54. The Ruse.

As we walked through the hallways towards the second conference hall, I paused in front of the general course as an idea sparked in my mind as to how I could make this even easier.

"Nezu-sensei!" I called out, causing everyone to stop.

"What happened Yuji-kun?" He asked.

"Can we include some more people in this meeting? I promise it is relevant to them and they to us." I requested.

"As you wish. Go on then." He permitted.

I nodded in gratitude as I slid the door open and walked in.

"Excuse me sensei, but the principal has called Mineta and Shinso. Would you mind if I ...?"

"Not at all." Ectoplasm said, gesturing at the two.

"Follow me." I said, walking back out, and turning to Iida.

"Iida, can you go to class 1-B and bring back Reiko-san and Kuroiro-kun. And bring my bag while you're at it."

"Really? Couldn't you have done so earlier?" Iida complained.

"Sorry~" I said smiling awkwardly, as Nezu sighed and we proceeded to the conference hall, where All Might was waiting for us.

"What is this about now, Yuji-shounen?" He asked, eyeing me.

"Something I should have told you earlier, sensei. But all in due time." I replied.

Settling down, we waited for Iida to return as Mineta tapped his feet impatiently.

Soon, Iida arrived back, handing me my bag as he took a seat alongside Reiko and Kuroiro.

Once everyone was seated, Nezu stood up and gently rapped at the table with his claws.

"Now, Yuji-kun, let's begin." He said, authoritatively.

"Certainly sensei." I said, standing up, as I pulled out a thumb drive from my bag and pocketed it before walking over to the projector.

"I'm sure you're all curious about why I called you here. After the suspiciously well planned attack on USJ and the ensuing mess, it became clear to me that this was an inside job. The security here is too tight to be foiled from without. Not to mention the villains knew enough about the layout and coordinates of the school to appear exactly where they wanted, at the fountain in the USJ.

If they'd randomly teleported in, they'd have ended up anywhere in the vast UA campus. In the pools, the sports field, or even the toilets. But they knew exactly where to appear. That is no coincidence. Someone gave them the coordinates. Someone disarmed the security system. Someone in the know.

That is...well....as some of you know, we have a traitor amongst our ranks here at UA high." I started, to some more gasps and leers from the newcomers.

"Do you know who it is?" All Might asked, tentatively eyeing all the people present.

I looked all around me as the suspiciouns began to mount, before letting out a breath.

"Yes." I answered.

"Is .... Is it you?" Deku pressed, hesitantly.

"No. Neither is it any of those who were invited here." I assured as everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then who is it?" Kirishima asked.

"I can't tell you that. If I did, then there is a chance that some of you might unknowingly give it away, alerting the enemy before we are ready to fight them." I explained, when Shinso raised his hand.

"Yes, Shinso?" I said.

"Excuse me, but I don't know who this enemy is, or why I am here? Can you explain that first?" He asked.

"Oh..right. Of course. Let's start with basics." I said, looking at All Might.

"All Might-sensei... I'm..." I began when he stopped me, realizing my intent.

"It's okay, Yuji-shounen, you can tell them."

"Thank you sensei." I bowed gratefully, before continuing.

"The society we live in is plagued by many problems. Crimes, inequality, injustice, yada yada. You know the spiel.

But chief among them are some figureheads who lead their fields of villainy. Stain is one, Kai Chisaki of the Shoe Hasseikai yakuza group is another. But above them all is the big bad wolf, who's been huffing and puffing for over a hundred and fifty years, ruling the criminal underworld and for a time even the overworld with an iron fist. His name is All For One.

He is an immortal, quirk stealing monster who wield's immense power and influence, even after he was defeated by All Might five years ago.

For a time we thought he was gone for good. But with the resurgence of the league, my sources close to the matter have informed me that he is back. With a vengeance."

"But...if All Might beat him once, he can do it again! Not mention, I don't see how this is related to the USJ attack in anyway?" Shinso asked.

"He can't..." I said, gesturing at All Might as he sighed and exhaled, deflating like a balloon in full view of everyone.

" This....this can't be." Shinso muttered, shaking as Momo gasped.

"How?" She asked.

"Five years ago. I fought All For One five years ago, and I defeated him, but it came at a great cost. I lost a good portion of my lungs among some others. Now, I am no longer strong enough. I can barely keep up with my teaching duties, much less do hero work. In all honesty, I plan to retire as soon as Yuji-shounen learns to master my power." He revealed.

"Wait...master your power?! What does that mean?" Mineta asked.

