Hey guys...it's been awhile I know, I know.

The long story short of why it took so damn long for an update could be summed one like this.

COVID-19 aka "The Coronavirus" or "SARS-CoV-2" hit my work hard. Damn I thought peak season (the first two-three months of the year) was bad...but I'll never complain about it ever again, after dealing with this pandemic.

To make a long story short, my vacation back in March ended right as COVID-19 began spreading hard State side and measures were starting to be taken up. My Pharmacy got SLAMMED with orders both Prescription and Over-The-Counter Products and I ended up working nearly 60 hour work weeks for awhile.

We actually assembled (which included yours truly) of volunteers for an emergency night shift that we opened to keep our pharmacy running late into the night and trying to get our workload done in an timely manner. It's only been recently that our efforts have paid off and we have managed to make it work and we have returned back to more normal workload/schedule to which I immediately took the chance to finally get back to writing, because GODDAMNIT I was hoping to be half-way through this damn arc by now!

But duty calls first.

Anyways, if you've been following me recently, I started with updating Draco Knight and started a new side project. A revamped version of Guilt by Isaac (with permission of course) under the title Guilt V2.

Along with the fact that I have stealth updated Chapters I-XVII with massive streamlining improvements (mostly fixes to spelling, grammar etc.) this includes improved action scenes thanks to a lot of the helpful feedback I received in the comments/reviews.

I will be doing the same for the remaining chapters as well. (It does take a lot of time)

In addition to accompany this update will be an in between Chapter

(yes a mini-chapter but there is a very important reason this is getting a solo upload)

The mini-chapter is the prelude to begin solving almost of the mysteries that surround this story so far. (Of course Draco Knight readers know whole lot more) but there are key things that the mini-chapter sets-up for the wrap up for Saga I.

I'd actually would be comfortable to say that Chapters XXXII, XXXII-S, and XXXIII is the half-way point of Saga I which does excite me quite a bit since

Anyways guys I hope you enjoy the chapter and I hope it was worth the wait.

Any Original Characters unless specified is owned by yours truly. However I could care less about them and allow anyone to use them in their own fan fiction projects if they so wish. A.K.A (OC's be damned)

My Hero Academia is owned by Kohei Horikoshi and Shueisha. Published and licensed by Shonen Jump, Viz Media, and Funimation.
Please support the official release of this amazing series.

My Hero Academia Untold: The Fafnir Knight

Saga I: Dusk

Arc III: The Sports Festival

Chapter XXXII: Golden Week Part 1

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

-Leo Buscaglia

Monday

Kai walked down that familiar path alone early that spring morning with a small bouquet of Gladiolus flowers in his arm. He had left his personal guard by the entrance as a crowd would disturb the peace that was to be expected here. He had debated about bring Saya along with him, but ultimately didn't have the courage to do so.

Instead he simply went in alone.

This might be his last chance to visit before the operation would come into full swing, and depending on how the mission went, this could be his last chance period;but time was limited so he needed to make the most of it.

It was strange walking down these steps again like he had done many years ago on a cold winter night when he looked for that familiar dark hair and golden yellow eyes. He hadn't been here since, and until about two weeks ago he had never once considered ever visiting again; his own family grave was in a different cemetery after all.

Yet now he felt almost compelled to come to these hallowed grounds since that night.

"It's been a long time Hisashi." Kai finally spoke to the silent stone of Hisashi Midoriya's grave, gently placing the flowers on top of it. The stone remained quiet, tall and proud still shining from its recent upkeep. "How long has it been since we last really spoke to each other?" He continued as though he was answered by the eternally silent stone.

"Twelve? No...Thirteen years now." Kai correctly himself as he knelt down to brush aside some the leaves that coated the foundation with those dark eyes never looking away from the grave. He paused to bask in the peace of the area surrounding him. "I never told Saya what you did even after all these years," He began again with a sigh, "Of what caused the rift between us...of what you did to us... even though it affected her more than I in the long run."

The stone's shine seemed to get stronger at Kai as he spoke.

"I think...even in the end, I wanted the memory she had of you to remain untarnished...since she doesn't acknowledge the lie I had helped the committee form six years ago." He continued as stood back up while pulling a small pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pockets. He took a moment to light one and place it in his mouth, allowing for the tobacco smoke to reach his lungs. It had been many, many years since he had last smoked but given the stress that life has plagued him as of late, he gave back in to the old habit at least until the mission was done.

"Saya used to call me a stubborn old fool, after we stopped speaking to each other." Kai suddenly continued after another puff or two, replacing the packet and lighter back into his pocket, and taking out a small metal box to contain the drag of the cigarette; making sure that none of the ashes wouldn't land on the grave or grounds.

"It broke her heart when I had us cut ties with you...She was right of course I was very stubborn as there were days that I almost caved in. Days that I simply wanted to come into your office unannounced with a bottle of wine and simply wanted to forgive and forget. Yet...every time I did...my mind would return to that night when you finally told me the truth." Kai's empty hand clenched into a fist.

"You...knew better than anyone...you knew that I had been jerked around nearly all my life, being everyone's fall man when it was convenient..." He grimaced as he took another drag and let loose another plume of smoke, "I just never expected that you of all people would have done that to me, but worse than that was what you did to my wife."

Kai could feel bitter tears welling up in his eyes. "Damn it boy...I always said to myself that if you could ever come to face me and truly apologize to me and Saya for what you did...I would have accepted it...without hesitation and something tells me in my heart Saya would have too...she's has always been that kind. And as much as I wanted to reach out...I couldn't."

The grave's luster seemed to darken as the shadows of the sakura trees swayed in the wind overhead.

"So I waited, for that day...for that day that you would finally return and say those words. Words I needed to hear to put the past behind us. Yet as I waited, days became weeks, weeks became months and months became years and when all was said and done...You died without ever so much as leaving a final word."

"Now it seems like life has given me a second chance, another boy," He couldn't stop the small smile, "another boy named Kasei no less...well Saito was his original name, but damn it if I hadn't had my men run through his background with a fine comb, he could have fooled me into believing that he was another son of yours..." Kai looked up to the Sakura trees that had begun to bloom in the sunlight. "He's a lot like you were...more than I care to admit...but he's also very different...much like your actual son."

"Izuku is doing well, I'm sure you know this already." Kai continued as he placed the remainder of his cigarette into the small metal box so he could dispose of it later. "I still have that badge of his...Grandcross I believe it was called? I bought it for five times the asking price when the lad put it up for auction. Better than my hands than in the hands of one of those crazed fanatics who were seeking to profit off him by trying to force him to lower the price. Regardless that piece will return to its rightful owner in due time...possibly sooner rather than later."

The marker returned to its more natural tone of stone.

"I fear that Anno's been more of a bastard than normal...He tried hard to have Izuku take the fall for villains attacking the school only to be hoisted by his own petard with the way on how those laws were written." Kai shook his head. "Villains infiltrating UA? I thought the worst was behind us when All For One finally fell to All Might's fist six years ago."

"I was fine dirtying my own hands...but using children to further his ends? No," He shook his head disgustedly, "I can't and won't force Ryu to continue his task, especially after risking his life like that. But I can't stop him from doing Anno's bidding. I don't have the power to move against him...but I know how to ruin him if he ever goes too far. It was my insurance policy if he ever tried to have me removed from my spot on the commission, but of course it would take me down as well."

Kai chuckled to himself. "Mutually assured self-destruction...I was fool to have gotten into bed with those blood sucking politicians thinking it was my chance to make some kind of difference for people like me...for the quirkless...but I wasn't foolish enough not to cover my ass."

