Deku surveyed the training ground, where his classmates were diligently honing their quirks at the 1A training Depot. Shizu meticulously refined the intensity and precision of his flames, leaving scorch marks on training dummies and walls alike. Fugu concentrated on sharpening her quirk, gaining the ability to perceive visages of the individuals she tracked. Mari dedicated herself to enhancing the precision of her own unique ability. Michi tirelessly trained both his enhancing quirk and his physical prowess. Senshi and Hana collaborated on teamwork, seamlessly integrating their quirks in a synchronized dance of cooperation.
As Deku observed, his phone buzzed, and he brought it to his ear with curiosity.
"Yo, Katsuki! It's been a while. How's the search for those... Wild fires?"
Amidst the rustle of papers, Katsuki straightened a document before responding.
"Well, what can I say? Rumors of quirks being erased, mutated civilians reverting to their pre-quirk states, and government takedowns of videos related to these Wild Fires have spiked. The leader of this group, 'Firefly,' is rumored to possess a quirk that erases other quirks. There are even reports suggesting she might be able to manifest the quirks she removes."
Deku hesitated, gripping his lip as he pondered, the weight of his thoughts manifesting through his words amid the background sounds of stress lingering in his mind. Deku took a deep breath, the gears of his mind spinning as he began to unravel this, "Firefly"
"It almost sends chills down my spine, erasing quirks, it sounds possible, we've seen, and tested Eri, she is easily capable of removing someone's quirk, but with an eerie twist to this firefly's plot. Is it a quirk black market like Shigaraki, All for One? Or is it truly what it sounds like, erasing quirks, or is she somehow storing them and using them for her own purposes... I mean, the chaos of this could rupture our stable economy just like Shigaraki did all those years ago... We haven't had a possible threat like this in twenty years, is this even ethical? Could it be that this firefly is removing unwanted quirks? All for One did so but it turned out to be nothing but selfish.. Maybe-"
"OH MY GOD YOU DAMN NERD STOP TALKING BEFORE THE STUDENTS HEAR YOUR INCOHERENT RAMBLING! NOT LIKE THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND ANY OF IT!"
Deku's hand instinctively covered his mouth, a reflexive response to the nerves that accompanied his intense contemplation.
"Sorry about that, I just..."
Katsuki cut him off, an exasperated but understanding look in his eyes. "Got stuck in another ramble. I know. I'll keep you posted. But speaking about students... How goes the search?"
Deku turned back toward the bustling training ground, a mix of emotions playing on his features – excitement, happiness, and a tinge of agitation.
"Well, I think I've narrowed it down to the student. I've spoken to the other users, and they agree as well."
Katsuki's expression shifted to one of concern as he leaned in, his voice carrying a note of caution. "So soon? Izuku, it's been a month. Give it some more thought..."
Deku sighed, the weight of his deduction pressing onto him.
"I know Katsuki, but everything points to this one student, her behavior, her drive, the reason she's doing all of this is noble to me. I think I've made up my mind. All the others agree that the choice is compelling.. I know I have more time, but I'm 46, I am not getting any younger Katsuki, and I would still have time as the Symbol of Peace."
Katsuki leaned back, crossing his arms with a scowl. "Dammit Izuku, rushing into this is going to backfire. Remember how much time All Might had after he gave you One for All? He only had the embers for maybe... half a semester."
The tension between the line lingered between the two friends as the situation dug deeper.
"I get it Katsuki, I understand your concern, but if we wait too long, it could be more disastrous that we can comprehend. We need to act swiftly, and decisively."
The silence hung heavy on the line, and for a moment, Deku wondered if Katsuki had ended the call. He hesitated, glancing at his phone before hearing his friend's muttered words.
"You still think he's out there, don't you?"
Deku's mind flashed to the adversaries he had faced – Shigaraki, All for One – both resilient forces that seemed to persist despite the odds. The memory of their tenacity gnawed at him, and he found himself checking his watch, realizing that class time was drawing to a close.
"Yes... No... I don't.." Deku replied, a solemn tone in his voice. "I can't shake the feeling that he's not done, that there's more to this. I can't just pack this away, and write them off as dead."
