Time rewinds, back to just after the warp gate appeared───
"Is everyone safe!? Can you confirm!?""We've scattered, but everyone is still inside the dome. …Two people are nearby.""Nearby!?"
"You mean us, Taco-kun!""Everyone!"
Just as Mezo Shoji confirmed the safety of their classmates, the two appeared—Kaori Orimoto and Saika Totsuka. They had already escaped just before Kurogiri attempted to envelop them with the warp gate.
"Orimoto's quirk is... I see, teleportation!"
『Kaori Orimoto! Quirk: "Teleportation"! As the name suggests, she can instantly teleport herself. Additionally, if anything or anyone is physically connected to her within a 2-meter radius, she can teleport them as well! There is no limit to the number of things! However, the mass she can teleport beyond her own body has a daily limit! Furthermore, there's also a maximum distance she can teleport at one time!』
"Thank you, Orimoto-san, you saved me.""Nah, it's OK! But I couldn't reach Saki-chan...! Taco-kun, you're sure everyone's safe, right!?""They've been sent to different disaster zones. They weren't taken out immediately.""Then it's still manageable…"
Though gritting her teeth, Orimoto glared fiercely at Kurogiri. If she had acted just a moment faster, she could have saved Saki Kawasaki, who was right beside her. Her hatred for Kurogiri—already smoldering because of the Hachiman incident—only intensified.
"I see, teleportation, is it? And not by passing through a gate but by instant activation. Quite rare for our kind.""Don't lump me in with you, alright? You're seriously pissing me off.""Heh… As expected of U.A., quirks of high potential are gathering.""Don't ignore me, you foggy creep!""Can you really say I'm bald though? Look at this head.""You're so annoying!! …Where's Hikigaya?"
That name—Hikigaya. As soon as she uttered it, the students' eyes widened, and Kurogiri stopped laughing. None of them expected to hear the name they had just talked about on the bus pop up here. And Kurogiri, in fact, knew exactly where Hachiman Hikigaya was. He had come to infiltrate U.A. with them. Whatever feelings he had about that...
…Even so, Kurogiri had no intention of revealing anything about Hikigaya—the Connector. That was Sensei's direct order, and also due to the utility of his quirk. But more than that, Kurogiri genuinely admired the person that was the Connector.Once aiming to become a hero—and eventually achieving that—he had now joined the villains. And even then, he hadn't lost himself. Even under fear and blackmail, he never broke, never wavered. What strength of will. If such a man could be turned to their side with true loyalty, there'd be no one more dependable. ...Which is precisely why, in reality, someone that strong would never truly help the villains from the heart.
"The black-haired girl from earlier also mentioned it… Hikigaya, was it? Is he really that important? Even after being gone for two years?""Of course he is! Are you kidding me! You took one of us away, and you're asking if he's important!? He's important, that's why I'm in your face right now!!"
Orimoto scratched her head roughly. Her expression wasn't just anger—it was frustration. She and Kurogiri clearly had terrible chemistry.
But there was another angel, equally angry.
"Orimoto-san, step back.""Totsuka-kun?!""Your quirk isn't suited for combat, so go now.""W-wait, are you seriously mad?""Just like you are..."
"You two, please don't!""Yes! Uraraka-san is right! Orimoto-san, go with the class rep back to the school and call for help!""Ahh, no way. Glasses-kun might be okay with that, but not me. I'll help Glasses-kun get away, but I'm not leaving. That's just ridiculous.""Wha…!"
Thirteen hadn't expected his authority as a teacher and pro-hero to be disobeyed. The other students were equally shocked—especially Uraraka Ochako and Iida Tenya.Even though they'd heard bits and pieces from Yukinoshita Yukino, Yuigahama Yui, and Orimoto Kaori, they didn't grasp the depth of it until now. Because they knew part of the story, they had underestimated its weight.
Thirteen sighed inwardly. It couldn't be helped.The public may not know, but every pro-hero did. Two years ago, from Sōbu Middle School, which was affiliated with U.A., one boy had been taken.And ever since, several boys and girls who had vowed to save him had been training tirelessly from morning till night to become heroes…!
"…Understood. Class Rep!""Yes!"
