Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tension between Yokohama and the rest of Japan had been escalating rapidly. Heroes were on the verge of breaching the border that separated Yokohama from the rest of the country, an event that had become increasingly inevitable. Yokohama was a world of gray—neither wholly good nor wholly evil—but to the hero society, it was a land shrouded in darkness and ruled by villains. The city's reputation preceded it, painting a picture of a dystopian landscape where morality was a murky concept and heroism was viewed with skepticism.
—-

Dazai was summoned by the doctor early that morning, his few precious hours of sleep ruthlessly cut short. For a moment, he considered the idea of gouging out his eyes with a fork—surely a less painful than enduring another meeting with Mori. Ultimately, however, he dismissed the thought and made his way to Mori's office.

Arriving at the boss’s office, he found Chuuya already present. Mori, seated behind an imposing mahogany desk cluttered with old, dusty books and yellowed papers, looked up with a wide, unsettling smile. His stupid ability; Elise colouring on the floor kicking her feet up in the air.

“Dazai-kun! How wonderful to see you actually join us! I was beginning to wonder if I’d need to send Chuuya after you,” Mori said, his voice dripping with feigned sweetness.

Dazai brushed off the older man’s words with a casual wave and took a seat next to the shorter ginger boy. The room’s oppressive atmosphere seemed to amplify the tension in the air, making the simple act of sitting down feel like a calculated move.

Mori let out a theatrical sigh, his voice adopting a whiny tone as he addressed Dazai’s clear attempt to ignore him. “Dazai-Kunn, you’re so mean to me!” he lamented, pressing his hands to his chest as if deeply wounded. The melodrama in his voice was almost comical, yet the threat of his displeasure was very real.

“Just get on with why you called us here,” Dazai said impatiently, his eyes flicking to the ornate clock on the wall. Time seemed to crawl in Mori's presence, each second dragging painfully.

Mori’s eyes crinkled into a sly smile, his expression one of malice masked by feigned innocence. “Dazai, what do I always say? Patience is key. It’s a simple mission, really. But let me first ask you two a question. What do you know about Musutafu? More specifically, UA High School?”

Chuuya chimed in, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “It’s a hero-filled city?”

Dazai rolled his eyes in exaggerated disbelief. “It’s not just that, slug. Is that hat rotting your brain?” Chuuya’s eye twitched, and his knuckles turned white as he gripped the armrest of his chair, visibly straining to maintain his composure in front of the boss. The room’s dim lighting cast long shadows, making Chuuya’s frustration even more palpable. Dazai smirked before turning his gaze to the window, admiring the evening sky over Yokohama. “UA is the top hero school in the country, churning out the most ‘powerful’ heroes.” Dazai puts air quotes around powerful “Musutafu is the city where UA is located.”

Mori’s smile widened, and he clapped his hands together with satisfaction. “Yes, that’s correct, Dazai!” He rested his chin on his hands, tilting his head to study the two boys with his slimy grin. His eyes gleamed with a predatory glint, hinting at the nature of the task ahead.

“Get on with it, Mori; why is this important?” Dazai pressed, his patience wearing thin as he shifted in his seat.

Mori hummed thoughtfully. “It’s not immediately important, and I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually, Dazai. After all, you’re my prodigy, aren’t you?” His smile was sickly, and a glint of malice danced in his eyes. Great, just what Dazai wanted—a test. The sinister undertone in Mori’s words hinted at a deeper meaning.

“Anyway, back to the mission,” Mori said, waving his hand dismissively. Signaling any further questions Dazai had will not be answered. “There’s been a disturbance near the border. I need you two to handle the situation however you see fit, but make it very clear that we won’t tolerate any more issues.”

Dazai and Chuuya exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them before they bowed and left the room quickly. The heavy wooden door closed behind them with a decisive thud, the sound reverberating through the dimly lit hallway.

“So, what do you think the problem at the is?” Chuuya asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and irritation.

“Wow, I didn’t know chibi Chuuya was so dumb! Take your best shot. What do you think the disturbance is?” Dazai teased, his grin widening as he looked at Chuuya.

Despite Dazai’s insistence that Chuuya was the dumbest person on earth, Chuuya was actually quite intelligent. Though not a genius like Dazai, his skills in math and physics were impressive. It frustrated him greatly when people assumed he was only good for fighting simply because he did the majority of the fighting with Dazai but that was just because Dazai was a lazy bastard and he was freakishly intelligent.

“Shut up, you stupid mackerel!” Chuuya snapped, attempting to kick Dazai, who nimbly dodged the blow. Chuuya continued grumbling as he answered, “It’s one of those shitty pro heroes trying to break into Yokohama again?”

