Third person pov

If it wasn't clear before, it was now. Something else was amiss with Atlantis. The way Gang Orca folded under his gaze, eyes sparkling and serious personality subdued, was astonishing. It was unlike anything Nezu had ever seen. The same went for Recovery Girl, Toshinori, and even Aizawa. Shota couldn't quite stop himself from gazing at his husband in total disbelief as he treated the oceanic hero like one might treat a puppy dog. That wasn't the weirdest part in particular, either. The way the terrifying pro responded in like was completely perplexing. He really and truly radiated a 'puppy-like' energy, excitable and loving towards Atlantis. Maybe even playful.

"We need to go as far out as we can." Hitoshi noted. Gang Orca had also shown interest in him, coming over and patting him on the head a bit and sitting next to him. If Hitoshi particularly cared, he didn't show it. Didn't even react as the adults gazed at him like he'd just stepped out of a portal from another world. Atlantis was still aweing over Gang Orca, too distracted to say anything else. "As soon as we can't see land anymore, we'll know we're far enough. It shouldn't take too long to get to that point." 

He as right. The wind seemed to be blowing them away from land. If not for the two anchors keeping them tied down, they surely would've been swept away by the tides. Recovery Girl and Toshinori both actually seemed a bit concerned about the violent nature with which the waves acted. Nezu was too busy sipping his tea to much mind, musing at the interactions between Gang Orca and the two oddballs aboard. Aizawa also wasn't too worried. He'd learned when he met Atlantis that the ocean had a life of its own, and that it would heed Atlantis' wishes and protect them whilst he was with them.

"Is there a reason we have to go so far out, dearie?" Recovery Girl asked mildly, seated on a bench that made her look even smaller than she already was. Atlantis blinked, cocking his head. How did he answer this without giving too much away? He wasn't quite sure. They were going to find out anyway, so perhaps it would be best to just own up to it now so they weren't surprised when it happened. They didn't need Toshinori-san panicking when Atlantis grew a tail and scooped him up with a giant mass of water.  

Aizawa could feel Atlantis' contemplation through their bond. He glanced at Nezu. The rat looked impossibly smug as he sat there, but Aizawa had been acquainted with him long enough to see he wasn't sure of anything just yet. There was a lot he still didn't know. That was both a good and bad thing. Would it be better for him to know? They were doing this. Gang Orca was getting up and setting off. Albeit he was being rather hesitant about it, as he had to stand up and leave Hitoshi and Atlantis to sit while he did so. You wouldn't find Shota complaining about that.

The underground pro shifted in his seat uneasily. Atlantis glanced his way questioningly, brows furrowed slightly in concern. Aizawa couldn't help but smile just a little. He was so expressive. Shota wished he could match the energy Atlantis brought forth, but perhaps his collected nature in contrast to his husband's spryness was what levelled everything out between them and made it work. That probably wasn't the case, but he could certainly dream and pretend it was.

"Yes, of course!" Atlantis exclaimed, clapping his hands together happily. He was incredibly enthusiastic despite his underlying nervousness. Being near the ocean was invigorating. Even Hitoshi seemed more energizing, sitting up a little straighter and talking with a little more push in his voice. Recovery Girl and Nezu had both greatly taken note of the changes, Atlantis notices. Mr. Toshinori simply seemed nervous. It made sense, seeing as he was the one with the grievous injury. "The further out we get, the more power we'll be able to draw." 

Nezu nodded calmly, analyzing what he'd said. At first glance it made sense. Atlantis' healing ability was highly water based, meaning it would make sense to put themselves in the middle of a mass of limitless water. However, if you really listened, he'd said 'we'll'. As in, him and Hitoshi Shinso, who did indeed not have an aquatic quirk. Not in the least, actually. His was mental based-- a hypnosis activated when he could get an enemy to verbally answer a question. There was no moisture of any kind involved. What was his involvement? If not for the odd nature of this entire expedition, he'd have insisted the teenager stay back for his own safety. But Hitoshi Shinso seemed to know exactly what was happening. Thus, how could Nezu possibly refuse?

