My hero system

by Dr.Cats

Izuku gains a mysterious system granting him video game-like classes, skills, and quests. Marked as "early access," he has two years before the full release to uncover its secrets. As he grows stronger, Izuku must choose: follow his idol's heroic path or forge his own, even if it leads to a darker destiny.

31. Chapter 31 USJ incident Part two

Chapter 32 U.S.J incident Part two

They entered the bus, Izuku and Mei quickly finding seats next to each other. Mei's eyes immediately lit up with excitement as she adjusted her goggles, leaning forward to chatter energetically.

"Oh, Izuku! You're gonna love what I brought today, these new babies are going to blow everyone's minds! I've upgraded some of my support gear, but I'm keeping it a secret." She winked playfully, tapping her finger to her lips.

Izuku chuckled softly, amused by Mei's usual enthusiasm. "C'mon, Mei. You realize I helped you design and build like half of your gear, right? It's not exactly a surprise for me."

Mei folded her arms dramatically, pouting slightly. "Hey! Maybe I wanted to surprise you for once. You're always the genius around here, mister 'can-analyze-any-quirk-in-two-seconds-flat'. Can't you let me have this?"

He laughed warmly, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll pretend I don't know anything about it, okay?"

Just then, the rest of class 1-A started piling into the bus. The atmosphere became lively and filled with chatter as the students quickly found their seats, each excitedly discussing their expectations for the upcoming training.

Suddenly, a loud gasp echoed across the bus. Toru Hagakure stood near the front, grinning brightly, now fully visible thanks to Izuku's guidance. Several girls immediately crowded around her, eyes sparkling with amazement.

Ochaco Uraraka was the first to react. "Hagakure! You look adorable! I had no idea your eyes were so pretty!"

Mina Ashido leaned in excitedly, grabbing Toru's hands. " It's a shame you've been invisible this whole time. Hiding all that cuteness from us!"

Toru laughed brightly, her cheeks flushed pink. "Guys, this feels amazing! Izuku helped me finally control my quirk! I can turn visible whenever I want now!"

She quickly ran down the aisle to where Izuku sat, throwing her arms tightly around his neck, her face beaming with gratitude. "Izuku, thank you so much! You're my absolute hero!"

Izuku scratched the back of his head sheepishly, cheeks turning slightly red from the sudden hug. "It's nothing, Hagakure, really. I was just helping out a friend."

Toru released him with a soft giggle, stepping back and looking at him fondly. "You're way too modest. You changed my life today!"

Mei playfully elbowed Izuku's ribs, whispering loudly, "See? This is exactly why I gotta keep a closer eye on you. Girls are just throwing themselves at you!"

Izuku coughed awkwardly, his blush deepening. "C-come on, Mei, don't tease me."

Nearby, Melissa Shield observed their interaction with quiet curiosity. Her gaze lingered on the easy, playful closeness between Izuku and Mei. She couldn't help but feel a tiny pang of confusion. Leaning slightly forward, Melissa asked bluntly, curiosity overcoming her hesitation.

"Um, Izuku? Sorry to be so direct, but… I thought you were with Rumi? You two seemed really close."

Izuku froze, his entire body going stiff as his eyes widened. Slowly, he cleared his throat and rubbed his neck nervously. "Ah, well, yeah. I am dating Rumi. Officially."

Bakugo immediately barked out a harsh laugh from the back of the bus, crossing his arms and glaring challengingly at Izuku. "What the hell, Deku? Dating? I thought you were busy making out with that weird fox chick! Everyone saw you swapping spit!"

Izuku sighed deeply, visibly annoyed as he turned toward Bakugo, irritation flaring slightly in his eyes. "First of all, stop calling me Deku, Angry Pomeranian. Second of all, yes, Himiko—the 'fox girl'—is also my girlfriend. I'm dating her too."

A deafening silence overtook the bus for a heartbeat before it erupted into absolute chaos.

"Wait, WHAT?!" Kaminari shouted, his jaw dropping. "You're dating two girls? Like, simultaneously?"

Momo Yaoyorozu gave Izuku a concerned glance, shaking her head softly. "Midoriya… I didn't take you for that kind of person."

Mineta suddenly jumped up, tears streaming dramatically down his cheeks. "It should've been ME! Not him! It's not fair! That's my DREAM!"

He was swiftly silenced by Tsuyu Asui, who calmly slapped him across the face with her long tongue. "Calm down, Mineta. You never had a chance anyway."

Izuku raised his hands quickly, trying to calm the rising tension. "Whoa, whoa, hold on! Listen, it's not like that! Everything is consensual, okay? Everyone involved is completely aware and happy with this arrangement. It's… it's a relationship based on trust, respect, and mutual affection."

Yui Kodai, who merely gave a small nod, seemingly accepting his words quietly.

Eijiro Kirishima grinned widely, nodding enthusiastically. "Wow, Midoriya! I mean, if everyone's happy, then good on you, man! It's unusual, but you're clearly manly enough to handle it!"

Izuku relaxed slightly, relieved that at least some of his classmates understood. "Thanks, Kirishima. Honestly, we all just live together like a family. We take turns doing chores, cuddling, going on dates, even babysitting Eri. It's pretty normal for us."

At the mention of 'babysitting their daughter,' the bus plunged into another moment of stunned silence.

"Wait, babysitting?" Mina nearly shouted, eyes widening dramatically. "You guys have a kid already?"

Izuku groaned quietly, covering his face with one hand. "It's not quite like that—"

Mei leaned over swiftly, flicking him firmly on the forehead. "Izuku, seriously, sometimes you really need to know when to be quiet!"

Izuku rubbed his forehead with a sheepish grin. "Yeah, I know, I'm working on it."

Before he could say anything more, a crowd of students pressed forward, bombarding him with a flurry of eager questions and excited chatter.

Ochaco leaned in, her eyes sparkling. "Izuku, you mentioned babysitting a little girl? Can we see her? Do you have pictures? I bet she's adorable!"

Mina practically bounced out of her seat, her enthusiasm overflowing. "Yes! Show us the pictures! I bet she's like, super cute!"

Izuku chuckled softly, pulling out his phone with a warm, affectionate smile. He swiped through a few photos before finally settling on one of Eri smiling brightly, her eyes shining with pure innocence as she clutched a stuffed unicorn.

"Here," he said softly, holding up the phone for the group to see. "Her name's Eri."

Immediately, squeals and coos filled the bus as several girls leaned in close, practically melting over the image.

"She's so precious!" Mina gushed, her hands clasped together. "Izuku, you totally have to bring her to class sometime! We could play with her and everything!"

Tsuyu tilted her head curiously, croaking softly in agreement. "She looks very sweet, Midoriya. I'd love to meet her."

Before Izuku could respond, Kaminari suddenly grinned mischievously, elbowing Sero. "Hey, dude, we should totally show Aizawa-sensei. Technically, he's like her grandpa now, right? Since he's dating your mom and all!"

