Chapter 375: Midoriya’s Call

"What's wrong?"

Just as Aizawa and Kaminari returned to the entrance of the dormitory facility area, Shoto Todoroki suddenly asked from the side.

"Huh?!" Kaminari, who was frowning with his golden brows, was momentarily stunned.

"You've looked uneasy for a while now," Todoroki said calmly as he walked.

"Nothing..."

Kaminari shook his head and sighed. "Honestly, I'm not even sure. I just suddenly started feeling really down."

There was one thing he didn't say aloud—he had this constant sense that something was about to happen. But if he voiced it and something actually did happen afterward, it would be difficult to explain.

Aizawa had ignored their earlier conversation and now walked toward the tutoring room, opening the door casually.

"Hey, Eraser Head!" Vlad King, the vampire-like teacher, greeted him cheerfully with arms crossed.

Monoma Neito, who had been sitting at the desk in front of Vlad, immediately made an uncomfortable face when he saw Kaminari and Todoroki.

Well, he was just holding back his frustration. If it were someone else, he could've mocked them freely. But against these two, he could only stay quiet.

It's worth noting he was the only Class B student who failed the final exam.

"Todoroki's yours. Just have him work on a written test. I've prepared other lessons for Kaminari..." Aizawa, hands in his pockets, began to explain.

Before he could finish, a buzzing sound suddenly echoed in everyone's minds.

This sound was very familiar—it was the telepathic signal used by Mandalay.

"We were attacked by two villains. There may be more. All students capable of moving, return to the facility immediately!"

"Remember, even if you encounter a villain, students must not engage without authorization. Retreat and defend yourselves!"

Mandalay's message shocked everyone. Kaminari's already unsettled mood suddenly worsened.

"It's finally happening..."

"Brad, I'm leaving this to you. I'm going to protect the students!" Aizawa shouted, turning and running out of the room.

"Let's go too." Todoroki moved immediately, and Kaminari also got up to leave.

"No!"

Aizawa raised his hand and quickly rejected their proposal. "Stay here. Students are not allowed to fight villains. You both know that very well!"

Then he ran off quickly, without waiting to hear Todoroki or Kaminari's protests or see their grim expressions.

"Don't worry. The Pussycats are guarding the outside. They're more experienced than me or Eraser Head. Everything will be fine," Vlad King said firmly, looking at the two boys.

Meanwhile, Aizawa was sprinting through the hallway with increasing unease.

"I really don't want to think this way, but... damn it!" As he exited the dormitory building and saw the blue flames and thick smoke rising from the forest, his expression turned heavy.

"You worry too much, Eraser Head!"

Suddenly, a young, unfamiliar voice came from beside him. Before Aizawa could turn his head, a burnt-red, skin-grafted hand stretched out toward him.

BOOM!!!

Blue flames erupted from the palm, instantly turning into a raging inferno that swallowed the area around Aizawa.

"Step aside, Pro Hero..." Dabi said with a smile as he stared at the strange flames. "I'm not here for you today."

At the same time, back in the tutoring room, Kaminari, now filled with anxiety and worry, received a call from Midoriya.

"Kaminari-kun, please go to the location I sent you right away. He's there!"

Midoriya's voice on the phone was urgent, like he was running while carrying something heavy.

"Kyoka and Momo—how are they?!" Kaminari immediately asked, his thoughts going to the people he cared about most. As for Tetsutetsu, he knew the guy was tough, so he wasn't too worried.

"I... I'm sorry, I don't know how they're doing. Right now, we're all scattered, and the forest is on fire..."

In another part of the forest, Midoriya was running with the unconscious Hagakure in his arms, shouting desperately into the phone.

Originally, he had planned to go to Kota's location himself, but he couldn't ignore Hagakure. Then he remembered the few students who had stayed behind for tutoring.

Among them, Kaminari Denki was the fastest. And geographically, the facility was even closer to Kota's hiding spot than Midoriya was.

"Please, Kaminari-kun, I'm begging you. Go bring Kota back first. He's still just a kid!"

As Midoriya pleaded through the phone, Kaminari's eyes flickered. He was also struggling to make a decision.

He wanted to rush to Kyoka, Momo, and the others right away. But Midoriya was right—Kota was still very young.

Even if he was selfish, Kaminari wasn't heartless. He couldn't just ignore a child's life. He was human, after all.

"...Got it."

After ending the call, Kaminari informed Vlad King about Kota's situation. As expected, Vlad hesitated too.

Of course, Vlad wanted Kaminari to go and bring Kota back.

But Mandalay's telepathic message had been clear, no one knew how many villains were involved. If Kaminari left, who would protect the other students rushing back to the facility?

Dozens of students versus one small child. Which choice was right?

As a Pro Hero, and more importantly, as a teacher of Heroes, his top priority was protecting the students.

A single incident had already triggered internal conflicts. Everyone had their own thoughts, their own responsibilities, and their own struggles.

Crack—!

Just as Vlad was trapped in indecision, a sharp electric crackle echoed. A golden flash of light streaked past his eyes, and Kaminari vanished from the room.

"Kaminari Denki!!"

Vlad called out to the fading light, but no words followed. In truth, he felt a sense of relief in his heart.

"I'm counting on you, strongest first-year student."

(Of course, he wouldn't say that out loud. On the surface, he had to object. That's a Pro Hero's basic stance.)

In the forest clearing where the arm-wrestling contest had been held earlier, the atmosphere had grown tense with the sudden appearance of two figures.

Spinner, clearly lizard-like but dressed like a Ninja Turtle, stared angrily at Tiger, Mandalay, and the others.

"Nice to meet you. We're from U.A. High School!"

"We're the League of Villains' Vanguard Action Squad!"

Behind him stood Magne. The magnetic pole she carried was pressed firmly against Pixie-Bob's head. Blood slowly dripped from the woman's forehead to the ground.

"So? Should I smash this woman's head in? What do you all think?"

A smile crept onto Magne's face. Their first objective was already complete. Now all they had to do was hold off Tiger and Mandalay.

"I won't let you get away with this!!" Tiger roared, his voice echoing across the clearing.

(To be continued.)

***

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