The day before…
The Student Council Room was dead quiet as me and my friends sat in the chairs beside the table in the center of the room. To be more specific, it was me, Hiyori, Horikita, Sudo, Hirata, Koenji, Manabu, and Sakayanagi. Kacchan and Albert were also present though they stood in the back of the room. Kacchan must have felt that he should keep his distance from me after what I said to him the other day. Albert on the other hand was acting under Ryuuen's orders, so I didn't know whether he wanted to be here or not. As for Tsukishiro, he stood in the front of the room where the whiteboard was. It seemed like we were all accounted for, though oddly enough it felt like someone was missing. Though I wasn't alone in this sentiment.
"Is there a reason why we haven't started going over tomorrow's plan yet?" Suzune asked getting to the straight point as she always did. But while she was a bit 'blunt' about it I was pretty used to that at this point. I also felt the same way for the most part. The air in the room was almost suffocating. And the lack of talking didn't make it much better. Not that I could see why things were that way. What we were about to discuss would be what would culminate in the end of everything. The final battle between me and my friends against Ayanokoji. Of course, he too had allies which was why it was imperative to finalize the plan for the raid tomorrow on their HQ. Though before that-
"Of course. I'm not one to waste any of your time, much less my own. But I figured that who is about to join us would be someone… that you all might hold a repulsion for. Though in order to win not a single card in the deck must be wasted so to speak." Tsukishiro declared before showcasing a familiar small blue orb in his hand before flicking it into the air. And the moment it landed on the ground, out came someone out of thin air just like a magic trick. And needless to say, it was truly someone unexpected. His short brown hair and red eyes almost reminded me of Ayanokoji for a moment. But it wasn't him! It was-
"Ya-Yamauchi!?" I yelled out before almost falling out of the chair I was sitting on. Though thankfully I was saved before I could hit the ground by one of Hiyori's feathers which propped me back onto the seat. But I couldn't help myself! Just why was Yamauchi of all people here all of a sudden?! Though Tsukishiro noticed my reaction and smirked a bit. I noticed this and I couldn't help but think he was pulling a prank on me as my eyes twitched a bit in response to the devious look on his face. But I wasn't the only one who was surprised by this.
"What is the meaning of this? Yamauchi has no place here. He's just a… guy." Suzune spoke before her voice trailed off for a moment as she clearly thought on how to finish her sentence without insulting Yamauchi. That was the result. As for 'that guy' he sat there quietly while avoiding making any eye contact with any of us. But Horikita wasn't necessarily wrong. By all accounts and purposes, Yamauchi really was 'just a guy.' He didn't have a Quirk… or so I thought but before I could learn that startling truth, Sudo sat up from his chair, and wordlessly approached Yamauchi. And then…
'BAM!' Sudo slugged Yamauchi across the face much to the surprise of everyone in this room, aside from Tsukishiro and Koenji. Though I didn't know that last part, much less what had gone down while I was facing off against Kacchan and shortly before that too. Even still I just couldn't believe it.
"Sudo! What are you- I shouted before being cut off by him, gripping Yamauchi by the collar of his school uniform and what he said right after that.
"Do you seriously have nothing to say after all the shit you pulled?! HUH?!" Well, you better speak up now before I clobber you into next Tuesday bastard!" Sudo shouted with a face full of anger thought I couldn't see it since his back was facing me. Though the tone of his voice made it abundantly clear that he was pissed and rightfully so. Even as my memories were deteriorating one after another, I made sure to write down several things within Hero Notebook No. 14, that I shouldn't forget. Ike's demise was one of those things, along with his shared friendship with Sudo and Yamauchi. They used to be inseparable. But now Sudo's best friend had been revealed to have perished by Ayanokoji's hands who took the former's identity for himself. Though that wasn't all. Not by a long shot.
"…" In spite of that, Yamauchi kept silent with a face full of regret while gritting his teeth to point they could shatter. Sudo noticed this and bit his lip hard enough for it to bleed. And just as he was about to punch him in the face once more-
"That's enough. Put him down now. Roughing him up any more won't do anyone any good." Tsukishiro declared with a serious expression with one of his blue orbs between his fingers in the event that Sudo does not comply. Sudo didn't notice that as he stared at Yamauchi but surprisingly enough the former let the latter go, though begrudgingly so. Sudo then turned around though before he moved any further, he had one more thing to say to his 'friend.'
"You're a real piece of work, you know that?" Sudo muttered under his breath though Yamauchi heard it and closed his eyes as if to reject everything around him as a bad dream. But this wasn't a dream. This was reality. And whatever Yamauchi had done was enough to break his bond with Sudo to pieces. It made me sad to see it unfold with my own eyes. I didn't even want to imagine what could have happened to make Sudo so bitter when he used to always get along with Yamauchi. Even still the truth must not be shrouded in darkness. That is a sentiment both me and Horikita both agreed on. And as the pieces were slowly falling into place for me, they had painted a clear picture for Suzune.
