Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Waves of Chaos
The morning sun bathed the sprawling campus of U.A. High in a warm glow, but the tranquility didn't last long. A murmur spread through the halls as students whispered about reporters swarming the school gates. Word of All Might's involvement at U.A. had leaked, and the media was eager to catch a glimpse of the Symbol of Peace.
Gohan adjusted his backpack as he walked with Kyoka Jiro and Tenya Iida to their next class. Jiro walked beside him, earphone jacks swinging idly, while Iida paced ahead with his usual purposeful stride.
"Man, it's crazy out there," Jiro said, glancing at her phone. "The press is going nuts. You'd think they'd have better security to keep them out."
"U.A. prides itself on its robust defenses," Iida said, turning back to them. "It's highly unlikely the press could breach the gates. They're just... persistent."
Gohan nodded. "Persistent's one way to put it. I saw the crowd when I came in this morning—it's massive."
As they rounded a corner, they heard the unmistakable hum of a crowd growing louder. When they entered the main hallway, the source of the noise became clear. A swarm of students had gathered near the windows, trying to catch a glimpse of the reporters outside.
"Hey, let's take another route," Gohan suggested, already sensing the tension in the air.
But before they could turn back, the wave hit.
A flood of students, spurred on by curiosity and chaos, surged toward them. Gohan instinctively reached for Jiro, who stumbled as someone bumped into her.
"Whoa—" Jiro yelped, her earphone jacks flailing as she struggled to stay upright.
Gohan's reflexes kicked in, his hand darting out to steady her. "I've got you!" he said, pulling her out of the crush of bodies and toward the wall.
Jiro clutched his arm for balance, her expression somewhere between surprise and gratitude. "Thanks," she muttered, catching her breath.
Meanwhile, Iida had managed to stand firm, his authoritative voice booming over the crowd. "Everyone, remain calm! Pushing and shoving will only make things worse!"
But his words were lost in the chaos. The wave of students continued to swell, forcing Gohan to press himself and Jiro against the wall.
"This is ridiculous," Jiro muttered, glancing at the crowd. "All this for a bunch of reporters?"
"It's not just reporters," Gohan said, his brow furrowing. He could sense something—an unease, like a faint but palpable ripple of danger. "Something's off."
Unbeknownst to the students, the chaos outside the gates had created a perfect distraction. In the shadows of U.A.'s towering buildings, figures moved unseen. Members of the League of Villains, clad in dark cloaks and masks, had infiltrated the campus perimeter.
"Are we sure this is the right place?" a gruff voice whispered as the group paused near a maintenance entrance.
A tall, skeletal figure with disjointed limbs replied, his voice dripping with malice. "Of course. The school's schedule was leaked. Today is the perfect time to gather intel for the U.S.J. operation."
Another figure, shorter and cloaked in darkness, nodded. "We'll plant the device near the administration office. It'll pull the data we need. Then we'll be out before anyone notices."
As the group slipped into the building, the press continued to clamor outside, their presence keeping U.A.'s security distracted.
The wave of students began to thin as teachers arrived, barking orders to disperse. Gohan exhaled in relief, stepping away from the wall with Jiro in tow.
"Is it always this crazy here?" Gohan asked, half-joking as he helped her steady herself.
"Not usually," Jiro replied, brushing herself off. "But you get used to the chaos. Thanks for pulling me out of it."
"No problem," Gohan said with a smile. "Glad you're okay."
Iida approached them, his expression stern. "That was a highly inefficient response to the situation. We should have coordinated a clearer evacuation plan."
Jiro rolled her eyes. "It's not like we had time for a committee meeting, Iida."
Before the conversation could continue, a voice crackled over the school's intercom.
"All students, please proceed to your next classes immediately. Any lingering in the halls will result in disciplinary action."
"Looks like the teachers are cracking down," Gohan said.
"Good," Iida replied. "Order must be maintained."
The trio made their way to class, the tension in the air slowly dissipating. But Gohan couldn't shake the unease in his chest. Something about the morning felt wrong, as if the chaos was a symptom of a deeper problem.
Deep within U.A.'s administrative wing, the League of Villains completed their task. The device hummed softly as it transferred data from the school's systems, including the full schedule and details of the upcoming U.S.J. training exercise.
"Perfect," the tall figure hissed, his fingers twitching with excitement. "This information will give us the advantage we need."
"Let's move," the cloaked figure said, glancing at the hallway. "We've overstayed our welcome."
As the group slipped out the way they came, their presence went unnoticed by both students and staff.
By the time the school day ended, the chaos from earlier had faded into the background. Students returned to their dorms, and the press outside eventually dispersed.
Gohan, however, couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. As he sat in the common area with Jiro and Iida, he voiced his concerns.
"Does anyone else think it's weird how crazy things got today?" he asked, leaning forward in his chair. "It wasn't just the press. Something about it felt... off."
Jiro tilted her head, considering his words. "You're not wrong. That crowd didn't just happen. It felt like someone stirred the pot."
"Perhaps," Iida said, adjusting his glasses. "But what would be the motive? The press had no access to the interior of the school."
"Maybe not the press," Gohan said, his brow furrowing. "But what if someone else used the distraction to get inside?"
Jiro and Iida exchanged a glance.
"It's just a hunch," Gohan admitted. "But it doesn't feel like nothing."
"Well," Jiro said, crossing her arms. "If you're right, I hope the staff figures it out fast. Last thing we need is another surprise."
Iida nodded, his expression serious. "I'll bring this up with our instructors tomorrow. If there's any validity to your concerns, it must be addressed immediately."
As the evening wore on, the trio settled into quieter conversations, but the unease lingered in Gohan's mind. He didn't know what was coming, but he had a sinking feeling that the chaos of the day was just the beginning.