Chương 14: Confrontation

Without Hawks' body, a determination of his fate could not be revealed to the public. Imoku has informed us, via Toga that the HPSB is keeping a lid on the Number One Hero's disappearance. They have instructed his agency and sidekicks to say he is on a long term mission.

As if you could send the number one hero on a long term mission! You can, but not one that is undercover. They are simply too recogniseable.

The media is keeping quiet. I understand why Hawks' sidekicks keep quiet. It's their job, but the media's job is to report. They are a part of the corruption of society. They serve the highest bidder, and soon enough that bidder will be the League.

Tomura has been distracted with his toys. I thought he should be more active, that the League should be more active but I am reassured that it will be fine. Imoku, again through Toga gave me a message. He said it would be find to indulge for now since time was required for the public to mull over events. Time was required for the government to do so as well.

Change couldn't be achieved in a day. Or rather, it could but that was usually brutal, temporary change. What the League wants is something more permanent. That's what Izuku is working towards and I understand that type of change takes time.

Who ever thought that one of the problems I'd experience in my career is boredom? Or not specifically boredom but something else… Just routine. There is not much to do but tend the new bar. That should be the new, new bar, and try to think of anything that can be done to forward our case. We could do many things, but I do not wish the League to become known for mindless violence. Our strikes have a purpose, though the world has yet to recognise that.

They will. For now, we will wait.

-afop-

Aizawa stood on the edge of the crowd. He wasn't sure he wanted to be here, but he had done many things in the course of his career that he wasn't sure about. He'd just never expected that attending a political rally would be one of them.

Especially not for a very popular independent member of the House of Representatives. But Representative Imoku Kakurete was giving a speech and while Aizawa had listened to a lot of his speeches already, this was the first time he had been to one live.

The man was a great orator. He was playing the crowd with careful words and key phrases. They were hanging on his words. It was something unheard of for a first term Representative but there it was.

Except… Nedzu was right. Aizawa's investigation confirmed that. There was something up with the Representative. What annoyed the Pro-Hero was that he still didn't know what. He just couldn't find the key which would make the puzzle make sense. It was infuriating, which was why he was here. Maybe if he saw Imoku, maybe if he could feel the way Imoku moved, the way Imoku thought he could find that missing piece.

He was keeping his expression hidden as Imoku talked. It was one of those topics that Aizawa really didn't like hearing about, even if it was true.

"-keep putting this off. We keep ignoring the obvious. We are hoping that the problem will just go away. But it's not going away," Imoku said. "It won't go away that easily," he added, looking sad.

Aizawa was more than sad. He was furious. The emotion was directed inwards and was directed at all the other heroes! How had they let it come to this?

"Many heroes are now facing retirement, or are facing lengthy times of leave. As the public we can berate that, but we can not begrudge them. It is for their health, and while many still believe sickness is physical, those of us who are enlightened, those who are wise, recognise that sickness is in the mind as well. Thus, we must allow our heroes that time to heal, we must allow them time to recover. To do anything less would be abuse."

The problem, Shouta thought to himself, was that the words were all very logical. The assessments were as well. It was important to maintain the mental health of heroes, or else they couldn't do the work… It's just that, in maintaining mental health, the HPSB had disqualified so many heroes and sidekicks

It would be better in the long run… Aizawa knew it except, he wasn't sure now that they had a long run and one of the people responsible for that was standing in front of a podium.

"But beyond allowing those heroes who failed, time to heal, we must do more! We must question why they are failing. We must question what has caused this, and then we must find a way to fix it.

"I already know why they are failing," Imoku said.

Aizawa jerked. That was a bold statement and the Representative said it so easily as if it was something that was truth.

"They are failing because we have let heroes become separate. We have let them go too far away from the norm," Imoku was saying. The crowd immediately before the podium was nodding in complete agreement. Aizawa felt his lip curl upwards in disgust. Groupies. Who knew a politician could have them as well?

"It is therefore time to bring heroes back into the fold," Imoku said sincerely. "It is time to reabsorb them into the existing structures of society."

