After that mess, maybe it isn't a good idea to go to the highest security prison in Japan. Thankfully, that is only a maybe. Meanwhile, it is a terrible idea to try and jump out of a car in the middle of a long-ass bridge that would take forever to walk off. That would be the case if Shouta and Hizashi weren't coming. Instead, it will take longer because I rather jump off a bridge than get in the car with an angry Shouta and swimming sucks.

My deduction skills are getting better by the day, not that they are being appreciated by any means.

We arrive at the gate of Tartarus, and it doesn't take long for us to get in. I am more than happy to admit that it is because I come here multiple times a week. Otherwise, we would have had to go through a bunch of paperwork, and that shit sucks ass. I even went ahead and let the guard know that Shouta and Hizashi are coming too to make their lives easier.

Once we park, I hop out because I am tired of that car.

"Izuku, do you have any idea when those two will be here?" Tsukauchi asks as he steps out.

I consider for a moment, "Ten minutes or so? UA is only slightly farther from the police station." Tsukauchi nods.

"That gives us enough time to let Kurogiri's guards know what we are doing."

We head inside, showing our badges as I decide to continue the conversation, "Is there anything else that we should do while we are here?"

Gran Torino grunts beside me, "We could try talking to All for One again to see if he lets anything else slips."

"Oh yeah, he has been practicing his poetry, right?" Gran Torino glares at me, "That's a yes. To be fair, everything that he has said has either already been said or he's just being the psychopath that he is."

"Don't remind me."

"I deny we're going to get anything from him...actually, I haven't gotten to talk to him personally yet," Everyone turns to me as if I have lost it, "What?"

"Do we need to remind you that he is considered the most dangerous villain alive?"

"I can fix that with a few bullets."

"That's not what I mean, you brat."

I roll my eyes, "I know. However, he, technically speaking, likes me. He considered me a bigger target than All Might, so that has to say something."

Sir sighs, "Yes, but being a target and being liked are two different things."

"I used them under the same context for him for a reason. I don't mean it in literal terms in a sense. If anything, I am simply saying that I interest him. Psychopath, remember?"

"I still think that is a terrible idea."

"I trained under Nezu, sir. I can deal with All for One's bullshit. Besides, we can only be with him, what, five minutes? I can't fuck up that much in five minutes." I can, be that will work against me, so I am keeping that out. It's not lying if I don't mention it.

"Why are you so adamite about wanting to talk to him?" Sir questions, and I notice that he is watching me carefully.

"Because we can do this right now. Gran Torino and Tsukauchi can set up the Kurogiri shit, and you and I can talk to the local resident."

"That's not it."

Tsukauchi intervenes, "You're trying to get out of seeing Eraser." I swear nothing is a secret anymore.

I click my tongue, "Go fuck yourself."

"So it's a yes."

"Can you blame me?"

"No, but it would be better if you are actually there instead of having to look at notes later. I deny he is going to say something with us around."

"You're not wrong, but that doesn't make me any happier. I don't think he knows that I was with y'all either, so he probably doesn't even know that y'all heard that tea." Not that I was actively sharing it. He just happens to be loud.

"We're in a soap opera," Gran Torino mutters. I ignore him, but Tsukauchi agrees. Bastard.

"For our sanity, we should keep them separate for a little bit just in case. You don't need us to grab those two from the front, right? You just need us there for the actual meeting," Sir asks Tsukauchi.

Tsukauchi nods, "That can work. Just don't skip on us." Sir, you marvelous genius. Sure, it's not going to get me out of it completely, but it should stop us from having a conversation until Shouta settles down.

"I don't plan on it." Sir might not be, but I am considering it. I deny it's going to work as Sir can probably grab me with his giraffe arms, but it's only a thought.

Gran Torino interrupts, "Is there anything we should be careful about?" He questions as he looks up at me.

I shrug, "Just be professional. I don't know how he's going to act. Mic should help y'all out if it makes you feel any better."

"Got it. We better get moving then."

The investigation squad splits. Gran Torino and Tsukauchi have fun setting up the Kurogiri meeting with the emotionally charged men while Sir and I go chill with the number one villain. Seems like a fair trade-off to me.

"Are you sure this is a good idea with what just happened? All for One might use that to his advantage if you show any sign of distress through," Sir asks, clearly worried as we make our way to said villain.

"I assume you are talking about the phone call?" Sir nods, "I ain't going to say that didn't hurt me because it did, but I am aware that he said it because he's stressed out. Once he calms down, I know we'll be okay again. That's why I am not acting too heart-broken about it."

"But it still bothers you, which is what I am trying to point at."

