Chapter 43
Title: Operation Gone Wrong?
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Third Person POV. -- 29th of December -- 2415
[ Kawaguchiko Town -- Ryokan ]
"Hello and good evening everyone. This is NHA's weather forecast channel and I will be your host for tonight.
Currently at late December, a rapidly developing low-pressure system off the eastern coast of Japan is moving westward, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures across the Kanto and Chubu regions.
Beginning late tonight, snowfall is expected to intensify across inland prefectures, with heavy snow warnings issued for Yamanashi and the mountainous regions of Shizuoka.
Tokyo is expected to see light snow turning into sleet by early morning, while areas around Mount Fuji, including the Fuji Five Lakes region, may experience rapid snowfall and significant accumulation overnight.
Strong winds and low visibility are expected in elevated areas, and transportation disruptions are likely. Residents are advised to prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions as the snow system moves in from the east."
Listening to the ongoing weather forecast inside the living room of their rented accommodation, Mina, Himiko, Kie and Retsu has their focus to the thin, big TV inside their living room, sitting before the low table with cups of hot, steaming ginseng tea around their hands.
It's been about an hour since Tetsuya got his phone call, and after it the pro hero decided on bringing his family back to their temporary residence, before he moved out to get to the location sent to his device by the HPSC.
"It's slowly starting to get wild huh, the weather... " Himiko idly comments, her body bent with her head plopped on the wooden table, her eyes half lidded with quietly accumulating boredom.
"Hmmm... " Mina gives a tiny approving sound, taking a sip of her tea as she does.
"I'm more worried about Tetsuya. I told him to wear more clothes because of the weather, but he stubbornly clung to his hero costume. How did he even bring those clothes, I didn't see him take it when we were preparing for the trip... " Kie comments, saying the last part a little quietly and to herself.
"Don't worry mother, father doesn't need thicker clothing considering his quirk. " Retsu says, having a hand under her chin while plopped on the table, trying to reassure her worrying mother.
"But still... " But Kie it seems, isn't 100% convinced, her brows are creased in worry as she continues on listening to the news forecast reporting the changing weather.
"I'm sure he'll be fine. " Retsu though, still repeats her words, her eyes calm with her expression composed.
'He is a man who was able to climb to the number 3 spot by his sheer tenacity alone. Someone like that can't be easily put down simply because of a changing weather.
Come to think of it, that trait of his is quite similar to my own, heh. ' Retsu amusedly thinks, a smirk slowly finding its way on her lips as she gazes at the ongoing forecast reports,
'Regardless though, I still have that contingency plan set and ready. I wasn't going to interfere originally, but that man today just came my way on his own, making it hard for me not to get involved.
This way at least, I will have an insider and be able to have my eyes on the ongoing situation. '
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Meanwhile, Somewhere else,
Arriving at the randevou point via his car, Tetsuya, –now donning his hero costume, exits his vehicle after parking it to the side, before he looks around, his eyes scanning the quiet street that's near the outskirts of kawaguchiko's western regions.
Giving out a breath and seeing it visibly vanish in the cold air, Redvein pulls up his red scarf a little over his mouth. His open and long brown coat is over his hero costume as he begins walking the rest of the way towards the agreed upon randevou point.
'Is this it? ' walking a few buildings down the urban street, Redvein then looks left, seeing a lightless and abandoned old iron barn, its edges having slight rusts that indicate the place hasn't been used for a while.
Redvein moves to push open the wooden door, its hinges giving a sound as he pushes it open and enters the place, before he walks a few feet and arrives before the iron barn's doors, giving it a few rhythmic knocks.
Tap Tap Tap! Tap! Tap Tap!
Once done, Redvein takes a back step and awaits for the door to open, and he doesn't have to wait long before it does.
Creak!
The rusted door gives out a sound, before it folds inward, letting a silhouette to peek through and recognize Redvein.
"Your here, come on in. " He says, then steps aside to let Redvein inside.
Redvein strides in, his steps careful and his eyes focused ahead, and once inside, the door behind him is closed once more.
"This way, Redvein. " The man who opened the door for him says, before he starts leading Redvein towards the back of the barn, inside here the barn being clean and spacious.
"Have the others arrived yet? " Redvein asks as they walk forward, getting a shake of the head from the man who's wearing a police uniform.
"No sir. You're the first one thats arrived. Whiteout and the others are on their way though, so the meeting will be starting in about 15 more minutes. "
"Hm." Redvein gives a nod, before they both arrive before another door inside this building, this one being much smaller than the one at the entrance, with the walls around the door all being made of old and rusted metals, they too having visible yellow and rusted spots on them.
