Chapter 335 - 9-10

Chapter 9: Class Representatives

Momo and the girls from her class met by chance on their way to school and were walking together. They were deep in conversation. They stopped when they saw a crowd of reporters standing at the school gate, trying to get in.

Although the reporters shouted down, the girls were able to find out that the reporters were asking multiple questions about All Might. Like if he is now really a teacher in UA.

The girls groaned collectively as they saw the swarm of reporters blocking the school gates. Momo's deadpan expression didn't change as she muttered, "I should have expected the reporters to show up sooner or later because of All Might."

Ochako frowned. "I get that All Might is a big deal, but they're completely blocking the gates. How are we supposed to get to class on time?"

Toru tilted her invisible head slightly, voice full of concern. "Seriously… how are we even going to pass them?"

Momo scanned the area quickly, noting that the reporters weren't paying much attention to them. With a faint nod, she extended her hand, and in an instant, she teleported herself and her friends into the empty classroom.

Mina's eyes widened. "That… is incredible!"

Kyoka raised an eyebrow. "I completely forgot you also had a teleportation quirk."

Tsuyu let out a relieved sigh. "Well, that certainly spares us the stress of dealing with the reporters."

Ochako looked at Momo, clearly impressed. "I didn't know you could teleport multiple people at once!"

Momo, taking her seat, responded calmly, "As long as the person or people are close enough to me, I can teleport them. I haven't fully tested the limits of this quirk yet."

Before the conversation could continue, Aizawa entered the classroom, a cup of coffee in hand. He slouched into his chair, eyes scanning the room. "At least some of you managed to be on time."

Momo rolled her eyes but said nothing, there was no point in wasting her breath on someone like Aizawa.

One by one, the rest of the students trickled in. Izuku dashed in hurriedly, Tenya walked in at a normal pace, and others followed in various states of punctuality. Once everyone was seated, the school bell rang.

Aizawa slowly lifted his head from his coffee. "Today, you'll be deciding your future."

The class tensed, expecting another quirk exam, but Aizawa's next words defied their expectations. "You need to pick who will be your class representatives."

No further explanation was given. He simply slouched further into his sleeping bag, clearly done speaking.

The students began murmuring, debating how they would choose. Tenya raised a hand, suggesting, "We can each vote for two students. That way, the two with the highest votes will be representatives."

Momo quickly conjured a small ballot box with a slit for the papers and handed it to Tenya. Each student was given two slips, and they were instructed to only vote for themselves once, if they want to. Katsuki, predictably, scribbled furiously and cast both votes for himself.

Once all votes were submitted, Tenya tallied them carefully and wrote the results on the board. Izuku got 10 votes, Momo the next highest votes 9 followed by Tenya and several other students and then Katsuki with 3 votes.

Katsuki's crimson eyes blazed with anger. "WHO VOTED FOR HIM?"

Without hesitation, Momo said, "I voted for him."

Izuku blinked, caught off guard. Katsuki's anger flared further. Then Tenya and Ochako admitted their votes as well.

Finally, Aizawa lifted his head from his slouch, his sharp gaze settling on the board. "All right, Midoriya is class representative, Yaoyorozu will be his deputy."

The classroom relaxed slightly, and Momo allowed herself a subtle, satisfied smile.

———————————————————————

Later in the cafeteria.

The cafeteria bustled with chatter and the clattering of trays. Momo, Izuku, Ochaco, Tenya, Kyoka, and Tsuyu sat together at a table, their food mostly untouched as they talked.

Izuku fiddled nervously with his hair before blurting out, "I still… I still can't believe people actually voted for me."

Momo tilted her head slightly, her expression calm but her tone pointed. "And what exactly is so difficult to believe about it?"

Izuku shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding her eyes. "Well, I mean… it's me. I don't really have any remarkable talents for leadership. I'm not someone people should follow."

Ochako leaned forward with a reassuring smile. "That's not true at all, Izuku! You're always the one charging in to help people, no matter what. That's what makes you a leader, even if you don't notice it yourself."

Momo added, her voice steady, "Leadership isn't about being the loudest or the strongest. It's about being dependable when it counts. And you've already proven that much."

Tenya adjusted his glasses, nodding firmly. "Indeed! Midoriya, your sense of responsibility and dedication to others makes you a natural leader. The votes you received are proof of that."

Tsuyu spoke in her usual, calm manner. "Kero, I agree. You've always acted with your heart first. That's something not everyone can do."

Izuku's shoulders relaxed slightly at their words, a small blush creeping onto his face. "T-thank you, everyone. I'll… I'll do my best."

Momo glanced at him briefly, then turned to Tenya. "Ah, that reminds me, Tenya. There was something I wanted to ask you-"

Before she could finish, an earsplitting alarm blared through the cafeteria. The entire room froze.

"Warning, Level Three Security Breach. All students please evacuate the building in an orderly fashion."

The announcement repeated over the speakers, and immediately chaos broke out. Students screamed, shoving against each other in a frantic rush for the doors.

"What the…?" Kyoka muttered, clutching her tray as the crowd surged.

Ochako, pressed between bodies, gasped, "This… this is like a mob riot!"

The six friends were swept toward the hall with the tide of panicked students. Momo, half-shoved against Tenya, managed to glance out a window. At the same time Tenya did the same, and their eyes widened in realization.

"The press," they said in unison.

Through the glass, reporters could be seen flooding the front entrance, cameras flashing, microphones waving.

Momo's expression hardened instantly. She knew what had to be done.

She mutters to herself "Let's test the limit of this quirk."

In the middle of the chaos, she raised her hand, and in an instant, every student crammed into the hallway vanished, reappearing back inside the cafeteria.

Confusion and panic spiked again as the students realized they had somehow been transported back into the cafeteria. Dozens shouted in alarm.

Before the uproar could spiral out of control, Momo acted decisively. Standing at the cafeteria entrance with her friends, she conjured a sleek megaphone into her hand.

"EVERYONE STOP!" her voice thundered through the amplifier.

The noise cut off almost immediately. Dozens of wide eyes turned to her.

Momo's tone sharpened, calm but commanding. "EVERYTHING IS FINE. THERE IS NO ATTACK. IT'S JUST REPORTERS WHO MADE IT ONTO CAMPUS. NOTHING MORE. YOU ARE ENDANGERING YOURSELVES AND YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS WITH THIS BEHAVIOR. RETURN TO YOUR CLASSROOMS IN AN ORDERLY FASHION."

The crowd fell silent, her words slicing through the fear. Slowly, students began to relax. Mutters spread, and one by one, they started filing calmly back toward the halls.

Izuku stood slightly behind her, watching in awe. The way Momo took command so naturally… he couldn't deny it. She had the presence of a true leader.

———————————————————————

Later, in the classroom.

The students had settled back into their seats, murmuring about the incident. Izuku stood at the front, facing Aizawa and the rest of the class. His hands trembled slightly, but his voice was steady.

"I… I've decided. I'm giving up my position as class representative. Yaoyorozu should take the role instead. She's the one who stayed calm and guided everyone during the panic. She's the one fit to lead. And Iida should take her place as deputy."

For a long moment, silence hung in the air. Then Aizawa cracked one eye open from his sleeping bag.

"What. Ever."

The decision was made, but Momo wasn't happy about it.

———————————————————————

Later, after school.

Momo walked down the corridor, her expression drawn into a faint frown, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. Izuku followed a few steps behind, his voice hesitant.

"M-Momo… why are you angry with me? Is it because I gave you my position?" His words carried both worry and guilt, as though he feared he had truly wronged her.

Without turning around, Momo replied curtly, "That's not the reason."

Izuku's pace quickened, and his tone shifted to pleading. "Then… then what is it? Whatever it is, I'm sorry."

She stopped abruptly, exhaling before finally facing him. Her dark eyes softened, though the faint tension in her brow remained. "You don't need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."

Izuku blinked, his confusion deepening. "Then… what is it?"

"It's because I had already planned to give my deputy position to Tenya," Momo admitted calmly. "So that he could be your deputy, not mine."

Izuku froze, blinking twice in surprise before blurting, "W-wait. You mean… you didn't want to be class representative at all?"

Momo gave a single firm nod. "Exactly. I had no interest in becoming class representative. On my papers, I simply chose the two people I believed were best suited for the job, you and Tenya."

That revelation left Izuku speechless, the weight of it hitting him harder than he expected. "I-I'm sorry… I didn't realize. I'll fix it right away…"

But Momo waved him off gently, her tone steady but decisive. "That won't be necessary. If you try to reverse it now, Sensei Aizawa will only become more irritated. And you shouldn't worry, I've already experienced being class representative in my previous school. I know what the responsibilities entail."

Izuku lowered his gaze, his voice quiet and tinged with guilt. "Maybe… I should have talked to you first before making that decision."

"It's fine," Momo replied, her tone softening. "You only acted with what you thought was best for the class. I can't be angry with you for that."

Izuku opened his mouth, searching for something else to say, but the words never came. He didn't need them, because Momo spoke again, already walking toward the exit doors.

"For now, we should focus on heading home. Knowing Sensei Aizawa, he'll almost certainly have a new quirk exercise prepared for us tomorrow."

