Thank you readers for all the reviews, favorites and follows.
Initially, I planned to end the suffering of our heroes in training at this point BUT *evil smirk* I'll be introducing some new characters and prolong Deku's pain. I don't know what does that say about my mental health. Ignoring that, the dynamics between our heroes is already changing and the bond between them will strengthen in the following chapters. Without further delay, let's continue with the story.
Chapter 29: Teachers know everything
The fluorescent lights flickered intermittently, casting a dull glow over the cramped, cluttered office of the rundown police station. Dust motes danced in the scarce light, and the scent of stale coffee mingled with the faint odor of mildew. Aizawa Shouta sat slouched in a peeling vinyl chair, his long, disheveled hair falling over his dark, tired eyes. His casual attire—a dark hoodie and cargo pants—contrasted sharply with the stiff uniforms of the officers who bustled around him, their voices low but tinged with urgency.
He leaned back, folding his arms across his chest as he waited for the officer in charge to acknowledge him. "So, you're saying you're here to keep an eye on your students?" Officer Nakahara Shiro, a man in his forties with a weary face and a hint of concern in his voice, finally looked up from a pile of reports scattered across his desk.
Aizawa nodded, his expression stoic but his eyes betraying a hint of pride. "Yes. They're working on an assignment on Kinnigan Hill, and there's been some strange activity in the area lately. I want to make sure they're safe while they find the clues."
Nakahara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of strange activity? Is it related to that thief or murderer everyone's been muttering about?"
Aizawa's gaze sharpened as he leaned forward slightly. "Exactly. The locals have mentioned some odd thefts—items disappearing from nearby homes and shops—nothing major, but there's a growing sense of unease. At the same time, locals have reported sightings of a cloaked figure lurking in the woods at night. My job is to help you find whoever id behind this before my students move to the next area"
The officer tapped his pen against a notepad, looking contemplative. "How do you know where they are? How will you know at what stage they are in their assignment? Have they found any clues yet? Or are they still looking for them?"
Aizawa's demeanor shifted as he began to elaborate. "The trick to finding the clues is alerting me when they stumble upon something noteworthy. Each clue leads to the next clue and will earn them something essential. The first clue is located on the eastern side of the hill. They'll need a whistle to distract the bird and grab the key. I already heard one when we started—one of the students blew it. The reward for finding this clue is an emergency kit—something imperative for any unforeseen troubles."
"Interesting," Nakahara mused, jotting down notes. "And then?"
"The second clue is situated on the northern side of the hill, where they'll need to be aware of the crocodiles. I saw a few hurrying down the lake on the second day—likely scattered by something they must've done. So, I know they found it. Upon discovering this clue, the reward for the students is a flare gun—an important tool for signaling if they find themselves in a pinch."
"And what about the third clue?" Nakahara pressed, his curiosity piqued.
"Ah, that's why I am here, on the southern side. They'll need to set a tree on fire. Since I haven't seen any smoke coming from the forest, I'm pretty sure they're here. Once they find the clue here, they'll get their hands on a sturdy rope. This will be crucial for their next objective, as they will need it to ascend to the mountain's peak where the final prize is located. They need to be prepared for that climb—it won't be easy."
"Sounds like they have quite the adventure ahead of them," Nakahara acknowledged, glancing out the grimy window at the distant outline of Kinnigan Hill. "So the final prize is at the mountaintop? What are they supposed to do when they get there?"
Aizawa smirked as he continued, "Once they reach the top, they'll have to find a specific, unique plant. The idea is to teach them more than just about the physical exercises; it's about overcoming challenges and working together. They'll learn how to identify different plants too." omitting the increasing risks on those clues. "They're supposed to then travel along the western side back down to reach me. If anything goes awry while they're up there, the flare gun will be their best bet to alert me if they're in trouble."
Nakahara furrowed his brow, now more worried than before. "So you think they're still out there? And what if that thief or murderer decides to target them while they're busy with their assignment?"
