Meeting the Hero Killer

When Jilan Jiyu and his companions arrived at the special ward on the upper floor, they were surprised to find Inspector Tsukauchi, whom they had dealt with several times before, standing outside the door questioning two guards. Inspector Tsukauchi was still wearing a light trench coat, looking more like a private detective than a policeman.

"Let me introduce you," Hizashi Yamada, stepping to the Tsukauchi. "This is Inspector Tsukachi, sent by the Tokyo Police Department to handle the case of the Hero Killer Stain. He's in charge of cases related to the League of Villains."

"It's nice to see you again, Jilan- kun." Inspector Tsukauchi nodded to Jilan and tipped his hat to Shota Aizawa. "It's been a long time, Mr. Aizawa."

"So you two know each other. That makes sense; the League of Villains started to emerge from U.A. High School." Hizashi Yamada realized this. "Jilan, why don't you share your thoughts here? It'll be good for the police to hear."

"Mr. Aizawa, so that's what you were thinking..." Jilan didn't speak, but instead turned her gaze to Shota Aizawa.

"Ahem, I think what you said makes a lot of sense and should be of some help to the police." Shota Aizawa coughed twice.

"Oh, Jilan has some new ideas this time? I'm really looking forward to it." In the Nomu incident, Inspector Tsukauchi conducted research on the Nomu based on Jilan's findings and obtained a piece of news that would shock the entire nation. After discussing it with All Might, he decided to keep this discovery a secret for the time being.

Although it was somewhat unfair to the person who provided this information to Jilan, out of a desire to protect him, Tsukauchi didn't tell Jilan, and All Might fully agreed. Inspector Tsukauchi always had faith in Jilan, believing that he could become an excellent Pro Hero.

"Alright, if you don't mind me, an outsider, offering my opinion," Jilan Jiyu shrugged, slowly recounting the points they had made in class...

"... Hmm, I understand what you mean. Was Stain in the United States during the years he was missing? That's certainly a possibility. He never had a passport. Although there was a risk of being discovered as an undocumented immigrant, it wouldn't be easy to find him if he hid in a slum." After hearing Jilan's analysis, Inspector Tsukauchi stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and then looked up and smiled, saying, "Jilan, you've given us another new idea this time."

"It's nothing. Finding out the Hero Killer's identity sooner is a good thing for everyone." Jilan thought for a moment and said, "Inspector Tsukauchi, I have a small suggestion. I recommend that if you're going to investigate, you should start with some vigilante groups in the United States. Stain's viewpoint was definitely not formed overnight. He must have been learning killing techniques from a hero while his worldview was being subtly changed."

"The police will consider your opinion." Tsukauchi nodded, closed the notebook in his hand, and handed it to another policeman. "Now go back and give this notebook to the investigation department. Have them contact their country's embassy in the United States. They should have some data on vigilantes who have cooperated with the police. Make sure to review it."

"Understood, Inspector Tsukauchi!" The young policeman saluted and ran away from the scene.

Opening the side door from the outside requires a hero's license, but from the inside, you only need to ask the receptionist for the password for the day to open the side door, so even non- Pro Hero can leave from here.

"Is the Hero Killer awake?" Hizashi Yamada looked into the room through the window in the door. The prisoner Stain's limbs were bound with restraints of the same material as those around Shota Aizawa's neck. His body was covered by a blanket, so his condition could not be seen. Only his wrists were exposed, receiving IV drips. He had his eyes closed and did not seem to have woken up yet.

"He's been awake for a while, he just doesn't want to talk to us." Inspector Tsukauchi took out his phone and opened an interface displaying a line graph. "This is the interface connected to his EEG in the room. As you can see, his brain is very active, and he's clearly awake."

"Should I try again this time?" Hizashi Yamada sighed. "I've already spoken to him several times, but each time he just gives me a couple of simple replies and then falls silent. My proud communication skills are completely useless in front of him..."

"Stain reveal anything?" Aizawa asked Inspector Tsukauchi.

