Over the Top

by papireaz

When I died, I expected a few manga volumes. Maybe to learn what the One Piece is. Instead, I found myself in a world that I recognised, a story I had read and what's worse was that it was a story I had no interest in wanting to involve myself in! Then and again, the offer to become a Hero is far too tempting...

59. Issue 57

Rapp Snitches Kniches - MF DOOM featuring Mr. Fantastic

---

"If I can't endure

Then I can't be a pillar

Who will save the world now?"

---

I groaned.

My back was hunched over and in my hands was a very white and fluffy cat.

Achoo.

I sniffled, trying my hardest not to rub my eyes as I turned to my left to stare at Midoriya, who had scratch marks all over his face. To my right, Monoma was rolling around on the floor trying his hardest not to scream bloody murder while Mina and Kodai were still putting plasters on the various cuts the cat had given him.

Achoo.

I think my face had fallen considerably as when I walked through the streets of Sendai holding the cat, various bystanders looked at us, and specifically me, with worry written all across their faces. I trudged along, trying my hardest not to drop the cat that was starting to snuggly against my chest, and funnily enough it felt like my chest was about to explode.

"I think she likes you," Kodai told me while giggling.

I stared at her blankly, before looking down at the white cat who purred at me.

It purred.

Walking forwards slack-jawed as well as rings around my eyes made me realise just how long finding a damn cat took. Not only did the bastard run away from us, but it actively avoided Monoma and Midoriya. And when Mina and Kodai managed to track her down again, she was so terrified of them that she leapt straight into my arms - And was no sleeping there!

"You know, I guess this counts as public service," Monoma said with a smile on his face. "Mind if I take a picture? For Tokage of course. And my amusement. Don't down, Sora. Please?"

I simply stared at him blankly, once again.

It was now ten.

In the evening.

And we had to take the cat back to her owners, who lived ten minutes away from where we currently were according to Coocle Maps. But what was worse was the fact that our hotel was across the city, and that would take over an hour to reach even using trains and busses.

Achoo.

"I hate this."

"Meow?"

"Not you," I told the cat. "I hate this trip. I hate this feeling of-, Urhg. I think I'm gonna vomit."

"Not on the kitty!"

Thankfully, it was Midoriya who took the cat off my hands as I sat down and shook my head at them. I felt sick. Maybe from the cat, or maybe it was the city of Sendai itself as I cleared my throat and reached for my cigarettes, ignoring the looks of disgust on everyone's faces.

"...Fine," I sighed, putting the packet of cigarettes back in my front pocket. "At the very least can I have a moment to breathe? I'm also quite hungry. So if you guys want to stop at-,"

"Nope. We have to hand the cat back to its owner and go to bed."

I grumbled at that.

"Sora. We have other work tomorrow too."

Yeah, yeah.

I know.

---

Chapter

Fifty

Seven

'Sendai Trip (2)'

---

"-so as you can see, this party is extremely important for me. I want the birthday boy to be stuck in that elevator over there," I turned to look at a box that stood in the centre of the room. Huh. It was an elevator. "Myself and the birthday boy will be in the elevator as we ascend to the party, and once the doors open the surprise is that instead of us going to our hotel room, we hired an entire floor of the hotel to be a surprise party."

I nodded at the wealthy man.

He was a shareholder for some company… Detnerat I think.

"Understood. I've checked the premises and unless someone's flying a helicopter to the roof with armed guards, I think you are fine," I told him. "My other colleagues are currently trying to see if they can walk up the stairs, but realistically this is on the fifteenth floor. In my eyes, if someone walks up all those stairs with the intent to assassinate either you or your grandson, you might as well let em' take a shot."

"Why I'd never-,"

"Not that we'll allow them though," I cut the man off. I forgot these rich types were annoying like that. Couldn't take a joke to save their life."Of course, if your primary concern is the windows, I should mention that the windows on this floor are four inches thick and whatnot. You could have a minigun and it probably wouldn't penetrate the first layer of glass, let alone the others. So I can safely report that your party is safe."

"Thank you, Detective. Your assurance on this matter is greatly appreciated," The elderly man tipped his hat to me. "It warms my heart to see that the new generation of heroes and detectives are taking the initiative to be better."

"Well if we don't, who will? Anyways, it's been a pleasure to discuss our safety precautions with you, Mister Ebina," I bowed slightly at the man as I left the floor and went down the stairs where the rest of my group was waiting for me. "Seriously? You left me to deal with him?"

"Well, you are a detective," Monoma replied. "Isn't this your job? At least we only have one more request for today then we're done. Ah man, I always forget how quick these trips go. Tomorrow we'll be back on the train to get back to Musutafu."

"Huh. You're not wrong, so I guess now we have to go and see what this missing container is about, yeah?" They all nodded in response. "Bloody hell. Why couldn't we have easier requests? Here I thought this would be a nice and easy trip, instead, I'm being worked to the bone."

"If you think this is hard, then you have another thing coming," Midoriya snidely replied. "Maybe you're just not suited to this type of work, Yamazaki."

I held my tongue as Mina hit him on the arm lightly, shooting me an apologetic look. At least she was trying to keep things cool. Despite that, the five of us made our way across the city before we stood in front of the building. It was weird that our request had been made from the industrial district of Sendai, something we didn't have in Musutafu. Our factories had long been abandoned and built further away from the city to avoid an industrial district like this existing.

It was a known fact that wearing masks in Japan was advised.

But at the very least, most people in Musutafu didn't care or need to wear them. It was funny, if you saw someone wearing a mask there you'd automatically assume they were a tourist - Whereas here in Sendai the opposite was true, a startling discovery for me when compared to back home.

The Toyota factory loomed before us, a colossal structure standing at the edge of the industrial district. It was easily the largest factory in the area, and I couldn't help but whistle as I stared at it from a distance. But I wasn't at a distance. It was so large that I momentarily forgot that it wasn't a mile away from me, it was right in front of me and I couldn't help but wonder if it was even worth its grand scale.

Looking around, even Midoriya seemed nervous as I was the first to approach the front gate and press the buzzer by the gate.

"Business?" A lazy voice drawled out.

"I'm Detective Yamazaki. The owner of this factory called me and my colleagues about a missing crate of experimental technology. I'm here to formally open an investigation into the matter."

"...Alright, go through."

Bzzt.

Thankfully, the gates opened without much trouble.

"You nervous?" I asked Monoma, putting a cigarette in my mouth.

"Aren't you?"

I smirked, lighting my cig up.

"I'm a detective. Why on Earth would I be nervous?"

"You're smoking for one," Kodai pointed out. "And you haven't walked forward. "You afraid of meeting a factory manager?"

I rolled my eyes at them as I was the first to walk forward into the factory. The hum of machinery filled the air, resonating through the metal walkways as we made our way through the production line. The scent of oil and metal clung to every surface, and the atmosphere felt charged with anticipation and anxiety.

I tightened my grip on my badge, my instincts sharpening as I absorbed every detail. Izuku, the ever-observant hero in training, was right beside me, his green eyes taking in everything around us. The weird part of entering the factory was expecting to find a dirty workplace filled with humans working to the bone - but what greeted us was the exact opposite.

A white and pristinely kept factory that looked brand new without a single trace of humans.

Instead, marching up and done the assembly line were robots.

"Ugh," I sighed. "Really? Robots?"

The tension in the air deflated like a balloon as everyone in my group turned to look at me half in amusement and half in confusion. Were they… happy with this? I shook my head at them as I continued forward.

"Ah, welcome to my factory," Standing ahead in expensive traditional robes, a man with long silver hair and pure white eyes greeted us. "My name is Tadami Arakida, but please just call me Tadami. I presume you must be Detective Yamazaki?"

I nodded at that, flashing my badge at him.

"Mmh. These are my colleagues who'll help me with the investigation. Something about a missing shipment of equipment? At least that's what the request you put in said. Now I can't promise we'll solve the case in a day, but I'm sure we can find a few leads and let the local police deal with it."

Tadami nodded at that.

