My Swarm Academia: Call Of The Void

After the savoring was done, Kai set down his teacup and smiled.

"You know, that was just a guess, but thanks for reacting clearly to show it was right. Don't worry, I don't think anyone else in class would have noticed. They, unlike me, get starstruck by your presence."

"Young Kaisei, I don't know what you're-" Kai cut off a fl.u.s.tered All Might before he could get more out.

"Don't try that. You are a terrible actor." Kai just waved him off. "Again, it was easy to guess after seeing Midoriya and Bakago in the same room, and then you and Midoriya in the same room. Bakago can't shut up about how Midoriya was supposed to be a Quirkless waste, and Midoriya and you have both acted like you had a personal connection. Him in greeting you, and you in how you screamed when you thought he died.

"Your Quirks are very similar, but he lacks the control that having it from birth should have given him, and you try to hold too much mystery for a simple strength booster. If you allow for all possibilities, then it could be he was Quirkless, then was given a Quirk. It was just a guess, until both of you were shocked that I guessed it.

"So that just leaves whether you have an artificial Quirk, or a passable Quirk. Both are theoretically possible, but I lean toward the passable Quirk. If I haven't had success to such a level with the most powerful genetic manipulation engine I've ever heard of, I'm sure Japan hasn't. So, am I right?"

All Might rested his face into his hands while Nezu just laughed. Though things were serious and all of his friend's secrets were being outed one by one, he still found the look on All Might's face hilarious. Kai thought so, too, and joined in. With this reaction, he had to be right again.

"Well, that was enough fun at All Might's expense, but we must talk about what we will do with you, Oguchi-kun," Nezu said. "Regardless of your intentions or justification, you caused a mess. Bakugo's matter also gets complicated because of your involvement."

"I could simplify Bakago, if you are willing to trust me," Kai said with a smile.

"Please, enlighten us."

"I can just deal with him the same way I dealt with Yagi-san: I will investigate, find the root of his pride, and cut it back. As for my punishment, I'm open to suggestions. Community service, monetary payment, assassinations, your pick."

Nezu gestured towards All Might. "I'm sure you will understand if the prospect of you carrying out Bakugo's punishment worrying at best. And what kind of people do you think we are, to call out for assassinations?"

"This is a military institution, right? The hero license requires that holders be ready to rise should their country go to war. Surely the government occasionally calls on you using that clause? As for Bakago, sure, I won't be gentle, but if his history is simple, there won't be much for me to do. I can do it over a longer period of time, if you want. Lengthen the punishment for lesser immediate pain.

"Still, I figure his pride is the type that is the foundation of his personality, there might not be much of him left if I break it. Eh, no big loss, in my opinion." Kai shrugged.

"It might not matter to you, but it matters to us! We care about all of our students, even troublesome ones," Nezu said with a meaningful look.

"Perhaps, but before the night is done, I could put his Quirk in a box and give it out to the class. Gunpowder and nitroglycerin were invented centuries ago. Still, I guess his ability to opt out of Newtonian physics is nice. I guess I could work with that," Kai mused. Some experimentation would be needed on that….

"Anyways, what do you want me to do?" Kai asked waving away his thoughts. "What will settle their fears?"

All three pondered the problem silently. Kai had thoroughly established his ruthlessness to all, even himself. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to assure them that the school could do anything against him. His opponent this time had been All Might, and they weren't safe. They might even feel that they couldn't possibly be safe from him, no matter his stated intentions. The room was silent for a long time.

"You guys got anything? Because the best thing I've got is giving them the remotes. Or, at least, some of them. Wouldn't trust Bakago. Community service and a juku will help them get used to me, but that will take time. But, I guess there's not much more to be done than slowly Pavlov-ing them. Just give me a call if you come up with something better. I think I'll head out."

Kai stood up and put his teacup away. He started towards the door, then turned to the teachers, who were still thinking about the problem at hand. If there was a perfect solution, they didn't want to give up on it.

"Yagi-san, you don't have to worry about your secrets. Don't tell the press because they still need the Symbol of Peace. But… talk to someone about those failures. Nothing wrong with getting a therapist if that is what you think you need. Every hero makes mistakes and deals with them in their own way.

"My way is fairly simple. The past is dead, and you can't do anything about it anymore. Those living with the present still need you, and you should be more concerned for them. How you have failed is no longer important if you are growing to prevent history from repeating itself later. And you still have time for that.

"In short, life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination. Thank you for your time and tea."

Kai bowed as he went out the door to return home.

"You know, I'm still not sure how I feel about that boy," Nezu said. He picked up his cup for a sip of tea, only to realize that he had emptied it long ago. "On the one hand, I wish every problem child at least had the good intentions he did. On the other hand, he's dangerous not just for power, but in willingness to cross lines heroes shouldn't.

"All Might, what are we going to do?"