A tense silence suddenly fell over the bus, broken only by Bakugo's poorly suppressed snort of amusement.

Then, without warning, a scarf shot through the aisle, tightly wrapping around Kaminari, who let out a startled yelp.

Shota Aizawa stepped forward, appearing at Kaminari's side seemingly out of nowhere, his eyes glaring with exhausted annoyance.

"Shut it, Kaminari," Aizawa grumbled darkly. He turned slowly to face Izuku, eyeing the phone suspiciously. "Midoriya. Where exactly are this child's parents?"

Izuku's heart skipped a beat, anxiety seeping into his voice as he looked up nervously at his teacher. "Uh… well, we're taking care of her now."

Aizawa's eyebrows knitted together suspiciously. "I was under the impression you were simply babysitting for a family friend, Midoriya. Is there something you neglected to mention?"

Izuku swallowed hard, sensing the intensity of Aizawa's stare. He hesitated slightly, scrambling for words. "Well, I mean—her original guardians aren't exactly around. It's complicated, but we're basically her caretakers now."

Aizawa narrowed his eyes further, an odd flash of recognition crossing his features. He'd seen this girl before—during the times he'd quietly observed Izuku from afar, long before the boy had enrolled at UA. The realization made his stomach churn with embarrassment, as he quickly suppressed the memory. He absolutely could not admit to stalking his now student, especially in front of the entire class. Hizashi and Nemuri would never let him live it down.

Thankfully, before the teacher could ask anything more, Ochaco leaned forward again, changing the subject. "Hey, Izuku, can I ask something? You seem to get along super well with the girls, but you don't really talk to any of the guys. Why is that?"

Her question hung in the air for a moment, causing Izuku's expression to stiffen. He fidgeted slightly in his seat, his gaze dropping uncomfortably to the floor.

"Honestly?" Izuku finally spoke, his voice softer, carrying a weight of quiet discomfort. "I… I haven't exactly had the best experiences with guy friends before. Pretty much all my experiences were negative—just bullies and jerks. It's hard for me to trust people after what happened."

Eijiro Kirishima's eyes widened sympathetically, his trademark grin softening to a concerned frown. "Come on, Izuku! Not all guys are like that. You can trust us, man! We can hang out and do some manly stuff together—working out, hero training, just normal friendship stuff."

Izuku glanced up at Kirishima, clearly torn between wanting to believe his words and feeling the sharp sting of past betrayals. "Kirishima, look… I wish it was that easy, but I just can't. It's not you guys personally, it's just—I have my reasons. And they're good reasons."

Kirishima tilted his head, leaning forward earnestly. "Seriously, dude, I get that you had bad experiences, but we're not like them. Can't you give us a chance?"

Mei gently placed a hand on Izuku's shoulder, nodding encouragingly. "You really should, Izuku. These guys seem genuinely nice. Maybe it's worth opening up a little."

Izuku let out a heavy sigh, his voice lowering to nearly a whisper. "Last time I trusted a guy, I ended up nearly dying, okay? He invited me to hang out, said we were friends, and instead, I was thrown into a death match. I barely made it out alive."

Izuku immediately slapped both hands over his mouth, eyes wide with panic as he realized what he'd inadvertently confessed. The bus fell deathly silent, every student turning to stare at him, their eyes filled with varying degrees of shock, disbelief, and concern.

Mei and Aizawa, however, shared a brief knowing glance. Mei immediately moved closer, slipping her fingers gently around his trembling hand, interlocking their fingers tightly together. She squeezed softly, comfortingly, her voice gentle as she leaned closer, whispering so only he could hear clearly.

"Hey, Izuku, I'm sorry," Mei murmured softly, concern coloring her usually playful tone. "You don't have to hang out with them if you don't want to. Is this... still really affecting you?"

Izuku's shoulders slumped, and he shook his head, clearly trying to appear stronger than he felt. "No—well, I mean, a little. I almost died that day, Mei, and now I just blurted it out in front of everyone like an idiot."

Mei smiled warmly, pulling him closer until his head rested gently on her shoulder. Her voice softened even further, reassuring and protective. "Izuku, relax. Okay? I always did wonder why you mostly hung out with girls. I never pushed, because it was your thing, but I get it now."

She glanced up sharply, her eyes narrowing with a sudden playful menace directed at the boys on the bus. Reaching into her lab coat pocket, she dramatically pulled out her customized revolver, spinning it casually with a wicked grin. "But if any of these guys ever try something shady, don't worry—I'll handle it personally."

Nearly every boy on the bus recoiled visibly, faces going pale with fear. Kaminari immediately raised his hands defensively, eyes wide. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hatsume, nobody said anything about death threats! We're good guys, right dudes?!"

Sero nodded vigorously, sweat dripping down his forehead. "Totally, Kaminari's right! No death matches here, promise!"

Bakugo scoffed loudly, rolling his eyes and crossing his arms stubbornly. "Tch, you extras are pathetic! Scared of some crazy chick with a gun? Grow a damn backbone!"

Shoto remained completely unfazed, watching Izuku with quiet, thoughtful eyes, seemingly unaffected by Mei's threat. Aizawa simply pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a deep, long-suffering sigh.

Mei, satisfied her threat was properly understood, turned back to Izuku, a smug little smile playing across her lips. Izuku, despite everything, chuckled softly at her antics, gently squeezing her hand.

"Mei… You're seriously the best," he murmured softly, leaning closer and pressing a quick, gentle kiss to her lips. It was brief, innocent, but affectionate enough to catch the attention of the entire bus once more.

Immediately, Mei's expression brightened, her voice suddenly loud and enthusiastic. "Oh, I know! And you know what, Izuku? Tonight, when we get home, I'm gonna make sure we make a ton of babies!"

Every girl on the bus immediately erupted into loud, enthusiastic squeals and delighted shrieks, completely drowning out anything Izuku or Mei tried to say next. Mina threw her hands up dramatically, practically bouncing in her seat. "OMG, OMG, Mei! Are you serious? You two are already at that level?! Midoriya, you sly little broccoli!"

Ochaco clasped her cheeks, face turning a bright shade of red. "B-Babies?! Already?! That's so fast, Mei-chan!"

Momo blushed furiously, stammering, "H-Hatsume-san, M-Midoriya-san, is this truly appropriate at our age?!"

Izuku's face immediately turned a deep shade of crimson, panic overtaking his features. "Wait, wait! Guys! That's not—we're not—"

But before he could finish, Kaminari dramatically threw himself onto the floor of the bus, clutching his chest as though wounded. "My poor, innocent heart! Midoriya, how could you steal all the ladies and now make babies too?! IT'S SO UNFAIR!"

Mineta was practically foaming at the mouth with envy, tears streaming down his cheeks. "IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME! Why, oh gods of heroics, WHY?!"

