Chapter 8: Web of Lies
The faint hum of the police cruiser filled the silence between them. Musutafu's streets rolled by under the neon glow of the city's recovery—a mosaic of emergency lights, construction cranes, and exhausted citizens trudging back to what was left of normal life. The chaos had quieted, for now, but the air still carried the scent of ozone and concrete dust.
Inside the car, Naomasa Tsukauchi hunched slightly over the small terminal mounted on the dashboard, his eyes scanning reports and security files with the weariness of a man who'd been awake too long. Beside him sat Toshinori Yagi, deflated and gaunt, hidden behind a plain hoodie and a cap pulled low to conceal the face once worshiped by millions.
"People always make things complicated after a crisis has been solved," Naomasa muttered without looking up.
"At least they aren't flocking through the streets screaming about their woes again," Toshinori replied, voice rough but steady. "Still, I almost wish I were still in down below, punching sewer lids. Totally worth the tabloids having a field day."
Naomasa smirked faintly. "I'm more worried about the paperwork than the tabloids."
The detective tapped a few keys, then froze as a photo blinked onto the screen. "Found her. The woman you said called for help—the one who led you into the sewers."
Toshinori leaned closer, squinting. The face on the monitor smiled softly—short dark hair, an unassuming warmth about her eyes.
"Yes," Toshinori said after a moment. "That's her. She told me her lover had been dragged underground by some sort of… mutant. I went after him, but there was nothing. No trail, no sign of violence. Just an empty tunnel."
Naomasa nodded grimly. "Her name's Umon Saya. Born in Musutafu, moved to Mino City last week with her fiancé, the supposed victim. No criminal record, no outstanding warrants, and the local police confirm she hasn't been back since."
"Then who or what came to me crying for help?" Toshinori frowned.
"That's the first thing to figure out," Naomasa said, leaning back in his seat, "Here is the only thing noteworthy. Three days ago, the Musutafu Blood Bank reported a theft. Seven blood samples, including hers, were stolen. Saya donated her blood because her sickly aunt has needed at least two this year alone, and left one more sample in case of a third. Cameras show only employees in the building during the crime—no forced entry, no suspicious movement."
"You think a Vampire did it?" Toshinori's eyes narrowed. "One of those Quirk types that need blood to sustain themselves or fuel their abilities."
"That's the working theory, but we can't prove it," Naomasa admitted. "The employees were clean, the samples gone. What gets me is the timing—right when you were about to corner Webjack, some "poor woman" screams for help and pulls you away."
"A Shapeshifter!" Toshinori's realization came like a thunderclap. He slapped a hand to his forehead, groaning aloud. "I got duped!"
"Looks that way," Naomasa said, amused despite himself.
"Wait," Toshinori said, straightening. "Could it have been the new Vigilante? Kat-astrophe?"
"Until we have data saying otherwise, we're safer assuming that's what her Quirk grants her and everything else is pure skill," Naomasa replied. "Everything she's accomplished in just one day is surreal. Definitely not someone we want as an enemy, especially after deceiving you, of all people."
"I'll have you know that hearing cries for help as an Achilles' heel is not something you could ever make me ashamed of!" Toshinori groaned, half in frustration, half in embarrassment.
"There are worse weaknesses," Naomasa chuckled. "You're lucky no villain exploited it before now."
"Lucky indeed," Toshinori muttered, crossing his arms with a sigh.
"There's more," Naomasa tapped another command on the terminal. "About half a mile from here, six Pro-Heroes tried to corner Webjack during his pursuit of Gentle Criminal and La Brava. Things got messy. Real messy."
A shaky recording flickered to life—a street cratered and shattered, light poles bent in half, and dust curling through the air like smoke. Six figures lay unconscious among the wreckage.
"So he did lose control…" Toshinori's jaw tightened.
"Apparently," Naomasa said. "The vibrations he can emit with his energy webbing overloaded while briefly restrained. The reports say he flattened the street and knocked all six out cold."
"Six Heroes, who decided chasing him mattered more than catching the two real criminals," Toshinori said bitterly, "I can't say I'm proud of either side right now."
The car's radio crackled before Naomasa could respond. A female dispatcher's voice came through, tense and clipped:
"Unit 14, we have visual confirmation on Webjack and Kat-astrophe. They've stopped inside a restaurant—The Blue Garden, corner of Fourth and Nakamura. Vacant since a skirmish an hour ago. They've been inside for twelve minutes."
"That's three miles from here." Naomasa raised an eyebrow.
Toshinori's lips curved into something between a grin and a challenge. "Three miles? That's within walking distance for me. Though, just to be on the safe side, you should come with me."
Naomasa looked out at the packed traffic ahead, horns blaring and tempers flaring. "You might want to reconsider that. We're not moving anytime soon. These days, people barely pull over for sirens, much less for me."
"Hold that thought," Toshinori said, already pushing open the door.
"Wait, what are you—?"
But Toshinori was already jogging away, his thin frame vanishing into a nearby alley.
"I don't like where this is going…" Naomasa slumped back in his seat, muttering.
Then, with a thunderous BOOM, a gust of wind ripped through the street.
"I AM HERE—!"
The unmistakable voice of All Might roared, and in a blinding flash, the towering Hero appeared beside Naomasa's car—his golden form gleaming. Civilians gasped, phones lifted, cameras clicked.
"—TO BORROW A POLICE DETECTIVE FOR AN ARREST!"