"Yes, that sounds perfect. As you can see, most of the workforce consists of automated machines, thus I doubt that they can move from their positions and defy orders," Tadami explained as we walked down the hallway together. The robots said nothing as they assembled the cars in silence. "Thus I felt that an investigation was needed to find out what exactly happened. After all, we do have humans hired in many positions within this factory."

I hummed at that.

"Is it possible for you to tell us what exactly went missing? You said 'experimental technology' but you didn't specify what it was. Now I don't like assuming things, I think it's bad for your head. But, if I may, would this 'experimental technology' be classified as legal in this country?"

My group looked surprised at my question, but the corner of Tadami's lips simply twisted upwards.

"Oh my, you certainly know how to start an investigation. As I told you in your briefing, experimental technology is not yet used in any of our products," Tadami answered. "Of course, that doesn't narrow it down at all for you, does it? Or perhaps it answers some of your questions."

Hm.

"Well it's a Toyota factory, right? Surely it must be for cars, right?" Monoma spoke up.

Tadami merely giggled in response.

"Or… not?"

"While this factory is used for manufacturing Toyota cars, it is by no means just a Toyota factory, is it Mister Arakida?" I asked. I already knew the answer to my question, but I had to be polite. Despite my group's odd looks shot towards me, I knew exactly what kind of shrewd businessman Tadami Arakida was as soon as I entered the building - And the man knew I had picked up on that as he clapped slowly at me. "After all, robots can't protest when it comes to making more illegal technologies. Am I right?"

"Bravo, Detective. You've earned the right to that badge, hm. It's as you eloquently put it, Toyota cars aren't the only things produced in this factory even if it is largely owned by the company - The largest factory in Sendai might I add," Tadami told us. "We have contracts with many different companies. The Yaoyorozu Corporation for one, Detnerat as well as private military companies and even a few… lesser-known businesses with certain reputations."

I rolled my eyes at the man.

He wasn't even trying to hide his shadiness.

"Wait, do you mean the experimental technology stolen-,"

"Are weapons. You catch on quick, Midoriya," I cut him off. "You know when I saw this request last night, I got a bit curious myself. So I asked myself, if you had a crate of technology stolen from cars, why report it? I mean so what if your competitors get a sneak peek at your engine? Sure it's still a crime, but to request it from Class A and B from U.A.? Real Heroes? Something doesn't add up. This factory has to be a front for something."

Tadami grinned at that.

"My, my. You make it sound as if this factory has links to the criminal underworld," Tadami all but admitted gleefully. "Of course, if that were the case, what could a bunch of heroes do? After all, with the most recent legislation passed by our government, Heroes cannot start investigations into crimes that do not relate to the use of Quirks. Likewise, rumours and hearsay cannot constitute a start for an investigation, certainly not for the police either."

"Tsk," I clicked his teeth in annoyance at the man. "You're not wrong."

A look around the room revealed how my group was feeling, with Monoma having paled rapidly while Mina and Kodai were staring daggers at the man. I simply cleared my throat, trying my hardest to smile at the man.

"Certainly that may be true, but there isn't a need to investigate that - Not when the crime has been done towards you," I said, causing Tadami to nod at me in response. "Ultimately, you called us here because our interests have aligned, no? You want your weapons back, and we want them off the streets before anyone gets hurt. Whether you're a criminal isn't of consequence in this specific matter. Not that we'd find evidence to put you away anyway."

"Marvelous! Simply a few contextual clues and one meeting with me and your mind already solved the mystery. Or perhaps you knew the truth before coming here? Is that why you were surprised to see robots? Perhaps you were expecting to see grunts from a Yakuza organisation working here? Let me ask you this, Detective, do you know who exactly owns the deed to this land?"

I hummed at that.

"The deed to this land? You want me to say Toyota, don't you? But that's wrong. Toyota funds this factory, doesn't it? It partially owns it," I replied. "Judging by your smirk, I'd say a nearby Yakuza group owns the majority of the deed to this land. That way you and your group can manufacture weapons and smuggle other illegal things in peace. A nice little front."

Tadami grinned at that.

"Correct! And do you know what group in particular?"

"...Probably the White Orchid Dragons," I answered. "A notorious yakuza group in control of the Tohuko region in this country. Especially here in Sendai. I asked my boss back at home for some information. She went above and beyond in telling me about the Yakuza here. See, I don't have a great relationship with the Yakuza back home. It would be a shame if I just left this investigation open."

I ignored the hisses of disapproval behind me from my group.

"You'd let weapons go on the street just to stick it to the Yakuza?"

I shrugged my shoulders at him.

"Maybe. Maybe not. But you are working for the White Orchid Dragons, no? That's what this factory is," I told him, pointing all around us. "All this is just a front to make more money. Even a kid could tell you that much. So what, you lost a few weapons to the streets, why don't you use your men to find and track them down? Why come to us specifically?"

Tadami's eyes glistened at that.

"Hm, you were so close yet so far in the end. I suppose not even the youngest detective of the century could figure that one out, yes Sora Yamazaki?" Tch. The bastard had links to the police if he already knew that - No, the reason we were even chosen to do this task was because this man had links with the local police. Each second spent here was unravelling another web behind this city and this task. "Considering the looks on your friends' faces, you didn't tell them?"

"I only found this information out this morning. I didn't think it was relevant until you showed up," I revealed. "A shrewd businessman such as yourself surely must know that the police have some idea who you are. Or perhaps you're the one who gave them information on yourself, maybe to see who exactly would take the bait?"

Tadami chortled as I said that.

"Perhaps you have caught me red-handed. I suppose that speaks to your logical deductive reasoning, or perhaps intimacy with men such as myself? I wonder what is the case, detective," Tadami returned gleefully. "But as much as it bores me to say, who I am or is not isn't relevant to our discussion of the missing shipment. As it stands, it's simply gone and I know not where."

…

"Where was it taken?"

"On the way to this illustrious factory. Yet, the shipment was lost in the Toyota warehouse near the headquarters of the main Toyota office on the opposite side of town. What's most curious is that the shipment has no business whatsoever with Toyota, the only shared commonality being that it was heading to this primarily Toyota-focused factory," Tadami answered. "As such, I think it would be prudent if you would start your investigation at the main office."

"Why not the warehouse?" Mina asked in confusion.

"Detective, shall I leave you to answer it?"

I rolled my eyes at him.

"...Let me guess, you had your men already check the warehouse only to find a missing shipment," I said, causing Tadami to clap politely. "I'll take a further guess and say you have an idea as to who took it, which is why you want us to start at the Toyora main headquarters."

"Marvellous. Your reasoning for that being?"

"The entire time neither myself nor you have even questioned who took it, which leads me to believe that it can't have been another gang to have taken it. Not when Sendai is the home of the White Orchid Dragons, not to mention neither Kyoto nor Kansai would make a move this bold. And Chubu, our region, is stuck between those two behemoths to do anything about it. You have reason to believe it was a third party not affiliated with any Yakuza group."

While everyone looked at me in surprise for figuring out, I watched as Tadami bowed his head in respect.

"I look forward to seeing what your investigation will manage to find, Detective Yamazaki," Tadami told us. "As you know, times are changing. Perhaps you've deduced the truth already, or perhaps you have never been further away from what's right in front of you. But you should know that the shipment was taken around two days ago at midnight. Good luck with your work."

Tch.

I didn't utter a single word to the man I turned my back on him and walked towards the exit.

---

"Sora."

"Yeah?"

"Well," Kodai began. "We're just wondering…"

"How did you manage to deal with him so well?" Mina outright asked.

"Yakuza groups are all the same," I answered honestly. "You deal with one - you've dealt with them all. Those at the top specifically all speak in riddles, thinking everything is just a game. I've had my fair share of dealing with the Yakuza, or more specifically people just like that Tadami. This case is complex, and I don't think we'll be able to solve it tonight."

"But we're leaving tomorrow," Kodai pointed out. "And I don't want to leave this case to the local police. If they have ties to the Yakuza like you said, how can we be sure that if they find the missing weapons they won't just hand them back to that Tadami guy? The weapons will still be out there ready to hurt innocents."

