Shortly after the siege on ANHS concluded…

'Step! Step! Step!' Hurried footsteps went down a particular hallway inside of ANHS. The noise came from the remaining members of the elite espionage personnel who hadn't been killed in the preceding battle. With the school about to be taken by force by their enemies and the fact that the entrance was now overflowing with blue hot flames, there wasn't anything they could do but run. Though that begged the question of where exactly they were heading too? The answer to that is quite simple. The entryway into the school thought to be the only way to get in and out aside from jumping out of the windows if you were crazy enough to do so…

… Were not the only ways to leave the school.

With a twist of a particular doorknob and an audible 'creak' produced from opening the door, there lies a descending staircase. The elite espionage personnel wasted not even a single second making their way down the staircase into the pitch-black darkness that rests below. Upon reaching an area that existed below ANHS, they were greeted by a dimly lit light and a tunnel that reached as far as the eye could see. This 'hidden passageway' was the only way to leave the school completely undetected by the cameras. Not even Tsukishiro had any knowledge that such a place existed. Though that would go double for the two young men who accompanied the group of highly trained soldiers.

"What the hell is this place supposed to be?" One of the two men, a certain spiky blonde-haired man that we were all familiar with voiced his bewilderment over such a strange tunnel. Of course, this man was none other than Katsuki Bakugo, or more accurately the clone him made by a strand of his DNA. Would it be accurate to still call him 'Katsuki Bakugo' even though the real Bakugo was alive and well? For all intents and purposes, let's stick with calling him by his nickname 'Kacchan.' Though for Kacchan, he couldn't really give two shits about where he was. What he was far more concerned about what was going to happen next. Though the same could be said for the man beside him. However, before he could say a word, he was beaten to the punch by the man who had led them downstairs.

"This place had been constructed for the sole purpose of evacuation in the event of a preemptive 'first strike.' Me and my men had it finished quite recently. Though given such a lack of time, our handiwork is quite shoddy to say the least. Though I wasn't expecting America to be dumb enough to nuke us, let alone send more of their superheroes." Okonogi commented while particles of dirt fell from the ceiling and onto the ground below him. It was very possible that the tunnels walls could cave in causing them to be trapped or worse killed. Though the probability of that happening was far less likely than if they were to stay up there and fight.

Even still, Okonogi was ordered to give both Kacchan and the man beside him wearing a pair of sunglasses. And that's exactly what he was going to do. This whole time, Okonogi had been carrying a briefcase with him. Though there wasn't anything of monetary value inside of the piece of wood. What was inside of it was something that should not exist within this world. But it's exactly because of the devil that did not belong in this world that he was able to recreate something truly vile. The contents of the briefcase were several syringes which contained a green substance within them. The moment Kacchan noticed them he audibly scoffed.

"No thanks. I don't do drugs." Kacchan said with a serious look on his face. He was visibly annoyed over Okonogi having the gall to tempt him with drugs. However, Okonogi was as cool as a cucumber in spite of the spiky blond haired man's reluctance.

"I can assure you that these are no mere 'drugs.' Not that I know exactly what they are. But from what I've been told, and what I'm about to tell you is what Ayanokoji told me word for word is… 'That these syringes contain within them the ability to draw out the true potential of your power. So, do not think of it as something as disgraceful as narcotics. Instead, you should consider it like a… 'boost' to your already impressive abilities." Okonogi explained while showcasing the contents of the briefcase to both Kacchan and Albert. The total number of syringes was six. Though they were only allotted one each. That being said, Kacchan was not interested in the slightest.

"Call is whatever the fuck you want, not interested. So, keep that shit away from me if you know what's good for ya." Kacchan declared with a voice as cold as ice and an expression that matched it perfectly. This made Okonogi click his tongue out of annoyance knowing now that he'll have to report to Ayanokoji that he couldn't get the both of them to take the syringes. Though that's just who Kacchan was. He wasn't willing to take the easy way out, He was a man through and through. And if it meant that he was going to go through hell to get what he wants then he'll do just that if it means he doesn't have to rely on what he had perceived as a 'handout.'

In stellar contrast, Albert wordlessly grabbed one of the syringes and tucked it in his red vest. This brought a smile to Okonogi's face as he was just about to close the briefcase when the Afro-Japanese man took one out of it. At the very least he won't have to report back that it was a complete failure. Kacchan noticed this out of the corner of his eye and gritted his teeth expecting more from the man beside him. Though he didn't say a word about it and simply faced the other direction. With that out of the way, the green haired man with a ponytail resumed where he had left off, particularly concerning what was going on above them.

"Ryuuen was already trouble enough but while he's with those Americans me and my men can't do jack shit about it. Sending you guys into the belly of the beast might do the trick to turn the tide in our favor. But now that the old man has betrayed us, you'd be just as screwed as us. That's why we've all got no choice but to get out of dodge cause shit's already destroyed the fan." Okonogi admitted with a look of discontent all over his face. Half of his subordinates were killed and now he had no choice but run with his tail between his legs. Okonogi was a man who never backed down from a fight. So, to do it now made him feel incredibly angry but even more, so he felt pathetic, and not just as their leader. He felt that he was not worthy to call himself a man right now.

