Within a meeting room in U.A. the main teachers of the first years were sat in a round table.

"To be attacked during training camp meant to prepare students to fight villains . . . We should be embarrassed by the irony. We feared the revitalization of villains but our understanding of it was naive," Nezu solemnly stated. "They had already started their war — their war to destroy hero society."

"Even if we had understood it, would we have been able to defend against it?" Midnight asked, staring at the table with her fingers interlaced. "With all these persistent developments unfolding one after another . . . Ever since All Might, most organized crime has been weeded out."

Present Mic took this chance to pipe in. "So, we all got too complacent during peaceful times without realizing it, thinking we had time to spare."

All Might was gloomily sitting in his chair. "I am angry from the bottom of my heart at my own cowardice. While they were fighting desperately, I . . . was relaxing in a tub."

"Having the sports festival right after the attack . . . We can't keep taking unyielding positions like that, like we have up until now. To have not one, but two students kidnapped is U.A.'s greatest failure. They have stolen the trust people had in us as heroes, along with Watanabe and Bakugo."

"All the news outlets are filled with criticism of U.A. right now," Nezu stated. "If they were trying to get Bakugo, then it was probably because his violent side was made common knowledge at the sports festival. If he is won over by the villains, then it's over for U.A. as an educational institution."

"But, that fails to explain Watanabe," Midnight interrupted. "Watanabe didn't show aggressive traits at all. So, why kidnap her?"

"As of the USJ incident, the League of Villains had been aware of Watanabe's Quirk," Nezu explained. "The sports festival, likely, confirmed that she was the true Quirk bearer and capable of creating whatever she wanted. It's likely they've kidnapped her for the same reason as Bakugo, to join the villain side. And if she refuses, likely to force her to use her Quirk for them."

"Since we're on the topic of trust," Present Mic began, "there's something I'd like to say. We can say conclusively now — there is one among us, a traitor, isn't there? Only the teachers and the Pussycats knew where the training camp would be held! That's not all that's suspicious! Using their cellphone location information, even the students —"

"Mic, stop it!" Midnight interrupted.

Present Mic persisted. "How can I? Let's clean this place up thoroughly!"

"What about you? Can you prove that you are 100% innocent? Can you assert that everyone here is innocent? If we suspect each other, then we'll destroy ourselves from the inside. Looking for a traitor isn't something we should do in a hurry." Snipe asked.

"At the very least," Nezu continued, "I trust you all. I can't prove definitely that I'm completely innocent, either, though. For now, what we must do as a school is guarantee the safety of the students. With the suspected leak, there's something I've been thinking about doing for a while now. That's — "

A cellphone interrupted his sentence.

"Excuse me, I have to take this," All Might bowed.

"We're in a meeting! Turn off your phone!" exclaimed Present Mic.

"It's so strange," Shigaraki commented as he shut off the TV with Aizawa's interview. "Why are heroes being criticized? The way they were dealing with things was just a little off the mark. Is it because it's their job to protect? Everyone makes a mistake or two. Are they supposed to be perfect? Modern-day heroes are so uptight. Don't you think, Bakugo-kun, Watanabe-chan?"

Miyuki glanced at her companion and shook her head.

"Once heroes receive compensation for saving people, they aren't heroes anymore. That is Stain's teaching," the scaled-man stated.

"The strange system of transforming people's lives into money or glory . . . The society that sticks tight to those rules . . . The citizens who blame the losers rather than encourage them . . . Our fight is to question: What is a hero? What is justice? Is this society truly just? We'll have everyone thinking about it," Shigaraki monologued.

Miyuki sighed. "And, what then? What happens when you make people think?" She rose her head to look at each individual villain. "They'll follow you? They'll want to do what you're doing?" She leaned into her chair, letting the adrenaline into her system take control rather than the fear. "You're still implying they're just sheep — people following whatever they're told. If they are forced to think about this society, they have to think about yours too." She smiled. "What is your society? Tell me, make me understand what you're looking for."