"Professor… why would you include Yamauchi in any of this, if he betrayed us and joined Ayanokoji?" Suzune questioned with a stern voice as she figured out what I had wanted to avoid saying. After all, it's as if every time I expose the truth, it only ends up hurting other people. But even still, that's the only logical explanation to why Sudo is so angry and also why Yamauchi is here all of a sudden. Everyone around me has a Quirk. Yamauchi must also have one too. Though I'm not too sure which Quirk Ayanokoji gave him. Though it wouldn't be long before I learn what that Quirk along with the rundown of how things will go down tomorrow morning. But before that, Tsukishiro still had more to say.
"You don't need to call me 'Professor.' I might have taught the class you were enrolled in at one point or another, but you were not there, were you not?" Tsukishiro replied with a bit of a smirk. Horikita noticed this and put two and two together. But even as the puzzle pieces connected with each other in her mind-
"How much did I miss when I was in the hospital?" Suzune asked with a slightly horrified look on her face while there were plenty of other metaphorical puzzle pieces in the corner of her mind which she has no idea how each piece connects to each other. Hirata noticed this.
"A lot. Y-You missed a lot." Hirata said with a bit of a concerned look on his face as he didn't know where to begin after she was put in a coma, up to the point of when the League raided the forest. So much stuff had happened that it would take quite a while to explain everything in a way that made sense. For the record, Horikita knew that the reason why we were all barricading ourselves in the school was to avoid the Nomus outside, along with their Master and his minions. Though stuff like, Tsukishiro once being an ally to Ayanokoji, and the circumstances behind Yamauchi and Karuizawa's betrayals were not nearly as clear. Manabu realized that they had been withholding information and thought it would be for the best for his sister to know what they all knew.
"Tsukishiro. Explain." Manabu said before readjusting his glasses with his index finger. In response Tsukishiro replied with 'If you insist.' And then…
"When I was a boy- Tsukishiro spoke with a smile that couldn't be more fake though right as he was just starting to speak, he was immediately cut off.
"No, no, no! Not that far back!" Sudo yelled out with an annoyed look on his face as he knew a massive monologue was incoming like a speeding truck that he had no intention of going along with! Manabu felt the same way.
"I'd rather not agree with… 'him.' But please spare us the monologue and just get to the point. Manabu finished not before Sudo let out a low growl over being addressed as 'him.' He knew that the both of them had their fair share of differences, and since Sudo still has the hots for his sister, they were going to have to work through their 'differences' so to speak. Though that was for another time. For now, there were more pressing matters to attend too. Tsukishiro knew this and let out a sigh before muttering 'Kids these days.' Under his breath before continuing.
"Fine. I'll give you the 'cliff notes version.' So, while you were 'asleep' I took over for Ms. Chabashira after she was… 'relieved' of her duties. Me and Mr. Midoriya… we had our fair share of disagreements with each other. But I'll save you the trouble of having to listen to those. After that, Ms. Karuizawa was believed to have been murdered by some local ruffians. But it was a trick! And if you don't know she may or may not have an alternate personality now. If you think that's a lot, wait till you hear that I was part of the 'League of Villains.' But Ayanokoji, his father Atsuomi I mean, was killed by his son Kiyotaka. I hate to admit it, but it took me a little while to figure that out but when I did, I betrayed them by joining you kids." Tsukishiro explained with a smile on his face.
"…" In response, Suzune said nothing but stared blankly into the distance while blinking as if she believed for a moment that everything taking place before her eyes was just a coma induced dream and not reality. Tsukishiro noticed this and grinned even wider as he was abundantly enjoying this.
"Oh, and if you think that's a lot, wait till you here this! Mr. Yamada was part of the League as well! He betrayed them like I and Mr. Bakugo did. Same for Ms. Ichinose, though without a proper doctor to tend to her 'wound' I have her right here. You don't have to worry about her mental state though. In these little things, you're basically frozen without being able to think, I'm pretty sure a few Hollywood movies did something similar. Another person just so happened to have joined the League as well. Though 'he' never removed his mask. Ms. Kushida did the same thing, and she's an amphibian now. Any questions?" Tsukishiro asked with a shit eating grin on his face while twirling his blue orbs between his fingers.
"…" Suzune. EXE has stopped working.
"Actually, Kushida was turned into a reptile, not an amphibian. Though someone of your status should have already known that." Sakayanagi said with a wry grin on her face before letting out her iconic 'FUFUFU!' For all to hear! Though Tsukishiro didn't seem to mind being corrected since he was obviously having way too much fun due to Horikita's astronomical confusion. But the time for fun and games has long since passed. That's what I believed in even if I wanted to ignore what would happen tomorrow. But I couldn't ignore it. Not anymore. Because…
… There's still someone I have to save and someone else I have to defeat no matter what even if it means…
… I won't be able to be with all of them past tomorrow morning.
