Stuck Between Realities-Remastered

Part 14~Detective Tsukauchi

"15, 16, 17, besides the two with hypothermia, it looks like they're all unharmed." The Detective stood before the various confused and tired students. Most were aware of everything that had happened, but some looked confused, and the rest were oblivious.

"Ojiro looks like it was into the fire for you this time. And all alone? Nice going," Hagakure cheered as Ojiro chuckled nervously.

"I thought everyone was alone. I only survived with hit-and-run tactics. Where were you, Hagakure?"

"The landslide area! That Todoroki is crazy strong." Hagakure continued to smile, unaware of how close to death she had been.

"As for my location, does anyone have an idea?" Aoyama grinned, posing as he was ignored.

"Guess those lowlifes were spread out, waiting for us," Tokoyami muttered as Kaminari scoffed.

"Looking down on us cuz we're kids."

"Where do you think I was?" Aoyama tried again, and finally, Tsu gave in.

"Where?"

"It's a secret."

Tsu did not look impressed.

Detective Tsukauchi stepped closer before Tsu could whack Tsu. "We're gonna get you kids back to the classroom for now. This is no time to take your statements."

Tsu walked closer, a frown on her face. "Detective. What about Aizawa-sensei?"

The Detective paused, hesitating before he responded. "Both arms were smashed to splinters. His face is also fractured. Thankfully, he doesn't have any brain damage. But his eye sockets have been pulverised. There's a chance he may suffer long-term loss of vision, or so I hear."

The students were not happy with that news.

"Thirteen has terrible lacerations across her back and upper arms, but her life isn't in danger. All Might's injuries aren't life-threatening either. It's possible that Recovery Girl's healing will be enough for him, so he's gone off to the nurse's office."

"What about Izuku," Katsuki shouted, tapping his fingers against his arm.

"Yes, what of Midoriya-kun," Iida questioned as the Detective paused, thinking hard.

"Midoriy—ah. It seems he made it to Recovery Girl in time, but it will take a long time for him to heal. He has hypothermia, broken bones, and badly damaged skin and muscle on his shoulder. The overuse of his Quirk has also led to a couple of drawbacks. The other boy has hypothermia, too, but will be okay. I'm sorry, but I need to go elsewhere. Sansa! I'll leave the rest to you."

Tsukauchi turned to one of his officers, a cat man who saluted before taking over. Katsuki tutted, tapping his fingers more.

~~~

"We'll need to completely revamp our security systems. I'm sure Izu-kun will want to join me- once he's better than it." Nezu's eyes glimmered as Midnight ignored him, turning her attention across the USJ.

"Teleportation Quirks are rare enough. Shame one of them had to go and turn evil."

"Detective Tsukauchi. I have a report," a police officer called out, snapping the Detective out of his thoughts. "We've apprehended what seems to be a villain in a thicket about 400 metres from here."

"In what condition?" Detective Tsukauchi turned to face the officer, who looked unsettled.

"He seemed unharmed, and he didn't resist. Oddly enough, he's not responding in any way. He appears to be mute."

"Principal," Tsukauchi called out, turning back to Nezu. "I'd like to look over the school with a fine-toothed comb if you don't mind."

"Of course. I'm sure some won't be happy, but the police certainly have jurisdiction. Investigations are your fields of expertise. Do what you feel necessary." Nezu smiled wide as he watched the Detective walk away.

~~~

"The situation being what it was, I can't scold you this time." Recovery Girl gave All Might a harsh look as she sat in her chair.

All Might looked down, staring at his hands. "I think I've probably shortened my time limit again. I'll be lucky if I still get an hour a day."

"Pardon me," Tsukauchi knocked on the door lightly, smiling as he spotted All Might. "Long time no see, All Might."

All Might sat up at the sight of his old friend, a nervous sweat building on his brow. "Tsukauchi! I didn't know you were here."

"Not to rush you, but I'd like to ask about these villains, All Might."

All Might didn't care about that. "Are the students all right? And Aizawa- Eraser Head? And Thirteen?"

"Besides that one over there, the students have got nothing more than a few bumps and bruises. And the two teachers are out of danger for now. If you three heroes hadn't put your lives on the line, the students wouldn't have made it out unscathed."

All Might relaxed, slumping his shoulders. "I see, but you've got one thing wrong, Tsukauchi. In this fight, the students also put their lives on the line. Especially young Midoriya he kept running into dangerous situations without any fear. He kept going even when he was on the brink of collapsing. To be thrown into a real battle so young and survive. Now, these first years know how scary the big bad world can be. Have you ever heard of such a class? Those foolish villains picked the wrong fight. Because the members of class 1A are going to be mighty heroes. I'm going to make sure of it." All Might gave the Detective a thumbs up, a wide smile on his face.

"They definitely did well fighting, and the villain will struggle to fight against them, but I'm not surprised Midoriya ran in to help you. And I truly believe that many villains will struggle once he becomes a hero."

All Might frowned in confusion. "Why would you say that? Did you know Midoriya before now?"

Tsukauchi let out a laugh. "Yes, I met him a few years ago when he and his friends got in a spot of trouble." Tsukauchi paused. "If I'm right, the older two have hero licences now. Guess I won the bet. Sansa was sure the two girls would end up as villains."

All Might looked more confused. "Are you talking about the INH fight?"

"Oh, no. I wasn't involved in that case. This was a different fight. It's a shame how it ended. The other two had to move to a different prefecture as a result. I think the boy goes to Shiketsu now." Tsukauchi smiled, making a mental note to check on the two at a later date. "Now, how about we focus on something else."

The two smiled as they continued to talk.

~~~

Recovery Girl waited as All Might walked off. She stayed quiet until All Might was gone, out of hearing distance. "You know, next time you wake up while someone's talking, you should make yourself known." Recovery Girl looked at Izuku as he smiled sheepishly.

He looked around, grabbing a notepad from the side. 'Sorry. I tried, though. It's a bit difficult when you can't talk, and I don't think you would appreciate me throwing a stapler at that man.'

Recovery Girl's eye twitched as Izuku grinned. "I thought I told you not to overuse your Quirk." She handed him a glass of water and a couple of tablets, which he didn't hesitate to down before writing again.

'Yeah, yeah. What tablets did you give me this time?'

Recovery Girl shook her head, passing Izuku some food. "There was your INH tablet, an iron tablet and a vitamin tablet. How much of the conversation did you hear?"

Izuku hummed, twisting his pen in his hand before he answered. 'I heard what All Might said about the class and everything from there on. I can't believe Tsukauchi fucking outed Emi and Charlie like that. Of course, they would be heroes.' Izuku paused. 'Probably.'

"Listen, you can not tell anyone about that conversation, okay?"

Izuku frowned. 'I wasn't going to say anything.'

Recovery Girl nodded, though she didn't look convinced. "Get some sleep. Your throat will be better within a day or two.'

'Night RG. Thank you.' Izuku put down the note back as he stared at the ceiling, slowly falling asleep.

"Izuku! What the fuck do they mean when they say you punched another villain!" Emiko threw open the door, staring at him. "You went villain fighting?! Without me!"

Izuku stared at the ceiling, unimpressed, as Emiko stared in horror.