Apotheosis

CHAPTER 35: WORDS

"Let's see...your quirk Slip and Slide lets you turn any surface you touch slick and smooth..." Apotheosis tapped his pen along the edge of his notebook in thought. "You could use this for quick escapes like we discussed."

"Yes I've tried to use it to trip up police and heroes by slicking up the streets and sidewalk, but that causes me and my gang to trip too." The tan skinny thug dressed in leather and chains said. He'd been having trouble finding a practical use for his quirk. He's pretty much nothing more than a joke to the other members of the gang at this point.

"And you can't switch it off on command. It simply wears off over time." Izuku hummed in thought at this conundrum. He started tapping his pen along his scarf covered mouth. He wasn't the first low class villain and criminal to come to him for advice on better ways to use his quirk. Ever since word got out that he could analyze quirks, break them down, and come up with new applications for them, these low lives started flocking to him. Izuku didn't complain though. This was exactly what he wanted to help him find quirks that could be used for his Infinity Gauntlet.

"Perhaps some cleated shoes for yourself and your comrades so you all can keep your balance and not be hindered by your quirk. If you could learn how to skate then maybe you could glide on the slick surfaces. Or maybe it could be used to help move heavy objects." He started speaking a mile a minute. A common habit these thugs were used to.

"Excuse me, but are you the one they call Apotheosis?" Their little meeting was cut short by a newcomer. "I need to have a word with you." Izuku stopped his scribbling and looked up to see someone dressed in a white long coat with what looked like a modern plague doctor mask.

"I'm busy, come back later." Izuku told him.

"I don't have time for that." A long tendril shaped like the hand of a clock extended out from underneath his hood, stopping at the thug's face. "Leave." Izuku's client paled and stood up, quickly taking off.

"Impatient much. Please step into my office." Izuku joked since his 'office' consisted of two beaten up rusted desk chairs in a corner of the underground parking garage. He gestured to the seat opposite him but the bird masked man preferred to stand.

"I'm here representing the Shie Hassaikai, I assume you've heard of us." He started.

"Yes I've heard of all the old school Yakuza groups that are slowly fading away to memory." Izuku mocked. Just like quirkless people, organized crime families were dying breeds.

"Well we've heard of your exploits as a criminal consultant and my boss would like to offer you a job." The masked man ignored his jab and laid his offer on the table. "Your analytical skills would be very valuable to our organization and our leader would-" He was interrupted when the boy raised his gloved hand.

"I'm going to stop your right there." Izuku frowned underneath his scarf. "I'm a freelance consultant which means that I get to pick and choose my clients. I really enjoy that freedom, so why should I shackle myself to an organization that I know nothing about let alone an organization that's probably on its last legs."

"If you knew what I know you'd accept the offer." That tone of his voice sounded dangerous.

"Is that some sort of threat?" Izuku chuckled. "Am I being threatened by the lackey of a Yakuza group that's struggling to survive?" He was acting tough, but it was all a rouse. He lacked a quirk and had yet to finish his prototype force field generator, so he had no means to defend himself. Bluffing, a lesson he picked up very quickly while around criminals.

"First of all Kai Chisaki is not someone that you say no to." He said while simultaneously naming his boss. "Secondly he's working on something big that will put the Shie Hassaikai back on the map. You could be part of that if you did the smart thing and take the offer he's generously giving you."