If Naoko hadn't hated the idiot standing in front of them because of the mask, then she certainly would've grown to hate him quickly based on the fact that even after she said she was deaf, therefore couldn't hear him, he still refused to take the mask off.

Instead, he made Naoko realize her greatest pet peeve as he looked at her in the most condescending way she'd ever seen and then started addressing Dabi. She was... Well, livid isn't a great word, and neither is murderous... Those both are far too simple to describe what she was feeling. Naoko wanted destruction and chaos to descend on this man, even better if she could be the one distributing both these things.

How dare he?

Dabi's face was tight as he listened to the masked man speak, but Naoko didn't notice, she was too busy glaring a hole through the side of the man's head, her quirk tentatively out and probing the area. Don't get her wrong, it hurt like a bitch, but the pain was something that Naoko was almost used to now.

That probably wasn't the best thing for her, if she thought about it, but she wasn't planning on thinking about it, she had too much shit to do and there was more to pay attention to than just a few mental scars.

No, if the man was going to dismiss her, then she was going to take full advantage of that, starting with the little girl who was being held hostage just around the corner. She couldn't tell the details, but this poor child wasn't healthy, her heart wasn't operating as well as a kid's heart should, and the way the person next to her was grabbing her wasn't all that friendly.

What had Dabi said? A little girl normally followed around by a Yakuza guy?

Well, these guys screamed Yakuza, especially since they were all wearing masks... Hmm... Now that she thought about it, this was an excessive level of hatred from her... Why were the masks bugging her so much...

No, wait, it was the sense of superiority that was oozing from them like a fucking river.

"Do you treat everyone you try to impress like this?" Naoko snapped, eyes flashing dangerously as she stared at the birdman, "Corner them in a dark alley, then treat them like they're children?"

Was that an eye roll?

That bastard.

"You know?" This was stupid, she could almost feel guns being aimed at her as she stepped forward, "I don't care if you were here to talk to these two, it's common courtesy to acknowledge someone who talks to you. I don't care if you don't want to take that tacky fucking mask off. I don't care if you had a good fucking reason to talk to us. We have places to go, people to see, and you aren't in the agenda. So go back to your nest, and leave us alone."

A hand landed on Naoko's shoulder, pulling her back into a body (it felt like Mag's) and a hand was clamped firmly over her mouth. Both Dabi and Mag stared at the idiot with wide eyes, looking for all the world like they were deer in headlights.

Perhaps it was a bit... Not good to do that, but Naoko had lost every one of her fucks about two weeks ago when her quarantine started. Everyone was damn well lucky that she decided not to start melting people left and right just to blow off some steam.

She could feel vibrations from Mag, no doubt the sweet woman was trying to smooth things over, it made sense. Not ten minutes ago, Naoko decided that messing with the wrong people would be bad for her health, and if these were the Yakuza idiots she'd heard about, then she really ought to back off...

But, if it wasn't already abundantly clear, Naoko didn't tolerate posers, and she really didn't tolerate child-abusing posers, because the longer her quirk hovered over the girl (5 feet away, it would take about two seconds for her to melt the brick, and two more seconds for the strong man holding the girl to regret his existence), the more she could tell that something was dreadfully wrong.

Naoko shook her way out of Mag's gentle hold. She'd already made enemies of Endeavor, if this man thought she was afraid of him, he had another thing coming.

"No, I don't know what Magne was saying, but no. The fact that you couldn't even bother to talk to me tells me that I'm exactly who you should be talking to. Thanks to you, we're late, so why not go all the way. Either you tell me what you're here to talk about, or I start melting bits and pieces off your people."

His gaze didn't change, those cold yellow eyes remained impassive, and they also remained trained on Dabi.

Oh?

Dabi nodded, and the poor man shot Naoko a pleading glance before turning to her fully, "This is Overhaul." The strain in Dabi's face was real, he didn't like this situation, "He's the leader-"

He stopped and looked at the birdman for a moment before continuing, "Acting leader of the Shie Hassaikai Yakuza family and he wants to talk... With all of us apparently."

"Hmm," Naoko rolled her eyes, unable to contain her disdain, "Well, praise be. You can communicate, birdman. Though, this would've been a lot easier if you took that stupid mask off and talked." Her smile was pure poison as she turned to look at him, "I can't speak for these two, they're more like strays that I can't get rid of, but I..."

"Well, I have no interest in talking to you."

Just as she spoke, a scream echoed out, vibrations washing against her like a pool, "I know you think you're god's gift to the world, but I don't really appreciate being cornered in an alley by fifteen men with guns. I mean, I took care of it, but still."

