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

He woke up with his legs aching in pain. It had been hard to have some sleep where he was. However, he had endured all the hours of the flight and he would endure no matter how much time was left.

The boy didn't actually have a plan for the moment he arrived, and the people there wouldn't be happy to see him there, but there was no way he was going to go back.

For the last time, he opened the bag he was carrying with him and checked its content: it wasn't a true hero costume despite being based on a true hero's costume, but it would have to do it.

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

July 10th, 11:25.
Pacific Ocean; some miles away from Hawaii.
All Might's private jet.

History would remember All Might as the hero whose power was once able to surpass any other hero or villain's, but he had also been able to give a good use to his years of retirement. Among other things, he had learned how to fly a plane, and soon he would land his own private jet (a gift from the Shield family) over the military ship from Japan where the hero officially in charge of the mission would receive his companions and him.

"You're going so well, Uncle All Might" Melissa said from the co-pilot's chair as she examined the panel control in the cabin. She would recognize her father's signature in an invention anytime.

"Oh, it's nothing, really" All Might modestly answered. "David used to fly a similar one when we worked together and back then he taught me the basics. Besides, sometimes I miss crossing the air at high speed, so I've had my fair share of practice."

Melissa just gave a glimmer smile and kept her eyes on the controls. Despite the initial reticence from the retired hero, the young inventor and now high executive of I-Expo had used all her influence and determination to be at the exact place of the operation that was carrying out that day. The League had settled the coordinates for the spot of the Pacific where Himiko Toga would be returned to them, and the army itself had sent a fully equipped military ship, but if the League had shared more details with Hawks, All Might himself ignored it. The risks should be minimal though: an experienced Hawks would be there, along with Gang Orca and Selkie, two skillful heroes who were notorious for their missions in high sea, and the army, aware of the operation, had provided a good number of armed men.

"Melissa... I won't lie to you: it's pretty unlikely that..."

"I know" Melissa replied. "They wouldn't give Dad back that easily, but until they do... I will follow every detail of this story. I want to know what the League actually plans and what do they want from Dad or Eri, and I won't skimp on time or resources."

"Is that why you've brought that costume and equipment with you?" All Might wasn't already very happy with the idea of his friend's daughter coming with him, but the possibility of her getting involved in a fight again wasn't appealing either. "Perhaps I should have hidden all that from you while I could..."

"Oh would you just stop trying to overprotect me?" Melissa turned her head, a bit offended. "I am not a little girl anymore and I am ready for whatever comes. Besides, wasn't Dad of my age when he used to help you in the States?"

"Back then I was on top of my career as a hero, and I was able to protect anyone" All Might stated. "Now I am an old skinny teacher who has to deal a with a class full of Quirked children. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but... I'm not the same."

"That's not true" Melissa responded. "Everyone remembers you for what you were and you are still giving. You always said that heroes are far more than just amazing Quirks."

"Yeah" the heir of his power proved that point from the very first day they met. "Now I'm worried about how did you actually take those words."

"All Might..."

They were interrupted by some shouting and noise at the other side of the door of the cabin. That was weird. What could Mirio be doing there?

"Mirio?" Melissa connected the speaker. "Is everything okay?"

"LET ME GO!" an angry voice that didn't belong to Mirio let the two people piloting the plane rather confused. "I SAID LET ME GO...!!!"

Then the door was opened and an all soaked Mirio with a resigned smile appeared. Luckily, the frowning boy his muscular arm was surrounding in order to contain him had just quitted squirming.

"Hey guys" Mirio said as he thought of what to make of the situation. "It looks like I found a stowaway..."

"K-KOTA!?" All Might cried, somehow keeping the blood inside his mouth despite the shock. He had to activate the autopilot. "What are you doing here?"

Kota deviated his eyes in anger and just growled. Clearly he wasn't happy after being discovered hiding inside the plane.

