Midoriya smiled from a distance after seeing Nagato begin to interact with the children there. Although most of the children were not Nagato's age, and most were younger. But Midoriya figured Nagato was better off playing with the kids than wandering around on his own.
"Deku-kun?"
Midoriya turned his head at the call. "Uraraka-san?"
"You live here?"
"How did you get here?" They said simultaneously.
"Hahaha," Midoriya laughed awkwardly with a blushing face. Uraraka also laughed.
"How can we say that at the same time? Haha," Uraraka fell silent after saying that.
Silence.
The wind was blowing, blowing away some of the summer heat. But there was a strange atmosphere between the two people who were silent. An awkward silence.
"B-should we sit down first?" Midoriya asked nervously.
"Yes, of course. Over there." Uraraka pointed to a garden chair.
The two of them sat at each end of the chair. Although it was hot, it was under the shade of a tree. It felt comfortable whenever there was a breeze passing by.
"So, how did you get here Deku-kun?. Do you live around here too?" Uraraka asked casually. His legs were swinging on the garden chair. Seemingly enjoying the Sunday atmosphere.
The place was not deserted and was quite crowded considering it was a holiday. There were also many people walking around, exercising, or just sitting around casually like the two of them.
"N-no, I came here because of the address of-" Midoriya instantly closed his mouth. He almost said All Might's address just now.
Midoriya realized that no one here would realize that All Might lived here. If Midoriya were to divulge it, the neighborhood would definitely be very excited. Considering All Might still held the rank as the number one hero.
"M-I mean, I'm here..., to see Nagato-kun." Midoriya hesitantly replied.
"Nagato-kun, the villain-, ah, I mean, the child we're going to save?" Uraraka sparkled. After all Aizawa-sensei's anger back before the apprenticeship. Everyone in the class had agreed and made up their minds to help pull Nagato out of the darkness.
Well, except for two people whose opinions were questionable of course. Bakugo and Todoroki. If Bakugo stated that he would join Nagato's mission with anger, his sincerity was questionable.
While Todoroki..., he said like this. "...I'll think about it." Then Todoroki walked out of the classroom with an ordinary expression. Those words mean yes or no. Most people still didn't know the true answer to Todoroki's words.
"Where is he, Nagato-kun?" Uraraka asked excitedly.
"Well, he's over there. I asked Nagato-kun to play with the other children." Midoriya pointed at the playground in the park. He felt somewhat overwhelmed by Uraraka's anticipatory gaze.
"Really, where?" Uraraka saw that there were many children playing there. Not finding the figure of the red-haired child, Uraraka looked at Midoriya for guidance.
Midoriya's face turned red as if he was overheated when he saw Uraraka looking at him with anticipation. Because of that he looked around avoiding Uraraka's gaze.
"Where is Nagato-kun, Deku-kun. I can't find him."
"I-that was, Nagato-kun was there." Clumsily Midoriya also looked towards the playground to search for Nagato's whereabouts.
"Midoriya, it turns out you're here. Where's Nagato-kun, it's almost lunch time." Grand Torino suddenly appeared in front of Midoriya and Uraraka.
"G-grand Torino!," Midoriya was surprised by the Grand Torino that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Likewise with Uraraka as well.
"What are you doing here, with a girl?" Grand Torino looked at Uraraka with a typical old man's smile.
"I-it's not what you think, Grand Torino. I'm not doing anything. We're just sitting here and talking." Midoriya replied stammeringly.
"Deku-kun, who is this grandfather?" Uraraka kindly returned Grand Torino's smile before whispering to Midoriya.
Hearing the whisper of the girl beside him made Midoriya's face turn tomato red.
"Y-yes, I-this is Grand Torino. He's the pro hero who mentored me during my apprenticeship." Midoriya felt that he was sweating profusely due to Uraraka's nervousness.
"I see, I'm sorry Grand Torino. I don't recognize you. My name is Uraraka Ocako, I'm Deku-kun's classmate." Uraraka introduced herself energetically but politely.
Grand Torino nodded. Secretly observing Uraraka's character. "Classmates huh, that's good, I think with Midoriya's nature, he wouldn't have the courage to make friends with girls." With the smiling face of a sinless old man Grand Torino said that bluntly.
"B-how could Grand Torino possibly say such a thing?" Midoriya denied. Especially in front of Uraraka-san. He felt like his life was reduced by one.
"But, even so, I believe I heard that you were going to take care of Nagato-kun for a while, Midoriya. Now where is Nagato-kun? Hmm?" Grand Torino looked at Midoriya with the same smile. But Midoriya's intuition told him that smile was a bit creepy.
