Chapter 66: The New Playing Field

Having managed to escape sight, Pyre linked up with Twice and Toga, and together, they made their escape. Using the alleys and the distraction that was the ongoing fight, they put around 8 blocks between them and the action.

It was a morning on a weekday in a suburban part of town, so they didn't need to worry as much about people seeing them, but they couldn't be careful. Toga didn't need to change; her villain attire was just her old school's uniform, so she looked like any other gal.

Having so much backup clothing, Pyre could rely on Toga, who snuck into a random house and stole clothing for him. He did take issue with the fact that she stole women's clothing. More accurately, she grabbed him in a dusty sage green smock dress with white daisies and slip-on shoes. To his annoyed acceptance, he didn't look out of place in it, appearing as a regular woman, perhaps Toga's elder sibling or friend.

Beneath it, Koharu wrapped around his body to hide from view, but how she had chosen to do that was somewhat suggestive, giving him faux curves and an above-average chest, which only made him look more like a woman, an older one at that, as Toga was adamant no teen could have curves like that.

Jin was the only one who seemed to have issues, as his issues became that much more prominent without his mask and in civvies.

“It's just as you said: This was the fastest route from the Yakuza headquarters to the nearest villain hospital. The stage is now set; thanks for letting us know now.” Mr. Compress spoke over the phone.

“You deserve a round of applause.” At his location, Compress, Shigaraki, Dabi, and Spinner were riding in a stolen truck. Spinner drove the vehicle while the other three stood in the back of it, getting ready to attack the transport carrying the wounded Overhaul to a hospital.

"Jin's the one who reminded me to call," Toga replied, smiling at Jin, who knelt, his hands on his head, as he tried to keep from 'splitting apart'.

“Runaway fast!” Jin yelled out, sounding pained as Pyre knelt beside him, giving him a comforting hug. Both he and Koharu warming up just a little to try and give Jin some sense of relief.

"We're safe, Jin. No one saw us. Soon, we'll be back where we want to be," Pyre soothed him, his genuine care coming off as part of the act, which wouldn’t draw much attention to them.

"Sorry, we're not there, so you must get your hands dirty." Toga apologized; she wanted this to be a bonding exercise, making Overhaul. Still, she'll have to settle for playing a role in his entire organization turning on him.

“Think nothing of it, if he’s in there, then we’ll consider this a gift.” Mr. Compress wasn't as vindictive as the rest, and he was certainly not a violent man, as he was more of a thief and escape artist.

But when you're forced to watch a comrade die, and then violently lose your arm, your sense of compassion and morality takes a dip, and he is eager to return that gesture to your target.

"We watched the cops load up everyone, and Koharu's got a wicked set of eyes as we even got the license plate numbers for who's carrying whom," Toga stated, winking towards Pyre's chest, where Koharu's head poked out just enough for her to see her.

“Hey, Mr. Compress, are there other vehicles there? Its license should end with the numbers 8 37‑89," Pyre asked, as there was something which he wanted.

“Why yes, they are, but they're a ways off, why?” Compress asked.

“Rappa should be in that one; he's the big rude guy with pink hair who loves to fight. He'll be an issue, but tell him I wanted to see him again; I owe him a proper death match.” Pyre gave Toga a pretty, bright smile, which had her swooning as she would want to see that. Last time, there was that stupid rule, but this time, oh, it would be so great to see!

“That won’t be easy, kid," Dabi responded.

“I’m not a kid! I’m 16!” Pyre pouted, knowing that Dabi had to be smirking on the other hand. "But could you please do it? I'll owe you a favour."

“As long as he doesn’t give us problems," Shigaraki replied, saying that he wouldn't waste time and energy if this guy was going to give him trouble or just annoy him.

"He won't; if he's being taken to the hospital, he's gotta be beat pretty badly," Pyre answered, though now that he thought about it, it could have been minor, which the heroes were just treating as something worth the trip, but perhaps not, as he was pretty sure most prisons had medical facilities that could handle most things.

“Did you guys learn anything about Overhaul’s little drug operation?” Compress asked, as that was part of why they were sent in.

