The third day of the on-site internship.
"Another energetic day!" Masata said cheerfully. "I wonder what kind of interesting things we'll run into today."
After finishing breakfast in the cafeteria, Igarashi Masata and Todoroki Shouto headed together to Endeavor's office.
"We're heading out today," Endeavor said, putting down the documents in his hands as the two arrived.
"Huh? We're going out?" Masata asked, surprised.
"Is it another commission like yesterday?"
The battle from the previous day was still fresh in his mind. Todoroki didn't say anything, but his ears subtly perked up, clearly attentive.
"The Hero Killer," Endeavor said gravely, "who has been extremely active in recent days, has already killed seventeen Pro Heroes and severely injured twenty-three others, rendering them unable to continue hero work."
"Based on the pattern of his past actions, he will definitely appear in Hosu City."
Masata and Todoroki were both familiar with the Hero Killer's deeds. After all, Iida Tenya's brother had been critically injured not long ago, and the authorities had intensified their search ever since. What they hadn't expected was that the Hero Killer not only hadn't gone into hiding—but was continuing to move openly from city to city.
"Additionally," Endeavor continued, "there is intelligence suggesting a connection between the Hero Killer and the League of Villains. This time, our objective is not only the Hero Killer, but also to prevent the League of Villains from making a move."
"I still have matters to handle at the office this morning," Endeavor said.
"You two can act freely for now. We'll depart after lunch."
With the looming threat of the Hero Killer and the League of Villains, Masata and Todoroki were understandably unsettled. Once they reached the lounge, they decided to analyze the available intelligence first.
"Judging from his past attacks," Masata said thoughtfully, "he usually operates in alleys and backstreets. These hidden areas make it difficult for police and heroes to respond quickly, which is why he keeps escaping."
Todoroki pulled out his phone, wrote down the relevant information on a sheet of paper, and handed it to Masata.
Looking over the notes, Masata nodded.
"Exactly. All the locations he's attacked are sparsely populated. If he struck in a crowded area, he'd be surrounded by Pro Heroes almost instantly."
Todoroki agreed.
"No matter how strong he is, escaping a siege like that would be nearly impossible."
"Which also means," Masata added, "his strength must be terrifying. Otherwise, Pro Heroes could at least stall him until backup arrives."
"But according to the survivors," Todoroki continued, "the Hero Killer deliberately chose not to kill some of them."
"Right," Masata said.
"And all accounts mention that he's covered in blades. Those weapons don't seem decorative—they must be critical to his fighting style. Maybe even necessary for activating his quirk."
"He really is a mysterious villain," Todoroki said quietly.
"There's almost no information about his quirk. The only common point is that once a hero fights him, they're immobilized—and then completely at his mercy."
Masata dropped the paper and leaned back against the sofa.
"I don't know if we'll actually catch him this time," he said.
"But if we do… taking down the Hero Killer would be an incredible achievement."
Their discussion continued, and before they realized it, time had passed. After lunch, Endeavor led Masata and Todoroki onto a train bound for Hosu City.
The distance from Tokyo to Hosu was long, giving Masata time to think—and to ask Endeavor something that had been bothering him.
"Uncle," Masata asked, "how did you increase the temperature of your flames?"
After their conversation at the Sports Festival and the battle the day before, Masata felt comfortable enough to ask. After all, Endeavor was Todoroki's father.
Hearing the question, Endeavor opened his sharp eyes and glanced at Masata.
"You want to raise the temperature of your magma?" Endeavor asked.
"That's a good idea—but from what I've seen, your quirk gives you a greater advantage in raw strength."
As expected of a veteran Pro Hero, Endeavor had already grasped Masata's strengths after only a few battles.
"If it were me," Endeavor continued, "I'd focus on developing that strength. All Might defeated villains with pure physical power."
"As for temperature," he added, "I can give you one hint. Listen carefully."
Endeavor raised a finger.
"Compression."
After saying that, he folded his arms, closed his eyes, and said nothing more—leaving the two boys deep in thought.
"So it really is what I suspected…" Masata murmured inwardly.
If he wanted higher temperatures, he'd have to concentrate the heat. Flames have no fixed form, making them easier to compress. Magma, however, exists in both solid and liquid states, making compression far more difficult.
Different substances had different molecular structures—the closer the molecules, the harder it was to compress.
Masata's technique Heaven Dog was already based on compressing magma inside his body, briefly raising its temperature and explosive force.
Under sufficient pressure, the destructive power skyrocketed.
"Even though my quirk naturally grows stronger over time," Masata thought,
"I still want to speed things up."
That was true. With [Gene Strengthening] and his body still in its prime growth phase, Masata was improving constantly—even without battle. He could already be considered physically powerful.
But after witnessing Endeavor's fight yesterday, his desire to grow stronger became impossible to suppress.
"If raising temperature is difficult," he continued thinking,
"then maybe I can focus on controlling detached magma better. If I can do that, my combat ability would improve significantly."
Until now, Masata could only reliably control magma directly connected to his body. Once it separated, control became extremely difficult—which was why most of his fighting style leaned toward close combat.
"During full elementalization, my control over magma becomes much stronger," Masata realized.
"Maybe I should start using elementalization proactively in combat."
Elementalization was one of his greatest assets, but due to its high consumption, he'd only used it defensively. Now, perhaps it was time to change that mindset.
Lost in these thoughts, Masata barely noticed as the train smoothly arrived at Hosu City.The third day of the on-site internship.
