Chapter 236.

This is a very clear, JJK reference. Because I off-screened Kuro while y'all thought the plot would save him, nah. There's no plot here...for the heroes.

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The courtyard was quiet, save for the sound of rain pattering softly against the stone. The heavy atmosphere hung over everyone like a thick blanket. Endeavor was gone.

Not out of remorse, or because of guilt—he simply left after beating Kuro nearly senseless. To him, it was just another day, another display of power, another moment where his son fell short of his expectations. And that was that.

Shoto sat still, knees pulled up to his chest, his hair soaked from the downpour. His usually stoic face was full of a deep, gnawing shame. The image of Kuro relentlessly getting up, fighting with everything he had, wouldn't leave Shoto's mind.

That should have been him. He should've stood up to his father. He should've fought back. But instead, he'd watched. Again. Kuro had tried his best...and it didn't matter. He lost. And now, Shoto felt even more powerless than before.

His hair clung to his face, droplets of water mixing with the tears he didn't want to shed. But today sucked. Today… everything felt wrong.

Natsuo sat beside him, head bowed low, his fists clenching and unclenching with frustration. He wished he could disappear, that he could do something to make all this go away. But there was nothing.

Dad was Dad, and no matter how much he hated it, no matter how much he wanted to protect Shoto and Kuro, he was as powerless now as he'd always been. His brother was traumatized by the constant pressure, his friend had nearly been beaten to death, and their father? He didn't care.

What was the point of it all?

Fuyumi knelt over Kuro, hands trembling as she tried to clean him up. Her face was tight, lips pressed together, trying her hardest to not let the disgust overwhelm her. His skin was burnt, cracked, and bleeding.

This wasn't right. These were the kinds of injuries Shoto used to get from their father—but this? This was worse. Kuro wasn't built to take this kind of punishment. Unlike Shoto, who had some resistance to Endeavor's flames, Kuro was just...a normal person by comparison.

"Fuyumi… how is he?" Shoto's voice was soft, almost broken like he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.

She didn't look up at her brother. She couldn't. Not like this.

"...I'm doing my best," she said quietly, her voice barely audible over the rain. "His injuries are...bad. Worse than I've ever seen. But..." She paused, her hand glowing faintly as she used her quirk to gently numb the pain in Kuro's body. It wasn't much, but it was something. "I can at least dull the pain for now."

Kuro, though barely conscious, gave a weak smile. His usual goofy expression was nowhere to be found, but there was a strange sense of calm in his face. He didn't feel bad.

He was beaten, yes, and badly injured, but there wasn't regret in his heart. He'd done what he set out to do. He stood up for his friends. And sure, he was too weak right now, but that just meant...

He had to get stronger.

"You're...smiling?" Fuyumi whispered, her voice breaking a little. "Why are you smiling, Kuro?"

Kuro's eyes fluttered open slightly, his voice a raspy croak. "Because...I wasn't strong enough...that's why..." His words came out slow, broken by the pain, but they carried a weight that made Shoto and Natsuo both look at him.

"I'll...get stronger, that was..rather pathetic..." He tried to laugh, but it hurt too much. Instead, he just breathed, shallowly and unevenly.

Fuyumi wiped at her eyes with her sleeve, unable to hold back the tears anymore. "You idiot," she muttered, her voice cracking. "You don't...you didn't have to do this. Not for us."

Shoto stared at Kuro, the guilt twisting deeper inside him. Why didn't I stop him? Why didn't I fight my father?

"...I should've done something." Shoto's voice was barely a whisper, almost as if he was speaking to himself. "Kuro, I..."

Kuro's one open eye turned to Shoto, the faintest trace of his usual smile still lingering. "Shoto...you'll get there," he said, weak but certain. "One day...you'll stand up...and when you do...I'll be there." He chuckled softly, wincing in pain. "We'll...both beat him."

Shoto bit his lip, his hands shaking. He wanted to say something, anything—but the words wouldn't come. What could he say? The weight of the moment hung heavy on his chest. But the resolve in Kuro's words struck something inside him. One day...he'd fight back.

For now, though, all he could do was sit there, feeling the cold rain soak into his clothes, and watch as Fuyumi continued to tend to Kuro's wounds.

Natsuo, standing up, looked down at Kuro and then at his brother. "We should get him to a hospital," he said, his voice gruff with pent-up emotion. "Dad...Dad can't see him like this again. And you..." He paused, looking at Shoto. "You don't need to see this anymore either."