Still, going for help wasn't optional.
"I leave it to you. Run to the school and report this incident.""!""The alarms aren't sounding, and phones are out of range. The sensors are infrared… and even though Eraserhead-senpai is suppressing quirks below, they're not triggering… which means there's probably a quirk user interfering with them, hiding immediately. In that case, you running will be faster than searching!""Wha…! But abandoning my class violates the duties of a class rep…!""Shut up and go, emergency exit!"
Iida objected to Thirteen's command, but he understood. With no external communication, the situation would only worsen if they stayed put. Eraserhead was fighting dozens of villains solo. Half the class had been warped elsewhere and were likely in combat.Even though no injuries had been reported yet, it was only a matter of time before serious casualties—or worse—occurred.
That's why Rikido Sato called out, encouraging him to go. Not to abandon them—but to save them───
"There's probably an alarm outside! That's why they're doing all this inside!""If you make it outside, they won't follow! Shake off the fog with your legs!""Just like in the cafeteria, I'm great at support! I'll do it!""We're counting on you, Class Rep!""Orimoto, take care of Iida.""Okay!"
Kaori Orimoto stood ready beside Iida.Totsuka Saika stood next to Thirteen. This may have been limited to the Sōbu group, but they had already begun combat training back in middle school. While not too intense due to their age, Totsuka had witnessed everything—their friend's drive to become a hero, and the wall he struggled against.
"This is nothing to us!""Glasses-kun, hold on tight! I'll get us out in 3 seconds!"
"Is there really a fool who lays out his plan in front of the enemy!?""If it's not a problem even if they know, then it's fine!"
Villains unleash malice on the innocent.Heroes rise to block it.The ever-repeating cycle of this world had manifested here again.And soon, an impurity would disrupt that cycle───
[Mountain Zone]
"Don't move, either of you. If you value this guy's life.""Uweh…"
"Kaminari-san!""Damn it, I totally let my guard down! I didn't expect a second ambush after we already cleared them out…!"
While the battle between Thirteen and Kurogiri had just begun, Midoriya's group, Bakugo, Yukinoshita, and Todoroki were wrapping up their fights and heading toward the central plaza.At the same time, Yaoyorozu, Jirou, and Kaminari had found themselves in a tight spot.The three of them had been warped to the Mountain Zone. Thanks to Yaoyorozu's quick thinking and Kaminari's massive discharge, they managed to wipe out the enemies. However, Kaminari short-circuited his brain due to overusing his quirk—rendering him temporarily stupid.Left with no choice, Yaoyorozu and Jirou began checking their surroundings. But when they turned back to speak to Kaminari, he was already caught.
The one who captured him was a villain wearing a skull mask—a man called Jack. He had been lurking underground with the Connector, watching the situation above and waiting for the right moment.
"An electric-type quirk…! You're the villain who was jamming our communications, aren't you!?""Oh? So you figured it out. I guess it's obvious, huh. That's expected from hero trainees.""Kaminari…! Can't you get out of that on your own!?"
Jirou's mind raced.Right now, both she and Yaoyorozu had their hands raised, unable to use them. Yaoyorozu's quirk—Creation—was only useful if she could actually wield the items she created.That meant the only option was for Jirou to act.
"Electric-type quirks are cool, you know?""Jirou-san?""Kaminari too, but I mean, being born with an electric-type quirk kind of makes you a winner from day one, right? Just a genuine question—why are you even working with villains?"
Jirou extended the earphone jack from her earlobe down to her leg. Her costume was equipped with directional sound amplifiers on the shin area.She could greatly amplify her heartbeat via her quirk, and her costume could direct that sound in a specific direction, striking enemies with concentrated soundwaves.And more importantly—she could activate it without moving her arms or legs, only using the earphone jack.In this situation, it was their best option. However───
"You think I wouldn't notice!?""Tch!"
The villain raised a finger sparking with electricity toward Kaminari.But he had underestimated them.
Jack had observed their entire previous fight. Naturally, he had seen Kyoka Jirou use her earphone jacks as a weapon.
"A hero shouldn't gamble with someone else's life. Your life or his—choose!"