"Plenty, but it's not the best time to discuss it. But, I do have something I think you'll like, it wasn't part of the agreement, but I think we can both profit from it. We couldn't get the girl, though." Pyre wasn’t comfortable telling them about Eri and how he didn’t try to grab her. That could come later.

“Girl?” Shigaraki asked.

“We’ll talk later. Overhaul's in for a long-awaited payback for crossing us.” Compress cut things off, no doubt they were about to jump the transports before they could get close to anyone who could rush to their aid.

“Kill them!” Jin yelled as Pyre soothed the man a little more.

But that didn’t stop the smile on his face from growing dangerous, smoke leaking through his lips like gas escaping from a rumbling volcano. “I already took my pound of flesh. I hope you enjoy whatever you plan to do to him." With that, Toga ended the call but looked at Pyre with curiosity.

“What were you talking about?”

“This.” Pyre pulled out a case from his pocket, opening it, he presented the two with 5 small cylinders, each small enough to fit into a gun and could serve as bullets. That observation was enough for them to assemble what they could be as Pyre closed the case and returned it to his pocket, safe from sight and harm. “Seeing how he was carrying them on his person, I’m betting they’re the finished product of his labours. It didn’t feel right to let him or the heroes have it.”

Line Break

A couple of hours later, Uraraka sat in a doctor's office, as did the rest involved in the raid. She had been taken to the hospital to be looked over, and at present, she sat before one of the doctors. “I’ve done a thorough examination, and I don’t see anything that’ll warrant you needing to stay overnight, young lady.”

“Oh, that’s good.” She frowned, as if she were fine, but only physically. She still couldn't get…him out of her mind, or how she was nearly tricked by Himiko Toga and, if not for Eraser, could have ended up as bad off as Lock Rock.

The doctor picked up on her mood but still needed to add something. "Still, it would be best if you got some rest for the next couple of days. Injuries like that can start minor, but I've seen too many pros develop chronic conditions because they didn't let their bodies recover properly."

Uraraka nodded, having heard similar things from an irritated Recovery Girl. “I think I’ll do that, but what about the others?”

The door opened, with Eraser pocking his head in. “I can fill you in, Uraraka.” He told her, and with the doctor's clearance, she grabbed her blazer but didn't put it on as she went to follow Eraser out. The hospital hallway was clear of traffic, with only the occasional nurse or doctor walking by. Doors being closed meant that a room had a patient, but others were open, and when she bothered to glance inside, she saw happy families and friends crowding around beds.

"Kirishima wasn't in the best case, as you say. He came in covered with bruises, lacerations, and both his arms broken, but they're hopeful he'll be back on his feet in no time." Eraser didn’t need her to say it to know what she wanted to know, so he just skipped to the chase.

"Amajiki's worse injury was a cracked bone in his skull, but nothing serious. Fat’s got a few broken bones, but it didn’t take much to set them, so he’s been in high spirits. Mainly asking for more food to regain his lost fat.” Uraraka gave a little smile at the end, as Fat Gum had looked so off being so lean and muscular. He was definitely better looking when he was big and huggable like a teddy bear.

“Toga’s stab wound had Lock Rock lose a lot of blood, but it didn't hit any vital organs, so after they closed him up and got some blood transfusions into him, he's been given a good call, but they want him to stay for another few days." Aizawa continued, having seen the man’s wife rush past him earlier towards his room, their newborn strapped to her chest.

“The rest were minor injuries, or just suffered exhaustion thanks to Katsukame’s quirk. Some rest and a good meal would be enough for them; it was for Bakugo, who was already up and about." He muttered, saying that the staff hadn't been happy about that, but they both knew Bakugo wasn't the type who could sit still for long.

But now came the more challenging details his student would want to know. "Eri's condition is stable, for the most part, but…well, there's been some complications."

“Is she okay?” Uraraka was rightfully worried. As Eri was kept in such terrible conditions by such a terrible person, she could only fear how he could have perhaps done something to spite them should Eri ever escape from him again.

