Author Notes:

Hey guys, I know it's been a while since I posted and the reason for that is because my grandpa died about a couple of weeks after I posted my last chapter. We weren't close or anything and I wasn't too sad when he passed away. But I had this deep regret, you know? Like I should have taken the time to get to know the guy. A few days after the news, my dad told me stories of what he was like and honestly, they made me tear up and cry because I missed an opportunity to get to know a really, really great person.

My dad was down in the dumps as well for a couple of months, and my family and I have just been trying to take the time to spend as much time with him as he needs. It's been rough on him but I think he's through the worst of it. He had to push the button to cremate our grandpa.

Anyways, I know you're not here to hear about my life. I just wanted to make you aware of the reasons why I haven't posted in a while and I'll try to be more active now. As always, enjoy the chapter and happy reading, readers.

Oh yeah, before I forget. I also wanted to address the issue of Mori's (for a lack of better words at the moment) nerf. I agree that I nerfed him harder than what was cannon when he became Mori Dan, but a question I pose you is: what would be the point?

If I made Mori as strong as Mori Dan, then I know for a fact that he'd stomp every antagonist in the BNHA universe. And if I'm going to be honest, that would be boring. There'd be no conflict; no obstacles for the protagonist to overcome. I mean sure, I could buff every antagonist with National Treasures, Charyeok, or even the Gods (like I'm doing now), but if I did that, how far behind would the rest of Class 1-A be? Would they even be relevant at that point?

I'm trying to fit a whale into a pond. The power scaling of the BNHA and GOH universes are far too different. One has humans with powers while the other has humans with powers plus gods and demons. Do you see where I'm coming from? Anyways, that's the way I see it. Hope you can understand that.

Thanks,

HailToTheSnail

Chapter 9 - The God of Hero Academia

Aizawa's head hit the ground hard and he felt the unmistakable feeling of himself losing consciousness. He was powerless to do anything about it as well. Pinned down by the thing called a Nomu. He struggled for a moment and stopped soon after when it snapped his right arm like a twig. He screamed out in pain.

The one Aizawa presumed to be the leader of the group of thugs, Shigaraki, knelt down beside him so they were face to face. Or at least face to hand. The guy's features were almost entirely masked by the severed appendage. A real one he assumed. The only distinguishable characteristic being his dull red eyes, roving over the teacher's immobile form.

Shigaraki sighed and shook his head. "The great Eraser Head. The untold hero," he mused, yanking the teacher's head up. "You're a lot more rugged than I imagined you'd be. A lot weaker too. Then again you were always just a miniboss," his face twisted into a scowl. "The final one has yet to arrive. Irritating as it is."

The villain hummed. "The real question is, how do I draw All Might here?" he asked himself. He started to scratch his skin. It was unsettling, to say the least.

Before Shigaraki's attention could be brought back to Aizawa, a cloud of purple mist materialized near the leader. "Tomura Shigaraki," the warp villain addressed.

Shigaraki turned to his subordinate. "Kurogiri, did you manage to kill Thirteen?" he asked.

"The rescue hero is out of commission," Kurogiri replied. "But there were complications. One of the students managed to escape the facility with the help of a few of his classmates."

Shigaraki didn't say anything at first. Content to stare forwards and plan. It was only when he started to scratch his neck and at a fast pace that he realized that the man wasn't planning. No, he was having a childish fit.

"Kurogiri, you fool," the villain leader hissed. His neck started to bleed. "If you weren't our way out, I'd disintegrate every last atom in your entire body."

He stopped scratching. Giving his poor skin a break. He sighed."There's no way we can win if the rest of the school faculty show up along with All Might. We'll be slaughtered. Game over. Back to the title screen. And I was really looking forward to today."

He paused again to vent his frustration before turning to his lieutenant. "Damn it. Let's go home, Kurogiri," he said reluctantly.

SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!

Aizawa couldn't have set his sights on the noise any quicker. There at the edge of the plaza, in the little stream connecting it to the Flood Zone, froze Midoriya, Asui, and Mineta. The latter's flailing limbs having given them away. They just sat in place, staring in abject horror as they watched their teacher break before them.

Shigaraki stood slowly from beside Aizawa. "Oh, and before we leave," he started, turning his mad eyes on the students. "Let's make sure the Symbol of Peace is broken. Let's wreck his pride," he said gleefully, surging forwards almost inhumanely.

It was a split second before the villain reached them, but it was a split second that Aizawa knew the kids couldn't react to. A split second that'd get them all killed.

Move god damn it, he thought as he struggled to lift his head. The thought of saving his students the only thing in mind. He'd be damned before he let one of them die on his watch.

His eyes flickered red as he struggled to lift his head enough to have Shigaraki in his sight. He strained every muscle, fractured every bone, and lifted his fucking head like he damn well knew he could. It hurt like nothing he'd ever experienced but he pushed past those pesky feelings in order to save his students. And save them he did.

Shigaraki's hand grasped Asui's face yet nothing happened. She didn't disintegrate.

The villain leader chuckled. He returned his gaze to Aizawa. "You really are so cool, Eraser Head," he admitted, seeing the hero's glowing red eyes and struggle he was putting up.

The Nomu, on Shigaraki's command, threw the eraser hero over his shoulder and through the centerpiece of the fountain. He was sure he'd broken a few bones in the fall.

"SMASH!"

Aizawa heard the telltale shout of his student's attack and swore under his breath as he tried to stand. He knew the limits and drawbacks of Midoriya's Quirk and knew that he wouldn't hold against a monster like the Nomu. It was meant to go toe to toe with All Might and his student was nowhere near the level of the top hero.

Although, saying he'd do it and actually doing it were two entirely different things. He was physically drained from the struggle with the Nomu and found himself unable to stand. No matter how he tried, his legs wouldn't respond. They betrayed him.

And even if he did get up, he was mentally exhausted from his constant use of his Quirk. He felt a headache coming on. He knew that his powers were never going to be the same after today. His eyes had been injured and even now he felt them twitching, itching to close. It hadn't even been ten seconds since the last time he did.