"How in the world has he entered without us noticing?" Melissa wasn't less surprised.

"I don't know!" All Might tried to think. "These jets from your company require a special key to work and I have only two copies!"

"And where was the other one?"

"I gave it to young Midoriya and I told him to keep it at home just in case one day... ohh now I see. You knew about that key, right, young Kota?" he never said it out loud, but Kota was almost as fan of Deku's as Deku was of All Might's. He loved hearing stories from his idol and it would make sense Deku would at some time have dropped that. "I remember you were at the Midoriya's' house when I told Inko about what Mirio, Melissa and I were about to do. You heard us, took the key from Midoriya's room and hid inside this jet until we came, didn't you?"

Kota slowly took the key out of his pocket and mumbled something that could be understood as an affirmative answer. 

"Why would you do such a thing?" All Might sternly asked the boy. A Secondary School child joining the trip was just the icing on the cake. "Don't you know where we are going? Your aunt is going to be mad!"

"I know!" Kota finally answered. "But I wanted to see if the League's prisoners were actually returned... and I wanted to help if I could..."

"I see" Mirio childishly teased him. "Love conquers all, right, little man?"

"SHUT UP! It's not like that!" Kota cried with reddened cheeks. "But I couldn't just stay at home waiting. I disobeyed Midoriya and acted against the rules. It was because of me Eri was captured..."

Oh, yes, detective Tsukauchi had told All Might what happened. Kota had even gone to meet Inko to apologize.

"So... then you decided the best way to help us to get Eri back was sneaking into the danger zone again?"

"I fail to see the logic behind your plan, Kota" Mirio scratched his head.

"I never said I had a plan" Kota admitted through gritted teeth. "But I know Midoriya would have done something in my situation."

"Midoriya... now I think of it..." All Might remembered. Kota was now about Deku's age the day the Hero Number One met the kid who despite being Quirkless got physically involved in a fight to save someone from a dangerous villain, reminding him what truly made a hero worth of All Might's power.

However, that was a long time ago and in a really different context. As loable as Kota's care for Eri was, he had been acting without thinking for long enough.

As for the statement that Deku would have acted the same way... well, there were some facts a Deku's fan didn't need to hear in that situation.

"Young Kota" a more calmed All Might. "I know you mean well, but this is no place for a child. It's too late to undo this problem, so from now on you will obey us and stay inside this jet while we handle this. Did I make myself clear?"

"But... I want to make sure Eri and the others..."

"I know. My father is among them too" Melissa caringly interferred. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Kota, but everything Shigaraki said was the place were we would meet to deliver Toga. He said nothing about giving back any of them, though he knows he must at least give us Shinsho or Mashirao in return. But it's almost certain they won't return Eri or my father the good way, given the interest they may have on them. And we have no guarantee villains will attack there anyway."

"About that" Mirio said. "It's unlikely they try this time. Hawks, Gang Orca and captain Selkie are there, in a battleship full of militants from the Japanese Army under their command. They shouldn't have any advantage this time, but you two better stay close to me."

"Exactly. As well covered as we are, we must be cautious" All Might had had enough irregularities in their work. "Like I said, young Kota, I want you to promise whatever happens you will stay inside the jet. No matter who you see or how long this takes, this time you won't disobey. Can you promise that?"

Kota had already opened his mouth to protest, but the severe eyes of the three adults in the cabin were enough to make them understand he didn't have a choice. Well, in any case, it was pretty clear he wasn't going to meet Eri there, so he surrendered.

"I promise. This time for real. I won't get out of the jet" Kota meant it.

"That's the Kota Deku and us know" All Might would trust his word.

"We are getting closer, Uncle All Might" Melissa announced checking the map on the screen.

"Good" All Might focused again on piloting. "Togata, Kota, go back to your seats. We'll land in ten minutes."

July 10th, 11:50.
Pacific Ocean; some miles away from Hawaii.
Japanese military ship.

