Takatae! Takatae For Your Life.

I could've kept USJ under wraps for longer but...this is chapter 12 in the manga so like, it says a lot about how much filler I wrote.

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Meanwhile, outside UA, Pro Heroes Kamui Woods and Mt. Lady were locked in a fierce battle with a villain known as Habit Headgear. The villain had taken an innocent family hostage, using their fear to keep the heroes at bay.

Kamui Woods had attempted to use his Arbor quirk to restrain the villain, while Mt. Lady tried to leverage her size to keep him from escaping. But Habit Headgear was proving to be a stronger foe than anticipated, his strange headgear allowing him to control various objects with precision, making it difficult for the heroes to get close.

Kamui Woods gritted his teeth. "We can't keep this up much longer. He's stronger than we expected," he muttered, dodging another barrage of flying debris.

Mt. Lady, in her giant form, tried to shield the family but was equally struggling. "We need a plan! We can't get through to him without risking the hostages!"

Just as the situation seemed dire, a powerful gust of wind roared through the streets, followed by the familiar voice of All Might. "Have no fear... for I am here!"

In an instant, All Might appeared on the scene, rushing toward the villain faster than the eye could track. With one swift motion, he unleashed his powerful Missouri Smash, sending Habit Headgear flying backward with the force of his punch, knocking him out cold.

The villain was defeated, and the innocent family was safe. Kamui Woods and Mt. Lady breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you for the help, All Might," Kamui Woods said, still catching his breath.

"You saved us again," Mt. Lady added, grateful for the timely intervention.

All Might smiled but didn't linger. "I must hurry. The students of UA need me." And with that, he left as quickly as he had arrived, heading towards UA for another day of teaching.

Back in Class 1-A, it was another morning filled with lighthearted conversation. Kurokami Tenshin was casually exercising in his seat while Iida was busy recounting the events from yesterday.

"Kuro, you were needed during the panic yesterday, but I had to step up and calm the crowd!" Iida explained with his usual formal demeanor.

Ochaco laughed. "No one was listening to you, Iida."

Iida stiffened at her response, clearly surprised by Ochaco's comment. "W-Well, I tried!"

Kuro, still focused on his exercises, chimed in. "I was on the roof."

Iida turned to him, baffled. "The roof? How did you even get up there?"

Kuro responded nonchalantly, "I climbed."

Ochaco tilted her head. "Is this normal for you, Kuro?"

Iida sighed. "Yes, this is just another strange day for him. Once, I caught him on the ceiling of the class."

At that moment, Izuku joined the conversation, barely looking up from his notebook filled with hero analysis. "I saw him once walking on his hands for an entire class."

Eijiro Kirishima grinned. "I've seen Kuro cry while eating cookies. It was the most manly cry I've ever seen."

Mina Ashido perked up. "I don't have any weird Kuro stories, but I'm here for the fun!"

Momo Yaoyorozu added her observation. "I once saw him sleeping in a bathtub."

Kyoka Jirou raised an eyebrow, curious. "Wait, was he... nude?"

Momo shook her head, slightly embarrassed. "Not exactly. He was only partially nude."1

Before the conversation could get any stranger, Denki Kaminari burst into the room. "I've seen Kuro cuff himself with handcuffs. Why? I don't know!"2

Just then, Bakugo slammed his hand on the table, clearly agitated. "Tch, you all think that's weird? I caught him sleeping on the ceiling! Beat that!"

Ochaco, now thoroughly confused, asked, "Is that even possible?"

Still sore from losing to Ochaco in the rock-paper-scissors match, Bakugo barked, "Kirby, shut up and accept that it's magic!"3

As the class continued to banter and laugh at Kuro's eccentricities, Kuro sat quietly next to Shoto Todoroki, feeling a bit conflicted. "I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be mad or not."

Todoroki, ever stoic, glanced at him. "What kind of magical being are you?"

Kuro, utterly confused, responded, "I'm pretty normal."

Todoroki sighed, his expression as calm as always. "Getting the entire class to laugh just by being yourself... that's a different kind of charisma, Kurokami."

As the class enjoyed the lighthearted atmosphere, the reality of being at UA High was never far away.

...

As the class continued to share their best moments and favorite experiences at UA, Todoroki found his gaze falling on Kurokami Tenshin, the unassuming yet eccentric Class President.

With his black, oddly styled hair, average height, and a standard UA uniform, Kuro didn't outwardly project the image of someone Todoroki would consider a strong opponent—yet somehow, he was.

Todoroki couldn't shake the thoughts swirling in his mind. He kept wondering: How did I lose to this guy? Kuro was shorter than him, often distracted, and appeared to approach everything with a carefree attitude.

And despite that, he effortlessly attracted people, gaining the trust and admiration of their entire class. What is it about him that draws people in? Todoroki thought as he observed Kuro.

Then his mind wandered back to their fight. The memory still burned vividly. That final moment when Todoroki, in a moment of recklessness, let loose a massive blast of flame—something he had sworn not to use in battle. He had chastised himself for it afterward, but during the heat of their fight, it felt necessary.

Even now, he could see the image of Kurokami, charred and battered from their duel, standing before him with only one eye open. Injured and burned, Kuro should have been outmatched.

Yet, in that moment, he had an aura that felt dangerous—almost primal. His speed was inhuman, and with what seemed like no effort, he slammed his foot into Todoroki's skull and secured the victory.

It was then that Todoroki couldn't deny the truth. Despite Kurokami's outward appearance, eccentricities, and childlike demeanor, there was something undeniably powerful about him—something that reminded Todoroki of his father, Endeavor. Yet, there was a key difference. Unlike Endeavor, Kuro had a class full of people who genuinely liked and respected him.

How could someone like him—someone who acts so carelessly—still command that kind of dedication and loyalty from others? The thought nagged at Todoroki, but before he could dive any deeper into his reflection, he snapped back to reality.

Kuro, who had been noticing Todoroki's intense stare, was now poking his face with his finger. Testing to see if Todoroki was even awake, Kuro asked, "Yo, you good?"

Todoroki blinked, startled, and brushed Kuro's hand away. "I'm fine. Stop poking me."

Kuro grinned, completely unbothered. "Cool. You looked kinda out of it, man."

