My hand rose once more, gripping Shigaraki's hair tightly, his expression twisted in sheer despair—frozen in time, as if it would last forever.
Just as I was about to strike, something stopped me. A large hand grasped my arm firmly. It was All Might.
"That's enough, Aizawa-kun. Take your father somewhere safe. Leave the rest to me," he said in a calm, steady voice.
I stood still for a moment, then slowly loosened my grip and turned away, walking toward my father's motionless body.
Midoriya was already by his side, guarding him.
"Aizawa-kun..." Asui whispered, unable to describe the expression on my face.
I lifted my father's lifeless body into my arms, cradling him gently, and began walking toward safety.
One by one, the students of Class 1-A arrived, eyes wide in disbelief as they saw me carrying my wounded father.
"Hey! What the hell happened to sensei?!" Bakugo shouted.
I kept walking, head lowered, saying nothing, not even glancing back.
Bakugo opened his mouth again, ready to yell, but Midoriya gently placed a hand on his shoulder. His expression was heavy. He shook his head slowly.
"Midoriya, please! Tell us what happened to sensei! And why does Aizawa-kun look like that—" Yaoyorozu began to ask, but her words caught in her throat.
Everyone froze.
Tears streamed down Midoriya's cheeks as he choked out the truth.
"Aizawa-sensei… is gone."
Time stopped. Breaths were stolen from their lungs.
Bakugo stepped forward and grabbed Midoriya by the collar.
"What the hell do you mean by that, damn Deku!?"
But no response came. Midoriya only lowered his head further, sobbing uncontrollably.
***
Now… Shigaraki struggled to rise, his bones threatening to snap with every movement. Slowly, painfully, he lifted himself up and retrieved a preserved hand—his trademark—and pressed it back against his face.
"Aizawa Tsukasa… Damn you!!"
In an instant, a shadowy figure materialized beside him—Kurogiri.
"Shigaraki, we should retreat for now," he advised calmly. "You're seriously injured, and All Might has arrived."
Shigaraki clenched his teeth in rage, the sound audible. Kurogiri leaned closer.
"Besides… it's clear we're no match for Aizawa Tsukasa in this state," he whispered.
Shigaraki's eyes burned as he stared forward—at the towering symbol of peace, All Might, standing firm and resolute.
"No… we're not retreating. We still have Nomu."
From the ruins behind them, Nomu emerged once more, charging forward like a bullet, stopping in front of Shigaraki.
All Might didn't wait. He launched forward at incredible speed, arms crossed tightly.
"CAROLINA—!!!"
He swung his arms down with explosive force, striking Nomu head-on. But… Nomu barely flinched.
It was too durable.
Nomu countered with a powerful punch, but All Might evaded swiftly, gaining some distance before diving in again, driving a blow straight into Nomu's gut.
Still… the monstrous creature didn't budge.
"Incredible… It's not working at all!"
All Might unleashed a flurry of strikes, relentless and brutal. He darted behind Nomu, locking his arms around its back, then slammed it into the ground with a thunderous impact.
The smoke began to clear… and then gasps rang out.
All Might was coughing blood.
Nomu had taken no visible damage. Worse, Kurogiri had opened a portal beneath Nomu's fall point, allowing the beast to reappear behind All Might—and seize him by the lower abdomen in a crushing grip.
Everyone froze in horror. Their bodies refused to move. It was a nightmare unfolding before their eyes.
Then, one figure moved.
Midoriya.
Without hesitation, he sprinted forward—ignoring every fear, every doubt.
Suddenly, Kurogiri's neck was gripped by something—an explosion rocked the area as he was slammed violently into the ground.
"Out of my way, Deku!" Bakugo growled, charging into the fray.
Ice spread rapidly across the battlefield, encasing Nomu's legs and slowing it down.
At last, Todoroki stepped forward into the chaos, his presence a beacon of icy resolve.