[Midoriya's POV]
It had been thirty minutes since Kaminari-kun defeated—no, vaporized—the strongest villain that attacked us.
Nothing remained after he unleashed what I could only describe as his ultimate attack. Not even ashes. Just a smoking crater and the lingering smell of ozone that made my nose burn.
I stood a few feet away from my classmates, watching as they swarmed around Kaminari-kun like excited fans mobbing a celebrity, asking rapid-fire questions about his final move, their voices overlapping in a chaotic mix of admiration and awe.
"Kaminari-kun, that lightning blast was insane!" Sero exclaimed while gesturing wildly with his hands. "How did you even do that?!"
"Seriously, bro!" Kirishima added, "That was the manliest thing I've ever seen! You hide it even from me, that's breaking the bro code, Man."
"The precision and power output were extraordinary," Yaoyorozu said, though her voice was slightly breathless. "That was awesome."
"Tch, it was flashy, I'll give you that," Jiro muttered, though I could see the impressed look in her eyes.
They all carefully avoided mentioning how he ki—defeated that last villain. No one wanted to say it out loud, it seemed. The word hung in the air unspoken, heavy and uncomfortable.
After All Might arrived—right at the very end, his timing almost comically late—Kaminari-kun explained the situation with surprising calm. All Might stood there silently for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before finally speaking.
"Young Kaminari, everyone—you all did remarkably well surviving such a coordinated villain attack!" His voice boomed with that trademark confidence, though I noticed the slight strain in it. "You kept your classmates safe and neutralized the threat! That takes true heroic spirit!"
"We just did what we had to, All Might-sensei," Kaminari-kun replied with an easy smile, like he hadn't just obliterated a monster and carved a path of destruction through the facility.
Later, Principal Nezu, Midnight-sensei, Present Mic-sensei, and several other Pro Heroes arrived with Iida-kun, clearly expecting a full-scale crisis.
"WE'RE HERE TO—" Present Mic's voice cut off abruptly as he took in the scene. "Uh... what happened to the villains?"
"Kaminari happened," Aizawa-sensei said flatly, gesturing to the neat pile of unconscious, restrained criminals.
"ALL OF THEM?!" Present Mic's jaw dropped.
"In about two seconds," Sero added helpfully.
"TWO SECONDS?!"
Nezu's eyes gleamed with interest as he surveyed the situation. "My, my. It seems our students handled this far better than expected."
Well... we didn't actually do much except clean up the aftermath. It was Kaminari-kun who did everything.
I looked over at him now, talking animatedly with Midnight-sensei with a bright smile on his face as he gushed about being her fan.
"Midnight-sensei, you're amazing! That whole Somnambulist thing during the Shibuya incident was incredible!" His enthusiasm seemed completely genuine. "Could I maybe get a photo? And an autograph?"
Midnight laughed, clearly charmed, and struck a pose. "Well, aren't you a sweet one! Of course, handsome~" She winked. "I always appreciate fans with good taste."
Kaminari-kun's grin widened as he pulled out his phone. "You're the best, Sensei!"
My fist clenched involuntarily, nails digging into my palm hard enough to hurt.
Once again, I couldn't do anything but watch. I was useless when the villains attacked. I couldn't do anything when Aizawa-sensei, Kacchan, and Todoroki-kun went to fight that monster. I just... stood there, frozen, while others risked their lives.
'Why?'
But I knew the answer. It was because of Kaminari-kun.
After seeing him defeat seventy-five villains in two seconds, my body and mind subconsciously knew he could finish the fight. That's why I didn't move. That's the most accurate conclusion I could come to.
After all, I was the one who moved to save Kacchan when he was trapped by the sludge villain—because I knew no one else was ready to help at that moment. My body moved on its own, driven by pure instinct and desperation.
But if a Pro Hero had been there? I can bet my body wouldn't have moved, because they would've handled it. They would've saved Kacchan.
That's the kind of effect Kaminari-kun gives people.
His very presence—after defeating those seventy-five villains in mere seconds—gave us the same security a Pro Hero provides. The reassurance that everything would be okay. That someone capable was handling it.
Meanwhile, me? The supposed successor of One For All couldn't do a single useful thing.
Sure, I helped with the aftermath. Restraining unconscious villains, organizing the cleanup, following instructions. Basic tasks that anyone could've done.
