Chapter 54: When the Fire loses its Calm ( Part 2 )
( Inside the camp lodge )
Aizawa felt Mandalay's voice cut into his mind just as he finished speaking.
Shouta, we're under attack. Villains. Multiple villains.
He stopped mid-step.
The hallway was quiet, the low hum of the lights suddenly too noticeable. Vlad King was beside him. He stiffened at the same time, jaw tightening. He had received the message as well.
Neither of them wasted time.
"Protect the students," Aizawa said.
Vlad nodded once. "Already on it."
They split instantly.
⸻
Vlad King reached the classroom first.
"Inside," he ordered, voice sharp. "Behind me. Now."
The students moved fast, fear pushing them forward.
Denki nearly tripped as he crossed the room. "Th-this is real, right?"
Monoma let out a laugh that sounded wrong even to his own ears. "Of course it is. Why wouldn't my first villain encounter be the real thing?"
Kojiro Bondo swallowed, adhesive already leaking from his head. "I can seal the floor. Or the door."
"Wait," Vlad said. "Do nothing until I tell you."
Mina stepped forward without thinking, positioning herself slightly ahead of the others. Acid coated her palms in a thin, controlled layer. Her expression was calm, almost unreadable.
Harue…
The thought surfaced, sharp and sudden. She pushed it down.
Vlad turned just as the wall next to the board exploded.
The blast tore inward violently. Wood and stone shattered, debris flying across the room. Vlad reacted instantly. Blood surged from his arms and hardened into a thick wall in front of the students.
The impact shook the building.
Denki screamed and dropped to the floor.
Monoma ducked, hands over his head, heart hammering.
Dust filled the air.
When it cleared, two figures stood in the opening.
Blue fire flickered lazily around one of them.
The other stepped forward with exaggerated flair, arms spread wide as if greeting an audience.
"Well now," Mr. Compress said brightly, "what a charming little classroom."
Dabi sighed. "You really can't stop talking."
Vlad King stepped forward, blood armor thickening around his shoulders. "You picked the wrong place."
Compress placed a hand over his chest. "Such hostility. We came only to say hello."
Dabi lifted his hand. Blue flames tried to form.
Nothing happened.
His eyes narrowed in irritation.
Aizawa stood in the hallway beyond the broken wall, capture scarf already unfurling, eyes glowing red as they locked onto Dabi.
The flames vanished instantly.
Dabi clicked his tongue. "Of course it's you."
Aizawa didn't reply.
He moved.
The scarf snapped forward and wrapped around Dabi's arm, yanking him off balance and slamming him into the floor. At the same time, Vlad charged, shaping his blood into a heavy shield that crushed Mr. Compress against the far wall.
The confrontation ended almost as soon as it began.
Dabi hit the ground hard, pinned.
Compress laughed even as he was restrained. "Straight to business. I do admire that."
Then his laughter grew louder.
Unbothered.
His body began to soften.
Gray sludge seeped from beneath the blood restraints, dripping onto the floor.
Dabi's form followed, edges blurring, his shape losing definition as it began to melt.
"Oh dear," Compress said cheerfully as his face distorted. "Did you really think we would expose ourselves so easily?"
Aizawa's eyes narrowed.
"This evening isn't about fighting teachers," Compress continued, voice echoing strangely as his body collapsed further. "It's about watching."
He turned his head slightly, eyes flicking toward the shattered wall.
"Consider us a preview."
His form dissolved completely into gray muck.
Dabi followed moments later, melting into the floor without another word.
Silence fell.
Aizawa released his scarf slowly.
Vlad straightened, blood retracting back into his body.
Then both of them turned toward the opening in the wall.
Outside, shapes moved.
Large ones.
Monstrous humanoid figures gathered beyond the ruined structure, their silhouettes barely visible in the night. Some dragged their limbs through the dirt. Others stood unnaturally still.
Nomu.
Vlad cursed under his breath.
Aizawa turned back to the students.
"Listen carefully," he said. "You are allowed to use your Quirks. Defensive formation. Stay together."
Denki nodded rapidly, teeth chattering. "O-okay. Yeah. Defensive."
Monoma swallowed hard, voice shaking. "I don't like this. I really don't like this."
Mina stepped forward again, placing herself firmly between the others and the opening. Acid shimmered along her hands, controlled and steady.
Her breathing was even.
Harue is out there, she thought. We will be safe.
Im sure of it!
Her dark eyes flashed with determination.
Meanwhile Kojiro Bondo spread adhesive across the floor near the entrance of the hole, hands shaking but precise.
The Nomu advanced.
The ground trembled under their weight.
Then Mandalay's voice returned, cutting through the tension.
Reinforcements are coming.
Aizawa exhaled slowly.
"Hold your ground," he ordered.
Outside, the Nomu roared.
Inside the ruined classroom, students who had never faced real danger before stood their ground anyway.
