Chapter 24: [24] Pawns and Players
Detective Tsukauchi paused the footage, his pen tapping against his notepad. "Let's start with the obvious. How did they breach the security?"
Principal Nezu's tail twitched. "An excellent question. Our systems detected no unauthorized entry."
"They must have had inside help," Vlad King growled, slamming his fist on the table.
Midnight shot him a look. "Let's not jump to conclusions. We need facts, not speculation."
All Might, in his deflated form, leaned forward. "What about that warp villain? His quirk could have bypassed our defenses entirely."
Tsukauchi nodded, scribbling in his notebook. "Kurogiri. We're still gathering intel on him, but his warp ability is unlike anything we've seen before."
"And the leader?" Cementos asked. "This... Shigaraki character?"
The detective pulled up an image on the main screen. A man with light blue hair, face obscured by a disembodied hand. "Tomura Shigaraki. No prior record, no match in any database. It's like he appeared out of thin air."
"Creepy bastard," Present Mic muttered.
Snipe tilted his head. "What's his quirk? The footage didn't show much."
"Decay," Tsukauchi replied. "One touch, and he can disintegrate anything. Or anyone."
A collective shudder ran through the room.
All Might's fists clenched. "And the Nomu?"
The screen changed, showing the monstrous creature. Its bulging muscles, exposed brain, and dead eyes sent chills down even the pro heroes' spines.
"Multiple quirks," Nezu mused, his beady eyes narrowing. "Fascinating. And disturbing."
"How is that possible?" Vlad King demanded.
Tsukauchi shook his head. "We don't know. But it's clear this 'League of Villains' has resources and technology beyond what we've encountered before."
"Speaking of resources," Midnight interjected, "what about the cannon fodder? Those low-level thugs they brought along?"
"Mostly small-time criminals," the detective explained. "Petty thieves, muggers, the occasional gang member. Nothing to suggest they'd be involved in something this big."
Present Mic leaned back in his chair. "So, what? They're just recruiting anyone with a pulse now?"
"It appears so," Nezu said. "Which raises another concern. How many more are out there, waiting to be swayed by this League's rhetoric?"
The room fell silent as the implications sank in.
Tsukauchi cleared his throat. "Let's move on to the students. Their performance during the crisis was... unexpected."
All Might perked up, a hint of pride in his sunken eyes. "They surpassed all expectations. Especially young Midoriya."
The footage shifted, showing Izuku facing off against the Nomu.
Vlad King whistled. "Kid's got guts, I'll give him that."
"Guts?" Snipe scoffed. "Try a death wish. Taking on that monster alone was reckless."
"But effective," Cementos pointed out. "He bought time for the others to escape and for backup to arrive."
Midnight nodded. "His quick thinking saved lives. But the level of combat ability he displayed..."
"It's unprecedented," Nezu finished. "Especially for a first-year student."
All Might shifted uncomfortably. "Young Midoriya has always been... exceptional."
Tsukauchi's eyes narrowed slightly at his friend's tone, but he said nothing.
"What about the others?" Present Mic asked. "Bakugo and Todoroki showed up just in time to turn the tide."
The screen split, showing footage of various 1-A students in action. Yaoyorozu creating weapons, Uraraka using her quirk to incapacitate villains, Iida racing to get help.
"They all performed admirably," Nezu said. "But it raises questions about our curriculum. Are we preparing them adequately for real-world threats?"
Vlad King snorted. "They're first-years. They shouldn't have to face real-world threats yet."
"But they did," Midnight countered. "And they will again. We can't shelter them forever."
"Agreed," Cementos said. "But we can better equip them. More combat training, perhaps? Scenario-based exercises?"
All Might nodded. "We should also focus on teamwork. Many of them shone brightest when working together."
Tsukauchi made a note. "I'll recommend increased security measures for future off-campus activities. But that brings us to our next point - U.A.'s public image."
The mood in the room darkened.
"The media's going to have a field day with this," Present Mic groaned.
Midnight sighed. "Parents will be demanding answers."
"Then we get ahead of it," Nezu said firmly. "We show them that U.A. is still the safest place for their children. That this attack has only strengthened our resolve."
Tsukauchi nodded. "I can help with the police's official statement. We'll stress that this was an isolated incident, not a reflection on U.A.'s overall security."
"What about the Sports Festival?" Snipe asked. "It's coming up soon. Should we postpone?"
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Nezu.
The principal's whiskers twitched. "No. We proceed as planned. Increased security, of course, but we show the world that U.A. - and our students - won't be cowed by villains."
A chorus of agreement filled the room.
"One last thing," Tsukauchi said, his expression grim. "The League's true objective. They came for All Might, but..."
All Might's shoulders sagged. "But I wasn't there."
"Exactly," the detective continued. "So what now? Will they try again? And if so, where? When?"
Nezu's tail swished back and forth. "We must assume they will. Which means we need to be prepared. Not just for another attack on U.A., but anywhere All Might might be."
All Might nodded, his face set in determination. "I'll increase my patrols, vary my routes. Make it harder for them to predict my movements."
