A.N. That took longer than I or you wanted, folks. But you know, the exams, the holidays, that sort of stuff. Hope you enjoy.

Perhaps he had it coming. Or, rather, he most certainly was to face it eventually. After so much time refusing to accept the way the things worked around there, spitting into the face of the world itself, the world eventually got tired of it and came down upon him. But Danny expected this, and thus he couldn't really say he was pissed. Perhaps that's why the Time Master was so calm all the time. It was surprising for Tsukauchi too, as he could only feel disappointment coming from the boy, not much unlike the detective's own. The latter was more so directed at the halfa, who once again went against everything Tsukauchi had told him and explicitly broke the law. They didn't talk on the road.

They both could understand where such public scandal could lead. What happens to guardians who allow their charges to do whatever they want and violate the way of things? Such guardianship usually got revoked. And to be perfectly honest, Tsukauchi was feeling like he deserved it fully. He was not diligent enough, he did not stop Danny when it truly mattered. And finally, there they were. Of course, it was going to be much harder for the half ghost, and the detective felt like he failed him first and foremost. But at least the department trusted him with bringing Danny in. They were all confident that he wouldn't do anything. They were correct, Danny did not make a single attempt to bail or harm anyone. The detective couldn't help but notice the irony of being back to square one, with the raven-haired boy behind a bullet-proof glass. An incessant measure, as the staff was aware.

But the half-ghost was not alone for long. As he was playing with a small ectoplasmic ball, throwing it against the wall and then catching it, Danny heard the door open, and on the opposite side of the glass he saw an unexpected visitor.

"Gee, the president and her ever-angry lackey, I am honoured."

He wasn't surprised to see the HPSC there. They were the ones handling the heroic misconduct, he was among those who got to enforce it, after all. The stern-looking woman sat on a chair and eyed him once more.

"You sound awfully cheery, Fenton-san."

"Well, no use beating myself up about it, you know?" Danny shrugged and approached the glass wall. "After all, I did nothing wrong."

"According to the law, you did. And at the most inopportune time."

"That 'inopportune time' was your ace card being nearly killed. You should thank me, my priorities were in your favour."

"You fail to realise that either outcome is damaging to our reputation. Yours already sustained a blow as it is."

Danny sighed and rubbed his temples. "Don't tell me the people actually believe that shit about the bad guy being my father."

"So far everyone is yet to see the proof to the contrary. Nobody has your documents, nobody knows of a town you claim to be from and, obviously, of the people you claim to be your parents."

"Name a single proof I AM his son."

"Come on, kid, don't be so dense. You two act so alike it isn't funny," the assistant said. "This will add enough water to the mill. You have nobody to blame but yourself for that mistake, if it even is one."

The halfa grimaced and glared at the two bureaucrats. "Why are you here?"

"I was just getting there," the president continued. "You see, we cannot just allow you out of here. You broke the law. We cannot afford to make an exception."

"Despite you wishing so hard to do just that."

"Despite your misconducts we do see the potential in you. Letting you rot in prison instead is not something we would like."

"You should have thought about this before putting me here," Danny waved around himself.

"We do not make laws, Fenton-san. Complain to us all you want, it is the legislature you can complain to."

"From the brief time I was here, I learned that you guys are not just pencil pushers. Same goes for any other ministry and commission. You are the ones proposing them, so drop the act, would you?"

The president was still to display any emotion. "You are not entirely wrong. But not right either. What is within our power, however, is to make sure you do not end up in prison."

"And how do you plan to do this, exactly?"

"The fine details are not for you to know. We have to hold trial, but we can arrange for a probationary sentence, especially given that you are underage."

"So I CAN serve a proper sentence despite my age? You guys have some shitty priorities," Danny crossed his hands and leaned back.

"You can and you certainly will if you choose to ignore every warning we give."

"Is this a threat, ma'am?" Danny raised an eyebrow.

"It is a warning. Our inaction WILL land you behind bars."

"Alright, so what do I have to do for you to help me? You wouldn't be asking otherwise."

