MHA : Cursed by Fate

[3rd POV]

"Good evening, Japan. This is Aiko Tanaka reporting live for JNN. Tonight, we bring you breaking news that has sent shockwaves through the nation- the unmasking of a villain hidden in plain sight, right within the walls of U.A. High School,"

The biggest news of recent times was being covered by many news stations, one of them being the most popular channel in Japan, the JNN. The famous anchor Aiko Tanaka who was known for covering controversial topics with brutal honesty was the host.

"The villain, now known by his previous hero name 'Ryomen Sukuna,' was a student at the prestigious U.A. Most of you would not need an introduction to the student Daigo Arata. Many controversies had been boiling around this young man ever since the start of his second year at UA, all of which had to do with suspicion about the young man and his true character," he said confidently, bringing up old articles and comments of said controversies.

"And none of us could be blamed for such things with the events that happened. The UA High School had experienced more tragic events in the past two years than ever before in the last 50 years and in every one of these events, Sukuna was involved. The suspicion came from how Sukuna always walked away from these tragic events that took lives unharmed and emerged as a hero. I mean what are we looking at? All Might? How can a mere student solve these problems and walk out like a hero in shining armour," the anchor said and paused dramatically. His lips curved as if he had uncovered the truth.

"That is unless he himself were responsible for these attacks. That is right folks, it has been proven that Daigo Arata had manipulated these events to paint himself in a good light all this time. I will repeat, this is not a theory folks, the authorities have sufficient proof," he revealed.

"The USJ incident, the ambush at the Hero License Exam, the attack in the Summer Camp training where the Hero 'Steelheart' and 'Thunderstrike' lost their life with many suffering grievous injuries," the anchor pointed out one by one.

"And perhaps his biggest involvement was in the Black Dawn. The tragic mass kidnapping where many hero students all across Japan were kidnapped by All for One - the villain who we now know has the ability to destroy quirks. This kidnapping was his attempt to destroy the next generation of heroes before they became a threat and Daigo Arata was helping the villain from the inside," the anchor said.

"Many students lost their qurik in this horrific kidnapping and a student from UA, Oboro Shirakumo, a rare student with Wrap Gate qurik was announced dead. I believe this memory is still fresh in our minds," his voice took a sad turn, only to return with twice the vigour.

"I could go on and on about all these horrible events which were orchestrated by Daigo Arata. He was thriving inside UA, collaborating with villain groups for his own benefit,"

"I think now is the time to ask ourselves : How could this happen? How could a villain not just infiltrate, but thrive within the very institution meant to mold protectors of society?"

He allowed the silence to stretch and the viewers let the question echo in their mind.

"The revelation has left both the public and the hero community reeling. U.A. High School, long regarded as a beacon of justice, now stands under a cloud of scrutiny. Principal Nezu, along with key faculty members, has issued a public statement, expressing deep regret and vowing to re-examine their security protocols and screening processes. However, the damage has been done." he showed the images of Nezu and the faculty members dealing with the press.

"Critics are raising urgent questions. Has the pursuit of cultivating powerful Quirks overshadowed the importance of nurturing strong moral character? Are we, as a society, so fixated on strength that we fail to see the darkness lurking beneath the surface?"

The screen shifted once more and these times, the parents of UA students were shown. Some were crying tearfully while some were angry.

"Parents of current U.A. students are in a state of panic, demanding answers and assurances that such a breach will never happen again. "We entrusted our children to this school," one mother tearfully stated, "but now I can't help but wonder — how many more 'Sukunas' are hidden among them?"

"Even All Might has spoken out," the anchor pulled up the image of the hero giving an interview, "This is a wake-up call, being a hero is not about power but about responsibility. We need to instil this lesson in the new generation or else Sukuna will be just the start,"

"But perhaps the most haunting aspect of this story is the villain himself. Sukuna. He was not a loner or an outsider. He was well-liked, and respected. Many people would also know him as he won the UA Festival last year. For the longest time news stations have been reporting about his heroic actions, not knowing any better. They sing countless praises at the uprising hero. Some classmates described him as kind, focused, and determined. It begs the question: How long had he been wearing that mask?"

