No one's pov
*Beep Beep Beep*
*GASP*
Izuku shot up from his makeshift bed. He clutched his chest as he tried to steady his breathing. He was confused on what exactly that dream was about. Why was he there, well every age of him there. Everyone he knew in some way was present as well. It was frightening. They were right there. Right in front of him. They were so so close, yet he couldn't reach.
Either the dream was telling him something, or it was just there to fuck with his mind. Izuku sighed as he got up from the sheets. They were drenched in sweat and so was he. He took off his clothes and changed into something new. He ignored it. He didn't have time to figure out one of the games his mind plays at night. He needed to find answers.
He groaned in annoyance. He needed equipment, equipment he doesn't have in this shabby run down apartment building. He put on a hoodie, and got a face mask and glasses. It's suspicious but if he was going to get what he needed he might as well buy a disguise. He walked out of the building, making sure no one was around.
He started walking to the city. There were more people and cops, but at least it'd be easier to lose them in a crowd. He avoided any pros or police he saw on the way. It took longer getting there considering he had to take multiple detours, but he made it. He went into a Costume store and bought a red wig, black contact lenses, clothes, nail polish, and more makeup.
He has been covering the mark on his wrist for as long as he could remember. When he got it, it was by clothes and such, but now that he has money, it's by make up. He had to do anything to make sure they didn't know it was him. Wearing a wig, contacts, and make up didn't seem that bad.
Leaving the store and getting into a random alley, he started to strip. Removing his clothes, glasses, face mask, and shoes. He found a large mirror in the trash, it was a but dirty but it'd do. First off he started with the unruly poof he called hair. He combed through his hair and slicked it back. After putting on the cap and wig he put in the contacts.
Now onto his features. He covered up his freckles with light foundation. He wore baggy clothes that would hide his figure, and sneakers that added a couple inches to his height. Adding some random marks and scars with make up. His green eyebrows were filled in a dark red. He painted his nails black and dipped the tip of his fingers in some black eye shadow. He teleported his old get up into his house.
People would instantly assume his quirk had something to do with his hands. It'd make it easier on him. When you're looking for a suspect, you look for the general information. Example, hair color, height, size, hair cut. No one has time to match a picture to a face with so many people around. Izuku attached a spare voice changer to a face mask and went on his way.
The red wig had completely straight hair, it went to his shoulders. It was styled in a half up half down. He had a tattoo of an infinity symbol on his neck. He put scars on his hands. They would start at the edges of his palms and cross over to the back of his hand. His middle finger on his left hand had one scar that started at the finger tip and went all the way down to the middle of his palm. He figured this was enough.
He continued walking, this time without the glasses. He walked with confidence. If you act too reclined people will give you a second look. Same for confidence, but you wouldn't expect someone running from the police to be walking like that. And that was the point. To play the part that would attract the least amount of wrong attention.
He put his hands in his pant pockets and laid back a bit. His back was still straight, but his shoulders were slouched in a relaxed way. It made him seem taller, but not enough to look uncomfortable. He had used the makeup to make him look a bit older, but it was very difficult considering he's no professional. He used some brown eye shadow very lightly to darken his brighter, young features.
It worked. He walked across the market all the way to the store and not a single cop took a second glance. With the voice changer making his voice deeper; it worked wonders in making him seem like an older teen. He entered the store and looked around for the machines he needed.
He wanted to do proper testing on what he found, maybe if he analyzed it enough he could find out how to reverse it. Make a cure, or a way to be immune. After all if these could be used as a bullet for example, he needed to make sure he wasn't dying. He found what he needed and quickly purchased it in full cash. It got second looks, but he simply squinted his eyes as if he was smiling underneath the mask.
The person at the register smiled back and handed him his change. He got the giant cloth bag and put what he purchased inside. He quickly left the store. He didn't need to be there more than necessary. He walked past a small pharmacy on his way. He sighed to himself before entering and buying as many bandages, wraps, disinfectants, and overall medical supplies possible.
He put them in the same bag and hurried back home. He set the medical supplies down and started to set up the machinery. The larger equipment would be shipped to another address, he wasn't taking any chances. Going to another apartment he started setting everything up. The whole building was abandoned, so he was free to use as much of it as needed.
