Chapter 13: Deku is Unbreakable
(Ha, JoJo reference)
WITH IZUKU, MOMO, AND TORU
Izuku landed near the central plaza at the edge of the water making sure not to hurt the two girls he had at their side. He deactivated Full Cowling and Blackwhip and looked to the two of them.
Izuku landed softly near the central plaza, his feet grazing the edge of the water as he carefully ensured that Momo and Toru were unharmed. He'd dropped them gently to the ground, his movements as controlled as possible, all while staying aware of his surroundings. The last thing he wanted was for them to be caught off guard by the chaos surrounding them. He deactivated Full Cowling, letting the hum of his power fade, and Blackwhip dissipated into the air, returning to the depths of his consciousness.
"Alright, we're here," Izuku said, exhaling deeply as he stood up straighter. His body ached from the exertion of carrying them both, but his focus was unwavering. The mission wasn't over yet, and there was still plenty to do. "You both okay?"
Momo nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she adjusted her gear. Her expression was serious, but Izuku could tell she wasn't shaken. "We're fine, Izuku. We're just glad to be here, but we have no time to waste. We need to get to the entrance."
Izuku heard fighting and he went and looked over the edge, he saw that his teacher was fighting the villains off.
"But, what about Mr. Aizawa? Doesn't he need help?" he asked concerned for him.
"He will have to be fine on his own. We aren't even heroes yet. We would only get in the way," said Momo.
Izuku clenched his fists, his breath coming in sharp bursts as the frustration began to boil within him. He hated feeling helpless, especially when it came to his friends and mentors. "But he's out there alone. We can't just leave him to fight them by himself!"
Toru, hovering nearby, her invisible form flickering in the air, spoke up with a tone that was equal parts serious and optimistic. "We're not going to leave him, not to mention he is a hero for a reason. Let's just wait it out and see what happens," she said.
Momo, sensing the turmoil in his expression, placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding him. "Izuku," she said gently but firmly. "I know you want to help him, but we can't risk it. If we go rushing in without a plan, we'll only make things worse. Mr. Aizawa knows what he's doing. We'll wait for the right moment."
"But…" he said still feeling helpless not to assist him. He clenched his fists as Momo kept her hand on his shoulder. He kept watching his teacher using his scarf to deal with the villains. He admired him slightly as Aizawa didn't have anything physical about him. He didn't say he wasn't strong, but Aizawa's quirk made it so that the person he faced off against would be on his level. He didn't have a physically enhancing quirk so he was just a normal guy fighting against them in the best way he could.
He was stirred from his thoughts as he saw the man with hands charge in at Aizawa making him nervous, but Momo's hand tightened on him to make sure he didn't do anything dumb.
Izuku's attention snapped back to the battle as he saw Aizawa using his scarf to restrain one of the villains. It was impressive, seeing the seasoned pro fight so fiercely, relying on nothing more than his ingenuity and his quirk. Aizawa didn't have the luxury of a physically-enhanced ability like most heroes. His strength wasn't in raw power, but in his ability to erase the quirks of his opponents, bringing them down to his level. Even without extra abilities, Aizawa fought as though he were on the same level as those around him, using his mind and skill to level the playing field.
Izuku admired that. He thought that Aizawa's resilience and adaptability were something to aspire to. But right now, seeing his teacher locked in a desperate fight, Izuku couldn't help but feel like he should be out there, helping.
Suddenly, Izuku's heart skipped a beat as he saw one of the villains moving towards Aizawa. His eyes narrowed, watching with a tense focus. He had hands all over his body and was able to move at a high speed.
Shigaraki lunged at him with Aizawa ready to hit him with an elbow. Aizawa hit a well-placed elbow but was caught by Shigaraki who smirked.
"It took me a while to notice, but your quirk is activated when your hair stands up. Not to mention your quirk is being activated for less and less time," he said as his clothing started to crumble apart.
Aizawa's eyes widened as he felt his elbow start to fall apart. He punched the villain in the face, backing away from him as he looked at his elbow.
"Shit, I can't move it," he said as he kicked another villain away from him as he tried to regroup himself.
Izuku stared at his teacher as he was now hurt. He subconsciously activated Full Cowling to 50% making Momo nervous.
"Izuku please," she said as he started to stand up.
"I can't stand by as our teacher is hurt," he said looking at her. He then heard the villain say one word.
"Nomu."
In an instant, Nomu was behind Aizawa and Izuku's eyes widened.
"Sorry Momo," he said as he rose up.
Izuku pushed himself off the ground with blinding speed, the world around him blurring as he activated Joltalongside 50% of One for All. His muscles burned with the intensity of the energy, but the focus kept him moving. He shot forward, faster than he had ever moved before, barely registering the rush of wind against his face as he closed the distance between himself and Nomu in seconds.
