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...

79. Issue 77

Let It Happen - Tame Impala.

---

"This world is corrupt to its core,

It needs to be saved from itself,

So I will be the vengeful guardian."

---

"Boss!"

I sighed as I looked over the two of them.

Katsumi and Sai.

"Nii-san, do you require any assistance?"

"In a sense, yeah," I replied with a short nod. Here we were, for them, it was lunchtime as we sat on the roof of U.A. basking in the May sun. I had a lit cigarette in my mouth as I overlooked the city, drumming my fingers against the railings. "...What I'm about to ask you to do isn't too dangerous. As for the legality of it-, Well-, Here. Take this and use it to help you with the task I'm giving you."

I threw my badge at the two of them.

"Er… I don't get it."

"You want us to sneak into the police headquarters," Katsumi stated, her eyes narrowing at me. "You do know that is quite illegal. I will endeavour to accomplish the difficult task you have presented to us."

"Y-yeah! But, uhm, why?" Sai asked nervously. "You're the police, right? Why are we sneaking into the headquarters then? I mean I heard you were sorta suspended, but like, what's even happening?"

"I'm not suspended. I am on a final warning, however," I told them both honestly. "Listen. The police… They aren't helping discover the truth. They're still searching for a freakin' phone of all things. But I don't trust them. Not all of the police, but the guy in charge. Suwabe. He's just an incompetent and annoying asshole, so at the very least if you two can use my badge to get in and try and find out information on the police's next moves, that'll help me."

"...Finish out your investigation?"

"Yes," I nodded in confirmation. "Precisely. Now if you two don't want to do it, fairs-,"

"We'll do it!" Sai cut me off with a smirk. "I mean, we have to do it, right? If we don't do it, then I'll regret it for the rest of my life. I know I'm only a first-year! But you were doing shit like this when you were my age! I-, I've always wanted to be a Hero. To help people. If this means I get to help your investigation to catch someone who's hurting people, then I'll help you no matter what!"

"...I'll help you. Because I want to," Katsumi told me. "Because I must do so. It's my duty."

Sai sighed at that.

"No, Shirakumo! I told you! Don't use words like duty, it makes you sound like an emotionless robot!" Sai chided her. "Sorry, Boss, your sister is a bit of a weirdo! Er-, Not that I'm bullying her or anything-,"

Katsumi tilted her head in confusion at her friend.

"Were you trying to bully me?"

"What?! No! I was only lightly teasing you…"

"Isn't that reserved for couples only?"

"NO! Friends tease each other all the time, Shirakumo!" Sai told her. "Still, I'm surprised you are allowing us to help you. Especially after you tried to make it a big deal originally. What changed?"

I smirked at the boy, winking at him.

"Nothing really."

"...Eh?"

"Off you go," I told the two of them. "Message me if you find something interesting. Oh, and don't do anything stupid. Really. I won't be able to help you if you get caught doing something you shouldn't have."

"Got it, Boss!"

"Understood."

…

I was left alone on the roof of U.A., with only my cigarette to keep me company.

Hack.

Hack.

Hack.

It was then that I burst out into a coughing fit, with something wet dripping down my face as I felt lightheaded - So lightheaded that I fell to the ground, resting my head against the railings.

I opened my eyes to see my hands covered in blood.

My blood.

"...Tsk."

No matter what, I was on borrowed time.

It didn't matter, however. I was pursuing the truth because I wanted justice - Because ultimately, I was right in pursuing the truth. Because, unlike Natsuki, I wasn't killing people just for the vague goal of 'getting rid of corruption', and unlike the HPSC who sent Hawks and Midoriya to keep an eye on me, I wasn't willing to cross the line to get to the truth.

At the end of the day, I was the only one who was right.

And that was that.

---

Chapter

Seventy

Seven

'A Vengeful Guardian'

---

"Momo. I need your help."

I watched as Yaoyorozu struggled with a few emotions, mainly that being of surprise and annoyance as we both sat in the library. Mei still wasn't done cracking open Daguchi's phone, and my investigation with Sero ended up in flames yesterday. But we still had some days left.

Katsumi and Sai hadn't come back to me yet with their findings.

So there was only one more lead I could follow.

"...What for?" Yaoyorozu asked me, twirling her pen around her fingers. "Since when have you ever asked me for help? Not even when we were in first year did you ever rely on me, it felt more like you thought my role as our class president was a joke than something I took seriously?"

I hummed at that.

"Do you still care about that?"

"Why wouldn't I care, Sora? It was you and everyone else who elected me to be the president of our class, to make sure I had all of your well-being in mind, and at the end of the day you trampled on that," Yaoyorozu told me. "You always went off and did your own thing. You took matters into your own hands, for better or for worse. I became a class president in name only when it was you who went and saved everyone."

I leaned back on my chair opposite her, watching as her knuckles turned white with the way she was gripping the table and her pens. She was angry with me. It wasn't the least surprising thing I had heard, or rather discerned, even if I disagreed with the reasons why she was angry with me.

"But I didn't save anyone, Momo."

Yaoyorozu bristled at my use of her first name.

"You didn't save anyone? Sora, who was it that saved Jiro during the USJ attack? You. Who was it that made sure that Iida didn't die when trying to get his revenge on Stain? You. Who was it that hatched a plan with Aizawa-sensei and other Heroes during the training camp? It was you,"Yaoyorozu reminded me. "You know, I won't lie to you. For a long time, I wondered why I was picked to be the class president - I'm not that strong, I'm not that charismatic, sure I get the highest grades in the class but that doesn't mean anything. I'm not like you or Midoriya. Everything I know comes from a book."

"..."

"My greatest strength is this," Yaoyorozu told me, pointing her finger at her head. "But you? You're fearless, you're bold - You are everything a Hero should be. You pursue your justice no matter what. You know, back then I wished I could have been more like you, maybe that way I wouldn't have blamed myself for watching you crash and burn and doing nothing but staring from the sidelines."

Snap.

It happened in an instant, but I snapped the pen I had picked up from her desk.

Ink spilt all over me as I stared at the black liquid in curiosity, watching it drip down my arm and onto the floor. Yaoyorozu sighed as she created a handkerchief for me, but I didn't take it from her - No, I refused it.

"...Sora?"

"It wasn't your fault."

"Don't tell me that. Sora, you were my friend and I relied on you far too much. I was supposed to be the class president, and what did I do? Shirk off my duties to a kid that didn't know any better," Yaoyorozu bitterly replied. "...I hate myself for ever doing that. For not having stepped up sooner. For not being there when you needed me the most as your friend, Sora, and nothing you will ever do or say will erase that indescribable emptiness I feel in my heart. It weighs on my heart and mind more than you'll ever know."

I sighed at her, shaking my head in response.

"But… there was nothing you could have done."

"That's where you're wrong, Sora. And that's why I'll forever blame myself for a part of the outcome, for a part of the pain and isolation you went through - Your pain is my pain because ultimately we are bonded through our trials and tribulations," Yaoyorozu told me. "...It was a quote I read from a book a while back. About a pair of siblings who went through hell and back. I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you. I'm sorry that I was too weak for you to rely on me and help you - I'm sorry that I was the one who relied upon you."

"That's…"

"What can I help you with, Sora?"

"Well, I need to speak to someone at Detrenat," I told her honestly. "And you're the best shot I have of being able to question someone like the regional manager here. Considering your ties to your family company, that gives you some leeway even if just to set up a meeting. Even if it's not RIkiya Yotsubashi, I don't care. Some questions need to be answered for the case."

"Like what?"

"Like why Detrenat was chosen to be a partner in the redevelopment plan? Why were shipments of yakuza from Kansai slowly trickling in over the last few months before the gang war? And most importantly, why did they kick people out of their homes?" I replied. "It's not like the poorer parts of Musutafu don't have empty buildings, if they really wanted to make this city the economic capital of Asia then they should have bought them out. It would have been cheaper and easier for one. Instead, it feels like a massive piece of the puzzle is missing."

"And what makes you think I have any power?" Yaoyorozu asked me. "My family company doesn't own Detrenat. I can't-,"

"But it's your family company, right? It'll be yours in the future," I cut her off. "That means, you know, people would want to get on your good side. It'll be bad for business if you carry grudges. So you set up a meeting with the regional manager of Detrenat here, and I'll swoop in and start asking questions."

"...That sounds illegal."

I shrugged my shoulders at her.

"Listen, I can sneak and ask the same questions. It's more dangerous, but it needs to happen either way. I fucked up and got distracted at the funeral. I don't regret it one bit, it led to me finding who the culprit was, but there are still things I don't understand about this case," I said to her. "I want to know why this redevelopment plan even happened in the first place. The goal was to make this city the economic capital of Asia, but it's been nearly two years. Something's happened in that time to change that. Something's happened in that time resulting in Daguchi's death."

"You know, you still haven't told us why Natsuki killed Yukimura," Yaoyorozu responded with a frown. "Ever since the funeral you've been so dead set on solving this case you haven't spoken to anyone normally. It's just case this, case that. Have you even slept properly since the funeral?"

I chuckled at that.

"I had a nap or two."

"That's not the same."

"I'm fine, this case is what matters the most right now because if I fuck up the U.N. will use it as a chance to get more involved with this country. Because then the HPSC will sneak their noses more into our business, and I'd have failed to do what I should have done," I told her. "...Katsumi and Sai are doing an important job for me right now. They're going to try and sneak into the police headquarters and see what their investigation has managed to dig up, make copies of those files, and send them to me. And in the meantime, I need your help to-,"

"You're using first years to break the law? Are you even listening to yourself, Sora?!" Yaoyorozu yelled at me. "...I thought you said you'd never use them. After all, aren't you angry at Nezu using us in the same way? You're putting them in needless danger, and for what? All for the sake of a case?! Why does this case matter so much to you? Who are you solving this for? Daguchi? Yukimura? Yourself?!"

…

Ultimately, I stayed silent.

For whatever reason, this case was linked to the missing ten billion Yen. The same case eventually led to a law being passed, a law limiting what Heroes could and couldn't investigate. The same law that meant that Death Arms had to drop his failed investigation into the matter, the same investigation that he trusted to me.

An investigation that had propped up over and over again these past few months.

Until Mei could crack Daguchi's phone, Detrenat was the best shot I had at obtaining the truth. So I couldn't fall here, even if Yaoyorozu glared at me in anger, I simply held my head high and sighed. It was always the same, I was so fucking close but no one wanted to help me because they were stuck on what was right or wrong-,

None of them could see the murky truth.

And it was starting to piss me off.

"Fine. Don't help me. I'm still going to-,"

"Shut up for a second!" Yaoyorozu cut me off. "Why are you so dead set on this? You were nearly arrested for Yukimura's death. If it wasn't for the fact that he used his Quirk to kill himself, you would have a murder charge against you right now. I-, Don't you know how much it stings to see you do this? Don't you have an ounce of emotional control? I said I'd help you, but not with this!"