“She’s fine, Uraraka. Her health is in no danger. She's just being kept in quarantine for the moment.” Eraser assured her, but Uraraka didn’t see it as such.

“Just like that?” Uraraka asked, as Eri didn’t need that, she needed-

As they turned the corner, they spotted Nighteye along with Lemillion, the two seemingly expecting them as All Might’s former sidekick took things from there. “Please know it’s for her well-being as it is for those around her. Her quirk is powerful, and she has no control over it. Till we know more, it would be foolish to risk it."

Uraraka frowned, but she couldn't dispute it. While Overhaul had been half bad and raving, he had revealed Eri's quirk, which, in theory, would explain how the fabled quirk delete would have worked. However, they treated it as hearsay until they could get tests done and confirm this.

 “The issue is with her guardian ship status.” Nighteye continued, the man frowning.

“We managed to interview the leader of the Shie Hassaikai, who submitted his DNA to confirm if he is Eri’s biological grandfather.” He revealed that, as Uraraka recalled seeing an old man at the raid, he hadn't thought much of it. She couldn't believe that Eri had living relatives, as wouldn't that mean she would have been protected and loved?

“Wha-what about her parents?” Uraraka asked though a part of her was already dreading the response, a feeling made worse when Lemillion’s typically approachable smile remained absent, and in its place,

It was Eraser who filled her in on that. “According to Hassaikai Naomi, they're out of the picture. Eri's quirk awoke when her father held her, reversing him to a point where he didn't exist, though he didn't know the details. His daughter, Eri's mother, abandoned the girl in his care and left." His face didn't change, but his tone did as the man's fist clenched, and so did Uraraka's. Her mother just…left? Like that? She dumped her child on her father and vanished?!

Nighteye adjusted his glasses. "We've already checked the records and can confirm that both parents existed, and Eri's father mysteriously vanished one day, while her mother moved to Australia. It'll take time before she can be located and contacted. Still, if the story is partially true, there isn't much hope she'll be willing to take Eri even if the courts judged her capable of such."

If the man was honest, if what was claimed was true, then he would sooner have her shipped back to Japan to stand trial for child neglect. Still, at the moment, they had other things to worry about than some terrible parent in the other hemisphere.

“But the Yakuza are?” Uraraka challenged.

This time, it was Lemillion who spoke. "That was our concern about this, but we have no proof that Hassaikai himself was abusive or neglectful towards her. According to him and several of his Yakuza group's members, he had entrusted Chisaki to study Eri's quirk so they could teach her how to use it. He bore no ill will towards her for the fate of his son-in-law, though tragic as it was." He crossed his arms as he spoke, as maybe the guy wasn't as bad as Kai, but that was a pretty low bar to clear.

"They claim that Chisaki and his assistant were the ones who took that too far, abusing the trust placed in him, and when the old man found out about his adopted son's actions and plans, he tried to reprimand him, only for Chisaki to place him into a coma and take control of the operations." Lemillion continued, though they had little to back it up other than the testimony of the man and several others. Still, he wasn't quick to trust known criminals' words.

"I would not be surprised if they, as a group, lump as much of the crimes they've committed in recent years at Chisaki's feet, and claim duress for the rest." Nighteye frowned, as he had seen such cases before, though mainly for smaller groups, but considering how they can't link any of them to the more serious offenses, the local prosecutor might just cut them a deal to strengthen their case against Chisaki and his loyalists…well, those who were in custody.

“There has to be more than that; they can't just expect to take Eri back after all this!" Uraraka pointed out that this seemed like a sick joke.

"I understand this isn't what you wished for, young hero." They turned and spotted the man in question approaching. Supporting himself on his case, and with 2 suited men at his back, a third middle-aged woman following behind them. “And I won’t begrudge you for assuming the worst of me, as the Yakuza’s reputation has taken a hit in recent years, and with our name so thoroughly besmirched by the actions of that fool, Chisaki…” His face shifted, gaining another 20 years of age before he sighed, the frustration bleeding out, but still leaving the following exhaustion.

