While Melissa and Arata remained hidden within the depths of the base, completely immersed in designing their suits and refining quirk-based technology, the outside world was thrown into unprecedented chaos.
The destruction of I-Island sent shockwaves across the globe.
Within hours, news channels in every major country began broadcasting emergency reports.
The footage captured by civilians—shaky, chaotic, but clear enough—spread like wildfire across the internet.
Clips showed the terrifying scale of the battle: the monstrous, ever-growing creature tearing apart the island, and above it, a lone figure wearing a demon mask, wielding an overwhelming space-based ability that defied all known understanding of quirks.
The moment that truly froze the world, however, was the end.
A massive, cube-like construct formed in the sky, containing what appeared to be a literal black hole.
In mere seconds, both the monster and the entirety of I-Island were swallowed and erased, leaving behind nothing but open ocean.
No debris. No remains. Nothing.
The world stood still.
Speculation erupted instantly.
Some labeled the masked individual as a vigilante—someone powerful enough to fight off an unknown threat and save countless lives.
Others, however, were far more skeptical. Quiet rumors began circulating, suggesting that the destruction of I-Island itself was an unforgivable act, regardless of intent.
Behind the scenes, these rumors were not entirely natural.
Within Hero Public Safety Commission, urgent meetings were already underway.
The higher-ups had quickly realized two critical threats: the existence of a mysterious individual with a high-level space manipulation ability, and the disappearance of David Shield.
Both were unacceptable risks.
If David were to resurface and reveal what had happened—especially regarding Hawks—the consequences would be catastrophic for them.
The Commission could not allow that to happen.
Quietly and efficiently, they began planting narratives through controlled media channels, subtly pushing the idea that the "Demon Mask" was not a savior, but a potential global threat.
At the same time, they began searching.
But no matter how deep they looked, there was no trace of him.
Far away from Japan, in Europe, a very different kind of conversation was taking place.
Inside a dimly lit room, two men in tailored black suits stood over a battered figure tied to a chair.
The faint sound of dripping echoed through the silence as the hostage trembled, barely conscious.
One of the men, with neatly styled white hair, crossed his arms as he glanced at his companion.
"Valdo, do you really think what he's saying is true?" Bruno asked, his tone skeptical but curious.
The man beside him—Valdo Gollini—remained calm, his black eyes focused entirely on the trembling butler before them.
"I don't know," Valdo replied slowly, "But if it is true… then this changes everything."
The butler whimpered weakly, his voice shaking as he tried to speak through the pain.
"I-It's real… the quirk… Over Modification… it belongs to Anna Scervino… the heir…"
Valdo's lips slowly curled into a grin.
A dangerous one.
"With that kind of ability," he said softly, almost to himself, "the Gollini family wouldn't just expand… we would dominate."
Bruno hesitated before speaking again. "Even if that's the case, do you really think Father will approve? He was already furious about your last mission."
At that, Valdo let out a quiet chuckle, though there was no humor in it.
"Who said anything about needing his approval?"
His eyes darkened slightly, and for a brief moment, something far more sinister surfaced beneath his calm exterior.
"If he stands in my way… then he simply won't be in the picture anymore."
Bruno fell silent.
Because he understood exactly what Valdo meant.
In another part of the world, far removed from the chaos of power struggles and rising threats, a quiet apartment sat in complete stillness.
Inside, a woman with striking purple and pink hair rested her head against a dining table, her gaze fixed blankly toward the window. The faint glow of the city lights reflected in her eyes, but there was no life behind them.
Once, those eyes had carried purpose.
Now, they were empty.
Her phone vibrated softly against the table, breaking the silence.
She slowly turned her head, her movements sluggish, almost mechanical, and glanced at the screen.
A message.
From the president of the Hero Public Safety Commission.
A new assignment.
Her hand tightened around the edge of the table as she read the message. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, her fingers curled into a fist so tightly that her nails dug into her skin, drawing blood.
A drop fell onto the floor.
Then another.
Her breathing grew uneven as she shut her eyes, her body trembling—not with fear, but with something far deeper. Something that had been building for far too long.
When she opened her eyes again, the last trace of hesitation was gone.
The light that once defined her had completely disappeared.
And in its place, there was only resolve.
A quiet, final decision.
Tonight… everything will end.