By night time he already had finished and was getting ready to go out as Salvare. He kept his useful disguise in a chest in his main room. If he needed to go out again all of his disguises would be in there. Clothes, wigs, contacts, of all kinds were in there. Even female clothes and wigs, which he has used before. (a story for another day)
He quietly left and started his patrol, not forgetting the box of goodies he set up for Eraser and the police. The main place where he lived was on the floor second to the top. The building wasn't that big, housing about 2-3 apartments per floor. The floor he stayed on has only 2 apartments, the rest of the space being a sort of common ground. That space was used as a main sleeping quarters.
He was jumping across roof tops, making sure the package was fine the whole time. He wrapped everything up carefully so nothing bad could happen, but you never know. After about an hour of crime fighting, running, healing, and arresting Izuku finally saw Eraser. His arms were now completely healed, but he was still being careful. Probably making sure not to receive the wrath of a 3 foot tall nurse.
Salvare came to a stop as he met with Eraser. Aizawa being the pro he is, noticed the presence and turned around to face him. His shocked expression quickly schooled itself as he went back to his emotionless facade. He was also on call with Hawks, Tsukauchi, and John. They could hear everything.
(call is italicized)
Zawa- "I thought you were avoiding us, but two sightings right after another?"
Mido- "I'm not here for a chat, EraserHead. I came to give you this."
Izuku threw over the box, Eraser having caught it one handed.
Zawa- "So you disappear for a while, show up, give Hawks a drive, then come back and hand me a crate. What is it you're after, kid?"
Mido- "I need help. And you're the only ones I trust enough to help."
Zawa- "Trust? Funny word for you to say."
Mido- "Just take that box back and show it to the detective. It's this organization I'm after, one you should have experience with."
Hawk- "That doesn't sound good."
Zawa- "What do you mean?"
Mido- "Does Averta ring any bells?"
Zawa- "Wait... you don't mean that clu- we took that down 5 years ago. They shouldn't be running."
Tsuk- "That case was closed. If it's still up and running we have a big issue."
Mido- "You're smarter than this. Do you really think a place that laid low for that long has only one place of conduct?"
Zawa- "Shit."
Mido- "Not only that, those people you captured, they're out."
Tsuk- "That's not right... they should still be in custody."
Zawa- "Out? Shouldn't they still be serving?"
Mido- "Exactly. Don't believe me? I'll send over some pictures from yesterday. I saw them, as clear as day. Now, if you don't mind me, I have places to be. Crime to fight, drugs to test, people to arrest, you know the deal."
Zawa- "Hey, wait!"
Izuku started to run off, jumping down to other buildings. Aizawa chased after him. Izuku only seemed to speed up. He kept dashing through and over buildings.
Hawk- "Wait... Averta? I've heard of them. Bad news."
Tsuk- "What do you know?"
Hawk- "They made a shit ton of money from making children fight against adults. It would mainly be a fight to the death, or at least until someone is knocked out. The take kids ranging from 5 to 16. They're forced to fight and do anything the 'owners' want."
Salvare had taken a sharp right, Eraser used his scarf to turn. Izuku then dropped down to the floor, grabbing onto a railing and flipping off. He landed on the ground and kept running. Aizawa wasn't far behind.
John- "You have an awful lot of knowledge on these kind of things."
Hawk- "It gets worse. They dabbled in anything. From drug deals to human trafficking. Anyone could come in and buy a child they like. Usually ones who won a ton of fights or had good quirks were sold. Although there's only a short time period they can be bought."
Eraser shot his scarf towards Salvare. He dodged last minute by rolling on the ground. He got up and kept running.
Tsuk- "How come?"
Hawk- "All the kids don't last past 3 years there. They can only be purchased if they last 1 year. Every child gets a tattoo on their wrist. It gets added onto for every year they last. Now that I think about it, I heard only a few children managed to last past 3 years."
John- "How many?"
Aizawa shot his gear towards a pipe, wrapping around it. He then pulled and launched himself forward. He was only a few feet away.
Hawk- "The most known one was referred to as Champion, there was another name I can't remember. Anyway the champion was quirkless and beat anyone they threw at him. I don't know what happened to him. He was just a kid... I think he was 10?"
Something clicked in his brain. He froze. His mind going into overdrive thinking through what he'd just been told. Suddenly scenes of the fight at USJ flickered through his brain. Specifically, what a certain villain said to the student he's searching for.
