In Class 1-A, the day was just beginning. The atmosphere was the usual mix of lively chatter: some students preparing for the lesson, others just relaxing before the teacher arrived.
The atmosphere changed abruptly when the door opened and Aizawa appeared. As usual, his expression was serious and tired, but at that moment his phone rang. The classroom fell silent as he answered, murmuring under his breath. Then, without saying anything, he left the room.
Minutes passed slowly. Students exchanged uneasy glances, wondering what was happening. When Aizawa returned, the tension grew palpable, but what really unnerved everyone was his smile. It wasn't a normal smile; it was the kind that bordered on macabre and meant one thing: something bad was about to happen.
—Well, —Aizawa said, returning to his usual serious tone— it seems this student finally stopped slacking off after a long time. You know who I mean… please welcome the last student missing from Class 1-A… Izuku Himura.
The room erupted in murmurs. Everyone knew exactly who he was, but they couldn't believe it. Him? He was already here?
When the door opened and the new student entered, silence fell again. Everyone watched him with surprise and curiosity.
He was a short young man with messy, curly green hair. He wasn't especially muscular, but there was something in his relaxed posture and calm gaze that conveyed a disconcerting tranquility. His presence wasn't intimidating, yet it didn't go unnoticed. There was a confidence about him, a kind of controlled calm that was hard to ignore. Could this really be the student with the impossible entrance exam score?
What happened next left everyone in complete shock.
—ONII-CHAAAN!!! —Izumi's excited voice broke the silence as she shot out of her seat.
She ran to him so fast nobody could react. With a leap she launched herself into his arms, hugging him so tightly they both ended up on the floor.
—WHAT!? —several shouted in unison, unable to believe what they were seeing. Was Izumi really that affectionate?
Izuku let out a small laugh, ruffling his sister's hair affectionately.
—Hi, Izumi. I missed you too. Have you behaved these past days? —he asked softly, his expression radiating tenderness.
—ONII-CHAN?! —the entire class exploded.
They looked from Izumi to Izuku, trying to process what they'd just heard. They were really siblings!?
Most of the class froze, not knowing how to react… but not everyone.
—DEKU YOU DAMN NERD!!! —Bakugo's furious voice rang out, causing more than a few to jump—. WHY THE HELL ARE YOU HERE, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!?
Bakugo stood up so fast he almost knocked over his chair, his hands trembling with pure rage and tiny sparks of explosions already starting to hiss from them.
Izuku, however, didn't flinch. His expression remained calm, a small smile forming on his lips as he looked at Bakugo.
—Hi, Bakugo. Glad to see you too, —he said in a calm tone, as if nothing were happening, which only made Bakugo angrier at his complete composure.
Izuku then glanced quickly around the room, and his smile widened as he recognized two familiar faces.
—Uraraka! Iida! —he greeted with a friendly wave—. It's good to see you both again. How have you been?
The confusion only grew. Not only had the student with the impossible score arrived, but he seemed to know several classmates. Had Uraraka and Iida known him and not told anyone? The scandal erupted.
—Why didn't you tell us anything!?
—Since when do you know him!?
The shouting was abruptly cut off when Aizawa slammed a stack of papers onto his desk. The sound echoed through the room and silence returned instantly.
—Enough, —he ordered sharply—. That's enough of this commotion.
His serious gaze turned to Izuku, who looked a little surprised by the reaction.
—Young Himura, —Aizawa continued—, I don't care what kind of relationship you have with Miss Midoriya, with Bakugo, with Iida, or with Miss Uraraka… but not attending class these past days will not go unpunished.
The atmosphere tightened again. Everyone could feel what was coming, and Aizawa's chilling smile did nothing to ease it.
—So, when I learned you would arrive today, I spoke with the other teachers to adjust the schedule. This morning we will not have normal classes. Instead, we'll have a special hero lesson. We will repeat yesterday's "Heroes vs. Villains" exercise, but this time with a small change… all of you… against Mr. Himura.
The classroom was stunned.
—WHAT!? —the exclamation was almost unanimous.
—Teacher, that wouldn't be fair! —Yaoyorozu intervened in a serious, clearly worried tone—. All of us against one person is simply a beating.
—I agree! That's not manly at all! —added a red-haired student named Kirishima, frowning at the lack of fairness.
—I WON'T LET YOU HURT MY ONII-CHAN!! —Izumi shouted, her bad mood flaring as she adopted an overprotective stance and hugged Izuku even tighter, provoking more bewilderment in the group at her sudden change in demeanor.
Aizawa, however, remained unmoved by any protest.
—It's his punishment for arriving late, —he declared—. I don't tolerate absences, even brief ones. You are heroes… act like it. Also… aren't you curious? Don't you want to know how he got the highest score on the entrance exam?
—But it still seems unfair. He gains nothing from fighting, —said a blond student named Denki Kaminari, relaxed but not entirely in agreement.
—You're right, it wouldn't be a fair game, so I'll propose something. Since today I was also going to mention selecting the class representative, let's make a deal: if he wins he becomes the class representative, but if any of you defeat him quickly, that student will be the representative. What do you think?
The classroom filled with murmurs. Excitement grew among the students, and more than one already saw this as the perfect chance to become class rep and lead a group.
Izumi was about to protest again, but Izuku gently stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder.