When they got out of the ultramodern jet, the hero Number Two was already close enough to receive them, accompanied by two faceless soldiers... and a certain old man in a wheel chair.

"The great All Might" the still young Hawks stretched the teacher's skinny hand, but his relaxed and confident persona remained unmoved. "Miss Shield..." even when he bowed his head to greet her he looked somehow sassy. "And the Big Three leader, Lemillion" he was more curious about this last one. "I must say I didn't expect to see you here. If I recall correctly, you are one of the heroes in charge of cleaning up Kamino. And we are very close to US waters, if you know what I mean."

"I asked him to accompany us, just in case we needed help" Melissa told him.

"Perhaps he would be more helpful now... if he had fulfilled his duty in New York some weeks ago..." the man in the wheel chair dropped, in a weak yet harsh voice. That made Melissa angry and ashamed at the same time, since she was more than aware what he was talking about.

Mirio had been looking at the old man since they had landed. What was the Yakuza Boss, Eri's grandfather, could be possibly be doing there? On the other hand, that was a nastily offensive comment from the man who mentored Kai Chisaki and that infuriated Mirio.

"He came here to cooperate in the rescue and safety of Eri as much as he can" Melissa icily answered. "Perhaps you, sir, would have been more useful in that by teaching Overhaul what kind of things aren't meant to be done to little girls..."

Wow. Mirio was amazed and mostly thankful for the comeback his most recent friend had delivered to defend him. Melissa really must feel like she owed him.

"Calm down everyone" Hawks raised his gloved hand. "I'll explain: I've been meeting this former  crime lord for the last days. I am aware of Deku and his gang's location and plan. In fact, it was me who planned that secret incursion with him just some hours before he offered it to him."

"Really?" Mirio thought, astonished. "Formal negotiations with villains are becoming more of a practice than I thought. This isn't good..."

"By this time they will be reaching Hawaii" Hawks continued. "As for Lemillion..."

"I assisted to the negotiations with the US authorities" All Might revealed. "It was me and not him who broke the rules regarding that masked stranger in NY. I am ready to take full responsibility, but we need their permission to operate in the country before they know Deku and the rest are already there."

"In any case, now we will focus on what we have here. And we'll discuss the details on the mess that is spreading from Kamino" Hawks addressed then to the soldiers. "Please take the Boss to the command booth. We'll meet there when we are done."

"Yes sir!" the two men nodded and pushed the wheel chair out of there.

"In fact, you three should probably join him there.  It is always great to meet a legend, All Might, but I'm affraid there is not much you can help us with here..."

"Hawks!" another soldier came to report. "They are here!"

They turned and caught sight of an emerged submarine at the other side of the end of the long deck. The League had arrived.

"Good. Go take Toga" Hawks sighed as he opened his red wings to be there as soon as possible. "Well, I guess it's too late to persuade you. Don't worry, you should be safe. These men are authorized to open fire in case of danger, so don't get too close. Please, Lemillion, make sure they stay out of trouble."

Meanwhile...
Inside the jet.

Kota felt frustrated. Each moment it was more obvious that sneaking into All Might's private jet had been a waste of time.

At that moment, Deku would somewhere be giving it all to save his friends and kick Shigaraki's ass like the Hero Number One he should already be in Kota's mind, and all he had done until then was messing up things. He didn't even care about the Wild Wild Pussycats' scolding that would be waiting for him at home.

Well, he had promised he would stay inside the vehicle, and this time he would keep his word, so he decided to wait for them in the pilot's seat in the cabin, from where he would be able to see how everything was going on outside. 

After playing for a while with one of the screens of the control panel, he managed to activate the zoom and watch in closer and clear what was taking place at the other side of the deck. He caught sight of All Might, Mirio and Melissa, who had apparently been told by the soldiers in front of them to keep a prudential distance as Himiko Toga was released from the stretcher and forced to walk towards the scarred man in black, the one Eri and Kota had met during the UA's attack, and an anthropomorphic lizard who was wearing all kinds of blades. Surprisingly, the League had brought no Nomu this time.

