The boy with dead eyes suddenly woke up.In an instant, he sat up and looked around.
The place was a small, dark room lit by a single faint light.It was the kind of room that would make anyone who spent time indoors feel something was off.Not that anyone could even enter it — there were no windows. No entrance either.
It was a literal sealed room.Since sunlight couldn't reach it, a dim light was left on.But even that dim glow was being increasingly consumed by shadows—A black mist. A warp gate.
"...This is the worst. Why the hell do I have to be woken up like this first thing in the morning?""As always, you wake up quickly. Though your mood seems foul."
"That's your fault, you black fog. ...What do you want?"
The man wrapped in black mist—Kurogiri—responded to the boy's question with a sigh,as if to corner him, to keep him from escaping.
"...Ah, just joking. Don't give me that look.""You... joke? That's a first.""That's the real joke here.""Indeed. ...Shigaraki Tomura is calling for you. He's going to explain the final details of the plan to everyone. You're to attend as well. Let us know when you're ready. I'll return shortly."
Having said all he needed to, Kurogiri activated his Quirk and disappeared.Perhaps he was being considerate of the boy's just-awoken state.For a villain, Kurogiri was quite the gentleman.It was baffling why someone so seemingly upright would serve such a broken old relic,or take care of that deranged anti-All Might lunatic.Not that he particularly cared.
After all, the truly deranged one was himself.
The boy—Hachiman Hikigaya—looked up.As if begging for forgiveness from some god who might be watching him.
"Give me a break. Why the hell did things end up like this?"...All he saw was a plain white ceiling.
Today, he was going to help kill All Might.
When he was told to help like it was some casual errand,he nearly broke—emotionally—for the first time in a while.
In the small list of things allowed to him, he used the shower to clean his body,got dressed, and made himself ready.He had been told to contact them when done,but he wouldn't.
Shigaraki would get impatient and send Kurogiri anyway.Besides, his every move was being watched.He felt nothing but irritation toward that paranoid old bastard.
Before long, the warp gate appeared again.He could hear a commotion from the other side.That noise only deepened his gloom.His hand—what would it be directed at?That step into darkness terrified him.
"Everyone's here, right? We'll now go over the operation's full flow. If there's any idiot who misses something—he'll be crushed for getting in the way."
Cracking his knuckles, Shigaraki cast his gaze over the gathered outcasts as he spoke.In fact, under the excuse of "bad manners," he had already used his Quirk to decay one young man right before their eyes.Shigaraki Tomura. His Quirk: Decay. If he wanted, he could kill someone in seconds.
Those empty eyes and the weight behind his words made the lowlifes gathered there internally shiver.
"...Well, I'm sure you get it. ...Let's begin. Kurogiri.""Yes."
Like saying "I'm done here," Shigaraki stepped back and sat in a chair on the stage.Kurogiri stepped forward. The gang members knew him well — most of them had been brought here by his Quirk.
"I will explain in phases. Phase one: infiltration begins via my Quirk. At the same time, Jack will activate his Quirk — electromagnetic interference — as we enter."
Kurogiri laid out only what was necessary, plainly and calmly, his tone transforming the street thugs into soldiers ready to die for a cause.
"Once infiltration succeeds, we proceed to phase two. Troops — that is, you — will be deployed to each disaster zone. Your mission is to engage the students. This moves us into phase three. Killing them is permitted. However, they are still future heroes. Don't let your guard down. I will use my Quirk to send students to your positions, so be prepared before that happens."
Former gangsters, thieves, and scum — all with eyes once full of rot and despair — now lit up with renewed intensity.
"In addition to the students, be cautious of the pro heroes on site: Eraserhead, Thirteen, and All Might. We'll overwhelm Eraserhead and Thirteen with numbers while Shigaraki finishes them. One or both of them will surely try to protect the students, and I will engage the one who does."
Once the name "All Might" was mentioned, the villains finally grasped the weight of what they were being asked to do.They understood:
They were going to kill All Might.
"Finally, our biggest obstacle and main target—All Might. Nomu will handle him. After that, I will go to finish him off."
"Numerous pro heroes are stationed at the school proper. While infrared sensors and such will be neutralized by Jack's Quirk, if reinforcements are called, we lose. Do not let the students escape."
"And Connector, your role—there isn't much. Stay near Jack and protect him if things get rough."