He reached out with lightning speed, grabbing his teacher by his good arm and yanking him out of harm's way just as Nomu's fist crashed into the spot where Aizawa had been standing. The force of the punch sent a shockwave through the air, but Izuku was already sliding backward with his teacher in tow, pulling them both out of the immediate danger zone. He moved with instinct, barely registering the weight of Aizawa in his grip, his heart pounding as the tension of the moment made his muscles burn even more.
Izuku didn't waste a second. As soon as he was clear of the Nomu's range, he turned to Aizawa, his breath coming in sharp gasps. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice tight with concern. The moment of relief was brief, his body still glowing with energy as he held Aizawa steady.
Aizawa for the most part of shocked at how fast he was to be able to move him out of the way of the monstrous figure. "What are you doing kid?" he asked half glad and half upset at the recklessness of his student.
"Getting you out of the way," said Izuku surprised he was able to move that quick himself.
He looked out the corner of his eye to see that Momo and Toru were out of the water and still back a good distance away from them but enough to be visible.
Izuku's heart was still racing, his adrenaline pumping in overdrive. He glanced back at Aizawa, still holding him steady, making sure his teacher was stable for a moment. The hero looked up at him, his expression a mixture of disbelief and annoyance.
"You have no idea what you're doing, do you, kid?" Aizawa's voice was stern, but there was a hint of gratitude underneath it.
"Beings I just saved you then yes, I do," he said slightly annoyed himself.
Shigaraki was now intrigued by the kid in front of him. He was annoyed that Eraserhead didn't get crushed, and the kid somehow was about to speed blitz his way to get to him. He started to scratch his neck as he looked at Izuku.
Shigaraki's eyes narrowed as he observed Izuku, a twisted smile creeping across his face. "Well, well, well," he muttered, his voice laced with dark amusement. "It looks like we've got a little speedster on our hands. But you're too reckless, kid." He tilted his head slightly as if studying Izuku like a puzzle he couldn't quite figure out.
A black mist appeared right next to Shigaraki and Izuku knew this wasn't going to be fun.
"Shigaraki. One of the students has escaped," he said making Shigaraki's hands twitch.
"Kurogiri," he said starting to scratch his neck rapidly. "How the hell are you supposed to help if you just messed up our plan," he said causing himself to bleed when he just stopped and started to smile at Izuku.
"No matter. I need to let out my frustration," he said as he looked at Nomu who waited there emotionlessly.
Aizawa looked at his student and grabbed him with his good arm. Aizawa's grip on Izuku's arm was firm, despite the obvious pain from his injuries. He looked at his student with a sharp gaze, his expression a mix of frustration and something else—perhaps reluctant approval. "Izuku," he said, his voice low and urgent, "You need to get out of here."
"Can't do that sir. You are too injured to fight this thing," he said looking at him with concern. Before Aizawa could talk back Shigaraki got the two's attention.
"Do you two know what this thing is?" Shigaraki gestured toward Nomu with a flick of his hand, his smile twisted and full of malice. "This... thing isn't just some mindless beast. It's the culmination of our work. The perfect weapon, created to destroy All Might."
Izuku's eyes widened as he stared at the creature. So this was the plan to take out his father. "Now, why don't we go for a test drive before All Might get here? Nomu, take out the kid," he said calmly. Izuku's Danger Sense activated and in the blink of an eye, Izuku activated Full Cowling along with Jolt once more as he saw the big creature coming at him. He looked over to his teacher who hadn't moved. He realized that he was seeing everything in slow motion from his high speed.
"Sorry, Aizawa-sensei!" Izuku gritted through his teeth as he shoved his teacher to safety, sending him flying toward Momo and Toru, who were watching from a distance. Aizawa's eyes widened in shock, but he didn't resist, trusting his student's instincts. As soon as he saw that Aizawa was out of the immediate danger zone, Izuku turned back to face Nomu.
With 50% of One for All coursing through him, Izuku crouched and then launched himself toward the Nomu. The creature swung its massive fist toward him. His fist collided with Nomu's fist with a thunderous impact.
The force of the punch sent a shockwave reverberating through the plaza, rattling windows and shaking the very ground beneath them. Izuku's knuckles stung from the force. He looked at the creature realizing that he didn't do a thing to it. Even with 50% Full Cowling, Nomu received minimal damage. Izuku felt something tear in his arm from the punch realizing this thing was the real deal.
Shigaraki laughed as he stood beside Kurogiri. "So, our little speedster is also strong huh? No matter. Like I said, hero, this thing was built to destroy All Might. One of his powers is Shock Absorption. Plus, he has Super Regeneration. You. Can't. Beat. Him," he said as he stood there giddy with excitement.
Izuku gritted his teeth, his mind racing. Shock Absorption. It was a terrifying realization—Nomu wasn't just any monster. It was a supercharged weapon designed to resist the very force that would normally shatter any other being. Even his Full Cowling with 50% of One for All wasn't enough to deal significant damage. The odds were stacking higher by the second.