"Shit." Okonogi grumbled while taking out a carton of cigarettes though in the process of doing so one fell out of his hands and landed on the ground below. Not wanting to waste some good tobacco, he picked it up off the floor and dusted the dirt off of it before lighting it. He then smoked it and audibly sighed feeling the tiniest bit relaxed and in control of the situation. Except that couldn't be further from the case. Okonogi had lost all control of what was going on the moment Ryuuen and The Boys emerged from the school's entryway. There was nothing that a man without any special abilities could do against a man who could turn people into flames with a flick of his finger or a woman with enough strength to launch steel into the air with her bare hands.

However, it was because of that obvious disadvantage that Okonogi knew he'd be going six feet under if he tried engaging in any form of fisticuffs with those monsters. Above all else, he had no intention of dying, not when he found himself a sweet gig that promised him wealth on a scale he had only dreamed about before. The same could be said for his men who were only doing what Kiyotaka Ayanokoji told them to do in exchange for cold hard cash. The same could be said when they worked for his father, Atsuomi.

But now times have changed. A third world war is on the verge of occurring in the imminent future. Entire countries have a considerable amount of people that would vastly overwhelm them. Though the same could not be said for Ayanokoji and his 'League of Villains.' They had powers that would allow them to kill hundreds if not thousands of the most experienced battle-hardened soldiers without breaking a sweat. Okonogi in particular couldn't be sure that a nuke would be able to stop Decay. It was probably for the best that they stay as close as possible to their boss if they want to make it out of this situation alive. And that's exactly what they are going to do.

"That's why we're retreating. We're going to regroup with Ayanokoji and the others. Only then will we have the reinforcements for a counterattack down the line." Okonogi finished after exhaling another puff of smoke further damaging his already ruined lungs. He above all else desperately needed the money that Ayanokoji was supplying him with to pay for cancer treatment along with various other debts he incurred throughout his life of borrowing money and never paying it back. He was on the verge of filing for bankruptcy until Atsuomi gave him an offer he couldn't possibly refuse. That's why he begrudgingly retreated though for the two men who accompanied him up to this point it was much simpler.

"Hahaha! You expect me to retreat!? Hahaha! Do you actually think that I'm going to go through with something as pathetic as running away!? Hahaha!" Kacchan said while laughing hysterically with tears in his eyes and a wide grin.

"Now listen here boy- Okonogi spoke while clenching his fist as he felt that he was being mocked though was interrupted before he could finish speaking by said 'boy.'

"Yeah. No. Not gonna happen. I'm not some fucking coward like you all are. You're all nothing more than extras. So, why dontcha get the hell outta here before I decide to blow you sky high. Comprehende? Kacchan asked with a sadistic smile on his face while Okonogi gritted his teeth out of immense rage to the point that they could shatter to pieces. The thought of strangling the cheeky blond-haired brat was enticing for the green haired ponytail man. Though he knew that he'd be writing his own death sentence by doing so. He was already running away, so to die here over some petty squabble with a teenager was the last thing he'd want to do. So, he refrained from so much as touching Kacchan and turned to face Albert.

"Yamada. We're leaving." Okonogi said though as he continued his advance, he didn't hear so much as a squeak come from the man behind him. He then turned around to notice that Albert hadn't moved a single inch from where he was standing. This pushed Okonogi to his boiling point.

"Yamada! Did you hear me or are you deaf?! Ayanokoji ordered that YOU were to return to the hideout now that ANHS has been compromised! So, get the hell over here already!" Okonogi yelled out though Albert didn't so much as twitch in response to the former while practically being spat at. Above all else, Albert remained composed as he prepared himself for what he was about to say next.

"If I were to do so… then that would mean abandoning Yamauchi. He and I… we made are fair share of mistakes… maybe what I'm doing now is also a 'mistake.' But… I'm still going to do it anyway. I've abandoned a person that I revered… that was like a brother to me… I'm not about to do that again… not when he and another person that matters to me are both suffering through their own hardships." Albert admitted with a straight face that held back his true feelings though his voice told a different story. One that illustrated his regrets in a way that a facial expression could not. Though Okonogi could not understand a single word the former was saying in the slightest.

"Mistakes?! What you're doing is making the biggest mistake of all by abandoning Ayanokoji! Isn't he one of the people that you hold in such high esteem?!" Okonogi shouted his complaints ruthlessly as he could not fathom why Albert would betray Ayanokoji. To go against him would be the same as committing seppuku. Okonogi knew that far too well considering the difference in strength there was between the two men. Even ignoring the plethora of Quirks that Kiyotaka had at his disposal, the difference between them in terms of raw power was too vast. The villain Overlord was just too strong. Albert should know this too! And yet…

"No. He is not." Albert answered bluntly. It was not if he did not know the sheer number of abilities that Ayanokoji possessed. He knew quite well the difference between them was immeasurable. What Albert had responded to was specifically regarding whether he held Kiyotaka in high regard in the same way he thought of Ryuuen and Midoriya as. And that was unquestionably a 'no.' Okonogi could not believe how stupid Yamada was acting and he could not help but gnash his teeth out of overwhelming discontent over how the situation was playing out. Was he supposed to go back to HQ without the both of them?! No of course not! This was a direct order from Ayanokoji after all! Yamauchi was deemed dispensable! But both Kacchan and Albert were the exact opposite of the word! And if they weren't going to comply then-

