Angel: I just wanted to say to readers who live in Florida and were affected by Hurricane Milton, I hope that you stay safe and found good shelter. Have plenty of food, water, and supplies. I also live in Florida and I am at home safe with everything I need. So I will still be uploading normally on weekends because for some people, they really look forward to these uploads. All of our hearts pray for those who live in the vicinity of the hurricane.

Regarding a question from desireepurnellsandi (welcome back btw), I'm almost done writing season 5, but I don't know what you're referring to. Izuka has been shown to be fire-proof multiple times so fire-based Quirks don't affect her until she reaches her limit. I need specifics here please. And I will answer the questions you gave me next chapter.

"You spoke about keeping the students safe, Eraser Head," A reporter asked as the press conference was still going. "But according to our information, you encouraged them to fight during the attack on the training camp, putting them in grave danger. What was your reasoning for this?"

Mr. Aizawa leaned in towards the microphone. "I concluded that because we didn't know the full situation. Allowing them to use their Quirks would help avoid the worst possible outcome." If he hadn't done so, then one of the students would've died. Especially since there was a Nomu there. He already knew what it was like to fight one; he didn't want the same thing to happen to his students.

"And what would that outcome be?" The reporter questioned again, as most of the press were not happy with that answer. "Do you think 26 victims and 2 kidnapped children is a win for UA High?"

"I assure you that things could have gone much more poorly. I feared every student would be tortured and killed in the end," Mr. Aizawa answered back; the same rang true for even Izuka.

"Most of the victims were harmed by the gas attack. We've determined it to be the result of a poisonous Quirk used by one of the villains," Principal Nezu spoke up next. "It's thanks to the quick actions of Ms. Kendo and Mr. Tetsutetsu that injuries were kept to a bare minimum. Additionally, we're providing mental health counseling to every student, though at the moment, we do not see any signs of serious psychological trauma."

"So you've found a bright spot in this tragedy?" The reporter turned the principal's words against them, as to be expected from this press conference.

"We're relieved that an entire class of burgeoning heroes still has a future."

"Can you say the same thing for the abducted, Katsuki Bakugo and Izuka Midoriya?" Mr. Aizawa flinched at the mention of his own students. And he had a feeling he knew why this question was asked. "They both enrolled at your school with excellent marks on his part, while she had the most rescue points just a bit above her brother. He went on to win the Sports Festival, and she placed in the top 9. Before that, he survived the attack of a powerful sludge villain who eventually had to be taken down by All Might. Although she is famous for that attack she used to try and rescue him. The children are obviously strong and heroic. On the other hand, the violence he displayed in the finals, even against the girl himself, and his attitude at the awards ceremony all showed that he cannot control his temper. Izuka's defense of him during the Sports Festival, and her hesitance against him in their battle proves that she does share a relationship with Katsuki Bakugo, and could even agree with him and his ideals. What if these are the real reasons the villains kidnapped them? What if they're brainwashing Bakugo and Midoriya right now, pulling them toward the path of evil?" He then narrowed his eyes angrily. "How can you sit there and tell us they still have a future?"

Vlad stared at him in silence, none of the three liking where this was going, at all. This reporter knows exactly what he's doing. He's trying to antagonize us so we say something damning. Mr. Aizawa stood up, which made his coworker a bit anxious, since he knew the teacher hated the media. And to say all of those things about his own students would certainly get the reaction that the reporter wanted out of them. You can't fall for it, Eraser. He probably knows how much you hate the media. Mr. Aizawa looked pissed off as the reporter stared, waiting for the answer. Considering how Mr. Aizawa acted when reporters tried getting into the school, probably all of them in the room knew his take of the media... Vlad gritted his teeth, hoping that Mr. Aizawa wouldn't make things worse. 2 of his students were kidnapped, but that didn't mean he had to make things worse about the situation. Don't let him trick you.

Mr. Aizawa then bowed his head. "As the teacher of both Katsuki Bakugo and Izuka Midoriya, I take full responsibility for not taming his violent behavior. Or for not teaching her anything about how to conduct herself in certain situations. However, their actions at the Sports Festival were born of his deep-seated convictions, and of her drive to prove herself to those who doubted her that she can work hard just as her classmates did and still do. I'd say both of them on equal terms are trying harder than anyone in their pursuit to become the top hero, and to be better than herself," He then looked up with a death glare. "If the villains think they have a chance with them, then they are grossly mistaken, I can guarantee you that much."

"That doesn't amount to real evidence, though," The reporter argued back to him. "I didn't ask you how you feel, I asked you if you had concrete information."

"We're doing our best with the intel we currently have available," Principal Nezu answered this time. "I have no doubt the police will break this case very soon. We won't rest until our missing students are returned to UA."


The press conference was actually playing on TV at the hideout of the League of Villains. "Hah!" Katsuki gave a proud smirk. Izuka smiled as she now had a little more confidence thanks to what Mr. Aizawa said. "Did ya hear the teachers? They get us more than I thought. We'll never join your league of bastards!" He declared to the group.

