WARNING: The following contains spoilers for My Hero Academia Season 5, Episode 14, "Off to Endeavor's Agency!" now streaming on Funimation, Hulu, and Crunchyroll.
In the world of My Hero Academia, professional heroes can't afford to operate with any margin for error, and in Season 5, Episode 14, Endeavor demonstrates why he is the #1 Pro Hero, in spite of his coldhearted demeanor. Hawks also enters the fray to remind everyone why he, in turn, is the #2 Hero, swiftly and efficiently assisting Endeavor in a villain takedown -- despite having more pressing matters to attend to.
Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki are considered to be, by far, the most talented and powerful students in Class 1-A. However, less than five minutes into their time with Endeavor, the boys quickly learn just how big the talent gap is between students and the pros. Even though Endeavor only allows Deku and Bakugo to do their work studies under him to appease Shoto, that doesn’t mean he's going to go easy on them.
In the midst of sizing up Shoto's questionable choice of friends, Endeavor suddenly leaps into action with zero indication of a crisis. Displaying incredible situational awareness befitting of the #1 Pro Hero, Endeavor races to the scene before the boys even know there is a scene. As they struggle to keep up with him, Deku notes that it is not just about being fast, as Endeavor had taken off before the first boom from Starservant's attack had even reached them.
Hawks, who has a lot on his plate at the moment, was reading a book when he noticed the commotion. Presumably in the middle of leaving his coded message for Endeavor, Hawks is still alert to danger despite his preoccupation with more important matters. Pro Heroes can't ever be caught by surprise, and Endeavor's and Hawks' reactions show just how alert a hero must be at all times.
Endeavor's quick thinking is on full display as he deduces what Starservant's Quirk is the moment he arrives. Understanding Quirks is vital when it comes to disarming them without any collateral, which Endeavor accomplishes by quickly melting the ball of glass Starservant had created. As the villain flees, Endeavor hardly even breaks stride as he assigns evacuation duty to someone else, knowing that he is the one best suited to a high-speed pursuit.
As Starservant's cohorts spring their trap on an unfazed Endeavor, the boys, having followed their new mentor, quickly leap into action. A split second before they are able to engage in combat, Hawks bursts onto the scene using his feathers to carry the criminals away from Endeavor and the boys. The #2 Pro Hero's arrival is impressive given how quickly he found Endeavor after happening upon the incident separately.
While the police commend Endeavor for another casualty-free villain takedown, the boys are left in awe of how far ahead of them Hawks is, despite being a mere six years older. Accustomed to being hotshots at U.A., the Midoriya, Bakugo and Todoroki now understand how much work is left to do. They could ask for no better teacher than the #1 Hero, and each of them stands to benefit from this work-study in a unique way. In the wake of Hawks' dire warning, they'll have to get better in a hurry.
