Midoriya didn't waste time and researched Todoroki Shouto once he got home. While his father was notorious and its accomplishments, numerous, there wasn't much about the younger Todoroki. One article mentioned he denied Endeavor's request to work as his sidekick and created his own office. The other information about the Pro Hero was on Yuuei's website in the alumni section: Todoroki Shouto, graduation from Yuuei one year ago.
Midoriya couldn't help but think he could've graduated from Yuuei at the same time if life had blessed him with a Quirk. Who knows, maybe they could've been classmates?
"You're distracted today, Midoriya-kun," Tamakawa notes, elbowing him in the back with so much force that Midoriya drops the files he was holding.
"I'm sorry, Tamakawa-san. I didn't sleep much last night."
Tsukauchi bends down to help him gather the papers and while his help is welcomed, his comment makes Midoriya bristle. "That's why we shouldn't have brought you at Yamazaki's yesterday."
"Detective Tsukauchi."
Midoriya looks up to Todoroki knocking on the threshold. He shoots up on his feet, almost dropping his files once more, as Tsukauchi approaches their new collaborator.
"Todoroki-san, thank you for coming."
Todoroki doesn't answer, his eyes roaming in their office. Even if Midoriya doesn't have anything to do with the decoration, he feels self-conscious. Still, the walls are barren safe for Tsukauchi's growing mind map and their furniture's bulky, making it hard to move around. There isn't much personality that can be seen through pictures in frames, post-its from loved ones or homemade bentos lingering in their office.
Midoriya just watches his own desk and feels his cheeks burning. Beside piles of documents he has yet to classify and analyse is a dried plant. Its leaves are brown, shrivelled, curving towards the ground. The solid earth's fissured and if anyone touches it, it'd crumble down. Even if Midoriya gave it nutrients, the plant wouldn't survive. It's far too gone.
Just like the Judge.
"It's a pleasure meeting you for the first time, Todoroki-san. All Might told me a lot about you."
"Did he?" Unlike yesterday, nothing flickers in his eyes. "What did he say?"
"Lots of compliments. That reminds me…" Tsukauchi takes out a letter from his trench coat's pocket, handing it to the Pro Hero. "He wants you to have this."
If Midoriya had been the one receiving such a treasure, he would've framed it in his bedroom and worshipped it. Instead, Todoroki stares at it with an inscrutable expression. Midoriya almost winces as he observes him folding the letter in four, then burying it in his pockets.
Even Tsukauchi seems uneasy, asking, "You're not reading it?"
"I came here to deliver my report. His letter will wait."
His report consists of a single page devoid of any heading or signature. Tsukauchi takes the sheet, frowning, and Todoroki spins on his heels. Instinctively, the detective grasps his shoulder before he can take a step towards the exit.
"Todoroki-san, where you are going?"
"I gave you my report as planned so I'm leaving."
"But All Might—"
"I don't care about All Might," Todoroki snaps.
There's something wrong, so wrong that even a so-called detective like Tsukauchi could notice it. The detective, however, doesn't let go of Todoroki's coat. Midoriya eyes them both carefully, remarking the tension building in the Pro Hero's shoulders and how Tsukauchi's fingers curl more tightly around the fabric, unyielding.
"I'm sorry, Todoroki-san, but I told him you were coming."
Todoroki's eyes flare. "You what?"
He yanks himself free and takes out All Might's letter. Everyone pretends not to listen but Midoriya can see the glances they sneak in their direction. Not much is known about Todoroki Shouto except that he's Endeavor's son, but everyone assumes that as Endeavor's son he possesses the same intense rivalry his father has with the Number One Hero, All Might.
"You see this letter?" Todoroki waits for Tsukauchi's nod before activating his Quirk, the flames engulfing the paper. He lets the ashes fall on the floor, reminiscent of those powdering Yamazaki's house. "Whatever he wants to tell me, I don't want to hear it."
"It's a lie."
