While Class A was busy fighting for their provisional licenses, the aftershocks of the Battle of Kamiya began to spread quietly through society.
On television and across the internet, expert panels and special programs aired day after day. However, instead of calming the public, they only deepened people's unease.
All Might's presence had once been so overwhelming that it overshadowed every other hero.
Even though All For One had been defeated that day, after All Might's retirement, society still fell into panic.
For ordinary people, the biggest change was this—
The new Number One Hero.
Endeavor.
All the doubts, worries, and insecurities were now directed at him.
And honestly, that was only natural.
After all, he had never been the kind of hero who won everyone's hearts.
"I don't think Endeavor is unqualified to be Number One," a commentator said on TV.
"But subconsciously, I still compare him to All Might."
"To put it simply, he's just a rough man. A mortal forced to pretend to be Superman."
"He's been placed in a position he was never meant to fill."
"For him, this is a kind of tragedy."
"Beep—"
Lying on the sofa in the dormitory lounge, Masata picked up the remote and turned off the TV.
"I'm sick of this nonsense."
"They talk all day without thinking about who's actually protecting them."
Although Masata could understand the public's reaction, he completely disagreed with it.
In his eyes, these were just people who had lived in peace for too long and had forgotten what danger really meant.
The media was only making things worse.
"Bakugo, don't take it too seriously," Masata said.
"Your old man is still insanely strong."
Class A had already returned to the dormitory.
Bakugo was sitting nearby, clearly in a bad mood.
"I'm fine."
Bakugo replied curtly.
But inside, his emotions were tangled.
On one hand, his father had finally become the Number One Hero.
He should have been proud.
On the other hand, past grievances hadn't fully faded.
Combined with what he'd just heard on TV, his irritation kept growing.
"Dididi—"
Suddenly, Masata felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
He took it out.
It was a call from All Might.
"It's almost eight. Why is he calling now?"
Confused, Masata answered.
"What? You want me to come out right now?"
"Okay. I'll be there."
After hanging up, he quickly straightened his clothes and stood up.
"What's going on?"
Yaoyorozu asked curiously.
"All Might suddenly called me."
"He didn't explain much. Don't worry."
A few minutes later, Masata got into All Might's car.
They drove straight toward the outskirts of the city.
Along the way, All Might remained silent.
His expression was serious.
Masata didn't ask anything.
But as the surroundings became more desolate and streetlights disappeared, he couldn't help speaking.
"Where exactly are we going?"
"Tartarus Prison," All Might replied quietly.
"It's right ahead."
Masata widened his eyes and looked forward.
They were crossing a long sea bridge.
At the end stood a lonely island surrounded by steep cliffs.
"Damn… that's impressive."
Masata wasn't unfamiliar with Tartarus.
After Quirks appeared, Quirk-related crimes followed.
Tartarus was Japan's largest prison, specially built to detain the most dangerous criminals.
"So… we're here to see All For One?"
If Masata still didn't understand All Might's purpose, he might as well jump into the sea.
After strict inspection by armed guards, they entered the heavily fortified prison.
"Yes. Actually, this is my first time coming here."
All Might looked around at the massive security system and sighed.
Many of the criminals inside had been captured by him personally.
Yet evil had never disappeared.
His lifelong dream of eradicating darkness had never been fully realized.
Under heavy supervision, they passed through multiple checkpoints.
Finally, they reached the lowest level.
The place where All For One was imprisoned.
"What brings you here, All Might?"
"And… the young man who completely defeated me."
"Igarashi Masata."
Behind a thick glass wall, All For One sat restrained in a special chair.
His condition was terrible.
Tubes filled with colorful liquids were connected to his body.
Life-support equipment covered his head.
He looked weak and fragile.
After his battle with Masata, his physical condition had deteriorated drastically.
Worse than it had been five years ago.
Seeing his lifelong enemy reduced to this state, All Might fell silent.
"It's pretty pathetic," Masata said bluntly.
"Why didn't you realize this sooner?"
To him, All For One was simply an enemy.
A threat.
Nothing more.
"I never imagined," AFO chuckled weakly,
"That the boy who once ran from me would surpass me so completely."
"All Might… you really care about your successor."
AFO still believed Masata was the next heir of One For All.
He didn't care much about losing.
What hurt most was losing to All Might again.
"As a teacher and a rival."
"Tch."
Masata snorted.
"You still talk big."
"Do you really think you're some demon king anymore?"
"Old man, when it's time to retire, just retire."
"Why jump out and look for death?"
All For One had ruled from the shadows for decades.
No one had ever spoken to him like this.
He froze.
The room fell silent.
"Where is the deadwood?"
All Might finally broke the silence.
His sharp gaze pierced through the glass.
He asked the question he cared about most.