One would argue that the villains had achieved a pyrrhic victory. Half of their team was now incarcerated, among them some dangerous villains, much unlike the rabble that had assaulted U.A. While their own tangible result was one kidnapped boy and injured students. Some severely. Yet, it hardly felt like an achievement, hardly something to be cheerful about. Instead, everyone's minds were plagued by many variations of what-if. What if they were faster, smarter? But the question that Danny was all about was why did they let it happen. He knew about the coming attack, yet everything he could do was to make one extra clone. He was ought to inquire sooner and prepare better. He had one job and he failed at it. The one thing that could rival his self-beating was passionate hatred for the law and rules that did nothing but hinder all hero efforts. Dabi was right, and it hurt all the more because their plan was there for all to see and adapt to.

Danny had all the time to think about it, the others were not in any hurry to talk to each other. He did not sleep on the trip back. They returned to the city in the morning. The halfa occasionally looked at Aizawa. He appeared to be sleeping, but Danny knew he was just as burdened by the incident to be doing that. The halfa did not blame him, did not envy the man who had to follow the rules and would be the one held responsible for everything. Probably would be the one to talk to Bakugo's parents. Parents...the word for some reason was now making him feel lonely. His actual ones were in another world, completely uncaring if he died there. Negative thoughts tended to attract others of its kind, searching everything around for bits and pieces to further wound one's soul.

The following day would bring the expected uproar from the public, with journalists banging on the walls of nigh empty U.A. The vacation, after all, was yet to end. Quite fortunately, one would say, as bringing the students in after the events would look dubiously, yet closing it up was equal to admitting defeat and fear. That little and, admittedly, unessential detail the villains didn't care for. Yet, there were people inside of the school, so banging on the doors was not exactly in vain. The principal and those members of the staff who could attend simply chose to ignore it in favour of discussing future plans.

The students were all brought to the hospital first. Some of them needed treatment, and having them all together just in case was probably for the best. Still, Danny didn't do any checkups, if not solely for the reason of being cautious with doctors, but because he didn't need any help. That duplicate never received a single scratch, so the effort was best directed at those actually needing help. The halfa felt an urge to do something, anything. Maybe he could find the villains and snatch Bakugo from right under the villains' noses. It was doable, was it not? They so far had nothing to detect him with. But first, they needed to be found, and it wasn't like Kurogiri left any trails on the road...

His thoughts were interrupted by his classmates. The ever-caring teens decided to welcome fellow students to the world of the conscious by giving one present or another. Danny was glad to hit the nearest store. He decided that focusing too much on the situation would do more harm than good. He needed a small break. It didn't work for long, as some people actually recognised him in the shop.

"Hey, you are from U.A...Phantom, right?" A cashier lady asked him.

Danny looked at her and tried to flash a small smile. "Yeah."

"But weren't you people attacked in the forest? It's all over the news."

Danny grimaced. He couldn't share their location or the news would come storming quite soon.

"I just live not far away, and the fridge is empty. I'm sorry, can't say much."

The lady looked at the line. "A single melon?"

"It's a big melon."

Soon after Danny was on his way to the hospital. It was there where he heard a familiar voice.

"Danny, glad I found you."

Danny turned around to see Tsukauchi, accompanied by another officer.

"Hey, old man," the halfa said without enthusiasm.

"Tsugiyama, can you find the teachers?"

The officer seemed to sense the air and nodded, leaving the two alone.

"Are you alright, kid?" Tsukauchi asked and sat nearby. "I've read the brief summary, but nothing specific...is this a melon?"

"It is. As for me, physically, yes," Danny sighed. "But I am feeling like shit. Don't know what to do."

Tsukauchi looked a bit surprised. "You are not usually this pessimistic."

"It's just...imagine you eat half of the enemy's pieces in chess and are about to checkmate, and then a dog just jumps on it and flips the table. Of course you will be pissed and feeling like no matter what you do it is pointless."

"The dog being..."

"Your rules, old man. And the teachers' fear for the safety of those who CAN beat the villains. Those five in your custody are the proof."

"Just as the students currently receiving treatment," Tsukauchi argued. "I don't seek to argue with you right now, Danny...just share what you think with me."

"What I think? I think those bastards will pay for what they did," Danny mumbled. "One way or another. They are already subjected to the displeasure of talking to Number Two. But they will just keep coming, you know? They sensed weakness and the law-abiding adults just keep playing into their hands. Dabi was right, we never have the initiative."

"Maybe you are right...but without the location of their hideout, there is little we can do."

Tsukauchi noticed how the halfa was giving him occasional glances, as if preparing to say something. However, their conversation was cut short as he saw the teachers approach them.

"I'll try and be back for dinner, kid. You should be able to go there by then," Tsukauchi patted the teen's shoulder. "And Danny. Please. Don't do anything rash."