All Might, where the hell are you? Our students are in trouble, Aizawa thought as he not only heard but felt the fight between his students and the villains' rage on. He being unable to do anything but wait until he succumbed to his injuries and fell unconscious. He closed his eyes.

Yet when he did, a shadow crossed over his features and he opened them again suddenly. There above him, through his blurry vision, the teacher could make out a cloud, and if his eyes weren't deceiving him. A person.

"Shirakumo?" Aizawa croaked.

Pain. That was all Mori felt as ragged breaths quickly fell from his opened lips. He was well past his limits by now but he couldn't very well stop. He cringed as he felt another racket of pain course through his body and he took a deep breath to stop himself from screaming. His body was encouraging him to stop by showering him in pain.

He ignored it and pushed on, glancing below at where Midoriya, Asui, and Mineta were currently engaged in combat with the big black avian musclehead and the man with the many hands covering his face. Even the warp villain had returned here.

His classmates were in trouble and looked like they needed his help. It gave him the strength to ignore his pain. But just to be sure… "Bongchim Nah Style: No Pain," Mori muttered, pressing down on the unfamiliar pressure point in his heart. He took a deep breath of relief. He was already feeling the effects as the pain he felt numbed. He was ready.

Mori took another deep breath. He had no doubt it strained his injured lungs, but it helped him focus as he dived off of Kinto-Un. Gravity latched onto him like a parasite and he started falling fast. The wind whipped at his watering eyes, but he kept them open regardless. His eyes trained firmly on the figure who he assumed to be the leader of the villains.

He outstretched an arm and his fist closed. "Thunderbolt," he uttered.

A flash of lightning raced past him before the raucous boom of thunder hit his ears. He didn't flinch back. But when the light show and sound died down, his eyes narrowed and he tsked. Shigaraki was still standing. The Nomu or whatever they called it had taken the blow.

Not wasting a moment, Mori thrust Yeoui forwards. "Expand, Yeoui!" he shouted.

Heeding its master's command, his bo staff shot forwards, expanding tenfold in length before it reached the Nomu. The creature struggled under the weight of his weapon.

Before the Nomu could regain its footing, Mori slammed his other palm into the butt of Yeoui, bringing the monster to its knees. "Thicken, Yeoui!" Mori yelled. The weapon in hand thickened to thrice the width of the life beneath it.

With the added weight, the Nomu couldn't support the weapon and it crushed the monster beneath. No doubt leaving the black avian a smear on the ground.

Mori jumped off of Yeoui and landed in front of the two parties. One group, his classmates, stood in shock of what he'd just done. He'd just buried the villain's trump card in a matter of moments. Their answer to All Might; gone. Though the careless attitude the villains wore bothered him more than he thought. It made him uneasy.

After what Michael had said, he was warier of threats from his world. It could mean they had other gods here with them already. And it'd taken nearly everything he had to just take down the archangel himself. He didn't think he had the strength to deal with another one.

Mori glanced back at his classmates. Midoriya looked fine but Asui had many bruises and Mineta was out cold. He had to buy them time to escape. "Midoriya," he shouted. The boy's attention was drawn at the call of his name. "Get Tsu and Mineta out of here. They're both injured and can't fight anymore. Head to the entrance. Iida should have gone for help already if that warp villain's here. We just need to hold out until the pros arrive."

Midoriya was hesitant. His body language gave it away. But when he looked at his two frightened classmates. It shifted. From meek to determined in a matter of seconds. He nodded. "Alright, Mori," he said, grabbing both his classmates under his arms. "I'll get back up as well. Just promise me you'll make it out of this alive."

The Monkey King gaze shifted to his green-haired classmate. "Do you trust me?" he asked.

Midoriya paused before nodding resolutely. "I do."

Mori smiled. "Then I'll live, that's a promise," he said, no doubt in his voice.

That seemed to reassure Midoriya as he turned around to flee. Only he was stopped by a purple mist ripping through the space in front of him. A hand shot out that resembled their leaders; and from what he'd seen it do, he Bo-Bup'd behind Midoriya and threw him back. He winced at his classmates that were thrown roughly from the green-haired student but knew it was ultimately better than being disintegrated.

"Midoriya, you alright?" Mori asked, standing between him and the villains.

"I'm fine," he replied, standing back up.

The Monkey King nodded. "Good," he said with relief before his expression grew serious. "They're not going to let us go that easily apparently."

He agreed. "I figured as much. I heard their leader say that he wanted to use us to get to All Might," he admitted, watching the two remaining villains with a fierce gaze.

"I'm going to attack them," Mori whispered under his breath, just loud enough for Midoriya to hear. "I want you to escape while they're distracted, okay?"

He nodded in return, showing he understood.

"Good. Now on the count of three," the brown-haired boy said, holding up three fingers behind his back. He lowered the first, then the second, and finally the third. "Now!"

He sprinted forward and saw Midoriya, out of the corner of his eyes, scoop up their two classmates and run in the other direction. Now he just needed to keep the two villains distracted. Shouldn't be too hard, he just needed–

CRINK! CRACK! BOOM!

The Nomu that he'd thought he killed, shot up from the ground, and grabbed him, holding onto him firmly. The monster squeezed and the Monkey King heard something, or a few somethings, snap. Probably his ribs. His eyes widened. The Nomu was still alive? How was that possible? He'd dropped at least a few tonnes on it. Was that why the villains didn't look too concerned when he flattened it? They knew he didn't kill the monster.

"You didn't think we'd just let you waltz out of here, did you?" Shigaraki rasped, as he stepped closer to Midoriya and the others. Kurogiri was blocking there way. "I plan on sending a message to All Might."

Mori turned back to the lead villain and glared. "Honestly, kind of hoped you would," he admitted, a little blood dribbling out of his mouth. "But you're right. It's my mistake. Yeoui!"

The Monkey King's weapon heeded its master's call and flew back.

The Nomu squeezed Mori even harder, though he couldn't feel it due to the effects of Bongchim Nah Style: No Pain. When his weapon was nearly upon him, he drew back a leg catching Yeoui on it. "Mori Jin Original: Railgun!" he shouted.