Izuku stared at her for a moment, blankly at first. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face, warm and genuine. "Y-yeah… you're probably right."

Together, they stepped out of the building, the quiet hum of the evening settling around them.

Chapter 10: USJ

Class 1-A stood in front of the UA building, waiting for the bus. Today, their class isn't taking place at the school, but at a location off the main campus.

They were going to learn about rescue training. Shipwrecks, Earthquakes, all kinds of natural disasters.

Aizawa told them before that All Might, himself, and another faculty member will be supervising.

They all wore their hero costumes, including Momo, who, after a discussion with the principal about the poor work the tailors did on her and from the other students costumes, received a new one. One she actually really likes and was tailored after her real design.

Momo and Tenya stood firmly in front of the class, their posture straight, as the rest of Class 1-A gathered around waiting for the bus. Both the newly elected class representative and her deputy carried themselves with a sense of responsibility that made even the more energetic students quiet down.

Tenya adjusted his glasses, raising his hand in a practiced motion. "Everyone, before we depart, I must remind you, maintain discipline. When we are outside school grounds, our behavior reflects not only on ourselves, but on UA as a whole. There will be no running, shouting, or wandering away from the group!"

Several students groaned softly at his strictness, but no one dared openly complain.

Momo then stepped forward, her calm, steady voice carrying authority without being harsh. "In addition to that, please remember that today is a rescue training exercise. While it may feel exciting, real lives could be at stake in similar situations. Approach it with the seriousness it deserves."

Her words had a sobering effect, and several students nodded. Then, after a pause, she lifted a small wooden box she had been holding at her side.

"Before we go," Momo continued, her expression softening slightly, "I have something I prepared for everyone."

Curious murmurs rippled through the group as she opened the lid, revealing a neat collection of small, elegant black-and-silver earbuds.

"These," she explained while holding one up between her fingers, "are low-frequency communication devices. Unlike cell phones or other electronics that require a network signal, these earbuds allow you to directly communicate with anyone else wearing them. They have a range of up to five kilometers."

Gasps of awe spread through the class. Even Bakugo's eyes flickered briefly in surprise before narrowing again.

Momo went on, her voice calm but filled with quiet pride. "Additionally, they are waterproof, fireproof, and-"

"That's enough," Aizawa interrupted flatly, his tired eyes only half-open. "These gadgets won't be needed for today's exercise. You're wasting everyone's time talking about them."

The air grew tense. But Momo met his gaze, her back straight, her tone respectful but firm. "With all due respect, sir, I disagree. In real rescue scenarios, countless accidents happen because partners lose communication. That's why-"

She didn't get to finish.

"Tch. He already told you it's pointless!" Bakugo's voice exploded across the group. He stomped forward, snatching the box from Momo's hands before anyone could react. "We don't need your stupid toys!"

With a snarl, he hurled the box to the ground and stomped down hard, the crunch of breaking devices sharp in the air.

The class went silent, wide-eyed, the sound of Bakugo's boots grinding against the shattered earpieces echoing in the stillness.

Momo froze for a second, her expression tightening. Then her eyes narrowed into a glare sharper than any blade, directed squarely at Bakugo. But more than that, her gaze briefly shifted to Aizawa as well, a glimmer of disappointment in her eyes.

"Enough," Aizawa's monotone cut through the silence. "The bus is here. Stop wasting time and get in."

One by one, the students filed into the vehicle that just arrived, still exchanging uneasy glances. Izuku, near the back, couldn't help but notice the lingering darkness in Momo's expression as she boarded. The box was still on the pavement, crushed and ruined, shards of metal and circuits scattered across the ground.

As the last to step inside, Izuku gave it a final glance, his heart tightening. 'She worked so hard on those…'

Inside, the bus resembled more a train seats arrangement than a standard school vehicle, the seats lined opposite each other so students sat facing the students across from them.

Izuku found himself between two familiar presences, Momo on his right, posture straight but her face set in a restrained frown, and Ochako on his left, her worried eyes glancing back and forth.

The bus rumbled to life, pulling away from campus. Izuku swallowed, then spoke softly to Momo. "I'm… I'm sorry about what happened. That Katsuki destroyed your devices."

Momo kept her gaze forward, her tone quiet but firm. "It's all right. I can't expect anything different from our teacher… or from that hothead."

"But it isn't all right!" Ochako burst out, her fists clenched in her lap. "He had no right to do that, Momo. He can't just stomp all over your work like it's nothing."

Momo's lips curved downward into a bitter line, but she shook her head. "What's done is done. Complaining won't change it."

She reached into her pocket and, after a moment, held up a single intact earbud. "This is the only one left, aside from the ones Tenya and I already wear. I managed to keep it safe because it was in my hand at the time the hothead stomped on the others."

Izuku leaned closer, eyes widening in wonder. "That's… incredible. I don't think I've ever seen a device like this before."

Across from him, Tenya adjusted his glasses, his voice proud. "That's because Yaoyorozu designed and created them entirely herself."

Gasps of surprise rippled through the bus. Mina practically bounced in her seat, her eyes sparkling. "That's amazing, Yaomomo! You made those yourself?"

Momo gave a small, modest wave of her hand. "It's nothing extraordinary. As long as I understand how something is structured, I can reproduce it, even prototypes that technically haven't been built yet."

The class broke into whispers of astonishment.

Ochako, thoughtful, leaned in. "You know… if you patented something like that, you could make a lot of money. I bet hero agencies would love gear like this."

Momo blinked, her brows furrowing as she rubbed her chin. It was something she hadn't truly considered before. 'Patent them…? I could patent so many of my creations. Sell them to agencies… Maybe even build my own factory.'

Though she came from a wealthy family, Momo had never taken a single yen from her parents. The idea that she could support herself through her own abilities stirred something deep inside.

"That's… something worth thinking about," she admitted quietly.

Ochako beamed at her, proud.

The bus slowed, then came to a halt.

"We're here." Aizawa's voice announced flatly.

The students disembarked one by one, and gasps rose almost instantly.

Towering before them was the grand facility of domed glass and metal, the enormous letters emblazoned across the entrance shining in the sunlight "U.S.J."

Izuku's eyes went wide, stars practically sparkling in them. "This place… it's incredible!"

The others nodded, awestruck, as they gazed at the massive disaster-simulation facility.

The massive steel doors of the U.S.J. slid open with a low hum, and the students filed inside, their footsteps echoing against the polished floor. The interior was vast, almost overwhelming, an enormous dome filled with carefully designed zones that mimicked real disasters, a shipwreck area, a landslide zone, a collapsed cityscape, even sections simulating fire and windstorms.

Awaiting them at the center of the entrance stood a figure in a sleek white space suit, the visor reflecting the bright lights of the facility. The helmet's design resembled that of an astronaut, making the figure instantly recognizable.

Ochako's eyes widened, her whole face lighting up with childlike joy. "It's Thirteen!" she squealed, her hands clasped together. "I love her so much! She's one of my favorite heroes ever, she saves so many people with her Quirk! And she looks so cool!"

Her enthusiasm was so pure that a few of her classmates smiled despite themselves. Even Momo, still tense from earlier, allowed a small smile at Ochako's excitement.

Thirteen raised a gloved hand in greeting, her voice calm and professional through the helmet's speaker. "Welcome, Class 1-A. I am Thirteen, your instructor for today's rescue training."

She gestured broadly, her arm sweeping across the dome. "As you can see, this facility, the Unforeseen Simulation Joint, or U.S.J., was built to replicate the types of disasters you may face as pro-heroes. Shipwrecks, earthquakes, landslides, urban destruction… today, you will learn not only to fight villains, but to save lives."

The class leaned forward, eager, their eyes shining.

Thirteen placed both hands firmly in front of her. "But before we begin, there is something crucial you must understand. Many of you, myself included, possess Quirks that can be as dangerous as they are useful. For example, my Quirk, Black Hole."

She raised a finger. The tip of her gloved finger began to glow faintly, a distortion in the air swirling just beyond it. "It allows me to suck up matter into a singularity. It can rescue people trapped under rubble… but if misused, it could also reduce a person to dust in seconds."

A tense silence fell over the class, the weight of her words sinking in. Even the usually excitable Mina and Denki grew serious.

Thirteen lowered her hand and continued, her voice steady. "That is why today's lesson is not simply about using your Quirks. It is about learning restraint, precision, and responsibility. The strength of a hero is not measured only by power, but by how carefully that power is applied."

She paused, letting her words settle.

But then…

A low, unnatural hum reverberated across the dome. Suddenly, at the far end of the central plaza, shadows began to swirl. A thick, purple-black mist coiled together, twisting and folding until it rose high above the students.

Izuku stiffened instantly, his instincts screaming danger. "That's… not part of the training, is it?"

The mist expanded, pulsing outward like a living thing. And then, with a voice smooth yet chilling, it spoke.

"Forgive our intrusion, young heroes. But we are here to end All Might, and to kill the Symbol of Peace."

Dozens of figures stepped from the mist, armed, twisted villains of every shape and size. The metallic glint of blades, the crackle of electricity, the gleam of sharpened claws.

Gasps filled the class as the reality hit them, this wasn't a drill. This was an attack.

