The Hero Killer Arrives

The smoke finally began to clear.

Two Nomu lay motionless on the ruined street.

Yuto stood in the center of the battlefield, blades still in hand.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Kamui Woods stared at him. "Yuto... did you create that tornado?"

Yuto nodded. "Yes. I had to use a stronger sword technique to bring them down."

Mt. Lady lowered herself carefully, eyes fixed on him. "A sword technique made that?"

Death Arms let out a rough laugh. "I asked for his hero name earlier. I think I'll remember it now."

The civilians found their voices.

"Quake!"

"Yuto Kanzaki!"

"You saved us!"

The cheers spread through the street.

Yuto sheathed his swords and turned toward the others.

"This wasn't just my victory," he said. "Everyone held them down, wore them out, and created the opening. I only finished it."

Kirishima's eyes shone. "That's so manly."

Midoriya was already writing, hand shaking. "Team coordination, Quirk analysis, battlefield control, swordsmanship, and leadership..."

Momo gave Yuto a tired look. "You frightened us again."

Yuto smiled faintly. "I'm getting used to hearing that."

On a rooftop far from the cheers, Shigaraki scratched at his neck until red marks appeared.

"Again. Yuto again."

Kurogiri's mist shifted beside him. "He has grown stronger since USJ. But Stain will move tonight."

Shigaraki stared down at the city. "Then he had better not disappoint me."

Yuto did not relax. The League of Villains had attacked Hosu.

The Nomu had been bait.

And if the League was already cooperating with Stain, then the Hero Killer would not stay away from the one person everyone was calling a hero.

"Get the injured to safety," Yuto said.

Momo looked at him. Her arm was scratched, and one side of her uniform was torn from the fight. "The Nomu are down. Why are you still acting as if the battle is not over?"

Yuto did not answer right away. He scanned the rooftops.

"Because it is not over."

Bakugo's eyes narrowed. "What are you hiding?"

"Someone more dangerous than the Nomu."

The wind moved across the ruined street.

A figure appeared above them.

He stood on the edge of a building with his scarf and weapons shifting in the night air. He was lean, scarred, and tense as a drawn blade. Red eyes looked down at Yuto through the smoke.

Hero Killer: Stain. The Pro Heroes recognized him first.

Kamui Woods stiffened. "Stain." Mt. Lady's expression changed. "The Hero Killer is here too?"

The name spread through the crowd like cold water.

"Stain?"

"The villain who hunts Pro Heroes?"

"Why is he here?"

Stain looked down at Yuto. "You noticed me," he said. "That's why you tried to send your companions away."

His murderous tension filled the street.

"Let me judge you, Yuto Kanzaki."

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