Chapter Text
Izuku's personal trainer for this week was to help him with his flexibility. Not that he was lacking in it, but more so for the uses outside of the dance routines he had to do. He wanted someone to teach him how to incorporate it into his fighting style. For this, he had to go outside of the country to hire someone. He was lucky that he was able to find an American-style hero by the name of Blue Beast that was willing to spend a few months in Japan to help teach him his particular style of taijutsu. He was progressing fairly well, or so the hero would say. the hero had outlandish expectations when it came to physical fitness but Izuku prevailed through every challenge. The hero wanted 1,000 push-ups, 1,500 crunches, a 30-minute plank, 30 minutes of full fist extensions, and a rigorous yoga regiment. On off days he has to run for a full hour with the goal of beating his last distance by five miles. The end goal is not only to have a new fighting style, and to become more flexible, but also to be able to do a perfect back bend, a one-fingered handstand, and be able to hold a perfect flag pose. All three things have great uses in the field but are more of guilty and showoff pleasures for him.
On top of his additional training, he was able to finish a few support items he had been working on. A retractable staff with multiple settings for the tip of the staff. He was able to program a slightly stronger taser into the tip, which activated with the press of a button towards the middle. One end would become a coated tip whether it was the paralytic he had or a sedative would depend on the way he twisted the end in which the tip was coated. The other end would extend by three feet in a rapid motion to either push or vault an object. He was proud to say that it became his new favorite weapon. He had also created a quirk canceling net. It was more difficult than he had initially thought. It took liberating a few dozen handcuffs from police and pros alike to be able to recreate the alloy and the active chemicals that would disrupt the quirk factor upon contact, but he would say it was worth it for the final result. Sadly he only had enough materials to make three separate nets so he would have to use them wisely until he could get more stuff without raising suspicions.
He had created a few items for Kachan and Eiji as well. He made a set of bands that would not only increase sweat production around the wrist for Kachan but also store small amounts in discrete containers that can be removed and used as projectiles or for more controlled explosions. He also made more natural-looking ear guards to help protect his eardrums but not block out any necessary noise for when they go out patrolling. For Eiji, he made retractable plate armor. It would cover his most vital points when he was using his hardening, such as the upper arm joints and his chest and back. When fully extended it looked like a simple black 3/4 sleeved t-shirt but it was strong enough to withstand not only his hardening but also a bullet or knife. He used the same metals to make matching batons that could withstand the force Eijiro used when in his hardening state. They would have to take them out on a test run if his meeting with the P.I. Doesn't go as well as planned.
The P.I. that was hired went by the name Shadow Stalker. They were able to use shadows to listen in on conversations and if there were enough they could get vague visuals. This particular P.I. was sometimes labeled as a villain and given their no questions asked policy was well renowned in the more shady parts of Japan. Izuku had emailed what he saw and the information he was looking for. He paid double the asking rate to make this a priority. The P.I. was able to get a lot of information. From how many people, to the layout of the base, to who the girl was and what they were doing with her. What he couldn't get were all their quirks. He would either have to do his own reconnaissance or go in blind and hope for the best. He was sick to hear what was happening to the little girl Eri. He needed to get her out as soon as possible. From what was gathered the medical team that was working with her wasn't even close to what they were hoping to accomplish and he couldn't in his right mind let her go through all of that any longer. All he had to do was talk it over with Kachan and Eiji.
Needless to say, they were not happy. They wanted to get her out as soon as possible but there was a lack of info. Yes, they had a layout but an accurate count of people was missing. It would be too dangerous to go into a stronghold with only three people and no account for the people, powers, and patrol routes of the guards. So while Kachan and Eiji were out being Ares and Damysus prospectively, Izuku would go as Prometheus and learn more information on the people holding Eri.