“Still, Eri is my granddaughter, and I’ve always been a man who believed in caring about your family.” He told them all, to which the 2 heroes couldn’t detect deceit, but they wouldn’t just trust in that. A man like him could have easily learned how to conceal such motives.

“And yet, the daughter you raised abandoned her daughter with you and left the country.” Nighteye didn't pull any punches, and the accusation was clear to anyone listening.

To his credit, Hassaikai didn't fight them on this, nor did he get confrontational or angry. His face twisted, but it was more pain and shame than fury. "Correct. I want to believe she wasn't in her right mind, having lost her husband like she did, as Eri's quirk is a mutation unlike anything on either side of the family, but even after she left, I tried repeatedly to speak with her, get her to see reason, and she's refused each."

One of the suited men stepped forward, passing Eraser a card for a local law firm with the man's contact details. “I’m part of his legal counsel, and to prove my client’s words, we’re willing to cooperate with law enforcement, which includes handing over call logs and his phones.”

Pocketing it to have the place investigated to ensure it was legit, Eraser didn't let up the pressure. "And how will you care for her? Where would you even care for her?"

"We still have several legitimate business ventures, which I'm sure you know about. Of course, you can check them as well to ensure they're clean. As for residence, that is why I wished to speak with you." The old man stated, as they could admit, they had been curious why he approached them at all or how he even got into the hospital, as outside Eri, whose familiar status was unconfirmed, he had no one being treated there to visit.

The third lawyer, the woman in a pantsuit, replied, "We wish the state to take short-term custody of Eri. The fact of the matter is, we don't have the means or license to help Eri learn how to use her quirk, nor do we have a suitable accommodation. Even if your investigation ends, my client plans to sell the Shie Hassaikai's compound."

“Really?” Nighteye asked, leaving Uraraka and Lemillion to be surprised by the request.

Hassaikai responded, sounding rough and bitter about it. "It's been our family residence for over 100 years now, but Kai's actions have stained it and its legacy. It wouldn't be fair to Eri to raise her in a place with so many bad memories for her, nor do I wish to spend another night there if I can help it."

Uraraka couldn't say that he wasn't sounding…reasonable about things, but how much was genuine, and what he thought he would say to regain custody?

The two pros shared a glance, a wordless conversation between them that seemed to last forever. Still, it was only a few moments before Nighteye returned to them. "Well, since you're forthcoming on details, you wouldn't mind explaining how you woke up from your coma? As you can imagine, it's hard to believe it was mere chance."

“That’s-” Hassaikai stopped the final lawyer from speaking for him with a single rise of his hand.

“It’s fine,” He wouldn’t hide this, it’ll only bite them in the asses later. Facing the heroes, he gave his response. “It was Pyre, hero. He was working with loyalists within the Shie Hassaikai who got him close enough so he could find my room and heal me. Of course, it wasn’t for free as he wished for me to…well, turn against Chisaki and instruct my loyalists and those terrified of Chisaki to do the same.”

“He didn’t ask for anything else from you?” Eraser pressed, as that kid…there was no way it was just that, perhaps it was part of his reasoning, but he wouldn't believe it was.

"I've answered your questions, so it's time to answer mine on the situation with my granddaughter. We both wish for the best for her, particularly after this, and while she is my ward, you have the means to train her how to control her powers." Hassaikai didn't answer the question, but neither hero could press him for more. If nothing else, they couldn't charge him for any crimes committed as he was, in fact, unable to even report suspected illegal activity for the longest time.

Still, they wouldn't give up so easily, but they'll play along…for now.

"Considering the circumstances, we aren't authorised to make that decision. However, we can raise this offer with those in Child Guidance services and the police," Nighteye replied.

“That’s all I ask, good day.” To that, Hassaikai turned to leave, his business with them concluded.

“One more thing!” Uraraka called out to him, the old man turning around. "What…was he like? Pyre, I mean."

“Hmmm,” He frowned at the question, as he would need to think about how to describe that one. Now that he thought about it, he was around the young girl's age, right? I think he was accomplished and should have been in high school. "He was…a paradox. Seemingly genuine, affectionate, and yet more dangerous than any other villain I've seen. No," He shook his head before correcting himself.

