July 9th, 19:15.
The Boss' house.

As soon as the man on the phone said on whose behalf that call was made, a thousand of questions struggled for space in Deku's mind. When he confirmed he was the hero Deku, this person robotically apologized for interrupting him from all the work he'd have...

"... but my boss asks if you would kindly come to meet him. He says you may have some common interests... and has something to share with you..."

... so he followed the employee's instructions and got out to the parking of the hospital, where a dark suited and expresionless man was waiting in front of a black limo. When he saw Deku, the chauffeur tossed his cigarette away and opened the door of the vehicle for him without saying a word. As silent as he arrived, he drove an intrigued Deku to his destination. The atmosphere inside the long vehicle of tinted windows was so silent and sinister Deku stayed on guard all the time, wondering if that would have been a good idea, but according to Nezu, this person had insisted that it was him who came to meet him in private.

Now he was being guided through a big traditional Asiatic style house. The place looked as amazing as the Todoroki's' residence, but it was hard to stay calm inside it knowing it belonged to the leader of the Yakuza. Deku could feel on him the eyes of the henchmen spread along the place, all wearing those long beaked masks that identified them as the criminals once acted under Overhaul's orders. If those walls could talk, they would tell decades of history of the Eight Precepts of Death, and there he was, wondering he would be doing there when he should with his friends thinking of a plan. In fact, with all the things they had discovered that very same day he hadn't thought of a detail: sure, Nezu knew he was there and could alert everyone if he was in trouble, but until then he would be alone against a criminal organization which, despite having been slowly eclipsed by the League of Villains along the years, was still the same Yakuza they once fought to save Eri.

No, they had no reason to attack him. And the Boss was the only known living relative Eri had, so whatever it was, if there was something he could tell him, that meeting was totally worth of his time.

The suited men finally brought him in front of the big wooden door of an office at the end of a corridor, guarded by another muscular masked henchman, this time one that was known to him. Kendo Rappa turned away from the door and took some heavy steps towards Deku to bring him face to face. That was one villain Kirishima had come to know as a large and dangerous opponent, but Deku didn't stutter when his ferocious yellow eyes met his green ones from the difference of height that separated their heads even now they were toe to toe. At that stage of his life Deku was a hero every villain in Japan, even the most hot blooded fighters, had learnt and been wise to take seriously.

"Move aside, Rappa" one of the suited men ordered. "The Boss is waiting."

Rappa took his time and kept his eye on the green suited hero everyone had heard of, but he obeyed and cleared the way so the suited man could come forward and knock the door.

"Let him in" an old yet firm voice answered from the inside. "And leave us."

The door was open for Deku again, who resolved not to keep his host waiting and came into the office, with the door closing behind him. Despite the quality of the furniture, the office was quite modest and not very different from All Might's. There was even an open sliding door that revealed a well cared inner garden that included a small pond, trees and even bonsais, illuminated by summer's Sun in all its glory, which helped to break with the tense aura Deku had being felt. It started to return though when his eyes finally met the man who had called him.

"I bid you welcome, young Deku."

Eri's grandfather was sitting on a motorized wheel chair he activated to get out from behind the huge desk that without a doubt costed far more than the cheap apartment Uraraka and him shared during their first months at college. The old man drove the chair closer to his guest and the beautiful view of his garden. His eyes and expression hadn't lost the temper and cold demeanor that would inspire respect and fear at the same level in the hearts of any villain or hero who had known the Yakuza on its prime. However he didn't look as strong and healthy as he did when Deku saw him for the last time; in fact, Deku instinctively moved in order to help this man when he picked up a walking stick and slowly struggled to get up from his chair, but the Boss energetically raised a wrinkled hand that made him stay where he was.

"Stay back, boy" he sternly asked, silently panting due to effort until he stayed on his feet. He visibly contained a groan while he incorporated himself with the help of his stick. "Age may take a lot of things from you, but never let it take your pride. We Yakuza leaders understand that better than anyone..."

Deku simply had a natural empathy towards allies and enemies, but he had grown up enough to fully comprehend he was not in the same room with a weak and harmless old man. His current low profile didn't change the fact that he was once one of the most powerful and fearsome criminal minds in the country.

"You... wanted to see me, didn't you?" Deku wasn't sure about how to start their conversation.