A hyper-cautious and thoroughly prepared villain like Jack had taken a hostage—at this point, the three students had no chance.The only way out of this situation…Would be interference from a third party.Someone from beyond his current expectations.
The clash between Thirteen and Kurogiri continued.Kurogiri launched mists, and Thirteen sucked them in with her Black Hole.
The students wanted to assist Thirteen, but couldn't find an opening.They couldn't move in front of her—if anyone stepped in front, Thirteen would have to stop using her Black Hole. And the moment she stopped, the area would be engulfed in Kurogiri's black mist. If that happened, calling for help would become impossible.
Then, what about attacking from a distance?
"Take this!"
Sero Hanta shot his tape. But it came from the side, carefully avoiding Thirteen's line of fire. Anything in front of the Black Hole would be reduced to dust—tape included.Kurogiri dodged it effortlessly with a wisp of his arm. Just students—attacks meant to avoid killing couldn't harm him. And ranged quirks that avoided close combat didn't scare him.
"Damn it! Is he seriously immune to physical attacks!?""Hey, Sero! Don't wander too far!"
At this rate, they were getting nowhere.
Thirteen made up her mind and stepped forward.The suction power of Black Hole varies with distance. The closer she gets, the more she can pull him in. She wasn't planning to kill—but if she could keep drawing him in, then at least the class rep could escape during that time.
"Thirteen... As expected, a hero specialized in disaster rescue. Compared to combat-oriented heroes, you fall just a bit short.""What are you saying…!?""Thirteen-sensei, no! Stop your quirk—!"
Orimoto's warning came a moment—no, a heartbeat—too late.The black mist that had been getting sucked in suddenly transformed into a warp gate. At the same time, Thirteen felt the surface of her spacesuit and her skin being torn away.It hit her instantly.
She had been outmaneuvered.
Thirteen collapsed.
"Thirteen-sensei!!""GO, IIDA!!"
Looking away, Iida started running.He could cover 50 meters in 3 seconds. If he shifted to third gear, fourth gear, or beyond, he could go even faster.But the enemy before him was not one you could simply outrun.
"I won't let you pass!"
The black mist expanded, blocking Iida's path.
He slammed on the brakes and nearly stopped.
I was entrusted with this! I… no, I must—!
At that moment, as Ashido and Sato stayed behind to tend to Thirteen, several students dashed toward Iida and Kurogiri.
"What kind of hero are you if you can't use your quirk when it counts!?"
Normally soft-spoken, Totsuka shouted with all his might.
As if responding to that cry, Orimoto appeared beside Iida in a flash of teleportation.
"Let's go, Glasses-kun!""W-Whoa!?"
In the blink of an eye, they teleported behind Kurogiri.Seeing the two suddenly vanish from in front of him, Kurogiri was taken aback.
"Impossible! They're too fast!!"
That's just how my quirk works!Internally smirking at him, Orimoto shoved Iida forward.
"Go!""You saved me!"
"Damn you!"
The black mist rushed simultaneously toward Orimoto and Iida.Mist even rose in the direction Iida was running.
But two students had already caught up.Both had the ability to fly.
"Not happening!!"
First, Totsuka swooped down with his white wings, slamming them into Kurogiri.
"Gah!""Did that work!?"
The students had believed physical attacks wouldn't work—shock filled their faces.Watching this, another student with flight, Shoji Mezo, covered the mist blocking Iida's path.
"Go.""!!""Hurry."
Shoji's duplicated arms motioned Iida forward.Nodding in silent communication, Iida drifted and accelerated toward the exit!
"You insolent brat…! And you too!!"
Kurogiri attempted to engulf Totsuka in mist as well.
Totsuka, reacting instantly, hurled his wings like spears.
His wings—much larger than expected, even larger than the warp gate—forced Kurogiri further back.
"Now!""If there's any part of him we can touch—!"
Uraraka extended both hands, activating her quirk on Kurogiri's belt and body.Thanks to Zero Gravity, his body began to float.Then Sero launched his tape, anchoring Kurogiri in midair.
"Go, Iida-kun!!""RUN!!"