...Connector?
The soldiers began murmuring. They could understand Jack — that name was known among villains and the underground.He was famous for causing electromagnetic disruptions and shutting off alarm systems during repeated robberies.
But Connector? No one had heard of that name.Looking toward the stage, they saw only Kurogiri, Shigaraki with all those hands stuck to his face and body, and the massive, black-skinned, monstrous Nomu.
"Also, we might need your help with killing All Might. If Nomu or Shigaraki goes down, we'll teleport you in. You'll stop All Might.""Yeah, no way I can do that."
Everyone turned toward the voice. There stood a single person among them, wearing a dirty gray hooded coat.From the voice, it was clearly male, but his face was completely hidden.His posture was hunched — he might have been taller if he stood up straight — and his voice was still young. Likely a teen.
…Honestly, he looked like a common homeless kid.Definitely not someone you'd expect to be specially chosen by Kurogiri.And he had just refused the task.
"You might be second only to Nomu in capability.""...All Might types are the ones I'm worst against."
His light tone left the thugs stunned.Because of that, they failed to grasp something important right away.
Kurogiri just told that boy to stop All Might… didn't he?
"You'll also serve as our rear guard. If the heroes attack while we escape, we're screwed. But you're good at one-versus-many, right?""That's too much work... Seriously, not happening. I'd be the first one to run."
Shigaraki added yet another task.That prompted a shift in perception among the thugs.
*Is Connector... actually strong?*
"Do you really think you can do that? If you do, I won't stop you."
"..."
The boy fell silent at Shigaraki's probing tone, clearly thinking it over.His expression didn't change, but Kurogiri frowned — though no one caught it, he was clearly disapproving of Shigaraki.
"Well? What'll it be, Connectorrr...?"
"Don't say my name like that on purpose..."
With a sigh, the boy looked up at Shigaraki.In his eyes — barely visible under the hood — were two conflicting emotions.Shigaraki nodded, satisfied.Connector would do it.
Shigaraki stood, looking down on the group.Most eyes were gleaming with anticipation. One pair — Connector's — looked resigned, but that didn't matter.
Once the operation began, there'd be no turning back.Both Shigaraki and Connector knew that.
"The plan begins at 1:30 PM — in two hours. First: destroy U.A. Final goal: eliminate All Might!"
A roar erupted from the crowd.
As the thunderous shouts echoed around him, Connector covered his ears, while Kurogiri considered that he still had explanations left to give.
Mid-April.
We, Class 1-A, were riding the bus toward the site of a rescue training session, each of us wearing our hero costumes.…Well, I was the only one wearing a gym uniform. My costume got damaged during the combat training the other day — it was that intense.
On the bus, everyone was chatting about the upcoming training.Though calling it a "discussion" was a stretch — it was more like sparkling curiosity about what we were going to do.
"Rescue training, huh... I bet Yukinon could just swoop in and handle rescues super fast!""Swoop in…?""Compared to her, I'll probably take more time, though...""…Your Quirk is very rare — and perfectly suited for disaster relief. I'm sure you'll become a one-of-a-kind hero.""Eh!? Ehehe~♡ Thank you, Yukino~!""W-Wait, don't cling to me so much..."
Yukinoshita-san and Yuigahama-san seemed to be in their own world too.…I couldn't help but feel like I should probably look away. Why is that?
Really, watching them like this, they just look like normal high school students.It makes it easy to forget how flustered they were the other day.But while Yuigahama-san might just be a regular student, Yukinoshita-san definitely isn't.
After my first conversation with her, I looked into her background a bit. I was shocked.She was someone on a whole other level from us.
Yukino Yukinoshita, also known as "Outsnow."Apparently, it means "the snow that descended from the sky"… Though honestly, I still don't really get the name.
But yes, an alias — because she actually holds a Pro Hero License.Of course, she's not an active pro hero.
Technically speaking, she's licensed, but she hasn't gone pro, nor is she a sidekick at any agency.Still, that license gives her the same authority as a professional, like being allowed to use her Quirk for hero activities — something normal civilians can't do.
And she got that license in her third year of middle school.That kind of genius shows up maybe once every few years — three in recent years, apparently — but still, she's exceptionally talented and precocious.