The sentence doesn't come out from Tsukauchi's mouth but Midoriya's. Todoroki's smouldering eyes dart on him, and it reminds him of Tomura's eyes glaring from a distance.
"What did you say?"
Midoriya shudders at the threatening tone and swallows. "You didn't want to come at the office yesterday, but when Tsukauchi-san mentioned All Might you changed your mind. You want to meet All Might, or rather you wanted to. What changed overnight?"
This time, Todoroki's eyes are sweeping the room as if looking for an exit. They stop their shifting all of sudden, fixing themselves on a spot behind Midoriya. The latter turns around to see All Might himself. His smile's plastered on his lips, but after countless hours of watching every video related to the Symbol of Peace, Midoriya knows its light is dimmed.
"Todoroki-shonen."
Todoroki doesn't meet his gaze, his voice barely a whisper as he replies, "Sensei."
All Might lets out a hearty laugh but it sounds false to Midoriya's ears. "I'm not your sensei anymore, Todoroki-shonen, but I'm glad to see you still respect me."
Todoroki, however, adjusts his coat and heads towards the Pro Hero while avoiding any eye contact with All Might. "I was about to leave."
"Did you read my letter?"
But Todoroki already slipped away, like shadows running away from the light. Midoriya, for once, isn't captivated by All Might. His mind's churning, trying to piece Todoroki's actions together in a coherent string. He's missing data.
He hates missing data.
"Midoriya-shonen, wasn't it?"
His attention's drawn to the Symbol of Peace. The Hero remembers his name? It's too real to be true. Tsukauchi must've complained to All Might about Midoriya's incompetency. There's no way he'd be remembered as something other than trivial, than expendable, than—
"You were the one who saved the little girl back then."
Midoriya blinks. "I… was."
"Our paths never crossed afterwards, so I never had time to give you this."
He hands him a tiny handmade drawing. The word 'arigatou' is written in shaky hiragana characters, obviously dictated, and covered with glitters. There are two stick figures holding hands: one with messy green hair that looks more like a horn's nest that surely represents Midoriya's and the other with a pink triangle as a dress. What strikes him is the words 'watashi no hiiro' with an arrow pointing to his figure.
"I met her a few days after. She was on her way to the precinct, actually."
"What's her name?"
"Nishimura Saki. She's six years old and because of you, she'll live for many other years."
Midoriya eyes Tsukauchi, almost daring him to say Midoriya's been rash when he saved the girl and that his action was praised by All Might. The detective doesn't meet his gaze and remains silent. It's childish, really, to be so smug about something like this. No one should brag about saving a life. It's logic to save a life. It shouldn't even require thinking. Those who save for something else than this should… be judged.
"Did Todoroki-shonen read the letter?"
Tsukuchi shakes his head, looking sheepish. "He burned it."
"I see. It's better this way. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the way it turned out."
The detective shakes his head, inquiring, "How many drafts this time?"
"Seven."
Midoriya almost chokes in his own saliva. He never would've thought that All Might, the All Might who always smiles and saves the day, would feel this insecure when writing to someone. One or two drafts might be alright, healthy, but seven?
"You're desperate, Toshinori," Tsukauchi chuckles, voicing Midoriya's thoughts. "Now do you have anything new to tell me?"
"Nothing for now. I'll keep you updated."
The Pro Hero leaves as unexpectedly as he's come inside, flashing one last smile to the police officers before vanishing. Midoriya glues Nishimura's drawing next to his computer, smiling at how bright his desk has become. On the other side, his dried plant loses another leaf.
"Did you finish that list, Midoriya-kun?"
He turns around to see Tsukauchi's heading towards him and freezes. "I-I almost finished it."
The detective scowls. "Really?" Midoriya's answer must've messed up his Quirk because he was telling a half truth. He finished listing the fire users but it wasn't for Tsukauchi but for the Judge. "As soon as you're done, I have another task for you. It's concerning Todoroki."
"Todoroki the son?"