Shigaraki rose a brow. "Heh, you're actually interested. I thought Bakugo-kun would crack first, but it seems I'm proved wrong."

"Tell me what society will become," Miyuki repeated. "Actually, no. Tell me how you'll change society. Not why, but how. Tell me what repercussions I and the people I protect will face. Tell me why it is more beneficial to force an uprising than to change the system diplomatically."

"The hero society is a shamble that — "

"I didn't ask for a why," Miyuki interrupted. Her heart thud in her chest. 'Come on, it's just debate club, just more extreme.' "I asked for how. How will you change this society?"

"War."

Miyuki let out a burst of laughter. "War? You want war?" She scowled. "Let me get this straight. You want a whole bunch of civilians who barely use their Quirks and don't have any combat experience to go against an entire league of trained heroes?"

"It won't be them fighting. I want to show them their society is wrong. I will do that gathering all those repressed and dismissed by heroes."

"Oh no, it doesn't even matter if you recruit other villains because it boils down to this — what do the people want? It doesn't matter in the end what happens in this war you plan. If the people don't want you, if they don't support you, your entire system falls down," Miyuki brushed him off. "And what comes after? The police have been reduced to an investigative and clean up team. They handle public disturbances and immediate response calls. Hospitals are filled with heroes with doctorates whose Quirks are enabling one more person to be able wait for a donor. If you plan to rid the society of these heroes, what then?"

"I want to take down the society that merchandizes and idolizes heroes," Shigaraki growled. "Heroes who work for the fame, who save lives just for the glory of the name. They say that they'll do whatever it takes to save a person, but fall back when it is themselves in danger. They're willing to save people if they get the glory and live to see it."

"Again, so? I don't care about their motivations. I just care if they're saving lives," Miyuki stated. "I don't care what you're in for, I don't care if you're there for the money, for the fame, because of societal pressure. I just care if you're saving people and not hurting them. I agree, there are heroes who need to be retrained, who need to be taken out of the system. But, it's not because of their greedy natures. It's because they fail at being a hero. Let me answer your question." She smiled brightly. "I've even told this to Bakugo. What is a hero? A hero is a person who has taken the steps to protect another person even when they're afraid. I think you're falling into the same trap that you think society is. What is a hero? You've made them out to be something not human, the darkest parts of human philosophy. But that just means you're not looking objectively; you're being subjective. We make a person a hero because they've protected something."

"Heroes cause a lot of damage while they're trying to do this so-called protecting," the scaled-man scoffed. "They damage buildings and cause casualties from the same buildings. They donate a single dollar to charity and then expect crowds of fame for their generosity. Some protection."

"And are you forgetting what caused those heroes to go out and cause destruction at that level? Villains. And you know what caused many of these same villains to go out? You should, seeing as your one. Society itself. I don't know why you're standing up for it and telling it to look at the heroes. Tell it to look at itself. How many children are born Quirkless and tormented for it to the point of suicide? How many children are born with "villainous" Quirks and tormented for it until they choose villainy? How many children are taught that there is only good and bad and never the gray? How many times have you been told you can't be a hero — someone who can protect those dear to you and help people in trouble — because of something you were born with or without? Now, is it the heroes doing the talking or the people they're protecting?" Miyuki smirked. "Don't matter what you do to heroes at that point. Because society is still teaching the same way and still telling people the same things making these heroes the way you think they are."

"You sure have a lot to say about this subject, huh?" one of the villains in the corner noted. "Why are you on track to becoming a hero then, lady?"

Miyuki rose a brow. "What do you think? Society listens to heroes. That's why you hate it. But I love it. Because it means that, as someone born with a Quirk like mine who knows these things are issues, I can talk about it, and people will listen. It means I am given the privilege and the advantage to be ahead of the starting line to change society from the very top. Present Mic speaks for the deaf and the mute. Midnight speaks for equality for all genders and against the sexualization of people based off appearance. Kamui Woods speaks for environmental sustainability. Gang Orca speaks against child abuse and for better judicial systems for cases. The list goes on. And they're heard. You know why? Cause they're heroes. Cause they've proven they will protect people. Tell me, what makes you think people will listen to you? You've hurt people. You've destroyed buildings and homes. You attacked children. You willingly worked with and released villains in prison who were rightfully imprisoned by the law for crimes of murder. Tell me, why would they listen to you?"

