Lightning Serenade

Chapter 94: Not a Filter IV

"The ratings results are in," Nato announced, his voice monotone, lacking any sign of excitement over the prospect.

That was weird.

Sure, it's been hell trying to navigate the League-Chargebolt crisis, but this was the perfect opportunity to get that shitty situation out of the spotlight.

"The number one hero title continues to be held by Endeavor," Nato announced, looking at the file in his hands as he rocked slightly back in his chair, forcing the recline into a steeper angle.

"That's no surprise," was the general consensus among the agents, but Takaga was oddly silent about the whole thing, not even bothering to offer instigating quips about the obvious and unnecessary statements that were wastes of precious air coming from the 'useless seat warmers' of the room. He had gotten meaner and meaner, but the agents still had not learned to shut the hell up.

"Second is Best Jeanist," Nato said.

"That's no surprise," was the general consensus again, considering that Hawks was dead. He was dead, right? That feather in the League's TikTok couldn't be—could it? No. It had to have been just a needlessly cruel jab at yet another failure of the Commission to secure one of their own. Hell, in the live TikTok performance, they basically confirmed that Shigaraki and Dabi (who was reportedly Hawks's soulmate, but to be fair, they never had the chance to get proof of that) were romantically involved.

"Third is Mirko," Nato said.

There was a collective inhale.

"Third?!" was the general consensus. "She was predicted to move down! Not continue to rise! How did this happen?!"

She wasn't one that was easily controlled. She was brash and outspoken and a woman and had a mutant quirk that made her into a fucking rabbit for fucks' sake. This was a problem. She was a powerful, sexy, confident woman who knew that she was powerful and sexy. Maybe they could get her to sign on with them. They could assign her a handler and begin some training to condition her to—

"We will do no such thing," Nato sneered. "She's fine right where she is. She's perfect as she's doing now. The public love her, and she gets the job done with little damage to property, civilians, and even the villains who are brought in. We will not interfere."

There was emotion in his voice, now, and he was pissed. Not good. His voice left no room for argument, and there was the rest of the list to get through anyway. The agents could always band together to take the idea to the higher-ups later. It wouldn't look good to go over Nato's head, but he just couldn't see a good idea if it punched him in the face.

"Fourth is Edgeshot." Expected.

"Fifth is Kamui Woods." An appreciative hum. He'd been steadily climbing in the ranks ever since he debuted, and started climbing even faster after he helped infiltrate the League a few years prior. Almost killed Shigaraki, too. Claimed it was an accident, and seemed genuine, but the agents were hopeful he was just a really good actor and wouldn't mess up again should another opportunity arise.

"Sixth is Ryuko." There was a grumble. It wasn't unexpected for Ryuko to climb so high, but it was unpleasant all the same. After her help in the take down of the Yakuza sect and the rescue of Eri, it couldn't be helped.

"Seventh is Wash." Expected.

"Eighth is Crust." Expected.

"Tenth is Mount Lady." Outrage.

What?! Are you kidding? How did someone like her make it to the top ten? Sure, she's been climbing steadily, but there are more capable, less air-headed heroes that are more deserving—wait!