Chapter 21 - Chapter XVIII Heroic Training: Heroes vs Villains 3

[Point of view: Third Person]

The wind roared around the two, similar to the roar of wild beasts, tossing their hair and tearing up bits of dust and debris that floated past them.

Hades breathed heavily, feeling his chest burn with every breath he tried to take.

Her heart was beating so hard she could hear it thundering in her ears.

Momo, on the other hand, remained in his left arm, light as if she weighed nothing.

But for him, in his current state, holding her felt like carrying hell itself on his shoulders.

Because, pain was the only thing running through his body at that moment.

Her legs burned with indescribable agony. Her head throbbed with a stabbing pain, and the hot blood gushing from her nose and tear ducts blurred her vision.

He felt like the world was spinning around him, but still, he didn't let go of Momo.

"Fuck..." he growled through gritted teeth, feeling the weight of gravity pulling him down mercilessly.

The ground was approaching too quickly. If he didn't do something right now, they'd both be smashed to pieces on the pavement.

Clenching his jaw tightly, Hades flexed his right arm, feeling the already torn muscles complain with sharp pain.

But ignoring every warning from his own body, he raised his sword and aimed it at the wall of the nearest building.

I had no choice.

With a ferocious roar, he drove the blade into the wall.

The impact shook his entire body.

A burst of sparks lit up his face, reflecting the superhuman effort he was making to stop his fall.

The blade's edge ripped through the concrete, cutting a deep line as they continued to descend at full speed. Hades felt his shoulder crunch unnaturally, and a searing pain shot through his arm.

But he did not let go of the sword.

"Hades!" Momo cried, her voice filled with despair. "Drop the sword, you'll tear your arm off! Besides... leave me alone, I'm nothing but a burden..." Her voice grew fainter, as a crystalline glow formed in her eyes. "I'm useless..."

Hades could barely hear her. His breathing was erratic, his entire body screaming from the strain.

Still, he found the strength to respond through gritted teeth.

—Shut the fuck up and let me save you, dammit!

His effort was overloading his limb, pounding his brain with blunt stimuli of pain, but still, no matter how hard he tried, the fall didn't stop.

It wasn't enough.

The concrete continued to give way, the friction barely managing to slow its descent.

"You weren't supposed to kill me!" Momo shouted again, her voice barely audible over the wind and the blistering screech roaring around her. "Then why are you doing it? Why do you go to the trouble of saving me?"

Hades narrowed his eyes, enduring the pang of pain that spread throughout his body.

It was an absurd question.

He hated her.

He wanted her dead.

But still... I wouldn't let her go to such an absurd and painless death.

"The only one..." her voice cracked, filled with rage and pain as her legs braced against the wall. "The only one who will have the right to kill you... will be me!"

And at that moment, he dropped the sword.

The void swallowed them immediately.

The wind hit his back brutally, and for a moment, he felt like time slowed down again.

But he couldn't just sit idly by.

"Change!" he roared at the top of his lungs.

The greatsword disappeared in purple specks.

Instead, the gauntlet appeared on his right arm.

Without hesitating for a single second, he stretched his arm behind his back and released all the accumulated energy.

The explosion was deafening.

A blast of compressed air erupted around them, pushing them forward with tremendous force.

Hades felt his shoulder dislocate from the recoil, and the pain was so intense it almost made him lose consciousness.

The scorching heat of the blast seared his skin, causing the plates and fabric on his arm to char around the edges.

But the impulse worked.

The shock wave violently propelled them toward the edge of a window in the nearby building.

Hades barely had time to react due to the unbearable pressure on his arm, yet he spun around in the air and protected Momo with his own body.

The window frame crashed into his back, sending a sea of ​​glass shards flying.

They both rolled across the concrete floor of the new building, hitting crates and debris before coming to a final stop.

The silence lasted for a few seconds.

The sound of his own labored breathing was all Hades could hear.

His muscles were so tense he could barely move.

Momo, still in his arms, was breathing heavily, her eyes fixed on his face.

Sweat and blood mingled on Hades's skin, his expression hardened by pain.

But still... he didn't let go.

She stared at him, she could feel her heart beating with enormous force inside her chest, hitting against her ribs as if trying to escape.

Her breathing was still erratic, her body trembling slightly, and for a moment, she didn't know if that reaction was due to the adrenaline after the fall, the suffocating fear she had felt when Akemi took her hostage, or the image of Hades in that state.

I could hardly believe it.

He had saved her.

He, the same one who had sworn to kill her, had destroyed his body just to protect her.

Momo gulped, looking away.

Hades was still breathing, though his chest was barely moving.

A faint greenish glow was slowly beginning to envelop him, indicating that his body was trying to heal itself, but the process was so excruciatingly slow that he couldn't afford to let it go.

I had to do something.

Biting her lower lip to contain her nervousness, she carefully freed herself from his grasp and, within seconds, began materializing bandages, alcohol, and a pair of scissors from her exposed cleavage.

"Hold on, please..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.

With trembling hands, she reached for the leather straps holding the plates to his arms. After all, they were stuck, making it difficult to access his wounds.

And she couldn't afford to be slow.

With quick, precise movements, he cut the straps, freeing his arm from the metal protection.

