>>280124746
The point isn't for Ingenium to be a strong solo act, IIRC he's the first real showcase of a hero agency prior to the Endeavor Agency arc. The point is that Ingenium has a team that makes him an effective hero (and he seems to mainly prioritize quick rescues. Being Iida's legendary brother doesn't just have to mean he could fight off a hoard of villains on his own, he got taken out by Stain after all.

>>280124764
The Underground Masquerade is where the threads start getting lead back to AFO for the police. Of course, the anime kinda killed any idea that AFO ISN'T behind all this by making it obvious who Kuin was talking to over the phone, but for the police at least its necessary to show that they're making connections back to him. Also it leads into Tenuma getting attacked and Tsukauchi getting more desperate. Also its the the only time we see the Original O'Clock in action, there's not reason to skip it. It would probably only take 2 or 3 episodes anyway.