In the forest:
"Pull yourself together!" Konohamaru exclaims, trying to keep the injured Mugino awake, as he walks him with arm over his shoulder, "You don't have internal injuries, so you're gonna be all right, try to stay awake!"
"Yeah..." Mugino voices in pain, bleeding from his left shoulder.
Upon hearing footsteps, Konoahamaru looks back, "Komago!" Manuel calls out as he and the interns, plus the doctor, arrive to where they are.
"We came to help you!" Izuku adds.
"Everyone!" Konohamaru is glad to see them, same with Mugino.
"Mr. Mugino!" Tenya exclaims, going over to him.
"Iida?" He narrows in surprise.
"Hold on, you know each other?" Boruto asks.
"Yeah. He and Tensei are friends." Tenya replies, "Besides that, how's your wound, Mr. Mugino?"
""It's nothing serious." He assures.
This is when Manuel explains the situation to Komago, who replies in understanding, "I see... you guys were attacked by puppets, too, huh? They were just like those researchers in Victors laboratory." He adds in theory, "I think we can safely assume that the Kara is involved, right?"
"Yes, from the looks of it." Manuel replies.
"Those puppets are Scientific Quirk Tools." Katasuke confirms, "I believe our enemy's technology far surpasses our own."
"Manuel, Doctor, did you both see a black container in the airship?" Konohamaru asks.
"Yes." The doctor confirms.
"It's contents are probably the key to this whole incident that's happening right now." The Water Pro nods and adds.
"When I saw it, it was already empty." Komago said, taking out a flash drive, "But I extracted the information in the data unit, so we need to take it back for analysis."
"Right. Then let's move." Manuel said.
"I'll carry him from here, Komago." Tenya offers.
"Yeah, thanks." Konohamaru lets him carry Mugino, right arm over shoulder.
As they continue to move through the area, "I won't lie... you look just like Ingenium now..." Mugino voices in comparison as he and Tenya are walking behind everyone else, "Both the suit and the appearance..."
"I'm starting to get that a lot." Tenya replies, chuckles a little.
Mugino adds, "I heard what happened with Tensei... he can't be a hero anymore, due to the injuries he sustained in Hosu..." He adds, causing Iida to go quiet in thinking back.
"It's true... and that's why I'll work hard to be the hero he wants me to be." Tenya replies, firmly.
"..." Mugino gazes at him as he's being carried.
This is when they reach a cave to take a break as Tenya leans Mugino against a debris.
"We'll stop here and take break." Komago said, "But we'll still need to hurry back with the information on that container."
"Agreed." Manuel nods, "And we'll need to be careful and on the lookup for more of those Scientific Quirk Tool puppets that we encountered before. Chances are, there could be more around."
"So you've heard."
"!" The group is alerted and turns to the cave entrance to meet the presence of Ao, whole gazes seriously with a machine gun in hand.
"Would you mind sharing more details?" He asks.
"What?!" Boruto surprised.
"Hold on, you're-!" Izuku recognizes too.
"Mr. Ao?! Tenya exclaims.
"What are you doing out here...?!" Mugino winces.
"Oh, Ingenium's brother and Mugino too." Ao sights as he steps up, "Helping me out at the memorial service was appreciated, both you and ingenium." He says to the latter before eying everyone else, "I didn't expect to see you again under these circumstances."
"What..." Manuel trails.
"I was under the impression that you had retired." Konohamaru guessed.
"What are you doing here?" Mugino asks, still sweating from his shoulder wound.
Lifting up his machine gun, "Sorry, but I'll be the one asking the questions here." Ao makes it clear, causing everyone to get into battle positions .
"A Scientific Quirk Tool!" Izuku widens inwardly.
Taking aim, "Where are the contents of the container?" Ao asks in demand.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Komago replies, "And as heroes, I'm not providing any details that relates to this mission."
"..." Ao gazes him in the eye.
"Especially not to someone who is no longer a hero, like you!" Konohamaru firmly does the same.
"Very well. In that case, stay silent..." Ao readies his machine gun with a dark glare, "For all eternity."
Opening 7 "Hajimatteiku Takamatteiku" by Sambomaster
Starts off with the introduction of Kawaki, who slowly turns around and menacingly raises out his right hand. As he does that, debris starts to levitate around the air as we zoom out to the destruction of Japan before the series title reveals itself.
As the song picks up, we see shots of a few U.A. Students, Boruto(who looks down before gazing up), Izuku(who looks at his scared right hand before gazing forward), Katsuki(who glares with one hand in pocket before un-tightening his right hand to do a mini-explosive), Sarada(who takes off her glasses and activates her Sharingan), Shoto(who looks upward and blows ice fog from his mouth), Mitsuki(who has a snake around his arm/gazes up while sitting on a tree). Next shows some of the Pro heroes(Naruto, All Might, Sasuke, Endeavor, and Shota).