His stone staff ripped through the air, tearing up the ground beneath it as it closed the gap between Mori and Shigaraki in a matter of milliseconds. It would have taken off his head too if it weren't for the Nomu's hold. It only just brushed up against Shigaraki's face as it was. It served as a great warning though.

"Let them go," Mori said, glaring daggers at the lead villain.

Shigaraki said nothing, his expression hidden behind the hand he used as a mask. He turned away from his classmates and walked towards Mori. "You almost took my head off with that one," he mused, stopping mere inches in front of the brown-haired boy. They stood eye to eye. Red on red. "I think I'll start with you. You've got the same kind of zealous eyes as All Might. I hate that," he growled, as he lifted his left arm.

Mori struggled against the Nomu holding him but couldn't break out of its grasp. Its hold was as strong as the descendant of Heracles. If not even stronger than that.

But just as Shigaraki's hand was about to grasp the Monkey King's face, he jumped back as a wall of ice shot up between them. The villain looked around for the new threat and his eyes landed on a student with heterochromia hair at one end of the ice wall.

"Todoroki!" Mori called, glad for the backup. He'd been a goner without his friend's help.

The ice Quirk wielder didn't have time to reply though. He had to keep the villain off-balance if they had any chance of holding their own until help arrived.

"Tomura!" Kurogiri exclaimed, rushing to his master's side. Or he would have…

"Die, you stupid villain!" Bakugo shouted as he slammed into the side of the warp villain, knocking him to the ground with a well-placed explosion. He grinned down at the villain. "Got you that time, you smokey motherfucker."

"Bakugo!" Midoriya shouted in relief. Glad for his frenemies aid.

Shigaraki tsked. "All these hero wannabes just keep on coming," he complained, breaking a buildup of ice that'd grazed his arm. "Today just isn't my day, huh."

He turned to Mori. Or rather the monster holding him. "Nomu, protect me," he ordered.

In the blink of an eye and before Mori could even register what happened, the brown-haired student fell to the ground. The Nomu having dropped him and rushed to the aid of its master. The Monkey King could only cry out a warning. "Todoroki look out!" he shouted.

Todoroki was smart enough to listen and formed a barrier of ice around himself. Just in time, as the Nomu's punch shattered the barrier with ease but took the brunt of the impact for the heterochromia-haired student. He was sent tumbling back.

The Nomu went to chase after the student but was stopped by Mori, who shoulder-checked himself into the monster before rolling off its back and standing in front of Todoroki protectively. He called Yeoui back to him.

"Any ideas?" Mori asked his friend, waiting for him to get up.

Todoroki built up a layer of ice around the bruise on his side. "I thought you'd have come up with one," he admitted, grunting through the pain he no doubt felt. It looked serious.

Mori smiled weakly. "Sorry, got nothing."

They kept their eyes on their adversaries that whole time while communicating. That Nomu was too much of a threat. It was both stronger and faster than Mori was right now.

Shigaraki growled, alerting Mori. His eyes focused on the villain leader. "You kids are really starting to bother me," he seethed, looking up at his monster. "Nomu, kill them," he ordered.

The monster dashed across the clearing separating the two parties and was upon them with its arm drawn back in the blink of an eye. Knowing Todoroki couldn't react in time, Mori threw the boy behind him, raising Yeoui to take the hit.

"Howitzer Impact!" someone shouted.

Before the Nomu could throw a single punch, a ball of anger issues, blonde hair, and even more anger issues flew into the monster's side and detonated. Sending both Bakugo and the Nomu flying back. Mori caught his blonde classmate.

"You alright, Bakugo?" Mori asked.

Bakugo didn't answer, instead, trying to pull himself out of his classmate's hold. "Let go of me, you stupid monkey!" He shouted angrily.

Mori let go reluctantly. "What happened to Midoriya and the others?" he asked.

Bakugo's eyes were trained on the villains. They were hesitant to attack recklessly. "You mean Deku? The little shit's fine. Kirishima's with them," he added.

The brown-haired student quickly confirmed it. Sure enough, Kirishima was with Midoriya and Asui, helping the former carry Mr. Aizawa while the latter grabbed Mineta. Though Kurogiri seemed to have returned to his master's side without Bakugo holding the warp villain down. That was fine, it left them free to return to the rest of the class.

"So what's the plan?" Bakugo asked.

Mori's eyes widened as he looked at the blonde. Did he seriously ask him what the plan was? He had to make sure. "You asking me?" the brown-haired student asked incredulously.

"Of course, I'm asking you, dumbass," Bakugo growled, glaring at the Monkey King. "I may hate your guts, but I'm not stupid enough to think I can fight these three alone. Especially if you burying that monster six feet under wasn't enough to kill it. So what's the plan?"

Mori nodded. He hadn't expected this kind of maturity from his blonde classmate. Guess he was wrong about him. Or maybe the looking threat of death made him a little more cooperative. Either way, this made it infinitely easier for him to deal with. "Well, the way I see it. We've just got to survive till the pros arrive."

Bakugo grinned. "No plan then? Just the way I like it."

Mori nodded. "Just try to survive and give each other support when we can," he explained, watching the villains grow restless. They nodded in understanding.

Shigaraki's patience finally gave in. He glared at the brown-haired student. "Nomu, kill that stupid monkey," he ordered the monster. "And while you're at it, kill the others as well."

The Nomu shrieked in acknowledgment. It was a jarring and brittle noise. Like metal scraping against metal times ten. Both Bakugo and Todoroki covered their ears.

It was a mistake. The Nomu charged in.

"Renewal Bo-Bup," Mori muttered, appearing in the Nomu's path. He dug a foot into the ground, breaking it. "Northern ITF Front Kick," he comboed, throwing his leg upwards with as much force as he could muster. It connected with the monster's jaw.

It stumbled back a few steps but didn't recoil from the effects of the shockwave. It must have a Quirk that not only strengthened and sped it up but also gave it some sort of shock absorption. It was such a bullshit Quirk, but then again, who was he to complain about it?