"Yes, the son. I wouldn't send you to his father because he'd eat you whole. Toshinori plans on writing another letter soon, or rather seven more at this rate. I'll arrange a meeting with Todoroki where you'll go and give it to Todoroki. You'll have to make sure he reads it."
"What's so important that All Might wants to tell him?"
The question slips out of his mouth before he realises it. Tsukauchi, however, doesn't glare at him or admonish him for sticking his nose where he shouldn't. Instead he sighs, leaning on Midoriya's desk and almost knocking off his dried plant.
"Toshinori and Todoroki, not only the son but also the father, have a rocky relationship. I'm afraid I can't tell you more than that: this letter's trying to clear things between them."
Midoriya nods, thoughtful, "Alright, but why are you designing me to give the letter? Todoroki already met me and he knows I work with you, Tsukauchi-san. He'll know it's from All Might."
"Perhaps but you caught his interest. Didn't you see? Todoroki never opens his mouth unless he's intrigued," Tsukauchi reveals. "You'll have more chance convincing him than us."
He pats his shoulder before going back to his desk, the promise of meeting Todoroki once more tasting sweet in his mouth.
"Too slow."
Tsukauchi hits him in the abdomen in a chopping motion, expelling any air in Midoriya's lung. The latter stumbles back, falling on his rear, as Tsukauchi grabs his collar, rising one fist in the air as if ready to collide it with his face.
"In a real fight, you wouldn't last a minute. Now get up, we start over."
Midoriya lets out a shuddering breath and forces his tired legs to support him. Grabbing his water bottle, he gulps it down, wiping his brow covered in sweat. He's been training with Tsukauchi for hours, polishing his hand-to-hand fighting skills. Apparently, his footing and reflexes are good but he needs to work on his strength. His punches are weak, barely leaving a bruise wherever he hits, although he targets strategic areas.
"You start, Midoriya-kun," Tsukauchi declares, his feet shifting in a stance now familiar to Midoriya. "Remember, use your surroundings as well."
"We're in a gymnasium. There's nothing that can be used here."
"There's always something that can advantage you, but if your opponent seizes it before you do you're falling behind. What you have to do is to notice it before they do."
He's always been observant but this was clairvoyance. "While fighting?"
"While fighting. Whenever you're ready."
Tsukauchi's weakness is his speed. While the blows he delivers are devastating, it takes energy that needs to be recharged. Once he lunges, he lets himself practically unguarded and that's when Midoriya needs to attack. Since Midoriya's own strength is seemingly laughable, he needs to strike fast and relentlessly to tire him out. The trick's that Midoriya mustn't tire himself out before Tsukauchi and if the detective has one strong trait, it's his endurance.
Midoriya sprints at Tsukauchi, his hands curling into fists. Tsukauchi dodges the first blow almost nonchalantly, both of his arms clasped in his back as he seems to dance as he evades Midoriya's attacks. The latter only manages to graze Tsukauchi's skin, not enough to leave a scratch.
"Concentrate, Midoriya-kun, concentrate."
"I am," he grumbles, his fist kicking the air where the detective was a moment ago.
"Elbow," is the only warning he gets before Tsukauchi elbows him in the nose.
Midoriya shouts in both surprise and pain, hands flying to clutch his nose. He struggles to see Tsukauchi's movements, his kicks coming faster to exploit Midoriya's confused state. It's only thanks to Midoriya's reflexes that he manages to duck and sometimes ward off his superior's punches. However, he's swept off his feet by a well-aimed kick in the ankles.
"Use your knees."
Midoriya brings them up instinctively, cutting Tsukauchi's momentum as he lunges at him. He narrowly dodges the detective's fist coming down towards his face.
"You have to get up."
Tsukauchi's leaning forwards as he speaks, challenging. Midoriya's knees are shaking as they fight against the weight crushing them.
"But you're pinning me—"
"You didn't understand. Get up."
Midoriya grits his teeth as he unfurls his legs, pushing Tsukauchi away. He scrambles to his feet, stumbling to the wall on which he leans on. He's panting, eyeing his opponent who's cracking his knuckles.
