The Broker's Assistant

Chapter Twenty-One: Results

Chapter Twenty-One
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Giran leaned on the balcony of the Grand Rivera Hotel twenty miles away from Illumina. Dabi had contacted him shortly after his plan had gone to hell. Illumina City had gone into complete lockdown as heroes from all over Japan traveled to investigate the death of two pro heroes being Hawks and Suneater. The media blamed the Hero Killer, but Giran knew the hero association suspected another person or group.

The fact that Hawks had died made the situation worse as it put the pro heroes on high alert. It wouldn't ruin the long term plan but it would increase the chance of unforseen changes occurring due to the fear pulsating through the veins of hero society.

He sighed and took a drag of his cigarette, letting the smoke trail and swerve around his body. While he knew it wasn't a good habit, he loved smoking. The feeling was euphoric, like reliving an itch you couldn't scratch for months.

When he had first taken in Dabi, he had to give up smoking as his flames were uncontrollable. A few times, tasting burnt ash on his tongue caused him to begin to teach Dabi calming techniques to focus his rage. Yet the boy's rage had gotten Illumina under lockdown.

He sighed and returned to the hotel room to see Izuku, Dabi, and their new edition, the serial killer Stain. Giran didn't trust Stain, but he wouldn't turn him away now.

"Izuku, are you sure you want to continue." Giran asked, looking at the boy. After the death of Hawks, Giran was worried about the boy, especially as he seemed unbothered by all that had occurred.

"I won't back down now, besides Giran I wasn't in danger at all during the mission." Izuku said with a confident smile. While it was true he wasn't in danger, it wasn't due to Dabi's power or his own combat skills. Stain wasn't lucky, but if someone else wished to kill Izuku, the chances he'd escape unharmed were significantly lower.

Giran sighed but he wouldn't argue with Izuku, he respected the boy's mind and the choices that mind made. Izuku was much more level-headed in comparison to Dabi's more deranged mindset. "Very well then, due to the stunt in Illumina things have been moved around and the date of Endeavor's execution has been moved up." Giran said as he pulled out a data pad and handed it to Izuku before handing another to Dabi.

"Suneater wasn't even a top ten and they want to hold a meeting about a great surge in crime?" Dabi scoffed much to Giran's expectations.

"Other groups have been making moves, whether it be Stain or newcomers and the remains of previous champions." Giran explained his words seeming to warn of a threat that would soon come to pass.

Izuku was curious, the idea of of previous crime champions intrigued his mind. "Previous champions like the Yakuza or something else?" Izuku asked.

"The Yakuza held power, but the man or rather being I speak of is more of an urban myth than a person, but I can assure you he is more than real. While he has had many names, the one most often associated with him is All For One." Giran seemed to grow colder at the mention of this person's name as if even mentioning it was a haunting omen.

"All For One." Dabi muttered the name, then looked away.

"The point is Overhaul has put the plan into motion ahead of schedule to fit with the hero association's meeting. The three of you have one week to prepare and kill Endeavor or." Giran sighed, wishing he could smoke inside of the hotel room.

"This is good." Stain said his words cold as if death itself was speaking. "A grand culling of false heroes should happen as soon as possible." Stain added.

"You don't understand the importance of the mission." Dabi snarled through his teeth.

"I understand it far better than you ever could, I am the hero killer unless you have forgotten." Stain said, making sure to twist the word killer like a knife going through a squirrel. The Hero Killer hadn't spoken much, but when he did, his words were commanding. While he never would admit this to Stain, Dabi found his presence to be welcoming and inspiring, yet his arrogance made Dabi despise the man.

"Your skills will be used, and your deal with Dabi will be followed through on however you must remember that all Yakuza members are off limits." Giran said, speaking with authority.

"As it should be." Stain snarled, standing up and drawing one of his swords. "By my blade Endeavor will fall, and that is a promise all of you will not break."

All four nodded in agreement as Dabi chose to stay quiet. Stain would be useful and despite the admiration he might have held once Endeavor was dead Dabi planned on killing Stain and Overhaul, the change of plans, the way he was being used as a pawn it grew the seeds of hate that were taking root in his heart.