The weight of the internship's aftermath still lingered as Reiji walked through U.A.'s halls. The whispers about him hadn't faded—in fact, they had only grown louder.
Even among his own classmates, there was hesitation.
Some of them avoided looking at him. Others, like Bakugo, didn't care, but the tension between him and Todoroki was clear as day.
And Iida?
He hadn't said a word since their confrontation.
Reiji didn't mind.
[Let them talk.]
Because while they were busy questioning his actions, he was focused on what came next.
Aizawa's Warning
Aizawa called him aside after class.
"Walk with me," his homeroom teacher said, leading him out of the room.
Reiji followed casually, hands in his pockets.
They walked down the quiet hallways, the sounds of students fading behind them.
Then, Aizawa finally spoke.
"You've made enemies," he said bluntly.
Reiji smirked. "Not the first time. Won't be the last."
Aizawa's gaze remained unreadable. "You don't seem to understand what that means."
Reiji raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Enlighten me, then."
Aizawa stopped walking.
"The Hero Commission is watching you now."
That caught Reiji off guard for a split second.
But he recovered quickly. "So? They watch everyone, don't they?"
Aizawa's tone was flat. "Not like this."
He turned to face him fully. "The way you fight. The way you handled the Hero Killer. The way you don't hesitate. They see potential in you. Not as a hero—but as a weapon."
Reiji's smirk faded slightly.
He knew what Aizawa was implying.
The Hero Commission didn't just support heroes—they controlled them.
They had already turned Hawks into a spy.
Now, they might want to turn Reiji into something else.
"So, what?" Reiji finally asked. "You think I'll say yes?"
Aizawa's eyes narrowed slightly. "I think you don't care enough to say no."
Reiji chuckled. "You make me sound heartless."
"You're not heartless," Aizawa said. "But you don't care about rules. And that makes you… unpredictable."
Reiji tilted his head. "And what do you think I should do, Teach?"
Aizawa sighed. "I'm not here to control you. I'm here to make sure you understand the consequences of the path you're walking."
Then, he turned away.
"Just don't become someone you can't recognize, Kurobane."
And with that, he walked off.
Reiji stood there for a moment, processing.
Then, slowly, his smirk returned.
[Too late for that.]
The League of Villains' Interest
Far from U.A., deep within a dark hideout, the League of Villains gathered.
Shigaraki sat in front of a screen, watching footage of the U.A. Sports Festival… and Reiji's battle against Stain.
His fingers tapped against the table, slowly, methodically.
"He's strong," Shigaraki muttered.
Dabi, leaning against the wall, chuckled. "You interested in him?"
Shigaraki's red eyes flickered with thought. "He doesn't hesitate. He doesn't fight like a hero."
Toga grinned, tilting her head. "Ooooh, I like him. Maybe he'll play with us?"
Shigaraki's fingers scratched against his neck. "He's too close to U.A. for now."
"But…"
He leaned forward, eyes burning with interest.
"If he ever realizes that he doesn't belong there… We'll be waiting."
Dabi smirked. "And if he doesn't?"
Shigaraki's grin widened.
"Then we'll just have to break him."
Class 1-A's Training Session
The next day, U.A. resumed combat training.
The students were split into pairs, with each team sparring against another.
Reiji ended up paired against Todoroki.
[Figures.]
As they stepped onto the training field, the tension between them was almost palpable.
Neither of them spoke.
Neither of them needed to.
Then—
"Begin!"
Todoroki attacked first, launching a massive wave of ice.
Reiji vanished in a burst of Hellfire, teleporting behind him in an instant.
But Todoroki was ready.
Before Reiji could strike, fire erupted from Todoroki's left side, forcing him to dodge.
[Oh? You're finally using your flames, huh?]
Reiji grinned. "You getting serious, Ice Prince?"
Todoroki didn't respond. He just attacked again.
Flames and ice crashed against golden Hellfire, the battlefield erupting into a storm of elemental destruction.
They moved like two opposing forces, neither giving an inch.
Then—
Reiji broke through.
He teleported mid-air, appearing directly in front of Todoroki.
[Too close for a ranged attack.]
He swung—his flaming fist aiming straight for Todoroki's gut.
But—
Todoroki caught his wrist.
Reiji's eyes flickered with mild surprise.
Then—
A massive burst of ice erupted from Todoroki's other hand, freezing Reiji's torso instantly.
For the first time in a long time, Reiji couldn't move.
And that's when Todoroki finally spoke.
"You think this is all a game," he said, his voice steady.
"But being a hero isn't about strength. It's about who you choose to be."
Reiji smirked despite the ice. "You sound like Midoriya."
Todoroki's grip tightened.
"I don't care if you fight like a villain. I don't care if you enjoy it. But if you ever cross the line…"
His eyes were serious.
"I'll stop you."
Reiji's smirk widened.
[So he's finally made up his mind.]
Then—his Hellfire surged.
BOOM!
The ice shattered instantly, and Reiji flipped backward, landing smoothly on his feet.
He rolled his shoulders. "Not bad, Ice Prince."
Todoroki simply stared at him.
The fight had ended, but the battle between who they were… and who they would become…
That had just begun.
The Aftermath
As the students left the training hall, Momo walked up to Todoroki.
"You're worried about him, aren't you?" she asked quietly.
Todoroki didn't answer immediately.
Then, finally, he exhaled.
"I don't think he's a villain," he admitted.
"But I don't think he's a hero, either."
Momo's expression darkened.
Because deep down—she felt the same way.
Meanwhile, Elsewhere…
Far away from U.A., in a secret meeting room, the Hero Commission gathered.
A file was placed on the table.
Reiji Kurobane.
One of the officers looked at the report, then turned to the others.
"He has potential," they said. "He doesn't hesitate, and he's willing to do what most heroes won't."
The director of the Commission leaned forward, eyes cold.
"Then let's make sure we keep an eye on him."
Because whether he liked it or not—
Reiji was becoming something far more dangerous than just another hero.
End of Chapter 27.
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