Waiting for his turn to be interviewed, Izuku sat at the dinner table, several metres from the kitchen entrance. Two guards were posted outside of it, stopping any unwanted eavesdropping. On the far end of the table was a clipboard, listing everyone in 1-A and which questioning method they'd prefer. Was Izuku meant to fill this out? Quickly waving the clipboard at the policemen, a nearby man confirmed with a nod.

Unclipping the pen, Izuku kept it hovering in midair. Would he allow Shinso to use his quirk to question him? He'd already experienced his brainwashing during the sports festival; a blurry trance while he was still awake, his body moving on its own, strung along by Shinso's mere words. It wasn't painful, but it was terrifying. Though Izuku knew better than to fear Shinso misusing his quirk. His vow to be a hero, had come straight from the heart, spoken with the same passion as any 1-A student. Even then, Izuku had full faith in the police's supervision and wouldn't allow Shinso to go too far.

As for Izuku himself, he wanted to prove he'd never hurt his friends. If Shinso was the best way to do that, then he'd go for it. Psyching himself up, he ticked the box for Shinso. Once the police had done questioning him, they'd have the evidence they needed. Either that was to expose the traitor or deem the whole class innocent, UA would prove again to the League of Villains, they wouldn't be defeated.

Just as Izuku was checking the clock, scraping chairs were coming from the Kitchen, with Kacchan then exiting. "You idiots better know what you're doing. Even with your hero wannabe, Shinso - Five minutes is a joke!", he told the police in the kitchen.

Since the Explosion-user was adamant on avoiding everyone, he blanked Izuku, storming further into the hall. Detective Tsukauchi appeared around the corner, sighing at the loud-mouth. Relief spread across his face, when he realised the mild-mannered Izuku was next. The two formally shook hands, "Hi there, Midoriya, it's been a while. Good to see your armies are healing well. Which interview method have you gone for?"

The student nodded, "It certainly has been, Sir. I think I'll go with Shinso's quirk.". Admittedly, Izuku felt they should be friends, since All Might entrusted him with the secret of One For All. However, they'd always had a disconnect. His and Tsukauchi's few meetings had been stained with bad memories of Villain attacks. Now, this meeting was ruined by the traitor, he thought gloomily as he followed Tsukauchi into the kitchen.

It was a simple set up in the kitchen - Chairs set up in a semi-circle and an audio recorder set on the marble counter. Swaying impatiently on his chair, Shinso had a storming cloud of miserably hovering over his head. The night must've been dragging on for Shinso, having to interview so many people. Lifting his head slowly to Izuku, Shinso's eyes drifted to Tsukauchi, "Tell me this is the last guy."

Tsukauchi nodded, "Well, I've got good news, this is the last one. You've been a real trooper, Shinso."

Huffing, Shinso beckoned Izuku over, "Whatever. For both mine and Midnoria's sake, let's get this done with."

The two teenagers sat on either side of the kitchen table, silently staring as they waited for Tsukauchi's cue. Shinso kept on uncomfortably adjusting his metal mask, visibly regretful on questioning Izuku. As far as Izuku knew, he was the only hero student the purple-haired boy had an attachment to. In a way, that was lucky for Shinso. If he'd been a part of the Hero course from the start, he'd be condemning one of his classmates as a traitor right now.

Tsukauchi explained the last of the procedures before the interview, "Alright we'll go over this again before we begin. All interviews are being recorded for the purposes of evidence, under police protocol. The questioning method you've chosen will put you into a painless trance once you answer Shinso's first question. To make this as stress-free as possible, the questions are designed to last no more than a few minutes."

The detective was armed with a pen and paper, ready to make notes on Izuku's answers. With nothing less to do, Shinso clipped his mask into place and cooly asked the dreaded question, "You ready, Midoriya?"

The word yes had barely escaped Izuku's lips, when a purple haze struck his brain. His body suddenly became his mind's imprisoning tomb - A connection he thought could never be severed, did. His senses became distanced, as if the closest living soul was miles away. Izuku assumed he'd handle it as his second time - How wrong he was. The fear built up inside him, but his heartbeat didn't rise in his chest, only silence greeted him.

