Not long after Igarashi Masata got off the train—
"Hosu City is unexpectedly prosperous," a cold voice echoed from above.
"To correct this city, more sacrifices are required."
On top of an abandoned high-rise building, a black void suddenly opened in midair. Wrapped in a blood-red scarf and covered head to toe in blades, the Hero Killer stepped out, gazing down at the brightly lit city below.
Behind him, another figure emerged.
Tomura Shigaraki—his face half-covered by a severed hand—slowly walked out of the shrinking warp gate. The black hole contracted until only a dark silhouette remained.
"This is the ideal you were talking about?" Shigaraki asked casually.
"Hero is a title that only those who have achieved greatness deserve," the Hero Killer declared.
"I will not stop until the world understands its hypocrisy!"
Standing at the rooftop's edge, he spread his arms as if embracing the entire night sky—then leapt forward, vanishing across the rooftops like a shadow.
"Tch. He's better at speeches than singers," Shigaraki muttered.
"He almost made me cry."
"An idiot couldn't accomplish what he has," Kurogiri said calmly.
"In every city he appears in, crime rates drop. Some critics have even pointed this out publicly."
"There is a correlation between his actions and increased hero vigilance."
Shigaraki crossed his arms, lowering his head in thought.
"Interesting… He forces heroes to work harder by killing the useless ones?"
"But I still find him irritating."
He lifted his head.
"Kurogiri. Release the Nomu."
Following the orders passed down from All For One, Kurogiri opened another warp gate.
From the expanding darkness, five Nomu emerged—each grotesque and distinct. Some had wings, some were massive and muscular, others were lean and sharp-looking. Yet all radiated overwhelming power.
"Let's start a riot," Shigaraki said softly.
"I want to trample over this city's pride."
Below them, the peaceful streets of Hosu City were moments away from chaos.
"It really was a long ride."
By the time Masata, Todoroki Shouto, and Endeavor arrived in Hosu City, night had already fallen. Streetlights illuminated the crowded platforms as Masata stretched lazily.
"It's late. Why don't we grab something to eat first?"
Endeavor checked the time and nodded.
"Alright. We'll rest briefly."
They stopped at a roadside diner.
"Extra-spicy pork cutlet curry rice!" Masata said excitedly.
The steaming rice was drenched in thick brown curry, crispy pork cutlets layered on top—half soaked in sauce. The rich aroma alone made his appetite surge.
Todoroki and Endeavor each ordered udon noodles. Todoroki, as always, seemed perfectly content with that choice.
"Are we patrolling tonight?" Masata asked between mouthfuls.
"No," Endeavor replied after finishing his noodles.
"We'll meet the local Hero Office tonight to review intelligence. The official search for the Hero Killer begins tomorrow."
Todoroki suddenly frowned.
"Isn't Iida Tenya's internship also in Hosu City?"
Masata froze.
"That's right… I remember seeing Midoriya talking to him at the station a couple days ago."
"Wait—don't tell me he came here to avenge his brother?"
Masata's expression darkened. That would be reckless. Iida didn't have the strength his brother possessed—and even Ingenium had nearly died at the Hero Killer's hands.
"What's going on?" Endeavor asked.
"Is your classmate's brother one of the Hero Killer's victims?"
"Yes," Todoroki replied quietly.
"And Iida chose Hosu City specifically. I'm worried."
Though Todoroki rarely showed emotion, concern for his classmates ran deep.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion suddenly cut through the night.
Black smoke rose in the distance.
"Something's wrong—move!" Endeavor said sharply.
He paid the bill instantly and sprinted toward the blast site, Masata and Todoroki right behind him.
The explosion had torn through a building. As they arrived, a massive black figure stepped out of the rubble.
"Nomu!" Masata and Todoroki said at once.
The exposed brain, the twisted body—it was unmistakable.
"So the League of Villains has finally made their move," Masata muttered.
"Is this the same type of Nomu from USJ?" Endeavor asked grimly.
"Yes," Masata replied quickly.
"But their strength varies greatly. Most Nomu have at least two quirks."
He remembered the weaker Nomu from Shenmu Hospital—it was nowhere near the USJ monster. This one… was still unknown.
"They can't think for themselves and only follow orders," Masata continued.
"But even that makes them nightmares for average heroes."
Before he finished speaking, Masata dashed forward, grabbing a terrified little girl and pulling her out of harm's way just as debris crashed down where she'd been standing.
"Can you handle it?" Todoroki asked his father.
"If you've got permission, go all out," Endeavor replied.
Flames erupted across Endeavor's body as he shot forward, seized Nomu by the arm, and hurled it into an empty street.
BOOM!
The concrete cratered beneath Nomu's weight. It stood up immediately and charged again—its sole directive: destruction.
An ice wall erupted in its path.
Ice spread along the ground, freezing Nomu's legs solid.
"Now!" Todoroki shouted.
Masata had already moved.
Placing the rescued girl safely aside, he leapt high above Nomu. His right arm transformed into blazing magma, expanding into a massive elemental limb.
"Turn to ashes."
The magma arm slammed down from above.
This time, Masata controlled it perfectly—no splashing, no wasted force. The molten mass wrapped tightly around Nomu's body, completely engulfing it.
Moments later, the creature collapsed into charred remains.
Seeing the monster defeated so cleanly, Masata finally exhaled.
"It looks like these Nomu aren't as strong as the ones from USJ…"
But deep down, he knew—
This was only the beginning.
...
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