"Brothers in arms are brothers for life."
Chapter XX: The Battle for Naruhata
Koichi, stood in the middle of a debris-laden street, his senses heightened as he stared down his formidable opponent. The once bustling streets of Naruhata were now a chaotic battlefield. Smoke billowed into the night sky from buildings that had been reduced to smoldering ruins. The sharp, acrid scent of burning rubble filled the air, mingling with the distinct tang of fear. Fires crackled in the distance, their orange glow casting an eerie light on the shattered remains of what had once been a vibrant part of the city. The ground was littered with shards of glass and twisted metal, remnants of the violence that had erupted only moments earlier.
Number 6 stood across from him, his posture radiating an almost palpable sense of menace. His eyes glowed with an intense, unhinged fury, mirroring the fires that burned around them. There was something feral in his gaze, a kind of madness that seemed to distort the air with its intensity. He was the embodiment of chaos, a force of nature that thrived on destruction, and now his attention was solely focused on the Naruhata vigilante.
For a brief moment, the world around them seemed to hold its breath, as if the city itself anticipated the impending clash. Koichi's expression was calm but determined. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, his muscles coiled like springs, ready to explode into action at a moment's notice. This wasn't the first time he'd faced danger, but he knew that this fight would be unlike any other. Number 6 was no ordinary villain. He was a living weapon, with speed and power that could outmatch nearly anyone. Koichi knew he would have to push his Quirk, Slide and Glide, to its absolute limits.
The street they were on was wide, flanked by towering buildings on either side. Many of these buildings bore the scars of recent explosions, their facades crumbling, windows shattered. Cars lay abandoned and overturned, some still smoking from the earlier chaos. The area had been evacuated, but the sounds of distant sirens and shouting voices were a constant reminder of the ongoing crisis. Koichi had led Number 6 here intentionally, away from the hospital where Izuku was desperately working to rescue the last of the civilians trapped inside. He had to keep the villain occupied, had to buy the teenager enough time to save those people. That was all that mattered.
The wind picked up, swirling ash and dust between them. Number 6's lips curled into a sneer, his voice dripping with contempt as he finally broke the silence. "You think you can play hero, Koichi? You think you can save them all?" His voice was a low growl, laced with a barely restrained fury. "You have no idea what you're up against. I'll show you the difference between a real villain and a pathetic pretender."
The Crawler's only response was a subtle shift in his stance, his feet sliding slightly as he prepared to spring. His eyes locked onto Number 6's, reading every slight twitch of muscle, every hint of movement. His Quirk hummed through his body, filling him with a lightness, a readiness. The air around him seemed to crackle with energy, his instincts sharpening to a razor's edge. He knew he couldn't match Number 6 in sheer power, but he didn't need to. His agility, his ability to read the flow of the fight, would be his greatest weapons.
With a sudden roar, the villain launched himself at Koichi, his body a blur of motion. He closed the distance in the blink of an eye, his fists coated with a flickering, explosive energy. The vigilante's instincts kicked in, and he leapt to the side, using his Quirk to slide across the pavement. He felt the rush of air as Number 6's fist smashed into the ground where he had just been standing, the impact sending shockwaves through the street. Chunks of asphalt and concrete flew into the air, and a deep crater was left in the villain's wake.
Not wasting a second, Koichi kicked off the ground, gliding up the side of a building with the ease of a leaf caught in the wind. His feet barely touched the surface as he propelled himself higher, his trajectory curving like a skateboarder on a half-pipe. He needed to maintain his momentum, to keep moving and avoid being trapped in close quarters where Number 6's explosive speed and strength would be overwhelming. As he reached the top of the building, he flipped backward, landing gracefully on the roof.
The villain looked up, his expression twisted with anger. "Running won't save you!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the night. He clenched his fist, his body vibrating with stored energy. His arm morphed, transforming grotesquely into a massive cannon, its barrel glowing with a sinister red light. With a roar, he fired, unleashing a barrage of explosive energy that tore through the air like a missile.
Koichi's reflexes were honed by years of vigilante work, and he reacted immediately. He threw himself off the building, twisting in mid-air as the explosion erupted where he had been standing, the blast wave scorching his back as he fell. Debris and flames shot outwards, and Koichi used the force of the explosion to propel himself forward, his body spinning gracefully as he landed on the wall of an adjacent building, sliding down it like a surfer riding a wave. He narrowly avoided a shower of sharp glass and twisted metal. He landed lightly on the street below, his feet skidding across the pavement as he regained his balance.
The battle raged on, each exchange more intense than the last. Number 6, frustrated by his inability to land a decisive blow, pushed harder, his attacks becoming more erratic, more ferocious. He transformed his limbs into a series of devastating weapons—blades, cannons, and whips—each strike sending out shockwaves that shattered windows and pulverized stone. But Koichi was always a step ahead, his movements a dance of survival. He slid under a sweeping blade, vaulted over a crackling whip of energy, and ducked just as a cannon blast tore through the air above his head.
Koichi used his surroundings to his advantage, darting between buildings, using alleyways to evade Number 6's relentless attacks. He moved like a phantom, his silhouette blending with the shadows as he zipped from one place to another, always just out of reach. The villain, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of destruction. His anger fueled his attacks, each strike more powerful than the last. He ripped through walls, sent cars flying, and left a trail of devastation in his wake.
Koichi could see the wild glee in Number 6's eyes. The more he unleashed his power, the more unhinged he seemed to become. His movements were becoming wilder, less controlled. This was his chance. If he could keep the villain off balance, if he could continue evading and frustrating him, he might be able to exploit a weakness. A momentary lapse in judgment. He just needed one opening.
As Koichi slid along the side of another building, he caught a glimpse of the hospital in the distance. He could see the faint outlines of figures moving amidst the rubble—Izuku, was outside helping three persons out. A surge of relief and determination flooded through him. This was why he was fighting, why he was risking everything. He couldn't let up now. Every second he kept Number 6 occupied was another second for Izuku to save lives. He clenched his fists, the blue glow of his Quirk brightening as he pushed his body to its limits.
Number 6 snarled in frustration, his eyes narrowing as he watched the Naruhata vigilante evade him yet again. "You can't keep running forever, Koichi!" he spat. "I'll catch you, and when I do, I'll make you regret ever crossing me!"
Koichi landed lightly on the roof of a nearby building, looking down at Number 6. He could feel his heart pounding, his breath coming in short gasps. But his resolve was unshaken. He knew he couldn't match Number 6 in raw power, but he didn't need to. He just needed to be smarter, faster. His eyes scanned the area, looking for anything he could use to turn the tide. And then he saw it—a power line, still sparking with electricity, hanging precariously from a nearby pole. A plan began to form in his mind.
"I'm not running," Koichi called back, his voice calm and steady. "I'm just making sure you don't hurt anyone else."
