Pikapowerz: Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! As for upcoming things, I will say that this arc will not end with everyone fighting together lol
However, the story isn't over yet. Who knows what you'll see before its over~

Anyways, here's an absolutely unit of a chapter. Hopefully I didn't miss anything in editing... But here it is! The climax of the Nabu Island Arc!

Season Four, Episode XLIII

My Hero

. . .

Kirai Amari

. . .

Run.

I have to run.

I had to reach the others, warn them about what was happening.

But it was so hard to see, tears streaming down my face.

"Amari!"

I watched him take that hit, after such a brutal beating.

I should have just run away when it all started, I never should have seen-

"Do you think he's dead?"

"It doesn't matter!"

I could hear the terror in her voice as well. I'd reached the end of the sandbar, breathing hoarse as I forced myself to sprint through my choked sobs. I couldn't stop, I had to tell everyone to run, to hide. I had to run and hide. That monster, the one stomping down the sandbar behind us, it was the most horrifying thing I'd ever seen. A creature that size, with that kind of destructive power... It would roll over Nabu Island just as easily as any hurricane.

But at least hurricanes don't have murderous intent...

"HEY!"

She tried to force control, just as we reached the top of the stairs that lead down to the beach. Causing me to stumble, I tripped and fell to my knees. I was gasping for breath, struggling to get back up. "Red! Wh-What are you doing!?" She was stopping me from moving, trying to take over.

The world around me faded for a moment, and I was staring back at her. The glass separating us, and she was surrounded by that blazing aura, her amazing Quirk. "We can't just run away!"

"You can't be suggesting we try to fight that thing!" I barked back at her, "W-We have to run! Warn everyone and-"

"And then what!?" She demanded, slamming her fist into the glass. "We run around screaming and crying and waiting to die? Or we hand over the Shimano family and let them be taken by that monster?!"

"What do you want me to do!?" I demanded, fresh tears flowing, the same ones I could see running down her face. "I'm scared, I'm not strong like you are... I don't want to die, I don't want anyone to get hurt but... I-I just can't do anything!"

"We can stand up!" Slamming her fist into glass once again, "We can try to slow them down! For him!"

"Hello, my name is Kaiji Adachi."

My eyes darted around, hearing a faint echo of his voice, I stepped back from the glass. "I-I'm not... I can't do..."

"We can't just give up now!" She argued desperately, beating the wall between us. "Not after... After everything he's done!"

"I'm just the new kid, who wants to be left alone..."

"We tried to put him through hell!" Images, memories briefly flickered all around us. "And he still always tried to help!"

"It's fine, I'm okay really. What do you need Amari?"

"No matter how hard we tried to make things for him." She was so passionate, I'd never heard her so fired up before over someone else. "He... He was-"

"You took Garro's retirement hard, didn't you?"

"Do you need help getting back home?"

"Must be nice though, always having someone there for you."

Maybe... Maybe I hadn't realized it, but I wasn't the only one that had fallen for him. "COME ON!"

My eyes widened, as the glass began to crackle. Every time she spoke, her fist striking the screen and spreading the cracks further.

"Being a hero, it's always been my dream."

"He's your friend!"

"I will stand."

"My friend!"

"I will fight."

"So lets do this for him!"

"I will save everyone!"

With one final blow, the glass shattered. The wall between us collapsing entirely as both her raging emotions and my silent grief collided. She stumbled into me, and out of instinct I embraced her. For the first time in my life, since Red became a part of me, I was able to feel her. Maybe it wasn't real, maybe it was all in my head, but as far as I was concerned... I was hugging my sister, my best friend, for the very first time.

"We'll do this for him, together."

My eyes opened wide, I felt a surge of energy rushing through me. It was unlike anything I'd ever experienced, this power, this was what Red felt all the time? My hair was still mostly black, but had burning red streaks running through it. I rose to my feet, any hint of exhaustion I had before was gone. I felt powerful, I felt alive. I felt... Whole.