Kurogiri tried to retaliate, but was intercepted again—this time by Totsuka, now with metallic wings.Blocking his path, he prevented Kurogiri from pursuing.
As the sensorless door was forcefully pushed open and Iida burst out of the dome, Kurogiri's strength gave out.
Game over.
[Mountain Zone]
"I'll finish you off. I'm coming over there now, so don't move…"
The first to notice was Yaoyorozu Momo.Roughly 100 meters behind the villain and Kaminari, someone was crouched on the mountainside, hand to the ground. It looked like they were picking something up.A girl, perhaps—her bluish-black hair tied in a ponytail. The girl raised her head and stood up.
In that moment, Yaoyorozu realized it. Jirou beside her also seemed to notice. But they couldn't show any reaction. They couldn't let the villain realize that he was about to be flanked.
The girl wound up her arm and threw what she had picked up—a fist-sized rock.It flew sharply, tracing a nearly flat arc toward the villain's left shoulder.In a flash, the stone traveled the 100-meter distance and struck Jack in the left shoulder—blasting his left arm away, Kaminari still in tow.
"Gah…!!?""Uweh…!""Jirou-san!""I know!!"
Kaminari, flung free, slid diagonally in front of Jirou.She rushed to catch him, while Yaoyorozu quickly created a sword to back her up.Jack, meanwhile, understood immediately—he'd been ambushed from behind.The three in front were no longer a concern. As long as he kept using his quirk to suppress them, they wouldn't approach. The real threat was behind him—!
With electricity crackling from his injured left arm toward the trio, Jack turned to face the rear—And saw a girl charging straight at him.
The distance—only 30 meters.
(Fast! / So fast!)Jack was stunned by her sheer speed, and Yaoyorozu marveled at how she had sprinted immediately after throwing the stone.
"Dammit!!"
Now was no time to hold back!He pointed both arms forward and fired off electric shocks.Sending out a signal was one thing—but high-voltage discharges had limited range. He was confident he could hit her within ten meters.
But the girl—Kawasaki Saki—evaded with inhuman reflexes and incredible leg strength.She stabilized her upper body, nearly pulled off-balance by inertia, and locked eyes on the villain.
"She dodged it!?""Too slow."
Kawasaki launched forward again.She pulled her right arm back, extended her left, and closed the gap in two steps—then stepped in with one final stride.Jack instinctively raised his arms to block, but Kawasaki's right fist smashed through his guard.Using that momentum, she twisted into a spinning back kick.
"Damn you—!""You're strong. I guess I can use a bit of my quirk.""What!?"
She shut her eyes and let out a slow, calm breath.
It was a karate breathing technique—Ibuki.
In her focused, open gaze, Jack felt something he hadn't experienced in a long time—fear.
She's dangerous!
I need to get to the Connector!No—I need to retreat!
But it was too late.Kawasaki stepped forward and stomped the ground with her quirk.
"Earth Tremor!"
Suddenly, the entire Mountain Zone shook.The others—Yaoyorozu, Jirou, and Kaminari—all lost their balance. Jack dropped to one knee, thinking this is bad, but by then—
The fight was already over.
"Sorry, but I can't afford to hold back against villains."
Kawasaki's heel crashed into Jack's head.With a dull thud, his consciousness faded into darkness.
"Kawasaki-san!""You guys are… Sorry, I don't know your names yet.""I'm Yaoyorozu Momo. Thank you so much, Kawasaki-san.""Jirou Kyoka. And the one making the dumb face is Kaminari.""Uwehh~""Idiot? No, dumbass.""It's a side effect of his quirk. Honestly, it's hilarious."
"Hmph." Kawasaki responded disinterestedly.She scanned the area to make sure no other enemies were around.
"So you already took care of the others. Not bad, you two.""If anything, that's our line. Your quirk is…?""Before that, let's tie this guy up—wait!?""Saki-chan, watch out!"
As Kawasaki looked down, black mist swirled around Jack.He was being engulfed.
She leapt backward, landing next to Yaoyorozu, immediately back in combat stance.
"That's the same as before… Are they trying to retrieve him?""No good, Kawasaki-san! It's too late…!""Yeah, I'm not about to dive in. But it looks like we let a nasty one get away.""He'll be trouble if he pulls something like this again, right?"
