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CHAPTER START---
---December 22nd, 1 Month Since AFO's Last Appearance…
"Is this the official stance of your nation?" Juzo asks.
"This is the stance of every nation, Mudman," the president of Korea says. "Japan has once again become an isolationist nation, not because of their perceived superiority like in the past, but because we want no part in what is happening there."
Mudman looks around his luxurious private office, seeing the team of officials sitting around, taking notes from behind his camera. All while he speaks to the man on screen.
"I am truly sorry for what is happening in Japan, but I cannot risk my nation at such a precarious time. We lost Hodori during Lady Pantu's scheme, our nation has only just become secure again. We cannot be dragged into another of Japan's disasters, never again."
Mudman sighs. "But if All For One takes control of Japan, Korea will be next. Besides, we aren't asking you to fight or send citizens, we're asking you to take refugees. His army is tearing apart entire cities."
"I'm sorry, but we cannot take such a risk. Horizon is on the other side of the world, we cannot risk angering All For One in such a way. Not to mention that South America accepted refugees mere days ago, and a swarm of Villains was hidden amongst them.
The safety of our borders is my highest priority. Please, do understand this."
Mudman nods, "I do. And I won't ask you to risk yourself. But do we have permission to use Korea as a launching point for supplies? Food, medicine, the essentials."
The man considers it for a tense moment, then nods. "Only essential supplies for civilians, no combat gear or Hero Equipment. We may not be able to take the civilians, but we can at least prevent them from starving."
"Japan can mostly handle food, water, and power. Medicine is our top priority."
"I see, and speaking of medicine, I do hope you remember this when Korea begins negotiations for Panacea."
"I'll be sure to mention it to Horizon. Thank you, Mr. President."
The call ends and the officials get up, leaving the room while one woman walks over to Mudman.
"What's going on? Start the next call," he says.
"That was the last call."
"But I had a dozen more countries to—"
"Not anymore. During that conversation, there was an attack. Some of the refugees from Japan that England took were undercover villains, they killed hundreds in a chemical attack. All the countries that were on the fence about helping after the same thing happened in Brazil have officially backed out."
"Damn it." He removes his visor and walks over to his desk, sitting in his comfortable chair and tapping on the desk. A hologram of the most important new shows, and with a few taps, this very story is playing. "All For One must have planned this."
"That seems to be the trend lately."
"Any news from Simon or Cellophane?"
"No, sir, they reported it five minutes ago, following a lead regarding some advanced lab equipment. They were searching, but the route went to Tokyo, which no longer exists. They've since been pursuing another lead in southern Japan."
"Remind them to be covert about it, and as soon as they find All For One to have Phantom Thief warp them back here."
"Yes, sir. And, the riots?"
"When we find All For One, the heroes will take care of him, then the people will feel safe enough to calm down."
They discuss plans for a few minutes before the office door opens, and Dynamight walks in.
"Organize the care packages, Phantom Thief will start sending them to the supply points," Mudman nods to the woman, who takes this as her sign and leaves the room.
Dynamight drops into the seat opposite Mudman and removes his mask. "I want to go blow up All For One."
"And I want my girlfriend in my lap, but Tokage wants to stay in Japan and play hero. See the problem?"
Bakugo rolls his eyes as Juzo starts sorting data. "Can you clear me for combat in Japan?"
"You don't need my permission to defend your home country. Your contract states that as a citizen of Japan, you can go be a Pro Hero there freely. You just won't be ranked."
"I know what it says. But this isn't a normal situation. Will there be any fallout from me getting involved?"
Juzo stops working and leans back in his chair, allowing the hologram to keep playing. "Bakugo, if you or any member of this division get involved, the villains could assume we're all going to get involved. The clause that you can always go defend your home exists as a formality so nations don't feel like they're completely losing a Pro Hero.
But actually doing that…well, people will assume the entire team will get involved. Which you know won't happen. Between All For One being a monster in his own right and all the fires that are starting around the world because of him, we're both too busy or outright forbidden from entering Japan.
Not to mention the fact that Horizon just doesn't seem to care about what's going on. Showing our faces in Japan is a problem. It will cause escalation to an absurd degree."
"So Sero and Shinso aren't officially there. They're off-grid."
"No, they are collecting intel for Japan to use. No engagements, no problems."
"You'll have both of those when we get a location on All For One," Bakugo crosses his arms. "No way we won't be getting involved at that point."