"If this thing can handle my dad at 100% of his power. Then I need to beat him with more than 100% of mine. But I'll hurt myself going past my limit of 50%. But there is also the fact that One for All becomes stronger with each user, and I am technically the 10th user of this quirk, in a way. No matter, I need to win. No matter what happens to me. I need to use everything that I have in my arsenal," he thought as he stared the beast down.
His mind quickly assessed his options. Jolt had already given him speed, but he was still just slightly slower than Nomu. "I need more speed, and I need to be able to react faster." He knew the answer—Eagle Eyes. The quirk would allow him to perceive movement at an even slower rate, giving him the edge he needed to outmaneuver the Nomu.
But speed alone wasn't enough. Nomu's shock absorption meant that any hit he landed would likely do minimal damage. Izuku needed to strike with power. He clenched his fists, feeling the electricity coursing through his veins. I need more output for both One for All and Jolt... His mind snapped to Fa Jin, the quirk that allowed him to build up kinetic energy and release it in devastating bursts. With this, he could unleash powerful blows that could potentially damage Nomu's tough exterior.
His muscles screamed in protest as he forced himself to stand his ground, holding Nomu's fist at bay. His body felt like it was being pushed to its breaking point, but he didn't care. He wasn't going to let this monster kill his father, or anyone else. He had to win. No matter what happens to me, I need to use everything that I have.
(You can play 'You Say Run' here if you want)
Shigaraki scoffed, "You are a strong young hero in training, I'll give you that, but that is enough. Nomu. Eliminate him," he said. The command was cold, devoid of mercy, and Nomu's eyes, void of emotion, locked onto Izuku as it began to retract its fist, preparing for the next move.
Izuku closed his eyes as he started to activate his quirks. He pushes One for All to 75% and Jolt to it's limit making his body scream in pain, but the adrenaline helped with counteracting that. He activated Eagle Eyes to ensure he would be able to see Nomu's attacks easier, and he prepared to use Fa Jin.
Nomu cocked his massive fist back as Izuku mirrored the action, his own hand trembling slightly under the strain of his growing injuries. Their fists collided once more with a deafening boom, the force of their blows reverberating through the battlefield. The impact was far greater than before, a shockwave rippling outward that sent nearby students and debris flying. Those within close proximity could barely hold their ground, their forms buckling against the sheer pressure of the clash.
Shigaraki, growing visibly frustrated as the confrontation dragged on, barked at his monstrous creation. "Again!" he commanded, his voice sharp and laced with desperation.
Obediently, Nomu reared back once more, the grotesque bulge of its arm muscles contorting unnaturally as it prepared to unleash another earth-shattering punch. Across from it, Izuku stood defiant, though his battered body protested with every movement. His breaths came in sharp, ragged bursts, and his legs trembled under the weight of his injuries. Pain coursed through him like wildfire, threatening to bring him to his knees, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself upright. He couldn't falter now. He wouldn't.
Their fists collided again. And again. And again.
The pace of their strikes quickened until it became impossible to follow with the naked eye. Each successive blow produced a shockwave stronger than the last, forcing those nearby to struggle just to stay grounded. Mr. Aizawa, his eyes darting between the ferocious battle and his vulnerable students, wrapped his scarf tightly around Momo and Toru, anchoring them in place against the relentless wind pressure. The air around them seemed to ripple with energy, vibrating with each thunderous hit.
"Dammit, Kurogiri! Get to them!" Shigaraki snarled, his composure cracking.
The dark mist of Kurogiri's portal flickered uncertainly as he replied, "I can't, Shigaraki! The energy is too unstable—I can't get close enough without being torn apart!"
Aizawa, his usually stoic expression now strained, found himself in a similar predicament. His own limitations gnawed at him as he grappled with the situation.
"Aizawa-sensei, you have to help Izuku!" Momo shouted; her voice barely audible over the roaring winds. She clung to the ground, her wide eyes filled with worry.
"I can't, Yaoyorozu," Aizawa admitted through gritted teeth. His frustration was palpable. "This is a whole different playing field. My goggles broke a while ago, and I can't keep my eyes open long enough to erase its quirks. The wind pressure is too intense!" His voice softened slightly as he added, almost to himself, "I have to trust him. I have to trust that he can handle this."
On the battlefield, Izuku pushed himself to his limits and beyond. His strikes grew fiercer, faster, as he drew upon every ounce of strength within him. Shigaraki, shielding his face from the flying debris, watched in disbelief as the boy's punches seemed to match, then surpass, the Nomu's.
"You can't win!" Shigaraki shouted, his voice tinged with both anger and panic. "Nomu was made to destroy All Might! Do you hear me? All Might!"
Izuku's response was a defiant roar. "Then it's a good thing I'm not him!"