—It's okay, little sister, —he said in his serene tone—. I must take responsibility for my actions. Besides, it will be fun to see the potential of my classmates. —His gaze sharpened slightly—. I assure you, Izumi… you won't defeat me.
—But brother, you don't even ha—
—I DON'T NEED ANYONE! —Bakugo shouted, his fury and enthusiasm rising by the second—. I'LL BEAT YOU, DEKU YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!!
Izuku sighed, relaxed, still smiling.
—Then let's see that, Bakugo. This should be fun.
֎֎֎
Almost ready to head out for the test, Izuku was in the locker room when he ran into Izumi, accompanied by Uraraka and Iida. The air buzzed with a mix of excitement and nerves, but seeing his companions brought a warm smile to his face.
—Hey, little sister! Iida, Uraraka —he greeted warmly—. Any last words for your rival? Haha. And by the way, were you planning to introduce them as your friends, little sister?
—THEY'RE NOT MY FRIENDS!! —Izumi shouted, offended, cheeks puffed out in an adorable pout—. They're just idiots who won't stop following me! I only came to check on you, that's all!
Uraraka let out a nervous laugh while Iida cleared his throat, striking his usual pose, his arm movements so formal it was almost robotic.
—Young Himura! —he said in his serious tone—. I've come to scold you for not attending class these past days! Truly, your lack of responsibility is concerning and disrespectful toward your classmates and teachers!
—("Says the guy who bet against me because he thought he was superior.")— Izuku thought, letting out a quiet chuckle.
—Don't worry, my friend. I only missed class for family matters, nothing serious. I also came because of that promise we made that day. I'm still waiting for that favor.
That made Iida tense up. Izuku knew who he was and the prestigious family of heroes he came from — an opportunity that couldn't be wasted.
Izuku then noticed Uraraka, who stood slightly apart, her shy charm as familiar and endearing as ever. He liked seeing that she hadn't changed at all.
—And Uraraka... —he said softly, approaching her with a natural confidence that made her blush instantly—. I'm glad to see you're well. Sorry I wasn't there when you woke up. Your injuries weren't permanent, right? —he asked sincerely, giving a slight bow.
Uraraka turned as red as a tomato.
—Y-Yes… thank you… thank you for saving me that time, —she replied, trying to keep her composure, though her voice trembled—. I really mean it. I even tried to ask them to give you some of my points, but… well, they didn't let me, hehe.
—Don't worry about it. That was really thoughtful of you, —he said gently, and without realizing it, affectionately ruffled her hair—. I hope we can become good friends.
The gesture only made Uraraka blush even harder, completely thrown off by his kindness.
But Izuku realized too late… he had made a mistake. When he turned around, he met his sister's glare. Izumi was staring at him with a mix of jealousy and irritation so intense that a chill ran down his spine.
("Yeah… I fucked up.") he thought, quickly pulling his hand away from Uraraka's head.
—SHUT UP, BOTH OF YOU!! —Izumi interrupted, crossing her arms with an offended look—. The real reason I came to see you, Onii-chan, is because of my suit… —her voice softened with a trace of sadness—. It got pretty damaged. Most of it's fine, but some parts can't be repaired.
—Ah, that… Don't worry, little sister, —he said in a reassuring tone—. I already planned for that. I had the support class make something special for you this morning. It's the same as your original suit, but stronger. It's practically indestructible… though if someone threw a nuclear bomb at you, then we'd have a problem. But don't worry, I'll keep improving it.
With that gift secured, Izumi's expression softened — but her unease didn't go unnoticed. Her eyes lit up with emotion, and without thinking, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
—You're the best, Onii-chan! —she said, glowing with happiness.
Moments later, her demeanor shifted sharply. With a furious glare, she shooed Iida and Uraraka out of the locker room without saying a word. Once the door closed, her expression changed drastically: the anger faded, replaced by visible worry. Izuku, noticing, approached her carefully, trying to understand what was wrong.
—What's wrong, little sister? Why that face?
—Onii-chan… will you be okay? I don't know how you did it, but I heard you won the fight using those black whips. But… those are just accessories, right? Because… you don't have a quirk. Are you sure you'll be fine?
The comment caught Izuku off guard. For a moment, the air seemed to grow heavier. To his sister, he was still the same quirkless boy she'd always known. The black whips could only be advanced tools — nothing more. And it made sense. Izumi didn't know the truth.
Inside Izuku's mind, a battle began. He knew Izumi deserved to know — she'd always been by his side, always believed in him. But the secret of One For All wasn't just his; it was All Might's as well. Telling her would mean betraying that trust.
—Sister, I… —he began, but couldn't continue, as an announcement blared over the loudspeakers.
Students, ten minutes until the next test. Please proceed immediately.
Izumi sighed, forcing a small smile, though the worry was still clear in her eyes.
—It's okay, you don't have to tell me anything now, —she finally said—. But please, be careful, okay? No matter how strong those tools are… you don't have a quirk, and I don't want you to get hurt.
—Don't worry, little sister. I'll be fine, —he said, forcing a smile that Izumi took as reassurance.
Izumi headed for the door but paused before leaving, giving him one last look. The concern in her eyes was unmistakable.
—Don't take too long, okay? I'll be waiting.
—Sure, I'll be right there.