"His kindness made him dangerous, as something was wrong with that boy, something that put me on edge during our short meeting."

Line Break

“Madam President,” it was the following day, and with most having been discharged from the hospital, including some of their students, Eraser and Nighteye had thought it best to request a meeting with the president of the HPSC. This is typically hard for pros nowhere near the top ten, but within hours, they had gotten their permission and a time slot to meet with the woman.

The president, crisp and straight-laced as ever, greeted them when they entered her office. “Sir Nighteye, congratulations on your operations.” She offered Nighteye a hand to shake, which he respectfully accepted.

"I feel that is not valid, considering how things turned out," Nighteye replied, to which the president nodded.

“Yes, I’ve seen the report. I was quite surprised to read it.” Eraser couldn't see the report anywhere on her desk, but he couldn't rule out that she had just seen the digital version or had read it already and didn't need it lying around—not on a desk that seemed so well organized that it would make Iida seem messy.

"As I was experiencing it. Hindsight makes it nearly foolhardy that the rest and I didn't suspect this would happen when we knew that the League had come to blows with the Shie Hassaikai, but we did not." Nighteye frowned, as while he had told Uraraka to accept that they had won, it was mainly for her benefit. But as the adult and the one who planned the raid, he couldn't help but feel responsible for so many unknowns and for allowing Pyre, Toga, and Twice to escape.

The president, as always, was impossible to read. Neither could tell if she shared Nighteye’s opinion or not. Even her tone remained the same, calm, deliberate, and commanding. “We’ve worked under the assumption that the Thunder and the League are separate entities, but it seems that has changed.”

"I wouldn't call it as much. From what we could learn from the Yakuza members we questioned, Pyre was brought on as hired help under the League's own funds. They wanted Kurogiri, so Shigaraki seemingly improvised." Eraser replied, to which the woman frowned, but it was so slight one could have missed it. But at least that was an issue that couldn't arise again, considering that hours after their raid, Kurogiri was captured.

The issue came from how the capture had gone and what the heroes had been forced to run from.

"Still, we should move forward with the assumption that the two groups are closer to the originally intended." The president picked up the remote on her desk and pointed it towards the wall-mounted TV, turning it on. It was already turned to the news showing the highway, with 2 vans overturned, and a police cruiser wrecked, the day's only footage showing the then, at the time, raging fire.

“-Chisaki, the young head of a formerly prominent Yakuza group, was arrested for the abduction, confinement, and abuse of a young girl yesterday, following a raid operation led by the heroes, Sir Nighteye and Ryukyu, among other names.”

The reporter's voice continued as the footage was overlaid with additional footage shot later when other police arrived at the scene and sectioned off that part of the road. “As police transported him, however, they were attacked by the League of Villains. Chisaki was gravely wounded in the attack, and another member of the Yakuza group is missing. The pro hero Snatch, who was working as an escort, was killed, with several other police officers being seriously injured.”

“This attack on a villain custody is an unprecedented failure." The president turned it off, not needing or wanting to listen to the media prattle on about the incident. If it was important, she'd get a summary from one of her aides.

"As you can see, we need a win and one yesterday." Still, she couldn't deny that it was not good. Things had not been 'good' for months now, and with All Might's retirement, the destruction in Kamino, and a blatant and open assault on a police escort, resulting in the death of a pro? Things wouldn't just improve on their own but would need aggressive treatment.

“Agreed, and I can assume that will be part of our goals as the counter Thunder task force?” Nighteye asked, to which she nodded.

“We already have assets working on the League of Villains. They might not be as dangerous or prolific as the Thunder. However, they're still a formidable and growing threat we know nothing about." The president replied as she had wanted Nighteye because of his investigational skills. The Thunder was nothing like any other gang, and thus, they needed to study them extensively. 

"You're to focus exclusively on the Thunder. We need information about their goals, their backers, hideouts, and associates, even their histories and personalities, so we can better build profiles on each." She relayed her instructions as she was getting sick of reading about them and how they were growing in influence both in the underground and among regular people.