Aizawa finally snapped out of his exhausted stupor, eyes wide with sudden panic as he jumped forward. "Midoriya! Hatsume! Absolutely not! You two are far too young! This is completely inappropriate—"

Izuku waved his hands frantically, his voice climbing several octaves in sheer panic. "SENSEI! Everyone! That's NOT what she meant! Mei, please, explain to them!"

Mei's face, now bright red with embarrassment at the sudden misunderstanding, tried desperately to correct the chaos she unintentionally unleashed. "No, no! You guys misunderstood! Babies is our code-word for inventions! Izuku and I always say that when we're building stuff together!"

But the class was too far gone, completely ignoring the explanation.

"Ohhhh, 'building stuff together', huh?" Kaminari snickered with a sly grin, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. "That's what you kids are calling it these days?"

Mina leaned forward, giggling hysterically. "Yeah, Hatsume! Sure thing! We totally believe you and your totally innocent 'baby-making inventions!'"

Mei looked at Izuku helplessly, groaning loudly. "Izuku! They won't listen! Help!"

Izuku dropped his head into his hands, laughing despite himself, face flushed bright crimson. "Oh my god, Mei, why did you phrase it like that? We're never living this down…"

Aizawa shook his head in utter defeat, muttering under his breath. "These kids will be the end of me…"

The entire bus continued laughing, teasing, and shouting playful accusations, the mood completely chaotic but undeniably cheerful. Izuku leaned back in his seat, Mei nestled comfortably against him, their fingers still tightly interlocked.

She gave his hand one more reassuring squeeze, smiling gently up at him. "Sorry, Izuku. Guess I made it worse, huh?"

Izuku chuckled softly, shaking his head fondly. "Maybe a little, but you know what? It's fine. I wouldn't trade this for anything."

Mei smirked softly, eyes sparkling with warmth. "Good. Now brace yourself, we're probably gonna be teased about this forever."

Izuku sighed dramatically, grinning. "Oh, trust me, I'm very aware."

Aizawa rolled his eyes, clearing his throat loudly to get everyone's attention. "Alright, enough already. Everyone, back in your seats. We're about to arrive, so settle down and try to act like heroes for once."

The class reluctantly quieted down, a few lingering giggles and whispers punctuating the silence as they watched the USJ slowly come into view through the bus windows. The massive structure loomed ahead, an impressive domed building surrounded by expansive grounds, all carefully divided into clearly marked simulation zones. Izuku leaned forward slightly, eyes sparkling with excitement as he studied each specialized zone: mountainous terrain, a fiery urban environment, a stormy maritime simulation, and even a collapsed building scenario.

As the bus slowed and eventually came to a halt, everyone eagerly stood up and quickly filed off. Izuku stepped down, taking in the impressive sight of the facility as Mei practically bounced off the bus next to him, her pink hair bobbing enthusiastically.

"Wow," Izuku breathed out softly, clearly impressed. "This is way bigger and cooler than I thought."

Mei clapped her hands together gleefully, her eyes gleaming with the familiar excitement she always had around new gadgets or unique inventions. "I know, right? Look at all those beautiful testing grounds! My babies will have plenty of space to shine!"

Izuku chuckled, gently nudging her with his shoulder. "You really can't wait to show off your inventions, can you?"

Mei turned to him, her smile radiant. "Nope! Today's the day the whole world—or at least Class 1-A—sees just how amazing my tech is!"

The rest of the class gathered behind them, murmuring excitedly as they entered the facility. They moved as a tight-knit group, eyes widening in awe as they took in the complex and carefully designed environments. Ochaco's jaw nearly hit the floor as she stared at the simulated cityscape filled with rubble and collapsed buildings.

"Oh my gosh! Look at all of this!" Ochaco squealed excitedly. "This feels like a real disaster site! This is incredible!"

Melissa Shield nodded enthusiastically, clearly impressed as she stood close to Izuku. "It's absolutely state-of-the-art! Even I-Island doesn't have a setup quite like this for rescue training."

As the group marveled at their surroundings, a cheerful yet authoritative voice suddenly rang out from the nearby entrance. "Welcome, Class 1-A! I'm so glad you're finally here!"

Everyone turned to see Thirteen approaching, clad in her iconic astronaut-style suit. The hero walked forward confidently, a friendly wave greeting the students as they quickly gathered around her. Her voice was warm and inviting yet carried a note of seriousness as she began addressing them.

"As you all know, my Quirk is Black Hole," Thirteen began clearly, her tone calm yet commanding everyone's complete attention. "It allows me to create incredibly powerful gravitational fields capable of absorbing nearly anything—making it highly dangerous, but also incredibly useful in rescue situations. Remember, young heroes, the power of a hero's Quirk isn't measured solely by its combat capabilities, but by its ability to save and protect lives."

The students nodded seriously, hanging onto every word as Thirteen continued her speech, her passion evident.

"Which is why today, we have a special collaboration to help you further your rescue skills." Thirteen extended her arm dramatically toward Mei, who practically vibrated with excitement beside Izuku. "Thanks to Mei Hatsume from our Support Department, we'll be testing cutting-edge support gear specifically designed to help heroes in search-and-rescue operations."

All eyes turned to Mei, who stepped forward dramatically, her expression glowing with pride and enthusiasm. "Exactly! I've prepared several of my latest creations—my babies!" She eagerly gestured toward a large, heavily reinforced container nearby. "Right in there are devices that will revolutionize how heroes approach rescue missions! Enhanced scanners, specialized mobility gear, collapsible exosuits for heavy lifting—everything you can imagine, and more!"

Kaminari whistled appreciatively. "Dang, Hatsume! You really went all-out this time!"

Mei beamed brightly, puffing out her chest proudly. "Of course! Only the absolute best for my favorite guinea pi—I mean, classmates!"

Izuku chuckled, gently placing a supportive hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure your inventions will be incredible, Mei. They always are."

She turned to Izuku, grinning happily, her eyes practically sparkling. "Oh, you better believe it, Izuku! And you'll be the first to try out the new exosuit—think of all the debris you'll move!"

Izuku smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Uh, looking forward to it, Mei…!"

Thirteen let out a small laugh, gently clapping her hands to regain attention. "Alright, everyone! We'll be splitting into teams shortly. Your task is simple: test out the support gear, familiarize yourselves with the equipment, and practice your rescue skills in these challenging environments. Use this opportunity to learn, grow, and above all, be safe!"

The students quickly began talking excitedly among themselves, eyes shining with anticipation. Mina bounced eagerly on her toes, hands clasped tightly together. "I'm SO hyped! New gadgets, rescue scenarios—this is gonna be amazing!"

Eijiro pumped his fists, equally thrilled. "Heck yeah! Let's get out there and show everyone how manly rescue missions can be!"