Todoroki didn't respond, but the thoughts from earlier continued to linger. Who exactly are you, Kurokami Tenshin?4 He wondered as the class banter and laughter resumed around them.

Todoroki snapped back to reality, noticing that Aizawa had entered the classroom with his usual dreary expression. His voice was as monotone as ever when he addressed the class, "Alright, everyone. Today is the class field trip. We'll be heading to the USJ—get ready."

Todoroki remembered now. The Unforeseen Simulation Joint, or USJ, was a place designed for disaster simulations. The field trip would give them practical experience with rescuing civilians in dangerous scenarios, like earthquakes, fires, and other disaster situations. He knew it was an important part of their training as future heroes.

The class buzzed with excitement at the news, as this was their first major field trip as students at UA. Izuku, Ochaco, and Iida exchanged excited looks, while others started gathering their things.

Kuro, however, stood up from his seat with his usual energy. "USJ, huh? Guess I'll have to bring my A-game!" He said it with a grin, stretching as if the trip was more of a fun outing than serious training.

Bakugo, sitting with his arms crossed, scoffed. "Tch. I'll be the one showing everyone up today. That disaster stuff's easy."

Iida adjusted his glasses, standing up with a serious expression. "This will be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our ability to protect and rescue civilians in real-life disaster scenarios. We must be on high alert!"

Todoroki stayed quiet, reflecting on the importance of the upcoming trip. For him, it was just another step toward becoming a hero, though a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that this trip would be more than just practice. Something felt... off.

As everyone started to pack up their things and head toward the bus, Aizawa added one final reminder. "Stay focused. This is still a training exercise, but don't take it lightly. Anything can happen, so be prepared."

...

As Aizawa announced the lesson on the bus, explaining that they'd be focusing on Foundational Skill of Heroics with the Trial of Rescue, Tenya Iida immediately sat up straighter, confirming this as a fantastic learning opportunity for the class.

His usual formal tone resonated with authority, but as he continued talking, Kuro, leaning against the seat, weakly agreed, though his voice lacked enthusiasm. "Yeah, sure... I'd rather be fighting," he muttered under his breath, clearly more interested in combat than rescue operations.

The bus finally arrived at its destination, the Unforeseen Simulation Joint (USJ), and as the class stepped off, there was a buzz of excitement. The USJ was a massive facility, designed to replicate any accident or disaster situation. It was an ideal place for heroes to hone their skills.

Ochaco Uraraka, eyes wide with excitement, was the first to spot her favorite hero. "Look! It's 13!" she exclaimed, bouncing slightly on her toes.

Izuku Midoriya, always prepared, pulled out his ever-growing notebook and quickly began writing down notes. His eyes sparkled as he created a new page for Thirteen, detailing the hero's quirk and history.

Meanwhile, Thirteen, the Space Hero dressed in a large white suit resembling a space suit, welcomed them with her calm and soothing voice. "Today, we'll be focusing on using your quirks not to harm others, but to save lives," she explained, giving a heartfelt speech about the importance of responsibility when wielding such powerful abilities.

As Thirteen spoke, Kuro stood there, staring at her costume. He couldn't help but wonder: Can she breathe in space? He debated internally whether Thirteen was male or female, eventually settling on female based on her voice. He continued thinking about the technical details of her costume, completely distracted from the speech at hand.

Beside him, Bakugo stood with his arms crossed, glaring out at the USJ. He was irritated by Kuro's fidgeting. "Can't you stand still for one second, you weirdo?" Bakugo muttered though Kuro didn't hear him, too absorbed in his thoughts.

Thirteen, finishing her speech, emphasized how dangerous quirks could be if misused, urging the students to remember that their primary goal as heroes was to protect and save lives, not just to fight villains. She warned that the students must keep that in mind at all times.

But as the speech drew to a close, a strange unease settled in the air, as if the peaceful atmosphere at the USJ was about to be shattered.

As Thirteen finished her speech, a tense silence fell over the USJ, quickly shattered when Shota Aizawa noticed a black portal forming in the center of the facility.

His eyes widened in shock as dozens of villains began pouring through, led by a mist-like figure in a butler's suit. Aizawa immediately recognized the danger and barked out orders to the students.

"Huddle together!" Aizawa shouted. His tone was sharp and urgent, snapping the students to attention. "Thirteen, protect the students!" He tightened his capture scarf, preparing for battle.

Among the crowd of villains, one of them muttered loudly, "All Might was supposed to be here according to the intel we got yesterday..." Aizawa's eyes narrowed as he pieced it together—they were the ones who infiltrated UA.

Another villain, this one larger and more menacing, stepped forward, clearly irritated. "If All Might won't show up, maybe we can make him... if we kill a few of these kids."

Hearing this, Aizawa wasted no time, leaping into action with his capture scarf, taking down a handful of the villains instantly. His quirk, Erasure, activated as his eyes glowed red, nullifying their powers. However, the numbers were overwhelming, and he knew he'd need help soon.

Meanwhile, Kuro, standing with the other students, spotted a familiar figure among the villains. His eyes widened in recognition—the hooded figure from the previous day, the one who infiltrated the U.A. from the front gate.

Kuro's mind raced, debating his next course of action. Should he support Aizawa and help thin the numbers? Or should he ensure the safety of the students? The tension was palpable.

As Kuro contemplated, Thirteen attempted to reassure the students. "Stay calm. Everything will be okay." But just as she spoke, another portal appeared in front of them. The misty villain from before materialized, and Thirteen recognized him instantly.

"Villain!" she cried, quickly using her quirk, Black Hole. Opening a small tear in her suit, she created a vortex of destructive gravitational pull.

But the mist villain—Kurogiri—countered by creating a portal of his own, redirecting Thirteen's black hole back toward her. The gravitational force hit her from behind, ripping through the back of her suit and knocking her to the ground. Thirteen collapsed, injured.

The students gasped in shock, but before they could react, Bakugo's rage flared. His hands glowed fiercely with his quirk. "DIE!" he screamed, releasing a massive explosion aimed directly at Kurogiri5.

The blast hit the misty villain, causing him to reel, but something was off. Bakugo's eyes narrowed as he noticed the mist wasn't the villain's real body. There was something solid in the middle of the mist.