"I wasn't 'asking' I'm ORDERING the both of you to do what you are asked. NOW." Okonogi declared as he pulled out the gun he had in his holster before aiming it at Kacchan's forehead. Though a mere firearm was not enough to even faze the man who can conjure explosions from his sweat. So, before Okonogi even knew what hit him, Kacchan had swiped the gun from the former's hand and clapped both of his hands against the hunk of metal. The very next moment an audible 'BOOM!' pierced the ears of everyone in attendance. However, this explosion was trivial in comparison to the oppressive might he demonstrated in his battle against Deku. But that was on purpose since he wanted to eradicate the gun specifically.

"Not so tough now without that hunk of junk?! Now how about you… DIE!" Kacchan declared with a sadistic smile while extending his hand toward Okonogi's head! He was going to kill him the exact same way he murdered Nagumo! However, before he could-

'… How could you… KACCHAN?!' The words that Deku had first said to him before they fought went through his ears as if he could hear them again. It was then that for quite possibly the first time in his life, Kacchan hesitated. Worst of all he didn't even know why he was wavering and that made it so much worse. But even though he wanted to follow through on his primal instincts, he could not.

'You… you aren't Kacchan are you?' It was those last words that Deku had left him with before he was knocked unconscious that resounded from the depths of his mind. Why had he become so fixated on this all of a sudden?! These words did not cause him any physical damage! And yet the words carried with them thorns that were sharper than any blade that could pierce him. Before he knew it, he lowered his arm and refrained from so much as touching Okonogi, the latter of which couldn't help but blink while sweat dripped from his forehead. It was sufficient to say that he was thoroughly surprised by this outcome. He could have sworn that he saw his life flash before his eyes just as Kacchan was about to kill him. Though against all odds he was still breathing. Even still, the spiky blonde-haired man, turned around. He was done here.

"I'm outta here. Tell your 'Master' that I'm done taking orders from him. And that if he wants me dead then he's gonna have to do it himself cause his lapdog ain't got the balls to do it himself." Kacchan declared while walking back to the staircase. He had no intention of cooperating with Ayanokoji any longer. His sole purpose was to kill Deku. But now, he doesn't even know if he wants that anymore. He couldn't even kill a lowlife like Okonogi after all. And until he finds what he does want… he has no intention of doing anything in particular. In the midst of this, Albert was all too aware of Kacchan's withdrawal and decided to do the exact same thing. Okonogi could not help but grit his teeth once more.

"You… the both of you are going to regret this! Mark my words! When Ayanokoji is done with you, you'll wish that you went along with him you shitty ungrateful brats!" Okonogi yelled out with anger emanating from his tone of voice. Though his words might as well have fallen on deaf ears since neither Kacchan nor Albert acknowledged him any further until they vanished within the darkness. This left the green haired ponytail man with no other choice but to report in on what had occurred.

"I take it that Katsuki Bakugo and Albert Yamada have no intention of joining us back at the hideout?" Kiyotaka asked as if he had read Okonogi's mind. Though he didn't have a Quirk that allowed him to do so. This was merely an educated guess because there would have been no reason for Okonogi to have contacted him till they made their way back to HQ. Any form of contact beforehand was a dead giveaway that something had gone wrong in paradise.

"It is as you say. As much as it pains me to say it there really isn't much me and my men can do to sway them to rejoin us. Katsuki Bakugo in particular was very unenthusiastic about being given 'Trigger.' But if you were to send one of your allies, perhaps Kei Karuizawa, then we can surely get rid of the- Okonogi spoke but he was interrupted before he could finish speaking by Ayanokoji.

"There's no need. I'll see to it that they get what's coming to them at a later date. In fact, two of my colleagues will be replacing them. Keep on the lookout for their arrival. But for now, you and your men must return to the hideout. But before you do, I must ask… if the 'preparations' have been completed?" Kiyotaka replied much to the surprise of Okonogi. Though this was a blessing since this meant that he wouldn't be punished for not being able to follow through on Kiyotaka's request. Though speaking of his other request-

"Yes. It wasn't easy but my men were able to do exactly what you asked us to do. Hahaha… they think they've won… but soon you will have the upper hand once more!" Okonogi said with a wicked grin on his face. Though what he said couldn't have been more obvious.

"Of course I will. Everything that I have planned so meticulously will not go to waste. Soon this entire world will be in the palm of my hands. And absolutely NOTHING can be done to change that. Not by Katsuki Bakugo, Albert Yamada, and certainly not Izuku Midoriya. Soon all will kneel before me… their new OVERLORD." Kiyotaka declared while his consciousness resided within the Nomu body he was 'borrowing.' At the same time, Okonogi's forces continued their march back to HQ all while Ayanokoji's disembodied head was ever so slowly regaining its original form. Kiyotaka Ayanokoji couldn't be more sure of himself. Perhaps he was being overconfident…

… But could that even be considered overconfidence considering that Izuku Midoriya is in no position to stop him?

