MHA; Traflagar D. Water Law

**Chapter 23: The Gathering Storm**

The week had passed in a blur for Law. The days at U.A. High were filled with the usual routine—classes, training, and the occasional banter with his classmates. Yet, beneath the surface, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and plans. The encounter with the green-haired man and the ominous tournament loomed over him like a dark cloud. He had kept his composure, his face a mask of indifference, but inside, he was calculating every possible outcome.

The classroom was alive with the usual chatter as the students prepared for their next lesson. Law sat at the back, his golden eyes scanning the room with a detached air. His black hair fell over his forehead, and his U.A. uniform was neatly pressed, though his posture was relaxed, almost lazy. He leaned back in his chair, one hand resting on the desk, the other tucked into his pocket. The bandages on his wrists were gone now, replaced by faint scars that served as a reminder of his recent battles.

At the front of the class, Yamada-sensei was explaining a complex scientific concept, his voice energetic and enthusiastic. Most of the students were diligently taking notes, their pens scratching against paper. Yaoyorozu, ever the diligent student, was focused entirely on the lesson, her brow furrowed in concentration. Law, however, seemed distant, his gaze occasionally flicking to the window as if he were searching for something—or someone.

When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, the room erupted into noise as students began packing up their belongings and chatting with one another. Law remained seated for a moment, his expression unreadable. He then stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder, and made his way to the door, his movements slow and deliberate.

The hallway outside was bustling with activity, students moving to and fro, their laughter and conversations filling the air. Law walked with his hands in his pockets, his head slightly bowed, his eyes focused on the ground. His mind, however, was far away, replaying the events of the past week and the choices that lay ahead.

As he turned a corner, he collided with someone, the impact snapping him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Midoriya, who immediately began apologizing profusely. "Ah, Law-kun! I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going!"

Law's gaze shifted to Midoriya's arm, which was no longer wrapped in bandages. "You've finally removed the bandages," he remarked, his tone neutral.

Midoriya smiled, flexing the fingers of his right hand. "Yeah, it took about a week to fully heal. It's embarrassing, really, how often I end up breaking my bones during training."

Law studied him for a moment, his golden eyes calm but piercing. "It must be exhausting, constantly breaking your bones to use your quirk. I don't think I could keep using it if I were in your position."

Midoriya's smile softened, and there was a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "My dream keeps me going. I want to be the greatest hero, no matter what it takes."

Law's expression didn't change, but his mind was racing. *How can someone with such a kind smile end up losing everything?* he thought, recalling the events of the manga's final chapters. He couldn't help but feel a pang of responsibility. *I can't let that happen.*

"Thanks for your concern," Midoriya said, breaking the silence. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to let me know."

Law nodded slightly, his thoughts still elsewhere. "If I need something... huh."

Midoriya gave him a small wave before continuing down the hallway, his steps light and confident. Law watched him go, his mind a storm of conflicting emotions. *Involving the others in this would change the course of the story entirely. I don't have enough information about this enemy. I'm not ready to face the consequences of altering events.*

With a deep breath, Law turned and made his way toward the teachers' lounge. The door creaked open as he entered, and the lively atmosphere inside immediately quieted. The teachers, who had been enjoying a rare moment of relaxation, turned to look at him with a mix of curiosity and surprise.

"What brings a student here?" one of the teachers murmured, raising an eyebrow.

Aizawa, who had been lounging on the couch with a cup of coffee, stood up and approached Law. His expression was as tired as ever, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low.

Law met his gaze, his own eyes steady. "Aizawa-sensei, I need to talk to you."

Aizawa studied him for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Let's step outside."

The two of them walked down the hallway, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly. They stopped by a large window, the gentle breeze rustling their hair as they looked out over the school grounds. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground below.

Law took a deep breath before speaking. "A week ago, a man came to my apartment. He had green hair and green eyes, and he... he threatened me."

Aizawa's expression darkened, but he remained silent, allowing Law to continue.

"He gave me an ultimatum—either participate in an underground, illegal tournament, or he would take my quirk. I agreed to participate, but... I think he's connected to the green star we saw that night."

Aizawa's eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "The ability to steal quirks... it sounds like something out of a nightmare. But if this man is connected to the green star, then we're dealing with something far more dangerous than we initially thought."

Law reached into his pocket and pulled out the card the man had given him. He handed it to Aizawa, who examined it closely. The name "Malouin" was printed in bold letters, along with the date, time, and location of the tournament.

Aizawa's jaw tightened as he took out his phone and snapped a picture of the card. "This changes everything," he muttered. "I'll contact the police and some trusted heroes. We'll gather at the tournament location and take them down."

Law nodded, his expression grim. "I don't have a choice but to participate. But I need to be careful. I don't know what I'm walking into."

Aizawa placed a hand on Law's shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. "You won't be alone. We'll be there to back you up. Just stay sharp and don't take unnecessary risks."

As the school bell rang once more, signaling the start of the next class, Law turned to leave. Aizawa watched him go, his mind racing with thoughts and plans. *This is bigger than I thought. That night I took Law with me... it put a target on his back. I don't know who we're dealing with, but I need to clean up this mess and protect my student.*

The wind picked up, rustling the leaves outside the window as Aizawa stood there, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The storm was coming, and they needed to be ready.

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