Prometheus has been scouting the Yakuza stronghold for a little over a week. He has been able to explore the outer parts of the stronghold and overhear conversations that help fill in the gaps for a few of their quirks. He has however run into a bit of a problem. No one except the select inner circle of the main boss is allowed in the lower levels of the main house. According to Shadow Stalker, there are a few underground levels in the main house. That is where not only the inner circle and the labs are located but also where they keep Eri. He has overheard people talking about the inner circle and their quirks and he has been able to explore around the main house but he can't seem to find a way into the lower levels. He was about to give up and go in without a plan when he overheard a very interesting conversation with some of who he presumes is in the inner circle. They had just exited the main house and were sitting on one of the porches to enjoy a drink.
"The boss seems to be overly stressed lately, doesn't he?" Asked a muscular man wearing a black bird mask.
"He is having trouble utilizing the samples. It is hard to construct something pure from something that is tainted." Stated another who was dressed in all black including a black plague mask. They continued their idol chatter and moved on to more mundane topics until the sound of footstep interrupted them. The door behind them opened to reveal a man in grey robes. They waited for the newcomer to speak first so he must be someone important but not part of the inner circle. The silence was finally broken after what felt like a lifetime.
"Chisaki has a mission. He wants the men to acquire something for our research. We need a blank slate. The boss is looking for a null. He will be generous with whoever finds one." The man stated it in the most monotone way that one could almost look past the fact that he is sending people out to hunt a particular type of person.
"Wouldn't it just be easier to take someone that is old? We could probably find a whole lot in one of the assisted living homes?" Asked Muscles.
"No. He needs someone who can withstand the same test as the cursed one. It wouldn't do any good to constantly have to replace the subject." With that finally and ominous statement the man left. the two remaining sat and chatted away for a bit, but Izuku didn't need to stay around any longer. He had found his way in. Now all he had to do was convince the others to let him do it.
"Absolutely fucking not." Katsuki barked out. They were all sitting in the middle of the workshop, having just got back from their perspective patrols. Izuku, being the last to arrive, was changing while giving them a rundown of everything that happened in the stronghold. He explained the high security and the, most likely, secret entrance to the labs under the main house. He also told them of his plan of using his quirk status to gain entry to the main house. Needless to say, neither seemed too keen on the idea.
"What do you mean? I already told you that it's impossible to get in through normal ways and that it would be easier for me to go in like this. It's not like I am doing this alone. I will keep a tracker on me and I'll even make a way to keep a weapon on me." His placating was cut short by Eijiro.
"What if they take all your things away? What if they take you somewhere we cant get to, and you're stuck there? Or, maybe they take you to a different location than the little girl. What if something happens and we lose you? What are we supposed to do then?" He was on the verge of crying by the time he stopped ranting. He was afraid. That much was certain. He was afraid of losing the only family he had and afraid of not being able to protect someone he cared about. Katsuki was now next the Eijiro, who finally let the tears fall and was shaking uncontrollably. The worst part was that Izuku couldn't even dispute those fears. All he could do was wrap his arms around the crying boy in front of him and hold him till his breathing was able to even out.
"I can't tell you that none of that will happen. I can't give you a definite that this won't get me hurt, but what I can tell you is that I will always find a way back home to both of you." He moved so that he could look up into Ejiro's eyes. He wiped away some of the stray tears. "I'll work on something to make sure we can keep in contact no matter what. I'll make something I can conceal on me so even if they make me change ill still have it. I will do everything in my power to come back to you." Izuku stepped back enough to see both Katsuki and Eijiro. "I'll come back to both of you." They both surged forward to hug him.
"I just wish you didn't have to go. I wish we could find another way." Eijiro said into Izuku's curls.
"I don't fucking like this either, but I get what your fucking thinking. Just come back to us ok, you go it, nerd."
"I promise I will Kachan. Now I need to go to my workshop and come up with something I can keep with me. I'll also need to let Mita-san know I won't be available for a few weeks."
"Are you thinking it is going to take that long?" Eijiro asked in a panic.
"No. I will probably be there for a few days at most, but we will need time to help Eri. We will need to get her settled and I may need a recovery time. Plus I'm sure you guys won't want me going anywhere when I get back." He gave the two a sly smile.
