The arrest of the serial killer, Stain—the Hero Killer.
It was the only thing anyone was talking about. For one of the most notorious criminals in superhuman society to be taken down was naturally news, but the level of public hype was beyond anything expected. This was largely due to the sheer, jarring impact of how he was caught.
Even now, a quick search on any video site would bring it up: the moment of Stain's capture. Clicking the link reveals the Hero Killer letting out a final roar, followed immediately by her.
+++
"Niko-chan's 108 Secret Techniques: The No-Release Frankensteiner!!"
The girl, Midoriya, moved with fluid, professional grace as she executed a pro-wrestling finisher on the man. The dreaded killer's end was almost anti-climactic in its absurdity.
And that was exactly why the world couldn't look away.
"Should I... praise her for this? Or scold her?"
I found my hand instinctively clutching my forehead as I stared at the computer screen. When I was young, I used to do similar things. Every single time, my Master would yell at me for being reckless.
What right did I have to say anything now?
"This is difficult."
Online reception was a battlefield of opinions. Some screamed that she'd gone too far, while others praised her without reservation. Others simply hovered in the middle, using vague words to avoid taking a side. None of it was helpful as a reference.
As I sat there agonizing over what to do, my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number. For some reason, I felt a sharp, phantom pain in a stomach I no longer truly possessed.
I tentatively pressed the answer button, and the voice of a spirited old man blasted through the speaker.
"Oi, Toshinori! You actually picked up, you bastard!"
Ugh, my gut was twisting.
"G-Gran Torino. It's been a long time. About this incident, I heard that the Bakugo boy was—"
"Huh? Oh, that. I don't give a damn. The results speak for themselves. There were plenty of extenuating circumstances; the most I'm looking at is a pay cut and having my teaching license suspended for six months. This hero work is just a hobby anyway; it doesn't affect me."
"I... I see. And did he... did he meet your expectations?"
"Sure. The explosion brat is fine. He's a hell of a lot smarter than I thought he'd be. More than anything, he's got a god-given talent for combat. I gave him the spark he needed; the rest depends on his own drive, his training, and real-world experience. —But more importantly, about Futora Midoriya! You absolute moron!"
My heart shriveled at the mention of her name.
"Y-Yes? Did she do something...? Ah, I mean, I saw the video online, but..."
"If you're going to set her up as your successor, then do a better job of guiding her! That was exactly like you in your younger days! Did you forget how many times I had to beat some sense into you for pullin' stunts like that?! You idiot! If you let her make the exact same mistakes you did, then what's the point of you teaching her at all?!"
"I—well, yes, you're right. I apologize. It was a failure of my instruction... wait, what?"
Something about his words felt off. Gran Torino had just referred to her as my successor.
"How did you know...?!"
"...You really think I'm just some senile old fart? There's no way I wouldn't realize. Don't underestimate me."
"But the other day, you said..."
"I was just messing with you!"
He really is a mean old man. He didn't have to toy with me like that. I wanted the heart palpitations I'd suffered back then returned to me.
"Well, no use lecturing you now, I suppose. But that girl, Futora Midoriya... you've found a fascinating one. She's got some dangerous edges, but she's an undeniable gem. There might not be anyone better suited to follow in your footsteps. Most of what I know is second-hand, but her mental fortitude, her high-level judgment, her extraordinary physical ability, the way she influences those around her... even her Quirk mastery is miles ahead of anyone in her generation."
Hearing Gran Torino speak of her with more understanding than I possessed, despite their brief meeting, made me feel incredibly inadequate.
"But Toshinori, what bothers me most is how she moved back then."
"'Back then'?"
"Yeah. It's one thing for you to act. But in that moment, she was the only one who stood her ground against the Hero Killer. Only her."
The images from the video flashed through my mind again. The moment she delivered the finishing blow.
"You mean against Stain?"
"Exactly. I was only face-to-face with him for a few minutes, but even I felt a chill."
I couldn't even imagine it. To me, Gran Torino was an overwhelmingly powerful figure—a teacher who doled out violence with arrogant ease.
"To think someone could make the Gran Torino feel a chill... But he's already been arrested, so what could...?"
"You're slow on the uptake, aren't you? Midoriya would have caught on instantly. You two really aren't alike in that regard. ...What pressured me was likely a powerful ideology... or perhaps an intimidation born from sheer obsession. I'm not praising the man, but it was the exact same quality as the conviction you hold as the Symbol of Peace."
Being told he was like me made the true nature of the man I'd only seen through a screen finally come into focus. Even if it was a twisted ideology, if it was the same quality as mine, then it could only be described as madness. I myself don't consider my own obsession to be particularly "sane."