The sea was eager to pull them away from the docks. No matter how the ship rocked and shifted, Atlantis and Hitoshi never showed any concern. Aizawa forced himself to remain calm. He had to trust in Atlantis, and in the bond he had with the ocean. Hitoshi too. Though the teenager seemed to lack the ability to turn into any sort of merman now, he was still connected to the ocean just as Atlantis was. The sea still cherished him. Shota wondered to himself what that was like. He could feel glimpses of it through his bond with his husband, but he knew there was no possible way he was experiencing the full scale of everything. 

Toshinori became more and more antsy the further they got from shore. He had never been a big fan of boats. It's not that the ocean made him nervous. In his hero form, he was an excellent swimmer. He just... something about this made him terribly uneasy. The mysteriousness surrounding Atlantis and his quirk rubbed him the wrong way. It wasn't that he thought Atlantis was bad. In fact, One For All even seemed drawn to the young man, if you could believe it. Such an odd thing to realize and consider, but perfectly true. That only made him all the wearier. Just what hadn't Atlantis told them? Why did they have to go to the middle of the ocean for this to work?

Recovery Girl held similar sentiments about this entire thing. She had seen many things in her time on this Earth. As a medical professional, she'd bore witness to countless miracles and even more tragedies. Never had she encountered a situation such as this. This felt spontaneous and out of the box. Things like that were okay in her field, of course. They were even beneficial at times. But there was something so strange about Atlantis and his claims that she simply couldn't sit still on this. She'd always prided herself on her ability to breeze in and out of situations with a level head and full confidence. This was the first time in a long time that she'd felt this unsure.

Hitoshi observed the adults around him, taking deep breaths. The fishy smell that had lingered around the docks was gone, leaving nothing but fresh salt to fill his nostrils. It was relaxing. When had he last been so close to the ocean's heart? So far into the water? He felt more at home than he had in several years now. Since coming to land, he hadn't gotten a chance to experience this. It was freeing. He felt alive. The crystal embedded in his chest thrummed. It was not an enemy, he realized. He wondered if there was a way to get it out. With Atlantis here, maybe there was. Perhaps there was truly a chance for him to return to his roots fully. 

They drifted further and further out. Gang Orca hummed happily to himself. He hadn't felt this joyous in quite some time. Many humans were afraid of him. Other people found his appearance to be unsightly. He was scary-- he understood that. Something about this Atlantis fellow was different, however. This Shinso boy as well. They felt intoxicatingly familiar. Like a home he'd never had. Someone he'd forgotten, but had never known in the first place. They were striking individuals, radiating a bone-deep power that felt older than time itself. He could feel it so clearly within them. He wanted to be near it. Could the others feel it too? He didn't know.

Atlantis watched the land disappear. Determination swelled in him. He was going to heal this man. He and Hitoshi both would work together. He knew this meant giving up his secret, but he'd chosen to trust Aizawa. That had clearly worked out quite well for him. There was no reason he couldn't place his trust in these individuals as well. Gang Orca was a kind man who would surely take the ocean's side and agree to keep what he saw to himself. Nezu was terrifyingly smart and knew the importance of secrecy, and Recovery Girl was a woman who hid many things behind her tired eyes. Toshinori Yagi too was an earnest and truthful man. He could feel it as clearly as he could feel the sea calling to him. There was something in him that was powerful and that had come from the ocean. The sea wished to help him. And what the sea wanted, so did Atlantis.

"We're almost there." Hitoshi seemed to decide, looking up from the jars of paint he'd been holding. Aizawa nodded. It was through Atlantis that he could tell they were nearly to the point. The seas were thrashing. It seemed threatening to anyone who looked at it, but Shota could tell it was not. He couldn't for the life of him figure out how he knew this. It didn't feel that this knowledge was coming through the bond he had with his husband. There was just something in the air. Even Nezu and Recovery Girl seemed to feel it, sitting more relaxed in their seats. Toshinori was the only one who still seemed to teem with anxiety. As the one who was getting healed, he supposed that was passable.