Thirteen immediately snapped into action, raising her voice. "Stay behind me! Protect each other!"

And as the swirling portal continued to disgorge more enemies, the true terror of the U.S.J. was about to begin.

The villains continued to pour from the swirling mist until the plaza seemed to crawl with them. Their laughter and snarls echoed through the dome as weapons gleamed under the light.

Aizawa stepped forward, his scarf already uncoiling around his shoulders. His expression was unreadable beneath his capture gear, but his voice cut through the chaos with cold authority.

"Class 1-A stay back. I'll handle this."

"Sir," Momo called, her voice calm but firm, "I have a proposal that could-"

"Keep it to yourself," Aizawa cut her off without looking back. His scarf snapped as he launched himself straight into the mob of villains.

Momo's jaw tightened, her hands curling into fists at her sides. Under her breath, so low that only Izuku and Ochako at her sides could hear, she muttered, "I could have teleported us all to safety…" Her voice trembled with restrained anger. Then she thinks 'Even if he acts like a jerk, he's still our teacher. I won't abandon him.'

The students watched in awe as Aizawa moved like a phantom, erasing quirks with a glance and binding opponents in his scarf before dropping them with precision strikes. Villains fell one after another, their overconfidence crushed by his efficiency.

But then, the atmosphere changed.

A heavy thud shook the ground. Out of the mist lumbered a towering monstrosity, a hulking figure with rippling muscles, jet-black skin stretched tight, and grotesque claws. Its exposed brain pulsed atop its skull, every vein throbbing with terrifying vitality.

Izuku's breath hitched. "W-what is that?"

The creature let out a low, guttural growl that reverberated in their bones. The villains nearby smirked with cruel delight.

"That's the Nomu," one of them, who had on his full body and face gloves, jeered. "The masterpiece that will tear All Might apart."

Even Aizawa, who had been cutting through enemies with ease, faltered as the Nomu's immense hand caught his scarf mid-snap and yanked him forward with inhuman strength. Their battle erupted in a clash of power so intense it shook the very ground.

Izuku's hands trembled as he turned toward Momo. "What do we do? If Aizawa sensei can't stop it…"

Momo exhaled sharply and pressed something small and metallic into his palm. It was the last intact earpiece she had managed to save. "Put this on. You might need it."

Izuku looked at her in surprise but obeyed without hesitation, slipping the earbud into his ear.

Before anyone could ask what they should do, Thirteen's voice rang out, firm and urgent. "Students! We must evacuate at once!"

The class began to move toward the exit, but before they could make it ten steps, the mist thickened and coalesced directly in front of them, blocking the way. The smoky figure bowed mockingly, his form shifting like a living fog.

"Going somewhere?" the mist villain asked, his voice smooth and cold. "I'm afraid that won't be possible."

The students froze, their breaths caught in their throats.

Momo narrowed her eyes, lowering her voice to a whisper as she leaned toward Izuku, Tenya, and Ochako, the three closest to her. "Listen carefully. I'm going to teleport all out of here, back to UA. The second we're there, we split up and notify the faculty and the police. Do you understand?"

Their faces lit with determination. "That's… brilliant," Tenya whispered, adjusting his glasses. Ochako nodded quickly, clutching her hands together in nervous resolve. Izuku simply gave her a grateful glance, already trusting her completely.

But before Momo could act, a furious voice cut across the tension.

"Like hell we're running!" Katsuki roared, explosions already sparking in his palms. Kirishima grinned recklessly at his side.

"Let's just crush this guy!"

"Hothead, Kirishima wait!" Momo's shout was drowned out as the two of them charged straight at the mist villain.

The smoky figure tilted his head almost curiously. At the last second, Bakugo and Kirishima's attacks slipped through his body harmlessly. His form rippled like water as he spread himself wide, enveloping the area in a massive wave of darkness.

"You fools," he hissed. "Scatter."

The world dissolved into cold nothingness as the mist consumed them. Students cried out in alarm as their bodies were wrenched away.

When the haze cleared, the class was partly gone, scattered across the deadly zones of the U.S.J.

Momo staggered as her feet landed hard against jagged stone. Around her, towering peaks stretched into the artificial sky. The air was sharp and thin, the Mountain Zone. She looked around quickly and spotted two familiar figures, Kyoka, tense and alert with her earphone jacks already out, and Denki, whose usual grin had been replaced with genuine fear.

———————————————————————

At the same time.

Elsewhere, Izuku gasped for breath as icy water closed over his head. He thrashed, bubbles streaming from his mouth, as the endless expanse of the Shipwreck Zone swallowed him whole.

From the shadows emerged a villain whose face twisted into a monstrous grin. His eyes glowed faintly, his skin pale and slick. A jagged lure-like antenna swayed above his head, casting eerie light in the water, an anglerfish given human form. His needle teeth gleamed as he lunged, jaws snapping toward Izuku.

Izuku barely had time to brace when something wrapped around him, firm yet surprisingly gentle. A tongue.

With one mighty pull, Tsuyu dragged him out of the villain's path and reeled him toward herself. In her other grip, squirming and panicking, was Mineta.

'She saved me!' Izuku thought, clinging to the slick warmth of her tongue as she swam with astonishing speed. The villain gave chase, but Tsuyu darted nimbly between jagged shipwrecks, her frog-like body cutting through the water with ease.

At last, she broke the surface, launching Izuku upward with a final whip of her tongue. He landed gently on the deck of a ship, coughing seawater but alive.

When Tsuyu retracted her tongue, Mineta remained coiled within her arm. He sagged dramatically, and pressed his head against her chest as if he fainted.

Tsuyu froze, eyes wide.

Izuku, watching from the deck, felt heat rise to his cheeks, not from embarrassment but from anger. Tsuyu gave an annoyed croak and hurls Mineta unceremoniously onto the deck beside Izuku. He landed flat on his back with a thud, groaning before pushing himself upright.

Izuku didn't hesitate. His hand shot out, gripping Mineta by the collar and yanking him up so they were face to face.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Izuku shouted, his voice raw with fury.

"W-wha-hey, what gives!?" Mineta squirmed wildly, kicking his feet in the air, but Izuku's grip was iron.

Izuku's glare could have cut stone. "It's already bad enough you tried something disgusting with Momo during the mock battle. But now while we're under attack, when all of our lives are in danger, you pull this crap?!"

Mineta flailed. "W-what's wrong with loving the female body?!"

Izuku's fist trembled, his knuckles white. He tightened his grip, pulling Mineta closer, his words forced through clenched teeth. "There's nothing wrong with admiration. But there are boundaries. And you crossed them."

Before Mineta could respond, the water around them rippled. Dark shapes moved closer, villains circling like sharks. Both Izuku and Tsuyu tensed.

Izuku exhaled sharply, then turned his furious eyes back to Mineta. "You're lucky we have bigger problems right now. But hear me, if I ever see you treat the girls in our class, no… in our entire school like that again, I'll use Forceflow to kick you so hard you'll fly around the Earth. Do we understand each other?"

Something in Izuku's eyes, cold resolve mixed with righteous fury, made Mineta's breath hitch. For once, he didn't doubt the threat. He nodded frantically.

"Good." Izuku dropped him, letting him fall hard on his rear. Mineta winced but didn't protest.

Tsuyu climbed up onto the deck, water dripping from her uniform. She tilted her head, regarding Izuku with wide, unblinking eyes. "That was… very impressive, kero."

The heat in Izuku's chest shifted, his anger melting into a sheepish calm under her words. A small smile tugged at his lips. "Thanks. But we've got bigger problems than a pervert."

Tsuyu nodded, gaze flicking to the villains closing in, their eyes glowing faintly in the gloom.

Izuku tries to figure out a plan, but then a crackle came from his earbud.

"Izuku, can you hear me?"

Izuku froze. His heart leapt.

"Momo?!" he blurted, startling Tsuyu, who blinked at him in confusion.

"It's Momo," Izuku explained quickly, tapping the earbud in his ear. "She's talking to me through this."

Tsuyu's expression softened slightly. "I see. Then let's hear what she has to say, kero."

A faint crackle hummed in Izuku's ear.

Momo's calm but urgent voice came through. "Izuku, if you can hear me, touch the earbud and speak."

Without hesitation, Izuku pressed his fingers against the small device. "Momo, yeah, I can hear you! Where are you?"

Her reply came steady, though he could hear faint echoes of battle in the background. "I landed with Kyoka and Denki in the Mountain Zone. And according to what Kyoka hears with her Earphone Jacks, villains are closing in on us. We'll be surrounded any moment."

Izuku's face tightened. He touched the earbud again. "Then you're not in a better position than me… I'm with Tsu and," his tone soured, bitter, "Mineta. We're stuck on a ship, surrounded by villains perfectly suited for this environment."

"I see." Momo's voice remained composed, though he imagined her brow furrowed in thought. "Do you already have a plan?"

Izuku pressed the device again, his eyes darting between the circling shadows in the water and Tsuyu, who crouched ready to spring into action. "I'm trying to work one out. But something feels strange…" He glanced toward Tsu as he spoke. "Why would they put Tsu here? If their goal was to eliminate us quickly, they would've dropped Tsu in the Earthquake Zone, or the Fire Zone. Somewhere her quirk would be useless. But here… she's at her strongest."