"You won't always have breaks during a fight," Tsukauchi warns him.
Midoriya sighs, straightening. That's when he sees it. The light switch is a few inches away from his hands, an innocuous little thing that can tip the balance on his side if he uses it well.
Use your surroundings.
"It's a double-edged sword."
So Tsukauchi saw it too. Midoriya smiles, "I'm not planning on cutting myself."
He flips it off. The gymnasium is plunged in darkness. Midoriya kicks his shoes off, knowing any squeaking sound can give away his location. He listens as he trails along the wall, one hand never leaving the wall. He knows Tsukauchi will either come forward or on the sides but not stab him in the back.
Midoriya blinks, hoping that his eyes accustom themselves to the darkness soon. He can't distinguish anything in the gymnasium, not even a shade a little lighter than the surrounding pitch black. But seeing isn't enough. He doubts he'll be able to navigate in the darkness without any problems. He has to trust his instincts and to—
He misses Tsukauchi's fist by a hair. He crouches down, grabbing the detective's legs and pushing him down. They both stumble on the ground, Tsukauchi's trapped legs kicking Midoriya's chin. Midoriya has no choice but to release him, wincing as the detective's feet connect with his stomach. He staggers backwards, arms spread wide and searching his opponent, his own breathing sounding laboured to his ears.
The lights flare to life, blinding both men. Midoriya rubs his eyes, squinting at Tamakawa who's staring at them, his cat ears twitching atop his head.
"My apologies for interrupting your training session but you should see what we received."
"Is about the Judge?"
"We're not sure but we think so."
Midoriya's mouth is agape, his feet rooted where he is, while Tsukauchi hurries to the exit, disappearing with Tamakawa. His legs buckle underneath him and Midoriya sits down, wheezing. He's alone, alone with his reflection in the mirror, both of them incredulous.
When Midoriya looks up, he doesn't recognise the man sitting across him. Isn't he supposed to be a deadly avenger? Then why is he sitting in a gymnasium, looking like the world just ended? Why isn't he defending his values, defending his modus operandi, defending his name?
I am the Judge. No one else.
He joins Tsukauchi a few minutes later but everyone's gathered in a circle around the conference table. Midoriya doesn't dare peek around, rather sticking close to Tsukauchi's gigantic mind map taking half of the wall, extending over the billboard.
"Someone go search Tsuragamae."
Tamakawa nods and leaves the room. The other officers exchange concerned glances as they mumble to themselves, glaring at what lays on the table.
"It might be trapped."
"Do you think it's fake?"
"I wonder what's written inside…"
"What's going on here?" Tsuragamae barks as he barges inside.
Tsukauchi shows the letter with a gloved hand. The Chief edges closer and remains quiet for a moment before nodding. The detective takes the envelope, tearing it open cautiously, his eyes narrowing down as he rubs his fingertips against the paper. He brings it to his nose, sniffing, then shakes his head.
"It doesn't seem drugged."
"Continue, Tsukauchi," Tsuragamae orders.
Tsukauchi unfolds the letter, reading in silence. Midoriya wants to rip the letter from his hands but contains himself, careful to hide his frustration. He rather transforms it into apprehension, nibbling his lower lip for good measure, and sending fleeting glances to his superiors.
"Apparently we've been selected."
Midoriya's blood turns cold.
"Selected?" Tsuragamae repeats. "What does it say?"
"Congratulations, Police Officers, you've been selected. Make sure your last days count."
Tamakawa blinks, murmuring, "That's all?"
That's more than enough.
"Is it signed by the Judge?"
"No but..."
He flips the letter so it faces them. The two sentences are written in the middle of the page, centred, and typed with a cursive font. Below stands a smiley face painted with dried blood, a rivulet streaming from the curve of its smile rolling down to the edge of the paper.
"It isn't 'guilty' but it's blood. I want it analysed."
"I'll do it," Midoriya shouts, one arm shooting in the air. "I'll do it now."