Even Shoto, usually reserved, nodded with quiet enthusiasm. "It'll be useful to practice these skills. Combat isn't everything."

Izuku took a deep breath, smiling widely as he turned back to Mei, offering her a reassuring thumbs-up. "Ready to change the world with your tech, Mei?"

She flashed him a confident, dazzling grin, grabbing his arm and hugging it tightly. "Absolutely, Izuku. Just you watch, by the end of today, everyone's gonna know just how incredible my babies are!"

The students erupted into cheers, excited and eager to get started. Izuku smiled warmly, feeling the buzz of anticipation around him—but that excitement abruptly shattered when a familiar alert sound chimed inside his head.

[Quest Received: Defeat and Capture the Three Villains]

Izuku froze, heart hammering in his chest. What? A quest here? Confusion quickly turned into alarm as he whipped around, eyes narrowing in on a dark, shadowy portal slowly swirling open in the center of the plaza. That portal—he recognized it instantly.

"Wait—no way," Izuku whispered under his breath, his jaw tightening as his senses screamed in warning.

From within the smoky depths, three figures calmly emerged. The first was a man with ragged silver hair, crimson eyes, and a disturbing, manic grin: Masterhand, the very same man who had been gaming with Eri just days ago. Beside him stood Blue Inferno, a scarred figure with piercing turquoise eyes and flickering blue flames crackling along his fingertips. Completing the sinister trio was Shadowvoid, the impeccably dressed figure made entirely of swirling darkness and mist.

Then, Izuku's eyes widened further as a towering creature lumbered out behind them—an abomination of rippling muscle, gray skin, and a grotesquely exposed brain, complete with a wicked, birdlike beak lined with razor-sharp teeth. It wore nothing but simple shorts, yet its sheer presence radiated menace.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me…" Izuku muttered, fists clenching tightly at his sides.

Nearby, Aizawa tensed immediately, his scarf unfurling menacingly around him. "This isn't part of the exercise," he growled, eyes narrowing sharply as he stepped forward protectively in front of his students. "Thirteen, get the students out immediately!"

Kaminari fumbled with his communicator, panic rising in his voice. "Sensei! Our comms—they're being jammed! I can't reach the school!"

Izuku didn't hesitate. Focusing his telekinesis inward, he urgently reached out to Rumi and Himiko, sending a desperate, silent plea through their shared mental connection. "Rumi, Himiko—the school is under attack! Villains at the USJ! Alert the faculty immediately!"

Their voices instantly echoed back, tight with alarm. "Understood, Izuku! We'll inform them right away—stay safe!"

Izuku exhaled sharply, turning quickly to his teacher. "Aizawa-sensei! The school has been informed about the villain attack! Backup should be coming soon."

Aizawa looked briefly taken aback, eyebrows knitting together, before quickly shaking off his confusion and nodding tersely. "Fine. Thirteen, hurry! Take the class and evacuate!"

Izuku stepped forward, heart racing as determination surged within him. "Sensei, that's a bad idea! Let me handle them—I can hold off these villains while you protect everyone!"

Aizawa's eyes widened in shock at his student's brazen proposal. "Midoriya, are you insane?! There's no way I'll let you face them alone!"

"Listen!" Izuku cut him off urgently, speaking rapidly and clearly. "The one in the suit—Shadowvoid—he controls portals. If we don't act fast, he'll separate all of us instantly! But if you're protecting the students, you can cancel out his Quirk long enough to prevent that. I can hold them off. Trust me!"

Aizawa hesitated, visibly conflicted. "Izuku, I know you're strong, but you're still just a student! I can't allow you to risk your life like this—it's my responsibility to protect you!"

Izuku's eyes darkened, memories of his previous battles flooding his mind. "Sensei, you saw the footage. You've seen me fight—I've been through worse, and I'm stronger now than I've ever been. Let me handle this. I can do it!"

His voice shook with raw emotion, but his resolve was ironclad. He stared unwaveringly into Aizawa's eyes, silently pleading for the teacher to believe in him. Aizawa's jaw tightened, a complex storm of emotions flickering in his gaze before he finally sighed heavily, shaking his head.

"Midoriya... I understand your logic—I truly do—but you're still my student. I can't let you do this. Get back with the others. That's an order."

Izuku clenched his fists, frustration boiling beneath his composed exterior. "Sensei…!"

"No arguments, Izuku," Aizawa said firmly, his voice brooking no further protests. "I have faith in your abilities, but right now your safety comes first. Now go!"

Izuku clicked his tongue sharply, frustration evident on his face. "Yes, sir," he reluctantly conceded, his voice tight. He turned and moved swiftly back towards the group of frightened students huddled around Thirteen, who was already directing them urgently toward the exit.

As Aizawa sprinted toward the plaza below, scarf swirling like a lethal weapon around him, Izuku ground his teeth, feeling helpless despite his own strength. He hated this feeling, this inability to protect everyone personally. Yet he knew he had no choice but to trust his teacher's judgment—for now.

Aizawa wasted no time, immediately diving into the mass of villainous grunts that surged toward him. His movements were a masterclass in agility, precision, and brutal efficiency. Villains cried out as he rapidly disabled their quirks, delivering crushing blows with his fists, knees, and his binding scarf. The villains tried to retaliate, but they were hopelessly outmatched by his experience and skill.

One villain lunged at Aizawa with a blade-like quirk, shouting with fury, "Die, hero!" But in a swift, almost effortless maneuver, Aizawa sidestepped, snared the villain's wrist with his scarf, twisted, and slammed him hard into the concrete, instantly knocking him unconscious.

Another villain attempted to blindside Aizawa from behind, but the teacher reacted instantly, ducking low, flipping the assailant over his shoulder, and delivering a precise, incapacitating strike. Villain after villain fell to Aizawa's relentless counterattacks, their cries of pain echoing through the expansive dome.

Meanwhile, Izuku, still herding the students to safety alongside Thirteen, glanced over his shoulder anxiously, heart pounding with frustration and concern as he watched his teacher battle the horde. He whispered quietly to Mei, gripping her hand tightly for reassurance.

"I should be down there helping him, Mei. I could—"

She squeezed his hand back firmly, her voice trembling with concern. "I know you could, Izuku, but Sensei's right, you've gotta trust him. Your chance to fight might come soon enough."

Izuku inhaled sharply, nodding with obvious reluctance. "You're right. I just hope backup arrives soon."

As the students began moving toward the exit, a chill ran down Izuku's spine when he saw Masterhand, Shigaraki, point a twisted, gloved finger toward their group, his crimson eyes filled with bloodthirsty glee.

"Kurogiri, Dabi, start dividing them!" Shigaraki snarled with manic excitement. "Let's break these heroes apart and crush them one by one!"

A massive swirling portal formed abruptly in front of Thirteen and the students, causing them to skid to a halt, cries of alarm and panic echoing loudly.