"That may be true. In fact, so much has happened since as far back as I could remember. So many things that may seem to transcend reality into fantasy. But I can assure you that everything that has happened has been very real. The people I met. The friends I gained. The memories that we created through our shared experiences. All of those moments that might seem trivial… have left a lasting impression on me." I admitted with a serious expression on my face while staring at nothing in particular. Maybe I didn't want to see their surprised looks. No, that's not it. I was trying to avoid them. Or more specifically the 'pain' that comes with meeting new people and having to say goodbye to them.
Even though Hiyori didn't say a word, she caught onto what I was trying to say and so did Horikita. (Though all the latter could do was bite her lip out of frustration.) I knew that since Shiina squeezed my hand with her own as if she was trying to tether me to our world for just a bit longer. But she knew that I had been walking on a thin tight rope for quite some time. And it wouldn't be much longer until that rope snaps. Whether it be tomorrow, or the day after that, I would soon have to abandon everything that I had come to know for the past year. It's not as if I wanted to believe that everything was hopeless. But I really couldn't see a way out of this long dark tunnel that stretched on endlessly. At least not for me.
However, I've been having the same 'dream' over and over again. My precious friends are together just like this, even Karuizawa is there. She's smiling. It's as if all is right with the world. Except…
… 'I'm' not there. There's no trace of 'Izuku Midoriya' in the slightest. It's almost as if I was never here to begin with. I haven't told Hiyori this since I know it would only worry her to no end. Alas the end is coming. I can feel it. Even as my memories are gradually slipping away. But that's exactly why I want to leave a lasting impression on them, the same as they did for me. I don't want to be forgotten. Not by them. Not by anyone else. Perhaps that's why I'm so desperately clinging onto my childhood dream of becoming the number one hero. Because if that were to happen…
… Then no one would ever forget me.
"Mi-Midoriya. That was quite introspective. Kind even. But why say that now?" Hirata questioned while trying to figure out why I would suddenly say such a thing. But I had no intention of letting him or anyone else know the truth. They needed to believe that everything would be alright. That everyone will survive. Including me.
"Just feeling sentimental, I guess." I replied with a smile that was as fake as the answer I gave. But it was all that I could do to dodge the question. To avoid the 'future' of where I'm not with them any longer. Though Hirata didn't seem completely convinced judging by the expression on his face. And just as he was about to probe me further suddenly the cries of someone within the room could be heard. It was from-
"… I-I'm… I'm sorry, Ken. I… I really didn't mean to do what I did. I mean it! B-But he, A-Ayanokoji! It was either work for him or die! I-I didn't want to die! Not until I got to live for at least a bit longer! I haven't even gotten to kiss a girl yet! Agh! There's so much shit I haven't done yet! I didn't want everything to end when I haven't done anything with my life yet! But I… even as pathetic as it sounds… please forgive me!" Yamauchi said weakly with his knees on the ground until his voice ended with a shout. In the midst of that tears streamed down his face and his nose sniffled erratically. I could tele instantly how regretful he was. That's why there was nothing pathetic about what he was trying to say in the slightest. And he needed to know that.
"Hey Midoriya. What are you- Sudo spoke until his voice was cut off as I closed the distance between myself and Yamauchi. I then lowered my body so that me and him were looking at each other. And then…
"I forgive you." I said with a smile on my face. Probably the first true smile that I had on my face in quite a while. All this time I've been forcing a smile onto my face as to not worry any of my friends. Even more than that I needed to be someone that they and everyone else can depend upon. It almost felt like I had forgotten to smile properly. But even though that seemed like the case, it all came naturally back to me the moment Yamauchi apologized profusely. Because even though he was being a bit selfish with his choice of words, it was a genuine apology. I didn't want to hate him or anyone else. Not even Ayanokoji. Because I earnestly believe that everyone can change for the better. And if that's the case…
… Maybe I should try and change my mindset too. I don't want to be pessimistic. I want to believe in a better tomorrow. A tomorrow where all of my friends are smiling and enjoying themselves. A tomorrow where I get to live alongside them. A tomorrow where nobody has to die.
Back to the present…
"SUZUNE! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" And that's exactly why I screamed louder than I have ever screamed before when news of that idealistic tomorrow was shattered to pieces. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. None of them could. But even though I didn't want to imagine it-
"…" My mouth was left agape as I couldn't help but imagine the worst-case scenario of what could have taken place between Horikita and Kushida. My friends must have imagined it as well because they were just as speechless as I was. But the sound I heard on the other end of the line before her earpiece was ruthlessly destroyed left very little room for doubt. Even still, the thought of what must have taken place wherever Warp Gate sent them, made me want to vomit, not that I had eaten much beforehand. But as intense shivers went up and down my spine to no end, I heard Kiyotaka Ayanokoji say 'Checkmate.' And it was at that moment something inside of me snapped.