"And risk spreading yourself too thin?" Midnight asked, concern evident in her voice.
"We'll coordinate with other agencies," Tsukauchi said. "Set up a task force dedicated to tracking the League's movements."
Present Mic raised an eyebrow. "You think they'll slip up?"
"Everyone does, eventually," Snipe drawled. "Our job is to be ready when they do."
Nezu stood, his small stature belying the authority in his voice. "Then we have our tasks. Increase security, adapt our curriculum, prepare for the Sports Festival, and hunt down this League of Villains. Any questions?"
The room remained silent.
"Good. Then let's get to work. We have students to protect and villains to catch."
As the meeting adjourned, All Might lingered behind. Tsukauchi approached his old friend, concern etched on his face.
"Toshinori," he said softly. "There's something you're not telling us about Midoriya, isn't there?"
All Might sighed, his sunken eyes meeting the detective's gaze. "Naomasa, I..."
"You don't have to tell me everything," Tsukauchi interrupted. "But if there's anything that could help us protect him - protect all of them - I need to know."
All Might was quiet for a long moment. "He's... special. More than anyone knows. And I fear I may have put a target on his back by choosing him."
Tsukauchi nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "One for All."
"Yes," All Might whispered. "But there's more to it. His progress, it's... unprecedented. I've never seen anything like it."
"Is he a threat?"
All Might's head snapped up. "No! Never. Young Midoriya has the heart of a true hero."
Tsukauchi held up his hands. "I had to ask. But Toshinori, if he's as powerful as you say, the League might take notice. Especially after his performance at USJ."
"I know," All Might said, his voice heavy. "I'll watch over him. Guide him. It's all I can do."
The detective placed a hand on his friend's bony shoulder. "Not all you can do. You can trust us. Your colleagues, your friends. You don't have to bear this burden alone."
All Might managed a weak smile. "Thank you, Naomasa. I'll... I'll keep that in mind."
In a dark room across the city, a figure hunched over a bank of monitors. Shigaraki scratched his neck furiously as he rewatched the footage of the USJ attack.
"Green earrings…" a deep voice rumbled from a speaker. "It seems our little game has some unexpected players."
Shigaraki's eyes narrowed, fixed on the image of Izuku Midoriya facing down the Nomu. "That brat. He ruined everything!"
"Now, now, Tomura," the voice chided. "Don't be so hasty. This boy... he might be exactly what we need."
"What do you mean, sensei?"
A dark chuckle filled the room. "Keep watching him. Test him. Push him to his limits. And when the time is right..."
Shigaraki leaned forward, a maniacal grin spreading across his face. "We'll break him."
"No, my student," the voice corrected. "We'll recruit him."
The screen flickered, zooming in on Izuku's determined face. In that frozen moment, with electricity crackling around his fist and fire in his eyes, it was hard to tell if you were looking at the birth of a hero...
Or the making of a villain.
The smell of buttered popcorn filled Recovery Girl's infirmary. I reached for another handful, my eyes fixed on the small TV mounted on the wall.
"You really didn't have to come," I said, glancing at Nejire. "I'm getting discharged tomorrow anyway."
She waved a hand dismissively, her periwinkle hair bouncing. "Please, like I'd miss a chance to hang out. Besides, Ryukyu slowed down on patrols."
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious. "Everything okay?"
Nejire nodded, her eyes bright. "Yeah! She wants me to focus on my final Sports Festival. Says it's my last chance to really wow the sponsors, maybe even land some brand deals."
I leaned back against the pillows, considering this new information. Nejire with brand deals could be useful. More exposure, more connections. "That's great, Nejire. Any specific companies in mind?"
She launched into an animated description of potential sponsors, her hands gesturing wildly. I listened, asking questions at the right moments, filing away anything that might be useful later.
As a commercial break started, my eyes drifted to the book Nejire had brought earlier. "Mind if we take a look at those case files?"
Nejire's eyes lit up. "Ooh, yes! I've been dying to discuss that one about the sound-based villain."
We huddled over the book, completely forgetting about the movie.
"Oh!" Nejire exclaimed suddenly. "I almost forgot to mention. I can put in a good word with Ryukyu, have her keep an eye on you during the festival."
I looked up, genuinely surprised. "Really? That would be amazing, Nejire. Thank you."
She beamed. "Of course! What are friends for? Plus, I have a feeling you're going to do something spectacular. Wouldn't want Ryukyu to miss out on scouting the next big thing!"
I chuckled, playing modest. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I still have to make it through the festival first."
A knock at the door interrupted our discussion.
"Come in," I called out, curious who it might be.
The door opened, revealing Momo. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of Nejire and me huddled over the book.
"Midoriya," she said, composing herself quickly. "I hope I'm not interrupting. I wanted to see how you were doing."
I sat up straighter, offering a warm smile. "Yaoyorozu, come in. I'm doing much better, thanks."
Nejire shifted slightly, her shoulder brushing against mine. "Hi there! I'm Nejire Hado, third-year. You must be in Izuku's class?"
