Mr. Compress had been monitoring the Shie Hassaikai's movements for the past few days. Tomura had asked him to stay informed about their operations and to discover what the small but dangerous Yakuza group was after.
With Kurogiri's support, it should have been a relatively simple task.
Although powerful in terms of assets, the Yakuza's influence at this moment was worse than mediocre. No one wanted to do business with them, and recruitment was a complicated issue.
Whatever the Shie Hassaikai was looking for, they needed funds and contacts to achieve it, and things were not going particularly well for them.
That forced them to move constantly. Their leader and his direct subordinates came and went, occasionally leaving the stronghold slightly vulnerable. It was a temptation for Mr. Compress, but he refused to make such a mistake.
Instead, he chose to follow two subordinates he deemed physically unthreatening.
They led him to the Chiba docks, specifically to a secret warehouse in their possession. For a day and a night, Compress waited patiently until both individuals emerged and left the pier.
Then, he made his move.
Before dawn, surveillance was at its lowest point, and the man was able to slip in unnoticed, successfully entering the large warehouse.
Rows of cargo filled the space, wooden and metal crates stacked atop one another in orderly lines. Everything was sealed, and Compress could not open them silently.
He doubted the special bullets had reached such a production level yet, or if there would even be any here. But he needed answers.
—Can I help you with something?— a voice asked laconically, freezing Compress in his tracks. He slowly looked up, meeting the icy gaze of Chisaki Kai.
Sitting atop the wooden crates were the Yakuza leader and four of his subordinates, who had presumably gone to other locations.
—That depends— Compress began, acting natural and composed.
—On what?— Chisaki Kai inquired, playing along for now. Compress had no doubt that if he did not provide a good enough answer, they would pounce on him.
Is this where you store your projectiles? the masked man asked.
Chisaki Kai looked at him closely, not even blinking for several seconds. —No— was his brief response. —My turn... Who sent you? You have been snooping into our affairs, and that is not to my liking.
Compress discreetly activated a signal to Kurogiri while his mind searched for a diplomatic way to get what he wanted.
—I am known as Mr. Compress, my good sir, and I represent the League of Villains. I am sure you have heard of our cause— he introduced himself with a slight bow. —And allow me to correct the misunderstanding. My boss has tasked me with investigating you and your organization, as the fascinating tools you produce have caught our attention. Consider it harmless corporate espionage.
—...Yes, I have heard plenty about the League of Villains— Chisaki Kai conceded, evaluating Mr. Compress in front of him. —I am not impressed— he said with disdain before giving a brief signal to his subordinates.
Tabe Toramitsu was the first to lunged at the League member, surprising Compress with his great speed of movement.
He had already seen this individual in action thanks to his surveillance. He had not the slightest desire to let himself be bitten by him.
Compress stepped back just before Toramitsu's jaws snapped shut in front of his face. He extended a hand to capture the subject, but a barrier appeared between him and the Precept just as Rappa charged furiously.
Before the brawler could reach the Villain, a gateway of darkness intercepted his path, and from it emerged a creature slightly larger than Rappa, which blocked the man's punch.
—It was a pleasure, gentlemen, but it seems it is time for me to depart!— Compress announced mockingly, patiently waiting for another gate to open so he could leave the premises.
No such gate appeared; instead, two more Nomu emerged in the same manner as the first. And behind them, Kurogiri himself.
—We are not leaving— the mist-like being said in a flat tone, observing the Shie Hassaikai with disdain. —Chisaki Kai, this does not have to end on bad terms. An intelligent man like yourself will surely realize how beneficial a collaboration with the League of Villains would be.
—What is this one talking about?— Compress thought, deciding to remain silent and observe for now.
—You must mean the Failure of Villains. I am afraid I have no interest in associating with pathetic people like you and your evident disgrace of leadership— the Yakuza rejected bluntly.
—Are you certain of your choice, Yakuza Leader? You might be surprised by the vast network of contacts we have at our disposal. To my mind, you lack the influence necessary to enter the real business— Kurogiri hinted, remaining calm despite the unprovoked insults.
—I said no— Overhaul rejected once again, and this time his subordinates resumed hostilities.
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The clash was practically inevitable. Despite themselves, Kurogiri and Mr. Compress had a limit to how much disrespect they could tolerate.
Even so, neither of them missed the strange bluntness of the Yakuza, whom they took for someone logical and rational-minded. Instigating a confrontation in the middle of the harbor did not seem logical or rational.
They could not know that this was due to the interference of certain shinobi in the fate of this world. Slight alterations that led to the League not enjoying the same value in the eyes of the Yakuza.
Chisaki Kai was willing to use anyone, regardless of how useless they seemed. Every Quirk, every individual could be valuable if used correctly, and he knew how to use people.
But Overhaul also had expectations for his tools. The League was very low among his priorities at the moment.
Failure after failure, the loss of valuable pawns in the Yakuza's eyes, wasting time on senseless personal vendettas, and a more than humiliating defeat at the hands of children on multiple occasions.
How could he take them seriously with such a track record? No, Overhaul was not interested in mixing with such people.
The fact that the League sent men to spy on them and their operations already had the Shie Hassaikai annoyed. Chisaki himself was frustrated by the slow progress of things.
And then came these busybodies taking him for a fool, spouting nonsense about collaboration and association. They were mocking him, the Yakuza, and everything it represented.
No one insults the Yakuza and goes unpunished.
Rappa engaged in violent combat with one of the ugly creatures the enemies somehow produced. Hōjō charged at another of the creatures, collaborating with Soramitsu to finish it quickly.
The third Nomu charged directly at him and Tengai. With a nod, the Precept threw himself into the fray as well and intercepted the bioengineered monster. If Overhaul had to admit one thing, it was that he would like to capture one of these things and study them.
But that would have to wait. There were two presumptuous meddlers he had to teach a lesson to first.