"I know. Which is why you guys should go home, I'll stay," I told them. The corner of the bus we sat on exploded as my group descended into chaos. "Listen to me. Sure, you're all technically heroes with more 'experience' than me - But don't forget, I'm the detective here. This case specifically was requested because of me. Tadami likely knows everything-, That son of a bitch!"

How could I only have figured it out now?!

"...Huh?" Monoma looked at me in confusion.

"Listen, think about how weird it was that we were asked for this," I said to them, a small smile preying on my lips. "There is a reason this case was handed to us and not the police, and it isn't just because it's time-sensitive - it's because I'm the only one who can do it."

"What do you mean?"

"I know a guy who works for Toyota. He's an engineer. It's not exactly a hidden secret, especially since he must have seen me visit my friend's house yesterday," I told them. "That means that he's trying to point us in the right direction. We were under the impression that we were picked because there are Class A and Class B celebrities here. I mean Midoriya, you're a famous Hero already. I thought it was because of that, but-, Oh shit."

"If he knows who did it, then why doesn't he act on it?" Mina asked. "Why go through the effort of trying to make us solve the case? That's what I don't understand. Surely he and his Yakuza group could just get them back.

"...it's because he knows that if he gets the weapons, he'll be arrested, won't he?" Midoriya asked me. "I assume the White Orchid Dragons have connections to the police here. But if news got around that the weapons they smuggled were stolen, or that they tried to reclaim them, the government would have to get involved. And they wouldn't be able to overlook the obvious corruption, would they?"

I nodded at that.

"The same thing happens in Musutafu. It's why the Shie Hassaiaki were able to lay low for so long, it was only when they got involved with drugs that the investigations started because not even a city as corrupt as ours could ignore the obvious influx of Trigger," I told Midoriya. "Even before that, the multiple Yakuza groups in our city fought for control over their areas but no one batted an eye. It's what Aizawa first taught me when I was… yeah."

"Wait, but Ryukyu is in charge of this area!" Mina whispered. "Surely she must know about this?"

I shrugged my shoulders at her.

"Ever heard of firefighters who cause a fire so that they can be the first to rush in and save as many lives as possible? Ryukyu's a popular hero, I'm sure she must have at least an informal partnership with the White Orchid Dragons," I explained to her. "They tell her of other gangs' dealings and she and by extension the police ignore them. It's what Aizawa taught me to do as an underground Hero. And it's what the police do 's how the raid of the Shie Hassaikai even got enough information to launch."

"Wait, but that's-,"

"Immoral? Illegal? Didn't you guys say to me that in the year I've left you all learnt how the world worked?" I scoffed at Mina. "This is the world we work in. It's even worse for you guys since you are Heroes only. If a crime doesn't involve the obvious use of a Quirk, you have to leave it under the new law. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the reason I was even picked on coming to Sendai."

"W-what do you mean?"

"The missing five billion Yen. You remember that headline from around half a year ago?"

My group nodded.

"The Bank of Japan noticed one morning that five billion was missing, but nothing turned up. Death Arms announced that he was helping to lead an investigation into it, but soon right after guess what was passed?" I asked them.

"You mean-,"

I nodded at Midoriya whose eyes widened at me first.

"Yep. The law that prevents heroes from looking into and investigating crimes that don't involve Quirks," I clarified for them. "I didn't know of this myself until I joined the police. My friend, Nanao, explained it to me. You guys are beginning to understand now why I told you if this investigation isn't over by tomorrow why you should leave? If you don't, things will get ugly real quick."

"But, why would U.A. send us here knowing that?" Kodai asked. "If they know things are like this, why even bother sending us here to help?"

"...Because these trips aren't for us to help others," Midoriya answered. "They are for us to broaden our horizons so to speak. Not to interpret the world for how we think it is, but to understand it for what it is - To know what enemies we are fighting as heroes. That's what Nezu told me."

"And why would Nezu tell you that?" Monoma inquired.

"It doesn't matter," I quickly cut in, slyly winking at a grateful Midoriya. "But Nezu's a lot craftier than we've given him credit for. I'm sure you know that I'm a detective now, but you guys should know that it was because of Nezu."

"No way!"

"Wait, what?!"

"That's-,!"

"Wow."

I nodded at them.

"He got Nejire to take me on as an apprentice in an area where heroes couldn't investigate crimes, not when there wasn't any outward use of Quirks," I told them. "Then I was told of the law that prevented me of investigating. And then I was offered a choice. Become a detective and a Hero, or simply be a Hero. He also set up my group, which just consists of Nejire and I for now, but I know Nezu's scheming something using us as a chess piece."

Midoriya frowned at that.

"Our lives aren't something he can play with."

"If I'm being honest, I don't think any of the staff at U.A. approves," I added. "Certainly not Aizawa. Or Midnight. Why do you think she's left us on our own? It isn't because she doesn't care for us, we know she does. We also know that Nezu decides the group and accepts the tasks - Which means that he knows exactly what's happening here. I wouldn't be surprised if the rat anticipated us having this conversation in the first place."

"But, why? Why would he go through all the effort of doing all this?" Mina asked. "Why would he show us that there are things that as heroes we simply can't do? We already know that from the law, we know that from the countless times, we've been Heroes these past two years. Aren't we supposed to save people? How is this saving anyone."

Surprisingly, it was Midoriya who spoke up first.

"Mina, I used to think the same as well," He said to her. "But that's the furthest thing from the truth. All Might wasn't the symbol of saving others, he's the symbol of justice. Upholding the system we currently live in - That's what it means to be a hero. That's what I believe to be a Hero. A symbol that protects the current systems in place."

I frowned at him.

"Even if the systems are flawed?"

Midoriya scoffed at me.

"You'd rather try and change them? Even if they're flawed, they protect the most people. There's a reason they exist. Talk like that is dangerous, Sora. That's what the League of Villains or the Cult of Stain use to justify their crimes," Midoriya said to me. "Call me cold or whatever, but I am right. The systems are put in place precisely because they do work, we just have to defend them so they do their job."

Monoma shook his head at that.

"I don't like that."

"Like it or not that's our job," Midoriya said. "You can't change what we are. No one can. Why do you think the term 'dogs of the government' has garnered popularity when it comes to discussing Heroes? Either way, we can't falter here. This is what we have to do, no matter what."

I grunted at that.

"You're not wrong," I told Midoriya, but also the group. "But I still think you're overthinking it. A hero is anyone who fights for what they believe, it's just a matter of perspective. In the League of Villain's eyes, they're the heroes. Stain and his cult think that they are the Heroes. And we think we're the Heroes. Morality changes as society progresses, and sure Heroes protect an imperfect system right now, but laws have and will change. But that's not the point of what Nezu's trying to do."

"You mean you know what he wants?" Kodai asked.

I shook my head.

"I'm not that smart, but I think I have an idea," I told them. "Bare with me for a second. Say you're a general and you want to conquer a country, what would you do?"

"Send out troops to capture the country," Monoma answered. "Like in History."

"But how?"

"...By sending different troops to strategic locations around the country, taking over of their respective areas," Midoriya answered. I laughed, nodding at him. "Are you trying to say that we are his army to take over Japan? Nezu isn't a villain."

"I never said he was," I replied. "And I never called you the army. I think Nezu sees that we're in for a turbulent time in the future, and by sending me to the police and making me effectively his very own private link to the police, as well as sending Class A and B around the country making them help people in very public instances, he's not putting his eggs in one basket."

"What are you trying to say? That he's collecting information? Allies?" Mina raised. "But… even if he was doing that, it doesn't make sense to put us in Sendai and make us complete this request that's honestly a lot more dangerous and complex than a missing crate of weapons. What's Nezu's game plan?"

I shrugged my shoulders at her.

"Your guess is as good as mine, this is just something Nanao, Tokage and I have discussed together," I answered. "But I think it all links with the growing calls to disband every Hero agency and ban the profession entirely. If that happens, Japan would be the first country in the world to not have Heroes in over two hundred years.."

Everyone stared at me in confusion as I said that.