"Is there anything we need to do?" Shota asked as Atlantis leaned into him, squeezing his hand. Atlantis gnawed on the inside of his cheek. The mer didn't think there was anything anyone else could do to assist. No matter what connections anyone else had to the sea, the point remained that Hitoshi and Atlantis were still the only two merfolk present. That meant they were the only ones who could perform this ritual. It was going to be tiring, but he could tell it was worth it. Humanity needed this man, he felt. 

"No, no." Atlantis assured, giving a smile. He opened his mouth to give more reassurances and perhaps a bit of an explanation as to what to expect or do, but he was cut off when the boat jerked to a sudden halt. It was almost as though they'd run into an invisible wall. Stopped in their tracks, they all lurched slightly forward. It was a miracle they all managed to catch themselves in time. Gang Orca whirled to look down at them from his place at the help, his eyes apologetic. Atlantis took a deep breath. This was not a malfunction with the ship. They were here. 

"I don't know why it stopped so suddenly." Gang Orca said in a gruff tone. His eyes fell on Atlantis. The young mer smiled at the oceanic hero, who relaxed visibly. His grip on the wheel loosened a bit. He didn't feel he needed to lower the anchors to keep the ship rooted here. "I guess we're far enough out, then."

Atlantis nodded, rising from his seat. It was astonishing to Toshinori how well the young man could keep his balance. He leaned naturally along with the boat-- almost as though he were a part of it. Hitoshi Shinso was the same way. His body rocked back and forth, keeping himself upright. Toshinori was sure he'd stumble over if he dared try to stand with his frail body as it was. He had a feeling that didn't matter. He was going to have to. He wondered just what they were going to do. Would it hurt? Would it take a long time? Would... Toshinori have to get into the water?

The water seemed almost as though it were in turmoil. It was a gorgeous deep blue, but it intimidating in the fact that you couldn't see what was beneath the waves. Atlantis leaned over the edge of the ship, gazing out almost as though to survey the spot before them. The water on the right side of the ship looked the same as the water on the left side of the ship to Toshinori, but what did the blonde know? Atlantis was the ocean expert here. Hitoshi was too, apparently. He too leaned over the edge, gazing out at the waves. The teenager didn't seem as tired as he had before they got on this boat. He looked at peace, his tension gone and a small smile on his face. 

"Yes, this is good." Atlantis murmured, turning to face the heroes once again. He smiled. "We have to wait just a moment for everyone to gather. We can prepare Mr. Yagi in that time, if that's okay."

Nezu's brows raised at the comment. Who else would possibly arrive here? They were in the middle of the sea without another soul in sight. Even Aizawa looked a bit perplexed by the comment, thinking deeply about it and what it could mean. Atlantis smiled at his husband. Toshinori looked startled-- like a deer caught before a pair of headlights. Hitoshi approached the blonde almost like how a tiger might stalk its prey. His eyes roamed the man, a jar of paint in each arm. A very fine paintbrush had appeared, tucked behind the boy's ear. 

Hitoshi had not done a ritual like this in a long time. He could feel the words to it waiting to be spoken from within him. As a siren, he was the ocean's voice. He could speak what it couldn't say better than any other class of mer. It was a prideful position. His supposed 'quirk' was shamed and feared on land. In the ocean, it was an honor to possess the abilities he did. It's why he'd pushed himself so hard to become a hero, despite the criticism the humans shot at him. He was prideful of who he was and where he came from. These were abilities he would hate to go to waste.

"What do we need to do to prepare him, dearie?" Recovery Girl asked. Gang Orca had come down to observe, seated on the floor of the ship. Atlantis opened his mouth to answer, but Shota beat him to the punch. He had explained mildly to his husband what this might entail. Their bond helped too. He had a basic understanding of what was going on, and of what was to come.