The Pro-hero felt his eyes widen. He'd heard that suggestion before but it was from some kids. This was far more serious. For a moment he saw the future. Heroes were no more. They were policemen, firefighters and medics. They were still acting for the public good but there was so much more they could be doing. He shivered, reaching into his pocket.

There was a letter there. Aizawa had no idea how it had been delivered. It had just appeared in his notes on the case. With the signature it bore, he almost hadn't read it but curiosity was a good trait and he wanted to know. He wanted to know how the letter had gotten there and he wanted to know what the Yakuza named Overhaul had to say.

It was a brief missive. Aizawa could remember it word for word.

Shouta Aizawa, Pro-Hero Eraser Head. If you are reading this, then I'm dead but someone has to know and someone has to act. The League is more than they seem. They have hidden members. Representative Imoku Kakurete is one. He is their hidden, secret weapon. You will doubt. You will deny, but you will know in your heart it is true. All you need do is look at his actions and ask yourself if they serve society, or if they serve the League.

That was it. So brief but if true, it confirmed so much.

Even with all the research and stalking Aizawa had done, he couldn't find any link to the League but Overhaul was right. In his gut he couldn't deny it. Except he couldn't prove it!

And Heroes, even underground ones, couldn't act without proof.

His main supposed link was that Imoku Kakurete seemed to step out of thin air a few years ago. His public records were perfect, he had even paid taxes, but no one Aizawa spoke to could quite remember him. That just confirmed for Aizawa that Imoku had been someone else in the past… but he couldn't work out who. There was no missing persons report for anyone of the appropriate age, and physical description.

"I am not suggesting that we ignore all the years of training they have put into use their Quirks. I am not suggesting that we completely ignore the possibilities inherent in Quirks but I am saying that it is beyond time that Heroes were no longer separate. Too often have we seen tragedies caused by the perceived distance between heroes and others."

Aizawa had a bad feeling about whatever was to come.

"I'm sure everyone is aware of the Rescue Hero Team, Wild Wild PussyCats. Their standing in the rankings dropped dramatically, more than 400 places in one year. This was the result of one member being injured in such a way as they cannot recover."

Shouta grimaced. That was the nice way of saying 'had her quirk ripped out'. Ragdoll had gotten better but her Quirk was gone and the effectiveness of the Wild Wild PussyCat's had suffered.

"Hero training is too valuable resource to waste. And so now, the Wild Wild PussyCats have been integrated into other Rescue Forces. Not Hero forces, but to those who are often overlooked, those who work beside Hero forces in a disaster. Our Emergency Services.

"Thus, I believe it can be with all heroes. The distance can be destroyed. It will be better for society and better for the Heroes. They will be supported. The Wild Wild PussyCats were floundering until they realised there was support, but that support did not come from distance. Support came from inclusiveness.

"More recently, there is another example. The Pro-Hero Sir Nighteye was injured in a battle with the League of Villains."

Aizawa looked at Imoku. Was this politician going to bring up every failure Heroes had made in regards to the League? Or was there another link between the League and Imoku? Did they do it because Imoku told them too? Shouta shivered at that thought. Was he looking at the Leadership of the League? It wouldn't be the first time a politician had done something questionable in the pursuit of power… Though this was beyond questionable.

But there was no evidence… If Imoku really was in charge of the League then he was covering his tracks perfectly… Which was one reason Aizawa didn't think it was true, no matter how horrifying the thought was. Imoku just did not have the time to Lead the League! Though… there was still at least one League member unaccounted for. The one who appeared at the USJ. The one who had only watched.

No. The League wouldn't follow someone who didn't fight.

Imoku looked regretful, and there was a catch in his voice as if he felt personally sad at his words. He was a brilliant actor. "It is a tragedy what has happened to Sir Nighteye but with proper support, it wouldn't have happened."

Aizawa almost growled. The politician couldn't guarantee that… but then that wasn't what the world wanted to hear. Not what the public wanted to think. They wanted to believe that with enough preparation or support, all tragedies could be avoided.

"With proper support, from the Police, Sir Nighteye's team would have been able to handle the situation very differently, which would have led to a far better outcome, and young Mirio could have continued as a Hero. But now, he will be haunted by a a mission gone wrong for the rest of his life and that is the true tragedy.

