Chapter 61.5 – Viewpoints
As the meeting at Hosu General Hospital continued, on the same day, news and newspapers in various cities, in addition to Hosu, reported the arrest of the Hero Killer.
Public opinion was relatively relieved by the criminal's arrest, though no one knows who actually caught him, and many speculate it was Endeavor's doing. But at the same time, the appearance of the Nomu outside the USJ has also sparked a new wave of concern, as many have witnessed the damage and the fierce clashes between those monsters and the heroes.
«We have not been able to trace the identities of these three criminals.» said the host of a major news program «Based on the photos of these two criminals, there are people who believe they may belong to the League of Villains, which supported the assault on the UA in the past.»
The public listened to this news with notes of concern, as they had just been reminded that a group of Villains had managed to infiltrate one of the safest places in Japan.
«This was one of the biggest single-criminal disasters since the appearance of All Might.» the host continued «So we can say that “Stain, the Hero Killer” has left its mark on the story. The investigation is continuing, and we will keep you updated on the progress.»
This is certainly the news that has attracted the most public attention. But the subsequent news, though less successful than the one about the Hero Killer, still caused a stir.
«Continuing, the intervention of the mysterious "Golden Giant" in Hosu's fight caused unexpected effects.» Behind the host appeared an image of Izuku, taken during his speech at the sports festival «Not only was the damage to the fight site contained, but it also gained enormous success and popularity. Its timely action and efficient after-fight coordination made it possible to rescue civilians who had been unable to leave in time. In the squares of many cities, the motto "Cadia Stands" has been chanted by thousands of civilians, police officers, and heroes. The sudden phenomenon of optimism, desire for renewal, and progress that the Golden Giant's speech had begun has received a new boost, as more and more people seem intent on contributing, in their own small way, to what has been called “a better future”.»
*****
Kamino's bar, which serves as the League of Villains' base of operations, was renovated and restocked after the clash with the Hero Killer, regaining its original warm, comfortable atmosphere.
Unfortunately, that heat was experiencing an increasingly sudden drop in temperature with every word the news host uttered.
Shigaraki, with the newspaper open in his hand, intent on comparing the written and spoken news, tightened his grip on those sheets more and more, wrinkling them. Finally, no longer able to contain his anger, he balled up the newspaper.
«Is that all the news has to say?!» he exclaimed furiously «The Nomus have barely been named»
Almost as a mockery, his memory reminded him of his promise to destroy Stain's reputation and use it as a springboard to exalt the League of Villains further, adding fuel to his anger.
«Shit!» he cursed furiously «Not only are we being sidelined, but the intervention of that golden bastard has caused complications to our plans.»
Until now, society in general had been relatively stagnant, with the norm being the spread of quirks, bringing fertile ground for corruption, arrogance, and a loss of morality, where for heroes, killing is seen only as an extreme and, above all, barbaric solution.
But, seeing how the Custodian never hesitated to use lethal force, his charisma and speech encouraged society to improve itself, eradicating much more corruption. Many corrupt officers voluntarily surrendered to the authorities, as did villains who, as an act of redemption, offered the names and places of their former colleagues, with enough evidence to end their careers. This wave complicated the execution of some League of Villains operations.
«Sooner or later I'll kill you!!!» Shigaraki finally roared, throwing the newspaper ball at the television broadcasting Izuku's photo.
*****
«Damn. Do you realise that because of those two, they not only halved my pay, but also revoked my teaching license for 6 months?» Gran Torino spoke, annoyed, on the phone «Either that Izuku Midoriya Valerian whatever his name is, has heavily influenced the girl, making her reckless, or is it in her nature to be reckless and act even before thinking? We don't need another stubborn bighead like you, Toshinori!»
«My sincerest apologies.» Toshinori apologised, sweating coldly «My teaching techniques have proven inadequate.»
«Bah! It doesn't matter how good your teaching ability is. Also, I took the trouble to teach that girl to keep the promise I made to Nana, your predecessor. I have to say, whatever kind of training that Izuku Midoriya forced on her, your successor turned out to be much more prepared than I expected.»
«Y-you know I've owed you since you took me under your wing.» Toshinori said as he walked to the teachers' recreation room «I tried to pass your teachings on to Melissa too, but if you tell me that, then it was a good idea to ask the… “young” Midoriya for help too.» He hesitated to utter the word young.
«Where does that hesitation in pronouncing the term “young” come from?!» Gran Torino exclaimed in annoyance «Do you realise that Midoriya is not at all “young” in experience, mentality and character?! That… man is anything but young and inexperienced!!! Besides the fact that I'm still alive, what else have you forgotten to tell me?!» Gran Torino exclaimed, not knowing how to define Izuku
«N-nonononono! I would never dare forget about you! It's just that my mind-»
«Forget about it and open your ears» Gran Torino said after sighing «That Midoriya told me some interesting and disturbing things about Stain.»
After the discussion with the Chief of the Police, Izuku had taken Gran Torino aside to tell him not only how the clash between him and Stain had gone, but also his psychophysical analyses of Stain and some possible consequences of the clash in Hosu.
Summing it all up, Izuku believes that, however twisted, Stain's ideology is identical to All Might's and that both have charisma capable of inspiring people. If Stain's past and ideology were revealed to the public, there would be grounds for villains to foment rebellion, and the League of Villains would not only take all the credit but also push new villains to join them, allowing them to grow and expand.
«It is precisely in these cases that I am grateful for the censorship used on the press. But reassurances aside, if that was the plan, it means the head of this League is acting with extreme caution to ensure every obstacle is removed. So it wouldn't surprise me if he used other methods to spread Stain's story.»
«...So you have a bad feeling.»
«Yeah. Based on this modus operandi, I can't get rid of it.» Gran Torino stated gravely, clutching the receiver «The man who killed the first owner of One For All, the murderer of my dear friend Nana, as well as the one who pierced your stomach. I think All For One is behind this.»
«After that fight, is he still alive? It makes it hard for me to believe it.» Toshinori said, concerned about the statement
«Use the next opportunity to talk to your niece and inform her of everything there is to know about One For All's past and about you.» Gran Torino said seriously «And, since you're there, it's best if you also inform Izuku Midoriya Valerian. I fear that we will need all kinds of help in the future.»
*****
At a hero agency, the owner and founder had agreed to take a UA intern under her wing. But, not being the one she had appointed, Mt Lady lost all desire to teach and was therefore using him as a cleaner, while she was busy munching on snacks and reading a fashion magazine, with the news playing in the background.
When the Hero Killer was named, her attention was drawn enough to learn a little about it. But that's all.
However, as soon as the Golden Giant was named, her attention was caught, and she saw him. The student Mt Lady had nominated, who had also rejected her advances at the UA sports festival. Her eyes shone as she saw his actions in the square, bewitched and… falling in love with him once again.
«I forgive you for this time, my beloved~» she said, sending him a kiss.
From behind the couch, Minoru was vacuuming and didn't dare speak, but at the same time, he was jealous of how Izuku had caught Mt Lady’s attention.