Jirou's worried tone was met with a slight nod from Kawasaki—mixed with frustration.They had almost captured a major player… and he got away.
"Seems like they're not retrieving anyone else.""So… what now?""The guy who was jamming our signals is gone. Things should be wrapping up—no, they probably already did.""Huh!?"
They looked toward the central plaza.Even from here, they could see dust and hear explosions. Despite only barely being able to see the fountain, the blasts were massive.
"All Might's here.""R-Really!? Did someone call for help?""We can't see the villains from here…""There are others with him, but it's too far to tell who. We're taking this idiot and heading over. I don't know if we can help, but we should regroup at least.""Okay, Saki-chan!""Come on, Kaminari-san, get up!""Uwee~"
As the two girls looked to Kawasaki, they noticed her face was turning red.A question mark appeared over their heads as they exchanged glances.
"W-What's wrong?""N-No, it's just…""A-Are you feeling unwell or something?""N-Not exactly… It's just, um…"
They held their breath.
"That… being called 'Saki-chan' is kinda… a bit…"
...
A heavy silence fell among the three.
"Cute.""Adorable, really."
"G-Gah!?"
As the two girls gushed, calling her cute, Kawasaki blushed furiously and crouched down.Beside her, Kaminari Denki still wore a dumb look on his face, muttering: "Uweh?"
A few minutes before the battle in the Mountain Zone reached its conclusion—
Izuku Midoriya, alongside Minoru Mineta and Tsuyu Asui, had disabled the enemy villains and emerged from the lake, stepping into the central plaza.
What he saw there was reality.
Eraser Head, a professional hero, was being held down by a grotesque man with jet-black skin. And it was completely one-sided.Even though Eraser Head was using his Quirk, the man didn't seem affected in the slightest.This was a Modified Nomu.
Tomura Shigaraki was reaching toward Tsuyu Asui to disintegrate her. Eraser Head blocked the attack but was knocked unconscious by the Nomu.That was the situation Midoriya quickly assessed.
This is bad, this is bad, this is really bad!!
Asui-san's going to be killed!! I don't know what that guy's quirk is, and Aizawa-sensei won't be able to stop him!!Move, MOVE!!
At this moment, Midoriya's instincts to save Tsuyu clashed with his awareness that his target was a human.Those conflicting thoughts subconsciously helped him restrain One For All.He wouldn't let anyone be killed, and he wouldn't kill either. He couldn't afford to break himself.Thus, the blow he unleashed as a hero to save others was perfectly calculated—...Whether or not it would work was another matter entirely.
"Eh…?"
Just as he realized he had successfully controlled One For All, Midoriya also noticed—the man in front of him was no longer Shigaraki with all the hands, but the black-skinned giant.
(I hit him… right!? That was All Might's quirk! But how did he—when!?)
No time—this is bad…!
The Nomu reached toward him.Tsuyu extended her tongue to try to pull Midoriya to safety.Shigaraki reached out to disintegrate both of them.Mineta, crying, raised his hands in desperation.
It's over—
At that moment of absolute peril—
He appeared.
He punched the door aside as if it were nothing and stormed in.
And right behind him, another figure followed, just a moment late.
They shouted:
"Everything's fine now! You know why!?"
"Who the hell are you…?"
With righteous fury, the two roared:
"Because I am here!!!"
The Symbol of Peace.The No. 1 Pro Hero—All Might.
"Anyone who dares lay a hand on my students…!!"
And beside him, clad in a lab coat, cigarette in her mouth, sleeves rolled up—the teacher, Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"ALL MIGHTTTTTTT!!!!"
As the students' cheers echoed around the plaza, the two heroes instantly assessed the situation.
Near the gate, Thirteen lay collapsed, surrounded by students looking relieved.In the central plaza, Eraser Head lay unconscious, and two unknown men were threatening Midoriya and the others.Around the plaza remained nearly thirty villains.Elsewhere, a man wrapped in ominous black mist—Kurogiri—waited.
The two exchanged glances—coordinating their actions.
Priority: secure the students and Eraser Head. Clear out the grunts.