I turned slowly, hearing the heavy footsteps of the enemy approaching. Strangely enough, I still felt afraid. But there was something else there, stronger than the fear trying to constrict my heart. I think I understood, the sensation I'd always shied away from when things got dangerous. I couldn't understand until now why Adachi would put himself through the pain it takes to be a hero. I couldn't understand how he wasn't afraid of getting hurt, or dying when fighting monsters like this... But that's it isn't it? He didn't fight because he wasn't afraid, but because only in the darkest depths of fear does courage truly shine.

I could see the sparks dancing off my body, and knew for sure that I was going to shine now, brighter than ever before. I glared at the monster and his albino companion, fire burning in my eyes. "You two... You're not going to hurt anyone else!" The tears that still sat at the corners of my eyes burned away, my sorrows replaced by righteous indignation, and a desire to save everyone.

"Hrrrnnn..." The massive beast growled lowly, "I'm done wasting my time with brats!"

He opened his mouth wide, glowing jaws preparing to fire that beam from before. My body moved, the moment he unleashed the attack. Moving at full power, the maximum I could handle, 300%. Maybe, compared to all these heroes and villains, that wasn't very much coming from a high school girl with only slightly above average physical ability... But it was enough to get me past the monster while he was blinded by his own attack.

Running right through his legs, I took the other villain completely by surprise. His red eyes widening, "What!?"

Maybe I'm not as skilled as any of them, maybe I'm rough around the edges, sloppy, ungraceful. But dammit, with this kind of power I'm still hitting like a truck! "This is for KAIJI!" Slamming my fist right into his jaw, a heavy handed punch that I leaned too much into. Lifting him right off his feet, and driving him into the sand. On impact, an explosion of sand and dust was released. When it began to clear, I opened my eyes and blinked in surprise. Looking down at the face of a man bleeding from the mouth and nose, planted firmly in the ground by my punch. His eyes were empty, he was unconscious! "I... I got him..." I almost couldn't believe it.

My victory was cut short however, as something broadsided me. A thick scaly limb crashing into my flank, sending me tumbling across the sands. I definitely felt my arm break on impact, the pain was terrible but... Maybe it was the adrenaline, my heart was pumping so fast, I got back to my feet ignoring the pain. There was something else too, the impact, the kinetic energy he'd struck me with using that massive tail...

"Hrrnngh!" Clenching my right hand, I felt that power channeling through my body. It was then that I realized what this change in body meant. No longer was my Quirk divided, I could convert and release all the energy my body generated! I didn't have to worry about suddenly running out of power! "HAAAAH!" I charged, my arm cocked back and burning with that same power he just struck me with.

He tried to fire another beam at me, but I weaved around the bright red lights. Racing up to the monster, jumping straight for his jaw just as the beam started to disperse. "AAAGH!" Screaming as I slammed him right beneath the jaw using the full force of what he'd just given me plus my own 300%. "Gnngh!"

I wasn't used to this power, and didn't understand my limits yet. What kind of harm it could do to an unprepared body. Even as my attack made the monster stumble back, the backlash through my right arm broke it completely. I hit the ground, wincing in pain. My left arm broken by his tail, and the right now shattered and purple with bloody knuckles thanks to my own ignorance, dammit.

"Not bad... For an amateur..." He growled lowly, glaring down at me. "Aww, what's the matter, need a hand?" He mocked.

It hurt, so much pain I wanted to scream. But I bit my tongue, gritting my teeth. "E-Even... Even if I all I have is my legs..." So much pain, how did heroes put up with this!? "I... I won't give up! I will protect everyone!" I closed my eyes tight, trying to fight off the tears I couldn't wipe away. "Just... Just like... A real hero!"

The beastly villain chuckled in amusement, standing over me and enveloping my entire body with his shadow. "A hero huh? Aren't you a little too weak to be a hero?" He asked, clearly enjoying my torment. "Two punches, and you're falling apart... But, I'll give you an A for effort before you DIE!"

I moved- no, she moved me! My legs jumping back, even though my body was in so much pain. "R-Red..." I landed in the sand, nearly falling again from the shock and feeling in my broken arms. "St-Stop talking, stop thinking!" Wait, what is this? "We have to warn everyone!" Red, I could feel her talking, but it was me saying the words. "R-Right, of course you're right I-I have t- Nngh!" It hurt, my arms hurt so much. It was unlike anything I'd ever felt before, and to keep moving right now seemed like an impossible task. "Don't think about it!" Red barked through my mouth, "I won't let us fall down, just RUN!"