Izuka nodded sharply as Katsuki said what he needed to for the both of them. "Thank you, Mr. Aizawa," She murmured to herself, knowing that at the end of the day, she was still his student no matter what he thought of her. Katsuki then held up his arm slightly in front of her, silently telling her to let him handle this. He didn't get any confirmation from her, but she stayed in place like he was conveying. Katsuki looked up at them with another smirk, but he did realize something.

They went through the trouble of mounting a huge attack, all just to bring us back here. The idiots even told us what they wanted. For us to join their pathetic group. Everyone stood in silence, looking between Shigaraki and the two teens, though none of them had made a move. Which means I know they won't kill us. What a bunch of amateurs.

Izuka glanced between all of the villains with careful eyes, just in case they did try something. If they made a big showing of attacking the camp just to get to us...that means that they were dead serious with what they wanted. I can see why they would think to recruit us, Bakugo does act like a villain. That doesn't mean I know him like that. She then narrowed her eyes a little, glancing at Katsuki briefly. They're either really smart or really stupid. But I know that if they wanted us dead, they would've already done it by now. They acted like they were going to kill me earlier, but that was just to get into Bakugo's head.

Katsuki's hands shook a little as it was a tense silence between the two of them and the League of Villains. Now's my chance. I gotta take a couple of 'em down quick so Izuka can escape. Then I can get the hell outta here. It's better if we separate once we're out, that way she'll have a better chance of survival. Would she really agree to that? He glanced at Izuka silently, her hand shaking. She had a feeling about Katsuki's plan, but she wasn't sure if she'd be able to go through with it. It did make sense to her that they had to fight to get out, there was no way the villains would just let them walk out of there. But the two separating didn't seem like the best plan. If he ended up cornered, she didn't think she'd be okay just leaving him like that all alone. And it was Katsuki, he wouldn't care, but she would.

"We may not be at camp, but we're still allowed to fight!" He screamed at the group.

"We're still allowed to not hold anything back," Izuka clenched her shaking hand into a fist. "Especially if it's against you."

Magne stared at the two a bit anxiously. "They must've figured out they're important to us. What clever children."

"No," Dabi retorted while staring at them. "They're both fools. They did fall for our trick earlier."

Himiko clapped her hands happily. "Let me stab them!"

"A clever performer would've acted like we were winning them over," Compress commented while Spinner gritted his teeth. "Now that they've broken character, they're finished."

"I only do whatever I want to," Katsuki started off with a snarl, holding up his hand. "And I won't even pretend otherwise. And I'm tired of being surrounded by a bunch of lame-ass wannabes and of your mind games with us."

"There's a difference between being confident and being deluded. Too bad you guys fall into the latter," Izuka gritted her teeth at them. Katsuki gave a small proud chuckle at her remark. "The only thing I want to do is follow the path that I choose! Stop pretending that we're gonna be involved with you or that you can exploit us."

Shigaraki's hand twitched, his hand accessory still on the floor. "Father..." He murmured while reaching out a hand.

"No, Tomura Shigaraki," Kurogiri turned to him in alarm. He had a feeling that Shigaraki was going to either use his decay on them or give them a fight. Which he didn't want, because it was better to negotiate. "Be calm!" He then started to activate his Quirk, the two teens flinching in alarm. Katsuki moved his arm further towards Izuka...but instead, Shigaraki held out his hand to stop Kurogiri.

"Don't lay a finger on them. Any of you," He warned his team, to their surprise. Kurogiri shrunk his head as the leader bent down to pick up his hand accessory. "She's got a fire once you light it up, I'll give her that much."

Izuka flinched and then snarled a little. "Are you seriously trying to flatter me now?" She growled out to the villain. Even if he was trying to do so, she hadn't forgotten that he and his League attacked her class twice now, he threatened her brother, and he had kidnapped Katsuki alongside her. There was nothing Shigaraki could say to get either of them to change their minds.

"I dare you to say that again," Katsuki snarled furiously towards the villain.

"Calm down, it was just a statement. These heroes..." Shigaraki then put his hand back on his face, the two staring at him in silence. "Are still valuable pieces. I wish you both would've listened to what I had to say. I thought you two and I could come to an understanding."

Katsuki then recalled something that the two were told during their internship together with Best Jeanist.

"Heroes and villains are cut from the same cloth."

"What, you think we're the same?" Katsuki questioned since that was what Shigaraki was trying to convey to them. But for once, Izuka was glad that Katsuki could disagree with Best Jeanist on something. Even if there was some truth to that statement...that didn't mean they'd so easily switch sides. Izuka wouldn't even be here questioning it if she hadn't been inspired to become a hero by her brother. "Not a chance!"

"I'd rather that you did actually kill me earlier than to be like any of you," Izuka glared towards Shigaraki. She'd even have her blood sucked by Himiko than to join them. "No way in hell are we alike in any sense."