I have to catch up to that…!...Though, her license status isn't very public.I only found a vague mention on a hero info site, from a year ago, about a young girl passing the license exam.It took some digging to even realize that girl was Yukinoshita Yukino.I wonder why they've kept it under wraps...?
"I say whatever comes to mind, Midoriya-chan.""Huh?! Asui-san!?""Call me Tsuyu.""You're stuttering way too much, fuzzball! It's hilarious — just like that one guy!"
I panicked when Tsuyu-chan suddenly spoke to me.As for Orimoto-san, she kept saying "hilarious" — maybe it's a catchphrase?I've never really known anyone like her……Well, I didn't have many friends to begin with.
"No, you're wrong, Orimoto-san. That guy wouldn't even manage to speak.""Ahh, right… Hard to believe someone like him is aiming to be a hero.""He said things like 'I don't need social skills' and 'I'll do everything on my own!'""The fact that he could do it makes it worse.""…Weren't you asked to help reform that guy by Hiratsuka-sensei? Especially you, Yukinoshita.""…Oh my, Kawasaki-san. Who told you that?""I think Komachi-chan mentioned it…""I heard it through Taishi."
While I was flustered talking to Asui-san, the five from Sobu High were talking about some guy.Was he their leader or something? He wasn't on this bus, though…
"When you talk flashy and strong, you think Bakugo and Todoroki, right?"
Phew, finally a topic shift.
Bakugo and Todoroki, huh. Yeah, that makes sense.Explosion, and Todoroki's Quirk… half-hot, half-cold, I think?Their powers are straight out of an anime or manga.
Even if Bakugo's personality is... intense, he's crazy strong.Todoroki apparently took down Ojiro and Hagakure all by himself.He'll probably be really popular — well, at least Todoroki might.
"Bakugo-chan blows up too fast to be popular.""What'd you say, you little—?!""See?"
Kirishima-kun was sitting between Bakugo and Asui — his expression painfully awkward.Same for Jiro-san. Especially Kirishima — I get the feeling he'll be taking damage from Bakugo for a while… Just a hunch.
"It's honestly amazing how in just a short time, you've shown that your personality is like sewage-boiled garbage.""I'LL KILL YOU, YOU PIECE OF—!!""Your vocab is weird too, which is also hilarious!""Is that the only thing you can say?!"
Ah… Bakugo has become the designated punching bag.Kaminari and Orimoto are seriously gutsy.And they don't even seem to care about Bakugo.This is U.A., huh…
"...I've just got this hunch, but isn't Deku thinking about something totally unrelated right now?""I have the same feeling, yes.""Is this class really going to be okay?""Who knows… Ahaha.""By the way, Yukinoshita-san, I wanted to ask you something.""What is it, Yaoyorozu-san?""Yeah, what's up?""About that person you mentioned earlier…"
Twitch.
Yaoyorozu-san was asking Yukinoshita and the others about that person.I know it's just curiosity, but I can't help being interested too…
"…You want to know about him.""So something did happen? I mean, if you don't wanna talk about it, that's totally okay!""No, I don't mind. I've always thought that I'd have to talk about it eventually.It's sort of… the reason we want to become heroes.""Yukinon…""Everyone should hear this. Maybe you can even help us with information.""Hmm? Something going on, Yukinoshita?""What's this about~?"
All of Class A turned their eyes to Yukinoshita-san.Even Aizawa-sensei glanced over briefly — but didn't seem interested in stopping her.
"…There was once a boy among us. His name was Hachiman Hikigaya. He was…"Yukinoshita stopped there. She seemed unsure of how to describe him.Yuigahama-san looked a little troubled too.
"…Hmm, a friend? No, not quite.""To me, he was a best friend.""For me… I guess, a classmate? Maybe… like a brother-friend?""I'm a former middle school classmate! We've been through a lot!"
As the four of them gave their answers, Yukinoshita carefully chose her words.
"…A former enemy.""E-Enemy?!""Yukinoshita-san, yours is way off from everyone else…""C'mon, Yukinon!! Now's not the time to be all shy!""I-I'm not being shy…"
"Man, Hachiman's one lucky guy!""Haha, for real.""What the heck is he doing right now…"
"W-Wait... is this, like, that kind of story?"
Ashido-san leaned in with a huge grin.If they weren't on a moving bus, she might've jumped across the aisle.Now that I looked closely, most of the girls were smirking,and a couple of guys — Mineta and Kaminari — were weeping with jealousy.Wait, are those real tears?