What he saw made his chest tighten tightly.

His skin was alarmingly reddened, with areas of second-degree burns clearly visible on his hand.

The skin texture felt tight and, in some areas, softer than normal, indicating severe inflammation.

The veins in his arm were bulging in a disturbing way, probably due to trauma and overexertion.

And the worst part...

His shoulder was not in its place.

Momo swallowed again, the image was terrifying, but she couldn't allow herself to hesitate.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she took the scissors and ripped open Hades's tight shirt, revealing the true extent of his injuries.

The first thing he noticed was a large bruised spot with yellowish edges on his left side.

The skin on his torso was swollen and tight to the touch, a clear sign of severe bruising.

When he looked closer, he noticed something worse.

Small shards of glass were embedded in his back.

"God... how much pain must he have been in, and yet he didn't complain once?" she whispered, feeling a lump in her throat.

But he had no time to waste.

With extreme delicacy, he formed a pair of tweezers and dipped them in alcohol, making sure they were disinfected.

Gritting his teeth, he began to extract the splinters one by one, trying not to damage the skin further in the process.

Every time he managed to remove a fragment, he left it on a cloth to one side.

The procedure was meticulous... but terrifying.

Momo's hands continued to tremble.

I knew what I was doing, I knew the theory of first aid... but I'd never had to apply that knowledge to a real body, much less someone who was seriously injured.

Taking a breath to regain her composure, she wiped the blood from her face with an alcohol-soaked gauze pad.

Hades didn't even react.

That was what scared her the most. "Shit... Hades…" she muttered through gritted teeth, gripping the gauze tighter than necessary.

At that moment, the sound of something crashing to the ground startled her.

An imposing silhouette burst onto the scene.

The air changed suddenly.

Momo turned her head immediately.

And All Might was there.

His teacher's expression, always full of energy and confidence, was now tense and somber.

His eyes fell first on her—her hands still shaking, holding the bandages ready to be used—and then on Hades, with his bruised body, his blood still fresh on the floor, and the crimson-stained glass shards on the cloth Momo had used.

Japan's greatest hero frowned.

There was no time.

Without hesitation, he bent down and carefully took Hades's unconscious body into his arms.

"Good work, young Yaoyorozu," his voice came out softer than usual, but there was urgency in it.

Momo could only nod, her eyes slightly glazed over.

Without wasting another second, All Might flexed his legs and leaped, hurtling through the air toward Recovery Girl.

Momo's world fell completely silent.

He could only hear the rapid beating of his own heart.

And for the first time in his life...

He didn't know what he was feeling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Observation Room]

[5 Minutes Before]

The tension in the room had become suffocating.

All the students stared at the screen, not daring to look away, their bodies leaning forward in an unconscious reflection of the anxiety that gripped them.

In the image, Akemi was holding Momo suspended in the air with her black whips, but little by little, one by one, she began to release them.

Cold sweat trickled down Iida's temple before, unable to remain silent, he took a step forward.

"All Might-sensei, this is getting out of hand! You must stop the training!" he demanded, his voice filled with urgency, a shadow of horror reflected on his face.

All Might, however, remained impassive. With his arms crossed over his chest and a serious expression on his face, he continued to watch the scene intently.

"Calm down, young apprentices." His tone was firm, confident. He didn't take his eyes off the screen, where Akemi was still holding Momo with one last whip. "Young Midoriya knows what she's doing."

Despite his words, the atmosphere in the room did not relax.

Some girls looked away, uncomfortable with the scene, while the boys clenched their fists, tense and expectant.

Then it happened.

The last whip was released...

And Momo fell.

The silence that formed in the room was absolute.

Everyone held their breath as they watched the girl begin to be sucked into the gravity of the void.

But just at that moment, a black and red flash crossed the screen.

A movement so fast that they could barely follow it.

Most of them were startled, their eyes wide open.

Iida's breathing became ragged.

"That speed..." he muttered to himself, feeling a chill run down his spine.

He wasn't the only one surprised.

Hagakure jumped, wildly waving her gloves to show her excitement.

—Yes, he finally shows his speed!

"What do you mean...?" Ochako asked, disbelief on her face.

But she wasn't the only one; the other students stared at the screen with the same disbelief as the girl, and her reaction went unnoticed.

—Well... let's just say I saw him speeding like a lunatic in a supermarket.

Ochako frowned slightly, but decided not to ask any more questions and returned her gaze to the screens.

The initial surprise of the event soon gave way to growing excitement when outside cameras captured the scene from another angle.

In the image, Hades held Momo firmly while his sword embedded itself into the wall of the building to slow her fall.

Kirishima jumped up, his face lit with excitement.

"That's damn manly!" she exclaimed enthusiastically, her eyes shining with admiration.

However, while some felt relief at the rescue, All Might did not share their enthusiasm.

His expression darkened as he analyzed every detail carefully, his experience taking control of his every thought.

When Hades finally released his sword and activated his gauntlet to create an explosion, propelling himself into the building with Momo still in his arms, the students breathed a collective sigh of relief.

It seemed like they were safe.

The first smiles began to appear on the faces of some.

But All Might knew better than anyone what had happened.

"That inhuman speed... the tremendous effort... I remember he broke his legs in the supermarket incident..." he whispered, remembering the report Aizawa had given him.