“Ding ding ding! For once, you’re actually right, slug! How impressive.” Dazai clapped his hands sarcastically, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“So, what’s the plan then?” Chuuya asked, stuffing his hands into his pockets as they walked down the dimly lit hallway, their footsteps echoing off the walls.

Dazai’s grin widened, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well, we need to see what we’re dealing with first. Once we have that sorted, we’ll decide how to handle it.”

Chuuya scoffed like the idiot didn’t already know what they were doing. It was clear though that Dazai would not be saying anything else on the matter until he felt like it.
---

The warehouse they arrived at was cold and damp, its vastness amplified by the sounds of dripping water and distant creaks. Shadows danced along the walls as the flickering lights overhead cast eerie glows. Dazai perched on a wooden crate, his legs swinging back and forth in a rhythm that only he seemed to find soothing. Chuuya leaned against the same crate, his impatience palpable as he tapped his arm rhythmically, the sound of his fingers drumming against the wood filling the silence.

“When’s the hero gonna get here?” Chuuya asked, his voice edged with frustration.

“Patience is key, slug. So be a good little doggy and wait,” Dazai replied with a casual air, his eyes scanning the dimly lit space with a sense of detached amusement.

“I’m not your goddamn dog, you—” Chuuya started, his voice rising in irritation.

Before he could finish, a man made entirely of wood burst into the warehouse, his entrance marked by a dramatic flare. He was clad in a skin-tight suit that looked as though it had been plucked straight out of a comic book. The man’s wooden form was a bizarre sight, and Chuuya’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

In Yokohama, very few people possessed what one would call a quirk. A major reason for Yokohama’s isolation from the rest of the world was the strong anti-hero sentiment and disdain for quirks and their users. Abilities were different from quirks—they were stronger, had no inherent drawbacks, and weren’t genetic like quirks. Having an ability was purely a matter of chance.

“Alright, Dazai. What the hell is that thing?” Chuuya asked, pointing aggressively at the wooden man. chuuya was now illuminated by the red glow of his ability. The wooden man’s appearance was both perplexing and fascinating.

“Chuuya! Don’t be quirkphobic~! It’s clearly a mutation-type quirk,” Dazai responded with a teasing tone, his amusement evident.

The wooden man looked bewildered by their bickering. It made sense that one of them wouldn’t understand mutation-type quirks or quirks in general, given Yokohama’s isolation. The man’s confusion was apparent, his wooden features shifting with every expression.

“Don’t worry, young children! I’m Kamui Woods, here to save you from this villain-ruled city!” The man struck a dramatic heroic pose, his wooden arms on his hips in an attempt to exude confidence and valor.

Dazai snickered and motioned for Chuuya to hold off for now. “What if we don’t wanna be saved, sir? I’m quite content in the mafia.” He watched as the hero’s expression shifted to one of confusion and concern. Heroes' thinking was so black-and-white—good and evil. The world wasn’t so simple, and when their morals were questioned or put into a tough spot, they froze. Children in the mafia? Technically villains, but they were just children. Who didn’t know what they were doing, right?

“I… you two are villains, then, and must be defeated!” The hero declared. Dazai grinned. So, that was the path he chose the hero chose to follow. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black gun. Dazai fired a shot. Kamui Woods barely managed to dodge, leaping out of the way. “Aww, that was supposed to hit you, y’know?” Dazai whined childishly, an odd contrast as someone who had just fired a gun without hesitation.

The hero took a fighting stance, eyes locked on Dazai. Forgetting about Chuuya. Kamui extended part of his arm, and a branch hurtled towards Dazai, aiming to knock the gun from his hand. Just before it could hit Dazai, the branch dissolved into a white light. The brief pause in Kamui’s movements was enough for Chuuya to sweep in and knock him out with a swift, precise strike.

“My savior Chuuya! Whatever would I do without you?” Dazai smirked, hopping down from the crate and strolling over to Kamui’s unconscious form. Chuuya’s leg swept out, causing Dazai to fall face-first onto the ground. “Owie! Chuuya’s so mean to me.” Dazai whined, rubbing his nose as he looked up at Chuuya with a mock pout.

“Yeah, yeah, stupid mackerel. What’s the plan now?” Chuuya asked, his frustration evident as he adjusted his hat.

Dazai’s smile widened. “Now we wrap this up.” He pulled out a small, sleek knife and began to methodically dismember Kamui Woods. Chuuya watched in silence, his face a mask of grim determination and disgust. The process was swift and efficient. Dazai had done this before, and his movements were almost surgical.