Kai stopped himself for a moment to shift the flowers on top of the grave back to their original spot as they had begun to slide off due to the breeze.

"It works just as well since my own Adjutant is working to take me down with that a group of Pros and Kiriyuuin...I should have known that Tanaka would ultimately side against me after I had forced his hand. He's just the type to seek justice after all, it was the reason I had come to rely on him all these years and made sure he was promoted fairly for it."

Kai breathed in the clean spring air, trying to rid himself of the horrible aftertaste in his mouth due to his earlier cigarette. He had known for a well over a year now that his most trusted subordinate had turned on him; helping with an investigation started by All Might and his former friend turned rival on the force: Kaoru Kiriyuuin to take him down and expose the truth to the world.

He always knew that All Might could have never lived that down for what he had been forced to accept. All Might wouldn't be All Might if he hadn't done so. Yet despite this knowledge Kai never intervened, because in the end, he knew that he had been in the wrong from the beginning and that one day, sooner or later, the truth would come out one way or another.

"At the rate things had been changing it seems only like a matter of time before the truth finally comes out...All I can do now is simply delay it for as long as possible to get some manner of reforms in before it is done."

"Sir?"

Kai leaned back slightly while turning his head.

'Speak of the devil.'

Hajime Tanaka was making his way to his superior officer, stopping right next to him with a prompt smart salute. "Sir, we just received a call from the Commissioner General, they want to begin the meeting early to prepare for the Pro-heroes we are expected to receive tomorrow."

Kai hummed in response while slowly nodding his head. "Until next time boy," he said in a whisper to Hisashi's Grave, tipping his combination cap, before turning to speak with his Adjutant. "No rest for old men, eh?" He spoke as he began his march back to the entrance.

"I am afraid not Sir," Hajime answered curtly; eyeing the gravestone for a moment before turning heel to walk next to his boss.

The two began making their way back to their personal guards. Kai began thinking hard on what would be his immediate actions once the operation was finished. Their short walk back was uneventful save for making some room for a few new arrivals who had come to pay their own respects; among them was a familiar looking short boy with purple orb like hair, accompanied by a short older gentleman that looked a lot like him.

"Tanaka." Kai suddenly spoke up silently as they walked past the others.

"Yes Sir?"

"Remind me again…what was the reason you needed to access the archive again?"

"Ah...I recently came upon evidence from a recent case with possible cross-linking evidence with a cold case from over a decade ago." Hajime tried to answer vaguely.

"Mhmmm...is it relevant to any major cases we are dealing with right now?"

"At the moment it is only a possibility of a connection with the USJ Sir. I would have no way of knowing or confirming the relevance unless I got access to the necessary files."

The two men continued walking until they reached the entrance way; Kai placed a hand on his subordinate's shoulder stopping him from going further.

"You've always been one hell of a detective Tanaka, I know you wouldn't ask for something like this, unless you really felt that it was important. When we get back to the office, I'll handle the meeting with someone else, you...you get looking at what you need to find."

"Ah…I understand, thank you Sir."

"While I'm very happy to see that her condition has greatly improved Ms. Midoriya," The doctor set down the report, "However I am hesitant when it comes to her relationship with your son and his umm...girlfriend?" The doctor questioned with a slight scratch of his chin as two adults looked through a one-way window to the room next door from his office.

Eri could be seen playing with the two young teens with the white bunny plush she had gotten from her television debut.

"They're friends...but I'm sure that Izuku is smitten with her." Inko corrected with a slightly nervous smile. It was the final screening with Eri's psychiatrist* in order to complete the paperwork to allow Eri to begin schooling and possible adoption process. The Doctor leaned in with hands together and a solemn look on his face, thinking hard about his next few words.

"I understand that both your son and his friend are a bit more mature than the average teens after I interviewed both of them separately, as Hero Course students that should be expected." He cautiously began. "However I cannot in my professional opinion...directly encourage...the relationship between the three to continue. I fear that despite their maturity; Eri's imprinting could lead to complications if you end up officially adopting her Ms. Midoriya."

"Even more so if the adoption isn't approved." He added with a shudder; "separating them while she is still imprinted could be very traumatic for her, especially given her prior history."

The doctor paused to take a sip from his coffee cup before continuing. "Then there is also the possible issue of their relationship," he added motioning his free hand toward the two teens. "If they got together or if they had a falling out...that could really affect Eri who needs stability in her life."

Inko nodded heeding his words carefully. "I mean at this rate, I'm more than willing to adopt Eri completely, she's been nothing but a complete sweetheart and a blessing in our home and I'd like to make sure that she continues having a good home. And as for how Izuku and Ochako treat Eri...I mean...I'm not sure how we would even begin to stop Eri."

The Doctor listened carefully before breathing out a light chuckle and gave Inko a warm smile. "Now now let's not get too ahead of ourselves."

Inko was surprised by the change in demeanor, but decided to listen before making any comment.

"The good news is that I'm completely onboard to sign you off as a qualified legal guardian, which in this case is simply a formality to keep on for the record." The Doctor started off as he grabbed a long manila envelope containing the documents Inko needed.

"Now, here is some food for thought, if you adopted Eri and made some arrangements with the children: it is possible that Eri will slowly and eventually grow out of referring to them as her parents and see them more as siblings and you as her mother."

Inko nodded.

"However let's also say for the sake of the argument, that despite the arrangements, Eri continues to refer to both of them as her parents despite our intervention. You can in the future ultimately allow for Izuku to be granted legal guardianship of Eri when he reaches the age of majority and meets the general criteria for adoption."

"I thought you said you didn't recommend that outlook?" Inko now questioned making sure she wasn't mishearing him.

"From a professional stance, yes and I standby that since both your son and his friend at this point in time are both still minors, and I cannot in good conscience ask them to undertake such an endeavor with them being still so young." The doctor began explaining before adding with a light chuckle; "not to mention they legally wouldn't be able to do so in the first place."

"However this case is...far from average and the variables are equally numerous in possible outcomes. So even if we were to draft up a step-by-step plan for Eri to transition her imprinting, it is completely possible for it not to work...so a back-up plan should be considered and this is such a back-up plan;with this option Izuku will at least be an adult with the ability make an informed decision with respect to his age and career path should he decide to agree with adopting her as his own."

Inko looked again at the two teens and the small child; Izuku was sitting with Eri huddled up on his lap while Ochako was reading something to them on her phone. Another story perhaps? A small smile grew on her face, no matter what the outcome she knew they would make it work.

And knowing how big Izuku's heart was, Inko knew he wouldn't hesitate to accept Eri as his legally adopted daughter if it came down to it, paperwork or not...Izuku was Eri's father as far as any of them were concerned.

"Very well."

"Excellent," the doctor breathed out looking almost relieved. "Now there just a few quick things we need to go over and we'll be all set." The Doctor added as he withdrew the some of the paperwork from the envelope, along with a prescription pad.

"The first is a prescription for quirk suppressant medications, one for tablet form and a second for a set of EQ pens -mostly as a precaution; reading the reports from a Mr. Shouta Aizawa, and Eri's pediatrician both recommended these as a safety measure should Eri's quirk ever go haywire." He said handing Inko two sheets of papers with the prescription orders.

"Second, I looked over the private school you are considering to have Eri attend, and checked it over with the list of approval schools for someone of her current deposition and I'm happy to report that it meets the criteria and I will be more than happy to sign-off on it."

Inko sighed with great relief, the school was a lucky break especially since Eri had already made two friends from it. The Doctor however wasn't finished and now looked a little more tense.

"Now the third is...a little more...sensitive."