Then the light of understanding flashed through his pupils.

Hades had destroyed his own body to save a life.

Without wasting a single second, All Might turned sharply and began walking with long strides towards the exit.

—Young heroes, call Recovery Girl! I'll go ahead!

His voice was firm, unwavering.

And before anyone could say anything else, he disappeared in an instant, running at top speed.

....

The echo of All Might's footsteps resounded through the corridors like suppressed thunder.

His breathing was steady, his face serious, and each stride felt like a promise of urgency. Sweat beaded his forehead, not from exhaustion, but from the silent anxiety churning in his stomach.

And then he saw them.

Just around the corner, three medical robots appeared, moving forward at a steady pace, carrying an advanced support stretcher.

Recovery Girl walked beside him, her small figure almost obscured by the size of the machines, although her presence was strongly felt.

His face was a mixture of concern and concentration. But when he saw the boy All Might was carrying in his arms, he sighed deeply in resignation.

Almost as if I already knew something like this was going to happen.

"Tsk... I thought so," he muttered with a hint of annoyance, although genuine concern was evident in his eyes.

All Might gently placed Hades on the stretcher.

Despite his strong, trained body, the boy lay unconscious, his face pale and his limbs marked by battle.

Recovery Girl immediately leaned forward, pulling out a small notebook along with a small microphone and observed with a clinical eye.

He began to murmur the preliminary diagnoses rapidly, as if enumerating a familiar list:

"Possible multiple blunt force trauma to the torso... obvious signs of muscle and soft tissue damage..." she whispered, her gaze and small hands scanning the boy's torso with surgical precision. "Risk of rib or sternal fractures..."

He went on to check his right arm, frowning.

—Visible burn injury to hand and forearm... hives with possible erythema... involuntary muscle tremor...

He carefully ran his hand over the boy's face and pursed his lips at the dark marks.

—Dried blood in the tear ducts and nostrils... possible hemorrhage from neural overload. Tremors in the lower extremities... and the shoulder is dislocated... again.

As she took quick notes, All Might crouched slightly, still looking grave.

"When I arrived," he said in a low but firm voice, "I saw young Yaoyorozu removing glass shards from his body. She had gathered them in a bloodstained cloth, but her hands were trembling."

—Do you know where the splinters came from or if he managed to remove them all?

—Well... he hit his back against a window... and no, I'm not sure if he removed them all.

Recovery Girl didn't look up. She just nodded briefly as she finished her initial assessment.

"Hmm... good girl. That saved her nervous system from a possible secondary infection." She closed her notebook again with a soft click. "I'll take it from here."

His gaze hardened slightly as he looked up at All Might.

—Go teach your class, Toshinori. This brat isn't moving from here until the end of the day... and if he pisses me off, maybe in a week.

All Might let out a short exhale, nodded silently, and turned away without another word.

His footsteps echoed loudly as he returned to the observation room, determined, but with a heavier heart.

Because, for the first time in a long time, he saw someone so young—someone who wasn't his prized successor—willing to destroy himself... just to save another.

That caused a big smile to spread across his face.

—This generation is full of surprises...

[2 minutes later]

[Observation Room]

The automatic doors slid open with a soft, powerful whir, admitting the towering figure of All Might.

His presence instantly filled the room, and the murmurs died away as if someone had cut an invisible thread of tension.

Just behind him, two more medical robots entered, this time carrying Bakugo—who had been brought in by Akemi's whips—still unconscious, his brow furrowed even in fainting, as if he were fighting even in his sleep.

All Might raised a hand and flashed his signature bright smile.

"Young Hades is in good hands now!" he proclaimed in a strong, firm voice. "And young Bakugo will also be cared for accordingly."

A general sigh ran through the room, while several students nodded with relief, others sighed.

Despite the chaos, everyone was safe, and that was the important thing.

Out of the corner of his eye, All Might noticed something that made him lower his gaze slightly.

In a corner of the room, Akemi bowed deeply to Momo, her shoulders tense, apologizing over and over again.

His lips moved quickly, and although the exact words were not audible, the intention was clear.

Momo looked at her with a confused expression, a mixture of nerves, discomfort... and a hint of understanding.

All Might nodded in satisfaction.

Apologies were important, and even more so between colleagues.

"All right, pupils!" he said, energetically resuming his professorial pose. "Can anyone tell me who the MVP of this game was?"

Murmurs erupted throughout the room, with relieved laughter and random comments.

The atmosphere lightened as they reminisced about their teammates' performances.

Iida tried to speak, but was interrupted when Tokoyami raised his voice in his deep, calm tone.

—In my opinion... Midoriya-san should be considered the MVP.

The murmur stopped like a frozen wave.

Everyone turned to look at him.

All Might, for his part, raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

—And could you share with us your reasons?

Tokoyami nodded solemnly, his shadow dancing subtly beside him, as he moved his hands to be more expressive.

—What we saw on the cameras shows that Midoriya-san devised an effective strategy to neutralize Hades, who was clearly the greatest threat to the heroic team. Not only that: he escaped the building, intercepted Yaoyorozu-san, and managed to take her hostage. It was a quick, precise... and effective move.

