"This is… a new Nomu?"
The moment he saw the image, Shina Etsuha's pupils contracted sharply.
Shizuoka Prefecture was where he lived—a prosperous area packed with Hero agencies. One of them was the Mt. Lady agency, represented by Yu Takeyama. By all logic, the safety level there should have been extremely high. Yet now, a Nomu had appeared in that very place?
"Did Kurogiri's quirk survive my attack… or has the League of Villains already established a foothold in Shizuoka?"
Countless thoughts raced through Etsuha's mind.
"It looks like you recognize it," Aizawa Shouta said gravely, noticing the shift in Etsuha's expression. "We only learned about this recently. According to investigations, these creatures—called 'Nomu'—are actually modified humans. Each one has multiple Quirks implanted into them. They have no will of their own."
He paused before continuing.
"We don't yet know why one appeared in Shizuoka, but one thing is certain—there's a major conspiracy behind it."
"A conspiracy?" Etsuha echoed.
"Yes. You know how many Hero agencies are concentrated in that area," Aizawa continued. "By the time we discovered it, several Pro Heroes had already engaged it. Among them were Death Arm and Flame Nemesis. While they aren't at the level of top-tier Heroes like Kamui Woods or Mt. Lady, they're still highly capable."
His voice darkened.
"And yet… they were severely injured. The Nomu, on the other hand, was almost completely unharmed."
Etsuha's expression sharpened.
"But because of that encounter," Aizawa added, "we've uncovered part of their objective."
Etsuha narrowed his eyes. A possibility flashed through his mind.
"Could it be…?"
"It's you," Aizawa said, staring straight at him.
Etsuha: "…"
That… was not what he expected.
Wasn't the League of Villains targeting All Might? How had he suddenly become part of the equation?
Fortunately, Aizawa clarified:
"You're only part of their objective. As for their true goal—we still don't know. We haven't even identified the name of this organization. It's clear they're deliberately staying hidden."
Etsuha thought for a moment, then spoke:
"If that's the case, you should investigate the mud creature… and the bloodthirsty muscular man I fought before. I have a feeling those two incidents are connected to the League."
Both encounters had felt off to him—especially the second one. The enemy had seemed unnaturally prepared for his abilities, even creating countermeasures specifically for his ice. That wasn't coincidence.
And the sudden terrorist attack from the muscular man? That was even more suspicious.
Investigating those leads would definitely turn up something.
"Mud… and that attacker…" Aizawa murmured, nodding slowly. "You might be right. We'll look into their recent movements."
Then he added firmly:
"For now, focus on your studies. The Nomu situation has nothing to do with you. Leave it to the Pros."
"Yeah," Etsuha replied casually—but his mind was already moving elsewhere.
A Nomu had appeared in Shizuoka.
To him, that wasn't bad news.
In fact… it was an opportunity.
"You…" Aizawa muttered, his eyelid twitching as he read Etsuha's expression. "Don't get any ideas. Just because you've defeated a few Nomu doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. The strength of true Pro Heroes is beyond what you can imagine."
He paused, then added:
"Since today is the first day of school, I'll show you exactly how strong a Pro Hero really is."
"Oh?" Etsuha's interest was instantly piqued.
"You'll see when we get to the training grounds," Aizawa said with a faint, mysterious smile.
—
Etsuha wasted no time. He returned to the classroom, changed into his gym uniform, and headed for the training field.
By the time he arrived, the rest of the class was already there, similarly dressed.
Aizawa stood before them.
"Since it's the first day, we're skipping the usual formalities," he said lazily. "No ceremony. No self-introductions. We're getting straight to work."
The class was stunned.
"Huh?!"
"What about the entrance ceremony?"
"And introductions?" Uraraka Ochaco couldn't help asking.
"U.A values freedom," Aizawa replied bluntly. "We don't waste time on meaningless traditions."
Then he looked directly at Etsuha.
"Shina. Step forward."
Etsuha walked out without hesitation.
Aizawa's eyes sharpened.
"We're going to run a Quirk assessment test," he said calmly. "But before that…"
A faint tension spread through the air.
"I'll fight you."
The entire class froze.
..
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