Inko felt her breath hitch at the man's change in tone. It wasn't harsh, but he wasn't as warm as he was mere moments ago.

If anything he was looking a bit guilty.

"Now I have known from the beginning that you are the wife the late Draco Knight and while neither you nor your son are on the volatile list...with recent events making the news however. I have decided to employ," he held a hand up, "As a general precaution to safeguard both of us from any possible legal ramifications, a three-month probationary period." The Doctor stated gently with a simple motion of his hands as he handed her the remaining paperwork.

"Thankfully you do not need to do anything special or extra," he adjusted his glasses with a grin, "simply keep doing what you have been doing and as long as you and or Izuku prove that neither of your quirks pose a threat to Eri or the general public during this time and the probation will end exactly ninety days from today, however I did find a clause that a ranking member of the municipal government, such as the Mayor and or Police Chief of Musutafu can override the probation with their personal seal, testifying to your character."

"Oh! I see," Inko said with relief while giving him a slightly wobbly smile, she understood why the doctor needed to do this; covering their bases in the eyes of the law was simply the smart thing for anyone to do. However, it still stung that despite not being on the volatile list, they still had treated as such.

'The Mayor is a neocon member...so no luck with getting an override there...and then there is Kai...I still have that letter from Hisashi...maybe?'

"Please forgive me Ms. Midoriya, this is the shortest probation I can administer under the law which would give us both protection under the law if things ever went," The Doctor coughed awkwardly,"beyond known expectations."

"However, I have no doubt that you and your son will pass the ninety-day probationary period and then Eri will be all set to begin the adoption process. If all goes well, she should be completely and legally in your care by summer."

Inko accepted the last of the paperwork happy to know that at the very least progress was being made. She knew that Izuku was in control of his quirk. Still she didn't want anyone in the government to keep putting them down after that whole fiasco at the USJ so they would play ball for the time being. Thankfully All Might had been a huge pillar of support for this entire endeavor and reassured her that he would provide any legal help that would be needed, if the government tried anything funny.

Tuesday

Ryuko sat happily at her desk with her boyfriend Shinya sitting across setting up their take out lunch. It had been a slow day for them, whether due to the holiday or a desire to lay low after the USJ incident; villain activity had sharply decreased. This allowed the two veteran pros to take an extended lunch period while sending their respective sidekicks out to patrol in their stead like Hisashi would have done years ago under similar circumstances.

Their relationship was still relatively low-key with only their immediate family and close friends knowing. Them and their staff who knew to keep it from the press.

Despite rumors already running among some the seedier gossip columns much to their annoyance.

This only led for the duo to remain professional between themselves during work and keep public displays of affection to a minimum. Still, it was nice for the two just to spend some nice quiet time alone; eating and allowing them to speak a little more openly.

Ryuko fiddled with her phone; opening a radio app and plugging it into a portable speaker so the two can listen to the news which was one of the many methods pro-heroes use to keep an ear out for possible emergencies that could use their assistance.

"And now for today's daily report."

The two worked in silence, as it always took the ninja themed hero a while to get into a talkative mood. When the two got their individual meals, they proceed to do the traditional prayer before eating.

"Thanks for the food." The two said unison before digging into their delicious meal while listening carefully to both the radio and paying attention to their phones in case something urgent came up. Experience had taught the veteran pros that emergency calls could happen at literally any moment and that it was best to save the chatter for after they were done eating, lest they end up only eating part of their meal before answering a call.

Still despite the only sounds being the radio, the general sounds leaking from the outside and the sounds of their chewing, they enjoyed the comfortable peaceful that had been afforded to them until.

"This marks at least the fifth time the individual has been seen flying across Shizuoka, Yamanashi and Saitama Prefectures at the dead of night," the anchor's voice announced from the radio. Ryuko's eyes narrowed as she ate.

Another sighting of the mysterious "batman" who had been seen in the night skies flying for almost a week and a half. There have been a number of tries to capture him or her, since they all but confirmed that this was not a pro-hero or a civilian contractor with authorization to use their quirk.

Given that the individual in question has only been flying and hasn't been hurting anyone or causing any direct trouble, has most people, including the police, to believe that it is just some kind of prank or daredevil who likes to antagonize the government and heroes.

Yet, something in Ryuko's gut told her otherwise.

The given how she flew when her dragon form, the flight patterns from the "batman" reports she had gotten from the police looked more like the individual was practicing their methods of flying rather than actively flying for the sake of flying.

Practice for what however remained a mystery.

"That was delicious," Shinya said as he wiped his mouth with a napkin and replaced his face mask.

"Yep," Ryuko chirped as the two proceed to begin cleaning up the remains of their lunch. When the desk was cleared the two settled in for a more casual conversation mostly about the upcoming Sports Festival.

"I'm glad to see Izuku's development returning in stride, especially after being unable to use his powers for the last few years," Shinya commented as he remembered the son of his best friend last Sunday, shaking his guilt riddled head in shame, "I still regret not being able to do much for them in all these years."

"Shinya, Inko forgave you, and it's not like you've done anything..." Ryuko reassured the ninja themed hero.

"At the very least we have made progress in Hisashi's case and now with the festival looming, I'm very interested to see Izuku in action, given how extensive I trained with Hisashi...I'm curious to see his skill level with Dragon Shift."

"Oho...thinking about stealing Izu away from lil' old me?" Ryuko joked with a glare that was betrayed by her smile hoping to shift the downward mood. "By taking him as an intern?"

"I doubt Izuku would seek to intern with you given how much to you seemed to tease him," Shinya answered deadpan. "Him and that Uraraka girl."

"You mean my new favorite ship?"

Shinya groaned as Ryuko laughed.

"You can't deny the chemistry between the two, especially when it came to Eri when we visited Hisashi."

"They are certainly very comfortable with each other...and if they work well together in the field then they could make quite a formidable duo." Shinya commented, he was interested to see Ochako in action as well, since Ryuko had informed him of her third-place spot at the entrance exam.

"I'm just happy that Izu has grown to be so much more confident this past year," Ryuko added as she paused the radio app so she could look at her new favorite picture she had taken on the day they went to go visit the cemetery.

It was of her favorite trio of cinnamon rolls sleeping together. Izuku was sleeping on his left side against the wall with Ochako sleeping on her right and sandwiched between them was Eri with the biggest smile on her face.

"Then again, I'm pretty sure they want to feel like they've earned their spots, rather than being offered spots due to a false sense of nepotism," Ryuko said with a sigh, knowing that even if Shinya hadn't mentioned the offer. Izuku would most likely never accept an offer from her, unless he really needed to, "I remember some of the looks I got from my classmates when I took both an internship and a work study under Hisashi."

"He made you work for it," Shinya interjected now returning the favor. "I am interested in taking Izuku under my agency, mind you that I'm already dealing with Gang Orca who said he's already called dibs...so I may have to take up Hisashi's old score and fight him for giving Izuku an offer."

"I mean Izuku could still choose..."

"This is Gang Orca we are talking about...you know that he won't hesitate to march into that school and drag Izuku out to take him."

"…Fair enough," Ryuko answered with a laugh as she replaced the portable speaker into her phone and brought up the radio app once again. Only their conversation was cut short as a new development seemed to arise when Ryuko had taken her phone out.

"-update regarding the newest victim of the Hero-Killer Stain: Hideki Matsumoto better known as the Pro-hero Atlas has been found dead while en route to assist with a traffic accident; police have confirmed that Stain had left another of his new calling cards, but did not reveal what was written on the card."

The eyes of both veteran pro-heroes grew wide as they heard the name of the latest victim.