Number 6's eyes flared with rage. "Don't act like you're some kind of hero!" he roared. "You're nothing! Just a weak, pathetic excuse for a vigilante! I'll show you what real power looks like!"
Koichi's resolve hardened. He knew the kind of person he was dealing with. Number 6 was a man who thrived on power, who saw others as tools or obstacles to be crushed. But Koichi was different. He wasn't here to prove his strength or to defeat Number 6 for glory. He was here to protect the people of Naruhata, to make sure they had a chance to escape this nightmare. He would use every ounce of his skill, every trick he'd learned over the years, to keep Number 6 focused on him. And maybe, just maybe, he'd find a way to bring this villain down. With a final deep breath, Koichi readied.
He darted toward the edge of the roof. He slid down the side of the building with ease, his Quirk letting him glide down the wall as if it were made of glass, leaving behind a faint ripple of air in his wake. As his feet touched the ground, he kicked off immediately, propelling himself across the street toward the dangling power line.
Number 6, noticing the sudden movement, let out a growl and lunged after him, his body a blur of motion. Koichi reached the pole just as the villain closed in, the villain's eyes glowing with hatred. Without hesitation, he leaped up, using his Quirk to stick to the side of the pole and scramble up to the top. His fingers brushed against the live wire and a searing jolt of electricity shot through his arm. His muscles tensed, his teeth gritted, but he couldn't afford to hesitate. He grabbed the wire, the blue sparks crackling around his hand as he yanked it free from the pole. The night air was filled with the scent of ozone, and his heart hammered with the risk he was taking.
The villain was nearly upon him, his eyes blazing with fury. The Crawler twisted in mid-air, using his Quirk to shift his momentum, and swung the power line toward the villain. The wire snapped through the air like a whip, the electrical current crackling down its length like a serpent of lightning. The tip of the line connected with Number 6's chest, and a burst of electricity exploded outward, lighting up the night. Number 6 let out a howl that was more beast than human, his body convulsing under the assault. The force of the shock threw him back, and he skidded across the ground, smoke rising from his charred clothes. He fell back, hitting the ground with a thud, smoke rising from his charred clothes. The world around them was silent, save for the hum of the power line and the crackling of burnt fabric.
Koichi landed lightly, his breath coming in short gasps. He felt the tingling numbness in his hand where he'd held the wire, but he ignored it. He kept his eyes on Number 6, watching as the villain prowled below, his body still shuddering with residual electric shocks. The attack had caught him off guard, but he knew it wouldn't be enough to take him down.
Number 6's eyes were wild with fury as he stood, smoke still curling from his body. He glared at Koichi, his face twisted into a mask of hatred. Number 6's voice cut through the silence, sharp and venomous. "You think that's enough to stop me?" he snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "You're nothing, Koichi I'll tear your heart apart!" His voice was a guttural growl, filled with the promise of violence, the kind of promise that only someone who has embraced darkness can make.
The Naruhata vigilante's heart pounded, but he kept his expression calm. He could see the fury in Number 6's eyes, the rage that clouded his judgment. That was Koichi's advantage. If he could keep the villain angry, keep him from thinking clearly, he might be able to prolong the fight long enough.
With a quick burst of his Quirk, Koichi propelled himself backward, creating more distance between himself and Number 6. He landed on the edge of another rooftop, his chest heaving with exertion. His left hand—the one he had used to handle the electric wire—spasmed with residual electricity. His eyes stayed locked on Number 6, who prowled below, seething with unbridled rage. The city around them lay in ruins, a silent testament to the power and destruction that had been unleashed. For a moment, there was a lull in the fighting, a brief pause that hung heavy in the air, crackling with unspoken words.
The villain's voice cut through the silence, sharp and venomous. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he glared up at Koichi. His face twisted into a sneer, a grotesque mask of hatred and disdain. "Look at you," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "Koichi Haimawari, the so-called 'hero' of Naruhata. Running around in that ridiculous suit, pretending to make a difference. You really think you're something special, don't you? A savior? A hero?"
Koichi stayed silent, his expression calm and focused, even as the venom in Number 6's words dripped like poison. He had heard insults like these before—from villains, skeptics, and sometimes even the very people he was trying to protect. But coming from the villain, there was a deeper edge, a malice that struck a chord. He could sense that his opponent's anger wasn't just about their fight tonight. It was something darker, a resentment festering for far longer.
Number 6's voice rose with each word, feeding on his own bitterness like fuel to a fire. He circled Koichi, movements sharp and erratic, ready to strike at any moment. "You don't deserve any of this," he snarled, fists clenching as small explosions crackled at his fingertips. "You don't deserve to be called a hero. You're nothing but a fraud! You stumbled into this life, tripping over your own feet, and somehow got lucky. You don't know what it's like to be driven, to be consumed by a purpose. You're weak, Koichi! Weak and naive! Just a pathetic vigilante playing at being a hero!"
The Naruhata Vigilante shifted his stance, maintaining a defensive posture, his body ready to react even as his mind processed the tirade. Despite the tension, he felt a pang of something—pity, maybe?—as he listened to the vitriol pouring from Number 6. There was a desperation in his words, a raw pain that cut through the bluster and rage. Koichi's breathing was heavy, but his composure remained unbroken. "Is that what this is about?" he asked, voice steady but tinged with curiosity. "Your bitterness over me trying to be a hero while you're stuck in the shadows?"
Number 6's laughter cut through the air, harsh and bitter, like the sound of metal grinding against stone. Without warning, he lunged forward, launching a series of explosive strikes that forced Koichi to backpedal rapidly. The Crawler barely managed to dodge each strike, his feet sliding across the uneven ground as he avoided the blasts by inches.
"You think you know me, don't you?" Number 6 snarled, his movements quick and fluid, like a predator toying with its prey. "You know nothing of the sacrifices I've made!"
Koichi's arms moved in a blur, channeling his Quirk, he used his KGD. He thrust his hands out, sending sharp, controlled bursts of energy toward each incoming attack. The energy pulses collided with the explosions, dispersing them in mid-air. Each pulse was precise, calculated to deflect the blasts without causing further destruction.
"Do you even know why I hate you so much?" Number 6 barked, his voice a mix of anger and frustration. He pressed forward, intensifying his assault, but Koichi's energy pulses met each strike, deflecting the blows with a flick of his wrists. The street around them was filled with the sounds of explosive detonations and the crackling hum of the KGD, creating a chaotic symphony of power and resistance.
The Crawler sidestepped another blast, feeling the heat sear past his skin. His eyes remained locked on Number 6, trying to read his movements, his intentions. "I don't," he admitted, voice low but clear. "But I'm starting to get the picture."