Seeing this, Kuro quickly formed a plan. He turned to Todoroki. "Freeze him!" Kuro commanded.

Todoroki nodded and immediately used his quirk, sending a wave of ice toward Kurogiri. At the same time, Bakugo lunged forward, placing his palm on the villain's collar—where the physical form seemed to reside. Todoroki's ice followed, freezing Kurogiri in place, trapping him momentarily.

With Kurogiri contained, Kuro took control of the situation, issuing orders with a calm yet authoritative tone. "Momo! You need to create an escape plan. We need the fastest person to go back to U.A. and get reinforcements."

Momo Yaoyorozu, who had already been thinking of a strategy, nodded. "The fastest person here is Iida."

Kuro turned to Iida. "You're the best bet for contacting U.A. Take Momo's plan and get out of here as fast as you can."

Iida clenched his fists, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll go." With that, he sprinted toward the exit, guided by Momo's plan.

Turning to Izuku Midoriya, Kuro said, "Midoriya, you'll gather a team and support Aizawa. He's fighting alone and could use backup."

Midoriya, his nerves steeling, nodded firmly. "Right. I'll do it."

As Iida dashed off to get help, and Midoriya assembled his team, Kuro watched the battlefield carefully, ensuring the students had a clear path.

As Kuro and Bakugo sprinted toward the battlefield, Aizawa caught sight of them out of the corner of his eye. His heart sank, knowing the gravity of the situation.

He yelled toward them, "Get back! This isn't your fight! Run!" His voice was harsh, but it was laced with concern. He had seen the brutal force these villains possessed and didn't want his students anywhere near them.

However, Kuro had no intention of turning back. With a broad smile on his face, he turned to Bakugo. "Come on, Bakugo! We're taking down their boss!" Kuro's eyes gleamed with excitement.

Bakugo, still grinning from the thrill of the fight, shot back, "You think I need your help to take him down? Just stay out of my way, and I'll blow him to bits."

As they charged forward, Izuku, still hanging back with Todoroki, watched the scene unfold. He sighed in exasperation but quickly realized that Kuro's actions, while reckless, were calculated. Kuro wasn't going to sit back and wait for something to happen; he'd rather confront the threat head-on. For better or worse, that's what made him a leader, Izuku thought.

Beside him, Todoroki watched silently. He could see the difference in mentality between himself and Kurokami Tenshin. While Todoroki was always calculating, Kuro threw himself into action. There was a freedom to it, a willingness to embrace the chaos. Todoroki couldn't decide if it was admirable or reckless.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the hooded villain—Tomura Shigaraki—stood scratching at his neck aggressively, his irritation palpable. The carefully laid plans, the infiltration, all of it was meant to lure All Might here. He was supposed to fight the Symbol of Peace, to prove a point. But All Might hadn't shown up. Instead, this was turning into a mess.

Shigaraki's mismatched red eyes scanned the area, assessing the situation. His mind raced. Kurogiri was frozen, his forces were being dismantled by Aizawa, and All Might was still nowhere to be seen.

"This wasn't the plan..." Shigaraki muttered to himself, scratching harder at his neck. His mind swirled with frustration. "If I kill his students... All Might will come. He has to."

Shigaraki's gaze locked onto the two students heading straight for him: Kurokami Tenshin and Bakugo Katsuki. They were charging at him with no hesitation, their eyes filled with determination.

"These kids..." Shigaraki mused, his voice low and raspy. "They're so eager to die."

Kuro grinned as they closed in. "You must be the boss, right? Let's see what you've got!" He flared his Ki around him, ready for battle.

Bakugo's palms sparked with explosions as he growled, "I'll blow your face off, freak!"

But Shigaraki didn't flinch. He calmly extended his hand toward them, the air around his fingertips seeming to distort with malice. His quirk, Decay, was ready to turn anything it touched to dust.

"Come closer," Shigaraki whispered, a chilling smile forming under his hand-covered face. "I'll make sure you regret it."

As Kuro and Bakugo charged toward Shigaraki, the atmosphere grew tense. Aizawa continued fighting the other villains, keeping his eye on the scene, hoping his students knew what they were doing.

...

Aizawa was locked amid a chaotic fight with waves of thugs, and though he was holding his ground, he could feel his stamina slowly draining. Each strike and counter drained more energy than he liked.

He couldn't afford to get caught in such a prolonged fight, not with his students still around. Aizawa was known for his endurance, but this situation was stretching him to his limit. He cursed inwardly, knowing he needed to finish this quickly and reach Kuro and Bakugo.

Just then, a group of floating villains shot through the air, courtesy of Ochaco Uraraka, with Eijiro Kirishima acting as her shield, his hardened form taking on anyone trying to stop them. Izuku Midoriya called out, "Mr. Aizawa! We've come to help!" His tone was determined, and despite not using his quirk, Izuku was holding his own against the criminals with sheer willpower and combat skills.

Aizawa wanted to reprimand them, to order them to retreat. But seeing their resolve and knowing they were already deep in this mess, he sighed in reluctant acceptance. "You kids should've stayed back... but since you're here, don't get in my way," Aizawa muttered, his exhaustion clear but his authority still sharp.

Meanwhile, at the emergency exit, Momo Yaoyorozu stood alongside Mina Ashido, who had used her Acid quirk to melt through the emergency doors. Mina wiped the sweat from her brow, panting a little. "Phew, that was easier than I thought," she said with a grin, her usual bubbly personality shining through despite the tension.

Momo, always calculating, was scanning the area. "This situation seems manageable, but we can't be too complacent. Iida should be bringing reinforcements soon, but let's prepare for anything. Just in case." She immediately began creating ropes and cuffs, preparing for any villains they could capture.

At the heart of the battlefield, Kuro and Bakugo had closed in on Shigaraki, who stood in their path, his hooded figure twitching in irritation. Before the fight could start, Kuro turned to Bakugo, locking eyes with him. The tension mounted… and then they broke into an impromptu rock-paper-scissors match, much to the bafflement of everyone, especially Shigaraki.

Kuro won this time, and Bakugo scowled, "Tch. Fine, you take the first hit, you idiot."