"It is tragic, that we as a society, entrust so much to those who call Heroes, but then give them so little support.

"But that is changing. The Hero Public Safety Bureau has initiated assessments to ensure the mental health of all Heroes and those who live with them." Imoku shook his head. It was an odd gesture given the positivity of the statement. "Some will say that is enough! I say that is a bare minimum. It is what is done routinely for all our Police Officers after all! But because we persist in seeing heroes as different, as above us, we forget they are human. We forget that they have problems.

"That must stop and we must as a society move to protect them."

It took Aizawa a moment to recognise the small tendril of feeling that was coiling through his mind. Agreement.

Savagely he shook his head. He didn't agree! Imoku was an agent for the League! How could he agree?

The sharp movement brought attention and Shouta found himself staring directly into brilliant green eyes. They were intense

And then they moved on but despite the distance between them, the pro-hero could see the small smile playing around Imoku's lips. He'd been recognised and the politician took it as a challenge.

Something played at his mind. Something Nighteye had said. Beware the hidden one. Imoku's name. It meant hidden… hide actually, Aizawa's mind corrected fastidiously.

Was this the League's hidden one? Shouta looked back at the politician, he was still smiling. A shudder passed through the underground hero.

Even if Imoku was the League, what could he do?

-afop-

The public are beginning to make further demands to the Hero Public Safety Bureau about Hawks. The excuse that the Number One Hero is on a long term mission is wearing thin. Even those on missions can make public appearances. His sidekicks are also not making it easy. They look decidedly worried.

You'd think that the HPSB would train them better on how to act. Apparently hero school doesn't have good drama classes. It is something they should invest in. Hawks continues to cling to life with a tenacity I have seldom seen, though I imagine his continued life will soon bore Tomura.

In the meantime, Imoku asked to see Tomura. That was unusual. He's been adept at being distant, both for his protection and the League's though we are one and the same. Imoku recognises that everything will collapse if he gets embroiled in scandal. He's been meticulous in avoiding that. And the history Sensei's contacts made up for him include just a tiny bit of scandal but nothing serious. Merely the tom-foolery associated with high school.

It seemed safe enough. Imoku came at the time he was meant to be at dinner with Toga. She was left at the apartment. I brought him into the new… new bar. The looks from the League were interesting, especially with Tomura's greeting. The interest will blow over, especially as Dabi simply shared a wave with Imoku, implying that he was allowed here, before going back to his card game.

Endeavor's son has matured. When he first joined us, he was simply a punk. Arrogantly assured of the ascendancy of his quirk and abilities. He has grown. He has seen other possibilities. He is now aware of his shortcomings, and those of his team. He is becoming more competent, just as Tomura has matured. I think Sensei would be proud of the League. The vision he had is being fulfilled.

Imoku and Tomura spoke for a while. He wanted to know why Hawks and Overhaul were still alive. I could tell that much while they were speaking. Tomura had an evilly pleased smile on his face at the question. Anyone would have known what they were talking about from that expression. Then they moved on to other things. At least, that is what Tomura told me.

Tomura hasn't told me everything but he informed me that Imoku had asked permission for something. Shigaraki wouldn't say what. After Imoku left, he appeared pensive. It is not an expression one associates with Tomura. He was restless but thankfully the League has two who he could take his frustration out on. Hawks and Overhaul had not been faring well. That day was worse than usual.

When Tomura was still solemn the next day I asked what it was. He still didn't tell me. All he said was that Imoku assured him that it was information needed for the last push to destroy Hero society. It was an interesting dichotomy. Usually Tomura would have been all for that… but for some reason this was causing him trouble. All I could do was assure him that if Imoku said it was necessary, then it would be necessary.

I'm not sure it did anything but without further information, it was all I could do. I can only hope that Tomura is feeling the sort of melancholy that comes when you know you are close to the end. It isn't something I thought he would feel, though I have seen him experience it when playing a game he particularly likes, so perhaps it's not that unusual. He will have the fortitude to see this through to the end. I know that.

