Chapter 46: The Symbol of Peace
"Damn it!" Kurogiri was stunned by Bakugo's attack, his body paralyzed and unable to move. "How did you know my weakness?!"
"Ha? Anyone with a brain would have figured it out, right?" Bakugo grinned savagely. "Most of your body is just mist, but when you were attacked, you said it was a close call. Doesn't that mean part of your body is your weak point?" He paused for a second, then continued, "And with something so conspicuous around your neck, who wouldn't know that's your weakness?!"
Kurogiri suddenly said, "...Aren't you going to tell me to close the warp gate?"
Bakugo hesitated. He had Kurogiri pinned down and could easily force him to close the warp gate, cutting Nomu in half, freeing All Might, and taking out an enemy all at once... But that would mean Nomu would surely die...
To be honest, while Bakugo believed that enemies deserved no sympathy, he still couldn't bring himself to decide someone's life or death just like that...
"Shut up and don't try any tricks! If you move, I'll blow you to bits!" Bakugo shouted menacingly.
Suddenly, a stream of ice shot across the ground, spreading at an incredible speed toward All Might and Nomu. It covered half of Nomu's body, but completely avoided All Might, not even freezing the parts of his waist that Nomu was gripping.
"Is that you, Young Todoroki... Good job! Now I can break free!" All Might easily pried off Nomu's frozen fingers, even breaking a few with his immense strength.
All Might lightly tapped the ground, did a backflip, and landed in front of them, giving them a thumbs-up.
"You really saved me... Everyone, good job!"
Nomu's body was now frozen, and Kurogiri was under their control, leaving only Shigaraki to face them.
"Aaargh, honestly, Kurogiri. I just praised you, and now you've messed up. You've really put us in hard mode," Shigaraki said, clutching his still-burned hand with a headache. "Whether it's that guy or you students, you've really surprised me..."
"But, do you really think this is over? Nomu!"
At Shigaraki's call, Nomu slowly pulled its upper body out of the warp gate, revealing its half-frozen form. With a slight twitch, its body shattered!
Did he die...? Todoroki felt a pang of regret, thinking he had been too harsh. But the next moment, a look of astonishment appeared on his usually calm, icy face.
Chunks of flesh bulged from its severed arm, filling the gap like constantly regenerating cells, writhing and squirming to form the shape of an arm, gradually forming muscles. Then, the outer skin was instantly reconstructed...
This wasn't a Quirk that should exist in this world. It completely defied all laws of physics!
"He has physical abilities comparable to mine, shock absorption, and super-regeneration... This is really dangerous," All Might said, still smiling. His blue eyes shone with an intimidating aura, and no one could tell what he was thinking. He struck a pose, flexing his arm, and laughed loudly, "But this is still nothing!"
"Is that so... He was created to be a punching bag that could withstand 100% of you!" Shigaraki laughed. "You all keep getting in my way. I won't be holding back this time!"
"Nomu, rescue Kurogiri!"
At Shigaraki's command, Nomu instantly charged. All Might only had time to pull Bakugo aside before he collided with Nomu. It was a monster that could rival him at 100%. Unprepared, he couldn't hold his ground. All Might protected his body, his feet scraping along the ground as he was pushed back several meters.
Taking this opportunity, Kurogiri opened a warp gate beside himself and rolled through it, appearing next to Shigaraki.
"You know, All Might, I've always been angry. The same violence is divided into 'heroes' and 'villains,' deciding what's good and evil. In this world, what is the 'Symbol of Peace'?" Shigaraki gestured dramatically, as if this were his stage. "In the end, you're just a tool of violence used for suppression. Violence can only beget violence. That's what you taught the world with your slaughter!"
"Nonsense!" All Might stood in front of everyone and laughed. "The eyes of those who commit crimes for their beliefs burn with a quiet fire. But you, you're not that kind of ideologue. You're just a kid looking for a good time!"
Hearing All Might's assessment of him, the face hidden behind Shigaraki's hand changed color. He had no such conviction to change the world. Being called out by All Might, he said to Kurogiri with some annoyance, "Kurogiri, you're a disgrace. Getting caught by a kid like that. If I were you, I'd kill myself in shame."
Kurogiri was very calm. He didn't argue, but simply said, "Now is our only chance to kill All Might. Are you going to waste it waiting for the U.A. staff to arrive?"
Seeing the enemy prepare to charge, All Might held up a hand to stop the eager Bakugo and the others. "Get out of here! I'll handle this!"
Todoroki looked at All Might's back and said calmly, "Are you sure you want us to run? You would have been in a bad spot just now if it weren't for our help."
Midoriya also said, "All Might, your time..."
"Young Todoroki! I thank you for your help just now, but...!" All Might turned his head and gave them a reassuring smile. "I am a Pro Hero! Now... I'm going to show you what a Pro Hero looks like when he gets serious!"
With that, All Might turned and collided with the charging Nomu. After being pushed back a step, All Might held his ground and began to exchange blows with Nomu, the speed of their punches increasing with each passing moment.
"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!!"
"MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!!"
Countless afterimages of their fists collided accurately in the air. But soon, All Might's punches became faster and faster, and Nomu was gradually overwhelmed. Suddenly, during one exchange, All Might's fist connected with Nomu's body. It was the last straw that broke the camel's back. Nomu was forced to stop its attack and could only passively endure All Might's storm of blows.
"Your Quirk is 'Shock Absorption,' not 'Nullification.' That means you have a limit. If you can withstand 100% of my power, then I'll just go beyond my limit and use 200%, or even more! A hero is someone who can always overcome a desperate situation!!"
Under All Might's assault, each punch broke through Nomu's body, and the expanding shockwaves created a fierce wind throughout the plaza. Nomu gradually became a punching bag, its body tattered and broken.
"Hey, villain, have you ever heard these words—PLUS ULTRA!"
All Might coughed up blood and threw his final punch, a heavy blow to Nomu's chin that sent it flying, breaking through the roof of the USJ and soaring into the sky like a shooting star.
"Is this a manga...? Nullifying shock absorption... with that insane power, regeneration can't even keep up..."
"So this is the world of top Pro Heroes..."
The students remaining in the plaza could only stare in awe at All Might's feat. Their hearts were filled with nothing but shock and admiration, followed by a surge of endless pride. Pride in being the students of this hero!
"Hey, hey, are you kidding me..." Shigaraki backed away, letting out a dry laugh. "Didn't they say All Might had gotten weaker? He's still insanely strong..."
All Might's shirt had been torn into a t-shirt. He looked up from the thick smoke, at Tomura Shigaraki, and flashed his signature smile.
"Now then, villain. Let's wrap this up."