Chapter 32: New Facts New Strategy
Aizawa hung up the phone, the faint click resonating in the small office at the village precinct. He turned to Officer Nakahara, who was leaning against a cluttered table littered with case files and coffee-stained notepads. With a slight nod, Aizawa gestured for the officer to relay the findings from his discussions with the villagers.
Nakahara straightened himself, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Alright, Sudo Yuu was the victim. According to the locals, he was the manager of a small timber firm called Kinnigan Woodworks," he began, flipping through his notes. "From what I gathered, he was known for being a ruthless boss—arrogant, superimposing, and pretty damn rude. The employees didn't have a good word to say about him. Apparently, he had a penchant for arbitrarily cutting their salaries and then throwing lavish parties where they were expected to foot the bill for supplies."
Aizawa raised an eyebrow. "A lot of resentment then."
"Exactly. The workers seemed to think he was involved in some shady operations too," Nakahara added, tapping his pen against a file. "But information was sparse. I managed to speak with his direct employees, but there's one guy I couldn't get to—Hideo Asari. He hasn't been home for about a week, according to the neighbors."
"Do we know why he's missing?" Aizawa asked, pulling out a small notebook and jotting down the name.
Nakahara hesitated before replying, "We haven't found out too much. Neighbors mentioned that he's usually a quiet guy. Hideo's quirkless as well, which is kinda strange in our community—it makes him a target, you know?"
Aizawa's fingers drummed rhythmically on the desk. "A quirkless man, disappearing right after a murder? This may not be a coincidence. Have you looked into his connections with Sudo?"
"I started asking around, but I couldn't find much." Nakahara explained, his brows furrowed. "Hideo was an employee, working under Sudo at the firm. The employees said Sudo often targeted him, belittled him, called him worthless for not having a quirk."
"Sounds like there's a deep well of resentment there. Any idea where he might have gone?"
"Not a clue. Some speculated that he might have left town in fear, and others thought he could be hiding nearby, but nothing is concrete," Nakahara replied, his voice laced with concern.
Aizawa leaned back in his chair, matching both hands together thoughtfully. "If he's a target—or possibly involved in something dangerous—then we need to find him before something worse happens. I want you to gather more intel on Hideo Asari. Contact his friends, reach out to any family, check local shelters. If he isn't in trouble, he might hold key information on Sudo's dealings. And if he is in trouble…" Aizawa's voice trailed off, pondering the implications.
"Understood. I'll start right away," Nakahara said, determination flickering in his eyes.
As the officer rushed to gather more information, Aizawa sorted through the details they had so far. It was becoming evident that Sudo Yuu's arrogance and shady dealings had woven a tangled web of animosity, and someone was clearly ready to break free from it, consequences be damned.
Later in the day, as golden rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, Officer Nakahara returned to the precinct, his arms full of neatly organized files. He looked both relieved and anxious as he approached Aizawa, who was sitting at his desk, flicking through the notes from earlier discussions.
"Aizawa, I've got some background on Hideo Asari," Nakahara started, dropping the files onto the table with a slight thud. "He was born in Mito, Ibaraki, and graduated there before relocating here. It seems he preferred the quiet life of this small town over the hustle and bustle of a big city. He announced himself as quirkless."
"Interesting," Aizawa replied, leaning forward slightly. "What do you mean he announced? You said he was quirkless, didn't you?"
Nakahara hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "That's what everyone thinks. He's been telling people he's quirkless, but, uh… his medical file indicates otherwise. According to it, he has a quirk; he can summon dark smoke."
Aizawa's brow furrowed at the revelation. "Hmm. So he has a quirk."
"Yes," Nakahara confirmed, nervously pushing his glasses up again. "But he's chosen to present himself as quirkless here in the village. It's puzzling, honestly. I don't know why he would do that."
Aizawa's thoughts raced as he connected the dots. "I think I might know why," he muttered, recalling the quiet strength and strategic mind of Shinsou, who had similarly hidden his abilities. If Hideo was deliberately masking his quirk, it likely stemmed from deeper issues—fear of judgment, perhaps resentment, or the desire for a clean slate.
"I suspect Hideo Asari isn't just a victim in this. He may very well be the murderer—the one behind the recent thefts." Aizawa's tone shifted, growing more urgent.
"What? That's a strong accusation! But there's no direct evidence…" Nakahara protested, eyes wide.
"Yet," Aizawa interjected sharply. "We need to increase our search area and do it discreetly. We can't blow his cover and spook him. If he really is behind this, he'll be cautious and ready to bolt."
"Okay, but how do you suggest we move forward?"
Aizawa's mind was already racing through strategies. "Gather all the officers in ten minutes. I will explain everything in one go. Tell them to bring their satellite phones with them."
"Understood. We will meet in the briefing room. But Aizawa—if it turns out you're wrong about Hideo…"
Aizawa met his gaze sternly, his mind focused. "I'd rather be wrong about Hideo Asari than let a potential criminal slip through our fingers. If he is hiding, that means he's desperate. We'll find him, but we have to be smart about it."
Aizawa stood by the window, his gaze fixed on Kinnigan Hill. The soft rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of the village felt surreal, as if the tranquil surroundings masked an underlying tension. Aizawa was determined to get to the bottom of it before anyone else fell victim to the darkness lingering around them.
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of purple and orange as the officers gathered in the small briefing room, their shoulders brushing against one another. The fading light prompted a sense of urgency; they needed to prepare quickly.
