Students stormed into the principal's office at UA with pale faces.
After 24 hours of search, the Shareholders of I-Island had decided to release the matter of Dr. Blessed kidnapping Melissa Shield, the daughter of the confined Dr. David Shield, to the public.
News channels around the world were covering this sensational topic ever since then.
That's why, the moment the students learned of this, they rushed to UA, hoping to know more.
And, perhaps, find a way to get Melissa back.
However, when they entered the office, the scene was nowhere as panicky as they had expected to find, given the seriousness of the situation.
Erasure Head was standing near Principal Nezu as the latter leisurely drank tea.
Opposite him, All Might, wearing a yellow suit, was seated, carrying a smile on his face.
Smile?! All Might was smiling?! Dr. Blessed, the notorious and mysterious Villain, had kidnapped the daughter of his closest friend, and he was… smiling?!
Not many students had rushed to UA.
Given that the Training Camp was about to begin the day after tomorrow, many had yet to come back to the city from remote parts of the country.
Midoriya, Uraraka, Momo, Kyoka, Tenya, Kaminari, Toru, and Mineta.
Even if there were only seven of the twenty students, all faces reflected the shock. Adding to their surprise, the large TV screen in the Principal's office was still broadcasting the matter of Melissa's kidnapping.
Then… why was All Might sitting there, smiling?!
As the students barged into the Principal's office, wearing casual clothes, the three teachers also eyed them.
"I hope you all opened the door to ask for permission to enter first," Erasure Head said, the end of his hair flailing. "Classes or not, I will not tolerate such indiscipline from my students."
The students gulped.
Principal Nezu suddenly laughed, easing the situation. "Come in. What's the matter?"
What's the matter?! "… Sir," Midoriya stuttered, stepping forward and eyeing All Might. "Melissa… We need to save her!"
All Might was about to open his mouth when Erasure Head raised his hand and walked toward the students.
"And what do you propose we should do about that, Midoriya?" he asked. "You are about to become a senior at UA… Lives will depend on you. On your decisions. On ALL of your decisions. Come on. How should teachers from a Hero School respond to this international situation? Why didn't even one of you come barging in after the USA's prison incident? You didn't think that was UA's matter, right?"
Aizawa's every word was a blow to the students' consciousness.
Momo and Kyoka exchanged a nervous glance. Tenya's head dropped, his fingers balling into fists. Uraraka, Toru, Kaminari, and Mineta were no better, Erasure Head's questions pinning their thoughts.
What the Pro had said was true, they realized.
The news broadcast had covered the matter in detail. Dr. Blessed had kidnapped Melissa under the eyes of hundreds of Heroes from all over the world. They had even mentioned a nuclear-like attack that had distracted most of the Heroes.
How were they expecting a few teachers to give up their jobs and go after a Villain who used explosions of that level for distractions?!
And where would they even begin?!
Dr. Blessed could be anywhere in the world, keeping Melissa hidden.
How was All Might, or anyone, supposed to find his location, especially when Dr. Blessed was bent on hiding himself?
Aizawa's question had done the trick, it seemed.
The sudden rush of emotions that had brought the students here had vanished, being replaced by cold reasonings.
Aizawa nodded to himself. No wonder he didn't see Luke and Todoroki among these students. They must have already reached this conclusion. Also…
Erasure Head's eyes landed on the boy, who was still staring at him.
Midoriya's eyes… still carried emotions.
"Melissa…" the boy said, "… is not an international matter, Sir. She is our friend. I will search for her, if that's all I can do—for the rest of my life."
Aizawa's eyes flashed. This guy…
"Hahaha!" All Might's laugh echoed in the office. "Do not underestimate the power of youth, Aizawa."
All Might shared a glance with Nezu, who nodded in silence.
"Alright, you guys," the No. 1 Hero said. "I guess it's only right for you to see this, too."
See what?! The students' faces reflected confusion as Erasure Head returned to Nezu.
All Might pressed a button on the TV remote. "I have already been to the I-Island yesterday," he said, shocking the students. "From all the recordings they shared with me, one I found very interesting."
All students eyed the TV screen.
The camera was extremely shaky, showing a humongous bio-metallic creature flying away. It became obvious that this camera was installed on a Hero's costume. Suddenly, space parted in front of the figure this Hero was chasing.
"… That's Dr. Blessed's ability," Momo pointed out.
All Might nodded. "Keep watching."
As the tall figure disappeared into the blackness, the Hero followed. The camera suddenly showed a black-masked, white coat-wearing man.
It was Dr. Blessed!
The Villain put his hands on the Hero's face and began pushing back while looking over his shoulder, as if calling for help.
As the students expected the huge creature would show up again, another figure appeared on the TV screen, making them gasp.
"… No…" Momo put her hand over her mouth.
Midoriya stumbled back. "… How… Why?"
This new figure was none other than Melissa Shield — the supposed victim of this kidnapping.
As if her appearance wasn't enough, she joined Dr. Blessed in pushing the Hero back.
In the next moment, the TV screen blackened.
Yet, none of the students could look away from the screen that reflected their baffled expressions.
"… She must be…" Toru suggested.
"No." All Might shook his head. "She wasn't under the influence of any Quirk. From all the recordings I saw… I confirmed that Melissa left with Dr. Blessed — willingly."
Midoriya looked at All Might and repeated, "Why?"
All Might remembered talking with David, who had told him exactly why, as Melissa had let her father know about her decision. Still, he considered it wasn't the time for young Midoriya and other students to know those reasons, yet.
So, All Might just shrugged. "Not sure," he said. "Melissa isn't a child anymore. We can only hope that… she's happier wherever she is now. As her friends, we must respect her decision."
…
Watching this scene play out in the Crystal Ball, standing next to Dr. Blessed, Melissa's eyes blurred.
She hadn't heard their voices, but that had only made her feel… closer to them.
"It's time," Dr. Blessed urged. "You are ready…"
Melissa, the newest Apostle of Mr. Fool, Code Named — Shield, took a deep breath before lifting the vial of Seer potion and drank it down.
Because that was her decision.
She had chosen — to fight!
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