Assassins Can Be Heroes Too || Todoroki Shoto

|79| U.A.'s Decision

"Hero Billboard Chart JP, where Pro Heroes are ranked based on their number of incidents resolved, degree of contribution to society, the approval rating of the general population... factors such these are tallied and aggregated, and biannually, their rankings are announced!" the announcer declared.

"And yet, can you believe it?! The secret of the seemingly unshakeable No. 1 Hero has not only Japan, but even his Hero Headquarters over in America in uproar! This is the true form of All Might, who has reached the absolute limits of his stamina! As a matter of fact, he has declared that he is retiring from service as a Hero!" he paused to catch his breath, "in addition to this, the No. 4 Hero, Best Jeanist, who barely escaped death, is taking a long hiatus from his duties as a Hero! On top of all that, Ragdoll, a member of the 'Pussy Cats' who enjoyed strongly rooted popularity in the Hero community! Following her abduction, she has undergone an abnormal change and thus, her Quirk has become unfit for usage! Therefore, her Hero career has become suspended for an indefinite amount of time!"

A video began loading on the screen.

"Oh, I've just received news... what?!" a strangled gasp ripped from her throat, "there's no way... oh, alright... I'll play the video... a report has just come in that a new Villain is now the No. 1, her name and crimes infamous over Japan... well, just watch the video to find out."

The video remained loading for a few more moments before cutting to a black screen.

"Heh..." the light in the room brightened slightly, revealing a female teenager sitting on a chair in an empty room, her hands clasped as she leaned forward, "the Heroes have fallen... your Symbol of Peace and Justice is no more... All For One has been arrested... the public have lost faith in the Heroes... so what'll happen next, you ask?"

The video was quiet.

"Well, now... you'll just have to wait and see, Japan..." she gazed up, her golden orbs gleaming with malice, "and watch out for the name... of Crimson Death."

"Oh~?" she hummed, chuckling, "who am I, you want to know? Well... I shan't tell you my name or my age, nor shall I give away my identity... but just know that the Heroes... are done for."

With every word, she stepped closer to the camera, stopping in front of the screen.

"Say your goodbyes to the Heroes who you so dearly looked up to."

That day, four dead bodies were found in the news headquarters, with no weapons or bloodstains to be found but a single note with a clear message:

Japan's Heroes were in danger.

And there was nothing they could do about it.

~TIMESKIP~

"This is incredibly worrying news," Nezu furrowed his brows, observing the newspaper and sliding it across the desk's smooth surface, "Rie's been upgraded to Japan's No. 1 Villain... given what happened during the Kamino Ward incident, I presume she's..."

"Gone rogue," finished Aizawa quietly, the principal nodding grimly as he watched the male pick it up, his dark eyes scanning the article. He placed it down with a sigh, stepping back to let the principal continue.

"Well... we'll deal with Rie slightly later..." he wheeled his chair so that he was facing All Might, whose arm was in a sling, "through those sacrifices, an even greater amount of lives were saved in light of your efforts; as a citizen, fellow Hero and principal, I cannot thank you enough..."

"However, in the eyes of society, although you are continuing your role as a staff member of U.A... at the very least, there will always be some dissenting opinions. 'From the very beginning, the problem was All Might transferring to U.A.; everything that transpired this year can be traced back to that... and now that' he's a state where he can no longer fight, isn't the danger of the children being dragged into another perilous situation all the greater?'"

All Might remained silent.

"The situation is causing everyone great anxiety," he continued, "which is exactly why now, more than ever, we must do everything we can to strengthen the threads you wove for us, All Might: the unwavering faith and confidence in Heroes. In wake of these incidents, I have become all too aware: the great burden which we forced you to bear all by yourself, and just how monstrously large it was. The threat has not yet been eliminated."

"From here on out, more firmly and more strongly than ever, we must protect, nurture and raise the students. And so, we shall act accordingly, and put into effect a plan of mine that I've been mulling over, now more so than ever," he spoke, "Vlad and I will see to Class B, who suffered more injuries... All Might, Eraser, head to Class A." He slid a letter in their direction. "For home visits, I ask for your co-operation."

Aizawa stared at it for a moment.

"And what of Rie?"

Nezu remained silent, speaking slowly.

"That will be dealt with tomorrow. Today, visit the other students."