Danny did not respond. The old man wouldn't get it. Luckily, Tsukauchi did not press, as the job demanded his attention. They had to get as much information as they could, unaware of the wealth of knowledge being exactly nearby. Phantom watched them leave through the entrance and sighed once more, before deciding to rejoin his classmates. He found them near Midoriya's dorm.

"Danny-kun, where have you been?" Asked Mina. "What took you so long?"

"I just walked around with a very sad and thoughtful face," responded the halfa, handing the melon to Mineta. "How is our guy?"

"Dunno," said Kaminari and opened the door. "Hey, everyone, Midoriya is awake!"

As he said this, the entire procession entered the teen's dorm.

"Did you see the news? The media is swarming U.A. right now."

"We got you a melon! A big one!" Said Mineta and raised a fruit the size of his own head.

Tokoyami stepped forward. "I caused you all trouble. I am sorry for that."

"No! It's nothing, Tokoyami-san," Midoriya answered.

"Yeah. We were up against an unknown enemy at the moment," Danny added.

"Is everyone from class-A here?"

"No, Jiro and Hagakure are still unconscious," the halfa told him. "All signs point to it being a sleep agent, so they should be fine after this nap..."

"Yes, and Yaoyorozu also got hit hard on the head and is hospitalized here. She regained consciousness, but couldn't come."

Everyone chose to omit the greatest loss they had endured. That is, until Todoroki spoke.

"That would be fifteen. Bakugo is not here."

Something in Midoriya's face changed as the memories flushed to the forefront of his mind. It was the expression of grim defeat.

"You know...All Might once said that he could not help those he could reach...That's why he tried to save everyone he could reach. I could save Kacchan, that's what my Quirk is for. But it is just like Aizawa-sensei said: "You will be decked and useless after saving just one person. My body..." he began to cry, "It wouldn't move..."

"I'll have none of that."

Danny stepped in front of him, standing at the other end of the bed. "You know exactly who you and me were up against, Midoriya. Had it not been for this," he pointed at the injuries. "You would have been dead, Kota would have. And Bakugo would have still been captured. At the cost of this you took down someone who could shrug off a hit from All Might. A guy who is a murderous sicko, atop of that. You did the world a service."

"That's right," nodded Todoroki. "We all failed."

Danny gave him a dry look. "That's not exactly making it sound better," he mumbled.

"Still..." Midoriya insisted, "I couldn't save Bakugo."

"Then let's do it next time."

Everyone looked at Kirishima and his serious expression. Few could believe what he was insinuating. Danny was surprised, too, to hear this from his friend. Perhaps their inaction before was more than a stimulus. And the thoughts and feelings that had been building up all that time finally started to surface.

"Are...are you suggesting that somehow we find them and..." Iida didn't have time to finish as Danny interjected.

"That's exactly what he is saying and what I support. This is probably not something a class rep should be saying or condoning, but you wouldn't believe a word if I said otherwise."

"Me as well," Added Todoroki.

Iida gritted his teeth, remembering the encounter with Stain. They had caused so much trouble for their caretakers, and yet were saved from punishment by them, willing to take the brunt of the damage. He would not antagonise that trust again.

"It is just like All Might said...This is something we should leave to the pros!" Iida exclaimed, although it was more of a scream of desperation rather than anger.

"Did it look like they could do anything? Don't look at me like that, you know just as well as I do that if you were allowed to go, and they actually went where needed themselves, Bakugo would have been here. Don't you guys feel like we all could do so much more if not for those ridiculous handicaps we gave them?"

"I do," Kirishima said through gritted teeth. "How can I call myself a man, a FRIEND if I just sat around and did nothing while all that was happening?!"

"Sheesh, we are in a hospital. It's okay that you feel that way, but please, keep quiet," Kaminari urged.

"Iida is correct, though," noted Tsu. "You all are right."

"I know that, but Midoriya, it is not too late to reach," Kirishima looked at the classmate lying on bed. "We can still try and save Bakugo."

"Stop it!" Iida kept shouting. "Stop messing around, this joke went far enough!"

"Iida-san, calm down," Shoji stopped him from approaching. "I understand how everyone is frustrated by seeing our friend and classmate being taken away. I am frustrated, too. But this is no time to act on emotions."

"Y-yes, let's leave this to All Might..." Aoyama barely started, yet between everyone he could see the burning glare of green eyes. He shut up immediately. It wasn't like he wasn't feeling shame already. Some classmate he was to sell everyone out. Aoyama could only pray that Fenton did not direct his anger at him.

"I will have to agree, even though I was the one captured," Tokoyami agreed.

"Everyone," Tsu spoke once again. "I know everyone is shocked about what happened, but you have to think calmly. No matter how just your feelings are, if you say you'll fight again, will break the law...you will be no better than the villains."

Silence fell on the room, as the tangible threat of being the next ones hunted by law was appalling to most. But not the one who was used to it.

"Really, now, Tsu?" Danny asked. "Guess your class rep was a villain all along, then."

"What...are you saying, Fenton-san?" She asked in return.