And that is all the League needs.

-afop-

Imoku looked up from his reading as the door to his office burst open. Two men he recognised strode in, following by his Executive Assistant who had a stricken expression on his face.

"I'm sorry, Sir, they wouldn't wait!" Kenta apologised profusely.

"It's alright, Kenta," he dismissed the man. "I'll handle it," he added the reassurance. "Why don't you make some tea for my guests?"

Kenta retreated with a relieved look but was wise enough to know he wasn't quite out of the woods yet.

Imoku looked at the two men who had remained silent throughout the exchange. He gave them a winning smile. "May I help you, Gentlemen?" He got up and gestured towards the side of his office where there was a small lounge setting. It was meant for more casual discussions. He took one of the couches as the two men settled into the other one.

They were still silent. Imoku gave them another smile, recognising the tactic. They were trying to make him nervous. He let himself examine them.

Shouta Aizawa was much the same as he remembered from the last time he had seen the pro-hero. He was dressed casually but there was a hard look in his eyes that meant you could never mistake him for a civilian. He seemed confident but Imoku knew he'd much rather this confrontation be in some darkened back alley. He was that sort of man.

The other man was very familiar even if Imoku had only met him once before. The entire country knew who the man was. All Might in his true form. His eyes were bluer than Imoku remembered but he was thin. The rigors of Hero life clear to see upon his body. And the rigors of fighting with Sensei, Imoku couldn't help the thought.

"There have been several questions lately," Aizawa started.

"Questions?" Imoku asked with a raised eyebrow.

"About you," this time it was All Might.

Imoku shook his head, again recognising the tactic. They were going to try to keep him off guard by switching who was talking. Amateurs. "I suppose that isn't unusual," he replied coolly, "given my position and all."

Shouta gave him a thin smile. "It is more serious than just questions."

"This is the first I've heard of anything," he said honestly. They didn't know anything, Imoku realised. If they did, neither hero would be here to simply talk. They would have barged in to arrest him. This was a fishing trip. They were hoping to trip him up to gain some sort of hint, to get some sort of leverage.

"I find that odd, given your connections to the League of Villains."

He almost burst out laughing. He had connections, all right. "That is a very serious accusation," Imoku said flatly, letting them know he felt insulted but for the moment prepared to let them drive the conversation.

"It is, and it is a crime that carries quite a few penalties," All Might told him before falling silent as Kenta knocked.

Imoku's Executive Assistant entered, carrying a tray. The three men remained silent as Kenta brought the tray to the table, laying out three tea cups and a pot of tea. He then rose, gave a small bow and left.

Imoku leaned forward. "Would you like some tea?" he asked, picking up the pot, indicating towards the cups. Both heroes shook their head. His lips quirked and Izuku poured himself a cup, before setting the pot down. He picked up the cup and took a small sip to prove to them that it wasn't contaminated with either poison or some other concoction.

"That is a very serious accusation," Imoku repeated. "And I cannot help the belief that you have some false intelligence if you have truly come to that conclusion."

They were fishing for information but he could fish as well.

The two heroes shared a look.

"You won your position as a Representative in the wake of All Might's final fight with the man believed to have founded the League," Aizawa said. "You campaigned on the premise of finding a way to reduce villain related crime."

"Which I will tell you honestly, and in confidence, might have been a bit of a stretch, given my status as an independent," Imoku admitted taking another sip of tea.

He could see the way they reacted to that. They weren't sure what he meant.

"The thing is, you were the only politician ready to capitalise on my forced retirement," All Might said. "The introduction of the Heroes Must Be Heroes Bill was timed to perfection. Almost as if you knew what was going to happen."

Imoku opened his green eyes wide. "I had no idea," he growled, not bothering to hide the insult he felt. "And like the rest of the world I was horrified to see what happened!" Of course, he was horrified to see Sensei lose but Izuku understood now that it had been a necessary step. The man had contingencies for everything, to turn every event into something the League could benefit from, even his own defeat.

"Yet you did not stop. With the fall of Endeavor, the bill continued. It expanded to target Shouto. It was a very well timed amendment." There was a touch of admiration in Aizawa's voice.