"Except we won't, officially at least. Look, I'm not even supposed to have anyone in Japan right now. Not to mention helping plan the assault on whatever base All For One is using. We can't have you going in there with explosions causing an unstable political environment.
Well, a more unstable one. If other countries start getting involved, then Japan will get torn apart by outside forces as well as the villains. They already don't have much of a government or Hero Commission left, and I'd rather not help start another land war."
"Do you really think they'd do that while All For One is there?"
"They were stupid enough to turn on Horizon, so I don't put it past them. And every failed assault is another arsenal of Quirks for All For One. Taking him down with minimal resources is the key."
"Yeah, well, I hate to break it to you, but getting involved isn't optional for us."
"What do you mean?"
"All For One made the One For All Quirk, and it got passed down all the way to All Might, then Deku, all for the sake of making it strong enough to beat him. What do you think Deku will do when the assault happens?"
"Shit…" Juzo sits back in his chair. "Midoriya is the third most powerful being on the planet, assuming All For One has enough time to get fully healed. We can't stop him from joining the fight, legally or physically."
"And we can't afford to have One For All get taken either. That's why I have to go, as backup."
"The odds still won't be good. It will only be you and Midoriya from our team, I sure as hell can't risk All For One getting Brainwashing or Warp Gate. And Sero isn't interested in suicide missions."
"Everyone in Japan can throw at him, plus Deku and I, that's as good a shot as we can get, unless…"
"Nope. He's happily retired. After Pantu's confession and dumping all the Hero Public Safety Commission's files online, he's nothing but a Panacea factory now."
"Damn it," Bakugo takes a seat opposite Juzo and leans back. "This kind of crap was a lot easier a few months ago."
"It wouldn't have happened a few months ago. But at least we got your family out fast enough."
"I heard house arrest at UA isn't a fun tourist experience anymore."
"That tends to happen when you're in a place for over a month. But at least the family of the students and many higher-ranked Pro Heroes will be protected there. I just wish we could have brought more of them over here."
"The people, or your girlfriend?"
"Don't even remind me about that woman, if Tokage could just—"
Juzo's desk activates, showing an emergency broadcast on a hologram projected between both heroes.
"Track it," Juzo commands, and the computer gets to work as they see Dabi on the screen.
"What a stupid outfit," Bakugo says as they see him walking to sit in front of the camera on a luxurious couch. Wearing a white coat with his burnt chest exposed, matching pants and boots, and his white hair exposed for the world to see.
"Hello again, world," Dabi says. "Touya Todoroki, Dabi, call me whatever you want. Just so long as you remember that I am the son of Endeavor, Enji Todoroki.
Don't ever forget that fact, because it is the reason for all my actions, and it is the reason for what happens next.
Which is my invitation. My invitation to those who society calls 'Villains', those who believe they can prosper in a land where strength is everything. Our borders are open to you.
Come to Japan, carve out as much of it as you can. Hold it for as long as you can, use your Quirk freely, and live as the laws of nature instruct you to.
All For One will awaken soon enough, and he will be the new ruler of Japan, and if you wish, you can even challenge him. But for the people who want to live, who understand their place working under him, I have another opportunity."
Dabi reaches down and pulls President Bosu into view by his hair, the man already sporting burns all over his body, whimpering in pain.
Juzo checks the program tracking the signal, and sees it's still failing to pinpoint the location of this as Dabi continues talking.
"Politicians, judges, police officers, bring them in alive or dead, but I need to be able to identify them. Firefighters and medics are off-limits, not that you can't have some fun, but they aren't part of this hunt.
Bring them in and get rewarded, and the top ten get one additional Quirk of their choice. You have until All For One wakes up. But that's if you want to compete on volume.
The quality prizes are Rei Todoroki, Natsuo Todoroki, Fuyumi Todoroki, bring them to me dead and you get one Quirk for each corpse. Bring them alive, and you get two.
Happy hunting."
Dabi cremates President Bosu live for the world to see before waving his hand, controlling the fire to move around the room, before rushing the camera.
"He has a new Quirk to control fire," Bakugo mutters while getting up as Juzo is already calling Endeavor. "Deku and I are going to UA. People might attack there to get to the Todorokis."
"No, this is a distraction. Both of you need to be on standby for when I figure out what, understand?"
Bakugo grinds his teeth. "Fine, but at least get them out of Japan."
"They're all adults who refused that offer, but I'll make it again…"
END CHAPTER---