Kota wasn't a hero, but as any boy of his age with a favorite hero, he knew about most of Deku's enemies' names, powers and strategy. And he could tell there was something about that scene that wasn't right.

Hawks must be thinking the same, since he was carefully checking everywhere, looking for any unknown monster species to get out of the submarine or the water and attack them. So much, he almost missed the moment when Spinner gave Toga her knife, her blood sucking machine and a jar of blood . Hawks noticed it, and immediately pointed them with his finger. Kota deducted he was ordering the armed men to point their guns towards the villains and demanding them to put those weapons on the floor.

If neither Hawks, All Might or Lemillion could have prevented what happened next, to say it was shocking for the teen with the red hat would be a serious understatement: the dozens of uniformed and armed men pointed their guns towards All Might, Lemillion and Melissa. Kota couldn't hear what the people there were saying, but he saw in horror how the soldiers opened fire against Hawks, who was rapid enough to fly and protect himself and Kota's three companions using those feathers of his that moved as fast as arrows. In a flash chaos was released upon that ship as Dabi, Spinner and Toga used their respective skills and weapons to fight Kendo Rappa and the other henchmen that had come with the Yakuza Boss, as well as Hawks and the rest of the heroes.

Lemillion managed to beat their way out of the shooting area and put their friends safe (at least that's he hoped) behind a pile of big metal containers, but Kota knew from their expressions he could see from that distance they didn't have a plan for that situation.

Kota couldn't help but be afraid, but he knew he had to help them.

Back to the ship's deck.

Hawks was known in the hero society for his unmatched skills in the air as well as for his intelligence, so he found quite annoying when a villain managed to outsmart him. 

"You fool. I knew for sure the League would have set a trap... but I didn't imagine that I was carrying that trap with me from the moment we left the port" he thought, as he brought down three shooters in a row. He should have known Shigaraki's League had become enough influential to buy its fair share of allies in the army, but Shigaraki wasn't the kind of businessman who loved to exhibit himself as a powerful man all day.

Still today, people considered preposterous that a hero like Hawks even thought of making any deal with villains, but they failed to see how intricate the criminal world had turned and that crime must also be fought from the inside. That was why he  always liked Tokoyami. His old protege was more aware of the inherent darkness of the hero business.

He was almost hit in the middle of the air by a wave of blue flames. The first thing to do was to find All Might and take them back to their jet. But of course, Dabi was going to chase him.

Meanwhile, Spinner joined the militants, while Toga equipped herself with her machine and drank the blood her friends had brought them.

"Are you really going to do this?" Spinner asked as he wielded his sword.

"You said Shigaraki gave his approval" Toga answered as she cleaned her lip with the dorso of her hand. "And I've waited years for this opportunity, so I am definitely going to do it."

Spinner had some reservations. As much as that would help to bow the balance for the League, it didn't look like something Stain would approve. But that was war, and it was Shigaraki who had given them the chance to live the life they wanted. And what gave, the hero society deserved it.

"We will clean the way for you!" Spinner said, as he went to face captain Selkie. "Do it quick, and let's go back to the submarine!"

Toga darkly grinned, nodded and started moving. She knew exactly where to go.

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

"LEMILLION! ALL MIGHT!" Hawks called them as he landed his feet on the containers. "SHIELD!"

Suddenly, two soldiers with camouflage Quirks revealed themsleves a few feet away from Hawks, with him in the middle. One pointed him with his rifle and the other attacked with a big knife. Hawks was ready to cover himself with his wings, but a flying stick out of where hit the man with the knife in the head, knocking him out before he reached Hawks, and a red caped hero penetrated through the top of the container to send the other soldier out of there with a punch.

"That's Miss Shield to you, Hawks" Mirio smiled despite the situation.