"Shinya...wasn't Atlas..."

Shinya however raised his hand to silence her as the report continued.

"Atlas had been active pro-hero with over thirty-eight years of active service which include notable work in several incidents, which included the Draco Knight incident six years ag-"

"Its happened again...we've lost another key witness to Stain...once with Leaper was bad luck, twice when Marx was killed was a coincidence, but thrice with Altas? No, we need to alert the others and see about getting the remaining pro-hero witnesses security that wouldn't raise suspicions. Ryuko call Ingenium, I'll be calling Nighteye."

Ryuko nodded as she began dialing Tensei Iida, while Shinya pulled out his own phone to contact Sir Nighteye.

Atlas had been one of seven witnesses whose testimony was planned to be used for when they were ready to expose the truth to the world. Shinya prayed as the phone rang, one could never be too sure if this was just a coincidence and he will be damned if he allowed a mere oversight to stop them from clearing Hisashi's good name.

Sekijirou and Nemuri walked alongside Shouta and Alex, the last person was planning on making his way back to the training fields to meet up with Hitoshi and Reiko. They had all just gotten out of an impromptu staff meeting to go over what Alex had discovered about the planned protests of the Sport's Festival by some of the General Studies students.

"I'm glad that Principal Nezu already has a plan on how to counter this little insurrection," Nemuri confessed while shaking her head; "never in a million years did I think something like this would happen."

"If I could be honest Ms. Kayama," Alex interjected with a slightly concerned expression on his face, "I kind of get it...not the using Midoriya as an excuse mind!" He quickly clarified upon seeing the sour expression that Nemuri's face before continuing.

"What I mean is that I always found it to be a little cruel to force the Gen Ed students to participate in an event that is really only meant to highlight the Hero Course, with only the occasional non-hero student making it past the second round...let alone the third."

Alex knew from first-hand experience how often his old classmates from General Studies would resent about being forced to participate in the festival every year. The exceptions of course being those who were liaisons or wanted to become liaisons, those who dreamed of using the festival to get promoted up the ladder like he had done himself.

"That's how it's always been Springfield," Sekijirou retorted with a slight growl; "it's practically tradition!"

"But UA isn't tied to tradition, and this little rebellion should serve as a wake-up call for us." Shouta responded coolly, "we've all known since our time in school that there's been some animosity between the courses, particularly with the Hero course."

"It's especially sad for any quirkless students who had dreams of being a hero being forced to participate in the Sports Festival," Alex added knowing a few quirkless students in his year group and their personal feelings about the festival,

"They often feel like outcasts already and this is like taunting them about something they know they could never have."

The group stopped when they reached the teacher's lounge, they would split off from here once their conversation was done.

Nemuri seemed conflicted as she could see where Alex was coming from, especially since they were all previous UA Alumni, however she knew that things had changed with the times and tensions were still high from last month.

"We can all agree that it is better to nip this in the bud before it goes public yes?" Sekijirou spoke up as he opened the door. "I'll keep an eye on Mizuoji in the meanwhile to make sure that we can settle this before the next joint training session when the holiday is over."

"Oh! Thank you for reminding me Kan," Nemuri said almost slapping the top of her head, "Springfield, I know that you've been busy with your trainees, but could we ask for your help regarding the next joint practice? We're going over costumes and support gear, and given how your old costume was designed, I think it would be great to have you as a demonstrator."

Alex smiled, but seemed a little hesitant. "Normally I'd be completely on board, but between training, planning, preparing for my move, plus me having to study I might be stretched a little thin."

Nemuri's expression changed into one of confusion.

"On the day of the joint training, I could take over the day's training with Shinsou and Yanagi to give you some more study time Springfield." Shouta interjected with a sideways glance.

"Oh! If you're sure about that Mr. Aizawa...then yeah! I could do that!" Alex answered cheerfully, "but if I could also have a copy the footage for that day's training? It would be great study material for my trainees and get them to think about the kind of support gear they might need for the festival."

"Sounds good to me," Sekijirou retorted with folded arms being extra careful with prosthetic arm. "It would be good to have another set of hands to help supervise the two classes in the middle of training."

"Sweet," Alex said gratefully before giving his former teachers a bow, "now if you can please excuse me, I'm heading back down to check-up on my trainees."

"I'll be down in a minute Springfield, I just need to go over some paperwork regarding our probationary students. Just have do some warm-ups before we head back to Site Omega." Shouta added as the American turned around.

Alex immediately turned right back around and made sure to answer respectfully. "Understood Mr. Aizawa."

"How is he doing Shouta?" Nemuri whispered to Shouta, as Alex made his way back to the field. The bandaged man nodded in return as they entered the lounge and to sit at their individual desks.

"He still has a lot to learn as a mentor," Shouta spoke up as he gathered the documentation to release: Katsuki Bakugou, Fumikage Tokoyami and Jurota Shishida from their month long probation upon returning from the holiday.

"But he's managed to get both of the trainees to open up to him and that should make their transitions to your classes easier, should there ever be openings."

Togaru Kamakiri's probation was to be extended due to his belligerent actions after the USJ.

"Aside from some possible issues with the Midoriya boy and students in my class, I don't see anyone leaving either of our homerooms anytime soon." Sekijirou added from his desk looking over a copy of Alex's report that had been left on his desk. "That reminds me, Eraser, is there a reason why Mikami the class B business liaison is training with the general studies liaisons?"

Shouta however remained silent as he checked his emails. Nezu had confided in him about the three students who without going into detail, needed to have an additional watch placed on them for the time being. Shino Mizuoji was among them and this was before they learned about his involvement with the General Studies shake up.

"Springfield found Mikami breaking some rules, and administered a corrective punishment that I backed him up on." Shouta said almost offhandedly, making both homeroom teachers have a quiet chuckle to themselves.

"Hey Shouta?" Nemuri called out from her desk as she looked over her own copy of the report.

"Hmm?"

"I thought Springfield already got one of the recommended spots for The Rhode Island Institute of Heroics? Why does he need to study?"

"Oh, that," Shouta answered with a rare chuckle to himself, "Springfield got a new offer last Saturday that I've already informed him on, but unlike the R.I.I.H. This one requires him to take a rather grueling entrance exam according to the email."

"That's surprising next to UA, R.I.I.H is supposed to be the next big league school in the world. Why would he want to go somewhere else?" Nemuri questioned now really confused.

"I'll send you a copy of the email that contained the new offer...Once you see where it came from you might see why Springfield is considering joining it. If he passes the exam, he'll just have more choices to choose from." Shouta answered as a few clicks could be heard from his little cubicle in the corner. A few moments later Nemuri received a new email in her computer inbox.

"Let's see..." Nemuri said to herself as she opened the email; eyes growing wide when she saw the origin. "Oh wow...that is one hell of an opportunity."

Wednesday

"Everything go through alright?" He whispered to his phone as he sat on a bench within the grounds of his apartment.

"The drop off went smoothly. Father and I are still looking through what you discovered so far."

"Good...what about the samples?"

"Father is using some of his connections with Kiriyuuin's department to run an independent series of tests but it might take a while since he is backed-up at the moment, the testimony you got from her however; speaks volumes of her past...not to mention that if this is accurate, then this may link us to another case we have uncovered recently."

"Good, it was a pain in the ass to get both from her, the samples especially being a real doozy." He added with a soft chuckle as he ran his hand down his arm that featured a couple new scars upon his burned flesh.

"Any luck meeting with the leader of the league again?"