The power we had left, I used it to bolt. My movements wild, erratic as I struggled against the pain. Darting past him, up the stairs and towards the main road. Behind me I heard his booming voice, mocking laughter. "Where are you running kid!? There isn't anyone else that can save you now!" A bright light followed his words, I had to resist every urge to look back. Before bolts of red light, like smaller version of his beam attack, flew past me.

Blanketing the forest edge, striking the earth and road and causing a storm of smaller explosions. I kept running, evading every last one on reaction alone. I needed to reach them, I needed to warn everyone! It couldn't be long now, the Coastguard would arrive any minute, help would be here soon! I just needed to hang on a little longer! It was so hard, fighting through not only the physical pain but the terrible sense of dread weighing down on my shoulders.

Images of burning homes, piles of bodies, dead friends and family. They flashed through my mind with every step, I didn't even realize how hard I was breathing, the pounding in my chest, the ringing in my ears. The world around me was a blur, but I knew I was almost there. "Red! What do we tell them to do? Hide in the shelters? Maybe move down to the shore? Try to signal the coast guard?" I asked worriedly, waiting patiently for her response as I ran. "Red? Come on this isn't the time to give me the silent treatment!" Something was wrong, there was... An absence, inside of me. "RED!"

"Amari!?" My eyes darted up, I hadn't even realized I was already outside the shopping center. I spotted Shisui standing by the entrance with several others, "What happened? Where's Adachi?" She asked worriedly, before wincing, "Oh my god, your arms... Get inside quirk!" Moving to my side, I could feel her almost trembling as she tried to help me.

It took everything I had not to collapse against her, my legs felt numb. "K-Kaiji he... He's-" I didn't know how to say it, or even what to say. I didn't even know for sure if he was dead.

"Lookout!" Someone shouted, just before more explosions erupted against the wall of the shopping center. Shisui covered me with her body, as bits of rubble rained down. "Get inside! Everyone head for the back exit!" I heard more shouting, but I couldn't help looking back even after the shockwaves from those explosions knocked me to my knees.

"Run all you want, it won't save you..." The Chimera sneered, marching down the street towards the center and passing other buildings. "I gave you a choice, but you got cocky trying to play hero so now EVERYONE DIES BEFORE I GET WHAT I WANT!"

"Hurry inside," Shisui pulled me up by my shirt. "You have to hide! The coast guard shouldn't be far off, escape with the others!" Before stepping past me, I could see her struggling. She'd been injured the night before right? She was straining her body to try and transform. "I-I'll buy you all the time that I can!"

"Shisui no!" Kento shouted from inside.

"Just get Katsuma and Mahoro out of here!" She shouted back at him viciously. I saw others watching from the windows, frozen with fear.

I felt those tears welling up again, staring at her shoulders from behind as she turned to face the beast. "I know she's scared, fearing for her sons life but she's still..."

"Another rat trying to get in my way," He snorted, releasing a burst of flames from his nostrils. "Hmm? Oh, you don't have the same intensity as he did... But I can see it in your eyes, smell it on you... You're related to Kaiji, aren't you?" Smirking wickedly. "A shame I had to kill him, he was a tough kid." Clearly just trying to toy with her.

I could see her hands clench into fists, her body shaking. "My name... Is Shisui Adachi, the proudest mother in all of Japan!" She shouted suddenly, her body transforming, growing reptilian claws and a powerful tail. "I know my son! And I know he'd NEVER lose to a bastard like you!" Even as tears welled up at the corners of her eyes. "So bring it on you giant freak! I'm no hero, but I can keep you busy until he gets back or until the Coast Guard arrive!"

He looked surprised, for a moment at least. Before releasing a low, rumbling growl. "All you wannabe heroes, so annoying... You can talk all you want, but in the end none of you are strong enough to get the job done," His eyes drifted past us, towards the shopping center as people scrambled around inside. "A hero has a lot they need to protect, you think you can fight me and save them at the same time!?" He demanded, taking one mighty step forward towards us.

