My Hero Academia: Heroes United: Book 1

Ben sat in the cold, sterile interrogation room, the harsh lighting bouncing off the metal table in front of him. His wrists were cuffed—thick, reinforced cuffs that clinked softly every time he shifted in the chair.

The walls were bare, save for the two-way mirror. Ben could feel eyes on him from behind the glass.

He leaned back in his chair, glancing around at the featureless room. "You know," he said dryly,  "this really isn’t necessary." His gaze flicked toward the mirror knowingly. "I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than babysit me."

He exhaled heavily, shoulders slumping. "Ah, man," Ben muttered.

The door creaked open with deliberate slowness. In stepped a tall, sharp-eyed figure in a tan overcoat and black suit, green tie tucked neatly in place.

Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi.

He studied Ben for a long moment before stepping inside. 

Ben blinked at him than chuckled nervously. "Can we nkt have the silent treatment? I mean, I did save everyone. Y’know... the exploding train?” He gave a weak grin. “Little credit—"

Before he could continue—

“Let him go.”

The voice was soft but firm, cutting clean through the room.

Ben blinked as the small figure of Principal Nezu walked in, calm and composed, ears perked. Despite his size, the room seemed to shift around him.

“Principal Nezu!” Ben perked up. “Uh... hey..."Ben offered sheepishly, giving an awkward smile.

Nezu regarded him with a soft, almost wistful look. There was warmth there, and no small measure of pride… though, beneath it, a glimmer of concern

Tsukauchi’s jaw tightened. He straightened his posture, voice low and firm. "Principal Nezu… with respect, this is official police business.Tsukauchi’s jaw tensed slightly. " The scale of what he can do... how long has he been here? How many Quirks has he shown?” His voice sharpened. “Abilities like his..Tsukauchi’s eyes narrowed. ".. is beyond anything we’ve documented."

Nezu met his gaze evenly. “Detective Tsukauchi, this young man risked his life to save hundreds today. He is a guest in our country and under my personal protection. You know the limits of your authority here.”

Tsukauchi’s frustration finally broke the surface. "His Quirk registry lists him as Quirkless—Quirkless—until five years ago, Nezu. Five years ago. No one just develops a Quirk that advanced—one capable of mimicking multiple abilities—by coincidence. And now, suddenly, he turns up here, in Japan… where you-know-who once operated?"

Nezu gave a slow sigh, shaking his head. "Detective…"

"And on top of that," Tsukauchi pressed, voice hardening, "he’s applying to U.A. Of all places. Especially when All Might—" He caught himself, eyes flicking toward Ben, who gave an awkward smile. "...when you-know-who’s successor will also be attending. I
He straightened. “Principal Nezu, I must insist. You can’t ignore the timing. You can’t tell me this isn’t suspicious."

"No," Nezu cut in, "This boy is under protection—by the United States government, by myself, and by very powerful people who will not take kindly to a teenager with diplomatic immunity being detained without cause. "

He tilted his head slightly. “While I admit his recent... vigilantism is not without concern, may I remind you: in Japan, a person must commit repeated unlawful acts—acts that cause direct harm or substantial property damage—to warrant detainment. To my knowledge, Benjamin Tennyson has done no such thing on our soil.”