When the door closed behind her, the locker room fell silent. Izuku stood still, his mind tangled in thought. He knew that sooner or later, he'd have to tell her the truth. But honestly, with all the knowledge and strategies he'd gathered, he didn't think he'd need to use his quirk again for this test. Right…?
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We find ourselves in Arena Beta, the same place where the Heroes vs. Villains class had taken place. Now, all the students were gathered, wearing their hero costumes, ready for the next training session. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation.
Some students shared their impatience, though for a different reason: they were eager to see what kind of suit Izuku would bring this time. And when he finally appeared, the reaction was one of pure astonishment.
Izuku wore a formal gray outfit with a green shirt underneath. A long coat flowed slightly with each step, giving him the appearance of wearing a cape, and the reinforced-knuckle gloves showed that he fought mostly with his fists. His stance was imposing, almost intimidating, and the metallic mask covering the lower part of his face only amplified that effect. However, his eyes betrayed a hidden smile, sending chills and uncertainty through his classmates.
Silence took over the place. No one expected to see him wearing such an elegant outfit, so far from the typical image of a hero.
—Well, since everyone's here, let's begin —announced Professor Aizawa in his usual sharp, serious tone—. For this training, since there are many of you, you'll fight inside an abandoned warehouse. The exercise will be similar to the one you had before: a bomb, villains protect it, heroes disarm it. But this time, Izuku will be the only villain, and the rest of you will play as heroes. As an advantage, Izuku will have ten minutes to prepare.
No one objected. They all knew this was more of a punishment than a test, even if it seemed unfair.
—Well then, young Himura —said Aizawa, staring directly at Izuku— your time starts… now!
Without wasting a second, Izuku ran toward the warehouse, disappearing inside to begin setting up his strategy. Aizawa sighed lazily and headed toward the monitor room, where he would observe the match.
When he arrived, he noticed that All Might, in his skeletal form, was already waiting, eyes fixed on the screens showing the warehouse interior. He knew this day would be interesting.
—You should be resting. I heard you spent all your time coming to U.A... Also, did you come to stop this, All Might, even after your exhaustion? —asked Aizawa with his characteristic tired but serious tone—. That would be a shame, because I'm not canceling it. He deserves this for showing up three days late, and I won't reconsider just because you're tired.
—Yes, I don't agree with your methods, Aizawa, and I also believe young Himura doesn't deserve such a harsh punishment. But I must admit this is a very interesting way to test how one faces an enemy. Sometimes, a single villain can be a serious threat if the scenario isn't taken seriously.
—Yeah, especially in a place like this... Even though it's big, if used properly, it can become an impenetrable fortress. But in the end, this is about finding out who's the hunter... and who's the prey. We just have to make sure the villain isn't the one hunting.
Suddenly, on one of the screens, they saw Izuku stop for a moment and pull a small remote from his suit.
—...Wait... what is young Himura doing?!
But Aizawa couldn't finish his sentence. With a single press of the button, all the cameras shut down simultaneously, leaving the screens completely black. The precision and ease with which he did it left both teachers stunned.
—Izuku Himura! What did he just do?! —Aizawa asked, visibly irritated. He didn't like how quickly things were slipping out of his control.
Izuku's voice echoed through the speakers, light and almost mocking.
—Ah, sorry, teachers... I just want to create a little suspense. You see... I'd like to offer everyone an experience where we can all learn something. —A deep, chilling laugh echoed through the room—. And especially you, Mr. Aizawa... I'll show you why they call me the Invincible Student, and why you shouldn't have questioned me.
With those last words, the transmission was cut off, leaving the room in silence.
All Might and Aizawa exchanged glances, visibly surprised. It was clear that young Himura was upset... and ready to prove his point.
After the ten minutes had passed, the cameras flickered back on. However, some remained black due to the lack of power, while others displayed distorted and blurry images. Uncertainty filled the monitoring room until a strange noise suddenly came through the communication channel. The disturbing part was that it reached not only the teachers' devices but also the students'.
—HAHAHAHAHA... Hello, young heroes. I am the villain Izuku Himura, a.k.a... Deku. I've hacked all your communications to give you this message. —Izuku's voice was cold, calculated—. I have a bomb that's about to explode. If you don't catch me or stop it in time, the explosion will wipe out the entire city and kill millions of innocents within seconds.
Everyone froze in shock—but soon, several began laughing, impressed by Izuku's performance. He was taking his role as a villain very seriously, and his delivery was so convincing that some couldn't help but find it entertaining.
However, the teachers didn't share that amusement. The way Izuku had spoken—with that eerie mix of calm and seriousness—sent chills down their spines. There was something in his tone... something that made it hard to tell how much of it was just acting.
—Oh, you don't believe me? Well... let's see if this makes you laugh.
—BOOOOM!
The explosion shook the area, and through the cameras, they saw a neighboring building erupt into flames. The shock was immediate. Some students froze, while others began panicking, unable to hide their fear.
—I hope my message was clear, —continued Izuku, this time with a serious, emotionless tone—. Hurry up... and be careful. In the dark, you never know what might come for you.
The signal cut out abruptly, leaving behind a heavy, suffocating tension.
