Chapter 14: Trouble Trouble everywhere

A/N: ONE IMPORTANT QUESTION: I changed the summary. Can you guys please leave a comment as to whether you like the new one or the old one? it would be really appreciated.

Tsukauchi was walking to the police station, his morning coffee in his hand. Investigating Aldera for the past few days had been rather strenuous. While he had gone behind Yagi's back and asked Nedzu for help too, most of the investigation had to be done physically. Even after all the evidence he had gathered, he was unsure of the outcome of the case. He entered the station in deep thought. Immediately Sansa ran over to him, "Tsukauchi!" he exclaimed in a panicked tone.

"What? What is it?" Naomasa asked concerned.

"Someone broke into your office!"

Tsukauchi paled, "The evidence..." he mumbled and ran into his office, preparing for the worst. Tsukauchi peered around to assess the damage but was surprised to see that nothing was missing. Instead, there was a mountain of paperwork and tapes on his desk, "Wha-what?" Tsukauchi asked nobody in particular, "Nothing's missing,"

"Well no," Sansa replied, "But when the cleanup crew came in today he noticed that there were a lot of papers on the desk and let us know that he didn't touch them because they looked too important. But I remember you locking up all the evidence in the safe. That's how we knew someone gave us the evidence,"

"Did you pull up the camera feed?"

"Yes, we saw nothing on it. We just got an outline of a shadow. We don't even have the structure of the body."

Tsuakuchi fell into deep thought, someone powerful had to have done this. That's when he realized that Nedzu had offered to hack into Aldera for evidence but Tsukauchi had refused calling it illegal even though they were using the evidence for good. A bit angry, he called Nedzu on his phone. "Ah, good morning Tsukauchi!" Nedzu's cheery voice called out.

Hiding his anger, Tsukauchi sighed, "Nedzu, I told you not to hack into Aldera. Now the judge has every bit of reason to disregard this evidence since it was obtained illegally."

"But, I didn't hack into Aldera! You refused," Nedzu replied puzzled.

"Then from where did this mountain of evidence come from?" Tsukauchi demanded.

"I have no clue, Tsukauchi. However, I am rather interested as well," Nedzu said, "And anyway, isn't your quirk telling you that I'm saying the truth?"

Tsukauchi grumbled. His quirk, in fact, did register it as a truth, "Fine, I'll call later. I have to sort out this mess first." Tsukauchi hung up.

Tsukauchi groaned and put on a pair of gloves before shifting the paperwork to another part of the room. Once he had moved the last pile, he found a printed note on the desk. Tsukauchi picked up the note and read: 'Here's some evidence against Aldera we got. Use it well! :)'

Tsukauchi's eye twitched as he handed the note over the Sansa to read, "Well... you can't say that the public won't care about the case. Even villains are angry," Sansa commented after reading the note.

"That may be," Tsukauchi sighed resignedly, "But how are we going to get the judge to accept this evidence? Aldera's lawyer will force the judge to refute the evidence," Tsukuachi said, upset.

"Well, that won't be a problem. We can easily get the judge to accept the evidence,"

"Inko-san!" Tsukauchi exclaimed in shock, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm the lawyer representing our case," Inko smiled.

"Oh. Uhm, you have a law license right?" Tsukauchi asked skeptically.

Inko laughed, "Of course I do! I used to specialize in abuse cases. But then Izuku was born, and I gave it up,"

"Oh, ok then. I can't really advise on whom to use as your lawyer. if you are certain, I don't see the problem. But getting back to earlier, how do you plan to get the judge to accept the evidence?" Tsukauchi asked with barely hidden desperation.

"Simple," Inko smiled back, "Legally we aren't required to tell the source of our evidence. However, we are required to tell the judge in private, if required. Even so, we will still face no problem. We can say that the criminals stole Aldera's information and returned it to the police. Therefore, the police have a right to look through the evidence against Aldera. Besides, the police are also allowed to use such information to incriminate if required."

Tsukauchi looked surprised at that explanation and smiled, "Well, I see I was worried for nothing. You really know your way in and out of a case," Tsukauchi complimented.

