There had been a great deal of discussion about what to do with Reinhard, but Nezu knew the truth. A solution was not coming anytime soon.
Dimensional travel was a complicated subject. Teleportation quirks existed, that much was certain, but even those had limits. Most could only move a single person. Some required line of sight. Others worked within strict distance constraints. None, as far as Nezu knew, were capable of crossing between worlds entirely.
And Nezu knew a lot.
He could say with complete certainty that he had never encountered a quirk capable of true interdimensional travel.
That left them with only one realistic option for now. Observation.
All Might could not stay with the boy at all times. His search for All For One took priority, and it was not a task that could be postponed. Reinhard needed somewhere safe, controlled, and discreet.
Which meant U.A.
Nezu had already begun preparations. He had asked Cementoss to construct a small residence on the grounds, something modest and comfortable rather than restrictive. It would give Reinhard privacy while keeping him within reach if anything went wrong.
That part had been easy.
The difficult decision came next.
Should he inform the Public Safety Commission?
Nezu folded his hands together, his expression unreadable as the thought lingered. He knew better than most what humans were capable of when presented with something extraordinary. Curiosity became entitlement. Entitlement became exploitation.
He still remembered the laboratories. The tests. The way people spoke about him as if he were a thing rather than a person.
He would not allow that to happen again.
All Might had done the right thing by bringing the boy to him first. That single choice had prevented countless complications. Nezu had connections, influence, and the authority to act quietly.
After careful consideration, he made his decision.
Reinhard would be given a temporary identity.
Nezu would see to it personally. The paperwork would be clean. Legal. Boring enough to avoid attention. For all official purposes, the boy would exist. He would be enrolled in school, given access to a normal routine, and protected under U.A.'s authority until a more permanent solution could be found.
Children, Nezu believed, needed stability more than answers.
As for returning him home, that would take time.
Nezu's plan was simple in concept, if not in execution. There were two paths forward. Either they developed a support device capable of replicating whatever force had brought Reinhard here, or they found someone, quirk or otherwise, who could do what science could not.
Both would take patience.
Fortunately, patience was something Nezu had in abundance.
Nezu turned his chair toward the window, watching the afternoon light spill across the U.A. grounds. Students moved in the distance, laughing, arguing, living ordinary lives. He wondered how long Reinhard could have something like that.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in," Nezu said.
All Might ducked slightly as he entered the office, his towering frame looking oddly out of place in the tidy room. His smile was there, as always, but it did not quite reach his eyes.
"You wanted to see me, Principal?" he asked.
"Yes," Nezu replied. "Please, sit."
All Might took the chair across from him. "Is this about the boy?"
"It is always about the boy," Nezu said calmly. "I have made a decision."
All Might straightened. "And?"
"For now, Reinhard will remain at U.A. He will live on campus under supervision. Quiet supervision."
All Might let out a slow breath he did not realize he had been holding. "That is a relief."
Nezu studied him closely. "You agree?"
"I do," All Might said without hesitation. "He is not a threat. He is a child. A tired one."
"Indeed," Nezu said. "Which is why I will not be informing the Public Safety Commission."
All Might's eyes widened slightly. "That is a bold choice."
"A necessary one," Nezu replied. "You and I both know what would happen if they learned of him. A child with that level of power would not be seen as a person. He would be seen as a resource."
All Might clenched his fists. "I would not allow that."
"I know," Nezu said gently. "But even you cannot fight the system forever."
There was a moment of silence.
"What about his identity?" All Might asked. "He cannot just exist off the record."
"I have already begun arranging one," Nezu answered. "Temporary, unremarkable, and legally sound. He will be registered as a foreign child with no known guardians. Tragic, but believable."
All Might frowned. "He will not like lying."
"No," Nezu agreed. "But he understands necessity. I suspect he understands it far too well."
All Might leaned back, rubbing the back of his neck. "And school?"
"Yes," Nezu said. "Structure will be good for him. Routine. Interaction with other children his age."
All Might hesitated. "He is... different."
"Different does not mean incapable," Nezu replied. "If anything, he may struggle with normalcy more than academics."
All Might chuckled softly. "You noticed that too, huh? He apologized to my refrigerator yesterday."
Nezu blinked. "For what reason?"
"He said he opened it too loudly."
Nezu paused, then nodded. "Yes. That tracks."
The door opened again, slower this time.
Reinhard stepped inside, posture straight, hands folded neatly in front of him. He had changed into the clothes Nezu provided, simple and plain, yet he still carried himself like a knight awaiting orders.
"You wanted to see me?" Reinhard asked politely.
"Yes," Nezu said, his tone softening. "Please come in, Reinhard."
The boy glanced at All Might, then walked forward and stopped a respectful distance from the desk.
"We were discussing your stay here," Nezu continued. "For the time being, you will remain at U.A."
Reinhard's fingers tightened slightly. "I see."
"You will attend school," Nezu added. "Live on campus. You will be safe here."
Reinhard looked down. "And my world?"
"We are working on it," All Might said quickly. "I promise."
Reinhard nodded once. "Then... I will do my best not to cause trouble."
Nezu smiled. "I would prefer if you focused on being a child."
Reinhard hesitated, then asked quietly, "Am I allowed to do that?"
The question lingered in the air.
All Might stood and placed a hand on Reinhard's shoulder. "Yeah, kid," he said warmly. "You are."
Reinhard looked up, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. After a moment, he nodded again.
"Then," he said softly, "thank you for giving me a place to stay."
Nezu watched him carefully as he turned to leave.
As the door closed behind Reinhard, Nezu spoke again. "All Might."
"Yes?"
"I will keep an eye on him," Nezu said. "Not because he is dangerous."
All Might met his gaze.
"But because the world has never been kind to children like him."
All Might nodded. "I know"