All Might smiled and gave a thumbs-up, but he didn't say anything yet. His eyes shifted to the rest of the class.

—What do you think, guys? Do you agree with that assessment?

Iida, who had been silent with a frown, adjusted the frame of his glasses decisively.

—In fact... I think Hades-san deserves to be the MVP.

The room fell silent again. All Might slowly turned to him, curious.

—May I know your reasoning, young Iida?

"Of course," he began, raising his voice to be heard clearly. "I consider Hades-san the MVP for his strategic resilience. He withstood a surprise attack from Bakugo-san, who, as we just learned, doesn't hold back even in training. During that time, he presumably allowed Yaoyorozu-san to assemble her artifact, while remaining hidden in the stairwell."

All Might raised an eyebrow, interrupting curiously.

—Why "presumably"?

—Because, unlike the villain team, we couldn't hear the hero team's strategy during the five minutes of preparation. That's why I can't say for sure.

All Might nodded silently, allowing him to continue.

—After neutralizing one of the villains, Hades stopped when he saw Midoriya-san threatening to kill his companion. But, despite the danger, he jumped into the void to save her, even at the cost of his physical safety. That kind of decision, without thinking about oneself, in my opinion, is worthy of a hero.

A wave of assent began to spread through the room. Iida's words and reasoning were sound.

All Might raised his voice again, his tone neutral but full of expectation, while adorned by a big smile.

—Does anyone else want to share their opinion? Anyone who agrees or disagrees?

There was no response. Just looks of general approval, everyone seemed to agree.

All Might nodded slowly and then looked at Momo, who was approaching with Akemi at her side, still somewhat confused and visibly affected.

—Young Yaoyorozu... Was there a team plan? Was there real cooperation? Or was it improvised?

Momo stopped. She swallowed as she remembered Hades's face, covered in blood.

She remembered his cold, indifferent words before the fight... and his desperate leap to save her, accompanied by heartwarming words.

His fists clenched slightly, and he made up his mind.

"Yes... there was a plan. Although it wasn't entirely clear," he said finally. "We didn't fully agree on how to attack, due to a lack of communication... but we did decide that he would go up front, and I would create stun grenades from behind."

All Might tilted his head, his eyes scanning her intently.

—Are you sure about that?

Momo hesitated for a second, but only for a second.

Then, decisively, he nodded firmly.

—I'm absolutely sure of that.

The class watched her silently, without judgment. She lifted her chin with determination. It was her way of repaying her debt.

All Might closed his eyes for a moment, with a slight but sincere smile.

-Understood.

The room fell completely silent as his words echoed, his voice strong but warm.

—I'm glad to hear your opinions. It's nice to see you all participating, but... here comes my opinion! Hahaha!

A burst of laughter echoed through the classroom, but no one followed suit. Everyone stared at him, both expectant and excited.

All except one.

Akemi wasn't looking at All Might. Her eyes were fixed on Momo Yaoyorozu out of the corner of her eye.

Something wasn't right, and she knew it.

"Why... why did she say that? I was sure Hades wouldn't even pay attention to her..." she thought, slowly rubbing her chin. "Hades created a strategy with her? No... based on the profile I have of him, that would be an absurd idea... he's supposed to hate her..."

The idea of ​​cooperation between the two was absurd, but the slightest possibility kept echoing in his head like an annoying echo.

—Also... why did he save her? I thought he'd let her fall and fight me... Did his second personality force him to? Or was it because of his Tsun personality...?

His mind was reeling from the unknowns that refused to be resolved, however, all those thoughts vanished when he heard his teacher mention her.

"From my point of view," he began, now more serious, with his hands crossed behind his back, "young Midoriya deserves to be the MVP of the match."

The entire class fell into complete silence.

Even the previous murmurs, the small conversations, the whispered comments... died away instantly.

Akemi looked up.

Her previously dull eyes opened slightly, filling with an unexpected emotion.

"Their strategy was sound," he continued, his voice now more measured and fatherly. "And the use of hostages, although controversial, was a clever way to show them just how cruel a real confrontation with villains can be. Not everything is black and white, and that kind of thinking is what saves lives."

There was a pause in his words, and Akemi swallowed.

—Also—she added with a slight smile on her face—her performance was so close to that of a true villain, that I have no doubt: the MVP of this match is the young Akemi Midoriya.

Several glances turned toward the aforementioned woman, some with astonishment, others with respect... some even with distrust. But none of those glances mattered to her.

Because All Might's eyes were on her.

Her heart warmed, the invisible weight on her shoulders lightened, as she recalled the encouraging words he'd given her when they'd had the conversation about her gender.

A subtle smile appeared on her face, relieved to be changing her destiny again.

—I'm getting there... One step at a time... —he thought, taking a deep breath.

All Might nodded firmly, then changed his expression, returning to his usual smile.

—All right, guys! Let's get started on the next match!

He leaned toward the box of numbered balls, opened it with a dramatic gesture, and put both hands inside as if searching through a treasure chest.

His smile grew as his fingers closed over the spheres.

The students held their breath. The excitement was palpable.

All Might lifted the balls with a flick of the wrist worthy of a stage magician.

—Team C as the heroes... versus Team I as the villains!

