When the matter of selecting new identities was settled, the atmosphere within the Meeting Hall gained a grimmer tone.
"Rabbit Hero: Mirko has gone crazy," Iron Mentor said. "She's coming down hard on all local Villains across the country — for any information that could lead her to Stain…"
Dr. Blessed tapped on the table with his finger.
It was Mirko who had first faced off against The Claws of Conformity, finding that Stain possessed multiple Quirks.
Miss Justice has termed it as Conformity's Blessing.
Luke had gone all out against Dabi because there was no telling if the Villain possessed multiple Quirks as well.
It was too soon to say that Conformity couldn't bless more than one Quirk user.
Dabi lacking multiple Quirks could be a deliberate move, knowing how shrewd these Existences could be.
On the other hand, it could also be related to Conformity's control over a person… which, in turn, would suggest that Stain might be beyond salvation at this point.
One thing was for sure, though.
In all this, Mirko stood a chance to truly lose her life. She had no idea in what hellhole she had thrown herself by targeting Stain. She did not know about the bigger picture and the true, hidden masters in all this.
Someone needed to warn her.
Or… so what Mr. Iwao, the Swindler, was suggesting when he mentioned Mirko.
"We need to be very careful with her," Dr. Blessed warned. "Given her personality and strength, it's better if she's latched onto Stain, and not us…"
Iron Mentor's eyes narrowed.
From the fanatic's tone, it felt like he had personally interacted with her.
"… Still," Dr. Blessed continued, "it would be in our favor if she knew her enemy's strength, I guess. Leave it to me. Good work, Mr. Iron Mentor."
With Iwao out in the field, gathering intel for the Apostles of Fool, Luke could freely concentrate on other things — like school.
So, he didn't mind allotting some extra credits to Iron Mentor.
Iwao nodded. "Second," he continued, "I have been keeping an eye on abandoned buildings and their confidential basements. So far, I only found a few thugs, getting high… Nothing suggesting a bigger lab of Nomus…"
Luke frowned.
Other than Jaku City Hospital, where Dr. Kyudai had been keeping his Nomus in the basement lab before moving it elsewhere, Luke only knew one more location related to All For One from his previous life.
But that location was so important that it might not have even come into the picture right now.
Any surveillance of that place could spook All For One, or Dr. Kyudai, making them shift the location altogether, ruining Luke's advantage.
He didn't want that to happen.
So, Luke had asked Iwao to search for other labs meanwhile.
However, because Iwao was just one person, the search was progressing slower than they had intended.
"We lack manpower…" Iron Mentor worded Luke's thoughts.
Dr. Blessed chuckled. "Not truly," he said, looking toward Trick*Step, who had been feeling left out and useless on the side. "We lack a good ride…"
Kazuho blushed.
That's why she had chosen Door Pathway, to begin with.
To fly — To jump — To reach the sky… above the clouds…
"Digestion cannot be hurried," Dr. Blessed warned. "We can afford to wait for teleportation. Meanwhile, if you find some concrete lead, alert me right away, Mr. Iron Mentor."
Iwao nodded. "That's all from me," he said. "I will also keep an eye on Police circulars. If something comes up regarding me and young Kazuho, then…"
Luke smiled smugly.
How shrewd?! He thought, looking at Iwao. That's quite a roundabout way to ask if I have spies among Heroes and Police. Too bad… I am also a Swindler…
"You are right about one thing," Dr. Blessed said, redirecting their thoughts instantly. "We do lack manpower."
Then, before Iron Mentor could process what happened, or Trick*Step's Spirituality could warn her, Luke began telling about the imprisoned Samuel Abraham and his intention of freeing the scientist.
"Dr. Sam can be of great assistance to us," Dr. Blessed told them. "Especially now that he has become a loyal follower of Mr. Fool. Yes, he had fallen to the wrong side… But — I think he deserves a second chance."
Iwao frowned.
Kazuho had mentioned how the Leader had saved that man on the death's door.
She had also mentioned how that man had betrayed his closest colleague, putting thousands of lives in danger.
But… "Will he be confined here?" Iron Mentor asked.
Dr. Blessed nodded. "Of course," he said. "I have no plans of turning him into a Beyonder. He has a Quirk."
Iwao sighed within. "Then I have no objection to this."
Kazuho hurriedly nodded as well, smiling. "I think… because we changed his fate, it's our duty to keep guiding him…"
Luke and Iwao's mouths twitched together.
What guiding him?! They were going to use the guy…
"Also…" Dr. Blessed said, almost smiling ruefully. "I have a candidate to join our ranks — as a Beyonder."
As Iwao and Kazuho listened, Luke briefly mentioned Melissa Shield and how she could be a great and necessary addition to the Organization.
"Whoa!" Kazuho suddenly let out a cheery shout. "She's good, Master… I mean, Mr. Iron Mentor. I met her. Very smart! Yes… it will be good to help her out, given her situation."
On the other side, Iwao's mouth flattened into a thin line. He didn't stare at Dr. Blessed, but his gaze still landed on him. Unlike Kazuho, he didn't see this recruitment as helping out this young girl, but Dr. Blessed's taking advantage of her struggles methodically…
… in the same way he had taken advantage of him and Kazuho's struggles.
Is this how he plans to grow Mr. Fool's faith? Iwao asked himself, as Kazuho kept going on, wondering about another girl member. Is he gonna… buy people's faith to the very end?!
Dr. Blessed suddenly looked at Iwao, making the latter twitch.
Iwao couldn't see the Leader's face, but, because of his Beyonder's abilities, he could perceive a smile on his face. This… guy…
Suddenly, Dr. Blessed stood up. "Are you ready, then?"
"We are going now?!" Iwao asked, involuntarily standing up, Kazuho following his actions.
"Haha…" Dr. Blessed laughed. "Of course. Today is as good a day as any to —
"—let the entire world know of The Apostles of Mr. Fool."
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