"Simple. We will have need of your services in the future. Once you graduate, we want you to work with us. Not many get their future laid out before them so clearly, you know?"

Danny rewarded her with a small smile. "Oh, so in exchange I will be your debt slave, what a nice bargain."

"The alternative is prison and potential unemployment. Nobody needs a former convict on their payroll."

"You are bluffing," Danny sighed. "Guys as paranoid as you will never let me spend several years alongside actual criminals. Whether I agree or not."

"We can always use solitary confinement. I'm sure five years in there will do you good."

"Even better. I will go insane and you will be to blame," the halfa smiled. "And if I do, the world is screwed, believe me, the old fortuneteller told me so."

"For once take things seriously, kid," the assistant snapped.

"I AM serious. You do realise I could snap your necks just like this?" The halfa asked and flicked a finger. "You want this guy in sound mind. That's exactly why any sort of prison is not something you will want to put me in. So, I am calling your bluff."

"Keep this up and this surely won't be a bluff," the president said. "You gravely overestimate your position, Fenton-san. You are a child, a very rebellious one. And if you are deemed a threat, the heroes will give you your due. And before you think of running away from the country, we will have to make a call to Interpol. Your homeland may have been too permissive, but we are not."

To their surprise, the boy chuckled. "Oh, I assure you. If this happens, the only place I may go to is the one you will never step a foot in. The very fact you are still trying to convince me is proof enough that you really must want me in on your party. But selling my soul to you people is not something I plan on doing. This whole situation is just farce everyone has to adhere to. Because then everyone will start doubting if you are completely right."

"If they do, Fenton, more and more people will start joining the likes of the League."

"There must be something that makes people choose murderous psychos over you," Danny shrugged. "I know exactly how it looks like. I am delivering another blow to the reputation of my actually good school. But this is more than just U.A. If anything, by playing along I only make it worse. But if I cut ties with it...they won't fall so hard as with me being a constant reminder of their inability to change me."

The two officials could see the strained pause. The boy acted detached and cynical, but it was clear as day how painful it was for him. And true they were. Danny truly loved U.A. and would normally do anything to stay around. But this went beyond just his education or whatever hero career he might have had. His pride and his sense of what was right spoke loudly and spoke of how rotten the world's rules were. He was no stranger to defying everything. He defied death itself, what are those two bureaucrats in comparison to such force of nature? There would be no point in finishing the school if indentured servitude would be the end. And so, best to cut corners, cut the ties and be done, no?

"May I ask a question?" Danny turned back to them.

"Go on."

"What happened to the hero me and Hawks arrested? I don't recall there being a court hearing about this stain on the hero reputation."

"That's why we were secretive about this."

"You haven't answered," Danny narrowed his eyes.

"He is in prison. Which one is none of your concern."

That began a staring contest between the teen and the president. Danny wished Tsukauchi was in the room with them. The lady was good at hiding everything, that's for damn certain.

"I can already sense sincere and honest partnership," Danny huffed. "My answer is no. First you make laws like this and now try to find ways to bypass it yourself? No, we will let everyone see how justice here works in all of its beauty. And then we will see what happens."

The president glared at him. "I am starting to wonder if it was your plan all along."

Phantom shrugged. "I ain't that good as a schemer."

"Then I suppose we are done here," the president rose from her seat. "You may be willing to throw your life away for the sake of your pride, but think of those you are dragging with you."

"I thought I said that that's precisely why we are cutting ties."

"Some attachment you have to just throw it away," the assistant muttered, before being faced by a cold look of green eyes.

"Keep this up and you will end up completely alone," the president finished and walked out of the room, with the assistant following suit.

Outside of the room stood Tsukauchi, who waited for them and, perhaps, his own turn to finally speak to his charge. The woman turned to him and sighed.

"Can't imagine how hard it must have been controlling this force of nature," she commented.

"He won't be anything but rude to those he doesn't like," Tsukauchi explained. "What was this about?"

"If such is the case, let someone he does like talk some sense into him," the president urged. "Or the consequences will be too dire."

The detective nodded grimly. "I understand."

At that the president and her lackey left, leaving Tsukauchi to piece together the words he would be saying to a boy in a precarious position. Never in his prior life had Tsukauchi imagined himself in that situation. He was disappointed, sad, and even angry both with himself and the boy who just would not listen. Perhaps that's all there was for him to say and do, to make sure his feelings get across even through the boy's thick skull. And so, the detective opened the door and entered. Danny had not left his seat, now watching his guardian take a seat across. Still, none of them spoke for a good minute.

"Look, Tsukauchi, I..."

"Don't," Tsukauchi interrupted. "I told you this will happen, didn't I?"

"You did."

"That's all you've got to say? Fenton, can you even imagine what you have done?"

"We did have a talk about this with the president," Danny mumbled. "Tsukauchi-san, do you remember why I came here?"

"Because you were kicked out, because people feared you instead of thanking, is this what you are getting at? Because if so, ask yourself what you have done to dismiss that fear. You break every rule, you held your ground against All for One already, and each fight of yours ends with people in a half-dead state."

"I do everything to help in any way I can."

"Some great help you turned out to be," Tsukauchi snapped. "Didn't you see what Stain did? A murderous maniac with a resonating message swayed many. Now you do the same without his bloody baggage. People will follow what you did and this will spell problems for everyone."

"I saved my classmate. I am SUPPOSED to do just that. If your world is gonna crumble because of this, then I don't know what else to say."

"This is the real world, not some school brawl," the detective sighed.

"'Real world'," Danny huffed. "If only there was another one."

"Unfortunately, there is not."

Tsukauchi was faced with a very thoughtful look that was coming from the boy. He clearly wanted to say something.

"I suppose I ought to tell you this. It's only fair...at this point, for sure."

The detective blinked. "What are you getting at?"

"You can't find my parents, that's understandable. I knew from the start that you would not be able to."

"Did...something happen to them?"

"No. At least, when I last called my sister they were alright. But they don't live here. Here, as in, this world."

Tsukauchi stared at the boy. Those words were not lies, but then again...

"You are still keeping me in the dark too much," The detective grumbled.

"I was being a bit dramatic, I guess," Danny huffed. "But point is, there are many worlds out there. And to yours...I am a newcomer as well."

Halfa's words did little to lift the veil of disbelief from Tsukauchi's eyes. Danny could see it, and so he went on.

"I am not crazy, old man. My origin would explain so much, though, don't you think? Why there are no records about me, my family, why I never existed up until the point you met me...and why my powers break the rules set for Quirks."

"Suppose you are right...why?" Tsukauchi asked.

"I was truthful about the reasons for coming here. I am hated at my house, my enemies target everyone around. So I had to leave and try my luck elsewhere. My friend was ready to help me, being the guy who easily travels between dimensions."

"You just happened to know someone like that."

"I just happened to know a god, so I wouldn't be as doubting. Besides," Danny chuckled. "When you are the only hero in the world you are bound to meet all sorts of people."

"Only? Why aren't there more?"

"My world doesn't have Quirks, is all," Danny shrugged. "I am an abnormality. A freak, some would say. That's why I don't understand a lot of things you people choose to do. I lived in a different place. I don't understand why you wouldn't want more people to freely help, I sure wouldn't have minded if the likes of All Might or Endeavour were around. Instead, normal humans have to put themselves in danger. That is something I don't want to see. Maybe it is hypocritical, I left them, after all..." the teen sighed.

"That's...a lot to take in," Tsukauchi mumbled. "But you know this won't serve as an excuse."

He was indulging that rant, but he was getting more and more exhausted from hearing such a surreal story. A story which he also could not verify the validity of. For once in his life, the detective was overcome by doubt and wonder. He had to figure this one by himself.

"It wasn't. I ain't apologising or excusing myself."

"And if there aren't any Quirks...what about you?"

"Simple. I died. Became an unnatural hybrid being of which there is only one other than me. Ghosts are real, old man, and half of me is one."

The detective shook his head. "This is insane. I don't know if there is a way for you to counteract my Quirk as well..."

"You think I am lying to you?" Danny sounded genuinely frustrated.

"Do you expect me to just believe this tale? After you betrayed my trust so many times by now?! I think the problem of trust is something to address."

The detective stopped himself before he said anything else. He allowed his feeling to spill into the profession. Danny wanted to object, but realised that there was nothing he could really say. The man didn't even know the full extent of what he had done.

"I trust you," Danny looked at him. "That's why I am telling you this!"

"Really? Then why tell me this only now? Not a day before, only when you are put back behind bars."

"I could just keep quiet. As if my revelation could get me anything. I just want to set the record straight before there WON'T be a chance to come clean."

"Are you seriously intending to go to prison?"

"We don't know how the hearing will end."

"You idiot! Everyone saw that! Going out there is a guaranteed sentence and a stain on your reputation. Or what, do you intend to go to your world?"

Danny stared at him. "I admit...the thought does cross my mind more often than not. At the very least...I all but ran from there. And I just kept doing what I did without really giving thought to the choice I made."

"I realise that there is nothing I can do to stop you. But this will be the final nail in the coffin."

"I told you it's not..." Danny sighed. "I know what escaping means. I just haven't decided yet," he leaned forward.

"If you do that, Daniel...you will be considered more than just a vigilante. You will be labeled as a villain."

"Is there really a difference?" The halfa recalled his amphibia-themed classmate and gave a sad smile.

-Linebreak-

Danny never imagined himself sitting in a courtroom like this - behind a glass wall, wearing several inhibition devices on his braces and one on his neck in the form of a collar. Those had been designed to keep him down, which meant that that's what the Commission had in store for him. Of course, they were for general use, but the collar, so they said, was specifically tailored to stop him. And such things are not designed within the frame of two days. It was perhaps at the moment the collar snapped around his neck that Danny finally made his mind about what to do.

It was not a decision he was making lightly. He may have had nothing better to do, but it was all a conscious effort on his part. After all, not always did he get so much freedom to stop and think. He may have hid it, but Danny was lost. At points he wanted to shed tears of exasperation or hit something as per the urge of that very feeling. Several months in that world had been reduced to nought. He couldn't hope to continue the school, to stick around Tsukauchi who didn't visit him again since that conversation. Danny wondered what it was that kept the detective away, but quickly stopped himself before the train of thoughts got yet another depressed passenger. And just going to another country was hardly an option, given how everyone knew his face by then and it would also be difficult to move...At least prison had free food, nasty as it was. Maybe that's how many Quirk-wielding people ended up behind bars. A sentence for using a part of your body. Danny had all the time to nourish the newly rediscovered scorn for the existing order.

But he was ready to face the coming trial. And he decided to stand by his previous decision with full certainty. There was a surprisingly large amount of people and reporters both outside the police department and near the court. Whatever their reasons might have been, to each group Phantom responded with bright proud smiles and confident proclamations.

After all, did he do anything wrong?

Of course, many in the crowd thought that he did, loudly shouted and threw trash at him. But he didn't even need intangibility to dodge those.

Still, he showed respect and seriousness for the entire procedure. He didn't need to act as a clown in a matter such as that one. Quite the contrary, it would hurt as much as it possibly could if he acted appropriately. So, he patiently waited until the prosecutor stopped his accusations and he was given the room to speak. As it was him who had also refused the provided lawyer.

"...The accused blindly rushed into the heat of battle, possibly disrupting of the rescue operation mounted by our greatest heroes. He violated clear instructions to stay out, despite the previously issued warnings. As everyone here knows, our laws strictly forbid the use of Quirk without a license, and everyone is just as aware that the accused did just that, in front of everyone."

Danny carefully observed the reactions in the jury and the audience. Within the group of the latter he still couldn't see Tsukauchi. The halfa felt the heaviness in his stomach return. He may not have done wrong, but he could have said some things. And as a result, it was hard to see familiar faces in the audience. Yet there was one. Aizawa, of all the people, but it made sense, he supposed, the man both represented the U.A. and was his teacher. Perhaps brought in there to give a testimony or he volunteered to do so himself. Danny didn't like the lump in his throat. Whether you make your mind on something on not, judgement from close confidants always hurt. And those tired eyes had nothing but just that.

"Let the defendant have a word," the judge said afterwards and turned to Phantom.

"Thank you, Your Honour," Danny began, trying to bring all the abysmal knowledge he had about courts. "It will be pointless to deny what I have done. But the prosecution certainly chose very heavy words. I remind everyone that the operation was disrupted the second All for One chose to come out. And from what everyone could also see, even All Might had to give his everything to beat him in the end. Was I anything but helpful in that encounter, prosecutor-san?"

"This verdict is to be made by fighting experts. As it stands, the law has no provisions about 'helpfulness'. I would also remind that All Might's fighting condition was significantly worse due to the injury of which you are the cause."

"Nothing illegal about that," Phantom responded. "It was caused during an exam which by nature has us fight our teachers. I happened to fight All Might and hit him in a spot I had no idea was his vulnerability. Mind you, I was the who made sure it doesn't kill him."

"You've sworn to speak only the truth within these walls, Fenton-san," the judge spoke. "Do we have your word that it really was an incident and the defeated villain had nothing to do with this?"

Danny sighed. "You do have it. I also swear that a couple of days ago was the first time me and All for One met and talked to each other."

The prosecutor was looking into his papers as the conversation went. However, he was quick to butt in once he found what he was looking for.

"Your Honour, I find this hard to believe. Given his past records."

His words caused whispers to travel around the room. Both Aizawa and Danny were aware of what he meant by 'past records'. Yet the latter was surprised he chose to bring that part up. It only went to show that the Commission did not take lightly to his metaphorically swatting away their gracious hand of help. Even the slightest acceptance of the past deeds could end more than one year to his sentence. The HPSC finally made up its own mind, it would have seemed. If they couldn't get him on their side, he would be out of their hair for as long as possible. Danny's fist clenched under the table. He would get back at them.

"Fenton has committed multiple offences in the past. Offences that have recently started coming up. Among those are the crimes very fitting his displayed behaviour — illegal upgrade possession, participation in an unlicensed fighting pit and the expected uncountable unrestricted uses of his Quirk. Not to mention that the boy can be considered an illegal alien, he came to our country by who knows what means. Those are merely the ones we are aware of, Your Honour. Fenton poses as a hero to hide his true nature, nature which is not too dissimilar from his presumed parent. Are we to believe that he delved into the criminal underbelly of our society and yet never interacted with the one at its helm?"

The past whispers turned to shouts. From the audience in the courtroom and on the other side of TV cameras both. Danny clenched his teeth and readied to speak up, but the prosecutor turned his attention elsewhere.

"We also have a representative from U.A. Academy, the very institution that took this litigant in. I'd ask him to give us an explanation."

The teacher rose from among the crowd. It almost seemed like he never even took off his formal suit since the day of the incident apology. And now he had to do so all over again. As Aizawa took the required seat and took a truth oath, the prosecutor approached him.

"Tell me, Aizawa-san, how come you took the criminal in?"

"His documents were all in order by the time he applied. He also achieved the highest scores for the exams, so we had no major reason not to. We knew no more than you, for the most part."

"For the most part? An astute remark that absolves you of guilt for lies, because you certainly must have known about his...side activities. Being the first person to actually arrest him."

"An arrest does not equal a crime," Aizawa crossed his hands. "Fenton was at the wrong place at the wrong time in that particular instance. So we believed, at least. At the time he gave us no reason to think otherwise."

"Still, that should have crossed him out of potential candidates, no?"

"U.A. judges by merit. During the exam he managed to show qualities expected of a hero, so we decided in favour."

The prosecutor nodded. "He had us all for quite some time. But we cannot go by perception alone, can we? What does the U.A. intend to do now that the crimes are brought to light?"

"We reserve our decision until the end of the trial."

"You seem to be under the impression that he may escape the punishment."

"He will not. But the severity of it is the subject of debates. In spite of everything, Fenton still risked his own life to rescue his classmate and everyone else he saw," Aizawa gave the boy a pointed look. Despite those words being a compliment, it didn't feel that way. He did speak his mind, but was forced to downplay the other, conflicting feeling that he was also experiencing. "That is something the heroes present can vouch for. They did, in fact."

The hero pulled out a list of paper from his suit and showed it to everyone.

"Here are the signatures of those involved. Nearly all petition for the court's lenience on the case."

Danny stared at the list. He couldn't see the signatures from where he sat, but it mattered not. He couldn't deny that he was touched by the gesture, grateful and somewhat relieved that they weren't just tossing him away for stepping out of line. Still, those were the calls begging the court to show mercy. None decried the very sham nature of the trial. Aizawa still had gone to great lengths collecting those signatures, as the school also tried to stand by him as much as they could without running their reputation into the mud.

"Yes, losing your star pupil will be a problem, won't it? But the court can't back down even if U.A. vouches for him. You have demonstrated that you cannot ensure Fenton's behaviour. As such, he will only keep breaking the law if no punishment is dealt. This is what vigilantism brings upon you and Fenton couldn't not have known this. And besides, he has other transgressions that cannot be forgotten if we are to uphold the law."

The halfa gritted his teeth. He really was half-tempted to punch the man, but that would most certainly backfire quicker than it should.

"If I may..."

The judge looked at the teen. "The accused, speak."

"Your Honour, I believe that the prosecution chose to omit another party that knew full well about my past. The president of HPSC doesn't seem to be here, yet she knows. She also knew it all the way back. When she blackmailed me into interning with them."

It appeared that the commission already enjoyed a mixed reputation, given how some among the audience believed him.

"You are not in the position to throw accusations," the prosecutor argued.

"I am not accusing. That's what they did. As a matter of fact, they offered me a leeway out of this court," he spoke through the sounds of a more agitated crowd. He was taking them down with him, and to hell with consequences and the look from Aizawa. 'What are you doing' said look screamed.

"Order in the court!" The judge exclaimed and used his hammer. "The accused, what are you insinuating?"

"I merely want to shed some light on the way of things. Everyone goes on and on about the law, about how they have to maintain order. And how me trying to help breaks this order," he said, looking at the crowd and the cameras, "Funnily enough, I got to see all sides of this order. I saw how people break it, how it is upheld I am seeing now and how the law itself is ready to bend at the behest of an organisation that answers to nobody but itself. How many recruits has the Commission scouted among people like me, ignoring the law, ignoring this order that must be so flawed that they simply can't do without said violations?"

"You are the accused here, Fenton," the prosecutor said. "Shifting blame will get you nowhere. We will hear the Commission, but it will have to happen during the next hearing, if that's the outcome we are heading towards."

Danny sighed and stood up. "I said what I wanted about them. Ever since I got a fresh start, over and over again I had to face the reality — even at times when we could so something, we were not allowed to. When I investigated the case of U.S.J. attack, I was forced to play dumb and all I could do was prepare myself. I had to give away the feat of bringing down Stain, because I was not allowed to. I had chances to arrest Shigaraki yet I knew where this will lead. My fault in the fight with All for One was that I got caught. All along the way so far the authorities covered for me. U.A., so to say, did little to nothing about , so you hammering down on them serves only to hide the real collaborator. I am...grateful to my school, because their intent is genuine and I know they want me to go the right path. But the Commission and the Police had one goal in mind — to look good and get themselves another tool to use and discard when they saw fit. After all, that's the fate they had in store for me if I agreed to be bailed out. But why would I agree? After all..."

He reached for the collar on his neck. It supposedly blocked his Quirk, but there lied a problem.

His was not a Quirk.

With a simple motion he phased the contraption off his neck, much to everyone's shock and horror as the boy's eyes began to glow.

"I could get out whenever I wanted."

Aizawa could only glare, both in anger and despair. He could do nothing to hold the boy in place, his Quirk was useless against the boy's mutation, and his scarf had to be left at the entrance. Phantom, in the meantime, phased off the bracelets as well.

"I tried and failed playing by the rules. I don't deserve the attempts made by my teachers, yet I was nothing if diligent in my attempts to help. You are free to judge, to hate, but I will stand firm by my beliefs and decision. I'll simply save all of you the trouble and accusations of hypocrisy if I decide to leave it at that. Perhaps it was not the place I was meant to be at, the path was not truly mine. Goodbye, world, perhaps we will still see each other once again!"

And with that he vanished from sight, leaving the frozen audience and his dismayed homeroom teacher. It seemed...the class would need to elect a new president. The place would, evidently, become vacant. Fenton purposefully left them no choice.

As for the halfa, his adrenaline-filled body was rushing forward. Invisibly, he was flying across the city, using the caused bedlam to his advantage. He had some time to pack up his belongings before they headed up to search all possible locations. Phasing into the apartment and dropping invisibility, however, Danny was snapped out of his haze by a voice.

"Leaving already?"

The teen turned to face Tsukauchi, who had been watching the live footage of the court.

"T-Tsukauchi-san?"

"I figured you will come here before long," the detective sighed. "And this might be as good of a chance to actually talk as any. Not like I could do this at the court."

So that was why Tsukauchi wasn't there...Danny felt relief wash over him, but it also made him feel guilt. He was doing everything to make them stay away, yet they all just stuck to him.

"I need to get my things...you are not trying to stop me, are you?"

The detective finally turned to look at him. There were bags under his eyes. "You know, in retrospect...I should have known it would end like this. We all foolishly believed we could change your mind. But you are stubborn as an ass."

"Yet you still took me in. I wasn't the one who asked," Danny shrugged. "And beared with me, too."

"That is a proper word," Tsukauchi scoffed. "I am still mad at you for doing it all behind my back. Hell, I am even angrier now after this," he pointed at the screen. "The Police helped you only to save its face, did it?"

Only now Danny realised the implication. "Tsukauchi-san...I didn't mean you."

"Of course you didn't. You just can't keep your mouth shut when it matters," the detective sighed. "And now you are on the run, your future is in the dumpster, the reputation of our institutions takes and even bigger hit and I am a failure of a guardian. Which I was damn well aware of. I hope you are happy with how it turned out."

Danny looked at the ground. "I did what I had to do. We could all just pretend that everything is fine, but we all know it is a lie. It is as you said. You knew who I am, you knew the risks."

"What are you even planning to do now?"

The halfa tapped on the ground. "I have some unfinished business. After that, who knows?"

"You won't be able to run forever, Danny. You will be alone in your little rebellion."

"Maybe," came Danny's answer. "But I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't ready to look this possibility in the eyes...you probably shouldn't be here. If they learn that you saw me and did nothing..."

Tsukauchi sighed once more. "That was the intent," he said and got up. Then, the detective put a hand on his shoulder. "You have chosen a dangerous path, Danny. From now on everyone will be your enemy. I can only ask of you not to lose sight of what you still are on the inside. A hero, even if misguided one."

The halfa nodded and smiled forcefully. "I will try, Tsukauchi-san."

Perhaps, there was a key difference between the boy and All Might. The two prime heroes from two different worlds. As the latter smiled for everyone around him, the boy smiled for himself. Perhaps it did sound egoistical, but the boy needed it no less than a bystander, it would seem. With everything said, Tsukauchi left the teen alone, free to pack his things, his hidden cash from the fights, and take one last look around the room that used to be his home for the last several months. It pained him to leave, to abandon what had seemed to finally be a normal life for him, but it was too late to turn back now. Summoning a portal, a swirling mass of green and purple, he stepped in, ready to return to his world.

One that would end up not as welcoming as he had hoped.

A.N. Oh, what's that? Finally a plot divergence again? Got that right. It is time for Danny-boy to realise his potential and then take on the world.