81

Chapter 81: Cozen

A/N: Huh. We're catching up with the manga fast. As of this point in time, we're at the war arc! I might change some of the plot points that I already have planned depending on how the rest of the current arc pans out, though I doubt that I ultimately will. Also… I sorta skimmed over the week of training with Aizawa (definitely don't think that I could've depicted it properly without it being a bit of a boring repeat of what you'll all already have seen before). That being said… Enjoy!

"I fucking hate you Izuku," Manga spouted. He was bent over, his hands on his knees and breathing heavily.

Standing beside him, a relatively untired Izuku narrowed his eyes at his friend. "Wait a second… How exactly do you breathe? I mean, I can hear that your breath is heavy and everything but—"

"That doesn't matter right now!" Manga waved his arms in the air in front of him. "I didn't even go with all of you!"

"You did know about it though," Pony commented from her seated position on the floor. "I mean, didn't Mr. Aizawa say something about expelling the entirety of 1-A because they knew what we were doing about Izuku getting kidnapped?"

"He did indeed," Momo responded. "Though, if I'm to be honest, at this point in our school year I no longer have a clue as to when Aizawa-sensei is bluffing or not. I used to be so certain before when it occurred, but now..."

"I honestly think he just has a sporadic mindset," Todoroki muttered. "It would go well with my hypothesis that—"

"Nope!" Setsuna interrupted. "Nu-uh! Not another one of your long-winded conspiracies again!"

Todoroki blinked. "...Sorry?"

"We're getting off topic!" Manga said. "I mean, come on! This is torture! Why did Kan-sensei even approve of this?!"

"No! Better question, why did Power Loader sign off on this!" Mei exclaimed. "It's cutting into my baby-making time!"

"Hey!" Manga pointed a finger at her. "You have time to invent after the week's over! It's what your whole course is about! We have to get ready for internships and stuff before the end of the month! And—"

"Breaks over!" Aizawa's voice called out, echoing through the walls of Gym Gamma.

"What!?" Setsuna shrieked. "But it's barely been a minute, sir!"

"And a villain won't even give you that!" Aizawa countered. "Now stop complaining! We still have specialized CQC to cover!"

"Ugghhh!"

Around a week later...

"Did we really just have to do that?" Setsuna asked, almost disbelievingly. "I mean, we already spent all of Spring Break brutally training! We're going on our internships today! Couldn't we have finally rested for once?!"

"Yes for your first question," Aizawa drawled, appearing from around a corner and staring down the students that he had been training for the past week. "And no for the second."

"But why?" Manga whined, clutching the sides of his bubble head.

Momo hummed. "I'm sure that he just wanted to train into us why what we did was bad." She looked over at Aizawa. "Right Sensei?"

Aizawa remained stoic as usual, his gaze piercing into his students' souls. "I'll be straight with you."

"For the first time in a week," Manga muttered.

Aizawa merely trudged on. "You've all gotten yourselves entrenched with some bad stuff. In other words, that bad stuff being Midoriya."

"Hey!"

"That being said," Aizawa continued, "you all need to stay vigilant — or more so than before, at the very least. If you're going to be going around skirting the law, know now that you're under a greater threat than the rest of your peers of being targeted by the villains."

"We knew that already," Setsuna said.

"Doesn't erase the fact that you're all still children with barely a year of experience," Aizawa continued. "You need to consider the possibility that Kentaro will focus on all of you, now that you've shown a willingness to partake in Midoriya's vigilantism. The same goes with the League, who haven't hidden their interest in him either."

Aizawa craned his neck, surveying the six students in front of him. "Hatsume is in the support course, so this doesn't apply to the same degree to her as it does to all of you. But out in the field, you need to watch after yourselves. Stay vigilant, and use the skills you've all picked up from me to your advantage, alright?

"Yes sir!"

Aizawa nodded. "Good." He focused his gaze onto Izuku. "Now, I need to speak with Midoriya about something."

Aizawa paused. After a moment, he looked to the others in irritation. "Alone. I need to speak with Midoriya alone. The rest of you scram. I'm sure that your respective mentors are going to pick you up soon."

The others groaned, but nonetheless followed through with the order — they'd all recently learned just what happened if you tried to argue with Aizawa, after all. And so, they all said their respective goodbyes and headed off, leaving Izuku and Aizawa alone.

"Midoriya," Aizawa droned.

"Yes sensei?" Izuku questioned, raising an eyebrow up. "What's up?"