—Alright, everyone, listen up! —Izumi's voice broke the silence, instantly drawing everyone's attention—. I know some of you don't know me well, and maybe I haven't been the friendliest... but if we want to beat my brother, we have to work together. We can't take Izuku lightly. If I know him, he's just trying to scare and confuse us. But if we stay calm and follow a plan, we can…
—Tch! We don't need a plan! —growled Bakugo, cutting her off furiously—. I'M GONNA END THAT DAMN NERD RIGHT NOW!
Before anyone could stop him, Bakugo dashed straight toward the warehouse entrance, blinded by rage.
—DEKU, YOU DAMN PIECE OF SH…!!!
But he couldn't finish his threat. Suddenly, black tendrils burst from the shadows, wrapping around him completely in seconds. Bakugo didn't even have time to react before being dragged into the darkness of the warehouse, disappearing before his classmates' shocked eyes. Silence fell once more, broken only by Izuku's mocking voice through the comms.
—One down... eighteen left. So, who's next?
—That's why I told you all to be careful. One wrong move and we're done for. Please, listen to me...
But once again, Izumi couldn't finish. Four more students—Kaminari, Mina, Mineta, and Sato—rushed toward the entrance without thinking twice, their confidence overflowing.
—The best strategy is a direct attack! —shouted Kaminari, sparks crackling across his body—. If he's near the entrance, one quick discharge will paralyze him!
—Exactly! He won't see it coming! —added Mina, grinning confidently.
—This representative title is gonna get me all the girls! —Mineta added, his motivation as questionable as ever.
—Let's go! —yelled Sato, charging forward.
But the result was identical to Bakugo's. The four were swiftly ensnared by black tendrils and mercilessly dragged into the shadows of the warehouse. The uncomfortable silence that followed was almost unbearable.
Then, Izuku's voice returned—this time sounding almost amused.
—You guys do realize I can hear everything through your hacked communicators, right?
The silence grew even heavier as humiliation washed over the group. They had really messed up.
—Fourteen left, —Izuku continued, his tone playful—. I hope you're smarter this time. Seriously.
The transmission cut again, and this time, Izumi completely lost her patience.
—ARE YOU ALL FINALLY GOING TO LISTEN TO ME OR DO YOU WANT TO KEEP PRETENDING TO BE PROFESSIONALS?!
No one dared to respond. The silence made it clear that Izumi finally had everyone's full attention.
—Good... now pay attention. I have a plan. First step: we get rid of these communicators so he can't listen to us anymore. Sorry, Professor Aizawa... but we have to.
Without hesitation, everyone removed their devices, cutting off Izuku's access to their communications. From the monitor room, All Might watched with a mix of amazement and pride.
—These students are clever, —he said with a smile—. If you understand how the enemy's information infiltration works, you can prepare and strike back more effectively.
But Aizawa didn't share that optimism. His expression remained tense, serious.
—It's a good strategy, —he admitted—, but it only works if the villain doesn't know you've figured him out.
All Might looked at him with concern, glancing back at the blurry images on the screens.
—You don't think young Izuku... wanted this to happen, do you?
—I don't know, —Aizawa replied, eyes locked on the monitors—. All we can do now is wait... and see what happens as the fight unfolds. Let's see if the "Invincible Student" is really as good as he says.
֎֎֎
The warehouse was large, with multiple corridors and wide, underground, dark spaces to move through and avoid detection. The floor was a mix of cracked concrete and worn wooden sections; some planks creaked under the weight of whoever stepped on them. Debris was scattered about: broken crates, old machine parts, and rusted tools that served as unpredictable obstacles. In some areas, metal stairs led to elevated catwalks, and in others, trapdoors opened onto even darker, more claustrophobic tunnels.
A perfect hideout for a villain.
They split into five teams: two of them, made up of the strongest, would search for Izuku to attack and distract him, while the rest would focus on locating the bomb. They had two very capable trackers, so finding it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, if any team was attacked, they had communicators Momo had made, allowing them to call for help quickly. Everything was organized. They were sure they'd find him in a matter of seconds. Izuku was going to lose… or so they believed.
Suddenly, a voice nobody expected to hear echoed through hidden speakers in different corners of the facility, reverberating off the concrete walls and making the sound seem to come from everywhere at once.
—First team captured —announced Izuku in a malicious tone—. Well, Mezo, Koji and Toru… Your mistake began when Mezo detected me with his quirk. You all became too focused on my position and assumed I'd attack head on. Mezo couldn't stop the log coming at him, and Koji, distracted watching his teammate, was taken down in seconds. As for Toru… well, being invisible doesn't mean objects can't see you. She passed out along with Mezo from the hit of the giant log… I'm so sorry.
—Izuku's dangerous, really —Ochaco murmured, visibly frightened at how quickly he had caught their classmates. She was in the warehouse's underground section with Iida and Jiro; they were a search team.
—Don't worry, we don't need to be scared of him —Jiro said as she used her jacks to trace the bomb's location and guard against unexpected approaches—. If he was with Mezo's group, he'll face Momo's team later, the attack squad. She's smart… they'll take him down without problems.
Despite Jiro's words, Ochaco couldn't calm down. She knew Momo's, Tokoyami's, and Kirishima's quirks were powerful, but she had also seen Izuku's quirk… and how strong it was. The dark setting and tension made every sound feel like a threat.
—Have you found the bomb yet, Jiro? —Iida asked nervously, scanning around as if he expected an attack at any moment.