The halfa sighed. "What? You guys thought that I simply make all my stories up? For a year, I was just that, a vigilante. Because there was simply nobody else to help against the villains. I was loved, hated, chased by the police each time I showed my face. Yet, I kept going. Until my own parents kicked me out for being what I am. So don't try to scare me with the law. I am more than ready to take it, as long as I know I saved someone's life."

He met no response at first. Certainly, that was a revelation to most, one that both answered some questions and asked even more.

"If you don't want a villain as your class rep, I will gladly resign, Tsu."

"I..." the girl was at a loss.

"This applies to all. Speak up now, it's better you ditch the deadweight before he pulls you down."

Once again, silence fell. It was a bit surprising for Phantom, but surprising in a somewhat pleasant way. His classmates respected him, tolerated his borderline delinquent attitude, and this was not enough to tip the scale just then.

Their conversation was cut short when the door opened, revealing a doctor.

"Excuse me, it is time for Midoriya-san's treatment. Could you, please, leave the room?"

"Y-yeah, we should probably go," said Sero. "We could check on Jiro and Hagakure."

"Yes, let's."

Danny watched everyone leave, before he looked at Kirishima and chuckled.

"What's funny?" Asked the redhead.

"You guys went out and organised this stuff before I even had the thought. I knew we were friends for a reason," the halfa smiled, and was met with the same one, before he looked at Midoriya. "We don't have much time to waste. We need to go now or never."

"Wait, Danny-san," Kirishima butted in. "We first need to learn where the villains are."

"Well, now you have me. Now you know. So, this evening. Midoriya, I hope you will be with us. Kirishima, if you already agreed with someone, get them to come, too."

"He just joined our plan and he is already commanding," Kirishima complained, but gave a nod. "Will do."

The villains were used to the careful approach. Danny wondered what going all in would mean for them. In the meantime, he decided to have a talk with another classmate before he could leave.

"I hope you are happy, blondie," Danny told him. "You are now safe."

"I...I did help in the end, Fenton-san," Aoyama argued, looking around the closet Phantom had once again pushed him in. "And you know that I could help break their entire plan."

The halfa sighed. "I know. That's the only reason I am holding back. I could tolerate it when nobody got kidnapped, but now..."

"I beg you, Fenton-san, you can't tell anyone! If anything it was YOU who promised me safety!"

Danny winced. Aoyama was right. He had told the blonde that he would be helping him when the crime boss got pissed. And now, it was becoming evidently clear that he would not be able to fulfil it.

"You are right, I did," the halfa sighed. "But how do you feel about this situation? It is your doing."

"It is horrible, no other way of putting it. Is that what you want to hear? I never enjoyed this spying."

"What I am getting at, Aoyama, is that you can redeem this as well. You were going to tell your boss about our little conversation out there, weren't you?"

"I should. I was told to tell everything."

"Then you won't. There is no way the boss will know about it if you don't tell anything. After all, we don't ask you to join. And I won't trust you with my back."

Aoyama stared at him, before nodding slightly. "You won't tell, right?"

"My lips are sealed either way, but this is more about you showing who you are in my eyes. Next time, should you tell, I will simply make sure you can't eavesdrop anymore. We good?"

"Yes...now, please, can I go?"

Danny unlocked the door and vanished.

That evening Phantom was more than comfortable with the situation around his household. Tsukauchi called some time after the conversation in the dorm, saying that he was not going to make it that night. Still, he did not go into any details. Probably because they were doing something secretive. Thus, there was nobody to scold or stop him at the moment. Danny spent the rest of the day preparing a plan of action. But at the moment he was standing in front of the hospital entrance, alongside Kirishima and Todoroki. Their conversations were not long, as they mostly waited for more daring hero trainees. Eventually, Midoriya and Yaoyorozu exited the building.

"Yaoyorozu-san, what's your answer?" Kirishima asked.

"I thought you said she is on board," Danny glanced at his friend.

"I..."

"Wait!" A familiar voice rang behind them.

There stood Iida, who was steadily approaching the soon-to-be criminals.

"Why...why does it have to be you, guys?" He asked through pain, "You were the ones who tried to stop me, who tried to teach me when I ran off for personal reasons, we received amnesty together! Why are you running off to do the same mistake I did?!"

"What are you..." Kirishima felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Wait," Todoroki stopped his friend.

"This time there will be nobody to take responsibility but the school! And it is in a dangerous position as it is!"

"Iida, wait, it''s not like..."

Midoriya approached Iida, but, unexpectedly and to the shock of all, was met with a punch into the face.

"I am worried, too! I am frustrated, too! I am only a deputy, but since the representative is jumping under the bus with you, I have to be the one worried sick! Midoriya, when I saw your injuries, I saw my brother on his sickbed! I don't want my classmates to end up the same way! Are you saying you don't care about my worries?! How I feel?!" He demanded to know and grabbed Midoriya.

"Iida," Danny sighed. "I can't deny, you are acting exactly as you should. Remember? I am the brash leader, you are the voice of reason. And it is our fault for not explaining this sooner. Best case scenario, we won't have to fight them at all."

