Chapter 26: Questioning

Araki enters the room. Inside, an old man was sleeping but he looked like he intentionally flip his body away from the door. Before coming inside, he has already been briefed on what his grandfather was feeling by the nurse.

"I got you some fruits." Araki calmly said before putting the basket on the table. However, there was no response from the old man. According to the nurse, his grandfather was currently low on energy and tired but he wasn't buying it.

"I didn't do it on purpose. I just gave him an opening and he, unfortunately, caught it." He explains. There was silence for quite a long time before the old man answered.

"And why did you even give him a chance? You just have to continue it." The old man grumpily said.

"I'm just curious." "About what?"

"About how high can he climb up. He has quite the potential you know. He'll be a great hero if guided correctly."

"Just say that you're disappointed in your brother and I wouldn't have to get angry." The old man said before pushing himself to sit up. Given his paralyzed lower body, he had some troubles but he successfully managed without any pain. This time, Araki was the quiet one.

"As an apology, do something for me."

"What is it?"

"First, grant my nurse a request. Bring some gifts for the others too." The old man said. Araki's eyebrows raise as he heard it.

"First? There's more? What is it?"

"Get me some of the gummies that you usually eat. And I know that you have one on your coat!" The old man said as he points to Araki. He gave a disgruntled face before pulling one out of his coat pocket and throwing it to the old man.

"Also! The FBI wants to ask some questions to you. Before you ask why, the questions are on your principal, though I have a copy."

"The U.S. FBI? But why me?"

"Cause you're the one they need. Just because I used to be a Yakuza doesn't me that I'm the one they're looking for, dumbass!" The old man throws a plant at him.

"They also did me a favor." "A favor? What is it, now?"

"You'll know."

"Oh, I know. I told you that I won't go unless you go. You kept refusing my offer to get someone to heal you back to normal but you kept refusing. Now you're forcing me to go."

"Ah! Don't argue! I've told you before. This is by choice. I'm not going to die with this. It's my lesson for letting it happen even though I know that it's going to happen. Besides, you buying the hospital is enough for me. I can stroll around no matter how I like."

"Tsk. Maybe that's why you get for your stubbornness." Araki said, pissed, as the old man laugh at him.

…

Araki is now sitting in a white room with a glass pane on one side, very reminiscent of an interrogation room. His special bracelets were also now gone along with his other belongings that were confiscated earlier.

In front of him were three people – rather, two people and one bipedal creature which was Principal Nezu. The two officers introduced themselves to him as they asks Araki for anything he wants.

"That wouldn't be necessary, Agent Mayhew."

"Really? Okay then, we'll start." Agent Mayhew said as he takes his seat.

"Principal Nezu has told us that he has told you the gist of the investigation."

"It's about the bracelet, right?"

"Yes. Months ago, we got some intel about a possible lead about an international crime lord. We can't tell you who it is, unfortunately, but we would like to ask you to cooperate with us. Is that possible?"

"Yes, sir. I have surrendered the bracelets to the principal."

"The same should be the same for the transaction records too. Anyway, What about the person you ordered it from? Can you tell us more about it to us?" The agent said as he juts down some notes.

"I… I ordered it from an online friend from a contact given by my grandfather years ago. However, as far as I know… she's only a middleman." Araki said as he describes the transaction to the officer.

"Can you tell us her name and contacts?"

"Uhm, sure. I'm sure that she wouldn't want her name associated with a world-class criminal as it's bad for her business too."

"Next Question. You are quite knowledgeable in terms of navigating in deepnet according to your guardian. Have you contacted or encountered any suspicious individuals in the past months?"

"I wouldn't say so. I mainly browse the deepnet for hobbies like knives, some airsoft, or anything of the like. I would like to buy them on normal channels but as an intense hobbyist of such, I don't usually find the most interesting products there…" Araki said with a pitiful but sincere smile. Before the agent can ask another question, Araki spoke again.

"I have heard of some news though. Apparently, there's an illegal drug circulating around different prefectures. There's also news about the villain who attacked us before and escaped." The news didn't excite the agent as it wasn't their concern but Principal Nezu raised his eyebrows.

Outside, in a separate room, All Might and Naomasa were also intrigued. It has been weeks since the incident and after the shameful failure to deliver the villains to Tartarus, the police force has been looking all around.

Their efforts were fruitless and hearing Araki have some intel on the same villain made Naomasa upset. Especially since they themselves have a group of deepnet experts looking for possible news.

Inside, Agent Mayhew continued to ask a few more questions which Araki answers while the two others silently observe from the sides. With Araki's cooperativeness, the investigation proceeded in a smooth sail. A few minutes later, Araki stood up and bow before leaving the room.

As he leaves the room, he sees All Might and Naomasa come out of the viewing room and he gives them a greeting and bow. His eyes were fixed on All Might but it was subtle so no one noticed.