Using the strategies from his hero training, Izuku focused on something positive to calm himself. This could be a chance to confirm one of his theories - During the Sport Festival, One For All had activated itself, snapping him out of the brainwashing. Was that a coincidence or did his quirk give him a defense against mental attacks? When nothing seemed to change, Izuku wondered why this second time was different.

Before he could grasp his new reality, Tsukauchi pressed down on the recorded, "The 56th Interview for UA High Leaker - Izuku Midoriya from Class 1A. Fifteen-minute delay. The time is 8:35 pm. The method of choice is Hitoshi Shinso's brainwashing quirk. Proceeding-"

With Tsukauchi giving the thumbs up, Shinso began reading from a paper and asked the first question, "Do you consider yourself allies with the League of Villains?"

Izuku's lips moved by themselves, responding in an emotionless tone, "No."

Shinso then followed up with two similar questions, the only difference was asking whether the League had blackmailed or rewarded him. Of course, it was the same response with no. Izuku was starting to see the logic behind the questions - The Police were laying as a board of a foundation as possible, before going into the specifics.

Next, Shinso asked, "Have you had any communication with the League outside of the USJ, Shopping Mole and Summer Camp attacks?"

Izuku was shocked his brainwashed head could process the complex question and answer at a normal rate. He was mistaken to assume Shinso's quirk slowed down the brain processing of his targets. Though Izuku was meant to answer honestly, he wondered if Shinso should be hearing it - Some of the stuff he knew was police confidential.

Yet that didn't stop his brainwashed self from blurting out, "On two occasions actually. When Iida went to take vigilante justice against Stain, I and Todoroki left our supervisors to go help him. I was so disgusted by Stain's ideology and couldn't help but argue back."

'Wait - Stop talking for a sec, Midoriya." Shinso commanded, before turning to a confused Tsukauchi, "This is ridiculous. How many hero students are running around as vigilantes? This is meant to be a top school!"

The detective scribbled down in notes before waving his hand dismissively, "I can assure you the police have it on record and it's been dealt with, Shinso. May you focus on the task at hand."

Narrowing his eyes judgmentally, Shinso swivelled on his seat, getting back into position. Izuku couldn't help but feel guilty about Shinso's outcry. While Izuku remained on the course despite some illegal activity, Shinso was stuck in the general studies, because of the entrance exam's bias towards physical quirks. Shinso uttered, "Tell us about the second occasion."

Under brainwashing, Izuku didn't know what his body would say, but was shocked he was willing to confess it all, "The second time was when me and my classmates sneaked onto the sight of Bakugo's rescue. All For One mentioned me to All Might - He called him a failed teacher because of my recklessness with One For All-"

Utter panic spread through Izuku like a tidal wave - No, he couldn't let the brainwashing reveal All Might's secret! Somewhere deep within Izuku's being, it heard his silent screams for help, surging to life. Suddenly as he finished saying the "All" in One For All - A vortex of dazzling colours exploded into his vision, streaming downwards like a whirlpool. It was as if he was in another dimension, no trace of the kitchen anywhere. Had he really been teleported or was this a hallucination? Izuku couldn't think, as roaring silence and emptiness took over him. He'd experienced this before - It was identical to his vision at the Sports Festival!

Izuku could sense several presences lingering over him, just out of reach like ghosts. He assumed those mysterious figures were the former Users of One for All. Even though he couldn't see them, the twisting void seemed to speak for them. The streams of energy darkened to duller colours. Their movements became distinctively more rigid. Were the former users angry with Izuku?

The overwhelming vortex of colour swirled itself out of existence and Izuku was back in the kitchen. Unexpectedly, his leg tensed up with the power of One For All. The signal swing of his foot created enough momentum to snap Izuku out of the brainwashing. Though it didn't stop there, as it sent him flying off the chair. Narrowly, he caught on the counter's edge and landed in a kneeling position. He gasped for air in shock. Thankfully, his kick wasn't strong enough to send wind pressure at innocent bystanders.

Shinso exclaimed, "Don't fight it again, Midoryia! We're working together, it's not the Sports Festival anymore."

Tsukauchi warily approached, helping Izuku to his feet, "Why did you use your quirk just then?"

Hearing the commotion, two policemen in their heavy black armour, peered through the archway. They flexed their hands against the batons on their belts, ready for the worst. Izuku had to pick his words carefully if he didn't want to raise a false alarm.

