(A/N: Formatting reminder: "Dialogue heard through a sound system."

...

Izuku watched as the detective inserted the flash drive into the laptop Nezu was on who was subsequently putting on a set of headphones to listen on his end. The computer was a specially made one designed and coded by the chimera himself for the detective. They collaborated often on cases and had a need for a secure device to communicate through when they couldn't meet in person. Meaning that it was the most secure device and best option for playing such sensitive material.

A window popped up and Izuku reached forward to type in his password. Upon pressing enter, a file appeared and the detective opened it with a few clicks of the mouse pad. Another small window opened and began to play the recording. The beginning was filled with ruffling sounds of when Izuku had started the recording and placed it back in his pocket before exiting to the roof. Followed soon after by the comforting voice of Chizome.

"So…first place in the Sports Festival. Not bad, Little Hero."

"Heh, thanks, Akaguro-san."

"Call me Chizome, kid."

It was weird listening to his own voice while surrounded by other people. Izuku had mostly zoned out on his own words and rather focused on Chizome's whenever he had relistened to it. But now he was hyper aware of every word spoken knowing the adults were doing the same.

The recording kicked off with their awkward exchanging of first names. Signs of respect and connection well earned over the short time they had gotten to know each other. Still awkward though being on opposite sides of the law. Especially when Chizome openly admitted that the giving of one's first name to a Villain was difficult. And yet Izuku had anyway.

It was odd for the three men to hear their exchange. Despite the teen's nervousness seeping out with his words, there was still a familiarity between them as they talked. One that was hard to believe existed unless you heard it yourself. Exchanging of names. Talking of transferring. Encouragement to keep trying even if he wasn't offered that chance. Nezu even chuckled at the Villain's calling him a fool if he hadn't.

"You've worked hard, using your conviction to push yourself ever forward. I'm proud of you, Izuku."

Green eyes couldn't help but tear up at those words. Same as every time he heard them. Having no way to hold them back even with the Heroes and detective observed him as they listened. Izuku silently reminisced over the first impulsive hug they had shared. Represented by muffled rustling on the recording. The adults eyed him curiously but the greenette said nothing to explain the noise.

"Thank you. For your words that day. I…I don't think I would have made it this far without them."

"Little Hero…my words were just that…words. I'm sure that even without them, you would have found a way to follow your dream."

"You're wrong, Chizome-san. Your words that day mean more to me than you will ever know. I-I know you're a Villain, but you were my Hero that day."

Aizawa's brows furrowed at that point as he remembered something Izuku had said once. 'They weren't a Hero but they were my hero that day. By telling me I could be one. When no one else did.' So, the 'they' he had mentioned had actually been Stain. It showed that something was really wrong with this society when a Villain was the first person to ever believe in this kid.

The feeling fest of words moved on to the talk of Stain's path to Villainy. Much like his analysis of Heroes no matter how obscure, Izuku had been able to dig up a lot on the mysterious man. Really showing the power of knowing someone's name. It was intriguing to hear more about the man's past and how he became the Villain he was today.

Who would have thought the Hero Killer had once wanted to become a Hero himself? Inspired by All Might like many others were only to be disillusioned by the changing views of what a Hero was. Disapproving of the focus on flash and flare much like Aizawa himself. It was strange to know they shared a lot of views on the issues of today's Hero society.

The fact that Stain had once been a Vigilante was surprising and yet not. There were many Villains who started out as Vigilantes only to fall down a darker path. The Hero Killer was different though. He essentially had the same goals as both Stendhal and Stain. Wanting to cleanse the world of those who corrupted it. The only difference was who he targeted switching from Villains to Heroes.

The points made about the Quirkless and Vigilante laws was interesting. Tsukauchi was taking notes the entire time and made sure to add one to really look into those laws. Nezu thought it was an intriguing challenge to find loop holes to exploit. While Aizawa raised an eyebrow and let out an intrigued huff at the possibility of a Quirkless person able to wiggle their way out of such a charge on a technicality. If they were in another universe, he was sure the Quirkless teen beside him would be one such person.

