—I am glad to see you are resuming your training, Tetsumaru-Kun— Nezu greeted warmly.
The shinobi nodded, offering a brief greeting to Hawks. He did not bother giving the older woman a second look, as he already knew who she was.
What he did not know, nor truly care about, was what she sought by coming here.
—I would like to speak with you about that, actually— Tetsumaru suggested, focusing on the Director.
A curious gleam flashed in the creature's eyes. —We can go to a more private place then. That way we can talk better— he said with that innocent smile that failed to deceive Tetsumaru.
—No, we will talk once these people leave— the black-haired boy replied sharply.
The woman's eyelids flickered slightly. Throughout the entire interaction, she remained in absolute silence, observing both Tetsumaru and Mei, who was rubbing her face furiously after slamming into the trees during her Shunshin no Jutsu practice.
—A bit harsh, isn't it?— Hawks commented with a smile. After that awkward exchange, Mei was summoned and the group moved to Nezu's office.
As was customary, Nezu served coffee to the pair and everyone took a seat, with Mei and Tetsumaru on one side, while Hawks and the President of the Public Safety Commission sat on the other.
Just as Tetsumaru expected, the first topic of discussion was his illegal use of poison. What he still did not understand was why this was any business of the old woman.
—Can you produce poisonous sand within your body without harming yourself?— she asked in a serious tone and expressionless face. The shinobi knew how to play that same game.
—I can make my sand poisonous, but it can also affect me if I am not careful— he replied with a flat tone and bored expression.
—In your mouth? Or does it come from your stomach?— the woman inquired.
—It comes from wherever I need it to— Tetsumaru said, letting a small cloud escape from his mouth and his palms.
—Why did you lick that creature's eye then?
—My hands were full. Spitting it out was not an option, as there was magnetic interference in the area and I would lose control of my sand if it drifted too far away.
They went back and forth with the same rhythm, both calm, with expressionless faces and tones so bored that Hawks almost fell asleep and Mei started combing her hair with a brush she pulled from God knows where.
The President was interested in the form and applications of the Satetsu with poison, while Tetsumaru remained faithful to the lie that his ability operated like a Quirk and that the poison was something natural he could produce himself.
At the same time, Mei and he maintained a conversation of their own through their bond. The duo was suspicious of the woman's intentions, and frankly, they did not know whether she could be trusted or not.
People like Nezu, All Might, and Aizawa were one thing, for even without knowing much about the original work, Tetsumaru felt he could trust them. He knew nothing about this woman, and she did not give him a good vibe.
—After the incident in Yokohama and the official retirement of All Might, the Hero System entered a very complicated stage, young Terumi— the President said, changing the subject abruptly after a nearly twenty-minute session of bland questions and answers.
Hawks startled slightly and Mei shifted her attention back to the woman.
—Crime is already starting to increase as the news settles in the minds of the population. We expect a significantly higher rate by the end of this year— she continued.
The pair nodded in understanding. It was something to be expected, after all.
The only thing they were aware of now was that there would be a war of some kind at some point in the future. They suspected who would instigate it.
—I have followed your performance very closely. Strong beyond all expectation, discreet to the point that many of your elementary school classmates thought you were Quirkless, top-tier combat skills, and an amazing mastery of your Quirks, which are quite lethal on their own. And I am aware of how decisive you can be when it comes to subduing villains, as happened with the USJ attackers and all the Nomu you took down single-handedly. A feat that many Professionals could not achieve.
—Get to the point, President— Mei interrupted suddenly, earning a piercing gaze from the woman.
—What she is trying to say is that we would like to extend an invitation to the Commission to you, kids— Hawks intervened, noticing the animosity between his boss and the Terumi siblings.
—Your skills are valuable, especially when considering your age. And most importantly, neither of you seems oblivious to the cruelty that exists in the world— the President hinted.
Mei and Tetsumaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
—Do you have anything to say about this, Director?— the kunoichi asked, addressing the silent Nezu.
—We can provide you with the facilities and equipment necessary for your development— the President continued, without allowing the rat to answer.
