Chapter 114: All Might & Iron Man Vs. AFO (1)

[Third Person's PoV] 

Tony streaked through the battlefield, leaving the other Nomus to the care of the heroes behind him. His target was far more significant.

Bursting through the doors of the bar, he spotted the ominous figure stepping out of a swirling portal. First came a normal leg, then slowly a man in a sleek, dark three-piece suit emerged, topped with a black helmet that obscured his entire face. The air grew heavier with his arrival.

"Well, if it isn't Anthony Stark…" All For One spoke in a low, gravelly voice, laced with amusement.

Tony raised an eyebrow, landing softly. "That's my name. Looking for an autograph?"

All For One chuckled darkly. "You're just as arrogant as they say."

"And you're as ugly as they described," Tony shot back with a casual shrug, hand resting on his hip.

All For One let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "A temporary problem, I assure you."

Tony smirked. "I wasn't talking about your appearance."

All For One's laughter deepened, genuine amusement coloring his voice. "Hahaha! Stark, you certainly know how to entertain."

All For One then heard Melissa's voice through Tony's armor a bit further away, "Tony, now's not the time to be bantering with the big bad supervillain."

"Sorry, love," Tony said, clearing his throat. He pointed dramatically at All For One. "Stand down, evildoer! Prepare to face justice!"

All For One's hidden smirk was evident in his tone. "And if I don't?"

Tony rolled his eyes, hovering up. "Or nothing. I was just stalling for time."

In an instant, All Might appeared behind Tony's Iron Man Armor as he moved out of the way, his fist cocked back, the air thick with the force of his raw power. His usual beaming smile had faded into a grim frown.

"DETROIT SMASH!" All Might roared as his fist connected with All For One's helmet, shattering it into pieces. The sheer force of the punch obliterated the bar, sending debris and wind spiraling in every direction as All For One was sent flying off to the side. Black mist was blown away, revealing Kurogiri, who was standing behind his master.

Tony hovered in the air, smirking. "Looks like it's time for round two, Kurogiri."

Kurogiri straightened, his voice calm but strained. "More like round three. You owe me for the jaw you broke last time."

"Fair enough," Tony quipped, as his arm cannon hummed to life, repulsor beams glowing bright.

Before Kurogiri could react, Tony unleashed a barrage of repulsor blasts. Dark mist flared around Kurogiri, trying to absorb the blows—

"AHHHHHHHH!" A sonic blast cut through the air as Present Mic arrived from the side, his voice splitting the mist with raw force. The repulsor beams hit Kurogiri dead center, sending him crashing to the floor, rolling and skidding.

Kurogiri groaned as he came to a stop, looking up to see Present Mic staring at him with sorrowful eyes. "Ow…" Kurogiri muttered dryly, confused by the look of pity he was getting.

Before he could recover, he felt his quirk falter. His eyes darted to the side, spotting Aizawa glaring at him, red eyes glowing, hair standing on end. The same sorrowful look filled Aizawa's face, unsettling Kurogiri.

"What is wrong with you two? Why are you looking at me like that?!" Kurogiri snapped, irritation growing.

Tony appeared before him, floating just above the ground, legs raised in a striking pose. "Because you're just so… pitiful."

Without waiting for a reply, Tony slammed a kick into Kurogiri's face, sending him staggering back. The force should have sent Kurogiri tumbling, but he caught Tony's ankle mid-air and, with a growl, slammed him into the ground.

"URGH!" Tony grunted with exaggeration as the impact sent a shockwave through the floor. Then he chuckled. "Heh, just kidding."

Boosters erupted from Tony's elbows as he used them to push himself off the ground, spinning in mid-air. Thrusters formed around his legs, and with a swift twist, he kicked Kurogiri across the face again.

Kurogiri crashed to the ground once more, his body trembling as Aizawa blinked, allowing his quirk to return momentarily. He tried to activate his warp gate, but Tony was faster. A small device flew from Tony's gauntlet and attached itself to Kurogiri's back, sending electricity coursing through his body. Kurogiri convulsed violently.

