Overseeing a Strange World
Chapter 9
I'll get a few more up in the next day but this will be one of the last post for the whole month of July. But I'm going to focus on a different side to the practical studies, namely the investigation side of hero work. We don't get many details with this in the manga, other than Nighteye looking into the yakuza. But if they are going with heroes being associated with the police then it would make sense. And I'm having Adam and Tomoe teach that side for the first years. So on with the show.
(No POV)
The day after the battle trials, all of the students were comparing what they saw and had done against each other. While most were intimidated by Izuku and his familiars teamwork, they were also impressed and tried to emulate it in their own battles. With varying success.
Those paired with their classmates seemed to do well all together, like Kodai and Yanagi. Some like Tsunotori and Ojiro worked well mixing their long range and close-range potential. Others were able to match each other's rhythm and style, like Sato and Itsuka.
But others wound up just butting heads. Like Mineta and Monoma who couldn't come up with a decent strategy to fight. Or Kamakiri and Sero, whose powers messed with each other enough that they quickly failed the challenge. But some of the students could get a redemption in the next day's class.
But first each class had their own new objective. "You have to pick a class president." Aizawa said after going over a few of the battles. While everyone was quick to nominate themselves, Ida quickly put a stop to it with his own presence.
"We should hold and election! We may not know each other that well, but what if anyone votes for more than one person then that means they have made a substantial impact on the group as a whole!" Most agreed with his point, and ballots were passed out. Izuku thought about how Ida had taken the lead on the situation and quickly put together a plan and organization for this matter. So, he knew who he was voting for.
When it was done, Momo and Ida had tied with 2 votes each. They stood at the front as the potential class leads, and were about to cast another ballot when some others put their own thoughts in. "I know we technically aren't students, but maybe we could have a say too?" the disembodied voice of Chika spoke up. Then both of Izuku's familiars popped into existence.
And while some would claim that they would vote for Izuku, Riku was quick to point out a factor to this. "That's why he had us stay out of it at first. He knew we'd be biased and felt that the initial decision shouldn't be made by us. But since it's a tie we can act as tie breakers."
Ida and Momo bow to the wisdom of both of Izuku's familiars and wait for their answers. Riku has no problem with saying his own thoughts with, "I think Ida's the better one for this whole thing. You took command of the situation today. And yeah that isn't a hero thing per say, it shows you know how to lead to a point. Let alone how you tried, though failed, to reign in the rabid yapping dog that is Bakugo." And while said angry Pomeranian is about to start shouting; Chika snaps her fingers, and a metal gag wraps itself around Bakugo's mouth.
She then stands and agrees with Riku's assessment. Then pointing out that Momo had struggled a bit during her battle trail. "You came up with a decent plan and tried to work with your partner. But you fell short in the handling the unpredictability of your opponent." Momo thought back and remembered how Mina had slid around and past all of the traps she had laid. And Aoyama not only blasted down a wall to let Mina in but kept Sen busy by making sure he couldn't get close to either opponent.
When Jiro pointed out that Ida was in the same place from facing their team, Chika brought up a different detail. "We don't exactly play on the same level. Izuku knew how Bakugo would react given their history. And I knew where the objective was due to my divination. From there we built the plan of facing off with our opponents. Plus, we were in constant telepathic contact, so we always knew what was going on."
The rest of the students were shocked but did see her point. As well as wondering if they can do that for anyone. With the familiar's opinions given, everyone agreed that Ida would be the class rep and Momo would be his vice.
Right after this though, Adam and Tomoe walked in to announce that they had a special class for the student's today. "We'll be doing an interesting class today. Meet us in ground beta. You'll see what we mean." Adam said with a smile that made a few from both classes uneasy.
Adam had convinced Nezu that after the class elections were done, they would have an impromptu class for the rest of the day. After describing what he had in mind, Nezu's smile grew and promptly agreed. The Overseers would be testing not just the students in terms of teamwork and investigation skills, but also in relating to the public to a point. A factor they normally don't cover till later in the year. But this could throw those who have advice from older students off and teach the young heroes how to adapt.
As the students were walking into the training ground, they suddenly felt a tremor and saw a terrifying sight before them. There were destroyed buildings everywhere. Smoke coming from some of them, and the cries of civilians rang out. Strewn across the roads were the bodies of some of those civilians. Some injured; some dead; some dying. Seeing this terrifying sight made all of the students freeze up.
But a few were quick to break out of the train wreck watching and jump into action. Momo creating med kits and other first aid equipment, Ida gathering up the stronger bodied students and leading to the debris points, Juzo catching Shoji, Setsuna, and Jiro to get their aid in reconnaissance, and Itsuka coordinating with Ida on security and protection of possible injured.
One who didn't do anything though was Izuku. While this is normally counter to his nature, he knows something is up. "So that's it." Just when Bakugo and Ida are shouting at Izuku to hurry up, the green haired hero just smiles. He then creates a magic circle in his hand, before sending it skywards. Then at the highest point, he snaps his fingers, and a wave of magic reverberates around the area.