"Yeah, but I deny All for One can say anything worse than what he did, so it's completely fine!"

Sir facepalms as we enter the area All for One is at. Because of how high-profile he is, you have to go through a lot of shit in order to see him for five minutes. While Sir gets to chill in an observation room, I have to be checked in every way possible, and I mean every way. I'm checked physically, mentally, and emotionally. On top of that, I have to sign an agreement with a bunch of shit I agree to such as not sharing outside information and what not.

Once they determine that I am good (within a minute, which is a one-of-a-kind experience), I'm let into a white room with a single chair in the middle of it. In front of me, there is a glass that sees through to another white room where All for One sits tied down. Honestly, if I didn't know any better, I would have thought I was in a psych ward.

Not that this man doesn't need it. He probably does. Personally, I think he needs to die more, but that's not allowed for some stupid reason.

All for One grins, "Finally, someone interesting has come to visit me." This is a villain version of Nezu.

"Good way to add pedophile to the list of issues you have," I casually announce as I take a seat.

"Aw. Do you think of me so lowly to give me such a term?"

"You can not tell me that what you had said does not give pedophile vibes. I wish you were that dumb."

"Ah, you're right. I will work on that. I don't want to scare off a potential recruit so soon after all." Oh boy.

"I am not even surprised at this point in my life." You know, thinking about it, I came here without a single clue of what I'm going to ask him. That's not a smart move on my part. I'll figure something out very soon.

"You have plenty of potential, Izuku. I hope you realize that these heroes are limiting you of what you can truly become." Can this bitch not say my name, please and thank you?

"And what can I become, Mister Potato Head?" All for One, for some reason, ignores my insult.

"You could be a great mastermind beside me."

"Superiority complex much?"

"Of course! You must have an idea of who I am by now." If you can't tell, I'm sort of just playing along. If I play along, maybe I will get something.

"Unfortunately, a portion of my brain is dedicated to knowing about you. Though, I do have a question for you."

"Oh? What is it, young one?" Ew.

"Why did you become a villain?" He's already in jail, y'all. I really don't need much from him. The only reason I am asking this is because maybe it will give us a clearer idea of what the fuck Shigaraki is doing.

All for One hums in amusement, "An interesting question indeed. To put it quite simply, I always wanted the villain to win." Uh, what?

"Do I want an explanation for that?"

"Certainly! I got tired of seeing media always presenting heroes as the winners. I wanted the villains to win for once, and I had the power. It was possible, so why not do it?"

"...So you are telling me that an old ass man became a villain because of the media? That's it?" So you're telling me all this shit I have gone through is because of this old man's one desire. My life is a fucking joke.

"Did you expect me to provide a more complex reasoning?"

"I expected a less disappointing answer. Shigaraki's reasoning is more sound than yours, and I considered that the worst reasoning until yours, so congrats!"

"That is expected. He formed his ideals on his own." Somehow, I feel there is further reasoning for that, but I deny I am going to get further meaning in that. Honestly, it feels like I am talking to a child. A mature child, but a child nonetheless. Has it been five minutes yet? No? I mean, I learned something. Maybe not something useful, but it's something. I really should have gone in with a plan.

"Uh-huh. I see, cool. The next thing I know, you'll be telling me that you were a theater kid."

"I was! I was always the main villain!" I hate that this melted doll and I have something in common.

"Somehow, I believe that was the start of leading you down this path." All for One laughs.

"This is why I like you, Izuku! You understand me! Everyone else that has entered was so simple and boring with such straight-forward approaches. They provided me with no amusement, and they expected me to spill my secrets! But you? You clearly know better." I don't think that's a good thing to hear from this guy.

Before I can respond, the intercom goes off, "You have one more minute."

"Aw, what a shame. We were just getting started. It's not often that I get to talk to such a powerful opponent."

I raise an eyebrow at him, "Sir, you had All Might come visit you."

"Yes, but he is just a weakling now. You are completely new. A new variable that I either must destroy or, preferably, bring to my side. You're more dangerous than him. Even the current One for All user is simply a toddler compared to you." Ah, so I am still wanted. Great!

"I hope you realize how creepy it is that you consider a teenager your arch enemy practically."

All for One grins, "I don't. I don't want to deprive you from any learning experiences-"

"The meeting is now over. Please leave the room," The intercom buzzes.

I stand up and smile to him, "Welp, later. Hope you die soon!"

As I am leaving, All for One declares, "I will see you soon!"

Yeah, I'm out of there.

When I exit, I am checked once again to make sure that I'm okay and didn't sneak anything to him. That doesn't take long thankfully.