"You were all at U.A. when that story broke out of the new law being passed, so maybe you didn't see the full effects of it, but I was a civilian. That whole story just came and went - but something changed in the public, I couldn't tell you what changed but since then there's been a lot more protests regarding heroes. About getting rid of them. Ever since Yamaguchi became President, things have been changing for the worse."

"That's certainly a theory."

"I'm probably wrong, and it's not like I can investigate why the law was passed, but I'd like to think something like that would be cool, right?" I laughed. "If there was a mystery there instead of politicians being pressured by the unhappy public. But that doesn't change the fact that we have a missing crate of dangerous weapons on the loose. We can't let a single weapon get into the hands of the public. The investigation that'll follow will probably dig up a lot more skeletons that'll make the public lose even more faith in heroes and the police."

"It's hurt a lot of people too," Midoriya added.

I nodded at him.

"Exactly. But I have a plan, sorta."

My group stared at me blankly.

"What?"

"You're surprisingly decent at being a detective," Monoma joked, wrapping his arm around my shoulders playfully. "You're a good guy, Sora, but you aren't exactly known for the best of control over your impulses."

Huh?

"We thought you'd… what's the word…"

"Be too rash to be a detective?" Mina finished for Kodai, who nodded at her gratefully.

"I disagree," Midoriya spoke up. "Yamazaki's a perfect fit to be a detective. He's brash and bold, and he knows exactly what questions to ask. Even when he was… even back then, it was always his plans that got us out of dangerous situations. It was his quick thinking and deductive reasoning that we were able to make it out of the USJ in one piece."

Mina hummed at that.

"Summer Camp too. His plan led to the Heroes showing up to protect us," Mina added. "And Iida told us about Hosu. You did save his bacon that night. Not to mention you're the one who beat Overhaul, the one who stopped the raid."

…

Midoriya winced at that as he refused to meet my eyes.

Thankfully, Monoma nodded at me with a grin on his face.

"Thanks," I grinned at them all. "Anyways, I have a friend who works at the Toyota main office. I'll call him right now and try to get him to find a way for us to enter the building. If the warehouse is right next to it and the shipment isn't there, then there must be video footage of the vehicle entering the warehouse. I doubt Tadami and his gang have enough influence to view that information, but I with my connections do."

"What if you're friend can't get us inside?"

I gave them a toothy grin.

"Oh, that's just me playing nice. If they refuse… well I do have a detective badge for a reason, and theft without using a Quirk does fall under my jurisdiction to start an investigation. You'll all be my little helpers as well, isn't that going to be fun?"

"...yay."

---

The Toyota main headquarters was nothing special.

It was simply another skyscraper in a city filled with them, but now as I looked at the 'clean' city I could begin to see and feel the dirtyness of it all. I thought Sendai was completely different to Musutafu, but I was wrong. Compared to the overt corruption in Musutafu, the seedy underbelly of Sendai was a difference for sure, but ultimately they were largely the same.

Despite that, I waited at the bottom of the steps with everyone in my group.

"Do you have to smoke?" Mina asked me.

"I might not get another chance for the rest of the day depending on how our visit goes," I replied, smiling at her. "If that's the case, I might as well get it out of the way now. Just so I don't have that urge inside the building."

"You look like a typical hardboiled detective from a movie while smoking."

"Thank you."

"Wasn't a compliment."

I shrugged, throwing my cigarette on the ground as I stamped it out and waited for Shirou to come bursting down the stairs any second now. Soon enough, wearing a crumpled-up suit and his familiar red-rimmed glasses, he greeted us with a pleasant smile on his face.

"Didn't expect to be seeing you so soon, Sora," He greeted me with a high-five. "Nice to see you again, Midoryia, Ashido. You probably don't remember me, but-,"

"You came to our picnic after the USJ attack!" Mina yelled loudly. "Er, sorry."

Shirou laughed it off.

"It's fine. I'm surprised you remember it after… well after everything that's happened between your class and this knucklehead," Despite us being the same height, Shirou still tried to put me in a headlock. "Can't exactly blame you if you did forget about me. Anyways, shall we enter the building?"

"Lead the way, bro," I said sarcastically, shoving him forward.

"Ow. Doesn't this count as police brutality?"

"I'll show you real police brutality if you don't move faster."

"Alright, alright. Sheesh."

We all followed Shirou inside the tall building, and despite security eying us, they eventually let us pass without too many issues. Well, they did stare at the sword I was carrying, but I think my detective's badge scared them away. It felt good to walk around and have people pay attention to me, although it was only because I was in the presence of some of the most well-known young heroes in the country - No, the world.

"Oh my God, It's Deku!"

"Holy shit is that Pinky!?"

"It's Deku! Please! Can I have your autograph!"

"Pinky! I'm your number one fan, can you go on a date with-,"

I cleared my throat, drawing the attention of all the passersby. Seriously, this was annoying. I tapped at my badge once, and all the fanboys scurried away as fast as lightning.

Mina giggled in response.

"My hero. If I had known you'd get rid of the fanboys and fangirls, I'd have invited you to go out with us more often."

"...You still know that we aren't friends, right?" I asked her in confusion. Why were they getting all chummy with me all of a sudden? Because I knew that as soon as we got back to U.A., she'd begin treating me the same way she did before we were on this trip.

There was being cordial and…

Well, being fake.

Mina seemed momentarily stunned as she didn't say anything as I walked forward, ignoring the disappointed look Midoriya gave me. As if that solved anything. Finally, we ended up in Shirou's small but packed office. I leaned by the door, making sure no one could overhear us as everyone sat around Shirou's desk, and while there was an awkward silence, it was inevitably interrupted by Monoma burping loudly.

"You're disgusting," Kodai told him. "I'm surprised you have a girlfriend."

Shirou cleared his throat, staring directly at me.

I had called him for a meeting after all.

"So, what brings all of you here?"

"A social call," I responded, narrowing my eyes as I pulled out the request Midnight had given our group last night from my pocket. I quickly handed it to Shirou before resuming my position of making sure we weren't being overheard. "I think when I visited your office last night, I might have lost something. So I was wondering if we could search for it together, just the two of us."

Shirou looked at me in confusion, as did everyone else.

Just in case the place was bugged.

If Tadami knew who stole the shipment and asked us to come here anyway, that meant something was off. At the very least, the most suspicious target we had was this building considering the events of what happened.

"But… why bring them then?" Shirou asked me in confusion.

I smiled in response.

"Well Monoma's favourite car brand is Toyota, and since you work here I thought it would be a nice gift for his birthday if he and everyone else could get a tour around the building," I then pointed at the piece of paper. "Do you have any idea who would be able to do that? Any help would be great."

Shirou hummed.

This was the first rule Nanao had ingrained into me as a detective. When fishing for information, always assume someone can listen to you. Considering the person, or people responsible, who had taken the weapons from Tadami likely worked in the very same building as Shirou, I thought it was prudent to ask.

Even if it was in riddles.

With Quirks, one could never be too sure who was able to listen into a conversation or not. And since our entrance made a splash, I'm sure that the people in charge of the stolen weapons likely have some idea as to why we were here. I wasn't planning on trying to hide the investigation, not when they had no feasible way to move all the weapons at once before being alerted.

I was putting pressure on them.

Especially if Tadami already checked the warehouse next door and found nothing, then there is no way that those responsible don't already know that they are running out of time to continue holding onto the weapons.

"I have one idea for someone that could do something like this," Shirou eventually told me. "But I'll have to check to see if they're in. In the meantime, is there someplace you would like to go?"

"Well since I lost something on the way to your office last night, wouldn't it make sense to check the videotapes? Just in case I can see where I dropped it, and who might have picked it up," I answered. "But all you need to do is tell me the location of that room, you and everyone else can go search for the tour guide, alright? I'm trusting this to you."

I turned to Midoriya, who nodded at me in response.

"Sure thing, Sora. It's on the next floor, to the left of this room are the stairs," Shirou answered warily. "Just… do be careful. You're not exactly known for being polite to others, especially people you have never met. Really. Just be careful man."

