For Maki to fail this examination was, realistically, almost impossible.
But in the end, it would depend on the choice he made.
That was the only variable none of them could calculate.
So they forced themselves to stop overthinking it and focused instead on the current task at hand. The examination was still ongoing. There were still participants inside the chamber. That alone demanded their attention.
But not all of them shared the same thoughts.
Some minds were not occupied with rules, probabilities, or institutional balance.
Especially the spider woman… and the harpy girl.
If they found their prey—
They would never let it go.
While the others continued the disturbed examination, the cause of all of it remained in Clinic Room 013 on the second floor of the UA building.
Beside Maki, two women watched him without taking their eyes off him.
They were mesmerized by his sleeping face.
They didn't know whether to call him handsome or beautiful. His face carried a delicate refinement, almost ethereal, but his body told a different story. His broad shoulders, the firm lines of his muscles even beneath the hospital sheet, the quiet weight of his masculinity… it was undeniable. Refined beauty paired with unmistakable strength.
Nemu was still conducting her examination.
But she was no longer shy around him.
Her fingers brushed across his smooth cheek, and this time she didn't hesitate. She used both hands, lightly tracing the contours of his face as if she had discovered something fascinating to play with. Her usual stoic expression had softened. A small, quiet smile rested on her lips.
Isane sat on the other side of the bed, gently threading her fingers through his long black hair. It was silky and smooth, yet when she tested a strand between her fingers, she realized she couldn't even break a single hair. It was unbelievably durable.
She began braiding it absentmindedly, the way she used to braid her mother's hair.
They didn't realize it yet, but their hearts were slowly opening to him. They were charmed by something as simple as his sleeping face.
( ｀ー´)[ Unfair. ]
What made them even more comfortable with Maki was the fact that he was that musician. The one whose songs carried warmth and quiet affection. Anyone who listened felt understood. That impression lingered in their minds.
It had been two hours and thirty-seven minutes since he had fallen asleep from drinking just a little alcohol.
( :ﾟ皿ﾟ)Up above the UA building, on the 48th-floor meeting room,
All Might and Nezu were contemplating everything they had just heard.
Unohana had explained the fight in full detail.
Her bet with Maki.
Maki transforming into an Arrancar.
Maki using chakra, spiritual energy, and Akuma abilities to strengthen himself.
The two of them could barely process it.
No matter how many times they tried to deny it, the evidence stood right in front of them.
An unknown existence had been living in this world the entire time. And they only learned about him because he had been forced to apply.
Nemuri, Mei, Gion, and even Shakuyaku, still weak but recovered, were listening carefully.
This was an impossible occurrence in the history of their world.
What frustrated them most was that they knew nothing about him.
And how could a man possess three different Authorities?
That alone shattered the laws and norms of their world.
The question kept repeating in their minds, but none of them could reach a conclusion.
Experimentation was an impossible explanation.
Many had attempted it in the past. There were records of a man who could steal and pass Quirks, but his ability was useless when it came to other Authorities. It proved that limits existed.
Even All Might's friend, David, had researched the topic extensively, and he failed. It wasn't just about science or knowledge. Human pride in understanding meant nothing when faced with the unknown truths of their world.
Most of the world's mysteries were buried within the void cracks—fractures in reality that humanity was only beginning to study.
The silence was suddenly cut by the dog? The mouse? The bear?
No.
Principal Nezu.
He spoke his conclusion aloud.
"I know this might sound strange, but when you analyze these events carefully, I can conclude one possibility."
Everyone stared at him seriously. Nezu's High Spec quirk made his intelligence nearly unmatched. His probabilities and theories were rarely wrong.
"Tell me what you have in mind," Unohana said.
Nezu clasped his paws together.
"If we trace back the timeline… Nemuri found him when he was around six or seven years old ."
"He fell from the sky," Nezu continued. "It sounded laughable at the time. Outrageous. But I don't believe it was a coincidence. Or a lie."
"You mean he literally came from the sky?" All Might asked.
"Yes," Nezu replied calmly.
"How?" Mei demanded.
Nemuri's eyes widened. "Don't tell me… from a void crack?"
"Yes," Nezu said. "If he truly fell from the Void itself…"
"Then he isn't from this plane," Shakuyaku finished in a quiet voice.
"That is my conclusion," Nezu said.
"That doesn't make sense," All Might argued. "Have you seen the video? He looks human. He possesses Authorities. Are you saying he's some kind of anomaly? That's impossible."
!Σ(￣□￣;)And that's why it's just my own conclusion about him. No need to think too hard about it. I simply wanted to form a hypothesis about this fellow," Nezu said.
Everyone nodded their heads at him.
"But one thing is certain. If he wakes up, we need to ask him for more details—whatever he can give. And we should call Naomasa. We will need his Quirk," Nezu added.
Well, actually, there was one person who could help at this very moment. But it wasn't easy to approach them. It required many procedures, and it would take time.
"I'll make a call," All Might said. He then stood up and left the room.
All Might wasn't just going to make a call. He was also worried about his disciple and whether he was doing alright in the examination.
Unohana then turned to Shakuyaku, who was still weak but lighting up another cigarette.
"So, what is your decision, Shakuyaku?" she asked.
Mei and Nemuri turned their heads toward her. They didn't know what had happened to Shakuyaku. She looked very weak, and her body seemed unnaturally warm. Yet she still had enough tenacity to move.
Shakuyaku placed the cigarette between her lips.
"I need to see him myself," she said.
"Really? I can't believe you, Shakuyaku. You just saw him through projections, and you're already affected," Unohana said.
"How should I know? I'm just here to deliver some documents, and this happened. Even I can't believe this is happening to me right now," she replied.
Mei and Nemuri couldn't understand what they were talking about. They felt completely left out.
Mei finally slammed her fist on the table.
"Hey! Just spit it out. What are you talking about?"
Nemuri also joined in. "Yes, enough riddles. Just say what's happening."
But they remained silent.
(＃￣З￣)