CHAPTER 8 ALL FOR ONES INJURY PART TWO

Ren's room wasn't exactly a place for "gear prep," but it had what he needed. He leaned against the wall, stretching one arm behind his head while rolling his shoulder. The knots in his back were still stubborn, but after a few twists and cracks, they loosened up. His reflection stared from the cracked mirror-messy hair, worn eyes, and a shirt that showed better days.

He reached for a belt and readjusted the knot holding up his pants. As he worked, he muttered to himself, just for the sake of breaking the silence. "Tagging along like a kid on a field trip, huh? Guess I should pack my bb gun." He chuckled.

A light knock preceded the creaking of the door as it opened. One of the grunts, a guy with greasy hair and a face Ren had already forgotten twice, poked his head in.

"Boss said we're leaving soon," the guy said. "Don't keep him waiting."

Ren didn't even lift his head. "Relax. I'm not holding up the grand plan just because I couldn't find my shoes."

The guy hesitated, clearly not sure how to respond. Ren smirked and waved him off. "Go on, man. I'll be there."

The moment the door closed, Ren exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He didn't really take these lower-level guys seriously-most of them were here because they had nowhere else to go. But in the question of All For One, it wasn't about banter; it was about not bloody dying and those influence points, baby.

He slipped on a pair of well-worn shoes, flexing his toes inside to make sure they still fitted right. Fingers brushed the small utility knife tucked into his belt. Not much, but enough to keep him feeling like options weren't entirely closed to him.

With every step he took toward the meeting point, the air grew heavier, as if the building itself knew it was onto something big. He didn't mind the tension, though; it kept things interesting.

Ren walked behind the group, his small sneakers making soft scuffling noises on the cracked floor. The dim hallway was cold, and the flickering lights overhead buzzed like dying insects. One of the grunts ahead sneezed loudly, earning a few muttered curses from the others. Ren rolled his eyes. Great, this crew isn't exactly the stuff of legends, he thought, but he wasn't here to judge them. He was here to figure out how to move up. Influence points didn't rack up by accident.

He tapped his fingers against the side of his leg as he followed, his mind already drifting. There's gotta be something tonight. Big events usually mean openings. He didn't know if it would be helping someone, saying the right thing, or just being in the right spot at the right time-but he'd figure it out. That's what he always did.

As they rounded the corner, a familiar swirl of mist materialized right next to him. Ren threw a quick glance at Kurogiri and smirked. "You know, you could give a guy some warning."

"You seem calm," Kurogiri said, playing the joke off. His voice was even, like one of those teachers you never want to mess with.

Ren shrugged. "Why wouldn't I? It's not like I'm the one who has to fight All Might.

Kurogiri paused, the mist curling slightly around his form as if it too was thinking. "No, you're not," he said slowly. "But you are here." 

Ren grinned to himself. Yeah, and I plan on making that count.

They came up to the exit, and the armored vehicle that was neatened up and imposing-looking sat there. All For One stood beside it, his hands clasped together in front of him, his presence heavy even without words. Ren straightened his posture automatically. No jokes here. Business.

"Are you ready, Ren?" All For One asked, politeness in his tone, yet weighty from an unspoken warning.

Ren didn't bat an eye. "Shoes are tied, I ate breakfast, and I'm ready to watch grown men punch each other. Let's do it."

One of the grunts behind him stifled a laugh, but Ren barely noticed. He was too busy watching All For One's reaction. The man nodded once, satisfied.

"Stay close and observe," All For One said. "Tonight will be important.

Ren hopped into the vehicle, slipping onto the cold leather seat as the door shut behind him. Kurogiri sat opposite him, his arms folded against his chest; unassuming yet watchful. The car roared to life, and the hideout soon disappeared from sight.

The lights of the city flickered by beyond the window as Ren's fingers drummed against his knee. There's something here. I just need to see it before it passes me by. Points don't hand themselves out.

"Hey, Kurogiri," Ren said after a moment. "What do you think's the fastest way to win favor without getting punched in the face?

Kurogiri tilted his head, amused but silent. Ren chuckled to himself. Guess I'll find out soon enough.

The car groaned to a stop at the edge of an industrial wasteland. Rows of old warehouses sprawled out like broken teeth in the mouth of some long-dead beast, their shattered windows catching faint glimmers from the moonlight overhead. The air was sharp, smelling of rusted metal and oil that had infused the ground decades ago. Ren stepped outside, the crunch of gravel beneath his boots. Every step felt heavier than the last as he followed the others toward the center of the complex.

Kurogiri finally broke the silence first, his voice low but very accurate, cutting through the high tension in the air like a knife. "Stay alert. This is the area that's under surveillance.

Ren looked around at the various buildings looming about them. Yes, they surely appeared abandoned- crumbling walls and weeds sprouting through the cracks- but he knew better. Places like that didn't remain unoccupied. Not when someone like All For One was around. He tucked his hands deep into his pockets, hunching his shoulders slightly as he trailed behind. His eyes danced between shadows, searching for whatever moved.

As they neared the largest of these warehouses, All For One pivoted to address them. His voice, soft and casual, held all the weight of a man who was used to having his way. "The battle will be here. Remain out of sight until I call for you."

Ren smiled shortly and kept the words brief. No speeches, no great motions-that wasn't his style. He wasn't here to play hero or prove anything; he had simply needed to survive. And maybe, if he played his cards right, pick up a few points along the way.

As the group broke up, Ren hunched behind a stack of corroded pipes. They were cold against his back, but he didn't care. Sitting, he could see enough to keep tabs on things without sticking his neck too far out. He tapped his fingers nervously against his knee, trying to steady his breathing.

Soon enough, the sound of engines humming cut through the night. Headlights flickered briefly and then vanished. Ren didn't have to see for himself to know-All Might had arrived.

He drew a slow breath, leaning forward just enough to catch a glimpse of the man stepping out of a car in the distance. Even from here, All Might was impossible to miss. Broad shoulders, chiseled jawline, an aura that seemed to fill the entire space around him. It wasn't so much his size-it was how the air seemed to shift with him, like gravity bent to accommodate him.

"Damn," Ren muttered under his breath. No wonder everybody treated the guy like some sort of god. Still, Ren couldn't help but notice how deliberately All Might was moving, how he slowly scanned the area. Like he knew exactly what was waiting for him—and wasn't afraid to meet it head-on.

Ren leaned back against the pipes once more, chewing on the inside of his cheek. It wasn't like watching was going to get him anywhere. But jumping into the middle of whatever was about to go down? That'd be suicide. He needed something small, something smart-something only he would think to do.

"All right, kid," came All For One's voice over the earpiece; calm, yet firm. "Be patient. The time will come.

Yeah, yeah," Ren muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes no one could see. Patience was never truly a virtue of his. Still, he forced himself to settle deeper into the shadows, peering out as All Might inched cautiously into the heart of the warehouse district.

With every step All Might took, tension coagulated in the air. Ren's fingers stirred, itching to be mobile, to take action. For now, all he could do was wait—and hope that moment would come sooner or later.