We then cut to the League of Villains, Tomura (with gazes from his hand-mask) the Shins(both serious with their Sharingan's active), and Kurogiri(who opens a portal to his side), along with new recruits: Dabi, Nanashi, Himiko, and Shizuma. With all of them being in the shadow of All for One (who has his back turned in not revealing himself).
Next shows Kawaki in the outskirts and deserted area of Japan as a flock of crows fly nearby. We then move on to Boruto (who's Karma seal activates in his right palm before he closes it) and Izuku (who activates the bio-electricity of One for All around him), along with the rest of Class 1-A in their hero costumes as they all stand in battle positions with firm expressions.
Observing the ruined land of Japan from afar is none other than Kara the Husk, who all have dark black cloaks as the wind breezes through them. We then cut to Kawaki being in what appears to be a test tube and blows a few bubbles as the eye of Kara's leader open gazes over him. This is when the Kara reveals their full appearances, starting with Jigen(who lets down his hood), followed by Delta(who puts a finger under her chin), Boro(who glares under his hood), Amado(who adjusts his glasses), Code(who stretches out an arm), Oga(who smiles nonchalantly), Deepa(who grins evilly), Victor(who frowns with cane in hand), Zorvus(who smirks while looking ahead) and Koji(who smirks with arms crossed over chest). It next shows all members assembled in an alley, with Jigen taking the lead on a stair, with a hand on the side of his head.
As the song heats up, we cut to the destroyed ruins of Japan, showing the entirety of Class 1-A dashing at high speed to engage the members of Kara, splitting up into different fights: Boro fighting off Tenya, Shikadai, and Fumikage before delivering a punch to the dark shadow, a kick to Fumikage, another to Shikadai, and an uppercut to Tenya's chin, knocking his helmet and glasses off. Delta taking on the 1-A girls, mainly 5: She swiftly smacks Momo via electric whip, side-steps a purple aura fist from Sumire and elbows here on the side, then grabs Tsuyu by her frog tongue(the latter tried to restrain the android but failed) and violently throws her into Ochaco(who tried to use her quirk to get a touch in but failed), and then Sarada jumps to try to get a strike in, but ends up repelled by the electric whip and punched in the face, knocking her glasses off. We then switch to Code doing a flip-kick to knock the hardened Eijiro to the ground, dodging snake-strikes from Mitsuki and palms him in the gut before dodging an Ice wave from Shoto, including his fire, before closing the distance and punches him in the chest that sends him flying, he then dodged an explosion from Katsuki, who proceeds to take him on. It next shows Koji engaging in close combat with Boruto, who manages to keep up and avoid his inflamed fists before jumping out the away as Izuku lunges at Koji with a smash, who avoids it at the last minute.
When the smoke clears, the two boys look around and are shocked to see their classmates defeated and unconscious around the battlefield. This causes Izuku to widen/grit his teeth in anger with surging red lines through his body while Boruto yells out in a fit of rage, activating his Karma throughout the right side of his body.
Next shows them fighting the 4 Kara inners, attacking nonstop. A combined attack is launched by Koji and Delta, and as it was about to land, Kawaki jumps into the fray and absorbs the attack, grimacing and revealing his own Karma seal. Surprised by this entry, Katsuki also joins the three, with them having no intention of giving up even while battered.
With the four of them united, they combat against the 4 inners. During this, Kawaki uses a red blast from his Karma, Bakugo uses his gauntlets to form a blast in the same manner respectively, Izuku throws his right fist forward, creating a massive shockwave that's on the level of his mentor while Boruto comes in through the smoke in mid-air and uses a gigantic Rasengan as the final blow. All 4 attacks create a huge explosion in the ruins of Japan, with the large sphere being enough to reach outside of earth.
Last panels show the smoke clearing and them being the only ones left, they're exhausted from fighting and look up at the sunset as it shines down on them and a crow flows by the three, including Kawaki, their new ally, before the song closes.
Chapter 72: Emotionless Tool
Ao is ready to silence the hero group before Manuel pleads, "You don't have to do this, Mr. Ao. There's no reason for us to fight."
"..." Ao doesn't listen and activates his Quirk Tool gun.
"Everyone hit the walls! Hide behind the boulders!" Konahamaru exclaims out.
As that warning was announced, Ao open fires in launching multiple fire-bombs from the Quirk-gun, forcing all the Pros and Interns to dodge at every angle and take cover.
As the commotion happens, "The same fire bombs as those puppets!" Sarada exclaims, while holding Chamaru.
"As expected, our enemy is using Scientific Quirk Tools!" Shoto voiced out.
"So what!" Katsuki exclaims, ready to fight, "This old geezer is gonna get it!" He rushes out.
"Bakugo, wait!" Tenya exclaims.
