Chapter 17
Two weeks later,
Cementoss obtained permission from Nezu and began training with Zuko the very next day. They began with "controlled demolitions" of multi-story buildings. Cementoss simulated damage to the foundations, and Zuko would take action. His goal was to prevent the structure from collapsing.
Additionally, advanced dummies equipped with sensors were hidden inside, designed to mimic people. Using these sensors, it was possible to detect whether the dummies had been injured by Zuko's actions, and if so, what kind.
The first time, Zuko had no trouble stopping the collapsing structure, but most of the dummies inside suffered damage. The young Avatar wasn't lacking in strength, but he had to adapt it to the needs.
If he stopped the building immediately, the "people" inside would suffer damage. He had to slow down. So he developed a tactic.
First, he destroyed the ground in selected areas, turning the cement into sand. Then he created supports that emerged from these sandy 'islands.' The supports began to sink into the sand. Using earthbending, he began to slow the sinking of the supports until they stopped. The building tilted significantly, but was prevented from falling.
When he was able to fully control the building, Cementoss repaired the training field, simultaneously adding another floor or expanding the building.
And so the next few days passed. Training, mandatory rest, and work at Iroh's teahouse.
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Kyoka, Shoji, and Ochaco were also training at UA. Shoji's training regimen wasn't just intended to increase his strength, but also his agility. Rubber bullets were fired at him from random locations in the wall, which he had to dodge.
Ochaco slowly increased her quirk's weight limit.
Kyoka, on the other hand, practiced sonic attacks. She attacked robots, which she tried to incapacitate but not destroy.
Time passed, and their skills improved at an astonishing rate. After all, true Pro Heroes were dedicating their time to them.
Finally, Friday arrived, a day off from training. Kyoka and Zuko were working at the tea shop, and since there was less traffic today, Shoji and Ochaco had the day off.
Kyoka listened to the sounds outside, trying to practice her quirk anywhere and everywhere.
"Now go in and grab the money from that tea shop. Get moving, you stupid bitch!"
"Please don't hurt my child..."
"Then go inside and bring me the fucking money."
"Mommy, I'm scared!"
"Shut your mouth, you little shit. You go get the money, and nothing will happen to your daughter. And you better hurry, because I don't have much time."
Kyoka looked around the teahouse, but there weren't any pro heroes or sidekicks she recognized.
She didn't know what to do. She looked at Zuko, who was serving someone at the register.
Suddenly, Zuko looked at her. Her heart beat faster with fear. He nodded at her, understanding and calm.
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Zuko felt Kyoka's heart suddenly begin to beat faster. He looked at the girl and saw fear in her eyes. He focused on the surroundings of the teahouse. In the car, he sensed the accelerated heartbeats of two people: a child and a man. A woman had just entered, equally terrified. She calmly approached Zuko, and when he finished serving the first customer, she handed him a note. He opened it and began reading.
*This is a robbery. Put the money in a bag and give it to the woman, and her child will be fine. You have 30 seconds, after which I will slit the child's throat.*
There was no time to waste. Zuko opened the register and stuffed the money into the bag. This included several handfuls of coins in denominations of 50, 100, and 500. These coins were mostly made of copper. He handed the bag to the terrified woman, who bowed and headed for the exit.
Zuko closed the register and headed for the kitchen. Iroh was just making another batch of tea.
"Ah, Zuko. Do we have another order?"
Iroh immediately knew something was wrong when he looked at his grandson. Zuko didn't answer, just walked out the door onto the alley and headed toward the main street.
Kyoka ran into the kitchen just as Zuko was closing the door behind him.
"Mr. Iroh, someone forced a woman to rob us! The villain has her daughter hostage!"
Iroh's eyes widened in fear. Not about the money, of course. The fear was caused by Zuko getting into trouble.
He started toward the main exit, but it was too late. Zuko sprang into action.
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The woman got into the car in the driver's seat.
"I did what you wanted, now please let us go."
Villain sneered under his hood.
"That's not all. I still have a few more stores to rob, but if you do a good job, I'll let you go. Now go..."
The villain pointed with the hand holding the knife away from the girl, indicating where her mother should go. Then metal shot out of the bag and wrapped itself around the knife and the villain's hand. He cried out in pain, but a moment later, a metal blob struck him in the face, breaking his nose.
