Giran

Two weeks was a while, so Nick had some time to kill before the festival. Nick had spoken to Nezu about getting a week off school. So that he could focus on himself and make sure he was alright after his near-death experience. At least that is the reason that he gave for it. He was given the time off however so that was good. With his studies and strength as they were Nezu saw no reason for that to be the case, and with the festival coming up every student was preparing in their own way.

Having gotten until next Monday off, Nick knew what he was going to do with that time, focus on learning his new power. And find out what the hell Ratu wanted from him. Honestly, he knew he was starting to cause a stir in the underground scene as the man who had beaten Rappa. So he wasn't surprised that events were happening to his other persona but he wanted to keep them in check. After all, he would prefer if big players like All for One didn't try to recruit him or anything.

Organizing with his parents had been tricky but it had worked out, he had told them that he was going to be training with his martial arts instructor for the week that he had off. He wanted to find some enlightenment on his new quirk powers and that this was the best way around it, they hadn't been happy about it but they had accepted. So as far as they knew he was training with his instructor in the woods. He had told them he had a martial instructor when he first started working with Kendo, he just didn't tell them anything about him.

It was kind of… scary… how easy it was to convince his parents that training in the woods was a good idea. I mean it happened, training dangerous quirks away from people but still. They trusted him a lot as well so that probably helped.

Just glad that it had worked out he had boarded the train to Osaka, promising to pay a visit to both Aunt Cass and Uncle Garry on his way past. Since he wasn't going to be staying with them he kept it brief. He had left all his stuff at him as well since training in the woods wouldn't need any of it… because that was where he was going.

With all that out the way finally Nick was about to get to what he was actually planning on doing, it was around mid-afternoon Tuesday when Nick finally found a place to shift appearances before making his way to the Masquerade. Not many people would be there since it was midday, and the fights happened at night but that was just how he wanted it. Ratu lived in the place so he still should be able to find the man.

Going in through the back door he nodded at the smoking man before making his way into the back of the building. Past the empty ring and stands and into the far side of the underground place where the storage and kitchens were. Also a few rooms for those that did stay here like the mind guy and who he was looking for. Ratu.

Since Kendo wasn't here he didn't talk to anyone but was well-known enough that people didn't get in his way either, after all, he only interacted with Kendo really.

Getting to the kitchen Nick banged on the heavy metal doors a few times. There was no other way in just like all the other rooms. Just a heavy door.

Hearing footsteps behind the door shuffle around they soon swung open as the ugly face of Ratu showed itself. The poorly maintained stubble sprinkled over his double chin, the man was large. His breathing was heavy as he looked up at Andrew as he was now known here and said. "Huh? Andrew? What the hell do you want? Oats are in the training room leave me alone."

Huffing he tried to close the door but all Nick had to do was put his hand in the way. The door was stopped as he motioned for Ratu to get back in the kitchen with his chin. Looking a bit freaked out Ratu backed away as Nick followed him into the kitchen, the door closing with a heavy bang behind him.

The room was lit well, with large lights above all the counters and a sink filled with filthy dishes stacked to the side. A couple of clean large pots sat on the giant stove waiting to be filled with oats and water. Prepared to make gruel to serve fighters.

"What do you want huh?" Ratu spoke, his face beading with sweat as he scratched his ear. His apron was covered in stains of who knows what. His short hair already balding at the back and white around the edges.

"Oh, I think you know already after he must have said something when I sent him scrambling back to you?" Andrew said, his voice dripping with aggression as he moved towards Ratu who backed away until he was against the kitchen sink.

"What? I just wanted to know where the fuck you go, man. That's it. So fuck off huh let me do my job!" Ratu responded back aggressively as he held his hands in front of him trying to stop Nick from coming any closer.