"Daigo Arata, or the villain Ryomen Sukuna has been announced as an S-Rank villain. This shows how he had been hiding his true power all along! Even during his first year in UA when the video of him saving people went viral, people were praising how he gave it his all to save others. But now it is clear that he has been holding back even when people's lives were at risk,"

The anchor shook his head in exasperation.

"As we grapple with these unsettling revelations, the nation watches closely. Will this tragedy push us to reform, look beyond mere quirks and delve deeper into the hearts of future heroes? Or will we continue down a path where power eclipses principle?"

"One thing is certain: the betrayal of Daigo Arata is not just a failure of one school - it is a reflection of a much deeper fracture within our society,"

"We will continue to follow this story as it unfolds. For now, this is Aiko Tanaka, JNN News, signing off,"

...

Aizawa turned off the big screen after the news outlet was over. His blood-red eyes were even redder than usual.

"Traitors are about the scummiest people in existence," his cold words fell on the ears of his fellow students around him.

They were in the UA residential house which was made for students who came from far regions to stay while studying in the UA. Aizawa, otherwise known as 'Eraser-head' was one of them.

They were currently in the common area that had a big screen on the wall with many seats and couches in the middle. On other days, this place would be full of laughs and joy as students socialize.

But now there was a deathly gloom in the air.

How could they feel anything but grief and sadness at this moment? They were a fellow classmate of Daigo Arata.

Everyone stayed silent, contemplating the situation. The sense of betrayal was difficult to swallow. Some seethe in anger, some cried of silence while others dared not look up from shame.

This was the end. The issue regarding Sukuna had been ongoing for a long time but this was the final nail in the coffin.

"I-I still can't believe it. Why did he do all this? Was everything a lie? Were we - his classmates - just means to an end? A way to collect information, a way to stir up chaos..."

Akagi Renkou was the one who spoke. He was perhaps one of the closest friends of Daigo Arata.

The weakness in his voice was a contrast to his future self which was the embodiment of bravery that inspired future heroes like Eijiro Kirishima.

Akagi Renkou, also known as Crimson Riot was a hero student with a defensive qurik. His qurik allowed him to solidify his blood, forming ultra-durable armour-like layers over his skin. The more injured he becomes, the thicker and harder his blood armour grows - turning pain and damage into raw defence.

At one point in his life, he used to hate his own qurik and was afraid of the pain that came along with using it. Although he had a good heart and wished to become a hero to help his sick parents, he thought he did not have the making of a true hero.

At that time, it was Daigo Arata who inspired him and taught him an important lesson he would never forget.

A true hero bleeds for others.

A true hero was okay with pain not because of the lack of fear but because of the many people he saved from the same pain.

The lesson was cemented in his heart when Daigo Arata sacrificed himself to save him.

....But did he really?

No. It was all a way for Daigo to manipulate him. Now it made sense to Akagi how Daigo was able to heal fully and return back to normal even after all he endured. It was just a part of his plan.

When he asked a long time ago, Daigo had said that he figured something out at the moment of death and that allowed him to heal his injuries but that was a lie.

His own logical mind shut down his protesting heart.

"It can't be all a lie, can it?" he asked with a hollow chuckle. If it was a lie, what the heck did he stood for then?

"Believe anything you want. But me..." Aizawa turned and walked away but you could feel bloodlust in his shining red eyes.

"I would never forgive the man responsible for Oboro's death. I will forever despise him,"

...

"Me too," one of the students who had been staying silent all this time finally spoke out.

"Me too," another one followed.

"And me,"

"I will never forgive him,"

...

One by one, they cursed Daigo Arata in their heart. The villain they once called a friend. The traitor who laughed at their trust.

Nemuri Kayama wiped away her tears. She was absolutely devastated by the news. Just like Akagi, she shared a deeper bond with Daigo than others.

At least she thought she did.

But now?

"Me too,"

..

..

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