"…" Izuku Midoriya was utterly speechless as Airi Sakura stood before him completely unharmed. There was no blood anywhere. Her upper body and torso were connected to each other. Everything was just as it used to be. How it should be. But how was any of this possible? Sakura had been ruthlessly and mercilessly taken away by the High End Nomu. And yet, here she is looking just as how she did every time he saw her in class. Her pink glasses, the way she had a slightly nervous but determined look on her face. It was as if a skilled artist had perfectly recreated the form of the pink haired girl in a magnificent piece worthy of the Louvre.

However, this was no mere recreation. This was undoubtedly 'her.' The real 'Airi Sakura.' Once again, the thought of how this shouldn't be real crossed Midoriya's mind. But the very next second, it vanished like falling rain. He knew deep down whether this was a dream or reality that there was one thing that he had to do above all else. And that was-

"Midoriya. I need to tell you some-EEP!" Sakura spoke only to let out a loud high-pitched scream the moment I hugged her. I couldn't help myself. I needed to know whether she was 'real' or not. And the fact that I could feel her body heat emanating from her proved that she was indeed breathing and alive. But it wasn't just to prove my theory. Even if she had been a fake recollection of my 'memories' of her then I still would have done the same thing even knowing that. Because at that moment, I wanted nothing more than to hug her and tell her that I was sorry for not being able to save her. Though the second I tried to do the latter-

'I'm sorry! Sakura! I'm-AH!' Only my thoughts could be known to me alone. No words escaped my mouth. I tried moving my arms but that didn't work either. In fact, my body did not listen to any of my commands. Even still 'I' held Sakura in my arms. One more time, the thought of how anything was happening rang within my mind. Because if this was truly real, then I would be in control of my actions. But 'I' am not. Though Sakura is undoubtably real! So, what gives?! What the hell is going on?!

'I know you can hear me! I know you can read all of my thoughts! Just what the hell is all of this?! JOKATA!' I screamed internally without hiding any of the pain and anguish I felt. Was I being played for a fool?! Or was my mind working against me?! That person! That 'Izuku Midoriya!' Is me and NOT me. But it's that contradiction that sent my mind into overdrive trying to find an answer to what exactly was happening. But just as I thought I was going to go insane 'he' finally answered.

"If you figured out that much then it only be obvious what is actually happening. But since you're so demanding, I'll give you the answer you're so desperately begging for. This is 'real' AND a 'dream.' Does that satisfy your curiosity?" Jokata asked with a massive smirk on his face. I knew that for sure. Even if I couldn't see him. Even still he knew very well that what he said made no sense in the slightest. I knew that too! Was this his elaborate attempt at making me suffer?! I thought we were or could at least be allies! But the moment I thought of such a scenario he merely scoffed at me.

"… 'Allies?' Are you honestly so naïve to think that I would work alongside someone as incompetent as you? I have been, and ALWAYS have been using you to satisfy my own greed. What I wanted was for you to do something so simple. Something that anyone, even a kid, could have done if they were given a loaded gun. Kill Kyudai Garaki. Except, you couldn't even accomplish something so trivial even when you hold within you power that utterly dwarfs that of a firearm!" Jokata yelled out without hiding anything from me any longer. He's been using me as a tool this whole time. And that's exactly what he thought of me as. A 'tool.' Then if that's the case what made him any different from Kiyotaka Ayanokoji? At that moment, tears involuntarily streamed down my cheeks and fell onto Sakura's shoulder.

"Oh, spare me the theatrics! You had one job! Just one simple job! But you couldn't do it no matter how many times I told you too! Don't try to lie to yourself! I know you wanted to kill that bastard just as much as I did! But you didn't listen to me or anyone else! Except for that stupid little girl, you're so madly in love with!" Jokata continued shouting his heart out if he still had one beating in his chest. It was a miracle his words weren't heard by Sakura. Even still I heard them alone and his words were as sharp as daggers. But I let them stab me without even letting them faze me. Because he still hasn't answered my question.

"Answer me. What is going on… Jokata." I asked once more. The moment I finished speaking I heard him click his tongue out of annoyance. No more lies. I want the TRUTH. But the moment I declared that within the depths of my soul he let out an audible sigh.

"I did not lie to you, brat. What I told you was the truth just as you wanted. Well, from a certain point of view that is. Because this is something that happened and yet it's only a dream for you. Though I guess it could be summed up as a 'memory.' Are you starting to understand now?" Jokata asked as he calmed down to the best of his ability. The tone of his voice was now lacking any of the anger that could be practically felt earlier. But at the same time, it was lacking any emotion within it whatsoever. That caught me off guard for a moment, until my anger returned with a vengeance.

'A 'memory?!' You and I both know that 'this' NEVER happened! I… wish that was how things played out. But… they didn't. I never got to hug Sakura back then. I pushed her away. Because I couldn't trust her. Not after what Kushida said to me that same night.' I admitted internally with what would certainly be a look of regret on my face if I was still in possession of it. Even still it's because of my choices to isolate myself from the people that mattered to me within this world that made sure me being able to do this for Sakura would never happen. That's exactly why this couldn't have happened.

