Wings of Awakening

Part 58

Overhaul was arrested and taken in for questioning by Detective Tsukauchi. At the police station, Izuku gave a brief summary of the day's events leading up to his encounter and confrontation with Overhaul. He explained the conversation they had, his growing suspicions, and his decision to fight when the situation escalated. After the questioning, Izuku was instructed to return to the U.A. campus to await the results of Overhaul's interrogation and updates on Eri's situation. He was also informed that he would face disciplinary action for acting without permission.

Before heading back to U.A., Izuku found himself in Sir Nighteye's office, fidgeting nervously as the pro hero loomed over him with arms crossed and an unreadable expression. Mirio and Bubble Girl stood by the door, quietly observing. The tension in the room was suffocating.

"Care to explain why you thought it was a good idea to engage Overhaul without backup?" Nighteye's voice was calm, but the sharpness in his tone betrayed his frustration.

Izuku straightened his back, taking a deep breath. "Sir, Overhaul was acting suspicious, and Eri was terrified of going back to him. She was covered in bandages and trembling. Everything about the situation felt... wrong. I couldn't just let her go back to him without trying to protect her."

Nighteye adjusted his glasses, his gaze piercing. "And you assumed that fighting one of the most dangerous yakuza we've encountered recently was the best course of action?"

"I didn't intend to fight him," Izuku explained earnestly. "My plan was to get Eri out of there and buy time until help arrived. I only engaged him when he attacked. I couldn't let him hurt her or stand by and do nothing."

Mirio stepped forward, his usual cheer replaced by a somber tone. "Sir, Aether did what he thought was right. Honestly, I think he saved Eri's life. If we had let her go back with Overhaul... who knows what might have happened?"

Nighteye sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "While I admire your resolve, Aether, hero work isn't just about instinct. It's about strategy and teamwork. Charging into a situation like that without considering the consequences could have cost you your life—and worse, put Eri in even greater danger."

Izuku lowered his head. "I understand, Sir. I'll do better next time."

After a long pause, Nighteye finally nodded. "Good. For now, we need to focus on the next steps. Overhaul's arrest has given us an upper hand in dismantling the Shie Hassaikai's operations. While the police are questioning him, a select team of heroes is planning a raid on their hideout. The head of the snake may be cut off, but we must also get rid of the tail.

"As part of your punishment for acting without authorization, you will not partake in this operation. However, you will be informed of the findings from the investigation and the results of the tests on the bullet you were almost hit with."

Izuku nodded, keeping his head down. He didn't argue further. Eri was safe—that was what mattered most. "Understood, Sir."

Returning to U.A., Izuku received another stern lecture from Aizawa-sensei about acting recklessly and endangering himself. He accepted the reprimand quietly, knowing he had crossed a line.

The next day, Izuku received updates from the investigation. Detective Tsukauchi confirmed through his lie-detection quirk that Overhaul had revealed the full scope of their operation. They learned that Overhaul was not truly Eri's father but had taken custody of her to exploit her quirk. The bullet Izuku was nearly hit with contained human DNA—and after testing, it matched Eri's.

The revelation left Izuku furious. The Shie Hassaikai had turned Eri's blood into a weapon to erase quirks. He also learned that, on the same day as his battle with Overhaul, one of the Big Three, Tamaki Amajiki, had been shot with a similar bullet during a patrol in another part of the city. Though his quirk had been temporarily canceled, it returned after a few hours.

Detective Tsukauchi shared that, thankfully, the bullets Overhaul had developed were still incomplete, though they were in their final phase of production. This urgency spurred heroes to launch a coordinated raid on the Shie Hassaikai's hideout. With Overhaul—the Shie Hassaikai leader—arrested, the rest of the members were easily captured. Although they resisted, without someone leading them, their defeat was inevitable.

With Eri now safe in their custody under Mr. Aizawa's guidance due to her quirk, the heroes ensured that no further samples of her blood could be used to continue the experiments.

Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location, Tomura Shigaraki seethed with frustration.

The room was dimly lit, cluttered with scattered documents and hastily drawn plans. Shigaraki sat hunched over a table, his hand scratching irritably at his neck as his red eyes burned with fury. The League of Villains was still in hiding after All For One's defeat, and this latest development was a crushing blow to their plans.

"Useless. Absolutely useless." Shigaraki's voice dripped with venom as he slammed his hand onto the table, causing a nearby glass to shatter. "All that effort... and what did we get in return? Nothing!"

Dabi, seated on a nearby chair, sipped whiskey nonchalantly. "The Shie Hassaikai was always a gamble. Overhaul made big promises, but he was never trustworthy."

Shigaraki glared at him. "We lost Magne for this! That bastard killed her, and we were promised compensation—the completed quirk-erasing bullets. But now? Thanks to that brat, the heroes ruined everything. Overhaul's in custody, the bullets are gone, and we're back to square one!"

Spinner, leaning against the wall, spoke cautiously. "It wasn't just the brat. Overhaul's arrogance played a part. We warned him about the hero kid, but he said he could handle him."

Shigaraki growled, his fingers twitching dangerously. "I should've crushed him myself when I had the chance. He thought he was so superior with his grand plans and his 'finished products.' Now the Shie Hassaikai is finished, and we've got nothing to show for it."

He leaned back, glaring at the ceiling as if it were mocking him. "This changes everything. Without the bullets, we'll have to come up with a new way to destabilize the heroes. No more relying on others. No more partnerships."

His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "And that kid... He ruined this for me. He's going to pay for it."

The League of Villains or what remain of them fell silent as Shigaraki's declaration hung heavy in the air. Despite their setbacks, his resolve to topple hero society only grew stronger, his hatred for Izuku Midoriya simmering into a dangerous obsession.