His costume, already battered from earlier encounters, began to crumble away under the strain of his movements. Strips of fabric peeled from his arms and chest, revealing crimson skin marred with swelling and bruises. His muscles burned as though they were on fire, but Izuku didn't stop. He couldn't stop. The pain no longer registered—his nerves likely too damaged to send the signals. His arms glowed a furious red, a testament to the toll his relentless assault was taking on his body.
To the untrained eye, it seemed as though Izuku and Nomu were evenly matched. But for those who could perceive the details, something extraordinary was happening. For every punch Nomu threw, Izuku was responding 1.5 times faster, each of his blows packed with explosive force. He was moving so quickly and efficiently that he was landing hit after hit before Nomu could fully recover.
"You said his quirk is Shock Absorption, not Nullification," Izuku shouted over the chaos, his voice filled with defiance. "That means he can only handle so much. He has a limit!"
His fists blurred as they struck Nomu with relentless precision. Izuku's mind raced, his enhanced cognitive functions calculating at lightning speed. "If my estimates are right, with Fa Jin, Jolt, and One for All at 75%, I am hitting him with about the same amount as dad would if he used 100% maybe a bit more with how this thing is reacting. I haven't much time to increase the power of One for All, so I need to use more of it."
The thought ignited something within him, pushing him even harder. "It's not enough. I need to increase my output more."
Grimacing, Izuku made the split-second decision to push his One for All output to 80%. His body screamed in protest, muscles tearing and bones creaking under the strain, but he forced himself through it. His energy output surged, creating shockwaves so intense that even Shigaraki had to brace himself.
"W-what is happening?" Shigaraki yelled; his voice tinged with panic as he saw the unthinkable unfold. The Nomu, Shigaraki's ultimate weapon, was faltering. Each punch sent the creature stumbling back, its grotesque form struggling to withstand the sheer power it was being bombarded with.
"You're nothing more than a child!" Shigaraki spat, though his confidence wavered. "You can't defeat Nomu!"
"Watch me!" he yelled as continued to lay out blows on the Nomu. Nomu was no longer landing blows as he once did but rather was just being hit repeatedly.
Nomu roared in fury, its body convulsing as it tried to retaliate, but it was too slow now. Izuku was no longer fighting defensively—he was outright dominating the fight.
Nomu's counterattacks became sluggish, its once-invincible form now struggling to withstand the onslaught. The villain's body shuddered, its reinforced muscles reaching their limit. The shock absorption could only take so much punishment before it failed.
Izuku grabbed Nomu's leg and with one mighty heave, flung him high into the air. The monster soared, arms flailing wildly. Izuku bent his knees, then launched himself skyward in pursuit, his green lightning crackling violently around him. Nomu barely had time to react before Izuku's foot slammed into its chest, sending it rocketing downward.
BOOM!
Nomu hit the ground with such force that the earth cracked beneath him, debris flying in all directions. Izuku landed softly, green lightning reverberating around his body as he smiled.
"You know, I've been here for only a few days, but U.A. has already taught me one thing," he said, clenching his fist as energy began to surge within him.
With 80% of One for All and Fa Jin's reserves maxed out, Izuku cocked his fist back, the very air shaking from the sheer force building in his arm.
Nomu stirred, its body twitching, but Izuku was already moving.
"That is to go beyond…"
He blasted forward, breaking through the sound barrier as his fist pulled back—a hammer ready to drop.
Shigaraki took a step back. "No… this isn't happening…" The moment Izuku's fist connected, the entire battlefield shook.
"PLUS… ULTRA!"
The Nomu rocketed through the air, a blur of dark flesh and twisted limbs. It impacted the walls of the USJ, shattering the reinforced concrete as if it were made of glass. The force of the blow was so immense that the beast punched straight through, its body sent careening into the open sky beyond.
CRACK! BOOM!
A trail of destruction followed its path, shockwaves rippling outward as the Nomu spun uncontrollably, smashing through a distant watchtower before disappearing into the forest beyond the training grounds. For a long moment, silence hung over the battlefield.
Izuku exhaled sharply, his body trembling from the sheer overload of power he had just unleashed. His muscles screamed, his vision blurred, and his breath came in ragged gasps.
But he remained standing.
He had won.
Shigaraki stood frozen; his red eyes wide with disbelief. His most powerful pawn—the bioengineered monster designed to kill All Might—had been overpowered.
By a student.
By a child.
By a brat.
"N-No…" Shigaraki took an unsteady step back, his fingers twitching. "That's impossible…! That's… that's not how this was supposed to go!"
Izuku slowly turned his gaze toward him, green lightning still crackling around his battered form. He could barely stand, but his eyes burned with defiance.
"Looks like I just rewrote your script."
Kurogiri's smoky form wavered. "Shigaraki… we need to go." Shigaraki's teeth gritted together in frustration. He wanted to deny it—to refuse to accept what had just happened—but he knew.