But how could I call myself the successor of All Might if I couldn't even control the Quirk he gave me? How could I live up to the hope and responsibility he placed on my shoulders?
'Kaminari-kun would've been a better choice for One For All. If All Might hadn't chosen me...'
The thought hurt, but I couldn't deny its truth.
Why couldn't I smile like him? That confident, reassuring smile that made everyone feel safe?
His presence in that crisis felt like All Might himself was standing there, saying with absolute confidence, "It's alright now. Because I am here."
What could I do to become like them?
"Dude, you okay?"
I jumped slightly and turned to see Kirishima looking at me with concern, his usual grin replaced by a worried frown. "You've been pretty quiet, Midoriya. That's not like you."
"I-I'm fine!" I stammered while forcing a smile. "Just... processing everything that happened."
"Yeah, it was pretty intense," Kirishima agreed, but his eyes remained concerned. "But hey, we all made it out okay! That's what matters, right?"
"Right..." I nodded, though the hollow feeling in my chest didn't go away. I then watched him join Ashido-chan with others talking with a police officer.
My fist clenched harder, nails digging into my palm until I felt a sharp sting.
"Young Midoriya."
I flinched and looked up to see All Might—in his true form, the skeletal frame hidden beneath that oversized yellow suit. He must have slipped away from the other teachers while they were coordinating with the police.
"All Might..." I breathed.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently, his sunken eyes filled with understanding.
"I'm okay," I lied, the words tasting bitter.
He sighed, and somehow that simple sound carried so much weight. "Don't put too much responsibility on your shoulders, my boy. You're still young. You need to grow slowly, steadily." He placed a bony hand on my shoulder, and despite his frail appearance, the gesture felt grounding. "And you're doing a remarkable job of it."
"But I didn't do anything!" The words burst out before I could stop them. "I just stood there while everyone else fought! While Kaminari-kun saved everyone! I'm supposed to be your successor, but I—"
"Young Midoriya," All Might interrupted gently but firmly. "Do you know how I became the Symbol of Peace?"
I blinked, caught off guard by the question. "You... you trained and became the strongest hero?"
"I became the strongest through countless failures," he corrected, his voice soft but steady. "I broke bones. I made mistakes. I watched people get hurt because I wasn't fast enough or strong enough." His eyes grew distant, remembering. "There were times I wanted to give up. Times I thought I wasn't worthy of the power given to me."
I stared at him in shock. "Really?"
"Really." He smiled—that gentle, fatherly smile that always made me feel like things would be okay. "You can't become strong overnight, Young Midoriya. Even I wasn't who I am today without breaking some bones and experiencing failures. That's how we get strong—by learning from our weaknesses and overcoming our fears."
We both looked over at Kaminari-kun, who was laughing at something Midnight-sensei said, looking completely at ease despite everything that had just happened.
I sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. "I want to be stronger. I need to be."
All Might's expression became serious, and he turned to face me fully. "I understand how heavy the responsibility on your shoulders is, Young Midoriya. But don't try to do everything on your own. You can lean on others too. Even I needed help before I became the Symbol of Peace I am today. It's okay to doubt your choices… and to fear the path you walk."
He placed both hands on my shoulders now, his grip surprisingly firm despite his frail appearance.
"Fear makes us realize our weaknesses, which we can then overcome. The path to becoming the Symbol of Peace isn't something you simply walk—it's a path you make yourself." He glanced at Kaminari-kun, then back to me. "I'm sure Kaminari-kun and the others will become great Pros in the future. But you have that potential too, Young Midoriya. Never doubt that."
"But how can you be so sure?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Kaminari-kun is so much stronger, so much more capable—"
"He's had more time to develop his Quirk," All Might interrupted. "More time to train, to understand his abilities. You're comparing yourself to someone who's been running this race for years while you've only just started."
I looked up at him, searching his face for any hint of doubt or pity, but found only absolute certainty.
"Remember, you're about eleven years late compared to the others in learning to use your Quirk. But you can still keep up with them. That means something." His smile widened, becoming almost proud. "So don't get caught up in negative thoughts. Move forward. Even if you fall along the way, even if you feel like you can't move—there will always be someone who needs your help. Don't think for a second that you're weak."