Reaching out Nick grabbed the man and his hands suddenly broke down, turning into bloody stumps as Ratu looked at them in shock. His gaze widened as Nick said. "Just because I only use my quirk on myself doesn't mean that I can't use it on others…"

While he was Andrew he never planned to use his quirk on anything non-organic. But he would happily use it on others. After all, he needed to be more than someone who could just heal himself if he wanted to make others think twice. And with the number of quirks in this world, no one would connect him to Nick, at least not without some leaps in logic. He had spent so so long already worrying about all that so why should he bother.

People never connected All Might and Midoriya despite the man cast seeing their interaction, nor did they connect Dabi and Endeavour despite them both having insanely powerful fire quirks, yes fire quirks were more common but of that power? Nope.

It just wasn't something he should spend so much time worrying about. It could also be kind of interesting if he could fight himself. Why shouldn't he be able to make a duplicate? Just some organics and reconstructing his brain right? Well maybe, he would keep the idea on the table but he had to be careful about it.

Letting out a scream Ratu pulled Andrew's thoughts back to now, right. Ratu. "FUCK WHY DID YOU DO THAT!" Ratu let out a wail as Andrew grabbed the guy's face, sealing his voice box the sound cut off right away.

Looking dead into Ratu's eyes he said, "Look, I don't like hurting people. I know how it feels to be hurt. So why don't you just work with me here? And I'll give you your gruel-making hands back. If you don't. I can always leave you without them. A chef isn't hard to find… unless you're something more than just a chef?" His voice questioning.

Nodding his head furiously Andrew unsealed the voice box as Ratu took a few deep breaths. Moving his head as he said, "Okay fuck that hurts! God Andrew, I didn't know you could do that! Fuck."

Getting his thoughts in order Andrew just glared up at Ratu as he continued. "You better hope that you have a way to give me my hands back or you better make sure that no one finds out you killed me. Because trust me, man, I have people that can and will kill you." His voice contained an edge of clarity, his eyes however were not showing much fear… he was telling the truth.

Sighing Andrew said, "People won't find out it was me… I'll make the scene look as if someone else did it."

"Really? So the one day you enter here when Rappa isn't around is the day that I die eh? Sounds fishy…" His voice had an edge of confidence to it as he looked at Andrew, waiting to see if he would back down. He was either confident in his friends, or a good liar. Or more scared of what would be done to him than he was scared of Andrew.

Not expecting to have met this resistance Andrew said, "Tell me why you sent someone to follow me or I'll make your death more painful than your friends could ever make mine." His voice holding edge. He could get rid of this identity worse case… he would hate to lose his connection to Rappa but he could tell him about his new identity as well, sure it was a risk but it wasn't something he had to think about now. He was confident he could handle it though if worse came to worse.

Seeing the steel in Andrew's eyes Ratu was actually getting nervous. With what he knew about Andrew's quirk and now that it could also affect others he grit his teeth… he knew that he would have a very very painful death and that it would likely not be quick either. "Ah fine, you win. I work for a broker. Tell him about people that rank high in the ring." Taking a deep breath and speaking through the pain Ratu continued. "I don't know why but he wanted to know more about you because you interest him or something I dunno, I don't know much more I promise okay! So give me my hands back!"

Putting his hand back on Ratu's forehead he gave the man his hands back. He had shifted his hands into his arms so the mass was still there… not that Ratu didn't have enough of it already.

"So who is this broker? Where can I find him." Andrew said, leaning against the kitchen island as he backed away from Ratu.

Cursing under his breath Ratu shook his head. "Fuck if I know, I see him when I see him… he's got grey hair and eyes. Good luck finding him."

Shaking his head Andrew cursed in his mind. Why the fuck was Kagero Okuto interested in him? The man had insight in a strange way. It wouldn't be long until people were being recruited into the league so maybe he was searching already? Shaking his head he didn't really want to be involved with them… there would be some advantages to being on both sides, however… also he shouldn't be recruiting for the league until after Stain was captured.

