"What's going on? Is that an alarm?"
The cafeteria instantly filled with anxious chatter.
"The third-level defense system has been breached. All students are requested to evacuate immediately to the outdoor shelter!"
"This is the emergency siren—it only sounds when villains invade U.A.!"
Yaoyorozu Momo, who had practically memorized the school regulations, reacted instantly and shouted to Class A.
"Everyone, move—now!"
Hearing her words, the students surged into the corridors along with the massive crowd.
"Don't push!"
"Stop shoving, it hurts!"
Most of the students had never experienced anything like this before. Panic spread quickly in the cramped hallways. Everyone wanted to escape the building as soon as possible. No matter how talented they were, they were still students—flowers raised in a greenhouse. Their strength existed, but their composure hadn't yet caught up.
"…Wait. Those people outside—"
Pressed against the window, Masata suddenly spotted the scene outside.
"This isn't a villain attack at all. It's the reporters from this morning."
Outside the building, a huge crowd of reporters had forced their way in. Aizawa Shouta and Present Mic were already intercepting them.
"Hey, Momo—can you make me a loudspeaker?" Masata asked sharply.
"Yes!"
Though she didn't know what he planned to do, Yaoyorozu quickly created a simple loudspeaker. The structure wasn't complicated.
"Thanks."
Masata bent his knees and leapt upward in a single motion, grabbing a ceiling exhaust pipe with one hand to suspend himself in midair. He brought the loudspeaker to his mouth and roared:
"SHUT UP AND LISTEN!!!"
The thunderous shout echoed through the corridor.
The chaotic crowd froze.
Humans were like this—when there was no leader, everyone acted on impulse. But when a strong voice cut through the noise, all it took was one person choosing to follow for the rest to fall in line.
At that moment, Igarashi Masata became that voice.
"Open your damn eyes and look outside!"
"It's just a bunch of reporters forcing their way in!"
"And you—U.A.'s so-called elites—this is all you've got?!"
"Running away first!"
"Shoving others aside to escape!"
"If that's your mindset, go home now!"
"Being a hero isn't for you!!!"
The corridor fell completely silent.
The students lowered their heads. What they had just done went directly against the spirit of heroes they claimed to pursue.
Once everyone understood there was no real danger, evacuation resumed—but this time, calmly and in order.
Masata released his grip, landed smoothly, and handed the loudspeaker back to Yaoyorozu.
"…Wait."
Just as he turned to leave, a shadow flickered at the edge of his vision.
"Momo. Ochaco. Someone did get in."
"I'll chase them. You two notify Aizawa-sensei."
Without waiting for a response, Masata spun around and sprinted off.
"Will he be okay…?" Ochaco asked anxiously.
"He'll be fine," Yaoyorozu said, forcing herself to stay calm.
"Masata's strong. Even if something happens, he can hold them until help arrives."
Behind the School Building
Masata vaulted out a window and followed the shadow into a clearing behind the school.
"Stop right there!"
He planted his feet and shouted.
The figure halted.
The man removed his coat, revealing an utterly ordinary face—so unremarkable it was hard to remember a second later.
"Tch… kids are sharp these days," the man sneered.
"I was just here to gather intel. Looks like I'll have to kill you instead. Blame yourself, brat."
"Gather intel?"
Masata's lips curled into a grin as magma surged over his hands.
"So—you're a villain."
"Careful," Masata said coldly.
"You're the one about to die."
"Lava Glove!"
Magma surged and solidified around his fists.
Masata kicked off the ground and shot forward.
"Magma? Close combat?"
The man didn't panic at all—he smiled confidently.
"Then let me apologize in advance, kid."
"Straight punch!"
Masata's fist shot forward—
—and missed.
"…?"
He pivoted instantly, twisting his body and throwing a second punch.
"You dodged one—try dodging this!"
Missed again.
"…Fast reaction speed," Masata muttered, his expression darkening.
"Dodging fists this close without effort…"
The man laughed, standing casually in place.
"What's wrong? Keep going. Hit me!"
"Then take this!"
Masata surged forward, both arms blazing as his fists blurred into afterimages.
"Lava Machine Gun!"
"Useless! Useless!"
The man weaved smoothly through the barrage.
"You idiot who only knows hand-to-hand combat—how could you ever beat me?"
"My quirk is Airflow Perception!"
"The movement of air is completely within my awareness!"
"As long as your attack displaces air, I can sense it—and dodge it!"
Hearing that, Masata stopped attacking.
There was no point wasting strength if he couldn't land a hit.
"My turn," the villain said smugly.
He stepped forward and punched toward Masata's chest.
Masata twisted to dodge—
—but the villain's grin widened.
The punch abruptly changed direction mid-swing.
"I told you—it's useless!"
"I can feel the airflow from your movement too!"
"My attacks will always hit."
"But you can never touch me!"
BOOM!
The punch slammed into Masata's chest.
"…?!"
Both of them froze.
"That felt… soft?"
The villain stared at his own fist in disbelief.
"What the hell is this kid made of?!"
"I hit him full force—and it barely did anything?!"