"Then I have no choice...the heroes said they'd continue their investigation of our group, so we don't have time to stand here and talk. Master," Shigaraki turned around to the television screen, which had changed sometime after the press conference. "Lend me your power."

All for One gave a sadistic grin at his request, and was pleased by it as well. "That is a wise decision, Tomura Shigaraki."


Outside in Kamino, Momo and the others were still following the signal. They were half a block away from their destination. Eventually, they came across a deserted home. Momo was in the lead, glancing around the corner. "Okay, this is the spot the tracker is broadcasting from," She reported to the others.

"So that's their hideout?" Eijiro looked past her to take a peek. "Not a bad one, I guess," He snarled a little that he was giving the villains credit for hiding in plain sight. It just seemed wrong to give them points when they had attacked various people.

"Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. According to the tracking history, the villain hasn't left this location for the past day. But that's all we know," Momo informed the four boys, turning to them. "One villain is hiding here, but that could be it. They might have Bakugo and Mido somewhere else. We're going into this operation completely blind for the most part. Please try to proceed logically."

She then looked away, biting her lip. That's what I want to do, but on the other hand, all I can think of is how is she doing if she's not here? I really hope that she's okay...

Tenya looked up ahead with a small frown. "I don't like this. None of us are good at sneaking around. We need Hagakure or Jiro here. If I think things are gonna be the least bit dangerous, we're done. I won't hesitate to call the police, either. To make sure my friends are safe."

And they already knew that their classmates weren't going to come and help them out. So they were entirely on their own for recon.

Izuku then turned back around, knowing that he wouldn't let them off the hook that easily. But he did understand his concerns. "Thank you...Ida. So what can we do with what's in front of us? Let me see here..." He then started into one of his mumbling phases. Although, this time, he was doing it more quietly so that he didn't give themselves away. "The prerequisite is that we don't use our Quirks to fight the villains, and on top of that, we need to figure out..."

"It's been a while since I've seen him this weird," Eijiro rubbed his chin in thought.

"Yeah, this is truly peak Midoriya," Momo agreed with him. "Although, I can't really blame him since he's worried about his sister."

Tenya stared at the muttering boy, since it wasn't the first time he had seen Izuku like this. That's right. Once you set your heart on something, there's no swaying you. You won't stop. It's what I respect about you as a friend. And a rival. But there must be boundaries. And someone has to make sure you don't cross them. This time, I'll protect you. He didn't care what he had to do, as long as he could stop Izuku. And he was only doing it if needed because he cared about both twins; that Izuku didn't go way over his head, and that Izuka would be safe soon.


"Why should I clean up UA's mess?" Endeavor asked in annoyance at the meeting, even though he did show up. "I'm a very busy man, as you know."

"Get off your high horse," Best Jeanist glanced up at him. "You are an UA alum."

"We can't call any heroes away from the school," Naomasa reminded the number 2 hero, looking away from the TV screen. "There is a bigger picture, Endeavor." He looked away with a scoff, not saying anything further. "It's possible this incident is the beginning of the end for Hero society. We'll stop at nothing to resolve this successfully."

"During the internships, I invited Bakugo and Mido as I'm told she's called to my agency to try and reform him. I've met very few as stubborn as he is, or as caring as she is. To the point where she suggested that my methods weren't the best solution. I imagine they're both fighting back. Or he's protecting her. We need to hurry," Best Jeanist kept a straight face forward. As their former mentor, he was very concerned about the two.

"Not even you were able to change his behavior," Gang Orca reminded him as he approached.

"Yes," Best Jeanist placed a hand over his face in exasperation. "He was inflexible, pride sewn into his very core. Although Mido proved to be a noble companion for him, despite their...complications as a team." He knew that despite the situation, Katsuki did care about Izuka's safety—even though he wouldn't be caught dead ever admitting it out loud. Best Jeanist was there when Katsuki was leaving Izuka a bunch of voice messages after the Hosu Incident, so he had a feeling Katsuki wouldn't let her get hurt.

"My comrade, Ragdoll, was also taken," Tiger spoke up with an intense look. "This is my chance to get her back."

"Thanks to the tracking device set by one of the students, we now believe there are 2 separate hideout locations. We know from our investigations where the kidnapped victims are located. We'll send the bulk of our forces there," Naomasa informed the other team, as they were splitting up to search both locations. "Retrieving Mido and Bakugo is our priority. At the same time, we'll gain control of the other hideout. This will cut off their paths of retreat. We'll arrest them all at once."

Gran Torino then looked up at All Might. "Toshinori." He looked over his shoulder curiously at his former teacher. "If they're recruiting old men like me, then-"

"What are you suggesting?" All Might turned around to the man. "You're still Gran Torino! And with such staggering stakes at hand, we can be sure that he is involved."

Gran Torino gave him a knowing look. "All for One..." The certainty of that was terrifying to think about, since they knew that they would have to face him at some point...since it was a planned out attack, they knew that it had to be him. Shigaraki wouldn't have come up with a plan that elaborate.