The name Stendhal didn't exactly ring a bell. The Erasure Hero would have to ask around his Vigilante contacts and see who knew more about his activities before becoming Stain. To learn more about the man behind the mask. One that the Villain used to separate himself into two different people of the man and his judgment passing persona.

"I assure you I will not harm you, Izuku. Remember as I said last time. Not only do you have a true Hero's heart but you are also a child. Children do not fall under the purview of my judgement."

The Villain's practices were unsavory though it was a relief to know that he seemed to make an exception for children. That they didn't 'fall under the purview of his judgment'. Though that hadn't stopped him from fighting them in that alley. Too consumed by his goal to kill Native to let even children stand in his way without a fight.

The recording grew tense when the topic of murder was brought up. The pleas of the teen that it only took away their chances to change were drowned out by a convicted shout. Leading to a moment of tense silence until they agreed to disagree. Moving on to how Stendhal became Stain. Giving the Underground Hero more details he could use to find more information on the Villain's Vigilante days.

It was strange to hear Izuku agreeing with the Villain that not all Heroes were good. The mention of researching into the Hero Killer's victims made Aizawa note to ask for that research to help with looking into his claims. Perhaps there really was a reason behind his justice obsessed madness.

But the kid also made a fair point to counter that. That Pro Heroes, beneath the costumes and gear, were human. Vulnerable to making mistakes whether by accident, neglect of duty, or falling to corruption. Mistakes are part of life's lessons. They served as learning opportunities to grow from. But one can't learn if one is dead. A point Stain conceded somewhat with but stood by his actions. An 'old dog' indeed.

Both mentors were surprised to hear more about their shared student's dad. The teen mentioned him sometimes but had never revealed the accident he had been in. That must have been a stressful time for the Midoriyas. And especially for Izuku with all the other crap going on outside of his home. The incident apparently still effected the father to this day. Making the Heroes wonder if seeing All Might also suffering from an old injury brought up bad memories for the teen. Perhaps that was something for Inui to address at some point during his sessions with the kid.

The fact that Stain openly admitted to Izuku that he was the one to attack Ingenium was a surprise. Meaning that the boy had learned about that from the man himself rather than the emergency app recording that had been leaked. The Villain's voice was dripping with regret from having attacked the Hero. Enough for him to be the one to call the authorities to bring the other the help he needed. They had all heard the leaked recording but it was different now knowing how much the Hero Killer hadn't wanted to attack Ingenium. Though it was still a shock the Villain had done so at all. Even to the Hero Killer himself.

"Perhaps you are rubbing off on me, Little Hero."

Perhaps he was. From an outside perspective, such an act seemed out of character for the Villain. Even his moniker made it seem ironic. The Hero Killer working to save a Hero? Seemed unlikely and yet it had happened and was publicly known. Potentially from the Quirkless teen's own influence. Mutually pushing the other to be better in their own way.

That possibility wasn't as surprising especially after taking into account what the man considered a true Hero to be. Someone who selflessly saved people without want of praise. He had seen the budding potential within the Quirkless teen since the beginning. Stain even declared that in his mind All Might was replaced as a the ideal 'true Hero' by Izuku himself. Certainly, high praise coming from him.

"Everything that you have and how far you have come is all thanks to your own efforts and hard work. To me, you are the epitome of the true Hero."

The Villain had apparently been keeping tabs on the teen since they had first met having brought up all his accomplishments. The mention of the beach earned a curious look from the detective. He eyed the boy next to him before turning to look at Nezu with a questioning quirked brow. The chimera gestured they would talk of it later to which Tsukauchi nodded. The plain man did cast an impressed glance at the boy though before focusing back on the recording.

"You know, for someone who doesn't put much stock in words, you sure know which ones to say."