Tsuyu blinked, caught off guard. "Kero…" she muttered softly, as if the thought had never crossed her mind until now.

Momo's voice sharpened, the logic clicking. "Then the villains don't know our quirks. If they did, they would've separated us into zones where we were weakest. Instead, they must think we're just helpless children they can overwhelm."

Izuku touched the earbud again, nodding slowly. "That makes sense. Which means… we can use that ignorance to our advantage."

"Exactly," Momo affirmed. "So you know what comes next. Analyze the situation, like you always do. Study the environment, your enemies, and the quirks you and your partners have at your side. Then combine them into a strategy that will bring you victory."

Izuku couldn't help the small grin tugging at his lips. He pressed the earbud once more. "You know me too well, Momo."

"Once you're safe, regroup with the others," she continued firmly. "I already contacted Tenya, he told me only a part of us were scattered. The rest are still with Thirteen. As soon as everyone is back together, I'll teleport us all out of here."

With a more confident expression, Izuku replied, "Understood. Be careful, Momo. We'll fight through this and join the others as fast as we can."

"Good. Stay safe, Izuku."

The line fell silent, though her presence lingered in his chest like a steady flame.

Tsu hopped closer, "I only heard your side of the conversation, kero, but it sounds like you've got an idea."

Izuku's gaze swept over their surroundings, the ship, the waters churning with enemy silhouettes, the classmates beside him. He studied Tsuyu's readiness, Mineta's nervous trembling, and the way the villains maneuvered with aquatic ease.

Slowly, his determined smile returned. "Yeah… I think I'm starting to put something together."

Izuku steadied himself on the deck, villains circling in the dark waters below. He turned to Tsuyu first. "Tsu… I need to understand exactly what your quirk can do here."

Tsuyu nodded without hesitation. "Kero. I've got frog abilities. I can swim faster than any of them, breathe underwater, stick to walls, and use my tongue as a weapon. I can jump pretty far, too."

Izuku's lips curved in relief. "That's perfect. You're our mobility."

Then his eyes shifted toward Mineta. The boy was shaking, sweat dripping as he clutched his own head nervously. Izuku's tone sharpened. "And you, what exactly can you do?"

Mineta stammered. "M-my quirk's called Pop Off! I can pull sticky balls from my head. They, uh… they stick to anything but me. They eventually come off on their own, but I can throw a bunch and they'll trap enemies if they touch, but I use it too much I bleed from my head."

Izuku crossed his arms, unimpressed. His inner thoughts bit hard. 'Great. The coward's only weapon is throwing sticky balls. How is someone like him supposed to become a hero? And I don't speak about his quirk.'

But this wasn't the time to complain. He forced his tone into something steadier. "Fine. Then listen closely. We're going to use all our quirks together."

He crouched, drawing rough shapes in the dust of the deck. "Here's the plan, Mineta, you scatter your balls into the water only after I attack. My Forceflow will generate enough force to disrupt the villains positions. Once they're clustered, your balls will stick them into each other. Tsu, your job is to get us out of here the moment it works."

Tsuyu nodded while Mineta looks like he wants to complain.

Before Mineta could whine, Izuku grabbed him by the collar, hoisted him up with ease, and vaulted into the air.

"W-WAIT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Mineta screamed, legs kicking wildly.

Izuku's eyes locked on the villains beneath. "Executing the plan."

With a sharp inhale, he focused Forceflow through his arm. Then, bringing Mineta with him, he smashed his fist downward into the water.

"BOOOOOOM!"

The sea exploded. A shockwave rippled out in every direction, the surface collapsing into a spiraling vortex. Villains were yanked off balance, dragged helplessly into the churning pull.

"NOW, MINETA!" Izuku barked.

Shaking in panic, Mineta ripped the balls from his head and hurled them into the whirlpool. Purple spheres splattered against villains, binding them together in writhing clusters. They screamed in panic, stuck to each other and unable to move.

"Perfect timing!" Izuku called.

Tsuyu sprang from the ship's railing, her tongue snapping out to grab Izuku's arm. She reeled him and Mineta in with a powerful leap, over the water. Izuku quickly shifted his grip so Mineta dangled as far from Tsuyu as possible.

———————————————————————

Meanwhile, in the Mountain Zone.

The moment Momo ended her transmission with Izuku, shadows shifted. Villains appeared between the jagged rocks, circling like predators.

Kyoka's expression hardened. "Yaomomo… they're closing in."

Momo's hands were already glowing with creation light. "I see them. Stay close." In seconds, a gleaming kusarigama slid into her grip, chain rattling against the rocks. For Kyoka, she conjured a finely balanced blade, pressing the hilt into her friend's hand.

Kyoka blinked, caught off guard. "A sword? You trust me with this?"

"I trust you completely," Momo replied without hesitation, eyes locked on the approaching threat.

Kyoka swallowed, then gripped the weapon tightly. "Then let's show them."

The villains charged.

Kyoka struck first, plugging her Earphone Jacks into the earth. The ground pulsed with vibrations, disrupting their footing. One lunged forward regardless, only to meet the sharp swing of her blade. She parried clumsily at first but gained rhythm quickly, her strikes ringing with determination.

Meanwhile, Momo's kusarigama flashed through the air, its sickle biting into a villain's weapon while the chain wrapped his arm. With a twist, she yanked him off his feet and slammed him against two other villains.

Momo's kusarigama danced in her hands like an extension of her body. With one swift arc, the weighted chain lashed around a villain's legs, yanking him off balance. Before he could recover, she spun, pulling three more into its sweeping path. The sickle's blade hooked another weapon clean from a hand. Four enemies crashed into one another in a heap, groaning but alive.

She didn't stop.

The next villain tried to rush her from behind. Momo sensed the shift in air pressure and reacted instantly. She pivoted, seized his wrist, and with fluid precision tossed him over her shoulder in a flawless judo throw. His body slammed into another attacker with a heavy thud, both crumpling to the dirt.

Kyoka's face flushed slightly as she glanced over mid-fight. "D-damn, Yaomomo… that's hardcore." She kicked a villain aside with a sharp boot, trying to cover her embarrassment with grit.

But the enemies didn't stop coming. More shadows emerged between the jagged rocks, closing in.

Momo's eyes narrowed. "Denki, use your quirk on all of them. Now."

Denki hesitated, panic flashing across his face. "But, I'll hit you and Jiro too…"

Before he could finish, Momo dropped to one knee, her body glowing with creation energy. From her back unfurled a massive insulated barrier, a thick sheet stretching like a canopy above her and Kyoka.

Denki blinked, then grinned as realization hit. "Got it. If I don't have to worry about frying you guys…" His voice grew louder, echoing with determination. "Then I don't need to hold back!"

He planted his feet, sparks crackling wildly across his body. "ONE MILLION VOLTS!"

The world flashed white.

Electricity tore through the mountain zone like a thunderstorm given form. The horde of villains convulsed in agony, their screams echoing against the stone before their bodies slumped unconscious to the ground.

When the last spark died, Momo folded the insulating sheet away. She and Kyoka rose from beneath it, stepping into the smoke-filled clearing.

Kyoka let out a low whistle. "Well… the villains are toast. Good work, Den-"

Her words froze as her eyes landed on him.

Denki stood swaying, his hair sticking up like a burnt-out lightbulb, his eyes glazed over with a vacant, loopy grin.

Kyoka's jaw dropped. "Oh, crap! He fried his brain!"

Momo facepalmed, sighing through her nose. "Had I known his quirk had such a ridiculous drawback, I would have created a rubber helmet for him beforehand."

As she and Kyoka helped steady him, a new presence struck.

From nowhere, a villain in a skull mask lunged, seizing Denki by the collar and yanking him close. The boy's head lolled uselessly, too dazed to resist.

"Stay where you are," the masked villain snarled, pressing a jagged blade against Denki's neck. "Or your little friend here dies."

Momo's mind whirred, every calculation flashing through her thoughts. She couldn't risk Denki's life, not now, not ever. And yet, hesitation wasn't an option.

For a heartbeat, her eyes glowed faintly orange.

Her voice rang steady, almost cold. "Which friend?"

The villain blinked, confused. He glanced down, only to find Denki gone.

"What the-?!"

That split second was all she needed. Momo materialized in front of him, faster than sight, her movement like a gale tearing through the battlefield. Her fist connected with brutal precision.

"CRACK!"

The skull mask shattered, the villain's body flung backward, skidding across stone until he slammed into a jagged rock and fell limp, unconscious.

And then Denki reappeared, sprawled harmlessly where he was standing before, still drooling with his idiotic grin.

Kyoka's eyes widened as Momo turned back toward her. "Yaomomo… what the hell was that just now?"

Momo hesitated only a moment. "Would you believe me if I said it was just a light reflection?"

Kyoka gave her a flat, deadpan stare and shook her head slowly. "Not a chance."

Momo exhaled, knowing the secret was out. "Fine. The truth, then. You already know about my Creation, Teleportation and Healing quirk. But I also carry more… abilities. Illusions. Even elemental control. What you just saw was me using both illusion and elemental speed to save Kaminari."

