Chapter 118 : The New Rankings and the Beginning of the Age of Fire

A few days after the School Festival, life at the Alliance Heights dorms began to find its new rhythm, though it was a normality that had been reforged by experience. Our laughter was a little more sincere, our bonds a little stronger, and underneath it all, there was a quiet awareness that we were no longer just a group of students; we were a unit that had been tested. The festival arc had achieved its purpose. It had healed some of our wounds and reminded us of why we fight: to protect these smiles and peaceful moments.

That morning, Aizawa-sensei gathered us all in the common room. His usually bored face looked more serious than usual. "Today," he said in a flat tone, "you will not be training physically. You will learn by observing. The Hero Public Safety Commission will be releasing the new Hero Billboard Chart JP live. This is the first official ranking announcement since All Might's retirement. As hero candidates, it is your duty to understand the professional landscape you will soon be entering."

The giant television screen in the common room lit up, displaying a grand stage and an enthusiastic host. The atmosphere among us was mixed. This was a historic moment. For decades, the number one spot was never a question. Now, for the first time, the throne was empty and up for grabs.

They began to announce the rankings from the bottom. We saw a few heroes we knew from our internships. I saw Ryukyu's name appear at Rank 10, down one spot from before. I felt a little pride seeing her there, standing gracefully and calmly among the other top heroes.

Then, the top rankings began to be announced. Rank 3: Best Jeanist, who was still recovering. Rank 2: the Wing Hero, Hawks, whose popularity was skyrocketing. And then, for the new Number One… as the whole world had expected, the name that appeared was: Endeavor.

I glanced toward Todoroki. He just stared at the screen with a flat expression, but I could see his hand clenched tightly at his side. On the other side of the room, Bakugo let out a loud snort. "Tch. The fiery number two finally got what he wanted."

Endeavor's victory speech was incredibly awkward. He had none of All Might's charisma or warmth. He just stood there, surrounded by his blazing fire, and stared at the crowd with a fierce intensity. "I know what you're thinking," he growled. "I'm not him. I'm not going to try to be him." He paused for a moment. "So just do this. Keep your eyes on me." With that statement, which sounded more like a challenge than a promise, he ended his speech.

In our common room, the atmosphere felt strange. "Well... that wasn't very inspiring," Kaminari said, voicing what everyone was thinking.

"He's not trying to inspire," Todoroki said quietly, his voice drawing our attention. "He's just trying to prove himself. It's the only way he knows how."

As the broadcast switched to interviews, I saw Hawks approaching Endeavor backstage. I focused my attention. I knew from my memories that this meeting was important.

On a high-rise rooftop overlooking the city, far from the crowd, Endeavor stood with his arms crossed, his burning anger creating a heatwave around him.

"What do you want, Hawks?" he growled. "I don't have time for pleasantries."

Hawks landed lightly beside him, a casual smile on his face that didn't match the tension in the air. "Relax, Endeavor-san! I just wanted to congratulate you personally. Number One. That's a heavy position." He took out a feather and casually cleaned his ear. "I myself prefer being at number two or three. More free time, you know."

"I don't care about free time," Endeavor cut in.

"I know," Hawks said, his smile fading slightly. "That's the problem. And that's why I'm here." He got serious. "There are rumors. Strange stories from the underworld. About artificial creatures called Nomu, but these ones are different. They're stronger, faster, and... smarter. They're appearing in various places, causing destruction, then disappearing."

Endeavor snorted. "I know about Nomu."

"Not like these," Hawks countered. "These are 'High-End' Nomu. Reports say they were created to fight top-tier heroes. They were created to fight... you." He looked at Endeavor. "The world has lost its Symbol. Villains have become bolder. There's a power vacuum. We can't face it alone anymore. Not even you."

He held out his hand. "Let's work together, Endeavor-san. Let's show the world why we're number one and number two. Let's create an alliance that will give them a new sense of security."

Endeavor looked at Hawks' outstretched hand, then at his smiling face. He hated the idea. He had spent his entire life trying to surpass All Might alone. But he was also not a fool. He saw the truth in Hawks' words. He growled in frustration before finally shaking Hawks' hand roughly. "Fine. But we do it my way."

As they shook hands, the live broadcast on our television suddenly cut out. The screen changed to an emergency news report. A panicked reporter appeared on screen, with a burning office district in the background.

"We're reporting live from Fukuoka! Just moments ago, the new Number One Hero, Endeavor, was attacked by a horrific villain! The battle is ongoing!"

My entire class stood up at once, our eyes glued to the screen. On the screen, we saw it. A smart, black monster with an exposed brain—the High-End Nomu that Hawks had just been talking about—was trading blows with Endeavor. Their fight was so powerful it was destroying the buildings around them.

"That's… that's a Nomu!" Midoriya exclaimed. "But its movements… they're different! So fast and intelligent!"

I felt a cold chill run down my spine. I knew this fight. This was Endeavor's debut as Number One, and it was his greatest test.

On the screen, we watched Endeavor unleash all his power. Flashfire Fist: Hell Spider, Prominence Burn. He burned the Nomu to a crisp repeatedly, but the creature kept regenerating. Hawks provided support from the air, using his feathers to save civilians and attack the Nomu's weak points, but the two of them were still being pushed back.

Then, I saw him. On the roof of a building across from the battle, a shadow stood observing. The news camera didn't catch him clearly, but I could see him. A dark raincoat. A hint of blue hair. Dabi. He was there. He was the puppet master of this monster.

The fight reached its climax. Endeavor, gravely injured and nearly at his limit, gathered all his remaining strength for one final attack. He flew high into the sky, his body becoming a small sun. Prominence Burn: PLUS ULTRA!

An incredible explosion of fire completely engulfed the Nomu, and this time, it didn't regenerate. But Endeavor himself fell from the sky, badly injured. As he lay in the crater he had created, he raised his fist in the air, a painful victory pose. He had won. He had proven himself.

In the dorm common room, we all cheered in relief. But I didn't. I kept staring at the screen. As the camera zoomed in on the Nomu's charred face for the last time before its regeneration completely failed, I saw something in its dimming eyes.

It was just a glimpse. A split second. But I saw it. In the vacant stare of the monster, I saw a flash of a programmed fighting style. A flick of the wrist as it tried to parry, a way of twisting its body to avoid an attack. It wasn't the random movement of a wild beast. It was the remnants of a highly disciplined martial arts training. A style I had seen in my most hazy dreams.

A horrific, nonsensical realization hit me.

I whispered to myself, my voice so quiet no one could hear, but in my head, the words echoed like a death knell.

"That... that wasn't just a monster... Its movements... were like the warriors from the Empire."