"We have the element of surprise! These villains will not succeed!" Naomasa announced to his own team. "At the press conference earlier, we had Principal Nezu act clueless to deceive the villains. He feigned ignorance on camera, as if we didn't have leads." The doors opened to reveal the police and they all set out. "After hearing his words, the villains won't expect us to rush in on the very same day. We'll retaliate!"

They then stood outside of the building of the hideout. "It's time for our counterattack!" All Might grinned while striking a pose, determined to get the students back no matter what. "Remind the world what you can do, heroes!"


A few minutes earlier

Izuku glanced back nervously at the building behind him. He and his four classmates were surrounding a vending machine, so that they wouldn't look too suspicious should someone see them. "We've gotten pretty close, but I haven't seen anything move inside," Momo reported to the group.

"And not a single light is on," Eijiro pointed out while staring at the building. "It doesn't look like anyone's home."

"They're hiding this lair in plain sight," Shoto spoke up, and his statement worried Izuku a little. "It looks like any other abandoned warehouse."

Izuku then took a closer look for himself. "The weeds under the front door are thick and undisturbed. There must be another way to get in. Maybe someone's Quirk is hiding it. We can't just enter carelessly. It could be a trap. If we could just see inside somehow-"

"Hey," Someone called out to them, alarming the five. "You lookin' for a real man, darling?" Two drunk men had found them, and they were looking towards a creeped-out Momo.

"I'm good!" She gave a nervous expression, not wanting anything to do with them.

"Ditch these losers and come drink with us."

"Aw, come on," His friend slapped him on the head. "Don't go pickin' fights."

"Hey! You talkin' ta us?!" Izuku asked them in defense while Shoto walked away from them.

"Let's get out of here," He informed the others, not wanting to draw any more attention to them. They needed to find someplace more private. The five found another spot not too far away around a corner. "It's not crowded, but there are people around."

"We can't draw attention to ourselves," Momo informed the four, speaking in a low whisper. Earlier was a close call, but if people got a closer look at them, they would know who they are. "So what's our next move?"

Izuku glanced back at the warehouse. "Let's go around the back. It might be the best chance we have to get some solid intel on this place." However, it proved to be a tight fit as they could barely squeeze through. They had to shuffle one by one just to slip inside the space between two walls.

"This is so narrow. I might get stuck," Momo whispered, her voice a bit strained.

"Just keep moving," Izuku looked over his shoulder. "We have to figure out what's happening inside. No one will see us from back here." He then gasped as he saw a barred window above their heads. "There! We should be able to get a look through that window!"

"We'll be blind in the darkness," Shoto reminded him and Momo took off her sunglasses.

"One second, I'll make a night vision scope," She immediately offered, Eijiro turning to her.

"Wait. No need," To their surprise, he actually pulled one of his own from his pocket. "I actually brought one along with me for this."

"Whoa, really?" Izuku asked him in astonishment. He couldn't believe that Eijiro was already prepared for this, regardless if he had gone with the other four or not.

Eijiro then gripped the wall a little, his eyebrows furrowed. "When I thought about what we'd have to do...I figured we might need it."

"Sure, but aren't those models super expensive?" Izuku couldn't help but wonder, since they looked rather fancy. And they were still high school students with allowances. The only person who could afford them without any issue was Momo. And possibly Tenya and Shoto because they had heroes in their families. "I did some research on them when I was thinking about my costume, but...they cost like 50,000 or something, right?"

"Whatever, man. Just drop it," Eijiro dismissed the questions as he didn't want to waste any more time on the topic. And he wasn't really too concerned about his budget right now. If it was going to help his friends, then he'd do whatever he needed to.

"Right. Then Kirishima will serve as our scout," Shoto informed, glancing towards the green-haired boy. "Back him up, Midoriya."

"Hold steady," Izuku warned as they started to get into position.

"Don't lean forward too much," Tenya whispered to his classmates. "We may have to run at a moment's notice."

"Ida, can you move back a little?" Eijiro whispered and reached the top of the wall. He was standing on Tenya's shoulders, and Izuku was standing on Shoto's.

"Tell us what you see inside. Quickly. And be quiet!" Tenya warned them both.

"Got it," Eijiro then put the night-vision goggles to his face to take a look. "The place is pretty trashed. Doesn't look like...uh," He saw something and then yelped a bit too loudly. The red-haired boy gasped as he leaned backwards, almost falling, but he held onto the wall.

"Hey, you okay?" Izuku wondered a bit too loudly in concern.

"What's wrong?" Shoto gritted his teeth a little, looking up. "You weren't spotted, were you?"

"The back left," Eijiro looked horrified as he held out the night-vision goggles to his friend. "The corner, Midoriya. Look!"

