Canon Fodder

CHAPTER 268 NIGHTEYE

“Are you sure he would be up for it?” I asked Mirio as we headed down the street. 

“Definitely. Nighteye is pretty great. I’ve been his intern for 2 years now. I mentioned that you were a great fighter and he talked about wanting to meet you,” Mirio admitted. 

The upperclassmen was a little taller than me. We had sparred once since our first fight. I had to take my strength down a notch but it was still good training. He had an interesting style. No hesitation as he threw a punch. Most of the students in my class were still not comfortable giving it their all. It was a nice change of pace. 

A few days after the drama with Madix we were all expected to find our own heroes to intern under. Everyone was scrambling around trying to find a hero willing to take them in. 

All legitimate heroes were civil servants. They were paid a set amount of money. But if they got popular they could sign merchandising deals to make more. Others started side businesses, capitalizing on their contacts. But through the government they were each allocated a set budget for interns, offices, and other incidentals. 

After graduating from UA most people interned under heroes. Once they made a name for themselves they could branch off. They could also be happy being interns. It wasn’t a huge amount of money but enough to live off of. Or they could quit all together. Become a Muirk, or go to school for something else, or become a villain. Which was far too common for my taste. 

Heroes couldn’t have infinite interns. They had to have them in their budget because we were all paid to work. Not much of course. But the amount would grow over the years as I went to school. 

The internship was also in our spare time. Not to affect school we were expected to spend at least 3 evenings and either Saturday or Sunday doing whatever the hero needed. Usually patrols or paperwork, but at least it was exposure to the hero world. 

I had already told Ryuko that I wasn’t coming back. She understood but had been doing well so she offered Toru a spot. Then asked for recommendations. Toru put Momo and Tsuyu up for a spot. We would see if Ryuko extended an offer. 

I was upset I couldn’t use the time to hit on the girls, and have fun with Toru and Nejire. But I’d only accepted the position to kill that bitch that helped my mother’s killers get away. Now that she was out of the picture I had to set my target to the last man that was directly involved, Kai Chisaki. Luckily I knew where canon would lead me right to him. 

“Here we are,” Mirio said as we stopped at a non-descript agency. The large office building had a very small sign in the window that read ‘Nighteye Agency’. 

I was a little surprised since most heroes liked to proclaim where they were. Ryukyu’s Agency sign was gigantic. I kind of remembered Nighteye in the story. But not a lot for some reason. He must have been a minor character or something. 

“I’m here,” Mirio announced as he walked in. A girl with blue skin, short dark blue hair, and a clear mask covering her face peeked out from a doorframe. She looked a little like Madix. But where Madix exuded sexual energy, this girl exuded innocence. 

“Lemillion, what’s up?” She asked. 

“Oh yeah, we usually just use Hero names,” Mirio informed me. “Bubble girl. This is Frostwave. He just got his Provisional License. I thought Nighteye would like to meet him. 

“Right, I remember watching you during the UA Sports Festival,” Bubble girl said. “Centipeder isn’t around. But Nighteye’s up in his office.”

“Perfect,” Mirio said. Heading down the hall I followed. Bubble girl quickly followed behind. I couldn’t remember her power, but the clear mask over her face was filled with water so I guessed it was water related. 

We headed up the stairs and were soon at a large office. Inside I immediately noticed a huge trove of All Might posters and memorabilia. All the posters looked the same to me. The man’s collection put Midoriya’s in a less fanatic light. 

Nighteye himself sat behind his desk. He had dark green hair and wore glasses that he was currently pushing up to the brim of his nose. 

“Hey Nighteye,” Mirio said. “This is-“

“Frostwave, I remember you from the Sports Festival,” Nighteye said as he stood up. He wore a white suit that made him look more like a car salesman than a hero. “Tell me, Frostwave. Why are you interested in my agency?” Nighteye asked. 

“I uh, I’m not exactly sure,” I admitted. “I really just wanted to meet you since Lemillion spoke so highly of you.”

“Of course,” Nighteye said. “I don’t have a very large agency here. Simply us and Centipeder. We patrol the area but focus on larger crimes. Working in tandem with other agencies when more numbers are needed.” He noticed my eyes glancing at one of the giant posters on the wall. “Tell me, what do you think of All Might?” 

“He’s alright…” I said. I knew it was the wrong answer but I felt like he had to impress me more than I had to impress him. 

“Not good,” Mirio mumbled next to me. 

“Alright?” Nighteye asked, his mood souring. “All Might was the pinnacle of heroes for years. I remember what it was like before him. There is plenty of data showing that after he appeared, villain activity decreased year after year. But to you he’s just alright?” 