"…Yes. …Phew…"
"…He's someone very important to me.""He's special to me too..."
"ENDAAAAAAAA~~!!""NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!""Silence."
With just one word from the teacher,the entire bus turned into a group of model passengers in an instant.
…That said, I didn't get to hear the most important part.Like… where is that guy now? What's he doing?
"...Are you ready, scumbags?""Yeah!!!""Central plaza sniper team — locked and loaded!""Central plaza melee unit — all set to smash 'em!""Flood, fire, mountain, landslide, heavy rain & storm ambush teams — ready across the board!!""Jack, you're first through the warp. Activate your Quirk as you enter the gate.""Got it.""Connector, you understand, right? Don't hold back once the fight starts.""...""Nomu... never mind. Let's go, Kurogiri.""Yes. Sensei… we'll be off now."『Alright then. Shigaraki Tomura, do your best and kill All Might.』"Yeah."
…
"…'Do your best and kill him' — what kind of line is that."『What's wrong, Connector-kun? You should hurry and go. Kurogiri might be patient, but Tomura won't wait forever.』"You really think you can kill him? The Symbol of Peace?"『Absolutely. That is, if you're willing. With the Nomu as your exceptional vanguard, and Kurogiri — the perfect support — on your side.If you commit, you can trap All Might easily. And then, within seconds, Tomura's Quirk will turn the Symbol of Peace into literal dust.』"…Sorry, but unless Kurogiri or the others call for me, I won't move. Shigaraki talks big, but even he has his pride."『…』"This mission's real purpose is to give Shigaraki experience, right? You don't actually believe this will succeed.You've felt All Might's fists firsthand — you should know better."『…Such a waste. You sure you won't become my subordinate? Officially, I mean.』"I'd rather die."『…Then go already. Let the despair swallow you.』"Keep a good watch through those creepy surveillance cams of yours.I've given up on a lot in life……but even I have things I refuse to surrender."
[Two Years Ago]
"...Endeavor! It's urgent!! That boy — he's been attacked…!!""That boy!? You mean… Hachiman Hikigaya!? What's the source!?""Sun-Eyes' little sister!! She said he helped her and a friend escape at the seaside park nearby!! She begged for help—wait, hey, you!!""Endeavor!! Please help — it's Hikigaya-kun!!""Please!! A villain with a warp-type Quirk is involved!!!""We're moving out! Bring all sidekicks at the agency except the communications officer! And you — Sun-Eyes' sister! You're coming too, after us!!""I'm heading out now! I can't just sit around here!!""It's dangerous!! You may have a provisional license, but don't do anything reckless!! Contact Sun-Eyes immediately!!"
Why…!? Why didn't he run away too!?
"Where is he!? Hachiman, where are you!?""Endeavor!!""…! You—All Might!?""It's been a while! But this isn't the time for bickering!! We need to start search and rescue right away!! The facility's half-destroyed!! I'm worried about Hikigaya-kun, but we need to save the other civilians too!!""Damn you…!!"
He's right. This isn't the time to argue… I have to save that man's son…!!
"There are five seriously injured, thirty-eight with minor injuries. No fatalities. However, there is one person missing…""…""Also, during the search, we found a severed left arm, cut off at the elbow. The police analysis confirms… it's Hikigaya Hachiman's.""...You're preserving that arm, right?""Eh? Y-Yes…""Good. He'll come back. Use the testimonies from the two girls who saw the villain — send out a nationwide warrant!!""What…!? You're going to make the villain's info public!?""Of course!! We will find him!!!""I can't agree to something that reckless.""Eek!?""Wow, did you just scream from seeing my face? Rude. I happen to be a gorgeous woman, you know.""Sun-Eyes…!! What's the meaning of this!?""It's just not possible right now. Or rather, publishing villain info is fine. But not Hikigaya-kun's info. I want this to go down as just a kidnapped teenage boy.""What are you thinking!?""Of course — Hero Sun-Eyes is always here to protect the people~☆""Don't mess with me!!! Then I'll—right now—!""And Haruno Yukinoshita is always here for Yukino-chan… and for Hikigaya-kun.""…So this… is the best move for his sake!?""That's right. He'll definitely—"
—In the not-so-distant future, become the greatest hero.