Suddenly, the car door opened, and the invisible force guiding the metal pulled him out. Blood began to drip onto the ground. He didn't have time to raise his head before a knee struck him on the head.
He was dizzy. He screamed in pain and anger. Something bent his arm backward. He fell facedown onto the pavement. He felt his other arm being forced backward.
After another blow, darkness fell.
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Zuko looked inside the vehicle. The woman was clutching her daughter tightly to her chest. She looked at him, frightened.
"It's okay. You're safe."
She recognized him. She began to nod, sobbing quietly from the overload of emotion.
Zuko grabbed his bag and planned to walk calmly back to the teahouse.
He glanced at Iroh, who had left with Kyoka. Kyoka stared at the bloodied man in shock. Zuko, however, was looking at Iroh, who slowly shook his head in disapproval.
"Zuko, my boy, you can't do such things unless you have a license."
Zuko shrugged and handed his grandfather the bundle of money.
"I don't know what you mean."
Kyoka pointed an accusing finger at him.
"You don't know? That guy is bleeding, and you have his blood on your knee!"
Zuko glanced at his jeans, which were smeared with blood at the knee.
"I opened the car door because the guy wanted to get out. He accidentally slipped and fell face-first onto the sidewalk. He tried to get up, but slipped again and hit my knee with his face. That's when I decided to stop him, as he had assaulted a minor."
Kyoka opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Iroh just sighed deeply, rubbing his temples.
"Zuko..."
"What? That's the official story, and I'm sticking to it."
"You... you seriously think anyone will believe that?!"
Zuko looked into the girl's eyes, and she took up the challenge. They stared into each other's eyes. She wouldn't let up. Zuko shrugged again.
"Girl, I'm completely innocent. It's not my fault the sidewalks are slippery. The city should do something about it."
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Apparently, someone called the police, because a patrol car was approaching them. Two officers got out. They began interviewing witnesses. Another police patrol showed up, and Eraserhead arrived. He decided to enter the teahouse, where Zuko was sitting at a table, sipping tea. Kyoka and Iroh were sitting next to him.
"Closed today due to a villain attack."
The teenager said to the Pro Hero. The Pro Hero eyed him, assessing the likelihood of trouble.
"I'm at work today. I've come to collect your statements."
Iroh smiled broadly.
"Ah, Eraserhead, you're welcome." I'll make some tea in a moment, and we can talk calmly."
Aizawa sat down across from Zuko, staring into his eyes. The teenager showed no sign of fear.
Kyoka, on the other hand, was nervous. She stared into her mug of tea.
"So tell me..."
"No."
"Excuse me?"
"I said, no."
Aizawa narrowed his eyes.
"That's not a request, Tsuchikawa."
"You're wrong, Eraserhead. There is no legal provision that can force me to discuss anything with you."
"You are a minor. Your grandfather consented to the conversation."
"No. He just offered to make you some tea and talk. He didn't say a word about my interrogation."
"Smart, but the law is on my side when it comes to the safety of the public and the minor who just used his quirk in the incident with the villain."
"Maybe I wasn't convincing enough, so let me repeat myself."
Zuko stood up and slowly walked toward the exit.
"I don't give a damn what you want because you have nothing on me and can't do anything to me. You have no authority here, and if you overstep your authority, you can expect a letter from my family's lawyer."
Aizawa stared at him for a long moment. He was tired, and now he had to deal with a teenager who knew the law. He stood up and headed towards the exit.
"This isn't over, Tsuchikawa."
"Careful, Aizawa sensei. You don't want me to take this as a threat, do you?"
Aizawa just sighed and left without a word.
Kyoka sat frozen, staring at Zuko with wide eyes.
"You're crazy."
"Article 198 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The police or a Pro Hero must inform you that you are not required to testify against your will. You may remain silent."
"What?"
Zuko smiled at the corner of his mouth.
"I can't be questioned if I don't want to. The exception is a court order, but for such a trivial matter, no judge will sign a warrant, and even then, there are ways to refuse."
"Zuko… how do you even know such things?"
"If I'm going to become a Pro Hero, it's normal that I have to know the law. A Pro Hero has similar capabilities to the police, but they must also operate within the bounds of the law."
Kyoka stared at him for a moment longer, then shook her head in disbelief, but admiration flashed in her eyes.
"You're not normal. Who could think in such a twisted way?"
Zuko shrugged and headed over to his grandfather to inform him that no additional tea was needed.
End of Chapter 17