MHA: Time Manipulator

Toga stared intently at the screen, carefully watching every movement of Kimika, even the smallest ones. With each passing second, her face became more distorted—anger, distrust, and inner turmoil gradually overwhelmed her. 

Her hands, though pressed to the ground, began to twitch convulsively, revealing the emotional strain she could no longer hold back. 

"This isn't her... This isn't my little Kimi!" she hissed, as if saying it more to herself than to Nezu. "This can't be Kimi! Who the hell is this?!"

Toga quickly turned her gaze away from the screen, but the voices and sounds of the fight from the video still broke through to her consciousness, leaving no chance to ignore them. 

And the words "Bloody Pleasure" were the last straw. They came from the screen, as if spoken by a completely different person. Kimika's voice — no, it was a distorted, poisonous voice, filled with disdain and cold self-satisfaction. 

And that laugh... sharp, piercing, almost mechanical. A laugh that bore no resemblance to the warm, gentle laugh Toga remembered.

Unable to believe her ears, Toga turned her gaze back to the screen, trying to convince herself that it was all a lie. But the words had already been spoken, and Nezu's smile, which seemed completely inappropriate for the situation, only irritated her even more. But... 

It was the same Kimika, but with features that simply couldn't belong to her: eyes as black as the abyss, horns, and claws on her hands. And that smile... It was similar to hers, but completely different — not simple and carefree, but paradoxical, reminding her not only of Kimika, but of something dark that destroys and consumes Kimika herself. Toga felt her heart tighten with fear and despair.

"Are you laughing at me?! NEZU!" she screamed, her voice breaking as she turned her head towards the director. Her gaze was sharp, almost desperate. "WHO is that? What kind of creature is this! And how dare it do this to my Kimi! LET ME GO! AND I...."

"Toga," Nezu calmly interrupted her, his voice giving away no emotion. "While you were unconscious for a few minutes, a lot changed. And since it seems you have no desire to watch the video to the end, well... This is Kimika, but only halfway." 

'Kimika only halfway? What the hell happened in those few minutes... Kimi...'

Turning off the tablet and placing it on the table, completely disregarding how Toga was struggling to process what she had seen, Nezu slowly approached the door and knocked on it several times. 

After a few moments, the door to the room quietly opened, and Eraser Head entered. 

"You're the last one I needed here..." Toga whispered, her mind struggling to cope with everything she had seen and heard. 

She didn't want to see anyone else besides Nezu, who, as she understood, wouldn't move until he got what he wanted. And what irritated her most was the appearance of Eraser Head. 

"Believe me, I'm not thrilled about this situation either," he replied dryly, approaching her. 

This brief but tense moment between the two enemies brought a slight smile to Nezu's face. Especially remembering the words once spoken by Aizawa, he watched with curiosity as their gazes seemed to shoot fiery lightning at each other. 

But not wanting to wait for those glances to turn into something more, he clapped his hands, drawing their attention.

"Aizawa, it's interesting to see you like this," he addressed Eraser Head with a barely noticeable hint of irony. "Just a month ago, you were so enthusiastically talking about the idea of accepting Toga and Kimika as your students... I remember how passionately you described their potential, it feels like it was only yesterday!" 

Hearing these words, Eraser Head started mumbling quietly to himself, casting a glance at Nezu, who was pressing something on his bracelet, and at Toga, who, from his mumbling, caught something that sounded like "And whose side are you even on..." 

At that moment, a beep was heard from Toga's collar. She felt her bracelets lighten, giving her the freedom to move.

"I think you have quite a few questions, Toga, don't you?" Nezu began, his voice calm yet tinged with irony. "And if you want answers, please, calmly follow me." 

Despite the bracelets lightening and Toga gaining more freedom of movement, she still felt every step under the watchful eye of Aizawa, who stood behind her. 

She knew it was best not to make any sudden moves for now. But honestly, she didn't want to either. 

'Damn... I need to find out what's going on with Kimi and how to help her... and only then…' 

With a slight smile, she slowly stood up and walked over to Nezu, who was waiting by the door. His unchanging smile said it all — everything was going exactly according to his plan.

"The recruitment plan has successfully begun," thought Nezu, watching her calm steps, clearly understanding that it would definitely not be easy, since the girl was probably already coming up with — if not already had — an escape plan. But for now, he had what she needed, and as long as that was the case, she would play by his rules.

As they walked through the corridors of the empty academy, Nezu happily spoke about nearly every brick of the famous building, to the discontented groans of the tired Eraser Head behind Toga, which seemed to speak for themselves: "Not again... not again..."

This could not help but amuse Toga, who had already more or less pieced together everything happening, and no longer did her face show those unfamiliar emotions — only carefreeness and a slight smile.

"It felt like yesterday when I was just a little… mouse, barely escaping from that building, which once was my world. And although I hate it with all my heart, I must admit — without it, I wouldn't be who I am today, even though it left behind certain scars," he said, pointing to the large scar on the right side of his face, which had become a symbol of his journey.