The debris fields go away, the smoke vanishes, the injured civilians vanish, and the training area is eerily silent. "Interesting way to introduce us to your widespread illusion spells, Tomoe-san." Izuku says while said woman appears with a smirk.
While this is happening, Ida and the rest are still processing what just happened and where all the damage disappeared to. Adam then floats down from on top of a building with a laugh before saying, "That was something of a two-fold lesson for all of you. Ida, Juzo, Kendo, Yaoyorozu. You four get extra credit for today. As do you Izuku. But not as much. You figured out the whole thing was an illusion meant to test their reactions and will." With the first-year classes gathered up, Adam and Tomoe explain some of what was going on.
"I used my illusion spell to create a scenario of a major disaster. I wanted to see how you all would react. Luckily, a few of you took command and sought to start helping people. But that isn't all we'll be testing you on today. Adam?" Tomoe explains and then passes the explanation to her partner. With a nod, the human member claps his hands and brings up a series of images.
"Assault cases, rape, murder, smuggling. All of these cases you will have to be involved in. But you don't know the first thing about investigating said cases. We'll be separating you all into groups of 10 and will be given cases to investigate. At each location is an illusion point, to make the exercise feel more real….. without putting anyone in danger." A few chuckles ring out and the teams are chosen with a similar method to the battle trials.
Adam creates a set of cards with students' names on them and then shuffles the deck. When that is done, he sets the cards in 4 different stacks. With it done the teams are as follows:
Team A: Midoriya Izuku, Uraraka Ochaco, Yanagi Reiko, Mezo Shoji, Komori Kinoko, Ashido Mina, Ojiro Mashiro, Asui Tsuyu, Shishida Jurota, and Sato Rikido.
Team B: Ida Tenya, Bakugo Katsuki, Kodai Yui, Hagakure Toru, Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu, Mineta Minoru, Tokage Setsuna, Fukidashi Manga, Tsunotori Pony and Jiro Kyoka
Team C: Shiozaki Ibara, Monoma Neito, Kirishima Eijiro, Rin Hiryu, Kaminari Denki, Yaoyorozu Momo, Tokoyami Fumikage, Kendo Itsuka, Shoda Nirengeki and Kuroiro Shihai
Team D: Kaibara Sen, Todoroki Shoto, Koda Koji, Tsuburaba Kosei, Awase Yosetsu, Aoyama Yuga, Bondo Kojiro, Honenuki Juzo, Kamakiri Togaru and Sero Hanata
With the teams set, Tomoe gave each group a position locator with a map. "These will take you to the points in the city where we have scenarios set up. The types of crimes will vary, and we will be monitoring each group. It is not necessary that you choose a leader right away. But be ready for whenever you need to step up," the kitsune woman says to the students.
Adam then steps forward with his own point. "Don't just think of these exercises from just a find the villain or criminal or whatever. Look at all of the problems involved… well what are you waiting for? Vamanos!" He says with a quick wave to tell them to go.
Each of the teams' objective were set in corners far from one another, so they could not interact and compare. When Izuku and his team reached their assigned point, they didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Until the stepped next to the building they were to investigate. As soon as they did, the area changed with police and others gathered around the area.
While most of the team were surprised, Izuku and Shishida took the matter in stride. "Officer. What is the situation?" Shishida asked at the front of the building. Said illusionary officer, saluted before escorting the heroes to the scene. "From what we've found so far, this appears to be an open shut break in and murder case. However, the victim was killed due to a quirk and was a former hero. That's why we called you other heroes in."
A few of the students nod, seeing the better reason for this investigation. Most officers can't use their quirks or most likely wouldn't have a quirk suited to this type of investigation. Ochaco, Mina and Kinoko though are somewhat confused. Quietly Kinoko asks Shishida, "What is the point to this? I don't get it. We're just supposed to fight villains, right?"
"No. This is to create a profile for dangerous entities that we may not be engaged by right away. Remember what All Might talked about yesterday? How most villain acts are carried out behind the scenes. We're all too accustomed to the idea of villains attacking us outright. But if they are targeting specific individuals, then we have to stop them by protecting said individuals." Ochaco and Mina were listening in, but they still didn't get what he was talking about. And neither did Kinoko.
When they reached the illusionary penthouse, they were assigned to investigate, they could see the damage all around. There were burn marks on the walls, large portions of the floor had been smashed, and the main windows had been shattered. The victim in question lay crumpled in the middle of the floor. Izuku and Shishida took the lead again by assigning tasks.
Tsuyu, Ochaco and Kinoko were asked by Izuku to check the other rooms in the penthouse for damage. Shishida had chosen to ask the officers more about what was found. Reiko, Ojiro and Mina worked together to check some of the upper damaged spots to and get some samples. Mainly by Reiko lifting Mina up and Ojiro using his tail to hold himself up on the walls.
At first Sato and Shoji were lifting up a few of the ruined pieces of the floor and furniture to see if anything was left. But that was until Izuku heard someone cry out. "DAD!? WHAT HAPPENED?!"