Sure enough, the men around them were staring at their hands in horror as grey sludge dripped, interspersed with red. She may have melted their palms, but that was neither here nor there. "Now, if you want to talk, we can. I doubt it'll do anything, but we can talk. However, I will not be treated as though I'm a child. You obviously don't treat them well anyways."

The man before her was angry. He was absolutely furious, and it made Naoko so happy. veins on his face were beginning to throb as the two stared at each other, but she couldn't break.

Compared to cowering before All for One, this man was nothing. He thought he was, but nothing in his aura told Naoko to be scared of him. Call her foolish, but she'd been down this road too many times to care.

Stain, Crusty McFuck, All for One, Enji Todoroki, and Aizawa... Heck, she could even throw Levi and Hasame into the mix, because they've both made her fear for her life before when she fucked up. That entire group was terrifying, yet she'd stared them down. This man thought he was hot shit.

But really, he was just shit.

The two behind her were trying to decide whether they bailed now, or if they should respect this teenage ball of fury. Both Dabi and Mag decided to follow her, they did so on their own, and they both thought she was fascinating, but this? Was one girl really worth this much trouble? Would they really be doing better if they followed her instead of Shigaraki, who was just as happy to start fires?

Overhaul, or birdman, as he was now dubbed by the trio, stepped forward one side of his mask slipping off, letting some of his precious protection go just to try and intimidate one small girl. "What did you say?"

Of course, Naoko just shook her head like the sassy bitch she was, "I'm sorry, I thought I was the deaf one here, but I'd be happy to slow it down, just for you."

Dabi could actually feel the burn that came from that one but he quickly elbowed Mag, who was busy trying to cover her surprising laughter with a cough.

If Birdman here thought that Naoko missed him slipping off one of his pretentious gloves, he was silly. Perhaps it was because she had to do the same with her shoes for her quirk, perhaps she was just hyper-aware, but Naoko noticed and she wound up just as quickly, getting ready for anything. Everyone would kill her if she got into a fight now, but that was a problem for later.

"What you obviously missed from before was that I... won't... work... with... you. You're obviously into abusing small children, and the day I work with the Yakuza is the day I tell that police chief that he's right about society." She could feel a bubble beginning to expand around the birdman, his quirk, so she forced her brain to focus.

"Now, we've got two options, either you let us walk away and leave our whole group alone, or we fight here and now, cause a lot of property damage, and have all the heroes in the area swarm to this location. We both know they're on edge right now after Kamino, they'd be here quick. After all, I'm sure they'd love to take you in, Mister Bigwig. Two big bad villains in a month? You'd make their day."

Those present for this moment witnessed something special, it was something that sent shivers down their back and had them watching Naoko intently. Few had ever felt like this, but this one girl who looked half-dead made everyone want to take a step back.

It was the same sort of energy that inspired Dabi and Mag to follow Stain, and it was terrifying.

For a moment, even the most battle-hardened among the Yakuza reached for their melted guns nervously. Her aura was... different. Dabi and Mag saw some of it when she was a hostage at the hideout, but it had been nothing like this. At that moment, it was obvious that she would kill anyone, break anyone.

Naoko Fujimura was determined, she knew what she wanted and she just found her prey. That conviction... That bloodlust... It was the same sensation that Stain gave off.

Birdman stared for only a minute longer, her bloodlust bringing out his own, and for a moment they remained, each refusing to back down, but even he could see that Naoko had a point. The police and heroes had been extra sensitive lately, a fight between them wouldn't last long, and both sides would likely end up arrested before either would be able to win. He was in an impossible situation.

So he made the only exit he was able to, a quick command and he spun around, his coat swirling around him as he turned to leave, his mask returned to its rightful place on his face before he even took a step. His men moved around him, creating a protective wall between Naoko and him.

He glanced around to see that Eri was still with him, then off he went.

So this was the girl who killed All for One, was it? Admittedly, he was disappointed, but still.

That look in her eyes. She was dangerous, she was a threat.

"Take her home, and don't be so... clumsy as her last guard." He barked at the group of men surrounding Eri before turning away without a thought. He'd already killed one failure of a subordinate today, they knew better than to fail him.

Perhaps it was ridiculous of him. He had what he needed, all of his plans were falling into place. By the end of the year, he'd have shown the world the power of the Yakuza... So why could he not shake her eyes?

"We're moving on to plan B."

Whether she was a competition or a threat, he didn't like her.

She was an obstacle, and Overhaul was very good at removing obstacles.

***

Both Dabi and Mag slumped against the wall as the Yakuza members faded from sight, the whole encounter was exhausting. Mag almost knocked Naoko out, because she'd been certain the girl was going to get them killed there and then. Like... She could handle herself in a fight, and she knew Dabi was a literal monster when he really got into it, but Naoko was still healing. Christ, she'd had a literal panic attack in the alley only a minute before Birdman cornered them!