His eyes gleamed with that familiar heroic fire. "Your time will come. And I'm sure when it does, you'll shine the brightest."
Hope bloomed in my chest, warm and reassuring, pushing back against the cold doubt that had been festering there.
I understood now. I needed to close the gap. That's what I had to do. To stand alongside Kacchan, Kaminari-kun, and the others, I needed to work harder than anyone else. I needed to forge my own path, not try to copy theirs.
"Thank you, All Might," I said, meaning it with every fiber of my being. "I won't let you down."
"I know you won't, my boy—"
"Yo."
We both jumped, startled, and turned to see Kaminari-kun standing right next to us with that casual grin of his, hands in his pockets like he'd been there the whole time.
'When did he—?! I didn't even hear him approach!'
I composed myself quickly, trying to hide my surprise. Looking at All Might's skeletal form with what I hoped was a neutral expression, I asked, "Excuse me, are you a member of the teaching staff at UA?"
It seemed like the polite thing to ask, even though Kaminari-kun had clearly already figured it out.
All Might seemed momentarily unsure, his eyes flicking between me and Kaminari-kun nervously. "Uhhh... yeah, I am... but did you hear what Young Midoriya and I were talking about just now?"
Kaminari-kun's smile remained easy, unbothered. "Didn't hear much—just your motivational speech to Midoriya. It was a good one, Sensei." He tilted his head. "Really solid advice about forging your own path and not comparing yourself to others."
All Might relaxed slightly, though I could still see the tension in his shoulders. He managed a small smile. "Yagi... my name is Toshinori Yagi."
"Nice to meet you, Toshinori-sensei." Kaminari-kun gave a respectful nod.
Then he turned to me, and his expression shifted—becoming surprisingly serious, his golden eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me straighten unconsciously.
"Sensei's right, Midoriya. You just need to forge your own path. Don't try to copy the path of others." He gestured vaguely at himself. "Even if someone seems stronger or more capable right now, that doesn't mean you won't surpass them eventually. Create something that's uniquely yours. Something no one else can replicate."
I blinked, taken aback by the sincerity in his voice. "You really think I can?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.
"Of course." He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You've got the determination, Midoriya. That's half the battle right there. The rest is just training and experience." He grinned. "Give yourself some credit."
Something warm unfurled in my chest—gratitude, hope, renewed determination.
"Thank you, Kaminari-kun. I... I'll do my best."
"That's all anyone can ask for." He clapped me on the shoulder. "Anyway, I should probably let you two finish your conversation. Just wanted to check in."
Before he could leave, I found myself speaking up. "Kaminari-kun... that attack you used at the end. The lightning dragon thing. How long have you been working on something like that?"
His expression became thoughtful. "That move specifically? About two years of development and refinement. But the foundation—the control and power output needed—took way longer. Probably about eight years of constant training."
"Eight years..." I breathed.
"Like I said—you're not behind, Midoriya. You're just starting from a different place." He smiled. "Give yourself time to grow. You'll get there."
And with that, he walked off, leaving me standing there with All Might, feeling simultaneously inspired and overwhelmed.
"He's quite something, isn't he?" All Might said quietly.
"Yeah," I agreed. "He really is."
'But I won't give up. I'll forge my own path, just like they said. And one day, I'll stand beside them as an equal.'
...
[Denki's POV]
'Damn, that's not a line I should be saying when I literally copied the Flash's entire path,' I thought as I walked away from Midoriya and All Might. 'But hey, they don't know that, so it's fine. Probably.'
After the whole USJ arc wrapped up way faster than it should've—thanks to yours truly—the teachers pulled us aside for questioning. Standard procedure, I guess. Can't have a major villain attack without mountains of paperwork.
Now they wanted me to stick around because Principal Nezu needed to ask me some questions personally.
'I can guess what this is about. The Nomu I killed.'
According to the official story I gave them, I tried everything I could to subdue the creature non-lethally, but it kept regenerating and wouldn't go down. Without any other choice, I unleashed my strongest attack and... well, blasted it—and part of the USJ—into oblivion.
Pretty solid story, if I do say so myself. Simple, believable, and technically true from a certain point of view.
The police were doing cleanup with the captured villains and taking statements from the other students about what happened.
I could hear snippets of conversation as officers moved through the area.
