The capture weapon in Aizawa-sensei's hand moved like a living limb.
The bandage, soft yet sharp like a flexible blade, wrapped around Dabi's body in an instant. With a violent tug, Aizawa closed the distance. Deprived of his Quirk, Dabi was completely helpless—like a marionette whose strings had been seized.
Aizawa drove his knee forward, slamming it into Dabi's head. The follow-up was fluid and ruthless. Before anyone could fully process the motion, Dabi was already pinned to the ground.
"State your objective," Aizawa said coldly. "Number of operatives. Locations."
He didn't lower his guard for even a moment.
"Why?"
Even in this situation, Dabi smiled instead of begging.
Crack.
The sound of breaking bone echoed clearly as Aizawa snapped Dabi's arm without hesitation.
"If you don't speak," Aizawa continued calmly, "I'll keep breaking bones."
"Next is the right arm. If I move on to your legs, escorting you will become inconvenient."
At this moment, Aizawa Shouta was nothing like the lethargic teacher students knew. His concern for their safety had stripped away all restraint.
"Huh? You're in a hurry, Eraser."
Dabi showed no reaction to the pain. Instead, he looked past Aizawa—toward the forest exit.
At that moment, the first group of students who had entered the forest stumbled out in panic. Leading them were Iida Tenya and Mineta.
"Sensei!!!"
Seeing Aizawa was like seeing a lifeline. They rushed toward him immediately.
That instant of distraction was all Dabi needed.
Rolling his body, he forcibly broke free from the bandages and staggered to his feet. Feeling the damage done to his body, he let out a quiet, almost amused sigh.
"As expected of a U.A. teacher," Dabi muttered. "So even Pro Heroes like you care deeply about students. If only you could truly protect them."
"There will be another time."
As his words fell, Dabi's body melted into a pool of black liquid and vanished into the ground.
"…That flame earlier wasn't even his real Quirk?"
Aizawa froze for a moment.
He had been suppressing Dabi's ability the entire time. And yet, Dabi still escaped in such a way.
There was no time to dwell on it.
Aizawa immediately ushered the students inside, then turned and sprinted back into the forest alone.
At the same time, Igarashi Masata was still moving at full speed.
"Yaoyorozu! Chacha!"
Spotting familiar figures ahead, Masata shouted in relief.
He had finally caught up with those who had already returned toward the camp. The weight pressing on his chest eased instantly.
"Masata?"
Kendo stared at him in disbelief. "You already dealt with a villain?"
"Yeah," Masata replied quickly. "The poison user is down. I haven't encountered the others yet."
He paused, exchanging information rapidly, then looked at Yaoyorozu—who was still wearing a gas mask—with concern.
"Are either of you hurt?"
"No," Yaoyorozu replied through the mask, her voice muffled. "We didn't run into any villains. We met Kendo and the others on the way and were heading back to camp. Come with us."
Masata nodded. That was his intention as well.
Right now, there were too many unknowns—enemy numbers, locations, and intentions. Protecting the students came first.
Still, something felt off.
Why hasn't Mandalay relayed more information yet?
With her and the Search Quirk user present, gathering everyone and organizing a countermeasure should have been possible.
"Who's there?!"
Masata suddenly spun around and shouted into the darkness, forcing everyone to halt.
The forest rustled.
From behind a cluster of bushes, a girl stepped forward. She wore a JK school uniform and carried a backpack fitted with syringes. In the dim light, her features were unclear.
"A villain!"
Yaoyorozu tensed instantly.
"It's fine. I've got this."
Masata placed a steady hand on Yaoyorozu's stiff back. Magma flowed along his other arm, casting a red glow that chased away the shadows.
"You are—"
The girl was revealed in full.
Light beige hair tied into twin buns. A mask covering her face. Her hands were clasped against her chest like an excited child who had found a treasured toy.
Masata felt a strange sense of familiarity—but couldn't immediately place it.
"It's me! It's me!"
The girl suddenly pulled off her mask, bouncing on her toes with excitement. She leaned forward, grinning widely.
That voice.
Masata's eyes widened.
She was the girl who had hugged him outside the haunted house at the amusement park.
Back then, he'd thought she was just an overly enthusiastic fan.
He hadn't expected her to be a villain.
"Kyou… you feel strangely familiar with her," Yaoyorozu said slowly, turning a suspicious gaze toward Masata. "She even knows your name."
That look sent a chill down Masata's spine.
"Wait—no! You've got it wrong!"
He waved his hands frantically. "She's the girl we met outside the haunted house! You even spoke to her yourself—don't you remember?"
"I don't," Yaoyorozu replied flatly.
Cold sweat broke out on Masata's forehead.
"Anyway, you have to believe me!" he insisted, pounding his chest. "I have absolutely nothing to do with her!"
Seeing his genuine panic, the suspicion in Yaoyorozu's eyes finally eased—though only for a moment.
Then she remembered.
There was still a villain standing right in front of them.
"Really," the girl said cheerfully, swaying in place. "Such a big person, but you're not red at all. Why don't you turn red? Or… do you want me to use this device to drain you?"
Himiko Toga tilted her head, completely ignoring the tension around her—lost in her own twisted fantasy, smiling brightly.