"Emotional control?"

Yaoyorozu sighed at me.

"Honestly, I'm surprised you've made it this far. You're emotionally unstable, Sora," Yaoyorozu told me. "Ever since I first met you, you've worn your heart on your sleeve. But you only go through extremes. Either you love us so much that you would risk everything for us, or you hate someone so much that you'd risk everything to go out of your way to kill them. Don't tell me you haven't noticed it. You're eighteen in a day and a few hours and you can't even recognise your problems-,"

I clicked my tongue in anger, getting up from my chair and turning away from her.

I didn't need to hear whatever bullshit she was sprouting.

I was perfectly fine just the way I was.

"SORA!"

I paused, impatiently tapping my foot against the floor.

"...I… I couldn't help you even if I wanted to."

"Why not?" I snapped angrily at her. "You are the Heiress to one of the largest corporations in the world. Anyone would spare five minutes out of their day just to speak to you, I don't get it! You could use your influence for good but instead-,"

"For good? Or for your case?"

…

"Aren't they the same things?"

Yaoyorozu scoffed at that.

"Don't get it twisted, Sora. What you think is good and what I think is good are two very different things," She answered. "...Why do I have to care about my family company? I don't work for it. I don't run it. It's not my problem. I decided to become a Hero instead, I'm 'Creati' not the Heiress of the Yaoyorozu Corporation. So no, I won't help you."

Tsk.

"You're one of the smartest people I know, Momo. But you haven't realised it, have you?" I told her angrily, my hands balling up into fists. "It's people like you that have led to us scrambling around trying to solve a case that shouldn't have happened. People like Daguchi and Yukimura used their power to get away with whatever they wanted. And here you are, just because you're a Hero doesn't erase the person you were before - You could have done a lot more to help. But what have you done?"

"I-,"

"Nothing, Momo. You've done nothing. You didn't decide just to become a Hero, you decided to ignore the power and responsibility you hold over your family's company," I whispered at her, slamming my hands against a nearby bookcase. I watched as a few books fell to the ground with a dull thud. "And you claim that I'm the one with emotional imbalances? You're the one forgetting the privilege you were born into, the genuine power you could use to help everyone, and you've been sitting on it for years."

"..."

Tsk.

"Don't lecture me about good things. At least I'm trying to do something with my life."

She didn't have a response to that.

She couldn't.

"Just because your mother prioritised the company over you, just because you grew up in a household without much warmth after your father died, that doesn't mean you can just ignore it, Momo," I leaned down to pick up the books I had knocked on the floor. They were dusty old tomes from scientists and philosophers from centuries ago. "Would you rather a book no one reads? Or would you rather be the author of a book, even if it's hard, at the very least you aren't sitting on a shelf doing nothing. See that's the problem with you and Sero, you both live in a world where you think you don't have to do much work. Neither of you understand that leaving shit up to others is what gets us in this mess."

"What?"

I rolled my eyes at her outrage.

"You're a Hero. And that's all you are. But right now, we don't need just a Hero," I replied. "Take a look at Midoriya - I don't agree with him joining the HPSC's side. Not at all. But I respect it because at the very least he's trying to change the world for the better. What have you done to make things better? Because all you do is complain from the side about how shit this world is, but you never put in the effort to change it yourself - At the very least I'm trying to change things for the better. I'm reaching out for the truth. What have you done?"

"..."

"Tsk. That's what I thought, Princess. Up in your ivory tower looking down from above without understanding a single thing about the place you call home. Don't help me, at this point, there is nothing you can help me with. Smartest woman of our generation, my ass."

And with that, I stormed away from her and the library.

…

---

Izuku Midoriya POV

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the busy streets of Musutafu. Izuku Midoriya weaved through the crowds, his mind racing with the weight of recent events. The city was bustling with life, yet a palpable tension lingered in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the fragile peace that could shatter at any moment.

That was all he could ascertain with but a single look.

"Say no to Heroes!"

"Yeah! What the hell are the Heroes and the police doing!"

"How many more people are going to die?!"

Angry protestors were not an uncommon sight these days, especially ones campaigning against Heroes. It was a movement that was gaining popularity with every event that happened in the country - But it was most vocal here, in Izuku's home city of Musutafu the most.

Izuku approached the small, inconspicuous café where he was supposed to meet Hawks. The hero had chosen a secluded spot on the terrace, away from prying eyes. He opened his phone and made sure he read the message properly, for it was one of the things Ochako constantly teased him for when they were alone-,

At the thought of his girlfriend being away from him Izuku let out a small sigh.

"Meet with me at the Alps café. Bring some money :)," Izuku read out. "...Well, here it is. I think."

Izuku took a deep breath and stepped inside, scanning the room until his eyes fell on Hawks. The usually flamboyant hero looked oddly ordinary in his civilian clothes, his fiery wings conspicuously absent. Despite his relaxed demeanour, his eyes were sharp, constantly scanning the surroundings.

"Izuku," Hawks greeted with a nod, motioning to the chair opposite him. "Glad you could make it."

"Thanks for reaching out," Izuku replied, taking his seat. He tried to match Hawks' nonchalance, but the tension was palpable. It wasn't like they were meeting for a catch up between old friends. "It's good to see you, you've been busy with your 'case' these past few days. How has it been going?"

Hawks laughed at that.

"Well, it'd be going a lot better if that knucklehead decided to trust the HPSC at least somewhat. I understand not wanting to partner up or work with us, but your friend seems to think that we want to make the situation worse," Hawks said with a sigh. "Do you think Sora Yamazaki even understands the position he is in or what? The power he holds? Or do you think that he's just doing this because that's who he is."

Izuku hummed at that, tapping his fingers nervously against the table.

"Sora knows what he's doing, the issue is whether what he's doing is the right thing or not."

Hawks gave a small smile. "Then it appears we share the same opinion on the matter. However, I didn't call you here for a discussion on our wayward detective, that can wait for another time. Or preferably never."

Izuku chuckled at that.

"Then… Why did you bring me here?"

"We need to talk about what's been happening... and what's about to happen."

Izuku nodded, his expression growing serious.

"The U.N. potentially stepping in, you mean. It's... unprecedented."

Hawks sighed, taking a sip of his coffee before setting the cup down.

"Yeah, it is. The recent murders in this city have thrown every plan we had with Prime Minister Yamaguchi into chaos. The HPSC is doing everything they can to reassure people that things are under control, but..." He trailed off, his eyes darkening. "They're lying, Izuku. They're lying just to keep the already fragile peace balanced. Because if even one side gains some momentum you can say goodbye to the world as we currently know it."

Izuku felt a chill run down his spine. He knew things were bad, but hearing Hawks confirm it made it even more real.

"What's Endeavour doing then? Didn't he purposefully choose to ally himself with the HPSC because of All Might's death and the fallout that would occur from it?" Izuku asked. "All Might's funeral was in February. We're May. Three months is a long time to start drafting plans, the only reason I chose to ally myself with you guys was because there was no way of saving everyone after the funeral! You saw it yourself… Imagine a coalition between the stragglers, the Cult of Stain and the League of Villains?"

Hawks laughed softly at that, sipping his tea.

"Oh, we'd be screwed."

"So then what have you guys been doing?!"

"Chasing up leads to some interesting cases. I don't know if you're aware of this, but roughly a year ago now ten billion Yen was reported missing from the Bank of Japan. I always found that case odd, especially since it was unresolved in the end," Hawks replied, a small smirk appearing on his face. "Months later and the Hero in charge of that case is dead. In fact, it was that case that led the National Diet to introduce the law that means that Heroes could not investigate crimes without the use of Quirks."

Izuku nodded at that.

"I'm well aware of what's happened. You don't need to repeat recent history to me," Izuku told him with a frown. "I also understand why someone like Sora is so valuable to our side. He's the only one who can pierce the veil on both sides, the only one who can bring balance when we can't. But what does missing money have to do with anything?"

Hawks grinned, tilting his head in response.

"Take a guess."

"..."

Izuku sighed.

"...Sora?"

"Correct. He's been the one digging up files on that case, he's determined to see what lies at the end of the rope for an unresolved case and I'm beginning to wonder what he knows that we don't," Hawks explained. "Sora is the only one who can pierce the veil. But he's also the only one who can also mess us up, whatever he is currently investigating is something that is dangerous I know that for a fact. As you're quite well aware, he's already broken a few laws in his investigation."

"I understand that. But there's nothing I can do to stop him," Izuku bitterly spat out, his knuckles turning white from the way his hands clenched. "We're so close to a breaking point. Musutafu... the city has been through so much already. If another major incident happens, people might lose all hope if they haven't already. So again, I have to ask, why are you here instead of doing your job?"

"And what job is that? You know I can't exactly investigate the murders taking place."

Izuku grit his teeth.

"Then what are you investigating?"

"Hm, I can't say. See, I'm holding the cards close to my chest for this one," Hawks replied, taking a sip from his cup of tea once more. "But you are exactly right. The public's faith in heroes is hanging by a thread. There's so much pushback against us right now. They feel betrayed, and who can blame them? The murders, the corruption... it's all too much."

Izuku clenched his fists on the table.

"We have to do something. We can't let everything we've worked for fall apart."

"We will," Hawks assured him, his voice firm. "But we need to be smart about it. The U.N. stepping in might be what we need to stabilise things, on paper, but we both know how it'll end up. Groups like the Cult of Stain and the League of Villains will use it as an excuse to prance around causing more chaos, and ultimately the sovereignty of the nation is at stake. There's no way the people of Japan will allow the U.N. to take over our country for 'peace', and that'll just lead to war."

Izuku shook his head at that.

No!

Everything that All Might had built-,

Everything every Hero who had ever lived and died, their legacies etched upon the very society that they had built would all come undone in an instant. It wouldn't just be chaos, Izuku knew that if the world headed in that direction there wouldn't be anything left of Japan to even call a country.

Not with so many villains still at large.

Not with the U.N. looming over them.

Not with the public that was slowly becoming more anti-Hero by the day.

"So? We'll show people that we're still here for them. That we're fighting for them."

Hawks leaned forward, his eyes boring into Izuku's. They were cold and calculating, but nonetheless one revealed that the Hero didn't disagree, he just had other plans in mind for Izuku.

"That's where you come in, kid. You're a symbol of hope. More than any of us, you can reach them. We need to be strategic. We need to be united," Hawks replied. "That's why Endeavour joined the HPSC and founded his agency. It's why I work for that agency, and it's why you allied yourself with us in the end. Because right now, a shadow war has essentially begun in Japan. We're all vying for control over one idea - Heroes."

Hm.