"—never seen anything like it—"
"—seventy-five suspects, all neutralized within seconds—"
"—gonna need a lot of cells—"
But my electrical senses picked up several familiar bioelectrical signatures approaching, and I heard someone call my name.
"Kaminari-kun!"
I turned to see Principal Nezu, All Might and Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi walking toward me, accompanied by Aizawa-sensei (looking even more exhausted than usual), Present Mic (somehow still energetic), and Midnight (who winked at me as they approached).
Detective Tsukauchi spoke first, his expression professional but not unkind. "Kaminari-kun, would you mind coming with us to answer a few questions?"
All Might—still in his true form as Toshinori Yagi—stepped forward protectively, his bony hand reaching out. "Is this about him using his full power against the villain? Detective Tsukauchi, I can vouch for Young Kaminari's character. He acted in defense of his classmates and—"
I held up a hand, cutting him off politely but firmly. "If you're here to talk about me killing a person, don't bother." I met the detective's eyes directly, keeping my voice calm and confident. "That thing wasn't human. It was a biological weapon. Or at least something similar to one."
The reaction was immediate. Everyone turned to stare at me with varying expressions of surprise and shock.
"Kaminari-kun, that's quite a claim," Nezu said, his dark eyes gleaming with keen interest. "What makes you say that?"
Aizawa's eyes narrowed. "Kid, if you know something—"
"I do," I interrupted. "And I can prove it."
Since we were in a relatively isolated corner, far enough from the other students and most of the police, I figured it was time to explain.
'And since Detective Tsukauchi has that lie detector Quirk, I need to be very careful about how I phrase things. Stick to truths that won't reveal too much.'
I took a breath, organizing my thoughts. "I can sense electricity in machines—that's the foundation of how I've been training my Quirk for years. But over time, with constant practice and refinement, I developed the ability to sense the bioelectrical signatures of living beings too."
"Bioelectrical signatures?" Midnight leaned forward, intrigued. "Like heartbeats?"
"More complex than that," I explained. "Every living person generates electrical signals—from their heart, their brain, their nervous system. Humans have distinct wavelengths and patterns. Once I've sensed someone's signature, I can identify them even in a crowd."
All Might and Midoriya—who had quietly moved closer to listen—both flinched slightly at that revelation.
'Yeah, that's right. I know exactly who you are, Number One Hero.'
The teachers and detective leaned in, their full attention now focused on me.
Present Mic whistled low. "Damn, little listener! That's some next-level Quirk development!"
"It took years of practice," I said modestly. "But it's proven useful."
"And this relates to the villain you fought how?" Tsukauchi asked with his notebook already out.
"When I was fighting that creature," I continued, keeping my voice steady and factual, "I used everything I know—every technique designed to stun or incapacitate a normal person. Pressure points, nerve clusters, electrical disruption to the nervous system. Standard non-lethal takedown methods."
Aizawa nodded slowly. "I saw some of that during your practical exam."
"Right. But that thing?" I shook my head. "It had multiple Quirks—I could sense at least three distinct biological systems operating simultaneously, which should be impossible. And its bioelectrical signature was more machine-like than human. Structured and Artificial. Like someone had engineered it specifically for combat."
Nezu's eyes were practically glowing now. "Fascinating. Multiple Quirks and biologically created weapon, you say?"
"At minimum, regeneration, shock absorption, and enhanced strength," I confirmed. "Possibly more that I didn't identify. And the way they integrated into the body wasn't natural. It felt... constructed."
"You're saying someone made this creature?" Midnight's expression had turned serious, all traces of her earlier playfulness gone.
"That's exactly what I'm saying." I met her eyes. "That wasn't a person. That was a weapon designed to kill Pro Heroes. And after testing every non-lethal option I had and watching it regenerate from catastrophic damage multiple times, I made the call to eliminate the threat completely."
Silence fell over the group.
Tsukauchi was writing furiously in his notebook, his expression troubled.
Nezu's expression became deeply thoughtful, his paws folded in front of him.
Aizawa's jaw was tight, his eyes hard. "If what you're saying is true..."
"It is true," I said firmly. "And you can confirm it."
Nezu's sharp gaze flicked to the detective, who seemed to be thinking hard, his Quirk likely confirming that I believed everything I was saying. After a moment, Tsukauchi gave a subtle nod to Nezu and All Might.