Attacking from Above, "So you went from retired hero to a villain, huh?! Well don't regret it after I give you this-" Before Katsuki finishes all the way, Ao wastes no time in aiming at the airborne hothead and open fires a bomb, "!" Bakugo quickly counters with an explosion of his own, colliding with the Quirk-tool, "Guh!" but the collision causes Bakugo to fly backward and hit the wall.
"Kaachan!" Izuku exclaims,
"Idiot, don't be reckless!" Manuel quicky grabs the explosive quirk user with him behind a debris for cover.
"Please Stop! Lord Ao!" Katasuke pleads out.
"Dr. Katasuke!" Boruto exclaims, needing him to take cover.
"Please stay back..." Ao warns, "I won't hold back, even for you." He opens fire at the doctor as well, who responds by raising his hands in using the absorption orbs to nullify the fire bombs, "You can absorb quirk bombs?" Ao's surprised before looking above to see Konohamaru with a blue sphere in palm.
"Rasengan!" He exclaims to strike, but Ao blocks it with the Quirk tool-gun, which ends up shattering.
"You did it!" Katasuke delights.
Staggering back and setting down his now malfunctioned gun, "The Rasengan, the Yellow Flash's technique." Ao describes, "Not bad." He smirks.
"What was inside of the container in the airship?" Konohamaru asks in demand.
"Komago... you demand our intel, despite refusing to share yours?" Ao remarks, "It's so terrible how the privileged and spoiled behave."
"'Our'?!" Manuel widens.
"Mr. Ao, are you-?!" Mugino doesn't want to believe.
"Does it have anything to do with the organization called Kara?" Komugo asks.
Instead of answering him, Ao reveals his cybernetic chest-holes and blasts two beam shots from them, taking Komago by surprise as he's blasted in the face, "GUGH!" He exclaims in pain and collapses to the ground from the impact.
"Komago!" Katasuke exclaims in checking.
"Kara... I never expected you to utter that name." Ao said, "This mess is much bugger than I thought." He then moves at fast-speed, appears behind Katasuke and taking his right absorption glove before putting the doctor to the ground and stepping on his back, "Let's see." Ao gazes at the quirk-glove, "So, this is what you absorb quirks with?"
"Tch!" Shoto thinks fast and launches a stream of fire, but Ao puts the quirk-glove uses the black-orb to absorb his attack.
After the attack is nullified, "I see... this is quite nice." Ao admits before blitzing Shoto with a elbow to his gut.
"Agh!" Shoto flies back and hits a debris.
"Todoroki!" Mitsuki exclaims.
"Why you-!" Boruto rushes in with a Rasengan, but that also gets absorbed and Ao proceeds to kick the whiskered teen against the wall, "Guh!" He grunts out.
"Boruto!" Izuku exclaims.
"Impressive work, Dr. Katasuke." Ao commends, "What a brilliant invention." He takes a liking to the absorption glove that's worn on his right hand.
"This is bad... with that absorption tech he has on, we can't use our quirks as they'll be nullified!" Manuel knows.
"At this rate, we'll be killed!" Tenya voices inwardly.
Sarada takes out the the quirk tool-bomb, inwardly stating, "The Smoke Flash Bomb I got from Miss Akita... using it might buy us the chance to get away. But Komago and Mugino don't know the warning signal. They'll get caught in it!" She knows, "What should we do?!"
"It seems like you really don't know the whereabouts of the cargo." Ao judges, walking up, "However..." He gazes seriously, "It seems like you've been sniffing around for things you ought to keep your nose out of." Coming to a stop, "I'm very sorry... but I'm going to have to kill you all here."
"Kuh...!" Despite his injury, Mugino quickly stands up in a rush, "Please stop!" and grabs Ao from behind, stunning everyone.
"Mr. Mugino!" "Mugino!" Izuku and Tenya exclaims, same with Komago, who wakes up and recovers from earlier.
"Mr. Ao, please don't do this." He pleads.
"Mugino, it's no use trying to stop me." Ao said, no expression.
"That day, when Ingenium and I met you at the memorial service... you told us your story..." He trails in recalling.
"..." Tenya listens in surprise, also at his brother's mentioning.
"About how you worked at HQ during the Great Society War, and how you escaped death then..." Mugino adds in a cough, "Even after that, you followed a hero's path... that's what you told us."
Flashback:
During the evening time, Mugino, Tensei, and Mugino walk down a pathway in having a conversation.
"Since you went to get some maintenance, does that mean you were an acquaintance of Dr. Katasuke?" Mugino asks.
"Yeah. He saved my life when I was injured during the Society War." Ao replies.
"Oh, so that's it..." Tensei understands, with his costume helmet in hand, he and Mugino having low gazes.
"Please, don't be sad." The retired hero assures, "I'm here thanks to the doctor's prosthetic arm." He holds up.
"That's great to know." Tensei grows a smile.