"You're absolutely right." My eyes widened as everything came to a screeching halt, I looked past the beast towards the main road. People watching from inside the building releasing gasps and muttering to one another. That voice, it was deeper than I remembered but- "A hero has so much to protect in this world." A fresh wave of tears started to pour down my face, and the Chimera turned to face him as well.

His shirt was gone, burns coated his right side from ribs to shoulder, but he was still standing. And he'd transformed again, I barely recognized him.

Taller, maybe pushing nine feet. He still had a lean form with strong muscle tone. His tail wasn't clubbed anymore, instead it had two spikes jutting out of both sides. There was armored plating covering his back, shoulders and forearms. While his head had two long forward facing horns just above his eyes, and a smaller one on his nose, with a shield-like frill on the back of his head. At the same time, his jaw had adjusted, stronger and more powerful with a row of large sharp teeth.

It was unlike anything I'd seen him use before, a vast hybrid of different prehistoric creatures.

"How the hell are you still alive!?" The monster demanded, turning all focus onto Adachi. "You annoying brat, what the hell is driving you this hard!?" He clenched his clawed hands so tightly blood ran from his palms. "Why won't you just stay down!?"

Not a bad question, even with all those injuries he was still- "Maybe this isn't something you'd understand..." He crouched low on powerful legs, as if he were about to charge. "But I already failed somebody once, I wasn't there when they needed me the most... And I swore I would never let that happen again!" His voice burning with passion, anger. "Amari!" I flinched as he called out, "I'm sorry you had to fight because I let my guard down, sit back with the others and enjoy the show... This will all be over soon."

I nodded slowly, wincing with every movement I made. "R-Right I'll-" I couldn't believe him, even after all he just went through he's apologizing to me? Why is he so-

"Well okay, I hate one person."

"So what did this special person do to earn your hate?"

"He wasn't there when somebody really needed him, and a lot of people suffered for it."

I grit my teeth, "Kaiji... You..." I struggled to speak, before taking in a deep breath. Before a lingering shadow of Red's voice mingled with my own, and together we cried out, "No matter what happens! Even if you leave Nabu Island, you'll always be MY hero Kaiji!"

I saw his mouth twitch, a faint smile forming even as he stared down the beast. "Thank you, Amari... I promise I won't let you down!"

. . .

Kaiji Adachi

. . .

The jaw of a tyrannosaurus rex, capable of 8000lbs of bite force.

The horns and protective head shield of a triceratops along with its dense hide.

The armor plating of an ankylosaurus.

The agility and jumping power of a raptor.

And the powerful, piercing tail spikes of a stegosaurus.

This was it, my ultimate move, the strongest form I could create. The thing I'd been working on since before the festival!

Combining the defenses of the worlds more powerful herbivores, with the strength and speed of deadly predators!

Jurassic Hybrid!

The Armored Apex!

My tail slammed the asphalt behind me cracking it, as I opened my maw and unleashed a thunderous roar. At the same time, Kon opened his jaws unleashing another blistering heat blast. Though, rather than a single beam of light this time it came out as a hailstorm of shots. I dashed between them, putting my legs to work as my claws dug in and gave me more leverage.

I crossed the distance between us, charging the beast at full speed. "HrraAAAAAGH!" I launched myself at him, the earth shaking around us as I slammed into the Chimera.

"Gaah!" He was forced back by the sheer impact power, the pain primarily coming from my horns stabbing into the thick hide of his forearms. "Graah!" He backhanded me away, every part of my body aching with the contact.

I dug my claws into the ground to regain my footing. My body was on fire, muscles screaming at me, overworked by excessive use of my power. On top of the beating I'd already been given, I was already fighting at my limit. But that was nothing new for me.

His shadow loomed over me, cocking back one fist. My legs wouldn't move me in time, I had to counter attack. Pulling back my left arm, "HRAAAGH!" We both roared, throwing forward our fists.

A gust of wind erupted between us as our knuckles met, I struggled to hold him back with raw power alone. Maybe if I was at full strength, but in this injured state he was overpowering me. Finally it was too much, my arm started to give way. But rather than let myself be smashed, I let go. Leaning away from the blow and letting him hammer my left arm, the bones nearly shattering from the impact as I rolled through, moving behind him.

