21: Aftermath

A heavy silence hung over the battlefield. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burnt flesh and blood. The once-pristine USJ facility was now a fractured wasteland—scorch marks on the walls, deep cracks splitting the floor, and unconscious villains scattered like broken dolls. Some were groaning in pain, others simply unmoving. Pools of dark red stained the ground where Radahn's merciless blows had landed.

And in the middle of it all, Radahn stood tall, his golden eyes dimming as the ethereal crimson hue of the vanished blade faded from the air. His hand lingered at his side where the weapon had once been, fingers slowly curling into a loose fist. He lifted his gaze toward the collapsed portal near the far wall, where Shigaraki and Kurogiri were still present.

Shigaraki was trembling. His wide, bloodshot eyes darted toward the spot where Nomu's lifeless body lay, its massive frame crumpled unnaturally. The creature, created explicitly to kill All Might, had been felled without so much as a struggle. And now, Radahn was looking directly at him.

Shigaraki's lips quivered as his breath hitched. "N-No that's not possible," he stammered.

His fingers twitched, nails scraping against the dry skin of his neck.

"Nomu was made... made to kill All Might." His eyes widened further, his mouth curling into a forced grin as he tried to deny the reality before him.

"He's not dead! he's not dead!"

Radahn took a single step toward him.

Shigaraki flinched. His entire body tensed as a deep chill spread through his veins. His throat constricted. A primal fear gripped his mind, the same feeling prey experiences when a predator looms over it.

"How?"

Shigaraki's voice was barely audible, his smile twitching uncontrollably.

"What the hell are you?"

Radahn's golden gaze remained steady. His eyes, devoid of emotion, bore into Shigaraki's soul.

Shigaraki stumbled backward. His hands pressed to the sides of his face as he shook violently.

"No… no… Kurogiri!"

His voice cracked as his body trembled uncontrollably. "TAKE ME THE HELL OUT OF HERE!"

Kurogiri's dark mist swirled violently, tendrils of fog wrapping protectively around Shigaraki. Just as the portal began to take form—

THOOM!

A gust of powerful wind ripped through the air. The ground beneath them cracked as a sudden shockwave reverberated across the battlefield. Dust and debris shot outward, making the air heavy with grit and smoke.

A shadow loomed above them.

"I AM HERE!"

All Might's powerful voice thundered across the battlefield, cutting through the smoke and chaos. His massive frame stood at the entrance, cape billowing behind him. His bright blue eyes sharpened as he surveyed the destruction before him.

Shigaraki's head jerked toward him. His already pale face somehow lost even more colour.

"No i-it's HIM!" His hands twitched.

All Might's gaze swept across the battlefield. His sharp eyes locked onto Radahn, standing unharmed near the fallen Nomu. A flicker of confusion crossed his expression before it hardened into cold determination.

Shigaraki stumbled backward, still clinging to Kurogiri's mist as if it were a lifeline. "Kurogiri!" he screamed.

"NOW!"

Kurogiri's swirling mist instantly enveloped them both. "Understood."

The dark haze swallowed them. And in an instant—they were gone.

All Might's eyes remained fixed on the spot where they vanished, his jaw tightening. Then he slowly turned toward Radahn, whose gaze remained impassive.

"Hoshigami." All Might's deep voice rumbled.

Radahn said nothing. His eyes, faintly glowing gold, lingered on the space where Shigaraki had stood. After a brief silence, he turned and walked away without a word.

All Might's brow furrowed. He glanced toward the fallen Nomu, its lifeless form still unnaturally twisted, then back at Radahn's retreating figure. A dark thought flickered through his mind—but it could wait. There were other matters to address.

What remained of the League's foot soldiers barely had time to react. All Might shot through them like a hurricane. A swift right hook sent one villain crashing into a wall; another strike sent two more flying across the room. His powerful frame blurred as he moved from one target to the next, clearing the battlefield in seconds.

A bruised villain stumbled toward him, raising a knife.

All Might's hand shot forward, gripping his wrist. "That's enough."

With a flick of his arm, the villain was sent crashing to the ground.

"That takes care of that." All Might muttered, adjusting his tie as the last of the villains lay sprawled at his feet.

From the far side of the room, Aizawa staggered to his feet. His goggles were cracked, and his scarf was frayed, but he was still standing.

"All Might."

All Might's sharp gaze softened. In an instant, he was at Aizawa's side, steadying him with a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Aizawa, you're hurt."

