Crossing the forest isn't a problem; in fact, it's so easy it terrifies me.
I don't know what I'll find when I arrive. There are so many possibilities, and not the positive ones, respectively.
(Keep Toga secure. If things get out of control, we'll have to use her as a bargaining chip.) The Whips imprisoning the villainess went from forming in my fingers to coming directly out of my back. (That's more comfortable. Thanks.) I increased my speed a little more, having greater balance with my two arms free.
A rather large clearing could be seen in the distance from my view. There were no trees around it, and it had an apparent circular shape.
Small dots stood out on it, and the closer I got, their figures could be distinguished.
I remember this place well...
(It's where they originally manage to kidnap Bakugo.) Arriving at my destination, I stopped, observing the figures I had in front of me. One For All didn't hesitate to reproach me for not attacking by surprise. (I could have done it, but that wouldn't have ended well for us.) I gave everyone a quick look, analyzing with my knowledge how screwed I would be if I tried such a strategy.
A dark portal was in the center of the area. In front of it was Shigaraki, holding Bakugo's neck with four fingers.
The latter didn't look happy about what was happening, but not scared either.
(Maybe he's in shock?) I didn't dwell on that idea for too long. I knew well that each person has a different reaction to situations of extreme stress.
Flanking them were two Nomus, same shape and color. Four completely purple arms along with a strange head that simulated a mix of spider and lizard.
(I highly doubt they're superior in power to the "High-End" Nomu, but they make up for it in quantity.) I started to tap the ground with my right leg, allowing the kinetic energy to slowly accumulate. (I'm not leaving here without a fight.) Accepting the fact before it happened was good for calming me down.
If everything was going to go wrong, then so be it. I would face it with my best face.
A little further ahead was Dabi, arms crossed and showing apparent little interest in the whole situation. Beside him, with Mr. Compress, the same was happening.
(Where are Spinner and Magne? Were they sent back to the bar they have in Kamino?) I could believe that one of them was caught, but the chances were very low.
If everything together had to be evaluated... then it would be classified as a clear defeat for me.
"Aren't you going to get closer, Midoriya? I have your friend, after all." A growl of anger came from Bakugo's mouth, causing Shigaraki's crazy smile to grow. "Just one finger is enough... And you know it." In mockery, he did exactly that, leaving his fifth finger just a few centimeters away.
"Don't... come... Deku." Trying to maintain authority, my classmate spoke. It was a whisper that I wouldn't have heard if not for my enhanced senses.
"It's not necessary to go to this extreme, Shigaraki. We can... negotiate." With extreme care, I directed the Blackwhips that imprisoned Toga. "If you return the grumpy one to me, I'll return your crazy friend to you." One For All refused the idea of an agreement, but I wasn't willing to put us at risk.
"Her? Her Quirk is useful, but as a villain, she's clearly pathetic. She's trapped, after all." I bit my tongue, saving the sharp comment I had for his words. "I have a better idea. How about you perform a demonstration of your abilities? Isn't this camp for that?" His smile became cunning, amusing himself with the clear upper hand he now had.
From my left side, a large flame shot out towards me. The trees having very easily covered the enemy.
(An ambush, I expected it.) The Danger Sense, plus my previous anticipation, were more than enough for a quick reaction. Firing a Delaware Smash, I completely dissipated the attack. (Dabi is on my left, that means the other one is a clone of Twice.)
Indeed, the supposed "Dabi" dissolved into something similar to mud moments later.
One of the Nomus lunged at me, trying to grab me in its arms to crush me with the force behind them.
Using my left foot as support, I performed a full spin, kicking with my right directly in its face and managing to get it away from me.
(50% is enough to cause them damage. I was right, they're not at the level of a "High-End.") The second Nomu also approached, trying and failing just like the first to catch me. (They're not trying to hit me, just hold me back.) With a Blackwhip, I caught its face, forcing it to kneel and receive a powerful punch from me.
For his part, Dabi had been able to get closer, creating a ring of fire to limit my movements.
