Time goes back, to right after the warp gate appeared───.
"Is everyone safe!? Can you confirm!?"
"We've been scattered, but everyone is still inside the dome. ...Two of them are nearby."
"Nearby!?"
"Maybe he means us, Taco-kun!"
"Everyone!"
As Mezo Shoji confirmed his classmates' safety, two of them appeared. They were Kaori Orimoto and Saika Totsuka. Just before Kurogiri tried to engulf them with a warp gate, the two had already slipped out.
"Orimoto-kun's Quirk... I see, teleportation!"
Kaori Orimoto! Quirk: "Teleportation"! As the name suggests, she can teleport herself! Moreover, anything or anyone physically connected to her within a two-meter radius can teleport along with her! There's no restriction on the number! However, in a single day, there is a limit to how much mass she can teleport aside from her own body! Also, there's a maximum distance she can teleport at once!
"Thank you, Orimoto-san, you saved us."
"No problem, OK! But I couldn't reach Saki-chan...! Taco-kun, everyone's safe, right!?"
"It seems they were warped to different disaster zones. None were immediately taken down."
"Then there's still hope...!"
Grinding her teeth, Orimoto glared at Kurogiri. With her Quirk, she should have been able to save Saki Kawasaki who was right beside her. Her hatred toward Kurogiri, already fueled by the Hachiman Hikigaya incident, only grew stronger.
"So, teleportation. And not the kind where you pass through a gate, but an instant-activation type. Rare to see a fellow of my kind."
"Don't lump me in with you, okay? That pisses me off. Honestly."
"Heh... as expected of U.A., it gathers such special Quirks..."
"Don't ignore me, talk back you baldy!"
"You can't really tell if I'm bald or not, can you? With this head."
"So annoying! ...Where's Hikigaya?"
The moment she said "Hikigaya," the students widened their eyes, and Kurogiri's laughter stopped. He hadn't expected that name, overheard earlier in the bus, to come up here. And indeed, Kurogiri did know where Hachiman Hikigaya was. After all, he was currently infiltrating U.A. alongside them.
...Still, Kurogiri had no intention of speaking about Hikigaya—the Connector. It was his "Sensei's" order, and there was also the matter of the Quirk's usefulness. But above all, Kurogiri liked the person that Connector was.
Once he had aimed to be a hero, and in the end, had actually become one. Such a man was drawn into the side of villains, yet had not lost himself. Even when pressed by fear, threatened from all sides, he held onto patience, negotiation, above all rationality—never crossing the final line, never breaking.
What a strong human being. If such a person pledged loyalty and fought by their side, no ally would be more reliable. ...And yet precisely because he was that strong, he would never truly lend his hand to their deeds.
"Like that black-haired girl earlier... Hikigaya, was it? Is he really that important? A person who disappeared two years ago."
"Of course he's important! Are you kidding me, you bastard!! You stole one of us away, and you ask if he's important!? He's important, that's why I'm demanding answers from you right now!!"
Orimoto scratched furiously at her head, showing not just hatred but frustration. Clearly, she and Kurogiri were a bad match.
But there was another angel—one who burned with anger.
"Orimoto-san, step back."
"Totsuka-kun?!"
"Your Quirk isn't suited for fighting, hurry."
"Wait, are you seriously mad...?"
"Just like you are, Orimoto-san..."
"Both of you, stop it!"
"That's right, Uraraka-san is correct! Orimoto-san, go with the class president to the school! Call for help!"
"Ah, no way. Glasses-kun might accept that, but not me. I'll support him so he can escape, but leaving here? Not happening."
"Wha...!"
Thirteen was stunned. A student defying the words of a teacher, a pro hero, wasn't something she'd expected. The other students felt the same. Especially Ochaco Uraraka and Tenya Iida, who couldn't hide their shock.
They had heard bits from Yukino Yukinoshita, Yui Yuigahama, and Kaori Orimoto, but never realized it ran this deep. Knowing a little of the circumstances had made them underestimate the weight of it all.
Thirteen sighed inwardly. It couldn't be helped.
The public didn't know, but every pro hero did. Two years ago, from the U.A.-affiliated Sobu Middle School, a boy had been taken. And the boys and girls who ran the path of heroes from early morning until late night, determined to rescue him...!
"...Understood. Class president!"
"Yes!"
