The warmth of the training grounds faded behind them as the sun dipped below the city skyline. Class 1-A had been dismissed for the weekend, but the tension from the earlier exercise lingered like smoke after a fire.
Sabo stood alone on the rooftop of the U.A. dorms, watching the horizon flicker with city lights. He clenched his fist, flames licking softly at his knuckles before dying down again.
He couldn't sleep.
He hadn't been sleeping much since the Nomu attack. Ever since he was thrust into this world, something had been gnawing at him—a distant heat, different from his own. A fire he didn't recognize. And tonight, it felt closer than ever.
Down below, Aizawa paced across campus grounds, clearly agitated. Moments later, he was joined by Nezu and Present Mic. The three spoke in hushed voices, and though Sabo couldn't hear them, the concern in their expressions said enough.
Something was wrong.
Without a sound, Sabo leapt from the rooftop, catching himself with a brief burst of air pressure and landing silently in the shadow of a tree. He didn't want to eavesdrop—but instinct told him to listen.
"The League of Villains isn't staying quiet anymore," Aizawa muttered. "Nomu was only the beginning. We've confirmed movement in Hosu."
"Hosu?" Present Mic said, voice unusually low. "Isn't that—?"
"Endeavor's patrol zone," Nezu finished.
Sabo's breath caught.
"Multiple reports of 'fire-based' destruction," Aizawa added. "Blue flames."
Blue?
Sabo's mind flashed. That didn't match Dabi's usual M.O. from the stories Midoriya had told him. He'd never met the villain, but Midoriya and Todoroki had speculated about his origins. Still—Sabo knew flame. He could sense when it wasn't natural.
This… wasn't.
He returned to his dorm room before he was noticed. But as he lay back in bed, the thought wouldn't leave him.
Blue flames. Villains. Hosu.
The next morning, the dorms were unusually quiet. That was, until All Might himself arrived.
"Good morning, my students!" his booming voice echoed through the hallway.
The class scrambled into the common area in various states of grogginess and awe.
"All Might?!" Kaminari shouted.
"Is there a villain?" Mineta squeaked.
All Might chuckled, but his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "No villains today. You're all being taken to observe an off-campus patrol. Pro hero Endeavor has agreed to let a few of you shadow his agency."
The class buzzed with excitement—except Todoroki, who remained stiff.
Sabo didn't speak, but he noted the flicker of worry in Todoroki's eyes.
"They've requested a few standouts from the recent combat drill," All Might continued. "Midoriya, Yaoyorozu… and Sabo."
Sabo raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
"You've caught more than just our eyes, young man," All Might said seriously. "Endeavor wants to see your flames up close."
Sabo exchanged a glance with Midoriya, who nodded. "This could be good," he whispered. "Maybe you'll learn more about your power, or this world."
Sabo wasn't sure. But he wasn't going to pass up a chance to investigate the fire-based destruction in Hosu.
Hours later, they arrived at Endeavor's agency—tall, sleek, and intimidating. The Number One Hero stood waiting like a monument of fire himself, arms crossed, scowling.
"So," Endeavor said, eyeing Sabo. "You're the one with the strange fire."
Sabo nodded. "You're the one who thinks heat makes strength."
The two stared at each other. Sparks seemed to fly.
Endeavor grunted. "We'll see if you're all talk."
Their patrol began without warning. Within minutes, they were darting through alleyways in Hosu, scanning for villain activity. Midoriya followed close behind, scribbling notes in his ever-present notebook.
But it didn't take long before a call came through.
"Multiple explosions. Eastern sector. Possible Nomu sighting."
"Midoriya, Yaoyorozu—stay back," Endeavor ordered. "Sabo, with me."
They arrived at the scene to find a street in chaos. Cars overturned. Buildings charred.
And standing in the flames—was a figure cloaked in black, a swirling cloak of blue fire around him.
Sabo's eyes widened.
The figure turned. His face was stitched and burned, eyes glowing with malice.
"So you're the new flame-boy," Dabi sneered. "I've been waiting to meet you."
Sabo stepped forward slowly, ignoring Endeavor's furious glare.
"You… I don't know who you are, but that fire isn't natural."
Dabi grinned. "Neither are you."
He raised his hand—and the street erupted in blue fire.
Sabo responded instantly, his own fire colliding midair in a dazzling explosion of orange and blue.
Dabi's smile faded. "What the hell…"
"You're not the only one who can burn," Sabo said, tightening his grip on his pipe. "But I burn to protect."
He lunged forward, flames bursting behind him.
Dabi met his charge.
The battle between two fires—one born of pain, one of purpose—lit the city like a second sun.
And in the shadows, watching from a rooftop, a small figure smiled.
Shigaraki.
"The game begins now."