"You know I can extinguish this. Why are you bothering?" Showing off, I snapped my fingers. The accumulated kinetic energy was slightly released and put out the flames. "Your Quirk is useless against me. Don't bother." I looked at him with a mocking smile. I knew that wasn't entirely true, but I needed to feign confidence.
"Don't push your luck, brat." A blue sphere formed in his right hand. "Not everyone has the courage to say that about my power." From the corner of my eye, I could see that the Nomus were already on their feet, slowly walking to surround me.
"I'm not like 'everyone'." Again, One For All reacted by instinct, sending two Whips from my back for each Nomu. "Why do you use your Quirk if it's the cause of your near death?" My question momentarily threw him off. The fire sphere in his palm almost lost its shape.
"Excuse me? What did you just...?" I didn't want to let him finish, going to his position to try to knock him out.
Unfortunately, Dabi wasn't like Toga, being more than capable of responding to my attack with one of his own.
"I didn't know heroes made such dirty plays!" The spinning ball of fire was sent towards my face, releasing a concentrated torrent of flames that hurt just by looking at it. "Let that be a lesson to you, worthless brat." He skidded a little before stopping, leaning on a tree so as not to trip.
"A lesson for what? To learn to defend myself from pathetic attacks?" I commented from within the smoke, trying to hide the fact that that move had left me somewhat disconcerted. (If I hadn't covered my arms with the Blackwhips to protect my face... that's not a pretty mental image for my hypothetical death.) The heat had become annoying, making it difficult to breathe properly.
"Well... Shigaraki wasn't wrong with his assessment of you." Using his flames, he retreated. He had been evaluated without me noticing.
"Where do you think you're going?" With a horizontal movement of my hand, I cleared the smoke, chasing after Dabi so as not to leave the battle unfinished. (If I stop him...) A tug stopped my thought. Looking back, I discovered that the Nomus were holding the Blackwhips.
A particularly fast one took offensive actions against me, managing to shorten the distance to send a double left punch to my face.
Covering that part with my arms, I waited for the inevitable impact, only to feel the inertia drag me to one of the many trees in the forest.
My head hit the hard bark along with my entire body, and only the power flowing through One For All allowed me not to feel so much pain.
Still, I couldn't contain the grimace that formed on my face. (I have to take care of the Nomus, then I can continue with the rest.) Having accumulated enough kinetic energy, I allowed it to disperse towards my right arm. (I just need one hit.) The Nomu was already in front of me, preparing a longitudinal right punch.
Its two arms came down with force, tearing the bark of the tree as if it were paper. I shot a Blackwhip at my enemy's left arms, using both as a swing to slide and dodge its attack.
I placed my right foot on its knee, taking the previous momentum to use that base and jump up, ending up on the side of the monster's head.
"SMASH!" The blow connected directly with its cheek. The insane accumulation of energy was released abruptly and destructively, tearing its head and half of its body into a bloody mess that was cleaned up by the very gust of wind it generated. (This reminds me of the Cell Games.) The lower half of its body fell to the ground, with nothing to keep it alive.
Another large part of the forest had been razed by my movement. Trunks were cut everywhere, and pieces of earth were what could be seen.
To one side, my enemies watched with surprise and a little fear. So much power in the hands of a teenager could only remind them once again of All Might... but with all the possible advantages in his favor.
"...Deku..." Bakugo whispered in shock, unable to assimilate the power gap between them.
"I'll say this one last time." I turned my body towards Shigaraki, slowly starting to walk towards them. "Hand over my companion, and I'll return the crazy girl to you." The seriousness in my voice was punctuated by One For All, deliberately increasing the pressure exerted by the Blackwhips.
"Shigaraki... we've played enough. It's clear that if this continues..." Touya left the words hanging in the air, hoping that his leader would be able to understand the losses that would follow if they stayed. "Midoriya is a mini All Might. There's no point in us testing his limits." Still, he prepared his flames. He wouldn't stand by with his arms crossed otherwise.
"There's one Nomu left." After a movement of his free hand, it charged, repeating the same strategy as the previous one.
"Fools." Without any limits, I responded to the assault. The maximum bearable power flowed completely over my body, adapting with the help of One For All to be even more tolerable. "St. Louis SMASH!" Taking a leap, I spun completely in the air, sending an axe kick that was easily defended by the Nomu's arms.