"Nagato-kun is playing with the children in the park over there." Midoriya pointed at the playground with his hand. But then the index finger pointing there slackened. Because the place was now empty.
And Nagato was nowhere to be seen.
Midoriya suddenly stood up. "D-he was there!, I personally asked him to try to make friends with other children." His voice sounded panicked as he explained.
"Calm down Deku-kun, maybe Nagato-kun got carried away by the other kids. I know most of the kids there are orphanage kids. Maybe Nagato-kun followed those kids to the orphanage. We can check it out." Uraraka suggested.
Grand Torino nodded. "Your friend is right Midoriya, I'll ask the caretaker of the orphanage. You search among the children." After saying that, Grand Torino jumped away.
Midoriya and Uraraka also nodded and headed towards the orphanage.
But they hadn't gotten there yet. On the way Midoriya and Uraraka were stopped by a child.
"Wait, Nii-san! Nee-san!"
Midoriya stopped and looked at the child who called out to him.
A brown-haired boy with orange eyes, Tobi. The boy who had recently started making friends with Nagato.
"Nii-san!, wait!" Tobi had difficulty approaching Midoriya and Uraraka because he was carrying Saku.
Saku's head was down looking limp and like he couldn't stand on his own.
"Wh-what happened to him? Are you guys okay?" Midoriya must have also noticed the abnormal condition of Saku who was half-held by Tobi in order to walk.
Midoriya and Uraraka approached the two boys anxiously.
"Is he okay?" Uraraka asked with concern. His eyes also looked at Saku.
"Nagato!" Tobi shouted. Tobi's eyes began to turn red and teary as if he was about to cry.
"Did Nagato-kun do this?!" Midoriya asked doubtfully when he saw Saku.
But Tobi shook his head violently. "No, not Nagato. I don't know why Saku is like this. But Nagato asked me to find Nii-san!."
"Where's Nagato-kun?" Despite still not really understanding the situation Tobi was referring to. But the first priority was to find Nagato immediately.
"Nagato went to look for Rin-chan!."
"Who's Rin-chan?" Uraraka asked while trying to help Tobi carry Saku.
"Our friend Rin-chan is missing!. We wanted to find her but Saku was suddenly like this. So Nagato asked me to bring Saku back and then look for the green-haired Nii-san who came with him!. Nagato went first to look for Rin-chan!." Tobi explained with watery eyes as if he was about to cry. But tears never fell from his eyes.
Midoriya nodded. Now he understood. While playing, Nagato met these three children. But one of the children disappeared, so they were about to look for him. But then this child named Saku suddenly had this state. And Nagato asked the two of them to go back and look for Midoriya because maybe this could be an urgent situation.
"Midoriya, the caretaker of the orphanage said that there are indeed some children who have not returned. Three children, two boys, one girl." Grand Torino suddenly came and spoke.
"Grand Torino," Midoriya nodded after hearing Grand Torino. "Maybe these two children are one of them."
Grand Torino also looked at the state of the two boys. His eyes specifically looked at Saku for some time before frowning. "What happened to him?"
"I'll explain on the way. Uraraka-san, can you take them back to the orphanage?. We'll go look for Nagato and the missing child." Midoriya asked for help.
Uraraka nodded. "Just leave those two to me."
"Which way did Nagato go?" Midoriya asked Tobi.
"That way," Tobi pointed towards the exit of the park. If I'm not mistaken, it led to a middle-class residential district.
"Come on Midoriya," Grand Torino jumped away first.
"Okay, Uraraka-san, please take care of them." Midoriya said goodbye then used one for all and followed behind Grand Torino.
"Is the missing child related to Nagato-kun?" During the search Grand Torino took the time to ask.
"No, it's not like that. But it does have something to do with Nagato-kun." Midoriya then explained what he had learned through the information obtained from Tobi.
Grand Torino also began to understand. "Is that so?" But she was still a bit doubtful about Nagato. Is that kid really starting to change?
*Braak!
After walking down several alleys. Grand Torino and Midoriya heard a loud noise. The two people nodded and headed towards the center of the sound.
In a small street between two buildings. There was a lot of dust flying around. But then a strong gust of wind blew the dust away.
Grand Torino and Midoriya arrived at the spot just as the dust was blown away. They were immediately shocked when they saw the scene in front of them.
There was a man rooted to the ground with a terrified face. And on top of him, the red-haired boy they had been looking for. Nagato, with his signature iron rod clutched in his small hand. Aiming it at the man's neck.
"Nagato-kun, stop!" Midoriya reflexively shouted.
Midoriya saw Nagato slowly turn to him. He was on Nagato's left side, so when Nagato glanced at him.
