Chapter 56: A Job Done, a Conversation Had.

It was late into the night, and for most businesses, factories especially, they would have shut down for the night, but not here as the night shift had arrived to handle things, relieving their day laborers who clocked out to head home, our out or do whatever they did to relax and rest after a shift. Polished steel catwalks were suspended overhead vats of molten alloys, heavy machinery, assembly lines, and specialized workstations manned by robots and workers.

Near the back of this factory stood. He was a tall, odd-looking middle-aged man with a prominently long, pointed nose adorning his face with an obtruding chin. His short orange hair seemed to be receding, giving him a prominent widow’s peak, so his hair was styled to be swept back around his head. He might have looked no different to the workers if not for his clothing. As where they wore overalls, business casual, or cheap suits, he wore a fine silk black and white pinstripe suit, polished to perfection block shoes with a sea green button-up shirt and dark green tie.

These were clothes more befitting a board room, not a factory, and everyone knew it. Of course, they also knew that he wasn't a factory worker or even just their direct supervisor, as this was the man who owned the factory itself. This was Yotsubashi Rikiya, President and CEO of the Detnerat. He hummed as he observed the work being done, as materials from wood, metals, fabric, and polymers were forged, shaped, and then assembled together; it wasn't fast, nor was it easy, but it was coming along nicely.

Most believed he had come on a whim. Their charismatic and joy-loving boss had just wished to see how they worked, speak with factory managers, and get some feedback from his workers. However, there was another reason he came, as the noise of the place made it easier to have conversations of a sensitive nature without needing to always take them to his office back at headquarters.

“So, was the raid a success?” Yotsubashi asked one of his aides.

"Yes, grand commander. The Thunder contacted our man not long ago, though they requested additional support." The woman replied, bowing in respect to her boss and commander.

“Oh?” The dark fire-like stain on his forehead grew just a little at that. “And why’s that?”

“Well, the sight contained more children than they thought, so their original plan simply couldn’t account for it.” His aide replied, to which the stain shrunk as the man gave a good-natured chuckle.

"Oh yes, my mistake. We had good reason to believe that would be the case. It's a shame we didn't tell them beforehand, but it still means we have the transports ready." He replied as he had instructed their people to have a seaplane prepped, along with a few decoy boats that would throw off any would-be chasers.

“And anything else? Any information?” He questioned, watching as his people worked on creating their first line of hero support items.

"They put the sight to the torch, but they captured several commission personnel." He smiled at the response. Truth be told, he would have liked data that Skeptic could look over, but people could be reliable sources of intelligence on the inner workings of the commission if one knew which forms of interrogation and meta-abilities to use.

"Have them deliver them to us as well; add a bonus of 500,000 yen for reach; they've more than heard it." He casually waved off the amount; after all, they were paying the Thunder 12 million for the job.

Line Break

Having attacked the commission's facility right as dusk had fallen, it was a no-brainer that it would be dark by the time they had finished their business there. Now, the moon hung pale and distant among the rolling hills and clouds, icy winds flowing through the place like waves on a beach, and snow drifted. However, it was thankfully light compared to what the weather had predicted; it made it a little easier for their child evacuees to not freeze to death even though Pyre, along with setting the blaze ablaze, had gone around and left large bonfires for them all to sit by.

The rest of the facility hadn't been sparred, while one might assume it was just the main house. Still, once the place had been cleared, the Thunder had each taken time to head back in and wreck the place, smashing, slicing, breaking, tearing, and burning any and everything till, in many places, little more than rubble remained of what once had been a high tech facility. Of course, they had been sure to take evidence like photos of the more damning stuff, even forcing captives to pose with them before they put it all to the torch.

When they had finished, they expected that help would take a while, only to be proven wrong when several busses rolled down the lone country road, not even 20 minutes after they made the call. One the first one was Ishiken’s uncle, a man still in his work clothing, burst out of the truck, looking like a dragon out of some child's fairy tale, concern and hope to fuel a strong protective fury before he laid eyes on his nephew, the two having been hugging one another ever since.

“You got here fast,” Chimera mused as they spoke with someone who claimed to be an underling to their employer. “Wonder why you couldn’t do this yourself.”

If the man caught the implication in Chimera’s words, he didn’t react. “You could, but that wasn’t what you were paid for.”

“Yes, but we were hired to recover just the one child, not what seems like a small school’s worth.” Mummy pointed out that as the children were gently herded into the busses, vehicles that had blankets and containers of warmed meals for them were god-sends when they had struck the place before it served dinner.

"Yes, well, these things happen, complications and whatnot. Rest assured that my employers have noted that, and it shall be reflected favorably upon you." The middleman replied, though none of them believed him when he claimed that the unexpected number was just a 'complication.' It wouldn't be the first time a client didn't tell them everything, and it probably wouldn't be the last, either.