Once I leave the room, I find Sir waiting outside for me. There is a lot I can say about what just happened. However, I barely understand what just happened myself. It felt like a shit-show. I will have to look back at what I got later.

For now, we have more important matters.

Sir isn't letting it go though, "Did you learn anything from that encounter?"

I click my tongue and look up at the bastard, "I prefer not to talk about it right now."

"Then how about your feelings on it?"

"That was one of the weirdest conversations I have ever had the hatred of participating in, and I didn't even start it."

Sir huffs a laugh, "You're going to look back at it later, I assume?"

"Yeah. That entire conversation was unplanned."

"Are you telling me that you had nothing prepared to talk to him about?"

"On my behalf, I did not decide that I was going to talk to him until ten minutes ago. I don't know what you expect from me." Sir facepalms.

"I hope you are somewhat prepared for this then."

"I hope so too, Sunflower."

We don't say anything as we go down the hallways to where the rest of the investigation squad should be.

It doesn't take us too long to find them in Kurogiri's cell with Shouta and Hizashi. I don't even need to be in the room to feel the tensity. I can tell by their posture alone as they stare down the mist man, possibly their past friend. It doesn't help that there is more distance between them than usual, and that's not a hero thing. Even in their hero wear, they are usually closer. Did something happen between them?

Tsukauchi approaches us, indicating that they are about to leave the room. It gives me an excuse to lean against a wall and wait for the troubled couple and Gran Torino to come out. Sir seems to take the same idea, though he positions himself more in front of me. What a dad move.

I don't know if this is a good thing or not, but I can hear their conversation from out here.

"Screw that!" I hear Hizashi exclaim. That's a more expected reaction.

Tsukauchi calls over his shoulder as he steps out, "He's sedated now because he attempted to use his quirk." Wait, why sedated? Do quirk suppressants not work? Jeez. Tsukauchi steps out, waiting for them to leave the room.

It's silent for a moment until Shouta slices it through with his curt voice, "Why summon us? If you're hoping that something will happen because of our friendship, this is Izuku's most ridiculous idea yet." He's certainly still mad. At least he isn't being a complete ass and screaming. I am taking the small wins with him right now.

Gran Torino explains,

"Nah. He told us that it wasn't likely to happen. That's why he wanted to try other methods before bringing anyone else in just in case, but we overruled it as we didn't want to waste so much time trying to figure that out. The kid's idea has a basis: the nomu that Endeavor brought down in Kyushu demonstrated a personality: it was obsessed with powerful fighters. After analyzing that burnt husk's DNA, we learned that the body's base came from a punk who made a living as an underground fighter. Izuku's theory is that, if the personality survives, the rest of the person might be in there with it."

Thank you, Gran Torino, for clearing my name. It was not my idea to bring them in. Y'all have to stop assuming.

Shouta responds, sounding somewhat calmer, "So the body's personality remains...expect I fought this guy as UA. He spoke completely differently, and he didn't react to me in any notable way."

At this point, the three of them step out. Gran Torino simply nods to me as he and Tsukauchi start leading them to the investigation room. Shouta doesn't even acknowledge me, which I'm totally not bothered by. Hizashi, on the other hand, looks at me with concern. I simply wave him off, signaling for him to focus on himself. His eyebrows furrow, but he doesn't say anything as he goes to Shouta's side. Probably to make sure he doesn't flip out again. Sir and I follow after them in the back.

Tsukauchi attempts to come up with a reason, "It could be a side effect of the experiments. Reprogramming could delete memories or create fake ones," That makes sense to me, "As I said before, getting him to talk could give us a huge lead."

We stop, and that's when I realize we are already where the interview room is. Damn, it's pretty close by, but I guess that makes sense.

Tsukauchi opens the door for them as he explains their task, "Present Mic. Eraserhead. Try to awaken any attachments Oboro Shirakumo might have toward his own life."

The two step into a white room like what I was just in. The only difference is that there are two chairs and Kurogiri replaces All for One. The door closes behind them, and the investigation squad and I move to the room next door where a guy waits with a monitor in front of him. This room is dark, which contrasts with the white room we can see through the window.

We settle in our places rather easily. Tsukauchi and Gran Torino are around the extra guy with us, who will be watching Kurogiri's brainwaves, while Sir and I are in the back watching. Unlike us, Shouta and Hizashi look uncomfortable in their chairs as they stare at their possible dead friend. That's sickening to think about.

Hizashi turns to face us, "You want us to take him on a trip down memory lane?!"

"Yes, please," Gran Torino replies.