Nomu was gone.
The plan had failed.
Izuku took a step forward, wobbling slightly but refusing to fall. He felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Aizawa was standing next to him. "Good job kid," he said as he got in front of Izuku in a defensive stance prepared to fight if need be.
"You son of bitch. You killed Nomu. Nomu was supposed to kill All Might, but he was beaten by a brat. Impossible! That means Nomu was weak! There is no other way." he said scratching his neck as he started to back up towards Kurogiri.
Shigaraki's hands twitched, nails digging into his own flesh as he stepped back. His breathing was ragged, uneven—a mix of rage and disbelief twisting his face into something monstrous. "No… no, this wasn't supposed to happen! You're nothing! A worthless brat! That thing was made to kill All Might, and you—" He pointed a trembling finger at Izuku, his voice rising to a fever pitch. "You shouldn't have been able to win!"
Izuku straightened his posture, swallowing the pain that screamed through his body. His muscles ached from the strain of channeling so much power, but he stood firm, green lightning still crackling weakly around him. "Maybe you should stop underestimating people," he said, his voice low but steady. "I may not be All Might… but I'm not weak."
Shigaraki's expression twisted into something ugly, his hands jerking toward Izuku as if to decay him where he stood. But Aizawa was already moving, stepping fully in front of his student, his scarf unraveling slightly in preparation for another fight. "Back down, villain," Aizawa warned, his eyes glowing red as he activated Erasure. "You lost."
For a second, it seemed like Shigaraki might lunge anyway, madness and frustration boiling over. But before he could, Kurogiri's misty form solidified behind him. "Shigaraki," Kurogiri's voice was calm but urgent, "we must retreat."
Shigaraki clenched his teeth so hard that it seemed like they might crack. His nails dug deeper into his neck, leaving red, angry marks. "Damn it… damn it all! Just know this, heroes are the scum of society. Heroes are no different than villains. Both cause destruction and pain—one just gets praised for it!" Shigaraki's voice was filled with raw frustration, his fingers twitching as he scratched violently at his neck. His breath came out ragged, his red eyes burning with barely contained rage.
Izuku, despite his exhaustion, narrowed his eyes. His body ached, his muscles screamed for rest, but he refused to let Shigaraki's words go unanswered. He straightened his back as much as his battered body would allow. "That's not true," he said, his voice hoarse but firm. "Heroes don't just destroy… they protect. They save lives. That's the difference."
Shigaraki let out a bitter laugh, a twisted smirk curling on his lips. "Protect? Save lives?" He spat on the ground. "Tell that to the people who've lost everything in the crossfire. Tell that to the families ruined because a so-called 'hero' couldn't save them in time! Tell that to me!" His voice cracked at the end, an unhinged mix of anger and something far more painful.
"This isn't over," Shigaraki growled, his red eyes boring into Izuku's exhausted form. "You hear me, brat? I'll remember this. Next time, you won't be so lucky."
"What do you mean next time?" said the towering figure of All Might as he appeared from behind Izuku.
Shigaraki growled, "Fuck you, you bastard," he said as stepped back into the portal disappeared as they teleported out of there.
For a moment, everything was still. The battlefield was eerily quiet, the only sound the distant groaning of the damaged USJ structure. Then, the tension broke.
"Izuku!" yelled Momo as she ran over to him alongside Toru. He was about to fall backward but All Might was there to catch him. He looked at his battered and bruised son and couldn't help but feel guilty.
He passed out from the pain, and he wasn't surprised why. His arms both were reddish pink and in some area purple from overexertion. He had so much energy coursing through him that it ripped his costume the part remaining on him was his lower half. Cuts, bruises, and gashes were riddled all over his body at that was what could be seen.
Momo leaned down and didn't know what to do now. "Is he..."
"He needs medical attention now," All Might said as he looked at him. "Recovery Girl is on her way," he said preparing to pick him up.
"Get to the entrance. I'll tie up some of the villains. I'll tell you what happened in a bit," Aizawa said wrapping his arm in bandages.
All Might nodded as he rushed to the door at blinding speeds holding his son. Many of his classmates gasped at how their president was reduced to almost nothing.
"God damn it. I failed him once again. I failed to be there to protect him, and he had to step up. What the hell kind of father am I?"
He had to wait a minute, but the reinforcements that Todoroki grabbed came running in to deal with the rest of the villains and help the students. All Might ran to Recovery Girl holding Izuku in front of her.
"Please, Recovery Girl, he needs it the most," he said placing him down on the stretcher next to her.
Recovery Girl's eyes softened with a touch of concern as she examined the battered form of Izuku. His body was a map of destruction—bruises, cuts, and lacerations crisscrossed his skin, his costume barely clinging to him. All Might, his face drawn with guilt, stood beside her, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
She nodded sharply, her eyes flicking over to All Might. "He needs emergency surgery now," she said kissing him on the chest. It was enough to heal the cuts and gashes on him.