"What did you just say?" I asked under my breath while staring directly at him. Ayanokoji was several meters away from me… for now. But I can close that gap in a second. Just one second was all I needed to ki- Though before I could finish that thought the monster before my eyes noticed the intensity of my glare and grinned.
"Are you really that surprised? Did you honestly think that things would go your way… Deku? That none of your precious friends would be killed? Well, it might be hard to tell now that Katsuki Bakugo has charred my outfit. But I can assure you that these clothes used to belong to that Frenchman. He and that foreigner woman… I killed him. I guess my only regret would be that I wasn't the one to end Hori- Kiyotaka spoke though before he could finish speaking-
'BAAAAAAAAM!' My fist hit him directly in his face! I didn't hold anything back and the result was his jaw being completely torn off! Everyone froze the moment this happened. Not even Ayanokoji thought that I could be so fast! That was his mistake! Because it's been a while since I've been this pissed off. And I'm not going to hold anything back. Not anymore! Not after all the pain and suffering he has caused my friends to undergo! And for that…
… I'LL BREAK HIM TO PIECES!
'CRAAACCCK!' The very next moment, I grabbed his right arm and snapped it like a twig! I didn't give him a chance to recover as I went for his other arm and broke it to the point that the bone in that arm stuck out! But I couldn't stop there! That's why my next target was for his legs! I had to make sure he would NEVER move EVER again! So, I broke his left leg! Then his right! Until none of his limbs would EVER work again! So that he will NEVER be able to so much as touch anyone EVER AGAIN! And now all there was left to do was to finish the job. But before that-
"Mi-Midoriya." Manabu muttered as quietly as a whisper as he could not believe what I had just done. He knew that I had been holding back when I fought against him. But he had no idea just how IMMENSELY I was holding myself back from causing any lethal damage. However, now it was clear as day for him to see just how far the gap between him and I were in terms of raw power. He wanted nothing more than to pummel Ayanokoji for what happened to his sister. But he couldn't do a single thing but watch as how I mercilessly broke that monster to pieces. He was scared to get remotely close over an overwhelming sense of fear that he might get caught in the crossfire. Though he was not alone in this sentiment.
"Holy crap." Hirata said. His jaw might as well have dropped to the ground. He was just about to attack Kiyotaka now that he was on the ground. But even with his impeccable speed, he simply wasn't fast enough to compare to me. Though it wasn't just that. There was more to it. I was fueled by rage. Rage that consumed me whole. Rage that demanded that I obtain revenge against him for EVERYTHING he has done. And it's that rage, that was about to make me do the unthinkable. Something that I would never be able to take back as long as I draw breath. And that was-
'SQUEEZE!' I wrapped my hands around his throat as I might as well have been extinguishing his life akin to a blowing out a candle. I wanted to believe that I didn't want to hurt him. That I didn't want to kill him.
'Not even Ayanokoji?' But Ryuuen saw through me completely. Because even as I wanted to believe that everyone can change for the better, and that there was no good reason for me to hate anyone knowing how their experiences were the result of their actions… even still… I-
"I HATE YOU! AYANOKOJI!" I declared while in the process of breaking his neck! But before I could-
'WHOOOOSH!' I was sent high into the sky before I even knew what happened! He must have Weather Manipulation to launch me off the ground! That bastard! Just when I had him in the palm of my hands! I'll crush you! I'll obliterate you! KIYOTAKA AYANOKOJI! But just as I noticed him down on the ground, staring up at me, he responded to me.
"The feeling is mutual." Kiyotaka declared before snapping his fingers while the broken bones in his body were fixed. And not even a second later-
'FWOOOOSH!' Multiple pieces of hail were sent flying at me like missiles! He must have been under the impression that I was going to use my Quirk to get myself safely back on the ground! That's why he wasn't going to let me get anywhere close to the earth much less himself ever again. Or at the very least he can try.
'BAM! WHAM! POW!' But he really must not have understood how fast I am! Because even in midair breaking mere pieces of hail with my bare hands were child's play! But as I rapidly descended back to the earth, I knew that I would be scrambled like an egg if I were to hit the ground without anything to support me. And she knew that too.
'WHOOOOSH!' Which was why I didn't even need to say anything as Hiyori sent one of her feathers to catch me before I could fall all the way to the ground. But that's not all she did. She kept me in midair. Away from him. Why?! Why would you do this to me?! HIYORI?! But as I let out gasps of breath, I noticed that there was blood on my hand. His blood. The moment I noticed it I knew instinctively that I lost control. It was then that I could hear the voice of the other person within me once more.
'Kid! You've got to calm down! Don't you see that he's baiting you into having you hit him?! He wants you to rip him apart! Because he knows the moment that you think he's dead, is when you're head will be on the ground! Face it! You have no way to kill him the way you're now!" Jokata declared with a shout internally. But he couldn't have been more wrong. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve! If I can just use Obliterator, then I'll make damn sure he never comes ba- Though just as I was about to finish that thought-
'Midoriya, please… I… don't want you to go.' Her voice came rushing back to me like akin to a rushing river. I remembered the scene vividly even if everything around us seemed to fade into shadow. Her crying face as she begged me not to leave her alone, and how I rejected it completely were both regrets of mine. I couldn't help but feel intensely regretful over how things played out between us.