Aizawa tapped a finger against his thigh for a few seconds before speaking. "I'd like to let you know that… internships this time around are going to be a bit different."

"Different?" Izuku asked. "Different how?"

Aizawa sighed. "There's going to be an operation soon. A fairly big one, in fact."

Izuku furrowed his brows. "And you're telling me… why? And what does this have to do with the internships."

"The heroes are going to be a bit short handed with preparations. As a result, the Commission had decided it appropriate to delegate some of their reserve forces. In other words, the various schools around the country," he scoffed. "Idiotic, is what it is, but we have no say into it."

"Must be something pretty drastic then," Izuku mused. "What's going to happen?"

"Classified," Aizawa curtly replied. "The same with this conversation that we're currently having, understand?"

Izuku nodded.

"And no," Aizawa continued. "You can't get me to tell 'll know when the time comes, anyhow. Trust me. Point is, you students are going to be picking up some slack. They'll be an… exercise later on, of course, but that's for then. The first half of the week prior, you'll be doing the jobs that other heroes usually do."

"And Edgeshot and the rest of his team — which includes me — is going to be doing something that you don't approve of, I'm guessing?"

Aizawa nodded. "As much as I detest the fact, the first thing you're going to be doing when you get over to Edgeshot's agency is to confirm or deny a couple rumors about Kentaro's recent whereabouts."

"Kentaro?" Izuku breathed.

"Yes, despite the fact that you shouldn't even be going near the man," Aizawa growled. "Thankfully, however, it won't just be The Lurkers and you interns. Todoroki likely doesn't know yet, but Endeavor is coming along with you for insurance."

Izuku tilted his head. "But I thought you said—"

"He insisted that he tag along," Aizawa informed. "And his role in the upcoming op is more or less power and brute strength, as usual. He doesn't have much else to contribute, so he can hold off on preparation for a couple days."

"So Endeavor and The Lurkers are teaming up for rumors?"

"Highly accredited by informants," Aizawa informed.

Izuku blinked. "But if Endeavor's bringing his interns along…" And then he cursed. "Dang… that means Bakugou's gonna be there."

Aizawa merely gave Izuku a flat look.

"What?" Izuku countered. "We're mostly, well… fine with one another?" Izuku shrugged. "He's cooled off… a bit. So he won't really be a problem, but I'd rather just not have to deal with him, you know?"

Aizawa sighed once again. "Just stay vigilant Midoriya, you hear? I'd come with you, but I have prior engagements that I need to attend to. So, if you do meet up with Kentaro and his group, at least try not to take on Kentaro one-on-one, okay?"

"I wouldn't even consider such a thing!" Izuku exclaimed.

Aizawa crossed his arms. "Really."

Izuku rubbed the back of his head. "Well… maybe…"

Aizawa shook his head. "Look. I'm sure that Edgeshot is going to tell you this, but I want to make sure you understand that the goal isn't to take down Kentaro. We still have a month and a half before their self-imposed truce is over. We just want to make sure that they won't cause any trouble and intervene. You taking them down is a secondary objective."

"Intervene?" Izuku questioned. "In the upcoming op? You think that they'd take advantage of the situation despite Kentaro's word?""

"Possibly. After all..." Aizawa shook his head once more. "Ignore me. Just go. And try not to tire yourself out over the next week, you'll need the energy later."

Izuku nodded. "Fine. See you sensei!"

Aizawa nodded. "I'll be expecting your best for the upcoming trials, Midoriya. Stay safe."

"Soooooooo…."

"I already told you that Aizawa said it was classified!"

"But Izuku!" Setsuna whined. "You said no more secrets!"

"And I don't know anything!" Izuku countered. "All I know is that there's going to be this big operation soon. And I'm not supposed to spread it around."

Setsuna gave him a look.

Izuku gave one back. "I promise. That's it."

Setsuna blew a raspberry. "Fine."

The door to the break room opened, revealing a fully costumed Reverb. Her eyes shined up when they laid upon Setsuna. "Ah, there you are, Tokage! I've been looking for you!"

"Hey Reverb!" Setsuna greeted. "What's up?"

"Been meaning to test something out. Want to come with?"

"Sure!" Setsuna got out of her seat and walked over. "Bye 'zuku! Till later!"

The two left, leaving Izuku alone in the break room. "Yeah, later… But what to do now?"