"Hawks, have you ever read Hobbes' Leviathan?" Izuku asked, breaking a momentary silence. "I-It's something I was taught in history before this entire debacle. Sora explained it to me clearly."

Hawks raised an eyebrow.

"More of a fan of John Locke myself. But go on.""

"Hobbes talked about how in a state of nature, without a strong central authority, society would collapse into chaos," Izuku explained. "He believed people needed to give up some of their freedoms to a powerful ruler to maintain order."

"So, you're saying the HPSC is our Leviathan? The strong authority keeping the chaos at bay?" Hawks asked. "Because personally, I'd argue the powerful ruler was All Might. Everyone trusted and believed that he'd protect us, that All Might would be the one to uphold peace yet here we are three months after his funeral and we've never been worse off."

"In a way," Izuku replied. "But the problem is, our Leviathan is crumbling. The recent political murders,... it's eroding the public's trust. If the social contract breaks, we'll be thrown back into chaos. And isn't that what the villains want?"

Hawks leaned back, looking thoughtful.

"Interesting. But what about the Heroes? Aren't we supposed to be the ones maintaining order? That is our job after all," Hawks snorted. "To protect the very system that gives us our powers, no matter how flawed the system is. Didn't expect you to be into political theories, Deku. Colour me surprised."

Izuku sighed.

"That's the thing, Hawks. We've been part of the Leviathan, the system that's supposed to protect people. But now, with everything that's happened, some people see us as part of the problem. They're calling for the disbandment of Heroes, thinking it will solve the issues. You and Endeavour at the HPSC are changing your ways, but doesn't it still seem fishy to you? I mean why is everything happening now?"

Hawks nodded slowly.

"Heh, it almost reminds me of the English Civil War," He replied. "When the people rose against the monarchy, believing that dismantling the old power structures would bring freedom and justice."

"Exactly," Izuku said. "But instead, it led to years of turmoil and bloodshed. They replaced one form of control with another, and it took a long time for stability to return. Wouldn't you say that it's quite similar to what's happening here in Japan?"

"The parallels are striking," Hawks admitted. "The people are disillusioned with the current system and are demanding change, even if it means throwing everything into disarray. Almost like someone wants Heroes to become a disillusioned idea. It sounds like a conspiracy, you understand that right?"

Izuku clenched his fists again, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.

"That's not the first time we've been dealt a bad hand."

"No, and it won't be the last, Midoriya," Hawks began, "Locke believed that if a government fails its people, they have the right to overthrow it. Maybe that's what's happening now. The people feel betrayed by the HPSC and the Heroes, and they want to reclaim their power."

Izuku nodded.

He understood the frustrations of the public quite well.

"I get that. I really do. But overthrowing the system isn't as easy as it sounds, nor is it safe either," Izuku said. "Look at what happened after the Civil War. Chaos, instability... it took years for England to find its footing again."

"We're caught between Hobbes and Locke," Hawks mused. "Between maintaining order and respecting the people's right to demand change, it's a delicate balance. We need to reassure the public that we're here to protect them, not oppress them. But with the HPSC, and by extension the government, lying to keep the peace, it's hard to gain their trust especially when more and more are clamouring for reform - We're stuck between a rock and a hard place."

Izuku nodded.

"And with the U.N. stepping in, it complicates things further. It's like inviting another power into our social contract, hoping they can fix what's broken."

"But they might not understand the nuances of our situation," Hawks pointed out. "They could impose solutions that don't fit, causing more harm than good. Again, our worst case scenario is Heroes being outlawed in Japan, we're not accounting for the U.N. cutting us off from the rest of the world. We aren't accounting for the possibility of global sanctions against Japan in the form of banning of trade and foreign investment being pulled. That'd cause a national crisis in itself."

"Then we need to be the bridge," Izuku felt a sudden surge of determination as he spoke confidently. "We have to work with the U.N. while also keeping them at bay. Even if we have to lie some more, even if we have to break the law ourselves. We can't let external forces dictate our future completely."

"We need a new narrative," Hawks added. "One that shows we're taking responsibility and making real changes. Transparency is key. But the government knows this, that's what they're trying to pivot too. With Prime Minister Yamaguchi and her ideals of working together, there's nothing more we can do. We're just Heroes at the end of the day."

Izuku hummed at that.

There was one option he had…

To go public with One For All.

It was a nuclear option, one that Izuku didn't feel comfortable with doing. But it would put all the spotlight on him and put him as All Might's direct and only successor, at the very least the platform granted would be something that would grant them an advantage.

"That doesn't take into account the elections here in this city."

"Oh, right. I forgot before Daguchi was murdered that the mayoral election for Musutafu was supposed to happen soon," Hawks replied. "I got caught up with all the chaos. Even the other candidates have all practically dropped out of the race, I mean who wants to be the mayor when the previous one was murdered. Hell, not like any of the members of the public would vote for them now either. Especially after the cheating scandals that were sent to the press, first Daguchi and now Yukimura it's like this city can't catch a break."

Izuku laughed at that.

"Yeah, but what are we going to do? We can't even solve a case without breaking the law."

Hawks shrugged his shoulders.

"That's right. Ultimately, the only person who has any chance at affecting any of this is currently doing God knows what," Hawks replied with a grin. "It's ironic how the fate of this country right now rests on one man's shoulders. If Natsuki gets to the truth of what he's been investigating sooner than Sora… Well I have no doubt that whatever will come of it will make whatever we've discussed just now sound like a walk in a park."

But, Izuku couldn't help but smile.

If there was one thing he had, it was faith.

Sora was a good person.

A good man.

There was no way he would lose.

---

"Sora."

"Uncle. Hah. How's Okinawa treating you?"

"Well, the beaches are quite sunny," Aizawa replied through FaceTime with a grin. "What about you? I heard about Yukimura… What happened? What's going on there? If you need me, I'll-,"

"It's fine. You worry about keeping Kaminari and Mineta under control in Okinawa. Even if those two have girlfriends, I know them quite well enough to know that they won't be able to resist relaxing at the beach and being a nuisance to women everywhere," I said with a smirk. "I have it under control. At the very least, I know who's behind all this. For better or for worse, I'm helping solve the investigation for them. Even if they already know the truth…"

"Who?"

"Natsuki, or Azrael. The Angel of Death."

I saw Aizawa's eyes widen at that.

"The scientist Overhaul employed? The one who shares the same birth with you and Tokage…" Aizawa whispered. "I see. Do you have any idea what the truth is?"

I shrugged my shoulders at that.

"Sorta. It all has to do with the redevelopment plan, I know that for a fact. But I just don't understand how it factors into all this - Why would a plan to help improve the city lead to the death of the mayor and the head prosecutor of this city? Hell, I was even told that the freakin' missing ten billion Yen from the Bank of Japan factors into this," I replied, shaking my head at Aizawa. "It's just confusing. I keep on trying to spin the chessboard, trying to understand what motive there is in all this. At the very least I know that Natsuki is angry and he's taking out his anger on people like Daguchi."

"Hm. What are you doing right now?"

"Me? I've snuck into Detrenat's building here to try and speak with the branch manager," I replied. "Don't tell anyone, will you? Yaoyorozu didn't want to help set up a meeting, so I'm improvising."

"Sora?! What?! Hey, what the hell are you-,"

I heard voices down the corridor.

"Uh, oh. Shit, gotta go. Bye."

I quickly ended the call, pocketing my phone as I hid in one of the nearby rooms. I took my chance late into the night, at the very least if I couldn't speak to the branch manager I'd be able to access their computer, hopefully.

"Hey! Taichi! Do you think there's an intruder here?" I heard one of the guards call out loudly. "Maybe we're wrong. No one is stupid enough to try and sneak into a heavily armed building."

"Either way, we have a job to do!"

"Aye, aye!"

I winced at that and slowly opened the door to see a fat balding man standing guard in the corridor as he whistled to himself. His partner was on his phone, watching some videos on social media they both looked tired of doing their job, and I couldn't fault them. After all, I had snuck in here illegally, so I was actively making their jobs worse.

Still, there was no time for regrets.

I slinked out of the room and summoned my Nimbus to create something heavy as I slammed the first guard into the ground, knocking him out. The other guard dropped his phone in surprise as he stared at me, but it was futile as I knocked him out before he could reach for his pistol.

I sighed in response.

That was close.

Too close for my liking.

Grabbing the legs of the two guards, I pulled them into the room I had hidden in before I pulled some tape I had brought with me, taking away their weapons and radio's as I tied their hands and legs together.

"Sorry. But this case is far too important to risk you guys waking up and stopping me from getting the information I want," I whispered an apology to them. Chucking the weapons away, I clipped one of the radio's to my coat as I locked the door. "Hah. Who would have thought that sneaking into a building would be so easy? Illegal. But easy. Hahaha. If only Tokage could see me now, I think she'd be pissed that I didn't invite her."

I walked over to the next corridor, making sure to look out for any cameras.

At the very least I was thankful for Mei and her genius.

"Here, Sora. It's a portable electromagnetic pulse that recharges slowly over time if you feed it your Quirk for energy! I made it for you nearly two years ago now, but I've improved the technology since then! It still has some kinks, but at the very least you should be able to use it once or twice!"

Mei was the only one who knew I was here.

Yoayorozu refused to help me, Sero was still tired from our failed investigation attempt earlier in the day, and Midoriya was allied too much with the HPSC to even consider asking for his help. Anything I found out here would probably be relayed back to Hawks or Endeavour and the little agency they were building.

And Tokage was unavailable for the time being.

That meant it fell upon me to pick up everyone's slack as usual.

It didn't take long for me to find the stairs as I checked a nearby map. I was near the top floor, where the office of the branch manager was situated. Summoning my Quirk, I jumped on my Nimbus cloud as I lifted myself up the stairs I was careful not to trigger any security alarms or be caught by any cameras. Yet, as I went up those stairs, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding in the air.

Something didn't feel right.

There was no way that it was this easy to sneak into this place.

Yet, as I opened the door to the top floor, there was no one around. I looked around at the corners, spotting a camera. I sighed, pressing the EMP that Mei had made for me as I threw it as close to the camera as possible. All it took was a small clicking noise for the camera to shut down as I went to retrieve the EMP, using my sword to cut off the wires connecting to the camera before I went around looking for the office.

Ultimately, I just wanted to find out the truth.

How did this all come together? Why was Detrenat even involved in this case? Just what was actually going on? Why was it that Daguchi was murdered? Why was Natsuki so angry?

Just how did the missing ten billion Yen fit into all this?!

I found the office that was sealed shut. Sighing to myself, I looked around to make sure that no one was nearby as I made a sledgehammer with my Nimbus and broke the door down. I stepped past the remains of the door to the branch manager of Detrenat in Musutafu as I walked into the quiet and dark office.