Still, there was no option of not calling for help.
"I'm entrusting this to you. Run to the school and report everything."
"!"
"The alarms didn't go off, and phones are out of service. The alarms are infrared-based... Yet even though Eraser Head is down below erasing Quirks, they didn't trigger. That means someone with a Quirk that can jam them must have hidden it immediately. Which means—it's faster for you to run than for us to find it!"
"Wha...! But to abandon the class, that goes against everything a class president—!"
"Shut it and go, emergency exit!"
Iida fumed at Thirteen's words. But he knew. With no external contact, wasting time here would only worsen things. Eraser Head was fighting dozens of villains alone, half the class had been warped somewhere in the dome by the mist man's Quirk, and were already fighting.
So far there were no casualties, but soon enough, there would almost certainly be serious injuries, maybe even deaths.
And so, precisely for that reason, Rikido Sato shouted. Go. Not to abandon, but to save───.
"Once you're outside, the alarms will sound! That's why they're keeping this confined inside, right!?"
"If you get out, they won't be able to chase you! Outrun the mist with those legs of yours!"
"Like in the cafeteria, I can support like crazy! I'll do it!!"
"Please, class president!"
"Orimoto, back up Iida."
"OK!"
Kaori Orimoto positioned herself beside Iida.
Saika Totsuka stood next to Thirteen. This was something limited to the Sobu group, but combat training had already begun back in middle school. It hadn't been as extreme as now, of course, but he, Saika Totsuka, had witnessed it all—the resolve of his friend aiming to be a hero, and the wall he stood against.
"This is nothing, just a breeze!"
"Glasses-kun, grab onto me! We'll be out in three seconds!"
"Even with no other choice, who the hell discusses strategy right in front of the enemy!"
"We wouldn't say it if it actually mattered, would we!"
Villains cast malice upon civilians.
Heroes stood to block it.
The age-old structure of the world was in place there.
Until the moment when an impurity mixed in───.
__________________________________________________________
[Mountain Zone]
"Don't move, you two. If you value this one's life."
"Ugh..."
"Kaminari-san!"
"Damn, I completely let my guard down! To think I wouldn't even anticipate a surprise attack after a total wipeout...!"
As Thirteen and Kurogiri's battle began, while Midoriya's team of three, Bakugo's group, Yukinoshita's team, and Todoroki were finishing off their enemies and heading for the central plaza, Yaoyorozu, Jiro, and Kaminari found themselves in dire straits.
The three had been warped to the Mountain Zone. With Yaoyorozu's quick thinking and Kaminari's massive discharge, they managed to defeat all their foes. However, Kaminari had overloaded his capacity with his Quirk, shorting his thought circuits. He had turned into a temporary idiot.
Left with no choice, Yaoyorozu and Jiro confirmed the situation and turned back to call Kaminari, only to find that he had already been captured.
The one holding him was a villain wearing a skull mask. A man called Jack. He had been lurking underground together with the Connector, peeking at the surface and waiting for his chance.
"An electricity-type Quirk...! You're the villain who was causing the radio interference, aren't you!?"
"Huh, so you figured that much out. Well, of course. As expected of hero trainees."
"Kaminari...! You can't escape on your own, can you!"
Jiro's mind raced.
Right now, she and Yaoyorozu had been forced to raise their hands, unable to use them for anything. Yaoyorozu's Quirk was Creation—she could produce objects, but they'd be useless if she couldn't wield them.
That left only one option: she had to do something herself.
"Electric-type Quirks are pretty nice, you know."
"Jiro-san?"
"Kaminari's one too, but like... you're born a winner the moment you've got electricity, right? I mean, I just wonder—why waste it being a villain?"
She extended her earlobe jacks toward her legs. Her costume had sound amplification devices installed along the shin area, providing directional reinforcement. By amplifying her heartbeat through her Quirk, and further boosting and focusing it with the costume, she could send soundwaves directly at the enemy. And she could activate it without moving her hands or legs—just by shifting her earphone jacks.
In this situation, it was the best possible move. Except───
"You think I wouldn't notice!?"
"Tch!"
The villain brought his electrified finger closer to Kaminari.
But he had miscalculated.
Jack had witnessed the entire battle earlier. Naturally, he had seen Kyoka Jiro using her earlobe jacks as weapons.