Once Kamui’s body was in pieces, Dazai carefully placed the remains into a large, pink box he had prepared. He arranged the parts neatly, ensuring that everything was packed with a certain… aesthetic sense. He added a cute little bow on top, and then took a moment to admire his work. “Presentation is key, after all,” he remarked, almost to himself.

Chuuya watched with a mix of disbelief and resignation. “You really are a freak, you know that?”

Dazai laughed lightly. “Yes, but I’m your freak. Now, let’s seal this up.” He secured the box with tape, making sure it was tightly closed. With a satisfied nod, he took out a marker and wrote a note on the top of the box: “For the Heroes! Enjoy the gift!! ♡”

With that done, Chuuya picked up the box and walked towards the door, Dazai following closely behind. The box was heavy but manageable. Chuuya carried it with ease, dazai’s and chuuya’s demeanor were light and carefree despite the fact they had just killed a man. It wasn’t the first time nor would it be the last.
—-

Chapter Text

The conference room was bathed in bright, artificial light, starkly contrasting the dim atmosphere outside. The large table in the center of the room was polished to a mirror sheen, reflecting the seriousness of the gathering. Seated around it were some of Japan’s most prominent heroes, their varied expressions indicating the gravity of the situation at hand.

Nezu, the principal of U.A. High School, sat at the head of the table, his small frame dwarfed by the imposing presence of the heroes around him. But despite his size, his voice carried an authority that commanded the room's attention. “All right, let’s get down to business,” Nezu began, his voice smooth and authoritative. “We have a critical situation developing in Yokohama. As I assume you all know.” He paused for a moment, his gaze somber as he continued, “Kamui Woods was a truly amazing hero and will be deeply missed.”

The room fell silent, the weight of the loss settling over them like a heavy blanket. Kamui Woods, one of their own, had fallen. The news had sent shockwaves through the hero community, and the grief was still raw. Even the usually upbeat All Might, who sat near Nezu, seemed subdued, his normally bright smile dimmed by the gravity of the situation.

At one of the chairs at the table was All Might, the smiling symbol of peace. His enthusiasm was a beacon in the room, though the seriousness of the situation tempered his usual cheerfulness. “We must take action,” All Might declared, his voice firm. “We cannot let Yokohama think they can rule over us.”

There was a murmur of agreement from the other heroes, their expressions hardening with resolve. Nezu continued, “Yes, but we still lack concrete information about our adversaries. The documents on Yokohama are limited, and government sources are inaccessible. We need another approach.”

Aizawa, also known as Eraser Head, was the next to speak. His tone was pragmatic, reflecting the no-nonsense attitude he was known for. “Then what do you propose we should do? We cannot remain passive.”

“And I never said we will sit by, Aizawa. I have a plan.” Nezu’s eyes gleamed with strategic insight, a spark of cunning that made the heroes lean in slightly, eager to hear what he had in mind.

Aizawa leaned forward, his gaze intense. “And what’s your plan, Nezu?”

Nezu tapped his fingers together thoughtfully before responding. “Our plan is to lure them into a trap. We’ll create a series of controlled disturbances near the border of Yokohama, designed to attract their attention. By making it appear as if there’s a significant threat or opportunity, we can draw them out of hiding.”

Endeavor, the Flame Hero and the current Number Two Hero, narrowed his eyes in focus. “So, we’re setting up bait. How do we ensure that they take it?”

Nezu nodded. “We’ll use decoy operations. The disturbances will be staged in a way that appears urgent and enticing to them. Once they engage, we’ll have a team in place to apprehend them. We’ll need to ensure our trap is both convincing and adaptable to their responses.”

All Might’s tone was resolute as he added, “We’ll need to prepare our team thoroughly. They must be ready for any possible contingencies and ensure the operation remains covert until the right moment.”

The room fell into a contemplative silence as the heroes absorbed the plan. They all knew the risks involved—going up against unknown adversaries was always dangerous, but the loss of Kamui Woods had made it clear that inaction was not an option.

---

“Chuuuyaaaaa,” Dazai whined, dragging out the name with exaggerated misery. “I’m soooo bored. Entertain me, my dog!”

Chuuya shot Dazai a withering glare, his patience clearly wearing thin. Dazai’s constant antics were starting to grate on his nerves. “No, you bastard,” Chuuya snapped, his tone sharp. “And tell me what we are doing for the rest of the mission. I know you well enough to know simply killing a hero was not the end of it.” He punctuated his demand by poking Dazai in the chest, his frustration evident.