"What?"

"It was my idea to go on my own this morning, but..." he looked at the rest. "It will be hypocritical of me to deny help. Not after what we said. But our plan is not to fight them, we want to simply get Bakugo out. But we need a plan B just in case."

"I trust Todoroki," said Momo. "If he supports this plan, then so do I, but I plan to accompany them as well. To make sure there will be no actual fighting. The class president is too rash."

"Why, thank you," Danny said dryly.

"I am not sure, either," added Midoriya. "After I heard that I can still save Kacchan, I could not just sit still."

Iida seemed to be in thought. "We can't come to an agreement, it seems. Then, take me with you!"

As everyone smiled, their eyes then turned to Phantom.

"What?" The halfa asked.

"You never said how we are going to find the villains," Todoroki added.

"I put a tracking device on a Nomu, actually," Yaoyorozu put in, but then everyone saw Danny hissing.

"Yeah, about that..." he recalled how he had personally dispatched of the beast. "That's not how we find them. I didn't want to say it out there, because I could only do that in front of the people who are actually dedicated to our task and...who can actually trust me even after that."

"Oh, for the love of...what else were you hiding, Fenton-san?" Kirishima grumbled, before shaking his head. "You can count on me, bro."

"Do I have the word of everyone here?"

As he received more nods and agreements, the halfa took a breath.

"Alright...I may know where they are. At least approximately. I was...prepared for U.S.J. because I knew the villains would attack."

"But how?" Asked Midoriya. "Even the teachers didn't know."

"That's because nobody tried to recruit them."

It took some time for the implication to set in.

"What are you saying, Fenton-san?" Midoriya shakily asked.

"I was a guy with no documents, no money, no proper roof. Kirishima can confirm, I lived in a decrepit haunted house. Well, it became actually haunted with me inside."

"Wait...you lived there?" Kirishima asked in shock. "I thought you were just messing around!"

"Yep. So, it was awfully to take part in illegal fighting that, I suspect, were organised by Shigaraki's boss. It was no real harm. I send possible criminals to hospitals before they get to do harm AND get paid for it. It was under alias, of course, so they didn't know of my enrolment to U.A. or living with Tsukauchi. I stopped going there after U.S.J, because villains actually recognised me. Anyway, Shigaraki arranged a meeting in Kamino, that's when they were looking for people to attack the school. That and the fact that arena fights used to take place there as well lead me to suspect that their actual hideout is not that far. After we get there, I guess we will hope that my senses pick up on Kurogiri's presence."

"Fenton-san," Iida said. "Do you realise that it makes you a criminal?"

"Oh, the Safety Commission knows. That's what they used to threaten me," Danny smirked. "Really puts things into perspective, doesn't it? If they don't follow their own rules. So I really got nothing to lose in this situation. If they wanted me arrested, I would have long since taken those mugshots."

The students exchanged looks. That was probably too many revelations for one day. They really didn't know anything about their class rep, did they?

"Look, guys, as I said, if you don't want a criminal as your class rep, I will step down. But since we are here, I ask that you trust me to lead you in this one operation."

"Well...guess you know the situation there better than we do," Kirishima reasoned. "It's a lot to take in, of course, but it wasn't like you killed someone...you didn't, right?"

"I did not," Danny sighed. He had that question coming. "Being a ghost teaches you a lot about the value of life, I guess. Anyways, we can talk about that later. We don't have any more time to waste. Let's hit the train."

They were in luck, as one was just departing by the time they got their tickets. Momo was ready to pay for everyone, and so half an hour later they were already on their way to Kamino ward. Trepidation filled the air, yet a makeshift dinner of sandwiches and snacks somehow eased the tension.

"I can feel you guys looking," Danny said as he put away the wrapper. "We have time, so shoot. I might as well drop more things off my shoulders. But I reserve the right to keep silent if it is too private."

"How hard was it?" Asked Yaoyorozu. "I never actually thought what being a vigilante is like."

"Well, nobody paid me, for one," Danny shrugged. "This also meant that I had to be a normal student the rest of the time. Of course, I always put saving people before math homework, so I didn't study well. Always excused myself and missed lessons. There were around five or six fights a day, not counting petty criminals. It was better by the time I decided to skip town, back at the start fights took too long, I got hurt because I neither was a good fighter or had control over my abilities. Hell, I broke a ton of chemistry bickers because my hand would turn intangible all of a sudden. And being a vigilante also means that you don't get any teachers. I did get advice here and then, learned by watching villains and such."

"That must have sucked, man. You were all alone?" Kirishima asked.

"Well, remember I told about my friends back home? Sam and Tucker may not have any Quirks, but they helped as much as they could. They are still helping around. There is also another vigilante, but until recently she wanted to kill me. That was the girl I actually dated as a civilian. It was...complicated."

"I am not even going to ask," Iida shook his head. "How come your town had so many villains and no heroes?"