"Eugh. Someone needs to clean up this place," I whispered to myself as the stench of garbage flooded my nostrils. But that was when I noticed him. My eyes widened as the remains of a man were stuck to an office chair, it wasn't the stench of garbage that got to me - It was the stench of a corpse. "What the… fuck…?"

I used my phone's flashlight to look at the man.

His face had been melted off completely and bugs had buried themselves, making nests into the remains of his head. It was a horrific way to die, and I didn't need to question who would have been angry enough to do this to a man as I pinched the bridge of my nose, stepping closer to the body. It was clear that he had been put through the wringer with his fingers missing and his legs bent in awkward angles.

Ugh.

Was that his blood on the desk?

I tried my hardest not to gag as I tied to type on his computer, but nothing came up-,

"Well, well. You came."

I looked up from the computer in surprise to see him. Standing by the door, his hands tucked in his pockets as he smirked at me with his blonde hair neatly tied up in a bun, Natsuki stared at me.

"..."

"Don't look so surprised, I rewired the entire building to let me know when you came here, but I didn't expect you to sneak in," Natsuki replied, shaking his head at me. "Didn't think you had the balls. Or maybe I thought you'd go through the right channels and ask for a meeting with the man, only for you to find out that he's dead along with the rest of the world."

"...you wanted this?"

"Of course I wanted this," Natsuki laughed at me, raising his hand where I could see a pistol pointed right at the dead man. Bang. A bullet was shot at the rotting corpse, pushing the chair backwards to be pressed up against the window. "I killed another corrupt piece of shit, and I wanted the world to know it. But you ruined that plan. Did you come here for information?"

"What do you think?"

"I think that you've gone about this investigation the wrong way. You just want to understand the facts, but you're not understanding what's happened," Natsuki snarled at me. "You're not understanding the scope of all this. I'm close to figuring this all do you think I mentioned the ten billion Yen that's been missing for a year now? For fun? For a little joke?"

"How many people have you killed? And you're asking me why I'm searching for the truth?" I asked incredulously, circling him. "I want to understand why you're killing so many people. You're angry, you say you're getting rid of 'corruption', but why? What the hell is even going on here? The more you kill, the more you hide their corruption, you know that right? They're won't be anyone left to pay for their crimes."

But Natsuki shook his head at that.

"I wish it was that easy."

"You killed Daguchi-,"

"I didn't kill him-,"

"Fine, you tortured him to death! You forced Yukimura's hand making him kill himself and now this!" I screamed at him in anger. "And you think you're doing the world a favour?! Just tell me what the point of all this is! Turn yourself in! If you care about 'changing this world for the better' then what's the point of all this senseless violence? What's the point in killing more people?"

Natsuki simply laughed at me.

"Point? What's the point in you sneaking in here, breaking the law just to try and solve a case? What makes you act like this, Sora?" Natsuki asked me. "Because the more you speak, the more questions I have. How many people have you lied to? Used? This investigation is one being carried out by you illegally. What have you done, Sora? Did you take Daguchi's phone like you said you did? You lied to Swuabe, you lied to your friends, and now here you are. Why are you so desperate to solve this case?"

"Why are you so desperate to keep on killing people?"

"You just keep on going around in circles, refusing to answer my questions," Natsuki replied. "Just like a child. No, even a child has a better grasp of the situation than you. Think inwards, Sora. Look within yourself. Why do you keep following this case? Why do you want to reach out to the truth? I know why. It's because you're just like me."

…

"Huh?" I asked in confusion. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"You are just like me, Sora," Natsuki said with a smirk. "I'm bringing justice to this world, and you're trying to become justice itself. We both want to punish those who have committed wrongdoings, we both want the corruption to end-,"

"I don't understand-,"

"Do you not? Sora, I can't believe you still haven't figured it out. The redevelopment plan? What's the aim of it?" Natsuki asked me. "What made Daguchi, who had just been elected into power, decide that this city needed to be redeveloped after the Overhaul raid nearly two years ago now?"

"...For this city to become the economic capital of Asia," I replied, staring out of the window at one building. "For the Millenium Spire to house banks and companies from all across the world, much like Canary Wharf in London or Wall Street in New York. That's what the previous mayor and Prime Minister wanted. It's what our current Prime Minister is trying to accomplish as well."

Natsuki nodded at that.

"Correct. Japan's economy has stagnated over the past century or so, no even before that. All thanks to one man and his underworld," Natsuki explained to me. "All For One and his effects on our world remain relevant to this day. You're right of course. Musutafu is supposed to become the economic capital of Asia, perhaps even the world, with the amount of money being pumped into it of course."

"So, what? What exactly is the issue?"

"Well, think about the reputation Musutafu has. Gang warfare, high rates of homeless people, one of the highest crime rates in Japan," Natsuki told me. "You know it yourself. Are you not a detective? Were you not once a Hero? This city is like a person. This city is in itself a sin. And all of its inhabitants one way or another fall to its deceptiveness, to its depravity, this city has led to people like Overhaul getting into power. Why do you think they decided to build U.A. here? For fun? No, it was to try and slowly erase this city's past."

"You helped Overhaul get that power-,"

"...You're right. I did help Overhaul, a twisted man with dreams of destroying modern society as we know it," Natsuki agreed with me. "Overhaul was driven by his anger towards the world more than anything. His scars shone brightly, would you not agree? And in turn, Overhaul brought the balance of the world to its knees after All For One died. The worst tragedy this country had faced in over two decades."

"...What are you getting at?"

Natsuki laughed.

"What's the easiest way to make money, Sora?" He rhetorically asked me. "Is it to work? To do a job? What was Daguchi's job? To be the Mayor of this city? The redevelopment plan was a great way to ensure funding to this city… As well as lining his own pockets. The more people that he invited to his little club, the more 'escapades' they went on. Hiring women, spending money like no tomorrow all the while the actual redevelopment of this city crawled to an absolute stop."

"..."

"That's what I would say if it were the truth, but I think it's far more insidious than that," Natsuki added, aiming his gun right at the chair with the dead body. "You have Daguchi's phone, yes? You know, keeping it at U.A. isn't so safe. Do you think Nezu doesn't have his own stake in this game? Do you not think that he doesn't know the truth? Why is he hiding it from you? Doesn't it piss you off?"

"I know that already."

"Do you?" Natsuki asked me seriously. "You don't understand, Sora. It's not in your nature to understand the corruption humans have. You're far too hopeful. I can't explain to you the full truth of what's happening because I don't know the truth. Only parts of it. But it goes far deeper than that. I killed this man because he bought out land and kicked out the previous tenants, refusing to give them temporary accommodation and escaping the law on the technicality of the redevelopment plan. Corruption at its finest, and so I killed him."

I turned around to look at the corpse.

"There's a reason he kicked the people out of their homes and onto the streets, isn't there?" I asked Natsuki. "What are you trying to tell me? That the redevelopment plan was never about the redevelopment of the city? That it was about making it worse?"

Natsuki hummed at that.

"Perhaps. But perhaps not. By the time you wake up tomorrow, evidence of this piece of shit emailing Daguchi on how to effectively get rid of people from their homes and selling the land to the highest bidder will be published in the news," Natsuki told me. "Their corruption will be shown to the entire world. All are centred here in the city of Musutafu. By the time the week is up, this city will fall."

Tsk.

I unsheathed my sword as I ran at him, but paused as he shook his head at me.

"I'm not your enemy, Sora!" Natsuki tried telling me. "We want the same thing! We want this corruption to end! We want those at the top to stop ruining lives with ease, without a single care in this world!"

"Why the hell do you care so much?! This is my job, I'm protecting the people I care about by doing this," I yelled at him. "But why the hell are you stamping out the corruption?! I don't get it, you're just a doctor-,"

Natsuki snarled at me, pulling the trigger multiple times.

Bullets ricocheted off my blade as I defended myself from them, but the corpse behind me wasn't so lucky. Bullets pierced the window behind the chair and the rotting corpse, before the chair fell from the top floor.

Shit!

"Why… You know, Sora, in my previous life I just wanted to help people," Natsuki whispered to me. "I was a doctor here in Japan. A children's doctor to be precise. One of my patients was a small child, around eight or so. I was used to death as a doctor, but for me, it always hurt when a child died. But this time it was different. And it wasn't because of their illness, it wasn't because they didn't get the right treatment - It was because the head doctor in charge of the hospital refused to pay for a child's experimental treatment because his bonuses would go down."

…

"That's…"

"Horrific? I know. I felt disgusted with my job, how many other children, women, and men have fallen prey to that corruption? From me just accepting it and getting paid for it?Not just in Japan, but worldwide," Natsuki said. "After that child had died, I couldn't go back to work. I couldn't save anyone. I was in a corrupt world after all. Implicit in a corrupt I did the next best thing I could to stop it all, I killed myself out of the guilt. If only I had pushed harder, maybe that child would still be alive. So I found a rope and hung myself, Sora. I was a woman in her thirties, all alone in that miserable and corrupt world."

Natsuki shook her head at me.

"Ironic, no? I had reached my boiling point, I couldn't ignore my scars any longer," Natsuki told me. "And then I woke up here. A man in a world filled with Heroes and superpowers. And then I learnt that I wasn't free, that I was but a puppet and an experiment for the cruellest man in this world. All For One corrupted this world, but there were Heroes to fight back. All Might! One For All! There was hope. And so, one day, Yukari and Gyro helped to free me, and I could live again."

"...I know all this."

"Do you?" Natsuki asked me. "Do you really? Because I went back to becoming a doctor. Yukari was free and she took me under her wing. I wanted to solve cancer in this amazing world, I wanted to be a Hero of science. To become a children's doctor again and make sure that no one would die because a bastard didn't want to lose their bonus ever again. But then I saw it. Even in this world with Heroes and superpowers, there are still impossible things. Humans are still corrupt no matter what. Even in this world, people like that head doctor still controlled too much for any good to truly happen. To save a child's life."

I blinked at him in shock.

"So… you became a vigilante?"

"I'm dishing out justice," Natsuki told me confidently. "I'm doing what's right. Those bastards with all the power that do nothing but sit back and relax? I will kill them all. How many people have been hurt because of it? How many lives could have been changed if they sat up and did something that benefited anyone but themselves for once?! Heroes can't prosecute politicians, and neither will the police. In this world, they aren't the villains. No, Shigaraki or Stain are the villains. People trying to change the status quo. And so the corruption in this world, the real corruption, seeps into every faucet of life undetected."

"I-,"

Natsuki chuckled at my expression.

"I'm not interested in hurting any innocents. I don't want to do this. But I refuse to allow these men and women to get away from ruining this country any longer!" Natsuki told me. "And I can see it in your eyes. You hate it too. How catching villains who pose a threat to Heroes has become the defacto answer to what 'evil' is, not those with a responsibility to improve this country. In this world of Heroes and superpowers, they are what matters more than being a good human. Can you deny that?"

