Talent Reborn
Episode 43: The Threat in the Shadows
An Unsettling Presence
Haruto walked through the dimly lit hospital hallway, his mind still reeling from his ability's sudden evolution. The way he could now see and correct the flaws in every skill he copied—it was both exhilarating and terrifying.
What was this power? And why had it changed?
His thoughts were interrupted by a strange sensation.
A presence.
Someone was watching him.
He turned sharply, his eyes scanning the hallway. Nothing. Just the quiet hum of hospital machines and the occasional flicker of fluorescent lights.
But the feeling remained.
Something is wrong.
A Warning from Dr. Renji
Later that night, Haruto met Dr. Renji in the staff lounge. The older doctor leaned against the counter, arms crossed, his gaze sharp.
"You've noticed it too, haven't you?" Renji said.
Haruto frowned. "Noticed what?"
Renji sighed. "Ever since your ability evolved, there's been… attention on you. Unwanted attention."
Haruto's eyes narrowed. "Who's watching me?"
Renji hesitated before answering. "There are people—powerful people—who don't want talent to be something that can be copied, improved, or perfected. Your existence threatens their control."
Haruto's chest tightened. "Are you saying someone wants to stop me?"
Renji's expression darkened. "I'm saying someone might want to erase you."
The Shadowy Organization Moves
That night, Haruto left the hospital with a heavy mind.
As he walked through the empty parking lot, his instincts flared again. The hairs on his neck stood up.
He wasn't alone.
The moment he turned the corner, a figure stepped into his path.
A man in a sleek black suit, his expression unreadable.
"Dr. Haruto Aizawa," the man said in a smooth voice. "You've become quite… extraordinary."
Haruto's body tensed. "Who are you?"
The man smirked. "A friend. Or an enemy. That depends entirely on you."
Haruto clenched his fists. "What do you want?"
The man's eyes gleamed. "To offer you an opportunity. A place where your abilities won't be wasted. Where you can push past the limits of ordinary medicine."
Haruto's stomach turned. He could already tell—this wasn't an offer.
It was a warning.
And if he refused…
There would be consequences.
Haruto's Decision
Haruto's mind raced. The shadowy organization Renji had hinted at—these people knew about his ability.
And they wanted to use it.
Taking a slow breath, he met the man's gaze. "I became a doctor to save lives. Not to serve people like you."
The man's smile didn't fade. Instead, he nodded, as if expecting Haruto's answer.
"Very well." He turned to leave but paused. "Be careful, Dr. Aizawa. When you defy those in power… they tend to push back."
With that, he disappeared into the night.
Haruto exhaled, his heart pounding.
This wasn't just about his ability anymore.
He had just made a dangerous enemy.
And the war had only begun.
End of Episode 43.