Izuku quickly took them and saw it for himself. In the back left corner, he flinched at the sight. There were rows of containers...all of them attached to one cord. "No way," He murmured in horror...as the containers contained Nomus! "Are those all...Nomu?" His eyes slowly widened at the sight. It was then they realized...

They were at a Nomu factory.

Izuku then caught a glimpse of something on a desk, gasping quietly. It was faint, but he could see a black Faber-Castell pen.

"Do you recall losing anything recently?" Toshinori asked Izuka after Shigaraki's appearance at the mall.

"...A pen," She looked up in realization, earning shocked looks from them. "Sometime after the USJ Incident, I-I lost my Faber-Castell pen. During lunch, it was on my desk, and when I came back, it was gone."

No way...that must be how they got her DNA. Which means...someone from UA gave it to them! His eyes were shaking as he had no idea who would do this or why. He just couldn't imagine who would give away her pen to villains...or that it was someone from a respected school. And it wasn't a common pen anyone had, it was for artists, so the pen wasn't something the villains just picked up...

Shoto glanced up at Izuku, wondering if something was wrong. That look on his face...it's like he knows something we don't.


"Master. Lend me your power," Shigaraki pleaded to the TV screen back at the LOV hideout. Izuka blinked slowly at the first word, her eyebrows narrowed in confusion. Up until now, she didn't think that there was even a master of the League of Villains. She assumed it was Shigaraki, but now it just really made her stop and think of who was the front-runner of all this.

"A master?" Katsuki asked with a confident smirk, on the same wavelength as her. "I thought you were the boss around here. But you're a sidekick."

Izuka then gasped as she remembered something.

"I said that All for One could give Quirks to others, remember? He made people trust him or submit to his will by altering their abilities. But apparently, there were many poor souls who couldn't bear the burden of the Quirks they were given. They became like mindless living dolls, incapable of speaking." Izuka gasped in horror at her teacher telling her and Izuku this. "Just like the Nomus are."

Her eyes shook a little in horror. Considering how Nomus were used both by Shigaraki in the present and by All for One back then, it would only make sense of what she was thinking. No way...could this be...All for One...? Does Mr. All Might know about this? Was this...something that he saw coming?

"Kurogiri. Compress," Shigaraki spoke, raising a hand. "It's time to put them back to sleep."

Katsuki continued to hold his arm in front of her, glancing back at the girl. He blinked as she seemed to be focused on something else. She was panting a little as she took in what she had theorized, but...she didn't think she was wrong on this either. However, it just made him more curious since he had no idea what was going on in her head. Just like Shoto was with Izuku at the Nomu factory. Why did she look so scared the second that the master got brought up? Does she know something about him? How the hell is that even possible?

This just proved to him that she knew something about all of this that he didn't, and it was kind of pissing him off. And he hoped that she didn't know that they'd be kidnapped because of her prior knowledge.

Compress let out a disappointed sigh. "I can't believe they're such bad audience members. It's almost impressive," He then started walking up to the two.

Katsuki grasped Izuka's hand and she squeezed it. He silently squeezed right back, silently telling her to trust him. Both of them slowly moved towards the door. "If you want us to listen, then get on your knees and beg!" He retorted back to Compress. Although on the inside, he was frustrated with himself. I wanna blow them away with maximum firepower, but that warp guy is way too fast. Even if he wasn't there, I can't do that kind of attack with Izuka around. Think. Compress continued approaching the two, holding out his hand. I need to make an opening somehow and get to the backdoor with Izuka!

He silently glanced over to the door. Izuka sweated nervously and it went down the side of her head. My attacks won't catch up to the one who can use the portals. And they've proven in the past to not work on him. I'd rather not hurt Katsuki either in the process. The only way out is so close, but getting to it is next to impossible...

Suddenly, the door knocked from outside. The two students and Shigaraki turned to the door in confusion. Considering the reaction from Shigaraki, he wasn't expecting any visitors. "Hello? I got a pizza delivery here," A voice called out from outside. Everyone just stared in silence since no one had actually called in the order. And no one from the League of Villains was that stupid enough to lead a delivery driver to their hideout, since they were starting to become well-known.

Before anyone could say anything, the wall was busted open from the outside. Spinner yelped as he was knocked onto the ground. "SMASH!" All Might yelled as he came in, followed by his team.

"What the?!" Spinner turned around in alarm, wondering how they were found out.

"Kurogiri!" Shigaraki yelled immediately, turning to the villain. "Gate!"

He then moved his head to warp. "Pre-emptive Binding..." Kamui Woods started off as he flew in from outside. He then moved his arms forward to capture all of the villains in the room. "Lacquered Chain Prison!"

"Heh. That's it?" Dabi gave a smirk, as he was about to burn off the wood right now. Gran Torino then zoomed in, speeding over to kick Dabi in the face and knock him out.

"Don't do anything foolish!" He warned the villain. "It's in your best interest to cooperate with us."

"Just what I'd expect from a competent new hero," All Might complimented Kamui Woods' skills. "And a veteran pro who moves faster than the eye can see!" He then looked up with a fierce glow from his eyes. "You can't run anymore, League of Villains. Understand? Because we are here now!"