'Lie detector confirmed I'm telling the truth. Good.'
Nezu's expression became calculating, his mind clearly racing through implications. "That's how you destroyed all those robots in the entrance exam, isn't it? You can sense both machines and people, which gave you a massive tactical advantage." He smiled—a genuine, impressed smile. "Pretty remarkable development for an Electrification Quirk. Most students with similar abilities never develop beyond basic discharge."
I grinned while scratching the back of my head. "I trained really hard to get it to this level. Spent a lot of time studying biology and electrical engineering to understand how to push my Quirk further."
"Clearly it paid off," Midnight said, giving me an approving look.
"Moving on," I said, shifting gears to keep the momentum going, "you can confirm what I'm saying by collecting blood samples and tissue fragments from the creature that were left behind during its fight with Sensei and the others. You'll find cellular structures and genetic markers that prove it wasn't natural human biology."
Tsukauchi looked up from his notebook. "You're certain there's physical evidence remaining?"
"Positive. There's even a chunk of flesh that was torn off when I used my supersonic punch early in the fight. It should still be somewhere in the plaza area, probably near the fountain." I paused for effect. "The forensic analysis will back up everything I'm telling you."
"We'll collect samples immediately," Nezu said decisively.
I nodded. "You'll also get even more information once the captured villains regain consciousness and start talking. Some of them might know about the creature's creation or who's behind this attack."
"Seventy-five suspects to interrogate," Tsukauchi muttered. "This is going to be a long night."
"Better than the alternative," Aizawa said darkly. "If Kaminari hadn't acted as quickly as he did..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but everyone understood the implication.
I met Nezu's gaze steadily, making sure I had his full attention. "I have more information about this situation that I'd like to share with you. Analysis about the attack pattern, the villains' coordination, potential security vulnerabilities. But we'll need a more private location for that discussion. Some of it is... sensitive."
Everyone immediately understood the implication—I knew things that shouldn't be discussed in a semi-public area.
"Of course," Nezu agreed instantly. "We can use one of the secure conference rooms at UA."
I glanced at Yagi—All Might's true form—with a slight, knowing smile. "It would be even better if All Might could be there too. Since, you know, he's the Number One Hero and this seems like the kind of threat he'd want to know about."
That got an immediate reaction.
Yagi's eyes widened almost comically, his skeletal form going rigid.
Midoriya made a choked sound, his face going pale.
Nezu's expression didn't change, but I saw the flash of understanding in his eyes.
The other teachers exchanged glances—clearly they'd already figured out Yagi's secret, but my casual mention of it confirmed that I knew and was willing to acknowledge it openly.
"I can sense bioelectrical signatures, remember?" I said casually, as if I was discussing the weather. "All Might's is pretty distinctive. Hard to miss once you know what to look for."
"That's..." Yagi cleared his throat awkwardly. "That's quite a useful ability."
"It has its moments." I shrugged. "Don't worry, Sensei. Your secret's safe with me. I understand why you keep your true form private."
"Thank you, Young Kaminari," he said quietly, genuine gratitude in his voice.
We agreed to meet at UA for further questioning and deeper analysis.
Nezu looked around at the damaged facility, his expression becoming almost melancholic. "We'll need to significantly increase our security measures after this. If villains can bypass our systems this easily..."
"It wasn't easy for them," I pointed out. "They needed a teleportation Quirk, inside information about our schedule, and a way to jam communications. That level of planning suggests serious resources and intelligence gathering."
"Which is even more concerning," Aizawa muttered.
Nezu nodded grimly. "Indeed. We'll need to review all our protocols." Then his expression shifted, and he cracked a joke about upgrading the security cameras to something "truly excessive" and broke into that signature maniacal laugh of his.
"WAHAHAHA! Perhaps motion-sensing turrets? Laser grids? A moat filled with robotic sharks?"
Present Mic grinned. "Now you're talking, Principal! Go big or go home!"
"Please don't give him ideas," Aizawa said flatly.
'Damn, that laugh is iconic,' I thought while fighting back a grin. 'I love it. Never change, Nezu.'
...
[Third Person POV]
From a distance, Bakugo and Todoroki watched as Kaminari left with Nezu and the other faculty members, his relaxed posture completely at odds with the severity of what had just happened.