"A hero shouldn't treat another's life lightly. Your life, or someone else's... choose!"
Overly cautious and thoroughly prepared, he had taken a hostage. With that, the three had no chance of victory left.
The only way out of this situation lay beyond his calculations.
The intervention of a third party.
__________________________________________________________
The clash between Thirteen and Kurogiri continued.
Kurogiri spread his mist, and Thirteen sucked it in with Black Hole.
The students wanted to assist Thirteen, but couldn't.
They couldn't move in front of Thirteen. If anyone stepped ahead, Thirteen would be forced to halt Black Hole. And the instant he stopped, the entire area would be engulfed in dark mist. If that happened, calling for help would be impossible.
What about long-range attacks?
"Take this!"
Hanta Sero shot out his tape—but from the side, away from Thirteen. If it passed in front of the Black Hole, the tape would be reduced to dust as well. But Kurogiri merely waved his arm, letting it dissipate. In the end, they were only students. They couldn't use killing techniques, and long-range Quirks that dared not get close posed no threat.
"Damn it! Is he really immune to physical attacks!?"
"Oi, Sero! Don't get too far away!"
This was getting nowhere.
Thirteen resolved to move forward. The suction of Black Hole grew stronger the closer the target was. They didn't intend to kill him, but they could keep pulling him in—long enough for the class president to escape.
"Thirteen... As expected of a rescue-specialized hero. Compared to others, you're a step behind in combat."
"What are you...!?"
"Thirteen-sensei, no! Stop your Quirk...!"
Orimoto's warning came a step—no, a fraction—too late.
The black mist that had been sucked in transformed into warp gates. Thirteen realized, too late, that the suction of the Black Hole was being redirected elsewhere. At the same moment, they felt their spacesuit and skin being stripped away from their back.
They'd been had...!
Thirteen collapsed.
"Thirteen-sensei!!"
"Go, Iidaaa!!"
Turning his eyes away, Iida broke into a run.
He could cover 50 meters in three seconds. Beyond third gear, he could push into fourth or higher and become even faster. But his enemy was one entirely divorced from speed.
"I won't let you!"
The mist spread out everywhere, blocking Iida's path.
He slammed on the brakes, nearly halting.
I've been entrusted with this! I must—no, I will...!
In that instant, leaving Ashido and Sato behind to tend to Thirteen, the students rushed toward Iida and Kurogiri.
"If you can't use your Quirk now, then what kind of hero are you!!"
Usually so quiet, Totsuka shouted.
As if responding to his voice, Orimoto suddenly teleported beside Iida.
"Let's go, Glasses-kun!"
"Wha—whoa!?"
In the blink of an eye, the two warped behind Kurogiri. He was stunned—he had tried to block them right in front of him.
"Impossible! Too fast!!"
That's just the kind of Quirk it is.
Smirking inwardly, Orimoto pushed Iida's back.
"Go!"
"You saved me!"
"Damn you!"
Mist lashed out at both Orimoto and Iida. Kurogiri even summoned a gate directly in Iida's path.
But two others had already caught up—two who could fly.
"We won't let you!!"
First, Totsuka swooped down with white-feathered wings spreading from his back, striking Kurogiri head-on.
"Guh!"
"It worked!?"
The students gasped in shock. They had believed physical attacks were useless. Meanwhile, Shoji Mezō used his own wings of replicated arms to smother the mist blocking Iida's path.
"Go."
"!!"
"Hurry."
Shoji's duplicate arms urged him forward. Exchanging a firm nod, Iida drifted past the gate and sprinted!
"You insolent four-eyes...! And you as well!!"
Kurogiri tried to engulf Totsuka in mist, but Totsuka hurled his wings at him.
Wider than expected—so wide they surpassed the warp gate itself—the wings forced Kurogiri back further.
"Now!"
"If there are parts of him we can touch—!"
Uraraka stretched out her hands, activating her Quirk on Kurogiri's belt and body. His form floated under Zero Gravity, and Sero quickly bound him with tape.
"Go, Iida-kun!!"
"Run!!"
Kurogiri tried to snap the tape and leap toward Iida, but this time, Totsuka's wings, now turned to steel blades, barred his way.
Iida forced open the sensor-dead door and dashed out of the dome. Watching him escape, Kurogiri sagged in defeat.
Game over───.
