Chapter 56: Point-Blank
"I have to ask, have you really met Chenjie?" As Inspector Tsukauchi was instructing his officers to bring him over, Makoto Hibikiya looked at Yoshikage Kira with suspicion. "Are you just trying to mess with me because you think I'm easy to fool?"
"We'll know if I'm lying or not when he comes out, won't we?" Kira said slowly. "Of course, that's assuming he didn't give me a fake name."
"Makoto-kun, if Jodo really did help young Kira, wouldn't that be a win-win?" All Might deliberately interjected. "By the way, why did your brother become a member of the League of Villains?"
"Tch." Makoto seemed to have no respect for All Might, but seeing that Kira was also interested, he still answered his question. "Chenjie used to be the guitarist and lead singer of our band. He's a bit sensitive. After a show once, we got into a fight over something, and he stormed out. He never came back after that. Our band was basically defunct after losing such an important member. I've been trying to talk to him, but he's just so stubborn, always hanging out with a bunch of loser friends..."
"Aren't you one of his loser friends..."
Makoto ignored Sansa's muttering and continued, "When I went to look for him two days ago, he was gone. I asked some people who live nearby, and they said he went to an underground bar and never came back... It wasn't until I saw his name on the list of detainees in the news yesterday that I rushed over."
Inspector Tsukauchi sat in his chair, took a sip of tea, and sighed. "Hibikiya-kun, with your reputation and influence in the underworld, you must have known about this plan to kill All Might, right? You used to be a Pro Hero, yet now you won't even apprehend a criminal when they're right in front of you..."
"Yes, I knew about it," Makoto admitted with a nod, then said with disdain, "A lot of people want to kill All Might. Do I have to report every single one of them to you? If the police had to deal with everyone who wished ill on All Might, then you should go arrest the number two hero, Endeavor. He's always shouting about taking out All Might and becoming number one."
Although he didn't say anything insulting, his words revealed a disdain for the police and Pro Heroes. While Inspector Tsukauchi and All Might didn't react, the few young police officers around them couldn't sit still.
"Makoto Hibikiya! This is a police station! With your attitude, we could lock you up for a day or two!" Officer Sansa, who had a strong sense of justice, couldn't tolerate Makoto's insult to his idolized Pro Hero. He slammed the table and said coldly, "Don't think you're innocent. Do you really think we don't know how many thugs are at your underground concerts? We just don't want to deal with it, not that we can't!"
Makoto was taken aback for a moment and looked closely at Officer Sansa. Seeing his gaze, Sansa deliberately puffed out his chest, his cat-like face looking defiant.
"Haha!" Makoto suddenly burst out laughing. He wiped away the tears of joy and said, "Inspector Tsukauchi, I didn't know you had such a righteous man in your police department. It really surprises me... Should I tell him about all the dirty things you police have done...?"
"Makoto-kun! That's enough!" All Might suddenly shouted, stopping him. "My student is here! You've said more than enough!"
"Makoto Hibikiya, you can belittle yourself. After all, sometimes even you can't see yourself clearly," Inspector Tsukauchi said suddenly, his voice calm. "But that's no reason for you to trample on other people's beliefs. You know better than I do how precious beliefs are."
"..." Makoto fell silent at the inspector's veiled words. He suddenly looked up at Officer Sansa. "Hey, little cop. I'll admit I misspoke this time. But... how long can you last before you fall into the abyss?"
Although Officer Sansa didn't understand what he meant, he stood up straight and said seriously, "I will be like All Might and fight against evil forever!"
All Might flashed a somewhat subtle smile. Inspector Tsukauchi seemed to be used to it and calmly took a sip of his tea. For a moment, Kira was lost in thought, and the corners of his mouth unknowingly curled up.
What an admirable golden will... The anxiety in Kira's heart, caused by Yoshikage Kira, gradually faded away.
Jodo Chenjie was brought into the room. Since All Might and the others were there, and under Makoto's watchful gaze, the police simply removed his handcuffs to avoid any resentment.
"Makoto-san? Is that really you?" Jodo looked at Makoto excitedly, then turned his gaze to Kira and said in surprise, "You're that student from U.A.!"
"Chenjie, let's go."
Makoto stood up, took Jodo's hand, and prepared to lead him away.
But Jodo stood his ground, his head bowed. Inspector Tsukauchi's voice came from the side. "Hibikiya-kun, his crime hasn't been determined yet. Now is not the time for him to leave, is it?"
Makoto frowned and looked at Tsukauchi. "Since Chenjie can recognize this student, doesn't that prove he didn't really harm U.A.? It can only be considered trespassing. And according to the law, just entering U.A. isn't a crime that warrants arrest, is it?"
"Hibikiya-kun, you should know you're twisting the facts," Inspector Tsukauchi said slowly after Makoto clicked his tongue. "We haven't had a chance to interrogate Jodo yet. We still need his testimony and Kira-kun's testimony to be compared and confirmed before we can determine his crime."
If I let Chenjie talk, he'll definitely say something he shouldn't... The joy Makoto had felt upon seeing Jodo sank. He said gravely, "I assume you've already interrogated the others. What was their testimony?"
Inspector Tsukauchi answered him frankly. "Besides a few leaders, the others who invaded U.A. were all small-time thugs who used to hang out at Seaside Park." He glanced at All Might and continued, "Their territory was destroyed by All Might, which is why they were incited by the League of Villains to try and kill him."
"You should also know that Chenjie couldn't possibly be the mastermind. So what's the difference between the information you'd get from him and the other thugs?" Makoto didn't back down, speaking on Jodo's behalf. "His background is clean. Every record of his is on file with the local authorities. He's completely different from those vagrants. If the others were out for revenge, then he was completely deceived. He's just an innocent victim who got caught up in this."
Jodo suddenly said in a low voice, "Makoto-san, you don't have to do this." He looked up and pulled his hand free. "I know I made a mistake this time. I can't possibly be taken out by you. You've protected me too many times. This time, I should be the one to be punished..."
"Shut up!" Makoto suddenly turned and punched him, shouting at the man on the ground, "Don't talk nonsense! I could protect you before, and I can protect you now! Don't be so defeatist all the time! You just need to stay behind me!"
"Makoto-san..."
No one intervened in this sudden scene. They just watched in silence.
Makoto said to Inspector Tsukauchi in a low voice, "So... can I take Chenjie with me now?"
"Kira-kun... what do you think?" Tsukauchi threw the choice to Kira. "Do you think the help he gave you during the invasion is enough to offset his crime?"