Shoto nodded silently. Fuyumi and Natsuo helped Kuro up as best they could, supporting him as they slowly made their way back inside. The rain continued to fall, and the dark clouds overhead seemed to mirror the weight in their hearts.

As they disappeared into the house, Shoto stood alone for a moment, his hands still trembling.

"I'm sorry, Kuro," he whispered to the empty courtyard. "But...next time..."

Next time, I won't let this happen again.

...

An hour had passed since Kuro's reckless fight with Endeavor, and the house had settled into a quiet lull. Shoto sat on the couch, flipping through pages of his homework, trying to focus on anything that would take his mind off the day's chaos. It didn't work. The silence felt heavy, despite Kuro sitting right beside him, bandaged from head to toe, yet as cheery as always. Shoto glanced over at him, the image of Kuro's relentless smile was a sharp contrast to the severity of his injuries.

Shoto couldn't take it anymore.

"How can you be so...happy?" he finally asked, his voice low and genuinely confused.

Kuro turned, a little puzzled by the question. "Huh? Is there something to be sad about?"

Shoto frowned, his frustration bubbling up. "You went through hell today. You fought my father... got beaten near to death because you cared about me. How are you still smiling?"

Kuro shrugged, a grin forming beneath his bandages. "Losing doesn't make me sad, Shoto."

Shoto shook his head, leaning back into the couch. "This is different. You didn't just lose, Kuro. You took on Endeavor for no reason other than...to stand up for us. You've been through something horrible, and you act like it didn't even matter."

Kuro paused for a second, considering Shoto's words, then responded in his typical way. "Yeah, it's different, but still... being sad only makes you feel sad. I'd rather be training."

As if to prove his point, Kuro began fiddling with the bandages wrapped tightly around his arms, trying to remove them. Before he could even undo one, Fuyumi was there, swiftly smacking his hand away with a stern look.

"Are you trying to kill yourself?" she scolded, her voice sharp with concern. "You need to rest. You don't need to make it worse by taking those off too soon."

Kuro blinked innocently. "I mean, if I agree to stop being an idiot, can I take the bandages off?"

Fuyumi crossed her arms, her expression unyielding. "No. And if I have to sit here the entire time to make sure you don't, I will."

Kuro slumped onto the couch in mock defeat, his usual smile still shining through. "Alright, alright. I surrender."

Shoto couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the exchange. Kuro was impossible, but maybe that was why he admired him. No matter how grim things got, Kuro never let it weigh him down. He was always forward-moving, always thinking about the next step, the next challenge to overcome. Maybe...he needed that kind of mindset too.

Meanwhile, Natsuo sat quietly across from them, his gaze lingering on the door that led to his father's study. Endeavor—the man responsible for all of this. His fists clenched in his lap as his thoughts grew darker.

He wanted to confront him, yell at him, tell him how much of a monster he was for doing this to Shoto, to Kuro, to all of them. But...what good would that do? Nothing would change.

Natsuo sighed heavily, standing up from the couch. "I've got to head back soon," he said, his voice tight. "College won't wait forever." He looked at Shoto, then at Fuyumi, offering a weak smile. "Before I go, I'm going to visit Mom."

Shoto gave him a nod. "Tell her...I'll come by soon."

Natsuo nodded and left the house, heading toward his car. As he drove off, the tension in the room eased, though it never completely disappeared.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city...

Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi was sitting in a small, dimly lit room, a folder in his hands. Across from him was All Might, in his weakened, skeletal form. The room was silent, the air heavy with unspoken concern.

"All Might," Tsukauchi began, his tone serious. "I need to go over the names of the students who were present at the USJ during the attack."

All Might nodded solemnly, his eyes clouded with worry. "Of course, Tsukauchi. I have a feeling you suspect something...what is it?"

Tsukauchi glanced down at the folder in his hands, flipping it open. "The attack was well-coordinated, and the villains had inside information. The timing, the location... it was all too precise." He paused, his brow furrowed. "There's a chance...there may be a traitor at UA. We can't rule out the possibility."

All Might's eyes widened, his heart sinking at the words. A traitor? He clenched his fists, feeling a sense of dread settle in his chest.

"You think one of the students...or the teachers?" All Might asked cautiously.