Izuku rushed to explain, "I didn't mean to, I swear! My quirk has always been weird, since it awakened at fourteen and I can't always control it . You can ask one of my teachers and they'll confirm it.."

After another pause, Tsukauchi waved at the policemen to back off. As Izuku met his eye contact with the detective, he gave an understanding nod. Had All Might told him about Izuku's struggle with One For All? Awkwardly they returned to their original seats. While Tsukauchi filled the necessary paperwork to ensure it was recorded as an accident - Izuku's now free mind went to dark places. His quirk activating as he was about to spill the secret, wasn't a coincidence. He could still feel the former users' anger burning into his core. Had they disagreed with Izuku's choice to be brainwashed and stepped in? Did they have the ability to take over his body whenever they wanted? How? Weren't they just stored memories?

Sighing, Izuku had to continue the interview, allowing Shinso to brainwash him again. This time, One For All didn't stir. They went through less important questions; such as when he discovered when the league attacks were happening and if he encountered any villains before entering UA. Though the next question made Izuku admit a truth he hardly knew himself. Shinso uttered, "Do you have any positive feelings towards the League of Villains?"

Of course not, Izuku thought. Yet that wasn't the answer that came out of his mouth, "I don't know if I could ever hate anyone, but I'm wondering how I feel towards the League is hate. I get so angry whenever I think about how they hurt people. Though I think I have some sympathy for villains like Mustard and Twice. One was a kid and the other is mentally one. When I spotted them at the Summer camp, I wondered if they knew what they were doing. The threats the League might hold over people is sickening. I don't know who the traitor is, but I can only imagine them being blackmailed. How could one of my friends want to murder me? I just can't comprehend that."

Shinso and Tsukauchi shared a surprise glance at Izuku's deep answer. If he could move his face, he would've joined them. Izuku had reminded himself not to be in denial about the Traitor - But he couldn't believe he said he couldn't comprehend it. Did it actually go that far for him? Was that truly how he felt or did Shinso's brainwashing influence him somehow?

Taking a longer pause to write his final notes, Tsukauchi nodded to Izuku, "I think we've got what we need. Thank you, Midoriya. Your help will bring us one step closer to bringing the League to justice. Shinso, let's wrap up."

At the order, Shinso subtly tilted his head - It felt like misty water was being drained from Izuku's head, life being breathed back into his body. Instinctively, he flexed his fingers, ensuring the effect had worn off. Before he forgot, Izuku took a mental note of Shinso's head tilt. If that was how Shinso frees his target from brainwashing, it definitely needed to be added to Izuku's hero notes.

Drawing the interview to its official end, Tsukauchi pressed the recorder a second time, "The time is now 8:43. This is the final interview for Class 1A."

Izuku stood off his chair, rushing up and rambling to Shinso in excitement, "It's incredible how much you've improved, Shinso! Now you can make brainwashed people speak and can keep it up for hours. 54 interviews! You've got the drive of a true hero. Can we arrange a time to hang out and talk about your quirk? I'd love to add it to my Quirk analysis!"

Naturally, Shinso pulled back from Izuku's overenthusiasm. Though he quickly went from being weirded out to being chuffed, "Calm down, you big dork. I appreciate the flattery. Though let's not get ahead of ourselves, I am not even in the hero course. Once this situation has blown over, then sure, we can meet up."

Tsukauchi's fake cough grabbed their attention, as Izuku realised the detective was signalling him to leave. Of course, Izuku would be wasting the police's time if he loitered around too much. Giving them a farewell, he sped out of the kitchen, into the open hall. As he left, behind him, he overheard a quick exchange between Shinso and Tsukauchi. The purpled-haired student grumbled, "And it's finally over! I'm calling in sick tomorrow, I don't even care at this point."

Tsukauchi chuckled, "I don't blame you there. We can't thank you enough for your help, truly. I'll get one of our officers to escort you back to your dorm in a few minutes."

That one friendly exchange lightened Izuku's mood - For a moment, he was almost back in his casual school environment. It couldn't last long, as reality slipped in again. The only reason this was happening...Was because a traitor could be lurking around.

