Unohana, Mei, Nemuri, and Maki had already left twenty minutes ago, but inside Nezu's office, the silence remained.
All Might finally spoke.
"Tsukauchi… did he ever waver? Or lie?"
Naomasa looked down at the papers. There were still many unanswered questions written there.
He gulped.
"N-no. Not once. He never lied. I'm even doubting my Quirk now."
Nezu calmly sipped his coffee.
Naomasa swallowed again before asking, "Principal Nezu… are the questions written here really something that should be asked?"
Makoto glanced at the document Naomasa was holding. She caught a glimpse of the remaining questions and was shocked.
Nezu closed his eyes.
"That is what we have yet to discover."
They were still stunned by everything they had just witnessed.
Meanwhile, Unohana, Mei, Nemuri, and Maki were at the private kitchen on the 4th floor of U.A.
It was still early, and the kitchen was empty.
Maki was cooking breakfast for them.
Mei and Nemuri looked at Unohana.
They saw how much she genuinely cared for Maki.
And they understood why she had stopped the questioning earlier.
Nemuri smirked. "Unohana-sensei… I can't believe you still have some spiciness."
Unohana smiled softly. "Oh~ not just spicy. I'm still pure as ever."
Mei listened, but her mind was elsewhere.
Hashirama.
How was that even possible?
She considered making a call to ask about it, but if she contacted her, that woman would definitely join the circle.
She shook her head.
After a while, they heard footsteps.
Maki approached, carrying a tray.
The aroma reached them first.
He placed the tray on the table.
It was a vibrant, citrusy fish soup—a staple of Omani coastal cuisine.
The aroma carried garlic, fresh ginger, red onion, and fresh cilantro.
The fish was fresh tuna—tangy and spicy—with a unique blend of fresh lime and black dried lime.
It was served over basmati rice.
Ground turmeric gave it a yellow color, mixed with black pepper and cayenne for heat.
Freshly squeezed lime juice and a pierced loomi released a fermented, musky fragrance.
Diced plum tomatoes floated within it.
It was Paplou Soup.
"It's a little spicy," he said calmly. "I tried to lessen it. Tell me if you don't eat spicy food. I can make something else."
They stared at the dish.
It looked like art on a plate.
They swallowed.
"No," they said. "We'd love to try it."
He served them.
First Nemuri.
Then Mei.
Lastly Unohana.
"Here, Anata. Try it."
Unohana smiled. "Thank you."
Maki thought about asking whether the others in the office had eaten and the two girls yesterday, but seeing the three already enjoying their meal, he decided not to disturb them.
Back in the principal's office, Naomasa was organizing the documents, giving them final touches.
Makoto was still bewildered by what she had read in the file—especially those remaining questions.
All Might and Nezu listened as Naomasa explained again how he sensed no deception from Maki.
"So, Principal Nezu… Toshinori… what are you going to do now?" Naomasa asked.
Makoto's ears perked up.
All Might looked at Nezu.
All Might had a good impression of Maki.
In a world filled with lurking threats, someone like him could be a powerful ally.
But he didn't want to bind or force anyone the way he once had been.
Nezu answered calmly, "We ask him what he wants. And we listen."
Everyone nodded.
He was a Senju.
An Arrancar.
With countless hidden mysteries.
It wasn't just him.
Perhaps something—or someone far greater—was watching over him.
They didn't believe someone like that would simply fall from the sky alone.
More likely, he had run from somewhere.
Or someone had been guiding him secretly.
It was only a hypothesis.
But when they thought about it—
It made sense.
His lack of awareness about his own background.
The strange words he used.
The detachment in his eyes.
Those voided, unbothered eyes.
He hadn't come here willingly.
He had come because he was called.
And that realization brought shame.
They had questioned him out of overwhelming curiosity.
But who wouldn't?
Someone like that existed—and lived as if he were ordinary.
Yet he wasn't ordinary.
He was something far beyond that.
And the unknown—
Was what made things dangerous.
Back in the private kitchen, they had finished eating.
Maki was cleaning the kitchen as usual.
Nemuri received a call from Nezu.
"If you're finished, please return to the office to finalize everything."
Mei and Unohana listened through speaker mode.
All of them wondered what would happen next.
What answer would he give?
Maki returned from washing up and looked at the three.
"Uhm… what now?"
Nemuri walked closer.
"We're going back to the principal's office to finalize everything. Don't worry, Maki. Whatever you say, I'll be here for you."
Mei stood and added playfully, "Forget the boring stuff, husband. Just come with me. Maybe we'll have some fun."
She curled her brown hair as she spoke.
Unohana looked at them both.
"Why are you acting like something bad is about to happen?"
Maki simply nodded.
They took the elevator to the 49th floor.
Mei knocked.
"Come in," Nezu's voice answered.
They entered.
All Might, Naomasa, and Makoto were still there.
The four of them took their seats.
This time, Nezu took the lead.
He looked at Maki.
"Maki… do you know why this academy exists?"
Maki looked at him.
"To study?"
"Well… yes and no," Nezu replied.
"You must be aware that our world is being invaded by something far greater—something that could take many lives. Many will die. Some people with powers fight to protect who they can. This academy is not simply about studying. We train the strong to become beacons of hope. To survive. To save others. We are preparing the future—our saviors. The hope of this world."
Everyone straightened their posture.
They all looked at Maki.
Nezu's playful expression disappeared.
He asked the final question.
"Maki… tell me. Do you want to be part of that hope?"