"No, but I've mostly been meeting up with the one known as Kurogiri since he tends to transport Himiko to and from my hideaway and there have been times when she has been gone for several days." He paused to yawn for a moment before adding; "but every now and then, I get sent to help out with some trouble. I've mostly ended up fighting some punkass yakuza who were stirring trouble for the league."

"That mirrors the reports from fellow heroes and the police about the power vacuum, but it is interesting to know that even the underworld seems to be struggling with the same issue."

"From what I gather the league doesn't want these underworld fights to leak into the public, otherwise it would force the government to crackdown harder while they're still recovering from their loss at UA hence why the media hasn't picked up on it."

"Fair enough...What about Stain? You make any contact with him?"

"Nothing on that front." He answered while shaking his head. "It seems the boss likes keeping us apart," reflexively he tapped his phone, "but Himiko did confirm that she had met him before while doing work for the league."

"That also lines up with another suspicion we had. I've got another question for you."

"Shoot."

"Since you've been dealing with Yakuza can you tell me anything regarding them? Particularly if you have any information on the phoenix or dragon boys."

"I think my dad would know more about them that me, why don't you ask him?"

"I did, but all he managed to fill me in on what he knew from their heyday, we more information about them in the now."

He hummed as he took a moment to gather his thoughts about his recent encounters with the yakuza he's come to deal with as of late.

"From what I gathered there are a bunch of small time yakuza clans that owe up to bigger clans that collectively control a particular amount of territory throughout the country; the biggest of these clans are each lead by a big boss known as a Cardinal King. And they've lately been like sharks in a feeding frenzy almost picking fights with the remaining small pockets of Overhaul's gang and each other fighting for said territory."

"The Cardinal Kings are named after the four Divine Beasts that align to their specific cardinal direction on a compass right?"

"Yep, apparently yakuza are all about that crazy kind of symbolism**, like The Eight Precepts of Death," he scoffed, "But there is an interesting deviation; the south has a few odd things about it."

"I'm going to take a couple of guesses and say; One:The Southern beast is a Phoenix and not The Vermilion Bird Suzaku the traditional Southern Beast. Two:The south was once named and led by the Vermilion Bird King until about thirty odd years ago, when the gang and boss changed suddenly changed their name to Phoenix, and Three:There currently isn't an active Phoenix King."

"Damn, are you sure that you even need me to check these guys out?" He dryly drawled with a wry smile.

"It was the only thing that kept coming up that stood out to me. Every time I've asked older pro-heroes who were involved with Yakuza in the past: Endeavor, Gran Torino, All Might and even Gang Orca have some interesting information from his latest busts."

"Nothing ever really gets by you huh?"

"It pays to re-read everything from time to time, to make sure you didn't miss the smaller details that you might have missed out the first time around."

"Well I do have a little more info, the southern gang doesn't have any actual fighters in their crew as most of the Made Guys*** in the outfit are either really old or are the younger sons of those old guys who are barely around high school age and very few actually have combative quirks...although they do have a lot of women under their employ...if you catch my drift." He paused before remembering something else he had seen two days ago.

"Actually...there was something strange that happened on Monday."

"Oh?"

"Some of the younger Phoenix and Dragon boys looked really excited, when I was doing guard duty for some kind of meeting."

"Any details?"

"It had to be something big, apparently the Dragon King of the East and the acting boss of the South were there, but nothing else from that."

"I-" At that moment a noise in the background that sounded like an elephant blowing from its trunk interrupted the call, that was followed by a familiar high-pitched voice squeaking excitedly.

"Daddy look!"

"The Elephants are about to start their routine Tensei! Come on!"

"Ah-I'm coming just one second!"

A smile grew on his face; despite his heart feeling heavy with longing for what he missed the most.

"You ass, you called me instead of spending time with them at the Zoo?" He added knowing about one of the most popular attractions of the Tokyo Zoo.

"It's kind of hard to balance family life with all this work on my plate."

He shook his head, partly to force a few tears that threatened to fall down his eyes back down.

"Well, make more time for them. Please don't end up like me and regret the little time I had really spent with them by the time my life was flipped upside-down."

"Touy-"

"That's not my name right now," he interrupted. "I'll fill you in on the bigger details later." He tried to finished up before adding. "And tell them all that I love them and miss them."

There was a brief pause until the phone answered with.

"I will."

With that the call ended, he raised his hand and destroyed the phone with a small burst of blue flame. Dabi rose up from the bench while taking in deep breaths of the spring air as he straightened up his trademark black coat.

"I should check-up on her." He said to himself as he made his way back to the inside of his apartment. When he entered, he found Himiko curled up on her favorite spot on the couch with a tablet watching some kind of live stream.

"I'm back," He announced as he closed the door and moved closer to see what she was watching. She turned to acknowledge him with a small wave and a smile before turning back to watch the stream.

"What ya watchin'?" Dabi asked as he looked over Himiko's shoulder while she moved the tablet aside to allow him a better view.

On the screen was a tall beautiful blonde girl with amber honey eyes and noticeably full lips. Himiko quickly typed up an answer on the digital notepad app she had up.

-She's the Vlogger named Camie, and she's really funny to watch.-

"So I was like, on my way to meet up with my gals from school, when I totes spied that blond bomb hottie from school! Ya know the one fam, the one I mentioned before, and like, I totally wanted to like, wanna to catch up with him!" Camie explained with the camera facing her while brushing aside from loose hairs from her face.

Behind her was a series of tables with several people eating curry at a rapid pace, with others on the sidelines either observing or cheering their favorite to win. Camie quickly moved the camera to begin focusing on one particular participant.

"YOU CALL THIS SPICY!? MAGMA CURRY MY ASS! I CALL IT WEAK SAUCE! NOW HAND ME ANOTHER!" The tall ash blond boy with sharp features roared out as he finished up his plate and held it up to be traded for a fresh plate by one of the organizers who simply stared at him in disbelief. All while making Camie who was now behind the camera began to laugh.

"But ya can, see he's like totally a bit busy, but I did say he's totes the kind of snacc who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk too ya know?"

"AND ITS LEADING BY THREE PLATES AS THE REST OF THE COMPETITION STARTS TO DROP LIKE FILES!"

"Someone just take me out back and shoot me!" One of the eaters cried as he thudded his head down on the table in defeat.

"Too…damn…hot..." Wheezed the spiky redheaded boy sitting next to the ash blond boy, struggling to finish his second plate with a face as red as his fair and clearly full of regret.

Dabi could see that despite Himiko being physically unable to voice out much, was clearly able to still laugh hard even it if it was silently as her whole body seemed to shake and tears of mirth ran down her joyful face.

The camera panned a bit looking over some of the observers in the audience which included to his surprise three very familiar faces. A tall boy with dark blue hair and glasses, another boy with dual colored hair and mis-matched eyes, and a girl with bright pink hair and cross-hair eyes.

Another smile crept up his face as the bluenette and pinkette seemed to be having a conversation that wasn't being picked up by the camera, but Dabi had a very good idea on what the conversation was about given their expressions.

So he counted.

'Three...Two...' And his suspicions were confirmed as he saw the pinkette pull out a bottle and tried to jump the fence to join the competition only for the bluenette to grab a hold of her by the waist and pull her right back.

"BUT TENI I'M POSITIVE THAT IT WILL MAKE ME IMMUNE TO THE HEAT!"

"THAT WOULD BE CHEATING HATSUME!"

"NOT IF I DON'T GET CAUGHT!"

"NOT IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT IT!"

It was his turn to begin laughing, albeit it was composed into a strong chuckle. It had been a very long time since he had a good laugh, he decided to settled in and continued watching alongside Himiko hoping to see more of the familiar trio.