Stain was bad enough, but he was a bad man who slew heroes in alleys and back roads. There was no rhythm, no reason, and most importantly, nothing for people to latch onto, not unless you already hated heroes. The Thunder was different. They were public, confident, powerful, and each unique. Appealing to a section of the populace as individuals, they could gain much more attention as a unit.

“We may need to share notes from time to time, Madam President," Nighteye said, and with how little she shifted, they wouldn't have caught how she had grown a little more guarded about the request.

“And why is that?” They were also working on a counter League operation, but it wasn't one she would like people she didn't trust to keep quiet and loyal to know about.

"As my report stated, Overhaul was already developing drugs which could temporarily shut down someone's quirk, with his aim being to create a means to completely destroy them in his targets. We've already found his labs, as well as storage facilities for the former quirk blocker drugs. Still, we can't locate where the quirk deleters are.” Nighteye explained that that was perhaps his biggest worry.

"I assume that you don't believe they got that far." The president frowned, as she had seen that part in his report. While as professional as ever, Nighteye had ensured his word choice and sentence construction brought additional attention to that detail.

Of course, it wasn't as if she disagreed with him. The idea that a group half as dangerous as the League or the Thunder having access to such a tool was terrifying. Heroes, even top heroes, aren't Gods, and while All Might had gone decades disproving that, time had still caught up with him. It was a constant battle for the rest of mortals to ensure that the public and villains saw heroes as larger than life. The idea that now, any random bullet, not even a serious wound, could rob even their best and strongest of their powers…it sent chills down her spine.

Yes, they had Chisaki's research and even the source of the drug, but with how much scrutiny was on her, she'd need to be an idiot to try and restart the program under their supervision. More than that, such a project would need to be a long-term investment, but it just didn’t have the same elements to it as it did with Takami, being closer to Tsutsumi, and she would not want to repeat that.

No, it would have been best if they had the finished product.

Back to the topic, Eraser shook his head. "Afraid not. As we couldn't find them on the premises, Chisaki seemed angered during the fight and continued to complain about how they had been stolen. Chrono's interrogation confirmed that they did, in fact, produce 5 such bullets. It's our suspicion that when Pyre ripped off Chisaki's arm, he also grabbed the finished product off Chisaki's person before making his escape." That hadn’t been pleasant to see, and the smile on the boy’s face as he did it…it was insane, dripping with raw, unfiltered malice.

“And while the Thunder could use them, they don’t have the means, at least we don’t believe they have the means to study this drug, never mind reproduce it.” The president assumed, to which both nodded as she continued. “But considering the League has trice now unleashed bio-engineered monsters, the Nomu. You believe that they could have passed this new drug to them to handle for them.”

"Considering their closeness, it would make sense," Nighteye replied.

The president chewed on that, as yes, the League had access to Nomu, beasts made from corpses for battle, and could have multiple quirks depending on the type. But there was a catch to that, wasn't there? “Still, was it not the assumption that the Nomu were made primarily through All for One’s power? What more can they do with their leader and chief financial backer behind bars?”

“Still, it would be the cautious, and in my opinion, the practical approach to share whatever is learned between our two teams.” Nighteye didn't back down, though she had doubted he or Eraser would; they weren't the type for that. It was a quality she respected from them, but also made her more cautious around them than most.

"I shall consider it. For now, you should get back to things." She dismissed them, if not in such words, but in tone, as the two nodded and left her to her thoughts.

Line Break

This chapter was a sort of recap of what had happened and a means to connect to events off-screen, mainly because they were close enough to canon that they didn't matter. However, with the League out of action, at least when it came to the canon, for the upcoming Culture Festival, and Joint Training, that gave me a lot of leeways for events to came…well, more then I’ve already created for myself, so you can expect that things will go off the rails pretty damn fast.

Line Break

There was more there, but short was time, and my point was made. No, but for real, this was it. It was more of a mop-up than anything else. As for the next chapter, well, we'll have a bit of a surprise in how things would have developed and what I'm planning for that chapter and the story going forward.