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CHAPTER START---
"Have you been enjoying your vacation?" Nezu asks, appearing on Law's phone as it floats beside the pool, currently hosting the video call between him and Nezu.
Law takes a deep breath as he floats in the water, enjoying the luxuries of the Matani Tower in Manhattan.
"It's been, easier than I expected," Law says. "Politicians are cowards, after that announcement last night a lot of them surrendered, more than I expected made the wise choice to turn themselves in instead of running."
"But not all?"
"No, not all," Law says. "But most of my part is already done. President Skyline agreed to involve me because a scare tactic like that is exactly what they can't deal with, they aren't used to the violence coming to them directly."
"And what else do you have to do?"
"Make a few examples, nothing serious," Law sits up on the surface of the water, eyes glowing bright blue as he makes the surface support him. "Are you really only calling me to get a update?""Hmm, no, not really," Nezu says. "A lot of smaller gangs are rising up since you've been away, trying to make a name for themselves and cash out before you return to Japan."
"Oh, Shigaraki's people?"
"Surprisingly no, the League Of Villains is still only doing background work, supplying weapons and manpower in the form of conventional weapons and Nomu, they've gone completely dark otherwise."
"Hmm, that's not too surprising," Law says. "They know better than most what it's like to stand against me, and they know I'd hunt them in particular, the first chance I get, so they don't want to leave a trail that I can follow once I get back to Japan."
"UA has also been quiet," Nezu says. "All the Hero Course Students with Provisional Licenses are spending the summer with their mentors, and the others are preparing for the exam in September. A few spend a few days at a time at UA to get upgrades to their equipment however."
"Ahh, so that's why you're calling," Law smiles, mischievously. "You miss having me around…you've built a system that's so efficient it leaves you with nothing to do."
"Things were more interesting with you around, besides, it is always good to have a project in the works."
"Speaking of projects, about the Panacea…I got access to the US Medical Quirk Database this morning, the simulations are already running," Law says.
"I noticed, it's putting a serious strain on my systems over here," Nezu says. "Have you settled on a price, or are you still going to make it free?"
"A miracle cure should be free, I am a Pro Hero after all," Law says. "But anything that requires more intimate surgery will still need an operation."
"So you won't completely kill your business, is that intentional?"
"No, if the body doesn't recognize things that need to be removed as obstructions then there isn't anything the Panacea can do about it," Law shrugs. "If a person was born missing an arm, their body thinks that's normal so the Panacea won't grow a limb for them."
"And are any countries still hesitant to share the data they have?"
"Only a few, but their people will deal with that for me, after the announcement is made. Whoever replaces those politicians will know better."
"And what about the doses you left here, at UA?" Nezu asks.
"I labeled those with names for a reason, they only work for the person I made them for, otherwise things could get complicated," Law says. "The version I'm working on right now is universal, which is why it'll be so expensive."
"Well, the miracle cure is done, what's next? World peace?"
Law laughs at the absurdity of his serious question, "Why would I want that, a peaceful world, is a world without progress, and that's too boring…"
---South Korea…
"What do you mean he doesn't care?!" Spinner slams his phone down, shattering it on the floor.
He turns to the corner of his room where Twice and Toga are playing checkers, seeing both of them staring at him, clearly worried.
"So Shigi' isn't going to do anything about them?" Twice asks.
"That's what Compress says, but I'm gonna go talk to him," Spinner says. "Either of you coming?"
"Sure, I need snacks anyway," Toga says as she gets up, wobbling slightly before Twice holds her.
"Take your time," Twice says. "You only just got out of the wheelchair, no need to push yourself."
Toga pulls her arm away from him, shooting him an annoyed look, "I'm not a baby you know!"
"We know, babies are cute," Spinner says as he rushes out the door, marching down the hallways of their latest headquarters to find Shigaraki.
"What the hell does that mean?!" Toga yells as she takes out her knife and rushes after him, only to stumble and prop herself up on the hallway wall. "Stupid legs!"
"Want a piggyback ride?" Twice asks.
"No, I need to walk more anyway," Toga says as she pushes off the wall and continues walking down the hallway. "Thanks for trying to help, Twice."
"Sure thing," Twice salutes her as they walk down the hallway. "What do you think about this whole situation anyway?"
"I think anyone disrespecting us should get stabbed in the neck," she stabs the air in front of her to emphasize her point. "We got together because the world was disrespecting us and calling us freaks, so why is Shigi' letting a bunch of wannabes do that to us, it doesn't make any sense."
"I hear ya," Twice says. "Especially since those damn pieces of trash made fun of big sis Magne, after she gave her life protecting us from those Pro Heroes."
"They have to die for that," Toga says in a serious tone. "Nobody makes fun of our friends and lives, nobody."
"Well, I wouldn't say 'Nobody'...but that one is out of our control," Twice grumbles.