Before anyone can rebuke him, he grasps the letter from Tsukauchi's hands and leaves the room. He doesn't take the elevator, preferring to climb down the emergency stairs to reach the basement where the laboratories are located. He barges inside, ignoring some people's protests about not wearing any safety goggles, gloves or a white laboratory coat.
He grabs a few instruments, sweeping away one corner of a table to settle down. His hands are trembling as he puts on gloves, breathing through his nose. This smiley face is nothing but a provocation to him, the true Judge. Did the writer target the ones in charge of the investigation knowing the Judge was hiding among them? He flinches, his fingers releasing the vial he's holding, and he watches it shatter on the floor.
Almost on cue, Tsukauchi barges inside.
"Midoriya-kun, don't run off like that with critical proof. You're not even wearing gloves."
It hasn't escaped his attention. Grasping the letter without anything to cover his fingers had been deliberate. If the sender knows he's the Judge, then perhaps Midoriya's fingerprints are already covering the letter. Now that Midoriya touched the paper, the Police Force wouldn't be able to disassociate the fingerprints and think of him as the killer.
Putting on the most sheepish expression he can muster, Midoriya bows his head as an apology, not piping a word that would betray him. Tsukauchi sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I know you want to help and that you want to find that bastard but there's protocol. You mustn't forget that."
Midoriya nods, inquiring, "How much time will it take?"
"Analysing DNA is a complex process. I'd give it around two days, so in the meantime you can finish that fire Quirks list."
In the meantime, I'll find who sent this letter.
"Is it you?" Midoriya shouts as he storms inside the League's headquarters.
"Pleasant evening to you as well," Tomura drawls. "I'm going well, thank you for your concern."
Midoriya stalks up to him, planting himself in front of the villain with stiff shoulders and trembling fists. "Is it you who sent the letter to the Police Force?"
His casual demeanour changes instantly, a slow smile spreading on his face. "Oh? So it worked?"
Midoriya takes a step back as if slapped. He was already aware that the League of Villains is a fickle ally, but Midoriya didn't do anything to provoke such a betrayal. He searches in Tomura's eyes for any explanation but he finds only amusement.
"Why did you do this?"
"Why, I wonder?" Tomura whispers, looking at the ceiling with half-lidded eyes. "Perhaps because I want to help you?"
"Help?" Midoriya chokes. "Don't make me laugh. You made things worse."
"On the contrary, I did. You call yourself Judge even if you're just a novice. I'm helping you to gain experience and level up on your own. All you needed was a little push and so I gave it to you."
"What is this...?" Midoriya whispers, blood roaring in his ears. "I am the Judge."
"You are but you're not a villain."
"Of course I'm not!"
The very notion makes him sick. He's avenging wrong deaths caused by Heroes, deaths that should've never happened in the first place. He can't be a villain if he's rendering justice.
"Oh? But you need to be one. Aren't you ordering people to kill for you? Isn't murder a crime?"
"A villain is a person who uses his skills to disrupt the civilians' peace for their own selfish desires. I'm acting for society, unlike you."
It isn't the wisest idea to insult one of the few people who know his double identity, but Midoriya knows where he stands. There are four types of people: the Pro Heroes, the Heroes, the civilians and the villains. Pro Heroes are those who learned how to use their skills to protect, rescue and tend to civilians according to high values and ideals that befit the profession, such as selflessness, justice, attention to others or generosity. The difference with Heroes is that they use their skills for the same goal but not for the same reason. Instead, they act for their own personal values or goal, such as power, fame or money.
His logic isn't flawed, he's convinced of it, and following the definitions he established then that makes him a Pro Hero. They use skills, and skills aren't necessarily Quirks. Midoriya might not have a powerful Quirk or a lot of influence over the media or the Police Force, but he's using his intellect to serve the civilians who have been wronged. He does it not because he's lusting for blood but for justice. He can't be a villain, can he?
"That's no good, kozo. Your agents won't follow a leader who's never killed himself."
"Villains are the ones reaping lives while the Heroes save them."