Zawa- "Wait... he wouldn't happen to be called Deku... would he?"
The minute of hesitation seemed to be enough as Salvare was now out of his sight. He didn't care though, this was important. If he was right, Akano would have more to explain than before. Something that would only worry him more.
Hawk- "Huh? Oh wait! That's the name! That was his nickname the owners gave him. How'd you know?"
Zawa- "Fuck."
Tsuk- "What's wrong?"
Zawa- "The villain that attacked UA."
John- "What about him! ?Spill."
Zawa- "He called Midoriya, Deku."
.
.
.
-The next day-
Nezu was intrigued. One of his students had been lying the entire time. Their entire existence was a mystery, one Nezu wanted to solve. He was the smartest creature on the planet, and he'd be damned if he couldn't solve something like this. He replayed all the information he learned in his head. In front of him was a small notebook, the page read:
Izuku Midoriya (Akano Shinto)
The book itself was newly supplied. A completely new one purely for the mystery that is Izuku Midoriya. As principal, he didn't have enough time to meddle in whatever he pleased. He knew the hero commission was sketchy and clearly doing something illegal, but his position hindered him from investigating.
Even if he was the smartest being on the planet, he wasn't human. He was spliced and created. His true form couldn't be decided. It was a question that he forever ignored, what am I? For his past he hated humans, but he was smart enough to know that they all weren't the same. Prime example? Akano Shinto.
The boy broke record after record in a single day. His exam scores were off the charts. Something that wouldn't happen with normal education. So when the principal was told he was homeschooled he wondered about his personal life. Except it just kept getting weirder and weirder.
Reports that his mother died when he was 11, and his father was never in the picture, he wondered how exactly he got that intelligence. His mother must have been busy working to put food on the table so who taught him. The option making the most sense was himself. He gathered that Izuku Midoriya was self taught in all subjects, only struggling in languages.
More questions arised as he spoke with his favorite teacher, Shota Aizawa. Nezu trusted his judgment, he had to since the man was permitted to expel an entire class before. Aizawa was logical, thought things through, had a good head on his shoulders, and most of all tolerable. the man made decisions quickly and effortlessly. He had his own set of morals that he'd follow to the death, and Nezu couldn't help but respect that.
When the teacher spoke of this student and explained some concerning aspects, Nezu couldn't help but share his confusion. The boy was well trained in his quirk, yet wasn't comfortable in it. He hesitated and switched courses often. Since the beginning Nezu has been watching Izuku, and he couldn't help but be glad he did.
Izuku was careful. With every word he said, every action, every decision, every movement. He was constantly on alert, making sure not to mess up. Not to slip, as Nezu put it. He wasn't used to how he was fighting, and during USJ Nezu noticed how hard he tried to stick to that specific technique. Ultimately however, instincts started to overtake his sense of control, no matter how strong that may be.
And once Nezu saw it, he was amazed in a sense. Slowly the boy was reverting into what he was most comfortable with. The way his body moved was not one of a distinct style. Sadly, Nezu was the only one who saw. Aizawa was passed out on the concrete, and all the students were busy dealing with their own issues. No one would have noticed the change, and Nezu hypothesized that Midoriya thought so too.
He wondered how Midoriya learned how to fight. Even if Nezu only had an intelligence quirk, he was still a pro hero. One who has been on the field as support, and one who has seen all sorts of fighting styles and types. Yet Midoriya's was new, and Nezu wanted to know more.
The boy's quirk was amazing, but a quirk isn't everything. A powerful quirk doesn't make you a good hero and Nezu knew this. However, the boy was promising in all areas that do. He had morals (you would think that's obvious but... Endeavor), battle insight, common sense (questionable), intelligence, ability, tactical knowledge, and more. If anything, the rat noticed how the boy moved as if from experience.
From the short time that Nezu had watched over him, he couldn't help but notice all the red flags. The lies, hidden skills, knowledge, patterns, everything. How he was trying a bit too hard to separate himself from something else. It was intriguing. Nezu saw this. One doesn't be titled the smartest being on the planet without the skill set to back it up. And Nezu? He had more than he allowed let on.
The cameras saw a lot, but the principal saw more. Now Aizawa himself wasn't an idiot either. Although Nezu has been up front about his suspicions, Aizawa has been avoiding his. His sheer concern and familiarity with the boy has clouded his vision. Aizawa notices all. He can't be an underground hero without this ability, it's a quick way to die.