—I think so… but… —the doubt in Jiro's voice made both of them look at her with concern—. Five bombs?
—Five!? —Ochaco alarmed—. That can't be…
—They must be decoys… but how…?
Momo's communicator interrupted their conversation.
—Jiro, can you hear me? We went to Mezo's last known location but didn't find them. Can you locate them with your quirk? Maybe they're all in the same place, near the bomb…
Jiro didn't hesitate. She plugged one of her jacks into the damp wall, trying to pick up her teammates' heartbeats and determine their positions. But before she could do anything, a high, piercing sound rattled through the walls. The noise was so deafening the concrete itself vibrated, and they had to cover their ears. Jiro fell to the floor with a choked scream, her ears bleeding, and then she passed out completely.
Izuku's laughter echoed again over the speakers, distorted by the echo and making the moment even more terrifying.
—Well, she won't be hearing anything for a while. But tell her this when she wakes: if she used her heartbeat waves better, she could create a sonic wall to block unwanted noise, allowing her to hear only what she wants —Izuku said in a calmer, almost… concerned tone. The sudden shift in his attitude threw everyone off—. I think I overdid it with the signal. When she wakes up, I'll explain how to avoid this problem. Sorry, Jiro.
He finished the announcement, leaving everyone even more confused. Was he really a villain?
—Everyone, be more careful! He already knows about our quirks! —Izumi ordered over the communicator, firmly—. But don't be scared… He only knows the quirks of those with obvious mutant alterations because they're visible. We still have the element of surprise. If we hold our ground, we'll finish him quickly.
—Yes! —they all responded in unison. They wouldn't let Izuku get away with it so easily.
֎֎֎
The group made up of Asui, Sero and Aoyama moved cautiously down one of the darkest corridors of the warehouse. Although the place had been modernized, the lighting was dim, and the shadows cast on the walls made everything feel oppressive. The air was charged with an unsettling stillness, broken only by the echo of their own footsteps.
The corridor was filled with mannequins arranged in strange poses, as if someone had placed them on purpose. Their distorted silhouettes rose from the shadows, looking almost human. Every time the group advanced, it seemed that one of them moved just slightly out of the corner of their eye.
—This place... I don't like it at all —Aoyama whispered, his voice shaking—. Why does it have to be so creepy?
—Stay calm, Aoyama —Asui said, though even her usually calm tone sounded tense—. We have to focus, ribbit.
Suddenly, a figure shifted among the mannequins. The silhouette was unmistakable.
—It's him! —Sero shouted without thinking. He fired his tape while Asui shot out her tongue and Aoyama released a flash from his belly button.
But when the light fell on their target, they froze. It was only a mannequin... one with a twisted, almost mocking expression and a green wig.
The sound from the speakers thundered down the corridor.
—Important tip: always observe your surroundings carefully, question what you see, and react in time —Izuku said in a playful tone, though there was a dangerous edge to his voice—. The villain might use a hostage... or a trap. How "electrifying," right?! Hahaha... yes, I know, bad joke. Or NOT?
Before they could react, the mannequin released an electric discharge that hit Asui directly, throwing her to the floor with a choked cry.
—Asui! —Sero yelled, but he couldn't help her. The tapes he'd launched were still stuck to the mannequin, and at that moment a small wooden beam, cleverly suspended from the ceiling, dropped with force. It struck his head, and he fell unconscious beside Asui.
Aoyama stood completely still, eyes wide as saucers and his face paler than ever. His lip began to tremble, and he let out a weak:
—M-M-Merde...
Out of nowhere, a whisper behind him broke the silence.
—BOO!
—AAAAAHHHH!!!!!
The scream was the last straw. Aoyama let out a high-pitched shriek, leaped so exaggeratedly he nearly seemed to levitate, and then, as if someone had pulled his batteries, his body staggered backward in slow motion. With his arms theatrically outstretched, he fell onto his back with a dull thud, as if even his fainting had to be stylish.
—Oh là là... —he murmured in his last conscious breath.
—…
Izuku fell silent, staring at Aoyama on the floor. Instead of laughing, he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward expression.
—R-Really...? —he said, sounding more embarrassed than amused—. I think I overdid it a bit...
He activated the transmission, but this time his voice sounded a little more serious.
—The Asui, Sero, and Aoyama group... eliminated. Seven remain —there was a brief pause before Izuku's voice returned, now sounding half-amused—. Also, I think we've got a serious capture issue here... does anyone happen to have a spare pair of pants? It seems one of our teammates got a little... too scared.
֎֎֎
The assault team made up of Kirishima and Tokoyami moved cautiously down a long, well-lit corridor. The echo of their footsteps only heightened the tension, as if anything could spring from the corners at any moment.
And then he appeared.
Izuku emerged from nowhere, strolling calmly to the center of the hall. There were no traps, no ambushes—he was simply there, hands in his pockets and a composed look on his face. That image, that attitude, was what made him so disconcerting.
—This is weird… —murmured Kirishima, hardening his skin defensively, feeling the danger in the air.
But Tokoyami didn't wait. Something about Izuku's confident bearing unsettled him too much. He wouldn't let the chance slip away.
—Dark Shadow! —he ordered.