"The country is big," Danny shrugged. "But the upside is that they never sent a hero after me. It wasn't always that way, villains started flooding shortly after I got my powers. The town presented them with a place no heroes or authorities would pay attention to. Yes, there wasn't much they gained from it, but they got what they wanted. Those guys just wanted to terrorise people, and ours were as good as any. It was self-defense at first, but then I decided to make a difference. After beating some especially powerful ones, I got pretty famous around town. But there's another thing about being a vigilante," he looked at Yaoyorozu. "Don't expect to ever be thanked for what you do. People will just take it for granted."

"I-it wasn't like I was planning to!" The girl quickly clarified.

"I know. You guys got schools for that stuff."

"But why didn't you enrol in a hero school there to better help your town down the line?" Iida pressed. "Why leave your town and country?"

"That's exactly what I am doing now, no? Well, kinda. Besides, I was kinda pissed at the people and my parents who kicked me out. So screw that place, really. I am trying my chances here."

"I doubt Bakugo will appreciate us coming to save him, either," Kirishima mumbled.

"Number Two may toughen up however he wants, but he will thank us down the line. You know it, Kirishima," Danny argued. "But this doesn't mean that he wouldn't want to fight villains before leaving. Just out of spite."

"Fenton-san, I've got a question."

"Yes, Midoriya?"

"You said you fought in an arena belonging to Shigaraki's master...have you seen him?"

Danny's lips thinned. "At this point I am regretting the fact that I haven't. Should have taken down that guy before he did all this...He tried to meet several times, but I turned him down. Dunno why he is so interested, he should know I ain't joining his little freak circus."

"Didn't Compress wonder about the same thing?" Todoroki recalled.

"But he was ordered not to bring me, correct," Danny nodded. "This is reassuring, because it means they still don't got a way to keep me contained. This should make our mission easier."

"We still have to find them."

"Anyone got a map?"

Yaoyorozu handed him her phone, and Danny started examining it.

"Alright, so our meeting was in this warehouse," he mumbled thoughtfully. "There are plenty of those around. I remember how rundown the place looked, so the rest was probably just as ready for new occupants. It won't surprise me if we find what we look for there."

"But is living in a warehouse uncomfortable?" Kirishima asked.

"Hey, I lived in a place with no running water or warming. Compared to that place, this would be a palace. Besides, we never said anything about living there. If anything, when you abduct someone, you want to keep them somewhere dark, damp and empty. When you steal money, you shouldn't keep it under the mattress."

Except that's exactly what he did with his earnings in the arena.

Danny glanced up from the phone and noticed the look the rest was giving him. "What, I dealt with kidnappers before. Still persecuted for presumed kidnapping of the mayor. I was framed...I'll shut up now."

Apparently, now he had to watch his tongue even more.

"In any case, it is worth checking out. We've got the time."

"They could be torturing him," Kirishima spoke grimly.

"Unlikely. They want him as an ally, torture won't get them anywhere," Danny shook his head. "Although there is no stopping them when they realise Bakugo is not joining, I doubt they will lose patience in just a day, they bet too much on this."

"Have you met any of them before?" Asked Todoroki.

"Hm...no, only Shigaraki and Kurogiri. The rest never hit the arena, and the broker never mentioned them. Those guys are still tougher than most I have met in the arena and are certainly arrogant enough to look down on those fights."

"Well, you surely aren't above that," Iida muttered and sighed.

Danny shrugged. "I celebrated Christmas with the villains I fought on every other day. I am that weird. Even they are beings with feelings and emotions, you know. Even the ones we are up against may have sad life stories that pushed them to this point."

"Like?"

The halfa sighed. "Imagine you are a girl who is never lucky in life. Your parents constantly fight, in school you are mocked and bullied with no friends to help ya. Then a guy steps in and pretends he likes you. While in reality it is a sad attempt to laugh at a poor girl. Then she gets stood up, laughed at, yet in all her hopeful loneliness she forgets to turn the stove off and the fire breaks out right when she has returned and now cries in a pillow. The result? A trauma and a horrible fire incident. Since then Ember is a destructive, dangerous woman. Even if hardly the strongest one. That kind of story."

"That's...that's horrible," Yaoyorozu mumbled.

Danny nodded. "It is. Don't get me wrong, no matter how I feel about it, they are still villains who have to be stopped. Just like the ones we are up against."

As everyone nodded, they continued waiting until the train would get them to Kamino. And eventually it did, and the group of students was ready to continue their journey. Yaoyorozu took out her phone once more and opened the app.

"Alright, then we should continue down that path. But first we need to disguise ourselves. The villains know what we look like, we must consider that we may be attacked at any moment."

"Meh, the last thing they want now is to flash their location," Danny shrugged. "But it is probably the police we should worry about. Kids walking around this late are suspicious, and they also know our faces."

"Right, gotta be covert," said Midoriya, took a stance and hid his face behind crossed elbows.

