Masata's half-joking remark instantly drew Dark Shadow's attention.
"BOOM!"
A massive claw, pitch-black like ink and cutting through the air with a shrill howl, lunged straight toward Masata.
"Watch out!"
Shoji's expression changed drastically. He reached out instinctively, trying to pull Masata out of harm's way—but the movement tugged at his wounds. A wave of sharp pain shot through his body, costing him the critical moment needed to dodge.
By the time Shoji regained his balance, the enormous claw was already upon them.
"…Damn it."
Staring at the shadow that completely engulfed both of them, Shoji shut his eyes in despair. He was certain they wouldn't survive this blow.
Yet—
The pain never came.
Shoji opened his eyes in disbelief and saw Masata standing firmly in front of him, one massive magma-forged hand raised high, blocking Dark Shadow's claw head-on.
"ROOOAR!"
Dark Shadow recoiled instinctively at the sight of fire. Although the forest was still shrouded in darkness, the threat was unmistakable. Letting out a furious roar, it slammed its paw against the magma hand.
But before the impact landed, the magma shifted.
In an instant, the massive magma hand split apart into countless streams, moving like living threads. They wrapped tightly around Dark Shadow's arm, then surged forward, coiling around its entire body.
The crimson glow flared blindingly bright.
The surrounding trees were bathed in red light as though dawn had broken. The dark forest was illuminated like midday, and Dark Shadow's enormous body began to shrink violently as it struggled.
The shadowy form melted as if snow meeting boiling water, retreating rapidly—until it was completely absorbed back into Tokoyami's body.
"Hah…"
Freed from the shadow's restraints, Tokoyami fell from the air.
In a flash, Masata appeared beneath him, catching him before he could drop into the still-scorching magma below and gently setting him down against a tree.
Tokoyami gasped for breath, drenched in sweat, his entire body trembling. He looked utterly exhausted, as though all his strength had been drained.
Seeing Tokoyami regain control, Shoji rushed over immediately.
"Tokoyami! Are you okay?!"
"…I'm fine," Tokoyami replied quietly, lowering his head. "The situation was bad, but I'm not injured. This time… you saved me, Masata. If it weren't for you, I might've caused a disaster. I let my anger cloud my judgment."
Then he turned toward Shoji, concern in his eyes.
"And your arm—are you alright?"
Despite his own condition, Tokoyami was still worried about his classmates.
Shoji glanced at his duplicated wrist. Blood continued to drip steadily, staining the soil below like blooming red flowers.
"I'm okay," Shoji said, a little awkwardly. "It looks serious, but it's not completely severed."
He paused, realizing he might never have properly explained his Quirk.
"The part that was cut was only a duplicated limb. Once the wound heals, I can regrow it."
"We'll talk about that later," Masata said calmly after checking both of them over. "This isn't the time for explanations."
Satisfied that neither Shoji nor Tokoyami was in immediate danger, Masata continued.
"The villain you encountered—was it a man covered in explosive muscles?"
Shoji and Tokoyami froze briefly, then shook their heads.
"No," Tokoyami replied. "We were ambushed. The villain used a weapon that could change form freely. It was hard to deal with. But once Dark Shadow went out of control, the villain disappeared—we don't know where."
Shoji added, "Bakugo and Todoroki should be nearby as well. I saw a massive iceberg form in the forest earlier, but it collapsed almost immediately. They're probably fighting together—and it didn't look good."
"…Bakugo and Todoroki are here too."
Masata's expression darkened as he analyzed the situation.
"So the two villains fighting the PUSSYCATS in the clearing were just bait… The real plan was to scatter and ambush the students throughout the forest."
"BOOOOM!"
A thunderous explosion erupted ahead, cutting off Masata's thoughts. Towering flames burst skyward, lighting up the forest.
Masata's face turned grim.
Only Bakugo could produce an explosion of that magnitude.
But Bakugo's Quirk was especially dangerous in a forest—fires, oxygen depletion, burns, uncontrolled spread. Unlike Masata, who could exist freely within flames, Bakugo was limited to explosions from his palms.
For him to unleash something like that meant only one thing.
He'd already thrown caution to the wind.
"Can you two still move?" Masata asked sharply. "If so, find a safe place to hide. I'm going ahead."
If that muscular villain encountered Bakugo and Todoroki, the two of them might not be enough. That enemy's strength was no joke.
"We're coming with you!"
Shoji stepped forward immediately. "I'm injured, but my combat ability is still intact."
Tokoyami nodded as well. He'd overused Dark Shadow earlier, but with Shoji nearby, he could prevent another loss of control.
After a brief pause, Masata agreed.
There was no telling where villains might be hiding in this forest. A truly safe place might not exist at all. Staying together was the better option—and Masata still had enough stamina left for another battle.
"Then move!" Masata said firmly. "Bakugo and Todoroki might already be in serious trouble!"
"Boom!"
Aizawa's capture weapon whipped through the air, binding the last genetic beast and slamming it violently into the ground. He retracted the bandages and wrapped them loosely around his neck.
"Good timing, Eraser," Mandalay said with a deep breath of relief.
She was right.
Just as the group had been on the verge of being overwhelmed by the endless swarm of genetic beasts, Aizawa had arrived. With another professional Hero joining the fight, the tide turned instantly.
Yaoyorozu Momo finally gained the time she needed to create heavy weaponry. Moments later, a torrent of bullets swallowed the remaining monsters, ending the battle decisively.
Aizawa's gaze shifted.
"Who is that?" he asked flatly, looking at Himiko Toga, still handcuffed on the ground—smiling brightly.
"…A villain?"