Seeing the strange expression on Best Jeanist's face, Tsukauchi let out a bitter smile.
Honestly—
given the crimes committed by Tsuki Sen'gen and Muscular, even executing them on the spot would not have seemed excessive to him.
Simply arresting them and throwing them back into prison felt far too lenient.
Unfortunately—
current law clearly stated:
"Professional heroes are forbidden from killing."
"The moment a hero kills someone, they themselves become a criminal."
"Even if the person they killed was an evil villain."
As a law enforcement officer, Tsukauchi could not knowingly violate the law himself.
Nor did he want the people he trusted to cross that line either.
So regardless of what he personally thought—
he still had to warn them.
After all, he didn't want the heroes he had painstakingly gathered for this operation to accidentally kill a criminal during the mission…
…only to end up becoming wanted fugitives themselves afterward.
Thinking of that, Tsukauchi smiled helplessly and nodded.
"Yes."
"Subdue them."
"You understand the current laws better than anyone."
"So please…"
"…try not to make things too difficult for us police officers."
"Of course…"
"I also understand your concerns."
"So if there truly is no other option…"
"…breaking a dozen bones or knocking him unconscious is acceptable."
"After all…"
"…the only way to completely dispel Tsuki Sen'gen's Quirk influence is to render him unconscious."
Tsukauchi paused briefly.
"I trust you understand what I mean."
In hero society, seriously injuring criminals during an arrest was hardly unusual.
After all—
criminals weren't going to politely cooperate with being captured.
That was unrealistic.
Which was exactly why Tsukauchi had no intention of rigidly demanding that Best Jeanist ensure the villain remained completely unharmed.
Because expecting heroes to capture dangerous criminals without injuring them in the slightest—
was simply putting the cart before the horse.
Best Jeanist nodded slowly.
"So what you're saying is…"
"…as long as I don't actually kill him…"
"…I'm free to do whatever I want?"
"Mm."
Although Tsukauchi vaguely felt that wording sounded a little strange…
he ultimately didn't comment on it.
Because as long as Best Jeanist completed the mission successfully—
and Tsuki Sen'gen remained alive—
then Tsukauchi genuinely didn't care what methods he used.
Hearing that answer, Best Jeanist finally nodded.
"Understood."
Just as he was preparing to leave and begin his final preparations—
his gaze suddenly swept across the surveillance screen.
Then his expression abruptly changed.
"Wait."
"Have any of you considered the possibility…"
"…that he may have already noticed the cameras?"
As he spoke, he pointed directly at the surveillance image of the blue-haired man.
On the screen—
Tsuki Sen'gen stood with his head tilted slightly upward, his gaze seemingly piercing directly through the monitor toward everyone in the control room.
Tsukauchi frowned and carefully examined the footage.
After thinking for a moment, he shook his head slightly.
"It should just be coincidence."
"The hidden cameras were placed by trained specialists."
"They're heavily disguised and extremely well concealed."
"Based on our current understanding of those two criminals' abilities…"
"…they shouldn't possess the means to detect them."
But Best Jeanist still didn't relax.
For some reason—
he felt a strong sense of unease.
As though everything they were doing had already been completely exposed before the enemy.
"We should proceed more cautiously."
"These criminals are dangerous."
Tsukauchi considered the suggestion seriously.
Then he sighed lightly and shook his head.
"If possible…"
"…I would naturally prefer to be even more cautious."
"But unfortunately…"
"…we no longer have that luxury."
He pointed toward the monitor.
"Tsuki Sen'gen is currently hiding inside a shopping mall."
"As long as he remains there…"
"…every civilian inside that building is in danger."
"And with a mass murderer like Muscular accompanying him…"
"…the threat level only increases further."
"So we must move immediately."
"Every extra second increases the possibility of casualties."
"And if we delay too long…"
"…your arrival may also become exposed."
"At that point, the situation will become even worse."
Best Jeanist closed his eyes briefly.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"…I see."
"In that case…"
"…we have no choice."
He abandoned the idea of redesigning the operation.
Because Tsukauchi was right.
Whether the enemy had discovered their plans or not—
the heroes still had to move forward.
That shopping mall was filled with civilians.
No matter whether it was professional responsibility, morality, or simple human decency—
they could never abandon those innocent people.
Heroes simply did not have that option.
Thinking of this, Best Jeanist's expression sharpened.
His fingers began moving rapidly.
At the same time—
the countless fibers woven into his clothing quietly began activating.
He was warming up for the upcoming battle.
Preparing himself to subdue the man capable of manipulating all five senses—
Tsuki Sen'gen.
Seeing that he had accepted the arrangement, Tsukauchi nodded faintly.
Then he turned toward All Might, who had remained silently thoughtful this entire time.
"Now then…"
"…it's time to assign your task, All Might."
"Although honestly…"
"…I suspect you've already guessed what it is."
He smiled slightly.
"But just in case someone here still hasn't figured it out…"
"…I'll explain it clearly."
"Your mission is simple."
"You will be responsible for handling the criminal that Tsuki Sen'gen rescued from prison…"
"…Muscular."
"Muscular's Quirk is a pure close-combat power type."
"A Quirk focused entirely around direct physical confrontation and overwhelming strength."
"And among everyone here…"
"…you're the only one truly suited to fight someone like that head-on."
"Because when it comes to pure close-quarters combat…"
"…none of the rest of us are particularly good at it."
Tsukauchi adjusted his glasses slightly.
"Perhaps…"
"…the reason Tsuki Sen'gen specifically rescued Muscular from prison…"
"…was because he had already considered this exact point."
All Might folded his arms and fell briefly silent.
Then he slowly nodded.
"That does sound plausible."
After all—
if Tsuki Sen'gen truly was the kind of meticulous strategist Tsukauchi described, then preparing a powerful close-range fighter in advance made perfect sense.
An illusion user paired with a frontline monster like Muscular…
was an extremely troublesome combination.
One manipulated perception.
The other crushed everything head-on.
Together, they perfectly compensated for each other's weaknesses.
At that thought, All Might's expression grew slightly more serious.
Because this also meant one thing:
Tsuki Sen'gen likely possessed far more confidence in his own plans than they had initially assumed.
And people like that—
were often the hardest opponents to predict.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇◇ The operation has begun, and Tsuki Sen'gen's trap is already closing around the heroes.◇ New chapters have already been updated on P@treon!◇ Read ahead now to see how Best Jeanist and All Might confront Tsuki Sen'gen and Muscular.◇ The next chapters push this battle into its most dangerous phase, so don't miss what happens next.◇ Unlock early access chapters here:patreon.com/StrawHatStudios