Not wanting to be caught, I shot two Blackwhips towards the ground, allowing a pull to drag me back.
During my movement, a portal was opened to the side, from which Mr. Compress emerged, trying to turn me into a marble.
I sent a Whip towards his hand, deflecting the movement of the latter and grazing my back.
Mr. Compress continued on and was caught by another portal, reappearing next to Shigaraki.
I rolled on the ground to absorb the momentum and ended up on my feet again, observing the Nomu.
(A second later and I would have lost everything.) I let out a heavy sigh. I was very close to being defeated. (Do you think if we cover my arms with the Blackwhips, we can withstand a 100% blow?) I couldn't get close to Shigaraki without first defeating the Nomu.
They were doing nothing but being spectators in this whole situation, analyzing every move I made.
(The kinetic energy I've accumulated isn't enough to simulate a Pseudo 100%. We still don't have the technique polished, but...) The Whips covered my palms, passing through each finger and then going to my wrists. As a precaution, I extended them to my forearms. It felt like being with pillows tied on.
"Well... what a horrible appearance your arms have, Midoriya. Are you imitating other villains, perhaps?" The mockery from Shigaraki was ignored by me, opting to stare fixedly at my last obstacle.
I made small movements, adapting to the new sensation that ran through my arms. The kinetic energy that was accumulating was just another advantage.
I allowed One For All to take charge of controlling the Whips. I couldn't have my attention dispersed.
I bent my knees slightly, taking note of my surroundings one last time. (I have to achieve everything in a single move.) The Nomu felt the threat I represented, opting to take a defensive stance.
One second, and we were both at a considerable distance of fifteen meters.
The next, we were face to face.
Its upper right and lower left arms went for my face, forcing me to lean back to avoid them.
The last two also tried to hit me, but by spinning on my own axis, I kicked them.
Knowing I had a clear path, I prepared my attack.
I planted my feet on the ground, stopping my own movement and changing its trajectory.
"Texas SMASH!" My right fist connected solidly with its face. The full power of One For All at its maximum capacity was enough to completely destroy the Nomu this time.
Not a single trace of it was left. It had been completely evaporated.
The destruction was less compared to the previous one, as the Nomu's own body absorbed part of the released energy.
(The Pseudo 100% doesn't compare to this. What a marvel.) Despite wanting to move, I couldn't. My arms were trembling from the power exerted. (They're not broken, at least.) I sighed in relief, grateful for how practical the Blackwhips were.
"You've improved incredibly since that day at the U.S.J.," Shigaraki commented with cold calm, cutting off my train of thought. "At that moment, I lost in every possible aspect. Sensei was disappointed, and that doesn't compare to the self-loathing I felt."
His gaze was fixed on my face, but it seemed... distant.
"Let Bakugo go. If what you want is to face me, you don't need hostages." I knew it was stupid. No matter what I said or tried, Shigaraki would continue with his twisted strategy. "Are you looking for the acceptance of a man over two hundred years old? Haven't you thought that he has other plans?... Plans in which you are not involved." He narrowed his eyes, analyzing what I had said. Bakugo was silent, expectant of whatever the outcome would be.
"Sensei... is a powerful person, and that commands respect. Only those with great power can confront their equals." It was strange to hear him so reflective about the place he occupied in the scale of events that represented existence as a whole.
"So why...? What's your reasoning for remaining so loyal to his strategies? Haven't you thought that all your hatred, your goals, your very existence is the result of an endless series of his machinations?" I tentatively took a step forward, trying to make him realize that he was just another cog in a poorly formed system.
And maybe...
(Allowing him to get his hands dirty for me.) Bitterness couldn't help but appear in my mind. Manipulating someone, no matter how disgusting that person is... wasn't fully satisfying. (But it's impossible. He will always be loyal to that man, more focused or not.) I discarded the thought instantly. The burden was on my shoulders, and I knew it.
"My words haven't sunk into your head?" His annoyance was palpable, and my senses reacted to it, tensing my muscles for the possible consequent reaction. "You question too much for how little you reveal. Why do you fight, Midoriya? And don't try to tell me it's for some stupid symbolism of All Might."