"That's right" the Boss answered as he watched the garden at the other side of the sliding door. "I'm sure you'll know to excuse me for asking you so abruptly to come to meet me. I'm the kind of man a popular hero wouldn't want to have contact with in normal conditions. And I know you and your colleagues have a lot of work to do, so I'll just get to the point. But first, I want to extend my most heartfelt condolences... for the suspension of your wedding."

Deku didn't answer and frowned. Why would the man who basically created the monster Overhaul was would give a care about that? In fact... now he thought of it... what evidence did he have the Yakuza had nothing to do with the disappearance of Eri? Wasn't he the one who raised Overhaul and introduced him into studying her Quirk? Maybe that old man wasn't as frail as he looked and did have something to tell him after all...

"With all due respect, sir... how does that affect to you exactly" Deku carefully chose his words despite different ones were begging to get out of his mouth.

"I'm aware of the good relationship Eri always had with you and Uravity. As you know, after I woke up from the comma years ago, the judges weren't happy with the idea of giving Eri's custody back to her grandfather, after what his loyal Eight Precepts of Death submitted her to under the direction of his protege, Kai Chisaki" the Boss started to tell. "By the time I was able to regain control over the organization, the media and the population had already turned us into heartless monsters who tortured an innocent little girl in order to cause the destruction of Quirks and heroes, while that innocent little girl, my granddaughter, was adopted by a whole school of heroes. I must admit even in my ears sounded like a true happy ending."

"We all took care of her" Deku stated. "Lemillion looked after her, and members from both Class 1A and B helped so she could grow up safe."

"Indeed. But you were always special for her, weren't you?" he asked. "If I correctly recall, the UA was so aware of your bond at a certain point they entrusted you and your mother to take her of her while she assisted Secondary..."

Deku was not surprised that he was informed of the current situation of Eri. Thanks to evidence, policial reports and heroes' testimony, Justice denied him her custody. As the only remaining biological member of her family, he would be allowed to see her occasionally, under the supervision of diverse heroes, including Uraraka and himself. However, the damage to Eri had been long done and she was never very comfortable with those visits.

"She got to know many heroes, and was a big fan of the Big Three, but she always talked about you. I never wanted her to be scared, but, as sad as it is, the thought of you caring for her was the reason she was able to speak to me."

"I was the first person who interacted with her when she was trying to run away from Overhaul" Deku remembered.

"And much like her, you haven't been able to unlink my name from her tragic past" the Boss lamented. "Even after my innocence on the experimentation on her was sufficiently proven."

"It was Overhaul the one I fought almost eight years" Deku wasn't willing to forget that, no matter in whose place he was. "But like you said, he was your pupil and there was evidence that you entrusted Eri to him so he could study the nature of her Quirk."

"I'd rather you didn't waste your anger on me, my boy" the Boss replied in a slightly colder tone without deviating his eyes from the garden."I know what image we lords of crime have in the eyes of heroes, particularly the youngest. Also, today's villains tend to think family and loved ones are unnecessary and dangerous distractions heroes are foolish for not staying away from. I know it may be hard for heroes to understand, since to them villains and criminals are just that, no matter the motives or social position, but the Yakuza always had a strong sense of honor, loyalty and duty, and that's what I tried to transmit Kai..." the Boss was interrupted by his own cough.

Deku was mature enough to understand villains and heroes weren't as black and white as people like Bakugou preferred to think. Stain, the Hero Killer himself, had a strong belief on what a true hero should be, based on his admiration for All Might. He was conscious of how blameworthy his actions were, but he never was a villain because he liked it and followed his moral code step by step, to the point in one occasion he saved Deku from a Nomu after Todoroki, Iida and him had worked together to defeat him. But any conviction that involved torturing and killing a creature like Eri would be immediately rejected by any person who acted under anything that could be called morals.

"There is a reason why the term "organized crime" appeared" the Boss continued after clearing his throat. "Heroes fight and arrest criminals every day as if one day crime was going to disappear. You act under your self imposed rules and I respect that. That been said... you see... morals... codes... convictions... can move mountains... but they can't alter human nature. The Yakuza simply accept crime as an inherent part of society and are committed to control it instead of declaring an endless war on it. We get our hands dirty when we need to for the sake of our duty, and Kai took that lesson to heart when he came up with the idea of a weapon destroyer of Quirks. As agonizing as the Yakuza ideals were back then, he believed in what I taught him and served me the best he could."