"Renewal Gor Yo," he said, his leg shooting out towards the Nomu's head twice in quick succession. He'd caught the monster off guard. Good, he could use that.

When the Nomu stumbled back again, Mori jumped and landed with one leg on the monster's chest. "Renewal Nigawa Kick," he added, pushing off with that leg and kicking it in the face with the other. He landed in a crouch.

"Now die!" Shigaraki cackled, having rushed in when he saw Mori in the air.

The lead villain jumped back when Bakugo came crashing down with an explosion in hand. The warp villain took the opportunity to try and attack the blonde but was staved off by a wave of ice. Seemed his classmates could keep the two other villains busy for a bit.

Focusing his attention back on the Nomu, Mori tried to resume his assault. It had been only a split second that his attention had been away from the monster, but in that split second the Nomu had recovered its balance.

The brown-haired student frowned as his blows no longer landed and when they did, the Nomu just shrugged it off before throwing its own. If it were any other pro hero in his shoes, he was sure they wouldn't be able to last against this monster. If this was their weapon against All Might, then these villains weren't just some joke group. They were serious.

The Nomu wasn't as strong as All Might. Mori could attest to that. It didn't hold that same overwhelming presence that the Symbol of Peace did, but the fact that they went to such lengths to acquire this monster meant that they were dangerous. It didn't help that they also had someone like Michael on their side. And maybe more…

Mori crossed his arms quickly, taking a direct hit from the Nomu. He was sent tumbling back a dozen feet or so before skidding to a stop. He looked down at his arms and grimaced.

His left arm had been dislocated and they were both swelling up a lot from the blow, already turning purple nearly a few seconds after the contact. That was both incredible and frankly terrifying. He popped his shoulder back into place.

Mori weaved through the Nomu's blows scarcely as he tried to formulate a plan. None of his attacks held a lasting effect. The monster just shrugged it off like he was tickling it.

He needed more power. He needed more strength. He needed to surpass his limits…

He frowned. There was a way. He knew there was. Just, was he prepared to use it? He wasn't sure if the rebound effects would kill him. Was his divine body the same after the Grail.

Mori's thoughts were interrupted when the Nomu took advantage of the conflicted thoughts in his head, throwing its full weight behind a punch that threw the brown-haired boy back ten feet or so. He was sure he was going to be feeling that in an hour or so.

His thoughts came to an abrupt halt when two bodies were thrown precariously in his direction as both Bakugo and Todoroki landed at his feet. His blonde classmate was still conscious though barely with serious bruising all over his body while his bipolar friend had succumbed to the darkness, sporting a large wet red patch in the snow-white half of his hair. It didn't look good and he probably needed medical treatment.

Taking a few steps forwards, Mori stood over his two classmates protectively. He'd made his choice. He put his index and middle finger to his head. "Bongchim Nah Style: Jeabongchim 2x," he muttered, pushing down on the pressure point in his brain.

He felt his heart tighten from the strain of the effects of both Bongchim Nah Style: Jeabongchim and Bongchim Nah Style: No Pain. Though he felt that familiar unattainable power ripple through his body as his muscles strained under the sudden influx of strength.

Mori was sure there was pain, but with the effects of Bongchim Nah Style: No Pain running, he didn't feel a thing as he took a step forward and met a punch the Nomu threw head-on. It didn't budge an inch. He hopped back.

He lifted his index and middle finger to his head again. "Bongchim Nah Style: Jeabongchim 4x," he uttered this time, pushing down on the pressure point in his brain again.

This time, Mori could see his veins pop out as his muscles tried to keep up with the strength-enhancing martial arts skill. He greeted another of the Nomu's blows with one of his own. This time it took a single step back.

Mori lifted his index and middle finger to his head once more. "Bongchim Nah Style: Jeabongchim 8x," Mori said, pushing down on the pressure point in his brain a third time.

Even the brown-haired student could see his body struggling under eight times as it threatened to give up. He didn't let it though and forced himself forward, ignoring the muscles in his body that tore under the strenuous skill.

He met one more of the Nomu's blows head-on and this time it stumbled.

The Monkey King grinned wickedly. With reassurance in his strength again, he pushed off his back leg, cracking the pavement beneath. He swung up with his other leg. "Renewal Front Kick," he said, his leg making contact with the monster's jaw.

The Nomu recovered quicker than he thought and he ducked beneath one of its mighty fists before switching back and reversing his momentum. "Renewal Reverse Sweeping Kick," he continued, swinging up with his leg. It connected and he pushed down on its head with all the strength he could muster. The monster started to fall forward.

Mori grabbed the Nomu behind the head as it fell and slipped through the black avian's arms as it tried to grab him. He brought a knee up and slammed it into the monster's beak, cracking it. "Renewal Baekdu," he uttered.

With the momentum, the Nomu fell back a few steps but the brown-haired student was on him in milliseconds. To the monster's credit, it swung at Mori with its right arm but he just grabbed a hold of it, above and below the elbow. He sunk his fingers into its flesh and pulled.

The Nomu shrieked as its arm was rend from its body, bloody chunks of flesh falling from the grizzly wound. Mori tossed it to the side without a care, his eyes on what mattered.

He took a deep breath, pulling back both his arms to his side. He was gonna end this now. "Mori Jin Original: Sonic Gatling," he said as he let loose a barrage of punches and kicks that numbered in the multiple hundreds. They weren't perfect blows like he'd try with his regular skills, but he didn't need that now. He just needed to overwhelm the enemy, make them submit, and dish out as much pain as he could realistically inflict.

The Nomu tried to trade blows with Mori but it was a futile attempt. With only one arm and only the strength to scarcely match the Monkey King. His fist was blown back every time.

The brown-haired student, for the most part, hammered away at the black avian's body without a care for where he hit. His speed and tempo only increased as his barrage of fists and feet continued. He stepped forward and the Nomu stepped back.

Mori continued to force the monster back until it was on its knees and forced into submission, yet even then, the student brutalized the Nomu. He wasn't taking any chances.

SNAP! CRACK! POP! CRICK!