"Another energetic day!" Masata said cheerfully. "I wonder what kind of interesting things we'll run into today."
After finishing breakfast in the cafeteria, Igarashi Masata and Todoroki Shouto headed together to Endeavor's office.
"We're heading out today," Endeavor said, putting down the documents in his hands as the two arrived.
"Huh? We're going out?" Masata asked, surprised.
"Is it another commission like yesterday?"
The battle from the previous day was still fresh in his mind. Todoroki didn't say anything, but his ears subtly perked up, clearly attentive.
"The Hero Killer," Endeavor said gravely, "who has been extremely active in recent days, has already killed seventeen Pro Heroes and severely injured twenty-three others, rendering them unable to continue hero work."
"Based on the pattern of his past actions, he will definitely appear in Hosu City."
Masata and Todoroki were both familiar with the Hero Killer's deeds. After all, Iida Tenya's brother had been critically injured not long ago, and the authorities had intensified their search ever since. What they hadn't expected was that the Hero Killer not only hadn't gone into hiding—but was continuing to move openly from city to city.
"Additionally," Endeavor continued, "there is intelligence suggesting a connection between the Hero Killer and the League of Villains. This time, our objective is not only the Hero Killer, but also to prevent the League of Villains from making a move."
"I still have matters to handle at the office this morning," Endeavor said.
"You two can act freely for now. We'll depart after lunch."
With the looming threat of the Hero Killer and the League of Villains, Masata and Todoroki were understandably unsettled. Once they reached the lounge, they decided to analyze the available intelligence first.
"Judging from his past attacks," Masata said thoughtfully, "he usually operates in alleys and backstreets. These hidden areas make it difficult for police and heroes to respond quickly, which is why he keeps escaping."
Todoroki pulled out his phone, wrote down the relevant information on a sheet of paper, and handed it to Masata.
Looking over the notes, Masata nodded.
"Exactly. All the locations he's attacked are sparsely populated. If he struck in a crowded area, he'd be surrounded by Pro Heroes almost instantly."
Todoroki agreed.
"No matter how strong he is, escaping a siege like that would be nearly impossible."
"Which also means," Masata added, "his strength must be terrifying. Otherwise, Pro Heroes could at least stall him until backup arrives."
"But according to the survivors," Todoroki continued, "the Hero Killer deliberately chose not to kill some of them."
"Right," Masata said.
"And all accounts mention that he's covered in blades. Those weapons don't seem decorative—they must be critical to his fighting style. Maybe even necessary for activating his quirk."
"He really is a mysterious villain," Todoroki said quietly.
"There's almost no information about his quirk. The only common point is that once a hero fights him, they're immobilized—and then completely at his mercy."
Masata dropped the paper and leaned back against the sofa.
"I don't know if we'll actually catch him this time," he said.
"But if we do… taking down the Hero Killer would be an incredible achievement."
Their discussion continued, and before they realized it, time had passed. After lunch, Endeavor led Masata and Todoroki onto a train bound for Hosu City.
The distance from Tokyo to Hosu was long, giving Masata time to think—and to ask Endeavor something that had been bothering him.
"Uncle," Masata asked, "how did you increase the temperature of your flames?"
After their conversation at the Sports Festival and the battle the day before, Masata felt comfortable enough to ask. After all, Endeavor was Todoroki's father.
Hearing the question, Endeavor opened his sharp eyes and glanced at Masata.
"You want to raise the temperature of your magma?" Endeavor asked.
"That's a good idea—but from what I've seen, your quirk gives you a greater advantage in raw strength."
As expected of a veteran Pro Hero, Endeavor had already grasped Masata's strengths after only a few battles.
"If it were me," Endeavor continued, "I'd focus on developing that strength. All Might defeated villains with pure physical power."
"As for temperature," he added, "I can give you one hint. Listen carefully."
Endeavor raised a finger.
"Compression."
After saying that, he folded his arms, closed his eyes, and said nothing more—leaving the two boys deep in thought.
"So it really is what I suspected…" Masata murmured inwardly.
If he wanted higher temperatures, he'd have to concentrate the heat. Flames have no fixed form, making them easier to compress. Magma, however, exists in both solid and liquid states, making compression far more difficult.
Different substances had different molecular structures—the closer the molecules, the harder it was to compress.
Masata's technique Heaven Dog was already based on compressing magma inside his body, briefly raising its temperature and explosive force.
Under sufficient pressure, the destructive power skyrocketed.
"Even though my quirk naturally grows stronger over time," Masata thought,
"I still want to speed things up."
That was true. With [Gene Strengthening] and his body still in its prime growth phase, Masata was improving constantly—even without battle. He could already be considered physically powerful.
But after witnessing Endeavor's fight yesterday, his desire to grow stronger became impossible to suppress.
"If raising temperature is difficult," he continued thinking,
"then maybe I can focus on controlling detached magma better. If I can do that, my combat ability would improve significantly."
Until now, Masata could only reliably control magma directly connected to his body. Once it separated, control became extremely difficult—which was why most of his fighting style leaned toward close combat.
"During full elementalization, my control over magma becomes much stronger," Masata realized.
"Maybe I should start using elementalization proactively in combat."
Elementalization was one of his greatest assets, but due to its high consumption, he'd only used it defensively. Now, perhaps it was time to change that mindset.
Lost in these thoughts, Masata barely noticed as the train smoothly arrived at Hosu City.