“I mean don’t get me wrong, he’s the best hero there is. But I go to school with him. Get taught by him. He has no kids. No girlfriends. Being a hero is-was his life. Now that he doesn’t have that he’s a different man.” I decided to spin the truth a little. “I looked up to the guy, but now I’ve made myself reevaluate priorities. I kind of like things other than heroing. I respect him. But I don’t want to be him.”

Nighteye’s demeanor changed from angry to more relaxed as I spoke. He studied me for a long time. Weighing my response. Then he chuckled, a smile on his face. 

“A lot of people don’t know this. But I was his sidekick once upon a time,” Nighteye admitted. “For years I worked by his side as we worked to bring people to justice. Do you know what my quirk is?” I shook my head. He was a side character I couldn’t recall much about. 

“I can see the future,” he said. “If I touch someone I can see into their specific future. Usually I focus that future to a day.”

Memories flooded in of Nighteye then. I suddenly remembered who he was and got scared. If he touched me he could see my life. He could see me making clones. Doing things that no one should know about. 

With the memory of his power I also remembered his death. He would die soon if things stuck to canon. Not that I planned to let that happen, but still I had to watch myself around this guy. I was very intent on my Observation Haki to ensure he didn’t reach out and touch me. 

“After a hard fight that All Might nearly lost, I risked looking further. I saw his death,” Nighteye admitted. “Don’t get me wrong, everyone dies. That is where all futures lead, but All Might was the best. I was younger and didn’t know how to take the news. I begged him to quit being a hero. Being a hero was his life though. Saving people was his one and only calling. I suggested he take a step back, but he wouldn’t listen. I hate to say it. I agree with you. Being a hero is not everything.” He turned back to the poster. 

“But All Might is still the peak in my eyes. Blaspheme against him will not be tolerated.” He gave me a wide smile. “I heard your speech at the Sports Festival. About respecting those prospective heroes who hadn’t lost loved ones. So I know you’re serious about being a hero. I wonder if you’d let me test you.” His hands made fists as he cracked his knuckles. 

“Like a fighting test?” I asked. Curious how a man that could see the future would fare against someone who could see the present. 

“Sure,” Nighteye said. He walked back to his desk. “This is one of All Might’s pens. Can you take it from me?” 

“I uh, was going to see my girlfriend later. You promise not to look too far? I’d hate for you to see something she wouldn’t like.” Mirio chuckled.

Nighteye laughed again. “Of course. I’ll limit it to 30 minutes.”

“Fine with me,” I said walking up. I reached out my hand and we grasped hands. 

I felt his Spiritual Energy shift as I guessed he used his quirk. Then he stepped back. His face flush as he breathed in and out heavily. 

“How?” He asked, his eyes wide. 

“How what?” I asked, confused. 

“I couldn’t see,” he said more to himself than me. “I couldn’t keep the pen from you. A thousand scenarios played out in my mind and there was nothing I could see to stop you.”

“Oh,” I said understanding. 

In most fights Nighteye was used to knowing what would happen. A feint here, punch there, and he could act accordingly. I had Observation Haki. I knew what he was doing as he did it. Where most people thought ahead. I would simply react to his movements. If in one scenario he knew I would go for his right, I could sense him turn to his left and react to that change. 

“I’ve trained for a long time,” I said. “Part of my quirk allows me to feel your energy. And act upon that.”

“But how? No one has been able to outmaneuver me,” he said. 

“Just lucky, I guess,” I said with a shrug. I turned around, a little sad. “I uh, don’t think I want to intern here. You should choose Midoriya.”

“What? Why?” Mirio asked, a little lost by the boss’ reaction. 

“I don’t know,” I lied. “Just doesn’t feel right to me. I’m serious. You should ask Deku. Thanks for the introduction Lemillion. I’ll see you at school.” 

With that I walked out. Nighteye was still a little shocked, but I had made up my mind. I couldn’t risk Nighteye looking further into my future. If I decided to make a shadow clone that turned into the Villain Slayer or Roronoa then my secret would be out. I’d have to make sure not to make one for the next 24 hours, just in case he peeked. 

I had hoped to join the agency for the next arc, but I’d have to come up with another plan. Midnight had offered me a spot anyway. A new assignment had been given to her. And after my rejection of Madix she had been a lot more trusting of me. I still hoped to get the 18+ hero and it was a fine opportunity to use my moves on her. Whistling as I walked there was plenty to keep me busy. 

It was nice to know that I could keep up with the best of them. Then again I had otherworldly powers. Like Midoriya and All-For-One we had multiple quirks, giving us an unfair advantage that I had no problem taking advantage of.