"Alright, alright."

I winked at the group as I left the room, following his directions.

The best way to do this investigation was to split up, that way they'd be able to interrogate whoever Shirou led them to, and I'd be able to check the tapes. It was the only way I'd be able to make sense of this. I did not doubt that if the people who stole the weapons were smart, they'd have already scrubbed the records clean - But on the off chance that they hadn't, I still had to look.

I didn't spare a glance at the blonde woman who was walking down the stairs as I ran up them. But when she practically threw herself at me, I couldn't help but prevent her from toppling down the stairs and breaking her neck.

"Oops, She apologised, burying her head in my chest. "Sorry, I'm a bit clumsy."

"No worries."

"Wait~! Are you a detective? Wow. I've never met a detective before, hehe, so what brings you here, mister detective?" She wasn't sly with her tactics, and I had to at least pretend to not notice her slipping something into my pockets. "Are you going to arrest some scary people?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

I didn't dare look at what she slipped into my pocket until I had reached the second floor, and even then I warily looked around and glared at whoever so much as glanced at my direction. I did not doubt in my mind that the woman I had just met was either one of the robbers or was working with them.

Both sides were fishing for information, and the tiny metallic device she had slipped into my pocket was done so in an effort of trying to get information easily. Perhaps they didn't know why we were here? No, that's precisely why they did something as risky as that! They don't know whether our investigation is on them, or on something else entirely.

But…

No, something didn't add up.

It wasn't making sense!

If they were that afraid of us poking our noses into the company, then surely it wasn't just because of the weapons. Something more must be up. As I made my way to the security room, I stood outside deep in thought about what the truth was. At first, I thought the case was easy.

One gang had stolen the shipment of another gang, but that wasn't it either.

The direction I had thought this was going was that people working at this company had stolen the shipment of weapons, but that wouldn't make sense either. Why would they even do that in the first place?

Money?

Power?

None of those motives fit.

Maybe it was because I knew nothing about the robbers, but it was also because it just didn't make sense. Why would you steal from a powerful Yakuza group that has ties with the police? Even if an investigation launched by them regarding the shipment was far more trouble than it was worth, it would still draw unnecessary attention. So what exactly was the missing piece…?

I knocked on the door and entered the security room, flashing my badge at the two men inside.

"A detective? What are you doing here?" One asked me in confusion.

"I need to look at your tapes," I pointed at the multiple screens in front of them. "Mind rolling back the tapes for me on the warehouse next door? To around two days ago at midnight."

The main worker grunted in response, but he did as I asked.

Within a few seconds, he had put up the feed of the camera on his laptop… only for it to be completely dead. Tsk. I knew that was likely the case, but I still had to try. The worker only looked at his poor laptop in confusion.

"Huh? Why isn't it working?"

"The camera was cut out during that time. Do any of you know who was working here two days ago at that specific time?" Both men shook their heads at me.

"Nah, there isn't a rota for this. We all work zero-hour contracts, so we can decide when we work," One worker told me. "I'd say ask around, but I don't think anyone on this floor even knows our names, much less remember who worked here two days ago at midnight."

"...Say, you guys know the building well, right?" I asked them

"Yeah, I'd say so. Why?"

"See if I were to hide, say a large container, where would you recommend I hide it? Hypothetically of course," I asked. "Or perhaps just boxes filled with important things. What are the blind spots of this building?"

"Well, the basement's a start," The worker on the left replied, his eyes shining as he told me that. "It's quite old and outdated since the electricity doesn't run down there. And it's mostly used for storage, so I doubt anyone would go in there outside of depositing the bins. If you wanted to hide someone like a container or boxes, I'd say go there."

"Brilliant. Cheers for that!" I slapped both of their backs as I grinned at them. "You've been a ton of help lads, but I guess it's time for me to go now."

"To do detective shit?" One of the security people asked me. "Man, I love detectives. Heroes too. You guys rock, plus you save the day. So, do you mind telling us what you're investigating? This is a pretty boring company, let me tell you that. Haha. Are you sure somethings happened to warrant an investigation?"

…

"Maybe. But maybe not," I returned. "I guess only time will tell."

As I left the room, I didn't miss the look the worker on the right gave me. Anxiousness. He had barely said anything the entire time I was there, not to mention he looked at his partner in confusion as I was told about the basement. Those two were the guys that worked that shift two days ago, I had no doubt in my mind about that, especially considering that last desperate question.

The basement was likely a red herring, a ruse to see whether I'd take the bait or not.

But that was three people already linked to the robbery.

I was right that my initial estimation was wrong. Something was seriously up, and it wasn't just missing weapons. I tapped my foot impatiently against the ground, trying my hardest not to reach inside my pocket and pull out my cigarettes. If I started smoking now, I'd set off the fire alarm and that would just waste valuable time for the investigation. It'd probably tip off the robbers too, so there wasn't any point in doing that.

Walking back down to Shirou's office, I noticed that the door was open.

…

I gripped the handle of my sword tightly as I slowly pushed the door open, my eyes darting around the room as I walked in. But much to my surprise, no one was there. Or the likely answer being that they were already long gone. I checked the lock, and just as I expected, it was taken completely off its hinges. I winced at that, if it was melted at the very least I'd have an idea of how to find another lead.

But taken off?

I wouldn't be able to get fingerprints in time, let alone find a lead.

Why come here?

I already got rid of one bug, so maybe they were trying to plant another? No, that wouldn't make sense. If they already know we are onto them, then why would they try to draw attention to themselves? The only reason a bug would be implanted here would be because-,

Because-,

Because a third party is involved!

My eyes widened at that as I dashed around the room, checking every corner and crevice to try and find the small bug they had planted. And sure enough, right under Shirou's desk, the same device that woman had planted in my pocket was right there. I squashed it before throwing the pieces outside of his window, warily checking the room again just in case they had planted another.

I sighed, sitting down on Shirou's chair.

The woman and the two security guards weren't working for the robbers, they were the third party interested in what investigation we were doing. But why? Why would the company itself be interested in what we were doing? What did they have to hide? They were just a car manu…facturer…

…

Oh.

I get it now.

There was no third party, and there were no robbers.

I hastily peered out of the window, staring at the skyline of Sendai itself.

If I ran a company that had engineers and wasn't happy with the profits, or if I worked at a company as an engineer and wasn't happy with the work I were doing, if I wanted to make more money or be challenged with different work, what would be the best bet for me? I had a sinking feeling as I asked myself these questions and thought back to what Tadami said.

Tch.

I was looking at the case completely wrong.

I and the others were under the impression that the weapons Tadami and his gang had manufactured and were going to sell were stolen, but the man had never said anything about selling the weapons. He never even mentioned that he made, just weapons that were theirs were taken from them.

He just wanted what was his.

Tadami wasn't selling the weapons, he never even manufactured them, he was buying them. The container of experimental weapons wasn't made from the factory Tadami worked at, why would a factory owned by the biggest Yakuza group in Sendai want to sell experimental weapons to their rivals?

No, Yakuza groups wouldn't do that.

That was the key clue that I was missing.

The Shie Hassaiaki didn't sell or give Trigger to their rivals in Musutafu, no gang would. The White Orchid Dragons had bought the weapons from a third party and someone had stolen them.

And the third party, if it even existed?

The weapons were never stolen in the first place. Tadami probably just hid them and made it look like a robbery in order to launch an investigation into those who made the weapons to cut out the competition.

Turning the case on its head made everything fit, the reason why they were planting bugs and trying to figure out what we were investigating wasn't that they were the robbers and were curious as to what we knew, it was because those involved and making and distributing the weapons were wondering if we knew the truth.

Tch.

I stared at the slip Midnight gave us last night, the requests Nezu had chosen for us to complete - The very same request Tadami had drafted and given to Nezu so he could be helped. The very same team that took the request that featured a detective, someone with the authority to investigate crime where Quirks weren't used. It wasn't about finding the missing crate of weapons, that wasn't what the request was actually about.

Yakuza, the police and heroes sometimes worked together to stop other criminals.

That was a fact.

