[Time: Late November][Location: U.A. High School – Class 1-A Classroom]
The season had turned. The autumn leaves were rotting on the pavement, and a biting wind blew through the campus.
Winter was coming.
Inside the classroom, the heater was humming. But the air felt cold for a different reason.
"Turn it up," Aizawa commanded from his sleeping bag in the corner.
Yaoyorozu picked up the remote and increased the volume of the large monitor at the front of the room.
"The Hero Billboard Chart JP! Second Half of the Year!"
The announcer's voice was manic, trying to cover up the anxiety that permeated society. All Might was retired. The symbol was gone. The world was looking for a new god to hold up the sky.
Reiji sat at his desk, chin resting on his hand. His eyes scanned the screen with clinical detachment.
'Timeline Check,' Reiji thought. 'The transition of power. This is the moment the League makes their next play.'
[System Quest: The End of an Era.][Status: Active.]
On screen, the rankings were announced.
No. 10: Ryukyu.No. 9: Yoroi Musha.No. 8: Wash.No. 7: Kamui Woods.No. 6: Crust.No. 5: Mirko.
"Yeah! Go Mirko-sensei!" Kaminari cheered. "She kicked so much ass at the Yakuza raid!"
Reiji smirked slightly. 'She dropped a rank, though. Probably because she destroyed too much property chasing Rappa.'
No. 4: Edgeshot.No. 3: Best Jeanist.
"Best Jeanist is still missing," Midoriya muttered, clutching his notebook. "Ever since Kamino Ward... he hasn't returned to duty."
"He took a direct hit from All For One," Bakugo grunted, looking away. "He's not dead. He's just... resting."
No. 2: Hawks.
The screen shifted to a young man with crimson wings and a carefree smile. He waved to the crowd as if he were at a pop concert, not a government ceremony.
"He's fast," Tokoyami whispered, sounding proud of his mentor. "Too fast."
"He's twenty-two," Reiji noted aloud. "The youngest top hero in history. And the only one who doesn't look like he's carrying the weight of the world."
'And a double agent,' Reiji added silently. 'Walking a tightrope over hell.'
Then, the music stopped. The lights dimmed.
No. 1: Endeavor.
The Flame Hero walked onto the stage. His flames were roaring, but his face was grim. There was no smile. No All Might charisma. Just a burning, angry intensity.
The applause was polite, but hesitant.
"It's... quiet," Uraraka whispered.
On the screen, Hawks took the microphone. He flew around the stage, teasing Endeavor, breaking the tension with provocative comments.
"Who cares about approval ratings? I think we need a leader who says 'Just watch me.' Right, Number One?"
Endeavor took the mic.
He didn't give a speech about peace. He didn't smile.
"Just watch me."
That was it.
Reiji leaned back in his chair.
[Analysis Complete.][Endeavor's Spirit: Volatile but strengthening.][Public Trust: 45%.]
"Watch him," Reiji whispered. "Because he's about to burn brighter than anyone expects."
[Time: 08:00 PM][Location: U.A. Dorms – Reiji's Room]
Reiji stood in front of his equipment rack.
His standard hero costume—the black ninja garb inspired by Noob Saibot—was hanging there. It was reliable. Stealthy.
But the upcoming battle wasn't about stealth.
[World Event: High-End Nomu Attack.][Location: Kyushu District.][Time to Event: 48 Hours.]
"The High-End," Reiji muttered, pulling up the file on his System interface.
[Enemy Name: Hood.][Quirk: Regeneration, Muscle Augmentation, Shoulder Jets, Transforming Arms, Storage, Intelligence.][Threat Level: Raid Boss.]
This wasn't a mindless beast like the one at the USJ. This was a sentient bio-weapon designed to kill the strongest hero alive.
"Endeavor barely wins in the original timeline," Reiji calculated. "He takes a scar to the face. He nearly dies. And Hawks... Hawks has to play his part perfectly."
Reiji picked up a new piece of gear.
It was a chest plate. But instead of matte black, it had inlays of white gold metal.
[Item: Twilight Cuirass.][Material: Tungsten-Carbide Alloy infused with Light Spirit.][Effect: Increases Light Affinity damage by 15%.]
Since saving Eri, Reiji had unlocked the Light Element. He hadn't mastered it yet—it flickered and sputtered compared to his roaring Shadow flame—but it offered utility. Healing. Blinding. Pure speed.
"If I go to Kyushu," Reiji thought, "I disrupt the narrative. If I help Endeavor too much, he doesn't get his redemption moment. If I don't help enough, he might die because the timeline has shifted (the villains are stronger because of my interference)."
It was the classic Butterfly Effect problem.
Reiji equipped the chest plate. The white metal hummed against his skin.
"I need a reason to be in Kyushu."
He pulled out his phone. He scrolled past Mirko (who was in Tokyo) and Nighteye (who was recovering).
He stopped at a contact he hadn't used in a long time.
[Contact: Kurobane Corp - Aviation Division.]
Reiji dialed.
"Young Master?" A surprised voice answered. "This is the private line. Is everything alright?"
"I need a jet," Reiji said calmly. "Prepare a flight plan for Kyushu. Fukuoka Airport."
"Kyushu? Sir, you have classes on Monday. Does your father know?"
"My father cares about PR," Reiji said coldly. "Tell him I'm going to secure a business partnership with the Number Two Hero. He'll sign off on it."
"Understood. Departure time?"
"Tomorrow morning. 06:00."
Reiji hung up.
He picked up his Netherrealm Sword. The blade reflected his face—half in shadow, half in the light of his desk lamp.
"Endeavor needs to prove he's the Number One," Reiji said to the empty room.
He sheathed the sword.
"But I'm going to make sure the League doesn't get a kill."
[Quest Accepted: The Kyushu Incident.][Objective: Assist Endeavor. Kill the High-End.][Hidden Objective: Do not reveal Hawks' cover.]
Reiji turned off the light.
The King of Ash was about to rise. And the Reaper was coming to watch the show.
End of Chapter 131.