The greatest detective in the world, Shoda Akira, was nearing the final stage of his investigation.
All evidence had led to one name.
Izuku Midoriya.
The man behind everything—
Or so they said.
But before Shoda could close the case, there was one last person he needed to cross-check.
The most dangerous one of all.
All For One.
---
The room was sealed tight, quirk dampeners humming softly in the walls. Layers of security. Multiple fail-safes.
And yet—
The moment Shoda stepped inside, he felt it.
A pressure that had nothing to do with quirks.
"Hello," Shoda said calmly.
The man sitting across from him looked almost… relaxed.
"Ah, hello," he replied politely. "And who are you supposed to be?"
"Shoda Akira."
"Akira-kun, huh…"
Shoda exhaled through his nose.
"All For One," he said. "I'll be straight with you."
"Sorry," the man interrupted smoothly. "I prefer Hisashi."
Don't act like a shonen protagonist dad all of a sudden, Shoda thought.
"Hisashi-san," he corrected, "do you know about the International Sports Expo that happened last month?"
"Yes," Hisashi replied without hesitation. "I do."
"There was a villain attack. Many heroes and civilians died."
"I'm aware."
"And we currently suspect Izuku Midoriya as the prime suspect behind the incident."
---
The air collapsed.
Even with the quirk dampeners active, a crushing wave of bloodlust filled the room.
Shoda's instincts screamed.
"…What," Hisashi asked quietly, "are you implying?"
What the hell is this force…
"…I'm saying," Shoda forced out evenly, "that Izuku Midoriya—your son—is the prime suspect."
The pressure vanished.
Gone.
"…How did you find out?" Hisashi asked.
"When you broke out of prison to meet your family and returned without resistance," Shoda replied.
"We're not fools."
A brief silence.
"…Is Izuku and Inko all right?" Hisashi asked.
"…Yes. They're safe."
For a moment, Shoda couldn't reconcile it.
After killing so many people… after everything he's done… he's still a father.
"How can you act like this?" Shoda thought bitterly.
"Can you brief me on what happened at the Expo?" Hisashi asked.
Shoda did.
Every detail.
Every description of the infiltrator.
Every anomaly.
"…God damn it," Hisashi muttered, visibly agitated.
"That bastard did it, huh…"
"You know something," Shoda said carefully.
"…Yeah," Hisashi replied. "I get it now."
He lifted his gaze.
"I'll explain what's really happening."
---
After thoroughly verifying the information, Shoda had his answer.
Still, there was one last confirmation to make.
---
Izuku Midoriya
The holding room was quiet.
Izuku Midoriya sat slumped on the bench, hair messy, uniform torn, eyes hollow.
Tattered, Shoda noted.
Not broken.
Just exhausted.
Shoda entered.
Izuku looked up.
"…Who are you?"
"I'm Detective Shoda Akira."
Izuku blinked.
"…Shoda-san," he said softly.
"Is my mom all right…? This is the first time I've spoken to anyone in a month…"
"She's fine," Shoda replied.
"She asked me to take care of you."
Izuku's shoulders sagged in relief.
"Oh… thank god."
He bowed deeply.
"Thank you so much."
Still worrying about his mom, Shoda thought. Even now.
"Sorry," Shoda added. "Part of the investigation."
"I know," Izuku said quickly.
"But I'm really glad she's okay."
Shoda studied him for a moment.
"So, Midoriya-kun," he said. "I'll be blunt."
Izuku straightened.
"Yes, sir."
"Are you involved in the Expo incident?"
"No," Izuku replied immediately.
"Never. I could never do something like that."
"…What about your father?"
Izuku froze.
"You know about my dad…?"
"It's public knowledge now," Shoda said evenly.
"He broke out. Caused chaos. And we found out he's connected to the incident."
"…Is… that… so…" Izuku whispered.
His hands shook.
"I thought… he changed," Izuku said, tears spilling over.
"I thought we could finally be a family again…"
He broke down.
"…Now," he sobbed, "I have to kill my dad."
"…Hey," Shoda said quickly.
"Relax. I'm joking."
Izuku looked up slowly.
"…You are?"
"Yes."
Silence.
"…Can I punch you?" Izuku asked.
Shoda shook his head. "No. I don't think I'd survive."
"…Fair."
Shoda sighed.
"Thanks to your dad, we got crucial information about the real villain behind the incident."
Izuku's eyes widened.
"R-Really?"
"Yes," Shoda said. "I'm just here to cross-check."
He met Izuku's gaze.
"Frankly, kid—you're too good for your own sake."
Izuku flushed.
"I—I don't think—"
"And one more thing," Shoda added, turning to leave.
"Be careful of those girls."
Izuku stiffened.
"Even though polygamy is technically allowed," Shoda continued dryly,
"I don't think you'll survive long."
He paused.
"…Especially that girl."
A chill ran down Izuku's spine.
"You'll be released tomorrow," Shoda said with a wave.
"Then we'll discuss what comes next."
Izuku bowed deeply.
"Thank you so much, Shoda-san!"
Shoda stopped at the door.
Yeah, he thought.
Definitely not the villain.