"Couldn't his folks be doing this?" Uh, do you want them to see that their dead son that has been transformed into a zombie practically?

"If you two can't pull it off, we'll contact them," Tsukauchi explains, and I REALLY hope it doesn't turn to that. Fuck, I'm uncomfortable with those two in there. A family who lost their son only to learn that their son is a nomu 15 years later? I would consider dropping out of the case at that point. Shouta comes to the same conclusion.

Shouta activates his quirk to prevent Kurogiri from leaving when he wakes up, "I won't let his parents learn about this monster."

The screen the random guy is in front of suddenly buzzes, and he says, "He's waking up."

Tsukauchi gives the go ahead, indicating the start of this meeting. Honestly, thank fuck we have a brain wave monitor, because I would not have noticed that Kurogiri was awake. He doesn't show any signs of it until he actually talks.

"Oh? What a rare visitor I have...didn't we last meet at the UA invasion?" Kurogiri questions in his typical formal manner. He shows no signs of recognizing them...well, as far as I know. I literally can't see his facial expression, and that's what I rely on for reading people.

Hizashi takes that as an answer two the whole problem, "See? I knew you guys had it all wrong! This chump's got nothing in common with Shirakumo-" Kurogiri cuts him off.

"Tomura Shigaraki. Is he well? I presume he's not captured." I know he's a slave, but that's the kind of support most people strive for. He does this for Shigaraki of all people. That's kind of sad.

"I don't know, man!"

"Ah. What a shame."

Shouta inserts himself into the conversation, "You're curious about Shigaraki?" You know, it's quite interesting the personality switch we got here. Before the interview, Shouta was the radical one and Hizashi was trying to remain calm. Their roles are reversed here. Shouta is rational while Hizashi is going off. That's kind of expected considering this is the kind of shit Shouta does with as an underground hero while Hizashi simply does not have this kind of exposure. That's why I trust Shouta so much when it comes to mission shit. I'm not saying that Hizashi is bad. I'm just saying his strengths are elsewhere.

"Indeed. Tending to him is my mission." Shouta's expression changes. He's picking up something.

Hizashi, meanwhile, is not, "What kind of mission is that?! Having to watch over a delusional gamer brat all day?! Yeesh!" He is about to continue with his speech when he notices Shouta's expression, stopping him in his tracks.

Kurogiri acknowledges Hizashi's statement, "It did not pain me to do so as I am the type who cannot abandon others."

There. That's fucking it. That literally says it all. If we had no proof before, we have it now because a normal villain would never say something like that. That is something a hero would say.

I can not vouch for Shirakumo specifically, but I don't think I need to either. Shouta looks distraught for a moment before he runs a hand down his face in an attempt to snap himself out of it. Honestly, if he didn't have his quirk on, he probably would look away to give himself a moment except he can't. He seems close to a breakdown. I wish I could be there for emotional support because goddamnit neither of them deserve this bullshit.

Shouta sighs, "When I...was about to leave that cat, you scooped the little guy up without a second thought." Everything suddenly makes sense for why he cares so much about Shirakumo, and that is only a partial joke.

Kurogiri doesn't react to the news at all, "I'm afraid I don't follow. Why have you come here, exactly?" The guy at the monitor confirms that Kurogiri is not reacting to what he has just been told. No recollection.

"I was always hesitating. Holding back. You always pulled me along."

"Have you mistaken this place for a confessional of some kind?" Kurogiri is still not reacting. Yet, Shouta continues.

"You were always in high spirits. Always facing forward without considering what came next even though death meant the end for you!" Shouta takes a deep breathe before continuing, "We...Yamada and I are teachers now. We also have someone who is a brother to us in all but blood who acts just like you in that same age group. I'm really strict with my students. Especially him." I did not expect to be brought into this conversation, but at least he didn't mention my name.

Gran Torino tries to help to keep the conversation going, "Downright nasty how many kids he expels, right?"

"At least on paper," Hizashi mumbles. Gran Torino gives him a confused look, but Hizashi doesn't continue.

I clarify, "Eraserhead expels them and then reenrolls them to hit them with the reality of being a hero without them being dead on the field. I only know about it because I asked him about it when I noticed that there was still a 2-A despite the record stating they were expelled as they keep the mark." The fucker didn't even willingly pass over the information until after I promised that I wouldn't tell anyone. Shouta really knows how to make himself look scary without killing people. Gran Torino isn't the first to be surprised by that information. I fell in that category as well.

With that confusion cleared, Shouta can continue.

Shouta removes his bright yellow goggles as he explains his more personal reasoning, "Because I want guys like you. I want heroes who can pull others along to live good, long lives!"