"That should be enough to help but we need to get him back now!" she said as robots placed him in an ambulance. She verified to see if anyone else needed help which none needed it other than Aizawa, but he said to help him first.
"Go back and help. You can see him later," she said as she as stepped into, her ambulance.
All Might stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing as Recovery Girl's words sank in. Emergency surgery. He had hoped that the worst was over, that his son would simply need rest and healing, but now, there was a sense of urgency that weighed heavily on him. He could feel the familiar dread creeping up in his chest. His thoughts kept circling back to one thing: he had failed to protect Izuku once more, and now it was coming back to haunt him.
30 MINUTES LATER
Thirty minutes had passed since Izuku was rushed away in the ambulance, but the atmosphere outside the USJ was still thick with tension. Class 1-A had gathered in small clusters, their voices low, but there was no hiding the exhaustion on their faces. Some students were trying to process what had just happened, while others remained silent, simply trying to catch their breath.
Momo, her eyes red from holding back tears, paced back and forth, her mind running over the events. She couldn't shake the image of Izuku's battered body, the way his costume had been torn apart by sheer force, and how close he had come to being lost in the chaos.
Jiro had come out of the building looking around to see where the friends were and looked to see Momo. When her eyes fell on Momo, pacing restlessly, Jiro felt a knot tighten in her chest. She could see the distress in her friend's posture, the way she held herself together by the thinnest of threads. Without thinking, Jiro made her way over, her footsteps light despite the heavy weight in the air.
"Momo," Jiro called softly, her voice careful. "Hey, are you okay? Where's Izuku?" she asked worriedly looking for one of her green-haired friends.
"Izuku…" Momo started, her voice cracking. "He's in surgery right now. Recovery Girl said he needed it immediately. I just…" She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence, as worry and guilt threatened to overtake her.
Jiro went wide-eyed. "W-what? Is he ok?" she said shaking her slightly.
"I don't know Kyoka," she said. "He was so hurt that you would barely recognize him."
"I... I can't believe it," Jiro murmured, her voice trembling as she processed the information. "Izuku... he's always been so strong. How could it get this bad?"
"I don't know," she said as she had tears streaming down her face. Jiro pulled her into a hug as she had tears fill her eyes.
"You better be ok, nerd," she thought to herself.
The police arrived and asked the class questions about what happened. Class 1-A had gathered, their eyes tired and full of worry as they waited their turn to answer questions. The tension in the air was thick—everyone was still processing the chaotic events, and the weight of Izuku's injury hung over them. One by one, the students were called up to give their accounts of what had happened. While that was happening, the teachers talked amongst each other.
"What do you mean that Nomu thing was meant to take me down?" asked All Might in surprise.
"That is what I mean. This monster possessed multiple quirks meant to neutralize you and take you down. This so-called League of Villains wanted you dead," said Aizawa with his arm in a cast now.
Aizawa, despite his own injuries, was quick to continue, his voice firm and authoritative. "They underestimated you, All Might. But this Nomu was a game-changer. If it wasn't for Izuku... it could've been much worse."
Nezu nodded at this, "Now you do realize one thing. Even if Izuku is heavily injured and this monster called Nomu was supposed to defeat All Might. That means that Izuku has the power equivalent or more powerful than All Might here. Granted he can't control but that means eventually he will."
"Damn," was all Cementoss said with many others agreeing.
"This is a matter that must be resolved later but All Might, go see him," said Nezu as All Might nodded bolting off.
In a matter of minutes, All Might ran down the halls of UA and reached Recovery Girl's room. He transformed back to his skinny form and knocked on the door quickly.
"Toshinori," she greeted him, her voice soft but stern. "I see you're ready to see him."
Toshinori nodded, swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat. "How is he? Is he stable?"
Recovery Girl's eyes softened as she stepped aside to let him in. "He's stable for now. The surgery was a success, but his body's been through a lot. Healing from the damage he sustained… it will take time."
Walking into the room, Toshinori's eyes immediately fell on Izuku's frail form lying in the bed, connected to various machines that beeped rhythmically in the otherwise quiet space. The green-haired boy's face was pale, and the damage to his body was hard to ignore—his arms, legs, and chest wrapped in bandages, his chest gently rising and falling with each breath, though it was clear every movement was a struggle.
He went over to sit next to him by the bed and sighed leaning over it.
"I should've been there," Toshinori whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I should've protected him better."
"Now listen Toshinori. I am still pissed after all you have done to this boy for years, but one thing is for certain. You couldn't have known what was going to happen at the USJ," she said walking over to the bed.
"Not what I mean," he said looking at Izuku's chest. "I said I was going to make it up to him and show him that I would be better, but I wasn't there for him when he needed my strength most," he said sadly.