Of course, she was concerned!

Just because she'd been a member of the League didn't mean she had a constant death wish.

"Jesus, Naoko!" She said, pinching the bridge of her nose, "This is why we can't have nice things!"

However, the girl didn't respond.

It wasn't too unusual. It could be difficult to capture Naoko's attention on good days, no doubt she was shaken after all this. Heck, Mag might not have been visible to Naoko, to begin with... But it still felt good to gripe about it.

Mag's eyes finally opened, only for her to drop down next to the girl in question. Dabi groaned and slid down the wall, shaking his head in an exasperated way that Mag felt on a spiritual level. "Hey, Naoko?" The reason for Mag's worry and Dabi's stress just so happened to be that the girl was on the ground, her brows pinched, but otherwise inert.

"Naoko?" Shaking her did nothing, and Mag could feel the panic rising. What was happening? If Naoko died while in their care, both Hasame and Rei would hunt them down to the ends of the earth! She liked Rei, she didn't want this!!!

A loud ass buzz pulled her out of her panic, though Dabi seemed happy to block everything out, and Mag sighed, she could call in the calvary, get help. Surely someone knew how to handle this better than she could right now, "Can you help me, Patches?" She shot out at her companion, "We've got to do something?!"

The picture of chill, his eye cracked open into a vicious glare, "Do what? She's fine. Apparently, this shit happens with her every now and then. Fucking chill, will ya?"

Chill? Who was that? Mag didn't know her.

For a moment, Mag just glared at Dabi before her quirk pulsed and the man was sent flying down the alley. "Asshole." She grumbled, just in time to hear Naoko groan. "Oh god!" Some would say that the screech that came from Mag would be seen as... Inelegant. Those people needed to shut their mouths and mind their own business.

It took almost a minute for Naoko to come back fully, her eyes remained unfocused as Mag fussed over her, placing a small bag she'd grabbed from behind her under Naoko's head. Dabi came back, stretching out, but Mag was absorbed.

"We..." Naoko spoke for a second, but it quickly faded out as she curled in on herself, "No, can't..."

Finally, Naoko seemed to be coherent, and with help from both Mag and Dabi, she got back on her feet, "Let's go." From where the two villains stood, Naoko was in no condition to go anywhere, in fact, most people would've been knocked off their feet for far longer, but she seemed determined. She leaned heavily on the wall but continued walking.

Mag grabbed Naoko by the shoulder and forced the girl to look at her, "Hey, we should take a break, whoever we're going to see, that can wait. You seem out of it."

She didn't listen, Naoko simply shrugged Mag off, "No, we've got to go. I don't know how long I just bought us, but we..." Naoko shook herself, it felt like she was wading in cement, but she had no choice. "This is different, either we do this now, or we get in trouble with no reason."

Well, Dabi was officially confused. Mag picked up Naoko and let the girl direct her, shooting a very confused look back at Dabi, "What...?" She trailed off, not even sure if she should ask questions.

As for the only guy in the group... Well, this was a full-on wash of a day. He just wanted coffee and the couch. Contrary to what it seemed, the Fujimura's couch was very comfortable, and he was aching like you wouldn't believe. Maybe Hasame would be up for poker and beer when they got home... He'd even volunteer to steal the beer.

"Don't look at me," He hissed, "Do I look like I know what the fuck she's thinking?"

"Turn here." Naoko pointed at a small gap in the wall, "We'll take the first left." Call her crazy for sinking into her quirk after realizing that her quirk was torn and hurting, but she couldn't just sit back and do nothing. She saw the bandages, she saw the mean glint in Birdman's eyes. If she did nothing, she'd be responsible for the pain caused. Honestly, it was a huge stroke of luck that the group had split up like it did.

As Mag did as she asked, She forced herself to stay still. Who knows how long her... distraction would last. So many things could go wrong right now, but she had to try.

Thankfully, she was with the right crew as they reached it, if Naoko had been forced to rely on UA, they would've about died here, but while Naoko could feel the shock from both her compatriates, neither balked nor reared away.

The ground was a bloody mess, and while there were some signs of a struggle, most everything was still.

Six large holes in the ground and soft concrete showed bulges and even fingers sticking out and while there were no body parts, that was almost worse. Both Dabi and Mag turned to Naoko in shock, not quite believing what they were seeing. Because, from all accounts, this had been a massacre of at least 6 people.