The other students gave Izuku curious glances as he entered the crowded hall - They must've of known he was the final one. How much longer would the police stay in the school? It was already getting quite late into the night, so Izuku assumed 1-A had been interviewed after 1-B and the staff. Even then, the police would take days or weeks to draw conclusions from their mountains of new evidence. The traitor casually hiding within UA, was a reality they'd need to live with awhile longer.

For a moment, Izuku wondered who he wanted to speak to the traitor about; was he in the mood for intellectual debates or impassioned ranting? Sometimes, Izuku felt he was caught on the borderline, too nerdy for the casual student, while he was too naive for the pensive geniuses. Having all the energy drained out of him, Izuku simply wanted comfort, so went to his most trusted friends, Iida and Uraraka.

As he went to find them, he noticed Uraraka ushering Iida away from the other students. He was making endless vows to keep everyone united from the traitor. Izuku chuckled to himself, admiring how seriously Iida took being a class rep, even if he took it too far. He wondered if Iida was giving himself time to grieve.

Izuku joined them in the furthest corner of the room, Iida placed a heavy hand on his shoulder, "Are you all done, Midoriya? How are you handling everything?"

Izuku shrugged, "I'm still trying to process this whole traitor idea - Right now, I'd do anything to just sleep. Shinso is like that too, he looked ready to doze off at any moment. Have you got any idea if the rest of our classmates used him?"

Uraraka responded, "I think most of the class did. I certainly did - I don't have any embarrassing secrets, so I didn't worry myself about it. Though I was surprised just how bland my answers were. Guess that's the kind of person I am."

Hearing Uraraka's ramblings, Iida could no longer meet their eye contact. He tensed up, quivering with shame. The class rep then admitted, "I refused to use Shinso's brainwashing. I wanted to prove to the teachers I'll be honest without the need of a quirk. Hearing your answers now though, I wonder if it was the right choice. Was my attampts to prove myself needlessly costing the police?"

"I didn't know you felt that way.", was all Izuku could exclaim, shocked at Iida's answer. He helplessly glanced at Uraka to take the led, knowing she was better at social support.

Uraraka comforted their friend, "I don't think there is a right and wrong choice for something so personal. It's still our choice for a reason. With the Brainwashing quirk's shifty nature, the police have to expect some concerns. I know we need to do our part to stop the bad guys, but we shouldn't give up more privacy than we need to."

Iida nodded, "I see your point. But it makes me wonder: When are we expected to be heroes, and when are we meant to be civilians? Not even All Might could be a hero twenty-four seven."

Izuku couldn't begin to answer that. That's the kind of question Lawmakers and top heroes would ponder, not first-years at High School. Thankfully, Iida was self-aware of the difficulty of his question, "I mean that's rhetorical, of course."

After that, the three friends tried going into small talk, eager to get the traitor off their minds; Iida's brother was recovering well and Uraraka was upgrading her costume. Though, they secretly knew it was a fruitless attempt. They were truly stalling for time until the police emerged with a development. Was there a traitor at all?

They paused midchat to spot police escorting Shinso to the main entrance, the chilly night air sweeping in as the door opened. They didn't stop to address 1-A, even though the whole room's atmosphere circulated around Shinso. Trying to be friendlier than his peers, Izuku waved to the poor guy, but it was already too late. Hopefully, he and the hero students could come to an understanding soon over the traitor allegations - That Shinso was only doing a necessary job.

Tsukauchi left the kitchen soon after, shifting out boxes of equipment with two of his co-workers. The policemen around the whole area steadily filed out of the front entrance like disciplined soldiers. Passing on a large pile of paper to someone else, Tsukauchi raised his armies to get the hall's attention. His announcement echoed around, "We've wrapped up our questioning and you can all move freely now. You all did a great job cooperating and this will help us take another step in defeating the League."

In true Kacchan fashion, he shouted out, "Then tell us who it is already!"

Tsukauchi's answer was addressed to every student, "I have to remind you all, a UA leak is only a possibility. Regardless, for the sake of privacy and society, we can't disclose details of the investigation. Though you'll be the first to know if a UA member has been criminally charged."

Uncertainty crept from every corner of the hall. 1-A had somehow wanted quick answers, though that was unlikely to happen. Now the immediate threat of arrest was lifted, the students were faced with the long-term picture. When they woke up tomorrow, how was 1-A meant to interact? Without answers, how could they move forward as a class with their growing mistrust? It would eat at them from their core.