Aizawa's expression grew serious as he leaned slightly closer, the tension in his posture reflecting the weight of his concern. The flickering fluorescent lights seemed to dim as he fixed his gaze on Officer Nakahara, his dark eyes glinting with determination. "That's why I'm here," he said, his voice low and steady. "Tell me more about this cloaked figure you've been hearing about. I need all the details you have, so I can help you find it before I move to the next spot."
Nakahara shifted in his chair, sensing the gravity of Aizawa's request. "Well," he started, drawing a deep breath, "there have been multiple sightings over the past few weeks. Most of them come from the folks living near the base of Kinnigan Hill. They describe this figure as tall, with a hood obscuring its face. Sometimes they see it moving swiftly through the trees; other times, it's as if it's lurking just out of sight. In the last week, minor thefts suddenly escalated into something unimaginable. We found a body, slashed in half, near the base of the hill. People are spooked. These locals aren't the superstitious type. Something has the entire community on edge, and it might be more dangerous than we think."
"More dangerous?" Aizawa asked, not attempting to hide his skepticism, but curiosity laced his voice. "What do you mean?"
"There've been whispers," Nakahara said, leaning in conspiratorially. "Some think the dark figure is connected to the man's death. Others say it might be a local gang using the mountain as a hideout. Whatever it is, it has people scared to even take a walk in the woods near the base." He looked at Aizawa, brows knitted. "Can you imagine if your students stumble across that?"
Aizawa's expression hardened slightly. "They won't, if I can help it. But this is a learning experience. They'll be fine; they've faced challenges that would fracture most adults. I assure you, they're not just any students. They belong to U.A. High School. They've faced villains and have training that goes beyond what's expected of ordinary teenagers."
Nakahara nodded, though doubt lingered in his eyes. "I just hope they stay safe. We can't afford for anyone else to get hurt—especially not kids."
Pointing to a large map hanging on the wall behind Nakahara, Aizawa continued, "Mark those key areas where the sightings have occurred, and I'll make sure to factor that into my approach." The officer grabbed a marker and highlighted the areas, energized by Aizawa's decisiveness.
Aizawa narrowed his eyes, formulating a plan. "We need to gather more manpower. I want you to call in additional officers—any support you can get. We'll need to establish a perimeter around this area"
"You really think this could lead to a confrontation?" Nakahara asked, uncertainty creeping into his tone.
"I do," Aizawa replied. "The reports of that hooded figure have spooked the locals, but I think it's time to draw him out. We can use bait to attract him, something that would seem like an easy target."
"Bait?" Nakahara echoed apprehensively. "But what do we use?"
"Something attention-grabbing but safe. Maybe a vehicle with visible items inside—a backpack or gear that would entice a burglar," Aizawa suggested. "We'll place it in an area that's been reported as a hotspot for sightings, somewhere the figure might feel comfortable taking the bait."
Nakahara nodded, beginning to see the merit in Aizawa's proposal. "And once he shows up?"
"Once we have him in sight, we'll be waiting in the trees, concealed. Your officers will close in as soon as we confirm it's him," Aizawa explained, his mind racing with the details.
"Okay," Nakahara said, steeling himself. "I'll start calling in units now. This could be a game-changer."
One corner of Aizawa's mouth quirked up in a ghost of a smile. "Good. Just make sure your officers are cautioned. We're dealing with something that's already proven to be deadly. Be ready for any outcome."
As Nakahara grabbed his phone to start making calls, Aizawa stood by the door, gazing out towards Kinnigan Hill. The sun had completely disappeared, replaced by a blanket of stars that shone ominously over the landscape. The mountain loomed in the darkness, and Aizawa couldn't shake the feeling that they were moving closer to something both foreboding and necessary.
"Let's do this quickly," Aizawa urged, turning his focus back to the officer. "Night falls fast around here, and we need to act before he slips into the shadows again."
Together, they put the plan into motion, both aware that they were stepping into a darkness that held secrets best left in the past. But Aizawa was determined; for his students and the sake of the community, he would not stand by and let fear rule the night.
The night had crawled on, thick with tension and anticipation. Aizawa, along with Officer Nakahara and several other officers, lay in wait, concealed in the underbrush that fringed Kinnigan Hill. They were poised and ready, hearts racing, eyes straining against the impenetrable darkness, waiting for even the slightest sign of the cloaked figure they had prepared to bait.