Kyoka's eyes went wide, her grip tightening on her sword. "Wait, you mean… you've got multiple quirks?!"

Momo nodded calmly, her voice steady. "Yes. More than I've admitted to anyone but Izuku. And I'll explain everything to you later. For now…"

She held out her arm, a telescope materializing in her palm. Raising it, her sharp eyes scanned across the battlefield. Smoke. Fire. Screams. She turned, searching until her sight fixed on the shipwreck zone.

And there, through dark waves, she saw Izuku. Huddled with Tsuyu and Mineta near the central plaza, his gaze locked on their teacher. Aizawa was pinned, brutalized beneath the monstrous Nomu.

Momo's chest tightened. She knew exactly what Izuku was thinking. He wouldn't abandon anyone, not even their harsh, unyielding teacher.

Lowering the telescope, she turned back to Kyoka with firm resolve. "I have a plan."

Kyoka straightened, wiping dirt from her face. "I'm listening."

"I'll teleport you and Denki back to UA Get reinforcements. As many teachers as possible."

Kyoka frowned. "What about you?"

"I can't leave. Not yet. The others are still in danger, and I'm the only one with a teleportation quirk apart from the mist villain. I have to help."

Kyoka opened her mouth to argue, but Momo cut her off with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm tougher than I look."

Kyoka's cheeks burned slightly, but she nodded. "Fine. Just don't do anything reckless."

"I'll manage," Momo replied.

With a wave of her hand, light engulfed Kyoka and Denki. In the next instant, both vanished, teleported safely back toward the school.

Left alone, Momo tightened her grip on the kusarigama, her eyes burning with determination. She turned toward the central plaza and sprinted across the rocks.

The others needed her. And she would not let them him face this storm alone.

———————————————————————

Momo was running to the edge of the plaza, her chest tightening at the sight before her. Izuku was already in motion, fists clenched, desperately striking at the towering monster. But each blow, no matter how determined, seemed to sink uselessly into Nomu's hulking frame.

Her sharp mind processed quickly 'It's absorbing his hits. Either negating damage outright or dispersing the impact through its body.'

She prepared to rush to Izuku's side, but then her instincts screamed. From the corner of her vision, the skeletal figure draped in disembodied hands lunged toward the water. His palm outstretched, reaching for Tsuyu.

Momo's stomach dropped. She has no idea what he was doing, but considering his outstretched hand, he was about to use his quirk on Tsuyu. Momo has no idea what his quirk is, but she knows it's nothing good.

She didn't hesitate.

In a flash she teleported to the rocks above the water's edge. The kusarigama left her hand instantly, the chain coiling tight around the villain's wrist before his fingers could touch Tsuyu. His eyes widened in shock as she yanked with all her strength, slamming him backward through the air.

But before his body hit stone, a curtain of purple mist enveloped him. The mist villains void swallowed the impact, depositing him safely at his side again.

Momo's jaw tightened. "Tch."

Turning quickly to Tsuyu and Mineta, she says "Get sensei Aizaw out of there, Return to the others. I will help Izuku."

Tsuyu's eyes widened but she nodded firmly. Mineta, shaking, followed as she dragged him into the water's safety.

Momo sprinted toward the center where Izuku still fought.

The hand villain head tilted, pale lips curling under the hand covering his face. "Nomu. Crush that annoying fly."

Nomu obeyed without hesitation, tossing Izuku aside like a ragdoll. The boy skidded across the floor, coughing as he tried to rise.

The beast thundered toward Momo.

She held her ground, muscles coiled, waiting, waiting, then leapt high. Her kusarigama's chain whistled through the air, snaking around Nomu's torso. The blade embedded deep into its chest. Landing lightly behind him, she gripped the chain tight, every muscle in her arms straining as she pulled.

"IZUKU!" she shouted, teeth clenched. "CRUSH ITS BRAIN!"

Izuku staggered up, pain flashing in his eyes, but determination flaring brighter. He charged, Forceflow burning through his veins, launching him upward with a leap that cracked the floor beneath his feet.

His fist pulled back, but Nomu's body dissolved into purple haze.

The mist villains mist warped space, teleporting the monster aside. Izuku's punch roared forward, but instead of a killing blow it barreled straight toward Momo.

"M-Momo! Get out of the way, I can't stop!"

Her eyes widened, but calm calculation guided her. She sidestepped, and even as she moved, creation energy shimmered from her back. A massive red gymnastics ball shot out, bouncing into place. Izuku slammed into it chest-first, the impact rebounding harmlessly instead of breaking him apart.

He groaned, sliding to the ground as the ball deflated under him.

"Th-thank you," he wheezed.

"No need," Momo replied, steadying him and pulling him back to his feet.

Both turned as the hand villain stepped forward, raising one pale hand. Behind him, Nomu landed with a thunderous crash. The kusarigama that had pinned it cracked and crumbled to dust under his fingertips.

Momo tossed the broken chain aside, her sharp gaze never leaving the villains.

"What can you tell me?" she asked Izuku quickly, already weighing strategies.

He clenched his fists. "The hand-covered guy, I heard that his name is Shigaraki, he's got some kind of decay quirk. Anything he touches disintegrates. It's like your destruction quirk, but uncontrolled. I overheard that the mist villains name is Kurogiri, you already saw his quirk in action. And Nomu" he swallowed, recalling overheard words "he said it was created just to kill All Might."

Momo's eyes narrowed, fire burning behind them. "I knew from the start his presence felt wrong. Now I know why."

Izuku tensed. "Do you… have a plan?"

Before she could answer the heard a loud

"BANG!"

The massive doors at the far end of the plaza blew inward, hinges torn free as a booming voice filled the chamber.

"FEAR NOT, STUDENTS. FOR I AM HERE!"

Every head turned, as the Symbol of Peace strode into the USJ, golden hair gleaming, presence filling the space like sunlight piercing a storm.

Even Shigaraki's hand twitched at the sight, a mix of rage and glee flickering in his voice. "All Might… you're finally here."

All Might landed between the students and the villains with a shockwave that cracked the tiles beneath his boots.

"FEAR NOT, YOUNG HEROES!" he boomed.

Momo and Izuku both exhaled at once, reliefed, until they remembered the hulking shadow looming behind Shigaraki.

All Might turned his head slightly, flashing them a confident grin. "DO NOT BE AFRAID. LEAVE THESE VILLAINS TO ME."

But Momo stepped forward. She pointed directly at Nomu "All Might, be careful. That thing… it was made to kill you."

For a heartbeat, silence. Then All Might's smile sharpened, unshaken. "THEN I SHALL PROVE TO IT THAT SUCH A MISSION… IS IMPOSSIBLE!"

He shifted his stance, shoulders broad, he said to the two "YOU TWO, GO BACK TO THE ENTRANCE! HELP YOUR CLASSMATES GET AIZAWA AND THIRTEEN OUT OF HERE!"

Izuku froze, fists trembling. His eyes screamed 'I can't leave him. I can't just run.'

Momo, sensing his hesitation, placed a hand on his arm. "Come on," she urged, pulling him a few steps back. Just enough to keep him safe, but close enough to act if the chance comes.

All Might lunged forward, and the world detonated.

The first clash of fists against Nomu's monstrous arms created a shockwave so powerful that Momo and Izuku had to cling to the ground to avoid being blown away. Dust spiraled, stones rattled loose, and the sound cracked like thunder.

Nomu absorbed the blow without flinching. Then, with terrifying speed, its counterpunch smashed into All Might's forearm. The ground split under the force.

"All Might…!" Izuku gasped.

But All Might's grin only widened. "SO YOU CAN MATCH MY STRENGTH, EH? GOOD! THEN TAKE THIS, DETROIT SMASH!"

All Might's fist came down like a meteor, slamming squarely into Nomu's stomach. The impact cracked the ground in a spiderweb pattern, shockwaves tearing through the plaza. Dust blasted outward in a choking cloud, yet Nomu didn't move.

Its monstrous body absorbed the strike, feet gouging deeper into the stone but refusing to yield. Not a single step back.

Izuku's breath caught. "Wh-what?! He… he didn't even flinch!"

Momo narrowed her eyes. She could see the faint ripples spreading across Nomu's muscles, the way its body seemed to swallow the blow. Her mind worked fast. Finally understanding its purpose "Shock absorption," she whispered. "It's built to nullify impact."

Nomu roared, lashing out with a counterpunch that met All Might's forearm. The collision cracked like thunder, throwing up another violent gust of wind. All Might skidded back, boots grinding sparks from the tile, but his smile never faltered.

"SO, YOU CAN WITHSTAND MY BLOWS?!" he boomed, crouching low before launching forward again. "THEN LET'S SEE HOW MANY YOU CAN TAKE!"

The plaza erupted into chaos as All Might unleashed a storm of punches. Each strike shattered the air, deafening explosions echoing with every blow. Nomu didn't fly, didn't break, instead, its hulking frame stayed rooted, muscles trembling as it absorbed the barrage.

Cracks spread in the floor beneath them, chunks of stone flung aside like shrapnel. Dust swirled in choking waves, but through it, the two figures clashed again and again, shockwaves tearing the chamber apart.