"But it is. So, think real hard about it. How could you be hugging that small frail insignificant human right about now if it can't and will not ever happen?" Jokata asked as he was clearly trying to piss me off to his heart's content. I had already let him get away with insulting Hiyori. I wasn't going to let him do the same thing to Sakura! Not when she could still have been alive if I was just a bit stronger!

"YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. But the moment I did so, I audibly gasped after they had escaped my throat. At the same time, I noticed that I had been separated from the 'me' that was hugging Sakura. It was then that another 'me' was born out of thin air. One that I was able to control freely and speak out of. But that only fazed me for the briefest of moments as I looked back on Sakura and the other 'me' from afar. Everything finally made sense. That wasn't 'me' and it was at the same time. In other words, an alternate version of me.

"Bingo. You're finally seeing the picture for yourself. Took you long enough. But you and I both know that this isn't some mere dream of what could have happened. It was what happened. Just it didn't happen to 'you.' How sad. But perhaps it's a blessing you were spared in the end." Jokata commented much to my overwhelming discontent.

"… 'Blessing?' You think that this didn't happen was something that could even be remotely considered to be a blessing?! Shut the hell up! I was not spared from any of this! If only Sakura were spared! If she was… then she would still be here." I replied with a loud voice that dwindled to that of a mutter once I was finished. This time tears really did spill down my cheeks as I desperately wished that was how things went down. Airi Sakura was a kind and sweet girl who shouldn't have been involved in any shape or form. If there was some way that I would be able to change things so that what I'm seeing with my own eyes is what actually happened… then I would. But just as I thought that-

"Just watch." Jokata said with a serious expression on his face. I chose to do what he said. Not because he told me too. But since I had to know what happened next. And just as I wondered that it was as if time began to move once more. The other 'me' finally let her go. Sakura smiled with cheeks that matched the color of her hair before avoiding eye contact with 'me' for a moment until she handed me something. It was a piece of paper. Nothing special. It must have been one that was carefully taken out of a notebook. Even though that was the case I recognized it immediately. That's the same one. The one that was addressed 'To Izuku Midoriya.'

'Midoriya. I'm writing this because I want to make sure that I'm able to clearly let you know exactly how I feel without confusing you. I'm not that good when it comes to replying to others because I have to think about it for a bit until the words, I was looking for come to me. It usually ends with me barely being able to say anything at all. But that's why I took the time to write this. You are feeling depressed over what happened earlier this morning. I can't blame you for feeling that way because anyone in your shoes would feel horrible after what you had to go through.' The other 'me' read her words quietly while tears continued to spill down his cheeks. He wasn't even done with the first paragraph. I couldn't blame him though… that's how I reacted after all.

'Even so, no matter what. I'll believe in you. You may not believe that because I never got the chance to say I'm sorry for the other day. I was just scared that you were going to die to that 'bear.' I didn't want anything bad to happen to you. Because the truth is you are someone really important to me. You've treated me better than anyone else ever has. You take the time to listen to me even though I'm kind of weird. Even still, you show me nothing but kindness. And that's why I… I love you. I love you so much. If you don't believe me, that's okay. If you don't feel the same way, that's okay too. But it's because I love you that I'll always be on your side no matter what. Even if it means everyone hates me too. So, please hang in there. I don't want to see someone that I love so sad. It breaks my heart. I hope to see you at school tomorrow. From, Airi Sakura.' I could never forget what she said back then even if she didn't say it out loud. Even still-

"… I… I… Sakura… I…" The other 'me' struggled to get just those few words out of his throat. His legs were practically jelly. Just looking at him made me kind of embarrassed to be honest. But Sakura didn't find it to be awkward in the slightest. She was just standing there silently with a smile, patiently waiting for the other 'me' to respond to her. She had always been kind and sweet, but I never got to see this side to her before. Or maybe I did ever so briefly when she said her last words-

'… You can do it, Deku.' And at the same time as her words resounded throughout my mind if I could hear them again, the other 'me' had no other choice but to hold her in his arms once more. But this time Sakura wasn't taken aback by it and welcomed it. Once I saw it, I was on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out how it would play out. Even though I knew deep down what my true feelings were. I loved Sakura… but as a friend. I didn't love her the same way she did for me. It wasn't romantic in any shape or form. This other 'me' must think the same way I do. And if he did, I couldn't necessarily blame him for that. Even still, I hoped that maybe this alternate version of me from who knows where could actually find it himself to give her what she deserves. And the moment I thought just that-

"… I… I love you too." The other 'me' muttered to the point that it was practically a whisper that only Sakura alone could hear before kissing her. At the same time, my legs collapsed to the ground. My jaw might as well have too, because I was utterly speechless. I wasn't exactly religious by any means, but if a 'God' existed somewhere out there beyond my reach, thank you. Thank you so much. At least in this world, Sakura, she was able to be ha-

"… Huh?" My audible confusion barely escaped my mouth as I could not be more taken aback by the sudden environmental change. My room disappeared as if it wasn't there to begin with. Instead, it was replaced by the familiar sight of the area where I had failed to save Sakura. Except, the person who was on the ground, with his body sliced into two separate pieces was not her but 'me.'

"… What the hell is this?" I asked as the other 'me' was in a pool of his own blood. The light that was shining in his eyes just a moment prior could no longer be seen. He was unquestionably dead. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. But that wasn't even the worst part. That monster was there too. And so was Sakura.