"But let's not delve into that distant and frightening past. So… after I got out, it wasn't easy at first. Earning the first money was tough, but I always believed in the power of my incredible intellect, and it was this that became my driving force. Gradually, I learned to see opportunities where others saw only obstacles. And though my first investments, my first steps in business — were not just difficult, but a real challenge. But it was because of this that I achieved what I have now," he paused, standing by the window. Looking out at the view beyond, he smiled briefly, recalling how it all began.

"And you know, as absurd as it may sound, money is not the most important thing. Of course, it opens doors and creates opportunities, but the real value lies in experience. We all, even I, go through mistakes and failures, but it is these that shape us and our worldview. It is through these hardships that we become stronger. Money can help, but it won't give us what we gain when we learn from our mistakes. And so, over time, having the opportunity, I created this academy, where everyone can walk their own path, unafraid of mistakes.

Here, with my curriculum and the hero instructors who can point out potential mistakes and help avoid them, we make our students even stronger than we are.

"This is a place where not only knowledge is provided, but also experience that changes lives. A place where everyone can get the chance to become a hero, no matter where they are now. Here, everything is available for growth, and I believe that this — is the greatest opportunity for everyone."

Nezu made a small gesture with his hand, as if showing how all of this fits together into one picture. "Our world is not perfect, just like life, Toga. Many go through dark stages, and not everyone knows where to go. But even someone who has made mistakes can find their way back. You just need to understand why those mistakes happened and learn from them."

Hearing these words of wisdom, Toga stopped, clenching her fists slightly and exhaling heavily… she relaxed them, understanding that it wasn't the time yet. A light, almost playful smile returned to her face.

"Your lecture on life is certainly interesting, Nezu," she said with a blush on her face and an ironic undertone in her voice, smiling in a way that made her fangs slightly show. "But, as you yourself said, we all make mistakes. Yet, right now, I only see one mistake in my life..."

Toga turned her head towards Aizawa, locking eyes with him. "I regret not killing you in that alley… the day I had the chance, but listened to Kimi... But as soon as I get the chance, I will correct that fatal mistake. And for now... I want to hear the promised answers to my questions."

Nezu, seeing only an obvious provocation in her words, couldn't hold back his laughter. This girl was truly a phenomenon — without a doubt. Not everyone would dare provoke heroes like that in such a situation, especially in their own den. 

He shifted his gaze to Aizawa, who seemed to have the same thought, as even after such blatant threats, he made no move in response. Aizawa only calmly watched Toga, maintaining his usual composure. 

"Well, I'm glad you see your mistake, whatever it may be," Nezu said calmly, almost thoughtfully. 

"Boring..." Toga whined, sighing and rolling her eyes.

Nezu continued, ignoring her reaction. "As for your questions..." He paused, then walked to the end of the hallway, where the elevator was standing. 

Approaching, he pressed a button on his bracelet, and the elevator doors opened. "Here, you'll get all the answers I have for now. And, Aizawa, you'll find this interesting too." 

They all entered the elevator, and Nezu pressed the button for the lowest floor — minus one hundred.

"You know, I, just like you, had many questions about this creature, Hatred, that took control of your friend's body. What is it? What are its goals, motives, abilities? Can it spread like a virus? Or perhaps, is it the effect of someone's quirk? But what I've learned in such a short time was the complete opposite of what I imagined..." 

The elevator stopped, and the doors opened before them. The lights in the large room began to light up one by one, gradually revealing the vast laboratory.

Along the walls stood various research apparatuses: centrifuges, analyzers, electron microscopes, and dozens of other devices that looked ultra-modern and incredibly expensive. 

In the center of the room, large transparent capsules connected to a network of wires and tubes were visible. A faint scent of ozone mixed with the sterility of the scientific atmosphere lingered in the air.

But despite all the high-tech decor, the room had elements hinting at someone's personal presence. On one of the tables lay a half-eaten sandwich and a few empty tea cups. Nearby stood a cabinet filled with numerous boxes of different tea blends. 

In the corner of the room was a small but comfortable bed, neatly made, though scattered notes and a tablet were visible on it. 

"Welcome to my home," said Nezu, stepping forward and spreading his arms to the sides, proudly presenting the room.

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Finally! I've found almost the perfect balance for writing chapters! On the first day, I write the rough draft, and on the second, I edit and post it. This rhythm fits perfectly with the schedule of releasing chapters every two days! Yippee! It seems that very soon I'll be able to consistently release a chapter every two days!

Interesting fact: I used to spend over 2-3 days creating an interesting rough draft, and then another day fixing it. But that took up too much time and drained my nerves...

Want to see the continuation even faster than the next day? Or perhaps you want even more chapters? Head over to my Patreon — it's all there! But don't worry, sooner or later, it will be here too! patreon.com/Zoi4erom

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