"Try not to dwell on it," she said as she looked at his scans. "Just be here for him," she said preparing to give Izuku a stamina shot.
LEAGUE OF VILLAINS HIDEOUT
Shigaraki stumbled out, his hands still trembling, his red eyes burning with a frustrated rage that threatened to consume him. He scratched violently at his neck, the already raw skin flaking beneath his nails. He stalked towards a cracked and grimy bar counter, slamming his hands down on the surface, the force of the impact echoing through the sparsely furnished room.
"Kurogiri…who is that brat?" he asked bitterly.
"I do not know, Shigaraki," he said adjusting his tie and walking behind the counter.
The monitor flickered to life, displaying the distorted face of a man shrouded in shadow. "Ah, I hear you are back," the voice rasped, laced with a chilling amusement. "How did it go at the USJ... and with All Might?"
Shigaraki's fists clenched tighter. The memory of All Might's overwhelming power, combined with the unexpected resilience of the green-haired brat, fueled his anger. "It was… a setback," he admitted, the words tasting like ash in his mouth. "That… that child…" He spat on the floor, a dark stain blooming on the already grimy surface. "He interfered. He got in the way."
"Interfered?" the voice echoed, a hint of curiosity creeping into the tone. "Tell me more."
Shigaraki took a couple of deep breaths before speaking. "This…child…with green hair was not only able…to beat Nomu…he overtook Nomu…decimated Nomu. And All Might wasn't even there! He beat Nomu on his own…now help!"
"N-no…not my Nomu! I spent months on it…just to be wasted," said the doctor.
"Decimated Nomu?" the voice on the monitor echoed, a hint of surprise, and perhaps something else, flickering in its tone. "Are you certain, Shigaraki? Nomu was designed to counter All Might, equipped with multiple Quirks specifically chosen for that purpose. For a child to defeat it… alone…"
Shigaraki slammed his fist on the counter again, the cracked surface groaning under the impact. "I saw it with my own eyes! The brat… he unleashed a power I've never seen before. Raw, untamed… it was like nothing I've ever encountered. Nomu didn't stand a chance."
Kurogiri, ever the pragmatist, interjected, "Shigaraki's assessment is accurate. While the boy's control over his Quirk was… erratic, the sheer destructive force he wielded was undeniable. It overwhelmed Nomu, bypassing its enhanced durability and multiple Quirks. It was… unsettling."
The voice on the monitor was silent for a moment, processing this information. "Unsettling indeed," it finally murmured. "Although…it is interesting. We have a new task. Find out about this child."
"But, what about the goal?" asked Shigaraki.
"All Might is still a big goal in our plan. This child proves interest. Besides that, this is a huge learning experience for us. Not only that, but we have also shown who we are, and the world will know who we are Shigaraki, so don't fret. We will meet our goal through," said the screen.
Shigaraki clenched his hands together before exhaling deeply. "Yes, sensei."
CLASS 1-A AND 1-B DORMS A FEW HOURS LATER
Class B had been informed of what happened, making everyone shocked. Many asked if they were ok and some were somewhat jealous that they got to fight villains. Something that made Jiro and few of the others shocked was that Inori rushed out of the doors to go and see Izuku. That was the last thing they expected but disregarded it for now as their thoughts were on Izuku.
"I still can't believe that she won't let us see him," Jiro said, her voice soft but filled with frustration. She hugged her legs to her chest, her eyes focused on the floor as she tried to suppress the flood of emotions rushing through her.
Across the room, Momo sat silently, her mind reeling. "She's probably just trying to protect us from seeing him like that. It's not easy to face someone you care about in that kind of condition," she said, her voice calm but tinged with sadness.
"I do hope he will be ok," said Ochaco walking in and sitting next to Jiro.
"Maybe we are just overthinking this. I mean Izuku was the only one to hurt and he heals fast. We shouldn't try to stress about it," said Asui patting Momo on the shoulder.
"Yeah, but still," said Jiro sighing into her legs.
"I won't lie," Toru said softly, breaking the silence. "It was something to behold. Izuku had so much power and energy coming off him. It felt… surreal." She paused for a moment, her eyes distant as she recalled the events at the USJ. "It was remarkable how he protected Momo and I."
"Yeah, it was," said Momo thinking about how Izuku wanted to protect the two of them. It was admirable.
Asui looked up to see Izuku's brother Ichiro walking around and to the kitchen. "Hey aren't you Izuku's brother. Ribbit."
Ichiro looked over to the frog girl in curiosity. "Yes, I am, why?"
"Why haven't you gone to see him?" she asked as the other girls looked up at him.
"He'll be fine. Besides why would I care about that?" he said, starting to walk away from them.
"Because he is your brother," said Reiko flatly.
"Oh please, Izuku is and always will be fine. He needs to realize that he isn't the strongest and to not get in these situations. Oh, and Yaoyorozu, if you ever wanna hang you know where to find me," he said waving them off.