Katsuki's response was a heavy sigh.
"Dammit Deku-"
Midoriya lifted his phone away from his ear
"I get enough of a scolding from my wife.. I don't need it from you too. Class is coming to a close, I'll call you after."
As the call ended, Deku couldn't help but feel the weight of the unknown pressing against him. The echoes of the past adversaries lingered... Though the battle was over, the war continued within his own mind.
"Class! You are dismissed! Thank you for your hard work today!"
Michi let out an exaggerated sigh as his arms fell limp, he started to walk towards the locker room.
"Thaaaaank God!"
Laughter echoed through the locker room hall as Michi, Shizu, Mari, and Fugu bantered about their post-training dinner plans. Shizu, with his infectious smile, slapped Michi on the back.
"Come on! It wasn't as bad as last week's dinner! Lets go get Ramen this time for dinner!"
Mari, walking beside Fugu, expressed her shock at Shizu's proposal. "Huuuuh?! Come on, Shizu! You're breaking my bank here, man! I can't keep eating out!"
Undeterred, Shizu positioned himself in front of the group, using animated hand signals to describe the delectable experience awaiting them. "You don't understand! my dad took Fugu and I to this place last week, and they put PUFFERFISH in the RAMEN! You'd think it would be gross, but NO! It's some of the most delicious ramen I've ever had!"
Michi observing the lively performance, scratched his head. "Oh I think I know that place. If I remember correctly, it's got some weird title... 'Tachibawa's?'"
Fugu nodded in agreement. "Yep, that's the place, Shizu's been talking about it NOOOONSTOP about the ramen."
Shizu, somewhat offended by his sister's attitude, pointed accusingly at her. "DON'T ACT ALL HIGH AND MIGHTY! YOU WEREN'T TALKING DOWN ON THAT PALCE ON YOUR THIRD BOWL OF RAM-"
Fugu retaliated by throwing a shoe at her brother, who agilely dodged it before she charged at him with playful threats. "I'M GOING TO BRAIN YOU, YOU LITTLE WHESEL!" The hallway out of the locker rooms erupted into a mix of laughter and arguing, until the lively atmosphere was interrupted by the towering presence of Deku, his mere presence cast a momentary hush over the group of friends.
"Hello everyone. If it isn't too much, I need a moment to talk to Nagamine."
Michi exchanged a glance with Mari, who instinctively started walking towards Deku. Shizu nonchalantly shrugged as Mari departed, and the group of friends watch the pair in curious silence. Shizu couldn't contain his curiosity as he blurted out,
"what do you think he needs from Nagamine?!"
Michi, still observing Mari, gave a noncommittal shrug.
"Hell if I know, looks like they've got some kind of business.. It's happening, more and more often."
A smirk played on the faces of Michi and Shizu as they shared a knowing glance. Fugu, caught in the crossfire, looked back and forth at the duo.
"Oh hell no! Come on, guys! I thought you said you both would be model students when you both got here!"
Shizu chuckled, "Well, Model students would definitely check in on mental status of their friend!"
Fugu released a heavy sigh as she surveyed her friends, her expression one of clear reluctance. Turning away, she declared firmly, "Don't have me involved in this; this has NOTHING to do with me!"
However, Michi, with an air of casual determination, grabbed onto Fugu's wrist, guiding her towards wherer Mari, and Deku where going, Fugu stared at her wrist with a perplexed and confused expression as Michi guided her. Undeterred Michi gently guided her. "Come on! It'll only be for a second, I just want to make sure she's fine! It'll be fine!"
Fugu pulled her wrist away from Michi's grasp, a moment of silence fills the hall before Fugu utters another word
"When have things ever been fine with your "plans" Michi?!"
Michi's eyes portrayed a mix of fear and regret, while Fugu's gaze seemed to be brimming with anger. Sensing the brewing of tension, Shizu hastily tried to intervene.
"C-come on guys, we don't need to if we're going to argu-"
Fugu's gaze shifted from Shizu to Michi, and with a stern expression, she pointed directly at Michi.
"We're doing this my way. You do not butt heads with me, you don't get to hear what I don't want you to hear, and you sure as hell don't get to step out of line. GOT IT, MICHI?!"
