—What?!— Magne exclaimed, her surprise reaching such a level that her glasses fell off.
Twice scratched his head nervously, not knowing what to think about it.
—W-what part do you not understand?! I am dating a girl now!— the masked man clarified, puffing out his chest with pride. —And let me tell you, she is a total babe— he added in a whisper, wagging his eyebrows provocatively.
—She is a crazy bitch— Dabi commented boredly, kicking Twice to get him out of the way and enter the room.
—Hey, do not talk about my sister like that!— Abura complained, closely following the gaunt-looking young man.
The two engaged in an argument that mattered little to the others. Magne snapped out of her stupor and warmly congratulated Twice, while Spinner processed the information bit by bit.
—My blessings to the couple and all that. Now let us focus on what is important— Shigaraki interrupted, taking a seat behind the wooden desk at the back of the room.
The remaining members of the League gathered, expectant for the next step to be revealed in this meeting.
Shigaraki Tomura studied his subordinates carefully. He still harbored suspicions toward Spinner and did not feel entirely comfortable with the sudden familiarity with which Haguruma Kaji treated him once their negotiations concluded.
He also felt a bit of pity for selling Twice out like that, but he thought the man could use more responsibilities. Twice was an unstable element.
Perhaps a woman was what he needed to get his affairs a bit more in order.
—Compress, tell us about what you found— Shigaraki ordered.
—It is just as you predicted, Tomura— the group's other masked man began, placing his hat on the armrest of the sofa. —Official crime rates have not even been calculated yet, of course, but there is already an increase in general criminal activity on the streets.
—It was bound to happen. Any mention in particular?— Shigaraki questioned after nodding.
—I prepared a list of some individuals who might interest you. But for the most part, there is only trash.
—Small-time thugs, petty robbery crews. The truly big moves do not happen on the surface, and these high-level groups are not foolish enough to reveal themselves in broad daylight just because of what the news says— Mr. Compress explained with a shrug.
It was not as if a few weeks would be enough to fill the streets with hidden talent for the League to recruit. Shigaraki was aware, but Mr. Compress was not finished.
—If I had to give an... honorable mention, it would be a peculiar Yakuza group that seems to be preparing something very big— the man commented, his serious tone indicating to the others that this was actually going to be interesting.
—And why do I not see any Yakuza group on the list, Compress?— Shigaraki inquired, glancing over the information the Villain had gathered.
—Because they are not League material, Tomura. I had Kurogiri help me observe them better, and we definitely cannot count on them. They walk their own path, and I doubt any contact with their leader would end in anything other than a fight— Mr. Compress stated.
—Haa? So you are afraid of him?— Dabi mocked. A slight smile decorated what remained of his lips.
The consecutive defeats had kept the young man's mood on the floor, and he was itching to face someone and burn them to vent his frustration.
Mr. Compress did not reply to Dabi's taunt. Instead, he reached into a pocket of his suit and pulled out a small object, placing it on the coffee table between the sofas for everyone to see.
—I do not fear their leader, Dabi. But even you should be more careful before even thinking about stirring up a hornet's nest. You do not know what might sting you— the masked man declared.
—And what is that piece of junk?— Magne questioned.
Shigaraki kept his eyes fixed on the bullet, not understanding where the unnecessarily mysterious Compress was going with this.
—This is that big thing the Yakuza are up to— Mr. Compress replied with visible enthusiasm.
—Just tell us what the damn big thing is already!— Abura demanded.
—I have no idea— Compress shrugged.
*********************************************
Days passed, and the movements of the police and Heroes forced the dilapidated League of Villains to move from one hideout to another, fleeing without fighting a single time.
Shigaraki prohibited any type of altercation, prioritizing escape over pride. They had to wait.
Kurogiri and Mr. Compress were sent not for recruitment, but to keep watch on the curious Shie Hassaikai. Tomura had evaluated the situation with Kurogiri and determined that Compress was right.
It was better not to get involved with the Yakuza.
Not out of fear, but because that venture was destined for failure.
Kurogiri had carefully studied the group's movements and reached the same conclusion as the masked man: Chisaki Kai would never subordinate himself to the League.
Shigaraki Tomura analyzed the situation carefully and finally made a decision.
He left Mr. Compress and Kurogiri in charge of monitoring the Shie Hassaikai from a distance. On the other hand, he accepted Haguruma Kaji's invitation to settle into his home temporarily.
Shigaraki needed the Sabi-Haguruma to properly integrate with the members of his League. This would be the bulk of his forces for the time being.
They would get to know each other, get along one way or another, and plan their strike. A strike that would truly shake the foundations of the Hero System.
A bullet that erases Quirks? That was practically calling every damn Hero agency down on his head. It was not worth it. No, Shigaraki was not willing to have another resounding failure.
His Master was gone. He no longer had a guide, nor a lifeline to pull his ass out of trouble. He had to play it smart or everything would go to hell.
Haguruma Kaji, that shrewd old hag, had given him a very good direction. Simple, effective, and deadly if done correctly.
—So you lived in this dump? Did you get fat eating rats or trash?— Magne questioned Abura, her face twisted in a grimace from the unhealthy fumes wafting through the tunnels they were moving through.
Shigaraki still did not understand how a single group of misfits managed to take ownership of such a vast stretch of land. Deika South could easily be the size of a small district, the ideal home for countless gangs and weirdos.
And yet, it all belonged to the Haguruma family. Neither the police, nor the Heroes, nor other dangerous criminals had been able to displace them.
—I guess we will find out soon— Tomura thought as the doors of the stranded Ship opened once more.
—Brother-in-law!— Haguruma Renzo greeted cheerfully, Abura's talkative brother who had received them last time. The obese man lunged toward Twice and gave him a heavy, painful hug.
—M-my ribs!!— the masked man shrieked, unable to break free from the grip.
Unlike the first time, the League was greeted with enthusiasm and genuine smiles, invited inside without even seeing a single one of the automatic weapons these people had at their disposal.
Renzo carried Twice in his arms the entire way while introducing himself to the other members of Shigaraki's group.
Once again, everyone gathered in a massive compartment of the Ship where Haguruma Kaji and the rest of her children awaited them with a table full of food.
—Mom, Renzo-Nii won't let me breathe!— Twice cried, squirming as best as he could.
—Let him go, Renzo! Do you plan on leaving Hibiki without a husband?!— Kaji scolded, her figure small compared to the round giant. Even so, Renzo obeyed and let go of Twice, who threw himself into the old woman's arms with crocodile tears somehow streaming from his mask.
—He is not my husband!— Haguruma Hibiki retorted with a pout.
—There, there dear, it is okay now— Kaji cooed, patting Twice's head with pure maternal tenderness. She ignored her daughter's protest.
—...
Dabi, Spinner, Magne, and Shigaraki took their seats at the table, pretending not to exist while the scene unfolded. Even Abura disappeared from the room, carrying his bundle to another area.
The enormous bulk wrapped in bandages and straps shook every now and then, but no one paid it any attention for now.
Shigaraki sighed to himself, convincing himself that this decision was better for his group than getting involved in the Yakuza's shit.