Encroachment

Chapter 7: Investigation

Tsukauchi rubbed his head, a dull ache formed between his temples. The wooden table below him cut into his elbows and there were stacks of paper taller than his head piled all round him. A clock ticked aimlessly in the background. The small office room he had settled into was warm toned and comfortable. It had a few book cases, filing cabinets and even a desk with a few chairs. A half-drunken tepid mug of tea rested by his elbows. His eyes narrowed in on the few sentences displayed on the parchment he had clutched in his hands. Across from him was a battered looking All-Might. His scraggly yellow hair was even more droopy than normal, his black eyes were sunken and dark, his body wrapped almost entirely in bandages. It was the worst Tsukauchi had seen his friend in a while. "So you are saying this attack's motive was to kill you with that 'nomu' we have in custody?" He raised a dark eyebrow.

All-Might nodded a head. His face was solemn. "Yes, it was designed to be highly effective at countering my strength."

Tsukauchi rubbed his chin absentmindedly. "So their goal was to kill a hero?" He hummed under his breath, more to himself than anyone else. All-Might raised a brow. "Part of me wonders it this has anything to do with the two hero killers we already have at large."

The hero pursed his lips. "It's a thought... but I really don't think so." All-Might answered firmly. "It may be inspired by them, but I don't think it's directly related."

Tsukauchi waved a hand, "no, of course they're probably not directly related. They couldn't be further a part. The Hero Killer's are all about stealth and murder, but this new group was all about attention and genocide."

All-Might paused, a dark look clung to his face. "One copy cat was enough." He hissed through rattling teeth. Tsukauchi took in the battered form of his friend for a moment. The copycat killer had murdered many. Almost more than Stain, and those were only the murders they were certain were done by him. "Are you still keeping that case completely confidential?" He asked.

Tsukauchi shrugged. "I'm swithering." He replied gently. "It was a big mistake to allow Stain publicity. It only boosted his ego and his killing sprees increased. He has even amassed a small following... and a copycat." The detective scrunched up his nose. The hero only stared at him impassively. "This copycat however, he shows no signs of being discouraged or loosing heart simply because people don't know about him. It would seem he isn't one driven by fame or popularity, he has a motive." This brought a frown to All Might's face. "To be honest, it might be beneficial to release some of the case's details to the public." He sighed, gripping the back of his neck with a loose hand. "Perhaps then we could find more leads and the public could offer valuable information."

All-Might stared up to the ceiling, "quite the predicament you are in then." He hummed. "But what is there to share on the copy cat case? I was under the impression the police didn't have much on him?" All Might prodded further, his blue eyes held an unwavering determination that the detective couldn't help but admire.

"We have some information. The copy-cat leaves all of his victims drowned, though most of them were no within the vicinity of an object they could have been drowned in, which leads us to believe he has some sort of water quirk. The liquid found in their lungs is unidentifiable, but it is viscous and pungent. Most of the heroes were killed in their own homes with no sign of forced entry or water damage, which means he is either a master lock pick or perhaps he, or someone working with him, had a quirk that allows them to break into houses undetected. We also know that he only goes for heroes who have a reputation of being... not the most hero like, which is what gave us the idea that he was in fact a Stain copy cat." Tsukauchi informed the hero, trailing a finger around the rim of his cold mug.

"He sounds like an assassin." All Might grumbled, drawing his brows in close. "I'm just afraid that killing heroes will become the next biggest trend with villains, because if it does we are going to have a serious problem on our hands."

*

Shigaraki was in pain, to say the least. His head was placed in his arms on top of the wooden bar, the high stool below him dug into his upper thigh. The bullet wounds in his arms and legs throbbed and ached. It felt as though a hammer had given his face a high five. Kurogiri was drying glasses with a cloth, which let out an occasional squeak that would drill in his brain and send goosebumps to harass his skin. The sweet scent of fruit juice lingered in the air. Every time he even twitched towards moving, he body would reprimand him with a back stabbing spike of pain. "That criminal scum we rallied were incompetent. A complete waste of time." His voice croaked and crackled.

"It seems they were." The barman answered simply, tucking the glass away into a back shelf with a soft clink.

"We need a smaller group of more capable people. Ones who can hold their own against heroes. People who can give us the edge against All Might." A ferocious snarl erupted from his throat as he spoke the hero's name. His fingers clenched into fists. Seething rage burned in his veins. The corners of his vision blackened and his heart rate doubled.

"A bit like a Hero Killer?" Kurogiri hummed, picking up the next glass and running it under the tap.

With a strained wheeze, Shigaraki lifted his head and placed his chin on his hands. The corners of his lips tugged downwards. "I hate them. Running around and acting all righteous as though they have the high ground. The only high ground they can get to is by standing on top of the mound of bodies they created. Hypocrites." He spat. "But our agendas may align and they may be of use to us." He muttered, his tone darkening. A deep want began to churn from within him. A pile of bodies. Perhaps he could burry All-Might in a pile of bodies and past friends. Then maybe his light would be smothered.