"Devil Fruits? That setting is unexpectedly good!"
"A 'magic' world? It's similar to Quirks, but completely different… I could try that."
"As expected of Shina-sensei, your world-building is incredible!"
"I feel like every setting is fully developed—any one of them could become a huge hit!"
"That 'One Punch Man' idea is insanely appealing!"
"..."
Most manga artists were already skilled storytellers, but many had been confined by the limitations of Quirks as a central concept. After being guided by Shina Etsuha's ideas, it was as if a door had suddenly opened in their minds. They realized they could break free of those constraints and explore entirely new creative directions.
These were top-tier creators. With a complete world framework provided, even if their individual plots varied, they wouldn't stray far from the core concept. Especially with Etsuha occasionally offering guidance, everyone gained a clearer understanding of how to structure their narratives and control the direction of their stories.
Soon, the group was buzzing with excitement, each person eagerly preparing new projects. The worlds Etsuha introduced were fresh, compelling, and full of potential—no one wanted to miss the opportunity.
Watching this unfold, Etsuha smiled faintly. Manga didn't necessarily have to be created by him alone. With this approach, countless power systems he was familiar with could be brought into existence.
He had even begun to dabble in novels, though instead of writing them himself, he preferred to contribute ideas and concepts for others to develop.
"In that case, the range of abilities I can extract in the future will only grow," Etsuha murmured with satisfaction.
Not long after, Best Jeanist returned to the office and spoke directly to him:
"The restriction is lifted. You can resume patrols. But next time, if you encounter a situation like that, call for backup immediately instead of acting on your own."
Yusuke Tensen shot upright. "Yes, sir!"
Best Jeanist's expression darkened. "I was talking to Etsuha. You—stay put."
Yusuke Tensen: "…"
After all, it was Etsuha who had ultimately defeated the Nomu and saved many of the office's Heroes. The punishment was largely symbolic in his case. Yusuke Tensen, however, had agreed to split up during patrol, earning himself a solid ten-day restriction.
Etsuha gave him a sympathetic glance before heading out cheerfully for patrol duty.
Nothing particularly major happened afterward. Thanks to his overwhelming abilities, Etsuha apprehended numerous petty criminals during routine patrols. Within less than a month, he had built a modest reputation and gathered a small but useful amount of energy.
That energy was enough for him to extract a minor ability. This time, he chose the Body Replacement Technique—a basic ninjutsu. Despite its simplicity, it was incredibly practical, allowing him to evade fatal attacks at minimal cost. While ineffective against large-scale destructive techniques, it was more than sufficient as a foundational skill. Etsuha successfully extracted it with ease.
That same day, a professional Hero burst into the office, drenched in sweat.
"A factory—there's a mysterious factory in the streets… and five Nomu have appeared inside!"
"What?!" Best Jeanist shot to his feet.
The memory of the previous Nomu encounter was still vivid. That single creature had nearly wiped out an entire team. Even Yamazaki Yuka's strongest attack had been useless against it. Now there were five?
Even more shocking was the idea that they had emerged from a factory. Could it be… mass production?
Etsuha's expression turned strange as well. Could that factory be connected to All For One's laboratory? If so, this might mean they were dangerously close to uncovering something massive. The fact that so many Nomu had been produced before the USJ incident even occurred made the situation feel deeply unsettling—like the beginning of a larger conspiracy.
The reporting Hero gritted his teeth.
"All five Nomu are different. One of them can fly. A civilian has already been injured, but Captain Yamazaki managed to wound one. The remaining four have gone berserk and scattered in different directions. With our current numbers, we're struggling to contain them!"
The discovery had been completely accidental. No one expected five Nomu to emerge at once. Chaos had erupted across the area, though thankfully nearby Heroes had responded quickly enough to prevent widespread casualties.
Now, most of the Nomu were being driven toward sparsely populated zones to minimize damage. It was the best possible outcome under the circumstances.
"Yamazaki managed to injure one?" Best Jeanist's eyes lit up slightly. "Then not all Nomu are at that level."
"It's strong—about on par with a professional Hero—but Captain Yamazaki was able to suppress it," the Hero confirmed.
"A variation in strength… That means these creatures are still evolving," Best Jeanist muttered, tapping the table thoughtfully. "Nomu are too dangerous to ignore. Split into teams and surround them. This time, we capture them alive."
Etsuha's eyes gleamed. "I'm coming too."
"No. It's too dangerous. You continue your patrol," Best Jeanist replied without even looking at him.
"No problem," Etsuha answered casually.
In reality, that response meant freedom. As always—his legs were his own. Patrol could take him anywhere. Naturally, that included wherever the Nomu were.
Dozens of professional Heroes mobilized from the office.
Etsuha, however, took a different approach. He leapt to the top of a tall building and scanned the city below. With the enhanced perception of his Sharingan, it didn't take long for him to detect an area pulsing with violent energy.
There were at least two Nomu there.