Chapter 10: UA Stands Tall Amid Chaos

A week had passed since the HPSC's darkest secrets had been exposed, and the world was still reeling from the fallout. Riots had erupted, corrupt heroes were being investigated or arrested, and public trust in the hero society was at an all-time low. Yet, amidst the storm, one institution remained remarkably unscathed: U.A. College.

Principal Nezu sat in his office, sipping tea as he reviewed the reports from the previous week. While other hero organizations scrambled to salvage their reputations, U.A. was quietly thriving. The school's faculty had always been more transparent than most, their mistakes few and far between. Even the revelations about Aizawa's underground dealings had been minor, and his actions were justifiable in the eyes of the public as necessary for combating villainy.

Still, Nezu wasn't naïve.

"This will make things harder," he murmured, placing his teacup down. "The next generation of heroes will need to be better—stronger, smarter, and more disciplined. We can't afford to falter."

Aizawa leaned against the wall of the office, his expression as stoic as ever. "The students won't suffer for this," he said firmly. "We'll teach them what it means to be real heroes. No shortcuts, no lies."

Nezu nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "Exactly. If we set the example, others will follow."

Meanwhile, All Might was in the gym, punching a reinforced training dummy with more force than necessary. The revelations about Endeavor's treatment of his family had hit him hard. He had always known the man was flawed, but the details of his abuse, the manipulation of his children's lives for power, and the harm he caused to Rei and his kids... it made All Might's blood boil.

This isn't heroism, he thought. This is tyranny.

Endeavor's crimes hadn't been included in the public leaks, but the files had reached certain key figures, All Might among them. Now, he grappled with a moral dilemma. Should he confront Endeavor? Report him? Or would doing so shatter what little faith the public still had in their heroes?

"All Might," Nezu's voice came from the doorway, interrupting his thoughts.

The former number one hero turned, his eyes shadowed. "Nezu. Do you think… do you think Endeavor should still be a hero?"

Nezu stepped closer, his small frame somehow radiating authority. "That's a question only you can answer, Toshinori. But consider this—what will do more harm to the world? Exposing him now, or finding a way to ensure he changes for the better?"

All Might clenched his fists. "I just don't know if he can change."

Nezu placed a paw on his arm. "Then perhaps it's time for a conversation. One only a symbol like you can have."

While the world debated the fallout, one question loomed over everyone's minds: Who had leaked the files?

Conspiracy theories ran rampant. Some believed it was a disgruntled hero, others speculated it was a villain with a grudge. A few even theorized it was an AI gone rogue. But no one had any concrete answers.

The UA faculty were no exception. Over lunch in the teacher's lounge, they exchanged theories.

"It had to be someone on the inside," Midnight said, stirring her tea. "Someone with access to this level of detail couldn't just be an outsider."

"I disagree," Nezu interjected. "This was the work of a genius—one who operates outside the system entirely. Their methods were precise, almost surgical."

Present Mic leaned back in his chair. "Whoever it is, they've got guts. And brains. They didn't just send a message—they declared war on the entire system."

"And won," Aizawa added grimly. "For now."

Despite the chaos, U.A. pressed on. Nezu's preparations for the next academic year were well underway. The curriculum would be stricter, the training more intense. Heroes would be forged, not molded, and the students would leave no room for doubt about their integrity.

"After all," Nezu mused to himself, "a brighter future begins with a single spark. And while the fire of revolution burns across Japan, U.A. will stand as a beacon of hope."

Outside the faculty room, students trained harder than ever, inspired and terrified by the world's upheaval. Somewhere in the background, John's actions continued to ripple through society, reshaping the world he had chosen to leave behind.