That was the sound of bones being broken in the Nomu's body. It shrieked in pain but the Monkey King ignored the horrid sound as he efficiently disabled the monster permanently.

The Nomu fell back with a heavy thud, smoke rising off its mangled body from the friction of the countless blows. Its head was gone, severed from its body as Mori held what remained of it in his left hand. He dropped it to the ground.

He flexed his fingers over and over again, driving blood back in to regain feeling in them again. The skill he'd learned – no, created – was monstrous and left quite a toll on his body. He was exhausted beyond belief, but the results were well worth the effort. And it was a pretty badass skill… if only people didn't know the concept had come from an anime he'd just picked up. It'd be a tad bit embarrassing if anyone figured it out.

Mori put aside those feelings and looked up at the two remaining villains. They stood a dozen or so feet away. He shuffled between them and his classmates, making his actions obvious. "Your only way of killing All Might is dead now," he said, as a matter of fact, his fiery eyes and golden pupils glowing brightly. "Surrender."

Shigaraki's face was unreadable behind his mask. He spoke up though. "You actually managed to take down Nomu," he mused, scratching his throat absentmindedly. "Well, that's surprising. I didn't think you'd brute force your way past its shock absorption Quirk."

He paused for a brief second before shrugging as if his entire plan hadn't henched on the Nomu. "It's not game over though," he admitted, his red eyes gazing down on the only conscious student. "We still have our trump card."

Mori's eyes narrowed. "Explain," he threatened.

Shigaraki laughed a bit. "I don't think I'll need to," he said simply.

The Monkey King was about to ask what he meant when a wave of killing intent from behind sent warning signals all throughout his brain. He was too slow to react though.

Big black scarred arms wrapped around the student's upper torso, pulling his arms to his side and squeezing the life out of him. A familiar screech accompanied it.

Mori's eyes widened as he fell for the same trick once again. The Nomu was still alive? He'd just ripped it's fucking head off. Wait… no, it was still there. Regeneration? How? He thought it's Quirk was shock absorption. That wasn't possible.

A small chuckle drew the brown-haired boy's attention back to the two villains in front of him. "I see you're a little bit confused," Shigaraki drawled. "You see, Nomu here has multiple Quirks. Two of which include regeneration and shock absorption. You didn't really think that my cheat code would be taken down by an NPC, did you?"

Mori growled. It explained a lot really. Like finding that last piece of a puzzle. The reason that they believed the Nomu could defeat All Might. The fact that it had a Quirk like shock absorption. And even regeneration. It was all coming together now. Because that monster – no, that abomination – was specifically created and nurtured to kill the Symbol of Peace.

It was the product of Quirk Splicing. A largely unknown area of science; and honestly, little more than a theory. He'd stumbled across it in U.A's library in search of a cover for his few different powers. It'd only been a small paragraph, no more than a few sentences, in a single history book. The prospect sent shivers down his spine.

And this Nomu was the brainchild – quite literally – behind the concept. Who knew what other Quirks it held. It made him shiver. Even if its presence couldn't match All Might's, the sheer fact that it had an unknown quantity of Quirks made up for that difference. If it could regenerate indefinitely… it might actually be capable of defeating All Might.

Shigaraki's cackling brought him back to his bone-crushing reality. As did the pain he was starting to feel in his everywhere. The effects of Na Bongchim's skill were wearing off. Damn. And here he thought he still had some time.

Shigaraki stood right in front of him fearlessly. Now that he was restrained, it was reasonable. "Have you finally realized what Nomu really is? Do you now see its capabilities?" the villain leader asked, pushing up into the Monkey King's personal space. Their eyes met again. "Do you see All Might's death?"

Mori growled. He knew it was possible now but he wouldn't admit it to that scum. So mustering up as much of his inner pettiness as he could, he did what any insane man would.

PFFT!

Shigaraki wiped a hand across his hand mask, getting rid of the spit that splattered along the appendage. His amusement quickly dissipated and he backhanded the student.

"Nomu, kill the brat," the villain ordered.

"Skree!" It cried, grabbing the Monkey King by the head and raising it high up before slamming it down into the pavement below. It did it again. And again. And again. Over and over like some lumberjack hacking away at a particularly thick trunk.

Mori's head slammed into the ground like clockwork, himself fading in and out of existence; falling unconscious with one hit only to be brought back by the next one. His death was already set in stone and he regretted not being able to keep his promise to his new friends.

But most of all, he regretted having to leave his mother. She was going to be distraught once she heard the news. Probably even blame herself or something. He hated the thought.

Sorry, mom, Mori thought. Looks like I'm not going to make it home tonight.

His head was lifted once more, higher than the other times, and he knew this one was the one that'd put him down for good. He closed his eyes bitterly. And just when he'd started to live and enjoy his new life. The ground came up fast–

"TEXAS SMASH!"

–And stopped just as suddenly.

There was a pregnant pause where no one made a sound before Shigaraki broke it. "He's here," he said, his voice growing excited. "He's finally here. The final boss has shown up."

And even through his concussed haze, Mori knew that their shining hope had arrived. All Might was here. And even though his body was bloody, broken, and battered; Mori smiled.

There was a pregnant pause after Shigaraki spoke before the sound of flesh hitting flesh at a hundred kilometers an hour echoed throughout the plaza a hundredfold.

And then a cyclone threw him into the air afterward, threatening to tear him apart before strong arms gently wrapped themselves around his body beneath his shoulders and knees.

When the world stopped spinning, Mori opened his eyes. "All Might?" he asked.

The Symbol of Peace, dressed in a yellow striped suit, looked down at Mori. "Young Usagiyama, I'm sorry it took me so long to notice what was happening here," he apologized, his face no longer set in a smile. Frankly, it terrified even him. "Because of my ignorance, you were made to risk your life for those of your classmates. And while that holds the ideals of what a hero should be, it is not something a kid your age should have to bear yet."

All Might set Mori on the ground beside his two unconscious classmates gently. "But have no fear, young Usagiyama," he said, his eyes glowing a bright blue. "Because I am here."

