The flames had finally died down.
Smoke drifted through the ruined battlefield, the once-thriving forest now a scorched wasteland of collapsed trees and burning embers.
The League of Villains had retreated.
The students who were still standing gathered near the remains of the training camp, some helping the injured while others just tried to process what happened.
Reiji stood at the edge of the battlefield, arms crossed as he stared at the charred corpse of the Nomu.
Despite the pain in his body, despite the exhaustion pulling at his limbs, he felt…
Unfulfilled.
[Tch. I wanted more of a challenge.]
Then—footsteps approached.
"Reiji," a familiar stern voice called.
He didn't turn. "Yo, Teach."
Aizawa stopped beside him, his expression unreadable as he took in the destruction.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then—Aizawa sighed.
"You fought alone again."
Reiji smirked. "Seemed like a good idea at the time."
Aizawa's eyes narrowed. "You don't get to decide that."
Reiji raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? 'Cause it kinda looked like I did."
Aizawa's grip on his capture weapon tightened slightly.
"This isn't a joke, Kurobane," he said coldly. "You didn't just take down a villain. You killed a Nomu. Alone. Without orders."
Reiji's smirk faded slightly.
"So what?"
Aizawa's gaze hardened.
"So now the League of Villains is more interested in you than ever."
Reiji stayed silent.
Then—Aizawa sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We'll talk later. Right now, the Pro Heroes are on their way."
Reiji exhaled. "Oh, great. More lectures."
Aizawa didn't respond. He simply turned away, walking toward the remaining students.
Reiji watched him go, his smirk returning.
[He's pissed. But he knows I was right.]
Then—he felt someone tugging on his sleeve.
He looked down.
Kota.
The kid was staring up at him, his usual defiant glare replaced with something… else.
Something closer to admiration.
Reiji raised an eyebrow. "What? You got something to say, brat?"
Kota hesitated.
Then—he clenched his fists.
"Thank you," he muttered.
Reiji blinked.
For a moment—just a brief moment—he wasn't sure how to respond.
Then, he smirked. "Tch. Took you long enough."
Kota huffed, but he didn't look away.
For the first time—he didn't see Reiji as a villain.
Not long after, the rescue squads finally arrived.
Pro Heroes like Vlad King, Gran Torino, and even All Might himself descended on the training camp, tending to the wounded and assessing the damage.
When All Might landed, his eyes immediately scanned the battlefield—before locking onto the charred Nomu.
His usual smile faded.
[Another Nomu… and someone took it down before we even arrived.]
He turned toward Aizawa. "What happened?"
Aizawa sighed, glancing toward Reiji.
"Ask him."
All Might's blue eyes flickered as he turned to Reiji.
"You fought the Nomu?"
Reiji shrugged. "Yeah. It was fun."
All Might's expression darkened slightly.
[He's too calm. Like it was just another training exercise.]
"You fought it… alone?"
Reiji grinned. "Why? You jealous?"
Some of the students watching gasped.
Even Bakugo, who was usually the most aggressive, narrowed his eyes slightly.
[This guy's got guts. Even against All Might.]
All Might studied Reiji carefully, then sighed.
"You are strong, Kurobane. No one will deny that."
Reiji smirked. "Glad you noticed."
All Might's gaze hardened.
"But strength alone does not make a hero."
Reiji's smirk twitched slightly.
Aizawa sighed. "We'll debrief later. Right now, focus on helping the injured."
Reiji rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah."
As he walked away, he could still feel All Might's gaze on his back.
[Let them talk. I did what had to be done.]
But deep down, something about All Might's words stuck with him.
"Strength alone does not make a hero."
Reiji clicked his tongue.
[Tch. Whatever.]
Back at the partially destroyed camp, the other students had gathered.
Whispers filled the air.
"He took down a Nomu alone…"
"Isn't that something only top heroes can do?"
"Yeah, but… look at him. He doesn't even care."
"That's not normal."
Todoroki, standing nearby, finally spoke up.
"He didn't hesitate. Not even for a second."
Deku clenched his fists. "That's what scares me."
Momo frowned. "You think he's dangerous?"
Deku hesitated. Then—he sighed.
"I don't know."
Todoroki narrowed his eyes. "The real question is… what happens if one day, he decides he doesn't want to be a hero?"
The room fell silent.
And in the distance, Reiji stood alone.
Smirking.
But deep inside—a part of him wondered the same thing.
End of Chapter 39.
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