Unfortunately, the stream didn't last that much longer, as the blond known as Bakugou won a few minutes later as the final competitor surrendered by completely collapsing face-first unto the table with a heavy thud.

The crowd around them all reacted differently, from cheers, to boos, and even some exchanging cash on the sides as bets were being paid out. Dabi looked around the crowd when to his surprise, the familiar trio went up to the victory and the red head from earlier along with a few others he hadn't noticed before.

'So they know Draco Knight's kid huh?' He thought as he saw the face of the forest haired boy, standing alongside a girl with pink-skin and horns. 'Interesting.'

"Two cups of black tea with a side of sugar cookies for the lady and a warm coffee cake for the gentleman," Jou said as she placed out the snacks for the couple seated, while in the background the door chime rang indicating another possible customer had entered.

"Be right with you!" Jou called out behind her.

"I've got it Pani!" Rikidou called from the back, voice drawing closer.

"Thanks!" She answered back before turning back to face her current patrons. "My apologies, how is everything?"

"It's no problem!" The short lady with magenta hair bound into twin pigtails and pink eyes lined with purple chirped as she took a sip of her drink, "Hmmmm! The tea is fantastic! Isn't Tobi?"

The tall older gentleman with slicked back white hair, piercing blue eyes, with an equally white handle-bar mustache and a medium beard nodded. "Indeed, an exquisite brew after a long day of filming Ai."

"Excellent!" Jou answered with a closed eyed smile while she gave them a small bow, "Let me know you need anything else," With that Jou turned around to spot a familiar duo plus one.

"Oh hey!" Jou said with a smile drawing close to the trio with were chatting with Rikidou.

"Oh hey Mori!" Izuku greeted with a wide smile while holding on to Eri in his arms, next to him was Ochako who waved along with her own greetings.

"I didn't know you and Satou worked here!" Said Ochako with a slight look of embarrassment, since they had been here before and didn't seem to notice that the two both worked the shop.

"Well we're not here all of the time," Jou explained while Rikidou was sorting some of the newer baked items into the front display. "It's quite possible that you came here during one of our off days or if we're at my parents' restaurant across the street."

Rikidou then popped his head up from the top of the display with a specific treat on hand.

"And here's one of our newest items. An apple tart!" He said as he handed what appeared to be a small slice of pie with an elegant row of thinly sliced apples on top to Eri. "On the house for you." He added with a big grin.

"Oh that looks really yummy," Ochako commented upon seeing larger version of the tart displayed behind a glass case in front of them, next to a series of baked goods that only were seen on TV or online. "Are these all foreign?"

"Riki's dad wanted to expand into making some more western style goods so we been trying something different every day of the week along with the more normal things we carry." Jou explained with a motion of her hand; showing some of the newer confections along with the more traditional Japanese ones. Fresh pies, crispy tarts, and sweet puddings stood proudly alongside the colorful Mochis, smiling Taiyakis, and plump Manjus.

"I know that Eri loves apples, and I sure could use a taste tester." Rikidou interjected.

Eri looked at Izuku for permission, Izuku in turn simply nodded as he didn't want to downplay their giant classmate's generosity.

"Thank you!" Eri chirped at she gently grabbed the slice that was wrapped with a thin wax paper, with a little help from Izuku she unwrapped it and took a nibble from the golden baked morsel. "HMMM! Mama! Papa! It's really yummy!" Eri exclaimed with bright wide eyes.

Jou struggled from squealing from the adorable reaction coming from the Unicorn child, before managing to recover and get back to her job. "So aside from the free-sample, would you guys like a table? Or are you taking to go?"

"Actually, we're originally here to both get a few snacks for the road and so Eri could use the restroom, but unfortunately it doesn't seem like you guys have one for public use." Ochako answered motioning her head at Eri who was busy popping a piece of the tart into Izuku's mouth with a giggle.

"Hmhm, weh jush finhed trainin," Izuku said while trying to eat the tart as quickly as possible.

Jou and Rikidou looked at each other for only a moment, yet in that moment unknown to the trio of cinnamon rolls, a silent nod passed between the two that seemed to say far more between the two than at first glance.

"I can let you take Eri to use our private restroom, while Uraraka can stay here." Rikidou offered moving to the side of the display and opened up the side door for them to enter.

"Oh you sure that alright?" Ochako asked not wanting Rikidou to get in trouble.

"It's fine, Pani can hold down the fort right?" Rikidou answered turning to Jou.

"Aye cap'n!" Jou responded with a playful salute while sticking out her tongue.

"Thanks Satou," Izuku said mouth now clear of the tart as he made his way past the side door and left himself be guided by Rikidou to the back. "We'll right back Ochako."

"No problem thanks Satou!" Ochako called back, while Jou guided her to take a seat. "Take a load off, let me just check-up on my earlier guests and I'll take your order to go."

"Okay thanks Mori."

Ochako watched as Jou made her way toward the only two customers, who remained in the shop. She took the time to pull out her phone and was about to send a quick text message to Inko that they would be back soon, when she realized that she had received a text from someone else earlier and hadn't noticed.

Bomberman (Katsuki): I don't say this often, and I'll deny it if you ever mention it, but thanks for helping today.

Ochako chuckled to herself, she didn't feel like she needed thanks given that she really didn't do anything. Ochako had decided herself that since the relationship between her and Katsuki was only lukewarm at best, she hadn't gone to his birthday celebration, instead she had spent most of the day with Inko and Eri making the birthday boy's cake, since she didn't know what to get him for a present.

It was an olive branch to let the two best friends hangout without her third-wheeling and letting them just have fun. She still had a great time with Inko who shared some new photos she had recently rediscovered after a bit of spring cleaning, which included a rather large and yet very adorable collection of pictures of Izuku in various hero onesies when he was a toddler playing with his father.

"Thank you come again!" She heard Jou say to the other clients who were making their exit. She quickly sent the text to Inko, as Jou returned to her with a glass of water.

"Here, Midoriya mentioned that you guys just finished some afternoon training so I imagine you might be a bit parched." She said while taking out a small pad for noting down orders. "Do you know what you want or would you like a little more time?"

Ochako took a quick drink from the ice cold water, sighing with satisfaction, "Thanks Mori, and yes I'm ready. Can I please get some strawberry and green tea mochi please?" she widened her eyes as she remembered, "Oh and can you throw in a few more slices of that apple tart from earlier in a separate bag please?" Ochako asked politely as Jou wrote down her order with a nod.

"Sure thing, mama," Jou retorted with a playful wink, "I'll be right back with your order." She added as she retreated to the display to make Ochako's order. While Ochako went back to answering Katsuki's text.

Gravity Queen (Ochako): You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad you and Izuku had fun!

Bomberman (Katsuki): I'm trying to be nice damn it!

Gravity Queen (Ochako): LOL okay okay! I get it! You're welcome.

Bomberman (Katsuki): Damn straight!

'Well at least we're starting to get along...I think?' Ochako thought to herself with a giggle.

"Read something funny?" Jou asked as she returned with two small paper bags containing Ochako's order in one hand and placing it on the table, before taking a seat opposite of Ochako. "Phew, time for quick break since no else is here at the moment."

"Yep, a funny text from a friend." Ochako answered as she checked over her order. "They look so yummy!"

"You should see how they're made," Jou said with laugh, "Riki's dad hulks up and pounds the mix by hand rather than using a machine or hammer."

"So they're completely handmade then!" Ochako said surprised knowing that mochi could be quite laboring without the use of machines, but having a strength quirk powered by sugar can help get the job done for a bakery.

"Yep, he firmly believes in the homemade touch," Jou answered casually, though her expression turned concerning. "So, how is the holiday going for you Uraraka?"