The police officer then moves to open the door, twisting the handle and pushing it forward, letting a yellow light peak through before he turns to Redvein, "this way, sir. "
Nodding once more, Redvein moves to follow the man before him, closing the door behind him once they've entered the room, and seeing that the light was coming from an electrical lantern that's been put on top of a row of wooden table and seats.
"Please remain here while the others arrive, I'll be on the lookout near the door for when they get here. " The police officer informs, his now visible under the light, brown hair and cat slithed eyes visible to Redvein, who gives him a nod before moving to sit on a wooden stool, bringing out his phone too to revise through the information once again.
The officer exits the room while Redvein opens his phone and goes to the information section, looking through their enemy's information as he quietly awaits for the others' arrival.
'Hans Whitenight, Quirk, Metamorphosis.
The ability to alter his or someone else's outer physical characteristics into another person that he has had physical contact with, needing only a touch to become able to transform into that new person, while also having their physical looks saved up for later use.
It is a very versatile infiltration type ability, sadly it's in the hands of a criminal and lawbreaker. If only he'd used it for good, then this mess wouldn't have come to pass.
According to HPSC's gathered intel, not much is known about his past, only that he's working for a secret and foreign organization from overseas who's goal isn't clear either.
Well whatever the case, I'm catching and putting him in jail, while also try and find if he had anything to do with that incident a few days ago.
If he did, then I'll finally find some clues as to what's wrong with Retsu, but if not then... '
As Redvein is lost in his thoughts, the door to the room gets suddenly knocked before opening, letting his eyes jerk and fall to the door, seeing the new arrival.
"Hello and nice to meet you. I'm whiteout, it's good to have a reliable man like you on our side, I'm looking forward to this raid operation." Whiteout, the elderly pro hero says as he moves to give Redvein a handshake, him reciprocating it before Whiteout goes and sits on another stool.
"So, what do we know regarding the enemy and their possible accomplices right until now? " Whiteout asks, leading to Redvein nodding and beginning with informing Whiteout of the information he's gotten from the HPSC.
"According to the HPSC, there are three possible enemies we'll have to look out for.
First is Hans Whitenight, and another duo of combatants who's main ability involves somekind of electrokinesis ability of some kind. "
"Electricity manipulation huh? That could be troublesome not going to lie, but it's good that we have you here. I'm assuming you'll be their opponent? " Whiteout asks, his serious eyes looking towards Redvein, who has his eyes closed and his hands crossed over his chest.
Redvein gives out a nod, confirming the comment, "That's right. We don't know the full scale of their capabilities. Not even the executive from the HPSC who has some type of confession ability, was able to learn anything regarding the limits of what those two can do from the captured foreign spies. So the best course of action is having me face them, and if they prove to be too much even for me, have reinforcement be ready and on stand by. "
"Hmmm, I'm not going to lie. I've seen your records and the way you fight from past recordings, and I can't quite see you lose, not to some foreign spies who's motives are still vague even now at least.
Whenever you fight, I can't help but get reminded of All Might when I see your brawls, your close combat capabilities are truly monstrous. " Whiteout says, getting a raised eyebrow from Redvein,
"Hm? What is it you want to say exactly? " He questions,
"What I'm saying is don't overthink it so much. People of your caliber have always been so prone to overthink things past their needed amount, you and your father are quite similar in that regard it seems. " Whiteout says, a slight smirk forming on his weathered face as he grins at the Impreceptively widening of Redvein's eyes.
"My... Father? What do you know of Benihana Hiroshi, who even are you exactly, old timer? " Redvein asks, now his curiosity peaked by the man sitting before him.
Whiteout smiles, his smile being a reminiscing one as his gaze travels to the far past, to the times of his golden age as the hero who used to fight beside the likes of Yoroi Musha, and Arterion, The Hemokinetic Hero.
"Arterion was what he used to be known as back then. His reputation as the Benihana with the fastest Blood Manipulation quirk in recorded history was quite legendary.
Back then, by the time it would take for his opponent to even twitch, Arterion would have already had 'em restrained by using his blood, he was quite the famous hero back then," Whiteout explains, before his gaze falls on Redvein,
"But compared to back then, you are completely something else, Redvein-san. Now not only have you broken passed your old man's record of having the fastest blood manipulation quirk, you have also made a new record as the one who has the most blood reserves in your system.
Truly, you Benihanas are something else. Us normal folks can barely keep up with ya bunch of calamities, hahaha!
I wonder how that daughter of yours is gonna surpass y'all, I'd be lucky to witness three generations of Benihanas surpassing their predecessor, hahahaha! " Whiteout says, before continuing on laughing, his amused tone of voice suggesting his happiness regarding the way things have played out.