However, that statement only made the pair more suspicious of her, though they did not show it externally.
Tetsumaru quickly analyzed the situation and decided that the games were pointless.
—We barely trust Director Nezu and Aizawa-Sensei. There are many things we will not share with anyone, not even our parents. You are very low on that list, if not at the very bottom.
Going with you would mean increasing the number of individuals with information about our abilities, and that, I'm afraid, is something we are not willing to allow.
Or are you willing to remain in the dark about how your... Agents... function?— Tetsumaru stated, with a doubtful note at the end.
The President looked closely at the shinobi, then at the kunoichi.
—Would you refuse to serve your Nation over something so petty? Or should I be concerned about what you hide so jealously?— the woman inquired, her tone icy and threatening.
—In spirit, we are Westerners— Mei shrugged. —And the other matter is none of your business.
*************************************
The luxury car dropped Todoroki Shoto off at the gates of UA.
The sun was setting in the distance, bathing the vast grounds in a soft orange light. The wind was warm, and the bustle of the city was left behind.
The serious-faced young man carried his belongings to the new facilities assigned to him and his class, his mind occupied by the uncomfortable conversation he had with his father hours before arriving.
He was still surprised by the pathetic state the man was in.
Endeavor took a beating from All For One, just like Best Jeanist, Edgeshot, Gran Torino, and Hawks.
Bruises all over his body, aching bones, bandages from head to toe, and a broken arm wrapped in a cast. Shoto never imagined seeing him in such poor condition.
It made him question what kind of enemies were hiding out there.
If this absolute stranger, from Shoto's perspective, coming out of damn near nowhere could sweep the floor with the Top 10 Professionals... what else was lurking in the shadows?
His own classmates, Midoriya Izuku, Terumi Mei, and Terumi Tetsumaru were individuals he had never heard of before UA. At the very least, there was no prominent information about them as there was with Iida Tenya or Yaoyorozu Momo.
—You must push yourself harder, Shoto!— his father had said with a grunt. Those words hit the young man harder than ever before.
Not because of the man who said them, but because they were true. He could not stagnate; he could not afford to fall behind.
He would not tolerate another situation like the one during Sero's Rescue Operation. He would not be satisfied with standing behind others due to his own inability.
Tetsumaru had shown him that there were no excuses for age or student status. It all came down to whether you were useful or not, capable or not.
And Shoto was capable. He knew he was damn capable.
His determined gaze wavered slightly as he spotted another familiar individual rounding a corner, heading in the same direction.
His spiky blonde hair made him stand out almost as much as his sharp eyes and scowl. A sneer of feigned disdain twisted his lips upon noticing Shoto's presence.
—What are you doing here, half-and-half!?— he questioned sharply.
—Moving in, just like you— was Shoto's brief reply.
Bakugo snorted and continued on his way. Shoto followed closely behind, both approaching the entrance in silence. It was the white-and-red-haired boy who broke it first.
—How did your parents take it?— he asked.
Bakugo gave him a brief sidelong glance, gathering his thoughts before giving an answer.
—Mom yelled at me and yelled at Aizawa-Sensei, but she understands that my potential will develop better here— the blonde admitted. He was a second away from asking about Shoto's situation, but then he remembered his family circumstances.
Aizawa did not even have to visit Endeavor in person. The man himself supported the idea of the dorms even before going to Yokohama to take a beating.
Falling back into the awkward silence, the duo finally reached the doors of the complex and entered, scanning the surroundings as they headed toward the lounge.
The smell of food hit their nostrils, and damp footprints traced a path across the floor leading to the kitchen.
As they turned a corner in the hallway, they stumbled upon a soaking wet Mei, covered only by a white towel and holding a plate of food, already devouring its contents as she walked back, most likely to her room.
—What's up, dawgs— she greeted casually, passing the duo without a single concern.
The scent of soap replaced that of food, leaving both teenagers stunned. A faint blush colored their cheeks as a sense of triumph filled their hearts.
Shoto even offered a sincere thanks to his father in his heart. The man occasionally made the right decisions.