But as the hours wore on, silence lingered in the air, punctuated only by the distant sounds of the night—crickets chirping, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional hoot of an owl. The officers exchanged nervous glances, but as the first traces of dawn began to light the horizon, a sense of defeat settled over the group.
"Looks like we've missed him," Nakahara said, a heaviness in his voice. "We've waited all night, and he didn't show."
Aizawa remained silent for a moment, his thoughts racing. He had been confident that using bait would draw out the dark figure, yet here they were, empty-handed. "We need to regroup," he finally said, his voice steady but lined with concern. "Let's head back to the station and analyze what went wrong."
Fourth Day of the Assignment
As they returned to the police station, the early morning light crept into the windows, illuminating the remnants of coffee cups and scattered case files. Aizawa took a seat opposite Nakahara, fatigue etched into his features.
"I need details about the dead man found near Kinnigan Hill and the individuals who reported the thefts. There's something personal about all of this. If it weren't, why didn't he show himself last night?" Aizawa said, his tone sharp and demanding.
Nakahara hesitated before pulling out a folder. "The deceased was a local historian who had been researching the hill's history. And the victims of the thefts… they are all connected either through long-standing ties to the area or through their involvement in preservation groups. It seems he's targeting a specific community."
Aizawa leaned closer, flipping through the reports. Every account resonated with a deeper tension, reinforcing his instinct that there was more to the story than simple burglaries. "Okay, we need to formulate a new plan. Let's gather background information on the historian and the other local residents—what they might know about the artifacts or stories tied to the hill."
"A deeper interrogation?" Nakahara suggested.
"Yes, and we need to organize a community meeting," Aizawa replied. "We should ask the residents about their connections to the deceased and see if anyone is aware of any threats or unusual behavior leading up to the thefts. This isn't just about catching someone; it's about understanding what he wants and why."
"Right. A community approach could work," Nakahara agreed, jotting down notes. "I'll set it up and get the word out for tonight."
"Good," Aizawa finished, determination surging through him. "We'll confront the truth head-on and be ready for whatever we uncover. This isn't just a crime; it's personal, and we need to treat it as such."
As he prepared for the meeting, Aizawa felt a sense of purpose returning. The answers lay buried beneath layers of history and emotions, and he was determined to unearth them before the shadows of Kinnigan Hill claimed anyone else.
He was reviewing notes and planning the next steps when his phone buzzed on the table. Glancing down, he saw the familiar name illuminating the screen—All Might.
"Excuse me," Aizawa said, stepping outside to take the call. He answered, his voice steady yet wary. "What's the update, All Might?"
"Eraserhead my friend!" All Might's voice boomed through the receiver, a hint of worry underlying his typically upbeat tone. "I wanted to check on your progress with Young Midoriya and Young Bakugo. How are they doing?"
"They've been making progress," Aizawa replied, a flicker of pride in his voice. "They haven't completed the assignment yet so I don't know if they're still alive. If that's what you were asking." smirking at the flustered voice of All Might. "What's going on your end?"
"The two students I was assigned to watch—Todoroki and Uraraka—sustained some injuries during their assignment. Recovery Girl took her time getting to them, and right now they're resting and recovering."
Aizawa felt a mix of frustration and concern. "Injuries? What happened?"
"Uraraka has a sprained ankle and frostbite marks, while Todoroki sustained scrapes and bruises all over his body. I don't know the whole story, but they say a building collapsed on them," All Might explained, his tone serious. "They miscalculated their moves. Thankfully, it wasn't anything too severe, but they could have been more cautious."
Aizawa rubbed his temples, the weight of responsibility bearing down on him. "I'll have to check in on them later. Teamwork is critical, especially with the threats we're dealing with. I hope they're learning from this."
"All I can say is that both Todoroki and Uraraka are resilient," All Might reassured him. "If you need backup, don't hesitate to call."
"I won't," Aizawa promised. "I'll keep you updated on our progress."