Tsukauchi shook his head. "I'm not sure. But we need to investigate carefully. Starting with the students present during the attack."

He handed the folder to All Might, who opened it, his eyes scanning the list of names. Each one filled him with a growing sense of responsibility. These kids—they had already been through so much, and now there was the possibility that one of them might be involved in something far darker than any of them realized.

"I trust them," All Might said quietly, his voice firm. "But we need to be careful. I won't let them face this kind of danger alone."

Tsukauchi nodded, his expression grim. "We'll tread carefully. But we can't ignore the possibility. I'll keep you updated as we investigate further."

As All Might handed the folder back, the weight of the situation felt heavier than ever.

...

The next day at U.A., the class had finally returned to normalcy after the intense events at USJ. Everyone had been well-rested, and the familiar energy of Class 1-A filled the room as students chatted and exchanged stories. The moment was interrupted when Aizawa entered the classroom, his face as tired and apathetic as usual, wrapped up in his sleeping bag.

"Alright, everyone, shut up," Aizawa said in his usual monotone voice. The class fell silent as he made his way to the podium. "I've got big news." He paused for a moment, letting the tension build. "The U.A. Sports Festival is happening. You have three weeks of delayed classes to prepare. Use the time to train and get stronger. If you're not ready, don't even bother showing up."

The class erupted in excitement. This was the U.A. Sports Festival, the biggest event of the year—even bigger than the Olympics. Heroes-in-training from all over would compete to showcase their strength and abilities. This was a chance to be recognized by pro heroes, agencies, and the world at large.

Aizawa finished his announcement, and then immediately curled up inside his sleeping bag on the floor. The class's excitement didn't faze him.

Ochaco turned to Iida, wide-eyed. "What's the Sports Festival like? Why is it so big?"

Iida, ever the formal one, adjusted his glasses and explained. "The U.A. Sports Festival is an event where the world sees the best heroes-in-training. It's televised, broadcasted internationally, and is an opportunity for top pro heroes to scout the most promising students. It's quite the event, Uraraka."

Ochaco's eyes sparkled with excitement. "So it's our chance to get noticed!"

Meanwhile, at the front of the class, Momo Yaoyorozu stood up, her calm and collected demeanor shining through. "In preparation for the festival, I'd like to invite everyone to an exercise session at my house. It would be a good opportunity for us to train and work on team-building exercises."

The class murmured in agreement, the idea of training at Yaoyorozu's mansion sounded luxurious and exciting.

Bakugo, however, had his focus elsewhere. He glanced over at Kuro, who had been strangely quiet, sitting in the back instead of his usual spot at the front of the class. With his arms crossed, Bakugo grumbled. "Oi, Kuro, what's with you? You look like someone pissed in your cereal."

Eijiro Kirishima, ever the optimist, turned to Bakugo with a grin. "Wow, you can tell when he's sad? That's some attention to detail, Bakugo. Must be a pretty great friend, huh?"

Bakugo scowled, his sharp gaze cutting to Kirishima. "Shut up, Red Hair. Kuro's not at the front of the class. That's how I know something's up. It's not rocket science."

Kirishima chuckled, unfazed by Bakugo's usual aggression. "Still, man, that's impressive. Only a real friend notices the little things like that."

Bakugo glared at him again, but before he could respond, Kuro finally spoke up, his tone uncharacteristically casual. "I fought Endeavor," he said, his voice carrying no excitement or pride, just stating it like a fact.

The class immediately went quiet. Endeavor, the number two hero and one of the most feared figures in Japan? Kuro fought him?

Bakugo raised an eyebrow. "And? Did you lose?"

Kuro shrugged, seemingly unfazed. "He left before the fight was over, so technically no. But I didn't win either."

Bakugo's scowl morphed into something more like a grin. "Good enough for me."

Kirishima, on the other hand, was in complete shock. "Wait, wait, wait—how did you even end up fighting Endeavor?!"

Kuro scratched the back of his head. "He was being mean. I tried to teach him a lesson, but... yeah, I couldn't beat him."

The class erupted into murmurs, trying to process the idea of one of their classmates challenging one of the most powerful heroes in the world.

"Wait, you fought Endeavor because he was mean?" Mina Ashido asked, dumbfounded.

Kuro nodded as if it was the most normal thing in the world. "Yeah, seemed like the right thing to do at the time."

Mina blinked. "That's...wow."