"I'll contact her. I have to talk to her about finding people to model the new line anyway. Go get started. We aren't letting you out till we know you will be safe and have a way to get back to us. If anything goes wrong we will storm in there and drag you out. You got it." Katsuki glared at him.
"Ok Kachan." He left the two alone to worry over what will happen next. They could only hope for everything to go right.
It took him three days of nonstop working to come up with the contacts and 'skin' pocket. The contacts were seamless and made his eyes appear a black color rather than green. It was the easiest shade to hide the tech with what little time he had to make them. They didn't do as much as he wanted them to do. All he had time to program was for them to broadcast his location and everything he was seeing to a server that could be accessed by only three people. They have an auto restart and will send out a distressed signal if anything is to tamper with them or they experience any major blunt force. Once the mission is over he will be modifying them to allow him to search things while recording and also be able to open communications. The 'skin' pocket is merely a pocket made from pho skin much like what they would use for trauma victims. He made it a little tougher by masking them as scar tissue. They had a barrier on the inside to hide anything from detection quirks such as metal. He will be able to fit a knife and his most compactable staff in a scar on his leg. He won't be able to guarantee that any electronic weapon would survive a scan so he went with his most basic ones. He would have to dig into the pocket in order to get anything out so as long as he didn't get stabbed or cut there everything should go unnoticed.
Now all he had to do was get on their radar and get captured. He had decided to go to a bar that most of the guys from the main fortress frequent. He would be playing the part of a homeless kid looking for under-the-table work. The main part of this was wearing the red shoes that would mark a Quirkless person. He hoped he would get picked up on the first night. The sooner he gets this done the sooner he can put it all behind him. He would have Kachan and Eiji around the bar just in case something went wrong. Hopefully having Ares and Daymsus spotted in the area would keep the creeps away. He would hate to blow his cover because someone other than his targets tried to pick him up. On the bright side, if he didn't get picked up, they could always just patrol around the walls, and look for a better way in. He had given Kachan a mini portable to show exactly what he was seeing through his lens, so if anything went wrong in the bar they would know. They would also know when he entered into the stronghold, so they wouldn't be worried. He was able to record sound for them to listen to what was going on around him, but he wasn't able to openly communicate with them. It was the best he could do with the little time he had. He has to trust them to not extract him too early. He knew that some of the possible things they may have to witness were not going to be good, but he made them promise to wait for the signal he would give them.
He entered the bar, keeping his head down and trying to look as small as possible. He made his way up to where the drinks were made before anyone even talked to him.
"What's a small fry like you doing in a place like this kid?" The bartender, a woman with mostly masculine features asked.
"I am just passing through and looking for work. Anything to make enough money to either survive or move on to the next place." He said in a small voice. he tried to make it seem like he was nervous and on edge just by being addressed.
"And who would hire someone as useless as you kid?" Some drunkard at the bar asked.
"I'm not useless. I'm smart and a fast learner. I can pull my own weight." Izuku said with more venom than he meant to, but he has had to deal with talk like that a lot, and even undercover he won't put up with it.
"Do lie. I know what those shoes mean. You're nothing but a no-good null. Ain't nothing useful about that." The man spits out. Izuku was about to punch the bigot before the bartender stepped in.
"We don't use slurs like that around here and I think you're done for the night." She took the drink from the guy before turning back to Izuku. "Sorry about that kid. We don't take kindly to people using things out of their control against them. We don't have any work available right now but you can always check again each week. People come and go around here."
Izuku smiled up at her for her kindness. He will have to remember this person for when he is helping people find work. "Thank you, ma'am. I'll try again later then." He bowed politely to her and left. He noticed two men following him as he left the bar as well. So at least he got the attention of who he wanted.
He walked out at a sedated pace hoping to make it look like he hadn't noticed he was being followed. He kept his head down to make it seem like he was dejected and had no place else to go. He was about to round the corner of the block where the bar was located when one of the men approached him.
"Hey, kid. You're the kid from the bar right? The one the guy was yelling at for being Quirkless?" The man reached out for him, causing Izuku to flinch back on mostly instinct.