Before Naomasa could protest, All Might grabbed the police car, lifting it effortlessly over his head.
"NO! WAIT!" Naomasa shouted, clutching the dashboard for dear life. "I HATE FLYING!"
His pleas were swallowed by the wind as All Might leapt into the sky, soaring toward the storm of destiny awaiting them at The Blue Garden.
-][-
The Blue Garden is Musutafu's most lavish restaurant—polished marble floors, glass chandeliers that shimmered like frozen fireworks, and a menu so expensive that even Pro-Heroes reserved seats weeks in advance. Now, the once-bustling hall was silent, bathed in the pale glow of emergency lights and littered with half-finished meals abandoned in the chaos of the day's villain attacks.
Izuku and Toga sat at a corner booth that overlooked the shattered front window, the city outside eerily quiet except for the occasional distant siren.
"You sure those two are gonna join us?" Toga asked, chin resting on her hand as she speared a piece of reheated steak with her fork. "They didn't exactly strike me as the type who can handle a real commitment. They're like a pair of theater kids who forgot life isn't a stage."
Izuku chuckled softly under his mask, chewing thoughtfully before answering. "Gentle and La Brava crave attention. But more than that, they want to matter. They want to make sure their names will always be remembered by doing something spectacular—so what could be more appealing than joining a former heroine's rebellion against the Hero Society?"
Toga's mask gleamed in the low light. "You talk like it's already happening."
"It will," He said, confident but calm. "They just need time. They'll think about what I said, and they'll know how to reach us once they've decided."
The microwave in the kitchen dinged faintly, a sound too mundane for the ruin surrounding them. It made Toga giggle.
"Y'know, this might technically count as robbery," She said, raising her fork with mock guilt. "But if you ask me, the real crime would be letting five-star cuisine go to waste."
Izuku snorted, unable to disagree. The two had scavenged through the abandoned kitchen earlier, reheating anything that looked edible—soups, steaks, even a few desserts that miraculously hadn't melted. For a brief moment, sitting together among the wreckage of hero society, it almost felt… normal.
He pulled down the lower half of his mask to eat properly, exposing the line of his jaw and the quiet earnestness in his expression. Toga caught herself staring more than once but said nothing. She'd seen his lips move, heard his real voice, and though curiosity burned in her, she didn't pry. Not yet.
They talked about everything and nothing—how badly his shoulder hurt from earlier, how her new alias was already trending online, how she wanted to scratch the word into a Hero billboard just to make it official.
"Jackie and Kat," She said at one point, smirking as she raised her glass of lukewarm water. "Sounds like a crime-fighting duo from a bad TV show."
"Let's just hope we get better ratings," He replied, clinking his glass against hers.
The laughter that followed was soft, real—the kind that came from relief rather than joy. For all their chaos, both of them knew this fleeting peace couldn't last. Izuku wanted to ask more about Lady Nagant, about what this supposed "rebellion" really meant, but he could read the guardedness in Toga. She wouldn't tell him yet. Trust took time, and right now, he needed her on his side—not as an informant, but as an ally.
Besides, he admitted to himself, there was something magnetic about her. Dangerous, yes—but magnetic nonetheless. The way she moved, the unrestrained thrill she carried into every fight… It reminded him of a cat dancing between shadows. Kat-astrophe was the perfect name for her—beautiful, wild, and a little too intoxicating.
He was halfway through his meal when the familiar tingle hit him—sharp, electric, crawling up the base of his skull like static.
Spider-Sense.
Izuku froze mid-bite, eyes widening beneath his mask.
"He's coming," He muttered, dropping his fork and grabbing a napkin to wipe his mouth. He tugged his mask back up, sealing the Spider-Cord into place as he reached for his utility belt. "Get your phone out. Start recording—just like we planned."
Toga instantly straightened, excitement replacing her drowsy calm. She wiped her hands, grabbed her phone, and switched to the camera. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
The air outside thickened—a sudden pressure, a gathering of power that made the loose glass rattle in its frames. Then, with a boom that shook the restaurant's foundation, the shadow of a giant loomed in the shattered window.
"HAHA! FOUND YOU AT LAST, VIGILANTES!"
The voice was unmistakable—thunder wrapped in laughter. All Might stood outside the Blue Garden, radiant as ever, muscles gleaming even under the overcast sky.
Toga groaned audibly. "Ugh, does he always have to make an entrance like that? The whole "I AM HERE" shtick's getting a little tiresome, don't you think?"
Izuku didn't answer right away. He was staring at the man who had once been his idol—the symbol of everything he'd ever wanted to be.
"It's how he ensures people never give in to fear," He said simply.
All Might blinked, momentarily thrown off by how casualthey both sounded.
"People?" She sneered. "The entire street's empty—except for the two officers who've been tailing us."
"Wait," All Might muttered, brow furrowing. "You knew about them?"
"Oh, come on, old timer. You don't really think you can sneak up on us, do you?" Toga gave a playful smirk
"Let's just say it's hard to surprise someone who's always listening." Izuku shrugged, his tone dry but precise.
All Might studied him carefully. "Because you possess a sixth sense that warns you of incoming danger?"
Izuku tilted his head, the mask's white eyes narrowing slightly. "Ooh, good theory. That'd definitely help me swing across the city without looking where I'm shooting my webs."
He said it with that same teasing nonchalance that made it impossible to tell whether he was confirming or denying the truth.