Being able to keep tabs would be good but he really would have to make a clone of himself, which he didn't know if it was possible, maybe if he got his hands on twice. Honestly, he didn't know, he should find Okuto and see what he wanted.

Looking at Ratu he said, "Well thanks for the information. Don't send people after me or I will kill you next time I see you alright?"

With that Andrew left the kitchen, making his way back down the hall and up the stairs as he left the Masquerade… he had a broker to find. Where did the man visit?

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It had been a day since then and with the little information he had gotten from Ratu it hadn't been easy but he had found a bar somewhere nearby to the Masquerade. It only took asking the mind guy where to find jobs and then being directed towards someone who normally hooked villains on small-time crimes. With that, he had worked his way towards brokers that gave bigger jobs saying he was searching for someone with grey hair.

It hadn't been long before he had been contacted by someone calling themselves Giran who was interested in having a meeting at this place. He wasn't that surprised that Giran had organized a meeting, if he asked around for him he was sure that the man would find him on his own. After all, he wanted to know more about Andrew.

Making his way into the bar Nick looked around the room, and multiple people sat at tables in huddled conversations. The poorly ventilated fireplace let smoke coil onto the roof covering it in a thin layer of both soot and smoke, the place smelt like cigarettes and alcohol. Making his way over to a table against the wall he sat there, hood over his features as he just waited for Giran to show up, and he wasn't waiting long.

Looking at the door as it opened, the chiming of the bell and the gust of cold air causing some patrons to grumble their displeasure he saw Giran look around the room. As Giran looked at Andrew, Andrew nodded his head. Walking over the grey-haired man sat down across from him. Taking out a packet of cigarettes he shook it so that he could grab the end of one and pulled it from the packet as he put it between his lips. Looking at Andrew he held the pack out and offered on to him.

Andrew responded with a shake of his head, Giran just put the pack back in his pocket and took out a lighter gun. Pulling the trigger on it, a small flame emerged from the barrel. Lighting the cigarette before pulling in a deep drought, the ember at the end flickering a bit before he pulled it from his mouth, the lighter being left on the table. Blowing it out his missing tooth he looked at Andrew and waited for the other man to say something. Seeing that Andrew wasn't going to speak however he started the conversation.

"So your the new champion of the Masquerade, eh? And what did he want to see me for?" His posture relaxed back into the couch as he smiled politely.

Leaning back Andrew tilted his head and said, "I was more interested in why you were interested in me at all." Stating it as fact.

"Oh? So what? Did you find that out from Ratu eh? He is normally pretty good at getting information without being caught. Oh well. This just makes me more interested though. How did you find his spy?" Giran responded leaning forward, arms on the edge of the table.

"Not your concern, what did you want with me," Andrew responded, not wanting to talk too much, he knew Giran would just try to get information.

"Straight to business eh? Mostly it's just a gut feeling, you're interesting to me. I think you're gonna make waves and I just want to help you do that. I am starting to find people for a small group that popped up on my radar. They just broke into U.A. you know that? I already have some other people that I plan on talking to. So not many spots left. But I was planning on waiting until after they had more of a name. You just found me beforehand… So what do you say? Want to be more than just a monkey in a cage?"

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Shorter chapter today. Sorry about that.

Also thanks for all the support on the last chapter, yeah it was a bit cringe and lame but honestly that seems to be a lot of the emotional interactions with Midoriya and Nick was just copying what All Might said, or something along the lines of it anyway. He mostly didn't want Midoriya to not try during the school festival because he both wanted Todoroki to use his flames and Midoriya to grow as happed in canon, not be held back by lack of trying because 'I hurt myself.'

Started to further explore how the new persona of Andrew would interact with the world. Now that Nick is less hooked on following the plot he wants to start laying groundwork for his future incase things do go as canon. Having a foot in both sides would help him make sure that he can know what is happening and have the impact he wants. Let me know what you think!

Thanks for all the support and advice! As normal reviews and comments are always welcome, so please give any advice you have to help me get better!