Despite everything he had done, I lowered my blade.

The gulf between us was wider than ever.

Why was I here? Why did I want to solve this case so badly? Because of my pride? Because I made a promise? Compared to Natsuki, no matter how twisted he was, at least he had a point.

At least he was trying to change things around even with his scars.

What was I doing?

"N-no, I can't deny it," I replied, my eyes unable to meet his blue eyes. Even then, they were shining brightly. How many times had I been reminded of the cruelty in this world? USJ? Hosu? All For One? My work study with Aizawa? The Overhaul Raid? Gyro? Sendai earlier this year? All Might's funeral? The gang war? And even now. "This world is corrupt. And it does go unpunished."

"Exactly! You hate it just as much as I do," Natsuki said to me, pushing up his glasses. "We're both tied down by our scars. The scars that this world and those in charge have given us due to their incompetence. No more. If the Heroes aren't able to do it, then I will. Brand me a criminal, a villain, a terrorist - I just don't want any more children to die because some bastard cares more about themselves than others! I want the people of this world to open their hearts to one another, and to care! To view everyone as human! Just like our Prime Minister said!"

Ultimately, I couldn't argue against Natsuki.

Because he was right in a sense.

"Sora, keep on searching for the truth. You're close, I know it," Natsuki told me. "And when you find the truth, you'll know what to do with it. You'll help me, right? You'll help me purge all the corruption from this world! We'll kill them all! We'll punish them for their sins! Doesn't that-,"

"No," I refused him, rejecting what he was saying. An indescribable feeling coursed through my body as I glared at him. "I'm not going to help you murder anyone! I'm not a psychopath! I-, I-, I don't-, I'm me! I'M NOT LIKE YOU!"

Natsuki hummed at that.

"...I see. You'll fall too, Sora. You'll end up just like me," Natsuki replied. "And when you do, I'll be there to help you. I'll be there to comfort you in knowing that this world is rotten to its core. If you are trying to be just, please do not turn away from the truth. We will punish those who blindly lie and abuse the trust and power given to them. Call me a vigilante, that's all I am. Doing what the Heroes and the police can't."

"..."

I watched as Natsuki walked away from me, and I didn't follow.

After all, how could I fight back?

How could I fight back when I didn't even know what I wanted to do anymore?

And I hated it.

I hated feeling like this, all I could do was scream as my Nimbus kept on launching itself at the office, destroying everything in sight. From the desk to the bookcase, from the computer to the rest of the window, I just didn't care.

Nothing was calming me down, even when the office was completely thrashed.

The monster in my chest didn't go away.

Even when the police came, I couldn't stop myself.

Even when he came.

"That's the second time we've arrived at you being here with a corpse, Sora Yamazaki," Hawks told me. "I'm starting to think that your luck is kinda shitty. You should see the view from downstairs, the guy who worked in this office is spread out all over the floor like a Jackson Pollock painting. I told you, didn't I? If we worked together, this case would be over a lot sooner."

"...Shut up."

"Ooh, did I hit a nerve? My bad, really," Hawks lazily replied. "It's just interesting. You keep on digging yourself in a hole I'm not so sure you know how to get out from. I'm offering you help. We can keep on continuing to meet like this, both our investigations not ever fully reaching the conclusions it needs. You do understand what I'm saying, right? You're one step behind Natsuki, I'm one step behind you and we're all chasing the same prize so why don't we get rid of our pride for a second and work together."

"Just so you can silence whatever this truth is?" I snorted at him. "Piss off. I told you before. I'll never work with a company that disguises its assassins as Heroes. I ain't buying whatever shit you're trying to sell to me, and if you want you can take that feather of yours and stab me in the back. That way I'll know that you aren't trying to lie to me, or perhaps it's a part of another scheme."

Hawks sighed, shaking his head at me.

"That's the issue with you, Sora. You're so jaded you don't even know when I'm trying to be truthful. Take this as a request from someone with a little bit more experience than you in this field, you look like you could use some help," Hawks told me, motioning to the state of the office. "Getting angry and snapping at bookshelves isn't helping anyone. At the very least, open up to your friends. You understand the scope of whatever this mystery is, right? The potential leads we have are getting colder because you are refusing to divulge information, because you're following a vigilante whose bloody sense of justice is beginning to seep into the public's consciousness."

I snorted at that.

"So what? Maybe these fucks deserve it."

"Maybe so. But neither of us understand a single thing as to what the hell is happening. And I'd wager you really want to know why Natsuki is doing all this, what he's searching for," Hawks whispered. "And we both know that we can't trust many people with this information since the ten billion missing Yen was mentioned in the case. Don't think I can't read you like an open book, Sora. We can help each other. Really."

He held his hand out to me.

…

"Tch. As if."

I walked past him angrily.

There was no way in hell I wasn't going to do it!

I was going to find the truth and I didn't need his help to do it!

---

The room was cold, or perhaps it was my imagination. Perhaps it was cold because I wanted it to be cold, maybe it provided me comfort in knowing that I wasn't alone in feeling like this.

"That's two murders in two days… My, my, Detective Yamazaki, you surely are solving your case," CommissionerSuwabe sarcastically replied from his desk. "I warned you, did I not? You're not a God, you're not a Hero, and you're not one of us. You're just a rookie with no idea what he's doing."

"..."

"Got no smart or witty comment to say this time? I'm surprised. I didn't think you would finally shut up and listen to me," Suwabe added. "That said, some of the police officers underneath even you are calling for you to be put on probation."

"...So why haven't you done it yet? What do you want?"

Suwabe cracked a grin at that.

"Why? Hm, you pick up quickly. Because you still have some use to us in the field," Suwabe answered. "You've managed to make a good connection between the redevelopment plan, Daguchi, Yukimura and Detrenat. And while we are still looking for Daguchi's phone, your efforts haven't been futile, Detective Yamazaki."

"You told me I'd be working alone-,"

"I lied," Suwabe cut me off. "I may have punished Detective Iori to keep appearances up, but don't tell me you don't understand what the game is. I'm sure you're getting closer to the truth behind this whole incident, yes? Exactly what I wanted. You may be a rookie, but your skills are one's to be admired. It's funny, none of these men and women have what you have. A dedication to seize the truth no matter what."

"...You were using me the entire time?"

"You're a tool for the Police," Suwabe explained. "A good tool. A tool for justice to be dished out. And soon this case will be solved. After all, you spoke with the murderer did you not? Face-to-face, twice now."

"..."

"Answer me, rookie!"

"...I did."

"Perfect. You'll be the sole witness in ensuring that this case is closed soon enough once we catch our hands on the culprit," Suwabe told me. "And about the reasoning behind all this, you can continue to investigate it at your own peril. But the bulk of this case is now done, son. There won't be a single place in this city that this villain can hide in before we catch them."

"But…"

"We have the motive and we have the culprit. The truth of the matter is that the truth doesn't matter, we just do our jobs and move on. In that case, we're not so different from the Heroes," Suwabe said with a grin. "Don't tell me you really wanted to make a difference? You're putting a murderer behind bars. Isn't that good enough for your sense of justice, kid? The entire force is practically waiting to raid this Natsuki guy. And then it'll be over."

I numbly nodded at that.

I was used by him. I was another tool for the Police. The entire time, I thought I had been going about solving this case but in the end it was just a ploy from Suwabe to ensure that I caught the culprit in the act.

But I hadn't.

I couldn't describe how I felt, something burned inside me as it felt empty. Like something needed to be destroyed, but even then it wasn't enough. Sure, Natsuki had admitted he had killed the Detrenat guy, but Yukimura had killed himself - And Natsuki was incessant that he didn't kill Daguchi. But who else could it be?! There was no other person, and the M.O. fits his cruel game of revenge he was playing.

Still, none of it made any sense.

Why did nothing make sense!

"You can go now, Detective Yamazaki. Thank you for your invaluable work."

I got up from my seat as I made a beeline for the door, slamming it shut as hard as I could as I stuffed my hands in my pockets and made my way out of the Police headquarters. I ignored the stares I got from the officers around me, the glares I received from them. What did they know about the case? They were probably thinking that I offed both Yukimura and the Detrenat guy.

Probably just to solve a case I had created.

Tsk.

I glared back at each and everyone one them, my hand wrapping around my sword as they flinched at me. Come on. Take your best shot. I dared for any of them to try me, to try and come at me.

I just wanted to fight this feeling!

"Hey, want a ride home?" I looked up at the steps to see Nanao parked in her car outside. It was early in the morning as my stomach grumbled loudly. "I'll even get us some food, does that sound good? You look kinda rough. No use in taking the trains either, the workers are having a strike."

"...Sure."

I got in Nanao's car, sitting next to her. I stared out of the window, listening to the radio as the news story of the day popped up, grabbing my attention compared to before. Even Nanao was struggling to drive properly as she glanced at her radio every few seconds at the story being reported.

"News just in folks! Has Detrenat been buying up land on purpose to increase the rate of homelessness in the city of Musutafu? Well, certain emails have been leaked between the recently deceased prefectural manager of Detrenat and our recently deceased Mayor of the City, Daguchi! These leaked emails perhaps hint towards this, what do you think, Sayako?"

"Well, Minazuki, I think the evidence is quite clear. Instead of using their positions for good, perhaps they were using their positions for more nefarious reasons… If the redevelopment plan didn't exist!"

"Wow! What do you mean by that?"

"It's simple, is it not? Daguchi decided to enact the redevelopment plan that had languished in years prior to his appointment as Mayor of this city due to financial burdens. But with the backing of Detrenat and other companies, Daguchi went about improving our city and making it a better place! For it to become the economic hub of Asia and maybe even the world!"

"True, but this is some damning evidence. They knew that they would participate in increasing the homelessness rates, something this city has struggled with for decades - Isn't that horrible for those families that lost their homes because of it? They weren't even offered compensation."

"But it wasn't their homes, Minazuki! Everyone who was ousted from their homes were all renting them anyway! That's how the land was bought up! Under the law, it's the landowners right to evict anyone within reason! It's their land! And the redevelopment was a government contract, was it not? Therefore Daguchi had the power of the law to do this! Not to mention, if I were renting out a place, I'd at least have a backup! It's their fault for being homeless, if they were smarter they wouldn't be in that position!"

"That's… a strong point of view, Sayako."

"But Minazuki, do you not agree? It's the fault of the lazy for being put in there! In fact, this entire thing happened because of Heroes! Because they can't keep damage and casualties to a low, so others have to suffer from it! Don't the emails mention Heroes such as that Aozora kid that died and Deku?! What about Endeavour, even with his new private agency under the HPSC, he has a history of public damage!"

"True. We also can't forget about All Might-,"

I growled, shutting the radio off.