The stakes grew bigger when Detective Tsukauchi stepped into view, now beside All Might.
"Hi, Detective!" Webjack gave a playful wave at Naomasa, greeting him as though they were good friends. "Kat, meet the Detective, my biggest fan, and—if rumors serve me right—All Might's one and only best friend, since he's the only cop V-Hair's ever been seen talking with. Kind of touching, right?"
"I am so not in the mood for this nonsense," Naomasa muttered, glaring up with a day-old headache forming behind his eyes.
"To clarify," All Might interjected quickly, trying to lighten the tension. "My two bangs are actually styled this way to represent victory! Hence the V!"
"Everyone knows!" Webjack, Kat-astrophe, and Naomasa said in perfect unison—though the detective's tone was a full octave rougher than the rest.
All Might scratched his head sheepishly. "Tough crowd."
The Symbol of Peace straightened his back, his voice turning solemn. "Enough games. Webjack, Kat-astrophe—you've caused enough trouble today. Surrender peacefully. I can still speak on your behalf to the Commission."
Webjack tilted his head, arms crossed. The confidence never left his voice, but there was something sharp behind his words—resentment, maybe. "I appreciate the compassion, All Might. Really, I do. But how about… a counteroffer?"
Before anyone could react, Webjack lifted a small penlight between his fingers. He made sure not to let it be seen by the Pro-Hero and Detective, and pass it off as him just making a gesture for dramatic flair. He clicked it on, and a tiny red beam flashed across All Might's chest—harmless, almost childish. But the effect was immediate.
A soft "pop" echoed as All Might's frame deflated, his muscle-bound form collapsing into the thin, frail silhouette of Toshinori Yagi. His costume sagged around him like a shed skin.
"What the fuck—?!" Kat-astrophe gasped, nearly dropping her phone.
"All Might?" Naomasa's voice cracked with horror.
"Oh, good," Webjack said casually, leaning forward with a smirk hidden beneath his mask while briefly focusing on Naomasa. "That horrified look on your face means you're not disgusted—you're worried. So you already knew about his condition."
"How…?" Toshinori whispered, face pale.
"If I can spy on Shota Aizawa without being noticed, I can spy on anyone," Webjack replied arrogantly. "You were so used to inducing fear in Villains that you never imagined a criminal would actually follow you into your apartment in Musutafu."
Before anyone could stop him, a strand of web shot out—fast as lightning—attaching to Toshinori's chest. The old hero stumbled forward, crashing into the table where the vigilantes sat. Webjack yanked him closer by the hair, forcing him to meet the expressive eyes of his mask—now narrowed and containing hidden resentment.
"You don't deserve this," Webjack growled, voice low and trembling with emotion. "But deep down, you had this coming."
Then—crack!
He slammed All Might's head into the table. The sound echoed through the ruin like thunder. Toshinori fell limp, unconscious, before his frail body even hit the floor.
"All Might!" Naomasa rushed forward, trembling.
Webjack stood, brushing imaginary dust off his gloves. "You can take him home or UA, Detective. I can deal with Endeavor, Hawks, or anyone else who wants to dance in my Web—but if "Small Might" gets in my way again, the entire Underworld will know what went down here and see the real "Symbol of Peace," who is nothing more than a withering old man still pretending his glory days aren't over yet."
Kat-astrophe blinked, realization dawning. "So that's why you wanted me recording," She said, eyes glinting. "Blackmail material. Oh, darling… I am so turned on right now!"
"I know," Webjack replied without a hint of irony. The two vigilantes stepped out of the Blue Garden, vanishing into an alleyway as Naomasa cradled his fallen friend.
If the warning was not heeded, the world would whisper a new truth: The Symbol of Peace had fallen. And in his place rose Webjack, the Spider rejected by the world. Untouchable. Unstoppable. Unbound.
But behind the lenses, tears blurred his sight. The rage, the pride, the pain—they all mixed into something unbearable.
'I can cry all I want,' He thought, as the city stretched before him like an endless web. 'But the truth won't change. We all outgrow our idols. And idols… they pull the strings of their fans.'
He fired a web into the dark and swung off into the horizon.
'There are no strings on me anymore.'
-][-
"Your Quirk just stopped working?!" The question exploded out of Aizawa before anyone else in the room could speak, his voice raised. His reputation had been built on patience, observation, and a level of emotional restraint that bordered on unsettling. Hearing genuine shock from him was like hearing a mountain suddenly scream.
Unfortunately, the situation warranted it. The private conference room inside UA had become unbearably tense ever since Toshinori and Naomasa returned from Nakamura. Defeated and humiliated with more questions than answers. Yagi's forehead was bandaged because of the bruise Webjack left him with.
Naomasa sat heavily in his chair, exhaustion visible on his normally composed face. Across from him, Toshinori looked equally miserable, though for entirely different reasons.
The #1 Hero had spent the last hour unconscious. Webjack's attack had been precise. One violent slam against a sturdy wooden table with enough force to knock him out. Not enough to cause permanent damage. The Green Spider had shown considerably more restraint than anyone expected from a vigilante willing to challenge Pro-Heroes directly.
Even now, Toshinori still rubbed the side of his head occasionally. The phantom ache remained.
"Yes," Toshinori answered grimly. "It simply stopped."
Everyone present understood the implications. Nezu sat atop his chair with his paws folded together. Midnight frowned. Cementoss stopped writing notes. Present Mic remained unusually quiet. Toshinori took a deep breath before continuing.