"Hmph, " Crossing his arms over his chest, a visible smile forming on his lips with his eyes closed, the proud man that is Benihana Tetsuya gives out a smirking laugh of his own, now being quite curious to see in what way would his daughter surpass him too.
As the duo keep on talking with one another, time passes and a quarter of an hour goes by. Not shortly after that 15 minute and the room the duo of pro heroes occupy is slowly filled with officers in law enforcement clothings.
Once everyone shuffles in and get seated or standing aside, the chief police of this department, and also the man who will lead and plan for this operation steps forward and in front of the wooden long table to start with their plans.
"Ahem, thank you all for coming. Now I'm making this meeting brief so as to not lose more time. We've already done so by the time it took for everyone to arrive here undetected.
Some recently acquired intel tells us of a group of trio, two of them being twins of great physical mights, and a man who has the ability to shape-shift into anyone he's touched in the past.
Our main worry is the man who can shape-shift. His name is Hans Whitenight, and the reason he should be priority number one for capture is the intel he's stolen from the HPSC headquarters. " The chief informs, getting nods from the people present and on the table, before he clears his throat again and looks to the side.
"Now, information regarding the duo of accomplices that are with Hans should be explained by another man, the one who's from HPSC headquarters at Seisho City, a direct executive of Madame President, mister confession. " the chief says, before he moves to sit down, letting space free for the mentioned man to walk on forward.
Standing up and wearing a black suit under a dark brown winter coat, is a tall, lanky man with silvery grey and unkempt hair, who's sharp yet half lidded silver eyes are looking around the gathered crowd.
He stands up, before moving and standing before the gathered crowd, his slightly hunched stance suggesting he wants to be anywhere but here.
"Hello and good evening gentlemen and ladies. As just mentioned by the chief, I'm an executive from HPSC's main headquarters, directly under the command of the Madame herself, my codename being confession.
I'm sure you guys have figured out my ability based on my use of it, and my code name that's been revealed to you, but let me clear it up some more.
My ability allows me to draw out the surface thoughts of the one I'm imposing my quirk upon, making them confess to whatever it is they are thinking in that moment.
Now knowing this part of my quirk, it becomes quite easy to avoid confessing to me by simply keeping the knowledge from coming to the surfaces of your minds. A trained and composed person can quite easily avoid it, but the ones you guys captured didn't know this, so I was able to gather some useful intel regarding Hans and his accomplices.
As said so by the Chief, Hans is a spy who's quirk makes him damn near untraceable, and the duo he's estimated to be with right now are bad news as well. " The executive says, and as he keeps on explaining, his bored eyes slowly gain a sharp and serious look.
"They are bad news if they manage to combine their power, " He says, before his gaze travels specifically to Redvein's figure.
"Number 3, please take my warning into consideration, never allow them to make contact with each other during combat, or else your odds of victory will become slim.
I know of your capabilities, so trust me when I say even you will be in trouble if they make contact during battle. "
"... I understand. I'll be extra careful in not letting them contact each other then. Now can you explain why specifically that rule is so important? " Redvein says, his tone serious and no nonsense type, getting fully into his pro hero persona now.
Seeing that Redvein is now completely warned, Confession nods while thinking internally, 'just as you said Madame. I've made him known of the severity of the situation just like you asked of me.
Now all that's left is informing them of their whereabouts, and the confrontation as the Madame forsaw through me. '
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Late into the night, around near 11 pm and when the sky is pitch black,
Sitting comfortably inside the wooden cabin and into the woods west of lake kawaguchi, Hans quietly sleeps on a cushioned seat, his form from head to toe being under a blanket as he snores on, completely oblivious to the upcoming entourage of two formidable pro heroes and police officers that have already enclosed his cabin.
"What's the situation? do you see anything? " The chief quietly asks the personnel beside him, the man having night vision goggles before his eyes and looking inside the abandoned cabin through the windows.
"No movement, just a single heat signature on the sofa of the main room. The signature isn't moving which suggests unconsciousness. Whether by sleep or externally done is unknown. " The man informs, everything he said being radioed to the others too,
"Just one heat signature? Not three? " The chief questions,
"Yes sir. " And the personnel confirms.
"Dammit! Where is the other two? Are they away somewhere or something? " The chief questions. Frustrated though he may be, he doesn't get an answer.
Giving out a sigh, he further commands, "well it doesn't matter. We still need to capture them, even if there is only one person.
