After nearly a year of continuous accumulation, Igarashi Masata was finally standing at the edge of a breakthrough.
Only one step remained.
Just a little more pressure.
A little more pressure between life and death.
After being restrained by Nomu, and after being provoked with Yaoyorozu Momo and Chacha's situation, the emotions buried deep inside Masata completely erupted.
Pushed to the absolute limit—
Amid regret, unwillingness, and rage—
His true power finally burst forth.
A golden magma cloak appeared over his shoulders.
Streams of molten lava coiled tightly around his body, making his upper form appear incomparably majestic. His muscles looked as solid as forged steel, radiating overwhelming strength.
"Mm…"
Masata slowly exhaled.
Flame-like air rushed from his mouth, instantly scorching the withered grass beneath his feet.
"This feeling…"
He flexed his arm and felt boundless vitality surging through his body. A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"It's incredible."
Dabi's expression darkened.
In terms of physical strength, he knew he was far inferior to Nomu. Yet that same Nomu had been reduced to ashes in Masata's hands.
If he were hit directly by that golden magma…
The consequences would be unimaginable.
"First, I'll get rid of these two little rats!"
Masata's eyes hardened.
The faint smile vanished, replaced by chilling, winter-like fury.
He clenched his right fist and drew it back to his waist. As he stepped forward and twisted his body, golden lava surged from his arm and shot toward Dabi like a beam of light.
"Damn it!"
The dazzling brilliance forced Dabi to squint.
The scorching heat beneath his feet made him instinctively want to flee.
But his trembling legs refused to obey.
He was frozen in place.
"So… I underestimated this kid…"
If he hadn't wasted time taunting him…
If he had finished Masata earlier…
Would things have turned out differently?
At the moment of death, thoughts always became strangely clear.
As Dabi recalled his turbulent life, an unexpected sense of calm washed over him.
With a faint sigh, he slowly closed his eyes.
Just as he prepared to accept his end—
A black vortex suddenly appeared in front of him.
The golden magma beam was swallowed completely.
"Kurogiri?!"
This familiar technique could belong to no one else.
The black hole twisted and expanded, transforming into rolling black mist. Two narrow golden eyes lit up within it.
It was Kurogiri.
"You dare harm them… I'll kill you!!!"
From Dabi's words, Masata had learned that Kurogiri had released genetic beasts to attack Yaoyorozu Momo and Chacha.
Their fate was still unknown.
And the one responsible—
Was standing right in front of him.
Fury exploded in Masata's heart and surged toward Kurogiri.
"What's going on?! Isn't that special Nomu supposed to restrain him?!"
Kurogiri hurriedly shifted his position to dodge and shouted at Dabi.
"I'm the one who should be asking that!"
Dabi snapped back angrily.
"I almost died! That Nomu turned into ashes in seconds!"
Though he had just escaped death, his mouth was still as sharp as ever.
In truth, Dabi was exaggerating.
Masata had only defeated Nomu so easily because of his sudden breakthrough. Under normal circumstances, it would have been far more difficult.
Kurogiri fell silent.
His estimation of Masata's strength was based only on the Sports Festival and the Hero Killer incident.
He had no idea how much Masata had grown since then.
"Enough talking. Retreat now!"
Kurogiri said urgently.
"Our main objective failed, but Bakugo has been captured. If we don't leave now, we'll all die here!"
TWICE had already been sent away through a portal.
The muscular man and Sunfish were too far gone to save.
Staying any longer meant certain death.
"Understood!"
Dabi nodded immediately.
Raising both hands, he released a massive wave of blue flames that split the battlefield apart.
"Don't think about escaping!!!"
Masata rushed straight into the inferno without hesitation.
To him, the blue flames felt no different from a warm bath.
They couldn't stop him.
At most, they blocked his vision.
But it was already too late.
While Dabi created the flames, Kurogiri had opened a portal in advance.
Half of Dabi's body had already entered the black hole.
"Damn it! You're not getting away that easily!!!"
Golden magma separated from Masata's body and shot forward like sharp spears.
"What?!"
Dabi's eyes widened in shock.
He dove desperately into the portal.
"AAAAAH!!!"
Even so, he was still too slow.
One of his legs was blasted by molten lava before he fully escaped.
Fortunately, momentum carried him inside.
The black hole closed instantly.
The remaining magma crashed harmlessly into empty space.
"…Only one leg left, huh?"
Masata stared at the scorched ground and drifting black smoke, his expression grim.
If the villains weren't completely eliminated, the League of Villains would rise again.
"Bakugo, can you still move?"
Masata lifted Shoji onto his back and asked.
"I'm okay… just a little dizzy."
Bakugo held his head while helping Tokoyami to stand.
Tokoyami had regained consciousness, but could barely move on his own.
"We need to get to Momo and the others as soon as possible."
Masata's gaze sharpened.
"They can't be allowed to get into trouble."