Izuku's eyes shone with desperate awe. "He's… he's matching All Might, blow for blow!"

Momo clenched her jaw, her mind racing. She watched closely, noticing the way Nomu's body trembled slightly longer after each hit. "No… not just matching. It's designed for this fight. That thing isn't just strong, it was made to kill him."

All Might seized Nomu around the torso, locking his arms like steel bands. With a roar, he hauled the beast off the ground in a bone-crushing grip. "THEN LET'S TEST THE LIMITS OF YOUR ABSORPTION!"

He twisted, arching back, aiming to slam the monster with a devastating suplex, but before the move connected, a swirl of black mist opened beneath them.

"Warp Gate," Momo hissed, eyes snapping wide.

The suplex never fully connected. Half of Nomu's massive frame sank into the Warp Gate while All Might's arms still locked around the other half. Their bodies twisted unnaturally between dimensions, the stone beneath splintering from the unstable pressure.

Shigaraki's laugh cut through the dust, high and jagged. "See? Your symbol of peace is nothing but a fraud. Nomu can take everything you've got and then break you."

Izuku's breath caught. "W-what should we do? We have to help All Might!"

Momo's eyes darted around the plaza, desperate for a solution. Her chest rose and fell with tension, then her gaze fixed on Nomu, still locked halfway in All Might's suplex hold, both of them straining against Kurogiri's warp. Shigaraki and Kurogiri stood nearby, too focused on All Might to pay her or Izuku any mind.

Her lips pressed thin, then curved into a knowing smile. "I have an idea."

Izuku blinked in confusion as Momo's costume shimmered faintly. From her chest, she pulled forth a small, fuzzy object. It dropped into her hand, a yellow gorilla plushie.

Izuku gawked. "A… a plushie? How is that supposed to help us right now?"

Her eyes gleamed with certainty, a spark of pride flashing through her expression. "It's time I showed you one of my other quirks."

Despite the chaos shaking the USJ, Izuku's green eyes lit with wonder. "Y-you mean… I get to see another one in action now? Which one?"

Momo crouched, gently laying the plushie on the cracked stone. Her hand glowed with a gathering light, an elegant white energy, feather-shaped. She pressed it to the plushie.

"Amokizazion," she whispered.

Izuku gasped, his entire body trembling with excitement even in the middle of battle. "That's the one, I've always wanted to see in action!"

The energy sank into the toy. The plush shuddered, pulsing with unnatural life. It began to swell, seams stretching, fibers bursting outward like muscle weaving itself over bone. In seconds, the tiny gorilla plush towered over them, a colossal yellow gorilla, broad as All Might himself, with eyes burning with primal intent.

It let out a thunderous roar that rattled the shattered tiles, pounding its chest with ground-shaking blows.

Izuku could only stare, awe painted across his face. "…It's… amazing…"

Momo lips curving proudly. "I think I'll call him Titanus."

The gorilla bared its teeth, snarling as if it understood.

"Now," Momo commanded, her voice sharp, "go help All Might."

Titanus roared once more and charged, the ground quaking under each massive step. Shigaraki turned, his twisted grin curling wider, only for it to snap away when Titanus colossal fist crashed into his jaw. The impact launched the villain sideways, smashing him through a half-broken wall with brutal force.

Kurogiri whirled, mist swirling defensively, but the gorilla ignored him, seizing All Might's legs with a single massive hand. With shocking strength, it wrenched the Symbol of Peace free of the Warp Gate, dragging him back into the plaza. Nomu tumbled out as well, freed from the incomplete suplex.

All Might landed on his feet, blinking in disbelief at the beast that now stood ready next to him. "WHO… WHO IN THE WORLD ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO BE?!" he boomed, his usual grin half-forgotten in astonishment.

Momo strode forward, a fresh kusarigama materializing in her hands. Izuku stayed close by her side, Forceflow already thrumming through his arms.

She smirked, eyes locked on the villains. "The cavalry."

All Might's piercing blue eyes flicked from Titanus to Momo and Izuku, his chest still heaving from the clash. "MIDORIYA! YAOYOROZU! WHERE DID THIS GORILLA COME FROM?!" His booming voice echoed across the fractured plaza.

Izuku, unable to contain himself, nearly bounced in place, his words spilling out in pure excitement. "M-Momo made him! She created Titanus, All Might!"

All Might's head snapped toward Momo, disbelief flashing across his features. "IS THIS TRUE?"

Momo gave a firm nod, gripping her kusarigama tightly. Her tone was calm, but sharp with conviction. "Yes. But unlike that Nomu, Titanus is no vile abomination. He was born from my will, not from cruelty."

All Might's mouth opened to reply, but she cut him off with a raised hand. "For questions, there'll be more time later."

For a heartbeat, silence fell, then All Might grinned, a fierce light burning in his eyes. "VERY WELL. I'LL TRUST YOU." He turned back toward the villains, shoulders squaring.

From the rubble, Shigaraki staggered back into the open, dust cascading from his shoulders. His lips curled into a jagged, broken smile. "I don't know where that ugly monkey came from…" He hissed, his voice scraping like sandpaper, "but I'll make him regret ever touching me."

His hand twitched, fingers flexing with murderous intent. Then his crimson eyes slid toward Nomu. "Well? What are you waiting for? Rip All Might apart."

Nomu charged, one colossal fist cocked back, the sheer force behind it enough to crack stone beneath his feet. The blow was aimed straight for All Might's chest, but Titanus stepped forward, chest out, and took the strike head-on.

The impact reverberated through the chamber like a cannon blast and yet Titanus didn't move an inch. His massive chest absorbed the blow completely.

Everyone froze. Even All Might's eyes went wide. Izuku gasped, his voice breaking in awe. "H-he… he stopped it…"

Momo's lips curved into a proud smile. "Titanus has the same ability as Nomu, Shock Absorption."

The words hung heavy in the air, leaving All Might, Izuku, and even the villains in stunned silence.

Nomu lunging again, but this time All Might surged forward to meet him. Their fists collided, an impact so massive it should have split the plaza apart, yet the energy sank into Nomu's body, swallowed by Shock Absorption.

Before Nomu could counter, Titanus charged at his flank. With a bestial roar, the colossal gorilla slammed a thunderous punch into Nomu's ribs. But the beast absorbed this punch too.

All Might grinned fiercely. "EXCELLENT! HE'S ABSORBING IT JUST LIKE YOU, BUT TOGETHER, WE CAN OVERWHELM HIM!"

Nomu twisted, snarling, and swung a brutal backhand meant to crush All Might's skull. Titanus stepped between them, chest forward, and absorbed the strike without flinching. His massive hand shot out, seizing Nomu's wrist, locking him in place.

All Might didn't hesitate. He drove his fist into Nomu's jaw with a booming roar. The beast's head snapped back, his heels skidding, but still the damage was swallowed by the quirk.

Nomu retaliated instantly, swinging with both fists in a hammer blow meant to pulverize them both. Titanus braced his arms overhead, absorbing the full impact. Then he roared and pushed back, forcing Nomu's arms wide.

All Might shot forward, fists blurring. "DETROIT SMASH!!" Blow after blow hammered into Nomu's torso, each strike absorbed yet forcing the monster backward under sheer relentless momentum.

For nearly a full minute the clash raged, Nomu striking, Titanus intercepting, All Might pressing the attack. Each time Nomu tried to counter, the gorilla absorbed the hit, freeing All Might to land another punishing blow.

From the sidelines, Izuku's eyes shone in awe, his fists clenched tight. "T-they're working together… like a real team! All Might and Titanus, they're pushing him back!"

Momo replies "That was the plan, while Titanus absorbs the punches, All Might gives them out. It will give us enough time to figure out Nomu's weakness."

Shigaraki rasped, scratching furiously at his neck, his voice rising to a deranged screech "NO! NO, NO, NO! THIS ISN'T POSSIBLE! NOMU CAN'T BE STOPPED!"

Kurogiri's mist swirled dangerously, his voice low and cold. "I'll remove the animal from the equation." His form expanded, tendrils of black mist reaching to envelop Titanus.

But before the warp could close around the gorilla, a sudden explosion rocked the plaza. Katsuki Bakugo crashed down like a meteor, one hand gripping Kurogiri's metallic collar, slamming him into the stone floor. Smoke hissed from Bakugo's palms as he snarled, eyes blazing with fury.

"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT, YOU FREAKING GAS-FACE! MOVE AND I'LL BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF!"

Beside him, Eijiro Kirishima slammed his hardened fists into the ground, standing shoulder to shoulder with Katsuki. "Yeah! You're not warping anyone this time!"

Shigaraki's rage twisted into panic as he lurched forward, hand outstretched toward Kurogiri, only for ice to crawl up his limbs, freezing him in place mid-step. His head snapped around in shock, and there stood Shoto Todoroki, frost still curling from his right hand, his expression calm but eyes sharp as blades.

"I don't think so." Shoto's voice was quiet, but final.

All Might's booming laugh thundered through the chaos "HAHAHA! EXCELLENT TIMING, ALL OF YOU!"

Nomu snarled and swung again, but once more Titanus absorbed the blow. He let out a deafening roar, pounding his chest with both fists in defiance.