"You credit me with too much," Imoku dismissed the underground pro-heroes words. "Though I am forced to question your motives. The HMBH Bill and its amendments, all of them, are designed to help Heroes. They are designed to ensure the continued mental health of heroes, and by extension, society. Or are you saying that heroes should be scarred by their work? That they should accept the pain and the heartache as some sort of price required to do their job?

"That is a barbaric thought and it is one I reject utterly!"

The two heroes looked horrified. Had they not thought about that? They must have, or where they horrified by one they thought of as a villain could be so eloquent in the protection of Heroes? Imoku didn't know but it was somewhat amusing.

"Heroes are trained to deal with the stress of the job," Aizawa said.

Imoku gave him a smile, one that clearly questioned his sanity. "With so many Heroes failing even the basic HPSB psyche assessments, I am forced to wonder how you can draw that conclusion, hmm?" He tilted his head to emphasis his question.

There was no real argument that could be made against that, not with the number of retirements there had been recently.

At least the prohero had the good taste to remain silent. "Not everyone who has become a hero recently has done so for the right reasons," All Might was forced to admit.

"And that has led to this," Imoku added on to the former Number One Hero's statement. "If this testing had of existed earlier, then maybe things would have been different, maybe more of those called heroes would truly be heroes."

All Might cleared his throat. "There have been some mistakes made," he admitted, looking down. "But you have led the Government in inflating the mistakes."

Imoku blinked at the Hero. "I fail to see how I could be leading the Government," he said. "I am an independent representative," he reminded the heroes.

"With an undocumented quirk," Aizawa snapped.

"Excuse me?" Imoku demanded, indignantly. He'd practiced the precise tone to ensure that the only hint of surprise in his voice was at the very suggestion, not because the suggestion was the truth.

"It took me awhile to understand what happened at your speech," the underground pro-hero said. "I found myself agreeing with you."

Imoku snorted. "And you think it was because of a quirk?" He shook his head. "More likely you agree with my stance, though you cannot professionally admit it."

"No, you were using a quirk. Something subtle. Something to make me agree."

"You are aware of my quirk, correct?" Imoku asked. He put his now empty tea cup down and raised one hand. "Spark," he said, allowing several sparks to burst from the tips of his fingers. It was a pretty display, almost like a sparkler. "That is my quirk," Imoku said. "It is not some sort of mind control quirk," he scoffed.

"Undocumented quirk," Aizawa repeated. "And as a member of the League, it wouldn't be too difficult to have that man give you a covering quirk," the underground hero said. "And you've been using it to get the public to agree and to get the Government to agree."

"You do know that all Representatives undergo routine scans?" Imoku asked.

"Scans?" Aizawa appeared confused for a moment.

"To ensure that we are not under the control of any quirk. To ensure that the decisions we make are our decisions. So, all I can say is that you have a good imagination," Imoku sighed tiredly. "Perhaps you are in the wrong industry," he added. "I think though, it is an aspect of your concern," he continued, lowering his hand. Imoku allowed his eyes to meet Aizawa's. "I can understand that. Things are changing," he added. "And it is human nature to fear change. It is only natural, even for Heroes." He couldn't help but add the jab.

The underground hero glared at him but Imoku knew that he'd won the argument. They were hoping he'd become flustered at the mention of a second quirk. Did they really think Sensei had chosen so poorly? Or… more likely, they thought he was like Tomura. Heh… That made more sense and he was insulted all the more for the realisation.

"You are destroying the people's faith in Heroes," All Might said.

Imoku looked at the hero. He was much the same as he had been that time, though there was an air of tiredness about him that hadn't been there previously. "I prefer to think I am helping the system evolve to a changing need," he replied mildly.

"Allow me to tell you what I envisage," Imoku continued when neither Hero appeared to be willing to speak. "And you will see that change isn't that scary," he added. It was amusing to be treating them like children but if that's what it took, then he would do that. He shook his head. "You see, I truly believe that there has been a growing gulf between Heroes and the rest of society. It started with you, All Might," Imoku said.

"Me?" The man seemed surprised.