The screens behind the hero lit up, showing the selected ones:

Team C (heroes): Kaminari Denki and Aoyama Yuga

Team I (villains): Hagakure Toru and Sato Rikido

The appointees straightened their postures, some nervously, others with a dramatic air.

Team "I" didn't waste much time and headed straight for the halls, knowing the rules.

Aoyama, for his part, raised his hand in an exaggerated pose as he received the capture tape from All Might.

—We will, All Might-sensei! We will outshine everyone!

Kaminari smiled with slight discomfort, looking at his classmate with a drop of sweat, before following him towards the exit of the classroom.

They both headed down the hallway, heading for the practice building.

....

[Team of villains]

[A few minutes later]

Hagakure, although invisible, showed her nervousness in the way she constantly moved her gloves.

"Sato-san... how should we defend this mache bomb?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "You know, one of them is a living taser that can hinder you... and the other has a laser beam that shoots from its navel."

Sato rubbed his jaw thoughtfully as he took a couple of white sugar balls out of his pocket. They rested in his palm, glittering in the dim light.

He looked at them calmly, then made a fist.

"I think we should split our defense," he said, his voice deep but calm. "We can't leave the bomb alone, but we also can't let both of them in unopposed. We need to take advantage of our surroundings."

Hagakure nodded, though he couldn't see her. The rustling of her gloves was the only thing that betrayed her tension.

—Do you have an idea?

"Yes. We're going to use the environment to our advantage," he replied as he put away the sugar. "I'm going to defend the main entrance while you..."

The boy looked at her for a few moments, trying to figure out what to do, but she spoke first.

"Oh, I know! I'll play with their minds," he said, moving his gloves up and down in rapid succession.

—Will you play with their minds?

—Yes! I'll move objects, boxes, make noises in different places... After all, they'll be nervous about not being able to see me.

—Oh... that's a very good idea, taking advantage of the fact that you're invisible.

—But when they pass me...

"I'll take care of it," he interrupted, his eyes flashing with determination. "One with a ranged Quirk isn't going to come at you head on. But the other one... the electric one... is going to want to come in straight and hard. If he gets close enough, I'll knock him out in one hit."

—But you'll take damage, after all I could wrap his body in electricity.

—That's a good reason not to do it...

—We'd have to catch them quickly if that's the case, I'll take care of the shining knight.

Sato nodded, as he walked towards the next room.

—Then you'll make them nervous, while I hold out long enough.

Hagakure hesitated for a second, but then nodded.

—Okay... let's trust that.

—And don't hesitate. If they discover you, run, I'll take the rest.

An alarm was accompanied by All Might's voice, showing that the five minutes of preparation were over.

—All right... the second match begins!

....

[Meanwhile: Hero Team]

Kaminari walked with tense steps, his fingers sparking slightly as he tried to keep his thoughts in order.

At his side, Aoyama strutted as if on a catwalk, one hand dramatically resting on his chest and the other bearing the yellow arrest tape with dignity.

"My God... How the pressure of combat shines!" Aoyama sighed, his smile bright, though slightly nervous.

Kaminari gave a dry chuckle.

—Yes, it shines, it shines... but it also burns. So we'd better think carefully about what we'll do before we go in.

Aoyama raised an eyebrow elegantly, listening as Kaminari stopped by a column and flicked sparks from his fingers.

—Okay... we have Sato, who turns into a brute-force monster with sugar cubes. And then Hagakure, completely invisible... though she has gloves, boots, and a voice, so she's not entirely impossible to track.

Aoyama nodded.

—And don't forget, she can take it all off if she wants. A true nymph of deception. Very dangerous!

Kaminari grimaced.

—Yeah... then we have to think of a way to deal with both of them. I'm useful, but if I go overboard, I turn into a drooling idiot, and you... well, you have a laser that if you use it too much, it gives you a stomach ache.

"My delicate stomach, I know," Aoyama sighed and dramatically placed a hand on his stomach. "But at least I shine like the sun."

Kaminari suddenly snapped his fingers.

—That's it! Your laser. We can use it not only to attack, but to illuminate. If you point your laser toward the center of a room, it can create shadows that allow us to see Hagakure's silhouette if she's moving.

Aoyama blinked a couple of times... and then grinned from ear to ear.

—A light walkway to expose our invisible opponent! Magnifique! I love the idea.

Kaminari nodded, mentally marking a sequence.

—Good. Sato's probably going to be near the bomb. I don't think he'd risk leaving her alone...

Aoyama nodded, striking a dramatic pose.

—I'll have to use my laser intermittently to create confusion.

Denki smiled as he created light sparks on his fingers.

—Yes, while I will try to wrap my body with a load in case Hagakure surprises us with a surprise attack.

Aoyama puffed out his chest.

—Understood! We'll shine like never before!

Kaminari smiled.

—This plan is solid, we just have to make sure we watch our backs.

—But remember, Kaminari-san, we must hurry! Time is our deadly enemy in this test.

—We just have to be quick and precise. You illuminate, I advance, you shoot, I finish. And then together we charge at Sato, me stunning him and you touching the bomb.

Aoyama placed a hand on Kaminari's shoulder, his gaze serious but bright.

—We will be Shininh Thunder Duo!

Kaminari laughed.