In an instant, both disappeared.
All Might scooped up Midoriya and the others, landing a hit on the creepy hand-covered man as a bonus.Hiratsuka landed in the plaza and stomped the ground—using the same move as Kawasaki Saki.
"Oh…!"
As the villains staggered, she dashed past them like a gale, heading straight for Eraser.One by one, the villains slumped and collapsed.
"Aizawa! Stay with me!!"
Hiratsuka checked Eraser Head's condition—no response.Frowning, she leapt back to All Might's side.Eraser was in terrible shape—he had to be moved from here.The area was about to become a battlefield of unprecedented scale.
Meanwhile, Kurogiri clicked his tongue in frustration.
A student had escaped—one with a speed-type quirk, most likely.Faster than the others, possibly even fast enough to reach the teachers before the villains could react.
Not only had they brought All Might, but someone else, too—someone with a clear physical enhancement quirk.She had leapt from the gate to the plaza in a single bound, shattered the ground on impact, and knocked out thirty villains with a single strike each—breaking their jaws.
Kurogiri didn't know who she was, but he knew she was dangerous.
She might be on All Might's level…!
"Hiratsuka-sensei! Aizawa-kun—!""His life isn't in danger, but his injuries are severe! Let's get him out of here with the students!"
"W-Wait! So fast!""A-All Might! And who… is she??""Aizawa-sensei is badly hurt…!"
"You three! Take care of Aizawa! The rest of the students are near the gate—head over there!"
"Understood!""Who is this beautiful older lady!? Though she's kind of a—""Not the time to joke!""S-Sorry!!"
Mineta immediately corrected himself at the sight of the vein bulging on her forehead.
Hiratsuka sighed and turned her gaze to Midoriya.She knew this was All Might's favorite student.It might have been improper, but she wanted to see how he'd act in a situation like this.
"All Might! That black-skinned villain—him! I used One For All, with just enough power to avoid injuring myself… but it didn't work at all!"
I see… so that's how he moves.
Hiratsuka nodded in satisfaction.Now she knew Midoriya's priorities: not panic, but strategy.And above all, concern for All Might.
"You might make a fine hero one day…""Huh?"
Tsuyu blinked at the quiet remark.Hiratsuka, brushing it off, urged Tsuyu and Mineta to move quickly.
"What do you think, Kurogiri?""You mean that female teacher?"
As the battle between All Might and Nomu began, Shigaraki Tomura, after habitually analyzing the situation, turned to Kurogiri and asked.
"Of course. She's our biggest threat right now.""She's clearly a frontline fighter. She might be a pro hero, but... without a costume, I'm not entirely sure.""Ugh, this is such a pain… Nomu!!"
Shigaraki barked orders as All Might slammed Nomu with a devastating backdrop.
Amid the resounding boom of impact, Kurogiri activated his quirk. He passed through Nomu and emerged from the ground behind All Might, exposing only his upper body.
He was calling reinforcements.
More soldiers than originally planned had gathered. Over three times the expected number.
Why?Because the League of Villains had gained notoriety through a certain experiment—the boy known as "The Connector," Hikigaya Hachiman.
The League's "Sensei," All For One, was intensely interested in Hachiman's quirk.
This whole ordeal had been a battle training exercise to observe how the boy used his abilities.And his opponents were denizens of the underworld.
Hachiman had acted as the League's "Connector."Kurogiri had served as his transporter.And from time to time, Shigaraki himself had accompanied them to check in.
In the past two years, the League of Villains had steadily grown in the shadows.
There were about 100 villains present at the USJ.What about the other hundred?
"Pardon me, but I'll need you to come out now as well."
Kurogiri summoned a massive warp gate.Hiratsuka, who had been observing the one-on-one fights without interfering, turned her sharp gaze toward the new threat.
"So this is U.A., huh!?""GYAHAHAHA! Let's wreck this place!!"
"Now more enemies!? Come on!""Look! All Might!""!!!"
But Izuku Midoriya didn't care about the hundred new villains.
What mattered to him was that All Might was immobilized—trapped between the warp gate and Nomu.
"I won't let this happen!!"
Hiratsuka dashed forward—only to be blocked immediately by Shigaraki.