"I'm fine," Aizawa replied, brushing him off with a tired scowl. His shoulders sagged as he sighed.

"But we've got a problem."

All Might's eyes narrowed. "Go on."

Aizawa's voice dropped, low and tense. "The Nomu. It was made to kill you."

All Might's jaw tightened. "Made?"

Aizawa nodded grimly.

"Its strength, its regeneration—it was tailored to match you."

His gaze darkened.

"But Enrai , he killed it."

All Might's gaze swept over the battlefield, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a knot of unease tighten in his chest. His sharp blue eyes darkened as they settled on the fallen bodies of the villains strewn across the cracked floor. Some were twisted unnaturally, bones protruding from mangled limbs. Others lay in pools of dark crimson, their shallow breaths the only sign they were still alive. One villain's arm was bent backward, his jaw slack as he drifted in and out of consciousness. Another had collapsed with his ribcage visibly caved in.

All Might's jaw tightened. His fists curled at his sides.

"What happened here?" His voice was low, almost strained.

His eyes shifted toward the center of the carnage, where Radahn stood motionless, his golden gaze dim. All Might's expression hardened. He stepped toward Aizawa.

"Aizawa." All Might's voice dropped.

"Who did all this?"

Aizawa's gaze flicked toward Radahn. "You already know."

All Might's brow furrowed. His gaze returned to the battlefield. The damage was brutal. Precise. Efficient. He had seen carnage like this before—but never from a hero. His gaze sharpened. "Hoshigami Enrai" His tone was measured.

"Just what are you?"

Aizawa followed his gaze. "If it weren't for him…" He trailed off.

All Might's fists clenched. His gaze sharpened.

"I need to speak with Nezu."

A sharp groan pulled their attention away. Midoriya stumbled toward them, clutching his arm. Asui supported him from the side, her large eyes filled with worry.

"You're okay!" Asui said.

"Yeah" Midoriya coughed weakly. "I think."

Bakugo's voice rang out sharply.

"Tch, about damn time this was over."

His arms were crossed, his face twisted into a scowl.

"And just what the hell was that guy?! How did he—"

"I don't know." Todoroki cut in, his gaze lingering on Radahn. His heterochromatic eyes narrowed.

"But he didn't fight like any hero I've ever seen."

"Yeah" Kaminari shivered. "That guy's scary as hell."

Mineta's knees were shaking. "I-I think I peed a little."

"Ew! Gross." Jiro muttered, shoving him aside.

Bakugo's eyes narrowed as he glared toward Radahn.

Midoriya's wide eyes lingered on Radahn's tall figure, standing beneath the broken light of the facility. His mind replayed the fight.

'H-How could someone be that strong?'

Radahn turned slightly, his golden eyes briefly meeting Midoriya's gaze.

Midoriya's breath hitched.

Radahn's gaze held for a moment—calm, composed—before he turned and began walking toward the exit.

All Might's gaze lingered on him. A heavy weight settled in his chest.

'Just who are you, Enrai?'

Suddenly, the massive entrance doors of the USJ were forcefully thrown open, and a group of U.A. faculty members surged into the facility, their expressions a mix of urgency and determination.

Leading the charge was Cementoss, his sturdy form immediately assessing the structural integrity of the surroundings. His eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, ready to manipulate the concrete to protect and support as needed.

Beside him, the diminutive yet authoritative Principal Nezu perched atop Ectoplasm's shoulder, his sharp gaze analyzing the situation with calculated precision.

"It appears we've arrived in the aftermath." Nezu remarked, his voice calm yet tinged with concern.

Vlad King, the Blood Hero, clenched his fists, his muscular frame tense with readiness.

"Where are the students?" he demanded, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of Class 1-A.

From the debris emerged Eraser Head (Shota Aizawa), his capture weapon draped loosely around his neck, evidence of the exhausting battle he'd endured. His usually stoic expression was etched with fatigue, but his eyes remained sharp.

"The students are safe, thanks to their training and quick thinking." he reported, his voice steady despite the circumstances.

Present Mic, the Voice Hero, cupped a hand to his ear, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "I don't hear any more fighting." he noted, his voice subdued.

"Did we miss the action?"

Meanwhile, All Might stood at the center of the chaos, his presence a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil. His gaze was distant, reflecting on the events that had transpired and the challenges that lay ahead.

Approaching him, Principal Nezu's whiskers twitched thoughtfully.