"Listen up, everyone," Aizawa began, surveying the group with an intensity that captured their attention. "We've got a situation on our hands. Hideo Asari may be involved in the recent disturbances, including thefts and possibly more sinister activities. We cannot underestimate the risk."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle in before outlining the plan. "As you all know, we need to increase our search area. First, I need each of you to ensure that your surroundings are sufficiently illuminated. Tell the villagers to keep the lamps lit all night. If we keep the areas bright, it'll prevent any unnatural shadows from forming—if something unusual is trying to hide, we want to spot it immediately."
A few officers nodded in agreement, while others exchanged worried glances. They instinctively understood the danger lurking just beyond their quiet village.
"Second," Aizawa continued, "we must maintain efficient communication. We'll use satellite phones to stay in touch, but I also want everyone to be alert. We'll need to jam the local network to prevent any potential interference with our communications. Keep the airwaves clear!"
The officers nodded once more. They were determined to protect their community, even if it meant facing what lay in the shadows.
"And the last thing, do not react or interact in any way. Just report the situation and wait for my instructions. Is there a vantage point from which I can discreetly monitor the area?" Aizawa asked the team, scanning their faces for answers.
Officer Nakahara considered this for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. "There's a raised dune on the western side of Kinnigan Hill. It offers good visibility without being too exposed. You could see what's happening in the village while remaining hidden from view."
Aizawa hesitated, looking back toward the hills. The thought of leaving his current position felt uncomfortable. "But if I move away from here, who will keep watch over my students? I don't want to leave them unprotected."
Nakahara stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Aizawa's shoulder. "I understand your concern, Aizawa. But I promise you, we'll have officers posted at strategic points to keep tabs on everything that unfolds here. Someone will always keep an eye on the hill and report back to you if anything seems off. We can't let ourselves be stagnant when the situation demands that we take action."
Aizawa's brow furrowed as he weighed Nakahara's words. Reluctance burned in the pit of his stomach, but he realized the importance of a coordinated effort. They had to act smart, not just stay put.
After a moment of contemplation, he nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll go to the dune. But I want a constant line of communication with you. If anything changes, if you sense any danger... I want to know immediately."
"Of course," Nakahara replied, his tone firm and confident.
With a heavy sigh, Aizawa moved toward the western side of Kinnigan Hill. As he ascended the incline of the dune, he could feel his resolve solidifying. If anything was amiss, he would be poised to intervene quickly and effectively.
When he finally reached the top of the dune, it provided a panoramic view of village beneath the moonlight. The first glimmer of stars began to twinkle overhead. The moonlight cast long shadows behind him, elongating his figure. Aizawa crouched down, staying low and concealed, his heart racing with anticipation. The cool night air, once refreshing, now brought a chill that seeped into his bones, a reflection of the unease swelling in his chest.
He couldn't shake off the anxious thoughts swirling in his mind. What were his students doing out there? They were both inexperienced, full of passion and determination, yet blissfully unaware of the potential dangers lurking in the night. Aizawa's protective instincts flared as he imagined them roaming carelessly.
He hoped they remained safe. He thought of all the late-night training sessions, the lessons in resilience and vigilance he had imparted to them. But techniques and wisdom could only do so much—real danger often came unexpectedly, striking like a bolt from the blue.
The wind whispered through the trees, and the nighttime sounds of nocturnal creatures filled the air. It was then that the stillness was punctuated by a flicker of brightness in the distance—a plume of smoke rising from the direction of the hill.
Aizawa's breath caught in his throat at the sight before him. The fire blazed brightly, crackled and roared on the western side, illuminating the area with an intensity that sent his mind racing. Was this fire caused by his students? But why would they be here? They were supposed to be on the eastern side of the hill, looking for their third clue near the Apple orchard.
Does that mean this a signal from villagers desperate for help? It could even be the work of Hideo Asari himself, though the thought was deeply unsettling. Would he be so reckless as to disclose his position so openly?
Aizawa squinted into the night, the fire was not just a simple campfire—it was something far larger and more reckless, towering amidst the surrounding tall trees like a beacon in the darkness.
His fingers gripped the satellite phone as he pondered the implications of what he was seeing. The fire could only mean one thing: either his students or some of the villagers were signaling his position, and that realization sent a chill down his spine. If they were trying to alert him, did they sense danger? Were they calling for help?
Suddenly, the phone crackled to life, pulling Aizawa from his spiraling thoughts. "Aizawa, come in," a voice crackled urgently through the static. It was Nakahara, cutting through the tension in the air. "We have news. Something is moving in the forest near the base of the hill. But we're not sure if it's Hideo or some animal."
Aizawa's heart raced as he processed the words. Whatever was happening out there felt connected to the fire on the western side. The urgency to act surged through him.
"Keep watching the position," Aizawa instructed firmly, pulse racing. "We need to understand what's happening at the fire. I can't discern if it's a signal for help or an act of recklessness. Either way, my students might be involved, and we can't afford to lose another moment."
He shifted his gaze back toward the massive fire, dread washing over him anew. If this was indeed a signal, it was a call to action—but what were he and his officers walking into? The stakes had risen significantly, and he needed to prepare for whatever darkness was on the horizon, whether it came from Asari's machinations or the irresponsibility of his problem child.
Aizawa worked to push away the fear for his students and focused instead on the task at hand. He was their teacher and protector, and he wouldn't fail them now.