Number 6's eyes narrowed, his expression twisting into one of sheer hatred. "It's because you were chosen!" he spat, his voice breaking with emotion. "You got to stand by Master Overclock's side while I was ignored. He saw potential in you, but to him, I was just another face in the crowd!"
The revelation hit Koichi like a physical blow, momentarily throwing him off balance. He hadn't expected this, the connection that Number 6 claimed to have with Knuckleduster. His mind raced as he continued to deflect the onslaught, his energy pulses intercepting each explosive punch. "Master?" He gasped, his eyes widening in shock as he parried another strike, the impact sending a jolt of pain through his arms. "I didn't know you had such a connection. But what does that have to do with me?"
Number 6 sneered, his face a mask of fury. "Everything!" he roared, his voice filled with the anguish of years of resentment. "He saw something in you that he never saw in me. And now, I'll destroy everything you stand for!" With a savage growl, he charged again, explosions erupting around him, the ground trembling with each step.
Koichi braced himself, muscles tensing as he prepared for the next wave of attacks. He focused his Quirk, ready to unleash a powerful blast of energy to repel Number 6. He knew he was outmatched in raw power, but there was something else he could rely on—his determination and his resilience.
The villain's eyes flashed with fury as he launched another explosion at Koichi. The force of the blast sent a shockwave through the street, shattering the windows of nearby buildings. "No one cared about me except for thatman. He saw my potential, nurtured my power. He gave me a purpose when the rest of the world turned its back. You'll never understand that kind of loyalty, Koichi."
The Crawler felt the intensity of Number 6's anger, hitting him like a physical blow. As Number 6's words echoed through the shattered street, Koichi's expression tightened, realizing there was more than just malice behind them—there was pain. He quickly glided around a nearby building to reposition himself. "You think loyalty justifies this?" He retorted, his voice steady but charged with the tension of the fight. "He may have given you a purpose, but that doesn't make it right to hurt innocent people. That's not power—that's just being a pawn."
"A pawn?" Number 6's eyes blazed, and without warning, he unleashed another barrage of explosive energy, the blasts tearing through the air toward Koichi. "Don't patronize me!" he shouted, his voice almost drowned out by the roar of his own attacks. "You don't know anything about power! About what it takes to seize control of your own destiny!"
Koichi responded instantly, launching pulses of energy from his palms to intercept the explosions. Each pulse met an incoming blast, creating a series of shockwaves that rippled through the street, shaking the ground beneath them. The energy pulses acted like shields, deflecting the worst of the impact, but the force still sent tremors through his body.
"Control?" Koichi shouted over the din of explosions. He propelled himself forward, dodging debris, his eyes narrowing with determination. "If you had control, you wouldn't need to destroy everything in your path!"
Number 6 snarled, his frustration evident as he conjured another explosion, this time sending it directly beneath Koichi's position, aiming to catch him off guard. "You think I care about the path? All that matters is the end goal! To prove I'm more than what they see! More than you!"
The ground beneath Koichi erupted, but he was ready. With a burst of speed, he shot upward, narrowly escaping the blast zone. The heat from the explosion licked at his heels, and he twisted in mid-air, sending another energy pulse downward, creating a shockwave that dispersed the flames. He landed gracefully on a ledge, his chest heaving from the exertion but his focus unbroken.
"It doesn't have to be this way!" Koichi called out, trying to reach past the anger that consumed Number 6. "You're not proving anything by hurting others! There's still a chance for you to turn back!"
Number 6's laugh was harsh, almost a bark. "Turn back?" he sneered. "You really are naive, Koichi. You still think like a small-time vigilante, clinging to your ideals. But this world—" he hurled another explosive wave towards Koichi, his rage boiling over "—this world only respects power!"
Koichi reacted on instinct, diving to the side and launching another pulse to divert the attack. The blast collided with his energy, lighting up the night sky in a brilliant flash. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the surrounding buildings, shattering what few windows remained intact. He could feel the heat of the explosions searing his arm, but he barely noticed, his focus locked on the villain. The air around them thick with smoke and tension.
"Power isn't what makes a hero!" Koichi shouted back, his voice carrying over the chaos. "It's what you do with it! The choices you make!"
Number 6's face twisted into a mask of pure hatred. "Then let's see what you choose, hero!" he roared, charging at Koichi with renewed ferocity, his fists glowing with raw energy, ready to unleash another devastating attack.
As the villain closed the distance, The Crawler launched himself forward, matching his opponent's speed. He dodged to the right, narrowly avoiding Number 6's explosive punch, and retaliated with a quick palm strike to the side. His Quirk, Slide and Glide, gave him the momentum he needed, adding force to his blow.
The hit landed, and Number 6 staggered, more from surprise than pain. Koichi didn't waste the opening. He spun on his heel, using the glide to propel himself into a roundhouse kick, his foot connecting with the villain's jaw. The impact sent shockwaves through Koichi's leg, but he didn't let up. He followed through with a rapid series of punches, each one enhanced by his Quirk, each one pushing the prototype Nomu back.
Number 6 growled, his body absorbing the hits with a feral grin. "Is that all you've got, Koichi?" he taunted, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He exploded into motion, his own fist glowing with energy. He swung at the vigilante, aiming to end the fight with one powerful blow.
Koichi saw it coming and sidestepped, the explosive energy brushing past him and setting the air on fire. He countered with a downward energy pulse from his palm, striking Number 6's shoulder and sending him sprawling backward. The street cracked beneath them, the shockwave rippling through the concrete.
"I'm just getting started," Koichi shot back, his voice steady, his breathing controlled. He felt the burn in his muscles, the strain of keeping up with the pace of the fight, but he pushed it aside. He had to keep moving, had to keep the villain off balance. This fight was about more than just them—it was about everyone depending on him.
Number 6 recovered quickly, his eyes blazing with fury. He thrust his hands forward, and a wave of explosions rippled outward, a deadly cascade of fire and force. Koichi reacted instantly, propelling himself into a slide across the ground, gliding under the blasts. The heat singed the back of his jacket, but he ignored it, focused entirely on his target.
As he slid, Koichi twisted his body, channeling his momentum into an upward strike. His fist connected with Number 6's abdomen, and the impact lifted Number 6 off his feet. Koichi followed up with a powerful uppercut, his knuckles glowing with energy. The punch snapped the villain's head back, and for a moment, Koichi saw the flicker of doubt in his eyes.
"Why are you doing this?" He yelled, pressing the advantage, his fists flying. "You don't have to destroy everything to be seen! You can be more than this!" His words were punctuated by each strike, each one aimed not just to hurt, but to reach the man beneath the villain.