"The strangest part wasn't what happened to me. It was how Webjack reacted." Naomasa nodded. "He wasn't surprised by any of it."
That caught everyone's attention immediately. The detective leaned forward.
"When we attempted to apprehend Webjack and Kat-astrophe, they behaved as though we were the ones walking into their trap."
"Meaning?" Midnight asked.
"Meaning they expected us." Naomasa's expression darkened. "Expected us and prepared for us."
Toshinori clenched his fists. The memory still burned.
"I approached them with my powers on." Everyone listened carefully. "I gave them a chance to come quietly, though I suspect if I had acted swiftly in capturing them, the result would've been the same. With my Quirk, all the sudden stopped functioning."
The words sounded ridiculous even now.
All Might's Quirk stopped. Not weakened. Not exhausted. Stopped.
"As though someone erased it?" Nezu asked.
"Exactly." Toshinori pointed toward Aizawa. "The sensation was identical to your Erasure."
"That's impossible." Aizawa's eyes narrowed instantly.
"Not exactly. I mean, as unique as your Quirk is, it's not the only one in the world that can nullify Quirks," Vlad countered.
"I know that much, but he wasn't going after someone like me; he was going after Webjack," Aizawa muttered.
"Maybe it was the new girl," Thirteen suggested.
"Doubtful since we're certain that her Quirk is something else," Naomasa replied.
"And she was spooked when she saw my true form," Toshinori muttered, "But the worst part is that Kat-astrophe recorded everything."
That triggered immediate outrage.
"She WHAT?" Present Mic shouted.
"Recorded the entire encounter."
"And before leaving, they threatened to release the footage publicly if Heroes continue interfering with their activities." Naomasa pinched the bridge of his nose.
Several people began talking at once as the room erupted. Only Nezu remained calm.
"Could it be a timing issue?" Midnight eventually raised a hand. Everyone looked toward her. "The muscle form. Maybe it simply expired naturally."
"No." Toshinori shook his head immediately.
"You're sure?"
"I had at least another hour. My limit wasn't approaching. My Quirk was functioning perfectly."
That answer was worse. If the explanation wasn't exhaustion, then they were dealing with something new. An unknown capable of neutralizing the strongest Hero alive.
"As far as we know, there are three others with Quirks capable of producing effects similar to Lockdown's." Nezu finally spoke. Everyone turned toward him as he continued. "One belongs to Shota as you should all know."
Aizawa nodded.
"One belongs to an individual currently residing in America. A second resides in Russia. Neither of them are Pro-Heroes by choice. And a third in Italy, and that one's whereabouts are unknown." Nezu folded his paws together. "To the best of our knowledge, Lockdown is the only individual in Japan capable of erasing Quirks."
Which raised an obvious problem.
"If none of them were present..." Cementoss muttered.
"Then how did Webjack do it?" Midnight finished.
Nobody had an answer. Not immediately. Several long moments passed before Nezu's ears twitched.
"I believe we're asking the wrong question."
The room focused entirely on him.
Nezu's eyes sharpened.
"What if Webjack wasn't just improvising? What if he knew All Might would come?"
Toshinori blinked.
Naomasa frowned.
"What if he fully expected capture attempts and therefore prepared a countermeasure beforehand?" Nezu continued.
The idea settled over the room like a thundercloud because it fit far too well. Everything suddenly fit. The confidence. The lack of panic. The trap.
"Webjack clearly planned this encounter." The Dean tapped one claw against the table.
Naomasa's eyes widened slightly. Then something clicked.
"Wait." Everyone looked at him. The detective leaned forward. "There was something else."
"What?" Aizawa asked.
"Webjack said something unnerving before he knocked Toshinori out," Naomasa looked directly at him.
The room became still.
"What did he say?" Midnight asked.
"If I can spy on Shota Aizawa without being noticed, I can spy on anyone," Naomasa repeated Webjack's words exactly as he said them.
Aizawa froze. Nobody should know Lockdown's real name. Not civilians. Not criminals. Not vigilantes. Underground Heroes lived differently from Limelight Heroes. Their anonymity was protected. A shield. The moment an underground operative's identity became public, their effectiveness dropped dramatically.
"What exactly did he mean by that?" Present Mic asked.
No one answered.
"I believe I know." Nezu slowly stood atop his chair. Every eye in the room turned toward him. The Dean's expression had become frighteningly serious. "Webjack studied Shota."
"What?" Aizawa frowned.
"He didn't simply observe him." Nezu's gaze hardened. "He analyzed him."
The realization hit the room all at once.
"No…" Midnight whispered.
"Yes." Nezu nodded. The Dean looked directly at Aizawa. "I believe Webjack discovered how your Quirk functions, and given his intellectual brilliance for inventing and all the other anomalies about him, I believe he's created something to replicate Erasure mechanically."
The iceberg crashed into them.
"That's impossible!" Present Mic shouted.
"He can't mean—"
"There's no way—"
"You're serious?"
Only Nezu remained calm.
"I see no other explanation." His voice cut through the chaos. "If Webjack truly monitored Shota while he was on active duty, then he gained opportunities few scientists would ever possess. The kind of technology hoarded off to Supervillain max prisons like Tartarus. Enough opportunities to understand Erasure."
Aizawa felt a chill crawl down his spine.
"And if he understood Erasure, he may have replicated it." Nezu continued.