"Who said villains are the only ones who kill? Didn't Shimomura kill when he ignored that girl who asked for his help? Didn't Yamazaki kill when he ran away and left the civilians? You can be a villain as much as a Hero and kill. It all depends of your motive. If it's noble, then why would you call yourself a villain?"
Midoriya's eyes widen. He's never thought about it from this perspective. He remembers himself grumbling about reporters not focusing on the motive, and here he was doing the same mistake. A villain disrupts civilians' peace. A Pro Hero protects civilians for noble reasons.
It's all so clear now.
"Never lose sight of your objective."
Still, the thought of taking a life makes Midoriya queasy. Can he retrieve the letter and dispose of it without hurting anyone? The more he thinks about it, the more it seems impossible. Whether it's fake or not, Tsukauchi will want to keep the letter intact and close to him. There's no doubts that security's been increased in the laboratories to prevent anyone from destroying evidence. Besides, the letter's located at the core of the Police Force building.
"If you want, then Kurogiri can teleport you inside the lab without setting any alarms."
Midoriya blinks, shocked at Tomura's gracious offer. Even the concerned villain rises his head when his head's mentioned, his amber eyes narrowing.
"So you genuinely want to help me?"
Tomura shrugs, "Is that so hard to believe?"
Midoriya doesn't rise to the bait, preferring to settle a specific time for Kurogiri to bring him to the laboratories. When he leaves, Tomura turns around to the computer, watching its pitch black screen flicker to life.
"What did you think, Sensei?"
"I have high expectations for the Judge."
Tomura snorts, "That much? I don't know what you see in him."
"Let's say I trust his potential."
Tomura scratches his neck, sneering, "Potential. Tch."
"Good morning, Izuku."
"G'mornin'," Midoriya answers groggily, knuckles rubbing his eyes to clear away sleep's fog.
His mother's finishing to cook breakfast, humming to herself some jingle. Two bowls of rice along with two smaller ones of miso settle on the counter, both Midoriyas joining their hands and bowing before digging in. Inko opens the television, the usual news channel being broadcast. The weather forecast predicts showers along with cold temperature for the entire week.
"How's work going, Izuku?" His mother asks between two mouthfuls. "Tsukauchi isn't too strict?"
"He's alright. He still trains me."
"That's good, that's good."
The news seems to fill her with joy. Midoriya doesn't know what to think of it. The only reason she's so cheerful is because she thinks her son is powerless when he's all but that. It's only a matter of time before the journalists cover— Ah, there it goes.
"Izuku, isn't that where you work?"
He feigns ignorance, perking up on his seat, "Uh? What do they say? Turn the volume up."
The screen shows the Police Force building engulfed in smoke. From times to times, the windows would burst and spit a deluge of glass on the sidewalks. The reporter flinches at each explosion but her voice doesn't quiver when she speaks.
"… seems to have started in the lower floor around four in the morning. The Pro Hero Manual and his sidekicks are currently tackling down the fire but it's still roaring—"
"How horrible," Inko whispers. "Did your boss call you to inform you about your job?"
"I'll check."
He realises his mother's right. His cellphone indicates he's missed a phone call from Tsukauchi, labelled as 'The Tyrant', and that he left a message. Apparently Midoriya isn't off work because the detective wants his list before the end of the day.
"The Police Force didn't make any statement for now, but the main theory is that this fire wasn't an incidence. According to a source who wishes to remain confidential, the Judge case concerning the deaths of Pro Heroes Elemental Armor and Native has been progressing and critical evidence has been gathered in the laboratories, where the fire first started."
"A source who wishes to remain confidential?" Inko repeats. "I'm sure that if your boss kept this information secret, than he didn't want the media to be informed. Who could've done that?"
"I wonder…"
"They're going to catch him, right, Izuku? You're going to catch the Judge."
"I assume we will…"
Midoriya's glad his mother doesn't possess Tsukauchi's Quirk, or else he would've been caught.
Thankfully, everyone trusts him.