Authors note:
Speaking: "…"
Thinking: '…'
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The Next Evening
Unknown Location
Sitting around the rectangular wooden table, the members of the Eight Rings were in the midst of an important meeting. Closing a system window from his Quirk, Izuku concluded, "Good. With that, the monthly reports should be completed. Now, Kacchan, if you would."
Taking a sip from the can of Coke at his end of the table, the ash-blond teen refreshed himself quickly before speaking. "Alright, listen up, idiots. We're finally moving forward with a very important mission, one that's long overdue. The death of All For One!" He clenched his hand into a fist, crushing the air.
Raising a hand, Hitoshi spoke up. "I mean, I've heard the name, but with all the intel I've gathered so far, he just seems like a fairytale villains tell each other. So... is he actually real?"
"Yup, he sure as hell is. And the bastard's annoyingly good at covering his tracks and hiding. We haven't been able to get a single lead on his whereabouts since this organization was formed," the explosion user explained, pausing before grinning. "That is... until now."
Leaning back in his chair, Shoto asked indifferently, "So where is the guy hiding? Surely someone called the 'Demon Lord' by other villains has been causing a lot of trouble."
"Indeed, he has. With the ability to steal and distribute Quirks freely, and having lived for over a century, he'd probably still rule the underground if All Might hadn't beaten him nearly to death. He barely escaped with his life and has been hiding in the shadows ever since, waiting patiently for something," the green-haired teen explained, resting his face on his fist.
"I'm guessing that 'something' is finally coming together?" Anubis questioned in a bored manner.
"Well, you see, a couple of months ago, I had a vision that showed me a bar in one of Camino's back alleys, along with information suggesting AFO has something to do with it. So, I had Luna watch it until someone finally entered," the space user explained.
"And five days ago, we finally got a catch," the star girl declared proudly. "A group consisting of two people, calling themselves the League of Villains, is using it as a hideout. They haven't done anything major yet, but I've linked some murder cases to them. We believe AFO is secretly leading them from the shadows, so we've been careful not to interfere and risk losing our only lead."
"Yesterday, I was able to identify which info broker they're currently working with. So now, we can actually start the operation," she finished, smiling.
"So, what's the mission?" Shira asked boldly.
"Glad you asked, furball, because you and Shoto will infiltrate their ranks by getting in contact with that broker," Katsuki stated, earning a look of protest from the candy cane-colored teen.
"I understand why Shira is going, but why me? Isn't it too suspicious if two of our members pretend to betray us?" the fire user complained. "Isn't infiltration usually Hitoshi's area of expertise?"
"That's correct, but we want to keep Oni hidden as long as possible without drawing attention. As for the other point, you won't be going in as Odin, but as yourself, Shoto Todoroki. The boy seeking revenge against his father by joining a villain organization, in fact both of you will be going as „ Civilians"." Izuku explained calmly.
Shoto's expression could only be described as sheer surprise mixed with the laziness of someone unwilling to take part in a long-term mission.
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Hitoshi's POV
After the Meeting Ended
"Hold up, Hitoshi. I've got something I wanna talk about with you."
The roaring voice of a red tigress echoed through the room. The purple-haired teen turned, watching the mistress of mind games approach him with her hands in her pockets.
Sighing, he asked in a disinterested tone, "What?"
Thwack! A sharp smack landed on the back of his skull as Shira yelled, "Don't you sigh at me, brat!" Annoyed at her junior's antics, she calmed down before stepping past him, adding, "Just come with me. This concerns only the two of us."
Resisting the urge to sigh again, the Oni begrudgingly began following her to one of the large wooden balconies. Propping herself up against the ledge, with the ever-present night sky behind her, she gazed out at the view. Before them stretched countless kilometers of untouched wilderness, forests teeming with wildlife, flora and fauna unlike anything found on Earth. Glowing trees, giant creatures soaring through the skies, and luminescent bugs illuminating the very platform they stood upon.
Hitoshi joined her, leaning against the ledge and appreciating the beauty before them.
"Breathtaking, isn't it?" she mused, still not taking her eyes off the sky.
"Quite so, yes. But it's always beautiful here. The everlasting night is one of the most fascinating aspects of this place," he answered, his voice almost trance-like.
"You're right. But think about it, doesn't it make it even more impressive that the two of them raised this place from nothing? Without them, we'd never have gotten to see this."
"I guess... but what are you getting at?" the purple-eyed teen inquired, shifting his focus to the crimson eyes of the tiger woman.
"Getting straight to the point, huh? Well, I'm not one to beat around the bush either, so I'll just come out and say it."
Her expression darkened, her gaze sharpening as a chilling intensity filled her eyes.
"After everything Katsuki and Izuku have done for you, how can you sit at that table with us, as if you weren't spying on us for someone else?"
Hitoshi froze.
The weight of her words hit him like a truck. His pulse quickened as a cold sweat broke out across his skin. He knew full well that if he fed her a lie, she wouldn't hesitate to take his head.
"So, she found you out, huh? Told ya. There was no way you could hide it forever."
A sadistic voice slithered into his mind, the demon princess inside him, ever watchful.
"Considering you can't possibly win against her, why not just give me your body? I promise she'll still be breathing when I'm done with her."
Without warning, the voice was abruptly silenced by an external force.
"Who said you could talk to your demon, you traitorous little shit?"
Shira tilted her head to the side with a twisted grin. "Now talk, or you're not leaving this place in one piece."
Hitoshi forced himself to take a deep breath, steadying his nerves. Finally, he spoke.
"Trust me, it's not that I want to do this. If anything, I hate the guy more than anyone and would kill him if I could. But I can't. He's got me locked in a corner with no escape."
Shira narrowed her eyes. "What the hell are you talking about? Who the fuck is giving you orders?"
She jabbed a finger at him accusingly.
"I can't!" Hitoshi cried out, his voice cracking as tears began forming in his eyes.
"Why not, you little bastard?" she demanded, her grip tightening until the wooden railing beneath her hand splintered and shattered.
Turning his head, he looked at her, his face contorted with regret and suffering.
"Because if I say it, he'll know I lied to him. And then he'll... he..."
His voice faltered. A strangled noise escaped his throat before he slammed his fist into the ground, frustration boiling over.
Shira watched him for a moment before speaking again, her tone softer this time.
"If you can't tell me, then just think about him. Think about what he has on you. I'll know what you're thinking. That way, technically, you never told anyone."
She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Hitoshi looked up at her. For the first time, he saw nothing but compassion in her crimson eyes.
Realizing that she was telling the truth, he exhaled deeply and nodded. "Alright... I'll do that."
He closed his eyes and thought of his master, the one who held his leash.
Silence stretched between them.
After a few seconds, Shira finally spoke.
"I see... So he's truly a ruthless person."
Her expression darkened momentarily, but then she straightened up. "Don't worry. I won't interfere. The risk of failure is too great. I believe you can handle this on your own, at least, if it doesn't resolve itself first."
She stepped back, offering him a look filled with trust and understanding. "Now, go take a bath in the hot springs. You've more than earned it."
Then, turning to leave, she added, "Anyway, I have to go now. The kids are waiting for their dinner."
As she disappeared into the distance, Hitoshi remained, lost in thought.
"I see now... That's why everyone calls her 'Big Sis.' She carries that warmth with her. Those orphans must be some of the happiest kids alive, having a nanny as caring as her."