"Perhaps I merely had to wait for the right one who would actually listen."

Aizawa could identify with that. It was part of why he expelled so many students from the Hero Course. Kicking them out of his class for not listening to what he had to say. Ignoring his words that were meant to protect them in the dangerous world of Heroics. Only letting those who would listen to stay. Not wanting any of them to go through what Kayama, Yamada, and he had back in their high school days. No one should have to experience that.

"Chizome-san, you see All Might as a true Hero. What are your thoughts o-on the Number Two Hero?"

That was where the recording took a turn. All three adults cast glances at Izuku who avoided their gazes before turning back to the recording. Nezu and Aizawa had already started coordinating with Tsukauchi into looking into Todoroki Enji. To investigate the suspicions Inko had brought up to them about Shouto and his 'training' at home.

The past Izuku's voice never revealed specifically what he was referring to. But the adults in the room knew anyway. Nezu's fur had stood on end when he had first managed to find the conversation between his personal student and the youngest son of Endeavor from the festival. When he had shared it with the others, they had been as angry as he was after hearing how the man 'trained' his son. Had also pushed his wife passed her limits leading to the suspicious scar on the teen's face. None of that talk had painted the flame Hero in a good light making them agree with the boy for what his past self said next.

"But if you really are l-looking for fake Heroes a-and want a better class of Hero, you should look i-into the family life of…Endeavor."

"The Number Two Hero?"

There was a moment of hesitation in which the Heroes and detective waited to see if the kid actually went through with it. Hoping that he had not sent the Hero Killer after Endeavor which could constitute a hit. However, that hope was dashed by a hesitant and quietly whispered 'yes'. The Erasure Hero internally cursed at that while Tsukauchi made a note. Nezu betrayed nothing as he sipped his tea though secretly, he was amused by and approving of his personal student's actions.

"Hmm…and what if I find out something that warrants me to pass my judgement? What if I were to turn my blade to the Number Two Hero? Are you aware of the consequences of making this request?"

Those were very good questions. Because the Quirkless teen had essentially called out a hit on the Number Two Hero. Especially with the Hero Killer's track record. There was a long pause before the boy answered. Expressing his desire for the Villain to not kill the Hero, but accepting he didn't have any control over the other's actions. Calling him an 'old dog' once more earning a chuckle from the man.

"That I am, Little Hero. Very well. I will look into the matter and perhaps, just this once, I will attempt to have some form of…restraint."

Now that was surprising. Perhaps Stain was right and Izuku really had rubbed off on him. Before hearing this recorded conversation, the Villain seemed the type to not hold back. Nor did he seem like the type to show a form of mercy by personally calling to bring a downed Hero needed aid. But then again, the hardened murderer also hadn't seemed capable of holding a conversation such as this at all. And yet he had.

Moments filled with affection had been intermittent throughout all of this recorded exchange. Fond tones ringing through their exchanged words. Especially that repeated nickname. Little Hero. It was very similar to the other name the teen had gone by earlier in the year. But it was with each other's first names that they had concluded their last friendly meeting.

"Goodbye, Izuku."

"Goodbye…Chizome."

Aizawa eyed the teen next to him at that. The kid was polite to a fault and used honorifics all the time unless he was in a stressful situation like the USJ. The only other exception was Bakugou but they had known each other since they were kids. So, for Izuku to use Chizome's name without one he must have felt some kind of strong connection to the man in that moment.

After the goodbyes, the recording was a mess of rustling and eventually Izuku reached out to stop the playback. Knowing he hadn't ended the recording until after he had gotten back into his room. He then sat there fiddling with the belt in his lap waiting for their reactions.

There was a lot to unpack about this recording. The biggest thing being that Izuku knew Stain at all and had gotten to know the man behind the mask. Had been keeping his meetings with the Villain secret for over a year. Yet despite the man being a Villain, the Hero Killer had never pushed the boy to do anything criminal. Quite the opposite in fact. Instead, Stain had encouraged him to become a true Hero.