The others were busy with other things. Kaminari and Mineta were off training with Mt. Lady, while Sero and Shizaki were with Kamui Woods. Edgeshot was in his office, no doubt preparing for the thing with Kentaro later. Setsuna ran off with Reverb. And Highbrow wasn't necessarily someone Izuku saw he could casually hang out with. So…

He formed a swarm in Edgeshot's office.

Edgeshot looked up from his paperwork to take a look at the forming swarm, but otherwise got back to work when he realized what was happening. "Yes Midoriya?"

"Hey Edgeshot," the swarm greeted. "Quick question: those rumors of Kentaro don't pinpoint him here in Kyoto, do they?"

"What?!" Edgeshot sputtered. "We haven't even debriefed you on that yet! That's still a few hours away from now. How do you know about that?"

"I have my sources," the swarm chuckled. "But that's besides the point. They aren't anywhere near here, right?"

Edgeshot sighed. "No. Not according to our sources."

"Cool! I'm going to go out on a solo patrol then!"

"Midoriya, no."

"Why not? It's daylight outside! Lunch just passed. I'll be completely safe! And everyone else in here is busy with something. I need to do something — a bit of a warmup for tonight, you know?"

Edgeshot's eye twitched.

"Please?"

Edgeshot waved the swarm off. "Fine. You're lucky that you have those special Commission privileges. Just don't overexert yourself, okay? We don't know how tonight's going to go."

"Thanks!" the swarmed called out, already dissipating. "I'll do just that!"

"Just make sure to be back before six! And make sure to call for backup if you need it!"

He'd been out patrolling for over an hour now, alternating between jumping and flying over the rooftops and simply walking on the ground.

He hadn't stumbled upon much so far — a single purse snatcher that he promptly caught and turned over to the police, as well as a minor dispute between two rather brash individuals arguing over bumping into one another — but that was to be expected considering the time of day. It was a rather mundane patrol as so far.

It was around two in the afternoon when Izuku's bugs caught sight of the first interesting thing to grab his attention the whole patrol — a familiar head of red and white divided straight down the middle.

Izuku instantly abandoned his patrol, flying his way over the rooftops and landing beside an stoic Todoroki.

"Todoroki!" Izuku greeted. "Finally, somebody to talk with, everyone back at Edgeshot's agency is busy." Izuku tilted his head. "You arriving for that thing with Kentaro later?"

Todoroki took a second to answer, eventually nodding in return. "Mhm. "

Izuku took a second to reach out to his bugs. "Huh. Where's your… Erm, Endeavor?"

"He saw a villain trying to hold up some couple," Todoroki scoffed. "Ran off, as is usual with him."

"Really? Izuku questioned. "Huh. You'd think that I'd notice a giant flaming man with my bigs long before he came into range, don't you think?"

Izuku took another look with his bugs. "Is it just you? I thought that a couple others from Endeavor's agency were coming along as well?"

Todoroki shrugged. "Ran off with him. They're all a bit hot-headed like him as well, you know?"

Izuku raised his eyes in surprise. "Was that a joke? From you? I thought that I'd never see the day!"

Todoroki merely shrugged again.

"Well, alright," Izuku continued. "Want to make way towards Edgeshot's agency instead of waiting here?"

Todoroki nodded. "Sure. The old man can make his way over himself."

"Thought that you'd say something like that," Izuku chuckled. "Come on, this way."

"So—"

"Question," Todoroki interrupted. "Before you end up going on another one of your long winded tangents."

Izuku nodded. "Sure. What's on your mind?"

"Your mask." Todoroki gestured to Izuku's face. "I was a bit curious about the reason you wear it."

"My mask?" Izuku repeated. "Well, face protection, obviously. It's the same material as the rest of my costume, which means protection from blades. And small arms fire… probably."

"Not what I meant," Todoroki said. "I meant… other than protection purposes."

"Huh. Well, if you put it into that context…" Izuku hummed in thought. "Well. I'm not really one of those heroes who are trying to hide my identity. Not that it'd matter at this point. It's not like anybody doesn't know who I am."

"You could use that. I always saw you as a hero who would show their face," Todoroki said. "You know, to reassure the masses and all that… stuff."

Izuku chuckled. "I don't really think that it'd matter, when you consider my bugs. I already unsettle a whole bunch of people with them so—"

"I'd like to see your face."

Izuku blinked. "Huh?"

"For casual talking purposes, that is. I'd rather see your face than talk to a non-moving mask."

Izuku tilted his head. "Really?"