__________________________________________________________
[Mountain Zone]
"I'll finish you off. I'm coming over there now, so don't you move..."
The first to notice was Yaoyorozu Momo.
Behind the villain and Kaminari, about a hundred meters away in the rocky terrain, there was someone with their hand to the ground. It looked like they were picking something up.
A girl, perhaps—her bluish-black hair tied in a ponytail. She raised her head and straightened her body.
Yaoyorozu realized instantly. Jiro did as well. But they couldn't let it show. They couldn't let the villain in front of them realize he was about to be caught in a pincer attack.
The girl wound up her arm. What she had picked up was nothing more than a fist-sized stone—yet she hurled it directly.
The rock flew sharply, tracing a near-horizontal parabola straight toward the villain's left shoulder.
In an instant, across the hundred-meter gap, it struck true—smashing into Jack's left shoulder and knocking his arm away from Kaminari entirely.
"Gah...!!?"
"Ueh...!"
"Jiro-san!"
"I know!!"
Kaminari was flung forward, sliding diagonally toward Jiro. She rushed to grab him, while Yaoyorozu instantly created a sword to cover them.
Meanwhile, Jack realized he had been ambushed from behind. The three in front could be kept at bay with Quirk suppression—they wouldn't dare advance. The real threat was behind him.
Clutching his injured left arm, still crackling with electricity toward the trio, Jack whipped around.
What he saw was a girl sprinting toward him.
The distance—thirty meters.
(Fast!)
That was both Jack's thought and Yaoyorozu's. For Jack, sheer surprise at her speed. For Yaoyorozu, the fact that the girl had already launched herself the instant she'd thrown the stone.
"Damn it!!"
No time to hold back! He extended both hands and fired an electric blast. He could scatter electromagnetic pulses endlessly, but high-voltage electricity was another matter—the air could only conduct so much. Still, at ten-odd meters, he was confident.
But the girl—Kawasaki Saki—dodged instantly, reflexes and leg strength carrying her clear. Her upper body nearly wrenched away with momentum, but sheer muscle strength steadied her as she locked eyes on the villain.
"She dodged!?"
"Too soft."
Saki rebounded forward. Drawing back her right fist, left arm forward, she closed the gap in two steps, striking distance in one.
Her right fist slammed Jack's guard aside, and with the momentum of a diagonal spin, she drove a reverse roundhouse kick straight into him.
"Why, you—!"
"You're strong. I guess I can afford to use my Quirk a little."
"What!?"
She closed her eyes, exhaled calmly. A karate breath.
When her eyes opened again, Jack felt a danger he hadn't in years.
This one's bad!
He had to regroup with the Connector! No—he had to retreat entirely...!
But it was too late.
Saki stepped forward with her left leg, channeling her Quirk as her foot struck the ground.
"Stomp."
The earth quaked.
With a single step, the entire Mountain Zone trembled. All four others wavered and fell to their knees. Jack pressed a hand to the ground, realizing too late—the fight was already decided.
"Sorry, but I can't hold back against a villain."
Saki's heel crashed into Jack's skull. With a dull thud, his consciousness sank into darkness.
"Kawasaki-san!"
"You guys are... sorry, I don't know your names yet."
"I am Yaoyorozu Momo. You saved us, Kawasaki-san."
"Jiro Kyoka. And the idiot making that dumb face is Kaminari."
"Ueeeh~"
"Idiot? No, more like dumbass."
"It's a side effect of his Quirk. Honestly, it's kinda hilarious."
"Hmph." Saki's voice carried little interest. She scanned the area—no other enemies.
"So you already beat the rest. Not bad, you guys."
"If anything, it's Kawasaki-san who's impressive. Your Quirk is, if I recall—"
"More importantly, let's just tie this guy up—!?"
"Saki-chan, look out!"
Glancing down, Saki saw black mist swirling around Jack, swallowing him whole. She leapt back, landing beside Yaoyorozu, already back in fighting stance.
"That's the same as before... they're retrieving him?"
"It's too late, Kawasaki-san..."
"Yeah, I won't dive in. Still, we just let a nasty one get away."
"If he comes at us again, it'll be bad news, right?"
Jiro's uneasy voice earned only a curt nod from Saki, a trace of irritation in her eyes. They had let slip what was likely one of the masterminds.
"At least they're not collecting the rest of their forces."