They made it to the memorial service, and see the atmosphere, "It looks like we're a little too late." Mugino said, gazing around.
"Now that you mentioned it, there doesn't seem to be a lot of people around." Tensei adds.
"So it seems." Ao said, "I didn't plan on staying long anyway." He adds in addition, "So, if you'll excuse me..." He was about to leave.
"At the very least, let's pay our respects and offer some flowers together." Mugino suggests, getting him to stay.
"Yeah. We owe it to our fallen comrades." Tensei agrees.
"..." Ao gazes at the ground, "I see..." He looks up and walks forward.
After setting some flowers and paying respects to the late heroes who died during the Society war:
Ao turns to Mugino and Tensei, stating "I've finally been able to pay my respects to my fallen friends." He adds, "During the Great war, I was at HQ when it was destroyed. But I was the only one who ended up surviving." He gazes at the large memorial tube, " I should have come here sooner..." He looks at his prosthetic hand, recalling his own survival from the destruction of HQ, and how he was in a coma for several years, as well as learning the deaths of many friends and going through a rehabilitation with Dr. Katasuke to get his life back on track, in turn, a prosthetic arm and cybernetic limbs.
After Ao recalls and tells the two his story, Mugino asks, curious, "Are you still a pro hero now?"
"No..." Ao replies, "In this condition, I'm retired." He reveals, "The doctor said if I had continued rehab, I could have gone back to being a pro at work, though I wouldn't have been as good as before. So I gave up on that." He turns and being walking.
"So that's why..." Tensei voices, understanding a little.
"But that's not all." Ao adds another, "I realized something during Great Society War... no matter how much I train my quirk, there's a limit to what I can achieve." He recalls back, "That there are beings who exist, that I can never beat."
"..." Mugino/Tensei gaze.
"But I feel stronger by acknowledging that." Ao continues, "That's how I continue living like this. Because I did everything I could back then."
"So... what are you going to do now?" Tensei asks.
"I'm thinking I have to find a way of being useful to someone's life, in a way that doesn't involve being a pro." Ao replies, with a smile.
"You've chosen to live as something other than a hero duty, correct?" Mugino asks
Looking back at the memorial tube, "Every day, I think about how I have to live the rest of my life to its fullest for the sake of those who died back then." He adds, "It had bothered me that I did not grieve for my friends all this time." He reminisces, "But thanks to you two bringing me here today, I was able to make that happen." He smiles to them, "Thank you."
"Oh no. We didn't really do anything..." Mugino trails.
"Glad we're able to help, Mr. Ao." Tensei smiles, saying otherwise, "And keep this in mind. You may no longer consider yourself a hero, but from here..." He, himself, points to his chest, "In the heart, you're still a hero."
"..." Ao's a bit surprised but smiles, "Right. I never thought of it like that." He adds in final word, "Now then, I think I should take my leave." He waves, "Goodbye."
The two bow their heads as Ao proceeds with his leave.
After he left, "Mr. Ao must be someone who has lived his entire life adhering to the path of a hero..." Mugino said as it's just him and Tensei.
"Yeah..." The latter agrees, "What he does from here is something he'll decide for himself." He knows it.
Present:
"I was envious of how you fulfilled and lived the life of a hero." Mugino voices, still keeping Ao in place, "But it's just like Tensei said back then... you're still a hero from the heart... but this isn't the way."
"You're wrong..." Ao reveals, "I'm not a hero."
This surprises Mugino before Ao uncovers a hidden Scientific Quirk Tool in his prosthetic arm, activates it energy blade that impales Mugino through the abdomen, "GAH...!" He gasps out in pain and coughs out blood, sweating in agony.
This shocks everyone, "MR. MUGINO!" Tenya, Izuku, and Boruto exclaim out, especially.
"..." Ao sees that Mugino still isn't letting go, despite the impalement, "You just don't know when to die. What a shame."
Bleeding through his chest, Mugino tightens his grip, and utters out, "Rock... BREAKER!"
His quirk causes the cave walls to collapse around them piece-by-piece as everyone stands, stunned, "Everyone, run away!" Mugino warns out, before coughing blood, "Don't worry about me... GO!"
"Hold on!" Izuku exclaims.
"We can't do that, Mr. Mugino!" Tenya adds.
"We can still get out together!" Boruto too.
"Stay back, you three!" Mugino exclaims out, which halts them. This is when he slowly speaks, "Midoriya... Uzumaki... and the rest of you... back at Valley city, you fought valiantly." He commends, "And Iida..." He gazes at Tenya, who does the same with a stunned look, "You'll make a great Ingenium... send my regards to Tensei..." He adds in final, "Become great heroes!" He exclaims in final words as the rocks collapse on him and Ao.
Once the dust cleared, everyone was stunned, "Mr. Mugino..." Tenya utters.