'No! How could I hate you!? It's not like I wanted to do it, I was FORCED too! They had blackmailed me and were willing to divulge my past and if they did then my reputation would be destroyed! Everyone would have hated me! I don't want to be hated! I've already been despised by people long enough!' Her words, I couldn't understand back then. No. I made no effort to even try to understand where she was coming from. Her regrets just like Yamauchi's regrets were as clear as day.
'Karuizawa… just get the fuck out of here.' But I chose to do nothing but leave her with even more regrets. I'm sure everyone in the universe has regrets of their own. I'm sure even Ayanokoji has some. But that doesn't take away from the fact that I abandoned someone who was crying and begging for help. And I was just about to do the same thing by wasting my life when I have yet to really, to truly save her! I may want to kill Kiyotaka Ayanokoji! But I… I…
… I want to save Kei Karuizawa even more than that. So, that's why I can't let her out of my sight! Not any longer!
'Step! Step! Step!' And that's exactly why I have to chase after her! Until her smiling face that I saw within my dreams can become a reality once more! So, I leaped onto the ground and ran away from Ayanokoji and straight toward Karuizawa! This made her click her tongue out of sheer annoyance.
"When will you ever learn Deku?!" Decay snapped back before placing her hand onto the ground in an effort to stop me before I could even come close to reaching her again! But I didn't let that stop me for even a moment!
'JUMP!' So, I leaped off the ground as high as I could possibly muster while closing the distance between us with the passing of each and every second! But in the midst of that, the demon within her let out a growl before responding in turn!
"Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! JUST GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! DEKUUUUUU!" Decay snapped back at the top of her lungs before extending her arm straight at me! And more specifically her hand! The same one that could Decay anything with the touch of all five of her fingers! But I knew her, Quirk! After all Tomura Shigaraki made damn sure that I'd never be able to forget it! Not him! Not his ruthless ability! And certainly not how Tenko Shimura cried every step of the way! Just like how Kei Karuizawa is doing right this very second!
"LIKE HELL I WILL KARUIZAWAAAAAAAAAAA!" I snapped back with a shout of my own as I rapidly closed the distance between us! But just as I was about to touch her-
"Actually, that's a great idea. How about you both just get lost." Ayanokoji declared before snapping his fingers.
'FWOOOOSH!' The very next moment, the purple vortex belonging to Warp Gate appeared right below Decay's feet much to her sheer surprise. She didn't even notice it as her attention, much like mine were focused on each other. So, before we knew it, the vortex sucked the both of us in! Everyone around us noticed what had happened the moment it occurred! And it was as if an exclamation mark appeared right beside each of their heads. They couldn't have been more surprised over this sudden turn of events! Especially of which being-
"DEKU!" Hiyori yelled out at the top of her lungs as she noticed how both me and Decay were forcefully withdrawn from the stage below even with how high in the sky she was. She couldn't possibly know where we ended up. And the thought of how I could be at the bottom of the ocean for all she knew sent her into a frenzy. And just as she was about to fly around the entire island to search for me, someone else made sure that wouldn't happen.
"Shii-Chan, just where do you think you're going? We haven't even got to play a bit. So, how about you come down right now?" Amasawa spoke while stepping on the head belonging to that of the man dressed up as the villain Twice! (The reason why he was collapsed being that he was knocked out by Hirata) The arm that she lost to Kushida, which was now made of ice, twisted into the shape of a spear. It was pointed right at the man's chest! She was serious! She was fully prepared to kill him if that would make Hiyori try to rush in to stop her! The winged angel within the dark sky knew this just from the sadistic look on her foe's face!
"No! Don't!" Hiyori snapped back before flying back to the ground with a loud 'WHOOOOSH!' But before she could come even close to reaching Amasawa, the latter of which felt that it was necessary to finish what she started! But before she could-
"Get off of me." Someone growled under their breath. Amasawa heard it as the voice sounded unlike any she had ever heard before. It almost made her consider that it came from the man below her feet. But that wasn't quite right. Because that same man's double was the one who said it.
'BAM!' Before Amasawa even knew what hit her, the double of the man disguised as Twice hit her right in the jaw! He didn't hold anything back as his fist sent Amasawa flying off of the original version of him until she hit the ground! Though the moment she did, she dug her nails into the dirt below her before clawing her way off the ground. And then…
"Just who the hell do you think you are?! Do you honestly think that you can just hit me and get away with it?! I'll fucking kill you!" Amasawa snapped back with a shout before extending her arm made out of ice into an even longer spear that pierced the air itself!
