MHA97- Briefing

Time to get to work.

I called Tsuragamae. “I have the location. Gather your forces. Ryukyu, Mirko, and I will be part of the operation. They change places a lot, so the address might shift, but I guarantee they’re there.”

Silence on the other end. Then, "Where did you get this?"

"Does it matter?"

"It does when we're committing resources. If your source is unreliable—"

"It’s solid. You want names? Layout? Numbers? I have it all."

A heavy sigh. Of course he sighed. That’s the universal sound for ‘this kid’s going to get me fired.’

"You’re sure about this."

"Yes."

A pause. Then, "Two days. We’ll move in with everything we have. You and your people will coordinate with my team. If you’re wrong—"

"I’m not."

"Then let’s hope you’re right."

The call ended.

I exhaled, shoving my phone back into my pocket.

When I walked back into the agency, the room was tense.

Mirko, Ryukyu, and Nejire were waiting. Not lounging, not busy—waiting.

Nejire was the first to move, floating straight toward me with that too-wide, too-tight grin that meant she was about to start rapid-fire questioning. "Where were you?! Tsuragamae said you were released! We were worried!"

Mirko crossed her arms, her foot tapping once against the floor. "Yeah, brat. The hell took you so long?"

Ryukyu stayed back, watching, her eyes scanning me like she was looking for injuries, tells, something.

I sighed, rolling my shoulders. "Had to do a favor."

Mirko raised a brow. "The hell does that mean?"

I shrugged. "Got the location for Shie Hassaikai."

Silence.

Then Ryukyu's jaw tightened. "You're sure."

"Yeah."

Mirko exhaled through her nose, something sharp in her expression. "And?"

"We're raiding in two days." I leaned against the nearest desk, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "Tsuragamae's coordinating his side. We'll meet with the others then."

Nejire let out a low whistle. "That fast?"

I nodded. "They move a lot. If we wait too long, they'll scatter."

Ryukyu finally stepped forward, arms still crossed. "Where did you get the intel?"

I met her gaze. "A reliable source."

She stared me down. "If this intel gets someone killed, it's on your head. Still feel like playing secret agent?"

I didn't answer.

Nejire hummed, rocking on her heels. "Ooo, so it's a secret? Mysterious~"

Mirko didn't look amused. "Brat."

I sighed. "It checks out. That's all that matters."

Ryukyu studied me a second longer, then exhaled, rubbing her temple. "You really don't make anything easy."

"Never claimed to."

She muttered something under her breath. "Fine. Two days. We need to prepare."

Mirko cracked her knuckles. "Damn right we do."

Nejire tilted her head. "So, are we doing a proper strategy meeting, or are we winging it like usual?"

Ryukyu shot her a look. "Proper meeting."

Nejire pouted. "Boring."

I pushed off the desk. "Better boring than dead."

Mirko smirked. "Speak for yourself."

The next day, we were packed into a meeting room filled with heroes and sidekicks. The place was crowded—more than I liked. I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, scanning the room. The usual suspects were here.

Sir Nighteye was up front, arms behind his back, face set in that permanent "I’m disappointed in everything" look. Bubble Girl stood beside him, quiet but watching everything. Centipeder was his usual stiff self.

Mirio stood near the center, looking around, probably trying to focus on the briefing instead of me. Izuku was next to him, tense, like he wanted to say something but knew better.

Eraser Head was off to the side, arms tucked into his capture weapon, half-awake as usual. Fat Gum and his crew—Suneater and Red Riot—stood nearby, Fat Gum grinning despite the serious air in the room. Rock Lock was already scowling at something.

Mirko and Ryukyu were near me, talking in low voices. Nejire wasn’t saying much either, which was rare, but she had been a little quieter since yesterday. Tsuyu and Uraraka sat near them.

A few other pros filled the gaps. Mr. Brave, Kesagiriman, some small-time heroes whose names I didn't care to remember. Everyone was waiting.

Sir Nighteye finally spoke. "We’re moving on Shie Hassaikai in a day." He pulled out a remote, clicking on a projection behind him. A map appeared, marked with locations and routes. "Midoriya acquired the necessary intelligence. The police have confirmed its validity. This is their current hideout."

Rock Lock exhaled sharply. “So, what, we’re trusting an intern’s word now? One that ruined the operation before?”