Inko smiled and began to sift through the evidence provided. As she flipped through the evidence, Inko's smile grew bigger and bigger as she read the evidence. Tsukauchi noticed the quiet chaos lingering behind her expressions.

"So that's where those two got it from," Tsukauchi shuddered.

A DAY LATER

Watanabe groaned as he repeatedly slammed his head against the desk. Inko lightly tapped on his head with a piece of paper, "Stop that," Watanabe groaned and reluctantly sat up straight, "Why do we have to memorize all this?"

"You do want to win the case, don't you. Plus, you just need to remember the main evidence. You are lucky I don't have to teach you court etiquette too," Inko reminded.

"Still not done, Watanabe?" Izuku teased as he sipped on his juice.

"Show-off," Watanabe muttered, "How did you memorize all this so fast?"

Izuku shrugged, "Just did," he said as he turned back to his game. Watanabe stuck out his tongue and went back to the evidence he had to remember. After a while, he started groaning loudly again.

Inko sighed. She peered up from her own pile of evidence, "Watanabe, it's not even that much evidence to remember compared to mine. And you do want to finish this before Kaminari gets here for your sleepover right?"

"Fine, you're right," Watanabe admitted and silently carried on trying to memorize the evidence.

Nearly an hour later, Watanabe stretched and stood up, "Aunt Inko, I'm done," he announced.

"Good. That took you a long time," Inko replied.

Watanabe laughed sheepishly in reply, "Right, anyway, Kaminari messaged me. He said his dad's dropping him off. He's nearly here,"

"Oh then, he'll be right on time for dinner," Izuku commented. Watanabe nodded. Right then the bell rang, "Oh he's already here," Watanabe dashed to the front door.

"Yo Denki. Come in! How are you doing Mr. Kaminari?" Watanabe asked politely.

Denki's father smiled politely in reply, "Excellent, thank you Watanabe for asking. How are you and your cousin doing with the Aldera case? Nervous?"

"Obviously not!" Watanabe said indignantly. Mr. Kaminari laughed in response, "Well, I'd talk a bit more, but I have to get going,"

"Stay for dinner at least?" Natsume appeared.

"No, no thank you very much. I have some urgent office work so I have to get going. Tell Ryuzen I'll see him at work later."

"Sure thing,"

"Bye dad," Denki waved as he entered the house. "I'll take that. Come on," Watanabe beckoned. The two entered Izuku's room which the two cousins were still sharing."

"Ah, you're finally here, Kaminari," Izuku said with delight.

"Just call me Denki already, Izuku. I don't mind." Kaminari grinned, "Well, I thought your room would be cramped, but it's actually... quite clean and tidy!"

"Hmph, you wouldn't be wrong with that deduction if mom didn't make us clean up every day," Watanabe commented.

"Still, I'm sure Izuku is the one who actually cleans up, isn't it?" Kaminari teased. Watanabe snorted in reply, "No way! He's the messy one. Aunt Inko doesn't repeatedly shout at him to clean up either!"

Izuku rubbed the back of his head, a bit embarrassed, "Well, mom taught me how to clean up but never really asked me to. The only reason you saw my room clean the day you came is because mom mad me clean up since you were coming,"

Denki laughed at the two cousins bickering, "Anyway what are we guys doing? Mom thought it would be a good idea to get your minds off the case since you must be nervous,"

"Good point! Let's talk about the case!" Watanabe said. Kaminari and Izuku sweatdropped, "I just said, get your minds off the case. I swear, no wonder dad and you get along so well. You're both needlessly cheerful,"

"That's a good thing, no?" Izuku asked.

Denki shrugged, "By the way where were you when we came? Dad had wanted to see you,"

"Oh, Mr. Kaminari was here too? I didn't know. I was fixing up the bed because I had forgotten to," Izuku excused.

Kaminari's eyes narrowed in reply. "Dinner's ready!" Natsume called out.

"Right, we'll have dinner and then talk," Watanabe said and opened the door.

"How are you Inko-san?" Kaminari asked with a broad smile on his face.