"All Might" he began, his tone measured. "The Villains, they dared to attack U.A. directly. This is an escalation."

All Might nodded solemnly, his features shadowed by a rare seriousness. "Yes" he agreed, his voice carrying the weight of responsibility.

"We must be vigilant. Our enemies are growing bolder, and our students... our future heroes... are now on the front lines."

Cementoss stepped forward, his posture embodying resolve.

"We'll need to reassess our security measures and ensure the safety of our students," he asserted, his tone firm.

Ectoplasm, ever the pragmatist, added, "And gather intel on this attack and his Nomu. We need to understand what we're up against."

As the U.A. faculty continued their discussions, the students of Class 1-A began to regroup, their faces reflecting a mixture of relief and lingering fear. They had faced true villains and emerged stronger, but the reality of their chosen path had never been clearer.

In the midst of the regrouping, Izuku Midoriya glanced around, his eyes searching for a particular figure. Spotting Hoshigami Enrai (Radahn) standing apart from the others, his expression unreadable, Midoriya felt a pang of uncertainty. The man's power had been undeniable, but his methods... they were unlike any hero he'd ever known.

Approaching cautiously, Midoriya mustered the courage to speak. "Um, Hoshigami-sensei." he began, his voice grateful.

"Thank you for your help. Without you, things could have been much worse."

Radahn's golden eyes flicked toward the young hero-in-training, his expression remaining stoic. "I did what was necessary." he replied.

Midoriya nodded, sensing the finality in his words. As he rejoined his classmates, he couldn't shake the feeling that Hoshigami Enrai was like a puzzle , a mystery that both intrigued and unsettled him.

The arrival of the U.A. faculty marked the end of the immediate crisis.

Until, 

Their gazes lingered on the bodies and blood.

The scene before them was nothing short of horrifying. Pools of dark crimson soaked into the cracked floor, reflecting the dim emergency lights above. The battered remains of villains lay scattered across the ground — some twisted into unnatural shapes, others barely recognizable as human. Limbs were missing, bones shattered, and blood painted the metallic walls in gruesome streaks. The air was thick with the metallic scent of iron and the sharp tang of burnt flesh.

Cementoss's face darkened as he took in the carnage. "Th-This!"

Vlad King's hands curled into fists at his sides. His crimson eyes roamed over the fallen bodies, tension rippling through his muscular frame. "What the hell happened here?"

Snipe removed his hat and wiped his brow. His gaze scanned the wreckage with cold calculation.

"Looks like a damn slaughter house." His voice was calm, but the tightness in his jaw betrayed his unease.

"Who did this?"- Midnight.

All Might's expression hardened as his gaze settled on the figure standing amidst the destruction.

Hoshigami Enrai.

He stood with his back straight, his coffee-coloured shirt stained with the blood of his enemies. His golden eyes gleamed under the flickering lights, calm and cold. He surveyed the field of broken bodies and wreckage as if it was nothing more than a mild inconvenience. His posture was relaxed — too relaxed for someone who had just torn through an entire squad of villains with brutal efficiency.

"Hoshigami.?" Vlad King's teeth clenched. "T-This is the work of a hero?"

"I don't think you understand what you're looking at." Ectoplasm said, his hollow voice cutting through the tension.

Radahn's gaze flicked toward them briefly before turning away. He walked toward the edge of the battlefield, his steps light and soundless despite the blood-soaked ground beneath his feet.

Principal Nezu perched on Ectoplasm's shoulder, his small black eyes glinting with sharp awareness as he studied the scene. "Impressive work, wouldn't you say?"

"Impressive?!" Vlad King's head snapped toward Nezu, disbelief etched into his features.

"You call this impressive?" He gestured toward a nearby body — what remained of a villain whose chest had been collapsed inward, his ribcage crushed beyond recognition.

"This is slaughter."

"And yet the students are safe." Nezu replied smoothly, his small hands resting on his folded knees.

"That is what matters, isn't it?"

Snipe stepped forward, his breathing unsteady.

"Principal Nezu, this isn't how heroes operate. We don't kill. We don't leave bodies behind."

"And yet, here we are." Nezu said, his tone eerily calm.

All Might's blue eyes narrowed. His gaze flicked between Nezu and Radahn. A pit of suspicion formed in his chest.

"Nezu, They are right. This is not how heroes operate" All Might said quietly. His cape billowed behind him as he stepped forward. 

