Night had fallen over Chiba-shi. Its cold port welcomed a peculiar quartet on a mission that required stealth and precision in equal measure.
As part of Sir Nighteye's investigation into the Shie Hassaikai, as well as Hawks' independent line and the Commission regarding Trigger in conjunction with the other agencies, the winged Hero brought his protégé, his forced pain in the ass, and the rebellious, psychopathic girl with him.
Unwilling to take any shit from either of the teenagers, and also as a test for Terumi's capabilities, Hawks decided to split up with Tokoyami and leave both girls on their own.
If Toga Himiko escaped, Terumi Mei would prove not to be good enough for the job. That was the hint he told the girl before dismissing her.
—Is that a good idea, Hawks-San?— Tokoyami asked after a while.
—I don't know— the Hero replied bluntly.
In the opposite direction, Toga and Mei glided through the dark passages without being seen by the few workers in the place. Both had been informed about the general situation and what they should expect on this mission.
Toga didn't know how to feel about her old comrades from the League. Although Shigaraki had unfairly cast her aside, the others didn't openly object at the moment she needed them most.
She had believed she'd found a place to belong, people who shared her vision of things. She was wrong, again.
She wasn't stupid. She could clearly see the Commission's intentions in giving her this "opportunity for redemption." Whether Toga wanted that redemption or not was something she would find out.
In the meantime, it was better not to think about it.
—So, from crazy star to babysitter? Isn't that a sudden career drop, Mei-Chan?— she asked suggestively, studying the UA girl from behind.
For reasons Toga didn't understand, she was allowed to carry weapons in this operation. Mei's exposed back was tempting to her, but her instinct suggested not to make a stupid move.
Mei led the way, gliding with a terrifying stealth that surprised even the villain. The girl knew what she was doing, and Toga had to give her that.
—Meh, this is temporary. They'll test my control of the situation with problematic people like you, and maybe Hawks will settle a conflict between these rats and us. Maybe you'll try to betray me and run away, and I'll have to beat the bad guys and stop you from escaping— the kunoichi replied with indifference, watching the night workers come and go.
They were hiding behind a pile of rusted ship parts. Junk that would no longer be used, too heavy to be moved elsewhere without more powerful machinery. A convenient place to calmly analyze the surroundings.
—Huh, and I guess you think you're capable of doing all that on your own— Toga rolled her eyes, making little effort to stay out of sight.
She stood tall, with her arms behind her head. Her posture denoted tranquility, as if she weren't infiltrating a possible nest of addicts and smugglers.
Mei tilted her head slightly before nodding to herself. —Yes, I can. Now then, I want you to stay here in silence. I'll clear the way to that warehouse— she ordered calmly, quickly climbing the pile of junk
.Toga shrugged, playing with the handle of her throwing knife. She watched with boredom and no small amount of disapproval at the student's unnecessary stealth.
Mei reached the top of the pile and took a low stance. She built up strength before releasing it like a spring.
She shot through the air, tracing an arc over a dozen meters long. She readjusted her posture mid-way, striking a suspicious subject with a flying kick to the face.
His companion started and fumbled for something in his pants. Probably a weapon he didn't manage to pull out, as Mei spun on her feet and slammed a punch into his stomach.
—Tch, what a waste— Toga muttered, walking at a calm pace toward the kunoichi.
Mei turned back to the warehouse doors, ignoring the unconscious men on the ground. A fun idea crossed Toga's mind and she drew her knife, throwing it with a skillful flick of her wrist toward the throat of one of them.
To her surprise, the projectile was intercepted mid-air by Mei's delicate hand.
—Woah, that was coo-
Her exclamation was cut short abruptly. Out of nowhere, Mei appeared before her and slapped her hard with the handle of the knife, smashing it into her mouth.
—Pft!— Toga spat, her face twisted. The blow made her stumble and fall to the ground, waves of pain drilling into her gums.
Unmoved, Mei approached her and threw the knife to her side, leaning over the girl with a less than amused look.
—I'm going to assume that the knife slipped. Make sure it doesn't happen again— she said threateningly.
Mei returned to the task at hand and turned her back to Toga Himiko once more, who shot her a poisonous look.
—Little slut...!— the blonde cursed to herself, standing up with a grimace of anger. She managed to control herself, following Mei to the warehouse in absolute silence, promising herself retribution for the mistreatment.
The following hour was as uncomfortable as it was tense. Neither spoke to each other again, nor did they look each other in the eye even once. Toga studied Mei's movements like a hawk, looking for patterns, a moment of carelessness or vulnerability to pounce on her neck.