No, it was more so slamming it shut as the radio fell out of place in the car. Nanao remained silent as I began to slam it back into place, the radio turning on and off before I eventually got so fed up I threw it out of the window, watching as it destroyed itself on impact with the road.

Tsk.

"Not a fan of the radio, are you?" Nanao asked me as we drove through a breakfast place. Nanao had ordered the two of us some muffins and drinks. "Can't blame you, I can't stand Minazuki and Sayako's talk show. And that rant on the homeless was disgusting. People lost their homes due to no fault of their own, but that's what the news reports? That it was their fault? And the people will just eat that up, I know it. For some reason people have a negative view of the homeless thinking it's their fault. And making them believe it's the Heroes fault. Hah. I don't envy U.A. one bit."

"Hm."

"Why are you so moody?"

"I don't have much to say," I replied hotly. "To be honest, I'm still reeling from my conversation with Natsuki. About why he's doing all this. About why the fuck this case is still going on."

"Yeah?"

"...He's not wrong," I told Nanao truthfully. "I know. Realistically, I should be against him. But I'm not. Everything he said is true. This world is corrupt. Those at the top do get away with it. And it's starting to piss me off, everyone from Suwabe to the fucking mayor and his dealings. Why can't they just act normal? Why can't this city just relax for one fucking month?! Why can't people just be safe?"

Nanao shrugged her shoulders at that.

"Well, yeah. But that was the same with our old world too," Nanao told me. "I was a police officer back then too, I saw corruption with my own eyes. It's just something we live with as humans-,"

"But! I-, This-, I…"

Nanao's face softened at that, handing me my breakfast.

"Don't think about it too much, Sora. It's okay. Ultimately, Natsuki is still a murderer, even if he has his heart in the right place he's going about things the wrong way, even you can admit that," Nanao replied. "And I agree too. There's nothing any of us can ever do about corruption, all we can do is pray to God that we've voted the right people in. But even then, that's a gamble."

"...Why is it this way? Why the hell can't things change?!"

"I don't know. I guess that's just life. Now eat, you look like you're about to starve to death."

---

The dorm was silent as I walked inside.

"Sora!" Tokage's voice pulled me away from my thoughts as she jumped up from the couch and ran to me. "Heh. And here I thought they would arrest you. Tsk. Lucky motherfucker."

"Why would they arrest me?"

"Oh, I don't know. Breaking and entering, destruction of property, and maybe accessory to murder?" Yaoyorozu replied while sitting down. Beside her, Midoriya and Sero tensed up. "Take your pick, Sora. I told you not to go. I told you. And you didn't listen to me. I should have called everyone else to stop you-,"

"Why?" I cut her off in confusion, my hands balling into fists. "I don't get it, why are you so opposed to me solving this case? I mean have you even looked into the news? Don't you think it's horrible? Why are you defending your inaction?! I could have used your help but you turned me down. I had to sneak in, and for what?!"

Yaoyorozu sighed at that.

"...It is horrible what happened. But-,"

"But what?!" Sero interjected angrily. "But what, the homeless people should be grateful when this city becomes the economic hub of Asia in five years?! Maybe they'll be able to get a house? Huh, how great. I'm sure you clap from your penthouse 's stupid and you know it."

"Well, what do you want me to say? They had a reason for what they did," Yaoyorozu replied. "Even if it's a reason I don't particularly like, Detrenat did what they did as a company with assets. This city is one of them. Even partially. It's not like I don't understand that my family company isn't also involved in this-,"

"Huh?" I blinked in confusion at her. "What do you mean? Are you going to explain or are you going to gape at me like a fish?!"

"...Have you not read the entirety of the leaked emails?" Yaoyorozu asked me, refusing to meet my eyes. "The Yaoyorozu Corporation were also involved in the purchasing of the land. Something my mother no doubt had her hand in, presumably to be involved in the economic hub of this city perhaps to try and push the family company to go beyond just Asia but perhaps even globally more than it already has."

Sero clicked his tongue in annoyance at that.

"Yeah, you sound really happy about that. Tsk."

"Well forgive me for not sounding angry at the fact that my family company is doing business I don't approve of! It's not as if I'm in any position to say otherwise!" Yaoyorozu snapped at him. "At the end of the day, we're both students, Sero! We hold no power over what was done, so why are you getting snippy with me?! I haven't done anything! I've been a student studying here just like you!"

"Your company-,"

"I'm not my company!"

Their argument was only getting louder and louder as personal insults started to be thrown at each other. I sighed, shaking my head at the two of them as I sat down beside them, shutting them both up.

"Shut up! None of this is helping," I cut the two of them off. "Fighting each other does what exactly? Point is the case isn't solved yet. Ultimately, we're still in the dark about everything. About the reasons-,"

But Yaoyorozu stood up at that, shaking her head at me in fury.

"No, Sora. You're in the dark. You and your incessant pursuit of the truth - The case is done, we know the culprit, we know his motive. Just because there are things that you don't know doesn't mean you need to keep on reaching out to understand it!" Yaoyorozu berated me. "I don't care about this case if all it does is mean you break the law constantly! I don't care about this case if it keeps on putting you and everyone else here in danger! Why do you keep on engaging with a criminal?!"

Ironically, Sero agreed with her.

"...She's not wrong. After yesterday, you kept on going even after you got stabbed," Sero replied, and everyone's reaction to that comment was just great. "Oh great, you didn't even tell them, did you? So much for taking responsibility. We know who did this, we know their motives, and we're trying to catch them. The case is basically done. Natsuki is killing these bastards for using the redevelopment plan to kick people out of their homes, end of. It's nothing new in life, it's happened before and it'll happen again."

I sighed at that.

"You're wrong. All of you. Every single fucking one of you."

"How are we the ones who are wrong?!" Yaoyorozu yelled at me. "Ultimately, we're not throwing anything away just to prove a point. But you don't even know what your point even is! There's a fine line between doing what is right and simply trying to be a Hero when the situation calls for it! Look at your badge, Sora. You're not a Hero. Even now, can't you see that even us Heroes can't do anything about it? All these murders haven't been done using any Quirks, they were done using the sheer malice humans have."

I-,

"So what?!" I asked them furiously. "So it's just alright to give up here? To let things be because it seems impossible? Momo, I refuse to give up here. Not out of my pride or because I'm a sore loser, but because if I give up here I'm turning away from my responsibility. I wear this badge to help others. I came back to U.A. to do exactly that. To get over whatever barrier stands in my way, no matter what. What would you have me do? Just give up?! JUST LET THINGS BE?!"

"...Endure, Sora," It was Tokage who answered my question as she leaned against the wall. "Not everything needs a response. None of us know what to do. Not every barrier is one you can climb. Can't you see that you're just acting like this because you know that there is nothing you can do to help? To stop this? We don't even know who Natsuki is going to try and kill next. Even if you hate yourself for it, what can you really do with who you currently are? You're just trying to solve a case to convince yourself you can do something useful."

"I-,"

"It's the truth."

"Shut up!" I screamed, flipping the coffee table over as I stood up angrily. "People are dying! I-, I can't just stand around and do nothing! Useless? I'm close to figuring out the truth-,"

"The truth? The truth about what, Sora?!" Midoriya asked me, the first time he had spoken since I came to the dorm. "What exactly are you looking for? A conspiracy to validate that you can do something? You've been working on this case all alone. You don't even sleep here at the dorm anymore, I don't think I've seen you eat in a while. Why do you care so much about solving this case? Why do you care if you can solve it?"

"Why shouldn't I?!" I roared at them all. "I'm a detective. I-, Nezu chose me for this specific reason, because this is my function. Because if I don't do this, then what's the point of me even having this badge? What's the point of anything if I can't solve a single case? You're all just pissing me off being passive about this! If it was the League of Villains you'd be up on your asses trying to stop them, but when it comes to someone like Natsuki you're all relaxed and I'm trusting you guys to help us-,"

"Relaxed? Come on, stop shit making up," Sero interrupted me with a snort. "You don't tell us anything about the case. And even when you do, it's not like we haven't already figured it out or heard it from the news. Yeah, you trust us. But that's not what we're talking about here. We're asking why you feel like you have to solve everything yourself? Why do you feel like it's your responsibility to carry the weight of whatever happens like you personally did all this?"

I-,

"Are you still punishing yourself?" Yaoyorozu asked me. "Is that it?"

"No, that's not it!" I told them, my hands rubbing my temples.

"Then what is it?" Tokage bluntly asked me, "What's going on?"

"I-," I paused, shaking my head at them. "...I'm angrier than ever, and I don't know why! Every time I do anything here, I'm met with disdain! With ungrateful people! A boss that couldn't give a toss about if we're doing the right thing or not, only wanting a fucking phone with a file on it! With a world that just doesn't understand but doesn't care either!"

"It's a simple question then, who are you angry at?" Tokage asked me. "Is it us?"

"No one. I'm just angry, that's all," I murmured, trying to ignore them. Trying to ignore the conversation. I always felt like this. That feeling inside me that I couldn't quite understand, it felt like a fire every time something happened in my life. That bubbling feeling rising up to the surface. I always felt like this. "...Everyone's angry. S-stop trying to read into it, it's normal-,"

"You're right, Tokage. Yeah. Who are you angry at, Sora?" Midoriya cut me off.

"Everyone!" I snapped back. "I-, I-, I don't know, alright? Just drop it!"

"Is it Natsuki?" Sero asked me.

"No, no."

"Daguchi? Yukimura? Detrenat?"

"Are you angry at the Police?"

"N-no, no!" I yelled loudly, my hands curling into fists. "It's not that-,"

"Then who are you angry at?"

It felt like the walls were closing in on me as everyone in the room kept on asking me the same question, the fire inside kept on bubbling as I shook my head at them. Why couldn't they understand?

Why was it so difficult for them to understand?!

"Answer the question, Sora," Tokage said forcefully. "Talk to us."

"Come on, aren't we supposed to be friends?" Yaoyorozu asked.

"Are you angry at our inability in this situation?" Midoriya asked. "Are you angry that we can't do more to help you?"

"Are you angry at society for allowing things to get this bad?"

"Are you angry at Musutafu for always needing to be saved?"

"No," I replied, shaking my head at them, my hands clawing at my skin. I just wanted it to stop. The four of them kept on pushing my buttons, surrounding me from all angles as the coffee table that I had just broken was the only thing standing in my way."I-, Shut up already! Just drop it!"

"Are you angry at Yukari for leaving you?"

"Are you angry at your family? Angry at Katsumi for entering your life? Angry at not being able to find your brother?"

"Are you angry at Nezu for lying and using you?"

"Are you angry that you can't solve your investigation?"

"Are you angry that your… personal issue isn't getting any better?" Tokage asked me. "I thought I told you, we'd all work on it together. You don't need to think about that-,"

"Are you angry that you haven't made things right with our class yet? That you came back but it's still awkward?" Sero asked curiously. "Are you angry at me that even now, I keep on defying you at every turn? Angry that I'm not as determined as you are to achieve my goals?"