"Hahaha… who could have saw that coming? I thought you were stronger… Izuku Midoriya. How… disappointing." The High-End Nomu said in a voice that was all too human that it made me want to cut my ears off that monster was even trying to act remotely human. But even with the beast's back facing me I knew that it had the vilest of grins on its grotesque face. But Sakura didn't even notice it. She was all too concerned with the other 'me' that had been robbed of his life. Tears drenched the lenses of her glasses, not even giving her a chance to look at me. But even though she couldn't properly see, she knew that the other version of me…

… was gone.

"Oh no. Please no. Anything… anything but this." I begged while knowing that there was nothing that I could do that would change anything. For that reason, I didn't even try to scream, knowing full well that she wouldn't be able to hear me. And that was proven as she was fixated by the sight of the other 'me' or more appropriately what was left of him until she-

"M-M-MIDORIYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Sakura screamed my name with every fiber of her very being until the monster towering above her swung its arm down and ensured her fate.

'SLIIIIIIIIICE!' Airi Sakura's body was split in two just like before. Except this time her torso wasn't separated from the rest of her body like how it had been. This time her entire body had been split in half from her head all the way down to her feet. Two separate pieces of her collapsed onto the cold hard ground. They weren't even remotely recognizable as 'Airi Sakura.' They looked like pieces of meat. All I could look at was what was inside of her body. Her internal organs. Some of which had been strewn across the ground. That haunting sight sent a shiver down my spine like never before as I had to watch her die, not once. But twice. That realization was enough to make me lose all control.

"You… you worthless… thoughtless… bastard! I'll… I'll rip you to shreds!" I yelled out as I sped forward at the hulking monster with the resolve to rip him limb from limb for what it did again and again! But the moment I made contact with it; my hands went through the High-End Nomu's chest. Even still I tried punching it repeatedly hoping that I would be able to at least cause it some form of damage. But it was no use. The beast didn't incur any pain from my pointless attacks. It simply turned its back on me and walked away without so much as saying another word. But out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that where it was heading was where Horikita and the others were. And the moment I did, it turned its head as if to look at me.

"Heh." The High-End Nomu quietly laughed with a horrifying smile on its rotting face. I knew exactly what it was going to do next. I was already overcome by an intense rage knowing seeing Sakura die twice. So, knowing that I wouldn't be able to save everyone else I cared about made it so much worse. But just as I thought I was going to lose what little sanity I had left 'he' appeared right in front of me, as if to shield myself from what bloodshed was about to take place. His middle-aged face with scars all over it and a thick black mustache were exactly as I remembered him looking. The same could be said for his short black hair with white streaks in it and the green combat jacket with a large black collar just like the ones Kudo and Bruce wore. After all, he was their commander, Jokata Nauji. And just like when I first saw him all those months ago…

… He was still grinning from ear to ear. Did he take pleasure in tormenting me? I thought he didn't. I thought that I could trust him. But I don't know what else to think anymore. If I was simply his 'tool' then would he really get a kick out of seeing me suffer like this? I… I just don't know anymore. Even still, I had to know.

"Why… why would you show me something so horrible?" I asked with a look that didn't hide even the slightest bit of anger that I held for him. It was only obvious where we were. My mind. Except, he had control of it and was showing me, something truly horrifying. Was it to break my spirit? I remember him doing something like this when I saw his past. So, he must be trying to destroy my resolve completely. Well, I won't let him do that. I will wake up. And when I do, I'll see Hiyori and the others and together we will- But before I could finish that thought, I was interrupted by Jokata.

"Would you like to see another way how this could have happened if things played out the slightest bit differently? Don't answer that. That was a rhetorical question. I know you want to see more. To see how else you could have failed everyone. Your thoughts are all visible to me like words in a book. Think of what you see next as something akin to that. A 'script' that can't be changed no matter how much you may wish to change things. Because there is not a single more dangerous question then… 'What if?'" Jokata said before things completely changed around us without him having to snap his fingers to do anything about it.

"Ah." I quietly gasped as I was greeted by the familiar sight of Ichinose's living room. It was exactly the way I saw it the only time I was there. But even though I only saw it once it might as well have been burned into my retinas because of what happened there and what was already occurring. Ichinose was on top of me just as she had been before. She was wearing that black lingerie that made it difficult to avoid looking at. Even though I saw it before, I couldn't help but take a look at it before averting my eyes, feeling as if I was betraying Hiyori by looking at another girl in such an exposed state. But just as I did, she said the same thing from before-

"It's okay. You don't have to hold anything back. I want you to touch me. I know you have some… harsh memories of a certain someone forcing you to do something you didn't want to do. But still, I'm granting you permission to do whatever you want to me. I want you to make me into a woman. It's what I want from the bottom of my heart. But whatever happens next, I'm leaving that up to you. But… don't you want this? Don't you want me… Deku?" Ichinose asked with a seductive smile as she breathed in and out while her breasts were so close to the other 'me' they were on the verge of hitting him in the chest. It was the same way as it happened before. I didn't even need to look at it. Her words alone told me everything I needed to hear. And yet, it couldn't have been more different.