"Not gonna happen brat!" He snarled, swinging his massive tail at me.

Just what I wanted, "Ready to see what 8000lbs of bite force feels like!?" I shouted, gritting my teeth and bracing as I held up both arms and caught the Chimera by his tail. I opened my jaws wide, showing off every single long, sharp tooth I had. Before bringing them down against the tail. I couldn't fit my jaw entirely around it, but I didn't need too, just needed to reach the bone.

Once my teeth were sunk in, all it took was applying that immense bite force and- *Crunch*

"AAAAAAAAAGH!" The Chimera howled in agony, tail going limp as the bones near the base were crushed. I didn't manage to get my arms up in time, as he swung back at me. Broadsiding me with one massive forearm, I was thrown off my feet and crashed into the unforgiving stone wall of a nearby building. "You're gonna pay for that!"

I stood up, I couldn't afford to stay down no matter how much it hurt. "Come on then!" I also couldn't afford to stand around and talk, I didn't know how much longer this body would hold out.

The Chimera charged, attempting to crush me against the stone. But I jumped to the side, letting him smash through the storefront. A quick glance to those watching from the Shopping Center reminding me that I should probably do my best to limit damage. If that were possible at this stage. But the beast erupted from the buildings crumbling frame, still running hot.

"HRAAAGH!" He threw another massive first towards me, but rather than take him head on I spun around. "AAGH!" Sinking my spiked tail into his wrist, using the embedded spikes as an anchor to hurl myself towards he face. But as I was about to reach him, he opened his jaws wide and I saw it. The beginning of his beam attack, and orb of light forming between his jaws. If he fired that off now-

"I won't let you!" A diverted my flight path, planting a foot against his lower jaw and pivoting. Flipping over his shoulder, I opened my own jaws wide and sunk then into the left shoulder and drove my legs into his lower back. "Hrnnngh!" Biting down hard, as I pulled him back, forcing him to fire that beam straight into the sky while his shoulder joint was crushed beneath my jaws earning another agonized howl from the villain.

He managed to grab me with his good arm, throwing me as hard he could towards the shopping center. I smashed into the ground, tumbling to a halt. Getting up was so hard now, I felt like my vision was getting blurry. It couldn't be blood loss, not external anyways... It had to be exhaustion, the adrenaline was wearing off, the pain was becoming stronger. I was wearing him down, but I needed to do more damage and put him down for good. And I think I knew how...

I just needed him to use it again.

The Chimera was panting heavily, wincing in pain as he nursed a totally destroyed shoulder. "You're DEAD!" I stood on shaky legs, faking the appearance that I could barely stand or move, that I was an easy target. And like any hungry predator, he took the bait.

The moment he began to inhale, before the light had even started showing through his teeth, I charged. Putting everything I had into my legs, crossing the distance as his mouth began to glow. I jumped, aiming straight for his face and that open jaw where the orb of light was shining bright. I cocked back my right arm, eyes wide and teeth grit knowing this was going to hurt.

"Smile you bastard!" I didn't try to slam his jaw shut, I wasn't sure I had the power left in my arms. However, I did have the strength to thrust my right arm right down his throat. Grabbing that orb of light, and pushing it deeper. It seared my skin, burning terribly, but I could still feel it getting bigger and more deadly. Meaning this big bastard couldn't stop the firing process once it started!

The Chimera's eyes were wide with fear, he tried to slam his jaw shut but I planted one foot on the lower jaw to keep that from happening. The light gleaming from within his mouth finally hit critical mass. I closed my eyes, bracing for the worst as it all erupted with one massive, terrible explosion. I was thrown from Kon's head, hitting the ground a few feet away. I tumbled across the cold, unforgiving asphalt. The cries of fear and shock coming from the citizens watching told me I was close to the shopping center entrance.

Fearing a counter attack, I was on my feet in seconds. The adrenaline pumping through my veins in a fresh new wave, I didn't even notice the lack of pain coming from my right arm. But my fears seemed unfounded, less than a second later the Chimera fell to the ground as well. His head and mouth smoking as he coughed and gagged.