For the most part there was nothing wrong about their recorded meeting. However, there were two elements that were concerning. The fact that the boy had failed to report the Villain and the hit put out on Endeavor. Though the latter was the more serious issue of the two. But the former still needed to be addressed regardless.

"That was…a lot," Tsukauchi said, breaking the silence. "I'm going to need to ask some follow up questions. First of all, why didn't you tell anyone about Stain?"

"Honestly I didn't think anyone would believe me," Izuku replied with a shrug. "The Hero Killer encouraging a Quirkless Deku like me to be a Hero? Yeah, right. To most, the thought of a Quirkless Hero was a joke. They thought I was a joke."

The boy looked dejectedly down at his lap. The detective stared at him sadly because his words rang true. Nezu wished he were there physically to place a comforting paw on his personal student's knee. While Aizawa resisted the urge to growl and go after all those who had tried to push the Quirkless teen down. But that would have to wait until they properly took down Aldera.

"The number of Quirkless people in today's society is twenty percent," the greenette explained still not looking up. "The number of those born Quirkless in my generation is even less than that. Ever since I was diagnosed Quirkless…everyone outside of my family turned away from me. Even my best friend started to tease and eventually bully me because of something I couldn't control. Other kids followed his example and began to mess with me as if I was a lesser human than them."

Those tears that had been threatening for a while started to fall as he recalled his past to the detective. A comforting hand came to rest on his shoulder and green eyes looked up to see the concerned and caring face of his homeroom teacher. Aizawa gave a squeeze to his shoulder as a way to say he was there for him before letting go. The greenette gave him a thankful smile before turning to Tsukauchi.

"I-it got better after I started to fight back, any physical attacks stopped eventually," Izuku continued. "But they still hurt me with their words. Other kids would call me names, teachers would do nothing to stop them. They didn't think a Quirkless kid was worth their time and that it was something I needed to get used to. They even went out of their way to ignore bullying situations or misplacing my schoolwork."

The detective did his best to school his features upon hearing all that. He knew of the investigation Nezu had started into the Quirkless teen's past schools. On charges of Quirk discrimination and child neglect among others. But it was something else to hear it from the victim with his Quirk marking everything coming out of his mouth as true. It filled him with a determination to bring this boy the justice he deserved.

"Even then, if I had told someone would they even care?" Izuku asked. "Before him, no one outside of my parents cared about me."

"What about the teachers at UA?" Tsukauchi inquired. "They're Pro Heroes. Why not tell them?"

"Because before UA, no teacher had ever helped me," the boy answered. "So, why should UA be any different? Sure, some teachers have actually tried to help me, but what if it was a fluke? No one helped me before. Why should I expect anyone to help me now?"

There it was. That decade long thought that had been drilled into the Quirkless teen's head. That he wasn't worth helping. But his idiotic past teachers were wrong. Izuku had so much potential in him. Anyone who actually used their eyes could see it. Stain did. Aizawa and the kid's other mentors did as well. The two who were present were internally relieved that the boy sitting on the couch had pushed passed everything to get to where he wanted to be.

"Why didn't you record the other 'talks'?" Tsukauchi asked.

"Because the first was by chance," the kid answered. "And I was too stunned by just talking to him and having him, the Hero Killer, encourage me right after All Might said I couldn't be a Hero."

Something seemed to click inside the Erasure Hero as he straightened up a bit. The greenette turned to him with a questioning head tilt.

"Midoriya, wasn't that the same day that Bakugou…," Aizawa asked, trailing off at the end.

"…told me to jump off a roof?" Izuku finished the question. "Yes, it was."

Damn. That meant the kid had faced discrimination at school, was told to kill himself, and was attacked by a Villain. Saved by All Might who then crushed his dreams. Only to have them raised back up by another Villain and not just any but the Hero Killer himself. All that in one day?

"Kid…what is your life?" the tired man questioned with a slump of his shoulders.