And right now, all three parties were looking to take down weapons manufacturers.

That was the truth of this matter.

I groaned, rubbing my temples as I slammed my head against the desk tiredly.

Why is it always me?

---

"Are you sure about this?" Midoriya asked me.

We had gone back to our hotel room.

I nodded at him.

"Positively sure. There isn't any other way this all could make sense," I replied. "It's like I said, Nezu's got a bigger gameplan here. Far bigger than I could have ever seen, and it started as soon as we were chosen to go to Sendai. We're just being used as a torch to shine the light on the misgivings of a company, that way the police and the heroes look good while the yakuza get rid of a weapons manufacturer that could potentially give dangerous weapons to their rivals."

"But that's… that's not right!" Shirou yelled. "What about the robbery?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if the robbery was staged," I told him. "Tadami probably stole his own shipment and asked us for help so we'd eventually catch a whiff of the truth, that was what he wanted the entire time. Nezu probably knew this which is why he involved me with the police, so cases like these could be dealt with. So that we could overcome the barriers in front of us. And that way U.A. and heroes in society look good with you guys, the police look good because of me - And the White Orchid Dragons then owe Nezu and the police a favour. It's a win-win all round."

"How can we be sure of this?" Mina asked me. "What if you're wrong?"

"What if he isn't?" Monoma asked. "As much as I hate to admit it, what he's saying is probably the truth. It all makes sense, much more than whatever theory we had before."

"I agree with Monoma and Sora," Kodai added. "It wouldn't surprise me at all if this is the truth because ultimately, how could we even find the shipment of weapons? If they're gone we could interview everyone in the building, but we had no leads. Only an incomplete investigation and a hope that the weapons were at the building. But still, why would Tadami steal his weapons and place them back at the company he bought them from?"

"Two days ago the stolen shipment wasn't taken to the Toyota factory. The warehouse was probably when the delivery had started," I told them. "Tadami took the stolen weapons elsewhere, thus giving him the advantage. Ultimately, it'll be the White Orchid Dragons that'll end up on top after this is all over. They'll have experimental weapons which they'll be able to exclusively manufacture with their factory, meaning no one who can threaten them will get the weapons."

A monopoly on experimental technology they didn't even design.

It was a crafty plan and we fell right into their hands.

Tsk.

"And we're just supposed to take that? We're supposed to let it slide?" Monoma yelled angrily. "People could die, and we're just supposed to topple the bigger threat because it suits us more? Because it's easier?! Bullshit. Fuck."

"It's what has to be done," Midoriya countered. "If we want to keep the peace, then the yakuza must win. The public already distrusts us enough as it is, if we take down the White Orchid Dragons too, I do not doubt that a few journalists will get a 'tip' about the fact that we were supposed to help them. They'll probably get a tip that Ryukyu has a few skeletons in her closet, and so do the police of Sendai."

"But that's-,"

"That's how our world works," Midoriya finished, sending a look my way. "...It's the same thing with Sora here. Imagine if word got out that Aozora didn't die, that he faked his death and now is back. The public backlash would be immense."

"Why?" Kodai asked. "I mean, wouldn't the public be elated? The Hero that defeated Overhaul is back?"

…Right.

Kodai, Mina and so many others didn't know the truth.

Midoriya and I shared a look.

"That's not the point," Midoriya replied. "If we blow the lid off this entire thing, more people will get hurt than saved-,"

"You're just going to let them win?" Mina asked furiously. "Aren't you supposed to be a hero? So what if they-,"

"I won't allow any of you to expose Tadami or the White Orchid Dragons," Midoriya told us clearly. And confidently. "We just have to endure. This is the best outcome for us all, and even if the Yakuza win, at least we'll have been Heroes. Remember, being a Hero isn't just about saving lives. It's about protecting our systems that allow us to exist. That's why we have to leave them alone, why we can't just do whatever we want. That's reckless."

I snorted at that

"...I won't do what you tell me to do," I replied, standing up to face Midoriya. Everyone but him looked at me in surprise. "You can boss them around, I guess they respect you enough to do so. But you won't tell me what I can or can't do. I'm going to make sure that both those making the weapons and the White Orchid Dragons are going to lose tomorrow, that's my promise. Endure through this? You're setting up innocents to die."

Midoriya wasted no time in grabbing me by my collar.

"And what would you have me do, huh Sora?!" Midoriya screamed in my face. "How else can we overcome this barrier, huh? I don't see any other way around it, you can't beat everything. So we'll have to endure. Even if a few innocents die, what would you do? Let a weapons manufacturer continue to make and sell dangerous weapons. How many more people will die because of that?"

"You're choosing to save the lives of the many over the few?"

"It's what All Might would have done," Midoriya told me. "It's what he told me to be. You can't save everyone, it's impossible. And the public - they have to believe in heroes, or else what's the point in all this? What's the point of being a pillar? Even if the White Orchid Dragons get away with this, it's the lesser of two evils. Being idealistic doesn't get you anywhere in this line of work. Didn't you learn that the same place I did? Surely you understand that there isn't a better option."

…

In a sense he was right.

And I could see why, it was the same thing that happened during the Shie Hassakai raid. I tried to arrest Denji and his friends even if I didn't want to do it, and in the end, my hesitation cost Denji's life.

Still-,

I couldn't just let this be.

"Maybe so," I replied, grabbing his hands and taking them off my collar. "Maybe you're right, but I don't care. I didn't get my powers back and come back to U.A. to be the same person I was before. Content with lying to myself so I could live out my dream. I agree, being idealistic won't get you very far. It's why the Shie Hasaikai raid failed. My friend Denji died because I didn't arrest him."

Midoriya's eyes widened as I told everyone that.

"I chose not to arrest my criminal friend, I went back to what a hero is supposed to be to live out my dream," I said honestly. "And when he died, my anger got the best of me and led to Overhaul escaping and murdering fifty-eight people. That includes Mirio Togata, an innocent child and Nighteye. Ever since I first went to U.A. I prioritised saving the few over the many because I thought there wasn't a better option. No, because I didn't allow myself to feel the pain of losing that's how arrogant I was."

"Y-you-!" Mina stared at me incredulously before turning to look at Midoroya, who looked guiltily towards her. Midoriya hadn't told her. Or anyone in Class A for that fact, and I knew why in the end. "You-, That's what happened that day? To you?"

Midoriya looked at me in confusion.

Even Monoma and Shirou were unsure about me revealing Mina and Kodai the truth.

But, it was my secret. A secret I didn't want to keep anymore, not when all it led to was people like Midoriya thinking that enduring and staying the same was the better outcome. Not when he thought that Heroes needed to only protect the systems that put them in power in the first place, just so they could save more lives in the long term.

That was something I vehemently disagreed with.

Something I would never accept as the truth.

I never once thought that as a Hero.

"Yeah," I nodded at Mina and Kodai, the only two people in the room to have not fully known that. "That's the truth. Midoroya never told you out of a demented loyalty to me, maybe. I've blamed myself for what happened that day ever since. I was too indecisive, and I couldn't decide between what I wanted to do and what I was supposed to do. But I'm not that person anymore, I won't choose to save either the few or the many - I'm going to save both."

But Midoriya snarled at that.

"What if you fail? Like you did back then?" Midoriya yelled at me. "Do you honestly expect us to pick you up? Do you? Just because you've gotten taller and your powers back doesn't mean you've changed. How? How exactly are you going to solve all this? Are you going to kill another of your friends-,"

Smack.

Ashido Mina had gotten up from her position on the ground and had smacked Midoriya across the face. I stared at her in surprise, tears filling her eyes as Midoriya stared at the ground darkly.

"You… you knew what happened to Sora the entire time," Mina cried out. "And you didn't tell us? You made us believe he betrayed us. Not that he had a breakdown. Not that our friend had nearly died because he lost, because he had failed. You were the one who told us to endure, you let us believe that Sora was a liar. That he hated us. Thathim leaving would make us better… why? Why were you lying the entire time?!"

