The Growth of the "Villains," and the Symbol of Evil...

When Uraraka Shige was teleported back to the 'quarry' from the place that looked like an underground clinic by the Kurogiri, another half hour had passed.

Half an hour is neither a long nor a short time.

After all, using it to save the world or achieve some 'small' goals would probably be quite difficult...

However, it can still be used to have a black-hearted and unscrupulous Doctor treat an injury with physical anesthesia and dark healing methods, or to have a teacher instill some ideas and beliefs into his students or successors.

So when Uraraka Shige returned to that room, 'AFO' was no longer there.

Shigaraki also emerged from his agitated state... it's unclear whether it was due to his conversation with 'AFO' or the severed hand on his face...

"... Ah~ you're back..."

Shigaraki, with the severed hand still on his face, turned his head to look at Uraraka Shige, his voice seemingly tinged with disappointment.

Uraraka Shige was very unhappy at this moment, not only because of Shigaraki's words and their abandonment of him, but also because of the way the 'Doctor' treated his injuries...

... That was far too brutal...

They have absolutely no sense of compassion...

He 'Uraraka Shige still considered a child even now!

That's why, when Uraraka Shige heard Shigaraki speak to her in that tone, her displeasure naturally intensified.

If I had to describe it in one word, it would be 'multiply'!

However, Uraraka Shige did not express his displeasure at this moment... or rather, he did not show any hostility. He simply responded to Shigaraki's words as he had before invading 'USJ'.

"Well... I guess I do have some skills..."

Uraraka Shige looked again at her wounds, which had been treated and re-bandaged, her lips twitched, and she gave a bitter smile.

"It was only because those 'heroes' were careless, and All Might was preoccupied with the 'Nomu'... Even so, he paid a heavy price..."

"... Nomu..."

Shigaraki didn't care about the price that Uraraka Shige mentioned, but instead suddenly frowned slightly.

"Speaking of which... Nomu?"

Shigaraki seems to be asking Uraraka Shige why he didn't bring back the 'Nomu'. Theoretically, it's not impossible, but Shigaraki clearly seems to have forgotten something...

Uraraka Shige kindly reminded Shigaraki of what he had forgotten.

"Nomu... I'd like to bring it back, but putting aside the fact that if I bring Nomu along, without the guy holding All Might back, will I even be able to escape...? Even if I could, I still don't have the authority to command Nomu... I simply can't control Nomu..."

Kurogiri was aware of this matter, so she didn't show any surprise while standing to the Kurogiri. Instead, she suddenly reminded Shigaraki.

"Shigaraki, this operation was undoubtedly a failure, and we lost our 'Nomu' and exposed our existence... So, what are your plans now?"

"Ah..."

Shigaraki gave a drawn-out reply before beginning to explain the next step of the plan.

"This was indeed a failure, and a crushing one at that... But as the teacher said, since we've failed this time, let's wait for the next opportunity... Let's try our best to gather the elite forces and take our time..."

The Kurogiri nodded, indicating that it understood, but then asked:

"I see... But this time the teacher has already gathered so many classmates for us..."

"No, that's not enough. We need elite troops."

Shigaraki shook his head, rejecting Kurogiri's explanation.

"This operation has taught us many lessons and provided valuable experience, allowing us to discover our weaknesses and also their strengths... namely, their numbers! Their numbers in terms of elite troops!"

As he was saying this, Shigaraki suddenly stopped, as if he had remembered something. After pausing for a moment, he suddenly changed his mind.

"No, it's less about numbers and more about cohesion... It's the cohesion they have built around All Might, who holds the position of 'Symbol of Justice'..."

"Compared to those 'heroes' who walk in the light, we 'enemies' have no freedom, no right to 'walk' openly in the streets... and therefore, our 'cohesion' is far lacking compared to those 'heroes'... so we 'enemies' also need a 'symbol'..."

At this point, Shigaraki's eyes suddenly lit up.

"... That's right, it's about 'symbols'... We also need a powerful and attractive 'symbol' to gather together the elite 'comrades' scattered in various places who would only be defeated one by one by those 'heroes'... like, teacher!"

Then, at that moment, Kurogiri suddenly spoke up, interrupting Shigaraki's thoughts.

"But the teacher..."

Kurogiri appeared hesitant to speak, and as Shigaraki looked at him, his gaze seemed to casually glance at Uraraka Shige.

Shigaraki instantly understood the meaning of the Kurogiri.

Teachers are the most powerful and greatest people in the world!

Although Shigaraki already understood what the Kurogiri meant, Shigaraki still said it as if to emphasize something.

Uraraka Shige actually understood what they were talking about... it was the fact that 'AFO' was seriously injured back then.

This fact has been kept well hidden all along. Even All Might once suspected that 'AFO' was either hiding or already dead.

That's why Shigaraki and Kurogiri didn't believe Uraraka Shige knew that their 'teacher' was seriously injured and hadn't fully recovered even now... in terms of strength, condition, health, and mentality...

Although Uraraka Shige actually knew it.

But that's not important. What's important is that Shigaraki and Kurogiri thought Uraraka Shige was unaware of this.

This leaves Uraraka Shige with a sliver of room for maneuver... even though Uraraka Shige will never need... or rather, will not and dare not utilize this sliver of operational space.

However, it's still not important whether Uraraka Shige knows this or not. He can't beat AFO anyway, and AFO could easily kill him. So we don't need to worry about this too much.

More importantly, after hearing Shigaraki's words, Kurogiri nodded in deep agreement, but at the same time, she still said to Shigaraki:

"That much is undeniable. But, compared to the teacher, I believe the teacher would also think that this position, this 'Symbol of Evil,' is more suitable for you, Tomura Shigaraki."