“As promised, your payment for this job, as you specified, is in dollars." That was a big reason why they hardly cared if some only saw them as muscle that didn't need all the answers. Maybe it was cliché, but money talked, and it had a good way of convincing people to accept annoyances from time to time. "You'll be getting your bonus for the rest of the job in a few days. You can speak to your broker about that."

As Slice hoped, for Giran’s sake, that they wouldn’t use such forceful means to contact the broker, Pyre asked another question. “What will happen with the children?” He pointed towards the kids, Ishiken and his uncle, who seemed so darn happy to see the kid. “They were all sent here by the commission, probably because their parents sighed off on this. They can’t just...return, can they?”

As much as it angered him, this was all legal on paper. Should the commission try to recover them if they just returned to normal lives, they could. Maybe they wouldn't because of the optics, but they could easily make the lives of their families difficult as punishment. If they figured out who was the catalyst for this, Ishiken’s uncle could be arrested for working with villains.

The middle man could sense that concern and seemed genuine when he replied with some compassion: "They will not, that much I can assure you. They'll be…handled with care so that they can grow up and live their best lives."

Mummy wondered what he meant by 'handled,' while Nine mused on the possibility that the kids would…disappear, only to reappear in other parts of Japan, if not other countries, with new backstories.

As those two deliberated about the kids they saved, Slice recalled what Pyre and Nine told them when they met. "One train did manage to escape, along with what I can assume to be another load of kids and the news of what happened here." Now that she thought about it, why hadn't the heroes fallen on them? Surely local heroes would have made a move, or were they waiting for backup?

The middleman nodded, though he didn't seem upset about it. “We confirmed as much, an unfortunate outcome, but not an unforeseeable one. From your report, the structure was more…intricate than we all thought it would be. You managed to get out with this many captives, which is a miracle." That felt empty, but they weren't in a business when one expected every part of a transaction to be honest, just the important parts.

“Either way, on behalf of my employers, I wish to thank you for a job well done. I can see us reaching out for more work in the future.” The man bowed once more and turned to leave.

“Could you not leave severed appendages to draw our attention next time?” Slice asked him, to which he chuckled as if she had asked him for something minor or so impossible it couldn’t be anything but a joke.

"I'll pass the message along. Now, this is your means out of Hokkaido unless, of course, you wish to stay." He pointed towards something else that had arrived and landed in the clearing, a small prop plane, of all things.

“Hell no, I’m getting back to the warmth of the rest of Japan.” Slice turned and marched towards it, ready to return somewhere she didn't need 3 layers and a fire to stay warm. She could understand how her teammates could handle things. Chimera had so much fun and a healthy layer of fat like any predator would. For the sake of his quirk, Mummy wrapped himself up in bandages, and Koharu and Pyre were walking infernos.

So how the hell could Nine tolerate this with such light clothing and barely shiver?

The rest turned to follow her example, trusting that the plane's pilot hadn't left it as none of them would know the first how to get the damn thing off the ground, though before they left, the middleman added something. "Word to the wise though, if you thought the commission was on your ass before…"

"Was that another reason why you hired us?" Nine inquired, to which the middleman didn't confirm or deny, which made the man shake his head and turn to keep walking, their business done. "Figures, well, it doesn't matter. They can send whoever the hell they like; they'll end up in the hospital like the rest of them."

Line Break

It would seem that the day was full of meaningful events, from the commission forming an anti-Thunder task force to their latest attack on Hero Society, but in that time, or between them, another meeting occurred. One happened in a place where Japan sent its worst offenders, where all sentenced to time in its walls would never see the light of day again.

The high-security prison: Tartarus.

"The second semester must be starting soon, or maybe it's already started. It's hard to say keep track of time here at times." A cultured, well-spoken, deceitful, and dangerous voice spoke from within its walls.

"I would have assumed you would dedicate yourself wholly to training your students and successor, yet…you came all this way to visit me." That voice, the new dethroned lord of the underworld, continued as he sat in a high-tech chair designed to keep him still and equipped with the medical equipment his damaged body needed to function.

Across from him, and through the 6 inches of bulletproof glass, sat the new retired number one hero, All Might, who had arrived dressed in his silver-age costume. But much like the costume didn't fit his thin, emaciated body, so did the man not smile as he used to, not here, not to him.

“I’m here so we can get a few things straight.” All Might cut straight to the chase.

"Oh? Well, that's a first; you were never one to believe that I would always call it lies and self-serving deceptions," All for One taunted, as both recalled how All Might had fruitlessly tried to act like All for One lied about Shigaraki's true origins. "Though I must admit, I can't claim to be anything like Honest Ab now, can I?"