"Mina, it wasn't like that, I-," Midoriya paused as he looked up at her. "We were all broken after what Sora did. The country-, society-, it needed us more than Sora did. It needed a united front, a symbol of Justice. It needed heroes after the Shie Hassaiaki raid went the way it did."

"And society needs Heroes now more than ever. You betrayed us."

"That's the point," Midoriya replied. "Just like when Sora was with us in Class A, he betrayed us. He constantly lied and manipulated us for his own reasons. Because he wanted to protect us all. And Sora died that day. If I didn't do what I did, if I didn't endure, then our entire class would have completely collapsed. We relied on Sora so much that his absence left a hole in our class, I had to fill that hole! I kept us together!"

"That wasn't your call to make-,"

Midoriya laughed at that.

"Oh, yeah? Aizawa was out getting drunk because of what happened to Sora. I had to convince him to come back and teach us because he was planning on quitting," Midoriya revealed. "I was the one who checked up on everyone, the one who made the arrangements for Nighteye and Mirio's funerals. After Sora left, I was the only one able to get back up and do what was necessary while you all couldn't handle it. You still aren't ready for the truth."

"Midoriya-,"

He cut me off as he glared at me.

"You should never have come back. Ever since you did, my entire class has been mixed on you, whether you really did hate them or not," Midoriya spat out at me. "They can't endure. Not like I did. Not like you did for so long. Didn't you really leave to protect us? Because of your deal with Zero! I overheard your conversation with Jiro when you were kidnapped, I know he offered you a deal that if you left Class A we'd be protected. I was honouring your sacrifice, I was just trying to protect what we both hold dear!"

"You lied to them, just like I once did," I replied. "That's not protecting anyone. I learnt that the hard way, and don't assume you know why I left. I left you guys for more than just that, for selfish reasons, ones you can't begin to understand."

"You weren't there after you went," Midoriya whispered. "You were the one who got his hands dirty for us. After you left, I did the same. I protected my class. My friends. Do you know how many times their illusions of saving people idealistically nearly cost us everything? Because I was forced to accept this world for what it was, I had to be the one to make that sacrifice. I've had to endure so much you wouldn't even begin to understand."

…

"I have blood on my hands too," I told him. "But what's the point of enduring if nothing ever changes? If the barriers in front of us still remain, then why even bother trying? I know exactly how you feel, working with those who hurt others to make sure your world remains stable - Because if that falls, then what do you have left? And I did fail once. I messed up so badly that I hated myself so much that I punished myself for it. I didn't leave for some noble reason, Izuku, I left because I wanted to be alone and isolated."

"Huh?"

Everyone stared at me as I said that.

"I couldn't accept my role as your friend, I thought I didn't deserve it. I still don't. I didn't want to be loved, because I thought if I did accept it, I'd forget about the blood on my hands - the fact that I failed," I honestly said. "You're not enduring for them, Midoriya. You're enduring for yourself because you're still trying to be like All Might. But you're not - and you never will be. The weight of your world can't be carried on your shoulders alone."

"So you'll take that burden on yours all alone then?" Midoriya scoffed at me. "You really haven't changed, Sora. You dress up your return like it's a new you, that you won't make the same decisions you once made. And you'll give crumbs of trust only to throw it away like always. You have and always will fight alone."

I shook my head at him.

"I can't do that either, Izuku. No matter how many times I used to delude myself into thinking that, I refuse to act like that anymore," I answered truthfully. "Because it's not my burden alone. There's a reason I have so many people in my life, it's because I can't do it alone. I never could. Every step of the way, through USJ and even in the Shie Hassaikai raid, I had help from everyone around me. I'm not blind enough to think that I can topple the weapon manufacturers and stop the White Orchid Dragons by myself. But I don't need to do it by myself."

"You-,"

I shrugged my shoulders, grabbing my cigarettes and my lighter as I walked towards the door. I was staring right at the ugly truth, I wanted my exit from Class A to inspire them to be better.

I only inspired them to be worse.

To end up just like me.

"Think about that, Deku. All Might endured all alone and look at where he is now? No one even knows," I said, opening the door. "Enduring is a pointless thing anyway. I'd much rather be able to get over the barriers in front of me than stare at them all day, I'd just be thinking about how sweet the view would be if I reached the top. And I know you feel the same way deep down."

I closed the door as I saw Midnight standing in the corridor, resting her back against the wall right next to our door.

"I guess you heard everything then."

She nodded her head at me.

"I did," Midnight agreed. "I would say you've grown, but that would be redundant. You know the old you would never have spoken the way you did. Honesty looks good on you, Sora."

"...Make sure they don't do anything rash," I told her. "I know the way Midoriya is. He'll likely want to solve all this on his own so no one has to suffer. It's funny you know, I thought leaving Class A the way I did would deter them from ending up like I did. But Midoriya thought he was the one to pick everything I did back up and try again."

"Is there anything wrong with that?"

"No. It's just funny that I made Class A more like the old me than I ever once imagined. I can't outrun that fact," I said, grinning at her. It wasn't a fake smile. I genuinely meant it. "I guess I still have a long way to go until I can forgive myself fully. But until then, I'll keep on making sure that I'm showing them the trail ahead. You know, maybe you should have gotten involved in this case sooner."

Midnight shook her head sadly at me.

"I can't. My hands are tied in this case. Only you can solve it," Midnight replied. "You aren't planning on doing this alone, are you? Last time that happened, well, I don't say what happened last time, do I?"

I chuckled as she said that.

"Don't worry teach, I'm not that stupid," I tapped at the unlit cigarette in my mouth. "I just wanna' smoke. That's all. I'm not nearly strong or smart enough to do this all alone, and even if I was, I wouldn't want to. This is our case. We'll solve it together. And I'll make sure that we get over whatever barrier stands in our way because there is no way in hell I'm stopping here."

"Because you have other things to accomplish?"

I nodded at her.

"Bingo."

"Well then, enjoy your smoke break," Midnight opened the door to our hotel room. "When you come back, we'll all think of a plan. After all, you're the leader here, Detective Yamazaki."

…

I went up to the roof, nodding at the people I saw in the hotel. It was quiet on the roof, but that meant it was quite peaceful as I overlooked the city, taking a long drag from my cigarette as I let the smoke cloud my face. Damn it. Why was everything in my life so complex? I just wanted a break from all this drama. But despite that, I couldn't help but smile sadly as I thought about Midoriya.

He was trying to endure so much on his own.

It was such a Midoriya thing to do as well, to take on the pressures of the world by himself because of how kind he was. That same kindness that I once-, No, the same kindness I have. Yukari and my family saw it, and so did my old friends, and so did everyone at U.A. Still, I couldn't exactly just leave things as they were.

I made a promise to help Class A.

To take responsibility for what I did.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

"Hello?" I answered.

"...Sora," Jiro's voice whispered across the phone. "Mina's been blowing up our class group chat. You told her what happened during the Shie Hassaiaki raid? That you failed, and how you blamed yourself for it?"

"Why are you phrasing it as if you didn't already guess what really happened," I replied with a smile on my face. "And I guess Mina also told everyone that Midoriya knew. He just didn't say anything."

"Yeah. Kirishima and Hagakure on my end have gone completely silent," Jiro told me. "Everyone tried to build an image of you being the worst, of you hating us, when deep down I think we knew that wasn't the case. But you didn't say anything, and neither did Midoriya. But I guess now the truth is out in the open…"

"You can't outrun the truth."

Jiro giggled across the phone.

"True. I'm just surprised you said it so openly, without any fear of us potentially hating you for what happened," Jiro said. "I would have thought you'd be so afraid of that rejection, that we'd prove you right in thinking you are a monster."

"That doesn't matter anymore. My powers came back because I have a responsibility to you all, to everyone. I can't just shake it off, I can't decide to prioritise those who matter to me more because I'd be falling into the same traps I used to, if I did that I'd never learn," I responded. "Yukari Aotsuki's life would have died for nothing if that happened. I'm not going to let it happen. Even if you, Class A, begin to view me differently, I'm still going to show you all how wrong you are to just endure. And then you'll be better. You shouldn't end up as I did-,"

"Drop the tough guy act, Sora," Jiro told me across the phone. "Do you think that what you did to us will be erased even if we are better than you? Do you think that your guilt and pain will go away after that?"