Izuku instinctively moved in front of Mei protectively, eyes blazing with determination and resolve as he prepared for whatever was about to emerge. He silently promised himself he would protect his friends, classmates, and Mei no matter what.

Kurogiri swiftly materialized another shadowy gate, coordinating seamlessly with Dabi as he launched a vicious torrent of searing blue flames from the darkness. The flames erupted forth, spiraling wildly, filling the air with blistering heat. Thirteen barely managed to conjure her quirk in time, desperately absorbing the flames into a miniature black hole, her suit straining under the immense pressure.

"Stay behind me!" Thirteen shouted, her voice trembling with urgency as sweat beaded down her forehead. She swung rapidly from side to side, continuously deflecting the incoming firestorms. Her focus was so locked onto the flames that she failed to see the dark tendrils emerging beneath their feet.

Izuku's instincts flared immediately. "Watch out!" he shouted, diving forward just as Kurogiri's shadowy tendrils rose up swiftly, snaking around half the class. Screams filled the air as students were dragged into the swirling void. Izuku lunged, snatching Mei tightly against his chest, summoning emerald-green psychic wings from his back, narrowly avoiding the grasping darkness as he soared upward.

Holding Mei firmly, Izuku maneuvered skillfully through the maze of twisting black portals. His mind raced frantically, processing the chaotic battlefield in an instant.

"Let me at them!" Mei growled fiercely, her golden eyes blazing with fury as she pulled several concussion grenades from her belt. Without hesitation, she hurled them directly into the nearest swirling portal.

"You wanna play dirty? Take this!" she shouted angrily.

On the other side, Dabi's eyes widened in shock as multiple concussion grenades exploded simultaneously in front of him, blasting him backward violently. He crashed onto the ground, skidding several feet across the concrete, groaning loudly in pain as smoke rose from his body.

"Dammit...!" Dabi growled, pushing himself shakily to his knees, his vision blurry. Before he could fully regain his balance, Izuku suddenly dove through the portal, a blur of green and white.

"You're not getting away!" Izuku roared fiercely, twisting gracefully through the air and delivering a spinning kick directly into Dabi's midsection. The impact resonated through Dabi's body, launching him upward. The villain spun helplessly in mid-air, a ragdoll caught in a violent cyclone, before slamming back onto the ground with a painful thud, completely stunned.

Izuku wasted no time, immediately pulling out a flashbang grenade from his jacket. "This ends now!" he shouted decisively, tossing the flashbang high into the air, timing it perfectly as it detonated in a blinding burst of brilliant white light.

Kurogiri recoiled, blinded and disoriented, momentarily defenseless. Izuku surged forward, arm cocked back and imbued with energy. He unleashed a devastating punch that landed squarely against Kurogiri's metallic neck brace. The force rippled through Kurogiri's mist-like body, sending him staggering backward in shock.

As Izuku stood tall amidst his foes, breathing hard, his emerald eyes blazing fiercely, Shigaraki emerged from the shadows, a twisted grin forming beneath his ragged silver hair. The villain's red eyes widened with a strange sense of recognition.

"Wait..." Shigaraki rasped, scratching at his neck compulsively. "You're that broccoli brat… aren't you? The one Eri calls 'Papa'..." His expression twisted further, a dark chuckle spilling from his lips. "Small world, isn't it?"

Dabi groaned, slowly pushing himself off the ground, glaring irritably. "Great, the babysitter showed up," he sneered sarcastically. "Just our luck."

Kurogiri straightened, recomposing himself, and addressed Izuku in his calm, polite tone, even amidst the chaos. "Midoriya-san, we have no interest in harming you. You're important to someone we care about. Step aside peacefully, and no further harm will come your way."

Izuku clenched his fists tightly, his voice shaking with rage. "You seriously expect me to just stand aside while you attack my classmates and teachers?! Not a chance! Take your monsters and get out—right now!"

Shigaraki growled irritably, losing patience. "Oh, shut up already! You're nothing but an inconvenience. Tell me, hero—where is All Might? He was supposed to be here!" The villain's voice grew dangerously soft, his fingers twitching violently. "Did he decide to abandon all of you to save his own pathetic life?"

Izuku's eyes darkened dangerously. His teeth clenched, veins bulging visibly on his forehead. "Don't you dare talk about All Might! I'll tell you one last time, leave, before I make you regret ever stepping foot in this place!"

Shigaraki smirked sinisterly, clearly amused by Izuku's bravado. He flicked his fingers dismissively. "Nomu," he commanded coldly, addressing the hulking abomination standing patiently nearby, "knock this annoying brat unconscious, but don't kill him. I don't want to deal with a crying child later."

Kurogiri swiftly vanished into a swirling shadow, reappearing near the frightened students, ensuring none could escape. A wall of shadowy mist rose ominously, boxing them in. The students huddled together, their eyes wide with panic.

Izuku's gaze hardened, his eyes blazing with defiance as the monstrous Nomu charged, its massive feet shaking the ground violently with each thunderous step.

The creature swung its gigantic right fist, aiming a brutal, bone-crushing blow directly at Izuku's skull. With an instinctual grace born from rigorous training, Izuku bent his knees, twisting his torso fluidly, narrowly avoiding the fist as it whizzed past him, inches from his face.

In response, Izuku lunged forward, his right fist blazing with ki, smashing it squarely into Nomu's exposed abdomen. A shockwave erupted on contact, but the monster barely staggered, its grotesque beak splitting open in a horrific, distorted roar.

"What…?!" Izuku gasped, quickly springing back, eyes widening in disbelief. "It didn't even flinch?"

Shigaraki's mocking laughter echoed from the sidelines. "Oh, did I forget to mention?" he taunted gleefully. "Nomu here has a handy little quirk—shock absorption. All your cute punches and kicks are pointless."

Izuku gritted his teeth in frustration, adjusting his footing, his mind racing. "Fine, let's try something else."

Nomu lunged again, both fists swinging in wide arcs. Izuku ducked swiftly, using his ki-enhanced reflexes to weave expertly between the ferocious swings. He ducked under a left hook, pivoted smoothly, then slammed a powerful spinning kick into the creature's ribs. The blow struck with immense force, but Nomu simply shrugged it off again, growling deeply.

"No damage…" Izuku muttered desperately. "Maybe internal…!"

Izuku swiftly channeled his ki, thrusting his palm forcefully into Nomu's chest, attempting to disrupt its internal organs with precise bursts of concentrated energy. For a brief moment, Nomu's muscles spasmed violently, veins bulging grotesquely beneath its ebony skin.

"It's working!" Izuku shouted triumphantly—but his victory was short-lived. The monster rapidly shook off the effects, standing upright again as if nothing happened, its twisted, dead eyes fixating maliciously back onto Izuku.

Shigaraki's cackle filled the arena again, sadistic joy evident in his voice. "Oh, and did I mention? Rapid regeneration. Even if you manage a fatal strike, Nomu will heal instantly. Isn't he beautiful? The perfect counter for your precious All Might."