It sent chills down his spine hearing these words from his teacher – the number one hero – because if it were anyone else, he wouldn't believe it. In a situation this dire, who would? But when All Might said those words. It wasn't a matter of belief anymore because the conviction he held in what he said was now cemented as a fact. It was incredible really.

Mori's eyes felt heavy and fuzzy spots started to appear in his vision. He knew he was going to go under soon. That last beatdown took a huge toll on his body. Although he felt the need to warn his teacher of the Nomu's capabilities beforehand. "Careful All Might. *cough* That black monster has at least two Quirks. *cough* Maybe more," he choked out quickly. "I know for a fact that it has shock absorption and regeneration. *cough* Though its shock absorption and regeneration can be broken through with enough power and speed behind your blows."

All Might nodded. "Thank you, young Usagiyama," he said appreciatively, his voice rumbling in his chest. He took off his yellow blazer and ripped off his tie. "You've made yourself worthy of the title of hero at such a tender age. Even when you shouldn't have had to. Rest now," he ordered, standing up and turning to the remaining villains. "And I will handle the rest."

Mori returned the nod in a daze as his head fell back to rest. He knew he shouldn't have put his head down. Every sense in his body screamed at him that there was still danger around. It was his heart that muffled all that noise.

Strong winds pushed against him, threatening to throw him in the air again, and the ground shook vigorously, rattling his bones and agitating his injuries. He knew that All Might and the Nomu had started fighting. Two natural disasters in their own rights duking it out in a no-rules, no-nonsense brawl.

He turned his head so he could see the fight and smiled. All Might had taken his advice to heart and was taking the Nomu seriously. They traded blows almost as quickly as he had beaten down on the black avian while on Jeabongchim 8x, and that was by no means an easy feat. He may have lost ninety-nine percent of his godly powers that could've and would've annihilated that monster in a heartbeat, but even he could still appreciate this level of strength. Especially for a human revered as the Symbol of Peace.

Off to the side, Mori could see that the two other villains of importance were unable to get close enough to interfere with the fight. The winds uplifted by the two powerhouses' fists too much for them to overcome. They took a side seat as the main show went on.

Both All Might and the Nomu fought mercilessly. The ground beneath breaking and chunks flying off in every direction. Miraculously none of the debris ever fell in their direction.

They were more or less evenly matched as they tore up the foundations of the U.S.J.. They looked like they were locked in a stalemate, but All Might dug in and brought himself closer to the ground, pushing forward one small step at a time.

It continued like that for a few seconds before the Nomu's blows were being pushed back, and eventually, it was knocked away as well. They jumped back at each other again.

They were both like bolts of lightning, appearing and disappearing in quick bouts of strength. Traveling the length of the plaza in one stride, bringing down a rescue zone in the next. It was intense yet Mori's smile never left his face.

In the next moment, All Might grabbed a hold of the Nomu by its arm in the air and threw it down into the ground, destroying the surrounding area and throwing up chunks of cement.

As the Nomu bounced off the destroyed ground, All Might came down and wound up an arm. "Now for a lesson," All Might said, having gotten close enough for Mori to hear. "You may have heard these words before, but I'll teach you what they really mean."

The Symbol of Peace drew back an arm, power radiating through the air in that one moment. It made all of the Monkey King's hairs stand up. "Go beyond," he started, throwing his fist forward with all his might. "Plus Ultra!"

It connected with the Nomu's stomach, distorting the flesh and bloating the Nomu's entire body as it tried to disperse the shockwave rippling over its body. It didn't stand a chance and the black avian soared through the air, crashing through the dome of the U.S.J. and going even further past that until it disappeared from sight.

Mori's smile grew. All Might was amazing. That hulking beast of a monster was specifically created and spliced with numerous Quirks that were meant to directly counter the Symbol of Peace. The fact that he was able to overcome such an adversary really went to show the hero's strength and power. It blew the former god's mind.

Then again. That was why he was number one.

And as those last thoughts passed through his head, his mind finally gave in.

Recovery Girl had seen a lot of wounds in her time as a hero. It was her job after all to treat the wounded. Almost nothing surprised her these days.

That was until now when All Might placed one of his students on a stretcher before her. Her eyebrows raised a little higher than they normally ever would. Curious to how the student could sustain such severe injuries.

"I've never seen wounds this serious before. At least not when the victim was still alive and breathing," Recovery Girl mumbled.

Her eyes turned to her patient's face. It was scrunched up in pain. Probably from how severe his wounds were. The willpower the boy must possess to still be breathing… it was nothing short of incredible. Reminded her of the hero watching over her shoulder.

"Is he going to be alright?" All Might asked worriedly.

Recovery Girl glanced over the student's body, quickly noting down all the injuries she could see with her naked eye and discerning which ones were of priority to recover.

Varying lacerations across his entire body, at least half a dozen broken ribs; one that punctured a lung, a grade three concussion based on the swelling of his head, torn muscles all over his body from how his body was locked up, a poorly popped in left shoulder, severe bruising to the wrists, and many, many more.

The list just kept going and going. It took Recovery Girl at least a few minutes to mentally jot down every injury the student had sustained. And those were only the ones she was doing guesswork with. There were most likely a few internal ones that she couldn't immediately identify.

Recovery Girl's lips puckered as she kissed the student on his cheek, pumping her Quirk through the physical contact. Already, she could see color returning to the kid's face as his body worked to mend itself back together. A moment later she stopped. That would do for now and he'd live. She couldn't very well work on a patient that had little to no stamina left.

"He'll be fine, Toshinori," she reassured, watching as Mori's most serious wounds disappeared. "I've stabilized him for now. I've dealt with the life-threatening wounds but he still needs at least a few more treatments. I estimate he'll be in the school's infirmary for a few days. Maybe more."

All Might let out a deep breath. "I'm glad," he said in relief.

Recovery Girl hummed. "It's not your fault, Toshinori," she reassured before pausing. "I mean it is, for you not being there," she returned to her first line of thought. "But you're not to blame for how far your student was willing to go."