Number 6 staggered back, his defenses faltering under Koichi's relentless assault. His face twisted into a snarl, his eyes glowing with unrestrained power. "More than this?" he echoed, his voice dripping with scorn. He raised his arms, and the ground beneath them rumbled, cracks spiderwebbing outwards as raw energy surged through him. "I am more than you could ever imagine!" He brought his hands down, and a massive explosion erupted from the ground, a shockwave of fire and debris tearing through the street.
Koichi barely had time to react. The force of the explosion lifted him off his feet, hurling him through the air. He crashed into a building, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He slid down to the ground, coughing, his body aching from the impact.
Number 6 stood amidst the destruction, his figure silhouetted against the flames. His expression was triumphant, his chest heaving. "This is my power! This is what it means to be seen!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the shattered street.
Koichi stumbled as he got back to his feet, his body aching from the impact of the last explosion. His breath came in ragged gasps, sweat mixing with the grime on his face. The searing heat of the blasts still clung to his skin, and he could feel the dull throb of fatigue setting in. Despite the exhaustion, he kept his eyes locked on Number 6, determined not to show any sign of weakness. He was tired, sure, but he wasn't out of the fight.
Number 6 smirked, watching Koichi struggle to stand. "Look at you, still trying to play the hero," he taunted. "You can barely keep up. Why don't you just give up already? Admit that you're outmatched."
The Crawler wiped the sweat from his brow, ignoring the sting in his muscles. He didn't have the energy for anger, not yet. But there was something else driving him—a need to understand, to make sense of the chaos the villain had unleashed. He swallowed hard, his voice steady but laced with fatigue. "You've been doing all this just to prove you're stronger? Is that really what this is about?"
Number 6 laughed, the sound echoing through the battered street. "It's about proving I'm more than what everyone thinks. That I'm not just some nobody to be brushed aside," he said, his voice sharp with bitterness. "But you wouldn't understand that, would you? You've always had people looking out for you."
Koichi shook his head, trying to stay focused, to keep his thoughts clear despite the exhaustion clouding his mind. "I might not understand everything you've been through," he admitted, his voice softer. His thoughts flashing back to Kazuho, to her smile, her laughter and the way her eyes lit up when she performed. "But why involve Pop? Why did you pretend to be her manager, drag her into this? What did she have to do with any of it? You thought hurting her would hurt me?"
Number 6 paused, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Oh, Pop..." he drawled, relishing the name. "She was so easy to manipulate. You should've seen the way she clung to me, pouring out her little heart about all her worries, her fears and insecurities. All because of you, Koichi." His smile widened as he saw the flicker of pain in Koichi's eyes. "She was afraid, you know. Scared you'd never see her the way she wanted. And you didn't, did you? You pushed her right into my arms."
Koichi's jaw tightened. He had hoped for answers, but the venomous words only ignited a burning rage within him. The anger began to seep through his exhaustion, each thought of Pop fueling a newfound intensity. He felt his control slip, his vision narrowing as fury overtook him. "You... you monster!" he roared, his voice reverberating through the desolate streets. He charged forward, his movements a blur of determined motion. Number 6 barely had time to react before Koichi's fist collided with his jaw, the force of the blow sending him reeling backward.
"You don't get to talk about her that way!" Koichi's voice was a fierce, unrelenting growl. "Pop isn't a tool; she's a person. And I'll never let you or anyone else use her again!" He hammered away with a series of rapid punches, each strike fueled by the image of Pop and the thought of what might have happened if Izuku hadn't intervened.
Number 6 staggered but managed a twisted grin, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "That's it, Koichi! Let your anger out! Show me that fire!" he taunted, his voice dripping with malicious satisfaction. He ducked under Koichi's next punch and landed a brutal kick to Koichi's side, sending him crashing into a nearby wall. The impact knocked the breath from Koichi's lungs, and he struggled to push himself up, the world spinning around him.
"Did she ever tell you how much she wanted you to notice her? How she tried so hard to be near you, to be part of your world?" Number 6's voice was a mocking whisper as he advanced, his gaze cold and taunting. "All the while, you were too busy playing the hero to see the one person who truly needed you. That's what you do, Koichi. You push people away."
The Naruhata friendly vigilante's vision blurred with a mix of anger and pain, but he forced himself to focus. He couldn't afford to let Number 6's words get under his skin, not now. "You're wrong," he rasped, his voice shaky but resolute. "Pop knows I care about her. She's stronger than you think. Stronger than you'll ever be."
Koichi's words seemed to ignite something dark within Number 6. The villain's eyes flashed with renewed fury, and he roared, unleashing a new wave of explosions. The ground trembled with each blast, sending debris flying and creating a cloud of dust that made it difficult to see. Amidst the chaos, the vigilante closed his eyes briefly, focusing on the energy surging within him.
"The Crawler's Vortex Style!" he shouted. A faint, pulsing aura began to surround him as he channeled the energy that naturally repelled his body into multiple points around him. The technique created a swirling field of energy that began to absorb the kinetic force of Number 6's relentless attacks. The ground beneath Koichi cracked and groaned under the strain, but he stood firm, his stance unyielding.
The villain's eyes widened in shock as he saw his explosions dissipate against the vortex. His mouth twisted into a snarl of frustration. "What is this?" he roared, trying to push through the energy field with even more force. "You think this will protect you forever?"
Koichi's focus remained steady, his determination shining through. He could feel the energy field absorbing the attacks, the power of Number 6's explosions being redirected. "You were right," He called out, his voice cutting through the tumult. "I do push things away." He said with a smile plastered in his face. "But you're wrong about me. This isn't about protecting myself; it's about protecting everyone from you! It's about protecting Pop!"
With a sudden burst of energy, he launched a concentrated shot of energy from his fist, releasing it like a high-impact burst.
"The Crawler's Vortex Blast!" Koichi shouted, the name of his new technique echoing through the chaotic battlefield. The energy shot forth with explosive force, a high-velocity beam of concentrated power that roared through the air.
Number 6's eyes gleamed with a new, calculating intensity as he observed Koichi's attack. Without warning, he shifted his posture, moving swiftly to all fours, adopting a form that mimicked Koichi's agile style. The change in stance doubled his speed, making him an even more elusive target.
As Koichi's Vortex Blast surged toward him, Number 6 effortlessly evaded the concentrated energy, darting around the attack with blistering speed. His movements were now a blur, perfectly synchronized with Koichi's own agile maneuvers.
Before Koichi could react, Number 6 struck with brutal efficiency. He launched himself at the vigilante, landing a fierce blow that sent him crashing to the ground. At the same time, the villain's enhanced speed allowed him to swipe a sharp-edged weapon across Koichi's right cheek, leaving a deep, searing cut. The pain was sharp and immediate, making the Crawler wince as he lay sprawled on the ground, struggling to regain his bearings.
The suddenness of the attack caught Koichi off guard, and he blinked through the haze of pain, blood trickling down his face from the cut. He could feel the pressure mounting with every passing second, the overwhelming speed and precision of Number 6's attacks leaving him reeling.
