Izuku The forgotten Jade emperor.

aftermath

The journey back to the city was a somber one. No one spoke much, the weight of our recent failure hanging over us like a dark cloud. When we arrived at U.A., the atmosphere was tense. It was clear that the staff and the administration were preparing to address the public outcry that had erupted following Katsuki's kidnapping.

I kept my distance from the others, observing silently as Principal Nezu prepared his apology to the public. The media had gathered outside the school gates, their cameras and microphones ready to capture every word.

Principal Nezu stepped up to the podium, his small stature belying the gravity of the situation. He adjusted the microphone and began to speak, his voice calm yet tinged with sorrow.

"Good afternoon, everyone. I am Nezu, Principal of U.A. High School. We are gathered here today under tragic circumstances. As you are all aware, one of our students, Katsuki Bakugo, was abducted by the League of Villains during our training camp. This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers our students face in their journey to become heroes.

"First and foremost, I want to extend my deepest apologies to Katsuki's family, friends, and to all of you. As the principal of U.A., it is my responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. In this, we have failed. We are taking this matter very seriously and will be conducting a thorough investigation to understand how this breach of security occurred and to prevent such incidents in the future.

"I also want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to locate Katsuki and bring him back safely. We are working closely with the pro heroes and law enforcement to track down the League of Villains. Our thoughts and prayers are with Katsuki and his family during this difficult time.

There was a collective murmur from the crowd. I remained silent, their eyes fixed on Nezu.

Nezu paused, his eyes sweeping over the audience. "In light of these events, we are working closely with the pro heroes and law enforcement to formulate a plan to rescue Bakugo. Detective Tsukauchi and his team are leading this effort, and we are committed to bringing Bakugo back safely."

Izumi's fists clenched at her sides. I could see the mix of guilt and determination in her eyes. Nezu continued.

"To the students who were affected, we urge you to lean on each other and your teachers for support. You have shown incredible bravery in the face of danger, and we are immensely proud of your courage. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we navigate through this challenging time."

"We ask for your patience and support as we navigate through these challenging times. U.A. remains committed to our mission of training the next generation of heroes, and we will not rest until Katsuki is safely returned to us. Thank you."

The reporters bombarded Principal Nezu with questions, but he simply bowed and stepped away from the podium, leaving the pro heroes and faculty to address the specifics.

I watched the apology from a distance, my expression neutral. The public's reaction was predictable—anger, fear, and a demand for accountability. But none of it mattered to me. My focus was on the next steps, on analyzing the situation and planning for the future.

As the crowd began to disperse, I noticed a group of my classmates gathered nearby—Izumi, Shoto, Momo, Iida, Shota, and Katsumi. They were deep in discussion, their expressions a mix of determination and concern. It was clear they were planning something, something that involved rescuing Katsuki.

Izumi was the first to speak. "We can't just sit here and do nothing. We have to save Katsuki."

Shoto nodded in agreement. "The pro heroes are already working on it, but we can help too. We know Katsuki better than anyone."

Momo and Iida exchanged hesitant glances. "I understand your feelings, but this is dangerous," Momo said. "We don't have the resources or the experience to take on the League of Villains."

Iida added, "It's reckless and could get us all killed. We should leave this to the professionals."

Katsumi, her eyes fierce, stepped forward. "Katsuki is one of us. We can't just abandon him. If we have a chance to help, we should take it."

Shoto remained silent, his gaze focused on the ground. He seemed to be wrestling with his own thoughts.

I stood apart from the group, listening but not participating. Their determination was admirable, but it wasn't my fight. Katsuki was just a classmate to me, not someone worth risking my life over.

As their discussion continued, I noticed Detective Tsukauchi approaching with a group of pro heroes. They had been working tirelessly to locate the League of Villains' hideout and were now formulating a plan to raid it.

Detective Tsukauchi addressed the students. "We've gathered some intel on the League's hideout and a separate facility that we believe is related to their Nomu production. We'll be launching simultaneous raids on both locations. Pro heroes will handle the main hideout, but we need to investigate the Nomu facility as well."

He turned to the students. "I understand your desire to help, but this is extremely dangerous. If you choose to get involved, you must do so carefully and follow the heroes' lead."

Izumi, Shoto, Momo, Iida, Shiori, and Katsumi nodded in agreement, their resolve unwavering. They were determined to see this through, despite the risks.

I watched them prepare, my mind detached from their emotions. They were driven by their bonds with Katsuki, but I had no such ties. My role was to observe, to analyze, and to act only when necessary.

As night fell, the students and pro heroes set out on their mission. Izumi, Shoto, Momo, Iida, Shiori and Katsumi moved with a purpose, their goal clear in their minds. I followed at a distance, ready to step in if needed but content to let them take the lead.

The Nomu facility was a grim place, hidden deep in an industrial area. The students approached cautiously, their hearts pounding with anticipation and fear. I stayed in the shadows, watching as they navigated the dark corridors and encountered various security measures.

They didn't know it yet, but they were about to uncover a crucial piece of the League's operations. And while I didn't share their personal stakes in the mission, I knew that their success or failure would have far-reaching consequences.

The pro heroes launched their raid on the main hideout with precision and force. Meanwhile, Izumi and her group infiltrated the Nomu facility, their determination driving them forward. They encountered resistance, but their teamwork and training allowed them to push through.

As they delved deeper into the facility, they stumbled upon a lab filled with grotesque experiments and incomplete Nomu. The sight was horrifying, but it only strengthened their resolve.

Momo used her creation abilities to gather evidence, while Iida and Shoto focused on securing the area. Izumi and Katsumi took point, their combat skills ensuring that they could handle any threats that came their way.

I watched from the shadows, my eyes scanning the lab. The sight of the Nomu experiments confirmed what we had suspected—the League of Villains was far more dangerous and organized than we had initially thought.

As the students continued their mission, I felt a strange sense of detachment. They were fighting for their friend, for their ideals, while I was simply there, an observer in the chaos.

At the main hideout, the pro heroes clashed with the League of Villains in a fierce battle. Detective Tsukauchi and All Might led the charge, their determination to rescue Katsuki driving them forward. The fight was intense, with both sides sustaining injuries, but the heroes' training and experience gave them the upper hand.

I stayed back, my role clear in my mind. I would act only if absolutely necessary, using my abilities sparingly to avoid the severe side effects. For now, my focus was on ensuring that Izumi and her group succeeded in their part of the mission.

As the night wore on, the students managed to secure vital information about the League's operations. Their mission was a success, but the cost was high—both physically and emotionally. They were exhausted, battered, but they had achieved what they set out to do.

and of course that fight happened...