Todoroki nodded.

"Well... alright. If that's what you want. In that case..." Izuku reached around and loosened his mask up, unclamping it and freeing his face to the open air. "There you go. As you like it?"

Todoroki smirked a little. "Exactly as I like it."

Izuku blinked at that, completely unused to seeing a smirking Todoroki.

"Wha—"

Izuku was cut off by his phone ringing.

"Hold up for a second Todoroki. Gotta answer this."

"Who is it?"

Izuku took his phone out, only to find himself with an unknown number.

"Huh. It's an unknown number. But all the calls through this phone are filtered due to Mei's weird specifications, so it is somebody important." Izuku shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, guess I'll find out."

Izuku answered the call. "Hello?"

-Don't say my name aloud, Midoriya-

"Oh! Ha—"

-What did I just say!?-

…

—yo."

-Really?-

"It's already the afternoon, Midoriya," Todoroki said.

"Oh," Izuku let out a nervous chuckle. "Right."

-Well, seems that your quick fix worked-

"Uh, right. Sorry," Izuku placed his attention back to Hawks. "It's just that I haven't actually saved your number from the last time you called, so I just a bit surprised and all when I heard your—"

-I know. I was banking on that, actually. But nevermind that. I have something I need to tell you-

"What's that? Something urgent?"

-Yes. Now listen, and don't freak out, you hear? I may or may not have leaked the fact that the Endeavor Agency and the Lurkers were planning on a raid on the Nine just a little while ago-

"You what!?"

"Everything alright Izuku?" Todoroki called out.

"Yeah yeah, I'm good." Izuku placed his phone back to his ear. "Wh—"

-I'm already taking a risk contacting you, so I need to keep this short. What you need to worry about is not the raid. Rather, there's a plot to kidnap you again-

"Are you serious?!"

"Hey, 'zuku. I think I see a rash on your neck. Mind if I take a look for a second?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Izuku waved Todoroki off. "Whatever. Go ahead." Izuku went back to Hawks. "You were saying?"

-Midoriya. Listen carefully and calmly. You're with someone right now, right? Are you sure that they're the person you think they are?-

Izuku paused. And then his eyes widened in realization. "Shi—"

The needle penetrated his neck, and near immediately Izuku could feel himself falling into the arms of his attacker. He couldn't feel his legs nor his arms, with his mind growing fuzzy as his vision grew blurry.

"Aww! Look at that face all twisted in fear and realization! I just love it!"

Toga smiled down at him, her arms enveloping his limp body in a hug. He averted his gaze from her naked form; and one thing that he could take solace in was the fact that his costume acted as a barrier between him and her naked body.

Suddenly, Toga grabbed for his phone and held it up to her face.

"Bye, whoever this is! Sorry, but Izuku's schedule just changed! He's having a date with me!" She subsequently hung up and threw the device to the ground.

His bugs. He could—

"Nope!" Toga exclaimed. "That scrunched up face of yours is telling, but guess what! That's not happening!"

And he could already see why — more of those Caustic pellets from before had set up a thin mist around them; his bugs were useless, they wouldn't be able to bypass the makeshift barrier.

And all the people around them, Izuku took note, they were all running. Nobody was helping — but after a moment of thought, Izuku realized that of course they weren't. This was Himiko Toga of the League of Villains. There wasn't anyway that a random civilian was going to help.

"We'll be getting rid of this!" The statement was followed by the Izuku being striiped of his flightpack.

Toga cheered as she threw the flightpack out of the ring of Caustic fumes. She looked back at Izuku with her usual cheery expression. "Liking the drugs? The Doctor made 'em specifically for you! Wasn't that nice of him?!"

He just needed to stall, wait for some hero to walk by. And then he'd be free.

Izuku willed his mouth open to speak. "Toga…"

"Surprised?" Toga smiled. "I took your advice! You didn't even realize that it was me until it was too late!"

"Wh—"

Toga placed her hand over Izuku's mouth. She leaned in close and spoke wth a whisper. "Shh. Not now, Izuku. We need to leave before some heroes show up! We'll talk later, 'kay?"

No! Wait! Toga—

Toga perked up and tightened her hug on him. "Doctor! Activate Johnny-chan please!"

The familiar acrid smell reached his nose. He couldn't do anything but submit to the flowing black ooze that spewed forth from his mouth and carried him towards the unknown.

A/N: So much for specialized training from Aizawa, eh?