"So... what should we do now?"
"The guy causing the signal interference is gone. That means it should all be wrapping up soon... no, maybe it already has."
"Eh!?"
They looked toward the central plaza. Even from here, they could see dust clouds and bursts of explosions, large enough to glimpse even beyond the fountain. Such scale could only mean one person.
"All Might's here."
"R-really!? Did someone go call him!?"
"Can't make out the villains' side from here..."
"There are others with him, but too far to tell. Anyway, we'll bring this idiot along and regroup. Whether we can help or not, we should meet the others."
"Okay, Saki-chan."
"Come on, Kaminari, stand up!"
"Ueeeh~"
When they turned to Saki, ready to set out, they found her blushing red. Question marks floated above their heads as the two girls exchanged glances.
"W-what's wrong?"
"No, it's just..."
"Are you feeling unwell, Kawasaki-san?"
"No, not that... it's just... um..."
They gulped in unison.
"About that... calling me 'Saki-chan'... maybe don't..."
....
Silence fell over the three of them.
"So cute."
"Adorable, truly."
"Guh!?"
As the two girls chanted cute, the lone girl crouched, face crimson. Beside them, Kaminari Denki's idiotic expression hadn't faded, and he let out another dumb "Ueeeh?"
__________________________________________________________
A few minutes before the conclusion in the Mountain Zone.
Izuku Midoriya, along with Minoru Mineta and Tsuyu Asui, had disabled their villains and climbed out of the lake, stepping into the central plaza.
What he saw there was grim reality.
Eraser Head—who should have had the advantage as a pro—was being held by a grotesque man with jet-black skin. And one-sidedly at that. Even though Eraser Head's Quirk was active, the hulking monster seemed completely unaffected. The bio-engineered Nomu.
Shigaraki Tomura tried to disintegrate Tsuyu, and Eraser Head intervened—only to be knocked out cold by Nomu.
That much Midoriya's analysis could cover.
This is bad this is bad this is bad this is bad!!
Tsuyu's gonna be killed!! I don't know what his Quirk is, but Aizawa-sensei can't stop him anymore!! I have to move!!
At that moment, his instinct to save Tsuyu clashed with the knowledge that his opponent was human. That tension naturally suppressed One For All. He wouldn't let Tsuyu be killed—but neither would he kill. And he couldn't break himself either.
For the first time, Midoriya succeeded in landing a hero's strike—one that saved without destroying. ...Whether it would work on the opponent was another matter.
"Eh..."
The instant he realized he'd controlled One For All, Midoriya also realized the figure before him wasn't the hand-covered man—but the black-skinned giant.
(I hit him... right!? This is All Might's Quirk!! But wait—when did he—)
This is bad...!
The giant's hand reached for him.
Tsuyu snapped her tongue out to pull Midoriya away.
Shigaraki reached forward with both hands to decay the two of them.
Mineta, crying, raised his hands in desperate defiance.
It's over.
At that instant, he arrived.
Smashing the door aside as if it were nothing, he charged through.
Another figure burst in just a beat behind. Together, they declared:
"It's all right now! Why, you ask!?"
"Who the hell...!"
Their voices rang out, heavy with anger.
"Because I am here!!!"
The Symbol of Peace, the No.1 Pro Hero—All Might.
"Any fool who dares to lay hands on my students!!!"
And beside him, clad in a lab coat, cigarette in her mouth, sleeves rolled up—a teacher.
Shizuka Hiratsuka.
"Ooooolll Miiiight!!!"
As the students' voices echoed, the two rapidly assessed the scene.
Near the gate, Thirteen lay collapsed, relieved students clustered around.
In the plaza, Eraser Head lay fallen, two unknown villains closing in on Midoriya's trio.
Thirty-odd remaining villains still lurked in the plaza.
And a menacing man of black mist stood watch in the distance.
The two heroes exchanged a glance, confirming their plan.
First—secure the students and Eraser. Then—sweep the fodder.
In an instant, both vanished.
All Might scooped up Midoriya's trio, delivering a punishing blow to the hand-covered man on the way.
Meanwhile, Hiratsuka landed in the plaza—then stomped. The same move Kawasaki Saki had shown.
"Oh...!"
The villains staggered as shockwaves rippled through them. She rushed past in a gust of wind, straight to Eraser's side. The villains' heads lolled and they collapsed.