"Can't be... Shoto trails.
"No way..." Sarada too.
"..." Konahamaru gazes firmly, taking a step forward, "He assessed the situation until the very end." He knows, "He'd rather sacrifice his life protecting his friends, than be a burden on any of them. That's the sort of guy he is."
"Yes... now that's a true hero." Manuel adds, solemnly.
"..." Katsuki gazes, sure Mugino was harsh the first time they saw him, but in the end, he showed true heroism out of them all.
While they stand quietly for a few seconds, the rocks start to move, "!" The group is alerted as a prosthetic hand breaks out.
"He's still-!" Boruto gets into battle position, so does Izuku and Tenya.
"Guys! Wait!" Komago halts, "We'll retreat for the time being."
"But-!" Izuku tries to reply.
"He's right, we can't let Mugino's sacrifice go in vain." Manuel agrees with Komago with a close of his eyes.
"Damn...!" Tenya grits his teeth as they all begin to retreat out the cave.
"This is stupid... we could take that old bastard down while he's in the ground!" Katsuki states inwardly, not pleased with this tactic.
After the group retreats, Ao busts out of the prison of debris, battered, but showing no signs of damage, "..." He see that the Pros/Interns are gone and voices with a serious gaze, "Scurry and struggle while you still can." He adds in declaring, "I'm not letting you get away... not a single one of you."
Kara's hideout:
In the dining room, Jigen sits near the table with his arms crossed in waiting for something, "..." He has his eyes closes until Code comes out of nowhere and tries to get him with a palm-strike, but the leader easily catches it and easily throws Code over.
"Guh!" Code hits the wall and falls down.
"You still have a long way to go." Jigen said, revealing it to be a test.
"Tch!" The Inner sits up and brings up, "About the traitor..." He asks, "How about letting me handle it?"
"You have another job, don't you?" Jigen replies.
Standing up completely, "I don't have to be the one to do it!" Code exclaims, eagerly.
"It's a very important job to complete out plan." The leader reminds, "Are you dissatisfied?" He asks, telling that the young Inner isn't on complete board with his task.
"Not really." He answers, truthfully, gazing away before proceeding to walk out the dining room.
In the hallway, he walks by Delta, who smugly comments, "What were you talking to Jigen about?"
"That's none of your business." Code replies, bluntly.
"You seem quite desperate to get into his good graces. I think I'm gonna cry!" Delta taunts, sarcastically, "But it's so unfortunate that Jigen likes "him" the most and not you." She proceeds on.
"..." Code gazes before deepening his expression in annoyance.
Forest area:
The group takes cover in a messed-up building as they regroup from Ao for the time-being. Sarada uses the foam-healing spray to heal Konohamaru's wounds.
"Your Scientific Quirk Tools really are something, Doctor." Komugo compliments.
"..." Katasuke gazes down in thought.
"At the moment, it doesn't seem like our pursuers are closing in on us." Mitsuki notices.
"Yeah... the puppets, or Ao." Shoto adds.
"As soon as we're done treating Komago, we need to get away from here." Sarada suggests.
Tenya punches the ground, gritting his teeth in frustration at what happened back there, "Mr. Mugino... damn it!"
"Ao's attack was fatal." Konohamaru reveals, "He made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect his comrades."
"Tch... he was right there and we did nothing." Boruto voices frustration.
"If only... there was way that could have been avoided..." Izuku trails.
"This is no time to be sad. It's up to us to carry out Mugino's will." Manuel said.
"I know that!" Tenya exclaims, still frustrated deeply, "But this is just too much..." He shakes his fist.
"Iida..." Shoto voices.
"I never thought a hero from the Great Society War would end up being an enemy." Sarada states.
"Believe it." Katsuki chimes in, in a scoff, "That old bastard's disgraced the name of a hero and turned into a villain completely!"
"Seems so. He's also a former pro who has supported Mist city since the time of the previous Kage hero, Mei." Komago explains, "His skills are terrifying."
"What's more, the scientific quirk tool implanted in his body spell trouble." Mitsuki adds.
"he was looking for the contents of that container that was inside of the airship..." Manuel trails, "He intends on getting rid of us for snooping around."
"What did it contain that was this important?" Shoto asks.
"We don't know, but..." Komago trails, taking out his flash drive, "We have to do whatever we can to get the back to headquarters for thorough analysis. It may provide clues about our enemy."
"but, he's probably nearby searching for us." Mitsuki said, "Making it difficult to escape, right?"
"Yeah." Komago nods, "If we want to prioritize getting this back, it will be wise to split up into two teams." He holds up the flash drive, "You guys take this and go while I stay to distract him."
"Wait a second!" Izuku halts, "We can't lose you as well, Komago."
"Don't get the wrong idea, Midoriya. This decision is meant to ensure this intel gets delivered." Konohamaru assures.