Only the cold and creepy eyes of Rinegan could be seen by Midoriya.
Midoriya gasped at that cold gaze.
....
An hour earlier...
"Heh, a sissy boy like you can really play basketball?" Ichi crossed his arms with a smug face.
"How about we prove it. No need to talk so much." Nagato began to dribble the ball towards the court where there was a children's basketball hoop.
This ball looks small for the size of a real ball. But this size is clearly very suitable for children his age.
Nagato could feel a familiar sensation as his hands played with the ball. The same sensation when he practiced with his friends in his old world.
"Let's go, you can all go together. One against five, I don't mind." Nagato challenged.
"Okay, don't cry and regret your words this sissy boy." After saying that Ichi and his four friends headed towards Nagato.
The skills of children who are not yet ten years old will of course not be able to match the skills of those who are clearly experienced.
Nagato easily dodged and put the ball into the ring. 2, 4, 6, Nagato's points continued to grow.
"You can't even take the ball away from me." Nagato smiled then lunged forward again.
Past left, right, around. Every gap that Ichi and his friends made was utilized to the best of Nagato's ability to score points. Not leaving a single chance for his opponent.
"Great!, Nagato-kun keep going!."
"Beat them buddy!!."
"That's my friend!!!"
Nagato could also hear the cheers of Rin, Tobi, and Saku from the sidelines.
Nagato stopped attacking and just dribbled the ball. In front of him now was Ichi who was panting because he was having trouble keeping up with Nagato's obviously skillful movements.
"I think the word sissy is more suitable for you and your group. Ichi, right? But unfortunately you're definitely not number one in this game." Nagato smiled before shooting three points.
The three point shot completed Nagato's score to 40.
"Woohoo!, that's great, Nagato!. I take back what I said about liking the color red being ugly!. But I won't take back my words on Saku!."
"Hey!, you want to fight!."
"Both of you!, Stop it!."
Nagato heard the commotion of the three children on the sidelines as he looked at Ichi who was staring at him with teary eyes.
"Now who's the sissy. You're almost crying now." Perhaps Nagato now looked like a brat bullying another kid.
"You, you sissy!, I'm not a sissy!, I'm not crying!." Ichi shouted then ran while covering his face. The boy even forgot to bring his ball. His other friends also followed him hesitantly.
Running away crying after losing. It was a typical behavior of a child.
Nagato took a deep breath. Why am I playing with a child?
"Nagato, that was a great game!"
"Where did you learn that?"
Rin, Tobi, and Saku approached Nagato as Ichi's gang left.
"I just play this a lot." Nagato answered half right.
"That's cool, next time teach me and Saku!" Tobi asked. Nagato just nodded in agreement.
Then Tobi continued to babble while Saku continued to nod in agreement. Nagato listened to them blankly. Because most of what Tobi said was just childish nonsense. Well, Nagato could understand it because they were basically kids. Unlike Nagato who has an adult mind and mentality.
"It will be lunch soon. I'm going to clean up our equipment. You guys wait for me here. Tobi-kun, Saku-kun, Nagato-kun."
Nagato just nodded at Rin's words and continued to listen to Tobi who still didn't stop.
"Are you done yet? Let's help Rin-chan." Even Saku, who was nodding in agreement, felt that Tobi was very noisy.
"Let's go." Without waiting for Tobi's reply, Nagato walked away after saying that. Saku also followed behind him.
"Hey, are you guys leaving me?" Tobi also followed.
But in the sandbox section, there was no Rin there.
"Where's Rin-chan?" Tobi who came last asked.
"Did Rin leave first?" Nagato argued.
"No way!" Tobi argued.
Saku nodded. "Rin-chan always waits for us. She never leaves first."
"But our things are still here too. Rin-chan usually takes care of ours too." Tobi scratched his head as he looked at the sandbox that was in disarray due to the argument earlier. "Did Rin-chan go to the bathroom?"
Saku shook his head. "I'll find out." She then squatted down and touched the messy equipment on the sand while closing her eyes.
"What is she doing?" Nagato was confused by Saku's behavior.
"It's Saku's quirk!, Documentary!. She can see previous scenes from this place by touching the items here. That sounds cool!. There's nothing to hide from Saku's eyes!." Tobi explained excitedly.
Hm, that's a very useful quirk. He could work as a police investigator when he grew up. Nagato could foresee Saku's bright future when he grew up.
Saku then stood up after crouching for a moment.
"How was it?" Nagato asked.
"Rin-chan was taken away." Saku said with a frown.
"A strange man." Saku looked at Nagato and Tobi with a frown.
"Rin-chan was probably kidnapped!."