Izuku growled fiercely, sweat dripping down his forehead. "Dammit," he hissed under his breath, "this thing is nearly invincible."

Dabi smirked from the side, extending his charred hands. "Enough playing around, broccoli boy!" Blue flames erupted violently from his palms, roaring toward Izuku like a blazing tsunami.

Izuku quickly reacted, leaping backward and twisting his body in mid-air, narrowly avoiding being incinerated. Flames licked dangerously close, scorching parts of his pristine white suit, blackening the edges. He winced from the searing heat but regained his balance swiftly, landing gracefully.

"Come on!" Izuku shouted, frustrated. "Two against one isn't exactly fair!"

Nomu lunged forward again, arms spread wide, aiming to crush him with sheer brute force. Izuku quickly ducked, rolling agilely to the left. He used his left hand to propel himself upward, flipping through the air and landing smoothly several feet away. Immediately after landing, he backstepped again as Dabi unleashed another barrage of fireballs, the scorching heat singeing his eyebrows.

"Too slow!" Dabi taunted, laughing cruelly as Izuku struggled.

Watching anxiously from the stairs, Mei's teeth clenched with determination. "Damn it," she whispered urgently, her eyes scanning the chaotic scene. "He's in trouble."

Taking a deep breath, she swiftly grabbed one of her smoke grenades from her belt and hurled it forcefully to the ground. A massive cloud of smoke enveloped her, obscuring her actions completely.

From within the smoke, the sound of metal locking into place echoed loudly. Suddenly, the cloud dispersed dramatically as Mei charged forth, now piloting a colossal mech suit—a towering metal construct, complete with a rotating machine-gun turret mounted on its left shoulder and an immense hammer held securely in its mechanical right hand.

"Hands off my broccoli!" Mei shouted defiantly, barreling straight through the horde of villains that tried desperately to halt her advance. Bodies scattered left and right as the massive mech plowed through effortlessly, roaring towards Izuku's battlefield.

Dabi's blue eyes widened in shock. "The hell is that thing?!"

He fired multiple bursts of flame, which Mei swiftly dodged by pivoting her mech sharply, the mechanical legs bending and shifting fluidly as she dodged the attacks. Her turret whirred loudly, spraying a hail of rubber bullets toward Dabi, forcing him into a defensive retreat.

"Mei?!" Izuku shouted, horrified. "What are you doing here? You're not in the hero course, get out!"

"Oh, shut it, Izuku!" Mei snapped back sharply, maneuvering her massive mech to Izuku's side. "Stop trying to be some macho lone wolf! It really doesn't suit you."

Izuku hesitated, frustration battling gratitude. "You'll get hurt! This isn't a dungeon crawl or a lab experiment, these guys are serious!"

"And you think I'm not?" Mei retorted fiercely, firing another round of projectiles at Dabi, who narrowly ducked. "I leveled plenty during our dungeon runs too, remember? I'm not some damsel waiting to be rescued!"

"Fine, but stay behind me!" Izuku shouted, finally relenting. "We have to find a way to take Nomu down together!"

Mei snapped into a playful salute, her lips curling into an impish grin. "Yes, sir!" she teased, her voice brimming with determination as her fingers rapidly danced over the controls of her enormous mech suit.

Izuku moved closer, quickly relaying his observations in a hushed, urgent tone. "This thing's got incredible shock absorption and regeneration. We won't beat it with brute force alone. We need to immobilize it."

Mei's amber eyes sparkled mischievously. "Immobilize it, huh? Easy enough!" she declared confidently, flipping a switch. Her mech's minigun whirred loudly as its magazine detached with a satisfying clunk, quickly replaced by another, loaded with large, metallic rounds, each filled with a viscous purple substance. "These babies shoot sticky goop. Even that monster won't be able to move if we cover it enough!"

Izuku gave her an approving nod, eyes glowing with newfound hope. "Perfect—let's do this!"

Immediately, they sprang into coordinated action.

Mei surged forward first, the mech's massive metal legs bending gracefully at the knees, then extending with powerful hydraulic thrusts, propelling her swiftly around Nomu. The gun barrels spun rapidly, emitting a mechanical roar as they discharged a rapid stream of thick, adhesive-laden bullets.

The rounds struck Nomu with rhythmic precision, splattering its grotesque form with heavy gobs of purple goo. Initially, the creature barely reacted, lumbering forward to counterattack. But soon enough, the sticky substance began to accumulate, restricting its limbs and slowing its movements considerably.

"Damn you!" Dabi snarled furiously, his eyes alight with intense azure flames. He thrust his charred arms outward, spewing forth torrents of blazing blue fire, trying to stop Mei's relentless barrage.

Izuku immediately sprang into action, dashing fluidly across the battlefield, intercepting Dabi's lethal flames with precise bursts of ki energy. He swiveled, leaning his torso forward and low, narrowly evading an inferno that grazed just inches above his head.

Seizing the opening, Izuku pivoted sharply, planting his left foot firmly before delivering a swift, ki-infused right punch into Dabi's stomach, a stunning strike that doubled the scarred villain over, gasping for breath. Not wasting an instant, Izuku's limbs blurred, raining down a flurry of rapid strikes, two fierce left jabs to Dabi's ribs, a crushing right hook to his jaw, and another brutal left uppercut beneath his chin. He concluded the combo with a powerful spinning back kick, his right foot driving deeply into Dabi's abdomen, sending him sprawling through the air and crashing into the ground several meters away.

"Take that, you bastard!" Izuku growled, sweat dripping down his face as he quickly repositioned himself defensively.

Mei's mech danced skillfully around the increasingly frantic Nomu, her hands expertly maneuvering the controls. The mechanical suit's thrusters ignited powerfully, allowing her to dodge Nomu's devastating swings. Each punch from the abomination shattered concrete beneath them, but Mei always managed to narrowly evade with deft movements.

"Stay still, damn it!" she shouted irritably, her minigun continuously coating the monster in thick purple adhesive.

For a brief moment, victory seemed close, the Nomu staggered, struggling furiously against the sticky bonds that constrained its immense strength.

But then, Dabi, his body smoldering with fury, forced himself upright again. He let out an enraged yell as blue flames exploded violently from his palms. A fiery bolt streaked toward the immobilizing goop covering Nomu, striking it head-on. The intense heat reacted violently with the adhesive, hardening it instantly before shattering it into brittle pieces.

"No!" Izuku yelled desperately, eyes wide with shock.

Instantly freed, Nomu lunged with monstrous speed toward Mei's mech. Izuku desperately charged to intercept, muscles straining as he sprinted across the battlefield, but it was too late. Nomu's colossal fist smashed into the metallic torso, tearing the mech suit in half like paper.