"You say you were never responsible for Overhaul's crimes against Eri..." Deku said, risking to provoke the Yakuza leader's wrath. "... but you speak of him as if he was your family instead of Eri."

"This is true" the Boss nodded. "I was the head of the organization for decades, before All For One's followers mostly overshadowed any form of crime. I had a daughter, but as you probably know, women usually have no relevant role to play in the Yakuza business, which, added to the busy life I had, made we were never very close. When she married and had her own life I met Kai Chisaki, a young boy with great potential and in the need of guidance. As I raised him and prepared him to be my second in command, I saw in him a loyal follower and a potential successor, and for the first time in my life I felt like the family man I never was. After all, I was closer to my pupil than I ever was to my own family."

"But all that changed when Eri appeared" Deku didn't need him to confirm it.

"Yes. One day my daughter returned home. She was horrified after her husband was vanished as a result of their child's Quirk manifestation and considered this child to be cursed. To put it simple, in the end it was me who took care of Eri, as you know. Honestly, as the kid he still was back then, I think Kai never liked the idea of sharing his mentor's attention. As my right hand, I trusted Eri and the investigation to him, indeed, but I never thought he would go so far once after I was hospitalized" the Boss was certain of what he declared, but he knew they were short of time and there was much to do.

"Why are you telling me this now?" Deku was starting to get desperate. What the Boss was telling them would be interesting in other circunstances, but he didn't come to share points of view on how the hero society should work. Saving Eri was a matter that couldn't wait. "I came because I thought you would have some information about the case."

"Well I do, young man" the Boss replied as he slowly made his way to his desk. "Only first I need you to understand, whether you and your friends like it or not, we are on the same boat. We all want to rescue Eri, but it looks like the heroes haven't made much progress these last days, doesn't it? Tell me, hero: do you have a hint on where Tomura Shigaraki could have taken my granddaughter?" the Boss inquired. Obviously if he knew something he wasn't going to share it so easily.

"If there's something you know about the League of Villains or its most recent activities, it is your duty as a civilian to report it to the police... or me" Deku's interest increased as the old man took a file out of his desk.

"I heard Endeavor and one of your friends unsuccessfully fought an unknown villain. A big one, wearing red and black, as well as a mask, and insanely strong" the Boss, who was definitely up to something, calmly continued. "And this morning, my men from Kamino told me you spent the night trying to get information from criminals. They said you were asking about someone under the name of... The Man."

"So... was I right? That villain was the mind behind the American wrestling mobs?" Deku asked. The information he had found about the mysterious mobster was scarce, but the former wrestler of whom Deku had suspected answered to the description Bakugou and the media gave.

"See it by yourself" the Boss placed the file on the desk so his guest could check it. Deku was amazed. Only a man from the criminal world could have any remote access to such data. The page revealed a profile photo of that sinister red and black mask that only left sight of a long black hair and two sharp gray eyes. It was The Man's file as the professional wrestler he once was.

Name: Ben Jacobs.

Wrestler name: Blazor.

Quirk: (...)

"Heat absorption" Deku read. According to the file, his superhuman strength and resistance comes from the thermal energy his body absorbed. That explained why Endeavor, Todoroki and Bakugou hadn't been able to leave a scratch on him. "So he exists as a person. I tried to investigate about him, but I hardly discovered a couple of things. How do you know about him?"

"My businesses still extend to America, where I made deals with my fair share of criminal leaders and managed to have access to some secrets. When I heard the news of some of your friends arresting a member of the League and one of those mobs in Mexico, and later the rumors after the wedding, I connected the dots" the Boss coughed again. "And after you weren't able to find any trace of the prisoners, I suspected Shigaraki and The Man would have taken them there. To the US, most likely."

Deku already knew the answer to that question, but as much as that man assured to be on their side, he couldn't conceive as a good idea sharing the exact location with him.

"That leads to the true reason for this meeting" the Boss sat back on his chair. "After that incident the Big Three were involved in New York, the US government is more than reluctant to let Japanese heroes operate inside their boundaries. If any of you had a hero license valid in that country, they would have removed it while we were talking."

"Mayor Nezu and other politicians and heroes are already trying to come to an agreement..."