"I want this. I want you, Ichinose." The other 'me' spoke before wrapping his arms around Ichinose's back and pulling her in to kiss her. Honami was momentarily caught by surprise over the assertiveness the other 'me' displayed before letting lose knowing that she had gotten what she wanted. Before I knew it, I heard the rustling of clothes as I knew all too well what was about to take place. This accompanied by the soft moans coming from Ichinose and the animalistic grunts that were released by the other 'me' only proved what was occurring right in front of me. Even still, I averted my eyes as the sounds of pleasure grew louder, ignored them to the best of my ability and focused on Jokata.

"You think by showing me this that my spirit will break? Nice try. But that won't work. I love Hiyori. 'This' changes nothing. So, just… stop it already." I said while standing up once more and gritting my teeth as the sounds of pleasure reached their climax in the background. I knew deep down that I wasn't betraying Hiyori. This was another version of 'me' after all. Someone who looked like me, talked like me, and acted like me but wasn't 'me.' That guy just happened to choose Ichinose over Hiyori. Nothing wrong with that. They are both incredible women. I would be more than satisfied to be with either of them. But I made up my mind right here back then to be with Hiyori Shiina till the very end. And that will always be how I feel no matter what.

"Even if all of your memories of that girl vanish into the wind. Can you honestly say that you'll still love Hiyori Shiina more than anyone? Don't say something so foolish. Not when this 'you' and that other 'you' both chose to be with women who weren't named 'Hiyori Shiina.' Do you honestly care about her, or is it guilt? Knowing that you were hurting her while making out with Ichinose just like how you robbed Sakura of everything in the end?" Jokata asked as he was intentionally trying to piss me off. I knew that side of him too well by now. But this time he crossed a line.

"You piece of shit! My love for Hiyori is not something so trivial! I love Hiyori! If I didn't, I wouldn't have rejected Ichinose so… so… cruelly." I snapped back only for my voice to be rendered a mutter as I knew that Ichinose loved me. And yet I rejected her feelings just like I did for Sakura. I could never feel good about doing something like that to such kind and generous people! But at the same time, what happened to Ichinose in the end crossed my mind. I took her arm. I might have saved her. But I still can't help but feel guilty that she's missing an arm because I wasn't just a bit faster.

"Oh please. You say these things as if they are how things would play out without question. If you were a bit stronger would that really have stopped that monster from killing Sakura? No. The same thing could be said for when poor Kei Karuizawa disintegrated sweet Ichinose's arm with a look of utter glee. You could have changed things in both of these situations so that both women didn't have to undergo such excruciating pain. But you didn't. And you know why? It's because you are incompetent." Jokata declared a serious expression on his face. He clearly meant his words. And I remember him calling me 'incompetent' before. Even still I-

"I… as much as it pains me to say it… I can't save everyone. It's just not possible. But the fact that Ichinose is still alive means something damn it!" I snapped back and just as I finished Jokata muttered 'Oho' under his breath before responding.

"Then tell me… is there any meaning in this?" Jokata asked with a devious smirk on his face just before the scenery changed once more. Ichinose's room was replaced by the city that I had become all too familiar with by seeing the sights of it constantly during my tenure as a student of ANHS. But I usually went out and about during the day. I can only think of once when I ventured into the city at night. And that was when… the moment the thought crossed my mind, I was greeted by the sight of Hiyori Shiina, the girl I loved so much, drenched in blood with an emotionless look in her eyes. Right beside her was Garaki and below her was 'me.'

"S-Shiina… h-how could you?" The other 'me' asked with a weak tone of voice as blood trickled down his throat, which had been cut open. The perpetrator of this was none other than Hiyori holding a feather in her hands that had been stained blood red. It was then that my eyes shot wide open upon noticing chunks of meat that had been scattered across the ground. The moment I saw them they reminded me of Sakura. At that same moment, my teeth began chattering to no end as I knew who they belonged too. In that other world I chose Sakura. In this one I chose Ichinose. So that's… that is-

"ARGH!" I let out a scream of absolute pain and anguish as I collapsed to my knees once more. I resisted to the best of my ability to look at what was left of her on the ground. I couldn't dare imagine Honami being killed after how much pain I must have caused her by cutting off her arm. I didn't want to know how much she could be suffering right now. And I especially did not want to know how much she suffered just before being killed here. But I couldn't let her die back then. Even if it meant she would lose a limb. She had to live. She had to survive. Because then she would be able to move on and find someone to love that wasn't 'me.' At least then she would be happy. But here, even though I reciprocated her feelings…

… WHAT MEANING IS THERE TO ANY OF THIS?!

"And there lies the error of your childish beliefs. Even if you were able to give back the love that Sakura and Ichinose handed to you on a silver platter it wouldn't have mattered. Because no matter what they still would have been killed. There's no meaning that can be found in the demise of others. As much as devout Christians speak that God has a plan, can you honestly have the gall to say that there is any sort of meaning in the death of someone so pure and innocent?" Jokata asked as I had nothing to say to him. Because I agreed with him. There was no point in someone having their life cut short. It was just depressing to even think about. So, I tried to focus on the positive things. Like how I can help someone find their will to live and fight another day.