"Actually, I'd rather not to be called neither of those when I wear this mask" Melissa's distorted voice muttered after athletically meeting the two heroes.

"You have carried that costume under your clothes all this time" All Might growled as he escalated the container like a normal person. "I don't know why I am even surprised..."

"Everyone, listen" Hawks wouldn't have much time. "Selkie, Gang Orca and me would contain them, you get into the jet and get out of here. You too, Lemillion; make sure they reached it safe."

"What about the Yakuza Boss?" All Might asked. After all, he was a sick and disabled old man, and he would still be at the command booth. His own henchmen were protecting the entrance from the corrupted soldiers.

"I'll take care of him. They shouldn't have any interest in him. Dabi and the others would come to get me, so get ready to run."

"And I'll take care of All Might and Melissa and report as soon as possible" Mirio assured. "Be careful here!"

"Don't worry about me! See you around" Hawks took off and went to meet Dabi, despite not being a huge fan of villains with fire Quirks.

****************
Kota was getting more and more nervous in the cabin. There were shootings and devastating exhibitions of Quirks everywhere, and no matter how much he looked he didn't find them.

"No, wait! There they are...! Oh no..." Kota thought when he finally saw them... with armed soldiers behind and common Nomus that had just deactivated a new Camouflage Quirk, turning them visible, in front of them. As strong as he was, Mirio couldn't fight them and protect the other two at the same time.

Now it was crystal clear: Kota had to do something. But what?

"Ok, ok, let's see..." Kota did his best to stay calmed as he checked the hundred of buttons before him. "This is for the door... this should activate the communication... and this is for the turbo... but in order to get close I'd need..." he quickly took out the key from his pocket, inserted it, and vowed to Heaven that if the four of them left alive, that would be the last time he took something from a friend's bedroom without permission.

Well, and if he failed, it would be the last time anyway...

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

"DON'T MOVE!" the soldiers ordered as the heroes raised their arms.

"Let them go" Mirio firmly demanded. "I am the only active hero here..."

"I scolded young Kota for coming" All Might regretfully thought. "But now I feel like I was equally reckless. And I'm supposed to set an example for kids..."

All Might's thoughts were interrupted by his phone buzzing inside his pocket.

"Uh... excuse me... I have to answer this..." he nervously told the Nomu who was closer to him, looking at him with its dead eyes, as he carefully took his phone. To his surprise, it was a text message from his own jet, which was still some distance away, and it was as short as it was explicit. And, as puzzled as he was, that is how he quickly transmitted it to his friends:

"GUYS! GET ON THE FLOOR, NOW!!

The sound of the jet's reactor could already be heard before the three got on the floor with their hands on the head. The Nomus and soldiers had very little time and most of them failed to get out of the plane's way, as the modern vehicle crossed the deck like a rocket and charged against them, skidding 180 degrees.

When the plane stopped and the door was opened right in front of them, All Might, Melissa and Mirio took their opportunity and entered in a hurry. The first two run to the cabin and discovered Kota slightly dizzy and almost sinked in the pilot's seat.

"Wow..." Kota managed to say. "This thing goes fast..."

"K...Kota!" Melissa awed in disbelief. "What did you just...?"

"I did exactly what you told me!" Kota was ready to reply. "I didn't move from inside the jet, did I?"

"We can talk about that later!" All Might took his seat and restarted the engines so they could leave as soon as possible. "Mirio, take Kota backwards and strap yoursleves in! Melissa, get ready to take off!

"I-Expo's private jets: so modern and sophisticated a teen himself can pilot it!" Kota smilingly declared, as his head kept rounding for some time, and Mirio carried the boy back to his seat. "What a commercial, would that be, right Lemillion?"

"Right; we need to turn it. Japan is on the opposite direction..."

Right them, a proyectile reached the back of the plane and shook all the passengers, damaging one of the engines in the process. The soldiers wouldn't give a truce.