Toga stops walking as memories come flowing back.
Twice walks a few steps before he notices, looking back to see her leaning against the wall, sweating, breathing heavily, eyes flooded with fear and panic.
"Oh crap! I'm sorry I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought him up!" Twice rushes over and hugs her, not letting go until she calms down.
A few steps ahead of them spinner looks back, taking in this scene.
"We won't get anywhere if they stop fearing and respecting us," Spinner says. "We need to show those new wannabe Villains that they can't mess with us, otherwise everyone will want to mess with us, and we'll all get hurt like you did. I won't let that happen to my friends."
Twice nods in agreement as Spinner walks forward, entering the elevator and going to the warehouse below.
He exits the warehouse to see Shigaraki leaning on the railing, overlooking their five-story tall, massive warehouse, filled with tubes of Nomu that have already been sold.
Shipping containers are lined up beyond the massive gates, being loaded onto ships just a few hundred meters away.
"Shigaraki, you can't be serious," Spinner says as he approaches, looking around to see Nomu loading and moving the cargo around the warehouse.
"I am, we aren't going to retaliate," Shigaraki says. "We aren't street-level thugs anymore, we have a business to run. Being a Power Broker is our new role, not just regular Villains."
"Is that what this is about, the fact that there aren't any profits in it?" Spinner asks. "They publicly disrespected us, and big sis Magne, they said she was 'worthless trans trash' and that's why she died, are we gonna let them get away with that."
Shigaraki's jaw tightens, then he relaxes. "We are in Korea, they are a small-time Villain group in Tokyo Japan, without Kurogiri there are now logistical issues in going there for simple retaliation."
"We can easily get over there, the same way we ship Nomu from here to South America."
Shigaraki sighs, "If you want to wipe them out, then contact one of our cells in Japan, send them to kill them all, and make an example of them, problem solved."
"You know that's not how this works," Spinner says. "People around Japan are talking, they think we ran because Horizon scared us off, that we're cowards who don't get our hands dirty anymore, they aren't respecting us."
"You want me to leave our base and go kill them, over respect?" Shigaraki asks. "You fret over the respect of ants, Spinner?"
"You know, that's exactly the kind of thing Horizon would say about us…"
Shigaraki's grip on the railing tightens, "Spinner, we aren't foot soldiers anymore. You're one of my generals, act like it. Give some orders and have them wiped out, problem solved."
"Then people will respect us even less, and the other groups grabbing for power will grow, then where will that lead, think about it."
"Hmm," Shigaraki rubs his chin, pondering the possibilities. "We're at the top of the Villain food chain in Japan right now, if our position starts slipping the other groups will start fighting in the streets."
"Which is normally what we want, chaos and death, but—"
"The government could call Horizon back early," Shigaraki says. "Then all the shipments we have in Japan, and plan to move before he gets back to Tokyo, would be found…crap."
"Yeah, so let me wipe them out," Spinner says. "If you won't go, then send me, I am your right-hand man after all."
Shigaraki groans, "Spinner, I rather lose the respect of those ants if if means my friends can remain safe, and our plans can continue forward."
"If I don't go deal with them, everything will be at risk," Spinner says. "We need to remind the Villains of Japan that we're on top."
"Don't do anything public, we don't want the cops and Pro Heroes getting excited about us showing our faces in Japan," Shigaraki says as he turns to Spinner. "If they catch your scent you can be sure damn near every Pro Hero and cop in Japan will be hunting for you, and without Kurogiri, there won't be an easy way to get you out of there."
"I know, and I'll be careful," Spinner says. "Is Dabi still in Japan, I could use some backup on this."
"Dabi working on something to shake up Endeavor, apparently his daughter teaches at an elementary school that's seriously lacking security."
"If he does that then Horizon will definitely be back in Japan."
"Which is why he's just setting things up for now, this will act as a diversion if we need it. But for now, only you, Dabi, and I, know about this plan, so keep it that way," Shigaraki says. "We can't afford to let too many people know, Telepathy is a thing after all."
"Got it, when I'm done with these guys I'll go help out Dabi."
"Good, take your usual Nomu, along with a Twice Double, we can't afford to let his main body leave this base."
"What about Toga?" Spinner asks.
"Hmm," Shigaraki raises a brow at this. "Something you want to tell me?"
"Uh, no," Spinner blushes and looks away. "I just think she really wants a chance to kill the guys who made fun of Magne, and this will be a good chance for her to get back into the flow of things."
Shigaraki turns back to the Nomu working in the warehouse, "Whatever, just don't let your feelings get in the way of the mission, and promise me you'll all come back alive."
"I promise you."
"Alright, take some of the more basic Nomu, keep things as quiet as possible," Spinner says. "And check in with Dabi before you hit them, maybe he'll be in the mood to cremate some people."
"Got it, boss!"
END CHAPTER---