Kurogiri starts...glitching out? He's twitching. The monitor starts going off as well.

"Detecting unusual brainwaves," The main informs us.

"Meaning?" Gran Torino questions quickly.

"He's agitated." Damn, I wish I just started glitching out of the world every time I got pissed off. It would look much cooler than just, you know, yelling and shit. I'm sorry, I'll return to the story.

Tsukauchi straightens up and goes to start answering questions, but I cut him off before he can even start, "Sir, they have this." And it's true.

Shouta, with tears running down his face from emotions and quirk overuse, stands up and yells at Kurogiri, "Who did this to you?! Where'd they tinker with your head?! Didn't you feel anything when you attacked us at UA?!"

Kurogiri struggles to speak with the glitching, "I...I haven't the...slightest idea...about..."

"Answer, me, Shirakumo!"

"I am Kurogiri, the one who protects Tomura Shigaraki."

"YOU WERE A MEMBER OF UA'S CLASS 2-A! WE WANTED TO BE HEROES TOGETHER!"

Hizashi joins Shouta, "OBORO SHIRAKUMO!"

"Again, I haven't the faintest idea of what you mean-" Kurogiri starts to respond when he suddenly stops.

The mist fights to form a shape until it does form...

The mist shows Shirakumo's face. Holy shit.

"Shira-" Hizashi struggles to speak.

"The shape of-" The guy at the monitor starts, but I cut him off.

"Shut the fuck up!"

Shirakumo struggles against the fog as he tries to get a message across, "Sh...Sh...Sho..."

"FIGHT IT!" Shouta screams as he slams his hands on the glass separating the two.

"Hos..pital-"

The fog suddenly explodes, and Kurogiri...or Shirakumo, I don't know...collapses forward. It's like he shut down.

Tsukauchi announces, "That's all for now. You both did great!"

Hizashi collapses into the chair behind him and looks at Shouta with concern, "Your eyes...are you okay?"

Shouta probably would have snapped, but he's just drained at this point, "So what? They're just dried out."

Tsukauchi and Gran Torino go to fetch the two, but I can hardly move as my eyes are stuck on Kurogiri and what just happened. Sir stands behind me. Half-mindedly, I put my hand in my pocket and pull out Shouta's eye drops, offering them to Sir to bring to him. I'm not sure if Shouta has his or not, but it's better safe than sorry.

I don't see Sir's expression, but I hear him along with the brain stalker guy leave, leaving me by myself with my thoughts. I know I can't stay here for long. However, I am taking a moment to recoup gather myself.

Because Shirakumo is there. Shirakumo is trapped in that body. He can be saved.

There's so much shit running through my head right now. I will be honest and say that I only know so much about quirks. I know theories and general science that can apply to some quirks, but that's it. The thing with quirks is that they can literally be anything. Quirk science is a vary barebones science because what we generally believe in can be disproved by a single quirk. Because of that and my overall spite towards quirks, I never bothered with it.

Until now.

As I stated previous, Shirakumo deserves to be saved. However, if I even want to begin to take a guess at what I need to know, I need to go into that field so I can truly understand the limits of quirks and what is and isn't possible. This is important so that I can come up with some ideas of what could be trapping Shirakumo's...soul I guess you could say. I need to understand Kurogiri's body and how that works into things as well.

There goes my free time. I wonder if Nezu could out me out with that?

I'll ask him later. Right now, I need to go and make sure they are okay. I've been selfish to stay here.

I head out of the room and go outside to find them still chatting, though it looks like they are just about to leave. I decide to quietly join behind the men as Gran Torino finishes explaining something I have background of.

"Here's to hoping for more process," Shouta replies to whatever they were talking about. He must have heard me because he turns out and looks directly me. He just looks tired. He doesn't seem to know what to say.

Eventually, Shouta sighs, "We'll talk whenever you are ready, kiddo." I mean, he doesn't need to do that, but it's nice that he's letting me make the choice of whenever I want to talk. It leaves me the choice to be petty and leave him suffering for a little bit. I won't be doing that though for my sanity. I need to talk to him to clear things up before I wallow in those thoughts again.

"Got it. You two take care of each other, alright?" I respond.

Hizashi spins around for a moment and gives me a soft smile, "We will, don't worry, Tiny Listener."

And with that, the two head off, leaving the investigation squad behind.

I face the men, "Welp, since everybody is here except our favorite, I have a feeling that we are on our way to the HC to discuss what we just found along with other things."

Tsukauchi sighs, "Unfortunately."

"Let's get this over with, everyone."