"That's making you stand out even more, Midoriya," Todoroki noted dryly.

"But at this rate we won't be able to scout very easily," said Iida. "What are you suggesting?"

The girl pointed towards the nearest flashy discount store. "Let's go there."

And so, Yaoyorozu took it upon herself to prepare outfits for everyone. The first one was Midoriya, dressed like a freshly minted yakuza. Next was Todoroki in a shirt and a poorly fitting black wig. Of course, Yaoyorozu herself dressed like she was going on a ball, whilst subjecting Iida to wearing an outfit over which Danny and Kirishima laughed their asses off, calling him a Luna park cotton candy seller. Kirishima himself was dressed in a red suit not unlike Midoriya's, whilst Phantom was to wear a white shirt and a black suit, but he ditched the latter.

With this, the group left the shop, as Midoriya practiced his yakuza-like attitude.

"Hey, you!"

"No, you have to push your jaw forward more!" Kirishima tried to correct him.

"Like this?" Danny followed the instruction and tried his best criminal grin.

Kirishima gulped at the unnerving sight. "Pretty much."

"There is a lady with a huge rack over there!" Iida exclaimed through a violent blush.

"Is this what you really think adults are like?" Danny asked. Yes, the kids would stand out, so they needed to look as mature as possible. Although now they looked like a gang fresh out of a cabaret. Well, except for Danny. He was just looking too out of place, which was just as bad for their cover. Which was probably even more eye-catching. "Should have dressed like your average hopeless wage worker. Then again, even I am not dead enough on the inside."

"Yaoyorozu, wouldn't it have been easier and free if you just made the outfits?" Todoroki asked.

"I-it's against the rules!" The girl rambled. "If I just make everything I want with creation, I will cause inflation! Yes, as a diligent citizen of this country I must inject cash into the economy..."

"She totally wanted to just hang out there," Danny commented.

"Yeah, you are right," Kirishima nodded and smiled.

"Alright, let's just go that..."

"Hey, it's U.A!"

The students froze, thinking their cover was immediately blown, but the shout was caused by a large screen hanging above, showcasing a surprising scene - Principal Nezu, Aizawa and Vlad King, dressed in formal suits, were bowing down in apology. Of course. They could not keep quiet forever, and it was best they spoke instead of someone else.

"We deeply apologise for the incident that befell on 27 of our first year students," Spoke Aizawa. "We were not prepared sufficiently enough. It is our negligence and inability to defend ourselves and our students in a place of learning that caused a just reaction from the public. We are truly sorry," he said as they all bowed once more.

"Aizawa-sensei hates being on TV," Kirishima muttered.

"I have never seen him so well-kept," Danny also noted. It must have truly been serious. Then, the reporter from somewhere in the same room as the teachers began to speak.

"Since the beginning of the school year students were attacked four times. This time they sustained injuries. How do you explain this to their families? And what are the countermeasures you are taking?"

"That's people for ya," Danny mumbled. "No matter how flawless your service list is, one screwup and that's what happens. The teachers are not to blame here."

"These reporters are treating them like some bad guys," Midoriya whispered with anger.

"We will increase policing in the surrounding area," the answer to the reporter's question followed. "We will review our security to ensure no ill befalls on our students again. That's what we say to the families."

The answer did not satisfy the crowd as they began whispering and even shouting. The atmosphere tensed. The students were snapped out of it by Danny, who turned around to look at them.

"And you ask why I ditched my town. People will accept nothing less than perfect," he said. "Let's move, now is the perfect time."

The way to their destination was silent. Everyone was either processing what just happened or mentally preparing for the upcoming encounter. However, something unexpected happened. Danny sensed something as they were on the way to the destination. Todoroki noticed him tensing up.

"Did you pick something up?"

"I did, but...it feels strange. It is not Kurogiri."

"Could it just be someone with a similarly working Quirk?" Suggested Midoriya.

"No, I know this feeling. It is pure ectoplasm. Very faint, I only just noticed it, and the building is right here, which means it was just lying around instead of being actually used. It eventually loses its power and properties if not fed organic matter."

"You mean someone is storing it? But how did they get it?"

"Could be just a residue from some ghost, who knows. That's what we should find out, no?" Danny gave a small smile.

That oddity was as good as any clue. Even if it had nothing to do with the League of Villains, he needed to know what all this was about. The building didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. The lights were all off, too. So either everyone went to sleep or the villains were not currently there. Still, their goal was Bakugo, not the bad guys holding him captive.

"Alright, first let me scout ahead," Danny told the rest. "We may have to wait, better pull Bakugo out while nobody is looking. But until then, stay ready, anything can happen."

Receiving nods, the halfa turned invisible. With no issue he flew inside and was met with an almost pitch black darkness. The halfa decided against shedding any light, lest there were cameras or actually someone. He could float intangibly so as not to bump into anything. And thus, he made his way to the source of light. And what he saw shocked him. There, carefully lined up, were improvised bathtubes, and there, swimming in a glowing substance, were nomus. No mistaking those exposed brains and unnatural skin colours. But nomus were expected, that wasn't the subject of his wonder. Grimacing, the halfa dropped intangibility and poured some of that liquid into his palm. He smelled it and then took a lick. His grimace immediately turned into a look of horror. That nitrogen-like smell, the metallic taste...