"But Komago, you're already exhausted." Sarada says.
"It's best if you take it easy while we do all the work." Boruto adds.
"They're right, it's too dangerous and you're gonna need our help." Shoto adds.
"I understand how you all feel, but-!" Komago trails.
"Are you all right with this? We need to get back at him for Mugino!" Tenya remarks, seriously.
"I know that!" Komago argues, "But that's all the more reason we need to make decisions calmy. Mugino would have done the same thing if I were to die."
"As if we have anytime for that! The answer is simple, we kick that geezer's ass." Katsuki speaks up, "All we've been doing up to now was running away and I'm so damn sick of it!" He exclaims, "I'm not going anywhere and your selfish order ain't changing my mind!"
"Selfish order? It's to make sure this mission is a success!" Komago argues.
"Everyone, clam down!" Manuel breaks up, "This is no time to argue amongst ourselves." He adds before looking at Konohamaru, "But Komago... I'm with the interns on this one. The best chance we have is if we fight together."
"Manuel..." He trails.
"Umm, I have a suggestion." Katasuke speaks up, getting their attentions, "I believe I'm more suitable to be the decoy. Please allow me to do it."
"What?!" Izuku, Sarada, and Tenya exclaim.
"Dr. Katasuke?!" Manuel too.
"There's no reason for you to do that." Boruto assures.
Katasukue shakes his head, "But there is." He gazes in a low expression, "You could say that I brought this situation upon us."
"You did, doctor?" Shoto asks.
"What do you mean?" Shoto questions.
The doctor explains in recall, "It was around the time when I watched the rest of you perform at the Sports Festival. I was hypnotized by someone with a mind-control quirk, and psychologically manipulated, it seems." He said, surprising them, "And I leaked my knowledge of the Scientific Quirk Tools."
"What are you saying?" Boruto asks.
"It's been a total mystery who had casted that upon me, but with everything that just happened, it's totally clear who the culprit was." Katasuke puts the pieces together.
"So that mean's it's him..." Shoto knows.
"Ao." Mitsuki finishes, knowing too in reveal.
"Yes. That's why I said that I caused this situation." Katasuke confirms.
"In short, the enemy attacked us with tools developed from technology stolen from you, Doctor?" Sarada asks.
"Correct." He nods, "Not all of it is mine, but they probably made use of my technology."
So that's why the enemy has such advanced Scientific Quirk Tools..." Shoto gets it.
"This is not your fault, Doctor." Konohamaru assures, "It couldn't be helped. The enemy is at fault for manipulating you with their quirk."
"I did something that warrants hatred." Katasuke shakes his head, still ashamed of himself, "The misuse of the Scientific quirk tools, however is inadvertent, and ended up creating a monster like Ao. And because of that, Mugino was..." He gazes away, "My remorse is endless." He looks back and declares, "That's all the more reason why I have to take responsibility for all of this."
"No shit." Katsuki states out, not pleased, "Scientific Quirk tools shouldn't have been created in the first place!"
"Hey, Bakugo!" Sarada exclaims at his statement.
"That's what you're thinking too, isn't it, doctor?" The hothead knows and guesses.
"..." Katasuke gazes low.
Boruto walks over and picks up one of the parts to his battle-suit, "You know, the scientific quirk tools I saw at your lab was different... they were actually pretty fun." He admits, surprising everyone.
"Same here." Izuku adds as well, "It was an exciting experience when I used them." He adds, "It's meant to make people happy, not sad, isn't it?"
Katasuke's surprised to here these statements before Tenya adds, "However, Ao is different. He misused those scientific quirk tools and killed Mr. Mugino to suit his own needs." He tightens his fists and grimaces, "That's something I can't let go either."
"Iida..." Sarada trails.
"Don't worry. I won't make the same mistake again, like before in Hosu." Tenya assures, "Acting out of hatred or vengeance was one of worse things I committed... but this is different." He declares firmly, "I'll help in defeating him, because he's now a criminal."
"Ignoring this isn't possible either." Shoto speaks up, "If he runs loose, there will be more victims and people will get the wrong idea about quirk tools." He adds, "And hate them without knowing what they can do."
Putting the suit glove on, "If these are tools to make people smile, then don't you need to smile yourself, Doc?" Boruto asks, positively.
Katasuke gets little teary eyed and delightful replies, "Yes!" He gives a fist-bump.
"This is even perfect, because it means that we won't have to use anyone as a decoy, right guys?" Izuku asks.
"..." Komago and Manuel gaze.
"I agree with them." Sarada smiles.
"Me too." Mitsuki as well.
"Hmph. Let's go and kick his ass already." Katsuki said, impatiently.
"Well, we can't let these kids show us up, can we?" Manuel asks Komago.
"You're right." He agrees, "We'll defeat Ao without letting anyone else die." He announces, "That's our win condition, so let's make it out of this alive!"