Redvein, Whiteout. It's your turn now, move in on my signal. "
"Copy that. " Redvein replies, before he and Whiteout moves a few feet closer to the isolated cabin.
"On my signal, " The chief says, making Redvein and Whiteout crouch in readiness.
"Now! " He says through the comb, resulting in the duo suddenly jumping forward and towards the cabin doors from the nearby bushes.
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[Redvein POV. ]
Wham!
Breaking through the cabin doors, the wooden logs splintering as it falls inwards and lets the cold, night air seep in, I don't wait for further fanfare and quickly sends out my blood, closing it around the figure on the sofa, before commanding my blood to harden, restraining him.
Crimson Entanglement!
"Alright, now bring forward the man so we'll see if he's truly the one. " Whiteout says from Behind me, to which I nod before starting to hover the captured Fugitive and pull him towards us.
As I do so, the cloth covering the man also falls down, revealing him to be...
"The description matches. This is Hans. " I informs, seeing the hovering man who's face is restrained so he doesn't make any noise, and hovering him towards us.
Once before us, I turn around and try to speak but...
"White-... Out? " I turn, but don't see the pro hero behind me.
Suddenly,
Sh-chick!
The sound of something sharp burying itself inside flesh is heard,
"Agh! " I jerk in place, before turning my gaze downward, and towards my left lower abdomen, seeing a knife lodged inside the side of my stomach.
"Blegh! " I involuntarily cough out blood, as if poisoned,
I try to speak, to move my mouth, but it's as if my body gets locked in place, seemingly unable to speak. My body not moving as I wish it to, locking in place instantly, while I feel my blood freeze under my flesh.
I see the floor rapidly move close, but before I can fall down head first, whiteout takes hold of me, bringing me slowly down and onto the wooden creaky floor.
In my paralyzed state, I hear his earpiece make a sound, before the chief's voice comes in, "whiteout, report. What's happening? "
"Target is captured. Now we're just seeing if he's the real hans or a transformation by using his quirk." 'Whiteout' informs,
"Right, we'll be moving in now too then. " The chief explains before the line is cut.
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[Third Person POV. ]
'I have to hurry, ' 'whiteout' thinks as he quickly touches Redvein and the other man, –'Hans' that's on the floor and blood covering him courtesy of Redvein's quirk.
Both begin to visibly change, Redvein turning into another 'Hans', and 'Hans' turning into 'Redvein' while also waking up.
"Agh, pretending to fall unconscious is harder than it seems, " The man now disguised as 'Redvein' says, turning to 'Whiteout' beside him,
"Hans, let's do this. This will be your last involvement regarding the situation."
Hans, who is disguised as Whiteout simply nods, "right,"
Just then, the police chief and the others enter the room, seeing a 'Whiteout' and a 'Redvein', with an unconscious 'Hans' on the floor too, before they move to restrain 'Hans', the chief approaching the duo of 'heroes'.
"Good job you two, now all that's left is the other villain duo, then this operation will come to an end. " He says, before curiously looking at 'Redvein',
"Anyways, Redvein, why are you covered in blood? " He asks, but the 'pro hero' just shakes his head,
"Don't worry about it. I'll explain later, for now we should get ready and lay an ambush for the other two. I'll be staying with you guys while 'Whiteout' takes the fugitive to headquarters. " 'Redvein' says, leading to the chief of police nodding.
They move to carry out the proceedings, 'Hans' who in reality is Redvein but fallen paralyzed, even his given stab wound disguised as normal clothings, and 'Whiteout' who was the real Hans all along, moving to take the real Redvein away, with the fake Redvein who in reality is one of the twin villains staying back in order to 'ambush' for when the 'twin villains' will be coming back.
As things proceed on forward, the others not suspecting a single thing that's missing or wrong, there is just one person who does know, but chooses to stay quiet.
'It is all according to what the Madame said. Now, what she foresaw will come to pass. ' Confession thinks, looking towards behind the villain now disguised as 'Redvein'.
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Author's Note/ It is currently 2 am in the morning, and I have to wake up at 7 in order to go to work ( ;∀;)
Anyways, more mystery upon you filthy webnovel monke- ahem!
Sorry it seems sleep deprivation is having bad side effects on me.
Anyways! What do you guys think? When do you suppose the real Whiteout got replaced by the fake one? And how do you think it will proceed from here on out?
You guys wanna find out? Well too bad! Y'all are gonna have to wait for the next chapter to know!
Anyways, I really should sleep, I'm scared that maybe I'll fall asleep tomorrow and not be able to wake up on time, so I'm cutting it here.
Support me by commenting on this story, it really helps in motivating me to write more. Have a great day/night, bye bye!