"Right after the press conference?" Compress asked in disbelief from the floor. "They had this ruse planned the whole time!"

"Tree man!" Twice called out in annoyance, both he and Himiko struggling. "You're hugging me too tight! Harder!"

"One tends to neglect defense when they're on the offense," Edgeshot revealed himself as he was the one who had knocked on the door. "But we didn't come alone," He then opened up the backdoor. "Take a look." He revealed a bunch of police ready to arrest the League. "You're surrounded by the police. Not to mention powerful heroes like Endeavor." He was right outside with more police and Naomasa.

"Tsukauchi!" Endeavor did not look happy that he was sidelined on this. "Why does Edgeshot get to rush into the fight while I'm stuck here with you?"

"Because if someone slips out, we'll need you to capture them immediately," Naomasa reminded him, though the hero would rather not be outside. And since he was the 2nd top pro hero, Naomasa thought he was the best person to do capturing outside of All Might.

Endeavor let out a groan at this, as he couldn't argue with it. But he also didn't have to like it, since he thought it was giving All Might more eyes on him. Which was annoying him since that was the last thing that he wanted for the number one hero.

"Ah, you must've been scared, the both of you," All Might then looked towards Katsuki and Izuka. "But you stayed strong for each other. I'm sorry. You're safe now, young man, young lady."

Katsuki's lip quivered at his childhood hero saving him. Izuka gave a weak smile towards him and approached, hugging the hero in relief. He flinched in surprise as she closed her eyes happily. "Thank you...Mr. All Might," She said what Katsuki couldn't, and the others looked at them in surprise as well aside from the villains.

"Can she do that?" Kamui Woods whispered to Gran Torino, who just shrugged a little.

"...You're welcome, Young Mido," All Might smiled a little, giving her a one-armed hug. He also patted her on the head gently to reassure her.

She pulled back and All Might noticed the lost look in her eyes...as if she knew something from him. She doesn't seem too happy being rescued at this moment. What did she learn?

"What?! I wasn't scared!" Katsuki boasted to the hero, interrupting the moment. "Not even close!" He then huffed while looking away, just a little curious as to how Izuka's hug must've felt to All Might. He was the one who planned to help her escape, so by default, she should hug him too. He then flinched while his face turned a bit red. What do I care if she hugs him?!

All Might just gave a small chuckle while giving a thumbs up. Izuka gave her classmate an awkward smile. As usual, his pride always gets in the way...

The short girl then glanced over to Gran Torino and blinked, recognizing him immediately. "Oh! Gran Torino," She gave him a small smile. "It's good to see you again." Although, at the back of her mind, it was a little awkward seeing how much trouble Izuku gave him the last time the twins saw the retired hero in Hosu.

"Ah, Deku's sister," Gran Torino recognized her as well. "Izuka, right?"

"Yes, thank you for coming," She bowed her head at him, earning a small grin in return.

"If I didn't, the kid would've been out of his mind."

"Who's he?" Katsuki glanced down at the man.

"He interned with my brother," Izuka revealed as she straightened herself back up. Katsuki flinched as he gave her a wide-eyed look. He recalled Izuku using his moves during one of their classes, but he never expected an old man to have been his mentor for the internships.

How the hell did Deku learn from this extra?!

Shigaraki just stared up ahead bitterly. After I went through all the trouble of preparing this, the final boss goes and shows up on my doorstep. Everyone's been restrained. There's no easy way to escape. It can't be helped. So they've got backup, huh? Well, we do too. He then looked up to the ceiling. "KUROGIRI! Warp over as many as you can!" He shouted, getting their attention.

"The Nomu, right?" All Might asked knowingly.

Eijiro heard a noise back at the Nomu factory, looking up and then whipping around to Izuku. "Hey!"

Izuku gasped as in the distance, a truck was being lifted. "Is that...?" The truck was being moved by Mt. Lady, as she and the other team had just arrived. She grinned widely and then smashed the truck into the building. The attack was so strong that it created a large gust of wind. The five yelped as they braced themselves, even Shoto's wig flying off.

Shigaraki looked around as nothing happened like he wanted it to. "What are you waiting for, dammit?" He growled towards an anxious Kurogiri.

"I'm sorry, Tomura Shigaraki. The Nomus were supposed to be in a fixed location, but...they're gone!" He revealed regrettably, confusing the leader.

"It seems you have a lot to learn, Shigaraki," All Might wrapped his arms around the two students. Katsuki looked annoyed by this, Izuka looking up at the hero. "You're still green." This earned a growl from Shigaraki as he looked back at the hero. "Your little League underestimated all of us. The soul of these two children. The police's diligent investigations. And...our righteous fury!"

Mt. Lady held up a Nomu in her fist. Tiger picked up an unconscious Ragdoll. Gang Orca and Best Jeanist were keeping hold of the Nomu so that they couldn't be transported. "We have control. The Nomu are neutralized," He reported while clenching a fist to keep a hold on his threads.