"In simple terms, it's 'charisma.' The images on the internet make him look like a total buffoon, but those who know will see the truth. They'll see how abnormal he was. —Which brings me back to my point. Was it 'normal' for her to be able to move in that environment?"
"...?! H-Hey, that's..."
Until Gran Torino pointed it out, I hadn't even noticed. I'd been watching the footage as just another viewer, captivated by her performance. I'd looked at the Hero Killer as a secondary detail.
"In that moment, she was closer to him than anyone. Is it natural that she was the first to confront him? Futora Midoriya—who should have felt that crushing pressure more than anyone, who should have felt the terror of death more than anyone—stepped up and faced that monster before an experienced Number Two or even me. Is that 'natural'? No, it isn't, Toshinori."
It wasn't because she was thick-headed. Thinking back on the atmosphere I'd felt around her and the conversations we'd had, I knew that wasn't the case.
"Where the hell did you find her? What does she know? You have to realize by now that she isn't normal. A peace-idiot like you is one thing, but she's a thinker. She calculates risks. —Which means there was a reason. A specific reason she was able to move when no one else could."
"A reason..."
"Watch her closely. Got it?"
"...Yes."
I really am a pathetic teacher. To think I didn't even notice something so vital. Here I was wondering whether to praise or scold her, when I have a mountain of work to do before I can even think about that.
"...Anyway, I'll leave the girl to you. I won't say any more on it. But there's something else bothering me."
"Yes? Something else?"
"The League of Villains."
I knew about that from the news. The same group that attacked the U.S.J. had struck Hosu. The relationship between the League and the Hero Killer was the talk of the town.
"The situation suggests a connection. People who recognize the Hero Killer's charisma will undoubtedly try to follow in his footsteps. They'll find their way to that group of petty thugs that no one gave a second look to—the League of Villains. It's a nasty trend. All that scattered malice is starting to converge. Overnight, the League has become the 'it' criminal organization. ...I don't have to tell you what this means. This is a classic, shitty tactic: cornering the target and manipulating the situation to go exactly according to plan."
I could never forget it. It was his specialty. I'd suspected he might still be alive. Part of me thought it was impossible after those injuries, but with this much circumstantial evidence, I have no choice but to believe it.
"The man who killed my dear friend and your master—the previous wielder of One For All, Shimura. The man who punched a hole in your gut."
"We have to assume that All For One... that he has started moving again."
"Niko-chan's 108 Secret Techniques: The No-Release Frankensteiner!!"
I couldn't help but laugh as I watched the Hero Killer—a man driven by such heavy ideals—get logically dismantled and then literally thrown by a child.
How long has it been since I've felt this refreshed? She truly is fascinating.
As I re-watched the clip, I noticed the Doctor staring at me suspiciously.
"Is something the matter, Doctor?"
"You looked strangely happy. I was merely curious. Is it really that entertaining?"
"Heh, indeed. It's more than enough to stave off the boredom."
The current world is simply too dull. The sight of heroes crumbling on their own or the exploits of my hated All Might don't do anything for me. It's all too predictable. Things happen exactly as they are meant to. It's boring.
In that regard, she is different. Like a jack-in-the-box, she surprises and entertains me every single time.
I felt the Doctor's brow furrow as another chuckle escaped me.
"Is this really the time for carefree laughter? Your prized pupil has made a mess of things again."
"Hm? Ah, forgive him, Doctor. Growth is impossible without experiencing failure. Consider it a necessary expense. He's taken another step toward maturity."
"I certainly hope so."
The Doctor let out a deep sigh. It might be time to give him a little reward; after all, the workload I've placed on him is quite heavy.
"Doctor, shall we go out for a meal occasionally to clear your head?"
"Spare me the jokes. What possible enjoyment would I get out of going anywhere with you? I'd rather stay here with a mannequin."
"How cold. Even I can be hurt, you know?"
"Someone who's actually hurt wouldn't say that."
True enough.
"—Oh, Master. I've finished editing the footage you requested. I've already begun disseminating it through various channels. There's no stopping it now."
"Hehehe. Thank you, Doctor. ...Well then, the stage is set. The rest is up to him."
"I wonder how it will turn out... Sigh."
From what I've heard, several big players are already on the move. From underworld brokers to "named" villains who have been laying low, to rising stars who are just beginning to draw attention. All that scattered malice is following a single signpost, gathering under him.
Seeking further destruction.
Seeking further tragedy.
Seeking further blood.
"It's 'Plus Chaos,' Tomura Shigaraki. Show me your true value."
You can carry this burden. In your twisted state, you can be my proxy.
Now, show it to me. My dear pupil.
Show me a world so hideous you'll want to cover your eyes.
A world where boredom is a thing of the past.
Show it all to me.
***
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