Nobody breathed or moved. The implication was horrifying. A machine capable of mimicking Quirks. Not any Quirk. Erasure. One of the rarest and most dangerous abilities in existence.
"This keeps getting worse." Finally, Toshinori broke the silence.
"It does," Nezu agreed.
Then, unexpectedly, the Dean smiled a dangerous smile.
"But there is one positive development."
Everyone looked at him. Nezu folded his paws.
"Webjack already knew about your condition."
"What?" Toshinori stiffened.
"He wasn't surprised by your true form."
The room immediately understood. Kat-astrophe had been shocked. Webjack had not. Meaning he already knew. Meaning the Vigilante possessed information he should never have obtained.
"That suggests a connection." Nezu's smile faded.
The realization struck Toshinori immediately. Someone from his past. Someone who knew. Someone who remembered. Slowly, painfully, Toshinori began searching his memory. Who knew? Who could possibly know? The people aware of his condition could be counted on one hand.
Everyone in this room. Sir Nighteye. David Shield. And...
His eyes widened.
A name surfaced. A face. Green hair. Freckles. A notebook constantly filled with Hero analysis. Toshinori's voice emerged as little more than a whisper.
"Izuku Midoriya…?"
-][-
Ochaco's anxiety had been building since the moment she woke up. She carried a small travel bag over her shoulder as she made her way toward UA, taking measured breaths that did little to calm the nervous flutter in her chest. Inside the bag were only a few changes of clothes, her aging flip phone that felt embarrassingly ancient compared to everyone else's devices, and a carefully hidden package of mochi she reserved for special occasions.
Today is definitely qualified. After all, this was the day she would leave for her internship in Matsuyama, located in Ehime Prefecture. More importantly, it was the beginning of the opportunity she had fought so hard to earn. The Sports Festival victory had opened a door. Now she had to prove she deserved to walk through it. The General Course student tightened her grip on the strap of her bag as she hurried down the sidewalk.
Two vacant seats still remained in Class 1-A. Everyone in the General Course talked about them. Everyone wanted them. Everyone dreamed about them. And even after winning the Sports Festival, Ochaco knew better than to assume one of those seats belonged to her.
The internship would determine everything. A Pro-Hero had agreed to personally evaluate her for an entire week. At the end of it, they would decide whether she possessed the skills, discipline, and potential necessary to survive the brutal demands of the Hero Course.
One week. One chance. One future.
"I can do this!" Ochaco clenched her fists. Her pace quickened. "I have to do this."
She walked even faster.
"I'll show them I belong—"
A hand suddenly landed on her shoulder. Ochaco nearly jumped out of her skin. At the same moment, a car sped through the crosswalk directly in front of her. The realization hit a second later. She had almost walked straight into traffic.
"Wha—?!" Ochaco stumbled backward and spun around.
Standing behind her was Izuku Midoriya. The green-haired secret Vigilante wore a knowing smile.
"You know there's no jaywalking in Japan, right?" He said casually.
Ochaco stared blankly before her face turned bright red.
"M-Midoriya!" She pointed accusingly at him before immediately lowering her hand. "T-Thank you! I mean, not thank you for scaring me! Thank you for stopping me! Wait—"
She buried her face in her hands.
"Why am I making this worse?"
"Because you're nervous." Izuku chuckled.
"I am not!"
"You almost got hit by a car."
"I am a little nervous."
"A little?"
"A lot nervous!"
Izuku laughed again. The sound somehow made the knot in her stomach loosen.
"Sorry. My head's been somewhere else all morning." Ochaco let out a defeated sigh.
"I noticed."
They began walking together down the sidewalk. Ochaco kept her pace slower this time.
"I don't know what's wrong with me," She admitted. "I'm normally careful."
"There's nothing wrong with you." Izuku shoved his hands into his pockets. "You're just focused on tomorrow."
Ochaco glanced at him.
"I used to do that all the time."
"You did?"
"Constantly."
The answer surprised her. While Izuku comes off as nervous and unsure of himself, he always gives off a hidden aura of composure and confidence that should only belong to a Pro-Hero, or at least someone who always knew exactly where he was going. That image became even stranger when he smiled sheepishly.
"Trust me. I spent years worrying about the future."
"So how'd you stop?"
"Honestly? A pretty ridiculous source." Izuku rubbed the back of his neck.
"What source?" Ochaco tilted her head.
"A really old saying."
"From whom?"
"A talking turtle."
"What?"
"A talking turtle." Izuku grinned." I'm pretty sure it came from some ancient animal movie about kung-fu."
That only confused her more. Before she could question him further, he raised a finger dramatically.
"Yesterday is history."
Ochaco raised an eyebrow.
"Tomorrow is a mystery."
His grin widened.
"But today is a gift."
The dramatic pose somehow became even more ridiculous.
"That is why it's called the "present."
For a few seconds, Ochaco simply stared at him. Then she burst out laughing. The tension she'd been carrying all morning cracked apart like thin ice.
"That is so cheesy."
"I know."
"It's terrible."
"I know."
"Why does it actually make sense?"
"Because sometimes the dumbest advice is the easiest to remember." Izuku shrugged.
Ochaco shook her head while smiling. The anxiety wasn't completely gone, but it no longer felt like it was crushing her.
The two continued walking side by side. Eventually, Ochaco glanced toward him.
"So why are you heading to UA?"
"I'm not." Izuku pointed ahead.