"I am fine, thank you. It's nice to finally meet you, Denki! Both Izuku and Watanabe talk a lot about you,"

Kaminari turned a bit red at that, "That's nice,"

"Alright take a seat, all of you," Natsume ordered, "RYUZEN! SWITCH OFF THE TV AND COME FOR DINNER!"

"Yes coming!" Ryuzen's slightly scared voice answered. Kaminari sweatdropped, "Is that normal here?"

"You have no idea," Watanabe answered.

"I heard that!" Natsume guffawed. The two friends sat up straight at that, with a grin on their face.

"Natsume, stop threatening others' kids," Inko commented.

"Oh, Denki doesn't mind. He's been coming over long enough to know that I do like him, isn't that right?"

Kaminari grinned in reply. "Well considering you two knit together, I'm not arguing that," Ryuzen said as he entered. "Huh, what? When? Where was I?" Watanabe asked rapidly.

"That was a secret!" Kaminari accused Ryuzen who grinned in reply, "That's revenge for the amount of times you gave Natsume ideas on how to annoy me,"

Kaminari pouted, "Blame Watanabe, he's the one who rubbed off on me and made me like this!"

"Oh, don't worry, I've been getting my revenge on him too,"

Watanabe paled, "When?"

"To be fair, I am really surprised you haven't noticed yet," Ryuzen said cryptically, "I suppose Izuku is just holding them for blackmail later," Izuku choked on his water at that while Watanabe turned to face his cousin, "We are never speaking of whatever dad told you,"

"Hmm, we'll see," Izuku grinned back. Inko smiled at the three friends bickering along with her sister and husband. She was happy that Izuku had finally started to act like his age, having fun and laughing with his peers. Inko stopped herself from crying happily at the scene but Natsume noticed her expression and gave her a warm reassuring smile.

After an animated dinner, the three friends had played games, and Watanabe and Denki had shared stories from school to show what Izuku should expect on his first day.

"Right, we should go to bed. It's late," Watanabe yawned.

"Yeah, we have to get up early too," Izuku replied.

"Hmm? Why?" Kaminari asked. Izuku gulped, "He had forgotten that Kaminari wasn't supposed to know about Yagi," Watanabe gave his cousin an annoyed look, "Ah, we just like to go for a run early in the morning. You don't have to come,"

"Oh alright. But I think I'll come too. I've been trying to get fitter for the UA entrance exams,"

"Oh no, you don't have to," Izuku said with a forced smile. Watanabe nodded. Kaminari narrowed his eyes, "I feel like you're hiding something,"

"What, no!" Izuku sweated. Kaminari didn't look like he believed him. Watanabe sighed, "Guess I have to tell him a part of the truth," "Alright, we actually found someone willing to train us while we were out for a run but we didn't tell our parents because we thought they might disagree,"

"Oh," Kaminari said simply, "Will he mind if I tag along?" Kaminari asked concerned.

"Uhhhh," Watanabe looked over to Izuku asking for help. "No, I don't think he will. I'll just send him a message that we are bringing someone else along," Izuku said with a smile.

"Great!" Kaminari said enthusiastically. Watanabe sighed, "Hopefully Yagi-sensei won't be angry,"

The next morning

The two cousins walked in silence while Kaminari followed with a cheery hum. Izuku was nervous about how Yagi might react. Meanwhile, Watanabe's face was cheery but grim at the same time. The three neared the beach and saw Yagi waiting for them with a smile on his face, "You must be Kaminari!"

"Yup, you can call me Denki!" Kaminari replied.

Yagi nodded, "You can call me Yagi-sensei like those two. Now let's get started. Kaminari, Watanabe could you please bring the footballs I brought, from the other end.

"Sure,"

Once the two had left, Izuku asked, "You aren't mad?"

Yagi laughed, "No, no my boy. I am sure neither you nor Watanabe meant for Kaminari to tag along. And I am sure your friend is a good person too. I see no problem training him for one day,"

Izuku stifled a cry, "Thank you All Might,"

"Woah, Woah, what did I say?" All Might asked panicked.

Izuku wiped his tears and shook his head, "N-nothing,"

Yagi sighed, "You really need to get over that crybaby attitude," he said kindly. Izuku nodded.