"Shit!" Melissa cursed. "Do you think we can still fly?"

"Not for long enough to reach Japan..." All Might said as he checked the damages on the screen. "But Hawaii is near. That's our only opportunity!" he said, connecting with determination all the systems.

The jet started to pick up speed, but the Nomus were fast and would reach the back of the plane before they left.

"Mirio!" Melissa called. "Nomus are coming! Can you...?"

"Open the doors! We have an idea!" Mirio answered.

" "We"?" All Might asked in confussion.

"No time to explain!" Kota urged. "Trust us; it will be fine!"

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

The big creatures were came closer, and just when the jet was about to leave the ship and fly, they took a big leap that would for sure allow them to reach the back door.

But then the back door opened and a kid with the smile of someone who is in his own element activated his Water Manipulation Quirk, while Mirio used his Penetration Quirk to remain stuck to the inside of the plane and held Kota tightly.

A big mass of sea water took the shape of two huge dragon heads and sent the creatures back to the ship, as well as they brought down the military ships that might follow them as they escaped.

"WOO-HOOO!!" Kota triumphanly shouted. "You thought you could mess with the Water Hose's child in the middle of the sea? This is my family's element, suckers!!"

"Okay, that's enough, tough guy" Mirio had to admit that had been awesome. "Time to go back inside! Close the door, guys!"

Back in the military ship...

Command booth.

The Yakuza Boss coughed as he tried to use the radio to call for help. His henchmen would protect that door with their lives but who knew if that would be enough.

"Anyone copying? We... *cough* need help... our location is... *cough*" he turned when he noticed a presence behind him. "Hawks! How is the situation on the outside?"

"Oh, it's going fine..." the blonde winged figure answered from the shadows.  "In fact, it is going to end... here and now."

The Boss didn't have time to ask what he meant. He only opened his mouth in pain and shock when a bunch of red feathers flied towards his body in a wheelchair, stabbing it and causing deep severe injuries in all of it. 

"W... what... are you...?"

"Shh... it shall be quick..." the winged man came closer and picked one last feather in his right. "I'm sorry, sir; even if I never liked the Yakuza, I'm not cool with attacking a defenseless old man" he started saying. "However, there is something I have wanted for long... and you can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs..."

"You... you are not..." the agonizing Yakuza Boss's wide opened as he understood... just before that last feather perforated his jugular, finishing him.

"Nope. I am no hero. And I'll never be" the author of that murder concluded.

"LET'S NOT GRIEVE! HE WAS A CRIMINAL BASTARD WHO DID FAR WORSE THINGS THAN THE LEAGUE! But he was also the grandfather of that silver haired cutie! That sucks! ANYWAY, THIS IS FOR THE GREATER GOOD, AND WHAT IS DONE, IS DONE!"

"Let's just get out of here, shall we?" the effects of the Quirk would last, but they wouldn't need them anymore.

"NO SELFIE WITH THE CORPSE? You are right, this is not the corpse we actually want!"

"Don't worry, Twice. Soon there will be more than just a corpse to make them pay for your demise."

"Let's go, Dabi and Spinner must be already on the submarine."

End of chapter 30.

Haha! You thought you would get rid of my update so easily, dear Watties? I love you too much for that!

This is not the funniest or cutest chapter (I know, give me some time those who miss some fluff) but as you can see relevant things have taken place. Toga must really be mad at Hawks...

As usual, I'm happy to check your comments and make sure you keep enjoying this story. Believe me, I wanted you to see the end of it as much as I do! I think I'll make all the chapters you read worth of the await.

Oh, and you know I also love drawing, so if you want me to share an artbook or something similar, I'll listen! Much still to learn though, so go easy on Honest Fiction there!

You already know how much I appreciate your support and opinion, so once again thanks for reading and being there😸😸😸😸! Don't be afraid to make some critics either!

See you soon!