"Huh?"
"I'm just making sure you get there without being flattened by a truck."
"I'm never living that down, am I?" Ochaco groaned.
"Probably not."
She lightly smacked his arm. The conversation drifted naturally after that.
"Today's my internship." Ochaco brought up the topic she had been thinking about all morning.
"I got the idea with everything you're bringing with you that's not university-related."
"And I'm going with Gunhead."
"Good." Izuku's expression brightened immediately.
"Good?"
"Really good." He nodded firmly. "I still think that's the best choice you could've made."
That praise warmed her more than she expected.
"Thanks."
"I think things are going to work out for you." Izuku smiled. The confidence in his voice sounded genuine.
Ochaco found herself smiling back. Then Izuku suddenly snapped his fingers.
"Oh."
"What?"
"Didn't you say you hadn't told your parents about the internship?" His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
The smile instantly vanished from Ochaco's face.
"Oh no."
"You told them." Izuku immediately recognized that reaction.
Ochaco covered her face.
"I told them."
"And?"
"I caved."
"I knew it." Izuku laughed.
"It was your fault!"
"My fault?"
"You made me feel guilty about hiding it from them!"
"You should feel guilty. You can't travel to another prefecture without letting your family know. That's a recipe for disaster in this day and age," Izuku lectured lightly, while sounding like the biggest hypocrite in the world.
"I know!" She groaned dramatically. "The same day I talked to you, I called them."
"And how'd that go?" Izuku looked amused.
"It was awkward." Ochaco's face somehow grew even redder.
"That bad?"
"My mom cried."
"Oof."
"My dad cried."
"Double oof."
"My dad started planning celebrations."
"Oh no."
"My mom started talking about future grandchildren for some reason."
Izuku nearly tripped over his own feet.
"What does that have to do with Hero Internships?!"
"I KNOW!"
Both of them laughed. By the time UA's massive gates appeared in the distance, the nervousness that had dominated Ochaco's morning had faded considerably.
-][-
The rest of the walk passed comfortably enough, and before long, Izuku and Ochaco found themselves standing before the massive entrance of UA. Even after months of attending the prestigious institution, the sight never failed to impress Ochaco. The enormous walls separating the campus from the surrounding city gave the university the appearance of a fortress rather than a school. Beyond those walls stood the iconic main building, shaped like a giant "H" for Hero, dominating the skyline like a monument to everything the academy represented. It could be seen from nearly anywhere in the district, a constant reminder that this was the birthplace of future legends.
"Still looks amazing," Ochaco admitted quietly.
"It does. Makes you wonder how much money they spent on it." Izuku nodded.
"Probably more than my family will make in ten lifetimes."
"I doubt the Yaoyorozu Dynasty alone can fund that place."
As they approached the gates, the area became increasingly crowded with students carrying luggage, duffel bags, and equipment cases. Most wore excited expressions while others looked nervous about the coming week. Normally, internships were reserved for Sophomore and Senior Hero Students, but the USJ Incident had changed many things. This year, freshmen from both Classes 1-A and 1-B had been granted the same opportunity.
Personally, Izuku hoped it would never happen again. The fact that first-year students were being pushed into professional work this early stemmed from Villains attacking them. That wasn't something worth celebrating.
"Looks like everyone's already here," Ochaco observed.
The gathering near the entrance was substantial. Hero students clustered together in small groups while teachers monitored the area from a distance. Excitement filled the atmosphere like static before a thunderstorm. Everyone knew this internship could influence the rest of their careers.
Izuku stopped walking.
"Well, this is where we split up."
"Yeah." Ochaco looked toward him.
A small part of him was curious about the people she'd be training alongside with. He would've liked to meet her future classmates and see how she interacted with them, but he'd already delayed her enough by walking her here.
"Good luck, Ochaco."
"Thanks, Izuku." She smiled.
"You'll do great."
"I'll try."
"No," He corrected. "You'll do great."
The certainty in his voice made her laugh.
"See you later, then."
"See you later."
With a final wave, Ochaco headed toward the growing crowd while Izuku continued on his own way. The moment she approached, several students recognized her.
"Uraraka!"
Ochaco blinked as a familiar red-haired student waved enthusiastically.
"Kirishima!"
The cheerful greeting opened the floodgates. Students from both classes began welcoming her into the gathering. The trip to the mall several weeks earlier had done wonders for breaking down barriers between Classes 1-A and 1-B. Many of them had remained acquaintances since then.
Even now, Ochaco couldn't help feeling grateful. For someone who had spent most of the year feeling isolated in the General Course, simply being included felt wonderful. As conversations began springing up around her, she spotted Itsuka Kendo standing with several members of 1-B.
Ochaco would likely end up joining Class 1-A if her internship succeeded; she couldn't deny that she admired Kendo immensely. The orange-haired student possessed a confidence and leadership ability that Ochaco found inspiring.
Her attention shifted elsewhere when she noticed that only teachers from Classes 3-A and 3-B seemed to be present.
"No offense, but why are so many of us here?" Ochaco began, turning toward Yaoyorozu, "Aren't we gonna take up a ridiculous amount of space on the trains?"
"Normally, yes." Momo smiled politely.
"Then how—"
"Dean Nezu reserved the station."
Ochaco stopped.
"He what?"
"The entire station."
"The entire station?!"
Momo nodded as though this was perfectly reasonable.
