Chapter 171 : Anatomy of a Mission

The next week passed in a focused haze of preparation. Time seemed to condense, every hour optimized for training, planning, and analysis. In the villa's war room, the "Cargo Interception" mission at Hosu Port became the center of their small universe. This mission felt different from the previous reconnaissance. It was more concrete, more dangerous, and was their first real offensive step in this shadow war.

Hawks stood before the holographic table, which now displayed a highly detailed three-dimensional replica of Hosu Port. Data streamed continuously, marking port security patrol routes, CCTV camera ranges, and ship arrival schedules.

"Okay, let's go over this one more time," Hawks said, his voice sharp and focused. "Our target is the cargo ship named 'The Crimson Tide.' Scheduled to dock at Pier 7 at 02:00, three days from now. According to its manifest, it's carrying 'industrial mining equipment' from a shell company in Europe."

He zoomed in on a section of the ship, highlighting a dark blue container. "Our intel confirms the real cargo is inside this container, identification code 'XM-774.' The contents: new-generation prototype energy weapons, enough to arm a full battalion."

"Your job, Tatsumi," he continued, looking straight at the young man, "is not to destroy the cargo. That would be too noisy and would let them know we're onto this route. Instead, you're going to be a ghost. You're going to tag it."

He displayed images of two small devices on the screen. One was a nearly invisible subcutaneous GPS tracker, the other was a button-sized audio bug. "We want to know where these weapons are being taken. Who the final recipient is. You will infiltrate the ship while the unloading is in progress—that's the most chaotic time with the most distractions—plant both of these devices on the underside of the container, and get out without a trace."

Akame, who had been studying the map in total silence, pointed to a large drainage pipe located under the pier. "Their security is focused on land and air. They won't expect a threat from below. Entering from underwater will bypass most of the motion and thermal sensors on the pier. You can surface under the pier, directly beneath the unloading area."

The plan sounded neat, but every second of it was fraught with risk.

In U.A.'s always cluttered and chaotic development workshop, Mei Hatsume laughed maniacally as she tinkered with a new pair of gauntlets. Across from her, Uraraka Ochako watched with a mixture of awe and slight fear.

"So, you want new 'babies' to improve your maneuverability in zero-gravity environments, right?" Hatsume exclaimed, her eyes gleaming behind her goggles. "A WONDERFUL idea! I love it!"

A few days after the phone call from Tatsumi, Uraraka felt a new surge of motivation. She wasn't just going to wait. She was going to be proactive. She had come to Hatsume with a request: to upgrade her costume to be more effective.

"I-I was thinking maybe some kind of small thruster or grapple hook to help me control my direction when I'm floating among debris," Uraraka explained. "And maybe better soles for my boots to cushion the landing."

"Thrusters? Grapple hooks? Oh, my dear, you're thinking too simply!" Hatsume chirped cheerfully. "How about this: Gauntlets with variable gravity emitters! You can create mini points of attraction or repulsion to pull yourself towards a surface or push debris away with precision! And for your boots, forget shock absorbers! I'll install electromagnetic G-dampener soles that will adjust their density a split second before impact! It'll be a masterpiece!"

Uraraka could only nod, slightly overwhelmed by Hatsume's explosive enthusiasm. But inside, she was thrilled. This was a real step. She was forging herself into a stronger hero, a hero worthy of standing by Tatsumi's side when he returned.

In a lavish office with a view of the city at night, a slender man with slicked-back hair and a greasy smile was speaking through a secure monitor. His name was 'Slither,' a PLF lieutenant whose Quirk allowed his body to become incredibly flexible and slippery, making him an expert in logistics and infiltration. On the screen, Re-Destro's face was calm and demanding.

"All arrangements for the 'special' cargo are ready, Grand Commander," Slither reported. "I have tripled the port security. Several local officials have also been 'reminded' to focus their patrols on other districts that night."

"Good," Re-Destro replied. "The incident at the Yamanashi camp shows the enemy has unexpected aerial reconnaissance capabilities. There can be no mistakes with this operation. That cargo is critical."

"Of course, sir," Slither said confidently. "I will personally oversee the unloading. Our associates from Humarise have guaranteed its quality, and I can't wait to see how these new weapons will perform in the hands of our troops."

Re-Destro nodded. "Ensure the delivery goes smoothly. The Apex Front is getting bolder, and I want our forces well-armed when the time comes."

The call ended. Slither smiled with satisfaction. Cargo from Humarise. Weapons based on Quirk-stealing technology. This would be a game-changer in the coming war.

The night before the mission. The air was heavy with anticipation. Tatsumi and Akame were at the cliff's edge, conducting one final drill. This was no longer about power or speed, but about precision and awareness.

"You're going in from the sea," Akame said. "Do it now."

Tatsumi nodded. From a great height, he dived sharply towards the ocean. Just before hitting the water, he altered Incursio's properties, making its surface smoother and more hydrodynamic. He entered the water almost without a sound, gliding beneath the dark surface towards the shore.

He swam in silence, relying only on the dim light from his visor. He reached the shore and slowly emerged from the water under the shadow of the rocks, every movement controlled and silent. He'd done it.

Suddenly, a shadow shot out from the side. Tatsumi reacted on instinct, twisting his body and raising his arm to block. The blade of Akame's sword stopped a millimeter from his neck. In an instant, Akame had stripped him of his balance and put him in a lock he couldn't escape.

"You were too focused on your objective," Akame whispered in his ear, her voice as cold as the night wind. "You got out of the water silently, but you didn't scan your surroundings for hidden threats. On a real battlefield, you'd be dead."

She released him. Tatsumi fell to his knees in the sand, gasping not from exhaustion, but from shock. The lesson felt like a hard slap.

He looked up at Akame, who now stood in the moonlight. "I... I understand," he said.

He got up, the sting of the lesson sharpening his focus. He was more prepared than ever, but Akame's final warning echoed in his mind. In this shadow war, a single mistake, a single moment of carelessness, was the only thing separating success from death. And tomorrow night, there would be no room for error.