To Find A Needle In A Haystack.

By the end of the day, both Akutagawa and Atsushi had a lot to think about. The only shared internship offer they got was Endeavor, but from their research he wasn't the best hero to go with for either of them, really. Perhaps Akutagawa, but that was a bit of a stretch.

"Todoroki and Midoriya." Akutagawa says after a moment when the two are walking back to their shared apartment. Atsushi tilts his head, confusion etched onto his face.

"What about them?" He asks with curiosity.

"There is something off about them. Midoriya flinches everytime things get loud, and is horrifyingly vigilant for someone with as powerful of a quirk as he has. And Todoroki... Well I doubt that scar is from his own fire." Akutagawa explains, keeping his voice low enough so that only Atsushi could hear him. The younger hums thoughtfully for a bit before nodding, agreeing with the mafioso.

"You're right there. And you also saw Iida, right? That expression..."

"Is one of someone plotting revenge, yes I know, Jinko." There are a few beats of silence before Atsushi speaks again.

"Do you think we should bring it up during the video call tonight? Dazai-San might know what to do about it." Atsushi asks, digging in his pocket for the keys to the apartment. He fishes it out just as they reach the door, using them to unlock and enter their temporary living space.

"We will have to ask about that and our internships as well. Endeavor isn't the best hero for either of us, after all." Akutagawa replies, closing the door behind himself as he enters the apartment.

________________________________________________________________________________

"Go to different heroes for internships. Atsushi-kun with Miruko, and Akutagawa with Endeavor." Ranpo says, a thoughtful expression on his face. Since the train from Yokohama to Musutafu is too long for a day trip, the best solution to giving updates was in the form of video or regular calls. Currently, Ranpo has whatever device the agency is using to call, and Atsushi and Akutagawa have a laptop set up in their living room.

"Endeavor will no doubt be going after Stain, and will be in Hosu. And Akutagawa will be able to gather more intel on the Todoroki boy's situation with the number two hero. As for Atsushi, another animal-based hero will be good for you, especially since you need to diversify your fighting style. Coming up with moves on the fly is good and all, but you need something a bit more substantial." Dazai pipes up, popping into the frame of the camera. The brunette has a beaming smile on his face, but there is an undercurrent of seriousness to his voice that is unmistakable.

"Alright, Dazai-San, Ranpo-San. We'll turn in the internship forms tomorrow then." Atsushi says with a small smile of his own. Akutagawa clears his throat, getting everyone's attention.

"There is something odd about Midoriya Izuku. He doesn't act the way a kid with a powerhouse quirk would act." The mafioso says, looking a bit tense. Was he worried for the boy? No. He's Akutagawa. He doesn't worry about random strangers, much less random hero-hopeful strangers.

"Hmm, keep an eye on him then." Ranpo says, eyes opening just a bit. Atsushi gets the distinct feeling that the detective knows something they don't, but he usually gets that feeling around the other so it isn't a big surprise.

"Will do." Akutagawa says with a nod, and Atsushi also agrees to it.

"Well, if that's all for that, anyone catching your eye as the possible UA traitor?" Dazai asks, stealing the phone from Ranpo. Both Atsushi and Akutagawa shake their heads.

"Sorry Dazai-San, we haven't had much of an opportunity to think about it." Atsushi apologizes.

"That's alright. You're only just starting, and there was the Sports Festival, and now internships. That's all we need to chat about, right? Look forward to your next update. Bye Atsushi-kun, Akutagawa-kun~!" The bandaged detective chirps before ending the call, leaving the apartment in an awkward silence.

________________________________________________________________________________

"So you two want to join, eh? What can you bring to our party?" A dry scratchy voice echoes out in the nearly empty bar.

"I know the weaknesses of the two new additions to class 1-A, and I have a lot of resources at my disposal." A smooth voice responds, a twisted smirk curling up on Shibusawa's lips as he speaks.

Shigaraki doesn't know exactly why All for One wanted this guy, but apparently he also has access to a bunch of powers just like Sensei, so he's valuable. But the way he speaks just has the leader of the League of Villains feeling all sorts of wrong and off. However, he just grins and nods.

"I can walk around without getting recognized, and I can kill people." The other new person says, long black hair pulled up into a high ponytail and a white mask covering the bottom half of his face. Once again, Shigaraki nods, still grinning.

"Welcome to the League of Villains."

________________________________________________________________________________

The room is large and spacious, and in the middle sits alone a man with a cello. His eyes are closed as his fingers move with ease that only comes from years of practice, only stopping when he feels his phone vibrating in his pocket. A little disappointed that his playing session has been interrupted, he stops and answers the call.

"Hello, Dazai dear. It's not often you call this late." The man says into the phone, a subtle yet genuine smile forming on his face. It has been so long since he last had the chance to talk with his chess buddy, and he frankly was starting to get worried when he read the news about the Guild in Yokohama. He had been half tempted to offer his help, but it seems his concerns were not necessary.

"I know, I know, but I need your help." Dazai says, voice a little distorted through the phone speaker.

"My help? With what exactly?" The cello player asks, a note of concern in his voice. Dazai sounds more serious than usual, even back when he was still in the Port Mafia.

"It's Shibusawa. He attacked Atsushi in some way, and somehow survived the wrath of Akutagawa. From what my previous student told me, he beheaded the bastard." Dazai replies, and he can just picture his friend balling his hands into fists and scowling. He can hear the anger clearly, which raises so many alarms, not to mention that something happened to Dazai's current student. He knows the detective sees the kid like a son.

"I see. Would you like me to keep tabs on Shibusawa, then?" The man asks calmly. There is a beat of silence before a heavy sigh is heard.

"Yes please, and I would also like updates. From what I've been able to gather from the mole we placed in the League of Villains, he's started working with them. I know the mole won't be enough to keep an eye on him, so please, help me." There is a note of pleading in Dazai's voice now, and the cellist would have found it adorable under any other circumstances. He chuckles, the sound low and melodic and it reverberates in the nearly empty room.

"I can look after your protégé, Osamu. Don't worry. I can also keep an eye on Shibusawa for you when your mole can't." He says, and there is a breath of relief from the other end of the call.

"Thank you so much." Dazai says, and the smile can be heard in his voice once more.

"Anytime, dear." The man says. The two exchange goodbye's and the cellist slips his phone back into his pocket. He will have to figure out how he will do what his dearest friend has asked of him, but for now he slips his phone back into his pocket and starts playing again.

Authors note:

I'm back again quite soon! I felt like I kinda had to do this chapter, as I wanted to introduce a couple new plot points I've been playing around with, as well as characters. I hope you enjoy!

As always, drink water, eat food, and love yourself <3