Slightly different point of view for the chapter this time. I hope you like this sneak peek to the other side.

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comments:

Flashyyyyyyy: Keep reading.

Dsman: Nah, I don't want to make up another character to take her seat and there is someone else I'd rather kick out of the class compared to canon.

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Proofread by 3DPhantom

Chapter 17: A New Problem Child

Shota Aizawa, also known as the pro hero Eraser Head, arrived at the principal's office of UA High School. He was a teacher, so it was not anything unusual, but what awaited him inside was. Principal Nezu was there of course, but so was their newest teacher All Might, in his small form, and the school nurse Recovery Girl. Most concerning was the individual present who was not part of the school staff, though still a familiar face, police detective Tsukauchi. Aizawa made sure he closed the door properly.

"Thank you for coming Aizawa. There is a matter we need to discuss before the start of the new term."

"Is it about one of my new students?" Aizawa asked and glanced at Detective Tsukauchi. "Or is one of my current ones suspected of a crime? Considering the admission papers on the table I am guessing you are investigating a new student and plan to have him or her in my class since Vlad isn't here."

"You are correct," principal Nezu said. "There are some special concerns considering one of our new students that we want to approach carefully, for his benefit as well as investigatory concerns. As far as school staff is concerned, only those present and Hound Dog as the counsellor are involved in discussing the topic."

Nezu paused, a serious expression crossing his face before continuing.

"Tell me, how much do you know about All For One?"

Aizawa tensed. His former tired and slightly annoyed demeanour disappeared, replaced by a focused stare and a frown.

"Probably more than most heroes in my age group, especially public heroes, let alone civilians. Back when I graduated, he was said to still control most organized crime in the country, but there were no real sightings for several years even before I became a hero. I don't think I have heard anything but old legends about him for years."

"That is because I defeated and killed him six years ago," All Might said. "That is where I got my injuries."

"Heroes aren't supposed to kill people you know," Aizawa commented.

"Maybe so," All Might said, "but he is different. As an underground hero you of all people should know that we can't always be the way people expect heroes to act."

"True. Now, how does this relate to my students?"

"A major reason All For One could gain such power was his quirk, an unique ability to take and give others quirks, essentially the ability to horde or redistribute power in the society as he saw fit," Nezu stated. He handed Aizawa one of the admission papers with student information and put footage of the practical exam on a large screen hanging on the wall of his office. It was showing a teen with thick white hair, impressive physical ability, and a fire-based quirk.

"That quirk is no longer unique. Another person has emerged with seemingly the same abilities. Izuku Midoriya scored the highest score in the hero course practical exam and will be attending your class."

"Are you sure he has the same quirk?" Aizawa asked.

"Yes, I was lucky to meet him at an educational fair a few months back. He stood up for another student he didn't even know being bullied for his quirk and later admitted to me what his real quirk could do, though he was hesitant to do so. The official quirk registries support this also, though they refer to it as Quirk Transfer and only registered his quirk when he was thirteen."

"So," Aizawa started, "if that is the case, where did the fire quirk come from? Seems like something we should at least question before admitting him."

"Do you think I haven't already done that?" Nezu responded. "According to Midoriya, someone with that quirk attempted to kidnap him so he took the quirk in self-defence. This let him get away, but he didn't tell people at the time due to prejudice he has experienced because of his quirk. That is what he said anyway. Detective Tsukauchi has been investigating the matter while checking on the boy's background. Detective?"

"Unfortunately, the conclusion of my investigation isn't as conclusive as I would like. I have identified a known criminal with a fire-based quirk similar to his, at least in basic form. It seems he has been able to advance the quirk quite a bit, from the look of things even during your exams. Unfortunately, I have been unable to confirm this man is truly the origin of the quirk."

"In other words, you haven't managed to be in contact with this person."

"No," Tsukauchi responded. "It seems no one has seen him in nearly a year. Same goes for several known acquaintances. It is unclear if they are on the run for some crime or… worse. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find more, especially while staying discreet. I'm afraid it is the same with the other investigation. I have not found a connection with All For One, the person, but I also couldn't completely rule it out. Considering his age there could be a connection several generations back that could be impossible to identify even if I had good information, and I don't. His father Hisashi Midoriya especially is a mystery. He seems to have familial connections to the United States and has spent much of his, and his son's life working there. Unfortunately, that limits what I can do, especially in secret and without any evidence of a crime."

"So, his father lives abroad… And how about the mother?" Aizawa asked. Both Tsukauchi's and All Might's expressions darkened.

"The mother Inko Midoriya was killed by a villain last spring."

"It was my fault," All Might said. "He got away from me earlier that day and I came too late to save Midoriya's mother. I didn't even realize who I was talking to when we met at that fair. He must hate me."

"Unfortunately you are likely correct," Tsukauchi said. "I talked with the police officers who were present when Izuku Midoriya was informed about his mother's death. He found a video of it online and threw his phone across the room, cursing the heroes when All Might arrived late."

"So he has one of, if not the most powerful quirk in the world that people naturally fear and hate, something that can really mess up your life in modern society. He witnessed his mother die due to the failure of the number one hero, and his father is not even in the country most of the time," Aizawa said, feeling a headache coming and pinched his nose. "And we cannot completely rule out a family connection with All For One himself."

"That would seem to be the case," Tsukauchi confirmed.

"He even looks like All For One," All Might muttered, "though maybe it's just the hair."

Aizawa glanced at All Might briefly before focusing on Nezu.

"I am surprised he is even applying at UA," Aizawa concluded, "with everything and everyone in his life apparently pushing him to become a villain. It's a near perfect backstory to make a villain, and not because he shares a quirk with one."