Momo nodded. "Momo Yaoyorozu, yes. It's nice to meet you, Hado-senpai."
"Oh, just Nejire is fine!" She beamed, but I noticed a slight tension in her smile.
Interesting.
"How are the others?" I asked Momo.
Momo perched on the edge of the bed, her eyes darting between Nejire and me. "They're all very worried about you. Recovery Girl actually banned them from visiting en masse. Something about 'making far too much noise for a place of healing'."
I chuckled, imagining the chaos of Class 1-A descending on the infirmary. "Sounds about right. Tell them I appreciate the concern, but I'll be back soon enough."
Momo nodded, then her gaze fell on the book in my lap. "What's that you're reading?"
"Oh, just some old hero case files," Nejire chirped. "I thought Izuku might find them interesting. You know, given his amazing analytical skills."
Momo's eyebrow twitched slightly. "Indeed. Midoriya's quirk analysis is quite impressive."
The tension in the room ratcheted up a notch. I watched, fascinated, as the two girls sized each other up.
"Yaoyorozu's pretty amazing too," I said, deciding to stir the pot a bit. "Her quirk knowledge is incredible. She was invaluable during the USJ incident."
Momo's cheeks pinked slightly at the praise. "You give me too much credit, Midoriya. Your leadership was what really made the difference."
Nejire leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Oh? What happened exactly? The rumor mill's been going crazy, but no one seems to know the details."
I glanced at Momo, silently communicating. She nodded slightly, understanding.
"Well," I began, carefully editing the story in my mind. "We were separated from the others when that warp villain scattered us. Ended up in the Ruins Zone with Yaoyorozu and Jiro..."
I recounted the events, emphasizing our teamwork and quick thinking. Momo chimed in occasionally, adding details or corroborating parts of the story. Nejire listened intently, her eyes wide.
"Wow," she breathed when we finished. "That's incredible. You guys are only first-years and you took on real villains!"
Momo smiled modestly. "We did what we had to. Midoriya's plan was what really saved us."
"Oh come on," I said, playing the humble hero. "It was a team effort. We all contributed."
Nejire bounced excitedly. "Still! Fighting off villains, saving your teacher... it's like something out of a movie!"
I shrugged. "Just doing what heroes are supposed to do, I guess."
"Speaking of heroes," Momo interjected smoothly, "have you given any thought to work studies, Midoriya? After your performance at USJ, I imagine you'll have plenty of offers."
Nejire's eyes lit up. "Ooh, work studies! Those are so much fun. I was just telling Izuku that Ryukyu might keep an eye on him during the Sports Festival."
I noticed Momo's slight frown at this information.
"That would be great," I said. "And Yaoyorozu, I'd love to hear your thoughts too. You probably have some good insights on which agencies might be the best fit."
Both girls perked up at the invitation to share their knowledge. For the next hour, I sat back and listened as they took turns extolling the virtues of various hero agencies and work study programs. It was fascinating to watch them try to one-up each other while maintaining a veneer of politeness.
"Oh!" Nejire exclaimed, checking her phone. "I didn't realize how late it was getting. I should probably head out." She turned to me, her smile bright. "We'll hang out after you get out of here, okay Izuku?"
I nodded, returning her smile. "Looking forward to it. Thanks for the book and the company."
Nejire gathered her things, then paused at the door. "It was nice meeting you, Yaoyorozu! Take care of Izuku for me, okay?"
Momo's smile was perfectly polite, but I caught the competitive glint in her eye. "Of course. It was a pleasure meeting you as well, Hado-senpai."
As the door closed behind Nejire, Momo turned back to me. "She seems... nice."
I hid a smirk. "She is. Very energetic, but sharp as a tack underneath all that bubbliness."
Momo nodded, her expression carefully neutral. "I see. And how did you two meet, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Oh, just before the entrance exam," I said casually. "We got to talking about quirks and hit it off."
"I see," Momo repeated, her tone thoughtful. "Well, I should probably let you rest. Is there anything you need before I go?"
I shook my head. "I'm good, thanks."
Momo nodded. "Goodnight then, Izuku... We're all looking forward to having you back in class."
As Momo left, I leaned back against the pillows. Two brilliant, driven young women, both vying for my attention... yes, I could work with this.
The door creaked open, interrupting my musings. Recovery Girl shuffled in, eyeing the popcorn bowl with disapproval.
"I hope you're not overexerting yourself, young man," she said sternly. "You need rest to heal properly."
I put on my most innocent expression. "Of course not. Just some light reading and conversation with friends. Nothing strenuous."
She hmmphed, clearly not entirely convinced. "Well, your latest scans look good. If you continue to improve at this rate, we should be able to discharge you tomorrow afternoon."
I nodded, feigning relief. "That's great news. Thank you for everything, Recovery Girl."
As she checked my vitals, I let my mind wander to the challenges ahead. The Sports Festival was coming up fast. A perfect opportunity to showcase my abilities, to cement my image as the rising star of U.A.
"All done," Recovery Girl announced. "Now get some rest. And no more popcorn!"
I chuckled, settling back into the pillows. "Yes, ma'am."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone