Naruto sits in a hospital bed wearing hospital gowns. Right now, he's alone as he have been isolated from the others due to killing the Nomu. It is one thing if a Pro did it during battle, but another thing altogether for a student like him to do it. But when the winged Nomu grabbed Izuku, what came forward wasn't Shura but Hokage Naruto. He had been high on adrenaline from fighting Stain and that persona of his was extremely close to the surface. So when Izuku was grabbed, he immediately reacted like how he would when a child of Konoha was threatened before him.

He curses, "I fuck up,"

The door opens to reveal Shouta and Nedzu with a man in a suit. Naruto doesn't recognize him but he does worry that this will backlash on Minato. Nedzu hops off Shouta's shoulder to land on Naruto's bed, "I seems that you have messed up, Sage,"

Naruto sighs, "Sorry. I just...can't let that Nomu grab Izuku. Especially with suspicion that it was an experimented human, I don't want the same fate to befall Izuku. I...feels somewhat responsible for him, you know?" He turns to the dog headed police, "So...am I going to be locked up? If I do, can you make sure that nothing happen to my Dad?"

The dog headed man introduces himself, "I am Tsuragamae Kenji, Chief of Hosu's Police Department. As for the matter with the Nomu, I can understand somewhat of what you did. And you are in the clear as through the other two in captive, we learn from numerous testing that they have little brain activity. For all that we can tell, they are brain dead. So even if you killed them, it is more merciful than if you just let them live. It is why Endeavor, who killed the black one, will not be punished for killing that one through his Quirk,"

Naruto frowns, "I see...I'm not big on mercy killing but...if that is how it will be interpreted..." He shakes his head, "And my friends? Are they alright? Stain put them through the wringer,"

Kenji ruffs, "I already visited them. And I will give you the same lecture. Since the Dawn of Quirk, we the police have been emphasizing on leadership and protocol. We also made it a point to not wield our individual Quirks as weapon. So then Heroes rose up to fill that void. Of course, authorizing the use of such powerful abilities that could easily kills are naturally opposed by the public. But as it proves to be a boon to society, they are slowly accepted. All because your predecessors acted morally and within the law," He levels a stern look on Naruto, "But for those without permission, license, to use their Quirk without the explicit instruction and direction of their guardians or supervisors, even if they were to face the likes of the Hero Killer or Nomu, such actions are considered a violation of the rules,"

Naruto hums, "I understand...but I hope that you will understand...I will break those rules over and over if it is necessary. Even if the world will never acknowledge me as a Hero, what matters more to me is to protect them,"

Kenji growls, "I can tell from your action with the Nomu. It is only because it is obvious to me that you will only break them to do good that I am giving you some leeway. By right, all 9 of you should be punished by the law. But since there are so little witnesses, this matter can be swept under the rug. Endeavor already agrees to take on all responsibilities of what happened so you children can continue with your studies as future Pros," He clasps his hands, "And I hope that you will keep your law breaking on the minimum as much as possible. You are capable of becoming a great Hero and I would hate to have to snuff that future, ruff,"

Naruto blinks before sneering, "So Birthday Candle have his use after all..." He shakes his head, "So, in another word, no one will know and we will not be receiving any acknowledgement from the public? On the hand, if we wish to receive public adoration, we will be punished by the law since what we did is no different from vigilantism," He sighs, giving a one armed shrug, "I have no problem with that. I don't want kids to start thinking that it is okay to kill because they 'doing the right thing' or something. That is not the type of Hero this world needs,"

Kenji huffs, "Glad to see that you're reasonable,"

Naruto frowns, "I am reasonable. Even when I killed that Nomu, I was being reasonable. If I don't take it down there where I have it and it got away, it'll just grab a different hostage before flying off who knows where. And that is something that I doubt that the Pros and police of Hosu want to deal with,"

Kenji hums, "That will be correct. Which is why I decided that you need not be punished for that,"

Naruto hums and the conversation ends there as Kenji left to deal with other things. Nedzu watch Naruto before saying, "When I heard what happened, I quickly run a search for the incident. Someone managed to record a video of you with blood covered hands just as Stain tries to get away. They are more interested in what Stain was saying so your image isn't so clear. When I next see it, the part with you have been cut out as Stain's rambling about purifying the world of unworthy fakes is more interesting to highlight for those edgy teens," He gestures for Shouta's phone before showing it to Naruto, "Here!"

Naruto watch the video in silence before sighing at the comments agreeing with him, "I did tell him that he will awaken madness..."

Nedzu hums, "I truly wonder what kind of life you have experienced before waking up in this world,"

Shouta frowns, "Waking up...in this world?"

Nedzu smiles, "Eraserhead here have been most confused with you and he is extremely concerned about your blasé attitude after killing," He adds, "I hope you can put his concern to rest before he ends up doing something that he will deeply regret," He then adds another thing, "This room is secure,"

Naruto breathes in deep before smiling wearily at Shouta, "I'm a reincarnator. As much as that sound like an overused light novel trope, it is what it is. I regained my past life memory when I was 4 when I received a head injury during my Quirk's awakening. My experiences came with me but I had to retrain my body growing up to regain the same base level of what I can do at this age. To be honest, I am extremely weak in comparison to my past self at 15,"

Shouta looks at Nedzu who chews on a chip of cheese that he brought with him, "Yagi know about it because Naomasa happened to be there when Naruto joked about him being currently a teenager but having an epic past life. Which our man of truth automatically registers as truth," He grins, "And I have ears everywhere in U.A so naturally this conversation in the infirmary interests me. I call him Sage because he was a Sage in his other life," Nedzu looks at Naruto, "But your Hero alias is certainly an interesting choice, Sage. I thought you would use your monikers from another life?"

Naruto shakes his head, "Those monikers are something I earned and gifted to me by my allies and enemies," He looks at his hands, "They are not monikers fitting for a Pro-Hero but a War Hero. And War Heroes at the core of it all are nothing more than licensed killers in service of their country,"

Shouta stares at him before saying, "Are you not worried about telling me all this?"

Naruto looks at him, "And what can you do to me? Not like you can figure out this reincarnation business by cutting me open. And I am not a threat unless you give me a reason to be one. Believe it or not, I am quite peaceful and I don't always solve things with killing. Like I said, I was being reasonable when I killed that Nomu. I might be the same age as Izuku and the others now, but I have a part of me that view them like those Genin that I was in charge of. A Jounin Instructor's duty is more than just showing them the rope on what to do but also to step up and protect them no matter the cost to themselves. And I was more than a Jounin. I was Hokage, the one charge. And when that Nomu grabbed Izuku, that part of me that have given the oath to protect with my life on the line took over. I do not regret the decision,"

Nedzu hums, "And for that, I am sure that Shouta is grateful,"

Shouta sighs, "I do not condone what you did but I can see why you did it. Your reasoning is sound. But try not to make a repeat of this," He frowns for a moment before asking, "You were a soldier?"

Naruto snorts, "Worse. I was a Shinobi. And I am sure you know what that really entails,"

Shouta's posture relaxes more, "I see. You looked much too comfortable during the first night of underground heroics. Like you're back into something you're more familiar with. Is that why you chose to work study under me?"

Naruto shakes his head, "I was being honest about testing my limit after sundown. As you can see, this is it," He sighs, "I will have to start training my body at night. If it wasn't because Pro-Heroes have the no kill rule unless absolutely unavoidable, I could have thought of several way to end Stain. It is much harder to not kill him,"

Shouta grumbles, "Stop talking about killing like deciding what you want for dinner,"

Naruto bursts out laughing, "Sorry! Bad habit!"

After that, the two left Naruto to heal. Nedzu asks Shouta after they enter the car, "Are you calmer now?"

Shouta grips the stirring wheel, "Calmer? We have a War Hero stuck in a child's body in the class. I'm actually panicking right now,"

Nedzu puts on his seat belt, "Do you not believe him when he said that he's peaceful?"

Shouta pulls out of the parking lot, "I do. I'm just worried that when things get tough, he falls back to bad habit. You should have seen him, Nedzu. He went straight for the kill. There was no hesitation, no doubt in his action. And he did not think of this as a mistake but a necessity,"

Nedzu hums, "And that is the mentality that all Heroes used to have back during the Dawn of Quirks. They were all soldiers. You could even think of Naruto as a relic of sort. But so far, I have seen his actions as nothing more than helping. Not once did he even suggest killing Villains or the like. His views on Hero society also aligns with what I was thinking. He understand the importance of not killing. Like he said, killing Stain is easier than detaining him. For someone who kills, Naruto understand the weight of life and the innocence of those children more than anyone else," He smiles, "He is certainly better than Stain. It amuse me to remember your report on him saying how Stain would have done better as a teacher,"

Shouta stops at a red light, "So you are keeping him as a student?"

Nedzu nods, "Of course! And I have been scrubbing the video of him with blood on his hands so that HPSC doesn't get their grimy hands on him!" He growls, "Naruto is too perfect for them. All they need to do is brainwash him or blackmail him to get him do their underhanded things. But I doubt that it will go well for them for long. What they did to Lady Nagant will not work on Naruto. After all, his view is already clashing with theirs. From Naruto's own words, he did not believe in solving things through killing. Something that the HPSC have been taking advantage of. Not to mention, if he really was a Shinobi and a leader of one at that, he will be their worse nightmare as I can see just how he could turn against them,"

Shouta starts driving again, "He's not a threat unless they make him one,"

Nedzu nods, "Exactly! And all the more reason to keep him out of their hands. I know that they have shown interest in him due to the U.A Sports Festival but I have been blocking them from reaching him. But even if they do, Naruto is jaded enough to not accept whatever spiels that they could throw at him,"

Shouta sighs, "What a mess..."

Nedzu chuckles, "It is and all so very interesting! I am sure that he can help this new generation be better Heroes! I especially liked his view where what one does under the title of Hero being of greater importance than why they become a Hero! His Hero name is truly a reflection of his nature!"

Shouta let the Principal praise Naruto, while thinking about this new information about Naruto. The boy have always been strange. Too comfortable in what he can do. Always holding back but have no problem going all out should the situation calls for it. Learning that he was once a War Hero rattles him. Shouta is aware that Pro-Heroes have seen and sometimes did some messed up things. But a War Hero is a different breed of messed up. Because what they kill aren't just Villains but what they perceive as threat. War is a dangerous and complex grey area. What they kill are also other humans stuck in a work that put them against other people. Necessary sacrifices for the sake of the many.

Nedzu breaks him out of his thought, "Shouta, try help him whenever his War Hero persona is close to the surface. Near death experiences already traumatic. Can you imagine just how much more traumatizing it is for someone who actually died? Naruto might appear fine on the surface but I am sure...he have lost many to death. Both theirs and his own,"

Shouta curses under his breath. War also means losing comrades. Feeling helpless. Despairing over powerlessness. Naruto is indeed a different breed from them. He is smiling and living vivaciously but how much of that is true and how much of that is just a mask?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

He killed the Nomu because of PTSD and justified his actions according to his past life's belief. He's logical and reasonable, but what if those are nothing but a mask over his own psychological reaction to stress? Shouta would know. That is how he deal with his own trauma.

Damn Problem Child with fucking capitals.

Naruto sneezes and wipes his nose as he slowly makes his way through the hospital. He's trying to visit the others. Hinata isn't so badly hurt as the others as her Quirk make her an extremely dangerous opponent. Even Stain seemed to sense this as he tended to go around around her to get to the others. As proven when a lucky strike from Hinata messed up his leg that he can't even use it to get away from them after he woke up and tried to run. He wonders if the struck leg can be saved. She isn't exactly aiming to Cut so maybe.

He reaches the area where Izuku is standing at the door, a voice reaching his ears, "...left hand could have permanent damage," He pause and listens in even as Izuku walks into their shared room, Tenya's voice continuing, "Both my arms were badly injured, but the damage in my left seems to be much worse. Stain severed something the doctor called brachial plexus nerve. They advised me that I might regain most of the feelings and use of my hand and fingers if I receive nerve transplant,"

The room falls silent as the weight of Tenya's injuries registers to the others. Tenya then says, "When I found the Hero Killer...my mind just go blank. I should have informed at least Manual before going after him or do anything else. I hate him. But...he made his point and I can't even refute him. So...until I succeed in becoming a true Hero, my left hand will serve as a reminder,"

Naruto leans against the wall besides the door, listening to the others inside the room. Had he done more, approach Tenya personally, would he have avoided this mess and saved his hand from such an injury? Naruto doesn't know. All he know is that talking someone out of revenge don't stick. He tried that with Sasuke. Kakashi and Sakura tried that with Sasuke. It only drove him deeper into the darkness of vengeance. In the end, they have to make their own choice just like how he made his own choice when faced with Pein. But perhaps he will do things better this time around. Should any of the people in his class seemed troubled, he will approach them and coax them to speak of their pain.

"... It seems like people's hand gets messed up whenever I'm involved...is it a curse?"

Naruto clasps a hand over his mouth to not laugh at Shoto's words.

"What on earth are you talking about?!"

"Looks like Todoroki knows how to make a joke,"

"I...I'm not joking. Just call me 'The Hand Crusher' or something..."

As they laugh inside, Naruto steps away and let them have this moment without him. Instead, he heads to the garden on the roof of the hospital. There is even a cafe up there. He nonchalantly made his way to the cafe and buys some food and sweet tea before taking a seat. The fight with the Hero Killer was really an experience. Not just for him but the others. That man forced Tenya to recognize his own internal weakness and hypocrisy. His ear twitch and he listens as someone watch the video about Stain.

Madness is brewing.

Stain is like a pebble thrown into stagnant water. People who follows his ideal or influenced by his words will gather and the most likely place to take them in will be the League of Villains. It's like Akatsuki all over again. When the boiling point tipped over, will they be ready to face them?

Naruto isn't sure.

Times like this make him miss his old home where there are people he knows he can rely on. Sakura's miraculously healing skill. Shikamaru's strategic genius. Sasuke's destructive abilities. Sai's easy communication. Kakashi's keen intellect and experience. Ino, Chouji, Kiba, Shino...Gaara, Temari, Kankuro...the Toads. The other Kage. He is a Hokage without Konoha.

"Naruto-kun? Shouldn't you be in your room?"

Naruto opens his eyes to see Hinata with a plate of waffles in her hand as well as some sweet tea with boba pearls. He smiles, "You know me. I'm where the sun is,"

Hinata shakes her head before sitting across from him, "How are you?"

He looks her over, taking in the bandages and bruising that colors her cheek where a kick from Stain smashed her against the wall of the alley. He sighs, "I'm fine...I'm just worried..."

As Hinata cuts into her waffles, she asks, "About what?"

He hums, "Stain is like a pebble thrown into still water. There are bound to be ripples,"

Hinata chomps down on a bite of waffle, sweet maple syrup staining her lips, "...we can take on whatever comes our way. It is what we are training for,"

Naruto frowns, watching as she continues to eat the waffles. After a moment, he grabs her hand and steals a bite. She blushes at his sudden action. Naruto then warily apologizes, "Hinata...about that thing I did...I'm sorry you had to see that..."

Hinata frowns, "Naruto-kun...you put it out of its misery. I admit that it was shocking but...can I admit something?" She watch him nod and she takes in a deep breath, "I...whenever I see the lines, I...something in me just switched. I don't feel anything when I cut things. My alias isn't just a warning for others, it is also a reminder to myself to not cross that line. It is why I hated my Quirk for a very long time. I don't want to be what they said I should be but it's hard to think otherwise when using my Quirk makes me...apathetic,"

A natural born killer, that's what the Quirk turns her into.

Naruto reaches across the table and holds her hand. It certainly explains her personal conflict with her Quirk. Using it turns her in a perfect assassin. But once she turns it off, the guilt of using it on people without control will crush her. Hinata blushes a deep red at his touch and says, "W-what I'm trying to s-say is!...y-you're not wrong and t-that...you're not alone. What you s-said about...dealing with S-Stain...I understand. I-it would have been too easy b-but...that is not who we are! S-so..." She offers a shy smile at him, "In my eyes, you're still a Hero because you still do the right thing even when it is hard,"

Naruto blinks at her words. What differentiates a Pro-Hero from a War Hero? Naruto doesn't know. All he know is that the reason he chose this path;

To protect his precious people.

That have never changed. That is his Will of Fire. To him, it doesn't matter if protecting people that are important to him makes him a Villain. But at the same time, he knows that it is easier to protect them by wearing the mantle of a Hero. So as much as the Shinobi in him is telling him to go undercover and investigate himself, he can't. He holds himself back from doing what the Shinobi side of him is telling him. What he should do instead is help get his classmate grow stronger and he can't exactly do that as their enemy. No. He can but that'll be taking after Itachi and he knows that going down Itachi's road isn't going to make their growth certain.

He might even accidentally twist their personalities for the worse.

Naruto grins at Hinata, unexpectedly blinding her with his solar smile, "Thanks, Hinata-chan!"

Hinata blinks out the sun spots in her eyes as she replies, "Y-your welcome!"

When he returns to Shouta's apartment, the man informs them, "Due to your actions during the Hero Killer case, I got my Pro's payment cut but since they can't revoke my teaching license since I am still a teacher at U.A, I am still your teacher. Uzumaki, you will be doing some learning with the text while you recuperate with that arm of yours. I'm told not to take you patrolling, both because of your torn muscle still healing and because of what you did with the Nomu. Just think of it as a house arrest,"

He looks at Hinata, "Hyuuga, you will study with him too. Memorize all the legal things about Heroics and how it work around common laws. At night, you will patrol with me. I am not taking you to the traffic heavy locations and you will have to just deal being bored without Shura to distract you,"

Hinata bows her head, "Yes, Sensei,"

Shouta shakes his head and says, "Hyuuga. Go buy some grocery for tonight. Uzumaki is going to need it. And get this brand of pain killers. He will probably tries to exercise his none injured side like a madman,"

Hinata accepts the money and note, "R-right!"

After he send Hinata out for grocery, he looks at Naruto. The boy closes the book on his lap and looks at Shouta. He is sitting right in front of the balcony where the sun is shining through. Shouta sits across from him, "Alright, Mr Sage from another world. Let's get this done with,"

Naruto smiles, "So...what do you want to know?"

____________________________________

[There was this discussion about what the Will of Fire exactly is. And through the Naruto series, we have seen several interpretation of it. Some see it like Hashirama; love will bring peace, loyalty to the village over all else. Some see it like Danzo; perfect loyalty to the village regardless of the sacrifice. Some see it like Hiruzen; protect the futute of Konoha, the children. Or maybe that's Asuma since it is canon that he and Hiruzen disagree over what is the 'King'. Ultimately, the Will of Fire is about protecting something and loyalty to something. And depending on the person, it differs. And since this is Naruto we are talking about, he will carry his own Will of Fire with him even in another life; protecting his precious people, regardless of the sacrifice demanded of him]