"Yo! We got the balls," Kaminari announced, "And why is Izuku crying!? What did you do!?" Kaminari asked aggressively.

"Wha-I did nothing!" Yagi exclaimed. Watanabe put his hand on Denki and laughed, "It's alright. Yagi-sensei didn't do anything,"

"How do you know?"

"Because Izuku is crying. He cries even if something good happens," Watanabe deadpanned.

"But you can't be sure!"

"I-it's nothing!" Izuku wiped his tears away and smiled, "I am alright."

"Alright, Izuku get to your schedule. Watanabe and Kaminari, we'll play football to build you two up,"

After about 4 hours, the three were completely exhausted. "Well, I guess that's enough for today then," Yagi said cheerfully.

"You looked like a nice guy sensei!" Denki panted. Yagi laughed, "That is what Watanabe said too actually,"

"Let's go home, I'm aching all over," Izuku said. The others nodded. "Well, see you tomorrow," Yagi said.

"You guys train every day?" Denki asked.

"Yeah, at night too," Watanabe said.

"Cool can I join too? Not at night, mom won't let me. But I can train in the morning with you guys. What do you say sensei?"

"Uhh," Yagi drawled as he thought of what he should do.

"Are you going to refuse our best friend sensei?" Izuku asked with a gleam in his eye. Watanabe looked on proudly. Yagi's eyes twitched, Watanabe rubbed off on people really fast. He even rubbed off on him and Tsukauchi.

Yagi sighed, "No, no I don't have a problem. See you tomorrow. I have some work to do today,"

"Thanks, sensei,"

"Bye,"

As the three friends made their way back home, they walked past a dojo. Watanabe came to a stop and turned to face it. "Hm? What's wrong?" Kaminari asked his friend. "Oh, I was checking. I want to go to a dojo to help me with my martial arts, speed, and stamina. I mean, Yagi-sensei's helpful but I just want to do more, especially considering that both of you have strong quirks,"

"Huh, What do you mean. Isn't Izuku quirkless?" Kaminari asked puzzled. Izuku sent a silent scowl towards Watanabe who gulped, "Uh, uhm, well..." Watanabe struggled for words when he suddenly got an idea, "Well he is. Except he got his quirk a week back. He's a late bloomer, so the quirk damages his body. He didn't want to tell anyone cuz he felt embarrassed," Watanabe lied smoothly.

"Woah, there's nothing to feel embarrassed about," Kaminari grinned to Izuku, "What does the quirk do?"

"Uh, I think it's a stockpiling quirk... I don't know much about it," Izuku smiled weakly. It was better to talk about One for All as his quirk straight away, to tie up loose ends later.

"Oh cool. Shame you can't show me. I'd have loved to see it!"

"Uh, yeah," Izuku laughed hesitantly. Watanabe looked a bit gloomy at having to lie to his friend but immediately changed his expressions as Kaminari turned his attention back towards him."So, wanna go in and get their info? I might join too, if I have the time. It's good to have a bit of close combat down."

Suddenly the doors to the dojo slid open and a loud voice erupted, "OI BRATS! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING GOSSIPING HERE? THIS IS A DOJO!" All three jumped out of their skins and immediately apologized, "Sorry!"

"Hmph, not even a sincere apology. Whatever, scram!" The master said. Izuku stiffened a bit at that but fortunately, Watanabe took over, "Sorry sir, but we just wanted to check the enrollment procedure for the dojo,"

The dojo master narrowed his eyes and seemed to judge the three for a moment. Finally, he sighed and muttered something inaudible under his breath before gesturing them in.

The three seated themselves comfortably before the master started talking, "All right, let's get straight to the point. What do you want to learn and why? And I'll need a bit of information on your quirks to help you too,"

The three were hesitant to start but Kaminari gulped and took the first step, "Uh, I am Kaminari Denki. My quirk is electrification. I generate electricity from my body but can't manifest it out of nowhere. I want to learn close combat," The master nodded.