—"Shining Thunder Duo", I like it.

They both bumped fists, ready to execute their plan.

....

[A few moments later]

As soon as Kaminari took a step into a room darker than the others, a dry sound echoed to his right.

Something fell, rolled across the floor, and then stopped with a hollow thud. It wasn't very loud, but it was enough to make the electric boy turn around immediately, his nerves fraying.

"Who's there!" he snapped through his teeth, clicking his tongue as he cast a quick glance in the direction of the sound.

Aoyama, still maintaining an elegant but rigid posture, turned his face toward the darkness, his eyes flashing with distrust.

—How classless! Can't he fight head-on?

But the person in charge did not respond.

Nothing could be heard but his low, soft, almost mocking laughter, slipping through the shadows like a whisper that touched one's ears and patience.

"What's up, heroes?" his voice came from nowhere. "Does it bother you not being in control? Does it bother you not knowing what you're fighting against?"

Kaminari clenched his fists, feeling a tingle down his spine as more electricity began to flow through his body.

His pride was hurt. Not so much by the insult, but by the fact that... he couldn't see her, couldn't unleash his power without a clear target.

"Get out of wherever you are, coward!" he shouted, his nerves in knots.

Hagakure's laughter rang out again, closer this time, or so it seemed. A box fell right in front of them. It wasn't a loud impact, but it was enough to make them both instinctively take a step back.

"Maybe I'm already among you..." he whispered into Aoyama's ear. "Maybe you've already lost without knowing it..." he whispered again, this time into Kaminari's ear.

Those simple phrases struck a chord with the heroes. Their teeth gnashed, their postures wavered, and their hair stood on end.

"Damn it..." he muttered, turning to Aoyama. "We can't just stand here waiting for her to decide when she'll attack. We have to take the initiative!"

"What if that's exactly what she wants?" Aoyama countered, still in his melodramatic tone, though more tense now. "She's pushing us to act like idiots. Like... brutes desperate for a hit."

But Kaminari wasn't listening anymore.

Frustration boiled in his chest.

He was a hero, and heroes didn't hide, didn't sit idly by, waiting for an invisible trap. He had trained to face the enemy head-on.

And now, that enemy was laughing at them, silently, mocking from a corner they couldn't see.

"That's enough!" he shouted, raising his hand. "If you're not coming out, I'll make you!"

And without waiting any longer, he channeled his electricity through his body, activating his Quirk with force.

A sparkling burst traveled down the hallway, accompanied by a short wave of blue light that briefly illuminated the entire area.

Aoyama, for his part, covered himself with his arm out of reflex.

"Don't shoot without a plan! You might run out of energy, idiot!" he protested.

But Kaminari was already loaded. He took another step toward the rubble that led to the next floor.

He wanted to get in, he wanted to find Sato, at least someone visible. Someone he could vent his anger on.

"Come on, Rikido! Come on, too, if you've got the guts!" he roared.

And then, a box fell behind them. This time, along with the noise, came a tap on Aoyama's shoulder.

Even though it was just a touch, it was enough to make his blood run cold.

"It's here!" he shouted, spinning rapidly, firing his laser reflexively at the hallway wall.

The shot lit up the area for a moment, but there was no one there.

Nothing, just the wall, some loose curtains, floating dust.

"Did you feel it?" Kaminari asked, stopping, puzzled.

—I don't know... something... something touched me. I swear!

Kaminari hesitated for a second, all his arrogance gone.

What if she was already playing with them? What if they were actually walking onto her turf... like pawns on her chessboard?

But then, a stone fell right on the other side of the wall of rubble.

Followed by the creaking sound of a wall crumbling.

Sweat trickled down Kaminari's forehead, not from the heat, but from uncertainty. Beside him, Aoyama stood firm, though his expression revealed discomfort, even fear.

Not the kind of fear that paralyzes, but the kind that makes every sense sharper.

"Let's put our backs together," Kaminari muttered through gritted teeth, his voice low and strained.

—Oui... but if you make me sweat with your electricity, I will be deeply offended, —he replied, in a melodramatic tone, although his attempt at humor did not hide his nervousness.

They both stood back to back, synchronized.

The room felt larger than it was, as if the echo of invisible footsteps expanded it.

Their breathing was the only constant sound. Then, without looking at each other, without words, Aoyama nudged Kaminari gently.

"Now..." they whispered together.

A brutal flash lit up the room. For an instant, the entire room was exposed to the brilliant light of Aoyama's laser and Kaminari's electric sparks, which buzzed like a swarm.

But there was nothing.

Not a silhouette. Not a moving shadow. Just overturned boxes, columns, dust suspended in the air... and a silence broken by a laugh that seemed to come from everywhere at once.

"Hehehe... poor things... did you expect to find me so easily?" Hagakure's voice was like an enchanted echo, soft and mocking. "They're so used to seeing, that when they can't, they feel lost."

Kaminari gritted his teeth, while Aoyama slowly turned around, without taking his back off his partner.

"Damn it! He's playing with us," the electric boy snapped, clicking his tongue.

"And he's doing it with grace... that irritates me even more," Aoyama added, lowering his arm after his beam of light dissipated.

They both knew that staying in that room was a mistake. It wasn't just the visibility, it was the absolute advantage she had. The terrain, the environment, everything was hers.