Number 6's taunting laughter echoed around the battlefield. "Faster, stronger—this is the true power I've been denied! I'm going to call this the Crawler Style," he said, satisfaction dripping from his words. "How does it feel, Koichi? To know that I'm beating you with your own moves? You can't keep up with me now. Your tricks are nothing against my enhanced speed."
Koichi gritted his teeth, his body aching as he forced himself to move, pushing up onto his hands and knees. He couldn't believe how quickly the tide had turned, how his own fighting style had been turned against him. He managed to get one foot under him, preparing to stand, when Number 6 moved in a blur, planting his foot on Koichi's back and shoving him back down, pinning him against the rubble-strewn pavement.
The force of the shove drove the air from his lungs, his face pressing against the cold, unforgiving ground. He struggled to breathe, the weight of Number 6's foot making each breath a painful effort. Gritting his teeth, he turned his head slightly, defiance still burning in his eyes despite the pain.
"Look at you," Number 6 sneered, leaning down to bring his face closer to Koichi's, his foot pressing harder against Koichi's back. "All your talk about protecting others, about protecting your precious Pop, and here you are, face down in the dirt. Helpless. Weak. I bet you never imagined you'd be crushed by your own technique. How pathetic."
Koichi struggled beneath him, but the weight and the pain kept him pinned. He tried to muster the strength to fight back, but every movement sent sharp jolts of pain through his battered body. He could feel anger and frustration boiling inside him, fueling his determination. He had to find a way to turn this around, for Pop, for himself, and for everyone counting on him.
Number 6 smirked, relishing the sight of his fallen opponent. He extended his arm, the mechanical modifications shifting and morphing. His arm began to glow, preparing to unleash a close-range, explosive blast. "I think it's time to put you out of your misery, Crawler,"he hissed, the energy building in his arm. "And what better way than with a taste of your own medicine?"
Suddenly, before he could fire, a blue streak sliced through the air, severing Number 6's arm at the elbow. The severed limb fell to the ground with a dull thud, the energy dissipating harmlessly. Number 6 howled in pain and surprise, stumbling back as his eyes darted to the source of the attack.
Emerging from the swirling dust and smoke, Izuku stood tall, his presence commanding. He extended his hand, and the blue lightsaber flew back to him like a boomerang, the hilt landing perfectly in his grip. With a quick motion, he ignited the blade again, its blue light casting an ethereal glow over the battlefield.
Izuku's eyes were focused, filled with a calm fury as he locked onto Number 6. "Step away from him," he said, his voice steady and resolute.
Using the Force, the green haired padawan flung Number 6 away from Koichi with a powerful telekinetic push. The villain was sent flying, crashing into a nearby wall with a force that cracked the concrete. Izuku turned his attention to the Crawler, concern flickering in his eyes. He extended a hand to his friend, pulling him up gently.
"Are you okay, Koichi?" Izuku asked, his voice softer, though still edged with the tension of battle.
The Naruhata vigilante nodded, though his movements were slow, his body still reeling from the fight. "Yeah... thanks, Specter," he managed, catching his breath. He glanced toward Number 6, who was already starting to rise, rage contorting his features. "Looks like we've got a real fight on our hands."
Izuku nodded, his grip tightening on his lightsaber. "Then we'll take him down together."
Number 6, his fury now a blazing inferno, roared in outrage at the continued interference. "Again?!" he bellowed, his voice trembling with unrestrained rage. "You meddlesome bastard, why don't you just let me finish what I started?!" His eyes blazed with malevolent fire as he turned his wrath fully on Izuku. "I won't let you ruin my plans again!"
The ground trembled violently beneath the weight of Number 6's fury, fissures snaking through the pavement as his rage erupted. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, crackling arcs of energy sparking and snapping around him like a violent storm. His eyes blazed with a savage, almost animalistic light, pupils narrowing into slits that burned with the promise of destruction. His entire form seemed to expand, muscles straining as if his body could barely contain the raw, destructive power coursing through him. The very air around him shimmered and pulsed with searing heat, warping and distorting, as though reality itself was struggling to hold its shape against his will.
It was as if the world was being drawn into the vortex of his wrath, the fabric of existence bending to accommodate his dark intent. A low, ominous hum filled the atmosphere, growing louder with each passing second, the prelude to an inevitable cataclysm.
The second round for the fate of Naruhata had begun, and it promised to be a clash of titanic forces, with everything on the line.
-THE FORCE AWAKENS–
Number 6's rage exploded outward, transforming him into a blur of motion—a missile of pure, destructive energy. His body became a streak of deadly intent as he rocketed toward Koichi, his fists crackling with power, each movement a calculated strike aimed to kill. The floor trembled under his feet, fissures snaking out in all directions as the villain's momentum cracked the very foundation.
Koichi's heart pounded in his chest, each beat synchronized with the thunderous approach of his adversary. He was no match for Number 6's speed; he knew this, but retreat wasn't an option. Bracing himself, his mind raced, grasping at strategies to counter the overwhelming force barreling toward him. But just as he steeled himself for impact, a green blur surged past him, faster than a heartbeat.
Midoriya. His friend, his comrade, propelled by the Force and driven by an unyielding will to protect. In an instant, he was there, standing between Koichi and certain death, his lightsaber a blazing shield of blue. With a fluid, almost effortless motion, Izuku raised the weapon, its hum resonating through the air as it intercepted Number 6's fist.
Time seemed to slow, the world narrowing to the single moment where the unstoppable force met the immovable object. The lightsaber's blade cut cleanly through Number 6's wrist, severing hand from arm in a single, precise stroke. The acrid stench of burning flesh filled the night air, a sickening reminder of the weapon's deadly precision. The severed hand tumbled to the rooftop, still sparking with residual energy.
But Number 6 was far from finished. His momentum carried him forward, his balance faltering only for a moment as shock registered on his face. The disbelief was fleeting, replaced almost instantly by a twisted grin, his eyes alight with manic glee. "You think that's enough to stop me?!"he screamed, his voice a deranged mixture of fury and exhilaration. Pain, to him, was nothing more than a challenge—another obstacle to overcome.
Before their eyes, the stump of his wrist began to pulse, the flesh bubbling as it knitted itself back together with grotesque speed. Bone reformed, muscle regenerated, and within moments, a new hand emerged, whole and unscathed. Number 6 flexed his fingers, the twisted smile never leaving his face, his excitement palpable. He was intrigued, almost delighted, by the opportunity to test his limits—how much more could his body endure?