Tony twisted his forearm, increasing the voltage. Kurogiri's body arched as a scream tore from his throat.

"Tony, that's enough!" Present Mic shouted, his voice sharp with authority.

Tony hesitated for a split second as he never heard such a tone from Present Mic, then rolled his eyes and dialed down the voltage, allowing Kurogiri to collapse, gasping for air. With another flick of his wrist, Tony shot a second device at Kurogiri, nullifying his quirk completely. Kurogiri's consciousness faded as his body slumped to the ground.

Aizawa stepped forward, his gaze hard but resigned as the black mist began to retreat, revealing the blue hair and tan skin of the man beneath. Present Mic dropped to his knees beside Kurogiri—no, Oboro—his hand trembling as he rested it on his friend's back.

"Why couldn't you have just been wrong?" Present Mic whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He slammed his fist into the ground, his heart breaking at the sight of his once dear friend.

Tony stood above them, his face impassive. "Because then I wouldn't have been me," he replied, sympathetically. 

"Look," Tony said, placing a firm hand on Present Mic's shoulder, his voice steady but reassuring, "I promise you this: if Oboro's consciousness is still in there, I can bring it to the surface. And once I do, I can restore his body—he'll be back to his old self."

Present Mic, usually full of energy, now looked torn, his expression shifting between hope and doubt. 

"Can you really do that?" Aizawa asked, his voice low and filled with uncertainty. The idea seemed almost too good to be true, and his instincts told him to be wary. He didn't want to lose his friend again.

"Hasn't his body been through enough experimentation as it is?" Present Mic finally said, his voice tight with concern.

Tony raised an arm without hesitation, firing a precision blast that sent a Nomu flying before it could interrupt their conversation. He turned back to them calmly. "Everyone gave up on trying to heal All Might, remember? No one thought it was possible. I'm the one who fully healed him, brought him back to his prime. That alone should speak for my capabilities." He glanced at them with confidence in his eyes. "If you're not sure, go talk to Nezu. He was there when I healed All Might. He can give you the assurances you need."

Aizawa's gaze softened slightly, but the weight of the decision still lingered. "We'll come to an agreement when the time comes. I just—thank you, Tony." His voice carried a rare hint of vulnerability.

Tony nodded, giving Aizawa's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I'll leave Kurogiri to you then. I'll go check on All Might. He might need some backup." With that, Tony blasted off into the sky, leaving them to their thoughts.

---

Meanwhile, All For One skidded across the cracked pavement after being violently thrown from the bar. His body tumbled before he caught himself, groaning as he sat up, spitting blood to the side. The last remnants of his helmet shattered, revealing his horrific visage.

He slowly stood, his heavy breathing rasping through his damaged vocal cords. All Might's fist came flying at him again, but this time All For One caught it mid-air, his grip tightening around All Might's powerful hand.

"Cheap shot, All Might," All For One sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "I expected more from you. I'm honestly disappointed."

All Might's expression twisted with anger, his eyes blazing with fury. "What's truly cheap," he growled, his voice thick with rage, "is using Master's grandson against me!"

With a roar, All Might unleashed his second fist, a punch so powerful it sent shockwaves through the air. The nearby windows shattered into a cascade of glass as the sheer force of the blow rippled outward. But once again, All For One caught it, his strength still enough to rival the Symbol of Peace.

"So, you've found out, huh?" All For One chuckled, tightening his grip around All Might's knuckles. "I suppose that arrogant little brat told you, didn't he? Stark's starting to become quite the thorn in my side. I'll have to deal with him soon enough." His voice was sickeningly playful, every word meant to provoke.

All Might's eyes darkened further, his muscles tensing as he reared his head back. Without warning, he slammed his forehead into All For One's, the impact sending both men staggering backward.

Blood began to drip from both of their foreheads, but where All Might's face was set in a deep scowl, All For One's grin only widened, showing his bloody teeth.

"You won't lay a finger on him!" All Might shouted, his voice booming with unwavering determination.

"Oh, we'll see about that, Toshinori," All For One hissed, wiping the blood from his brow, his grin never fading. "This battle may be nearing its end... but the war is just beginning."

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