"It certainly wasn't an easy decision for him," Nezu responded. "Admitting to his quirk wasn't the only thing he hesitated to talk about when we met. Seems he had childhood dreams of becoming a hero that he lost. In fact, if I had to describe him when we met, I would say he was lost with no path forward that he really cared about, a precarious position to be in especially for someone with so much potential. Luckily you are wrong about everyone pushing him to be a villain. Young Shinso and Ida appear to have helped him find his path toward being a hero."

"Shinso and Ida?" Aizawa asked. "I think I read their names on the admission lists."

"Correct," Nezu said and replaced the exam footage with what seemed like pictures of school security cameras. Every single one showed three boys, Midoriya and two others: One walking in through UA gates, one talking to an angry looking boy while standing together, with Midoriya standing in front of his friends protectively, and one of the trio eating lunch together. In one picture Midoriya and one of his friends seemed to be asleep, leaning against each other while their taller friend sat next to them.

"Seems they stayed together all the time they were here, except when separated for the exams, and also left together. The taller of them is Tenya Ida, younger brother of the hero Ingenium with a similar engine quirk. He is coming from the same school as Midoriya. The other one is Hitoshi Shinso from a different school. As far as I can tell, they first met him at the education fair. He was the one being bullied for his quirk that Midoriya helped.

"And what is his quirk?" Aizawa asked.

"It is called Brainwashing. I am sure you can deduce what consequences that might have caused him."

"Yes," Aizawa admitted, "and the design of the entrance exams in this school wouldn't help that."

"Actually, he passed thanks to the hero points," Nezu said.

"Doesn't change my point."

They were quiet for a moment before Nezu continued.

"I have placed all three of them together on your class. If those two convinced him to pursue heroics again, they are our best insurance to keep him on that path."

"I agree that keeping the three together is the best choice," Aizawa said, "but I don't like how you keep talking about him like he was constantly on the edge of becoming another All For One. It is exactly that kind of attitudes that make it happening a threat. I know why you assigned them to my class, but Midoriya needs a non-prejudiced guidance, not a security guard capable of erasing his quirks."

As he spoke about guidance, Aizawa glanced at All Might.

"I just hope it isn't too late," he added.

"I agree with Aizawa," Recovery Girl joined the conversation. "I have had some experience with bullied and abused people in the past. Based on what I have heard and seen so far, I would expect Midoriya to be wary and distrusting of people, especially teachers if the previous ones let things become as bad as Nezu has described. He is also likely to have sensitive topics you should watch your words around. You will be fighting an uphill battle even if you can share some similar experiences."

"That is part of the job description as a hero and teacher," Aizawa responded. Recovery girl nodded.

"He is also likely very attached and protective to those few that have accepted him and earned his trust. That can help you if you win them over, but one mistake with either of them and you will be back on the starting line with Midoriya, or worse. Losing trust is much easier than earning it."

"Speaking of protective," Tsukauchi interrupted. "There was one more incident that came up during my investigation. A few days before the entrance exam those three were involved in a confrontation with some street criminals, drugs, gang activity and such. Seems they ran into and threatened Shinso. When the police arrived, they were all standing against a wall brainwashed."

"Sounds like Shinso has hero potential," Aizawa noted.

"I cannot comment on that, but he didn't resolve the situation himself. Apparently Midoriya took one of them down in seconds. They swear he almost killed the man in rage. The man's chin was broken and there were severe burns on his hand. To be fair, he could turn that hand into a sword and was seeking to stab Shinso according to eyewitnesses."

"Impressive for a junior high student," Aizawa admitted, "but legally questionable."

"That is what the police on scene thought, perhaps even too strongly," Tsukauchi admitted, "but Midoriya had lawyers on the phone before they even arrived. Self-defence and quirk restriction laws are complex enough combination that with their young age there was no prosecution against Midoriya or Shinso. Also, one prosecutor resigned around the same time for unknown reasons."

"Them not being prosecuted is probably for the best, but the whole situation raises some concerns," Aizawa said. "Seeking to protect is the core of being a hero, but how one approaches it is equally important. If Midoriya was truly close to inflicting greater injury or death, that is a major problem to consider. Speaking of which, are you still trying to investigate him?"

"If opportunities come up," Tsukauchi answered. "There isn't much more I can do inconspicuously or without a valid suspicion of a crime beyond possibly excessive self-defence. I cannot forcibly question Midoriya or use my quirk without some evidence of a crime. I have discussed with Nezu about holding guest lectures on criminal investigations and hero-police cooperation to get around that."

"Don't destroy my hopes of teaching him by getting caught trying to trick him into being questioned with your quirk," Aizawa warned. Tsukauchi took a step back, facing his stare. He held his hands up defensively.

"Don't worry. It is not my first discreet investigation."

Aizawa got up and looked at Nezu with tired eyes.

"If you are concerned that he might veer off the path of a hero, don't give him any reasons to do so and let me do my job."

"We are counting on you," Nezu responded. Without wasting any more words Aizawa got up and turned to leave.

"One more thing," Nezu said. "Do not expel him."

Aizawa waved his hand and left. In the corridor he read through the profile of Izuku Midoriya who was turning out to be his newest problem child. He had meant every word he told Nezu and the others, but couldn't deny that he wanted more information. Even with Recovery Girl's evaluation he didn't really know how Midoriya's mental state was.

He needed to learn about the kid without targeting him specifically. The first day would show him plenty. People tended to show more of their true nature under pressure, and that was Aizawa's specialty.