The shadow burst forth instantly, lunging at Izuku like a dark beast. Its claws extended, ready to strike… but just as it closed to within inches of the target, it froze. Dark Shadow went completely rigid.
—Dark Shadow? —Tokoyami frowned—. What's wrong?
The shadow trembled. At first the quiver was barely noticeable, then it became obvious. Tokoyami felt it: fear. A deep, uncontrollable fear. But it wasn't coming from him. It was coming from Dark Shadow.
—What's happening…? —he whispered, worried and bewildered.
Izuku walked toward them. Each step echoed down the corridor, and with each one the pressure increased. When he reached Dark Shadow, he calmly raised a hand and laid it on the creature. The shadow didn't move. Not an inch.
Tokoyami held his breath. Kirishima tensed beside him, ready to jump in. But Izuku did not attack. He only stared at the shadow with a serious, almost analytical expression. After several seconds that felt endless, Izuku spoke:
—I don't need to fight you. Stand down.
Dark Shadow didn't hesitate. With a barely audible whine, it pulled back with surprising speed, retreating into Tokoyami's cloak as if fleeing something far worse than any opponent.
Tokoyami was frozen. He had never felt Dark Shadow so… terrified.
—W-What did you do to it? —Tokoyami asked, trying to keep his composure though his voice shook like Dark Shadow's.
Izuku met him with that same unsettling calm.
—I just talked to it. I told it it didn't need to fight you. This is a matter between men… I only need to face Kirishima first. Afterwards, I'll deal with you.
Tokoyami stayed silent, still feeling Dark Shadow tremble inside his cloak. Meanwhile Kirishima smiled and slammed his fists together.
—Wow! I didn't expect this. You're a man of honor, for real.
—It's not about honor, —Izuku replied, taking up a perfect fighting stance—. I want to learn from my enemy… and teach him the respect he deserves.
—Perfect! —Kirishima hardened his skin until he looked like living rock—. Let's go!
Without waiting, he charged at Izuku with a battle cry, fists ready. But Izuku didn't even flinch. In the last instant he moved with astonishing speed, elegantly dodging the blow by pivoting on his heel. Before Kirishima could recover, Izuku countered: a precise kick struck his side, sending him skidding several meters backward.
Kirishima popped back up quickly, laughing confidently.
—Haha! That won't work on me! My Quirk, Hardening, makes me as tough as steel! Your hits won't hurt me! —he boasted.
Izuku remained unbothered, his expression cold and analytical, as if measuring each motion.
—You're right… hero, —he said calmly—. But I also know your hardening has limits. It's not infinite… and besides, are you so sure my strikes aren't strong enough? That's a mistake you need to fix in a fight. Know your limits… and know when to ask for help. Not every battle is decided fairly.
Then Izuku vanished.
—What—!? —Kirishima barely had time to react before the first impact hit.
Izuku reappeared in front of him, moving at incredible speed. His fist struck a specific point on Kirishima's abdomen, followed by a blow to the shoulder and a kick to the leg. His strikes were rapid and precise, hitting targeted weak points. The sound of hardening cracking rang through the corridor like breaking glass.
—Your hardening isn't complete, —Izuku said firmly as he continued the assault—. If you strike the right points...
One final hit shattered Kirishima's defense in an instant.
—...it breaks in seconds.
Kirishima barely had time to widen his eyes in shock before the finishing blow landed: an upward kick to the chin. His body slammed into the wall with a crash and he collapsed, unconscious.
The silence that followed was overwhelming. Tokoyami watched, heart pounding. Inside his cloak, Dark Shadow cowered, still too frightened to emerge.
Izuku turned to Tokoyami.
—I'm sorry, friend, —he said with disconcerting gentleness—. I would've liked to fight you, but… time's running out.
Tokoyami barely had time to react. Izuku moved quickly, striking a precise point at his elbow. Tokoyami went limp where he stood. When he collapsed to the floor, Izuku watched silently. Then he spoke:
—Dark Shadow. Appear.
The shadow emerged slowly, head low and shoulders hunched, utterly submissive. Izuku watched it for a moment… and to Dark Shadow's surprise, he stroked its head with a softer expression.
—Don't worry. I just wanted to finish this quickly. You okay? —he asked with a small smile, which somehow warmed the shadow into responding faintly.
—Now… help me lift Kirishima. I'll carry Tokoyami, —Izuku said.
Dark Shadow nodded and obeyed without hesitation. It lifted Kirishima easily, and together with Izuku they began to walk.
—Sir… —muttered Dark Shadow, still trembling slightly.
—You can call me Izuku, —he replied kindly.
—S-Sir Izuku… shouldn't I make the announcement?
—Ah, right. —Izuku reached for the control he'd been using to manage the system and made the broadcast— The Tokoyami and Kirishima group… has been eliminated. Only five remain. So… let's make this more interesting. Head to the back of the warehouse… and let's end this once and for all.
The transmission cut. In that instant the whole warehouse seemed colder, darker. Izuku pocketed the communicator and glanced briefly at Dark Shadow.
—Let's go, —he said with the same calm, moving toward their final destination.
֎֎֎
After traversing the massive warehouse and overcoming all the traps—some so complex that they barely managed to escape—Lida, Uraraka, Shoto, Momo, and Izumi finally reached the end of the course. Their heavy breathing and aching bodies revealed their exhaustion, yet none of them were willing to give up. The tension in the air was palpable.
