The sun rose slowly over U.A. High, casting a soft golden light over the campus. Birds chirped overhead, and the city of Musutafu began to stir. To anyone watching, it looked like just another normal day at the nation's top hero school.
But for Sabo, sleep had been impossible.
He sat alone on the common room couch, a cup of tea steaming beside him and his eyes staring into the flickering television screen, which showed nothing but a static menu.
The events in Hosu weighed heavily on him. The masked figure. The message. The data collection. That Nomu's adaptability. He couldn't stop thinking about it.
They were after him. Not the school. Not just the students.
Him.
And they wouldn't stop.
He clenched his fists, fire sparking briefly in his palm before he extinguished it. Not here—not in the dorm.
Footsteps approached from the hallway behind him.
"Sabo?"
He turned. It was Yaoyorozu, dressed in a sweater and pajama pants, a book tucked under her arm. She looked concerned.
"You're up early."
"Couldn't sleep," he said, trying to smile.
She walked over and sat beside him. "Is this about the Hosu incident? Mr. Aizawa said you and Hawks encountered something… serious."
Sabo nodded. "It wasn't just serious. It was personal."
He explained what he could—without revealing too much to protect her and the others. The masked figure, the Nomu, the card. Her eyes widened, but she didn't interrupt.
When he finished, she placed her book on the table.
"They're targeting you."
"Yeah."
"Do you think they'll come here?"
"They already did once," Sabo said. "Watched from the woods. Tested the defenses. They're waiting for something."
Yaoyorozu was quiet for a moment. Then she stood up.
"Then we need to be ready."
Sabo blinked. "We?"
"You may be from another world, Sabo—but you're one of us now. You fight for others, you protect people, you've saved our friends. That makes you family."
Her voice was calm but firm. Resolute.
Sabo smiled—genuinely, this time.
"Thanks," he said softly.
—
Later that morning, homeroom was electric with energy. Rumors of villains in Hosu had already reached the students via news headlines and whispered conversations. Everyone looked tense.
Aizawa entered, eye bags even heavier than usual.
"Everyone, settle down," he said, pulling up the hologram board. "We have a new assignment."
A collective groan followed.
"Not classroom work," Aizawa clarified. "A field exercise."
That shut them up.
"I've spoken with Principal Nezu and the staff. After recent developments, we're increasing emergency readiness drills. Each student will partner with a classmate and go through a mock villain invasion scenario—using real environments."
Whispers spread like wildfire.
Sabo leaned back in his seat, intrigued.
"The exercise starts tomorrow," Aizawa continued. "Pairs have been assigned. Each of you will face a different type of scenario—hostage situations, ambushes, evacuation procedures, or direct combat."
Bakugo raised his hand—more like a fist.
"Tch. So who am I blowing up with?"
Aizawa checked his tablet. "Bakugo, you're with Jiro. You'll be navigating a communication disruption scenario."
Bakugo grunted. Jiro sighed.
"And Sabo?" Midoriya asked, already jotting notes in his hero notebook.
Aizawa glanced up.
"Sabo will pair with Midoriya."
Midoriya froze. "M-me?"
Sabo grinned. "Looks like we're a team, Deku."
Aizawa looked at them both. "You two will handle a combat and rescue mission. Simulated civilians trapped in a collapsing building. Multiple threats inside. Think fast, move faster."
Midoriya nodded quickly, trying not to look overwhelmed.
"Dismissed. Meet in the training dome tomorrow at 7 a.m. sharp."
—
That evening, Sabo and Midoriya sat in the common area, mapping out ideas.
"So if the building's collapsing, we'll need a clear entry route," Midoriya muttered, sketching plans. "I can use Full Cowling to scout the structure while you manage fire-based threats. Your heat should burn through debris safely if needed, right?"
"Right," Sabo said, sipping tea. "But if there are any survivors, I'll need to dial the flames back. Wouldn't want to roast them."
Midoriya chuckled nervously. "Yeah. That would be bad."
Then he looked up. "Sabo... can I ask you something?"
"Go for it."
"Do you ever get scared?"
Sabo paused, setting down his cup.
"All the time," he said. "But I move anyway. I've learned that fear can't stop me—only hesitation can."
Midoriya's eyes widened.
"That's what makes you strong."
Sabo leaned back. "That's what makes a hero. Even when you're terrified, you stand up anyway."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of those words sinking in.
Outside, the wind picked up.
A storm was coming.
But Sabo had been through worse.
And he wasn't alone anymore.