If All for One still had eyes, he would roll them, as even without his quirks giving him a form of sight, he could already tell what All Might was doing. "Tell me, was part of why you came here today to see how far I've fallen? To take some pride in the situation your efforts have left me in?" All for One didn't sound angry, bitter, or upset in the slightest, and that unnerved All Might if only a little.

He was well aware of this place, this prison that had been built in the years since quirks and villains appeared and became prominent, near-endangering threats to society.

It stood as far from humanity as possible: an island fortress 5 km from shore, linked by a single, steel-reinforced bridge under constant guard. No aircraft dared cross its 10 km no-fly zone; no vessel breached its 3 km maritime perimeter. Those that tried received one warning—then were shot out of the water.

Within walls of reinforced concrete and tungsten. Blast doors sealed every corridor. Cameras and sensors left not a single corner unmonitored; the faintest infraction brought severe punishment. Cells measured 2.5 × 4 m—bare concrete or steel. It was a place where prisoners spent 23 hours a day inside these featureless boxes. No gifts were allowed, and only books were ordered new from an approved wholesaler, ensuring no hidden messages got through.

Privacy existed only during the five-minute daily shower; when time expired, the water snapped off without warning, but lights remained on 24/7. Recreational “yards” were just empty rooms with a few weights and a pull-up bar. Only those deemed “well-behaved” earned a solitary hour in a larger courtyard.

Cells were assigned by threat level, not crime. Six cell blocks plunged into the island's depths, from ground level to 500 m below sea level. Rumor held that, in a riot, the warden could flood the deepest levels. Below level 2, yard time vanished. Below level 4, inmates sat shackled in full-body restraints, monitored by four high-caliber turrets that tracked every twitch. This was no ordinary prison. It was a hole in the earth—Tartarus—where the most dangerous, deranged, and depraved were confined like animals until they died. Everyone knew its purpose. No one spoke of it.

And this was the place where All for One would spend the rest of his days, strapped to a chair, his brain waving monitored at all times, and should he even think about using any of the many quirks he had stolen, he could be put down by a mad-dog by those same gun turrets that even now, as he sat with a guest, remained locked on his position.

"Do you expect sympathy from me?" All Might asked, to which All for One let out a laugh that seemed to only further aggravate his security.

“Oh, heavens no, but you are the first guest I've heard in a while, so forgive me for being a little chatty. I wouldn't want to become the sort that spoke to the walls." All for One replied as it wasn't like the guards spoke to him other than giving him basic instructions when needed. Some didn't speak at all.

Smiling, All for One didn't care about the guns that shifted just from that simple gesture. "Still, I've had a thought about this place, this hell you and the world named Tartarus. You wouldn't happen to know the world's origin, would you? Well, it comes to us from the stories of the Ancient Greeks. It's a section of their underworld to which kings and titans were sent. It's almost a compliment that I would be sent to a place with such a name."

"See it as you like; you'll spend the rest of your days here." All Might reminded him that All for One wouldn't be able to apply for parole for the next 100 years.

All for One continued to smirk as if knowing something he didn't deem to share. “I’ll let you believe that, but as you said, you came here for a reason? Well, let’s not waste time then. As much as you are a guest, I might take the walls over you.” He shifted, a contemplative look coming to his face, mixing with his smug smile. “Actually, I have a question of my own. Why the costume? Are you still insisting on being a hero? I would have thought you would retire by now.”

"Where is Shigaraki Tomura hiding. He, along with the League and the Thunder." All Might didn’t answer the dig against him.

“Oh, come now, All Might. Surely, you already know the answer to that second demand. I would have no clue where the Thunder is; they have hired allies. For all I know, they could be handling another job right now." All for One was honest on that.

“And Tomura?” All Might's fist tightened, recalling his conversation with Gran Torino and Naomasa.

All for One took joy in how his actions have still affected his age-old nemesis. “The same answer. Unlike your chick, my little bird has spread his wings and left the nest.”

"Do you think I would believe that for a moment? That you, of all people, would surrender control when you only took him in to hurt me and insult my master's memory?" All Might challenged, which All for One couldn't fault him for; it was somewhat out of character for him, but he was nothing if not adaptive.

"Believe what you wish, but as outlandish as you imply it to be, I'm still human, All Might, just like you. In fact, I would say we're the same, even if you'll never admit it. We're but two sides of the same coin. As you wished to become the greatest hero to save lives, I wished to become the greatest villain to control lives." All for One smiled as he could imagine All Might's glare shooting him for that.

"Just like you, I had that wish and the power to see it done, and so I did. If I can live in that world longer, why wouldn't I remain? But just like everyone else, I'm still mortal, and thus, if I couldn't continue it, then I could see it done by a successor through Tomura. Granted, he and I are very different villains, but I have great faith in him.” All for One smiled wider, malevolence bleeding off him.