“Awieee, but it’s no fun if I tell you now, Chuuya,” Dazai pouted, his voice taking on a playful lilt. Without waiting for a response, he slung his arm over Chuuya’s shoulders, leaning on him. Chuuya made half-hearted attempts to shrug him off but ultimately allowed Dazai to remain, grumbling under his breath.

“Whatever, Mackerel,” Chuuya grumbled, though he didn’t push Dazai away. Dazai’s playful provocation continued, his taunts aimed at getting Chuuya riled up. It was a game for Dazai, one he found endlessly amusing.

---

Dazai stared at the man in front of him, his expression one of mild disdain. It was truly unfortunate that he had to see Mori twice in a week. The Port Mafia boss was seated at his desk, his usual air of cheerful menace on full display as he greeted Dazai with an unsettling enthusiasm.

“It’s so wonderful to see you again, Dazai!” Mori chirped, his tone almost too cheerful. He rested his head on top of his hands, peering at Dazai with an unnerving intensity. “I assume you’ve seen the explosions and destroyed material near the border.”

Dazai simply blinked, his expression blank. “Mmm…” Dazai touched his lip thoughtfully before replying, “Can’t say I have, Mori.” He smiled coyly, knowing full well that Mori wasn’t in the mood for games.

“Dazai-kun, I’m truly not interested in playing games right now. Tell me what you think of the problems,” Mori said, his tone taking on a more serious edge.

Dazai huffed, his earlier playfulness dissipating. “It’s obvious. Are you getting dumber?” Dazai asked, his tone laced with sarcasm. Mori chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver down Dazai’s spine, though he didn’t show it. “The heroes are obviously trying to lure us out using cheap decoys while they most likely have a team set up patrolling, waiting for us.”

“Precisely, Dazai,” Mori replied, his smile widening. “Now I think you understand what I want you and Chuuya to do, right?”

Dazai groaned, the weight of the assignment settling on his shoulders. He knew exactly what Mori wanted, and it wasn’t going to be easy.

---

“We’re what?!” Chuuya’s mouth hung open in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock. “Don’t bullshit me, Dazai! You’re trying to tell me that we’re supposed to get captured and hope that, out of the goodness of the pro heroes' hearts, they’ll want to rehabilitate us?” Chuuya’s voice was incredulous, his tone rising with each word. Dazai simply nodded, his expression no different than his normal casualness.

“That’s batshit insane, even for you, Dazai!” Chuuya exclaimed, his frustration boiling over. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to wrap his mind around the absurdity of the plan. Dazai huffed, a sound that seemed to convey both impatience and amusement.

With a resigned sigh, Dazai tossed the mission report to Chuuya, watching as his partner scanned over it. As Chuuya read, his expression shifted from shock to disbelief, and finally, to reluctant acceptance. His mouth grew wider and wider, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“No fuckin’ way,” Chuuya muttered, his old street accent slipping through as his anger flared. “What the hell!” He let out a long, frustrated sigh, the weight of the situation settling over him like a heavy cloud. “What’s the plan?” he grumbled, his tone indicating that he had resigned himself to whatever madness Dazai had concocted.

Dazai’s lips curled into a familiar, mischievous smile, the kind that usually preceded trouble. He didn’t need to say anything—Chuuya knew that look all too well.

---

Aizawa narrowed his eyes as he listened to the distant voices, his senses heightened as he observed the two figures approaching from the distance. His position in the tree allowed him to remain unseen, but he could clearly observe the pair as they drew closer. The taller of the two, a lanky brunette wrapped in a concerning amount of bandages, moved with a carefree, almost lazy gait. The shorter boy with a mop of ginger hair, on the other hand, was clearly agitated, his voice rising in anger as they walked.

"Slug! It was totally your fault," the taller boy, Dazai, whined, dragging out his words in a way that seemed more teasing than genuinely accusatory.

"Shut up, mackerel! If you hadn’t been messing around, we wouldn’t be in this mess!" The shorter boy, Chuuya, shot back, his fists clenched as if he was ready to take a swing at his companion.

Aizawa exchanged a quick glance with All Might and Endeavor. They’d been waiting for days, and now it seemed their patience had finally paid off. The two boys didn’t appear to be ordinary civilians—they carried themselves with a confidence and casualness that set off warning bells in the heroes’ minds.

As the two boys drew nearer, All Might made the first move, leaping down from his vantage point with a thunderous crash, his presence looming large before the intruders. “Young men, I suggest you stop right there!” he called out, his voice booming with authority.