Asui narrowed her eyes in frustration and anger. "No wonder why Izuku has such a strained relationship with you. You're an asshole," she said.
"You got that right. He's been like that for years," said Jiro glaring at him.
"Excuse me," he asked threateningly as he glared at Asui.
"You heard me, ribbit. You are an asshole. I asked Izuku earlier why he doesn't talk to his brother and sister, and I just found out the reason why. To be honest. I don't blame him. I mean at least Inori made the effort to go and check on him. Is she an asshole too?" she asked, looking to the group.
"Yes, she is. But like you said, she went to see him which is better than just staying her prancing around," replied Momo in an instant.
"Oh, fuck it…I'm done talking," he said storming off to the kitchen tired of this.
"Unbelievable," Asui muttered under her breath, her anger still simmering.
"Just a heads up to you girls. His siblings are like that all the time to him and other people," said Jiro.
"What the hell is wrong with his family? How did he turn out so nice? Most people would have gone off the deep and turned quiet or something." asked Mina genuinely curious.
Momo shook her head. "I don't know, but it says a lot about his character."
"Well, we shouldn't stress too much about him. Everyone in class is worried so let's take our minds off him for a bit," offered Reiko.
The girls agreed and decided to chill out while their classmate was recovering. While the girls were watching a movie they had picked out. Jiro looked back to see Inori was walking back in through the door with a heavy expression on her face. She managed to slip away from the girls and walked over to Inori.
"Oi," called out Jiro as she walked up to her with a calm expression.
Inori stopped mid-step, her eyes narrowing slightly as she turned to face Jiro. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice laced with mild irritation.
Jiro crossed her arms, not intimidated in the slightest. "You tell me. I ain't here to bullshit. Tell me how my friend is doing."
Inori nodded at her and sighed, "Izuku is still recovery and hasn't woken up yet. He had bandages all over his chest, arms, and legs making him look like a mummy. They said he would wake up soon, but Recovery Girl sent me back for some reason," she said.
Jiro's expression remained neutral, but she could feel a twinge of irritation at Inori's casual tone. "Sent you back, huh? What, did she kick you out?"
"She said that it was getting late and told me to head back," she said.
Jiro studied Inori for a moment, trying to gauge whether she was being completely honest or just playing it off. The tension in the air was palpable, and Jiro couldn't help but wonder if there was more to this than Inori was letting on. She wasn't sure what to make of her, especially after seeing how Inori had distanced herself from Izuku for so long.
"Well, if that is all then, I'll get going," said Jiro as she turned around but was stopped by Inori with her voice.
Inori's voice stopped Jiro in her tracks, her tone softer than before. "Wait, Jiro..." she said, her words hanging in the air for a moment.
Jiro turned back around, raising an eyebrow. "What's up?" she asked, her arms still crossed, but her expression more open now.
She looked around to make sure no one else was around and started to speak. "Listen…firstly, I want to say I am sorry. I am sorry for what I said to you that day when we came on the tour to UA. I am sorry for calling you a lesbian, a bitch, and an assortment of other things. I realized that I fucked up as a sister and I treated Izuku like garbage. I know you probably won't forgive me for what I did to you and what I did to Izuku for years. I wanted you to know that I am going to be better, and you won't get any problems from me, and I won't give Izuku any problems. I will find a way to be better to him and to everyone else. Just know I am sorry for everything I have done," she said bowing to her.
Jiro stood still for a moment, surprised by the sincerity in Inori's voice. She wasn't expecting an apology—certainly not one this honest and heartfelt. Her usual tough exterior softened, and she uncrossed her arms, her gaze focused intently on Inori.
"You… really mean that?" Jiro asked, her voice calm, but with a hint of disbelief.
"Yes. I am not asking for you to forgive me, and I realize that there is a chance Izuku will never forgive me, but I am going to do everything I can to make it up to him," she said standing back up but not making eye contact. "I've been a coward for so long. I didn't want to face the fact that I hurt him, and I didn't want to admit how badly I messed up. But if I'm going to change, I need to face it."
Jiro nodded at her, "Well you are right about one thing. I won't forget what you said to me that day, but it takes balls to admit that you are wrong and that is the first step. I can't speak for Izuku for if he will ever forgive you or want you back in your life but do know one thing, though," Jiro continued. "Actions speak louder than words. If you really want to make things right, you're going to have to show it. Not just to Izuku, but to everyone. You can't just say sorry and expect it all to be forgotten. You've got to prove it."
"I know," she said looking up at her. "I am going to get out of your hair," she said walking away to go and sit on an empty couch.
Jiro watched as Inori walked to a couch, her shoulders slumped, carrying the weight of her words. The air between them had shifted, the tension that had once been thick now starting to dissipate. But Jiro couldn't ignore the lingering uncertainty. Was Inori truly going to change? Or was this just another fleeting moment of guilt?