All Might's gaze sharpened, his grin returning with renewed fire. "I KNOW NOW HOW TO DEFEAT HIM!" His eyes flicked to Titanus, "CAN YOU LOOK UP AFTER THE CHILDREN'S?"

Titanus gave a massive thumbs-up before lumbering protectively back toward Momo and Izuku.

Izuku clenched his fists. He leaned toward Momo, whispering urgently, "W-what's he planning? What's All Might going to do?"

Momo's smile softened, her sharp eyes never leaving the battlefield. "I think… he's figured out the key to victory."

All Might surged forward, fists blazing like meteors. Nomu met him head-on, both monsters of strength colliding in a storm of fists. The plaza trembled as their blows clashed faster and faster, shockwaves rippling outward.

All Might roared over the deafening impacts "NOW I UNDERSTAND! YOUR QUIRK ABSORBS THE FORCE OF MY BLOWS, BUT IT DOESN'T NULLIFY THEM! THAT MEANS THERE MUST BE A LIMIT TO WHAT YOU CAN ENDURE!"

Each strike boomed like thunder, and the air itself shook. The shockwaves blasted across the plaza, nearly knocking the students off their feet.

"D-dammit!" Katsuki snarled as the gust tore at him. He lost his grip on Kurogiri, who slipped back into the mist with a hiss.

Titanus planted his massive feet, grabbing hold of Izuku and Momo with both arms, shielding them with his bulk. His feet dug into the stone floor as he roared, refusing to be swept away.

Kurogiri's distorted voice carried weakly through the chaos. "I… I cannot reach them…"

Shigaraki, who already freed himself from the ice, can't believe his eyes.

Kirishima, bracing himself beside Katsuki and Shoto, could only gape in disbelief. "Unbelievable…"

All Might didn't falter. Even when Nomu's massive fist slammed into his side, he refused to stop. Blood rose in his throat, but his grin only widened.

"YOU THINK THAT WILL SLOW ME DOWN?! NO!!" His fists became a blur, each one harder, faster, heavier than the last. Nomu reeled back, arms struggling to keep pace, his monstrous regeneration lagging against the storm of blows.

Izuku's breath caught in his throat. His whole body trembled as he watched, unable to blink. "I-It's… incredible… he's putting more than one hundred percent into every single punch…"

Beside him, Momo's eyes gleamed with pride, her lips curving. "That's what heroes do, Izuku. They make the impossible possible."

The other students, Katsuki, Kirishima, and Shoto stood frozen, their eyes wide as the sheer ferocity of the Symbol of Peace played out before them.

All Might's voice thundered over the unending barrage "IF YOU WERE CREATED TO WITHSTAND ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF MY POWER, THEN I WILL DRIVE YOU TO THE GROUND WITH EVEN MORE THAN THAT!"

His fists pounded faster and faster, the world itself blurring around him. Nomu staggered, his counterattacks reduced to desperate flailing. His monstrous arms never even reached their target, each swing interrupted by another crushing blow.

All Might's chest heaved, his voice rising with each strike. "AND NOW… LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, VILLAIN…"

Nomu's body shook under the endless storm.

"DO YOU KNOW THESE WORDS?!"

His final punch drew back, light gleaming in his eyes, his fist wrapped in sheer unstoppable force.

"Go BEYOND, PLUS ULTRA!!"

The strike detonated like a cannon, smashing into Nomu's stomach. The monster was launched skyward, his body tearing through the dome ceiling in a streak of destruction. The roar of impact shook the very foundations as Nomu vanished into the sky.

For a heartbeat, silence reigned. Then the dust settled.

All Might stood in the cloud of dust and rubble, his chest heaving, his body shadowed against the broken light pouring through the torn dome.

The students stared in stunned awe.

Kirishima whispered, almost reverently, "Like something straight out of a comic… he broke through Nomu's Shock Absorption completely…"

Katsuki clenched his fists, his eyes blazing, but his voice trembled with raw awe. "His punches were so overwhelming… that thing couldn't even recover!"

Shoto's eyes narrowed, astonishment flickering across his normally stoic face, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

Izuku's lips parted soundlessly, his heart pounding in his chest. He could barely process what he had just witnessed.

Only Momo's sharp eyes caught something the others missed. All Might's stance wasn't the triumphant pose of a hero who had just claimed victory. His shoulders sagged ever so slightly, his breathing ragged beneath the booming laughter. It was subtle, almost hidden, but to her, it looked as though his time was running out, as if he needed to leave before anyone noticed something.

All Might finally lowered his arm, his booming voice dropping to a deep growl. "IT IS TRUE, I'VE GROWN WEAKER. BACK IN MY PRIME, FIVE BLOWS WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH. THIS TIME IT TOOK MORE THAN THREE HUNDRED."

The steam coiled around him, a living monument of power and will, as every pair of eyes remained fixed on the Symbol of Peace.

All Might's booming voice filled the chamber, shaking the villains to their core "WHAT'S WRONG? I THOUGHT YOU CAME TO KILL ME? SO COME AND GET ME!"

The students gasped at his defiance, many believing he still held complete control of the situation. But not everyone was fooled.

Momo felt something was wrong. Titanus gently set her and Izuku down, though the gorilla-like ally remained close, ready to shield them. She leaned toward Izuku, her voice so low it barely carried past her lips "He's bluffing."

Izuku blinked at her, confusion etched across his face. "W-what?"

Momo's sharp eyes stayed fixed on All Might's frame. "His posture, his tone, even the way he's forcing that grin… I can tell. He needs to leave quickly."

Izuku swallowed hard. "But… why?"

Momo's expression tightened. "I can't say for certain, but I believe it has to do with his physical condition. Something's wrong with his body."

Before Izuku could reply, a rasping voice cut through the tension.

Shigaraki scratched at his neck furiously, his lips curling back. "You damn cheater. You're not weak at all! If Nomu were still here, he'd have killed you already!"

Kurogiri's calm distortion answered, his mist swaying gently "Do not fret. He has been weakened. Nomu hurt him. We can kill him and still complete our mission. He has no one but a few children and a monkey on his side."

Momo's grip on her kusarigama tightened until her knuckles whitened.

Kurogiri's voice continued, smooth and patient "Our underlings will awaken soon, for certain. We have time. We can kill him."

Shigaraki's lips stretched into a grin, his cracked skin pulling at the corners. "Yeah… you're right."

The two villains crouched like predators preparing to pounce. Titanus roared in defiance and surged forward, his colossal fist swinging in a wide arc. But his blow connected with nothing, the pair vanished into the dark haze. His punch shattered the floor harmlessly, the mist curling around his arm.

Then Shigaraki materialized behind him from a warp gate. His decayed hand spread wide, and before Titanus could react, the villain pressed his hand against the gorilla's massive back.

A sickening crackle hissed through the air as the Decay quirk spread across the gorilla's body.

"No!" Momo and Izuku screamed in unison, their voices raw with horror.

Titanus staggered as his body began to crumble away, dust flaking from his stone-like skin. Even as destruction consumed him, he did not roar or panic. Instead, the towering gorilla slowly turned his head toward the two he had sworn to protect. His massive hand lifted, trembling but steady enough to give them one last gesture.

A thumbs-up.

Momo's knees nearly gave out. Izuku's breath broke in his chest, his fists shaking.

Piece by piece, Titanus fell apart, his frame dissolving into fragments that drifted away on the air. And when at last he was gone, only a single white feather out of energy lingered, floating gently before disintegrating into nothingness.

"Farewell Titanus…" Momo whispered, her grip tightening around her kusarigama.

Izuku barely had time to breathe before Shigaraki slipped out of the warp in front of him, his outstretched hand reaching for his face.

"NO!"

Momo reacted on pure instinct. Her kusarigama flashed in a deadly arc, the chain whistling. The blade bit deep.

A wet snap echoed through the air, Shigaraki's right hand spun away, severed at the wrist.

"AAAAAGH!" Shigaraki's scream split the chamber, raw and feral, as he clutched his bleeding stump. The warped fingers twitched on the floor, inches from Izuku's feet.

Izuku froze, staring in horror at the dismembered hand lying before him. His chest tightened, every nerve screaming.

But Momo did not flinch. She leveled her kusarigama with cold precision, her stance unshaken. Her voice rang sharp and commanding. "If you want to keep your other hand, you'd better surrender."

Before anyone could react, the heavy doors of the USJ burst open once again. The thunderous crash froze every breath in the chamber.

All eyes snapped toward the entrance, where the UA teachers stood, framed in the doorway. Present Mic, Midnight, Cementoss, Snipe, Vlad King, Ectoplasm, and the principal Nezu. Kyoka stood next to them. Relief rippled through Class 1-A like a wave.

Kurogiri's mist swirled violently. He knew the odds had shifted beyond repair. "Shigaraki, we are leaving," he declared.

Shigaraki, clutching the bleeding stump of his right wrist, snarled but obeyed. His body blurred into black fog, vanishing alongside his comrade.

For the first time since the nightmare began, silence settled over the chamber. The students exhaled shakily, shoulders slumping under the sudden release of tension.

Momo's gaze drifted to the severed hand still on the floor. Her lips pressed into a thin line. With a breath, she summoned a insulated cooler from her back. Without hesitation, she knelt, gently scooping the dismembered hand and putting it inside.