"Aizawa! Stay with me!!"
Checking him, Hiratsuka grimaced—no response. His condition was dire. At least she had to remove him from this place. A brutal battlefield was about to unfold.
Meanwhile, Kurogiri clicked his tongue.
A student had escaped. And with speed. That boy could reach the other teachers faster than expected—far too fast.
Worse, they hadn't just brought All Might—they'd brought someone else. Likely a physical enhancement Quirk. Her speed and power were clearly beyond normal. With one leap from the gate, she'd shattered the ground on landing, then knocked out thirty villains with single strikes each.
Kurogiri didn't know who she was—but he knew the danger.
She may be on All Might's level...!
"Hiratsuka-sensei! Aizawa-kun—!"
"His life isn't in danger, but his injuries are severe! We'll entrust him to the students and get him out!"
"Wh-what!? That was fast!"
"O-All Might! And, uh, who... is she?"
"Aizawa-sensei's hurt badly...!"
"You three! Take Aizawa! The rest of the class is gathered by the gate—go there!"
"Understood."
"Who is this gorgeous lady!? Ah, but maybe more of an—"
"Is this really the time?"
"S-sorry!!"
Seeing the vein pop on her forehead, Mineta corrected himself immediately.
Hiratsuka exhaled sharply, glancing at Midoriya. She knew this was All Might's favored pupil. In truth, she wanted to see how he would act in such a crisis.
"All Might, that black-skinned villain! Him! My Quirk—it was just enough power not to break my arm, but it still didn't hurt him at all!"
So that's how he responds, Hiratsuka thought, nodding with satisfaction.
She now knew Midoriya's priorities. Not relief, but strategy. And above all, concern for All Might.
"You might just make a fine hero..."
"Eh?"
Tsuyu, hearing the mutter at her side, turned to look at Hiratsuka. The teacher waved it off, urging Tsuyu and Mineta to hurry.
__________________________________________________________
"What do you make of it, Kurogiri?"
"You mean that female teacher?"
As All Might and Nomu began to clash—and after delivering his habitual commentary on Nomu—Shigaraki asked Kurogiri.
"Of course. She's the biggest variable right now."
"A true front-liner, it seems. She's probably a pro hero... but it's not a costume, so I can't be sure."
"Tch, what a pain... Nomu!!"
Shigaraki urged Nomu on. Looking over, All Might was just about to nail Nomu with a backdrop.
Thunder boomed from All Might's explosive backdrop as Kurogiri activated his Quirk. He phased Nomu through and had the monster's upper body emerge from the ground behind All Might.
Then, he called for reinforcements.
This time, more soldiers had gathered than planned—over triple the original number.
There was only one reason. Within the underworld, the League of Villains had become somewhat famous for using the boy called the Connector as an experiment.
The League's "Sensei," All For One, had taken a keen interest in the Quirk of the Connector—Hikigaya Hachiman.
Under the pretext of combat training, they had observed how that Quirk could be used—pitting him against denizens of the dark.
The League's Connector, their porter Kurogiri, and, on occasion for inspection, their leader Shigaraki Tomura.
Over the last two years, the League had risen through the shadows.
This time, around a hundred villains had come to USJ. So—what of the other hundred?
"My apologies, but I'll need you all to step out as well."
Kurogiri opened an especially large warp gate. Hiratsuka, who had been refraining from interfering in the one-on-one fight, turned a wary gaze toward it.
"So this is U.A., huh!!"
"Gyahahaha, let's smash it to bits!!"
"You're kidding me—more enemies now!?"
"Look, All Might!"
"!!!"
Izuku Midoriya had no time for that. A hundred more villains was a huge problem, yes—but not the problem. All Might was being pinned by the combined trap of the warp gate and Nomu.
"I won't allow it!!"
Hiratsuka dashed forward—only for Shigaraki Tomura to instantly block her path.
"Road's closed from here."
"Don't be absurd!!"
Hiratsuka swung her right fist in a wide arc to smash him, while Shigaraki merely held a palm out toward her.
What's that supposed to be?
Sensing something off, Hiratsuka halted her punch mid-swing. Shigaraki's eyes widened—he hadn't expected her to stop.
"Hmph!!"
That didn't end the attack. She vaulted into a rising yakuza kick straight up into Shigaraki's torso.
