A few minutes earlier…
At this moment, the UA students on a rescue mission had stumbled upon another warehouse—one that Toga herself had led them to.
Yes. She had changed her mind.Instead of following Ryojin's order to side with the villains, she had chosen… chosen to help Ryojin's friends.
Even if they didn't trust her, they had no choice but to accept it. If they wanted to save him, they needed her.
Toga:This is the place. The other one is where the pro-heroes are attacking.
Bakugo:You sure about this? Doesn't look like there's a single light on in here.
Todoroki:Camouflaged by the forest… the way it's hidden resembles an abandoned warehouse, used to conceal their base.
Midoriya:That means Kazuma-kun must be in there.
Midoriya shot back quickly, pulling everyone's attention as they moved forward. Looking up, they spotted a window.
Kirishima:Look! We might be able to get inside through there.
Todoroki:Hey, anyone got a way to see inside?
He asked, just before Momo created a set of high-tech night-vision goggles and handed them out to everyone.
Momo:Here. I made one for each of us. Now we can all see inside.
Mina:But, Momo, aren't these ridiculously expensive? I tried a VR headset once and it cost a fortune.
Momo:Money doesn't matter. If it's to save Ryo, nothing else matters.
Her reply was firm, emotionless. A stark contrast to the bright, cheerful Momo they once knew. Ever since Ryojin had been captured, she had grown colder… emptier.
When the group lined up, Todoroki created a small ramp for them to peer inside—only to freeze at the sight before them. The warehouse was crawling with Nomus.
Bakugo:You gotta be kidding me! Those are Nomus!!
Midoriya:No way… why are there so many here!?
Their shock was cut short by the sudden crash of a massive foot tearing through the warehouse. The building crumbled, forcing them to shield themselves. And then they saw it—Mt. Lady, towering in her giant form.
Mt. Lady:Ugh… they're alive? Disgusting…
Best Jeanist:Don't overthink it, rookies. Difficulty and importance are two separate things. Riot Squad, get the girls ready—there could be more. Stay sharp.
Riot Squad:Yes, sir!
Tiger rushed toward Ragdoll, lying motionless on a table. He ripped away a thin blanket and wrapped her up, checking desperately for injuries.
Tiger:Ragdoll! Answer me!
But she didn't respond. Instead, a voice slithered through every spine like poison.
???: Apologies. But her Quirk was far too valuable to ignore. With such a perfect opportunity, how could I resist?
The world froze. Even the hiding students felt it—the pressure of a monster stepping into their world. Their instincts screamed one word: Hide.
The pro-heroes turned toward the source.
Gang Orca:Stop right there! You're with the League of Villains, aren't you!?
But he was ignored.
???: Ever since my body turned into a potato, I've had to make do with what's left of it. It's been far too long since I've traveled the world.
Gang Orca:Stop! Don't move another step!
He roared—just as Best Jeanist's threads lashed out, binding All For One from the neck down.
Mt. Lady:Best Jeanist, isn't that too reckless? What if he's a civilian?
A rookie's concern was met with Jeanist's harsh reply.
Best Jeanist:Think! Hesitation in moments like this decides the battle. We cannot let villains act unchecked!
His threads tightened—but deep down he knew they would snap. The memory of their last encounter made his stomach turn. And then it came: a blast that shredded his fibers apart, forcing him to pull everyone back just in time.
???: Impressive… No. 4 hero. That last-second maneuver proves you're worthy of your rank.
A gray ooze appeared at AFO's side, disgorging other villains.
Momo:No… where's Ryo…?
Her eyes widened in panic. She spun toward where her boyfriend should have been. Toga rushed forward, grabbing her before she could charge. The others piled in, holding her back.
Toga:Yaoyorozu! Calm down! You can't go out there!
Momo:No! I won't! If he's not there—how can I just stand here doing nothing!?
Before anyone could answer, All Might burst onto the scene at full speed.
All Might:You'll return everything you've stolen—right here, right now!!
He swung a right hook, but his fist was caught midair. Even unseen behind that mask, All Might could feel the villain's grin.
???: Trying to kill me again, All Might? You certainly arrived fast… but from five kilometers away? Are you sure you're fast enough?
All Might:And what about you? What's with that mask? You know COVID-18 ended years ago, right?
All Might sneered—only to be hurled aside, crashing through a building.
Izuku (thought):This guy… is he the true final villain I'll one day have to face?
???: You failed again, Tomura. But do not despair—you can always try again. That's why I asked you to gather your team. You're free now… free to spread your wings.
Shigaraki:Sensei…
His whisper was cut short as an explosion rocked the battlefield. All Might rose once more, only for AFO to float upward, intercepting him.
???: Tomura, you still have much growing to do!
Spinner:Let's go, Shigaraki!
Spinner dragged him into Kurogiri's portal.
The students could do nothing but retreat. Ryojin Kazuma was not here. He had been hidden elsewhere, unreachable. Rescue was pointless.