"You got me," the teen said with a shrug. "Seems like a whole lot of crazy random happenstances just cobbled together into some story."

Aizawa rubbed a tired hand down his face as the boy patted the man's shoulder before turning back to the detective.

"The second I was too scared to think," Izuku said. "More focused on making sure he didn't hurt me. The third time I didn't think about it until after he left. Too shocked by the fact that he seemed to care about my safety after the USJ attack. It wasn't until the fourth that I actually decided to record our talk. I didn't know if it would be good or bad to have it, but considering I was asking him to investigate a Hero, I thought it maybe could be useful in some way."

It had it seemed in a way. The recording was able to show the Heroes and detective how Stain and he had interacted. Gave them more insight into the man he had come to know behind the Hero Killer persona. Though it must mean the end of his path to be a Hero. How could he still be allowed to after all this?

"Speaking of that, why did you ask Stain to investigate Endeavor?" the detective asked, knowing why but needing the boy to say it himself.

"I…it's not really my place to say," the greenette answered, not wanting to break his friend's trust.

"Midoriya-kun," Nezu called out gaining his personal student's attention. "We know what Todoroki-kun told you during the Sports Festival."

"You…you do?" the teen asked with wide green eyes full of surprise.

"Yes, we've actually started our own investigation based on concerns brought up by Inko-san," the chimera replied to which Izuku stared at his analysis mentor with a mouth opened in shock. Though he shouldn't be too surprised actually. This was his mother they were talking about. "We also found footage of your talk with Todoroki-kun."

This too Izuku shouldn't be surprised about. The fact that Nezu and the other two beside him knew about his talk with Shouto. The principal did love his cameras after all. Sometimes during their lessons, he had shown his student footage from one of the countless cameras on campus for a bit of flash analysis practice.

"Combined they form a concerning case in regards to the homelife of the Todorokis," Nezu continued. "It seems you decided to start your own with the help of this man. Perhaps it would be more efficient to combine our efforts. Wouldn't you agree?"

The greenette nodded as the chimera took a sip of tea.

"Very well," the principal said. "Do you have anything to add other than what you already know?"

"I…ah, yes actually," Izuku said, reaching into a pocket of his belt and pulled out the gifted flash drive. "He gave me this after he saved me from the Noumu. I don't know what he was able to find out but everything he did is on here."

The teen handed the device to Tsukauchi who securely placed it in his pocket to go through later.

"Anything else?" Nezu asked, internally itching to go through whatever dirt the Villain had managed to dig up.

The greenette nodded and said, "Chizome told me that someone helped him get that information. Someone going by the name Dabi. Said he was a potential ally. He also said the answer to who this Dabi is exactly is in there as well."

"We'll keep a look out for this Dabi then," Tsukauchi interjected as he wrote down a note. "This is a very big fish we're going after. We're going to need all the help we can get."

"Do you think…," Izuku started only to stop as he nervously bit his lip.

"Do you think what?" Aizawa asked beside him.

"Do you think…there's a way to get Shouto-kun away from Endeavor?" the teen asked, green eyes peering up pleading into tired black eyes. "I know you're still investigating and I'm not sure what reason you could give to do that. But I don't like it that he has to live with a man who has no regard for his safety."

The Erasure Hero let out a sigh at that. He and the others understood the kid's concern for his friend. They had been working hard between their other duties to build a case strong enough to take the Number Two Hero down. But they weren't there quite yet. Perhaps they will though after going through whatever Stain had managed to find with the help of this Dabi.

"As of now, no," Aizawa answered to which the kid looked sadly down at his lap. The teacher placed his hand on the student's shoulder again to gain his attention. "But we will do everything in our power to make sure he is safe as soon as possible."