"They add ectoplasm?" He asked nobody.

How? When?

Suddenly, his mind drifted to the blood he could not phase off...That nomu must have had some mixed into his bloodstream as well. But it shouldn't have been possible, he was a halfa, ectoplasm was not just flowing through him, it was a part of each cell in his body. With such methods it should have eaten and poisoned them...Then again, these weren't humans, these were corpses who had been mangled in all sorts of ways. Yet, the revelation was as harrowing as it was disarming. Was it...his fault? No, it couldn't be, he was the only ghost around, yet that ectoplasm wasn't his...

The harrowing thought of who it could belong to settled in. Wulf...but he never mentioned having his ectoplasm drained. He probably lost it while being unconscious. The sick bastards. Danny felt his fists ball. They would not be getting away with this. Half-tempted to put an end to the creatures here and then, Danny had to stop himself. It wasn't the reason they were there. But something had to be done. If they were allowed to research it further, who knew what destruction they would bring, all because of him being in that world?

His pondering was cut short when a metal door by his side opened, revealing a staircase leading downstairs. Danny froze. There was nobody there. Was he spotted by someone? No, they shouldn't have any sensors installed here, right? And if he was seen, why wasn't there any alarm? Danny took a breath and decided that if so, he needed to continue his exploration. Bakugo needed to be found. The halfa took the invitation and floated to the bottom of the stairs. Still reluctant to drop invisibility, he nonetheless proceeded to the end of a corridor, to a slightly ajar door. He flew through, and before him lied another room. Filled with many screens showcasing many places at once. And in the middle of it all stood a chair, with someone clearly sitting there.

"There is no need to be shy, you know? I already know you are here, Daniel."

Danny dropped the act and returned to the visible spectrum, glaring at the back of the chair.

"Mind telling me how you knew?"

"I admit, I expected you to come after Kurogiri, yet here you are. Did you sniff out that lovely liquid?"

"I did."

"You are probably wondering a lot of things, child," the man responded and looked at one of the screens. "We probably have some time before heroes make it here, so why not enjoy it, hm?"

Danny narrowed his eyes. "What, you have an emergency exit?"

"Oh, no, I intend to walk out of the front door. If it is still left intact. So, ask away, I shall indulge you."

"How did you see me?"

"Well, it is rather simple. We learned as much as we could from your friend. Including the fact that in presence of this ectoplasm the amount of nitrogen in the air increases. You just have to add a little alarm to the counter."

Danny cursed mentally. Yes, that's exactly how short-range ecto-scanners worked. And Wulf...poor guy would not stop blaming himself if he learned of it.

"What were you doing to him?"

"You would have found out if you decided to contact me earlier. I even gave you some time to consider."

The halfa glared at his back. "I was taught not to talk with strangers. Especially those who kept my friend as a prisoner and did who knows what to him."

"Oh, don't be so dramatic. I even let him keep his Quirk."

Danny raised an eyebrow. Then he remembered what Aoyama had told him. That man could take and give Quirks. But did his words mean that he did not even try or that he could take the power of a ghost yet didn't? No, spectral powers functioned too differently.

"There are things more important than a Quirk."

"Like life? That I left him as well," the man laughed. "He was the one trespassing, child. And given my line of work, I couldn't just let him go immediately."

"And if he wasn't my friend?"

"Well, I have no use for him other than his curious biology," the man admitted without batting an eye, making the halfa ball his fists. "How come you are so different yet both have this liquid pumping through your veins?"

Danny didn't know how to answer. Ectoplasm was too rare to come by in that form, hell, only actual ghosts had it. And telling him about the other world was the last thing he wanted. That man was already too far ahead in that field. So, he blurted out the first thing that came to his mind.

"I gave it to him."

That response earned him a laughter.

"Oh, that would explain your knowledge in how to make this work."

Did he buy it? It was too difficult to figure this guy out.

"I have observed your talent during the tournament. And it is honestly impressive. I feel a certain kinship, even."

"Were you always adding ectoplasm into your pets?" Danny asked.

"No, it is but a recent addition. It took some pondering on how exactly to do so, and the answer was surprisingly simple."

"Let me guess. Diet coke."

The man chuckled. "Oh, are you familiar with the process as well?"

"That's what I used to heal the nasty side effect of exposure a while back. Whatever is in there, it removes the acne just fine."

"I am pretty certain that is normal for a boy your age."

"Very funny," Danny shook his head. "You are the guy running Shigaraki's team, aren't you?"

"I am so much more, child. Being Shigaraki's mentor is but one aspect. Today we are having another lesson. A lesson of discretion."

"Wait...how do heroes know your location?"