Izuku's gaze hardened, his grip on the lightsaber tightening as he sensed the shift in the battle. This wasn't a foe that could be easily defeated; Number 6's regeneration was beyond anything he had faced before. But retreat was not an option. With a deep breath, he focused the Force, feeling its power surge within him. In a swift motion, he extended his hand, releasing a powerful Force push. The invisible energy struck the villain with the force of a wrecking ball, sending him skidding backward across the rooftop, his feet gouging deep trenches into the concrete as he fought to maintain his footing.
"Koichi, now!" Izuku's voice rang out, a clarion call of urgency and command, slicing through the chaos.
The vigilante didn't need to be told twice. Though they had never fought side by side, their bond as friends and allies was strong. He launched himself into the air, his Slide and Glide propelling him upward with incredible speed. The wind whipped around him as he twisted in midair, his eyes locked onto Number 6 like a hawk sighting its prey. With a sharp exhale, he unleashed a KGD Shot, the concentrated burst of air spinning toward the villain with the roar of a ferocious beast.
The blast struck Number 6 square in the chest, the impact powerful enough to drive him back even further, his feet tearing up the rooftop as he skidded toward the edge. Number 6 grunted, his body absorbing the force of the attack, but still, he remained standing—a testament to his resilience and sheer, unbridled power. The attack hadn't incapacitated him, but it had pushed him to the brink, and his twisted grin only widened, his excitement growing.
"You're both full of surprises!" Number 6 sneered, his voice dripping with a mix of admiration and disdain. His eyes flicked between Koichi and Izuku, his mind a whirlwind of calculations, each one more deranged than the last. "But you're not the only ones who can innovate!"
With a guttural roar, Number 6 slammed his fist into the ground. The rooftop buckled and shattered beneath the force of the villain's attack, sending tremors through the entire building. Chunks of concrete and debris were hurled into the air as the structure began to collapse, the ground crumbling away beneath their feet. Izuku and Koichi barely had a moment to react as the rooftop gave way, their instincts kicking in as they leaped toward the adjacent building, the only solid ground left in reach.
As Izuku and Koichi soared through the air, the padawan's heart pounded in his chest. The Force surged through him, guiding his leap, but he could feel the strain of the battle weighing on his mind and body. Koichi twisted mid-air with the grace of his quirk, but there was no time to admire his friend's skill.
Before they could reach the safety of the next rooftop, a blur of motion caught Izuku's eye—Number 6, relentless and unyielding, had launched himself into the air after them, his speed unmatched as he closed the gap in an instant. The villain's fists crackled with energy, ready to strike them down before they could land.
Panic surged through Izuku. There was no way they could outmaneuver the villain in mid-air, and there was nothing solid beneath their feet to push off from. Desperate, he reached out with the Force, his mind scrambling for a solution. His gaze locked onto a massive chunk of debris, one of the pieces of the rooftop that had been torn apart in the explosion.
With a deep breath, the green haired padawan extended his hand, the Force guiding him. The weight of the concrete was immense, far heavier than anything he'd ever moved before, and he could feel the strain in every fiber of his being. His muscles trembled with the effort, sweat trickling down his face as he fought to maintain control.
Number 6 was almost upon them, his fist drawn back, ready to deliver a lethal blow. With a final, desperate surge of effort, Izuku managed to wrench the concrete slab into the villain's path, using the Force to hurl it forward. The chunk of concrete collided with the villain's fist in mid-swing, the impact sending a resounding crack through the air. The force of the blow was absorbed, the slab shattering into pieces as Number 6's momentum was halted, if only for a fraction of a second.
But that fraction of a second was all they needed. Izuku and Koichi landed on the new rooftop, their feet hitting the ground with a thud. Izuku staggered slightly, feeling the strain of his effort, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He wasn't a fully trained Jedi yet, and moving something as large with the guidance of the Force was a challenge he hadn't fully prepared for. The effort was taxing, but he had succeeded—he had bought them a moment of safety.
As they landed, Koichi's eyes flicked to Izuku, a brief nod of acknowledgment passing between them. But the battle was far from over. The villain surged forward with relentless fury, his movements a blur of speed and power. His once monstrous grin had now twisted into a fierce scowl, the rage in his eyes mirroring the chaos erupting around him. Each step he took seemed to crack the rooftop beneath him, and his every swing carried the weight of destruction.
Izuku felt the strain as he faced Number 6's onslaught. The villain's body, adapting at an alarming rate, had hardened further. The lightsaber that had previously cut through flesh with ease now struggled against the denser, more resilient cells. As Number 6 swung his arm toward Izuku, the blade met resistance. It still burned through, but the delay was evident, the cauterized wound not as clean as before. Izuku grimaced, his focus sharpening. "He's adapting," he thought, his mind racing. "Koichi, keep him distracted!"
Koichi, agile and nimble, immediately sprang into action. He darted across the rooftop, his movements erratic and swift, making him a challenging target. Utilizing his Slide and Glide, he shot forward, firing off another KGD that roared through the air toward Number 6. The blast struck the villain's legs, causing him to stagger, but his focus remained resolute, locked onto Izuku.
As the villain tested his theory again, he swung his other arm toward Izuku. The lightsaber met the strike, and once more, the blade cut through, albeit more slowly. The cells in the arm had become even tougher, resisting the lightsaber's edge. The arm was damaged, smoke rising from the wound, but not severed. Number 6 pulled back, his eyes glittering with malicious delight. "You're not going to find this so easy anymore," he taunted, his voice laced with pure malice.
Izuku, undeterred, remained focused. He analyzed every move. His eyes darted toward Koichi, who continued to navigate the rooftop with remarkable agility. The Crawler's relentless barrage of KGDDDD Barrage harassed and distracted Number 6, buying precious time for their next move. Despite Koichi's impressive efforts, Izuku knew that sheer force alone wouldn't be enough; they needed a new strategy.
With a sinister grin, the villain's arm began to morph and change. The flesh and bone reconfigured themselves into a sleek, gunmetal-gray structure. The transformation was swift and seamless, as his arm elongated and reformed into a high-speed projectile weapon. A sharp, mechanical whine pierced the air, signaling the completion of the transformation. Number 6 aimed his newly-formed arm with menacing precision at Izuku and Koichi.
"Let's see how you handle this!" Number 6 bellowed, his voice distorted. In an instant, his arm discharged high-speed projectiles, the ammunition slicing through the air like deadly needles.
Izuku's senses heightened, he could perceive the projectiles' trajectory with uncanny accuracy. With a focused breath, he swung his lightsaber in precise arcs, deflecting the projectiles with a dazzling blur of blue light. Each projectile exploded into a shower of sparks upon impact, the intensity of the firepower forcing Izuku to remain in constant motion, the energy of the battle pressing against him.
Before Izuku could fully stabilize, Number 6 closed in with astonishing speed. His arms had transformed into lethal, sinewy appendages, each capable of delivering devastating strikes. Without warning, the villain launched a dual assault. His left arm swung in a wide, sweeping arc, while his right arm aimed a quick, precise strike.