"That is correct," Nezu chimed in. "As you know, at UA our students' safety is top priority. This will be a difficult case and will take time to handle it properly. But as Aizawa-san says, we will do anything and everything we can to ensure Todoroki-kun's safety. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Izuku replied with a sniffly nod. Feeling some sense of relief that there was going to be some effort put into protecting his friend. "Thank you for caring. I really appreciate everything you're willing to do to help Shouto-kun. I know he's in good hands. And…I wanted to say that I'm sorry."

"For what?" Aizawa asked.

"For wasting your time," the teen replied as he wiped his face with his hospital gown sleeve. "I am grateful for all that you've taught me, but I guess I can't be a Hero after all."

"Why do you think that, Midoriya-kun?" Nezu questioned with a tilt of his head.

"A Hero can't be associated with Villains, right?" the greenette responded with a sad expression on his face. "And I did nothing to report him or turn him in. Even asked him to look into Endeavor despite knowing that sending a Villain after a Hero was wrong. It's obvious I won't be allowed in UA anymore. Wouldn't be surprised if you arrested me."

The Quirkless teen looked down dejectedly at his lap, more tears rolling down his cheeks. The adults shared a glance between the three of them. Silently declaring they would do none of those things. Especially not arrest the poor boy. That would do nothing to remedy the situation they had found themselves in.

"Midoriya, you're not going to be arrested," Tsukauchi assured causing the greenette's head to shoot up in surprise.

"Huh?"

"Nor are you being removed from UA," Nezu declared, earning a shocked open mouth expression form the teen.

"Wha?"

"And you haven't wasted our time," Aizawa added, giving the boy's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "You're going to be the first Quirkless Hero, right?"

"Eh?!" he squeaked out confused as hell.

"While this is a rather…unusual situation, you haven't really committed any crimes," Tsukauchi stated, while looking over his notes. "Well, the hit on Endeavor is toeing the line but it was for information only. However, when it comes to Stain you two only talked, nothing more. No other conspiring to harm or break the law."

"But I willingly met him multiple times and made no attempt to report him," Izuku pressed. "Meaning he was free to keep hurting people."

"That is true, but I can understand why you didn't," the Erasure Hero countered. "He was the first to believe in you, right? The one who inspired your Hero name?"

"Y-yeah," the teen admitted.

"So, it's understandable why you would be reluctant to turn him in," Aizawa said with another short squeeze to his shoulder. "I know I would be if I were in your shoes. Not to mention I also sometimes work with criminals to get information as an Underground Hero. Utilizing them as informants rather than arresting them."

"There's also the factor of the uniqueness of the situation," Nezu chimed in. "A Villain known for hunting Heroes encouraging a young boy to become one is certainly an odd one. If it not for the recording, even I would think it was highly improbable. If I may ask, is this the only copy you have, Midoriya-kun?"

"Yes, it is," Izuku answered with a nod. "I moved it to that drive and permanently erased it from my phone."

"I see," the chimera said with a mischievous glint in his black eyes. In that moment, the screen Nezu was on glitched. "Oh my. Seems I have managed to accidentally permanently delete the recording. Silly me."

Tsukauchi let out a sigh while Aizawa rolled his eyes at that. The Erasure Hero didn't need a lie detecting Quirk to know the chimera was full of it. While Izuku sat there confused.

"Though this is fortunate," Nezu continued with a far too cheerful tone. "We know of Midoriya-kun's intentions with Tsukauchi-san's confirmation. However, we have no evidence of Midoriya-kun's transgression. Thereby opening an opportunity to provide a better narrative to these tragic events. Wouldn't you agree?"

The detective sighed again before nodding as he said, "You might be right. I've already given Chief Tsuragamae a rundown of the general series of events. Considering there are minors using Quirks illegally involved, he's already proposed an…edited version to tell the press instead."

"One that I think will be quite believable," Nezu commented with a pleased tone.

The Erasure Hero sighed as well but nodded in agreement. It would do no good to anyone really to let out this truth. Only putting unnecessary barriers for his problem children to deal with. They didn't need that on top of everything they had gone through.