"It's been alright, I'd be lying if I wasn't a little bummed about not spending the holiday with my folks back in Mie, but I've talked with them before bed almost every night this week."

"Wow, country girl huh?" Jou remarked surprised by this tidbit, Ochako nodded.

"It could have been worse, I had expected to spend my holiday completely alone, until I met Izuku and Eri. Since then, I've basically been living with them. How about you Jou? How is your holiday going?"

"That's good to hear...as for me? Nothing too special, except either going out with Rikidou to festival on Tuesday up north and helping him train for the Sports Festival."

Ochako nodded,the conversation trailing off right there.

After a pause, Jou sighed before starting a new slightly more uncomfortable topic.

"Hey Uraraka I have a question for you."

"Oh?" Ochako looked up at the amber eyes looking at her with some curiosity.

"How is Midoriya doing?" She asked somewhat cryptically with a more flat tone of voice.

"Umm..he's fine why?" Ochako questioned, she didn't know Jou all too well, but from her previous encounters during school she seemed like a nice person.

"When we return to UA, be wary about who you trust there." Jou warned cautiously.

"What do you mean?" Ochako asked now a bit concerned.

"I've been hearing some...rather unnerving rumors that have been spreading around recently about Midoriya of when we return back to school. I personally have nothing against him nor does Riki so that's why we wanted to give you a heads up about who you trust at school." Jou explained with a whisper, while pulling out her phone, reading some the texts from her group chat where she had gotten some of this information.

"But it seem like others aren't comfortable with...Draco Knight's kid being among them. Riki and I think it's wrong to go behind Midoriya's back like this."

Ochako frowned. 'It's not fair, Izuku hasn't done anything wrong...and with Eri's adoption hanging in the balance...'

"Thank you for telling me Mori." Ochako breathed out gratefully, bowing slightly.

"Hey, I still owed you for saving my butt with the giant robot as the entrance exam!" Jou answered patting one of Ochako's hands, her expression turning softer. "And besides, dating Riki taught me not to judge a book by its cover, and given everything I've seen of Midoriya, I can safely say I'm on your side."

"We're back!" Izuku exclaimed returning with Eri in his arms, as Rikidou came up behind him. The two girls quickly got up from her seats and met back up at the counter near the register, when Ochako noticed Eri's face was stained red with some kind of red jelly.

"What happened?" Ochako asked with a giggle as Eri was enjoying her time licking the jelly that was around her mouth.

"I got to see all of the yummy treats mama!" Eri exclaimed with happily as Rikidou laughed and ruffled her hair a bit.

"Really?"

"Well after Eri was done using the restroom, Satou decided to show us to where all the pastries get made." Izuku explained motioning his head toward the back.

"They met my parents who were doing a new set of experimental tarts, which included a raspberry jam tart which Eri took to liking quite a bit," Rikidou interjected while handing Ochako some towelettes to help clean her face. "They were happy for the feedback they got from her."

"The order is written up there Riki!" Jou exclaimed in the background as she began wiping down the table that Ochako and herself had used.

"Thanks!" Rikidou called back as he took the paper that was hidden behind the display and began ringing up their total. "That will be 2200."

Izuku and Ochako both chipped in to paid for their snacks, neither of them knowing that Rikidou had thrown in a discount.

"Thank you for your kindness Satou, Mori," Izuku and Ochako said both grateful for their treatment here, while Eri mimicked them.

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome!" The two answered as Jou moved to the back of the display with Rikidou, leaning in on him as the trio made their exit.

"Did you warn Uraraka?" Rikidou whispered once they were out the door.

"Yep, I'll keep an ear out in the business course students to see what general studies is cooking up...did you tell Midoriya?"

Rikidou sighed, "I didn't have the heart to tell him." He admitted shamefully, "while we were waiting for Eri to finish up in the restroom, he told me that he and his mom are on probationary period for Eri's adoption."

Jou gasped.

"How I tell him that some of the students at UA want to get him kicked out, with that looming over his head?"

"Then more of a reason for us to help them out...since I told Uraraka, I'm sure she'll keep an eye out...I'm going to start cleaning up for the closing okay?" Jou finished up as she began empty out her apron, and giving Rikidou a peck on the cheek.

Rikidou sighed leaning on the display with his hands under his chin, looking at the trio who were still visible from the window. Outside of the bakery the trio were making their way back to Izuku's apartment, enjoying the peaceful walk back as Eri began to munch on another apple tart, while it seemed like Ochako had begun leaning on Izuku, wrapping her arm around his own and holding on his hand while extending her pinky to avoid using her quirk.

Rikidou chuckled as even from here, he could see Izuku go stiff for a brief moment as Ochako got close, only for him to slowly relax into her side before going over the horizon and out of sight.

'Yeah...he's in good hands.'

Thursday Part 1

Tomura sat alone in the bar, his dangerous mood indicated by a small twitch of his neck and fingers.

'He's late...' He thought with a groan, resisting the urge to scratch at his neck.

Kurogiri should have returned by now with his other brother: Mimicry. He was tired from all of the extra work that had been piled onto him to make up for his failure at the USJ, still he had at least started to get the ball rolling for his redemption in his master's eyes.

Now it was simply a matter of time and making sure that his remaining game pieces on the board would cooperate one way or another.

Finally Tomura heard the sounds of Kurogiri's wrap gate opening up at the edge of the bar, and out came a young man with neat violet hair carrying a grateful expression that he was out of a stuffy uniform and into a much more comfortable casual orange T-shirt and dark blue jeans. Next to him was Kurogiri who wordlessly made his way to the back of the bar to start mixing their favorite drinks.

"You're late Mimicry," Tomura answered with annoyance clear in his voice.

"Can't a guy enjoy a few extra rounds of Karaoke on his only day off?" Minicry answered with an exaggerated shrug of his shoulders as he took a seat two spots away from Tomura's corner seat. "Especially with a voice like mine hahaha! The girls just love it!" He added mimicking the voice of a popular J-pop artist while placing his hand on his chest. However upon seeing no amusement in Tomura's face he quickly changed his tune.

'This guy needs to get laid it's not like any of us can have kids,' Mimicry thought to himself. "I've got everything from my end in place Tomura," he continued with sigh, returning his normal speaking voice as Kurogiri handed him a drink.

"Thank you Uncle Kuro!" Mimicry exclaimed happily before lifting the drink to Tomura; "To your good health my dear brother!"

Tomura rolled his eyes, as he watched Mimicry take a sip of his drink, while Kurogiri handed him his own. Next to the RPG he had recently gotten to play, a good drink was a good way to greatly improve his mood.

"Good, once you get rid of the rat that works in Doumeki's office, I can have Stain move forward with the next step." Tomura answered back with a sigh of his own, taking a quickly glance of his list of targets that Stain had already dealt with.

"Speaking of Stain...getting him to change his M.O. was a stroke of genius," Mimicry interjected as he took another sip of his drink, "The cops keep arguing if this is a "new" Stain that is simply a copycat, or the original who has updated his methods to give them the slip. Needless to say, I've been making sure to keep them on their toes. Add Himiko doing some body double stunts in public only helped add to the confusion."

Tomura nodded, but his face kept on a frown. Despite getting him to work him, Stain was still very annoying to deal with from time to time, as he often just wanted to keep hunting any old pro when he could, but he needed him to continue hunting their list of witnesses.

"Oh, a heads up on the Saturday op you might wanna know about," Mimicry suddenly spoke up as he pulled a folded sheet of paper from his pocket.

"Oh?"