Todoroki, who had been sitting silently throughout the entire conversation, shifted uncomfortably. His eyes flickered to Kuro for a moment, unsure of how to feel about Kuro's encounter with his father. He knew how tough Endeavor was—tougher than most heroes. And Kuro, despite his strength and resilience, had still lost.

But seeing the calmness in Kuro's demeanor despite the beating, Todoroki couldn't help but feel a slight admiration for him.

"Well, I guess that's one way to train for the Sports Festival," Denki Kaminari chimed in, nervously laughing to break the tension. "Fight the number two hero and live to tell the tale."

...

Izuku Midoriya was quietly listening to the conversations buzzing around him in the classroom. The U.A. Sports Festival was coming up, and his mind was racing with questions. How was he going to train? He still didn't have full control over One For All, and the thought of entering such a prestigious event with a quirk that could easily break his bones terrified him. While everyone seemed to have a solid plan for how they would prepare, Izuku felt stuck. What do I do?

Lost in thought, Izuku accidentally bumped into Shoto Todoroki, the quiet and serious classmate who rarely spoke to anyone unless necessary. Izuku immediately began apologizing, his words tumbling out in a rapid stream. "I-I'm so sorry, Todoroki! I wasn't paying attention, I didn't mean to bump into you!"

Shoto, unfazed, looked at Izuku with a neutral expression. He paused for a moment, then asked a question that caught Izuku completely off guard. "You're friends with Bakugo, right?"

Izuku blinked, confused by the sudden question. "Uh, well... we've known each other for a long time, so I guess you could say that."

Shoto continued, his tone calm but direct. "And Bakugo is friends with Kurokami?"

Izuku nodded, unsure of where this was going. "Yeah, they've gotten pretty close lately."

Shoto thought for a moment, then said, "In that case, do you have a training regime set for the Sports Festival?"

Izuku was caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. "A training regime? Uh... no, I don't have one yet." Izuku's nervousness bubbled up again, as he mentally berated himself for not being more prepared.

Shoto seemed to consider this before saying, "If you don't mind, would you want to train with me?"

Izuku's eyes widened in surprise. "Train with you? Really?"

Shoto nodded. "Yes. I'm planning on taking first place in the Sports Festival. But I need to make sure I'm prepared for anything—and that includes facing strong competitors like you." His tone was cool and matter-of-fact, but there was a hint of determination in his words.

Izuku, still processing this unexpected invitation, quickly agreed. "Y-Yes! I mean, of course! I'd be happy to train with you!"

As Shoto walked off, leaving Izuku standing there, the green-haired boy couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Shoto Todoroki... he's different. He's always been quiet, but there's something intense about him. Like he's focused on something bigger.

Shoto, meanwhile, was deep in thought. His goal was clear: take first place in the Sports Festival. But it wasn't just about winning.

It was about proving something to himself and the world—especially to his father, Endeavor. The oppressive weight of his father's expectations felt like an iron hand constantly pushing down on him, controlling every aspect of his life.

Shoto clenched his fists as he walked. If he wanted to stop his father's control, he had to surpass him. And to do that, he needed to be stronger—stronger than everyone, including his classmates.

His thoughts drifted to Kuro, the carefree, powerful class president with his odd quirks and wild determination. Shoto chuckled to himself, thinking about how, strangely, Kuro's approach was similar to his own: Beat up what makes you cry.

...

As Izuku Midoriya snapped out of his thoughts, he remembered that he still needed to talk to All Might about what happened at the USJ. When he had punched the Nomu, something strange had occurred. While he did injure his arm, it wasn't shattered like usual. He hoped this was progress in controlling One For All and knew All Might needed to hear about it.

With that in mind, Izuku quickly dialed All Might's number. After a few rings, All Might's voice came through the phone, but it wasn't the usual loud, cheerful tone Izuku expected. Instead, All Might was whispering, clearly preoccupied. "Young Midoriya, I'm... busy right now. I'll get back to you later."

Before Izuku could say anything more, the call was abruptly ended, leaving him a bit shocked. All Might had never just canceled a call like that. It was rare for him to sound so tense.

Something important must be happening, Izuku thought, trying to push aside his concerns. Maybe I should just focus on my training with Todoroki for now.