At the edge of it all, huddled into a corner and crying into her knees was the small, white-haired girl from before. There was some blood smeared on her bandages and dress, but for the most part, she was clean, unscathed. It was a miracle, but that's not what Naoko was concerned about. She jumped out of Mag's arms, barely remaining upright as she landed, and walked around the soft concrete.

"Stop looking at me like that." She snapped, glancing back, "They aren't dead."

And just like that, vapor began rising from the holes, revealing men that had been with Overhaul before. They were well stuck within the holes, but from what the two could tell, still alive, just very unconscious.

"Hello." Naoko knelt in front of the small girl, immediately noticing how badly she was trembling, how her nails were digging into her skin, "I'm sorry for scaring you."

Truly, Naoko did feel terrible. She'd seen the pain in the girl's eyes as she was pulled away... Perhaps it was leftover from UA, but she couldn't just watch, so she sank into her quirk and chased them. It had hurt and Naoko could tell her quirk went a bit wild on the men... but she needed to do something.

They didn't have long. Naoko had no clue how often these guys were supposed to radio in, but she didn't want to find out, "Did... Did you want to be with those men?" Crap, if she just assaulted an important girl who was happy in the mob, she was screwed... Naoko braced for the answer, but none came. There were small vibrations, both from her companions approaching, and from the girl, but she couldn't discern anything.

"Hey." Naoko grimaced to herself. This used to be a secret, but now it was something she apparently put on billboards for all to see. God damn it, "I'm sorry, but I can't hear you."

That certainly caught the girl's attention. Large red eyes peeked over the bandaged arms and an adorable little horn seemed to help keep the wavy white hair back. Naoko was not one for children... but this one was pretty damn cute, "Well, there you are. My name's Naoko. What's yours?"

The girl peeked out just a little more, her eyes sad... Sadder than any kid should be, "You need to stay away from me."

In the background, Mag about died. This little girl needed to be protected, and she needed to be protected now.

Thankfully, Naoko wasn't as emotional, and while she did want to just start screaming, she kept her head, "Oh? Why's that?"

"Because I kill people." Tears cropped up and the girl buried her head back into her knees, the shaking only intensified.

Dabi, the only one who maintained their composure in the face of a cute child was looking around skeptically, watching for any sign of trouble. The other two might be okay with it, but he didn't want to fight the Yakuza... Yet anyway.

Naoko tapped the top of the girl's head, "I'm sorry, you do? Please don't tell me you think you caused this?"

A nod.

"Oh no. No, you didn't, I'm sorry, this one's on me. I didn't want those assholes-" A swift slap was delivered to the back of her head by Mag, "Sorry, those bad men to hurt you anymore. See?"

Once again, the red eyes were out and the girl looked to where Naoko was gesturing. Slowly, Naoko reached down and placed her hand on the pavement before her hand began to sink through. "This wasn't you, though I get why you'd think that."

Dabi perked up, "Hey Mag?" He turned, just a little, "People are coming this way... We could probably take them, but it might not be the best idea. I'm not as eager to throw down with the Yakuza as Naoko is. It's probably the birdman coming back to collect his property."

Mag grimaced and tapped Naoko on the shoulder.

"Yeah," Naoko didn't even turn to face Mag, "I sense them. Don't worry." With an awkward sigh, Naoko ran a hand through her hair, "Hey kid."

Great start Naoko. It really inspired the little girl to trust her. "Uh, I mean... Shoot. Listen." She could feel them coming. There weren't many, but it was still enough to be a problem, "Some of the people who had you before, they're coming. Do you want to be with them? Or do you want us to take you with us?"

For a moment, the sad red eyes lit up, before immediately shutting down again. "No! If I go with you, you'll die!"

There was so much here, and zero time to unpack any of it, "Maybe, but the universe has been trying to kill me for so long that I welcome the challenge."

It was probably a good thing Naoko missed the twin eye-rolls from Dabi and Mag.

"Listen, kid. I know you're scared. I've been there, but if you want to be free and stop feeling like you're gonna kill people all the time, you should come with us now while your keeper isn't here."

Still nothing. Damn it, this girl had baggage and Naoko was far from a therapist. "Okay, let's put it this way. Do you like being with Overhead or whatever the fuck his name is?"

She did nothing, but once again the eyes gave her away.

With all the energy she could muster, and the small reserve she put into her fuck it bucket, Naoko scooped up the small bean and began to sprint away, thanking Levi and his Sadistic methods with every step. Dabi and Mag jolted into action behind her, the whole group fleeing the scene of the crime. The decision was made. Naoko was just... So good at making enemies. It was actually worrisome when she thought about it.

If Chris and Levi couldn't help her with the fuck ton of baggage she was dragging right to their doorstep, she was probably screwed.