Chapter 58 : The Newly Forged Alliance and the Return to U.A.

The night after my confession was long and silent. I barely slept, my mind constantly replaying the conversation, the lies I had built, and the truth I had revealed. I felt exposed, vulnerable, but for the first time, not entirely alone. As dawn broke, I felt as if I had passed a test far more grueling than any physical battle. I had gambled everything on trust, and Ryukyu had not destroyed me.

The next morning was our last day of the internship. The atmosphere in the dining hall felt completely different. The awkward tension of the previous days had vanished, replaced by a quiet understanding from my team. As I got my breakfast, Uraraka gave me a small, sincere smile. Tsuyu gave me a short nod, her eyes no longer filled with suspicion, but with a calm comprehension.

Nejire, of course, was the first to break the silence when we sat down. "So," she said, leaning forward, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "If you really know our story from your world, am I a popular character? Do I have a lot of fans? Is my costume considered cool?"

I almost choked on my food. In the midst of all the world-shaking drama and secrets, her first question was about her popularity. It was so... Nejire.

"Hado-senpai," I said with a small laugh, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. "You're one of the Big Three. Of course you're a cool character."

"I knew it!" she exclaimed cheerfully, back to her usual self. "What about Uraraka-chan? Tsuyu-chan?"

"You all have your own fans," I replied, deciding to play along a little. "Uraraka-san is liked for her never-give-up spirit. And Tsuyu-san... because she's the best at everything."

"I like that answer, kero," Tsuyu said with a deadpan expression, which somehow made it funnier.

That light conversation was a small miracle. They knew I was an impossible anomaly, but they chose to focus on the me that was here and now. They chose to remain my friends. The wall between us might not have completely crumbled, but there were now many open windows, letting the light in.

Before we left, I had one last meeting with Ryukyu in her office. She seemed calmer, as if she had also spent the night processing everything.

"I've filed the official report to the Commission," she said, handing me a tablet. "The report states that the incident at the warehouse was a coordinated attack by the League of Villains. The killer 'Ghost' appeared as an unexpected third party, caused chaos, then disappeared. There is no mention of a personal connection or interaction." She looked at me sharply. "I have staked my career on your story, Tatsumi-kun. Don't make me regret it."

"I won't," I replied earnestly.

"Good," she said. "Now, about your training. You've made incredible progress in partial manifestation. But it's not enough. Your next enemies won't give you time to think. Continue to train in secret. Meditation, mental control... that is your path to true power." She paused, then added in a softer tone. "You've done an outstanding job this week. Despite... the complications. You've grown more than any intern I've ever had. Take care of yourself."

"Thank you... for everything, Ryukyu-san," I said, a deep gratitude in my voice.

The four of us said our goodbyes to Ryukyu and the other sidekicks. The farewell felt different. This wasn't just the end of an internship; it was the beginning of a secret alliance.

The train ride back to U.A. was filled with more relaxed chatter. We didn't talk about other worlds or Teigu. We talked about normal things: upcoming lessons, how weird Present Mic's personality was, and how good the food at Ryukyu's agency cafeteria was. For a moment, we were just a group of friends returning from a work-study experience. But I knew, underneath it all, a new understanding bound the four of us. We were the guardians of the world's biggest secret.

When we arrived back in Class 1-A, the room was bustling. Everyone had returned, bringing with them their own stories and experiences. I saw Kirishima excitedly recounting his experience to Sero. I saw Iida, looking more somber and mature, talking quietly with Midoriya. And I saw Bakugo, just sitting silently, radiating an even more intense aura of impatience than usual.

The arrival of me, Uraraka, Tsuyu, and Nejire (who had just stopped by to say hello) drew attention.

"Welcome back!" Momo greeted, approaching me with a polite smile. "How was your internship with the Dragon Hero? I'm sure you learned many strategic things."

"You wouldn't believe half of it," I replied with a faint smile, a private joke only I understood.

Aizawa-sensei entered the classroom, still wrapped in bandages but moving with his usual authority. He scanned all of us, his sharp eyes seeming to see everything we had been through in the past week.

"Welcome back," he said in his typical flat tone. "Some of you spent the week making commercials or selling merchandise. Some of you faced real hero work." His gaze lingered for a moment on Iida, Midoriya, Todoroki, and me. "You're not just kids anymore. You've seen real darkness. Don't let it break you. Let it forge you into something stronger."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "Your break is over. The final exams are coming up. And this time, you won't be fighting robots or each other."

A thin, terrifying smirk appeared on his face.

"This time, your opponents... are us, the teachers."

The entire class erupted in shocked exclamations. Fighting pro heroes? Fighting Aizawa? It was insane. Bakugo grinned wildly. Todoroki looked intrigued. Midoriya started muttering frantically, analyzing the potential matchups.

I looked ahead, from Aizawa to Present Mic peeking through the door, to Cementoss. I thought about everything I had been through. The USJ. The Sports Festival. Akame. The Nomu. I had fought against monsters, assassins, and myself. And now, I had to fight my teachers.

In the midst of the chaos and shocked cries from my classmates, I could only manage a faint smile. Somehow, after the insane week I'd had, fighting pro heroes sounded like a welcome challenge. I felt the dragon's heartbeat in my chest, calm and steady. Whatever test they threw at me, I would be ready.