But Shigaraki, already irritated by the lack of All Might, decided he had no more patience for this. He charged, his hand outstretched toward Kuro's face, ready to disintegrate him with his Decay quirk.

Kuro, however, calmly assessed Shigaraki's approach. He could tell the villain wasn't just some untrained lowlife. His movements had precision, but they were still nowhere near fast enough for Kuro. With a swift motion, Kuro grabbed Shigaraki's wrist mid-attack, his Ki flaring slightly as he enhanced his reflexes.

In one fluid motion, Kuro drove his fist into Shigaraki's stomach, causing the villain to cough out in pain. Before Shigaraki could react, Kuro followed up with a sharp kick, sending Shigaraki flying back, clutching his stomach as he skidded across the ground.

Bakugo frowned, watching the villain crumble. "Huh. I was hoping he'd be more of a challenge," he muttered, disappointed by the weak display.

Kuro smiled over his shoulder at Bakugo. "Don't underestimate him. He's not that weak. I just didn't hold back." His eyes stayed on Shigaraki, who was slowly getting up, clearly injured but far from done.

Shigaraki, now fully enraged, shakily rose to his feet. His scratchy voice came out in a furious snarl. "You... damn brats... I'll kill you both." He clawed at his neck, the irritation growing as his plan spiraled out of control.

...

Kurogiri, trapped in Todoroki's ice, had been struggling to escape. He only needed the smallest crack, just enough to open a portal. Finally, he succeeded, making a tiny portal and passing out from the cold in the process. His last words before losing consciousness were a faint, "Good luck, Young Master Shigaraki."

Meanwhile, Kuro and Bakugo were closing in on Shigaraki, prepared to take him down. Suddenly, they both tensed as they saw the telltale sign of a portal opening. It wasn't the portal itself that caused the tension, but the sheer power they felt coming from whatever was about to emerge.

Kuro's instincts flared. "Whatever's coming through that portal... it's strong," he muttered.

Bakugo, ever the brash one, dismissed him. "Shut up. I've got this."

Shigaraki, who was still clutching his stomach in pain from Kuro's earlier strike, finally lowered his hoodie, revealing his scarred, pale face. With a twisted smile, he rasped, "Now that Nomu's here... I'll kill you both."

Emerging from the portal was Nomu, a monstrous figure. Its grotesque, black body was covered in small red scars, with exposed muscle tissue and an exposed brain. Its eyes were unfocused, and its hulking form towered over both Kuro and Bakugo. It was built like a living weapon, standing nearly as tall as All Might himself.

Kuro quickly reached into his bag and pulled out 4 rings, throwing them onto Nomu's limbs in an attempt to immobilize them. Nomu, however, remained completely unresponsive, its cold, vacant eyes showing no reaction. Shigaraki, with a smirk, simply reached out and was going to touch one of the weights, getting rid of whatever it was, was probably the best idea.6

Kuro, not wasting any time, decided to incapacitate Shigaraki while he could. He launched a swift kick at Shigaraki's head, but before it could connect, Nomu intercepted the blow. Its speed was monstrous—inhuman, even—and it blocked Kuro's attack effortlessly.

Shigaraki, now smug, looked up. "Nomu... kill the two kids standing in front of you."

Meanwhile, Class 1-A had finished dealing with the hundreds of villains swarming the USJ. Despite the overwhelming numbers, they had successfully defeated and restrained each one. There were at least 500, possibly even a thousand, but the students worked together, utilizing quick thinking and teamwork to emerge victorious.

Aizawa, who had been watching from the sidelines, was conflicted. Should he scold them for not following orders, or praise them for their exceptional responses and teamwork? He ran a hand through his messy hair, unsure of what to say.

Izuku Midoriya pointed toward the black figure in the distance, near where Kuro and Bakugo were fighting. "Sensei... there's something over there with Kuro and Bakugo!"

Aizawa's eyes narrowed. He decided to intervene. "Stay here. I'll handle it," he said, his voice steady, though his body betrayed some tension. Before heading out, Momo Yaoyorozu handed him a pair of specially crafted goggles.

"These were Kurokami's ideas," Momo explained. "He told me to give them to you just in case. I think... now's that time."

Aizawa accepted the goggles, slightly puzzled by the foresight, but he shrugged and put them on. As he approached the battlefield, he was stunned. Without the goggles, he wouldn't have even been able to see the fight—Nomu was moving at blinding speeds, engaging in a literal deathmatch with Kuro and Bakugo.

With the goggles on, Aizawa could finally track Nomu's movements. He realized, in awe, just how insane this fight had become. Kuro and Bakugo were fighting at full power, and the monster was holding its own without breaking a sweat.

Aizawa couldn't help but wonder if Kurokami had planned all of this. The foresight to give him these goggles felt too convenient. But there was no time to dwell on that. He had to help. 

...

Bakugo was locked in, his mind sharp and his body tense with the pressure of combat. Nomu was an overwhelming force, a monstrous creature with nearly unmatched physical stats.

Each blow Bakugo landed, using his powerful explosions, seemed to do minimal damage. The monster just absorbed it all. But Kuro was taking the brunt of Nomu's wrath, tanking hits that would've flattened anyone else.

Bakugo set off another smokescreen, blocking Nomu's sight as it charged forward mindlessly. He then unleashed a new technique, Flashbang—a bright burst of light that temporarily blinded the Nomu. This was a trick Bakugo had been developing, harnessing the light and heat elements of his quirk in a way that disoriented rather than destroyed.

Kuro, behind the monster, was ready. His Ki energy surged. He had two forms of attack: "Base" and "Condense." But now? Now he needed more. The light purple Ki surrounding his body began swirling wildly, his aura intensifying. By combining Base and Condense, Kuro had unlocked a new form—"Flux."7

This form was designed for one thing: an all-out final stand. It drained Kuro's Ki reserves rapidly, but in return, it pushed him to his absolute peak. His body crackled with energy as he moved in on Nomu. Unleashing a barrage of rapid punches, Kuro pounded away while the Nomu was still blinded.