"He's very tight-lipped. He only said one thing when we were talking about the League of Villains: 'That kid isn't my partner.' He was probably referring to Tomura Shigaraki, which initially confirmed to us that he wasn't affiliated with the League of Villains." Inspector Tsukauchi said with some helplessness, "But even knowing this, we can't announce it to the public. After all, it's common knowledge that Hero Killer is a member of the League of Villains. Unless Hero Killer clarifies it in person, no one will believe us."

Hizashi Yamada looked at Aizawa with an ambiguous smile, his expression unreadable. "The League of Villains must have found quite a few new members this time by using the title of Hero Killer,' right? When do you think the League of Villains will attack U. A. U.A. High School again? Next week, next month, or... next day?"

"We don't know the League of Villains' plans, but what we should know is that the most important thing right now is to get the information we need from Stain, who has had close contact with the League of Villains." Inspector Tsukauchi turned off his phone and put it in his pocket. "Could it be... that All Might has to step in to get Stain talk?"

"This is the last resort," Hizashi Yamada shrugged, "But it just feels a little strange to have All Might personally interrogate a criminal."

All Might, the true hero in Stain's words, would Stain be answered if All Might himself asked—this was the unanimous thought of everyone present.

No, there is one person who disagrees with this idea.

"Anyone can come, except All Might." Jilan Jiyu's words were astonishing.

"That's impossible." Hizashi Yamada felt that Jilan's words were absurd. "Even if I admit that what you said before is very likely true, it only tells us why he did it, but All Might is the hero he himself acknowledged."

"But at the same time, he also admitted that All Might is the only one who can kill him." Jilan Jiyu calmly met Yamada's gaze. "As a martyr, I have no doubt that his current silence is to make you believe that only All Might can make him speak. He is waiting here for All Might to arrive, and then he will die without regrets in front of him."

"This...!" Hizashi Yamada was speechless. He thought about the scene when he was face to face with the Hero Killer in the alley, and the red-glowing eyes he had seen. Subconsciously, he felt that what Jilan said was very likely, and might even be the truth.

"If Stain dies in front of All Might, our police force will be pressured by society to release the news to the public, and All Might, out of a sense of responsibility, will tacitly accept its veracity," Inspector Tsukauchi, rubbing his temples with a headache. "If that happens, it might actually exacerbate social tensions. All the prisoners will be proud to die at All Might's hands, and All Might. U.A. High School might face continuous attacks from enemies, and the safety of the students won't be guaranteed..."

Shota Aizawa had already imagined the scenario: a student was kidnapped by a criminal who specifically requested to meet All Might. Under pressure from society and parents, All Might would have to intervene. Even if he saved the student, there was no guarantee that other criminals wouldn't target other students.

All Might in his prime would naturally be fearless in the face of any conspiracy, but Aizawa knew that All Might's current condition was no longer sufficient to withstand the constant challenges from his enemies...

Inspector Tsukauchi frowned as well; he didn't want All Might to take this risk for an unknown piece of information.

Jilan Jiyu observed everyone's reactions and suddenly spoke up, "If you don't mind, let me try. It won't make things worse."

"Jilan, stand behind me. You shouldn't interfere in this matter," Aizawa said, frowning.

Midoriya and his group had already faced a crisis, and he didn't want his student to be in danger again. He only wanted Jilan to provide his conjectures, to increase Jilan's visibility in front of the police, and to lay a good foundation for his career; he had no intention of putting him at risk.

"Young man, I admit there's a high probability what you said, but..." Hizashi Yamada placed his hand on Jilan's shoulder, "It's our duty as Pro Hero and the police. Trust us adults."

When both Pro Hero objected, Inspector Tsukauchi raised his head, looked directly at Jilan, and asked, "Are you really willing to do this?"

"Officer Tsukauchi!"

Tsukauchi reached out and suppressed Yamada and Aizawa's protests, looking at Jilan: "You've had the experience of being in the same room as Nomu before, I believe you can protect yourself, but the strongest thing about the Hero Killer is not his Quirk or his strength, but his mind. Are you confident that you won't be affected by him?"

Jilan laughed, "On the contrary, I want to correct his distorted thinking."