"This area's closed, lady.""Don't mess with me!!"
She swung a powerful punch at him.But Shigaraki only raised his palm toward her.
What was that supposed to mean?Suspicious, Hiratsuka hesitated—and that split-second hesitation caught Shigaraki off-guard.
"Hmph!!"
But that wasn't the end of her attack.She followed up with a vicious kick, aiming straight for his torso.
Just as she was about to press the assault, dozens of villain grunts got in her way.
Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Hiratsuka readied herself.She didn't have time to deal with these losers—
"ALL MIGHTTTTT!!!"
Midoriya's scream caught her attention.
He was running.
Just like that day a year ago, when he had rushed in to save Bakugo.
This time, he was trying to save his idol.
Hiratsuka was stunned.
You're really going to run at a time like this? Just like… him…
She recalled a former student—and recognized the same dangerous bravery in Midoriya.
"Stop, Midoriya!!"
Enemies blocked both Hiratsuka and Midoriya.Meanwhile, All Might was slowly being pulled into the warp gate.
At this rate—it was over.
But people often say—
A hero always arrives late.
"Outta the way, Deku!!!"
With a massive explosion, Bakugo Katsuki blasted away the enemies surrounding Midoriya.
"Kacchan!?"
Bakugo landed in front of Midoriya, absolutely thrilled to have more enemies to beat.
"Midoriya!!""Kirishima-kun!"
Kirishima, hardening his entire body, charged in to cover Midoriya.Despite his fear, he couldn't leave a friend behind—that wasn't manly.
At the same time, Todoroki Shoto, who had met up with Bakugo's group earlier, ran toward All Might.He froze only Nomu's body through the ground, freeing All Might.
"I'm not letting you guys take the Symbol of Peace.""Todoroki, my boy!!"
And then—two more appeared.
"Raaaaargh!!"
An ice tiger, literally, five meters long, came charging in.It leapt over enemies and landed near Midoriya and his group.
"W-What the heck is that!?""Yuigahama!!""Wait, that tiger—Yuigahama-san!?""Idiot Deku, look up, you damn nerd!!"
At Bakugo's shout, Midoriya looked to the tiger's neck—and sure enough, a girl was riding it.
"Uh, Midoriya? Are you okay!?"
"Y-Y-Yeah! But what even is this quirk!?""Grrr…""So scary!!"
"What the hell is that!? Is that even allowed—cough!""Shigaraki, are you alright?""It's over."
A voice rang out from behind Shigaraki and Kurogiri.
They turned instantly, alert.
Standing there, like a spirit of winter, was Yukinoshita Yukino.
"It's over."
"It's not over yet… We still have Nomu!""That hulking brute? I doubt he can beat All Might in that state.""Then see for yourself!"
Just as she looked, Nomu's half-destroyed body regenerated.
"He has super regeneration! And a shock-absorbing quirk! Plus power and speed on par with All Might—he's our masterpiece!"
"Masterpiece? …I see. But you don't get it, do you?"
"A hero… is someone who wins with the heart of justice. That's why they're heroes."
Yukino declared with absolute certainty.Shigaraki and Kurogiri glared, but All Might remembered his role.
What am I?
The enemy is powerful—that's always the case.Behind him are civilians—always the case.Today, they happen to be adorable students, including his chosen successor.
Then, what am I?
Always the same.
The Symbol of Peace.
It was literal.
He does not falter.He does not fall.He smiles.
Until the next light fills the world—
"Because I am the Symbol of Peace!!!"
That surge of spirit overwhelmed everyone.The students felt his true power.Hiratsuka stood silent, moved.
Shigaraki, about to help Nomu, jumped back.Kurogiri sensed danger once again.
No one could approach.
The fierce clash between All Might and Nomu began—punches traded like thunder.
"Shock absorption… you said so yourself."
Shigaraki watched with growing concern, even as Kurogiri had a flicker of hope.
But he realized quickly—it was hopeless.
If this continued, Nomu would lose.
He had to act fast.
…They say heroes arrive late.That's not wrong.
But evil has its own methods.
There's no shining title like "hero" for them.Yet, even in children's cartoons, villains exist.