"Gah! Agh! D-Dammit!" He choked out, slowly sitting up. "You've... Gotta be out of your mind..." He had burns around his face, blood dripping from his jaws, fur stained and scorched. His voice was hoarse, after his throat had been destroyed by the attack. "Was that... One attack, really worth your entire arm?"

My eyes widening, darting to the right. Before I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. It took everything I had not to vomit, as I laid my eyes upon the cauterized stump just below the shoulder on my right side. It was really gone, my right arm was-

I was totally blindsided as he attacked, throwing a brutal kick sideways. It caught me off guard, and I was sent flying. The talons cutting into my scales, drawing more of my blood. I hit the ground again, further away from the center thankfully. Landing on my back, sucking air after his blow forced it from my lungs. I rolled out of the way as a shadow loomed overhead, narrowly avoiding being stomped beneath his foot. Springing off my only remaining hand, I landed back on my feet.

"You're really still kicking huh?" He growled out, reaching up to wipe his bleeding mouth. "But how much more can you take, I wonder..."

"I was just wondering the same thing about you, old man." I growled right back, crouching low. I should be thankful that I lost my arm actually, the pain and new rush of adrenaline were the only things keeping me going. That being said, this big bastard didn't look much better off. His breathing was haggard, legs a bit shaky, he'd been maintaining this massive form for quite some time now. "But I'm still standing, so we aren't done yet!"

He sneered down at me, licking his lips with a burnt tongue. "Then lets end this, right here and right now!" He demanded, clenching his only working hand. "Before either of us collapse, and I have to call the best fight of my life a draw! One final attack!"

Dammit, he wasn't going to give me a chance to think here. "Fine by me, whenever you're ready..." Digging my clawed feet into the ground beneath me.

"You'd better not hold anything back," Chojuro added, crouching as if he were about to pounce. "I'll kill you if you don't stop me RIGHT NOW! So show me that primal, beastly power you have Adachi!"

Without anymore warning, he charged. One mighty fist cocked back, aiming to beat me into the ground. But rather than meat him head on I spun around, evading the blow and sinking my tail spikes into his forearm again. Causing him to hiss in pain, while I swung myself up to his face. Reaching out with my one good arm, I dug my claws into his fur just barely enough to draw blood and anchor myself to his shoulder. I opened wide, aiming to crush his other shoulder as well to completely disable his arms.

"GAH!" My plans brought to a screeching halt as he smashed us both through a nearby wall, throwing himself at it just to get me off of him. The moment he had me clear, he tried grabbing at me with his remaining hand. Rather than take it, I lashed out with my tail. "Ngh!" But even as the spikes buried themselves in his palm, he grabbed on tight.

"You're already at your limit!" He howled furiously, throwing me as hard as he could at another building. "So just GIVE IT UP AND DIE ALREADY!"

I managed to right myself, spinning through the air. I only grazed the corner of it, bricks grinding off my armor plating along my back. The blunt force still impacting my ribs, but I was fine. Hitting another building feet first, planting them against it and digging in my claws to hold myself in place. "No! Not now, not when I'm so close!" I barked back, my eyes wild and bloodshot I'm sure. "You said it yourself! A hero has so much to protect in this world!"

"Stubborn brat!" The Chimera was charging me, full speed ahead with shaky steps, running on fumes just like me. "HRAAAAGH!"

This was it, he was wide open and his movements were erratic. I had him off balance, "When we've got nothing left, but the thought of those we want to save!" My eyes drifted, for a split second to the packed windows of the shopping center. Where dozens of faces I recognized, faces I'd come to care about, stared back.

Mom, Amari, my new friends in class, the body improvement club, everyone on Nabu Island. I can feel it, your faith in me. All of your hopes, to be able to greet tomorrow with a smile on your faces. Those were the smiles I wanted to protect, the smiles I WILL PROTECT!

"We go beyond!" Head down, horns up, I launched myself at him. Using both my tail and my legs to put all the force I could into the charge. "HRAAAAAGH!"

I came in faster than he expected, passing right beneath his outstretched arm. I slammed into his lower torso head first, my long horns stabbing into his ribs while the smaller nose horn pierced his gut. It was enough to not only bring his charge to a complete halt but drive him back a few feet. Chojuro coughed, sputtering as his blood ran down my horns and dripped from his mouth to my back. It wasn't just the flesh though, on that impact I could bones giving way.