…

"Are you telling me that for things to be fair again, for all of us to be truly happy, we have to prove you wrong? That what you are saying is the only path? Midoriya might have been wrong for enduring the way he did, thinking he's a pillar, but what you're saying isn't right either. You shouldn't be a pillar of our hatred and desire to prove you wrong. I thought that you of all people would know, that nothing in life is so black and white. You can't just drop us and come back because you think you're 'responsible', there is a lot more to it than just trying to fix us."

…

"Even now, you want to stay silent and think that this will help me. That I'm just getting my emotions out. But that's just making me even angrier. None of us became friends with you in the first place because you were invincible. We never thought that once. You don't have to put up your guard whenever you feel like you're hurt, Sora. Whenever you feel like you failed us. Because none of us will ever learn if we all keep silent and try to endure this. You and Midoriya really are the same. Idiots that think they know us better we know you."

…

Beep.

I slid my phone back into my pocket as I stared at the Sendai skyline, filled with pretty lights. But not even they could distract me from what Jiro said.

Bang-,

The sound of thunder filled my ears as I simply leaned over the railings and looked down below. Everyone was so tiny. I had no coat, so when the rain started to beat down on me heavily, I stood still and let it do so. My once-messy hair felt heavy as I realised how truly long it was, with many strands of hair covering my eyes fully. Even my rough stubble felt weird as raindrops scratched my cheeks.

I sighed.

Plucking another cigarette from my box, I grabbed my lighter and tried to light it up.

But I failed.

No matter how many times I rolled my finger across my lighter, not even so much as a spark came out before the rain smothered the budding flame to death. It was quite pathetic, I had to admit, watching as Sendai was flooded by the rain was a pretty sight in itself. It really did remind me of Musutafu in a weird way, even if I knew that this place wasn't my home.

…

'I thought that you of all people would know, that nothing in life is so black and white. You can't just drop us and come back because you think you're 'responsible', there is a lot more to it than just trying to fix us.'

…

'Drop the tough guy act, Sora.'

…

"Sora."

I turned around to see Shirou standing right behind me.

"Yeah?"

I didn't see Shirou's hand as he went to touch my left side. It was weird, perhaps it was because of my wet hair covering my eyes that I didn't see what happened, maybe it was the numbness of the cold rain that didn't make me even feel his hand - Maybe my ears were filled with water as I heard nothing. Not even a speck of pain as I looked at Shirou in confusion.

Ultimately, perhaps out of embarrassment, Shirou ran away from me.

Huh.

I shrugged my shoulders, looking down at my cigarette to try and light it up again, only this time, I dropped my lighter in surprise. My cigarette fell out of my mouth and crashed against the ground as the rain propelled it to roll off the roof of our hotel and onto the ground far below, probably falling right on top of a passerby's umbrella.

Ugh-,

I blinked at first, hoping that what I was seeing was false.

Falling on my knees, I used my hands to at least try and stay up as I continued to stare at the knife that had been plunged into my left side. Argh. I groaned in pain as my blood mixed with the rain on the floor to create a pool of blood, my breathing becoming strained as I used the railings behind me to get back up on my shaky feet.

"Ugh-, Grah-,"

The rain wouldn't stop beating down upon my ears as the world around me darkened.

Or maybe it slowed down?

Shirou.

He-,

He stabbed me.

I didn't know why, but it was likely to do with the case we were on.

He was a villain.

He works for the company of the weapon manufacturers.

How could I have forgotten that?!

He was just like-,

Like-,

I couldn't help but draw parallels between him and Denji, and the fact was that even with a knife stuck within me, my position hadn't changed one bit since then. I was still trying to act like a tough guy as if nothing ever hurt me when I was always hurt by everyone around me.

Not saying anything because I thought that was what I had to do.

Maybe that's why Class A turned out like me.

No.

Class A turned out the way it did because of Midoriya and me. That much was clear. Because the two of us wanted to endure our pain and not show it because we didn't want to worry anyone and we thought we could hold it in. But watching as my blood fall on the ground, escaping my body, I think I finally understood it.

I can't hold it in.

It always comes bursting out at the worst of times, my emotions at the very least.

"Argh-,!"

…

I continued to stare at the knife stuck within me as I grabbed ahold of it with both my hands and held my breath, straining myself as I pulled the bloody knife out of my body. It fell to the floor with a clang, the red mixing with rain even more as my blood fell past the roof of the hotel.

"ARGHHHHHH!"

I clutched my left side tightly as I felt my hands get wet and sticky because of my blood, but I trudged forward despite that. This was nothing. I had been through a lot worse all alone, but this time I had everyone downstairs waiting for me. Nothing mattered more than that as I opened the door back to the hotel and made my way downstairs, more determined than ever.

My resolve wasn't shattered, even though I knew it was Shirou who did this to me.

My spirit wasn't broken, even though Jiro's last words to me kept on being replayed in my head.

I just kept on walking forward because I knew I could do better.

I wasn't a pillar.

I wasn't invincible.

I was just a detective with a case to solve alongside everyone else.

---

…A chapter that is ultimately a vital Act 2 in this mini-arc.

Izuku Midoriya is such an interesting character to me because his positive traits can easily be twisted in a different context and make him a manipulative and downright cruel person instead of kind and loving.

I aimed to add a bit of grey morality to him, much like how All Might isn't an infallible person without mistakes which canon sorta touches on with the Stain and All Might conversation. I think a Midoriya who's suffered a lot will ultimately fall into the same traps Midoriya did here, in that perhaps lying to those you love to save them is good.

Something Sora once did.

Midoriya became a darker parallel of Sora, someone who couldn't do exactly what he did but tried anyway because it's what he believes is 'right'. Midoriya thinks the only way both Sora and Class A can move on and be better is if they hate each other and endure the absence in each other's lives, if they constantly try to prove each other wrong eventually they'll be better.

Stronger.

Etc.

You can say whatever you want about Midoriya here, but I personally don't think he's wrong. He's not right either, but he's not outright wrong. And Sora isn't wholly right either - It's only when you combine both sides that the picture will be clear. But Sora is still trying to be a 'tough guy' and endure the pain his old friends are giving him.

This is essentially the 'Vigilante Deku' arc but changed to fit this story.

Izuku's character arc for the rest of Part 2 is going to be an interesting one, yet it's one I really enjoy writing. Because he's the Hero of this story, he's sort of like Iron Man in Captain America: Civil War.

I don't think Iron Man was wrong to sign the Sokovia Accords, and while I fall more in line with Cap's decisions in the movie, I think both sides are right in a sense. The regulation was needed, but at the same time how can they save anyone with it?

Neither Sora nor Izuku is helping anyone with their actions, and I hope that's been made clear. Both are hypocrites who are similar to each other because of everything they've been through.

Ultimately, both want to become pillars by themselves when it'll just ruin them.

Sora trying to be a pillar has led to him getting betrayed once again, this time by Shirou, another one of his old friends. I really want to hammer home how different Sora is from the old person he was, and the next chapter is going to show that.

I hope you understand where I want to take the characters in this story.

And also, we have more plot and lore developments in the background. Unlike Part 1's storyline which was centred around Sora's circular development, the storyline of Part 2 has nothing to do with Sora (a shocker) and will involve everyone within Part 1 to discern the truth.

The truth is an integral part of this story. It always has been from the start, and the truth has changed over time as I thought about what story I wanted to tell. One where the heroes aren't so much as heroes, but pillars who support a crumbling system which protects civilians.

I want there to be less black-and-white imagery and more complexities so that when the truth, and largely Sora and the rest of the protagonists really fight it means something.

It's not just fighting against villains, it means they're fighting against a system that's broken and corrupt.

They are really Heroes and not the job itself.

And I hope to share it with you all someday!

The next chapter is Act 3 of this mini-arc, and it indeed ends a lot of plotlines and starts a lot of new ones too.

Hope you'll enjoy the conclusion to it!

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