Kirishima gagged at the sight, paling visibly. "Ugh, how can you even touch that thing, Yaoyorozu?!"

Momo ignored him, her mind steady. Her eyes turned instead to Shoto. "Todoroki. Can you freeze this for me?"

He blinked at her request, caught off guard by her composure. For a long second, he simply stared. Then, wordlessly, he pressed his palm over the container, encasing it in a perfect layer of ice.

"Good." She sealed the lid, then handed the cooler to him with firm authority. "Give this to the teachers. I need to step away for a moment."

Before anyone could question her, Momo's hand snapped forward and seized Izuku's, then running to All Might with him. The next instant, her power surged, teleportation engulfing them both, dragging All Might with them before anyone could intervene.

Shoto, Katsuki and Kirishima looked puzzled to the place where the three just stood.

Shoto held the frozen container tightly, his heterochromatic eyes narrowing as he watched the spot where they vanished. 'That girl…' he thought, his chest tightening with something new. 'is interesting.'

———————————————————————

Momo, Izuku, and All Might emerged behind a jagged rock formation, well hidden from sight.

Izuku's voice tumbled out first, breathless. "M-Momo! Why did you teleport us here?"

She exhaled slowly, nodding toward All Might. "Does that answer your question?"

Izuku turned, and his eyes widened. Steam poured from All Might's frame, his towering bulk shuddering under invisible strain. The glow of strength peeled away, and in seconds his mighty silhouette collapsed into something else entirely.

Standing where the Symbol of Peace had been was a gaunt, skeletal figure. His clothes hung loosely on his diminished body, his skin pale and tight over jutting bones. Sunken eyes peered out beneath sharp shadows, a far cry from the unbreakable hero the world adored.

"All Might…" Izuku whispered, his voice trembling.

Shock raced through him.

Momo's lips parted. She had suspected All Might was hiding something, but the truth surpassed even her sharpest calculations.

All Might coughed, his voice hoarse but steady. "…It's… complicated. Hard to explain in just a moment."

Izuku's fists clenched. "But why? Why do you look like this?"

All Might's weary eyes softened, but his voice remained firm. "That… is a talk we must save for another time. The police are already on their way. They'll want statements from everyone. And I cannot, must not, be seen like this."

Momo understood instantly. He needed to protect not just himself, but the hope he represented. She nodded. "I see. Then tell me this, do the other teachers know about your condition?"

All Might hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. Some of them."

"Is Recovery Girl one of them?" Momo pressed.

"Yes," he admitted, exhaling.

"Good," she said firmly. "Then you can go to her. She can keep you safe until you recover."

Before All Might could react, Momo touched his arm, her teleportation flared, and in an instant, he was gone.

Izuku blinked, then swallowed. "He's at the UA infirmary, isn't he?"

Momo gave a single nod.

Izuku managed a small smile despite the chaos. "Your teleportation Quirk really is amazing."

Momo crossed her arms, frowning faintly. "Tell that to Sensei Aizawa. If he'd listened to me for just five seconds, I could have teleported us out at the very beginning. None of us would've been in danger."

Izuku stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. His green eyes met hers, steady despite the turmoil around them "You still helped us all, Momo. You made choices no one else could have made. That's what real heroes do."

Her lips curled despite herself, a soft smile breaking through. "You always know exactly what I need to hear."

Izuku chuckled. "Guess I'm just lucky."

Their laughter carried lightly across the rocks, a rare moment of relief after so much chaos.

Momo finally straightened, her resolve returning. "We should head back to the others. We still need to see if the others are ok and give our statements."

———————————————————————

Later.

Some time later, the police had swarmed the USJ. Villains who still littered the facility were dragged out in chains, some resisting, some trying in vain to flee, but none escaping. Teachers and pro-heroes assisted the officers, ensuring every last one was secured.

Medics hurried across the plaza, tending to shaken and wounded students. Bandages, slings, and disinfectant filled the air with sharp scents.

Momo stood silently beside Izuku as a medic wrapped a clean dressing around his arm. Luckily, his injuries weren't too severe, after a night's rest he would be fine. She herself had emerged without a scratch, and so the medical staff didn't spare her more than a glance.

When they were finally dismissed, the two of them walked toward the waiting ambulances. There, paramedics were loading Aizawa, bloodied, broken, and barely conscious, onto a stretcher.

Momo stopped, her voice calm but edged with concern. "How is he?" she asked the two paramedics.

One of them shook his head. "Hard to say. He took a lot of damage. We'll do everything we can."

Momo nodded slowly. She stepped closer to her teacher, who looked almost peaceful in his state, eyes closed, face slack. To anyone else, he might have seemed unconscious. But to her, he was still her instructor, the one who had doubted his students, pushed zehn, and demanded more.

Her hand rested lightly against his chest. "Don't you dare leave us," she says, patting him gently. "I still need to tell you that you should've listened to me."

Neither paramedic noticed the faint flicker of warmth from her palm. Quietly, discreetly, Momo's healing quirk spread into Aizawa's body. She didn't overdo it, didn't want to arouse suspicion, but just enough to stabilize what was failing.

The stretcher lifted, the ambulance doors shut, and Aizawa was whisked away.

When she and Izuku were left standing alone, he spoke knowingly. "Healing quirk."

"Yep," she replied simply.

Before Izuku could say more, the sound of heels clicking against concrete caught their ears. They turned to see Midnight approaching, her arms crossed, a stern but relieved look on her face. Beside her stood a tall, sharp-eyed man in a tan coat and hat.

"Yaoyorozu. Midoriya," Midnight said evenly. "This is Detective Tsukauchi. He'd like to ask you both a few questions."

The detective gave them a brief, professional nod. His voice was calm, reassuring, but carried weight. "I've heard from your classmates that you two were the closest to the heart of what happened. Please, tell me what you saw."

Momo and Izuku exchanged a glance. Neither needed to speak, the thought was mutual. With all the cameras and recordings at the USJ, the police would know the truth soon enough. Hiding anything was pointless.

And so they began recounting everything, the arrival of the villains, the battle with Nomu, the chaos of Shigaraki, and the destruction that followed. They spoke in turns, filling in each other's details, painting as accurate a picture as they could.

But when it came to All Might's collapse into his skeletal form, both fell silent. That secret, they understood instinctively, could not be revealed. Not to the police. Not to anyone.

Detective Tsukauchi finished scribbling in his notebook, then closed it with a soft snap. "Thank you both for your cooperation. It may be that we'll need to contact you again if more questions come up."

With that, he turned and walked off, already speaking into his radio.

Midnight shifted her weight onto one hip, giving the two students a softer look. "That's enough for now. Get on the bus, the school has arranged for you all to be driven home."

Momo frowned faintly. "What about classes? Will everything, continue as normal?"

Midnight shook her head. "The school is closed for the time being. Until we upgraded the security system. Every student in UA will be notified once it's safe to return."

Momo and Izuku both bowed their heads politely. "Thank you," they said in unison, before heading toward the waiting buses.

Ahead, their classmates gathered in a loose, uncertain group. Ochako spotted them first. Her face lit with a burst of relief, and before they could even react, she sprinted straight at them.

She threw her arms around both Momo and Izuku, tears streaming freely down her cheeks. Her voice cracked as she sobbed, "I'm so glad you're both okay! I was so scared for you!"

Izuku hugged her back gently, his voice quiet but steady. "We're fine, Ochako. Really. And I'm so glad you're safe too."

When she finally pulled away, wiping her cheeks, the other students began to approach, Kyoka, Kirishima, Mina, Tsuyu, Toru, and the rest. They had all seen where Ochako had gone, and they all wanted to share in the relief that, for now, they were all still alive.

"Yaoyorozu, Midoriya, you guys were amazing out there," Kirishima said, his voice hoarse but warm. "Seriously… I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't had this strategies."

Mina forced a shaky grin, though her eyes still glistened. "Yeah! You two totally saved our butts. Like, seriously, textbook hero stuff."

Tsuyu tilted her head, her tone calm but honest. "Ribbit. You gave us hope when things looked impossible. That means something."

Shoji adjusted the scarf around his neck, his voice quiet but steady. "You protected everyone. That won't be forgotten."

Kyoka folded her arms, her voice softening despite the usual edge. "Yaomomo, Izuku, don't ever scare us like that again, alright?"

Momo and Izuku exchanged a glance, both humbled by the flood of voices. For a moment, the weight of the day seemed lighter, shared across the group.

Behind them, Shoto stood quietly, expression unreadable, while Katsuki scowled to himself, hands shoved deep in his pockets. Neither spoke, but both lingered longer than the others, their silence saying more than words.

"Come on, everyone," Tenya said, raising his arm in a sharp, practiced motion despite the weariness in his voice. "We should not delay any longer. The teachers instructed us to board the bus immediately."

One after another, the students filed onto the bus. Their steps were heavy, but the closeness of their group gave them strength.

Momo was the last to climb aboard, casting one final glance at the USJ before stepping inside. The doors closed with a hiss, and the bus engine rumbled to life.

Together, Class 1-A departed, leaving the battleground behind.