A shadow surged forward and intercepted Katsuki Bakugo, forcing him to pull back. He clicked his tongue and dropped back onto his team's formation, clearly irritated.
"Bakugo, give us a heads-up before you launch yourself like that!" Eijiro Kirishima said, frowning. "You can't just abandon your team mid-charge."
"Shut up!"
"Midoriya," Fumikage Tokoyami said, handing over another headband, "flip the points band and wear it around your neck."
Izuku adjusted the band as instructed, securing it in place.
"We're not just watching out for Kacchan anymore," he said, focusing. "Dark Shadow, cover our blind spots. I'm going to use something bigger."
He raised his arm again, mimicking the motion of drawing a bow. This time, the shape of it was larger, heavier. His left hand, gripping the "bow," began to redden under the strain, while his right hand tightened around the "arrow," fingers trembling slightly.
"Arrow Cluster!"
A large green arrow shot upward, crackling with energy. It burst high in the air, scattering into dozens of smaller arrows that rained down around his team, embedding themselves in the ground and forming a defensive perimeter.
"That should hold them off. We stay here and defend."
"You think that's enough?"
Two cavalry teams rushed in from opposite sides.
"Arrow Two!"
Izuku fired twice in quick succession. The incoming teams were forced back, their headbands snatched away in the exchange.
"This isn't so bad," Ochaco Uraraka said lightly, glancing at the timer. "Fifteen minutes left. We're doing fine."
"It won't stay that way," Izuku replied, already lifting his bow again. "Two major threats are about to move."
"Everyone, stay sharp. Be ready to lift off at any time."
His gaze locked onto two teams still clashing in the distance.
"They're coming," Tokoyami added quietly, unusually direct.
A moment later, both teams broke off from their fight and turned in unison.
Straight toward Izuku.
"Here they come!"
"Arrow Five!"
Five arrows shot forward, but both teams deflected them before they could connect.
"Not enough… then we go airborne!"
Izuku triggered the mechanism, and his team lifted into the air.
"Deku, you're not getting away this time!" Bakugo's voice cut through the noise.
"Your points are mine," Shoto Todoroki added, calm but intent.
"They both look serious…" Izuku muttered, tension creeping into his voice.
Focus.
He steadied himself.
"Arrow Cluster!"
Another volley exploded overhead, forcing both teams to retreat momentarily.
That takes too much out of me… I've got maybe three or four more like that before I burn out.
Five minutes left. That's all it takes for everything to change.
"We're descending," he said. "Reset positions."
They dropped back toward the ground.
"Arrow Howl!"
This time, there was no visible energy arc—just a sharp, piercing release. The force of the shot slammed into the ground, sending chunks of rock upward. Izuku's team landed atop the highest piece of debris, gaining a temporary vantage point.
"Hold position," he said quickly. "Don't move unless we have to. Dark Shadow—track Kacchan and Todoroki."
"Understood."
Dark Shadow spread out, scanning the battlefield.
For a moment, the chaos below made it difficult to locate them.
Then—
"Where are you looking, idiot?!"
"First place is mine!"
The two voices struck at once.
From behind.
Bakugo and Todoroki surged in together, their attacks already in motion as they closed the distance on Izuku's blind spot.