"It's standard practice among Hero Academies. It ensures students can travel safely to their internship destinations without disruptions or security concerns."
Ochaco stared. Sometimes she forgot just how absurdly influential Hero Academies were.
"That's insane."
"A bit," Momo admitted.
Before the conversation could continue, another voice suddenly joined in.
"Ooooooh?"
Ochaco froze. She knew that tone. Slowly, she turned around to see Mina standing there with a grin that promised trouble.
"Ashido…"
"I saw you arrive with somebody." The pink-haired girl pointed dramatically toward the road behind them.
"No." Ochaco immediately groaned.
"Was it a boy?"
"Mina."
"A cute boy?"
"Mina."
"A boyfriend, perhaps?"
"Mina!"
Several nearby students began paying attention.
"You can't hide your secret romance from me!" Mina clasped her hands together dramatically.
"There is no secret romance!"
"That's exactly what someone hiding a secret romance would say!"
Ochaco resisted the urge to scream.
"I was walking with a friend!"
Mina's grin somehow widened.
"A friend?"
"Yes!"
"A special friend?"
"No!"
"A future husband?"
"NO!"
The surrounding students burst into laughter.
"For the last time, Mina, Midoriya, and I are just friends." Ochaco buried her face in her hands.
Mina blinked. The teasing expression immediately disappeared.
"…Wait."
Ochaco looked up.
"What?"
"The guy from earlier…"
Mina's eyes widened slightly.
"That was Izuku Midoriya?"
Now it was Ochaco's turn to blink.
"Yeah?"
An uncomfortable silence followed. Inside Mina's head, gears began turning at dangerous speeds.
'Midoriya.' The name echoed loudly. The green-haired boy she had only glimpsed from a distance now had a face attached to it. A face she couldn't stop comparing to another individual.
Webjack.
The mysterious Vigilante turning Hero Society upside down. Fortunately for Izuku, Mina possessed enough self-control not to blurt out insane accusations without evidence. Unfortunately for Mina, this discovery was going to occupy her thoughts for the foreseeable future.
"Ochaco?"
"Hm?"
"Nothing." Mina forced a smile. "Just remembered something."
Several nearby students overheard Midoriya's name, but none paid it any attention. To most people, it was simply someone not tied to UA.
To two individuals, however, it was something else entirely. The first was Katsuki Bakugo. His right eye twitched at hearing the name of Midoriya.
'Deku was here?'
The name struck his brain like an explosion.
'Deku was near UA?' His hands clenched. The veins on his forehead bulged. 'HOW DARE HE?!'
The urge to hunt him down was immediate and overwhelming. Katsuki wanted nothing more than to charge out of the gates, find the green-haired nuisance, and remind him exactly where he belonged. Below him. Always below him. Only years of discipline and ambition prevented him from acting. Barely. The internship came first. The #4 Hero came first. Power came first. But afterward, Deku was going to regret showing his face.
The listener found the conversation troubling for entirely different reasons. Aizawa had arrived with the remaining teachers just in time to hear the name.
Midoriya.
The same Midoriya who knew about All Might's injury. The same Midoriya who had suddenly become a person of interest. The same Midoriya who might—might—be connected to the vigilante currently giving Hero Society nightmares. Aizawa's expression remained neutral. Internally, however, his thoughts were racing.
Normally, surveillance would already be underway. They would investigate, and they would apply pressure until answers appeared. But nothing about this situation was normal. Webjack and Kat-astrophe had threatened to expose All Might's condition. They had already demonstrated frightening intelligence.
And if they truly possessed some method of neutralizing Quirks, then a direct confrontation could become a disaster. Without drawing attention to himself, Aizawa pulled out his phone. A short message was sent.
Midoriya near UA: Possible sighting. Recommend discreet surveillance.
The recipient was obviously Dean Nezu. Aizawa slipped the phone away moments later and returned his attention to the gathered students. Whatever game was being played here, they needed answers. The challenge was finding them without triggering another disaster.
-][-
Nezu had already anticipated this development long before Lockdown's message arrived. The moment Toshinori uttered Izuku Midoriya's name during the meeting, the Dean began preparing contingencies. Bringing the young man in for questioning would have been the straightforward solution. Unfortunately, straightforward solutions rarely survived contact with reality.
If Midoriya truly was Webjack, attempting to detain or interrogate him directly could provoke consequences none of them were prepared to handle. The Vigilante already possessed information capable of threatening the Symbol of Peace. That alone changed everything.
Complicating matters further was the ever-watchful presence of the Hero Public Safety Commission. More specifically, Madam President Samui Zankokuna, whose influence had become an increasingly frustrating obstacle to both UA and All Might. The Commission would undoubtedly demand jurisdiction over the situation the moment they learned Webjack might possess sensitive information regarding Japan's Number One Hero.
Nezu had absolutely no intention of allowing that. Which was why he devised a far more creative approach. Rather than moving against Midoriya, he would observe him. And for that, he required specialists.
Four individuals stepped out of a train station and blended seamlessly into the crowds of Musutafu. Or at least, that was the plan.
"Ughhh…" Ryuko Tsuchikawa groaned dramatically as she adjusted the hood of her jacket. "I hate this already."
"You've been complaining since we got on the train." Walking beside her, Shino Sosaki rolled her eyes.
"Because espionage isn't Hero Work!"
"It absolutely is Hero Work."
"It absolutely isn't rescue work."