The padawan intercepted the sweeping arc of the left arm with his lightsaber, the blade humming as it sliced through the air and met Number 6's attack. The impact reverberated through the villain's arm, the lightsaber cutting slowly through the hardened surface. However, the attack came with a cost. The second arm, coming in fast and unimpeded, was on a direct collision course.
With his attention split, Izuku swung his lightsaber to deflect the incoming strike. The blade barely grazed the edge of the fast-moving arm, failing to make significant contact. It was poised to deliver a devastating hit.
In that critical moment, a rush of wind heralded Koichi's intervention. From his vantage point, Koichi had seen the danger Izuku faced. Determined to protect his friend, he prepared his most potent attack. Channeling the full force of his Quirk, he unleashed a Vortex Blast. The tempest of air roared across the rooftop, its swirling fury aimed directly at Number 6's attacking arm.
The blast struck with pinpoint accuracy, the concentrated force of the wind slamming into the villain's limb. Number 6's arm was thrown off course, the impact diverting the trajectory of his attack and sending him reeling backward. The sudden shift in momentum allowed Izuku to regain his footing, the immediate threat momentarily neutralized by Koichi's powerful intervention.
The Crawler landed beside Izuku, his breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps. Dust and debris swirled around them, settling as they took a brief respite from the chaos. "Nice move," the green-haired padawan said, his voice strained but laced with a note of triumph.
Koichi nodded, his face etched with exhaustion. "Thanks. But I'm running on empty. I've pushed my Quirk to its limit. I probably have one more attack left in me."
Izuku's gaze was steely with determination. "Then let's make it count. I'll keep him occupied, and you need to hit him with everything you've got. His head is the weak spot."
The Crawler hesitated, his eyes clouded with uncertainty. "But… what if it's too much? What if I can't control the attack? I mean, we're talking about a real, potentially lethal strike here. Heroes aren't supposed to—"
Izuku cut him off, his voice firm yet reassuring. "Koichi, you've done everything right up to now. This isn't about killing; it's about stopping him from causing more harm. We're doing what we must to protect others. Focus on the task at hand."
His friend's shoulders slumped slightly as he absorbed the green haired padawan's words. "I understand, but it still doesn't sit right with me. I've always believed that heroes find another way, that we shouldn't cross that line."
Izuku met the Crawler's gaze with a mixture of empathy and resolve. "I get where you're coming from, Koichi. I believe in that too—heroes should strive to find non-lethal solutions whenever possible. But sometimes, we're faced with situations where it's impossible to avoid bloodshed. Number 6 is a threat to everyone in this city. He's proven he won't stop until he's caused as much destruction as possible."
He took a deep breath, the weight of his own internal conflict evident in his voice. "Not everyone wants to be saved. Number 6 has made it clear that he's beyond redemption. We've tried to protect and save as many lives as we can, but some threats are too great to ignore. Sometimes, the best we can do is to confront them head-on and make sure they can't harm anyone else."
Koichi's expression softened slightly, though unease lingered in his eyes. "I guess… I see what you mean. It's just hard to accept that sometimes the only way to protect others is to take such extreme measures."
Izuku nodded, a somber understanding in his eyes. "I know. It's never easy. But you showed incredible courage and strength today. Even when it was tough, you fought for what you believe in. And that's what makes you a hero—facing the difficult choices and standing by your principles, no matter how hard it is."
Before Koichi could even utter a word, Number 6's eyes ignited with a dangerous blaze, his body crackled with a violent surge of energy. His form began to ripple and glow as his cells rapidly transformed into a blinding plasma. The air around him shimmered with heat, and a low, menacing growl rumbled from deep within him.
"Enough of this!" Number 6 roared, his voice twisted with fury. "If you're so eager to get in my way, I'll crush you both into oblivion!"
With that ferocious declaration, Number 6 hurled himself back into the fray, his movements a blur of blistering speed and unrelenting aggression. His defenses, previously formidable, disintegrated as he plunged into an all-out assault, driven by a fierce and single-minded determination to annihilate his adversaries.
Izuku exchanged a steely, resolute glance with his vigilante friend. "Get ready, Koichi! I'll keep him occupied. When the moment is right, unleash everything you've got!"
Koichi nodded his face etched with a mix of exhaustion and undying resolve. The green haired padawan surged forward, his lightsaber blazing with a brilliant blue energy. He aimed precise, focused strikes at Number 6's head, each swing calculated to force the villain into a defensive posture. The villain met Izuku's relentless assault with his own vicious counterattacks, his movements swift and savage as he struggled to fend off the padawan's strikes.
The air was thick with the sound of Number 6's snarls and roars as he retaliated with powerful, sweeping blows. His attacks were brutal, but Izuku's agility and speed allowed him to dodge and parry with practiced ease. Despite the villain's fury, it was evident that Number 6 was struggling to keep pace with Izuku's fast-paced onslaught. From his vantage point, Koichi began to draw on the last of his reserves for a final, decisive attack. His body trembled under the strain, but his resolve remained unshaken. He concentrated on gathering every ounce of his dwindling strength, his eyes flickering between Izuku's battle and his own tired body.
The green haired padawan fought with unyielding tenacity, pushing Number 6 back with each strike. The villain, increasingly driven to defend himself, began to falter, his attacks growing erratic as he struggled to counter Izuku's approach. Each time he attempted to strike back, Izuku evaded and countered, his precision forcing the villain into a more defensive stance.
Number 6 patience ended as his fury reached a boiling point, his body began to convulse violently, his cells rapidly transforming into a volatile plasma. Although most of his form remained flesh, the unstable energy crackled, a chaotic blend of raw power and unpredictable volatility.
Amidst the chaos of the night, a new sound cut sharply— the unmistakable roar of a helicopter's rotors. The aircraft hovered unsteadily, its spotlight piercing through the smoke and dust, bathing the battlefield in harsh, unforgiving light.
A voice boomed from the helicopter, clear and juvenile. "Hey, ugly! Knock it off!"
Number 6's eyes flared with unbridled rage, his expression twisting with confusion. His attention snapped toward the aircraft, his body bristling with energy. "You think you can stop me?!" His voice, now dripping with venom, echoed across the battlefield, a mixture of seething anger and maddened disbelief. The arrogance in his tone masked a growing instability, as if the mere suggestion of opposition pushed him further towards the brink of insanity.
The brief lapse was all it took. In that instant, Hitoshi's Quirk took hold, locking Number 6's mind in place. The villain's movements faltered, his body swaying as his control slipped. It was subtle, but enough—a crack in his seemingly impenetrable armor.