"However, that was a late addition to my plans, all because of you, All Might. Just look at me. Yes, I still live, but can one call this living? My face ruined, machines needed to keep me alive, and even before you captured me, I wasn't exactly able to go for a walk now, was I?" Once more, All Might couldn't tell if he was upset about that, as AFO rarely showed emotion outside sick joy at his cruelty and manipulations.

"That, more than anything, only reminded me that the flesh was still flesh, and it would get hurt, damaged, and ultimately die. So, I had to account for that and prepare to see Tomura become a truly fearsome villain." The world’s greatest villain finished.

“You for 3 minutes left, All Might.” The guards watching added through the speakers.

“Oh, so soon?” All for One asked, time could fly by. "I would assume that things have been troubled since your retirement and failure to capture Lighting in a bottle, but is that the real reason you ask about them? You seem…almost concerned about them, or is it just a member of them as I recall a public encounter between you and the young Pyre." All Might flinched at that, which All for One, despite his lack of sight, caught and only made the man chuckle.

"So, I was right? Oh, what do I do? What do I do? Why so invested in the young man? Do you wish to lock him up as well? Perhaps see if you can take his face as you did mine? Or maybe you wish to save him? From what? From me? From someone else? Or maybe himself? DO tell me what he has been up to that has gotten you so invested."

“Don’t answer that, All Might. Prisoners are not allowed news from the outside.” Again, the security chimed in to keep things down low.

“Believe me, I wouldn’t have said a word to him.” All Might grunted, needing to breathe to calm himself as All for One seemed to have a talent for getting under his skin.

"Oh, but you already said plenty, and with my active imagination, I can guess what's happening. Right now, the media's fear over their lost symbol is mixing in with their concerns over Endeavour's readiness for the title of number one, mixed in with anxieties about the rise in crime caused by the continued successes that Pyre and his Thunder seem to gain over you all." All for One started.

As he spoke, the villain seemed to enjoy the picture he was painting for them. “Meanwhile, those lurking in the shadows are gathering their strength, banding together and moving in ways that haven’t been seen since my glory days, only this time the world’s just not ready for, not without its mighty symbol to keep the dark at bay. As such, it's only furthering concerns, giving those same forces in the night the time and space to prepare for their attempts to change the world.

“Of course, it's not like the underworld is united, so they can be expected to be some fighting between the fractions as they seek to increase their influence and power, which will, of course, have some…losses among the civilians, but if things go as I've foreseen, then when the dust settles, it will be on a whole new world order." All Might could recall those days when crime groups fought in the streets and the aftermath of them.

"One thing I love about all of that is because this rise in crime, the birth of fear and uncertainty comes from your hands, not mine." All for One’s smile grew the widest it had been since All Might sat for this meeting. "You propped this world off your back for years, pretending to be a God as I pretended to be a devil, and now that both our mortalities have been laid bare, that system is coming crashing down, and you can't do a thing to stop it."

Again, All Might rose, seemingly punching through the glass as if he used his little strength; he could do it. “All Might, don’t approach the glass.”

“Oh, I struck a nerve then?” All for One taunted, but All Might wouldn't play his game.

“No, quite the opposite. You only reminded me that you’re as wrong as ever. People are a lot stronger than you could imagine. Suppose you envision a world that falls into the chaos and madness you thrived in. In that case, that will forever remain in the past and your delusional head." All Might declared.

"You plotted to see my master's grandson kill me or kill me and young Uraraka. And each time, you failed. And both times we've fought, you've lost. You can be bested. You can be wrong,” All Might reminded him. “And you’ll be wrong about this, too. This world might have its growing pains, but it'll only grow stronger, brighter…, and kinder from it. Leaving old dogs like us behind and that…I know it must make your blood boil."

“Time’s up, All Might.” With that, the door behind him opened, and the retired hero stood, turning to leave his arch-nemesis to his fate.

"I won't be dying anytime soon, and certainly not whatever schemes you've created. Your plans, your hopes? I'll see them all smashed while you rot in here." All Might told him as he left; the last thing he heard was All for One chuckling about his retort.

"Well then, let's see which of us is correct, All Might."

Line Break

Have you ever had those days when you woke up and it’s like cold but not too cold yet you struggle to get out of bed? Cause was my day as I finish this chapter as I started it Tuesday evening and when I woke up today, man did I have a debate with myself about just staying in bed till like 2PM, shame I had things that needed to get done, books to read and an assignment to work on-all stuff that can’t be finished if I decided to be lazy.

Also, on the announcement I made the other week, it’s getting traction as 2 stories that would end up on the chopping block should I need to put them on pause would be A World of Quirks and More Then you Think, which frees up my 4 days out of the week more for planning then working off the notes I already have.