"Then it is decided that this witnessing of the recording will not be discussed outside of this group," Tsukauchi stated to clarify, earning nods from the tired man and chimera.

"What about my friends?" Izuku asked. "What should I say to them?"

The adults shared a look before Tsukauchi answered, "Well, if we go through with what the chief has planned, everyone will be sworn to stick to the final chosen story. This would include your relation with Stain."

"Perhaps a summarized version will suffice any lingering curiosities," Nezu suggested to which the greenette nodded.

"Then it's settled," the detective affirmed. "Before I leave to discuss it with him, I have a few more clarifying questions. Midoriya, do you believe everything said in that recording to be true?"

"Yes, sir," Izuku replied with a firm tone.

"Very well," Tsukauchi said with a nod and a subtle pleased smile. "I needed to ask because it seems my Quirk doesn't work on recordings. I must need the actual person there for it to work. But it was an interesting experiment either way. Now then, did you ever give Stain any information on UA or its faculty or students?"

The Quirkless teen held a hand to his chin in thought before responding, "Not anything sensitive, no. We did talk about the USJ after the attack, but I only told him what you could find out from the news. Other than that, we didn't talk much of UA besides my working towards getting into the Hero Course."

"True," the detective stated. "Lastly, do you believe that Stain is associated with the League of Villains?"

"No, he would never," Izuku answered firmly with a shake of his head.

"And why is that?" the plain man asked to clarify.

"Because their ideals are different," the teen replied. "Chizome wants to spark change and for the Heroes to be more like All Might. Helping people for the sake of helping. While Shigaraki wants to kill All Might in an effort to destroy the current system. Chizome also didn't like that the League attacked students at the USJ. He even told me after he saved me from the Noumu that they had tried to recruit him but he said no. He, uh, he also said that Shigaraki was interesting in recruiting me."

Once again, the adults stared at the boy in shock and concern. Shigaraki held interest in him? Why? The only time they had ever crossed paths was at the USJ, but Izuku had been hidden away for most of it in the Control Hub. The only contact being verbal with the kid using the PA system to give All Might information about their Quirks. How had the Quirkless boy caught the Villain's eye? But then again, it seemed Izuku was some sort of Villain magnet. The Sludge Villain, Stain, and now Shigaraki? Who else was going to be attracted to this kid?

"That is…concerning," Tsukauchi said with apprehension. "We will look into that as well. Perhaps set up extra patrols around your area just in case Shigaraki decides to make a move."

The others nodded in agreement and so the interview was called to a close. Nezu bid them goodbye before signing off. Tsukauchi gave the now empty flash drive back to Izuku before leaving with the laptop and his stack of papers. Leaving the student with his teacher alone.

Izuku gazed down sadly at the drive in his hand. Knowing that the recording was completely gone and he would never be able to hear it again. While he did understand why the deletion was a good thing, he hadn't wanted to let it go. It had been the one tangible tether he had left to the first person to ever truly believe in him. Whose words of 'yes' had pushed him to find his edge and become the person he was today. But now it was gone.

...

Shouta saw the devastation on the teen's face. Could see how much that recording meant to him. Acting like a tether to the very first person who had believed in him. And from what they had heard on the recording, had inspired him so much to be the influence behind his Hero name. The words of a Villain guiding the future first Quirkless Hero. A strange concept but somehow it worked.

It was obvious how much Midoriya valued that recording. Solid proof of the Hero Killer's belief in him. But the ones and zeros of his words were gone now. As if erasing everything they had been to one another. And while that may be true that the recording was gone, the memories would live on. Like Shouta's own of Oboro that had even brought his words from beyond the grave when he needed them most. The ones that had encouraged him to keep fighting no matter what despite the fact that his friend had been long dead and his speaker broken from the fall.

'YOU CAN DO IT, SHOUTA!'