Meanwhile, inside a secure room at U.A., Shota Aizawa stood in a corner, watching All Might with sharp, judging eyes. He had been observing how much attention All Might gave to Midoriya, and it was starting to become clear—All Might's bias toward his 'disciple' was growing more and more obvious. Midoriya had talent, no doubt, but there were many other students at U.A., and Aizawa worried about All Might's tunnel vision.

The tension in the room was thick as Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi stood before them, ready to continue his report. Principal Nezu, seated calmly at the head of the table, gestured for Tsukauchi to proceed, his bright eyes scanning everyone.

"Now that everyone is present," Tsukauchi began, glancing briefly at All Might before focusing on the group, "let's go over what we know about this new threat: The League of Villains, or LOV."

As Tsukauchi spoke, a hologram projected a list of names and faces—Shigaraki Tomura, Kurogiri, and various other known criminals, all aligned under the same banner.

"They have a simple, but terrifying goal: the death of All Might. However, their leader—this Shigaraki—doesn't seem to be fully developed as a strategist. While they're a basic criminal group in terms of organization, their real danger lies in a certain asset." Tsukauchi paused, letting the gravity of his next words sink in. "Their biggest threat is a creation called Nomu."

The atmosphere in the room changed immediately at the mention of Nomu. All Might's eyes narrowed slightly, and Nezu's small body shifted ever so slightly in his chair. Even Aizawa's normally stoic expression tightened.

Tsukauchi continued, displaying the image of the Nomu that had wreaked havoc at the USJ. "Nomu are bio-engineered killing machines. They've been designed with one purpose in mind: to kill All Might."

A low murmur spread through the room, but All Might remained silent, his fists clenching slightly under the table.

"The USJ Nomu, as we've come to call it, possessed a variety of quirks—Super Strength, Shock Absorption, Regeneration, High Durability, and Super Speed—all tailor-made to counter All Might's abilities. From the data we've gathered, our analysis suggests that Nomu can hold as many as ten quirks at once. This is unprecedented."

The words hung in the air. The idea of someone creating an unstoppable force with ten quirks was unsettling. The concept was something they'd only theorized, but now, it was real.

Tsukauchi's gaze sharpened, locking onto All Might. "All Might, based on what you know, who do you think could be behind the creation of such a creature?"

All eyes turned to All Might, whose face had darkened as the conversation continued. He had feared this moment. The thought that someone could still be out there with the capability to create such horrors... it chilled him.

All Might exhaled deeply, his voice calm but heavy. "I believe the one behind this... is All For One."

The room fell into a stunned silence. The name All For One echoed ominously. Even those who didn't know the full history behind the name could feel the weight of it.

Nezu, breaking the silence, spoke with a careful tone, "Are you sure, All Might? We haven't had any trace of him for years. Could he truly still be alive and pulling the strings?"

All Might's gaze remained fixed on the hologram of the Nomu, his face grave. "Aside from him, who else could do this? He has the power to steal and bestow quirks. To create something like Nomu with multiple quirks... it could only be him."

Aizawa crossed his arms, his expression remaining neutral but the tension clear in his posture. "If that's true... then we're dealing with something far more dangerous than we first thought."

Tsukauchi, who had been silent after All Might's revelation, finally spoke again. "If All For One is truly involved, this changes everything. We can't treat this like any ordinary villain attack."

Nezu nodded. "We need to prepare for the worst. The Sports Festival is just around the corner, and we can't afford to have any lapses in security."

All Might's heart sank. His past was catching up to him, and now it was putting not only him but his students in danger. He had worked hard to protect the future, to protect young heroes like Midoriya, Todoroki, and Bakugo from the darkness he had once faced.

Now that darkness was creeping back into the light. All For One, the man who had nearly destroyed everything, was likely still alive.

"All Might," Tsukauchi said quietly, "if he's back... we're going to need you more than ever."

All Might nodded grimly, but inside, a storm was brewing. All For One had returned, and this time, All Might knew it was going to take everything he had to stop him.

As the room absorbed the weight of All For One's name, Detective Tsukauchi cleared his throat, shifting the conversation toward a new, but equally important topic.

"Now, there's something else we need to address," Tsukauchi began. "We're all familiar with Nomu by now—a creature created specifically to kill All Might. But the peculiar part of this story isn't just Nomu's existence. It's the fact that Nomu... wasn't defeated by All Might at the USJ."

All Might glanced down, remembering how close he had come to intervening, only to arrive when the battle had already been won.