When she moved to press the attack, dozens of villain grunts threw themselves between them.
Clicking her tongue, Hiratsuka squared up. She couldn't afford to waste time on small fry—
"All Miiight!!"
Startled by Midoriya's cry, she snapped her gaze over.
Izuku Midoriya had started to run. Just like that day a year ago, when he'd leapt out to save Bakugo.
This time—to save the man he idolized.
Hiratsuka was astonished.
You're really going to run now? That's just like him—just like that one, isn't it───.
Thinking of a former student, she realized Midoriya's peril all the more.
"Stop!! Midoriya!!"
Villains barred both Midoriya and Hiratsuka. Meanwhile, All Might was being dragged further into the warp gate. At this rate—bad, very bad───.
But people often say:
Heroes arrive late—that's why they're heroes.
"Outta the way, Deku!!!"
With a blast, the villains around Midoriya were blown back.
"Kacchan!?"
Landing in front of Midoriya, Bakugo grinned—thrilled there were still enemies left to pound.
"Midoriya!!"
"Kirishima-kun!"
Kirishima, blocking every strike with Hardening, sprinted to Midoriya's side. He was scared, sure—but bailing on a buddy wasn't manly.
And Todoroki Shoto—who'd linked up with Bakugo on the way—rushed to All Might's aid, freezing only Nomu's body along the ground line to pry the monster off of him.
"The Symbol of Peace isn't going down to the likes of you."
"Young Todoroki!!"
And then, two more.
"Graaahhh!!"
An ice tiger—literally, a tiger of ice. At least five meters long, it bounded from somewhere, soaring over the villains and landing beside Midoriya's trio.
"W-what is that!?"
"Yuigahama!!"
"Huh, this tiger? Is that Yuigahama-san!?"
"Idiot, Deku—look up, moron!!"
At Bakugo's shout, Midoriya focused on the nape of the ice tiger's neck. Sure enough—a girl was perched there.
"Um, Midoriya?—kun! You okay!?"
"Y-y-yeah! I mean—what Quirk even is this!?"
"Grrrr."
"Terrifying!!"
"What the hell is that...! Is that even allowed—cough!"
"Shigaraki, are you all right?"
"It's over."
The voice came from behind Shigaraki and Kurogiri. Spinning around, on guard, they saw a girl like a spirit of ice—Yukinoshita Yukino—who declared it finished.
"It's not over...! We still have Nomu!"
"You mean that big one? I don't see him beating All Might from that position."
"Then watch with your own eyes!"
As instructed, they looked. The half-collapsed Nomu was regenerating.
"Super-speed regeneration! And he's got shock absorption! He also has power and speed on par with All Might! There's no way All Might can win against our masterpiece Nomu!"
"A masterpiece? ...I see. But you don't understand."
"Heroes are heroes precisely because they win with a heart of justice."
Ignoring Shigaraki and Kurogiri's glare, All Might remembered his role.
What am I?
The enemy is overwhelming. That's always the case.
There are always civilians behind me. That too is constant. Today, those civilians are my precious students—and among them, my chosen successor.
Then what am I?
The Symbol of Peace.
Taken literally.
I do not yield, I do not fall, and I smile—
—until the next light fills the world!
"Because I am the Symbol of Peace!!!"
His fighting spirit crushed everyone present.
The students felt the Symbol's full power; Hiratsuka watched in silent awe.
Shigaraki, poised to help Nomu, sprang back, and Kurogiri felt the threat keenly.
With none able to approach, All Might and Nomu launched into a ferocious exchange of blows.
"Shock absorption... you said it yourself."
Kurogiri watched the storm of fists with a flicker of hope at Shigaraki's words—but quickly judged it futile.
At this rate, Nomu would lose.
They needed a move—now.
Heroes may arrive late—that much is true. But villains have their own methods. They don't have glittering titles like "hero."
Yet in the cartoons children adore, villains do exist. When the champions of justice call their heroes, the villains have a name for their equivalent.
Their trump card.
__________________________________________________________
In the midst of the rush, All Might noticed it immediately.
Between himself and the black-skinned giant Nomu—on the ground.
It was a narrow space, but in an instant, black mist appeared. From it shot forth a human right arm.
That arm, about to strike the ground, gave All Might an uncanny sensation.
No!!