Shigaraki, watching from a distance, was surprised that these two kids had lasted so long against Nomu. But his surprise turned to a twisted grin. "It doesn't matter," he muttered to himself. "Nomu has Shock Absorption. Your power types are perfectly countered. No matter how strong you hit, it'll just absorb the damage. And it can heal. Nomu is made to kill All Might, you dumb kids—"

But then something unexpected happened.

Kuro's final punch landed with a heavy, resonating impact. The Nomu flew back, crashing through a pile of debris. Kuro smiled as he realized what had just happened.

"Aizawa," Kuro whispered, his one good eye flicking to the distant hero.

Mr. Aizawa had taken the goggles Momo Yaoyorozu had given him and was using them to erase Nomu's quirks—no more Shock Absorption, no more Healing. For the first time in the battle, the Nomu was vulnerable.

Bakugo, using his flashbangs, continued to blind and disorient the monster. "It's pretty stupid, but it's got way too much HP," Bakugo growled, frustrated that the creature could take so much punishment.

Kuro, his body still buzzing with the power of Flux, nodded in agreement. They were chipping away at it, and maybe, just maybe, they could take it down.

But Shigaraki, watching intently, noticed something. His grin faded as he assessed the situation carefully. The battle wasn't going in his favor anymore. His eyes flicked to Aizawa, who had been silently tipping the scales. Without Nomu's quirks, the monster was losing ground.

Shigaraki's hand twitched as he scratched his neck furiously. "This isn't how it was supposed to go..." he muttered.

Then, an idea crept into Shigaraki's mind, and a wide, maniacal smile spread across his face. His red eyes zeroed in on Aizawa. He was the key. If Aizawa died, Nomu would get its quirks back.

"You're so cool, Eraserhead," Shigaraki said, his voice soft but sinister. "Such a shame I've got to kill you now."

With a burst of speed, Shigaraki sprinted toward Aizawa, his hand reaching out, fingers twitching with the intent to decay. If he touched Aizawa, it would be over.

Kuro, still mid-fight with Nomu, noticed the shift in Shigaraki's focus. His eyes widened as he realized what was happening.

"Bakugo!" Kuro shouted, pointing toward Shigaraki. "He's going for Aizawa!"

Bakugo's eyes followed Kuro's gaze, and with a snarl, he charged up an explosive blast aimed at Shigaraki. "Not on my watch!"

...

As Bakugo charged toward Shigaraki, prepared to knock him out, something in him paused. He understood in an instant that Nomu would automatically protect Shigaraki if he fired off an explosion. It was a trap. So instead, Bakugo veered off, grabbing Aizawa and pulling him out of harm's way.

Shigaraki frowned, disappointed that Bakugo had figured it out. "That brat..." he muttered, scratching his neck furiously. His plan to kill Aizawa and return Nomu's quirks had failed, but Nomu still had enough power to finish the job.

Kuro, meanwhile, was locked in a desperate battle with Nomu. He was fast, but not fast enough. Nomu's sheer power and speed were overwhelming. Kuro tried to dodge, but Nomu landed a brutal hit, sending him flying.

For a brief second, Kuro didn't even register the pain. It felt surreal like time had slowed down as he soared through the air, tumbling and bouncing off the hard ground before slamming into the USJ dome's edge with a deafening crash.

As Nomu turned, roaring victoriously at what it assumed was Kuro's death, it locked eyes on its next target—Bakugo.

The air in the room seemed to freeze. For the first time, the reality of the situation hit the students watching from the sidelines. This wasn't a controlled exercise or a school activity. This was real life, and people could die.

The threat of serious injury had always been there, but now, with Kuro seemingly down and Nomu's deadly focus on Bakugo, they felt it in their bones. This wasn't a fairy tale.

Bakugo's thoughts churned like a storm as he watched Nomu's looming figure, its muscles rippling under its black skin, the grotesque exposed brain pulsating rhythmically. He hated that brain—more than he hated the thing's freakish speed, its terrifying strength, or even its blank, soulless eyes. That brain taunted him, like the whole damn fight was a joke, like Nomu didn't care if he lived or died. And Bakugo couldn't stand that.

Bakugo glanced at Kuro, crumpled against the far wall of the USJ dome. He had seen him take bad hits before, but this... this was different. Kuro had been thrown like a rag doll, and though he was tough, Bakugo knew he wasn't invincible. He clenched his fists, veins throbbing in his forearms, feeling the familiar heat rising in his palms.

"Tch! This freak's tougher than I thought," Bakugo muttered, staring at Nomu. The rage was building inside him, but so was something else—an unfamiliar edge of fear. But he shoved it down. Fear was for the weak. He wasn't weak. He was going to be No. 1, and he'd be damned if this mindless freak was going to be the one to kill him.

His eyes flicked to Todoroki, who had silently joined the fray. The air around them was growing cold, small particles of frost glittering as they fell from Todoroki's quirk. Bakugo could see the icy mist rising from his body, the thin layer of frost spreading across the floor from his feet. But Todoroki's face was as calm as ever, even as they faced this beast.

"You gonna stand there all day, Icyhot?" Bakugo barked, his voice cutting through the tension like a razor.

Todoroki's gaze barely shifted. "I didn't need your help to freeze this thing," he replied coolly, sending another wave of ice toward Nomu, aiming to slow its monstrous advance. The ice crawled up its arms, but Nomu barely seemed to register it. Its eyes remained unfocused, locked only on one thing: destruction.

"Fine, let's see who finishes it off first," Bakugo growled, his voice dripping with competitive venom.

Todoroki didn't respond, but his posture shifted slightly, indicating he was ready to take on the challenge. Both of them were too proud to back down.

With a sudden burst of speed, Nomu charged at Bakugo, its massive frame closing the distance between them in seconds, breaking through the thin layer of ice that had briefly slowed it down. Bakugo's heart pounded in his chest, but he wasn't about to give the monster the satisfaction of seeing his fear.

"Flashbang!" Bakugo shouted as his palms crackled with energy. In an instant, he unleashed a burst of light so bright it lit up the entire USJ dome for a split second, followed by an explosion that sent shockwaves through the air. Nomu flinched, its head jerking back as the bright light overloaded its senses, its brain struggling to process what had happened.