???: Why so serious, All Might? I'm simply doing what any clever man would—removing the unnecessary, eliminating obstacles to Tomura's plan. You know what I mean. You were just… a little too late.
The villain ended with a chuckle. And All Might's eyes widened—realizing what it meant.
A massive explosion erupted. Ryojin had been moved elsewhere, beyond their reach.
The rescuers froze, struck silent. And then—
Momo collapsed, knees hitting the ground, palms pressed to the dirt. Her face pale, her eyes brimming with tears. A sound rose from her lips—soft at first, then louder.
Laughter.
Momo:Ha… ha… hahaha… HAHAHAHAHA!!
Momo:Nothing's changed!! You haven't changed at all, Momo! You're still useless! You couldn't save your daughter! You couldn't even save half of yourself! What kind of hero are you!?!
Her screams pierced the rain. She had broken.
Toga and Mina grabbed her, holding her tight.
Toga:Yaomomo, listen to me… everything's going to be okay…
Mina:Momo, it'll be alright. It'll be alright…
But their voices trembled with grief.
One by one, the others fell back, lying flat on the wet ground, staring upward. Rain poured harder, mixing with their tears.
Bakugo:Damn it!!
Kirishima:No way…
Midoriya:We… we were too late…
They had lost all hope of ever seeing their sole class representative again in the land of the living—until his voice rang out from another direction.
A spear struck its mark, piercing straight into the villain's chest, but he caught it with his bare hands.
Everyone was stunned, turning toward the figure who emerged from the shadows.
It was Ryojin Kazuma.
The man who had returned.
Momo: "Ryo…"Mina: "Ryo! You!!"
Momo and Mina looked up at her boyfriend, alive and breathing. She couldn't believe her own eyes. She slapped herself just to make sure this wasn't a dream. It was real—he was alive. She reached her hand out toward him, desperate to touch him, only for Toga to grab her hand tightly.
Toga: "He's alive… Yaoyorozu, he's alive!!!"
She screamed as if to snap Momo out of her daze, tears streaming down her cheeks as she hugged Toga. The weight of her emotions hit her all at once. The students felt relief swell inside them, some even laughing nervously. Their class president had defied death itself.
And yet—
His condition was no better than that of a walking corpse.
Blood soaked every inch of his body, but his spirit did not waver.
He stepped back onto the battlefield.
Not as a Hero.Not as a rabid dog.But as an old soldier, scarred and weathered by countless battles.
He had returned.
And this time—he gripped both sword and gun in hand.
Not to fight for survival.But to end everything in blood.
Ryojin's voice dripped with chilling coldness.
He spread his arms wide and sneered:"Well, well…""Didn't think I'd see a sack of rotting flesh floating around today."
He tightened his grip on his weapons.
All Might, watching this, tried to step forward to stop him—but froze when his eyes met Ryojin
That smile.That body, torn and mutilated, barely holding together.
Slashed wrists.Cut ankles.
And yet he stood tall—almost joyful in his agony.
Ryojin's voice cut through the silence:"All Might. Leave.""I've got business with this lump of meat."
He ordered Japan's Number One Hero without hesitation.
Everyone stood frozen. Not a single Pro Hero dared move. Only All For One stirred.
Momo was the one who shattered the silence.
Momo: "Ryo!! Come back!!"
Her voice cracked with tears.
But he didn't turn to look at her.
Instead, his next words came softer—gentle even. The most tender tone he could muster.
Just one word.
"…Sorry."
Before anything else could happen, All For One struck. His attack hurled All Might across the battlefield, draining his power with every passing second. All Might staggered back, his strength fading fast. This could be his final stand.
Then AFO raised his hand once more. This time, he conjured a barrier. Impenetrable—no one could enter or escape unless they defeated its creator.
One by one, the others collapsed under the crushing waves of AFO's power. The Pro Heroes could only look up at the storm above, rain pouring harder, as if the very world itself was weeping.
And now—
The battlefield held only two.
Ryojin Kazuma and All For One.
AFO spoke with the tone of an old acquaintance, mockery dripping from his words:"Didn't think you'd survive. Didn't think a mere Player like you could make it this far."
His words cut like insults.
Ryojin said nothing at first, only glanced at his allies desperately trying to break through the barrier. Then he looked up at the storming sky.
His eyes weren't wild this time. They were calm.
As if he had already accepted what was to come.
His voice was steady when he finally spoke:"Then… what's your true name?"
At that, AFO removed his mask and grinned wide."My true name… is Velkrath, the Devoured King."
SystemUpdate:PlayerhasdiscoveredthetrueidentityofanotherEntity.Morewillberevealedasencountersprogress.System Update: Player has discovered the true identity of another Entity. More will be revealed as encounters progress.SystemUpdate:PlayerhasdiscoveredthetrueidentityofanotherEntity.Morewillberevealedasencountersprogress.
Velkrath smirked and asked in return:"And what of you, Player? What's your true name?"
Ryojin grinned wide, raising his middle finger with a reckless laugh.
"The bastard child of this shitty destiny!"