MHA: Jigsaw Reborn

Chapter 17: A Promising Lead

(A/N: I went through a couple of iterations of this chapter because I wanted to create a logical, yet satisfying reason on how, as the title suggests, a new lead was discovered that respects Tsukauchi's detective skills, but also how smart Kramer is. So, with that out of the way, I hope you enjoy the chapter!)

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[1 Day Later]

[Narrator's POV]

The air was crisp and cool as John Kramer — now Okazaki Yuudai — strolled through the park near his apartment flat. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his warm coat, his mind drifting between the fluffy clouds above him as he followed the walkway. The path beneath his feet was familiar as he winded through the trees and the occasional lamppost.

He had found himself here often, drawn to the tranquillity of the place, but more than that, a tether to his past. This park, with its ancient trees and buildings off in the distance, was where he had awoken to his second life. It was a reminder of his purpose, his mission.

As Kramer approached a bend in the path, Kramer was jolted from his thoughts by a sudden, brief, contact. A man, tall, blonde, and nondescript, had brushed past him, muttering an apology under his mask as he continued.

Kramer barely acknowledged the guy, his mind already shifting back to his contemplations. But it wasn't until he reached into his coat pocket some minutes later that he realized his wallet — containing important items such as his credit and debit cards — was missing.

'Looks like I found another person to test...' Kramer thought to himself as a cold smile formed around his lips. 'Blonde hair, tall, and possibly a quirk that allows for stealing objects. Whoever you are, I will find you, and I will test you...'

Kramer's mind was already turning, thinking of the possibilities and logistics for an appropriate trap that would suit the individual. But, he stopped himself from doing any further planning until he reported his missing credit and debit cards to the proper authorities and his bank.

After all, nobody liked having their financial affairs compromised.

[Scene Change]

[3 Hours Later]

Kramer threw his bag on the nearby couch as he closed his apartment door behind him. Reporting the theft to the police took a bit longer than expected, which only served to remind Kramer of his poor experience dealing with the Hero Insurance Corporation and reporting Yuki's robbery all those months ago.

Hanging his coat by the door, the Jigsaw made his way over to his small desk that occupied the corner of his living room. Powering on his computer, the blue light hit his eyes and he immediately began doing his research.

His fingers seemingly danced on the keyboard, searching through databases news articles and social media websites that fit the description of the man who pickpocketed him. The search yielded results somewhat quickly as Kramer absorbed the information on screen.

Toya Setsuno — a known petty criminal with a history of theft and other minor offences. With a quirk that allowed him to excel in pickpocketing, he operated in mostly crowded areas, blending in with the masses and taking what he wanted without a trace.

But this time, he had chosen the wrong target.

"I could only assume the Pro Heroes haven't bothered to catch him despite these reports as his thefts didn't exceed a certain monetary value..." Kramer leaned back in his chair as he pondered. His quirk was interesting, but his crimes were all too familiar with Kramer. He was a man who thrived on the thrill of taking from others without consequence, without remorse.