"It just so happens that since you're all here, I'll tell you first."
Seeing everyone gathered together, Officer Tsukauchi stopped and spoke.
"What is it?" Masata asked in confusion.
For a moment, he wondered if the police had changed their minds and decided not to let them participate.
"Actually, this was Endeavor's suggestion," Tsukauchi said. "Since you've fought the League of Villains multiple times and have experience dealing with them, we've decided to let you form a special operations team."
"Huh?! A special operations team?! So we don't have to do logistics anymore?! That's great!"
Kirishima immediately became excited. He had already been prepared to sneak into the rescue even if it meant punishment. Now, things had suddenly taken a positive turn.
"Calm down," Tsukauchi said helplessly. "Even though you'll have a high degree of freedom, you must still follow orders."
He glanced at Kirishima, who was practically glowing with excitement, and sighed inwardly. After all, they were still just students.
"The captain of this team will be Igarashi Masata," Tsukauchi continued. "He will be responsible for directing your actions. If anything goes wrong, he will bear the responsibility."
The lively atmosphere instantly cooled.
The pressure on Masata's shoulders suddenly became much heavier.
"Ah… that's fine," Masata replied without hesitation. "Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on them."
He knew their abilities well. Against ordinary villains, they could handle themselves. And if something stronger appeared, he would step in.
"You'll have freedom to move," Tsukauchi added. "Whether you fight villains or assist the police will be up to Igarashi's judgment. But one thing comes first—your safety."
This was the police's bottom line.
Safety was everything.
After speaking, Tsukauchi left with All Might, leaving the group standing silently behind.
"Uh… Captain Igarashi?"
Kirishima finally broke the silence, calling out hesitantly.
"Don't make it weird," Masata laughed. "Call me whatever you want. Just listen to me during missions."
His relaxed response eased the tension, and everyone began talking again.
"I can't believe the police trust us this much," Midoriya said, clenching his fists. "This time, Bakugo will definitely be saved!"
He hadn't slept well all night, constantly imagining Bakugo suffering.
"Regardless of their intentions, safety comes first," Masata reminded them. "Especially you, Kirishima. Don't act alone."
He worried about Kirishima the most. This hot-headed idiot was capable of charging in without thinking.
"I understand, Captain Igarashi!"
Kirishima stood straight and gave an exaggerated salute, making Masata laugh and scold him again.
Meanwhile, on the other side…
"Endeavor, why did you make this decision?!"
All Might stood in front of Endeavor, his face full of disbelief.
In his impression, Endeavor had always been cold and cautious. He never expected him to propose forming a student-led special unit.
"Hmph. Isn't it obvious?" Endeavor replied calmly, flames flickering around his beard.
"Igarashi already has the qualifications of a professional hero. I once thought he only had strength, but now I see his character is qualified too."
"What he lacks is experience—and proof."
Endeavor highly valued Masata's spirit. In this era where evil continued to grow, cultivating the next generation was crucial.
This operation was also a chance for Masata to mature.
Perhaps, deep down, Endeavor also wanted to train his own son. Competition was the fastest way to grow.
All Might fell silent.
He had long hoped someone could inherit his burden.
Midoriya was not ready yet.
Masata, however, might be.
That was a good thing.
"Protect yourself, Igarashi boy," All Might murmured.
At this point, he could only trust Masata.
After all, the only person who could truly threaten him… might be All For One.
The group remained at the police station until evening, attending multiple operational meetings.
After its formation, the special operations team went through several rounds of evaluation, which exhausted everyone.
But they endured.
Many heroes participated in these meetings, offering suggestions and opinions.
Numerous unfamiliar heroes had also arrived. Their main tasks were evacuating civilians and handling logistics.
Although they were professional heroes, they were assigned low-profile duties.
Meanwhile, several first-year students had formed a "special operations team."
The imbalance was obvious.
Jealousy spread quickly.
Some complained:
"They're just students."
"They have no license."
"It's too dangerous."
Some genuinely worried.
Others were simply resentful.
After all, when they were students, they never received such opportunities.
They had climbed up from the bottom through years of struggle.
Seeing Masata's group rise so quickly naturally made them feel bitter.
However, these voices quickly disappeared under Endeavor's authority.
And All Might did not oppose the decision either.
Those who complained could only swallow their words.
As night fell, the sun vanished beyond the horizon.
A pale moon rose into the sky, casting soft light over the ground.
The quiet atmosphere carried hidden tension.
Tonight—
The rescue of Bakugo and the large-scale suppression of the League of Villains would officially begin.