Izuku's eyes blazed with unwavering resolve, though his body teetered on the edge of exhaustion. Seizing the fleeting opportunity, he propelled himself forward in a blur of motion, every step a struggle against the fatigue that weighed him down. His heart pounded like a war drum, echoing the urgency of the moment. Each breath burned in his lungs, and every fiber of his being screamed that this was it—his last chance.
His grip tightened around the hilt of his lightsaber, knuckles white as the last vestiges of the Force surged through him, crackling like electricity. It was a final, desperate current that guided his every move. His vision tunneled, focusing only on his target. He launched himself with everything he had left, his body barely holding together under the strain, yet driven by a single, unyielding objective.
The lightsaber hummed with a fierce intensity, its glowing blade cutting through the night like a beacon of hope. Izuku's muscles burned, each one tensed and straining as he pushed beyond his limits. His mind was clear, despite the exhaustion, as he honed in on his target—the critical point, the weak spot. It was now or never.
His heart pounded in his chest as he closed the distance. Time seemed to slow. The blue light of the saber reflected in the villain's eyes, a flash of awareness dawning on him—but it was too late. He plunged the blade into Number 6's head, the strike landing with a fierce, echoing impact. The weapon cut cleanly through flesh and bone, its heat searing the wound instantly, cauterizing any sign of blood. Izuku's grip never wavered as he exerted all his strength, driving the lightsaber deeper, the Force amplifying his focus and power.
The villain's eyes widened in a final, desperate glare—shock and rage flickering before they were snuffed out. His body convulsed violently, but the struggle was over. With one last shudder, Number 6 went still. Lifeless.
Yet, the danger hadn't passed. The explosive energy he had amassed was now spiraling out of control. The villain's cells, transformed into volatile plasma, began to swell and crackle with uncontainable power. His form was no longer human, a chaotic fusion of unstable plasma and charred flesh. The raw energy surged, threatening to tear the area apart.
Above, Eraserhead's eyes narrowed in alarm from the helicopter. He activated his Quirk, trying to halt the reaction, but the effort was futile. This was no longer a quirk—it was pure, uncontrollable energy.
The reaction had evolved beyond the limits of Number 6's Quirk; it had transformed into an unstable cascade of raw, volatile power. Eraserhead strained, trying to suppress it, but the chaotic plasma that crackled across Number 6's body defied his abilities. The once-familiar sensation of quirk nullification found no purchase here. His Quirk couldn't reach or influence the growing storm of energy, surging like a living thing out of control.
"Damn it," Eraserhead muttered under his breath, watching the plasma expanding, absorbing everything around it. Powerless as the body of the defeated villain was spiraling toward catastrophe, the entire city at risk.
Down below, Izuku, exhausted from the fierce battle, glanced up at the helicopter hovering above. He activated his communicator, his voice strained but steady. "Echo" he called out. "Tell the pilot to bring the helicopter down. We need to move—now."
Inside the cockpit, Hitoshi heard the urgency in Izuku's voice and relayed the message. "Bring us down, now!" he barked at the pilot, who hesitated, his hands frozen on the controls. "We can't go down there; it's too dangerous!" the pilot protested, eyeing the growing maelstrom below with understandable fear.
But before he could argue further, Eraserhead leaned forward, his voice cutting through the tension. "Do it." His tone left no room for negotiation. Reluctantly, the pilot nodded, beginning the descent toward the rooftop.
As the helicopter slowly dropped, Izuku, still catching his breath, turned to Koichi, who stood nearby, his expression filled with confusion and shock. "Why?" Koichi asked, his voice low, barely audible over the roar of the collapsing battlefield. "Why did you... why did you finish him off?"
Izuku looked at his friend, his eyes tired but resolute. "I did it... to protect you, Koichi," he said quietly, each word heavy with meaning. "You're a hero, even if you're not official. Your hands don't need to be stained with blood." He gave a weak smile, his voice filled with sincerity. "I did it... so you wouldn't have to compromise your ideals. That's what friends do."
Koichi stared at Izuku, processing the words, his chest tightening with emotion. He didn't have time to respond as the helicopter touched down, its doors open, ready for extraction.
Izuku, panting heavily, felt the tremors of the unstable energy crackling through the air. Time was running out. His mind raced as he instinctively reached out with the Force, thinking for a split second about using the last of his strength to levitate Koichi toward the helicopter—to save him from the explosion that was mere moments away. The idea flashed before him like a traitorous allure.
But just as quickly, the thought vanished. Izuku clenched his fists, a deep sense of clarity settling in. He realized that doing so would be an escape—his escape. It would mean turning his back on the greater destiny awaiting him, on the dark path he had to confront. He knew that by using his power to send Koichi to safety, he'd be leaving behind the responsibility that weighed so heavily on his heart: facing All for One. And that, he could not allow. Doing so would condemn the entire world—his world.
No, there was only one choice.
"Koichi," he rasped, voice barely above a whisper, "we're going together."
The Crawler blinked, barely able to register Izuku's words before the crackle of energy behind them intensified. There was no time for explanations or hesitation. They locked eyes—both understanding that this was it, the final push. Without another word, they turned toward the helicopter.
The ground beneath them trembled as they bolted, their bodies moving on pure adrenaline. Izuku's legs felt like lead, every step a monumental effort. Koichi stumbled, his breath ragged, but the green haired padawan reached out, catching his arm and pulling him forward.
His vision blurred, his body screaming in protest as they reached the helicopter. Koichi grabbed the edge of the door and scrambled inside, turning to offer his hand to Izuku. With one final burst of strength, Izuku lunged, grasping Koichi's hand, and pulled himself into the helicopter.
The aircraft jerked upward, the pilot wasting no time lifting it into the sky, rising higher and higher above the rooftop. Izuku collapsed onto the cold metal floor, his chest heaving with exhaustion. His muscles ached, and his mind was fogged with fatigue, but they had made it—just barely.
But as the helicopter gained altitude, Koichi crawled to the edge of the open door, his heart pounding in his chest. Below, Number 6's body had transformed into a chaotic mass of plasma, his form distorting as the energy reached its final, destructive phase. The explosion was imminent.
He raised his hands, trembling from exhaustion but full of resolve. His voice was hoarse, barely a whisper, as he channeled everything he had left. "Vortex… Bazooka." A spiraling blast of energy shot from his palms, streaking toward the glowing mass below. For a split second, everything seemed to freeze.
Then came the explosion.
The rooftop erupted in a brilliant flash of light, the force of the blast rocking the helicopter violently. Flames and plasma surged into the sky, consuming everything in their path. As the shockwave tore through the air, the helicopter's silhouette briefly flickered before vanishing entirely into the blinding explosion, engulfed by the violent burst of energy that obliterated the remains of Number 6.
With it, an eerie calm settled over the city. The battle for Naruhata had finally come to an end.