"They need to see the injury. You'll need to remove your shirt." Aizawa noted. Toshinori blinked, nodding almost dazedly. He felt completely clueless in this situation. Shota continued. "They're going to paint symbols on you. You'll have to try and stay still. It may hurt."

Toshinori looked startled. Pain symbols on him? For what reason? And why in the world would it hurt him? These were all questions he couldn't seem to force past his lips. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't find it in himself to speak. It felt as though his throat had closed up and stopped working. Disbelief ran heavy through him. Could they really heal him? This all seemed ludicrous. The ocean, and now ritualistic symbols. He didn't see how this related to a quirk. He'd never seen a quirk connect to things like this before. To paint made out of seashells, and to the sea. How could one draw power from the ocean? Just how intricate was Atlantis' power?

"What do these symbols do, might I ask?" Nezu asked. He had many more inquiries aside from this one, but this one had been the most pressing. He had to wonder what this paint was going to do. How did it help them at all? What was it going to do to All Might to help him heal? This was going beyond just a water-based healing quirk. This was a lot deeper. Nezu had never been so curious in his life. This was one thing he-- somehow-- knew nothing about. 

"They will help us concentrate our power into him." Atlantis smiled, as though that explained it all. From behind him, the deafening cry of what was undoubtedly a whale sounded. Toshinori jumped, as did Recovery Girl and Aizawa. Hitoshi, who had been preparing the paint to be used, gave the man a firm glare. He couldn't move. If he made Hitoshi mess up, this whole thing could be ruined. Hitoshi didn't want to let Atlantis down, or the ocean. Toshinori blinked wildly.

A quick peek over the edge of the boat showed that it wasn't just a whale that had come to their humble little boat. Sharks and dolphins circled in an odd sort of harmony. There was a swirl of colorful fish just below the water's surface. A few whales breached the water just beside the circle, singing their mournful songs of greeting. There were sea turtles present too, all of them also joining the spiral of sea life that seemed to be forming just beside their ship. Toshinori gawked, and even Shota was struck speechless. It was an anomaly, and the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his life. Atlantis never failed to amaze him.

Recovery girl was stunned. Even Gang Orca was. He was a proud master of the sea. Very few heroes were willing to work on these vast waters. He had a deep understanding of the ocean, but never had he seen something like this. The abundance of life harmoniously coexisting was... it was stunning. Absolutely beautiful in the most unnatural and abnormal way. He stared, wishing he could burn it into his memory. The pod of whales, twisting beneath the water. The sharks fins popping up, and the dolphins leaping upwards. The shadows of sea turtles and the vibrant fish. Translucent jellyfish were mere shadows beneath the waves, barely visible at all unless you squinted. Even they appeared in some sort of formation.

Nezu sipped his teacup, which was somehow still hot and somehow not empty yet. He was a clever creature. There was little he didn't know. Although he refused to show it, he could safely say that he had no idea what the fuck was happening right now. It was just as infuriating as it was awing. He barely noticed the way Toshinori's teeth clenched shut as Hitoshi began painting. The blond gripped the side of the bend he was on tightly. Even in his smaller form, he still managed to put dents in it. Recovery Girl-- ever the attentive woman-- noticed this immediately. Her eyes lit up with concern at the sight of his pain.

Toshinori felt the symbols were searing into him. He looked up, his eyes meeting Atlantis'. He was struck. Speechless, he stared as the young man's eyes seemed to glow. The way he smiled at him, his face full of knowledge and serenity he hadn't ever seen present in someone's expression... it made him realize something. Atlantis was going to heal him. He and the sea life below were going to fix his injury. Previously so doubtful, he wasn't sure how he became so terribly sure. He was positive, though. His injury would be lifted.

But Hitoshi's eyes were glowing too, and Toshinori realized with a shudder...

There was no way these two were human. And he... well, Toshinori wasn't too sure just what that meant.

He had a feeling he was about to find out.