Seeing the shifting atmosphere, Tsukauchi whispered something into his radio. Then a roaring laugh came from the distant night. Was that- Before Izuku could finish the thought: A blur cleared the campus in an instant, sending up clouds of dust in its wake. As morale had threatened to sink into further despair, the living embodiment of hope burst through the door, lightening up the room with his mere arrival. "Never Fear, students, because I am here!", All Might boomed.

With his towering muscle form, he skied in with his signature smile and starry pose. It was enough to temporarily trick Izuku into thinking he was a middle schooler again; in awe of All Might as a flawless symbol that could protect anyone. His huge muscles tensed under his snazzy yellow suit, ready to pummel any villain who dared to hurt them.

"All Might!", many of the students shouted at once. At that moment, they weren't heroes in training, but scared teenagers running to the noble titan for safety. They were like fireflies to a beacon. The top hero's chiselled jaw hung wide, ready to begin an uplifting speech. It ended as quickly as it started, smoke burst from All Might, deflating to his skinny form.

"Where have you been?", Kaminari muttered, the question everyone was asking.

All Might sighed before raising his chin once again, "I'll be level with you, kids, my usual flamboyance isn't welcome everywhere. The police thought I'd be a distraction from the serious questioning and they're probably right about that.``

All Might's answer was met with a sweep of mixed reactions, some understanding, others disappointed. Ideally, Izuku thought his mentor could've taken this challenge, like he did when battling so many villains. Though Izuku reminded himself; while heroes had minute-long brawls with villains, the police had to contain them for hours on end. Even as they rattled within their chains, villains could spit verbal venom. With the pure rage All Might showed at the USJ attack; he wasn't fit for long interrogations with his arrested enemies. All Might couldn't lift a punch against them, the way he was used to. That way, Izuku knew it was best for All Might to stay back. Izuku couldn't imagine being stuck in a room with Shigaraki, even if he was in cuffs.

Though All Might wasn't going to leave his class on a sour note, taking a deep breath before giving one of his famous speeches, "I may not have the answers - But whatever happens, stand tall, kids. This so-called traitor seems scarier than other threats; but if you keep in perspective what they really are, you'll see they're the ones cornered. They made the mistake of coming to the heart of heroes; so once they're out of hiding, they'll be surrounded on all sides. Remember how much you've triumphed already; Your help has brought some of the nation's top villains to justice. You all have the strength to overcome any traitor."

Eager to prove their courage to All Might despite their fear, the students nodded at his speech's end. A welcomed spark of hope lit up on the faces on 1-A. With Number 1's presence alone, cautious optimism was taking the place of bitter cynicism. Giving a departing thumbs ups, All Might joined the rest of the staff. Izuku couldn't stop himself from staring, when he realised Detective Tsukauchi was still lingering around, despite most of the police already leaving. Him, All Might and Nezu were an isolated corner, all people that knew about One For All.

Then, All Might gestured for Izuku to join them, so he had to give his friends a flimsy excuse. Keeping his head down, he didn't want to draw attention to the fact the Principal had summoned him. He didn't want to scare his classmates, by falsely suspecting him as the traitor. The three men went ahead into the deserted kitchen, now cleared of police equipment. Putting on a brave face amongst such authority, Izuku wordlessly took a seat next to All Might.

His mentor proudly greeted him, "It's good you're still got that fearless smile, Young Midoriya.", he spoke, then a lower tone then emerged, "Spies are not unheard of, but that's one thing I never wanted you to experience. Definitely not in your High School years, when you're meant to be happy-go-lucky."

Relief swirled in Izuku, though he had to focus. This meeting hasn't been summoned to comfort him; They had something serious to discuss. Nezu confirmed his concerns, when he uttered from across the marble counter, "Indeed. All for One's influence runs deeper than we anticipated. Though that's not the topic we wish to discuss. The detective informed us of your quirk activating itself during your interview."

Izuku gasped, "I'm truly sorry, Sir! I promise it was an accident."

All Might and Tsukauchi were unflinching, not as concerned as Izuku thought they'd be. Though the same couldn't be said for Nezu, clenching his tiny paws together, "I believe you and that's what concerns me."