Boruto puts on the absorption-glove and adds, "And while we're at it..." He activates the chakra-saber too, "Let's show Mr. Ao the right way to use these tools!"
"Yeah!" His fellow interns agree completely(aside from Bakugo, who just gazes away with arms crossed)
Meanwhile:
In another part of the forest, "..." Ao marches around in search of the Pros/Intern group, dead set on not petting them getting away. As he gazes around, he comes to a stop as the wind breezes.
"Destiny is quite full of irony." States an echoing voice, "I never expected the enemies to be students of U.A., in particular, the winner of the Sports Festival, Fire Fox's son."
Ao knows who's speaking and reveal, "Koji Kashin."
The Inner comes from behind a tree and comments, "It's not like you to let them get away." He adds, "Were you overcome with emotions because of them? As a former pro hero."
"As far as being a hero is concerned, that part of me is long dead." Ao replies and admits, "Nowadays, I'm a mere tool who's being kept alive due to science... that's right. Merely a "tool" that only fulfills the objectives of Kara as an outer." He adds, "The same as a scientific quirk tool... I don't have things like 'emotions'."
"Splendid... such outstanding professionalism. That's what I like about you." Koji smirks, "However, the same goes for them..." he adds, referring to the hero group, "As professional heroes and interns in-training, it seems like they'll try to defeat you with all their strength. It might only be a matter of time before they sniff out the true identity of the vessel."
"Why don't you deal with them yourself?" The outer asks.
"This is a test for you." Koji reveals, "It's easy to just say what you just said. but can you really discard your emotions and eliminate all of your former compatriots?"
"Heh." Ao gazes up, "With the flip of a switch, I'll kill the enemy, just like a Scientific Quirk tool." He states, "I have no emotions."
"Very good." The Inner is pleased to hear, "I'm looking forward to your results."
With the flap of his cloak, Koji walks away, leaving Ao to resume his pursuit of the hero/intern group, "My goal is to break away from the life of a hero and prove that, I'll defeat them with Scientific Quirk Tools." He declares inwardly as he tightens his gloved fist.
Back to the group:
"Listen up. He' armed with the quirk-absorbing Gauntlet he stole from Dr. Katasuke." Konohamaru explains.
"So, he can likely absorb most, if not all of our ranged attacks, right?" Sarada gets it.
"So the only thing we can do is beat him down in close range, rendering that gauntlet useless." Shoto said.
"That's true, and we have the advantage in numbers, so it's easy to corner him from all angles and beat him down." Tenya states.
"It won't be as simple as that though." Manuel says otherwise, "It's an experienced war veteran and former pro, so numbers ain't gonna mean automatically got him."
"So... what do we do?" Izuku mutters.
"We'll actually use that gauntlet to our advantage." Komago speaks up, getting their full attentions, "We'll use our quirks at him and while he's distracted with absorbing them, we'll strike from his blind spot." He adds, "He didn't have a blind spot back when he had the Byakugan in his right eye."
"The Byakugan... he had that?!" The freckle teen exclaims, surprised.
"Yeah, but he lost it during the war." Komago reveals.
"That's even better from where we stand." Shoto said.
"That means we can use surprise attacks on him." Sarada adds.
"In order to absorb ranged-attacks using the gauntlet, one needs to create an Absorbing sphere first." Katasuke explains, "In other words, he needs to create a sphere for absorbing."
Since he has a glove on, Boruto uses it himself and an orb is in his palm, "You mean this thing, right?" He turns it off.
"Yes." The Doctor confirms this, "As you can see, it only takes a second, but creates an opening."
Turning an orb back on, "That's true." The whiskered teen gets it.
"If we can use that, we can deal with Ao's quirk bomb attacks, so we can get in close." Mitsuki states.
"Yeah, we'll create the opening." Manuel said, "We're counting on you to take him down, Uzumaki."
"Leave it to me!" Boruto nods.
"Hold on, why does whiskers get to hog all the fun?! I'm beating that old bastard down too!" Katsuki exclaims hotheadedly.
"We'll need you with the operation of getting through Ao's defenses." Konohamaru said, "And with the rough tenacity you give off, it'll be a lot easier."
"Being the bait just for whiskers to be the start of the show isn't what I signed up for!" Katsuki explained.
"K-Kaachan... calm down." Izuku tries halting him.
"Don't touch me, ya damn nerd!" Katsuki pushes him back.
"Oh quit your complaining Bakugo, it's not like you're using these tools." Boruto taunts, mischievously.
"I don't care for using cheap craps like those, moron!" Katsuki exclaims dramatically.
"Yeah, yeah." He shrugs, getting the hothead more pissed off.
"Bakugo, relax." Manuel halts, "You'll just have to deal with what we got."
"..." Katsuki grits his teeth, "Damn it...!"