Midoriya stood slightly apart, staring down at his hand like it held answers he desperately needed. 'Am I worthy of One For All? Kaminari-kun would be a better choice...'
His fist clenched until his knuckles turned white. 'I must train harder... or I'll never be able to stand beside him.'
Bakugo's jaw was tight, his hands shoved deep in his pockets as he stared at the spot where Kaminari had disappeared, his expression darker than usual.
'That bastard... he took down everyone before I even got a chance to fight. Didn't even leave me scraps.'
His pride stung like a physical wound, but underneath that familiar anger was something else—something he absolutely refused to name or acknowledge.
Respect. Grudging, infuriating respect.
'Tch. I'm not losing to him,' he thought viciously. 'Next time, I'll be the one who finishes the fight first. I'll show him I'm stronger.'
But even as he thought it, a small voice in the back of his mind whispered doubts he didn't want to hear.
Kirishima noticed his friend's dark mood and approached cautiously. "Yo, Bakugo. You good, man?"
"SHUT UP, SHITTY HAIR!" Bakugo snarled, though there was less venom in it than usual. "I'm fine!"
"You sure? You've been glaring at the exit for like five minutes."
"I said I'm fine!"
Kirishima held up his hands in surrender but smiled knowingly. "Whatever you say, dude."
Todoroki's expression remained carefully neutral, but his thoughts were racing in ways they rarely did.
'Kaminari's power is... extraordinary. Whatever that thing or guy is... it's terrifyingly strong and he still destroyed it completely. Utterly. Like it never existed.'
His left side felt colder than usual, frost unconsciously forming on his fingertips.
'I need to push myself harder. If I'm going to surpass that man, if I'm going to become the hero I want to be, I can't afford to fall behind people like Kaminari.'
He watched as Yaoyorozu spoke quietly with some of the other girls, her expression troubled. 'She seems shaken. Everyone does, except Kaminari. He's completely calm, like this was just another training exercise.'
The thought was both impressive and slightly unsettling.
Mina was bouncing on her heels near Hagakure and Uraraka, her eyes still sparkling with excitement despite everything that had happened.
"Denki was so cool!" she gushed, her hands gesturing wildly. "That final attack was like—whoosh—and everything just exploded! Like a dragon made of lightning!"
"It was really impressive," Uraraka agreed, though she looked a bit pale. "Kind of scary, though. That much power..."
"Scary?! It was awesome!" Mina spun in a circle.
Momo stood slightly apart from the group, her arms wrapped around herself, her cheeks still faintly pink whenever she thought about earlier.
She kept replaying the moment Kaminari-kun had grabbed her hand before the fight, the way he'd looked at her with that reassuring smile, the absolute confidence in his voice when he told them everything would be fine.
'He's... incredible,' she thought, her heart fluttering uncomfortably. 'The way he took command of the situation, gave clear orders, made everyone feel safe even in the middle of a crisis...'
She touched her hand unconsciously, remembering the warmth of his grip.
'I need to work harder,' she decided firmly. 'I want to be someone who can stand beside him, not just someone he has to protect. I want to be useful in situations like that.'
Jiro noticed her distracted expression and nudged her gently. "Hey, Momo. You okay?"
"Hm?" Momo blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "Oh, yes. I'm fine. Just... thinking."
"About Kaminari?" Jiro asked with a knowing smirk.
Momo's face immediately flushed red. "I—that's not—I was just thinking about the battle!"
"Uh-huh. Sure." Jiro's smirk widened. "You've been staring at where he left for like ten minutes."
"I have not!"
"You totally have."
Momo covered her face with her hands, mortified. "Please stop talking."
Jiro laughed but patted her shoulder sympathetically. "Hey, I get it. The guy's impressive. Nothing wrong with acknowledging that."
Emma Akane stood at the very edge of the group, watching everything with sharp, calculating eyes.
'Fascinating,' she thought, her fingers twitching slightly at her sides. 'Absolutely fascinating.'
A slow smile spread across her face. 'I need to know more about him. Much more.'
...
[Denki's POV]
After the USJ incident, I was taken to a secure room deep within UA, accompanied by Nezu, Detective Tsukauchi, All Might, Midnight, Aizawa-sensei, and a few others.