If they continued there, they would eventually make a fatal mistake.

"We have to get out of here!" Kaminari said, taking a step toward the stairs.

Aoyama followed him without protest, and together they crossed the threshold of the corridor until they found what they were looking for: the stairs to the next floor.

But just when they thought there was a glimmer of escape... they saw it.

On both sides of the stairs, piles of props and debris had been neatly stacked.

Metal bars, pieces of old furniture, pieces of wood... everything seemed to have been placed there for a purpose: to restrict access. Only one person could pass at a time.

"They're thinking like Spartan soldiers!" Aoyama muttered, stunned.

Kaminari frowned, taking a step forward.

"We don't have time to think. I'll go first!" he said, charging his body with electricity as a preventative measure.

"Très bien... but if you die, I promise to cry elegantly," Aoyama murmured with resignation.

Kaminari entered the staircase, moving quickly but carefully.

The passageway through the rubble was narrow, and any sudden movement could bring the whole thing crashing down on them. The steps creaked slightly under the unevenly distributed weight of the debris.

Then, a sound. A slight rustling, similar to fabric moving.

Kaminari stopped dead in his tracks.

Aoyama, who was following him from behind, tensed.

—What's going on?

"Nothing... I thought..." Kaminari narrowed his eyes and started forward again, but more slowly. "I'm imagining it. That's what he wants us to think. Just... he's still behind me."

But they both knew that phrase was a comforting lie. Because Hagakure's voice rang out again, whispering like an icy wind against their necks:

—Don't worry, guys... you'll see my partner soon...

...

The echo of their footsteps resounded up the stairs as they ascended to the next floor.

Kaminari, at the front, kept his eyes wide open, his body flickering slightly, always ready to activate his Quirk at the slightest sign of danger. Aoyama followed, his back straight and his abdomen taut, ready to fire his laser.

They both knew they were entering enemy territory, but they didn't expect the ambush to come so soon.

Just as they set foot on the upper floor, a roar echoed above them.

"Watch out!" Kaminari shouted, too late.

A pile of crates and props fell from a hidden mezzanine. The weight wasn't enough to injure them, but it did momentarily bury them in a cloud of dust, crates, and confusion.

Reflexes kicked in before thought: a burst of brilliant light emerged from Aoyama's navel while electricity sparked violently around Kaminari, buzzing like an angry wasp.

"What the hell was that!" Kaminari coughed, staggering to his feet, rubbing his eyes blinded by the combined dust and light.

But at that moment, from the shadows, an invisible figure took advantage of the chaos.

"I'm sorry, Aoyama-kun... this is part of the game," Hagakure's voice whispered, just before wrapping her arm around the bright boy's neck.

Aoyama barely had time to scream before he was pulled into a dark corner of the hallway, his body floating through the air as if pulled by a phantom force.

"Aoyama?" Kaminari exclaimed, but he didn't have time to rush to his aid; after all, Sato was already in front of him.

The muscular student, now with his eyes glowing with energy, had taken several sugar pellets just before springing the trap.

His body glowed with a faint aura of amplified physical power. With a stifled roar, he charged straight at Kaminari and, in a single motion, delivered a punch straight to his stomach.

The impact was brutal.

Kaminari felt his breath catch in his throat as the blow hit him, his body buckling forward from the sheer force of the punch.

However, his instinct reacted before his pain. All the pent-up electricity discharged suddenly, like a violent short circuit.

His body was shaken by the current, muscles twitching in every direction, forcing him to flinch back and fall to his knees with a groan.

"Tsk... fuck... that hurt!" he muttered through gritted teeth, panting as his body shook from the shock.

Kaminari staggered, still doubled over from the blow, holding his abdomen with one hand while keeping the sparks active with the other, like a warning.

"Don't think... I'll let you beat me that easily!" he snarled, his eyes blazing with determination.

Meanwhile, in a darker corner, Aoyama struggled against Hagakure's invisible grasp.

She could feel his arm pressing against her neck, not with lethal force, but with surprisingly precise technique.

"I'm prying you... this is very... ungentlemanly!" she moaned, trying to break free.

"Not everything in the world of heroes is glamorous, Aoyama-kun," she whispered in a calm, seductive voice. "Sometimes, it all depends on whether you can make the enemy hesitate... even for a second."

Kaminari staggered back, his legs unsteady, but his gaze remained fixed on Sato. He gritted his teeth tightly, sweat running down his forehead.

His hands trembled, wrapped in intermittent sparks that flickered like faulty lights. He tried to gather energy, but the pain in his stomach stole his breath, and every attempt to generate a charge made him crunch inside.

"Come on... just a little further..." he muttered to himself, trying to concentrate, but his body didn't respond with the same determination as his mind.

On the other side, Sato struggled to his feet. His muscles, tense as steel cables, still trembled slightly from the previous shock.

He was breathing heavily, his jaw clenched, but his legs held firm. Despite the pain, he had endured the blow.

"If I hit him hard again, he'll electrocute me again," she thought, quickly assessing the situation. "I have to wait... let him burn off his energy first."

But Kaminari didn't give him time to think.

With a roar of effort, he propelled himself forward, his right fist engulfed in a burst of electricity.