"Are you angry that I didn't help you?" Yaoyorozu asked me. "Are you angry at me that I'm not in charge of my company? Are you angry that even now, a lot of people still don't trust you?"

"Are you angry at me allying myself with the HPSC?" Midoriya asked. "Are you still angry that I tried to follow your example? Are you angry that I still don't know what path to truly take in being a Hero?"

"Who are you angry at, Sora?"

And finally, I couldn't hold it in any longer.

"I'M ANGRY AT MYSELF!" I howled loudly, my lungs hurting as my Nimbus expelled from my body, destroying the remains of the coffee table. The room was silent as I glared at the remains of the table. The table.

The table. The table.

The damned fucking table.

Its pieces strewn across the floor in a variety of different shapes and sizes, sprawled out across the floor as it did nothing but mock me. It wasn't enough. It wasn't enough! It wasn't enough!

I wasn't enough!

Even when I looked up from the table, the stares I was receiving from everyone were only numbing. The dull sensation of anger never fading completely as it stayed inside, rearing its ugly head at the broken table as I kicked one of its pieces in anger, in protest, in order to keep the rage from bursting out again!

"...Sora?"

That was it.

I growled, kicking the couch in anger.

I never even realised I had summoned my Quirk until my Nimbus came crashing down, flattening the couch I was once sitting at. It felt like I had tunnel vision as I suddenly found myself in the kitchen, throwing plates on the floor-,

Slamming cupboards-,

But it wasn't enough.

That void in me wasn't being filled.

No matter how much destruction I left in my wake, my anger didn't fade.

It stayed, like an eternal guardian to my heart, constantly watching over me and guiding my every action as soft hands prevented me from causing any further damage. I looked away from Tokage's harsh gaze, for a brief moment my anger disappearing like smoke.

…

"Sora…"

"Dude…"

"..."

"Why did you…"

Tsk.

I didn't respond, as I pushed past them, leaving the dorm. I slammed the door shut so hard it broke from its hinges, but I didn't dare stop as I threw the broken door on the front lawn, growling at how weak it was.

Despite them calling my name, I didn't slow down one bit.

---

The rain drummed heavily against my skin.

Even when I tried to light up my cigarette, my lighter just wasn't working in the rain. My phone was getting blown up with calls from all angles, from Tokage and Midoriya to Jiro and Aizawa, and even my family. But I didn't dare open my phone to look at them, I didn't even want to look at my lock screen as I was too transfixed by the building in front of me.

Club Escapade.

This had to be where Natsuki would strike next.

It was too important of a place in this entire case for him to ignore, and so I walked up to the entrance of the club, banging on the door I had gone through last time. I didn't care if it was the exit, if you weren't supposed to go through this door, I banged on the door until I got a response as the door slid open to reveal more guards.

"..."

They peered down at me in silence, their faces still covered in bruises and cuts that hadn't healed from our brawl here a few days ago. My hair stuck to my face because of the rain, covering most of my eyesight as I glared at the guards, watching as they silently made a path for me. I didn't care if they were scared of me, if they respected me, whatever they did I didn't care as I stormed up to the man who ran this club's office.

Kim Ji-Sung.

The man who knew everything.

I kicked his door open, watching as he jumped up from his seat in surprise. The two other women in the room looked at me in confusion as I took out my sword, stalking Kim as he slowly backed away from me.

"D-D-Detective, I'm surprised to see you so soon-,"

Sash.

I sliced his office table in half, walking past the ruins as I stood face to face with the man. The women were screaming their heads off as they ran out of the room as fast they could, Kim's eyes widening at me as I raised my blade just short of his neck.

"Y-you-, Heh. You're messing with the Kroean mafia-,"

"Shut up," I ordered, and the man gulped in response. "Talk. Now. Or else I'll start cutting things off that shouldn't be cut."

"T-talk? About what?"

I grabbed the man by his tie, slamming his head against the wall he was pressed up against. I watched as he fell to the ground, clutching his bloody nose and glared at him as he tried to crawl away from me.

"I'm not going to ask again."

"I-, I-, I don't know anything-,"

I didn't even hesitate to plunge my sword deep into his hand, watching as he thrashed about in pain. I wasn't in the mood for games anymore. As Kim yelled bloody murder, his security guards came rushing into the office, their guns and bats aimed right for me. But I didn't have any time for this-,

I just wanted it to STOP!

INFERNO!

Spikes made from Nimbus launched from my body as I grabbed onto my head, fighting the pounding headache that had been following me around for days now. I watched as the spikes impaled all the guards, their bones and bodies were crushed and sliced open as they were sent flying through the walls of the office.

"H-huh? What kind of monster are you?" Kim cried out. "I-, I-,"

"Talk," I whispered, lowering myself down to meet his eyes on the floor. "I know. I know that Daguchi used this club as a spot to meet influential people and make them join in on the redevelopment plan. I know that you know that. If anything, you were probably in on it for using your club as the breeding ground for their little seed of corruption. Hell, you were probably taking in a profit too, weren't you?"

"I-, If I tell you, they'll kill me-,"

"You're worried about others when I'm here?!" I screamed at him, twisting my blade deeper into his hand. "You should be more worried about what I'll do to you if you don't start answering my questions! Why here! What was the purpose of it all! What were you involved in!"

"I-, You know, the redevelopment plan? They used this place because it's a hotspot in a poorer area, an example of the money they could make," Kim answered. "An example of a way that their plan could be successful! But that was never the plan for Daguchi! Sure, he was happy making money off the redevelopment plan, but that wasn't the reason why he decided to put it in place!"

"Why then?!"

"Ah-, B-B-Because he was ordered to!" Kim answered. "Because Daguchi was told to do so! I don't know who he was working for, all I know was that he initially wanted to inflate this city's crime rate even more! I used my gang to get the recently homeless people into criminals, drug addicts. Daguchi's plan was never to turn this city into an economic hub of Asia, he wanted to ruin it! That's the entire reason he was even elected in the first place! But Daguchi got greedy! He had his cake, but he wanted to eat it too! So he-he did try and use the funds given to him to start rebuilding the city, and then bam. He's dead. He tried to double cross someone and he got killed for it!"

"..."

"I promise you, that's all I know!" Kim cried out. "Please! Don't kill me! I just did what I had to in order for me not to get deported back to my country! I was told if I helped out I'd gain citizenship! Please! Don't kill me-,"

"..."

"Please-,"

"Shut up!" I screamed in anger, releasing my blade from his hand as I paced around the room in thought. Fuck. FUCK. What the hell was going on-, "Hold on. Kim. Kim. Do you know how much money was invested into the redevelopment plan? Do you know the exact number?"

There was no way-,

I had to be wrong-,

I watched as the man slowly nodded.

"Y-yeah."

"...How much?"

"T-ten billion Yen," Kim answered me. "I-, I don't know how, probably from all the friends Daguchi had, but he had ten billion Yen invested into the redevelopment project-, In order to increase the level of crime in this city. And he did exactly that. H-he helped buy out buildings and force people on the streets, he used me and my gang to hire those homeless people to work here or sell drugs on the streets. To increase the rate of crime. A-a few months back, we helped to house some Yakuza right before All Might's funeral. And even two months ago, he was bragging about the gang war. About Detrenat. I promise you, I don't know-,"

My eyes widened at that.

That was-,

The connection I was looking for this entire time!

But… Why?

How?

What's the reason for it?!

Just what was going on?!

"Please, you have to promise me-, I'll testify-, I'll-,"

"I'll keep you safe," I told him. "I promise, I'll make sure that you-,"

Bang.

A bullet pierced Kim's head as he flopped to the floor, his dead eyes staring at me in eternal pleading. I was too stunned to even process what had happened as I stared at the dead man for what felt like hours. His eyes were taunting me as a pool of blood spilt onto the floor, and by the time I regained my senses to stare at the man in the door holding the smoking barrel of the gun, it was too late.

Police men stormed the club as Commissioner Suwabe stared down at the corpse of Kim Ji-Sung, his right hand holding the pistol that silenced the only person that could have ever admitted to the truth.

It was only the two of us here in the office.

"Excellent work, Detective Yamazaki. Heh. I didn't think you would have it in you, then again, you always break the laws to get your way, to pursue the truth," Suwabe replied. "Still, the 'culprit' is now caught. The man who killed Daguchi and a Detrenat executive because they frequented his club and was starting to drag his business down. Such a man like Kim Ji-Sung couldn't take that, and so he used his mafia connections to kill them. In fact he tried to attack the two of us, and while you bravely fended him off to protect me I took that chance to put a dangerous criminal down. Isn't that a perfect story?"

"You-,"

Suwabe laughed at me.

"Come on. Did you seriously think I wasn't in on it? I could sense your distrust of me from a mile away, same with Nanao and Tsukauchi too. Why do you think I sent them away? For fun? This isn't a plot twist, I wasn't trying to hide anything from the to say, Yamazaki, but you were the bait this entire time," Suwabe told me. "Even should Natsuki appear, what's going to happen? We found our villain, and I've planted enough evidence and a motive too. And you helped. This is your case, and you solved it. And even if you do go out with the truth, who's going to believe you? There is no proof."

"..."

"Don't look at me like that," Suwabe shook his head at me. "I'm just doing what's best for this city. Sure, the crime rate is higher than ever thanks to Daguchi and his stupid plan. But now that he's out of the way thanks to whoever killed him, I can run for Mayor. I can launch this redevelopment plan and kickstart the economy of this city! I'll be the one that makes Musutafu the biggest economic hub of the world. And it's all thanks to you pushing ahead. Tsk. You youth. Had you slowed down and not been desperate about solving this case, I wouldn't be in the fortunate position that I am."

"Huh?"

"You forced Natsuki's hand," Suwabe told me. "You and your actions. You went straight after Daguchi's phone that's still missing, and you went after Kim initially, then you went after the homeless people and Detrenat. This entire time you were going after Natsuki, but in truth he was going after you. Because this whole thing started because of Daguchi's death, whoever is the culprit behind his death is still at large."

"...You mean Natsuki didn't kill him?"

"I don't know," Suwabe replied. "He may have called Daguchi to meet at his apartment that night, but I'm not so sure that he was the one who killed him. That was an unknown party. But it doesn't matter, I've tied up all the loose ends. You and Natsuki helped. Getting rid of the corruption so to speak, and so I took my chance. You see I'm not rich, I wasn't involved in the plans or anything. I was just someone who knew about an opportunity, and I struck gold."

"W-why? You let so many people die… So many people get hurt… For what? Power?"

Suwabe chortled at that.