'STAB!' It didn't even take a second for it to pierce the man's double! But since it was a mere double, it turned to mud the moment it was pierced in its head. And just when that double met its end-
"What the hell?!" Amasawa cried out as two more doubles took the place of the fallen one! Not only that but they appeared right beside her and were even going so far as to restrain both of her arms. Though this didn't last for long!
'STAB! STAB! STAB!' Because the moment Amasawa felt even the slightest bit enraged her ice arm mutated into a plethora of spikes that eradicated the double that was restraining that specific arm. Though even the double that was holding her other arm wasn't left unharmed. He too met his end in what would be a grisly fashion if they possessed any blood within them. Instead, grey mud poured out of them until they both ceased to exist. But then…
'BAM!' Yet another double materialized out of thin air and karate chopped the back of Amasawa's neck, rendering her unconscious in one fell swoop. Now their roles were reversed with the small girl on the ground and the muscular man standing above her. Though he didn't waste any time turning his attention away from the magenta haired girl to another person within the vicinity. And when he did-
'BANG! BANG! BANG!' He grabbed out a gun and fired several bullets straight at Sudo! They were all direct hits! Hitting him precisely in his vital areas! It would have been an instant kill if he had enshrouded his entire body with steel! (After all, he had made sure his body was covered in steel so that Yagami wouldn't be able to harm him or anyone else.) Yagami carefully watched without saying a word as each of the bullets were deflected off of Sudo's body. In response the man clicked his tongue out of annoyance.
"Damn. Guess his body it tougher than it looks." The man admitted as the smoke coming off the nozzle of his gun hit his mask. In the midst of that for a split second Sudo thought that he was a goner. But that didn't last long as Sudo's rage returned with a vengeance! He then stared the man dressed in black and white spandex down before responding.
"Just who the hell are you?!" Sudo yelled out with a look showcasing his intense anger! He couldn't help but let out his vexation with full force! After all, not only had he just been shot at, but Horikita, the girl he 'secretly' held deep affection for no longer seemed to be alive. That alone was enough to drive him insane. But ironically the man who had attempted to kill Sudo was the same person who kept the latter in check, as now all of his anger and hostility was directed toward him.
However, the man made no effort to respond as he let out several Doubles of himself to do the talking for him. It were these Doubles that raced forward at Sudo to take him down so that Yagami wouldn't be stuck in place any longer. Sudo realized that and took a combat stance. But he instinctively knew that he was at a big disadvantage. Even with his body that was made out of steel, that did very little when he was alone against many. Specifically, ten of the man's doubles. Sudo might have had strength comparable to that of ten men. Though together they proved to be just as much of a match for the red headed giant of a man.
'BAM!' Sudo managed to knock down three of them with a single blow! But it wasn't enough! Just as the three of them went down! Six more took their place! They were utterly relentless! Both Sudo and knew this as the former gritted his steel teeth and the latter grinned.
"Looks like it's game set." Yagami declared as he was just about to take his leave knowing that there was nothing that the steel man would be able to do now that he was the one who was cornered. It would only be a matter of time before he and the rest of his friends all bite the dust. Then he would be free. Free from the White Room. Free from all forms of restrictions. Nobody, nothing at all would be able to keep Takuya Yagami from doing whatever he damned pleased. But just as he was sure about this-
'BAM! WHAM! POW!' Someone defeated all the Doubles within the blink of an eye. Yagami knew who it was since he couldn't see 'him.' That meant there was only one man who could have accomplished such an absurd feat. And that was-
Chapter 79: Unstoppable vs Infinite
"Yosuke Hirata. You are truly annoying." The man admitted as his mask hid the fact that he was glaring intense daggers focused directly on the speedster. This took the latter aback as this was the first time he heard him speak. Or was it?
'That voice… I've heard it somewhere before. But… where?' Hirata thought internally as he tried to recall where he had heard that specific voice before. He knew that he had heard it not too long ago. Which meant that it had to be one of the students of ANHS and not one of the White Room Students like Amasawa and Yagami. It also couldn't have been a classmate since he would know who it was the moment they spoke. Furthermore, he hadn't had much of a chance to interact with any of the upperclassmen due to several circumstances such as how majority of the exams were between Class A and the other Freshman classes. Which means that 'he' is from-
"Sakayanagi. Do you recognize his voice?" Hirata asked directly to his earbud that Sakayanagi was listening in from. But this fell on deaf ears as she didn't let out so much of a squeak. This prompted Hirata to mutter her name once more until he was cut off by-
"No way… it can't be. I didn't want to believe it… but it's actually you…" Sakayanagi muttered through the comms which made Hirata's eyes go wide. Not just because of that though because the man heard her voice since she was also speaking to him. And it was that man revealed his true identity by taking off the mask that covered his face. And it was then as that piece of black and white cloth slowly peeled off his face that Hirata knew who he was at last! He was none other than-
"K-K-Katsuragi?!" Hirata yelled out as the bald-headed man's face became revealed to not just him but everyone in the vicinity. Including a certain red headed man.