⸻
(Other part of the forest)
Kota ran through the forest, clutching his hat tightly. His small legs pumped as fast as they could, but fear slowed him down. He didn't know where to go—he only knew he had to get away from the masked figure behind him.
The villain's voice called out lazily. "Stylish hat. You'd trade it for this mask, wouldn't you?"
Kota shook his head and ran faster. His heart pounded. Then, the villain stopped, removing the mask. Kota's eyes widened as the face beneath was revealed.
It was him. The man from the news. The villain who killed his parents. The one responsible for the deep scar across his left eye. The villain known as Water Hose—Muscular.
Kota froze. Memories of the news reports flashed in his mind: the chaos, the screams, the parents who had died protecting him. His legs refused to move. His throat went dry.
Muscular stepped closer, towering over him. "Running won't save you," he said, voice low and cruel. "Face me."
Before Kota could even react, a green flash shot past him. Midoriya landed between him and the villain.
"Stay behind me, Kota!" Midoriya shouted, bracing himself. One For All flared around his body, a green aura lighting the clearing.
Muscular turned his attention to Midoriya, sizing him up. His grin widened. "Another kid thinking he can stop me. How cute."
Midoriya scanned the scene quickly. Kota was terrified, frozen in place. Muscular's movements were precise, deadly. There was no time for hesitation. Protecting Kota became his top priority.
"I won't let you touch him," Midoriya said, voice firm. He activated One For All Full Cowl. His body surged with power. "I'll save you, Kota. No matter what!"
Muscular's cloak fell to the ground as he activated his quirk. His muscles bulged unnaturally, fibers thickening beneath his skin. Strength radiated off him in waves.
The fight began. Midoriya swung first, full strength in his fists, but Muscular barely reacted. Every attack Midoriya threw was met with overwhelming force. Muscular hit back with precision and power, sending Midoriya flying into the dirt again and again.
Midoriya gritted his teeth. His heart pounded, adrenaline rushing. He pushed his body to its limit, One For All surging through his veins. Each punch he threw connected with Muscular's chest or arms, but the villain barely flinched.
"You're strong," Muscular said mockingly, flexing, "but this is nothing. Muscle Augmentation beats your little Quirk any day."
Midoriya gasped, barely keeping himself upright. His enhanced punches, his strategies, everything seemed useless. But Kota was still there, terrified, still depending on him.
A rock flew past Midoriya's head. Kota had thrown it.
"Did you… did you hurt my parents like this?" Kota shouted, voice trembling.
Muscular froze for a moment, then laughed, a deep, cruel sound. "So, your one of the brats of the people I've killed huh?~"
Midoriya's eyes narrowed. He pushed himself forward again. "Kota, stay behind me! I won't let him touch you!"
Muscular moved faster than Midoriya expected. Midoriya barely dodged, countering with a punch, but Muscular blocked, then shoved Midoriya into the ground. Pain flared through his ribs, his arm, his shoulder.
Midoriya struggled to analyze the fight. The villain's speed and strength surpassed him. His only chance was to minimize the speed difference, find a moment where he could land a critical blow.
He braced himself, calculating, One For All building in his arm. "Now… I have to go all in."
He struck with every ounce of strength left in his body. His fist collided with Muscular's head. The impact was immense. The ground trembled. Muscular's body slammed into the cliffside. A dent formed where he hit, the force sending dirt and stone flying.
Kota's eyes widened. He had never seen anything like this. Midoriya, battered and bruised, had done all this for him—even without knowing him. He blinked back tears.
Midoriya staggered to his feet, chest heaving. His arm throbbed, ribs screaming from the repeated blows, but he couldn't stop now. Kota's small, tear-filled eyes were fixed on him. The boy had seen enough fear and pain. Midoriya swallowed the burning pain in his body. Protecting him was all that mattered.
Muscular advanced. Every step made the ground tremble. His augmented muscles bulged as if he could crush Midoriya with a flick of his fingers. "Still standing? Cute," he sneered. "Pathetic. You think you can protect this brat? You're nothing!"
Midoriya's fists glowed green again. He swung, his arm trembling, veins bulging, One For All building in every fiber of his body. He connected with Muscular's chest. Nothing. The villain barely flinched. The sheer strength of his quirk was overwhelming. Midoriya stumbled back, barely keeping himself upright.
Muscular lunged. Midoriya tried to dodge, but the speed was inhuman. A fist slammed into his chest, sending him into the dirt. Pain shot through every bone, but Midoriya's eyes stayed locked on Kota. The boy's safety was all that mattered.
"Stop thinking about yourself!" Midoriya muttered. "Focus on him, Izuku!"
He pushed himself forward. Muscular's punch came again, faster this time, and slammed him to the ground. Midoriya gasped, pain wracking his arm as he tried to roll free. He could feel the muscle fibers under Muscular's skin vibrating, almost alive with power. Muscle Augmentation, the same quirk that had killed his parents' friends, that had taken his parents.