"Even if they eventually succeed, that will take a lot of time. A time Eri and your friends probably don't have" the Boss fixed his eyes on the each time more doubtful Deku. "You and your friends will hate to admit it, but you need help and I can give it to you. I can move some threads and find you a way to infiltrate into the US so you can save them all."

"If you are so concerned, sir..." Deku didn't want to give in, but there was no lie in the eyes of the Boss. "Why haven't you sent your own men to rescue Eri."

"Today the Yakuza is a pale reflex of the powerful organization it was. I count with powerful henchmen among the Eight Precepts of Death, but they are not exactly specialized in saving lives. I want Eri back and safe, and that is a work only heroes like you and your friends can do. Besides, I don't know their exact location. But if I know villains like Tomura Shigaraki, which I do, he would likely send a message exposing his conditions in order to return the prisoners. I ask you once again, young Deku: did he tell you where they are or you have any way to find it out?"

Deku felt like his brain and his heart were loudly arguing, driving him crazy.

"It's your time to face the facts, kid. This is what I was trying to tell you before: you can't win by playing under the rules a hero is forced to obey" the eyes of the Boss were hard like stones. "Tell me where is the League hiding and I'll help you. Sure, first go to your hero friends so you can make a decision. But whatever you decide, do it quickly. This isn't a mission like any other you have had before" he placed a card with a number on it on the desk and slowly pushed it towards Deku, who vaguely looked at it.

"Where is the catch?" Deku was starting to get desperate, but his green eyes glowed with defiance. "What do you make of all this?"

The Boss sighed and his expression became more tired.

"I've been in this business as far as my memory gets. I have always done what I considered best for my clan and the society I live in, which includes things I am not proud of. I know I won't live long enough to redeem myself for the bad things I have done and I am fine with that. However, as a family man who should always have been there for Eri... well, I can't hide my part of responsibility for her tragic past and I believe helping to bring her back so she suffers no more because of her Quirk is the least I owe her..."

"Why should we trust you?" Deku clenched his fists as he asked.

"Eri has always thought of The Big Three, Uravity, you and other heroes you closely know as the family she never had" the Boss looked firmer than ever. "I don't want to ask you to trust me, boy. I want to ask you: how much you value the lives of Eri and your friends... and how far you'd go to save them?"

****************

Later, that night...

July 9th, 22:15.

UA's Allegiance Heights.

"Have you told the rest?" All Might asked. "What do they think about it?"

"They aren't happy at all with the idea of letting Eri's grandfather help us either" Deku answered. As expected, the Boss's offer had generated debate among his old classmates. "But it is not like we have many other options."

They could spend the whole night arguing, but Deku knew everyone well. At the end of the day, they would be ready to save innocent people at any cost. If this was the only way, they would take it.

"I don't trust the oldbag" Bakugou spitted. As soon as the spiky haired knew Deku was going to see All Might, he was out of the hospital and joined them. "Goddam Melissa... what was she thinking of? We could have gone to Hawaii, kicked those losers' asses, saved everyone and returned the same day!"

"Calm down, Kacchan. Whatever Melissa did in New York it is thanks to her we know where to look for them."

"I have some news, young men" All Might stated. "According to Melissa's track, the isle we are interested in belongs to a famous billionaire, a retired figure of wrestling, under the name of..."

"This man" Deku ended the sentence for him as he showed him the file the Boss had delivered to him. All Might was amazed; now The Man had a name and a face for them, but it wasn't like they could go to the police and tell them they acquired that information from the Yakuza while their leader offered to help them through his illegal methods.

"That's the bastard who dared to touch me" Bakugou angrily declared. "Now I know about his Quirk, when I find him I'm going to destroy him!"

"Kacchan... his Quirk..." 

"Shut up! I will find a way! Like I always do!" Bakugou was as hot-tempered as ever, but Deku always noticed when he was also worried about something. Whatever it was, it would be useless to try to make him talk about it.

"Young men, please... now more than ever I need you two to work together" All Might drew their attention. "Recent reports inform of Nomus attacking heroes in Kamino, and Gigantomachia has been spotted too. That means not all the League left with Shigaraki and there's something here they want to protect. In other words, heroes do have some work to do here."

"Saving our friends and arresting Shigaraki comes first" Deku said exactly what All Might expected. "Since they can't come with us, the Big Three should stay here and lead them."