"See, All Might sensei's quirk, One For All is special in a way. It can be passed down to others, even if they are not related to him by blood." I said.

"Yuji-shounen here is my successor. Someone to take my place when the time comes for me to leave the stage." All Might added.

"I see. That's why you were spending so much time with All Might." Shoto exclaimed, connecting the dots.

"Yes. Unfortunately, I am nowhere strong enough to fight All For One and his league of villains alone. I need time to master this power, time we don't have. That's actually why you're here." I said, plugging in the USB as a folder opened up on the screen.

"This." I said, opening a video, "is how Hawks died."

The video buffered for a bit before it began to play as muffled voices could be heard. Hawks soon appeared before the camera, shouting at someone, as a dark mist spread at his hips, and a portal sliced him in half."

"No..." A whisper slipped from Reiko's lips as Tokoyami stared dumbly at his hero falling to his death.

"Does that misty portal remind you of someone?" I asked, sombre

"The league of villains." Nezu replied.

"Their teleporter, Kurogiri to be exact." I added.

"How did you get your hands on this?" Momo interjected.

"I was coming to that actually. The truth is, I was there that day. I met Hawks minutes before his death, near the Hosu Central Mall. We were working together on this project.

That day, he called me over. He told me it was urgent.... important." I said, my voice shaking, "He said the league was after him. They found out what he was doing, what we were doing. And he gave me this."

I pointed to the flash drive.

"He begged me that day. Keep it secret, keep it safe. They must not get it. He said. It was our only hope." I said, spinning a tale.

"I ... If I knew what was going to happen..." I shook, clenching my fists, softly hitting the table as I forced tears out, wiping them before they could fall.

"I failed him. I failed..us all. And now, he's dead. That's why I didn't want to bring you guys in on this earlier. Because..." I cried, with a hoarse voice.

"You didn't fail him, Yuji-shounen." All Might said, walking over, giving me a shoulder hug.

"You protected the drive. You did good." He reassured.

"I..no..." I sniffled, "That's...the drive. Yes." I perked up, continuing.

"The drive. It...it has the information on the league and their many connections in the government. People who secretly support them, those on All For One's payroll. Shell companies, politicians, bribery. The lot." I explained.

Of course, all of this was just a ruse.

In reality, I had Aiba make this drive with the HPSC's data in case I was ever caught, as an alibi, or bargaining chip.

Now though, I had a better use for it.

I wiped my tears, rubbing my eyes red as I straightened my back.

Clearing my throat, I acted pained as I continued.

"I have a plan. To catch them and the traitor red handed. To end his reign, once and for all. And for that.." I scanned the room and bowed deeply, " I need your help. Please..."

Suddenly, All Might slapped my back, pulling me up by the scuff, as he regained his muscle form.

"Yuji-shounen." He said, "Look into their eyes when you're talking to someone."

As I looked up, I saw all eyes on me, twinkling with camaraderie.

"I'd be happy to help!" Momo said, smiling gently.

"Of course!" Iida said, nodding.

"Damn right! It's what friends do." Kirishima added.

"I'm almost offended you didn't ask earlier, Matsun!" Deku pouted mischievously.

It brought a smile to my face. If I wasn't a two faced asshole, it might have even brought me to tears.

How nakama like of them!

Like perfect little lemmings, led straight off the cliff.

"Now hold on minute there. This is too much to ask of us. We're just students. Besides, shouldn't we hand this over to the proper authorities. Let them deal with it. It's their job after all!" Shinso interrupted, breaking the mood in half with his karate chop of a comment.

"Coward!" Tokoyami muttered angrily.

"Yeah!" Mineta added, "This is our chance. To prove ourselves. How can you reject it? It's straight out of a movie!"

"You want to live in delusions, go ahead. I'd rather live my life. I'll say it again. This isn't our play. Leave it to the professionals." Shinso reiterated.

"I would, if we could, but..." I replied, clicking open another folder, revealing files upon files of the HPSC's dirty laundry, "All For One has his fingers in every pot. Even the HPSC is compromised. That's the reason we had to hide this. We didn't know who to trust. That's how we met. Both me and Hawks went after the same underworld informant, on the same night. That's when we started to work together. Because we didn't know who to trust. Given the evidence we gathered, anyone could have been a leak to their side."

This shut him up as Shinso's eyes widened in horror.

"Nowhere is safe, is it?" He asked, despondent.

"I'm sorry." Was my reply.

Shinso sucked in a deep breath, swinging his head back.

"Fine. I'm in. Let's take this bastard down."