"You," Imoku confirmed. "You were too much of a hero." Interestingly Aizawa seemed to understand where Imoku was going with this. "Too perfect, too strong." He held up one hand before the hero could object. "It is only in hindsight can we see the problems that has caused. People became complacent. They began to see heroes in your image. They began to see heroes as perfect infallible beings.

"We both know that's not the case but that is what the people saw, and that was the beginning of the chasm and so now, when Heroes are being shown to be human, the pain is more. It is unfortunate but it is a consequence that we have to deal with." He sighed.

"The future will be better," Imoku said. "And I don't see a future where there is a gulf between heroes and the rest of society. I see heroes, those trained to use their quirks as being a part of society. An important part, because quirks are a strength humans should use but we can no longer allow Heroes to be considered separate. We can no longer allow them to be put on a pedestal, allowed to be thought of as somehow better."

"Did you once try to be a hero?" The question was sudden, and came from All Might.

"Did I once try to be a hero?" Imoku asked, confused.

"Yes," All Might nodded. "Is that where your resentment of heroes comes from?"

Imoku took a deep breath. "Once, long ago, I might have thought about it," he admitted. Almost every child thought about being a hero at some stage. It would be stupid if he completely denied the thought. "But then, it was actually a hero who taught me a valuable lesson," Imoku said, fixing his green eyes on All Might. The hero might remember Izuku but he would never link Izuku to Imoku, not with the years he had given to Sensei. Even so, Izuku couldn't help but take some satisfaction from his words.

"I was told, that without a suitable quirk, I should keep my dreams realistic. That I should aim only for what was achievable," he said. Imoku felt a sharp stab of gratification at the stricken words on All Might's face. Maybe he did remember Izuku. "So I turned to business, and then to politics. Far more mundane," Imoku joked, watching as All Might settled his expression again.

"So, in the future, I see those trained to use their quirks working with the police, as part of the police. Not as heroes, not separately, but as a part of the Police force, a special response unit or similar," he explained. "That way their mental health will be fully monitored and they will always have the support of those who understand. Those who work as rescue heroes will be a part of the emergency services.

"There is no need for us to ignore quirks. In the right circumstance, they are very useful but it is a matter of ensuring that we use the right quirk at the right time. Integration may seem weird, but will be for the best in the long run."

Imoku gave the heroes a bright smile. They just looked back at him with hard eyes. Imoku's expression shifted, becoming more smug and his smile morphed into a smirk.

"An interesting vision," All Might eventually said in such a way as Imoku could hear what he really meant. You won't get away with it.

He was reminded of Overhaul with Kurogiri's mist surrounding him screaming that he wouldn't win. Imoku gave All Might a look. He couldn't say it but he could feel it.

"I think we have taken enough time from the Representative," Aizawa said, rising.

All Might agreed.

"I do thank you for coming to me with your concerns, gentlemen," Imoku said. "I hope I've been able to allay those concerns," he added.

"I'm sure we will be seeing you again," All Might said.

Imoku nodded as he showed the two heroes to the door. "One day," he agreed and was pleased to see that Aizawa caught Imoku's true meaning.

The door closed and Imoku heard them talking to Kenta before the heroes voices disappeared. He walked back to the couch, collapsing on to it. "Kenta," Imoku yelled. "Cancel the rest of my appointments for today," he instructed, rubbing at his temples.

He didn't need a response from his Executive Assistant as he began to think.

The Heroes had their suspicions but they couldn't prove anything. Even so he would have to be careful when he met with Tomura. And… No, he'd need the League even after Heroes were gone. Some Heroes would become vigilantes and they would have to be dealt with since he couldn't expect any hero who integrated into the Police forces to actually do that job with any degree of effort.

A smile creased his features as he remembered All Might's expression when he suggested that dreams had to be kept realistic. Maybe the Hero did remember Izuku.

Too late though. It was far too late and he'd made his choice.

He was no longer Izuku Midoriya, a boy who idolised Heroes. He was Imoku Kakurete, the man who would save everyone, so that heroes were no longer necessary.

Heroes would be the last people he'd save.

But he would save them. From themselves.

-afop-