All Might didn't seem convinced and the older lady placed a reassuring arm on his outer thigh. She looked down at her new patient. "Although, the lengths that this student went to protect his classmates," she shook her head. "It's beyond anything I thought a kid capable of."

"Believe me, I know," All Might agreed. "The state I found young Usagiyama in… his face was being bashed in by that monster," he clenched his fists. "And the worst part about it all was, that he accepted it; wasn't even afraid. Not even one moment."

Recovery Girl hummed again. "Honestly, he reminds me a bit of you," the woman acknowledged.

"That's what I'm worried about," the hero said, taking this moment to excuse himself. He sighed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go give my report to the police."

She shook her head in remorse.

"He holds himself to an unattainable standard."

Recovery Girl paused momentarily but nodded. "He does, but that's just how he is. How he's always been," she explained looking down at her patient. He was just barely conscious.

Mori snorted and winced shortly after from the pain. "That's not a very good excuse."

The woman shrugged. "It's not, but it's all I've got," she said simply.

Mori nodded. He didn't push for more, instead he stifled a yawn. "I'm a little tired, granny," he admitted, his eyelids fluttering open and closed.

Normally Recovery Girl would've been a little upset at the comment, but when it came from this student though, it sounded more genuine than harmful. She let it slide. "Then rest. You've been through enough for a day. The pros will take it from here."

The brown-haired boy nodded and his eyes closed. It didn't take long before his breathing slowed and he was fast asleep.

Recovery Girl watched the boy for a moment longer. How was he so unconcerned with his injuries? A few minutes more without medical care and he would've been dead. What could've caused the kid to be so nonchalant about death? To be able to risk his life for those of his classmates that he barely knew. Or was he just that altruistic?

She shook her head of such thoughts for now. It wouldn't do but to ask the patient herself when he awoke. She'd make him fill out a questionnaire before he left her care. And if he asked, she'd wave it off as a mandatory form he needed to fill out.

Recovery Girl returned her attention back to the present, focusing on the returning figure of All Might with a familiar detective in tow.

Tsukauchi frowned when they arrived. "So those villains really did a number on Mirko's kid," he said, pinching his nose. He looked at the older woman. "Is he going to be alright?"

She waved off his concerns. "As I told All Might, nothing a few more treatments with my Quirk and a few days of rest shouldn't be able to fix," she explained.

Tsukauchi sighed. "That's a relief," he admitted, glancing behind him at the rest of the class in varying degrees of trauma. None were severely injured. "All the other students seemed to have made it out fine. I'm glad he did as well."

"Tsukauchi, sir!"

All three people of importance turned to the officer that was approaching. "Yes?" the detective in question asked.

The officer took a moment to gather his breath. "Someone thought to be involved in this attack was just apprehended in a wooded area nearby," he reported. "He has no apparent injuries and seems to be complying with the officers' commands for now. What should we do?"

All Might frowned. "Could you describe their appearance?" he asked the officer.

The man in question paused and looked at the detective. Tsukauchi nodded.

"Well, All Might sir, they're roughly six and a half feet tall, black skin and red scars all over their body, and they have a beak-like mouth with their brain exposed," he described.

The Symbol of Peace nodded. "The Nomu," he said.

"Pardon?" Tsukauchi asked.

The blonde hero explained. "That's the monster that did most of this to young Usagiyama," he gestured behind them to where the brown-haired boy's crippled form was resting.

"And Tsukauchi, sir," the officer said again, drawing their attention once more. "We have one more thing we'd thought you'd like to see. It's about that injured kid behind you actually."

"Go ahead," the detective affirmed.

The officer nodded. "Well, we went over the footage of every camera in the U.S.J. to help determine the identities of the three villains that'd escaped, and while we did come up with one name, there was something else that caught our attention."

"And that is?" Tsukauchi asked.

The officer pulled out a tablet. "I think it's better if I just show you, sir," he said, handing it over.

The two pro heroes and detective gathered around the small device and played the clip. They sat through it silently and when it was finished, they handed it back to the officer.

"Sir?" the officer asked.

"I'll handle this," the detective assured, waving off his subordinate. The man left quickly at his higher-ups' words.

"You don't think that he's still…" All Might started.

Tsukauchi shook his head. "Of course I don't. I've heard the reports. He risked his life to save his classmates. People he hasn't known for more than a month," he said confidently.

He frowned though. "But as for where he'd been before he was adopted by Mirko… a lot of stuff would add up," he admitted bluntly.

"What are you going to do?" Recovery Girl asked. Although she wouldn't do anything if the detective decided to do anything, it was his job after all, she would be a little disappointed in him depending on his next actions.

Tsukauchi sighed. "Nothing for now, though I'll have to inform Mirko when she gets here. As his guardian, she has a right to know of developments like this," he explained.

The older woman nodded. In her humble opinion that was the best choice

"Mori! Where are you? Mori!"

The two heroes and detective turned to the person calling out for the injured patient.

"Speak of the devil, it's Mirko," Tsukauchi winced, looking at All Might sympathetically. "She's gonna kill you, you know."

All Might nodded. "It's my fault for not being here in the first place," he said bravely. "I'll take my lumps and bruises when they come."

"I'll come with you, old friend," he said, taking pity on the big guy. "I've got to give her this new information anyways. I'll drag you back to Chiyo when she's through with you."

All Might chuckled. "Thanks," he said as they went to greet their newest arrival.

Recovery Girl took that as her moment to return to her work. She checked up on her patient once more. He was still fast asleep. Probably a good time to get him to the school's hospital ward. She'd let All Might know to bring Mirko around as well. But first…

She needed some blueberries and tea. She was famished.

Rumi sat beside Mori's bedside, a deep frown marring her beautiful face.

Recovery Girl had done everything she could to stabilize her son and she'd gone and done it. There weren't enough words to thank her for that miracle. Especially from the report of injuries; she'd seen the list… it wasn't pretty.

But that wasn't really what was on her mind. She already knew that Mori was going to pull through and she had hardly any reason to worry over that. It was what Tsukauchi had shown her after she'd confirmed that her son was alright that troubled her.