Mei gasped sharply, quickly ejecting herself upward at the last second. Mid-air, she whipped out her shotgun, gripping it tightly in her right hand. "Eat this, ugly!" she screamed defiantly, pulling the trigger.

The shotgun roared, blasting another sticky round straight into Nomu's face, completely engulfing its hideous features with viscous goop. She twisted gracefully mid-air, landing on the balls of her feet and rolling to disperse the momentum safely.

Nomu roared furiously, gripping its own face, easily tearing away the hardened adhesive as another flame projectile hardened the remnants.

Shigaraki, growing increasingly irritated at the interference, pointed an accusing finger at Mei. "Enough playing around! Take out that annoying girl—Eri might cry if daddy dies, but she still has three moms. Kill her!"

Izuku's eyes widened in horror. "Mei, watch out!"

He immediately lunged toward her, channeling ki to enhance his speed. Just as Nomu launched a devastating punch aimed at Mei's head, Izuku appeared in front of her, raising both arms defensively. The monstrous blow collided with his forearms, sending a jolt of intense pain shooting through his entire body, his muscles straining desperately against the unimaginable force.

He winced sharply but held his ground, arms shaking violently from the impact. "Stay behind me!" he gasped through gritted teeth.

Dabi capitalized on the opening, unleashing a searing torrent of blue flames. Izuku swiftly thrust out his left hand, forming a protective psychic barrier. Flames collided violently against the t ranslucent wall, sparks flying wildly as the barrier immediately cracked and shattered under the intense heat.

Izuku desperately rebuilt the barrier, again and again, each wall shattering faster than the last, the relentless flames inching dangerously closer.

"Dammit!" Mei cursed, attempting to fire her weapons through the psychic barrier, but her shots were blocked by Izuku's frantic defenses.

Suddenly, Nomu reappeared silently behind Izuku, a massive fist crashing brutally into his spine. Izuku cried out in agony, his barrier instantly dissolving. He stumbled forward, half of his body plunging into Dabi's blistering flames.

"IZUKU!" Mei screamed, horrified as she witnessed flames scorching his flesh.

Even as agony tore through him, Izuku forced another psychic wall around himself, briefly saving his battered body from complete incineration.

Nomu swiftly closed the gap toward Mei, grabbing her wrist with crushing force. She cried out in searing pain as the monster mercilessly twisted her arm, snapping the bone like a dry twig.

"NO!" Izuku roared, summoning every ounce of strength he had left. He dropped his defensive wall, fully exposing himself to Dabi's blazing assault as he lunged forward. He thrust his fingers viciously into Nomu's eye, causing the creature to momentarily recoil, blood spurting briefly from the wound before the regeneration kicked in.

But it was not enough. Nomu snarled, grabbing Izuku by the throat and hurling him across the concrete floor, sending him skidding violently several meters away.

Mei, tears streaming down her cheeks, adrenaline drowning her agony, whipped out her revolver. She fired repeatedly at Nomu's face, desperation clouding her vision. The bullets ricocheted harmlessly off its skin, useless against its monstrous constitution. With one last desperate attempt, she activated her revolver's electrical charge, sparks crackling, but even the intense shock was quickly absorbed, failing utterly.

Nomu's enormous hand reached for her head, poised to crush it.

"IZUKU!" she screamed one final time, her voice raw and filled with panic.

Izuku, lying broken and battered, forced his muscles to respond. Pain screamed through every nerve as he struggled to rise, tears blurring his vision.

"MEI!" he shouted desperately, knowing he had to act, knowing he couldn't let her down.

Izuku activated every skill he had left, his muscles screaming in protest as he bolted desperately toward Mei, eyes wide with fear and desperation. "MEI, HOLD ON!" he roared, the sheer agony evident in his voice.

But the monstrous Nomu saw him coming. With terrifying ease, it sidestepped Izuku's reckless charge and swung its massive fist into his chest, landing a sickening blow. Izuku felt an audible crack, pain exploding through his torso as several ribs fractured instantly. The force catapulted him violently through the air, his body skidding across the harsh, unforgiving concrete until he slammed near the edge of the artificial lake, splashing icy water around him.

He gasped desperately, blood sputtering from his lips as agony surged through every nerve ending. "Dammit… DAMMIT!" he hissed, fists clenching, his vision blurry but still locked onto the horrific scene unfolding before him.

Mei struggled weakly, limbs trembling, desperately kicking and fighting against Nomu's iron-like grip. Tears streaked her cheeks as she shrieked Izuku's name again, her cries raw with pain and fear. "IZUKU! IZUKU, HELP—PLEASE!"

"Stop…please…stop…" Izuku begged, staggering weakly to his feet, his body shaking violently, barely holding together. His heart nearly burst from his chest at the sight of Mei being ruthlessly slammed into the ground over and over again by the merciless creature. Each sickening impact echoed hauntingly in Izuku's ears, accompanied by the grotesque crackling of bones and Mei's pained whimpers.

"MEI!" he screamed, his voice cracking under the weight of despair.

Nomu's massive hand swung one last time, releasing Mei's limp body, which fell broken and bruised, soaring lifelessly toward Izuku. Summoning the last shreds of his strength, Izuku lunged forward desperately, catching her battered form in his trembling arms. His legs buckled under the force, collapsing to his knees as tears blurred his vision.

"Mei…?" Izuku whispered frantically, cradling her carefully. Her face was streaked with blood, her lips parted as shallow, ragged breaths barely escaped. Her once bright, lively eyes were dull, unfocused. Her beloved goggles lay shattered nearby, lenses cracked, smeared with blood—her own blood.

"Oh God, no…" Izuku murmured, panic and despair seizing his heart like a vice. His hands trembled uncontrollably as he quickly fumbled in his inventory, pulling out one of the strongest healing potions he had left. He brought it to her lips, gently tipping the bottle, his voice breaking with desperate hope, "Please, Mei, drink…please stay with me…"

His system's alerts flooded his vision mercilessly.

[CRITICAL CONDITION! CRITICAL CONDITION!]

"Don't you dare die on me, Mei…!" he whispered harshly, desperately pleading as the potion dripped slowly into her parted lips. His heart hammered erratically, terror gripping him as he held her tightly against his chest, feeling the faint, ragged breaths struggling to escape her battered body.

A twisted chuckle ripped through the air, sinister and mocking. Shigaraki stood at a distance, his scarlet eyes burning with sadistic amusement. Beside him, Dabi's cold laughter mingled, flames flickering from his fingertips. The burned villain sneered cruelly, "You heroes never know when to quit. Should've stayed out of our way, hero wannabe."

Shigaraki's red eyes gleamed malevolently as he raised a pale, cracked finger, calmly commanding the hulking beast: "Nomu, deal with the teacher. Make it painful."

Izuku could only watch in paralyzed horror as Eraserhead tried valiantly to resist, his red eyes blazing desperately as he activated his quirk to no avail. The monstrous hand wrapped around the teacher's skull with terrifying ease, and in a sickeningly fluid motion, slammed Aizawa headfirst into the concrete.