"Heheh." Boruto activates the chakra-saber, "Back on topic, leave it to me to finish Ao!" After stating this, he begins to feel the draining of his energy, "Ah..." He feels off and fall back.
"What?" Sarada blinks twice.
"H-Hey, Boruto?!" Izuku stammers.
"Sheesh... this thing is dangerous." He sits up, "It's chakra depletion is no joke!"
"That much?" Shoto asks
"Yeah, I can feel it rapidly draining my strength." He replies.
"HA! And you guys are counting on him to finish the job? How lame!" Katsuki brags.
"Oh yeah? Least I'm not stuck as one of the baits, idiot. Then again, it suits ya." Boruto remarks.
This really strikes a nerve in Bakugo as a large tick mark is shown, "THAT'S IT, YOU'RE DEAD!"
"Knock it off!" Konohaamru exclaims as as Tenya holds Katsuki back.
"I mentioned it at the lab, but that prototype is not yet suited for practical use." Katasuke explains while screwdriving the glove on Uzumaki's arm, "It's power if impeccable, but it's not easy to handle."
"Come to think of it, you did say that." Izuku remembers.
"Looks like it's only suitable for when you attack." Shoto said.
"Guess so." Boruto holds up the saber.
"I'm done adjusting the size of the gauntlet." Katasuke finishes, "Please adjust the wrist one on your own, young Uzumaki."
"Thank you." He replies.
"Good grief, it's literally a double-edged sword." Sarada said.
"That's right. Powerful tools are like that." The scientist confirms, "This is a situation where there aren't any cheat codes, like in a video game for example."
"Yeah I know." Boruto nods, holding the screwdriver, "It's like using your quirk, where practice makes perfect, right?" He said, which Katasuke agrees.
"Looks like we're all set." Izuku said.
"Yes." Tenya nods.
"All right everyone, let's commence the operation!" Konohamaru stands up now, and they all agree in being ready to take down Ao.
Ending 7 "Datte Atashi no Hiro" by LiSA
Opens up in the morning skies above Coruscant as it changes to shots of the training grounds, highways, and speeders flying through the air.
We then see Padawan Izuku leave his coordinates and happily running off to training, but ends up tripping/falling on his face, upon looking up, he sees fellow Padawan Boruto extending a hand to him with a grin, with Padawans Ochaco, Tenya, and Sumire being there too. Izuku smiles brightly as his blonde friend helps him up by hand.
Next shoots to Shoto in his coordinates, in a sitting position and as closes as he meditates near his opened window. After being done, he opens the door to see the MC's and his fellow padawans, which makes him crack a smile. As they walk in the hallways, they greet Sarada, who waves, and Mitsuki, who smiles casually, both Padawans as well. The group walk by the training grounds to see Katsuki cutting down a couple trees with his lightsaber in fury. When they call out in telling that it's time for training session with Jedi Master Aizawa, the hothead exclaims at them dramatically in not needing it.
This is when the sky goes dark/overcast and all Padawans look upward to see Kara Droids levitating above them, forcing the teens to get in battle positions, igniting their green Lightsabers with serious grimaces. We cut to the young Padawans taking on multiple Kara Droids: Uzumaki slicing one down by it's head and Midoriya slicing one in the middle. As it appears though they're surrounded, they receive backup from the rest of their fellow Padawans (Eijiro, Shikadai, Tsuyu, Iwabe, and everyone else in the class with their green lightsabers ignited). The MC's grin/smile with a nod before they continue the fight with increased numbers.
As the fight continues in the destroyed field, everyone starts to tire down, and another unit of Kara droids approach, the renegade Sith apprentice: Kawaki, ignites his red Lightsaber and uses force-lightning to electrocute half of them, surprising the teen Jedi's at his arrival. He grimaces at the Padawans, but decides to fight in lending a hand.
With this extra amount of strength from a new ally, the group stands united and perseveres in dealing with the rest of the Kara droids: Kawaki force-crushes two, Bakugo slashes one with a battle cry, Sarada and Mitsuki doing a combined slash, and Shoto force-pushing one into the other. With the droids dealt with, they face the last one, an enormous Kara Mega-Droid towering over them.
Despite how bruised, battered, and tired they are, the united front aren't ones to give up and the MC's charge before doing a Jedi high-jump in meeting the foe head-on. Everyone roots for the duo to finish this fight, including Bakugo(who grins) and Kawaki(who grimaces with wide eyes). Uzumaki's lightsaber changes to dark-blue while Midoriya's changes to light-blue, and with the final blow, they slash the enormous Mega-droid in half, defeating it and ending the battle.
It goes white as it was the pages read in a 1-A textbook before the song closes.
The fight against Ao continues in the next chapter. Look forward to the team attacks our interns gonna show, along with the use of Scientifc Quirk Tools.
Until next time and thanks for reading!