That was a valid question, perhaps the only one that really has weight in my sense of existence and belonging as a person.
Why did I fight? To survive? That was an undeniable fact. I am a human, after all.
Outside of that? Before, I wouldn't have had a clear answer beyond the fact that being a "hero" was exciting.
But I'm not that person anymore. Such a doubt doesn't exist in me. I have motives and will.
And of course... the necessary power.
"I have no reason to answer you. My motives shouldn't concern you. What should concern you..." The mobility in my arms was no longer an impediment. The momentary tension was gone. "Is the way you're going to end up in Tartarus."
"Motivating words... for someone who lost again," he smiled mockingly. Behind him, a portal extended for his retreat. "You lose your companion and allow me to recover my pawn. You're a disgrace, Midoriya."
My eyes widened at that, giving a look at the Toga on my back and discovering that...
(...It was a clone of Twice...) It instantly disappeared, leaving me with an empty cocoon of Blackwhips. (But at what moment?) I didn't understand. I was attentive to every attack directed at me the whole time.
The Nomus, Dabi, I didn't allow any of them to snatch Toga.
(But not Mr. Compress.) When his hand was deflected, he managed to imprison Himiko with his Quirk. (The attack wasn't directed at me. From the beginning, it was a trap.) I clenched my fists in frustration, knowing that I had made an unprecedented rookie mistake.
"You figured it out? Well done." Shigaraki's smile did nothing but grow, observing with morbid delight the turn of events. "Say goodbye to your companion. I don't think you'll see him again soon." He began to retreat, with slowness and grace.
(As if I would allow it. One For All Full...!) Another portal opened, this time above my head. (What the hell?!) The Danger Sense activated with force, earnestly asking me to move from my position.
Instantly, two clones of Tomura came out of it, with both palms extended to turn me into nothing but dust.
One For All didn't allow me to react on my own, shooting two Blackwhips that effectively pierced the clones' heads and killed them.
I returned my attention to the front, belatedly noticing that the original Shigaraki was no longer there.
(He escaped... You could have sent a Blackwhip and tried to stop him, but you didn't. Why?) I didn't have an answer, only the constant feeling of security and power that the energy provided me. (And that last reaction of yours was... brutal, if it can be said in any way, but I would have done exactly the same.) I started walking towards the forest again, reflecting on the direction things were taking.
In retrospect, everything has happened in a moderately linear way, at least as far as the camp is concerned.
I can only hope that Yaoyorozu has fulfilled her role and that the location of the bar in Kamino is traceable.
(So... All Might will face All For One. That reminds me of a saying.) The sounds had died down in the surroundings. It seems the most important battles had completely ended. ("He who does not know his history is doomed to repeat it.") It was surprisingly Aizawa who made an appearance, having moved through the trees with his scarves.
"Midoriya! Are you alright?!" His Quirk was activated, but his gaze was everywhere but in front of me.
(Attentive for any surprise attack, as expected of him.) I nodded my head, gathering all the grief that my failure had brought me. "They kidnapped Bakugo... I'm sorry." I said no more, and he didn't deign to give me an answer either, although his tightly clenched fists told me enough.
Having made sure we had no probable attackers, he deactivated his Quirk, sighing with fatigue before looking at me.
"Let's go back to the camp. Your classmates are already there, and they were the ones who specifically alerted me to your possible location." He started to move, and I followed his pace.
The only thing that predominated over the place was the sound of our footsteps.
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"Are you sure you don't want anything else, Izuku?" I took a sip of water, leaving the glass aside and looking at my mother. She was really worried about me.
I found myself smiling at that, internally grateful for her genuine attention. "Yes, Mom, I'm just tired... It hasn't been a good day." I looked at the time on the wall clock in the house, noticing that it was practically dawn. (And yet, she prepared a great improvised dinner. What a great and respectable woman.)
"Oh, of course, it must be very hard for you... Mitsuki is having a very hard time with this whole situation, even if she wants to look strong for others." The empathy in her tone never ceased to amaze me.
She knew that Bakugo bullied Izuku. No matter how much her son hid it, she noticed.
