The U.A. Sports Festival had ended, but its impact was only just beginning.
Reiji had conquered the battlefield, proving himself as the undisputed champion.
But in the wake of his victory…
Questions remained.
The day after the festival, U.A. was buzzing with energy.
Students talked excitedly in the hallways, rewatching the matches on their phones.
"Did you see that final fight?! Kurobane was insane!"
"Yeah! But did you hear? Even the pro heroes are kinda wary of him."
"Man, if he's this strong now, imagine him as a pro hero…"
Reiji, walking through the halls, ignored the whispers.
[They're finally paying attention.]
But not all eyes were filled with admiration.
Some were filled with unease.
And some… with suspicion.
When Reiji entered Class 1-A's homeroom, all conversation stopped.
The air was different.
Deku's eyes flickered toward him, his mind racing.
[He's so much stronger than me… But what kind of hero does he want to be?]
Bakugo sat at his desk, fists clenched.
[Dammit… I lost. But I'll get stronger. Next time, I'll destroy you.]
Todoroki, arms crossed, glanced at Reiji briefly.
He had used his fire in the tournament.
And yet…
[Even that wasn't enough.]
Meanwhile, Kirishima grinned. "Damn, dude. You really showed everyone up."
Reiji smirked. "Was there ever any doubt?"
Before anyone else could speak—
Aizawa walked in.
The room immediately fell silent.
Aizawa sighed, rubbing his tired eyes.
"The Sports Festival is over, but now the real work begins."
The class straightened up.
"Because of your performances, you've all received offers from pro heroes for internships."
He held up a tablet, displaying a list of names.
"The more offers you received, the more attention you got."
"Bakugo, Todoroki, Midoriya… you all got multiple offers."
Then—
Aizawa's eyes flickered toward Reiji.
"And of course… Kurobane had the most."
Reiji's golden eyes gleamed.
The screen flashed with over twenty different pro hero agencies.
Pro heroes had taken notice.
But even more interesting…
Some of the biggest names in the industry were on the list.
Endeavor.
Best Jeanist.
Hawks.
And even—
[Interesting. Even the government wants a piece of me?]
He leaned back, amused. "I guess I was popular."
The class stared at him.
Deku couldn't believe it. "He got more offers than Todoroki and Bakugo combined…"
Bakugo's fists tightened. [Tch. Damn bastard.]
Todoroki's expression didn't change. But internally…
[Even my father wants to recruit him.]
Reiji glanced at the list again, smirking.
[Let's see what happens if I choose Endeavor's agency.]
He wasn't planning to listen to the No. 2 Hero.
But he was curious.
What kind of reaction would he get?
Meanwhile, in a private meeting room, the U.A. staff gathered.
At the center of the conversation?
Reiji Kurobane.
Nezu folded his hands together. "His strength is undeniable. But we must ask ourselves… how do we guide someone like him?"
Aizawa leaned back in his chair. "Tch. He's a damn monster in combat. But his mentality? That's what worries me."
Midnight nodded. "I agree. He fights without hesitation. Without restraint."
All Might remained silent.
But internally… he was thinking.
[Reiji reminds me of… someone.]
Someone who didn't follow the ideals of a hero.
Someone who created their own path.
[Could he become a hero? Or will he walk another road?]
The staff didn't have an answer.
But they knew one thing.
Reiji was different.
And whether that was a good thing or a dangerous thing…
Only time would tell.
Elsewhere, in a dark hideout, the League of Villains gathered.
Shigaraki sat in front of a large screen, watching Reiji's fight over and over again.
His fingers twitched.
"This guy… I want him."
Kurogiri raised an eyebrow. "To eliminate?"
Shigaraki grinned.
"No."
"To recruit."
The League fell silent.
Dabi, leaning against the wall, chuckled. "Think he'd even listen?"
Shigaraki's grin widened.
"I don't need him to listen."
"I just need him to see the truth."
That heroes…
Were just as broken as villains.
That night, Reiji stood on the rooftop of his penthouse, staring at the city skyline.
His golden eyes flickered, thoughts swirling in his mind.
The world was watching him now.
Pro heroes wanted to recruit him.
Villains wanted to test him.
And U.A.?
They weren't sure what to do with him.
Reiji smirked.
[Good.]
Let them wonder.
Because soon enough…
They would all know exactly who he was.
End of Chapter 19.
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