The morning light slipped in through the blinds, casting narrow slashes of gold across Reiji's desk. He hadn't slept much. His eyes were bloodshot, his muscles stiff from remaining tense through the night. The cryptic message still echoed in his head: "You are being watched. Trust your instincts. This is only the beginning."
Reiji sat at the edge of his bed, staring at the chip resting in his palm. He turned it over once more, the cool metal glinting in the light. After a few silent seconds, he stood and slid it into the small hollow beneath the loose floorboard beneath his chair. He carefully sealed it back, ensuring there were no traces. A flicker of unease crept into his chest, and he muttered under his breath, "What the hell am I caught up in?" The chip's warning replayed in his mind like an alarm bell stuck in a loop—loud, insistent, impossible to ignore. Whatever it was tied to, it wasn't meant to be shared. Not yet. And certainly not before he understood it.
Downstairs, the dorm buzzed with morning life. The smell of scrambled eggs, grilled sausages, and toast wafted through the air. Students milled about, chatting about today's schedule or joking with one another over breakfast. The clatter of cutlery and the occasional burst of laughter made it feel like any normal day. But for Reiji, nothing felt normal.
He joined the queue for food, doing his best to blend in, though the stiffness in his shoulders betrayed his unrest. His mind kept replaying every word Hawks had said to him yesterday. Why now? Why him?
"Yo, Carter!" Kaminari waved from a nearby table, his usual enthusiasm unshaken. "Come sit with us, man!"
Reiji gave a polite nod but instead took the seat closest to the far end of the table, away from the noise. As he sat down, he let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. The din of conversation felt distant, like he was watching everything from behind a pane of glass.
To his surprise, Midoriya slid into the seat beside him without saying a word, tray in hand. There was something grounding about his quiet presence.
They ate in silence for a few moments until Midoriya spoke, his voice casual. "Gran Torino's training methods are brutal," he said with a slight laugh. "My legs still feel like jelly."
Reiji glanced over. "He's the old guy who trained All Might, right?"
"Yeah. Small body, insane reflexes. And sharp as ever," Midoriya said, then paused. "You've been quiet lately."
Reiji tensed slightly. "Just tired. My agency isn't exactly a vacation spot."
Midoriya offered a faint smile. "Yeah, I get it. Not all heroes operate the same way." He didn't push further. Instead, he changed the topic, asking about energy control techniques.
Reiji appreciated the restraint. The silence that followed wasn't awkward. It felt like space—a small moment of shared understanding, quietly reassuring.
Later that morning, Class 1-A gathered inside Gym Gamma. The metallic floor gleamed under the harsh overhead lights, and the sound of boots and sneakers echoed faintly as the students settled into place. Some students chatted in hushed tones, while others glanced around curiously.
Aizawa stood before them, arms crossed as always, his gaze unreadable. All Might stood nearby in his powered-down form, smiling calmly.
"This week, you'll be part of a joint training operation," Aizawa announced. "Top Pro Heroes are coordinating with U.A. to evaluate progress and observe potential candidates for long-term mentoring."
Murmurs spread among the students. Excitement, nervous energy, and curiosity filled the air.
"You'll be shadowing actual heroes during a field review. Reiji, Todoroki, Bakugo, Midoriya, Yaoyorozu, and Iida—you six have been selected to participate directly."
Bakugo scoffed, folding his arms but staying silent. Todoroki simply nodded. Yaoyorozu and Iida exchanged a quick look of surprise and determination. Reiji blinked, surprised by the selection, but said nothing, suppressing the knot forming in his chest.
Before anyone could react further, the side door slid open with a mechanical hiss.
In stepped Hawks.
And behind him, Endeavor.
The air changed instantly. Conversations died mid-sentence. Even the subtle shuffle of feet stopped. It wasn't just awe—it was tension. Pressure. Like the room itself recognized the weight of the two heroes' presence.
Endeavor's presence filled the room with a quiet heat, his flame-patterned costume casting dancing reflections along the metallic walls. Hawks gave his usual lazy grin but said nothing, scanning the students with a keen eye.
All Might stepped aside respectfully. "Endeavor has something to share with you all."
Endeavor stepped forward, his footsteps echoing like hammer blows. His eyes swept the room.
"A Nomu attack occurred last night in a controlled industrial zone," he stated. "The League is getting bolder. We need witnesses. And we need students to understand the weight of real damage."
He paused, eyes scanning each of the selected students. His gaze was sharp, weighing more than observing.
Then they locked on Reiji.
"I've seen your tape," Endeavor said. "Your output is unstable. But you've survived worse. You're coming with us."
Reiji swallowed hard. "Understood," he said, voice low but steady.
"And you too, Midoriya," Hawks added casually. "The League's been sniffing around weird locations. Better to keep sharp eyes nearby."
Aizawa gave both students a small nod. "You leave within the hour. Gear up and be ready."
They were flown out in a private tactical carrier, the students silent for most of the ride. Through the windows, the skyline of Musutafu gave way to a more rural, desolate area. Clouds hovered low and grey, the mood matching the unease in the cabin.
Reiji sat opposite Todoroki and Midoriya, arms folded, helmet resting on his lap. His mind wasn't on the mission briefing—it was still spinning around the message from the chip. Why him? What exactly was he being dragged into?
The carrier landed with a soft jolt. They stepped out into an industrial zone surrounded by empty warehouses and twisted scaffolding. A group of law enforcement officers waited near yellow tape stretched across a collapsed area.
Steel beams were melted in unnatural shapes. Walls bore deep gouges, as if torn by something with monstrous strength. A section of a building looked like it had been clawed open and burned from within.
"This happened hours ago," Hawks said, pointing to the collapsed structure. "No casualties. But definitely a message."
Reiji stepped forward slowly, eyes scanning the ground. There were faint trails—energy signatures barely visible. The patterns… they looked like lightning strikes, but erratic and laced with something foreign.
"Doesn't look like your style," Todoroki muttered beside him.
Reiji didn't respond. He wasn't so sure. Something about the charred ground and scattered scorch marks made his chest tighten. It felt too familiar. Too close.
Endeavor walked ahead, his boots crunching gravel and debris. Todoroki followed close behind. The rest stayed in formation, instincts telling them that this wasn't just an exercise.
"Stay close," Endeavor finally said, his voice echoing through the silence.
They reached the sealed-off main warehouse. The door had been reinforced with new steel plating, but the scorch and impact marks still ran deep, a testimony to the violence inside.
Hawks paused near the side entrance, speaking quietly to an officer, then gestured for the students to follow.
Endeavor turned to Reiji, his gaze unreadable, intense.
"Are you ready to see what the future Number One fights against?"
Then, without waiting for an answer, he opened the door.
To be continued.
__________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️