"You like that, freak?" Bakugo snarled as he darted to the side, his palms already glowing with the promise of another explosion. He could feel the heat building, the sweat trickling down his arms. His quirk was pushing him to his limits, but he didn't care. He couldn't afford to care.

As Nomu's vision cleared, it roared—an inhuman, guttural sound that echoed through the dome, shaking the very ground beneath them. It swiped its massive arm toward Bakugo, faster than he expected.

Bakugo barely managed to throw himself backward, rolling to avoid the hit, but even then, the shockwave from Nomu's attack sent him skidding across the floor, his boots screeching as he dug in to stop himself.

"Damn it!" Bakugo hissed, slamming his fist into the ground as he stood. His chest heaved, adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Tch. I thought you said this thing was slow, Icyhot!"

Todoroki remained unfazed. "You said it was stupid, not slow," he corrected, unleashing another barrage of ice, this time focusing on its legs to keep it in place. Massive spikes of ice erupted from the ground, encasing Nomu's legs and pinning them in place, frost rapidly spreading across its limbs.

"That should hold it," Todoroki murmured, his voice calm and controlled as if stating a fact.

But Bakugo wasn't having it. "Hold it?! I'm gonna kill it!" he bellowed, launching himself into the air with a well-timed explosion, his body spinning as he positioned himself right above Nomu. His palms flared with energy, the familiar rush of heat flooding his senses as he prepared his next attack. "Let's see if it can absorb this!"

Bakugo unleashed a concentrated explosion directly downward, aimed at Nomu's exposed brain. The force of the blast rocked the entire battlefield, sending dust and debris flying in every direction. For a moment, everything went still as the dust settled.

But Nomu didn't fall.

The monster stood firm, even as smoke rose from its scorched body. Its brain remained untouched, hidden behind its nearly indestructible flesh. Bakugo's eyes widened in disbelief. "What the hell is this thing made of?!" he yelled, frustration seeping into his voice.

Todoroki's brow furrowed as he studied Nomu, realization dawning on him. "It's regenerating... and its muscles are absorbing the shock from our attacks."

"So what?!" Bakugo spat. "We keep hitting it until it stops moving!"

But Todoroki shook his head, his gaze shifting to where Aizawa was still keeping his eyes on the battle, however he had limits and couldn't constantly keep his eyes on it. "We need to stop it from regenerating, or we'll never win."

Bakugo clenched his fists. He didn't care about tactics or strategies. He wanted this thing dead. He wanted to win. But as Nomu's wounds healed before his eyes, he realized that brute strength alone wasn't going to be enough.

Suddenly, Nomu roared again, breaking free from the ice encasing its legs. It lunged forward, its eyes locking onto Bakugo, who barely had time to react as Nomu's massive fist swung toward him.

"Bakugo, move!" Todoroki shouted, unleashing another wave of ice, trying to slow Nomu down, but the monster was too fast. Bakugo braced himself for the impact, but just before the hit could land, Kuro appeared from the side, crashing into Nomu with a powerful kick.

Kuro's body was battered and bruised, blood trickling from a cut above his eyebrow, but his eyes were blazing with determination. "Y'know I'm kinda like Class President right? Can't let ya kill my classmates buddy.," he said, wiping the blood from his face as he stood between Bakugo and Nomu. His Ki flared around him, the light purple aura swirling like a storm, crackling with energy.

Bakugo smirked. "Took your ass, long enough."

Kuro's lips curled into a grin. "Hehe, can't exactly fail...Iida might kill me himself." Kuro stretched his arms, he had a bit of concussion, but he couldn't stop now, it was way~ too much fun.

...

Momo Yaoyorozu's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing. The sight of Kuro, Bakugo, and Todoroki fighting for their lives against Nomu left her frozen, gripping the edge of her uniform with trembling fingers. The battlefield was chaos—shockwaves from explosions, bursts of flame, and monstrous roars echoed across the USJ dome. She had trained for this, prepared for this, but now... she couldn't move. Her classmates, and her friends, were out there risking everything, and she was standing still, paralyzed by fear.

A voice inside her kept whispering one thing— You're not strong enough. You're not good enough. How could she, Momo Yaoyorozu, possibly make a difference when monsters like Nomu existed? She was supposed to be the class's Vice President, the logical one, the dependable one. And here she was, useless.

Her breathing quickened, panic sinking its claws into her. What am I doing? I should be helping, I should be... She clenched her fists, trying to steady herself, but the weight of the situation threatened to crush her. She couldn't stop thinking about how powerless she felt, how insignificant she was in the face of such overwhelming danger.

Suddenly, a hand rested gently on her shoulder. Momo gasped, snapping out of her spiral and turning to see Izuku Midoriya, his usual nervous demeanor replaced by something she hadn't seen in him before—determination. But beneath that determination, there was also something else: disgust.

"Momo," he said, his voice steady and calm. "We need a plan. You're the best strategist in our class. If anyone can come up with something, it's you."

His words cut through the fog of panic in her mind. A plan. That was something she could do, wasn't it? She was the one who always excelled in logical thinking, in organizing, in figuring out solutions. But as she tried to focus on the situation, her confidence wavered again. Could she really do it?

Izuku stepped past her, his gaze fixed firmly on the battle ahead. His steps were slow, and deliberate, as if each one carried the weight of his thoughts. His back was straight, and there was a quiet intensity in the way he moved. He wasn't running, nor was he charging forward recklessly like Bakugo might. He was walking with purpose.

Momo blinked, her confusion briefly replacing her fear. "Izuku... what are you doing?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She could see it in his eyes—he was walking into the thick of the fight, toward Nomu.

Aizawa, still fighting off the remaining villains with blood dripping from his brow, saw Izuku approaching and his heart dropped. "Midoriya! Get back!" he bellowed, his voice raw with urgency. "That thing will kill you! You're not ready for this! Listen to me!" His usually calm and gruff demeanor was gone, replaced with something bordering on desperation. He couldn't afford to lose another student. Not today.

But Izuku didn't stop. He barely seemed to hear Aizawa's warnings.