When the heroes call out for their champions—villains call theirs something else.
A trump card.
During the rush, All Might quickly noticed.
Between him and the dark-skinned giant, the Nomu, a very narrow space on the ground shimmered—and in an instant, a black mist appeared there. And from that mist, a human right arm emerged.
He felt an indescribable sensation as the arm moved to strike the ground.
"Not good!!"
He landed a stronger punch directly to the Nomu's face, then immediately pulled back, stepping outside the enemy's range.
"A-All Might!?""What happened!?""Shut up, spiky hair!""What!?"
Five people noticed that arm.
Bakugo and Todoroki realized All Might had backed off because of it. Yukinoshita noticed as well and returned to Yui and the ice tiger. Hiratsuka sensed the danger—someone that could make All Might recoil had arrived.
And Shigaraki glared at Kurogiri, clearly understanding both who the new arrival was… and who brought him.
"You called him too soon…""No, I believe it was the right call… that one."
Kurogiri pointed to Nomu and the new figure.
Shigaraki looked, and his eyes widened.
The Nomu's massive body staggered—and fell.
"Hey hey hey… what the hell, Nomu!? You've got shock absorption, remember!?""I must admit… impressive."
The newcomer glanced at them—no sign he'd been recognized.
"Kurogiri…"
A muffled voice—he was wearing a mask.
The U.A. side finally caught sight of him.
A body wrapped in a gray, hooded coat. About 170 cm tall. Slightly hunched. The coat hid his face and reached down to his knees. Even his arms were concealed to the wrists. Only his hands showed. His pants were all black—he looked like nothing more than a vagrant.
"Nomu's unconscious.""So, it wasn't enough…""All Might… wasn't he supposed to be weak!? That bastard lied to me…!?"
All Might understood from their conversation: these three weren't united. Even though a hundred more villains remained, none were as threatening as this new arrival.
"Did you already use up the reserves? That's overkill.""All Might is here. One female teacher believed to be a pro, and six students. All Might is assumed to be worn down.""Overkill? Maybe… if All Might wasn't around."
Then he looked to All Might—and froze.
He saw familiar faces.
Yukinoshita Yukino.Yuigahama Yui.Hiratsuka Shizuka.
He had sensed Kawasak—Saki—nearby in the mountain zone. So maybe he had expected this… but not this many people from his past.
"All Might and… Scream Fist. Damn, a brawler-heavy lineup.""Scream Fist!?""He's that Scream Fist!?"
The villains around them stirred at the name. Among villains, it was as feared as All Might's.
"Wha—Scream Fist!? That blood-crazed hero!? Is that really him!?""Huh? Oh, yeah. Guess without the costume, it's hard to tell?"
While Midoriya and Hiratsuka geeked out, Kurogiri gave the order.
"You know your role, right? One student escaped. Pro hero reinforcements will arrive soon. Assist us. We must take down All Might before they get here. You'll lead the front, Connector.""So basically, you're dumping this all on me…"
As the villains readied themselves, so did the heroes.
All Might clenched with everything he had left. Maybe five minutes more at best. But still, he stood tall and stepped forward. There were enemies to face.
Hiratsuka assessed All Might's condition. He looked nearly done. She would fight if he couldn't.
Yukinoshita was the same. A student, yes, but also a pro hero. She would fight because she had to.
The remaining students felt the same. Midoriya in particular was deeply worried about All Might. He braced himself.
Only Yuigahama sensed something wrong. The villain called "Connector" didn't feel evil. He didn't have the same "something" the other villains did. A killer instinct? She was too innocent to recognize it as that.
The Connector wanted to hold his head in his hands. Why am I even here?
He should have stood beside All Might and Yukinoshita. But now he stood as their enemy. He had to end this without bloodshed.
Heroes vs. Villains begins.
But the one at its center… was neither.
Not a hero. Not a villain.
A nameless interloper. A guinea pig thrown into the battle.
Far away, watching through surveillance cameras and audio feeds, the King of Evil smiled.
Now, show me your true worth.
You could easily kill the Symbol of Peace.
Struggle, rage, and drown in the darkness.
Hikigaya Hachiman.