"They wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for heroes!" the lizard-man retorted.

"No? Hm, so psychopaths don't exist? People who genuinely take pleasure in seeing others get hurt don't exist? Pedophiles don't exist? Rapists don't exist? Oh! But if they do exist, it's because of heroes?" Miyuki incredulously replied. "Give me a break. Horrible people exist. It's not a thing about people being a hero or a villain. It's a thing about how human beings are and what they need to help them. If it's therapy, okay. If it's a government that is willing to transfer them to a new, safe home away from people teaching them you can do those things, okay. If it's one person that is willing to show them there are genuinely good people who are willing to help them, okay. But it doesn't take being a hero or a villain to do that. It takes being a person — a good one."

"Ah, I see you are too entrenched in the system to convert," Shigaraki shook his head. "Oh, well. Didn't have much hope for you anyways. We just want your Quirk. Kurogiri."

"Yes," the purple-mist man bowed. He opened a warp portal below that Miyuki fell through as the floor vanished.

Shigaraki laughed as he met her horror-filled eyes with glee. "Now. You." He turned to Bakugo. "And what about you? We're planning on winning. You like winning, too, right? Too bad your fellow classmate chose the loosing side, hm?" He paused and pointed towards him. "Dabi, release his restraints."

"Huh?" Dabi turned to face Shigaraki. "This guy's gonna fight, you know. He won't be peaceful and just talk like that girl."

"it's fine. We need to treat him like an equal since we're scouting him. She was never the initial recruit. Sensei was interested in her Quirk. Besides, you can tell if you'll win or not if you fight in this situation, right, U.A. student?"

"Twice, you do it," Dabi remarked.

"What, me?" Twice jumped. "No way."

"Do it."

Twice sighed. "I don't want to . . . "

"I do apologize for using such forceful methods," the magician said from the corner. "But please understand that we are not just a mob trying to commit crimes like your class mate stated. We didn't kidnap you by accident."

"Even though our situations differ, everyone here has been restricted and suffered because of people . . . rules . . . and heroes. I'm sure you also—"

Bakugo kicked Twice in the face before sending an explosion straight to Shigaraki. "I listened quietly to your endless talking . . . even to that otaku's rant. Just like her, idiots can't get to the point, so they're always talking for a long time. Basically, you mean 'We wanna harass people, so please join us,' right?" He glared at the villains. "Don't bother. I want to win like All Might. No matter what anyone says, that will never change!"

Miyuki yelped as she landed harshly onto cement, her weight crushing her left arm as she crashed. She laughed shakily as she felt tears spring. "Oh Kami, I really just did that."

"Ah, I have a guest," a deep voice interjected.

Miyuki froze.

"I see," the voice continued. "It's you. Watanabe Miyuki."

Miyuki slowly turned her head to face a large black chair in the center of the room. It was a man wearing a suit, tall and stocky with a black mask. His skin barely showed — only slightly at his jaws.

"Hm, yes, your Quirk," the man sighed. "Let's see, shall we?" He rose a hand towards her and red and black lightening surrounded his palms.

Miyuki curled her body and scrunched away. But, nothing happened. There was no pain or anything. She slowly unfurled and looked back. The man's palm was against her face, and she flinched back harshly.

"Interesting. Interesting. I can't take it," the man murmured. "Ah . . . That's why your Quirk was similar. You're a branch of us. You work just like One For All, unable for me to take. But, you don't willingly pass it. No, something else is interfering. Your Quirk, itself, perhaps?" His voice seemed to hide a grin behind it. "How interesting. Watanabe Miyuki, you've become quite interesting."

