Chapter 87: Teaming up

[Kaede Pov]

When I finally returned from my grandparents, everything went back to normal and naturally, the second round of work-study started. I returned to intern under my Onii-chan, and things were going well; however, today seems to be a bit different.

"Ryukyu's agency?" I repeated just to make sure. Ryukyu was the pro-hero that Ochako, Asui (Tsuyu) and Hado (Nejire) were currently working for. Ryukyu's quirk let her turn into a massive dragon which I thought was awesome.

Itachi-onii-chan nodded: Just for today, you will be teaming up with her."

"May I ask why?" My curiosity got the best of me...

"Have you heard of the Oki Mariner?" Onii-chan questioned.

"Uh yeah, aren't they a group of heroes specialising in marine-type missions," I answered? I recall that my friend Asui used to intern under them...

"That's right, the leader, Selkie, requested assistance to agencies with heroes that have the capability of flight, and Ryukyu will be participating, " he explained.

"But what does it have to do with us?" I tilted my head with a confused look.

Itachi-onii-chan sighed and smiled apologetically: "Unfortunately, something very important came up: I have to go meet some other heroes, and I can't accompany you for the day. "

"So I hope you understand," Onii-chan said with guilt and patted my head.

"It's okay, I understand. Being the number one hero in Japan must have been hard. Please don't overwork yourself and damage your health. We're all very worried about you..." I said with concern; for the last few days, because of the destruction of Deika City and League of Villains, onii-chan doesn't have much opportunity to rest.

He was flooded with paperwork and meetings, and he looked pretty tired. Even Shisui and the other sidekicks couldn't handle it anymore and bit the dust long ago. Despite all that, onii-chan still managed to make time for me, I offered to help him, but he told me that I should have proper work study to grow stronger instead of staying in the office writing documents.

Hearing my response, Itachi-onii-chan relaxed and hugged me tightly: "Thanks, but you don't have to worry about me. After this, it will probably be the last time I will be required for the investigation."

I laughed: "No problem!" I wanted to stay in the embrace for a little longer, but I couldn't let Ryukyu wait for any more, so I sped out the door and waved goodbye to my onii-chan.

Thirty minutes later...

"Sorry, I'm late!" I yelled and ran towards four figures that were anticipating me.

"It's fine. We haven't waited long." A woman with chin-length blonde hair wearing a dark red Traditional Qipao answered.

'She must be Ryukyu.' I thought.

Suddenly I was tackled by a girl with long blue hair: "Uchiha-chan, you're finally here!" Hado cried out with excitement and rubbed her face against mine.

Ochako and Asui hurriedly pulled Hado off me as Ryukyu apologised for Hado's action. I hurriedly got up and told Ryukyu it was fine because I had already gotten used to Hado's eccentric personality.

Ryukyu chuckled and officially introduced herself: "I'm Ryuko Tatsuma, also known as Ryukyu. It's nice to meet you." She said and held out her hand.

I smiled and shook Ryuku's hand: "Hi, I'm Kaede Uchiha, also known as Maple; thanks for taking care of me today!"

Ryukyu shrugged. "It's fine, I owe your big brother a favour, and I'm intrigued by the power you demonstrated against those nomu back then." She said and observed me with interest, "Anyway, let's talk on the way; we will be meeting Selkie at Verize Islands," Ryukyu announced and gestured for us to follow.

At Verize Islands...

"Greetings! I'm the Sea Rescue Hero: Selkie and this person here is Sirius, and she's my second in command! We will be teaming up together today!" A man with a muscular physique and the appearance of a humanoid spotted seal shouted confidently as he pointed at a young woman with light blue hair wearing a sailor costume.

"Long time no see Selkie-san, Sirius-chan." Asui happily greeted the hero.

"Woah, you've grown up, huh, Tsuyu? I'm..... I'm..... I'm so moved!" Selkie exclaimed with a high-pitched voice.

"So cute!" I muttered as my eyes sparkled.

"Finally, someone gets me!" Selkie wept with joy as he slapped me in the back, and we both started laughing. Ryukyu cleared her throat, and Selkie stopped messing around. The seal hero then explained what the purpose of this mission was:

Selkie said that recently in their sea patrol, he and his crew encountered an unknown ship carrying some suspicious cargo. The Oki Marine Crew pursued the ship after it disobeyed Selkie's order to stop.

But the ship escaped when one of the sailors on the ship injected himself with a syringe before generating an extensive amount of smoke screen. Selkie suspected that the ship was smuggling a quirk-boosting drug called Trigger and deduced the smugglers were currently hiding in Verizes Islands.

Verizes Islands were an archipelago comprised of many islands, islets, stacks, reefs and other oceanic landforms. It was a perfect place to hide illegal cargo, and it was tough to search around the island without air support. That's why we're here, as Ryukyu can help patrol the sky with her quirk.

"I'm sure the smugglers will make a move when nightfall, so right now, you girls can relax and have fun at the beach!" Selkie said with a smile.

We all cheered and hurriedly ran towards the beach. Luckily, I kept most of my clothes in my Kamui dimension so I could easily switch into my swimsuit. I've changed into a simple one-piece swimsuit with a red flower design.

My friends also finished changing and spent the rest of the day having fun.

"Here, take that!" Asui yelled as she set the volleyball high into the air before Hado spiked it toward Ochako and me.

It was a two versus three with Ochako and me on one team and Hado, Asui and Sirius on the other.

Ochako received the spike as she dug it back up for me to send it to the other side. However, Sirius easily set it again for her teammates as Hado kept the ball off the ground with her spiral shockwave. Asui then grabbed the ball with her long tongue and hurled it at us.

Ochako desperately tried to defend, but she accidentally sent the ball travelling out of bounds.

"Hey, that's not fair!" Ochako and I complained, but Hado laughed.

"We never said that we can't use our quirks." She casually answered. Hado, Asui and Sirius cheered, thinking they got the game in the bag. Well, not if I have to say anything about it!

I chased after the falling volleyball and leapt high into the air: "Omae wa mou shindeiru!" I exclaimed.

"Nani?!" x3

I manipulated the chakra to my legs and did a backflip midair as I kicked the volleyball. It shot toward the other side as if fired out of a cannon, and my three friends shrieked in shock; they covered their eyes as the ball smashed into their field and exploded on contact. They gulped when they saw the impact formed a massive crater in the sand...

Ochako and I celebrated our victory as the rest of my friends shivered, regretting what they said. They sighed in defeat, and we continued to play for the rest of the day. Asui and Sirius dived into the ocean to hunt for seafood. They caught more than enough, and I created a fulfilling lunch for everyone.

I smiled, seeing their satisfied faces, even if we were on a mission. I can't help but agree with Selkie that it's nice to relax once and a while.

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I hope you enjoy it! :)