Everything flashed through his mind— Bakugo's cold stare after their fight, the frustration of not being able to explain One For All, the look of doubt in Todoroki's eyes during their conversations, the memories of Kuro confidently leading the class, pushing everyone forward with his infectious energy. The camaraderie with Iida, the laughs with Uraraka. His dreams. It wasn't perfect, but for the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged. He had something— friends, a purpose, a path. And yet... here he was, useless in the face of true danger.

He looked at his hands, balling them into fists, his knuckles turning white. Please, One For All. His quirk had been a gift—a powerful gift passed down through generations. And yet it still betrayed him when it mattered most. Why won't you work? He thought desperately. Just this once. I don't care if I break every bone in my body again, I just need you to work now! His frustration bubbled up, threatening to explode.

But nothing happened.

Izuku felt the familiar emptiness in his hands, the absence of the power he so desperately needed. His body, his muscles, his bones—none of them responded the way they should. And yet, despite the despair creeping in, he kept walking forward.

Momo, her breath catching in her throat, watched him in disbelief. Izuku wasn't even hesitating. He knew he couldn't use his quirk properly—he knew it might not work at all, and still, he was going. Into the fray. Into the chaos. Into certain death.

And then she realized what she had been missing.

It wasn't about power or quirks. It wasn't even about winning or losing. Izuku was walking forward because he had something worth fighting for—something that went beyond strength. He was fighting for his friends, for the people who had stood by him, for everything he believed in.

That's when it hit her.

"Izuku, wait!" Momo called, her voice more confident than it had been moments before. He paused, turning to look at her over his shoulder. "We need to fight smart! If we rush in without thinking, we'll just get in the way!" Her voice trembled slightly, but there was strength behind it now. She wasn't scared anymore.

Izuku blinked, his expression softening as he nodded. "Then what's the plan?" he asked a flicker of hope in his eyes.

Momo took a deep breath, her mind racing. They were outmatched physically, that much was obvious. Nomu was a force of nature, created specifically to take down All Might. But what Nomu had in brute strength, they could make up for with strategy. They just needed to outsmart it.

"Todoroki's ice is slowing Nomu down, but it's not enough," Momo began, thinking quickly. "Bakugo's explosions are damaging it, but it's regenerating too fast. If we can't stop its healing ability, then we need to find a way to immobilize it—at least temporarily."

Izuku nodded, listening intently.

"Bakugo and Todoroki can keep it distracted with their attacks, but that won't hold for long. I'll create something—maybe a trap, some way to pin it down for just a moment. If we can buy enough time, Aizawa can nullify its quirk long enough for us to get a hit in."

Izuku's eyes lit up. "You can do that?"

Momo gave a determined nod. "I have to."

She turned to the rest of the class, who had been watching anxiously from the sidelines. "Everyone, listen! We need to split up—create as many distractions as possible! We need to keep Nomu off-balance. I'll create a trap, but I need time!"

Eijiro Kirishima, who had been watching the battle with a mix of awe and frustration, cracked his knuckles. "You heard her, guys! Let's do this! No more sitting around!"

"Finally!" Mina Ashido shouted, stepping up beside him, her acidic hands crackling with energy. "I was waiting for this!"

Even Ochaco, who had been trembling slightly, took a deep breath and nodded. "We're with you, Momo."

As the class rallied together, Momo's heart swelled with newfound courage. She wasn't alone. They weren't alone. And maybe—just maybe—they had a chance.

Izuku raced forward, his breath coming in sharp bursts, his mind set on one goal: just one punch. The green lightning crackled around him, coursing through his veins as he activated One For All, pushing his body to the limit. This had to work. It just had to. Everyone was counting on him.

Ahead, Kuro noticed Izuku's approach, his sharp eyes catching the surge of green energy surrounding his classmate. He immediately recognized an opportunity. Without wasting a second, Kuro grabbed onto one of Nomu's massive arms. The weights Kuro had attached earlier to the monster's limbs were still in place, slowing it down. Hopefully, they would be enough to hold Nomu in place for just a little longer.

"Hold on, Deku!" Kuro called, his voice straining as he dug his heels into the ground, using every ounce of his strength to keep Nomu from breaking free.

Todoroki wasn't far behind. Understanding the strategy at play, he slammed his foot into the ground, sending a massive ice spike shooting up from beneath Nomu, piercing its shoulder. It wasn't a deep wound, but it was enough to destabilize the creature, forcing it to stagger as it tried to shake off the ice and weight.

"Now!" Kuro shouted, knowing they had mere seconds before Nomu recovered.

Bakugo, seeing the perfect opening, smirked. This was his moment. He removed one of his gauntlets and took a deep breath, focusing his quirk. His hands began to heat up, the nitroglycerin in his sweat primed for one of his heat-based explosions. This wasn't a move he used lightly. It was risky—overuse could char his palms, possibly ending his career as a hero before it even began. But right now, once would be enough.

The blast would give him an edge, maybe even win the fight. But just then, Bakugo noticed something out of the corner of his eye—Izuku, surging forward with that weird green lightning aura around him. His heart skipped a beat, his grip on the gauntlet tightening. Why now, Deku? Bakugo thought, his teeth grinding in frustration. But as he watched Izuku come closer, something shifted in him.

Izuku's eyes were locked on Nomu, pure determination blazing in his gaze. His fist clenched tight, crackling with the raw power of One For All. He wasn't going to hold back. Not this time.

Bakugo hesitated for just a second, the explosion flickering in his hands. But instead of feeling his usual anger, his usual irritation at Izuku's sudden displays of strength, he felt... calm. For the first time in a long while, he wasn't worried about Izuku getting hurt. He wasn't worried about Deku needing his protection. Watching Izuku charge into the fray, Bakugo felt a strange sense of relief.

Izuku wasn't defenseless anymore.

"Fine..." Bakugo muttered under his breath, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he stepped back. "Go for it, Deku."

Izuku closed the distance in a blur of green lightning, his heart hammering in his chest. Nomu's shock absorption was nullified thanks to Aizawa, and Kuro's weights kept its movement sluggish. Todoroki's ice kept it off balance. It was the perfect moment.

"One For All—" Izuku roared, his fist pulling back as he summoned every last ounce of strength he could muster. "—Detroit Smash!"