"You're weak," Muscular said, flexing, almost enjoying the display. "You, little hero wannabe, are nothing next to me!"
Kota gritted his teeth. He picked up another rock, trembling, and threw it at Muscular's arm. "Did you hurt my parents like this?" he shouted, voice cracking.
Muscular's grin twisted. "Ah, i remember; so the Water Hose duo left a child behind. Fate, huh? Doesn't matter. You're just like them—weak, pathetic."
Midoriya growled, getting back to his feet. His legs shook, body screaming, but he clenched his fists. One For All surged through him, and he analyzed the battle in fractions of a second. Muscular's speed was slightly faster, his strength unmatched. Midoriya had to find a way to close that gap.
He focused, eyeing a moment where he could land a critical strike. The villain's next punch came fast—too fast to fully dodge—but Midoriya twisted, catching part of the blow on his shoulder. Pain flared, but he used the momentum to launch a counterattack. His fist connected with Muscular's head.
The villain staggered. Not enough. Midoriya was still far from done. He pushed himself further. "Full Cowl, now! No holding back!"
The green aura flared around his body. His body trembled as One For All surged in every muscle. Midoriya's next punch struck Muscular with full force, breaking through part of his augmented muscles. Muscular staggered into the cliffside, leaving a dent in the rock where he hit.
Kota's eyes widened in disbelief. Midoriya was hurt, bloodied, bruised, yet he was still standing, still fighting. Tears streamed down the boy's cheeks. "He… he's really a hero," Kota whispered.
Muscular recovered quickly, though. "You think that's enough? Foolish boy!" He lunged, swinging with inhuman speed. Midoriya barely dodged, feeling the wind of the punch whip past him. The ground cracked where Muscular's fists slammed down.
Midoriya clenched his teeth, calculating. He had one shot to keep Kota safe. He braced himself, One For All flaring hotter, stronger, brighter. His arm felt like it would tear apart, but he didn't care. He pumped every ounce of power into one strike, aiming for Muscular's head.
The punch connected. The impact was enormous. Muscular's body slammed into the cliffside again, stone cracking under the force. Dirt and dust fell all around. Muscular's augmented muscles strained as he hit the rock. The villain let out a roar of frustration and pain.
Midoriya staggered to one knee, sweat and blood dripping, chest heaving. Pain shot through his body, but he forced himself to rise again. Kota had to be safe. He looked at the boy, tears streaming, and gave a faint smile. "It's okay now. You're safe."
Kota blinked, shaking. His small hands clenched into fists. Midoriya's determination had shown him the truth—heroes risk everything for others, even strangers. His parents had done the same. Kota's lips trembled, and he remembered what Mandalay had told him: one day, he would understand. Now, seeing Midoriya, he finally began to.
Muscular flexed, glaring at Midoriya. "You think that's enough to stop me? Weakling!"
Midoriya's body shook, one arm throbbing painfully, but he pushed forward. His mind raced. "I can't outrun him. I can't dodge him forever. One choice… I have to go all in."
He gathered every ounce of strength left. One For All surged to 100%. Veins bulged, muscles screamed, his body trembling under the immense power. Midoriya charged. The air around him ripped as he built momentum. His fist shot forward with unimaginable force—Detroit Smash, full power, all for Kota.
The strike hit Muscular squarely in the head and chest. The villain's augmented muscles strained under the impact. He slammed into the cliffside, leaving a massive dent. Dust and small rocks fell from the impact. Muscular let out a grunt, staggering, dazed. His artificial eye popped from its socket.
Kota's eyes went wide. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Midoriya had risked everything—his body, his strength, his very safety—to protect someone he didn't even know. Tears streamed freely down Kota's face.
Midoriya skidded forward, grabbing Kota's shirt with his mouth and pulling him back to the cliff, away from danger. "Sorry… but we need to get out now," he panted, voice rough but resolute.
Behind them, ice formed suddenly, engulfing Muscular's legs and freezing him in place. Todoroki had arrived. Kirishima and Tiger were right behind, watching in awe as Midoriya poured everything into his attack.
Midoriya looked at the newcomers and gave a tired, triumphant smile. Kota's disbelief was mirrored in their expressions. Todoroki's eyes were wide, Kirishima's jaw dropped, and Tiger's gaze was sharp, but he couldn't hide the respect. Midoriya had gone beyond his limits to protect a single child.
Kota's small voice broke through. "He… he really is a hero."
Midoriya barely managed a nod, collapsing slightly from exhaustion, sweat and blood mixing on his face. "Always… put your life on the line for others… that's what a hero does."
The villain groaned, partially incapacitated but still alive. Midoriya knew this was enough for now. Kota was safe, the backup was here, and the immediate danger had been stopped.
Kota clung to Midoriya, tears falling freely. For the first time, he understood why his parents had acted the way they did. One day, he would understand fully, but now… now he could see what a hero truly was.
End of the chapter.