Initial curiosity gave way to disgust after that brief reprimand from the kunoichi.
Both girls continued searching box after box, offices, and the unconscious bodies of the guards. The firearms were crushed by Mei and their ammunition tossed around, far from Toga's hands.
They soon realized that this section would provide them with nothing for the ongoing investigation. It was a waste of time.
—Let's stop here. This won't get us anywhere— Mei sighed with boredom, lying back on one of the crates to gaze at the ugly ceiling.
She ignored the murderous intentions that Toga gave off with every breath and poisonous look, focusing more on the reason why they were here.
Days ago, Hawks and the Commission President had a private talk with Mei about her responsibilities in this period. As if they didn't know the concept of pressure, they informed her that she would participate in a large-scale project in conjunction with other agencies and Pro Heroes, one that sought to redeem Endeavor's image.
Due to the old man's fuck-up, the HPSC joined Sir Nighteye's investigation regarding the Shie Hassaikai. Their objective, however, was the League of Idiots more than the Yakuza.
That's where Mei and Toga came in. One was a trigger to capture the League's attention and the other a loose end that Shigaraki might want to eliminate sooner rather than later.
They only had to leak the information that both were working on the investigation against the Yakuza, another focal point of interest for the League recently.
With so many juicy elements on the table, Shigaraki and his group should bite the bait.
But that didn't mean that Mei would simply model on the catwalk, waiting to catch the League's attention.
—Hmmm, if Tetsumaru were within my reach... What stupidity would he propose to me?— she thought deeply. Wandering aimlessly along the hundreds of kilometers of Chiba-shi's ports would be stupid and unproductive.
She needed a different approach. They were supposed to be here to find particular drugs, also related to the Shie Hassaikai. Where would they hide those drugs? Who would carry them?
Certainly not the guards of clean warehouses.
—Can we continue now? I'm falling asleep here— Toga interrupted Mei's thoughts with her complaints. It was the first time she had spoken to her since the previous incident.
Mei glanced at her out of its corner of her eye, studying her displeased expression. A part of her lip was split and the surrounding area was beginning to swell slightly.
—...What did you say your Quirk was?— Mei asked suddenly, formulating an idea.
—That's none of your business— Toga muttered, crossing her arms.
Mei rolled her eyes, sitting up with a sigh. —Look, stop acting like a whiny, vengeful bitch. You have no rights, you have no options. Cooperate with me the easy way, behave as you should, and we won't have a similar problem again. Now tell me, what is your damn Quirk?
Her words made the blonde grit her teeth. Instinctively, Toga reached for her knives and took an aggressive stance. —¿No options!? Don't think so highly of yourself, you spoiled brat!— she growled with disdain.
Mei's eyelid twitched. She was on the verge of teaching the street girl a lesson when her communicator crackled and Hawks' voice stopped her actions.
—Mizukage, we have a situation. I'll leave Tsukuyomi alone for now; you abort the current mission and meet up with him— the Hero ordered before cutting the communication.
Mei slumped her shoulders, losing her previous momentum. —You heard that, vengeful bitch, let's move— she urged her teammate.
—...Mizukage?— Toga mocked with a wide grin. —Flashy enough for a spoiled brat like you.
—Don't tempt your luck!— the kunoichi spat, blushing. She hadn't been called by the nickname she chose until now, and she found it slightly embarrassing.
To get rid of the bad taste in her mouth, she moved suddenly as soon as they left the warehouse and picked Toga up in her arms, princess-style.
The blonde gasped at the high-speed movement and the sudden change in orientation. Mei ran up the wall until she reached the ceiling and began her dash toward Tokoyami's position.
Toga tried and failed to suppress a thrill-filled smile. The hollow sensation in her stomach with every long leap, the unexpectedly soft and silent impact upon landing on the next roof, whether it was metal or wood.
And of course, Mei's pretty, exposed neck. She felt an overwhelming urge to sink her nails, teeth, and knives right there, all at once. The previous irritation vanished, and desire clouded her gaze for a brief moment.
The sensation was interrupted by the next turn of events.
—Shit!— Mei suddenly growled mid-jump. Somehow, she managed to contort her body in mid-air and avoid the charge of a projectile.
Toga heard two more detonations and saw the flash of a weapon on the ground. In the next moment, Mei landed on another roof and changed direction without stopping her dash.
—What are you doing!? The shooter is on the ground!— Toga called out, confused by the action.
Mei didn't have to explain anything to her. More weapons thundered and more bullets impacted near their position.
Without warning, a group of attackers shot at them and pursued them, both from the ground and across the rooftops.