The impact was deafening. Izuku's fist collided with Nomu's chest, sending shockwaves through the air. The sheer force of the punch caved Nomu's chest inward, the monster's ribs cracking under the pressure as it was launched backward. The sound of its monstrous growl was drowned out by the explosion of wind and energy from Izuku's punch.

The class watching from the distance couldn't believe what they were seeing. Nomu, the monster that had been designed to take down All Might, was now on the ground, struggling to regenerate from the damage Izuku had inflicted.

Izuku, panting heavily, fell to one knee. His arm throbbed in pain, but it wasn't broken. He'd controlled the power, just enough to keep himself in one piece. His body shook from exhaustion, but he was still standing. He looked up, his vision blurry, but through the haze, he could see Nomu writhing on the ground, trying to recover.8

Kuro, still holding onto the weighted rings, let out a breath of relief. "Nice one, Deku."

Bakugo, standing off to the side, crossed his arms and smirked. "You did it, you damn nerd." He tried to sound annoyed, but the satisfaction in his voice betrayed him. There was no anger, no resentment this time. Just... acknowledgment.

Kuro looked between the two of them and smiled. "Guess we've still got more work to do," he said, stretching his arms as if the fight wasn't over.

Nomu wasn't down for long. Its regeneration kicked in, and it started to rise once more, its chest beginning to mend itself. The battle wasn't over yet, but the tide had turned.

"Ready for round two?" Kuro asked, cracking his knuckles.

Izuku gritted his teeth, forcing himself to his feet. "Always."

And for the first time, Bakugo didn't feel like he was alone in the fight. He glanced at Kuro and Izuku, and while the rivalry would never disappear, he felt something different—a grudging sense of respect.

"Don't think this means you've caught up to me, Deku," Bakugo said, launching another explosion at Nomu. "I'm still gonna be number one. But at least now, I don't have to babysit you anymore."

Izuku smiled through the pain. "Wouldn't dream of it, Kacchan."

...

As she looked at the impact, Izuku had made, hope began to spread, there was a chance of victory.

Momo Yaoyorozu's plan had been meticulous, and now it was time to execute. She steeled herself, pushing aside the fear that gnawed at her. She was a leader—this was the moment to prove it. She had successfully created an entire canister of styrene, a chemical compound known for being highly flammable, and now it was their key to victory.9

"Now!" Momo shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Hanta Sero wasted no time. Using his Tape Quirk, he attached the canister securely to Tsuyu Asui, whose powerful legs propelled her into the air, gaining the necessary height. Below, Eijiro Kirishima waited, his hardened form ready for impact.

Tsuyu dropped him, canister in hand, towards the battlefield. As Kirishima fell, the canister, which could have detonated upon impact, was safely kept in place by Mineta's sticky balls.

Kirishima landed with a resounding crash, charging straight into Nomu, dousing the monster with the styrene. Bakugo, who had been watching from the sidelines, immediately recognized what they were doing. His Grand Move—they were setting it up for him.

"Let's end this!" Bakugo shouted, grinning with fiery anticipation.

Bakugo placed his hands behind his back, preparing for the ultimate burst of speed he'd need to pull off his move. Just then, Kuro darted forward, grabbing onto Bakugo with a grin. Sticking his tongue out playfully, "And~ Here we go!" Kuro spun Bakugo around, gathering momentum before launching him towards Nomu.

Understanding the signal, Bakugo used his explosions to propel himself faster. He was a blur of orange sparks, racing towards the flammable-coated Nomu.

As Bakugo closed the distance, he took a long, hard look at the creature—a twisted product of torture and manipulation. It was a horrifying thought, but at this moment, he felt no sympathy. This had to end.

"Rest now, monster," Bakugo growled under his breath as he unleashed the explosion.

*Super Cool Boom*

The explosion was magnificent and terrifying. The mix of nitroglycerin with the highly flammable styrene, combined with Bakugo's intense heat, created a detonation unlike anything they had ever seen.

The sky lit up with a giant, brilliant orange sphere that expanded with resounding force. The ground trembled from the sheer power of the blast. Heat waves rippled through the air, and for a moment, it was as though the entire world held its breath.

Class 1-A was thrown back by the shockwave. Some were sent sprawling, others braced against the intense pressure, struggling to breathe. The explosion had consumed much of the oxygen, leaving the battlefield in a stifling vacuum of heat and scorched earth.

At the epicenter of the blast, Bakugo, whose body bore the brunt of the explosion, slowly stood up. His skin was burnt, his clothes practically destroyed—save for his tattered pants, but his natural heat resistance had saved him from any severe damage. Bakugo, despite the inferno he had just unleashed, was still standing10.

He approached the charred remains of Nomu, the monster reduced to little more than a smoldering heap. Bakugo's fierce expression softened for a moment as he stared down at the broken, twisted creature. "You were a weapon... a victim," he muttered, offering a rare moment of silent respect to the poor soul that had been turned into this monstrosity.

The rest of Class 1-A and Aizawa cautiously made their way over, still reeling from the explosion's aftermath. The ground was scorched, the air thick with smoke. It was as if a storm of fire had swept through. But there, amid the devastation, stood Bakugo, triumphant. His skin was seared, his body battered, but his spirit burned even brighter.

As they gathered around, eyes wide with awe, Bakugo turned to face them. And for the first time that day, maybe even for the first time in a long while, Bakugo smiled. But it wasn't the usual cocky grin or arrogant smirk. No, this was a genuine smile—one of pride and relief.

"We did it, you damn extras." Bakugo's voice was hoarse from the heat and smoke, but there was no malice in his tone. For once, his words weren't meant to hurt—they were meant to acknowledge. He had fought alongside them, and they had won together.

Momo, still catching her breath, gave a soft smile in return. "That was... incredible, Bakugo," she said, her voice filled with admiration.

"Tch. Of course it was," Bakugo replied, wiping the sweat and soot from his face, though the corners of his mouth still twitched upward. "Wouldn't expect anything less."

As the others slowly gathered their composure, Izuku found himself watching Bakugo in a different light. The rivalry would never fade, and the tension between them would always be there, but for now, for this moment, Bakugo had earned their respect.

And for once, it seemed like Bakugo didn't mind.

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[Auther: Whew...a near 10k chapter...I've been working...too tired to address anything here...]