"They learned of Shigaraki's hiding on their own. But they are sending an awful lot of heroes there, so I decided to ease the burden just a bit."

"YOU tipped them off?"

"Precisely. These nomus are inconsequential, you see. A failed batch, nothing more."

"And you?"

"Things are already pretty much in motion. But I will still make a couple of additions. You, my child, are a crucial part, and you being here only makes it all the better."

"Why? What are you planning?" Danny demanded to know.

The man looked at one of the screens. "If you decide to stay around, and this I do request from you, you will find out. I am not your enemy, Daniel. I don't seek your destruction, quite the contrary."

Danny mentally prepared himself for another 'join me and rule the world' speech. But he was cut off by a loud crashing noise coming from above.

"Oh, my. It already begins. You'd better go or who knows what those silly heroes might think?" The villain smiled. Danny could feel just feel it in his voice.

As much as Phantom hated to admit it, the man was right. Besides, he wasn't the one they had come for. Shigaraki was elsewhere. Speaking of.

"Since the heroes are already going there, where was Shigaraki hiding all this time?"

"Just a rundown bar on Pink Street. You don't need to concern yourself with that, you will be seeing them soon enough."

Danny narrowed his eyes. "Alright, this round is on you."

He knew that feeling all too well. The feeling of being outplayed by a scheming mastermind, the man whose power was unknown yet mind unmatched. That man was already ahead, having prepared for any eventuality. But Vlad he knew inside out, the frootloop was a man with his own exploitable weaknesses and insecurities. Back when they first met it wasn't Danny's might that scored him a victory. Rather, the fear of being uncovered was just as strong within him, no matter how Masters might have tried to hide it. Phantom could do something completely unreasonable to throw off the calculations, but there wasn't anything of the sort he could do, short of joining the villain. So, Danny had to concede at the moment and see what the heroes would do. He wasn't on the chessboard just yet.

"This and many more to come, I fear. By the by, this look does suit you well," the man smiled upon seeing the boy's reflection on the screen that was switched off.

"It's just a shirt."

"Now off you go," the villain waved him off, making Phantom grit his teeth. The halfa turned intangible, invisible and flew out.

By going up he ended up in a small alleyway. Going even higher, he saw that his classmates were not on the spot he left them. But the warehouse was half-destroyed by a gigantic blonde woman for a hero. What was her name, something along the lines of gigantism. Accompanying her were others, such as an antropomorphic orca (he really needed to learn more of heroes) and someone Danny actually knew. Of course he recognised Best Jeanist, he had needed to know the name of the man who put Bakugo through the misery during the internship. Danny stopped ogling pretty soon. He was ought to warn them, but...he couldn't. He wasn't supposed to be there talking to the villain. Stupid laws. But there was definitely something planned...and what if the villain expected him to break the law?

Danny took a confident breath. The villain probably didn't know he came with a company. It did go enough against his usual conduct to make the enemy oversee it. He could and had to get others away from something they had not signed up for. He didn't have to look for long, as they were in a slim space between the warehouse and another building. As he became visible again, the others jumped in surprise.

"Fenton-san, the heroes were already on the way here," Iida said. "That's a...why do you look this way," he didn't fail to notice the grim expression.

"We need to fall back. Down there is something way out of your calibre."

"The League? Is Kacchan in there?" Midoriya asked.

"Bakugo is in another place. He said that the guy will be brought here, but..."

"He?"

"Down there. The one ordering the League around."

As he said this, they could hear loud and slow claps.

"Bravo! As expected of the heroes top brass!" The villain spoke loudly. "I admit, I am not in best shape at the moment, but since rescheduling is not an option..."

"Fudge," Danny cursed quietly and looked at others. "Get out of here, now."

"Fenton..."

Danny's eyes glowed green, before he turned invisible. The next few moments happened in a blink. Best Jeanist tied the villain up, but it only stopped the man for a mere second. And one moment later, a counterattack, a powerful strike of black-reddish energy, followed. The strike held so much power that Phantom was blown to the side before he could do anything. Still, after he shook off the initial pain, he saw that the only one lying nearby was Jeanist, with others probably blown away, too. But the villain told a different story.

"Impressive. From the fourth hero I would expect nothing less," the man clapped slowly, as Danny finally got a good look at a two meter tall man in a formal suit, floating, wearing a ghastly black mask. "You pulled everyone away at the last second. Not a moment of hesitation. Your steel nerves are to be admired."

His voice dripped with such dismissal that it was impossible to realise if he was sincere or not. Jeanist, no matter how much his eyes gave away his terror, still tried to sit and propel more fibres forward. But the villain swatted it all with a single swing and a gust of air. The gust that was able to penetrate solid objects, like a human's chest, yet hit a solid wall of green. It collapsed in an instant, but the momentum was lost, only pushing the hero back on the ground.

The villain's face was not seen, yet he was smiling again.

"I am glad you weren't far," he looked at the white-haired boy glaring at and floating in front of him. "My dearest child."