Chapter 126

Shota Aizawa reports the outcome of the previous day's faculty conference to Class 1-A: most teachers rejected the idea of first years taking Hero Work-Studies, so the program is off. The room deflates, except for Katsuki Bakugo, whose house arrest has left him with no idea what any of this means. Aizawa adds a caveat, though. Internships with agencies that have solid records remain on the table.

Once lessons end, Izuku Midoriya acts on Gran Torino's suggestion and finds Toshinori Yagi in the staff room, asking to be introduced to Sir Nighteye. The answer is no, and it comes with three reasons stacked behind it. All Might had opposed letting first years take on Work-Studies this early. He would rather Izuku spend the time sharpening his Shoot Style. And whatever he and Nighteye once had ended long ago. Izuku counters that training under Nighteye gives him a benchmark to measure himself against, since he has to surpass everyone. His teacher admires the resolve without budging. The introduction will not come from him.

He does call both boys into the nap room. There he reveals that Mirio Togata already works under Nighteye, news that catches Izuku off guard, and asks whether Izuku would suit the agency. Mirio reads the request underneath the question.

Why the go-between is necessary puzzles him, given that Nighteye keeps footage of All Might running constantly. All Might would rather not face him, having turned into exactly what Nighteye cautioned him against. So Mirio asks Izuku what sort of hero he means to be. Weighing everything it took to get this far and everyone who carried him, Izuku says out loud that he intends to be the greatest of them all. The ambition is unfocused, but Mirio cannot turn it down, and he agrees to make the introduction.

As Izuku thanks him, All Might remembers Nezu putting Mirio forward as the next holder of One For All. His marks were nothing special, yet his presence filled a room and no force on earth could wipe the grin off him, which matched everything All Might looked for. Had Izuku never crossed his path, Mirio would have inherited the power.

On the weekend Izuku hurries off to meet Mirio while Shoto Todoroki and Katsuki head for their Provisional Hero License course. An hour on the train delivers them to Nighteye's office. Mirio calls the man strict, which squares with what Izuku knows about a hero famous for working with a stone face. Then comes the other half: before the conversation is finished, Izuku has to get at least one laugh out of him.

Nighteye's regard for humor runs deep despite the exterior, Mirio explains as they head inside. Walking the corridor, he makes clear he cannot win Izuku any recognition; that part is Izuku's alone. Asked why he is bothering at all for someone he just met, Mirio says that sticking his nose into other people's trouble is simply how he operates. They reach the door.

Within, Kaoruko Awata briefs Nighteye on how the League of Villains sat down with the Shie Hassaikai, only for the talks to degenerate into a brawl that settled nothing. Watching All Might on his laptop, Nighteye remarks that any society drained of humor and vitality has no future ahead of it, and he has strapped Bubble Girl into a tickling device for delivering her report without a single joke in it. Izuku pushes the door open, Mirio announces him and identifies the woman being punished for being unfunny. Under Nighteye's stare, Izuku commits, pulls an All Might face, and introduces himself. Nighteye does not laugh. He wonders instead whether the boy is mocking All Might.

Class 1-A learns that first-year Hero Work-Studies were voted down, though internships with reputable offices remain available.

Wanting an internship with Sir Nighteye, his teacher's former sidekick, Izuku requests an introduction and is turned down, so All Might quietly routes the favor through Mirio, who already interns at the agency.

Mirio turns out to have been the first pick for One For All, chosen before Izuku ever entered the picture.

Izuku's attempt at a comic first impression falls flat, and Nighteye takes it as an insult to All Might.

Kohei Horikoshi's one hundred twenty-sixth chapter ran in issue 11 of 2017 on February 13, spans nineteen pages, and sits in volume 14 within the Shie Hassaikai arc. The cover gathers Aizawa with Bakugo, Jiro, Kirishima, Kaminari, Hagakure, Asui and Ashido, and a sketch version accompanies it. Episode 65 covers the material.

The Nighteye Agency debuts here. Featured Quirks are Invisibility and One For All, alongside the Full Cowl super move and Aizawa's Capturing Weapon, with U.A. locations including Class 1-A, the Teachers Lounge and Heights Alliance.

In his author comment, Horikoshi thanks readers for the fan art contest submissions he was able to work into the chapter.