"Sato! Shoji! Riku! All of you help the officers to keep that person out of here. We can't have them in here right now. Maybe get a statement from them." Izuku ordered. The hero students were a bit off put by the abruptness, but Riku quickly obeyed. Grabbing the two larger boys to pull them to the door. Once there, they saw a young man with similar features to the victim. Shoji put it together what Izuku was thinking on this matter and worked with Riku to calm the young man down.
Sato didn't understand right away, but he did see some of what all involved were getting at. And since he wasn't sure on the best questions to ask, he instead opted for staying at the door and making sure no one else could get in unless authorized. Izuku in the investigation site, had called out Chika as well. She was using a few spells to try and recreate the possible scene and attacks.
"We're missing a few other details." She said after a few minutes. Izuku hummed a bit then he called for Shoji again. "I got the statement. The guy in question is the son of the victim. He was out working apparently and didn't get back till late. He seems more comfortable with Sato and Riku, so he might tell them more. As long as he doesn't try to break in. What did you need?" Shoji asked after giving a report.
Izuku nodded and brought up a base illusion within the illusion to show what he was doing. "We've been recreating the scene, but we need more details. And I think your sharp eyes, ears and nose might be what we need." Izuku says before explaining more. He wanted Shoji to duplicate enough points to smell and see other details they might have all missed.
The larger boy nods and gets to work. It doesn't take long before he spots some tiny bullet impacts. As well as finding bullet impacts on the victim. The impacts were so small that it would be almost impossible to spot right away.
Mina and Reiko then bring something else as a clue to the matter. "The burn marks aren't fully from a quirk. Or rather, it isn't from this guy's quirk. Shishida said that the victim had a strength boosting quirk. So, the flame impacts couldn't be from him." Kinoko then comes from the other rooms and reports a strange matter. "The closet is almost completely untouched, even the safe inside wasn't harmed. Just the doors busted off. But the bed and some of the other furniture was demolished."
"Then that doesn't add up with this being a robbery or burglary attempt gone wrong. Whoever did this was after something else. Sato! Got a sec? Shoji you should cover the door with Riku for a bit." Izuku says and asks Sato what he could learn just talking with the son of the victim.
"He didn't have much to say. Had a hard time believing his dad was dead obviously. He mentioned that his dad had a lot of big investments and made a lot of money from similar. You think that could have something to do with it?" Izuku and Shishida think over the matter a few times but still can't come up with an answer. But then Ochaco brings up something else.
"Hey aren't these impact marks too big? Like I know the victim had a strength enhancing power, but even with that the impacts are too large, aren't they?" This gets the two leaders' eyes to widen, and they take some measurements. They conclude that Ochaco is correct and that this may be more relevant than the rest thought.
Riku then talks to Izuku's mind and mentions something that the son said in passing. That the victim had been seeing a woman, for the first time since his mother had passed. This gets Izuku's eyes to widen again and he tells Chika to help him with a special spell. The two cast their magic on the broken glass and rewind it.
While some of it was outside the window, the rewind spell showed a different matter. The glass had been shot through. Izuku hums a bit more and confirms with Shishida on the likely scenario.
"Okay so what we could be looking at here might just be a hit. Someone wanted the victim dead and did everything they could to make it happen. The woman he had been seeing is a possible assailant. And she had backup in the form of two others. And sized up one in the closest, and from the outside; one who could shoot tiny but deadly shots from across the street." Shishida explains, before Izuku takes over. He explains that the flame marks could have been from the woman and would explain why the bed was destroyed. Given that she might have attacked while….. "Ahem in the middle or at the end of…. Well sex." Izuku says with a blush.
But the initial attack failed so the big villain came in next and tried to take him out as well. "And when that failed, the shooter used his power to finish the job. Most likely catching him off guard. With as small as the impacts and shots are, they wouldn't make much of a sound, and even when the glass broke, it fell down rather than be scattered from an explosion or big impacts." Izuku says, before showing the scenario with magic.
With this set and at least a few profiles of the people responsible, the exercise is called complete by the magic set up. And the illusion dissipates. With that, team A gets an announcement that they had passed the trial and that they could head back to the observation room. Suddenly though, an alarm rings out across the entire campus. It takes about 10 minutes before the alarms stop, but the class for the day has to be called.
Back in the observation room, a brief run down is given. Team A had fully completed their assigned case and passed with full marks. Team D was not far behind them and finished roughly the same time. Their case was an actual robbery and series of break-ins around the area they were investigating. Team C hadn't quite solved their case, but they were close.
It was apparently a double homicide, and they had figured out who had been the initial killer. But they faltered at building the profile of the other killer. Team B though could not solve their case before time was called and had a bigger problem with their simulated arson case. Primarily in the form of Bakugo. He was so belligerent in dealing with the public and others, let alone just looking for something to attack, that he had to be restrained by Mineta of all people. They also ran into the problem of not many of their quirks could be used to help with the investigations.
With that done, Adam dismisses the students for the day. After the students have left, he and Tomoe go to meet the other teachers. At a point where the wall to the school had been destroyed. "Look like we've got some bigger problems on the way." Nezu agrees with the kitsune by saying, "This was a declaration of war. I hope we and the students are ready."