"Wait… who are you?" Sudo asked while pointing at Katsuragi much to his surprise. But he wasn't alone in this sentiment.
"Huh?" Hirata, Katsuragi and Sakayanagi collectively said at the same time. This made Sudo tilt his head out of confusion as he wondered why everyone seemed so surprised by this. He then thought about it for a moment. And then…
"Wait, wait, wait! You're… that guy!" Sudo declared while pointing at Katsuragi once more. This made Kohei Katsuragi's eyes twitch out of intense anger until he-
"I-I-I'M THAT GUY?!" Katsuragi snapped back at the top of his lungs while gripping his mask as hard as he possibly could! Sakayanagi couldn't have possibly known that last part if it wasn't for her IQ Quirk! This combined with the fact that was obviously pissed off beyond belief made her unleash her 'FUFUFU~!' For all to hear once more!
"That's right! You're just a 'guy' Katsuragi! So, what are you trying to accomplish by teaming up with Ayanokoji?! Don't you realize he's just using you?! And that once you have no more use to him, he'll throw you away like the trash he believes you are?!" Sakayanagi snapped back as she tried her best to talk some sense into Katsuragi. Ayanokoji also heard this as he listened to her voice through the comms. Though he had no intention of commenting on it or doing so much as anything about it. And that's because the man named Kohei Katsuragi was not only a valuable tool, but also someone he can see eye to eye with.
"You seem to be mistaken, Sakayanagi. Kiyotaka is NOT using me. He and I… we have the same goal. To rid this world of the weak. People who can't so much as stand without needing something or someone to lean on… just like you. People like you are exactly why we live in a society dominated by that of spineless people who can't so much as think without being told to do so! Just like that bastard who couldn't so much as recognize me! People like you and him…" Katsuragi spoke until his voice trailed off as he put his mask around his face once more. And then…
"… Are the reason why this world is so utterly INFESTED with weak pathetic people! I won't allow such revolting garbage to walk the earth any longer! Strong, capable people are what this world needs to flourish! And I, INFINITE will ensure that world comes to pass until my dying breath!" Katsuragi, no. The villain Infinite declared while putting up a fighting stance of his own. Not even a second later, several Doubles rose out of the depths of the earth and stood in front of him shielding him from Hirata and his allies.
"Shit! There's so many of those fuckers!" Sudo yelled out while the number of Doubles increased from fifteen to thirty, and even more than that! It wouldn't be long until the sheer amount of them would be too much to handle. So, before that-
'BAM! BAM! BAM!' Yosuke Hirata would do everything in his power to make sure that he, Sudo and everyone else wouldn't be overwhelmed! After all, it was his speed that made damn sure that he was the only one who keep up with a man who can spawn a near infinite number of himself! Both Hirata and Katsuragi knew this! That's why this battle was between them and them alone!
"Yosuke Hirata! How could you be fighting for them?! Such spineless weaklings who can't do a damn thing to change the world for the better?! You should be on my side!" Katsuragi snapped back with a shout. Though Hirata heard this and pinpointed exactly who said it.
'BAM!' Before unleashing a blow right into his solar plexus. Though the moment he did, the person he had punched turned into grey thick mud. It was at that moment he realized that Double was nothing more than that! A fake disguised as the real Kohei Katsuragi! And if they could all speak just like he could then-
'How am I supposed to find him?!' Hirata thought internally as the Doubles steadily increasing in number like a rising tide, determined to drown him! Even with his sheer seed if he didn't catch him soon then he would be the one on the ground! Just like what happened back then in the forest when he underestimated Katsuragi! But he wasn't the only one there who knew that. After all, so was she.
"Hirata! To your left! He's about fifteen meters away from you! No, make that twenty! It seems to me that he's trying to run away!" Sakayanagi said specifically through Hirata's earbud as the latter's eyes went wide the moment, he heard her speak! But how could she know that?! Even with her IQ Quirk that made sure that she knew the enemy's tactics just by getting an impression of them, there was no way she could be so specific about what they were doing in real time! Unless she was actually 'seeing' everything with her own eyes!
"Oh no, you don't! Think you can just run and hide?! Fufufu~! Not from me, Kohei!" Sakayanagi declared with a smug smile while seeing everything through the security camera footage that she was viewing on her laptop! Not only had Matsushita hacked her way into the enemy's comms but she had also made sure Arisu was able to witness the entire battle unfold through the safety of the cruise ship the both of them were on! Though Katsuragi couldn't possibly know any of that until his eyes noticed the security camera focused on him in the distance! It was then that he put two and two together.
"SAKAYANAGI!" Katsuragi yelled out at the top of his lungs as he unleashed several more of his Doubles to surround him once more! But not before-
"It's over Katsuragi!" Hirata declared while closing the distance between the both of them! Katsuragi knew this the moment he so much as saw his enemy's blonde hair that there was nothing that he could do from being beaten to a pulp! He then closed his eyes while clicking his tongue as he accepted the inevitable.