Delivering one last, stronger blow to Nomu's face, All Might disengaged and landed outside Nomu's range.
"A-All Might!?"
"What happened, what's going on!?"
"Shut it, shitty hair."
"Hah!?"
Five people noticed the arm.
Bakugo and Todoroki realized, through the dust, that All Might had pulled back in hesitation.
Yukinoshita saw it too, retreating to regroup with Yuigahama and the ice tiger.
Hiratsuka sensed danger in the fact All Might had backed off—could someone that strong really have arrived?
And Shigaraki glared at Kurogiri. Of course he knew who had intruded—and who had summoned him.
"Too soon to call him in..."
"On the contrary, wasn't it the right call? ...Look."
Kurogiri pointed at Nomu and the newcomer.
Shigaraki followed his gaze—his eyes went wide.
The hulking Nomu had just collapsed.
"Oi oi oi... what the hell, Nomu! You've got shock absorption, don't you!?"
"I must admit... most impressive."
The newcomer cast a glance their way.
He exhaled. Apparently, his cover wasn't blown—yet.
"Kurogiri..."
The muffled voice suggested a mask beneath the hood.
At last, U.A.'s side saw him clearly.
A gray hooded coat covered his body. Roughly 170 centimeters tall, posture slightly hunched. The coat reached his knees and even his wrists, leaving only his hands visible. His trousers were pure black. To them, he looked no more than a shabby homeless man.
"Nomu's out cold."
"So he failed after all..."
"But All Might—wasn't he supposed to be weakened!? Did he lie to me!?"
From that alone, All Might understood. They weren't a united front—not the three before him, at least. The hundred-plus other villains still stood, but none of them were real threats. The problem was the newcomer.
"Did you already deploy all the backup soldiers? That's excessive."
"All Might, one female teacher who seems a pro hero, and six students. We thought All Might was weakened."
"Overkill... maybe not, if he's here."
The newcomer's eyes flicked toward All Might—then froze on those beside him.
They were his former companions.
Yukinoshita Yukino.
Yuigahama Yui.
Hiratsuka Shizuka.
And he thought back—of course. Kawasaki Saki had approached in the Mountain Zone earlier. He'd sensed her with his Quirk. He had suspected there might be more. But never expected these people to be here.
"So it's All Might... and Screamfist. Talk about a bruiser's lineup."
"Screamfist!?"
"That guy... he's the Screamfist!?"
The villains erupted at the word. Among them, that name was despised nearly as much as All Might's.
"Eh!!? Screamfist!? The blood-crazed hero!? Is that really him!?"
"Huh? Oh. No costume, so you didn't recognize me?"
As Midoriya's inner fanboy nearly boiled over, Hiratsuka answered coolly. Kurogiri, meanwhile, issued orders.
"You know your role. One student already escaped. Pro heroes will arrive soon. Help us. We must finish All Might before reinforcements come. The front line is yours—Connector!"
"So basically you're dumping it all on me..."
As the villains readied themselves, the heroes braced as well.
All Might clenched his muscles tighter. He'd likely last no more than five minutes, but he still stood proud and forward. Because enemies remained.
Hiratsuka gauged his state—he was nearly at his limit, but still determined to fight. She knew she had to step in.
So did Yukinoshita. She might be a student, but she was a pro hero nonetheless—distinct from the others. She would fight.
The four remaining students were not pros, but their resolve was similar. Especially Midoriya—worry for All Might burned in him. He had to give it everything.
But Yuigahama felt something off. About the villain they called Connector.
He looked ready. But her knack for reading people told her something was missing. Something every other villain here carried—but not him.
She didn't know the word for it. Killing intent.
Connector wanted to bury his face in his hands. Why the hell am I even here? he wanted to scream.
He should be standing with All Might and Yukinoshita. Instead, he was on the opposite side of his own hero name. But he had no choice. Somehow, he had to resolve this without total disaster.
Heroes versus villains was about to begin.
But the boy who seemed the center of it all—was neither. He was no hero, no villain. Just an unwilling test subject—a lab rat thrown into the fight.
The battle began.
And far away, through cameras and microphones, the dark king watched. Quietly, he laughed.
Now then—show me your true worth.
Prove you can kill the Symbol of Peace with ease.
Suffer, rage, and drown on our side.
Hikigaya Hachiman!