"Gnnngh! Hnnngh!" He struggled, gritting his teeth, trying to grab me with a weak, trembling hand. Before I pulled out, dragging my horns from his flesh and fur as I stumbled back. He collapsed, falling backwards and landing flat on the ground. I only made it another step before almost doing the same. But I had to stay up, I couldn't let myself fall before knowing for sure that it was over.

There were no sounds, aside from the crashing waves along the shore and my own breathing. I'd really done it, I could finally close my eyes and-

"Kaiji"

Oh right, Mom. "I'm alive..." I grunted out, turning my head towards her voice.

She was running over from the building, panting heavily as she approached. Others following cautiously. "K-Kaiji..." She sounded like she was about to cry. "Your... Your arm." I'm sure I looked absolutely horrifying, covered in blood that wasn't mine and missing a limb.

"D-Don't worry... I it only hurts a lot, fingers crossed I pass out soon." I released a short, pained chuckle.

"J-Just hang on," She pleaded, "We'll get you to Kento for healing."

Not a bad idea, now that things were supposedly safe. I sighed heavily, as someone went to fetch him. I felt an incredible sense of relief, letting myself relax finally as I returned to my normal form. That took some of the pain out of my muscles but I was definitely gonna be laid up for awhile. I wanted to collapsed, but I couldn't let myself relax just yet. The citizens kept their distance from both me and the villain, which was good... Because I suddenly heard a rough cough from a certain angry blue chimera.

He'd shrunk back down to normal size, but wasn't moving off the ground either. "H-Hey... Kid... You alive over there?"

"Yeah." I grunted in response.

"Can you move?"

"I can if you can." Not like I was really in any shape to keep fighting.

Earning a pained chuckle from him, "I believe you... I don't think I could move even if I wanted... You're definitely the toughest fight I've ever had."

"Thanks?" I wasn't too sure how to react to praise that came from a villain.

"I get it... I'm a monster, I'm just another villain," Yeah pretty much. "I won't defend my actions, if this situation was reversed and I had the strength to move, you'd be dead... But, you've proven your superiority, I've been at this game for two decades and you outplayed me at every turn..."

I narrowed my eyes at his trembling body, "Why are you telling me this?"

"The fights over," He answered casually, "No reason we can't be civil right?" He was joking, right? "And... Well..."

"And?" So there was another reason.

"The other reason, because you're the first person to earn both my hatred, and my respect," He grunted, releasing another chuckle. "And live to tell about it."

For some reason, that actually filled me with sense of pride. "Thanks, I think..."

"Don't read too much into it... Also, I've got some information that I'd rather give to you than the police."

What? "Is it... About why you wanted the Shimano family?"

"I was just here for the capture," He grunted out, "The one who hired me... Rising star in the underworld, showed up with a mass of wealth and connections behind him... Nobody knows how, he wanted to use their Quirks to make something... Don't know what," This was actually very important, I needed to remember all of this for the police. "He went by, The Overmind."

"That's quite enough out of you," My head darted up to the voice. Spotting a rather average looking man standing there, "It's so hard to find good help these days..." Before he suddenly collapsed to the ground.

"Gnngh!" The Chimera stiffed suddenly, his eyes clenching tightly shut. Before they began to open, this time glowing a pale gold. "I'll just have to finish this myself..." His voice now distorted, like another voice was speaking alongside his own. He started to sit up, as if the injuries I'd inflicted on his body were barely slowing him down. "You certainly did quite a number on this old man," He grunted, forcing himself up as I stepped back. "I'll have to wrap this up quickly..."

I didn't understand what was happening, not entirely. Only vague memories of the name Overmind on the news months ago. But this was bad, "I already put you down once, I'll do it again!" I barked back at him, bracing myself. I was running on fumes here, it took everything I had not to collapse.

"Hrnnngh!" He grit his teeth, starting to grow larger once more. "Admirable bravado, young man..." Growing just as he had before, towering over us all. "But I will not be denied again... Not by another child."

It seemed our battle had just gone into overtime...