The seemingly solid ice wall shattered instantly.
Under the influence of Shigaraki's Quirk, it broke apart like brittle glass, exploding into countless shards of ice that scattered across the ground.
At the same time, Shigaraki's pale hand reached out silently—and landed on Igarashi Masata's head.
"Hateful."
In the distance, Shoto Todoroki desperately tried to raise another ice wall to stop him, but the surrounding villains swarmed in, blocking his path once again.
Masata could clearly see every detail of the approaching hand—the rough skin, the lines carved into the palm, the hardened calluses.
But this was not the time to observe.
A decayed, suffocating aura poured from Shigaraki's fingers, forcing cold sweat to bead down Masata's spine.
The stench of death washed over him.
During the brief moment Todoroki had bought with his struggle, Masata had managed to recover a tiny fraction of his strength.
It wasn't enough to activate his Quirk.
It wasn't even enough to stand.
But—
It was just enough to move his arm.
With immense effort, Masata raised his still-functioning left hand, forcing every remaining ounce of willpower to squeeze vitality from every cell in his body.
He swung it toward Shigaraki's hand.
But some things cannot be overcome by willpower alone.
The instant Shigaraki's palm made contact—
Pain exploded.
Masata's skin disintegrated into ash under Shigaraki's Quirk, followed immediately by flesh, blood, and veins.
Watching part of your own body crumble into nothingness was a terror beyond words.
Even Masata—normally fearless—felt panic seize his heart.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!"
"Damn it—am I really going to die here?!"
"My dream has only just begun!!!"
No matter how he struggled, he couldn't break free.
The bones of his fist were already exposed—white, cracking, fragile.
This was death.
"How does it feel, kid?"
Shigaraki laughed hysterically, delight twisting his voice.
"Watching your body disappear bit by bit—doesn't it feel wonderful?!"
His smile was full of mockery, savoring Masata's helplessness.
"All Might didn't die today," he continued, voice dripping with malice,
"but killing a promising student like you isn't bad either."
"Hehehe… Teacher will be very pleased."
"I'll crush you slowly."
With a sudden surge of strength, Shigaraki twisted Masata's arm at an unnatural angle.
"Masata!!!"
A crying voice rang out from behind.
Masata didn't need to turn around.
Ten years of shared memories were enough to identify the voice instantly.
"Don't come here!!!"
He screamed through the pain.
"Run!!! Hide somewhere and wait for backup!!!"
He didn't know how Yaoyorozu Momo had arrived here—but even in agony, his instinct was to protect her.
"Oh?"
Shigaraki tilted his head.
"So you two are close?"
"Is this a touching farewell scene?"
"I'm so moved… I might cry!!!"
His tone was childlike, delighted—as if he'd found a new toy.
"Kurogiri," Shigaraki said calmly,
"kill that girl."
The words were spoken without emotion.
"Understood," Kurogiri replied, already moving toward Yaoyorozu.
Yaoyorozu Momo was going to be killed.
That was the only thought left in Masata's mind.
Killed.
And he could only watch.
"What a joke!!!"
Masata's expression twisted grotesquely.
Veins bulged across his forehead.
Blood roared violently through his body.
Rage exploded.
At that moment, [Cell Strengthening] was pushed beyond its limits.
Every cell in Masata's body screamed as it reinforced itself again and again.
Even Shigaraki felt it.
The decaying grip on Masata's arm slowed.
"This kid—what's happening?!"
For the first time, unease crept into Shigaraki's mind.
"AAAAAAAH!!!"
Masata roared.
Strength flooded back into his body.
Power surged—far beyond what he should have had left.
At his peak once more, Masata violently twisted his body.
Shigaraki's thin frame couldn't hold him.
Masata tore free, throwing Shigaraki aside. The villain tumbled across the ground.
Ignoring him completely, Masata forced himself upright.
Magma ignited once more.
This time, it didn't just coat his limbs.
It formed armor.
Flowing lava wrapped around his body, shaping itself into a monstrous, blazing shell.
At that moment, Masata looked like a demon king born of flame.
"Lava Crash!!!"
Even without his arms, Masata could still fight.
His legs slammed into the ground.
The concrete shattered outward in a ring of cracks as he launched himself forward like a falling meteor.
Kurogiri barely had time to react.
Masata smashed straight into him.
The misty body was blasted backward and hurled into the pool, water exploding skyward in a massive splash.
But Masata didn't stop.
He knew Nomu was still there.
"Lava Zone!!!"
He rushed to Yaoyorozu's side, turned around, and stomped down.
The ground instantly liquefied.
Molten lava spread outward, expanding rapidly under Masata's control until it formed a three-meter-wide river of magma, separating Masata and Yaoyorozu from Shigaraki and Nomu.
Only then did the lava armor retract.
Masata swayed.
Then collapsed.
"Masata! Why are you hurt this badly?!"
Yaoyorozu's tears burst free the moment she caught him.
She knelt, cradling his head on her lap, sobbing as her tears fell onto his chest.
Masata wanted to speak.
But his body had been completely overdrawn.
[Cell Strengthening] required energy—and Masata had burned through everything.
He lost consciousness.
Though his lifespan wasn't damaged by the Quirk's backlash, he would be bedridden for at least a week.
"…What a stubborn kid,"
Shigaraki muttered, standing up again.
His eyes burned with fury as he stared at Masata's unconscious body.
He raised his hand.
"Nomu—finish—"
BOOM!!!
The massive doors of USJ exploded inward.
Smoke rolled across the ground.
A towering silhouette stepped through the debris.
"It's fine now."
A familiar, powerful voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Because—I am here!!!"
ALL MIGHT—HAS ARRIVED.
...
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