Two days had passed since the rooftop incident.
Sabo hadn't told the others about the masked figure—yet. Not because he didn't trust them, but because he needed time to understand what he was up against. The card he kept in his coat felt heavier with each passing hour.
Meanwhile, U.A. High returned to its rhythm. Students resumed training, classes went on, and the morning announcements sounded as cheerful as ever. But beneath the surface, a storm was brewing.
That afternoon, Principal Nezu called an emergency staff meeting. Not long after, Sabo was summoned to join.
He stepped into the conference room, greeted by a ring of familiar faces: All Might, Eraser Head, Present Mic, Vlad King, Cementoss, and of course, Nezu himself.
"Sabo," All Might said gravely. "We've received intelligence about a developing situation in Hosu City."
Nezu, sitting atop a stack of books, clicked the remote. A hologram flickered on, displaying satellite images of an industrial district. "A League of Villains cell has been detected here. Our agents believe they're testing Nomu variants—something stronger, more adaptable."
Eraser Head spoke next. "We suspect these modifications are based on quirk-data stolen from previous battles. Their behavior's been too coordinated. Someone new is directing them."
Sabo crossed his arms. "Let me guess. They wear a mask and like to leave creepy calling cards?"
Everyone turned to him.
He tossed the scorched card on the table.
"Met him two nights ago on the rooftop. Watched one of their Nomu fight me solo. Didn't engage directly, just gathered data."
Vlad King cursed under his breath. All Might looked troubled.
"Then we can confirm it," All Might said. "They're watching you."
Nezu nodded. "Which makes you the perfect bait. But we won't send you alone."
The screen changed. Hawks appeared on the screen, lounging in his usual laid-back way, wings tucked behind him.
"You're sending me out with the fire guy? Cool," he said, smirking. "Let's see what that pipe can do."
—
Later that evening, Sabo and Hawks met on the outskirts of Hosu. The industrial zone was dark, abandoned, and smelled of rust and oil. Clouds rolled overhead, casting long shadows across the storage warehouses and train tracks.
"Creepy place," Hawks muttered. "I hate when villains use old factories. It's like a horror movie."
Sabo chuckled. "I've fought worse in darker places."
They entered through the northern fence, wings of flame trailing behind Sabo as Hawks flew overhead.
Their comms crackled.
"This is Eraser Head. You're clear to proceed. Intel confirms three Nomu and at least five hostiles in the facility. Get in, get evidence, and get out."
Sabo flexed his hands. "Copy that."
As they approached a central warehouse, a sharp clang echoed through the air—followed by a low growl.
From the shadows, something massive emerged.
Its form was hulking—a Nomu, but different. Its limbs were armored with reinforced plating, and its eyes glowed with an eerie blue hue. Tubes ran through its body, pumping some kind of glowing liquid. It roared as it charged.
"Time to get loud," Hawks said.
He dove from the sky, feathers sharp as blades. They rained down on the Nomu, targeting its joints. But this one was faster—it blocked with its forearms and retaliated with a powerful leap toward Sabo.
Sabo grinned.
"Flame Fist!"
He launched a massive punch engulfed in fire, sending the Nomu flying into a shipping container. The impact shook the ground.
Hawks whistled. "That's one way to say hello."
Suddenly, a second Nomu burst from a nearby warehouse. This one had wings.
Before Sabo could react, it swooped in, slamming him into a wall with brutal force. Sparks flew from his shoulders as he skidded against concrete.
Sabo coughed, fire flickering around his arms. "Okay, that one hurt."
Hawks darted in, engaging the flying Nomu mid-air. They clashed in a dizzying exchange of slashes and strikes. Below, Sabo squared off with the armored one again.
Its punches were fast, heavy—but predictable.
Sabo danced between them, his pipe spinning like a baton. He ducked, weaved, then struck—once, twice, three times—each blow igniting sparks that tore through its armor.
"Not bad," he muttered. "But you're no Ace."
He drove his pipe upward—"Dragon Talon!"—and the Nomu was launched into the air, engulfed in a twisting spiral of flame.
Above, Hawks drove his opponent into the warehouse roof with a barrage of feathers, slashing open its wing membrane.
Both Nomu fell.
But then the shadows stirred.
From behind the stacks of crates, five villains emerged—armed with high-tech gear, visors, and weapons that looked experimental.
And behind them, stepping through a portal of black smoke, was the masked figure again.
"You burned my Nomu," the voice rasped through the mask. "Good. Let's see if you can burn faster than my data updates."
Hawks rolled his eyes. "Yup. Definitely a weirdo."
The masked figure raised a hand. "Engage."
The battle erupted.
The five villains charged forward. Two fired plasma rifles. One launched electrified nets. The others moved with quirks—telekinetic bursts and armor-piercing punches.
Sabo raised a wall of flame, deflecting the energy blasts. Hawks went airborne, taking out the sniper with a feint and a dive.
Sabo closed in on the leader.
"You've been watching me," he said through gritted teeth, pipe clashing against an energy blade the masked figure wielded. "Why?"
"To learn," the figure replied. "To evolve. You're not from here. That makes you the perfect anomaly. One I intend to study—permanently."
Sabo's flames erupted around him.
"Then study this!"
He slammed the ground—"Blazing Typhoon!"—and a vortex of fire spiraled outward, incinerating the remaining grunts.
The masked figure leapt back, cloak smoking.
"You're getting stronger," he said. "Interesting."
And then he vanished—another portal swirling behind him.
Sabo stood alone among the embers.
Hawks landed beside him, breathing hard. "Well... that was fun."
Sabo looked at the ashes.
"They won't stop. Not until they get what they want."
"And what's that?"
Sabo's grip tightened on his pipe.
"Me."