"Someone's jealous." Tomoko Shiretoko snickered.
"Jealous of what?" Ryuko immediately whirled toward her teammate.
"The fact that I'm the favorite." Tomoko pointed at herself proudly.
Ryuko's eye twitched. Before the argument could escalate further, Yawara Chatora inserted herself between them.
"Would both of you stop?"
Neither listened.
"Tomoko gets all the fun jobs."
"I get the fun jobs because I'm good at them."
"You get the fun jobs because you're convenient. Not because anyone likes you."
"I can't believe you'd say something so hurtful." Tomoko gasped theatrically.
"It wasn't hurtful enough."
"Girls," Yawara's warning carried enough weight to silence both women finally. For approximately three seconds, Tomoko stuck her tongue out. Ryuko nearly lunged at her.
The four members of the Wild, Wild Pussycats looked nothing like famous Pro-Heroes. That was intentional. Civilian clothing concealed their identities surprisingly well. The average person simply wasn't looking for Heroes outside of costume.
Hero Society had become strange in that regard. People would instantly recognize a costume from hundreds of feet away. Take away the costume, however, and most citizens became hilariously oblivious.
Unless they were dedicated fans or an emergency was unfolding nearby, Heroes could often walk directly through crowds unnoticed. A fact Yawara found endlessly amusing.
"I still think somebody's going to recognize us." Ryuko folded her arms.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
A passing businessman nearly walked into Ryuko without sparing her a second glance.
"Case in point." Yawara pointed.
Ryuko scowled.
As they exited the station, Shino pulled out her phone. A moment later, the call connected.
"Dean. We've arrived."
"Excellent." Nezu sounded disturbingly cheerful. That was rarely a comforting sign.
A notification appeared on Shino's screen. She opened the message. A photograph filled the display of a young man with green hair and freckles on his face that are shaped like diamonds. A surprisingly ordinary-looking young man from a university, yet Shino can tell that he hides a lot of muscle within his clothing.
Izuku Midoriya. The current—and only—candidate for Webjack's true identity.
"That's him?" Ryuko leaned over her shoulder.
"He looks adorable." Tomoko blinked.
"He looks to be the right fit for the Vigilante," Yawara frowned.
"The similarity in height is so far the only confirmation he has," Nezu stated.
"And not the blatantly obvious hair color?" Ryuko questioned.
This wasn't the image any of them had constructed after hearing stories about Webjack.
The vigilante who destroyed Ground Beta and hospitalized Heroes like Endeavor. The person in the photograph looked like he should be studying for exams.
"An Underground Hero is already maintaining visual contact." Nezu continued speaking.
That immediately reassured the Pussycats. Underground Heroes specialized in surveillance. If anyone could shadow a target without being detected, it would be one of them.
"The operative is a recent graduate from Isami Academy," Nezu explained. "Capable but not experienced enough. His role is observation only."
"You don't think he could capture Webjack?" Shino frowned.
"No," Nezu admitted. "I don't think Lockdown could either."
"I'd pay to see that hobo get his ass kicked," Ryuko joked.
"The objective remains unchanged," Nezu continued. "Locate Midoriya. Ragdoll will establish her Search lock. Once that occurs, we can monitor his movements indefinitely."
Tomoko nodded. Search was one of the most valuable tracking Quirks in existence. If Midoriya were Webjack, escape would become nearly impossible.
"Remember, you are not to confront him," Nezu said firmly.
That drew immediate confusion.
"Not even if he's confirmed?" Shino asked.
"Especially if he's confirmed."
The seriousness in Nezu's voice immediately erased any lingering doubts.
"Webjack is no longer classified as an ordinary Vigilante. Recent events place him in a threat category comparable to top-ranking Pro-Heroes."
The Pussycats stopped walking. Ryuko looked unsettled. Comparing someone to Endeavor was one thing. Comparing someone to the nation's strongest heroes while they were still a teenager was another. Shino hesitated before asking the question lingering in everyone's minds.
"What exactly does he have on All Might?"
Nezu sighed. A rare sound that was also tired.
"I'm sorry, Sosaki." His voice softened. "I can't answer that. At least not on a phone of all things."
"Right, right. Compartmentalization. Very important," Shino shrugged with swift understanding.
"Always wonderful to hear that one of my alumni hasn't forgotten the grueling lessons from sophomore year," Nezu smiled.
-][-
The walk to Takoba Beach should have been uneventful. Instead, Izuku spent nearly every step fighting the urge to glance over his shoulder. The warning came in pulses. Tiny prickles crawled across the back of his neck and danced along his scalp before fading away, only to return moments later. To anyone else, it would have felt like nerves.
To Izuku, it was as recognizable as his own heartbeat. His Spider-Sense was alerting him to danger. Not the kind of danger that made him dive out of the way of a speeding truck or evade a surprise attack. This was different and more bothersome.
Someone was watching him. Someone was following him. Izuku kept his expression neutral as he walked down the crowded sidewalk, passing office workers, university students, and families enjoying the afternoon. Outwardly, he looked like an ordinary young man heading toward another destination. Internally, his mind was moving a kilometer a minute.
His Spider-Sense wasn't merely a danger alarm. Most people would never understand how versatile the ability truly was. It helped guide his webbing with impossible precision, allowing him to shoot lines without consciously calculating angles. It warned him of incoming attacks. More importantly, it gave him an instinctive awareness of threats around him. Like a compass that pointed toward danger.