Shota Aizawa frowned, clearly caught off guard.
"This is really irresponsible timing…"
As a teacher, for All Might to be absent at such a critical moment was unexpected. Still, the USJ training itself wasn't considered especially dangerous. With two teachers present, it should be manageable.
After a brief pause, Aizawa sighed. "We don't have a choice. Let's begin."
Thirteen stepped forward to address the class.
"Before we start, I'd like to remind you of a few things… one… two… three… four… five…"
She trailed off briefly, then spoke more seriously:
"As you all know, my quirk is called Black Hole. It can absorb and crush anything."
A black hole—something with such intense gravitational pull that even light cannot escape—was a terrifying concept. In reality, even a black hole the size of a coin could devastate the Earth. Of course, Thirteen's quirk wasn't that extreme—but even a fraction of that power was enough to be deadly.
"Black hole…"
Shina Etsuha's eyes flickered with interest. Even if it was only a weaker imitation, the destructive potential of such an ability was undeniable. He wondered just how strong Thirteen's gravitational force truly was.
Nearby, Izuku Midoriya couldn't contain his excitement.
"That's the quirk you use to perform rescues in disaster zones!"
"That's right," Thirteen nodded. "But this power can just as easily kill someone. And many of you likely possess quirks with similar risks."
The students fell silent, visibly taken aback.
"In our superhuman society, we regulate quirks through strict systems," Thirteen continued. "But one wrong move is enough to take a life. Every one of you has that potential. Please never forget it."
She glanced across the group.
"You've all passed Aizawa's physical tests. You've trained under All Might. You understand your strength—and the danger it carries. In this class, we'll focus on using your quirks to save people."
She finished with a polite bow.
"A real hero lesson…"
Etsuha stifled a yawn, offering no comment. He wasn't particularly interested in ideals like "heroism." For him, strength came first—everything else was secondary. Still, he didn't oppose the idea either.
As Aizawa prepared to continue—
"Alright, let's begin. First—"
Suddenly—
Crack!
The lights overhead flickered violently, then exploded one after another. Electricity surged erratically, plunging the entire facility into darkness. Every system in USJ shut down at once. Even the central fountain fell silent.
"Huh? What just happened?"
"Is this another surprise exercise?"
"Why would they shut off the power…?"
The students murmured, still unaware of the danger.
"That's…"
Aizawa's gaze snapped toward the fountain.
A swirling purple vortex had appeared at its center.
From it, a figure slowly emerged—a man whose entire body was covered in disembodied hands.
The vortex expanded like a gateway. One after another, figures stepped out—Villains.
Dozens of them.
And among them… towering, monstrous figures.
Nomu.
Aizawa's body tensed instantly.
"…Those things… They're the same as the ones from Shizuoka…? Why are there so many?!"
Because of Etsuha's earlier encounters, Aizawa and the others had at least some awareness of Nomu. But seeing dozens of them gathered here was a completely different matter.
In a normal situation, retreat might have been an option.
But now?
Behind him stood a group of students.
Running wasn't possible.
"Everyone, gather up!" Aizawa shouted immediately.
His first instinct was clear.
"Move closer to Etsuha! Thirteen and Etsuha, prioritize protecting the students!"
"Eh? Wait—is this part of the exercise?"
Eijiro Kirishima asked, still confused. "If so, shouldn't we charge in?"
He wasn't the only one. Most of the class remained dazed. After all, this was U.A.—the most prestigious hero academy in the country. Who would expect it to be attacked so suddenly?
"Don't move!"
Aizawa's shout cut through the confusion.
He adjusted his goggles, his expression turning deadly serious.
"Those are real Villains. U.A. has been attacked."
Bang!
Two massive black Nomu stepped forward, positioning themselves beside the man covered in hands—
Tomura Shigaraki.