—What is the matter, Principal?— Yagi Toshinori asked with a solemn tone and a severe expression.
The thin, dying man exuded an air of despondency, defeat, waning determination, and a primal desire to lash out against something... Or someone.
The meeting among the UA Teachers had already ended, and none of them took the terrible news about what happened at the camp well. For Yagi, it was like a stab to the heart.
Students, his students, killed, seriously injured, kidnapped. He didn't even know whether to feel sad or angry.
—All Might, I know this isn't the best time for either of us, but I'd like you to accompany me to an unscheduled meeting— Nezu invited with a warm tone, gesturing toward a sofa. —An unexpected visitor is on their way to my office.
Yagi absently took a seat, raising an eyebrow at the Principal's words but without the presence of mind to care enough. He really wasn't in the best state.
Both remained in an uncomfortable silence, each contemplating the situation from different angles.
Nezu was using his incomprehensible genius to draw up countermeasures, contingency plans, and at the same time analyzing the implications of this incident and its repercussions on the media and the people of Japan.
Yagi was guided more by his heart, fighting against the sea of emotions assaulting him from all sides. Endless questions about how different things would have been if he had taken his duty as a Sensei more seriously, sadness at imagining the parents of the deceased and the anguish they must be feeling right now.
He was worried about the state of the young promise to whom he ceded One For All, as well as his classmates. Being attacked by Villains was one thing, but losing friends at such a young age was very different.
It was heartbreaking. They counted on his guidance, on his protection, but All Might wasn't there for them. All Might didn't protect them.
Someone knocked on the door, drawing the Principal and the Hero out of their thoughts. With a click, the door opened and a student entered the office with beads of sweat on his forehead.
—Tetsumaru-Shonen?— Yagi murmured, momentarily forgetting that the young man before him shouldn't know his identity.
—It's alright, All Might. I believe Terumi-Kun is already aware of many things around here— Nezu commented casually, exposing Yagi and startling him in place.
To his dismay, Tetsumaru didn't even blink at the revelation, walking with a calm stride and taking a seat on the other sofa. The boy briefly glanced at the Principal with a slight trace of annoyance before speaking.
—I am not Terumi. Just Tetsumaru will suffice.
—Of course, Tetsumaru-Kun— Nezu nodded.
—Just Tetsumaru— the black-haired boy automatically replied.
—...
Yagi, Nezu, and Tetsumaru looked at each other in silence, an awkward silence. After a few seconds, it was the Symbol of Peace who broke it.
—Tetsumaru-Shonen... How long have you known?
The shinobi blinked once, organizing his thoughts before answering.
—For a long time, to be honest. It's not that hard when you consider the whole picture, Sensei. Izuku didn't have a Quirk until a while before entering UA, your appearances were reduced, Izuku suddenly has a powerful Quirk that he controls like shit, and yours has "weakened," according to the idiot villain with the hands. Not seeing it would be stupid.
—... Is that the truth?— Nezu asked, a shrewd glint flashing in his gaze.
—Yes— the shinobi lied.
—Does your sister know too?— Yagi started sweating, realizing his secret was going to hell day after day.
—Yes— was Tetsumaru's flat reply. —But enough of that. Your secret is safe with us, Sensei.
—Because we can trust you, isn't that right?— Nezu said, his kind smile not reaching his eyes. Tetsumaru wasn't surprised by that.
His position was increasingly uncomfortable in this school, and everyone, except Yagi, was aware of that fact. Luckily, Nezu could see beyond emotion and was much more diplomatic than Aizawa or Kan.
—Why are you really here, Tetsumaru? You should go home, be with your family. Be with your sister, because I'm sure she must be having a hard time— Nezu spoke once more, testing the boy's reactions.
—Because I need a favor, Principal Nezu— Tetsumaru replied, confusing Yagi and making Nezu analyze more information at a ridiculous speed. He expected many things, but this was not one of them.
He urged the student to continue.
—First, I would like to contact the Wild Wild Pussycat, Ragdoll. If you act as an intermediary, it would make the task easier for me. Second, I want to help in the search for my classmate.
