---
Smoke still drifted from the massive crater where the Nomu lay unmoving. Ron stood at its edge, panting, his shirt torn and limbs bruised. His body healed fast thanks to Super Regeneration, but the exhaustion from using One For All at 100% weighed heavy on his shoulders.
> [Warning: Fatigue rising. Recommend recovery or rest.]
"I'm fine," he muttered under his breath. "I'll keep moving."
Behind him, the scattered members of Class 1-A were rallying, assisting injured friends and shielding Thirteen, who had been wounded by Kurogiri earlier. Aizawa lay unconscious nearby, his body battered from defending them earlier.
And then the world shifted.
BOOM.
A massive gust of wind burst through the entrance of the USJ.
From it, a familiar towering figure emerged—his golden hair gleaming, blue eyes burning with fury.
"All Might!" Midoriya shouted in relief.
The Symbol of Peace had arrived.
"All of you—stand down!" All Might roared, his voice echoing across the dome. "I am here!"
Kurogiri shuddered slightly. "He's early… Shigaraki, we must fall back."
But Shigaraki wasn't listening. He stared at Ron, still twitching with rage. "He stole the spotlight. That kid… he's dangerous."
---
All Might took in the battlefield with a sharp gaze.
Students alive—good.
Nomu down—surprising.
He turned to see Ron.
"You took this thing out?" he asked, voice gruff.
Ron stood tall despite his exhaustion. "Barely. It heals. So do I. I copied its quirk."
All Might's eyes narrowed just slightly.
"You copied One For All… and this too?"
Ron nodded, breathing heavily. "I won't explain how. But I can copy any quirk by touch. I've kept it quiet."
All Might stared at him. Then nodded.
"We'll talk later. Right now…"
His gaze shifted to Kurogiri and Shigaraki.
"…these villains are mine."
---
Shigaraki screamed and lunged forward, his Decay quirk crackling on his fingertips.
"Nomu was supposed to kill you!" he shrieked. "DIE!"
Ron stepped forward—but All Might was faster.
He blurred across the field, fist raised.
"Texas Smash!"
The wind pressure alone sent Shigaraki tumbling back, his coat shredded.
Kurogiri quickly warped beside him, surrounding them both in dark mist.
"Retreat!" he hissed. "We've lost the Nomu!"
"But—!"
"We are not ready for this. That boy… changed the board."
They vanished just as All Might's fist came crashing down.
---
Silence returned.
Then, cheers broke out among the students. Midoriya wept. Uraraka clapped. Bakugo scowled in silent admiration.
But All Might turned to Ron.
"You've made quite the impression, young man. You might have just saved everyone."
Ron smiled weakly. "I'm just getting started."
---
Far away, in a hidden lab beneath a ruined city…
All For One watched the footage silently.
His hand clenched around the armrest.
"This boy… Ron…"
His eyes glowed red.
"He will be… a problem."
---