It had all been in his head, but that didn't detract from the meaning those words had or the motivation they had given him. They had been what he needed to go beyond. Plus Ultra. Finally realizing his value as a Hero despite all of his insecurities. Even after he had learned that Oboro had been long dead, Shouta still took those imagined words to heart. While deciding to pursue an Underground route of Heroism regardless of his teachers questioning his decision.

Because of that, Shouta could understand how important that recording had been for Midoriya. How devastated he was now that it was gone. But perhaps there was one more tether he could have to his own personal Hero. Because it was clear that's what Stain was to the boy. He may be a Villain but he had in essence saved the kid that day.

As the teen fiddled mindlessly with the belt in his lap, Shouta reached into the box and took out the one thing he didn't recognize from the green one's possessions. A ragged red scarf with brown patches of dried blood. The tired man knew it wasn't part of his student's costume but he did recognize it as the cloth that had been wrapped around his torso before the paramedics had arrived.

Going through his mental checklist of costumes of the others involved in the fight, it was only logical to assume this belonged to Stain. Which was backed by the few pictures he himself had seen of the Hero Killer. Those in the Underground had all been informed to look out for the Villain who was targeting Heroes after all. Perhaps this scarf could act as replacement for the recording.

The Erasure Hero offered the scarf to the boy. Green eyes that had been growing dull brightened at the sight of it and took it in his hands. The greenette fingered the fabric before looking up to his mentor.

"It's his, right?" Shouta asked, earning a shaky nod. "Then there's still something to remember him by."

Those green eyes widened in surprise before looking down fondly at the scarf. Running his fingers over the dirty fabric before he stopped suddenly. Black eyes watched as the kid pulled the belt out from under the scarf and searched the pockets before he pulled out a small folding knife.

"He gave me this too," the green one admitted in a whisper.

The tired man held out his hand for the knife and the kid made no fuss in handing it over. Though those green eyes tracked the weapon sadly before diverting back down to the scarf. Probably thinking he would never hold the knife again.

This was the last gift of Stain's given to Midoriya other than the scarf out of necessity. Technically the knife was evidence but also it could be construed as Midoriya's personal property now. Ownership having been shifted from Villain to Hero in that small instance before Stain's rant and capture.

It was an odd situation. Namely because Midoriya and Stain knew each other. Had formed a bond that almost came off as familial. Talking. Joking casually about Vigilantism. Sounding comfortable with each other to a degree despite their dynamics being so different. The kid had shown genuine guilt for having not reported the man even though he had met him multiple times of his own accord. Yet he still was the one to eventually capture the Villain. Now here he was, unable to help his want to cling to what they had much like he was to the scarf in his lap.

There would have to be some form of punishment of course for what happened. Nothing as serious as an arrest but still something to help drive home the point that what he did was wrong. Something the homeroom teacher would figure out later. But for now, Shouta knew that Midoriya needed this connection. Stain and his words were what helped drive him. And the Hero Killer would approve. He had looked so proud at the kid being the one to capture him. Taken down by the 'Little Hero' himself.

Tired black eyes looked down at the knife in his hand as he made an equally rational and irrational decision. Putting aside the technicality of the law for the sake of his problem child. It would require some bending of the rules but when had that ever stopped him before. Bending the rules was practically required to be an Underground Hero anyway. With this decision in mind, the Erasure Hero offered the knife back to the Quirkless teen.

"Here, it's yours now," Shouta said as the green one hesitantly took the knife back. "I'll teach you how to use it. You're still going to be facing punishments for all this but they will be with me. For now, no more putting hits out on people even if they are intended as non-lethal. Got it, problem child?"

The greenette couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle as he answered, "Yes, Aizawa-sensei."

"Good," the tired man said with a ruffle of the kid's hair. "Let's get you back to the others."

"Yes, sir," the teen agreed with a bow before standing up. Together they collected everything back in the box before putting it back with the other and left the room.

...

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Notes extension: post/664866141241475072/part-2-chapter-34-spill-the-beans