• Benevolence •

Chapter 43

A hero speaks up. "In other words... that effect is derived from a person or a quirk. A quirk to destroy other quirks."

"Uhhh... I'm afraid I've not really been seeing it for a while now but how is this linked to the Cleansers exactly?"

Fatgum explains. "The guy Kirishima captured! And the illegal substance he was usin'. That drug's distribution web's real complicated. Its gotten curtailed heavily nowadays, but its sold wholesale across all levels by many different people, groups, and organizations- and now we can finally reach the source of it all!!

There's no evidence the Cleansers themselves are dealing the stuff but there's been contact between them and a middleman organization selling it."

"Thats it?!"

Nighteye shakes his head. "Recall the clash between villain groups that Ryuukyuu and her team cleaned up a few days ago. The boss of one of those gangs was with one of those middleman groups."

A woman, Ryuukyuu, continues. "One of the villains who giantified only maintained it for a short while. They must have been inferior goods."

I zone out for a moment, all the information feels heavy. I don't know what to think at all... I tune back into the conversation as another picture is projected to the screen.

"-quirk of the Capo, Chisaki is named 'Overhaul.' It's a power that can disassemble or reassemble any target. A quirk that can dismantle... to destroy and repair at once. That, along with the bullets that can destroy quirks."

Nighteye sighs quietly. "Nighteye has a daughter... though one without a birth certificate so the particulars aren't clear."

He gestures to Mirio and Midoriya. "When these two encountered her, her arms and legs were wrapped in a great many of bandages."

My heart drops at his words and I feel sick. It suddenly makes sense. Eraserhead glances to me with an unreadable look on his face.

"Whaddya expect of this world of superhumans? All it takes is the thought and any son of a bitch can do anything." The old man scowls.

Kirishima sits forward abruptly. "What, are you all talking about...?!"

"See? We don't need any damn kids around. Slow on the uptake much?"

"Put it simply, we're saying that they're prolly making the bullets out of her."

I feel my stomach flip. Hearing it confirmed makes it feel even worse. My mind blanks out for a moment and its all I can do to keep it together. I almost feel... angry.

"-There's no definitive proof. However, if they manage to spread their connections and amass the funds... what if the completed bullets could take quirks themselves and completely eradicate them? Many dark, dark ideas spring to one's mind."

Fatgum growls. "Just imaginin' it's gonna make my bowels seeth with rage! C'mon we gotta search their hideout!!"

"So you're saying that if these dudes had been able to take the girl under protection, then this whole situation would've been resolved right then and there?!" The hero scoffs, gesturing to Mirio and Midoriya. What does he have against students?

I glance over to see the two with their heads bowed. They look upset with themselves and I get a sudden urge to comfort them.

Nighteye speaks up to defend them. "I take responsibility for all of it, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't put the blame on them. Even though they didn't know about her predicament, they both tried their best to save her. The ones who are most frustrated now are these two."

Both boys stand abruptly, their chairs clatter to the floor and I flinch at the sudden sound.

Midoriya has a determined look in his eyes. "We won't fail you this time, Eri...!

Mirio holds up a fist in agreement. "We'll protect her!"

Nighteye nods. "Yes, and that will be our goal."

"Tch. It's fine and all that the kid's alive but... if one were to guess, the boss would want to hide the girl, who is the component to his plan, right? And after all that trouble, she somehow makes it outside! And on top of that, to be spotted by these little brat heroes!

Do you think he'd honestly keep her tucked away at the headquarters after all that? If it were me, I wouldn't. Because even if we were to attack, as long as the girl isn't there, then it doesn't matter. Have we been able to specify her exact whereabouts?"

"He's right. What do you think, Nighteye?"

"That's exactly the problem. We don't know how far he's planned ahead. If we don't finish them with one blow, they'll probably get the chance they need to launch a counterattack.

And so we've looked at groups and organizations that have ties to all the precepts, as well as all known locations under the precept's control. We've left no stone unturned coming up with this list. We'd like everyone here to assist in searching each of these locations. Let's find the location and wring it out!"

I find myself tuning out some of the conversation. If I could see a picture of the little girl, Eri... Maybe I could teleport directly to her...

Fatgum suddenly yells at Nighteye. Something about him having been All Might's sidekick and wasting time. The tall man snaps back a response I don't catch.

The old man from before jumps in. "We mustn't lose our cool. If we make a misstep trying to capture them, it could just end up fanning the flames-"

"You're overthinking it-!"

I look up to see Eraserhead raise his hand. "Um... if I could ask a question... I'm not completely knowledgeable about your abilities, Sir Nighteye, but if you have the ability to see the future then can't you just look ahead and see what our outcome is? At this rate, we aren't going to agree on anything..."

Nighteye drops his head slightly. "That... I cannot do."

At our silence, he elaborates. "Once I activate my Foresight ability, it needs a 24 hour interval before it can be used again. In other words, everyday, for one hour, I can see one person's future. When I do, like a series of flashbacks, it plays in my head, frame by frame.

Once activated, for an hour's time I can see the film of an individual's life... that's how you can think of it. However, all of that film is from a perspective that closely follows the person. All I can see are their actions and their immediate surroundings."

"Err, but isn't that more than enough? What do you mean you 'can't do' it?"

Nighteye covers his face, sighing. "For example, if in that person's immediate future, I see death. A merciless death awaiting them. What could I do?

This quirk of mine is only supposed to be used when the chances of success have been brought to their highest. It should be used for insurance."

The hero- who is against interns being here -stands up. "Even death is information, isn't it? Then you could put together a plan to avoid it!"

"It's not like telling a fortune. There's no evidence to show that you can avoid the outcome!"

"Nighteye! I really don't know what you're talking about but- It'll be ok! You can take a look at me! I'll avoid the outcome as many times as you want!"

He drops his head. "I can't."

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So are there any cute/funny situations you guys want reader to be in with any specific characters?

Thank you for reading!!!