If one was to ask if Akano was suspicious in any way, he'd agree, but only after thought. Nezu noted how this boy seemed like a blind spot to the usually apathetic teacher. It isn't exactly rare for a student to come in with as much physical ability as Akano, however it isn't common either. The boy himself was extremely adapt in anything thrown at him. He was a quick thinker, and moved in ways to conserve the most energy.
That wasn't suspicious, what was however, was him lying about it. He hesitated with movements, would often slowly lose himself in a fight and shift. Nezu was observant. He would see the changes, however small. While everyone was focusing on the fight in general, he was only focusing on this one student. His only result? That Akano, or shall he say Izuku, was good.
His lies had near zero flaws. His act was almost perfected. Almost. Easy for the normal or even above average intelligence to fall for. On the other hand, to Nezu? It was tricky to see, but all the more clear when paid attention to. Nezu had started looking into him since the entrance exams. His flinches, actions, movements, words, scores, everything caught the chimera's attention. And Nezu thrived on it.
The last child to interest him was now teaching the most important class in his school. Shota Aizawa. Nezu was also interested in him. He wouldn't miss a beat when responding that the insomniac was his favorite staff member. Nezu liked humans like the 1-A teacher. He himself couldn't notice the similarities between the two.
Nezu put up old recordings of security footage. Specifically the recordings of the little game of hide and seek they played within his halls. Taking note of how the boy moved. How he acted. Nezu smiled to himself. His speed, agility, flexibility, all of it. It reminded him of the underground hero himself. The two were of course very different, but Nezu saw the similarities, ones humans wouldn't see.
Izuku fought like Aizawa. Using other's quirks or strength against them. Using themselves against their allies, avoiding the conflict entirely. While Eraserhead has his scarf to make it easier, the boy himself just dodged in perfect timing. Jumping around and slipping across the ground. He used their own bodies against them, to his own advantage.
Nezu couldn't help but notice the child was a tad bit sadistic. Just like Aizawa. Just like him. Underground heroes were more of the avoidance fighters than head on ones. It's mainly because underground heroes deal with much worse than limelight ones. They fight the smarter villains, the ones who stick to the shadows. These types of heroes fight in a wider range of environments, usually closed ones. Alley ways, indoors, small rooms, even the sewers if needed.
Their main strength wasn't strength, it was their speed, precision, resourcefulness, wit, and stealth. Eraserhead was the best of the best in his field, and for good reason too. All these qualities he possessed and excelled in. Izuku himself was also this way. He was the embodiment of underground heroism. Everything about him pointed to this. How he held himself with experience.
When the principal made the comment about vigilantism, he wasn't joking. It was almost like a subtle threat. How could his student have experience in the field, if he didn't have a license. Easy. He didn't care about one. He was a vigilante. It wasn't hard for Nezu to come to this conclusion. Deciding which one however was something he had yet to figure out.
All the signs pointed to this, yet Nezu didn't even think about turning him in. Nezu had a strong suspicion he didn't use a quirk at all. Quirks were the only reason vigilantism is as serious as treated. The hero commission felt threatened. They were threatened by the existence of other doing a better job then their 'oh so precious' heroes under their thumbs. Hence the extensive sentence.
What Nezu wasn't sure of on however, was murder and assault charges. This. This is what made the chimera back track. This is what made him hesitate. He didn't know the student enough to deduct whether or not he was a murderer. Whether he was the criminal his classmates would be locking up in the near future. This uncertainty scared him. One of the very few things that scared the creature, was uncertainty, not knowing. The opposite of what he got used to.
For once, the mouse was questioning what he believed. What he hoped, rather than what he saw. He couldn't help but feel that he didn't want his student to be what he questioned. The boy was clouded in darkness, and the principal worried for when it would clear. If it ever did.
The principal would soon find out, how awfully close his assumptions were.
No matter how much he didn't want them to be.
__________
Dude... I-
I absolutely love Nezu's pov (3rd person)
I promise Aizawa isn't stupid
Anyway this took like 3 week bru
Motivation is a BITCH
I can't wait for the Detached chapter to be out, it's ending is so fucking good
If you haven't checked out my other book, please do
I love it