The rabbit hero sat there quietly, wondering how to approach the subject with Mori. Did she straight up ask? Or try to subtly hint at it? She'd never had this problem before as she'd usually been pretty forward with her words and intentions. So why was she so afraid to be that kind of person now? Was there a valid and rational reason for it?

Rumi sighed. She knew the reason. It wasn't rational or even valid. Honestly, she just didn't want to admit it because it was stupid. She was afraid of what it'd do to the both of them.

She'd grown attached to the little monkey and she didn't want this thing to get between the both of them. For the first time since she became a pro hero, she felt that same excitement and happiness as back then. She didn't want to ever let it go.

It was selfish and she knew it but she clung onto it all the same.

So she was back at square one… again. How did she go about asking Mori about the subject? Did she go with the direct approach? Or the more elusive approach?

She continued to loop through the same thoughts over and over again that she almost missed the brown-haired boy stir. When she finally took notice, she quickly composed herself and smiled as best she could with her rattled mind.

Mori groaned as he sat up. "Where am I?" he asked rhetorically.

Rumi still felt inclined to answer. "U.A.'s hospital ward," she replied, drawing her son's attention to her.

"Mom?" he asked again.

A feeling of delight passed through her at the words. "Are you feeling alright?"

He rolled his left shoulder. The one that had been poorly popped back in if she remembered the reports correctly. "I think so," he said uncertainly. He started to move his body and only winced once. "Aside from some pain in my chest, I feel alright."

They lapsed into an awkward silence and Rumi internally screamed at herself to say something. To stop being a fucking coward and just say what needed to be said.

Mori sighed. It drew the rabbit hero's attention immediately. "What's bothering you, mom?" he asked, watching her with unblinking eyes.

She bit her lip. "It's nothing, honey," she deflected. "I'm just a little exhausted."

A hand wrapped around her own and she looked into her son's kind eyes. "Mom, if it's bothering you this much… I want to know. I want to help," he said resolutely.

Rumi looked into his eyes for a moment longer before her walls collapsed. When he put it like that, it was hard to refuse. It was still difficult to get out. "You remember Tsukauchi? The detective?" she asked. When he nodded, she continued. "Well, he showed me the feed of a few cameras in the U.S.J. and it seemed that a villain recognized you."

She took a deep breath. She hoped she was doing the right thing. "Were you by chance a part of that villain organization before we met?" she asked.

He didn't reply for the longest time and she wondered if he would. Or he thought her question stupid. Eventually, he did though. "I knew the go-villain. His name is Michael or at least that's what he calls himself," he answered honestly. "But I was never a part of that villain organization. Didn't know about them until today, I swear."

Rumi sighed. Well, that was a relief. At least her son wasn't and had never been, part of some fanatical villain group. She frowned, however. "If you knew this villain, how did you know him?" she asked curiously, starting to stress again.

"Well," Mori started, furrowing his brows. He looked deep in thought. "I guess you could say he was a mobster? A part of the Heavenly Rea-Yakuza. I, uh… used to do some work for them back in the day."

Her worry returned in full force. Okay, okay, Yakuza. She could work with that. They were notorious back before villains, but at least they were honorable. Her mouth however didn't seem to want to cooperate. "You threatened and killed people?" she asked incredulously, her brain coming to the most unlikely conclusion.

His eyes widened before he shook his head frantically. "What? No, no," he said hastily. "I just minded the stabl-the garages."

The brown-haired boy shrugged. "I just did what I did to survive," he admitted.

While Rumi was relieved that her son hadn't done anything illegal, she was also distraught by the effects those last words had on her little monkey. She found herself with her arms wrapped around his head, gently pulling him into her. "I'm sorry that I brought that up, it must've been hard for you," she muttered into his hair, stroking it slowly.

Mori leaned into it. "A bit, but I made friends eventually," he told her with a smile, though there was an iota of longing in it. "But we lost contact with each other a few months back."

A few months back? Wasn't that around the time when she found him?

"Besides," her kid said, drawing her attention. "I've got a kickass mother now who's the number five hero in all of Japan. As a lot of people would probably agree on. Worth it."

Rumi chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Damn, straight," she agreed.

He joined her in her laughing soon after and the rabbit hero, at that moment, just knew that they'd be okay.

After the laughter died down, Mori's smile wanned a bit. "But that's not what was really bothering you, was it?" He asked, already seeing right through her. She found that she both liked and hated the fact that he could read her so easily. It made difficult topics easier to get out and trying to throw him a surprise party so much more difficult.

Since her worries were already appeased, she humored him. "It's stupid, but I was worried that what you just told me… it would drive a wedge between us," she admitted.

Mori blinked. "Wait, you thought-" he stopped and stifled a laugh. Before he couldn't even contain that and it slowly morphed into a jovial chuckle. She punched him lightly on his uninjured arm.

"Yeah, yeah I know," the rabbit hero said, rolling her eyes. "It was stupid."

He nodded through peals of laughter. "Just a bit," he said, squeezing his fingers really close together.

She snorted. "Asshole," she remarked.

It set him off into another bout of laughter to which she joined him. And just because she felt like it and could do it. She pulled him into yet another hug. He didn't fight it.

"So we're good?" she asked, just for confirmation.

Mori rolled his eyes. "You didn't even need to ask," he mentioned.

She sighed in content, reveling in the warmth of the hug before a sudden stray thought entered her mind and curiosity cemented itself in her head, not to leave until it was fulfilled.

"Oh yeah, about that weapon of yours," she mentioned, remembering the morning. "How much does it weigh? I couldn't seem to lift it this morning when it zipped off to your location."

Mori frowned. "Well…"

Yeah, I never really understood his weapon. Is it like Thor's hammer, Mjolnir? Where it chooses only the worthy to be able to lift it? If it isn't then Mori should have had a power level of over nine thousand because that shit weighs, according to the wiki, 80,000,000 tons which is the equivalent of 160,000,000,000 pounds. Yeah, that's a lot.

Anyways, thanks for the read. I hope you can drop a comment, like, and follow if you've made it this far.