"Doumeki's as ordered that everyone's gear be maxed out. I'm talking real heavy shit, as in fuck the normal 9mm guns, he's having everyone pack the heavier caliber stuff that might seriously fuck you and anyone else up if you end up getting hit by it." Mimicry warned cautiously having seen what difference between the two first hand while handing Tomura the list of equipment that the Overhaul Transport team was expected to carry.

"Good to know...Will you be at the Saturday operation to break out Overhaul?" Tomura answered with a grin as he skimmed through the paper.

"Indeed I will, I'll in the second car behind Doumeki's, but in front of the one that carries the heroes joining us for the Op so do make sure that you don't end up killing me by accident." Mimicry answered with a fake whine in his voice, while lightly swirling his drink in his right hand.

"I'm not going on the operation my dear little brother...after all Overhaul is Yakuza. And any yakuza business is to be handled by our dearest youngest brother as per his own request to the Master."

Mimicry froze his ruby-red eyes growing wide before giving a loud shrill of a laugh. "So he's going solo?! Mimicry banged his hand hard against the bar with his continuous laughter, much to Kurogiri's annoyance.

"Just shut up and enjoy your drink Mimicry..." Tomura said now equally annoyed. "It's hard enough to juggle all of these damn pieces who think they have minds of their own. And he's not going alone, he'll have some back-up in the form of some weaker Noumu that have already been attuned to listening to his commands, but that's not for you to worry about."

"Ooooh! Do tell! It's been sooo long since we've had a chance to really talk my dear brother of mine." Mimicry teased with a boyish grin on his face. "Besides venting is good for you!"

Tomura wasn't normally one for sharing, but he knew that Mimicry wouldn't betray him, after all Mimicry had fallen from grace by their brother's hand, spared only because of his hacking and infiltration skills. Mimicry would have rather die than see him as the successor rather than Tomura. So keeping Mimicry happy and on his side was simply the smarter thing to do.

"Kurogiri's been working overtime moving things and people around for us," Tomura started off after taking a deep gulp of his drink and motioning his head to their silent bartender who was taking the chance to wipe down some dusty glasses. "Giran just filled a rather unique request for the Neocon boss."

"Remind me again, is the old fart actually on our side?" Mimicry questioned unsure of the answer, in case he ever needed to use his cover to get some wet work done.

"No just another pawn in my plans...but one that is becoming increasingly annoying at that...it's taking everything in Giran's power to keep him in line with generous funds and support for their movement. But now the old codger went ahead and ordered a batch of Trigger out of the blue!"

"Maybe the old man just wants to get high?" Mimicry suggested with a laugh until he realized something strange. "Wait I thought that Giran doesn't deal drugs, I always thought that the guy deals with support gear only."

Tomura's mouth finally turned to a grin.

"Normally he doesn't deal drugs, but if it keeps the old man in line then so be it. It simply gives us more blackmail material to work with in case we really need to bring him to heel," Tomura grinned, "Plus with all the other Yakuza trying to snatch up Overhaul's old territory, drugs like trigger have been flowing like water in the underworld."

"The Four Cardinal Kings." Mimicry said his tone becoming flat as his previous enjoyment was gone in an instant. "A right pain in my ass with all the work they keep piling on my plate, especially with the government trying to suppress the media about their underworld fights."

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Tomura said with a forward glance, careful with how he played around with his fingers on the bar. "Them and the remainder of the Eight Precepts of Death that are still loose are causing most of my damn headaches right now. So far the feds have been keeping the underworld fights quiet and out of the news, but we know those prideful idiots are going to do something big and stupid unless we can have someone bring them back in order."

Mimicry's eyes grew wide.

"Don't tell me..."

"He and Himiko met up with Southern and Eastern Cardinal Kings on Monday night to stake his claim. And since our dear little brother is about to make his public debut this Saturday I went ahead and had Giran use some of his connections to whip up something that...I personally found very fitting!" Tomura finished up with a dark chuckle; pulling out a picture and slid it to Mimicry who was taking another sip of his drink.

Mimicry took the square piece and only took a glance at it; only to end up spiting out his drink over the bar.

"How fitting indeed! Daddy's little boy...He's going be very angry wearing that." Mimicry cackled with a sickening smile.

"Was,"Tomura corrected, "he had to wear it for the meeting with that outfit and his face, he should've had enough proof that he is the son of the old Phoenix King."

"So it's time for them to have a new boss huh?"

"Not yet, they want to see a demonstration of his power; Saturday's mission will be his proving grounds for them. That he is strong enough to be their new leader, becoming a Yakuza boss by breaking out another Yakuza boss from their ancient enemy: The Police."

"So Overhaul is just going end up being a puppet for them eh?" Mimicry questioned unsure what else would be in store for someone who could cause a number of problems if left unchecked.

"Overhaul doesn't matter in the long term, we have his research for those quirk destroying bullet and could always use that as a back-up plan, unless he cooperates, good. If he doesn't, we'll just kill him; Himiko can just serve as his double until we have the remaining members of Overhaul's old gang under our brother's control absorbed into the Southern gang." Tomura answered with a nod.

"Its been thirteen years since the last Phoenix King died, now everyone in both light and dark will see the new one be born...and just in time since I encountered the debut of the new Draco Knight back at the USJ. Only this time the new Phoenix King has a few aces up his sleeve."

"All hail His Grace the new Phoenix King!" Mimicry proclaimed mockingly lifting his drink in the air.

Both men suddenly went silent, until both began to chuckle lightly, a chuckle that only grew into a roaring fit of laughter. Finding the irony of the situation completely delicious, knowing that a rematch between The Phoenix and The Dragon would be a fight no one would want to miss.

To be continued in Part 2...

Authors Commentary

*Eri's Psychiatrist: I actually consulted with a pediatric psychiatrist for this scene. I happened to be lucky enough to know more than a handful of doctors of various specialties in my line of work; the doctor in question being one of them. What I wanted to basically emphasize that dealing with mental health is very specialized and best handled on a case-by-case basis when possible.

Since I know the importance of this and I don't want to seem like I am trivializing mental health concerns and while I managed to hand wave a few key things for the sake of streamlining the story. I felt an obligation to address Eri trauma and recovery as respectfully as possible; knowing that imprinting could be very concerning in shaky situations like this.

** Symbolism in the Yakuza Sub-culture. Yakuza throughout history have had an extremely interesting view of themselves; compared to various other criminal organizations like it. Sharing general ideas of a "family" unit alongside community and

having some rather elaborate rituals with those of say the Sicilian Mafia or "Cosa Nostra".

Yakuza are well known in there use of classical Japanese/Asian symbols in the form of mascots, tattoos, titles, etc. The modern day Yakuza is of course very different from what we see in the MHA universe as shells from their heights of power and was something I wanted to explore outside The Eight Precepts of Death: based on the Eight Precepts that could be found in some sects of Buddhism.

The Four Cardinal Kings were inspired and based on the Four Symbols found in mythology throughout Asia. Which includes certain elements that you may find interesting if you take the time to look it up.

***Made Guys: I'm using terms that are more in line with the Sicilian Mafia to make a simplify the complexities of the Yakuza hierarchy (because JESUS it can get really complicated) But to also show that in the years after quirks came into the mix have had to change things about themselves in order to adapt and survive in the world of MHA.

This Chapter should be uploaded alongside the Mini-Chapter XXXII-S

While Chapter XXXIII Golden Week Part 2 is nearly complete, and will most likely be finished and submitted to my beta reader by this weekend. I'm hoping to make my uploads far more regular to make-up for the lost time.

As always my dearest readers.

With lots of love.

-X