, then they are to be conducted in the aftermath, after a suitable healing time, of course. So far, no one has been tested. The HPSB is still setting up the schedule but it will be soon.
Knowing what I do of heroes, it will be amusing. They probably won't make the failures public but they will have to do something. That's one advantage villains have over the Government and Heroes. They have to play by the rules. We don't.
And when you have someone making the rules for you… Well, that changes the playing field in a whole new way. I don't think the heroes have noticed. I doubt anyone in the government notices either.
Why would they think about a first term representative hustling them? Especially when he gives them such good policies. Because Izuku's policies are popular, with the people. Until now the heroes have comforted themselves that those who have been failing the assessments were not suitable for life as a hero. They have been blind and short sighted but the public was supportive. That's what the Government saw. They saw the public approval at their care for the yet to be heroes. The Government saw the public approval for ensuring the mental health of future heroes. There is some petty acceptance there, I'm sure, from those with quirks too weak to be heroes and stupid dreams. They will be assured that they could have passed. They will be assured that it is a good thing.
The Government now sees public approval for ensuring the ongoing mental health of those who are heroes. They see the upturn from their electorates.
They fail to see the long term. They fail to see that sometimes for the benefit of all, one must be cruel. They fail to see how the heroes will fall, how in a few years time, even if nothing else is done, there will not be enough Heroes. I'm sure some see the problem. Others are focused on their opinion polls.
It's the little things that give a villain strength. I never thought I'd be thankful that we don't have opinion polls. For us things are much simpler. Either you succeed or you die.
We aren't dead yet. And that's all the assessment we will ever need.
https://discord.gg/ZX2R5h2cEm
También te puede interesar
Comentario de párrafo
¡La función de comentarios de párrafo ya está en la Web! Mueva el mouse sobre cualquier párrafo y haga clic en el icono para agregar su comentario.
Además, siempre puedes desactivarlo en Ajustes.
ENTIENDO