"Enough is enough," All Might stood bravely, gritting his teeth. "Your game has come to an end, Tomura Shigaraki!"

Spinner let out a fearful yelp looking up at him. "All Might, please! You're the only hero Stain respected! You are worthy!"

"You think it's over?" Shigaraki snarled, ignoring Spinner in favor of focusing on All Might. "Don't be stupid. I've only just begun to play. Justice. Peace," He twitched while struggling from his restraints. "You created a garbage society by lifting up such ridiculous ideals. That's why I targeted you, All Might," He managed to get onto his feet. "It's why I started gathering people to my cause. You think this is the end? Then you've lost. Kurogiri!"

Red threads came out of him and he fell to the counter before he could do anything once again. Magne let out a yelp from the floor, looking up at him. "What just happened?! I couldn't see anything. Did they kill him?"

The red thread came over to her face, surprising her. "I played around with his insides and made him fall unconscious," Edgeshot revealed to her, as this was part of his Quirk. "Ninpo: Thousand Sheet Pierce!" He made himself appear behind the counter and he stared at Kurogiri. "He was such a nuisance. He had to sleep."

"Weren't you listening earlier?" Gran Torino suddenly spoke up. "You'll all be better off if you take us seriously. Kenji Hikiishi," Magne flinched from him saying her real name. "Atsuhiro Sako. Shuichi Iguchi. Himiko Toga. Jin Bubaigawara. Though they had little time and information, the police worked through the night to discover your true identities. Do you understand?" He glared towards the League of Villains. "There's nowhere left for any of you to run. So, Shigaraki. One question. Where is your boss hiding?"

Shigaraki didn't answer that question, and suddenly every part of this capture felt like it was all a blur to him.

"No one's come to save you, have they?" All for One approached a little boy with blue hair. "You've had a hard life, Tenko Shimura." The boy didn't look towards him at all. "He'll be fine. Eventually, the heroes will help. I'm sure that's what everyone thought as they looked away and ignored you. The world shouldn't be so unforgiving," He then reached out his hand to the little boy. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Tenko looked up, his eyes dead and empty as he stared at the man in silence. "Don't worry," All for One could sense his hesitance. "I am here for you."

Tenko looked at him wide-eyed with blood dripping down his mouth and face.

"No," Shigaraki's eye shook from the hand over his face. "This is not over," He declared, Katsuki and Izuka just staring at him. They couldn't tell what was going through his mind and for Izuka, she didn't want to know. "Just you wait. The game is still mine."

"You'll tell us where he is right now," All Might demanded of him.

"Go away. Disappear!" He snarled and Izuka flinched a little at how spiteful he was. Seeing him like this only reminded her why Izuku couldn't compare Stain and Shigaraki. They were both full of hate, but Shigaraki was definitely less mature...or at least, he was back then. Something about him right now didn't feel like the Shigaraki she saw back at the USJ in some way.

All Might let out a growl in response. "Shigaraki!"

"This is your fault! I hate you!" Shigaraki shouted at him angrily, and suddenly, a bunch of black gunk appeared. He let out a gasp as he turned to it, meaning that this wasn't coming from him. A bunch of Nomus appeared from the black portals, to the shock of the heroes.

"Nomu! How'd they get here? What is this?!" Kamui Woods wondered in disbelief as more portals appeared, about to summon more Nomu.

"Dammit, Edgeshot," Gran Torino growled towards the hero. "Stop Kurogiri!"

"He's still out," Edgeshot glanced up at him, and indeed, Kurogiri's face was still in the table. "This isn't his doing."

"They keep on coming!" Gran Torino exclaimed while the other villains were surprised as well. Only Kurogiri was capable of summoning portals for them.

"Don't release them under any circumstances, got it?" All Might ordered Kamui Woods, who was still restraining the League. Suddenly, Katsuki and Izuka opened their mouths, revealing the same black gunk coming from their bodies.

"The crap?!" He exclaimed as the two were engulfed in it.

"All Might!" Izuka cried out while reaching out her hand.

"Bakugo! Mido!" The hero lunged forward to grab them, but the two completely disappeared into thin air. "NOOOOOOO!" He screamed in frustration with himself.

"Endeavor!" Kamui Woods looked down at the streets. "Help us!" He then gasped as he saw the police and Endeavor were dealing with some Nomu themselves. "No!"

The police were shooting them down, but it wasn't stopping them. Endeavor punched one with his fire, turning to Naomasa. "Tsukauchi. Evacuate the area!" He called out, but Naomasa was focusing on where these Nomu came from.

"They're from the other hideout," He gritted his teeth in worry. "That location should be locked down. Come in, Jeanist," He pressed on his radio, since the other heroes were supposed to be keeping the Nomu away. "What the hell is going on over there?" However, he got no answer in response. "Jeanist?!"