Michi, perplexed, met Fugu's gaze, nodding as he found himself captivated by the commanding force in her tone. It almost caught him off guard.
"Y-yeah, I hear you. Following your lead."
Fugu, maintaining her composed demeanor, straightened her face as she activated her quirk. With focused determination, she tracked down both Deku and Mari. Slowly, she began to move in the direction of their voices, leading the group until they reached a halt outside the principal's meeting room. Fugu closed her eyes, pinched her nose, dulling two senses as she heightened her hearing and sense of touch.
Michi raised his hand, intending to tap Fugu on the shoulder, but Shizu halted him with a hushed admonition.
"Don't touch Fugu when she's doing this; she finds it extremely distracting."
Fugu, still focused on her task, shot a hushed reprimand back at her brother and friend. "I can hear you two speaking over them, shut up!"
Leaning against the wall, Fugu pressed her ear to it, muttering words under her breath as she listened intently.
"One... For... All...?"
Michi and Shizu exchanged puzzled glances, shrugging simultaneously as Fugu snapped back to reality. "We need to move."
As they discreetly shuffled away, attempting to act nonchalant, a teacher strolled past the students. The trio skillfully veered toward the exit of UA and walked towards the Dorms. Michi couldn't help but voice his curiosity.
"So... Do I get to know anything that went on in that room?"
Fugu hesitated for a brief moment, her mouth opening and closing instinctively. Finally, she decisively opened it again and spoke out.
"None of us need to know."
Michi and Shizu exchanged glances, their concern palpable. Michi approached Fugu, his voice tinged with worry.
"B-baga... Is everything okay with Mari?"
Fugu met Michi's gaze with an exhausted expression before letting out a sigh. "I... It's nothing terrible."
Michi persisted in trying to glean more information, but Shizu stopped in the middle of the road, his disappointment evident.
"So... No ramen...? Okay..."
As the students walked into the dormitory, they witnessed as their classmates stood around the television.. Shizu walked up to Senshi, and Hana
"Senshi.. Hana, What's going on?"
The trio looked at the television, a panoramic view of Tokyo, Japan was shown, giving a majestic view of the city. Until it zoomed back in, towards the Japanese News Studio.
"Good afternoon Japan, I am Toji, Akamada. We are back to speak on the newly reported, "Wildfire" supporters, and active... "Agents" as it has been reported. If you are under the age of 16, or your children are present, please turn them away."
A video montage is cut to a man in the middle of a room, rifles trained on him, covered in bruises and cuts all over, he is recognized as the Pro Hero, Cellophane. The man holding him in place is instantly recognized by Michi Shinomori, nonother than Kazuki was holding down the Pro Hero, as a smaller woman wearing a full suit walked towards the Pro Hero.
"This "Sickness" has been the peak of our civilization for too long.. Something that we rely on to exist, and live day to day. Every day, people are hurt, killed, robbed due to villainous acts of the misuse of Quirks... That is why we are here, the Wildfires.. We wish to do nothing, but cure... those afflicted with the disease that plagues our world."
the woman touched Cellophane on the top of his head, as he pulled away, yelling in excruciating pain, before falling unconscious, as his arms slowly shifted, cracking, and breaking into seemingly normalized shaped arms... The crowd began to cheer, as Cellophane was carelessly dropped to the ground. The camera turns back to the host.
"Videos similar to this have been popping up all over the internet, mere students or adults pledging allegiance to the leader, proclaiming her to be named, "Firefly." As well, multiple accounts of well known villains can be seen on these videos, such as the Gang Mob Boss, Kazuki, Petty criminals, formerly arrested for petty crimes like money laundering, drug trafficing, or more. If you see any news, updates, or attacks caused by these Wildfires, please, report to your closest pro hero, and or police officials. Thank you."
As the News channel changed to commercial, Many students began to talk amongst each other, as Michi turned around, seeing Mari enter the Dormitory.
"Shinomori."
As Michi turned around, he was face to face with Senshi Itami, his face, filled with anger, frustration, as well as concern... Not for Michi, but perhaps the people of Japan.