Radahn's golden eyes met All Might's. He remained silent.

"You knew this would happen" All Might said, his voice steady but sharp. His gaze shifted toward Nezu.

"Didn't you?"

Nezu's smile didn't waver.

"I knew Hoshigami Enrai was capable. He handled the situation."

"Handled it?" All Might's hand curled into a fist.

"This isn't handling a situation. This is murder."

Radahn's gaze remained impassive, his expression unreadable. His golden eyes flicked toward the bodies before returning to All Might. "If they couldn't handle the consequences of their actions" Radahn said evenly

"Then they shouldn't have attacked."

"Principal Nezu" Cementoss said, his voice low.

"What do we tell the media?"

"The truth" Nezu said, his smile still present. "That U.A. was attacked and that the students were protected."

"And the bodies?" Vlad King's tone sharpened.

Nezu's gaze darkened. "The world isn't ready for that truth."

"They're going to ask questions" Vlad insisted. "The media will—"

"Then we'll give them an answer." Nezu interrupted smoothly. His small black eyes gleamed beneath the dim lighting. 

"We'll say they were trapped under the debris. Unfortunate casualties of the villain attack. Tragic… but inevitable."

Vlad's eyes widened. "You're seriously going to cover this up?"

Nezu's smile sharpened. "For the sake of stability, yes."

The gathered heroes exchanged tense glances. Some looked visibly uncomfortable, but no one voiced any objection. The truth of what had happened—the sheer brutality of it—was too dangerous to reveal to the public. Midnight sighed, rubbing the back of her neck.

"It's not ideal… but maybe this is for the best."

"Yeah." Cementoss muttered.

"We don't want to spread panic. People need to feel safe."

Vlad King scowled but remained silent. Even Present Mic, usually the loudest among them, offered nothing more than a low sigh. There was an unspoken understanding that some truths were too dangerous to expose. The heroes had fought to protect society's peace—and now, they would lie to preserve it.

As Nezu continued speaking, Hoshigami Enrai turned and began to walk toward the exit without a word.

"Where are you going?"

The deep, commanding voice of All Might cut through the tense atmosphere. His large hand gripped Radahn's shoulder.

For a brief second, the temperature in the room seemed to plummet.

Radahn's golden eyes shifted toward All Might's hand. Slowly, his head turned to meet the No. 1 hero's gaze.

"Don't push your luck, No. 1 Hero," Radahn said, his tone sharp enough to cut through steel.

A chill crawled down All Might's spine—a feeling he hadn't experienced in years. The sheer weight behind Radahn's gaze was suffocating, like standing before an unstoppable force. Even All Might's legendary strength felt small.

Radahn's shoulder slipped effortlessly from All Might's grasp as he continued walking, his steps echoing down the empty corridor.

A heavy silence settled over the room as Radahn's footsteps faded into the distance. The tension he left behind was suffocating, pressing down on the gathered heroes like a lead weight. Even the most seasoned among them—those who had stared death in the face countless times—felt it. A cold, primal fear that clawed at the edges of their minds. It wasn't the fear of death or failure. It was something deeper. A nameless instinct buried in the human soul—the kind that surfaces when standing before a predator.

Midnight's breath hitched, her hands trembling as she crossed her arms to steady herself. Cementoss rubbed the back of his neck, his usual stoicism cracking under the pressure of whatever force Radahn had radiated.

Vlad King's brows were furrowed deeply, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. Even Present Mic, who rarely took anything seriously, was deadly quiet, his eyes fixed on the spot where Radahn had vanished.

And All Might, All Might stood frozen. His hand still hovered in the air where Radahn's shoulder had been moments ago. His chest tightened, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. That gaze—the weight behind those golden eyes—had reached into his core and scraped at something vulnerable. Something human.

Aizawa remained silent.

"That was not normal." Midnight finally whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Yeah…" Vlad King said through clenched teeth.

"He didn't even see us as a challenge. Like we weren't even worth considering."

All Might's jaw tightened. He lowered his hand slowly, but the chill lingering in his veins didn't fade. He had faced many terrifying foes in his time—villains, monsters, even All For One. But this… This was different.

It wasn't arrogance or disdain. Radahn had not dismissed them out of superiority or pride. He had simply, not registered them at all. Like they were beneath notice.

Like their strength was so insignificant it was irrelevant.

And it had left every hero in the room feeling like insects standing before a storm.