But is there any point when they could be at their happiest one day and six feet under the next? What's the point of saving anyone if it means that all of efforts to do could vanish in the blink of an eye? I was once able to confidently answer this question before. But now…

… I just don't see any meaning to it at all. Ichinose was finally happy. She got everything she wanted. How the hell could there be any meaning to her life if it was taken away so cruelly just after she obtained what she desired? Just thinking these thoughts made me feel as if I was splitting into two sperate pieces. This overwhelming sense of pain and agony. Was this how Sakura felt when she died? But just as I thought I had gone past the point of no return, I heard Jokata let out a bit of a chuckle. My thoughts came to a standstill as I looked up to notice-

'SLICE!' The other 'me' getting his head cut off by the feather in Hiyori's hands. The other Me's head rolled across the ground while blood spurted out of his neck until his corpse fell unceremoniously to the ground. At the same time, I heard a loud shriek of horror that came from Horikita who saw the entire thing play out alongside Sudo. But Hiyori didn't even bat an eye as she had been rendered an emotionless doll that the Doctor intended to play with to his heart's content.

"Master. May I kill them?" Hiyori asked with a voice as cold as ice. Once she was finished Garaki let out a haughty laugh of utter delight.

"Go for it. Kill them! Kill and kill until there's no one left alive my Angel of Death!" Garaki declared with a sadistic smile on his face as not a moment later, the person who looked like Hiyori but was not her in the slightest flew forward to do what was instructed of her. I averted my eyes out of pure terror as I had no intention of seeing my friends being ruthlessly killed. Not now. And not ever. This is just another world. None of this happened in the one I know. So, things can still be changed. Things don't have to turn out like this. But just as I felt some semblance of relief, Jokata took that away from me.

"Ha. At least she's alive." Jokata said and the moment he did I lost what little control of myself I had left once more.

"CAN YOU ACTUALLY CALL THAT BEING ALIVE?!" I snapped back at the top of my lungs while gripping the large black collar of Jokata's military uniform. But not a moment later, I heard the deafening shrieks of agony coming from my friends. The moment I heard them I had enough.

"Enough of this." I declared as the scenery changed one more time back to what I had become familiar with as the depths of my mind. The hard stone ground and the black sky above me. This was the first time I felt I had any control over the situation. If I could do that then I could-

"You honestly think that was of your own doing? Don't get ahead of yourself. I changed things back to how they once were. You didn't do a damn thing to change things just like when you could have saved Sakura and Ichinose. The same thing could be said about when you could have ended things by killing Garaki and Ayanokoji on the roof! But no matter how many chances you had to save everyone YOU couldn't do ANYTHING for ANYONE! And do you know why?" Jokata asked while turning the table on me completely as he brushed my hand aside. He was now gripping me by the neck into the air with one hand and total ease. And then…

"YOU ARE INCOMPETENT!" Jokata shouted at the top of his lungs before tossing me onto the ground below our feet as if I was just a piece of trash! But I wasn't done! He was wrong! And I was going to prove to him that things can still work out! I can still make a diff-

"Midoriya… it's been a while." The voice of someone that wasn't Jokata went through my ears. But it wasn't just any voice. It was one that I had become so familiar with as far back as I could remember being in this world. Her voice. It was unmistakably that of-

"S-Suzune?" I muttered as Horikita was caught off guard by it momentarily. Figures. It wasn't as if we were on a first name basis. But even though her reaction was so utterly natural and expected of Horikita. I didn't' accept it.

"What the hell is this? Is this supposed to be funny Jokata?" I asked as I turned around to face Jokata. But at the same time, I heard an audible gasp come from Horikita out of sheer surprise over the person she had never met before.

"Midoriya. Who is that?" Suzune asked calmly while I gritted my teeth out of being played again by Jokata. I tried closing the distance between me and him but before I could Horikita reached out to grab my shoulder to stop me. But the moment she did, I turned around to face her.

"I don't know who the hell you are but you're not Suzune Horikita! You're just an illusion! So, disappear! Just disappear already!" I yelled out while gripping her arms but at the same time I noticed that my hands didn't go through her like they had when I tried to rip the High-End Nomu to shreds. Instead, she looked back at me with a pained look on her face as it was clear as day that what I was doing was hurting her. I immediately stopped as I couldn't wrap my head over how she was suddenly here in the depths of my subconscious. But then…

"You really haven't figured it out? How utterly incompetent of you. But that's only to be expected at this point. Do you honestly think that what I showed you was something that I created from scratch? Do you honestly think I have that power? No. What was shown to you were memories. Only 'memories' can be shown in this place. And since those were neither your memories nor I, then by process of elimination, they can only belong to her." Jokata said as my eyes went wide the moment he finished. I stared at Horikita as I searched for any semblance of an answer. That had to be a lie. It was so far-fetched! There's no possible way that was the tru-

Chapter 71: Accept an Unthinkable Future

"The truth is… I saw those futures with Foresight… and I erased them." Suzune admitted with the no-nonsense expression she always had as I completely taken aback at the utter bombshell, she just landed on me. I couldn't even find any words to respond to that. I just simply stared back at her and grew cold, as if the harsh winds of winter passed us by without any remorse.

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Whatever It Takes

Go Beyond!

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