The nauseating crack of bone echoed cruelly through the cavernous space, Eraserhead's agonized scream cutting through the air. His limbs snapped brutally, the sickening crunch reverberating through Izuku's very bones. Blood pooled quickly beneath his battered body, and the once-unbreakable pro hero lay limp and broken, his breathing faint.

"NO!" Izuku choked out, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face, every muscle in his body quivering with grief and rage. The mocking laughter of Shigaraki and Dabi filled the air, their cold voices stabbing deeper into Izuku's already shattered heart.

"I…Izuku…" Mei whimpered softly, her fingers twitching weakly as she fought consciousness. Her eyes glazed with agony, tears mingling with blood streaming down her cheeks. "I'm sorry...I just…wanted to help..."

The world blurred around Izuku as Melissa, Tsuyu, and Mineta emerged from the water nearby, drenched and wide-eyed with fear and shock.

"Midoriya!" Melissa cried out, eyes widening in horror at the bloody scene in front of her. She trembled uncontrollably, struggling to move forward, uncertain how to act or help.

Izuku gripped Mei tighter, protective rage rising within him, overshadowing all his fear and pain. His eyes flared dangerously, teeth clenched as he gently laid Mei down and rose, his voice steady but filled with dangerous promise.

"You…" he growled at Shigaraki, each word laced with venom. "You're not leaving here until I've made you regret every single thing you've done."

Shigaraki tilted his head mockingly, clearly amused. "Oh? And what exactly do you plan to do about it, little hero?"

Izuku's fists clenched tightly at his sides, energy crackling around him as the air grew dense, charged with deadly intent. "I'm going to make you regret laying a finger on her."

Shigaraki's grin faltered, replaced momentarily by uncertainty. But he quickly recovered, snapping his fingers dismissively toward Nomu. "Finish him."

The world froze from Izuku's perspective. All noise faded into a deafening silence, his mind consumed by haunting images of Mei's broken, bloodied form being slammed ruthlessly against the ground, her agonizing screams still echoing sharply through his ears. His eyes were wide and unblinking, unfocused, as a tidal wave of fury surged uncontrollably through him.

His system, overwhelmed, erupted into chaos—warnings and alerts flashing repeatedly across his vision in bold red lettering:

[Error! Quest failed: Capture the villains!]

[Emergency! Retreat quest initiated: Escape the area immediately!]

[Warning! Retreat advised! Escape and regroup!]

Each notification appeared frantically, desperately urging him to flee.

But Izuku didn't move, couldn't move. His mind raced, rage burning away the confusion. With trembling fingers, he scrolled desperately through his system, searching, pleading silently—until a new prompt emerged, pulsing brightly amid the sea of errors:

[New Quest Available: Kill All Villains.]

His eyes locked onto it, the world around him fading until the only thing visible was the mission, highlighted in crimson clarity.

Targets: Tomura Shigaraki, Kurogiri, Dabi, Nomu.

Reward: 10 Levels Per Villain Eliminated.

The words echoed in his head like a grim prayer.

But Izuku didn't even care about the reward, not anymore. His humanity, his morals, his mercy, all vanished beneath a boiling sea of pure, visceral wrath. He embraced it willingly, his once bright eyes clouding over into empty, bottomless pits brimming with hatred and malice.

"You think I'll let any of you leave here alive?" Izuku growled through gritted teeth, his voice a chilling whisper laced with venom. "You're wrong. So wrong."

Slowly, methodically, his fingers curled into claws. A vibrant, razor-edged psychic aura erupted violently from his hands, forming deadly crimson claws crackling with murderous intent. The energy pulsed ominously, an echo of his searing rage made tangible.

Melissa shield sprang forward, her body lit by crackling bolts of lightning, determined to aid her friend. "Izuku, wait—I'll handle the flame villain! Please just hold on!" she shouted desperately, charging toward Dabi with determination blazing across her features. Her hair whipped wildly behind her as the power of One For All surged explosively from every fiber of her being, arcing like a storm, ready to unleash justice.

Izuku didn't respond, couldn't respond. His entire world narrowed down to the hulking, grotesque beast charging toward him. Nomu lunged, throwing a fist forward with brutal force, aimed straight for Izuku's head—a strike certain to kill if connected.

Yet Izuku simply exhaled slowly, shifting into his stance, his eyes glaring fiercely, filled with nothing but an endless abyss of hatred. Calm yet deadly, he whispered to himself, a chillingly composed voice laced with killing intent:

"Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist."

With swift, fluid precision, Izuku stepped forward, meeting Nomu's monstrous blow head-on. A massive shockwave erupted as their fists collided, blasting away debris and rocking the earth beneath them. Every spectator's jaw dropped, eyes widening in disbelief at the sight of the young hero-in-training standing firm against the beast that had torn his mentor apart.

Ignoring the agony of bones cracking, the searing pain shooting through his battered body, Izuku twisted gracefully, channeling Nomu's overwhelming strength back into the beast. With surgical precision, he concentrated that energy into one devastatingly powerful slash, his psychic claws ripping violently through muscle, tendon, and bone.

Blood spurted violently as the Nomu's massive right arm flew from its torso, tumbling lifelessly across the floor. Yet even amid the grisly scene, Izuku felt nothing but a grim satisfaction. Blood streaked his own face, dripping down his chin, a cruel testament to the raw power he had just unleashed.

His trembling frame shook uncontrollably from the sheer backlash of the strike, but he didn't fall. Instead, his lips curled upward slowly—a twisted, sinister smile that sent chills down every spine. This wasn't the heroic grin of All Might, nor the determined smirk of confidence—this was something darker, something utterly monstrous, born from the depths of his hatred and despair.

Dabi and Shigaraki exchanged a startled, uncertain glance, the atmosphere around them shifting from arrogance to fearful caution. Shigaraki took a hesitant step backward, eyes wide with sudden unease.

"What… what the hell is he?" Shigaraki muttered, voice cracking slightly as genuine fear clawed its way into his throat.

Dabi gritted his teeth, fire flickering anxiously at his fingertips. "Just kill him already, Nomu!"

The Nomu, undeterred by losing an arm, lunged forward again with unnatural speed, regenerating rapidly even as it attacked. But this time Izuku's dark smile only widened further, blood dripping from his split lips as he whispered in chillingly quiet defiance:

"I'll kill you all. I'll make you suffer like you made her suffer."

Author's Note: Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you so much for your continued support. As we move into some darker territories in the story, I'm excited to see how our 'Broccoli Boy' handles the challenges ahead. Please make sure to leave your thoughts and reviews. Your feedback is incredibly important, and I'm looking forward to hearing what you all think as the story progresses. Stay tuned for more intense action and deep dives into the characters' struggles. Thanks again!