'BAAAAAAAAAAM!' However, just as Hirata was about to make sure his enemy was down for the count, a bolt of lightning was shot right at him!
'AAAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGH!" Hirata let out a scream of intense agony as the bolt of pure unadulterated electricity sent pain throughout his entire body until he came to a standstill right in front of Katsuragi. The latter didn't have to so much as touch him as Hirata unceremoniously collapsed to the ground. Sudo saw this happen in the distance as his eyes went wide out of sheer surprise. Though he wasn't the only one who saw this happen.
"Bang." Yagami said with a grin on his face while blowing on his index finger that let out a puff of smoke over the lightning bolt he had released from his fingers. It didn't take a rocket scientist for someone to figure out what just happened. That's why Sudo knew that it was the demon right in front of him who had injured his friend. This made him grit his steel teeth as hard as he could while clenching his fist. For all he knew, Hirata might have been killed by that attack. And if that was the case-
"Y-You bastard! I'm gonna kill you!" Sudo snapped back before swinging his fist right at Yagami! He was to overcome by anger to realize what he had just said! First Horikita, and now Hirata?! It was just like back then when they were both put in the hospital due to Ayanokoji! He had no intention of letting the both of them get injured like that ever again! Not on his watch! Except, that's exactly what happened! And this time, they might not even get a chance to recover from their injuries! It was all just too much for Sudo to comprehend! So, he did the only thing he could do! Fight! And make damn sure that NOBODY will ever be able to hurt them again!
"Nice try. But I don't think so." Yagami replied before swiftly dodging out of the way. Sudo might have had the power to vanquish him! But his movements were way too predictable! Especially with him so hotheaded right now! This made him far too easy to read! Not just for Yagami. But also, for-
"Just give up already." Katsuragi said before tackling Sudo to the ground with a plethora of Doubles! Even with his superhuman strength there wasn't much that the red-headed giant could do to fight off the sheer number of Doubles holding him down!
"Y-You bald headed bastard." Sudo muttered while gritting his teeth as no matter how much he tried there was nothing that he could do to lift himself off the ground. But he wasn't alone in this sentiment. In one fell swoop, all of his other allies, Koenji, Manabu, Albert, Tsukishiro, and even Kacchan were overwhelmed by how many Doubles there were as the total of them went into the hundreds! They were reaching a thousand! And they would soon grow even past that! This could all be seen by the angel in the sky watching everything unfold from heaven.
"Sudo! Everyone!" Hiyori cried out while the Doubles increased in number at an alarming rate! But in the midst of that, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji stared at her from the ground. It didn't take long for her to notice that piercing glare. And when she did-
"Hiyori Shiina… you're next." Ayanokoji declared with an expression showcasing no pity whatsoever for the angel in the sky. Shiina knew that which made her gulp down her spit reflexively as a chill ran down her spine knowing full well that everything depended on her now. But just what was she supposed to do against an army? The girl named Hiyori Shiina did not know. All she could do was the same thing her friends were trying to do. Fight. Fight and win. That was the only thing that could be done now.
Somewhere else…
'FWOOOSH!' The familiar purple vortex spit out a certain white-haired girl as she quickly took in her surroundings.
"T-The bridge? Or what's left of it." Decay muttered under her breath while analyzing the amount of damage that the bridge had taken from the last time she laid eyes on it. It was like several bombs had gone off. In fact, the police might have used bombs cause there's virtually nothing left of the bridge. There was no way in hell she would be able to walk across it when what's left of it could collapse into the sea the moment she tries to do so. Trying to swim to the other side wasn't an option, since she could see several police cars with snipers trained on her.
"I don't like either of those options. So, how about I create my own?" Decay spoke once more just as she was about to place both of her hands on the ground but before she could-
'BAM!' Suddenly her left arm was wrapped in a strange thread! No! It was far tougher than that! It must have been made of metal! But what the hell could have done that?! Just who in the hell was getting in her way now of all times?! Though the moment she thought that her eyes went wide as she knew exactly who it was without even having to see him. She then gritted her teeth out of intense frustration over 'him' getting in her way again. And just as she turned around her eyes laid upon 'him' once more! In his hands was a small gun that shot a grappling hook, that was the reason why she couldn't move one of her arms right now. And before she could say another word-
"Happy birthday Karuizawa!" Izuku Midoriya declared from the depths of his soul while pointing forward at the girl in question! This made that same girl look back at him out of sheer disbelief! And then…
"Huh?" Decay let out a mutter out of an overwhelming sense of surprise since she had no clue how to react to that! But that was exactly what the hero Deku was counting on! Because now was the time for the both of them to finish things right here and now for all the marbles!
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: Yosuke Hirata: Rising
Go Beyond!
Plus Ultra!