A Nomu was about to attack when Gran Torino kicked it in the back. All Might punched one away, gritting his teeth as his teacher landed right next to him. "Toshinori. What now?"

"They shouldn't have been able to warp Nomu here," All Might informed, clenching his fists. "And this backup came too fast!" He had a familiar feeling of this Quirk as he looked around, however. I fear that he has made a move.

Shigaraki looked towards the chaos going on, and felt pleased about it as he had the same feeling as All Might. "Master..."


2 minutes earlier...

Tenya grunted in pain a little while rubbing the side of his head, all of them getting over what had just happened at the factory. "What?" He muttered while Izuku got onto his feet. "Did the building just come down?"

Momo and Eijiro peeked from the top of the wall to look inside the window. "Gang Orca and Mt. Lady?" Eijiro gasped once they could see them. "Whoa, even Best Jeanist is here!"

"And Mr. Tiger, too," Momo noticed as they were keeping the Nomu restrained. Mt. Lady gave a look of disgust holding some in her hands.

"Ugh," Mt. Lady let out a groan. "Are these gross dudes really alive? I thought we'd be in for a fight, but this was super easy. Maybe we should've left this to the police and gone with All Might."

"Difficulty and importance are two very different things, rookie," Best Jeanist reminded her, turning to the police force that they had brought with them. "Riot squad, get the transports ready. There could be more of them. Be on your guard!"

"Yes, sir!" One of them answered without hesitation.

"Come on, Ragdoll," Tiger pleaded with the unconscious woman. "Wake up for me."

Gang Orca rushed over to the two. "Is that your teammate? She's breathing. That's good."

"Yes, but...look at her!" Tiger had a concerned look as she had a bleak look on her face. And she was sweating as well, as if they had done something to her. "What have they done to you, my friend?"

"Everything's fine," Tenya assured the others. "The heroes were on top of this way before we were."

"This is great!" Eijiro smiled happily; they didn't find their friends, though. But this was enough to satisfy Tenya at least since none of them got involved in fighting.

"Now then, let's get back home. At least we won't have to explain ourselves."

Izuku turned away with a frown, disappointed that they didn't find Katsuki or Izuka. But he didn't dare let that be known either. "It sounded like All Might is somewhere else. Does that mean he's rescued Izuka and Kacchan?"

"If All Might's on the scene, there's no reason for us to worry," Momo pointed out optimistically, and she felt like she could rest easy now knowing All Might was on top of this. "Let's go. Quick," She started to lead the way out.

"Right," Shoto agreed as the others followed her. However, both he and Izuku came to a stop, turning around. Suddenly, someone's footsteps could be heard from inside of the building. And it wasn't from any of the heroes either.

"I'm sorry, Tiger," A voice spoke up from the shadows. "But Ragdoll's Quirk was so useful." Gang Orca and Tiger looked up first. "I just had to take it. How could I not?"

"Are you with the League?" Gang Orca glared towards him.

"Somebody get us a light," Tiger turned around to the other three heroes.

"Since my body was mostly destroyed, I haven't been able to stock up on Quirks," The voice continued, and a shoe stepped out of the shadows.

Gang Orca held up a hand. "Stop there! Don't move!"

He kept moving as he slowly revealed himself. Best Jeanist wiggled his fingers to control his threads. They wrapped around the person's shoes and entire body.

"Hey! You can't attack like that!" Mt. Lady warned from behind. "What if he's just a bystander?"

"Think about the situation," Best Jeanist informed while moving his hand. "A moment of hesitation could decide the fight. We can't let these villains try anything!" He then pulled harder on his threads to make them tighter. However, a burst of red energy appeared, breaking the man free. Best Jeanist grunted as he looked up ahead with wide eyes and suddenly a flash occurred. It was then followed by an explosion.

The explosion had taken out the entire building with dust and debris everywhere. A fire had also started, while the buildings around it were damaged. Left behind was a huge clearing. The five students stood there, wide-eyed and frozen.

"Tomura has finally started thinking rationally and making decisions by himself," All for One spoke, Izuku trying not to feel sick. Because...he had a feeling of who this was just like Izuka did back at the League of Villains hideout. "I do wish that you hadn't gotten in his way."

Izuku was twitching in fear of his arrival. There was no time to stop him. No time to even move. Not even his friends could move either. It happened in an instant. A microsecond. And in that moment...this man made us feel death. All they could feel was dread and suddenly...they could imagine themselves in a pool of blood. That was how terrifying that man was. We could see it in front of us clearly.

Izuku tried to hold in his churning stomach. "Since you now bear One for All, you may one day have to fight against this great evil yourself. Because I failed."

His hand shook as he reached out to his shirt. Tomura...he meant Shigaraki! He gripped at his shirt as the truth was starting to hit him now. What is this? It's not true, is it, All Might? Don't tell me that this...this is...All for One!

And unfortunately...it was. So now the heroes were in serious trouble. "Now then. Shall we begin?"