Suddenly, a single light flickered on in the center of the room, projecting a familiar silhouette.
—Well... The heroes have come to save the day. How exciting! —Izuku's voice echoed, laced with mockery and calmness, as he stepped forward into the light, revealing a composed smile—. And since there are five of you... why don't you all attack at once? It would make things go so much faster. And... why not make it a little more entertaining?
With a clap of his hands, several lights came on around the area, revealing their captured classmates. All of them were immobilized, unable to intervene—only able to watch. Bakugo was furiously struggling against his restraints, blasting small explosions nonstop, but it was useless.
—You have no escape! We'll defeat you together! —Momo shouted, trying to lift everyone's spirits. From her skin, she began to create a shield and a sword, determined to charge in—. I'll show you how strong we've become...!
But she didn't finish her sentence. A metallic sound cut through the air as a giant magnet suddenly pulled her in with brutal force, slamming her against the surface like a rag doll. Before she could react, a piece of metal shot forward and struck her head, knocking her unconscious instantly.
An awkward silence filled the warehouse. Izuku froze for a moment, blinking in disbelief, then rushed to check on her.
—That... wasn't part of the plan... —he muttered nervously—. I thought she'd just drop her weapons and keep fighting... not get knocked out by a giant magnet! —He sighed, then smirked slightly—. Well... at least it's a new lesson. Now then... who's next?
—I'll end this right now! —said Shoto, ready to fight.
Shoto launched a wave of ice directly at Izuku, but he saw it coming. With a rope from the ceiling, he propelled himself, dodging the attack with insulting ease. Lida took the moment and, with Uraraka's help, jumped to deliver an aerial kick.
—Take this! —shouted Lida.
With an elegant move, Izuku dodged and caught Lida's foot midair. Using the momentum, he spun him around with force and slammed him against a wall. Lida fell to the ground, unable to get up immediately.
Izumi didn't wait any longer. She threw a punch covered in fire, followed by a quick kick, but Izuku dodged both attacks with precise movements.
—I see you've gotten stronger, little sister. —His voice sounded genuinely pleased—. That makes me happy.
—Thanks, oni-chan! —answered Izumi with a defiant smile—. Seeing you again gives me strength… and I'll show you how much I've improved following your advice!
But Izumi couldn't finish at that instant; a column of ice rose from the ground, launching Izuku upward.
—NOW!
Lida recovered just enough to propel himself once more, giving him a kick that made him fall hard. Uraraka used her Quirk to lift debris and threw it over him, while Shoto sealed the prison with a thick dome of ice.
—Did we… did we make it? —asked Uraraka, her face pale and about to faint.
—I think so… —said Lida, tired from the effort.
—DAMN IT!! —she shouted, and without warning, she gave Lida a violent kick in the stomach. Before he could react, she grabbed him by the neck, lifting him until he almost floated—. WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO MY ONI-CHAN?!
—Izumi, let him go! We had to do it to beat him, he's fine! —Uraraka tried to intervene, approaching quickly.
—Stay away from me, trash, unless you want to die burned! —she snapped at her with such a furious look that Uraraka stopped, trembling.
—Izumi... it was the only way... —tried to explain Shoto, trying to stay calm—. According to Lida's information, he was too strong. We had to stop him this way if we wanted to win.
—Too strong?! That's your excuse?! My oni-chan might be smart and a bit strong, but he's...
She couldn't finish. A dry, cracking sound interrupted her words.
The tremor ran through the warehouse, and the ice dome began to crack. The atmosphere changed instantly. Fear reflected on everyone's face as black tendrils violently emerged from inside the prison, creating fissures that spread uncontrollably.
With a final crash, the dome exploded into pieces with a single punch. And there was Izuku, standing among the dust and ice, completely unscathed. His body was surrounded by those infernal black tendrils that twisted around him like living creatures.
—Heroes... —said Izuku calmly—. You didn't properly communicate all the information about me, and you didn't follow my first advice... —The tendrils intensified, wrapping around his arms—. EXPECT... THE UNEXPECTED!
In a superhuman movement, Izuku moved at incredible speed, separating his opponents with a powerful stomp. Shoto tried to freeze him, but Izuku destroyed the ice with a single blow.
—You know something? Maybe my attacks are short-range... but that's easy to fix. —The tendrils returned and began to gather on his right arm—. Quirks can combine in surprising ways... and, if used well, they create new and devastating abilities. —A dark glow surrounded his arm—. I present to you... "Black Night Rifle."
A weapon made entirely of shadowy whips took form, as if it had come from the depths of darkness. Izuku took some small debris, loaded it into the rifle... and fired. The projectile easily shattered an approaching ice pillar, leaving everyone speechless.
What followed was a massacre. Izuku didn't give them a single second to breathe. The echo of gunfire rumbled through the warehouse like a relentless storm, and each bullet of darkness was fast, precise, and devastating. His "Black Night Rifle" seemed like a weapon from another world—an extension of his will—firing with perfect, lethal cadence.
Lida was the first to fall. A projectile hit his leg directly, making him stumble, and before he could recover, another clean shot hit him in the head. He collapsed to the ground, motionless, his helmet cracked.