Tsukauchi continued, "In the fourteen minutes it took for Tenya Iida to alert U.A. and for reinforcements to arrive, a group of children—students of Class 1-A—managed to defeat an All Might-killing machine."

The weight of that statement fell heavily on everyone in the room. These weren't seasoned heroes or even sidekicks; they were first-year students.

Tsukauchi then turned to Aizawa with an expectant nod. "Eraserhead... if you'd like to explain their names."

Aizawa sighed deeply, feeling the responsibility of the moment. "The ones who did the most damage... in order of contribution, are: Eijiro Kirishima, Izuku Midoriya, Momo Yaoyorozu, Shoto Todoroki, Kurokami Tenshin, and Bakugo Katsuki."

Aizawa paused, before adding, "The final blow was delivered by Bakugo Katsuki."

Those names lingered in the air as everyone in the room processed what had just been revealed. Six students, each barely out of their first term at U.A., had somehow managed to hold off and ultimately defeat a threat designed specifically for the greatest hero in history.

Tsukauchi's eyebrows furrowed as he turned toward the corner of the room, where Endeavor sat, silent and brooding. "Endeavor, you were present when we reviewed the reports. Can you confirm this?"

Endeavor, who had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the discussion, gave a stiff nod. His eyes flickered with something unspoken, perhaps annoyance, perhaps acknowledgment. He wasn't one to lavish praise on others, especially not students, but even he couldn't deny that what had been accomplished at USJ was nothing short of extraordinary.

Tsukauchi wasn't satisfied with just the names, though. His mind was churning. "I have to ask, how is this possible? These students managed to defeat something designed to withstand and counter All Might himself. Answering my own question… I'd say pure power, quick planning, and luck. But…" He leaned forward, his eyes scanning the room, "This isn't a fairy tale. Power, planning, and luck alone wouldn't have been enough to pull this off. That much is clear."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words hang in the air.

"For these students to take down something like Nomu, it would require prior knowledge—understanding of the situation before it even unfolded. So… how exactly could such a thing happen?"

The question reverberated around the room like a challenge. Aizawa shifted uncomfortably. He knew his students well, especially their abilities, but even he was uncertain about how the events at USJ had played out so smoothly, as if there had been more than just instinct guiding them.

Tsukauchi's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the situation further. "And if that's the case, could there have been a leak within U.A.? Or perhaps... some outside force assisting them?"

All Might stiffened. The idea that someone could have fed information to the students about the League of Villains' plans or that there was a traitor lurking within U.A. left him unsettled. It wasn't impossible, but it was dangerous to even consider.

Principal Nezu took this moment to chime in, his voice calm yet probing. "There's no denying that the students performed remarkably, but I trust U.A.'s security. If there is a leak, it's imperative that we find it immediately."

Tsukauchi nodded. "The way the situation unfolded—while impressive—raises several questions. This wasn't just improvisation in the heat of battle. They fought with knowledge of their opponent's weaknesses and had coordinated strategies. Something about that doesn't add up."

The room grew tense as Tsukauchi's words sunk in.

All Might cleared his throat. "It's possible that in the chaos, the students acted on instinct, taking advantage of their quirks in ways we hadn't anticipated. But it's also possible they deduced certain things through sheer willpower and quick thinking. Midoriya has shown a sharp ability to analyze and adapt in battle, and Yaoyorozu's intellect shouldn't be underestimated. Kurokami and Bakugo are naturally inclined toward combat. Still, we cannot dismiss the possibility that something more was at play."

Aizawa remained quiet, his eyes narrowing as he thought back to how his students had worked together. They had performed beyond his expectations, but there were still too many unknowns. Even with their abilities, defeating a Nomu should have been far more difficult.

Endeavor, sensing the subtle suspicion directed his way, finally spoke up. "They may be kids, but U.A.'s training isn't child's play. They were prepared, even if they didn't know it. That's all there is to it." His words were blunt, but they carried a tone of conviction. He refused to believe that the students' victory was anything but the result of their training and abilities.

Principal Nezu leaned back in his chair, tapping his small paws together thoughtfully. "There's more to this than meets the eye. For now, let's continue gathering data. If there is a traitor or someone feeding information to these students or villains, we will find out."

Tsukauchi nodded, but his eyes still held a sliver of doubt. "We'll continue our investigation. Until we know more, I suggest heightened security for U.A., especially with the Sports Festival coming up."