Nighteye’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t argue. Probably because he was still pissed. Most of the heroes had their own opinions, and it was obvious. Some were nodding along like they agreed. Others looked skeptical, arms crossed, waiting to hear more before committing. A few, like Eraserhead, just looked bored.

Didn’t matter to me.

“We verified the intel,” Tsuragamae said. “Confirmed movements, checked the logistics. It holds up.”

Rock Lock scoffed. “That’s not the point.” His gaze flicked to me. “The last time he acted on his own, Chisaki slipped through our fingers. Now, we’re supposed to follow his lead?”

I rolled my eyes. “Then don’t. Sit this one out. Stay home.”

His head snapped toward me. “What did you say?”

“You don’t trust the info? Cool. Stay out of the way.”

Mirko grinned. “He’s got a point.”

Rock Lock shot her a look. “You’re really backing him up?” He scoffed. "I’ve got a kid. I’m not about to charge into some intern’s guesswork and get turned into a test subject."

Mirko shrugged. “The kid’s been right so far. And I like fights.”

Nighteye pinched the bridge of his nose, probably regretting every decision that led him to this moment. “Enough. This is the best lead we have. If we don’t move now, we lose our chance. Do you all understand that?”

There were nods. Begrudging ones, but nods.

Sir Nighteye continued, pulling up the map again. “The compound is underground. Multiple entry points, but security is tight. If we’re not coordinated, we risk losing them again.” He clicked to another screen. “We move in teams. Priority one is Chisaki. Priority two is dismantling their operation completely. No loose ends.”

Aizawa nodded. “What about the child?”

Ryukyu pushed off her seat so fast her chair scraped against the floor. Her glare locked onto Nighteye like she was two seconds from breaking something.

"You were angry when Ryuu saved her," she said, stepping closer. "You called it reckless. Said he ruined your plan. But now that I know exactly what was happening to her?" Her fists clenched. "I’d rather be reckless than a coward."

Nighteye barely flinched. "Ryukyu—"

"You think you know everything?" she cut in. "You were waiting for the right time, right? Waiting for more evidence, waiting for the perfect moment to act?" Her voice dropped lower. "What do you think Chisaki was doing while you were waiting?"

Silence.

She turned to the rest of the room, scanning them. "It wasn’t just abuse," she continued. "It wasn’t just bruises and broken bones." Her hand curled into a fist. "She’s traumatized. It’s difficult to get her to speak, but we got enough."

Rock Lock scoffed, arms crossed. "And?"

Ryukyu turned, staring him down. "Her Quirk rewinds living things." She let the words settle before continuing. "She can’t control it. She could erase someone from existence just by touching them the wrong way."

That got some reactions. A few muttered conversations, heads turning. Even the ones who had been skeptical before weren’t ignoring her now.

Nighteye adjusted his glasses. "That’s why Chisaki—"

"He was experimenting on her," Ryukyu cut in. "On her blood. On her cells." She exhaled sharply. "He’s been making Quirk-altering drugs. Some that erase Quirks completely, others that amplify them beyond control. He’s testing them. Refining them." Her jaw tightened. "And Eri was his lab."

Silence.

Then, quietly, from Mirio: "Shit."

Ryukyu nodded. "If Ryuu had let Chisaki take her back, she wouldn’t just be hurt. She wouldn’t just be suffering." She turned, looking at each of them. "She’d be getting torn apart, piece by piece, over and over again, while he perfects his drugs. And tomorrow? The day after? Any one of you could get shot and lose your Quirk forever."

That shut them up.

Nighteye’s expression didn’t change, but there was a pause before he spoke again. "We would have stopped him."

"Would you?" Ryukyu shot back. "Would you have gotten to her in time? Would you have saved her before she became another pile of discarded material?"

Rock Lock folded his arms tighter. "That’s speculation."

"No, it’s not." She turned back to him. "You want to talk speculation? What if Ryuu hadn’t been there? What if we were just now finding out what Chisaki was doing? How many more ‘what ifs’ do you want before you admit this plan was flawed?"

No one answered.

Fat Gum frowned, rubbing his chin. "So that’s what this is about. The kid was a damn battery to him."

"And now she’s free," Mirko added, smirking. "Because Ryuu decided to move while the rest of you were playing the waiting game."