"Um, I'm Hattori Watanabe. My official quirk is eye-color changing but it's really, um, vision change. My eye color changes according to what vision I'm using, like it becomes very dark when in infrared vision to capture the infrared rays. I have X-ray, infrared, and UV vision till now. I want to learn martial arts and build up my stamina and strength. Weapons training would be swell too. Plus, I believe knowing pressure points would be good for my quirk,"

The master chuckled, "That's a lot of work. Are you sure you're up to it?" Watanabe gave a determined nod. "Fine if you think so. Now, what about you?" The master pointed his finger towards Izuku.

"Uh, M-my name is Midoriya Izuku. I am a late bloomer and got my quirk just this month. My quirk is strength-based but since I'm a late bloomer, it damages my body I would like to build up my body to handle the power," Izuku lied to match Watanabe's story.

The master's eye furrowed at that, "How does it damage you?"

"Erm, breaks my bones," Izuku lied. He hadn't even gotten the quirk yet, but both he and Watanabe believed that it might be a likely outcome.

The master sighed, "Fine, I will teach you. You may call me Yoroi-sensei," The three nodded. "Alright, firstly you," The master addressed Kaminari, "I'll teach you combat and weapons. I think your quirk would be useful with weapons as you could flow the electricity through them,"

Kaminari nodded.

"You," Yoroi gazed at Izuku, " I would have given you weights, but since your quirk damages your body, that might not be the best way to go at it. You will train in our gym regularly. Since you have a strength quirk, I don't think you need to urgently learn combat." Izuku nodded enthusiastically in reply.

"Finally you," Yoroi's gaze fell on Watanabe, who sat up straight, hesitantly waiting for his input, "You... you are troublesome," Yoroi deadpanned. Watanabe fell at that.

"You will need to put in a lot of work here. We will divide your time into combat, strength enhancement, and stamina training, We'll get you weights too since your quirk is not really suitable for combat,"

"What makes you think we need to learn combat?" Kaminari asked.

Yoroi snorted, "Kid, I know for a fact everyone your age wants to get to UA or some other hero school."

Before Kaminari could reply, Watanabe interrupted, "Wait, but I already have weights!"

Yoroi raised his eye, "You do? How much do they weigh?"

"Well, I had 20 kg on every limb but I got used to it, so now I have 25 on each limb," Watanabe said proudly.

Yoroi stared at him for a few seconds before exploding, "YOU ONLY RAISED THE WEIGHT BY 5 KG ON EACH LIMB? WHAT ARE YOU A KID. DOUBLE AT LEAST HALF OF THE WEIGHTS!"

Watanabe squirmed away from Yoroi with that outburst, "At least, you aren't one of those idiots who put weights on their chests too. Anyway, I expect to see you all at dawn tomorrow for training, before school,"

Watanabe regained his composure and hesitantly asked, "Could we join after school instead?"

"Boy, you need to put in some work if you want to get stronger. Sleeping late won't do you any favors,"

Watanabe deflated a bit, "It's not that. We just like to go for a run in the morning instead. And we have this one guy we met once, who's a trainer and offered to help us out too. I don't want to leave him hanging,"

Yoroi stared at Watanabe before resigning, "I will allow it for Kaminari and Midoriya. You may too but I'll expect you here at dawn on some days since you have taken up more thing to learn than them,"

Watanabe sighed with relief. He had just needed permission for Izuku to go. He was ok with missing out on a few training sessions with Yagi. He felt Yoroi could teach him much more, "Thank you Yoroi sensei! We'll see you tomorrow," The three got up when Yoroi interrupted, "Wait a minute," he said before disappearing into a room.

The three stood awkwardly as a few minutes passed. Finally, Yoroi reappeared, "Here, add these weights," he handed to Watanabe. Watanabe took them from Yoroi and immediately fell, "How heavy are these?"

Yoroi smirked, "100 more kg. There's only 1 year before you give the UA exam. Since you've been increasing weights like a kid would, we are going to rush you! You're wearing these right now on your way home,"

"But we start tomorrow!" Watanabe argued.

Yoroi gave Watanabe an evil smile, "So what?"

A/N: I know it's not much and pretty much pointless but I just really needed to put it in. It sorta fills the plot and I'll just admit it, it felt cute.