WARNING: The following contains spoilers for My Hero Academia #319, by Kohei Horikoshi, Caleb Cook and John Hunt, available now in English from Viz Media.
My Hero Academia Chapter 319 finally returns focus to Class 1-A after multiple chapters spent on Deku's vigilante escapades in the lawless streets of Japan. Class 1-A determines what matters most to them, Deku is confronted about his choices, and a clash of opinions may lead to an all-out brawl on the streets.
The chapter begins as a flashback to the days after Deku left U.A. High School. Shoto, Bakugo and Tokoyami are sharing their suspicions with the remainder of the class. Chances are Deku is with Endeavor and the other top heroes, they say, since neither Endeavor nor Hawks nor Best Jeanist are answering their calls. Though the top three heroes have their hands full attempting to slow Japan's collapse, it feels as if they're keeping secrets.
Jiro agrees with the trio's suspicions, saying it lines up with All Might's disappearance from the school. She mentions that classes have been suspended at U.A. Either locked into their dorms or helping out the local security forces, they don't have much of a chance to find out what's really going on out there.
Her words get Bakugo thinking, and he concludes based on the evidence that Deku isn't just working with the top three -- he's working with All Might too. "Compared to Endeavor and the others, I know Deku and All Might better than anyone," he says. "This is ... the worst scenario I can think of."
His words agitate Class 1-A, and they wonder how to get in touch with the top three. Ochaco points out that Endeavor is a U.A. alumnus, so they have a method to force him to speak to them.
Days later, we see Endeavor and Class 1-A gathered in Principal Nezu's office. Endeavor asks Nezu if this was a trap, and the mouse simply responds that he felt the children deserved this meeting after he listened to their concerns.
Shoto takes the opportunity to confront his father, demanding to know why he'd been ghosting him -- especially since they promised to fight Toya together. Endeavor responds that Shoto's willingness to fight Toya alone means the world to him, but Shoto's response is harsh. "It doesn't mean much to me without action. Why is Midoriya the only one with a free pass?" He then asks if he's letting All Might and Deku operate together.
Endeavor's silence is answer enough. Bakugo explains that while it would have been the right call in any other circumstance, Deku never takes himself into account and that will get him killed. All Might has long enabled that kind of flawed thinking, too, so his presence as an adult is actually more harmful than helpful. He implores Endeavor not to let those two be alone with each other.
Shaken by their words, Endeavor reveals a GPS tracker in his possession. The students take the tracker and voice their intent to find Deku so they can work alongside him. No matter how burdened Deku has become by One For All, Class 1-A sees him as their friend first and foremost. They're not about to turn a blind eye to his struggles when they themselves are heroes too.
Nezu doesn't hesitate to side with the students. He adds that from the moment students are accepted into U.A., they fall under the school's protection. Because of this, Deku is free to return to the school if he so chooses. Though it's a risky decision, Nezu is confident the U.A. barrier will prove its worth.
We then flash back to the present, with Bakugo having just taken out the prison escapee known as The Dictator. All of Class 1-A is on the scene dealing with the civilians the Dictator was controlling to attack Deku. Shocked to see his friends again but determined to continue walking his self-destructive path, Deku warns them to get away from him. But Class 1-A won't be so easily deterred.
Struggling to his feet, Deku resolves to use force if they won't listen to words.
My Hero Academia Chapter 320 will release on July 18th through Viz Media.