Nighteye’s jaw clenched slightly.

Mirko tilted her head. "What, mad he made you look bad?"

"This isn’t about—"

"You know god damn it’s about that." She stretched her arms above her head. "You could’ve saved her sooner. You didn’t. Now you’re pissed ‘cause a damn intern did your job for you."

Nighteye inhaled slowly. "That’s not the issue here."

"The hell it isn’t," Mirko shot back.

Ryukyu stepped in before it escalated. "This is the situation now," she said, tone even. "Eri is safe. Chisaki knows we’re coming. We have no more time to waste."

Nighteye adjusted his glasses, forcing the conversation back to the mission. "We move tomorrow," he said. "Chisaki won’t run. He’ll fortify. We need to be prepared."

The conversation shifted. Plans were finalized. Entry points were assigned. Details hammered out.

I finally got up, looking at the heroes and sidekicks packed into the room. “These are the abilities and Quirks of the enemy I found so far. Except for Chisaki, take the rest with a pinch of salt.”

I tapped the first entry. “Rappa. Fights for fun. His Quirk lets him throw consecutive punches at full power without breaking his arms. No technique, just a brick shithouse with fists. He’s strong, but if you can outlast him, he’ll go down.”

Fat Gum’s lips quirked slightly, probably thinking about how he could absorb those hits. Didn’t say anything, though.

“Chrono. Real name, Hari Kurono. Chisaki’s right-hand guy. Quirk’s called Chronostasis. He extends his hair like clock hands—if he touches you, your movements slow to hell.” I looked at Aizawa. “If anyone’s getting hit by that, we’re gonna need Eraser to cut him off fast.”

Aizawa gave a slight nod.

“Setsuno, Hojo, and Tabe. Lower-tier guys, but still annoying. Setsuno can disassemble things, kinda like Chisaki, but only small stuff. Hojo can manipulate solid metal, make spikes, barriers—whatever. Tabe? Eats anything. Doesn’t sound bad until you realize that means literally anything.”

Red Riot’s brow furrowed slightly. “Like, metal?”

“Like, anything,” I repeated. “Bullets, blades, people. If it’s in his mouth, it’s gone.”

A couple of people grimaced.

“Then there’s Shin Nemoto. Quirk’s called Confession. If he asks you something, you’ll answer with the truth. Basically the worst kind of therapist—asks one question and you’re crying about your dad. If you’re unlucky, it might be something you didn’t even realize yourself.” I glanced at Nighteye. “Interrogation type, but dangerous if he backs someone like Chisaki.”

Nighteye stayed quiet, watching.

I scrolled again. “Deidoro Sakaki. Quirk’s Sloshed. Makes people dizzy like they’re blackout drunk. If you get hit by it, you’re gonna be swaying, reflexes shot to shit. Don’t engage close unless you can counter it.”

Mirko cracked her knuckles. “Good thing I fight fast.”

I moved on. “Katsukame. Big bastard. Quirk lets him absorb stamina through skin contact. You fight him head-on, you’re handing him power for free.”

Rock Lock clicked his tongue. “So don’t let him grab you. Got it.”

I scrolled back up. “Last thing. Chisaki. You all know his Quirk. Overhaul. If he touches you, you’re gone. He can reconstruct himself, heal injuries, break down anything in his way. If he’s not dead in one hit, he’ll fix himself. Don’t let him get hands-on.”

Everyone already knew that. But knowing and fighting were two different things.

“Oooh, this is fun~ Like a school project, but with more trauma!” Nejire said from my side, I rolled my eyes.

Nighteye folded his arms. “Is that all?”

“Yeah.” I locked my phone. “That’s what we’ve got.”

Tsuragamae looked up. “How trustable is your informant?”

I shrugged. “As I said before, take it with salt. It’s from observation. Might not all be right.”

Nighteye exhaled through his nose. “You don’t even know if this information is accurate?”

“I know they saw what they saw. I don’t know if they interpreted it right.”

Rock Lock scoffed. “That’s a great fucking start.”

Fat Gum hummed. “Observation’s still better than nothing. Means we got something to work with.”

Mirko stretched her arms behind her head. “Worst case, we get in there and figure it out the fun way.”

“That’s not how this works,” Nighteye said, adjusting his tie. “We need certainty.”

I tilted my head. “Then don’t go.”