I laid out my analysis carefully. The villains were working with someone to create that bioweapon. I didn't mention Nomu by name or reveal too much—just enough to plant seeds of suspicion. I pointed out that during the reporters' breach of UA's security, the villains likely used it as a distraction to obtain our class schedule.
Then I dropped the bomb. "There might be a mole in UA. Possibly even in our class."
That didn't get a positive response. Predictably.
I didn't try to convince them—just pointed out the possibility. Since I wasn't entirely sure myself due to the butterfly effect potentially changing things, Tsukauchi's lie detector Quirk didn't flag me.
After some discussion—and after the forensic analysis of Nomu's blood and tissue samples came back exactly as I'd described—I was cleared of any murder charges.
'Thank god. Being labeled a killer in high school would've been really inconvenient.'
The next three days passed in a blur of emotional drama.
Mom cried with worry and Pride. Dad also looked simultaneously proud and terrified. Our home security got upgraded.
It had been three days since the USJ incident. During that time, security for all involved students was tightened, and classes were suspended.
Tomorrow, classes would resume. So today, I was out hanging with Megumi-nee, who'd finally forgiven me after learning about the attack. We were in Osaka, taking a casual stroll while eating ice cream. But I wasn't here just to fool around.
This area was near the Shie Hassaikai headquarters in Osaka. Yeah. I was planning to save Eri.
Because I knew that the longer she stayed with Overhaul, the more she suffered. In the original timeline, she tried to escape multiple times. I'd been scouting this area for years, becoming familiar with the layout. Megumi-nee—who I'd recently discovered was an undercover agent gathering information on the Yakuza—had visited this place with me several times.
But I hadn't met Eri yet. It was frustrating, but we didn't know the exact location of their main headquarters. I wasn't sure if Eri was being held there or moved between locations. If I moved recklessly and made the wrong call, Overhaul might relocate her, and I'd lose my chance completely.
The butterfly effect was unpredictable. So I planned carefully and patiently.
I licked my butterscotch ice cream—my favorite flavor—as Megumi-nee went to buy seconds. I stood at the corner of a narrow alleyway, lost in thought.
The upcoming Sports Festival wasn't a big deal for me. But what was concerning was how All For One would move now that both his pawns and a portion of his League were under arrest.
He hadn't made a move yet. He was waiting for the perfect opportunity. 'I hope the police got some useful intel from the captured villains.'
I sighed. 'This is such a pain.'
I pushed off the wall and started walking slowly. 'I need to figure out how to prove All For One is connected to the League. And for that to happen—'
My thoughts were interrupted when something small crashed into my legs.
I looked down and my eyes widened.
A small girl—maybe five or six years old—with a horn protruding from the right side of her forehead. Bandages wrapped around her arms and legs. Her clothes were dirty and torn.
My ice cream slipped from my hand and hit the ground with a wet splat.
She looked up at me with the most terrified expression I'd ever seen and then she grabbed my leg.
"Please..." Her voice was tiny, trembling, barely above a whisper. "Help me..."
I didn't know what I felt in that moment but my body moved on instinct. I dropped to my knees and pulled her into a tight hug.
She seemed surprised at first, her small body going stiff. But then the warmth of the embrace seemed to register, and she melted into it, her tiny hands clutching desperately at my shirt.
"Don't worry," I whispered, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "I promise. I'll protect you."
She sobbed—deep, broken sobs that shook her entire frame—and clung to me like I was the only solid thing in the world.
I closed my eyes and controlled my breathing.
"Eri... what are you doing here?"
Her body went rigid in my arms, trembling violently.
I opened my eyes and looked up. Standing at the entrance to the narrow alleyway was a man in a dark green jacket with a plague mask covering the lower half of his face.
It is Kai Chisaki AKA Overhaul.
His golden eyes were cold, calculating, completely devoid of warmth. "Please let her go," he said in a calm and polite tone. "She's my daughter. She ran away from home because I didn't buy her favorite toy."
Eri's trembling intensified. She buried her face in my chest, her sobs becoming desperate, terrified whimpers.
I tried to control my breathing and emotions. But the trembling child in my arms—the sobs, the terror in her eyes, the bandages covering what I knew were injuries inflicted by this monster—made it almost impossible.
For the first time in both of my lives—past and present—a single, terrifying thought surfaced in my mind, 'Is it okay if I kill him?'