"Power? Rookie, anyone does anything for power. I'm no exception. Thirty years on the force. You know, I had a strong connection with the Shie Hassakai before that freakin' Aozora kid had the great idea to blow that operation to shit," Suwabe explained to me. "It was quite easy. Just ignore their activities, and I got paid for it. Then the League of Villains and you Heroes snuck your noses into the mess. It was a good thing we had going before Overhaul and his insatiable thirst for approval and his pride ruined it."

Hah.

I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"...So, you just let everyoneinvolved die because you want your chance at fame? That's ironic. So much of a Police Commissioner you are," I replied. "You were always corrupt. Is that it? That's how far this corruption goes? No, it probably goes even further than you. So you know about the missing ten billion Yen."

Suwabe's brow raised at that.

"...You know about that?"

"It's what I'm investigating, it's what the HPSC are interested in too," I answered with a small smile. "And here I learnt that the stolen funds from a year ago that made our economy even worse were here in this city, in a fund for redeveloping Musutafu of all places. Who took it? Why did they take it? Why the hell would they invest it here? None of this is adding up."

"Does it need to add up? The money is in the redevelopment plan's funds, and even if some of the money was used to increase the level of crime in this city, even if it was used nefariously, I'll use it for a good purpose," Suwabe told me. "It's funny. You know, in my thirty years working for the police, I've never seen anyone be worthy of that badge. No one but you. They were all too afraid of stepping out of line, of being a real detective. I commend you for your work, Detective Yamazaki. You had the balls to do what you wanted. After all, it is thanks to you that I can-,"

Bang.

A window nearby cracked as I dove for Suwabe, tackling him to the floor.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

I groaned in pain as I felt a bullet hit my arm. Despite Suwabe's struggles to get away from me, I wasn't going to let go! I was right in a sense, there was one more person Natsuki was going after! But I couldn't allow him to kill Suwabe, not when he was the only suspect alive that could testify!

The only person who could reveal the truth to the world!

"Sir, what's going on-,"

I watched as a random police officer walked into the office and-,

"...Sir?"

The shooter had gone quiet as I slowly stood up.

I looked around for the shooter, but I couldn't find anyone. Even as the other police officers stormed the office, unaware of what had happened between Suwabe, Kim and myself, they could only stare at the body of their commissioner in panic.

"Detective Yamazaki! What happened?!"

"I-, I-, There was a shooter," I replied, pointing at a broken window. "It must have been a sniper from another building. I-, You go round everyone in this club here! I'll try to find the shooter!"

"Yes, sir!"

I peered down at Suwabe who was still on the floor.

Alive.

"So… what now, Sora Yamazaki?" Suwabe asked me amused. "I win."

But I shook my head at him.

"You're under arrest, Suwabe," I told the man angrily. "For a lot of things. For conspiring against this city, for hunting so many people - But most importantly you pissed me the fuck off, made me chase a truth that was right in front of me the entire time. You haven't won anything yet."

Suwabe grinned at me.

"But how are you going to-,"

"I'll take over from here."

I wasn't even surprised when he walked in.

Hawks.

"Good job, Sora. You were right, there's no way you'd ever turn into a villain," Hawks told me with a grin. "I've been watching you the entire time. For a second, I thought you'd kill Suwabe - I thought you'd kill Kim - I thought you'd be the one to kill Natsuki. But you didn't. You had some close calls, but in the end now the HPSC can take Suwabe and the rest of your case from here on out."

"...What?" Suwabe yelled. "What?! The HPSC were involved?! But-, There was no Quirk involved! You'll have to free me!"

But I shook my head at him.

I see.

That was their play the entire time!

"See, that's where you are wrong. The HPSC were never investigating you or this case, they were investigating me," I replied. "A loophole. It was never about you, Suwabe. Or Daguchi, or Yukimura, or anyone. The HPSC knew something was up, and they knew I'd be investigating it as per Midoriya feeding you information, right? Or maybe he wasn't ever aware of it and you were using him to keep track of my movements."

Hawks nodded at that, grinning at me.

"You figured it out, eh? That's right. As Heroes we can't investigate crimes without the use of Quirks. But, considering we were investigating Sora who did use his Quirk multiple times, well, I think you understand that we can hold you, Suwabe," Hawks explained easily. "Sorry to say, Sora, but you were just another tool used by us at the HPSC. Endeavour sends his regards, as well as the same offer he gave to Midoriya-,"

"I'm not interested."

…Hawks chuckled at that.

"I know, I just wanted to offer it once more. We're not the corrupt villains you want us to be, like I said, all the corruption in our top brass was cleared out after Aozora 'died'," Hawks said as he picked up Suwabe from the ground and cuffed him. "You can thank our current Prime Minister for that. So we've become justice itself. The police nor any lawyer will want to defend Suwabe with the case you've helped build up, Sora. But… Well… There is one person who got away. Though I trust you can handle him, no?"

I took another glance at Suwabe who paled considerably.

Even he realised it was futile.

He lost.

"Yeah. Just one more loose end."

I jumped into action, running out of the club as I spun around in a circle, my eyes scouring for the perfect position for a sniper. Kim was dead. Suwabe was caught. The truth reigned heavy on my heart as I knew who the shooter was, there was no other person it could be in the end.

"There you are," I whispered as I focused in on a nearby building with a light coming from a room with a fully open window. It was a perfect angle into the office. I ran into the building, taking out my sword as I ran up the stairs before making it to the door of his apartment. "This is Police, put your hands up and come out quietly and in peace or else I'm coming in!"

No response.

I growled as I used my Nimbus to slam the door open, running inside the apartment to find any clue of Natsuki. But I was met with an empty silence as I roamed around the apartment. Empty pots of noodles were littered across the floor, notes and plans on kidnapping and murdering Yukimura and the Detrenat regional manager. Even the floor plans of the Detrenat building as well as ways to easily access the top floor without alerting security.

It was all here.

And there was a computer too.

With a single USB pointing out from it.

"..."

I reached out for the computer to see what was on it, but the sound of police officers entering the apartment alerted me to the fact that I was alone. I quickly scrambled to get to USB, pocketing it before any officer could see me.

"Detective! Have you seen the culprit?"

"No," I replied, shaking my head. "He's not here."

The officer frowned.

"Keep on searching, men! We're not stopping until we find the bastard that assassinated our Commissioner in cold blood! We will bring them to justice!" The officer shouted, with the majority of the men and women agreeing in response. "Detective, are you hurt from the shootout? Should we call an ambulance-,"

"I'm fine thank you," I cut him off with a grateful smile. They were unaware of the truth that went down between Suwabe, Kim, Hawks and myself. "I was just shot in the arm, I can wait. Let's just make sure we capture the person who did this."

"Right!"

I walked around the apartment, finding the open window along with a sniper pointed right at the window to Kim's office. Even as I looked into the scope, I could see that it was pointed right at where Suwabe's dead corpse should have been, and I chuckled darkly at it.

At the end of the day, I saved that bastard.

Tsk.

"Er, detective?" An officer came up to me. "The culprit… he wouldn't happen to be a man in his late twenties with blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing glasses and a lab coat, would he?"

"Huh? Yeah, what of it?"

"Well, how do I… He's been sighted," The officer explained to me. "At a ramen stool. Just sitting there alone. It's only a few minutes away from here. Shall we-,"

I nodded.

"Yeah. Let me talk to him first!"

I followed the officer out of the apartment as he took me on a short walk around the building and onto the main street. We walked past the club and even past where I had parked my bike when I saw a familiar man sitting at a small stand. Even with the curtains blocking half of his body, I instantly recognised him as I nodded at the officer gratefully.

I carefully approached the stand, lifting up the curtain as I waved at the chef, sitting down on the stool next to Natsuki who was eating his ramen in peace. We said nothing to each other as the chef leaned over the counter and looked at me pointedly.

"I'll have what he's having but as a takeaway," I told the chef, passing him a thousand Yen. "And throw in two cups of sake while you're at it. One for me, and one for the gentleman next to me. Make it quick too."

The chef nodded at me as he got straight to work.

"Hm," Natsuki hummed as he slurped his noodles. "So, did you find out the truth?"

"...Somewhat," I replied with a sigh. "Although, I'm left more confused than I am relieved or even understanding of what happened. Too many people were using each other for my liking, just a web of mysteries that I just started to untangle."

"So you can see why I did what I did?" Natsuki asked me. "It soothes the scars I have. The anger that comes from within. I did what I couldn't do all those years ago. I got rid of the corruption."

I shrugged my shoulders at that.

"Did you? You just killed a bunch of people, man."

"It was for the betterment of society," Natsuki gloated. "I'm its saviour. It's vengeful guardian. I did what no one else could, and look at how it turned out? Even if I'm arrested and tried for everything that happened, I don't care. I proved my point, did I not? Ultimately I won."

"But you didn't win," I told him truthfully. "No one won here. You still don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

"None of this - It all doesn't matter," I told him. "Because no matter what, the cycle's already begun. This city is too far gone to be saved. We've had corrupt idiots running our systems for God knows how many years now. You think you've saved this city from its rot? All you've done is make it worse. Now no one knows what the future holds, no one. You've set off a chain of reactions that can't be stopped."

"Did I? I wasn't the one who killed Daguchi."

I laughed at that.

"...Keep on lying. But there's no other person it could be other than you," I told him. "There was no third party, both you and Suwabe are wrong. Anyways, it doesn't matter. It's over. You're under arrest, Natsuki. And so is Suwabe. In the end, you lost. Congrats I guess."

It was then that the officers came rushing in, pinning Natsuki on the table as they recited whatever thing they needed to recite, cuffing the bastard - But the smug smirk on his face didn't leave as he stared at me while pinned against the table.

That smug smirk of assurance that this was exactly what he wanted.

That smug smirk of victory.

---

…And here it is!

The big reveal! It's not like I hadn't teased it throughout these past few chapters, but you should know that just because it feels like everything is wrapped up it doesn't mean that it actually is!

In fact, this arc is far from over!

Yes! There are around 2-3 chapters left of this Arc! I know, it seems crazy that we're already on Chapter 33 of Part 2 in basically under a year, and we're basically nearly halfway through Part 2.

This is probably the most ambitious and longest Arc I've written up to date and will likely remain that way for as long as it can, after all, this is a mystery arc first and foremost. Fret not, the next chapter will be an explanation chapter of sorts.

It's time to finally see what is on Daguchi's phone.

Again, this Arc isn't over just yet. There's an explosive finale yet to come filled with tons of great character moments and some more growth for our resident detective, but also his friends!

Ultimately, this Arc is called 'The Ballad of Death' because there is so much death. I love writing characters whose ultimate purpose of this story is to be murdered, I mean they don't matter in the long run.

The main meat of this arc is the conspiracy!

I hope it's interesting enough to have pulled you all the way through and of course, if you don't like it, just bear with me for another chapter! I'll have a neat and easy summary of it all!

See you next time!