"You're right, but what if young Bakugou is right and this man is setting a trap? If you are all arrested before you reach the island, you'll do no good to Eri and the rest" All Might hated that situation his pupils had been dragged to.

"According to Deku, Uraraka had an idea or something like that" Bakugou was never afraid of people trying to stop him from doing what he considered had to be done. He didn't look particularly uncomfortable with the idea of breaking a couple of rules.

"Ochako was the probation officer of a reformed villain. This person is one of the best hackers in Japan and owes her a favor. If she manages to convince her, perhaps she could help us when things get really ugly..." Deku explained. 

"Teaming up with villains... are we really this desperate?" Bakugou growled.

"We never had so many obstacles to act. All help possible is required" Deku stated. Both knew not only their friends' lives, but also their reputation as heroes was on stake. If things came out wrong, their common dream of becoming heroes on the great All Might's league could be over forever.

"Young Midoriya" All Might sighed. He never felt so cornered. "You know I entrusted you my power and the task of replacing me as the Symbol of Peace. I can't say I approve the measures you and the rest of my former students are being forced to take. That been said... I am conscious that these are different times from the ones I was a hero... and this situation has no clear solution anyway. This time, more than ever, you risk everything, and in order to succeed, heroes here must find that devilish factory of monsters the League hides in Kamino, while you must find the League and its allies, defeat Tomura Shigaraki, save Eri, David, Mashirao and Shinsho, and make the world see it that way despite having acted against the rules."

"To sum it up: if we are in for this, this time victory must be absolute or we'll have nothing" Deku concluded.

"Not much has changed then" Bakugou would always want to say the last word. "We are in this this to win, no matter what. That's what heroes do."

"But what do you say, All Might?" Deku asked. He knew it had to be that way, but he couldn't stand the idea of his idol and mentor being disappointed.

All Might was worried about his students, specially the one who was the closest thing to a son he'd ever have. However, the day had come when he was a figure of the past and it was up to his boy to define the concept of hero that new world needed.

"Now you are the only one who must decide, young Izuku. I passed you the One For All so you made it your own power and you have exceeded all the expectations. You are a hero on your own, unique, irreplaceable, and worth of the post you own among the top 10 heroes. I can't give you any more advice than remember everything you've learned these years and make the best use of it. These are your times as a hero and the decision on what is best to protect the people is only yours. As to myself... I will help you do whatever it takes to fulfill this mission."

"Well" Bakugou stood on his feet and cracked his knuckles. "If we and the extras are done talking, I think we have a couple of calls to make... and a ship to catch."

End of chapter 24.

🎵🎵Make believe I'm everywhere
Given in the light
Written on the pages
Is the answer to a never ending storyyy🎵🎵

Sorry, I just watched the Third Season of Stranger Things... and those last lyrics made me think of myself when I don't know how to continue my story😂😂😂...

Most of you may be like "I came here to read Izuocha and now I don't even know what I'm reading🙈🙈"... but this chapter was necessary!

It was a bit boring, I know, but please try to remember this is my second fanfic and I want everything to be solidly based... since from this moment on, flaws and random situations are likely to proliferate. I try to focus on action scenes, references, cute moments of our favorite ships and characters (HANG ON KIRIMINA FANS, I'M ONE OF YOURS, I SWEAR) and a bit of character development, since now coherence may reach a bit of Michael Bay's movie script level...

Now they have a way to enter Hawaii and we can let the action and cute moments in the shape of flashbacks do the rest. Don't forget that if at some point you feel like the story is getting bored or bland criticism is welcome. After all, you are the ones who decide on its quality through votes and comments.

As usual, it is Honest Fiction's pleasure you work on a writing you can enjoy. Now the chapter is finished I'd like to send support to any user of the platform who is or has been infected or knows someone who is infected by Covid-19. Since all we can do is send them encouragement and keep them entertained through our writing, let's do our best! ⚔️🛡⚔️🛡⚔️🛡

Y ahora que hay dos o tres personas que hablan español entre los que leen esta historia, os mando un saludo especial a vosotros también!! 😙😙

Anyway, I already have the idea for the next chapter. Let me know in the comments if you are excited!!

And welcome back @TelleroftheScrolls! If you like fantasy stories like I do, check the prologue of her more recent work, Language of the Dreamers, and support it with a vote or comment!

See you soon, Watties, and have a beautiful day or night!!