She never questioned beyond the lies she received. Izuku knew this and didn't change it either.
(And yet she bothers to partly worry about him. I highly doubt I could achieve such a thing.) It wasn't a trait that made me feel proud, but it didn't bother me either. It was simply that way, and that's it. "In fact, Bakugo wasn't the best person, but he didn't deserve such a thing either. Still, I know they're going to rescue him." I crossed my arms and sighed, knowing that in two or three days, Kirishima would seek my help.
I trusted that Yaoyorozu would do her part in the grand scheme of things... or at least I hoped so.
"Of course they will. There are heroes for that." She agreed with me, but the doubt in her voice was not difficult to notice.
(So her faith in heroes is already wavering. It was to be expected, to be honest.) If, for someone like me with prior knowledge, these were difficult situations to face, I can't imagine for someone like Inko.
"Izuku... do you still want to be a hero?" Her fingers rhythmically tapped the table where we were having a late dinner, nervous and even scared.
...Scared of my answer...
"I..."
"No! What am I saying! It's what you love and have wanted to do since you were a child!" She quickly cut off my words, offering me probably the fakest smile ever seen. Her eyes closed, holding back her tears so as not to make a scene.
"Mom..."
"A-and you have such a wonderful future!" She wanted to stand up to end the conversation, but I didn't let her. Without needing One For All, I stood beside her.
"Hey, it's okay. I'm not four for you to have to hide things from me, and with even more reason if they directly involve me." I placed one of my knees on the floor, taking her shoulders so she would look at me. "Do I want to be a hero? Of course I do. You have no idea how much I want to fully achieve that goal..."
"Of course. You've worked so hard that I..."
"But... before that... before my future or my past, there is only one fixed thing..." With the softest voice I could manage, I told her, knowing that her attention was fully on me. "And that is that I am your son, no matter the situation, reason, or circumstance. That is a constant that cannot be altered, and my number one priority. I will defend you with tooth and nail, even if you ask me not to. Don't forget that, Mom."
Did I understand how hard all this was for her? No, I simply couldn't understand such a thing, and that made me feel worse.
I couldn't promise her that I would avoid the risks either. That was like saying that red and blue are and represent the same thing.
But I could be honest, and every word transmitted that.
I must protect her, for the boy who was before me and for who I am now.
"Izu-Izuku!" Crying, she began to hug me, and the strength behind it was unreal. Inko had more strength than she is given credit for. "You've matured so much and in such a short time! I'm proud of you!" That was comforting. A simple and at the same time so deep word for me that I couldn't express it in words.
I hadn't stopped Shigaraki, nor had I performed a legendary feat worthy of renown.
But this...
(It's enough for today.) I returned the hug, enjoying the emotional and calm moment, being a good calm in the midst of the disastrous current storm.
...
Author's Note:
Hey.
What did you think of the chapter?
After having stretched the Summer Camp arc for practically as long as I could (and not because I enjoyed it), I can conclude with it.
Bakugo's rescue is the next thing to happen to be able to conclude with the almost faithful adaptations of the anime/manga.
I liked writing the fight between the MC and the League of Villains. I feel it was a great paradigm shift, considering that this time Shigaraki came out completely unscathed and victorious compared to the U.S.J.
The final conversation with Inko, on the other hand, is fundamental for the protagonist as a person, because one thing is to solidify his foundations for being a hero, and a very different thing is when it comes to him personally.
He can have all the reasons in the world to be the best hero of all, but if he fails as a person, it doesn't give him a complete arc closure.
Understanding and accepting his role as a son, with his responsibilities in that area, makes him more human than he already is.
So those moments will be repeated in the future for the sake of the plot's development.
And I know I should have updated sooner, but the winter break is approaching, so my teachers are evaluating left and right. It's likely that there won't be a new chapter until next week precisely because of that.
Also, some really negative things have happened recently, the kind that make me question certain attitudes in my environment.
I felt stuck and reflective in general. They are my problems anyway and have no place here, so it doesn't matter.
The important thing is that the chapter is already here. Now I can work on my other stories without rushing.
Anyway, take care. See you.