Uraraka tried to stand her ground, lifting more debris to throw, but she never had the chance. A bullet pierced through her improvised projectile, and another hit her in the forehead. Her body fell heavily, leaving behind only the fading echo of her ragged breathing.
Shoto and Izumi were the last ones standing, but the difference in power was overwhelming. Every attack attempt was destroyed before it could even get close. Shoto's ice was shattered mid-air, and Izumi's flames were extinguished before reaching their target. With no other choice, they took cover behind a makeshift wall of reinforced ice that Shoto created, though it was clear his own Quirk was starting to take a toll on him.
—Midoriya... —said Shoto, exhausted but serious about the situation—. He's your brother... how do we beat him?
—I don't know... —whispered Izumi, trembling, her gaze unfocused.
—What!?
—My Onichan... he's too smart. He's always shown us our flaws... but now... with a Quirk... —Her voice cracked—. With a power like that, it's... impossible. How...?
Shoto, overcome with frustration and helplessness, decided to make one last desperate attempt with all the strength he had left. But before he could even react, Izuku was already in front of him. The dark barrel of the rifle was aimed directly at his forehead.
—Bang!!
One shot. Precise, swift. The projectile struck his forehead, and Shoto collapsed instantly. The silence that followed was deafening.
Izumi was left alone. Her breathing was erratic, and her legs trembled as the shadowy rifle rose, pointing directly at her face.
—Do we keep going... or end this? —asked Izuku with icy calm.
—Giving up would be the smart thing to do... —Izumi tried to joke with a trembling smile, but her words came out uneven—. But... why... do you have a...?
Fear and confusion blended in her voice. Izumi was on the verge of breaking down. Izuku noticed, and instead of pressing her further, he put the weapon away. With a warm smile, he stepped closer and gently embraced her.
—I'm sorry, little sister... —he whispered—. I know you have a lot of questions... and I'll gladly answer them. But first... calm down. I'm here for you, my sweet sister.
Izumi calmed down for a moment. Her heartbeat began to steady, and her breathing slowed, becoming deeper and more controlled. For the first time in what felt like forever, she could think clearly again. But that peace... didn't last.
—DEKU!! —Bakugo's furious voice shattered the silence like thunder. He had broken free—. WHY THE HELL DID YOU HIDE THAT FOR 11 YEARS?! DIEEEE!!
Before Izumi could react, an explosion surged toward them. But Izuku was already moving. With astonishing speed, he scooped her into his arms "like a princess" and leaped far away from the blast. Gently, he set her down in a safe spot.
—Stay here, little sister —he said softly, giving her a reassuring smile—. I'll handle this.
Izumi looked at him, still dazed, as he walked toward Bakugo, who continued to hurl explosions in blind fury. Each blast made the entire warehouse tremble, rubble raining down around them.
—DAMN YOU, DEKU!! DO YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME!? —Bakugo shouted, completely unhinged—. WHY DID YOU HIDE THAT POWER!? DID YOU THINK YOU WERE SUPERIOR!?
With a roar, Bakugo activated one of his grenade-like gauntlets, unleashing a massive explosion. The air filled with fire and smoke, the shockwave shaking the entire structure... and the others began to regain consciousness, dazed by the noise.
But when the smoke cleared... Bakugo froze. Izuku stood there—unharmed. He held Bakugo's hand, now wrapped in one of his shadowy tendril gloves, the explosion effortlessly deflected. No wounds. No burns. Nothing.
—I've always respected you, Kacchan... —Izuku said calmly, his gaze sharp and unwavering—. But if you keep going like this, blinded by your rage... you'll only end up stopping yourself. And that's what'll let a pathetic Quirkless like me... —He raised his fist—. ...beat you in one punch.
The impact was brutal. Izuku's punch slammed into Bakugo's jaw with devastating force, knocking him unconscious instantly.
Silence returned... until the sound of the communicators broke the tension.
—He... he... the villain...!! WINS!! YESSS!! —All Might's voice echoed through the warehouse, unusually thrilled.
Everyone was speechless. The Symbol of Peace... celebrating the villain's victory.
Izuku simply exhaled slowly, relaxed, as if nothing that had happened had fazed him. When he turned his gaze back to the arena, Izumi—now calmer—broke the silence.
—Onii-chan... one question. —She looked at him curiously—. We never saw the bomb at any point... where did you put it?
The rest of the team perked up, listening. None of them had managed to find it, even amid all the chaos.
—Oh... at the entrance —Izuku said, shrugging, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
—WHAT?! —everyone shouted at once.
—Yeah, right at the entrance —he continued, with a playful grin—. Even Bakugo, when he fell, landed right next to it. I'm surprised none of you noticed. —He tapped his chin thoughtfully—. Though, well... I did make a few decoys out of wood and some clock mechanisms I found around to throw you off. Guess it was hard to tell the real one apart. —He smiled, amused—. That, my friends... is called "hiding in plain sight."
Everyone was stunned. Izumi and the others stood with their mouths open, realizing the bomb had been there the whole time. Izuku had everything planned so perfectly that he hadn't even needed to hide it for real.
—HAHAHAHAHA... LONG LIVE EVIL!! —Izuku shouted, raising his arms in an exaggerated villain pose.
A bead of sweat rolled down everyone's face. Good thing he wasn't an actual villain.
End of Chapter 6.