While Class A worried anxiously about Bakugo's fate, an emergency meeting was being held in the teachers' office.
Principal Nezu sat at the head of the table with a grim expression. Even his usually smooth and tidy fur looked slightly ruffled, reflecting his inner anger.
"It is truly disgraceful," he said slowly, "that our students were attacked by villains during a supervised training camp."
"From the current situation," Midnight added, "it's clear that we've underestimated the villains. Their actions are becoming more frequent and more organized. This is no longer simple crime—it's a deliberate attack on hero society."
"Even if we understand the situation," she continued, "it's still extremely difficult to prevent sudden assaults, especially when they're happening so often."
"After All Might appeared," Present Mic said loudly, slapping the table, "organized villain groups practically vanished. We got used to peace."
"But don't forget," he continued excitedly, "All Might is the League of Villains' primary target! Their original goal was to destroy him!"
"To be honest," Mic went on, "we were numbed by peaceful daily life. From the moment we thought, 'We still have time to prepare,' the villains had already launched their attacks!"
The conversation shifted toward All Might.
Everyone in the room unconsciously looked at him.
All Might was sitting quietly, his posture tense.
Among everyone present, he was perhaps the most self-blaming and frustrated.
From the very first USJ incident, it had been clear that the villains' target was him. But over time, their focus had shifted to the hero society built around him.
And he hadn't stopped it.
That sense of responsibility weighed heavily on him.
"I was relaxing at home," All Might muttered bitterly, "while my students were fighting for their lives… This is my fault."
He leaned forward, pressing his hands against his forehead. The veins on his temples stood out clearly.
His emotions were at their lowest point.
"I didn't mean to accuse you, All Might," Present Mic added quickly, realizing his words had been too harsh.
But before he could continue, Snipe interrupted.
"At this stage, we can't just act tough like we did after the Sports Festival," Snipe said firmly. "A student has been kidnapped. His life and death are unknown. This is the biggest failure in U.A.'s history."
"Bakugo Katsuki was abducted," he continued, "and along with him, the public's trust in us was taken."
That was what worried everyone most.
From the news coverage that morning, it was clear that the media was criticizing U.A. relentlessly.
Even with government intervention, the damage had already spread.
Many parents were gathering to discuss whether they should withdraw their children from the school.
"It may be because Bakugo's performance at the Sports Festival was too aggressive," Midnight said thoughtfully. "That could have made him a target."
"If the villains try to recruit him," she added gravely, "then U.A.'s reputation as an educational institution will be completely destroyed."
Principal Nezu held up a newspaper.
"But according to reports," he said, "their first target wasn't Bakugo."
"It was Igarashi Masata."
"Does that have any special meaning?"
All Might was startled.
He remembered what Masata had once told him—that All For One had shown interest in his magma Quirk.
Could it be that All For One was still obsessed with it?
In truth, All Might was overthinking.
All For One had collected countless powerful Quirks. While Masata's ability was interesting, it wasn't something he desperately needed.
What All Might didn't know was that Masata's greatest trump card was his hidden Quirk.
It was that mysterious power that had allowed his magma ability to evolve.
The real reason Masata was targeted was simpler.
He had repeatedly ruined Shigaraki's plans.
Shigaraki was furious.
He had ordered Masata's complete elimination.
And Masata was still standing.
After the principal finished speaking, the room fell into a strange silence.
Present Mic finally broke it.
"At this point," he said seriously, "one thing is certain."
"There's a traitor inside U.A."
"Don't jump to conclusions, Mic!" Midnight immediately objected.
"How can I not?" Mic snapped.
His expression was tense. The kidnapping had shaken him deeply.
"The training camp location was only known to the teachers and the Pussycats! If it leaked, someone inside had to be responsible!"
"And it's not just staff," he continued. "If information leaked through phones, even students could be suspects!"
"We should use this chance to conduct a full investigation!"
Snipe responded immediately.
"Can you prove you're completely innocent? Can any of us?"
"Blind suspicion will tear us apart from the inside. Acting rashly will only help the enemy."
Mic fell silent.
Snipe was right.
If a traitor really existed, nothing would please the villains more than internal collapse.
A strong tree always rots from the inside first.
If U.A. fell apart on its own, how could it restore public trust?
As suspicion quietly spread through the room, Principal Nezu stood up.
"At the very least," he said calmly, "I trust our teachers completely."
"Even if I can't prove everyone's innocence."
After a brief pause, his sharp eyes gleamed.
"As for the possibility of an internal leak, I already have some ideas. We will address that carefully."
"For now, let's discuss the list of teachers who will escort students home."
"Protecting our students comes first."