Miyuki tried to struggle back, to gain some distance from this man (creature?) that froze her very bones and made all thought disappear from her head. But she wouldn't move. No, she couldn't move. This . . . This was a villain.

"Ah, I guess before I try to solve you, I should handle the guests outside first. It will only take a moment after all," the man stated before vanishing.

Miyuki gasped and breathed heavily as she tried to regain her focus. 'Who was that? What was that? My . . . I don't!' She hung limply from the chair she was tied to. She trembled and shook. 'Just a little bit. Just . . . ' She kept trying to get her hands out of the metal casing around her wrists. It began to turn red and grow raw as she struggled. She kept squirming across the floor, trying to look for an exit. 'Where am I?' She glanced around and just saw metal tables and that black chair. 'Paper, just some paper. If he . . . If he could take my Quirk, he'd try to use, right? He'd have paper somewhere . . . where . . . where?' She felt relief pool in her stomach as she spotted a small notecard on one of the tables.

She screamed as she accidentally leaned her weight onto her left arm. 'Fuck! Fuck!' She whimpered as she forced herself to turn to her right arm and continue scrambling towards the paper. She released a deep breath when she was finally near its edge. 'Right there. It's right there!' She braced herself and rolled onto her back with the chair. It dug into her spine and her arms being behind her back made her that much more aware of her left arm, but that was a small detail she tried to not focus on. Her legs were slowly growing numb again, still tied together with duct tape. 'Shit, come on!'

She panted as she curled her legs so her knees touched her chest. Slowly, shakily, she rose it to the table's edge and wiggled her shoes, trying to grasp the paper, to make it fall. Luckily, her sole landed on the notecard and she slowly inched away, trying to keep it stuck on her sole and not fly further down the table. It was with great relief that the notecard fell onto the floor beside her. Tears ran down her cheeks as she felt that much closer to freedom.

She inched herself closer and searched for the notecard behind her. Her hands searched and searched before grasping its edge. She sobbed. She kept rubbing her wrists, trying to ignore the pain as it began to bleed from its dryness. She let it drip down her palm to her finger before shakily trying to write. S. A. I. T. A. M. A. She folded the card and placed it with the crease pointing upwards. She sobbed even more as she forced herself to roll onto her left side again and inch towards the card.

She stuck her neck out and grabbed the notecard's crease with her teeth and blew.

"Master!" Saitama yelled as he appeared at her side. He quickly rose her and the chair back up. She was shackled to it through her cuffs, probably as a means to physically stop her from escaping. He quickly broke those chains before ripping apart the tape holding her legs together. He looked at her wrists and bent the metal, being careful to not bend her arm too far. It thinned as it bent, thin enough that when he broke it, it didn't recoil on her as much.

She sobbed as she wrapped her arms around him, crying uncontrollably as she finally let go of her strength. She laid limp against him as he slowly picked her up.

"Master, it's okay. I'm here now. You'll be safe. I will protect you," Saitama whispered. His friend — the one he saw as a sister, the one who never questioned his strength and allowed him to fight with people who could match his strength, his speed . . . "I swear."

He shot out the building with her in his arms and glared at the suited man who stood before the unconscious bodies of several heroes and with one Bakugo Katsuki standing in front of him.

"Sorry, Bakugo," the suited man said.

"Huh?!" Bakugo coughed, spewing out the last of the black sludge.

Several other villains appeared around them, the same villains Saitama recognized who first had Miyuki and Bakugo.

"Sensei," Shigaraki knelt, head tilted down in shame.

"You failed again, huh, Tomura?" the suited man stated. "But do not be discouraged. Just try again. I have brought your associates back as well. Even this child. Because you judged that he was an important piece. Do it over as many times as you need." He outstretched a hand. "That is why I am here. It's all for you."

A moment of silence passed between them.

The suited man suddenly rose his head. "You're here, after all, aren't you . . . ?"

All Might suddenly appeared, going hand in hand with the suited man. "I'll have you return everything, All For One!"