Chuuya’s eyes snapped to the hero, his irritation morphing into something more focused. “Looks like we’ve got company,” he muttered.

Dazai’s smirk widened. “Oh, it’s just All Might. No big deal, right, Chuuya?”

Chuuya didn’t respond with words; instead, he launched himself at All Might with a burst of speed, the ground beneath him cracking as he activated his gravity manipulation. All Might barely had time to brace himself before Chuuya was upon him, throwing a punch that All Might intercepted with his massive forearm. The force of the blow sent a shockwave rippling through the area, trees shaking as the two clashed.

Aizawa didn’t waste time either. He activated his Erasure Quirk, his eyes locked on Chuuya, hoping to neutralize the boy’s ability. But as soon as his quirk took effect, Aizawa felt a sharp, searing pain in his eyes. The strain was immediate and intense, it was a pain he has never experienced even when dealing with other powerful quirk users.

Aizawa gritted his teeth, trying to maintain his focus, but the pain forced him to blink and break eye contact, releasing Chuuya from the quirk’s effect. “Damn it,” Aizawa hissed under his breath, realizing that he wouldn’t be able to rely on his usual tactics in this fight.

Chuuya, now fully powered, took advantage of the momentary distraction, pressing his attack on All Might. He moved with fluidity and precision, using his gravity control to increase the weight of his punches and kicks, forcing All Might to stay on the defensive. All Might, for all his strength, found himself being pushed back, surprised by the ferocity and power of his much smaller opponent.

Meanwhile, Dazai approached Endeavor with a lazy wave, seemingly uninterested in the battle unfolding nearby. “Hi! Flame Hero. How about we keep things nice and easy? No need to get too worked up because I really don’t wanna fight todayy.”

Endeavor’s response was immediate and fierce. He launched a massive wall of flames toward Dazai, intending to incinerate him on the spot. But as the fire roared toward him, Dazai simply stood still, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips. The flames licked at him, but as they got close, they suddenly fizzled out, dissipating into nothing.

Endeavor’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “What the—?”

Frustrated, Endeavor tried again, this time with a more concentrated blast of fire. But the result was the same—the fire extinguished as it neared Dazai, leaving the hero at a loss for how to proceed. Dazai didn’t attack; instead, he focused on dodging and keeping Endeavor occupied, drawing the hero’s attention away from Chuuya’s fight with All Might.

Aizawa, recovering from the backlash of trying to suppress Chuuya’s ability, repositioned himself to provide support. He needed to find a way to subdue these two without sustaining further damage, but the situation was proving more difficult than anticipated.

Chuuya’s relentless assault on All Might was beginning to take its toll. Despite All Might’s immense strength, the constant pressure from Chuuya’s gravity manipulation was wearing him down. Chuuya managed to land a powerful kick to All Might’s side, sending the hero crashing into a nearby building. The impact was enough to create a large dent in the wall, and All Might struggled to his feet, breathing heavily.

But just as Chuuya prepared to follow up with another attack, All Might retaliated with a massive punch, catching Chuuya off guard. The blow sent Chuuya flying back, slamming into the ground with a heavy thud. He tried to get up, but the force of the punch had left him momentarily dazed.

“Chuuya!” Dazai called out, it looked to the hero’s that his usual carefree demeanor dropped for a moment as he saw his partner in trouble.

Before Dazai could react, Endeavor seized the opportunity and unleashed another blast of fire, this time targeting both Chuuya and Dazai. Dazai nullified the flames, but the sheer force of the attack created a shockwave that knocked both of them off their feet.

Chuuya, still disoriented from All Might’s punch, tried to push himself up, but his body wouldn’t respond the way he wanted. Dazai, too, struggled to rise, his vision blurring as he felt his consciousness slipping away.

Aizawa, seeing the opportunity, quickly moved in, wrapping his scarf around both boys in a skilled maneuver, pulling them together and restraining them. The heroes exchanged relieved glances as Dazai and Chuuya finally succumbed to their injuries and exhaustion, falling unconscious in Aizawa’s grasp.

“Good work, everyone,” Aizawa muttered, though his voice was strained. His eyes were still throbbing painfully from the earlier attempt to erase Chuuya’s quirk. “Let’s get them secured before they wake up.”

All Might nodded, his breathing heavy but steady. “We’ll need to be careful with these two. They’re more dangerous than they look.”

As the heroes began to secure the unconscious bodies of Dazai and Chuuya, none of them noticed the faint, satisfied smile that briefly flickered across Dazai’s lips before he fully lost consciousness.