"Please...please don't hurt me. I was just looking...just looking for work. I didn't...didn't mean to cause any... any trouble. Please just...just leave me alone." Izuku did his best impression of a deer in headlights. He started backing up as slowly as possible, making himself seem as small as he use to feel when he was still with his mom. The other man, seeing that Izuku looked like he was about to bolt, stepped in in a placating manner.
"No, you got it all wrong kid. We actually know a guy who would love to have you work for him. He actually holds the Quirkless in high regard. He would love to meet you in fact. I don't think he has ever met a Quirkless person so young before. I am sure if you meet him, he will give you a great job." The guy said it in such a reassuring manner that if Izuku was actually looking for work he might have fallen for it. Instead, he let his eyes narrow as he looked at the guy.
"I am not looking to be someone's pet. So if that is what he is looking for I don't think I want to meet him."
"Nah kid it's not like that. See the boss, he has this thing with his skin and people with quirks make him break out in hives and stuff. He has grown to appreciate those he can actually interact with. He also came from the streets, so he helps a lot of us that no one else wants to. That's where he found us actually. I was part of a fighting ring. Luckily not one like one of our top members. Nothing to the death or anything." The entire time the guy is talking, he is slowly leading them to the main fortress. "He came in one day and told us that we were worth more than what they were making us out to be. He offered us a better way of life. I've been with the group since then. Trust me, kid, if he can find a use for someone like me then he can surely find a job for you." He shoots Izuku a smile and puts his arm around the younger shoulders.
"Ok. I guess I could meet him. It's not like I have many options right now if I want to eat and stuff. What's your guy's name anyway? I feel awful that you're helping me out so much and I don't even know how to address you." Izuku looked at the man and gave his wide eyes to make it seem genuine and innocent, not like he was fishing for information. The guy just chuckled. "I'm Setsuno and my partner over there is Hojo. Now let's head to our base of operations. The boss is a bit of a night owl and he would be upset if we show up and not introduce you right away."
"Ok Setsuno-san. Umm...can I ask you a question?"
"Sure kid."
"Why were you part of a fighting ring. You... you just don't seem like someone who would be part of that." He laughed good-naturedly before answering the question.
"Well you see I was in a bad place mentally. I tried to kill myself once and was stopped by a suit. I had trusted the wrong people at one time in my life and it left me in a lot of debt. I felt like I was drowning all the time and no one even tried to help me. So I joined for two reasons, I needed money and I was hoping to die, but then I met our boss and he turned my views around. Now that I have a place to call my own, I decided I don't want a pointless death." That gave Izuku a bit to think about. If the leader was really praying on the misfortunate as it would seem, then maybe he could appear to be sympathetic to their cause and have more range than if he was being held captive. Maybe he would be able to do this with less fuss than he thought. He would have to play it up as the weak little Quirkless kid but he was sure that once he met the boss he would be able to figure out exactly what he was looking for.
"That sounds a lot like me I guess. Not... not the debt or anything, but I can understand your reasoning. I just want to be somewhere that I am useful and wanted. I don't even have to be important just... just useful. You know?"
"Kid. I think the boss is going to love you. Not only that, I think you might be one of the most important people to him soon." Setsuno ruffled Izuku's hair a bit as he said it.
"Really?" He said with wide eyes. He knew he was playing it up a bit too much, but it seemed that both men were eating it up.
"The boss treats us like family. It is more than any of us have ever had. He makes sure that what we need is what we get. He is fair and just. Before I met him, I was used to farming the crystals that I can create. It was a painful process and, even after all I went through, I was punished and abandoned because the crystals weren't real. He gave me life, purpose, and companions. None of that would have been possible without him. So believe me when I say he is going to appreciate you more than anyone in your life ever has." The man, Hojo, finally spoke up. They had finally made it to the outer gates of the stronghold. He was about to pass through the point of no return. If he wanted to back out, he would have to do so now, but all he could think about was the little girl on the other side of the wall.
"I'm trusting you guys. Thank you." With that, he followed them through.