Black Vinegar Middle School Arc

Mob is lured into a confrontation with Teruki Hanazawa, the arrogant shadow leader of a rival school, and teaches him a hard lesson about misusing power.

The Black Vinegar Middle School Arc is one of the series' defining early stories, introducing the rivalry that shapes much of Mob's growth. Shigeo Kageyama, the unassuming esper known as Mob, is manipulated into visiting Black Vinegar Middle School, where the powerful psychic Teruki Hanazawa secretly rules over his classmates from the shadows. Teru views his abilities as proof of his superiority and treats ordinary people with contempt, believing his talent entitles him to control others. When he confronts Mob, he expects an easy victory, only to discover that Mob is vastly stronger and refuses to fight back out of cruelty. As Teru escalates the conflict, Mob's emotions build until his power reaches its limit, and the resulting clash strips Teru of his arrogance and even his prized appearance. Rather than humiliating him, Mob shows compassion, teaching Teru that being special grants no right to harm others. This humbling encounter transforms Teru from antagonist into one of Mob's closest allies and rivals, establishing the recurring theme that true strength lies in character rather than raw ability.