𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 [bnha au]

10. Information Trading 101

The rain wasn't letting up and the streets of Tokyo had already started to collect water. And since the school had already given them a holiday for around two extra days, Sai decided to collect reports from the networks he had there.

Disguising himself as anything other than a child was difficult for him to do due to his body structure. But since he had put on some muscle, he was sure he could pass for a youngster at least.

The place he was going to held the centre of his intricate information network and he went there at least once a month to collect any information that might be detrimental to either his hidden identity or the Hero Commission. So far, most of the information he had was on the Hero Commission. But there were also quite a few snippets of information from the underworld. Those snippets had to be dealt with personally most of the times and today Sai wondered if there were any rumors reagrding the Nomu that had attacked the USJ.

He was wearing black dress shoes and slim-fit trousers over a white turtle neck and a dark green trench coat. Most of his face was covered by a black face mask and a black fedora hat covered his hair. He wasn't that keen on walking the backstreets and alleys in the cold rain of Tokyo city but he had no other choice. He also had an engagement after this.

He went to one of the underground gambling rings and blended into the crowd quite well as he sat down on one of the tables playing blackjack.

"Hey, so anything new going on? I'm looking for some jobs but I have no idea where to look," Sai asked the man dealing cards to the small group of five.

"Hmm, I don't know much but there are some people who are recruiting some people for doing odd jobs and such."

"That's all crap. I tried there and it's just you being their slaves," scoffed a man with bandages around his face, neck and hands. "All they ask you to do is clean up after them and it's not even dead bodies."

"I heard there's this group that's hiring people with fighting experience. Like they said they would pay well but so far I haven't heard anyone coming back from there," a man with a brown trench, right eye-patch and a cigar said. He was the oldest one of them there with grey hair and wrinkles all over his face.

"It's pretty hard looking for jobs these days. But there is this dealing job that's almost risk free. You could try there," a teen in a grey hoddie said as they played another hand and took all the money on the table. The others groaned in defeat as that kid defeated them once again. Sai studied him carefully and then smirked.

"What's your name, kid?" He asked.

"You tell me yours, I'll tell you mine," the kid replied as they got ready for another round.

Sai got up and said, "I'll tell you over dinner. How about that? It's on me."

The kid looked up at him with suspicious eyes before he pocketed all the money and followed Sai out the door and into the alley to walk to a ramen stand a couple streets away.

There was another person sitting with them there. It was hard to make out their face or their physique as they were wearing layered clothes which was making it difficult to assess them. But Sai didn't care and sat down between the kid that had followed him and the mysterious person.

"What would you like to have?" He asked the kid.

"Tonkotsu. Make it spicy," the kid said as they ordered for themself.

"One Tonkotsu spicy and one Kagoshima ramen. Thank you," Sai confirmed their orders before turning to look at the kid again. "So, what's your name?"

"I told you I'd tell you if you tell me," the kid huffed as he crossed his arms.

"Oh, my bad," Sai chuckled as he raised his hands in mock surrender. "Many know me as... Sai."

The kid looked at him with widened eyes. Sai laughed a little at the reaction and gave the kid a knowing look.

"I take it you've heard about me?"

"Anyone who hasn't lives under a rock."

Sai smiled as he patted the kid's head. "Now it's your turn."

The kid cleared their throat. "My name is Osamu. No last name."

"Okay Osamu, here's the deal. I think you have potential so I want you to join my network," said Sai. "You trade me information. I give you shelter, food and money. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good but I know not to take anything at face value," they argued as they grabbed the bowl placed in front of them and dug in.

"That's right. You'll be observed for a while before I can give a concrete position and benefits."

"Makes sense."

After that Sai and Osamu ate their food in silence with the mysterious person beside them in the cold rain of Tokyo.

When Osamu left, the mysterious person spoke, "So you finally recruited them?"

"Of course, I've had my eye on them for a while. The kid's got talent and ways to get info that we need," Sai replied as he finally met the person's eyes.

"What have you got for me today, Rae?"

Rae rolled her eyes before talking off her shades, her white eyes staring at Sai's. "I found some rumors regarding human experimentation. Apparently, many people with strong quirks from the underworld or kids are getting kidnapped and being used as live human experiments. I think it might be related to the Nomu that attacked the hero school."

Sai sighed as he expected this to some level. Afterall, he wasn't a stranger to human experiments... Rae continued as she tucked her white hair behind her ear.

"Another thing I've heard is that All For One is alive. Is that true?" She asked Rae with a nervous look in her eyes.

"Yeah. And he's even more despicable than before," he said as he got up. "Anything else?"

"Nothing much. I'm sure you already know most of it."

With that they bod each other farewell and Sai started his journey back to his "base" to meet with Tsuki.

———————

Back at the apartment, Sai found Tsuki already seated on his couch with a guest that he hadn't been expecting.

"Tsuki, who is this with you?" Sai asked as he studied the man with burned skin and staples.

"I'm Dabi," the man answered for himself.

"Well, Dabi would you like some tea before we get started?"

"Sure, why not? But will you really help me?"

"Oh definitely, it might take some time but we'll definitely help you."