—Absolutely not, Young Tetsumaru!— Yagi suddenly intervened, capturing the attention of the other two.
—You don't need to worry about those matters. Let the police and the Heroes handle it, Young Tetsumaru. I promise I will bring your friend back, but that task will be harder if you also put yourself at risk.
—With all due respect, Sensei, you are barely operational these days. How much stamina do you really have left? Do I need to remind you that I was there when you fought the Nomu at the USJ? That battle pushed you almost to your limit, and you had to run away so as not to lose your muscular form in front of us— Tetsumaru retorted, stopping the speech about duty and trust that All Might was about to give.
—Why do you want to talk to Ragdoll?— Nezu asked curiously, deciding to address the other matter later.
—Because she made a discovery about my abilities that she couldn't inform me of because of the Villains who decided to attack at that moment. I really need the information she has.
—About your abilities? I thought you had everything figured out, Tetsumaru— Nezu insisted.
—Hey, Principal, he is a student— Yagi gently admonished, getting a little lost in the strange interaction between Nezu and Tetsumaru. —And you, Young Tetsumaru, I find it commendable that you seek to strengthen yourself with such dedication, being as strong as you already are, but you should rest for now. Go home, and let us resolve this situation.
—Will you do it or not?— Tetsumaru inquired, blatantly ignoring All Might.
Nezu thought it over carefully. With everything that had happened, Aizawa hadn't informed him anything about the nature of the Terumi siblings' "Quirk." He had no idea about Ragdoll's supposed discovery, nor if it would be a good idea to allow that information to reach the boy before him.
—And how exactly can you help?— Nezu returned with another question. He needed more data to make a definitive decision.
—Principal, what are you doing!?— Yagi rose from his seat, but everyone ignored him again.
—The Villains— was Tetsumaru's unnecessarily cryptic answer.
******************************
Spinner walked with an indifferent expression. He ignored the officers surrounding him, the chains that bound him, the devices that dangerously sputtered, threatening to shock him if he attempted anything untoward.
A couple of days had passed since he was caught by the authorities, but the heir to Stain's will remained loyal to his beliefs. He did not say a single word about the League of Villains, despite the fact that they left him to his fate.
They even tried to turn him against the girl, Himiko. Spinner wasn't going to be fooled so easily.
Now they seemed to have finally given up, and they were going to transport him to another facility, far from his comrade.
The young Villain got into the van without saying a word, allowing himself to be taken to who knows where for who knows how long. A part of him began to question his decisions, to question the allies he found.
Why had none of them come for him?
The journey was quiet. Through the darkened windows, Spinner noticed the billboards and giant screens, catching glimpses of images of some brats and Heroes.
His eyelids trembled, and he paid closer attention.
WHERE WERE THE HEROES?
UA'S FAILURE: TWO STUDENTS MURDERED.
THE END OF THE IIDA LEGACY!?
Sensational headlines appeared everywhere, images of an ocean of reporters outside the gates of UA, the faces of deceased children, injured children flooding Spinner's eyes.
Conflicting emotions danced in his chest. Society had its eye on the Heroes, criticism rained down on UA, the false idols were staggering on their thrones of lies. But there was also bewilderment.
Acting for a belief was one thing, but until now Spinner hadn't been involved in murders. Knowing that his actions took the lives of two children was a shock he didn't expect.
What if they were worthy of being recognized as true Heroes like the brat Stain saved?
But the moment of reflection abruptly stopped.
—Look out!— warned the officer in the co-driver's seat a second before the car was violently shaken.
The impact reverberated through the spine of the captive Villain, his vision spun and the world turned upside down.
The glass cracked and burst, groans of pain and surprise came from the other officers, and the car roof dented when the weight of the vehicle pressed down.
—Control, call control! Tell—
A monstrous hand pierced the door and grabbed the man by the abdomen, squeezing so hard that it made him spit blood before pulling him out forcefully.
Suddenly, limbs with polished, gleaming claws pierced the metal, tearing it open like an eggshell and allowing Spinner to visualize his savior.
A monster with an exposed brain gripped his restraints and broke them with disdainful ease, pulling the Villain from the car and carrying him towards a patch of darkness in the middle of the street.