Somehow, tree remnants remain towering above the reserve, but their burned branches are all twisting and gnarling as though the branches are fingers grasping at any chance of remaining standing that way. More mangled than that, is the thick carpet of ashen leaves muffling all footsteps that cross the uprooted terrain. The air is still thick despite the smoke from the fire having dissipated with the mustard gas of a villain who's been apprehended with many others, a scent of decayed and dried bark coupling with the creak of the wood trying to stay supported to the earth. It's still dark out, no sunlight pouring in over the horizon that stretches with more and more wildlife completely consumed by destruction.
The deflated form of All Might becomes even more deflated as he takes in the scenery. Beside him, just as downtrodden, is the principal of U.A. Nezu drags his feet along the soot strewn surface beneath him. It's all blackened to a shade as dark as the night. The only source of color comes from emergency vehicles flashing red and blue lights. A group of police officers brush past the two heroes, adding to that luminescence with flashlights in order to search for survivors. This tends to be the side effect of arriving too late to a scene and it never gets old for either of them. They share a look, no words needed.
But there are still words that need to be said. Even if they are both unsure of where to start. They wait for the lead detective to join them before speaking, since the man may give them some sense of direction. Despite being ordained and a long time friend of All Might, Tsukauchi Naomasa wears a grim expression when he approaches the duo of heroes. They mutually exchange glances and nods to greet one another, but they're all half hearted somber gestures. Naomasa sighs and shakes his head, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"A student dead", hearing a casualty at the beginning of the count makes both Toshinori and Nezu physically react with a flinch, "Four in critical condition", and what follows isn't much better to hear either. "It's not good when the saving grace in all of this is that the rest are simply hospitalized – as if there's anything simple about that", the detective closes his eyes in quiet condolence before reopening them and looking to the set of men in front of him.
"I should have been there", Toshinori grits his teeth together while avoiding his friend's gaze. Frail hands fold into fists, the all powerful All Might so small and powerless. "I could have done something", he blames himself for not saving the day when he's quite literally the number one ranked hero above all.
"You can't be everywhere", but Naomasa is quick to assure his friend, "You had no way of knowing this would happen."
"Indeed", Nezu folds his paws in front of himself as he adds, "We're all at fault for this catastrophe."
"Even so..", Toshinori refuses to accept their condolences or consolations. There's too much devastation surrounding him to deserve it, or so he figures.
Nezu instead shifts the blame to himself, a bitter bite to his sigh. "U.A is prepared to take full responsibility for what transpired", which gets Toshinori and Naomasa to turn their heads. "It's only proper that we deal with the legal action that will soon ensue", his beady black eyes are unwavering as he stands as tall as his short stubby animal body will allow.
"The school will be shut down if you do", Naomasa warns the principal of the consequences to such a plan. But then he sees the somber smile on Nezu's face and understands, "I guess it was always going to happen anyways with the students under your guardianship.. That's the way the world will see it – forget just the press."
"All Might will deny all involvement with U.A", Nezu turns to face Toshinori fully before the man can turn down that suggestion, "The world still needs its symbol of peace", and Toshinori closes his mouth with whatever words he had to say dying in his throat.
"And what about your former student's alleged involvement becoming a disappearance?", Naomasa nods towards a damaged motorbike vehicle being carted away as though it were brought on cue. The scraps show remains of a chainsaw design.
Nezu hums, sparing only a glance. "Merely alleged as you said", the intelligent mammal scratches the fur on his chin while pondering a clearer answer for the investigator, "Izuku Midoriya is no longer affiliated with U.A either but I believe it can be spun as an error made by the HPSC."
The detective's rectangular eyes widen but he gets the hint. "At least SOMETHING good can come of all this mess", he pulls out a small notepad to write notes on, "We'll work on making that allegedness a little more concrete."
"That's a process that might need a little speeding up", Toshinori surprises the two conspirators when he chimes back in with his own input, "Taking this to the courts and making a public problem of the HPSC is happening sooner rather than later."
Naomasa and even Nezu are surprised to discover this, sharing a look. The two ask for more details.
Red, like Makima's hair, his cape wafts behind him with gentle rustles from disturbances in the air. It's odd, the window being sealed shut and still some residual breeze blowing about. The muscular blonde smiles, taking that as a good sign. If there's going to be something strange about the office invasion then he would prefer feeling like the outside is leaking in rather than being contained. Especially when under the cold calculative stare of the room's owner. Makima weaves her fingers together while resting her elbows on the desk before her. "I thought you were dead", she speaks sarcastically but Mirio suspects some genuine shock is in there somewhere.
"My death was greatly exaggerated", All Might's Successor clenches the fist of his mechanical arm made to replace what was lost in the Yakuza tunnels. David Shield proved more loyal to his friend rather than to The Commission. It helps having friends. Izuku knew that when plotting this hostile takeover. Though that stays a secret for the time being in case Makima tries escaping.
Also in case Makima tries escaping, a bunch of American representatives with warrants and all the proper documentation needed join Mirio in the office. They're here to shut down the HPSC, or remove Makima from her position of power at the very least. "I can see that.. You've been busy during your absence", Makima notes the dark suited men with slightly raised eyebrows.
"We've been monitoring your operation for awhile now", one of the Americans speaks decent Japanese while addressing the woman, "Lemillion and other testimonies have led us to believe you've now crossed a line that there's no going back from."
Makima keeps staring at Mirio, disregarding the other men. Seeing this, Mirio's smile wavers. "Don't make this any harder than it has to be", the returning hero warns her not to try anything that would require him to use force. One For All churns inside him.
"I'll cooperate with your internal affairs investigation, gentlemen" She finally acknowledges the others in the room. Though she's not the least bit disgruntled by them. She doesn't even make a move to stand up. "Might I point out that there are other matters that require the priority of your attention though?"
This gives the group of HPSC interlopers some pause. "What do you mean?"
"Izuku Midoriya's abduction…", Makima announces the information that arrived to her desk before they did with a smug smile, "All HPSC agents are required to wear a location tracker – which means you require my assistance if we are to retrieve him."
Mirio only then realizes that Hawks – and more importantly – Izuku isn't there to join him for this intercession. Makima must not be bluffing. "Where is he?", All Might's Successor swallows the lump in his throat and forces his head to hold high.