The spark briefly lit up the hallway, and the sound of electrical buzzing filled the air like an imminent threat.

"You're not going to beat me like that!" he shouted, bringing his fist down with everything he had left.

Sato's eyes widened and he barely managed to sidestep. The fist grazed his side, leaving a flash and the smell of ozone in the air.

He felt a small electric arc touch his arm, causing it to twitch suddenly.

"Shit... he's faster than I expected!" he thought, backing away, his body still reeling from the remnants of the current.

Now Sato was on the defensive.

The same Kaminari who had previously seemed almost out of combat now moved with a mixture of desperation and rage, making him unpredictable.

He knew he couldn't take another direct hit. One more, and his muscles might fail completely.

"You've got a good aim, but you're not going to catch me twice!" he yelled, looking for space, dodging each attempted electric strike by inches.

Kaminari gritted his teeth, panting.

—I don't need to catch you... I just need you to fail once!

And with that, he charged again, albeit slower this time. Every step hurt, but he didn't stop.

Each spark was weaker, but persistent, he knew he was burning through his reserve, he knew he couldn't keep that pace up for long.

But he also knew that Sato didn't want to risk direct contact.

I was playing with fear... even if it was just a little.

Meanwhile, from the shadows, Hagakure watched silently, still holding Aoyama, measuring the right moment to move again.

He struggled in the darkness, his movements clumsy, desperate, and completely disoriented.

She felt Hagakure's invisible arm tightening around her neck, its strength surprisingly firm despite her small frame.

"Let's... let's go!" she gasped, trying to push herself back, to strike out with her elbow, her hand, anything... but she failed every time.

Her blows drifted through the air or hit places he couldn't identify, and that made him hesitate. Hagakure's mischievous laughter erupted near his ear, resonating like a small victory.

"What's wrong, Aoyama-kun? Are you so useless that you don't know where a simple invisible villain is?"

Aoyama pressed his lips together, his face red, not from shortness of breath... but from discomfort.

He hesitated for a second and finally blurted out, almost in a frustrated whimper:

—It's because you're naked! How do you expect me to know where to hit you without touching something I shouldn't? It would be indecent!

There was a sudden silence. Dense and unexpected.

The corner where they struggled became a silent void, as if those words had cut off the oxygen from the air.

Hagakure didn't respond immediately, clearly surprised. Maybe even blushing. Maybe she hadn't expected Aoyama to say it like that, with that mixture of nerves, sincerity, and awkwardness.

Meanwhile, a few meters away...

Kaminari and Sato continued dancing in their fierce duel.

Sparks lit up the dark hallway every time Kaminari threw a punch. They were both panting, their bodies tense, sweaty, drenched with exertion.

Sato snarled and threw a hook straight to Kaminari's face.

"I've got you!" he bellowed.

But Kaminari, almost instinctively, turned half his body and managed to barely graze Sato's arm with his electrified knuckles.

A light touch was enough. Electricity slithered down the muscular arm like a snake, causing Sato to let out a moan and flinch, thrashing as if bitten by something alive.

"Now!" Kaminari exclaimed, using his last remaining momentum. His fist charged with all the voltage he could muster, his breathing uncontrolled, his mind on the verge of shutting down... but he was ready for the final blow.

He leaped forward.

But then...

CLANG!

The bell rang, sharp, definitive, like a hammer blow that cut the tension of the fight at its root.

And All Might's powerful voice echoed through the halls:

—Time's up! Victory for the villains!

Kaminari froze in midair, his fist inches from Sato's face. His eyes were wide open in disbelief.

Sato, kneeling, also looked at him with disbelief... and a tired but sincere smile.

—Nice try... —he muttered.

Kaminari fell to his knees, gasping, as electricity flickered and died from his fingers.

Behind him, Aoyama was still in Hagakure's arms. She had loosened her grip slightly, still processing what he had said.

And even though it wasn't visible, everyone knew that if she had a visible face... she would be completely blushing.

The fight was over. But the shame... was just beginning.

The echo of the bell still vibrated in the air when Kaminari, panting, reached out towards Sato.

"Come on... come on, brother," he said through gritted teeth, with a tired smile. "That was quite a hit..."

Sato, still with small electric shocks running through his body, accepted the hand and stood up with a suppressed grunt.

Her stomach still hurt, but the smile on her face was genuine, full of mutual respect.

As the two left the corridor, Aoyama walked ahead, his gait somewhat clumsy and his face redder than his shining cloak.

He walked wordlessly, a mixture of shame and wounded dignity. He couldn't look anyone in the eye, as if the mere memory of the struggle with Hagakure burned inside him.

Sato, as she walked behind him, noticed a pair of gloves floating beside him, discreetly away from the group.

He lowered his voice a little, moving closer to the gloves as if talking to a ghost.

"I think you choked him too hard..." he murmured with a crooked smile.

The gloves shook for a second. Then a low, nervous laugh escaped the empty air.

"Maybe I went a little too far..." he replied, almost in a floating whisper.

There was discomfort in his tone. The same kind of discomfort you feel when you realize you've crossed a line, even if it was by accident.

Still, he tried to maintain his playful tone, as if nothing had happened. But Aoyama's silence weighed more than any words.

The four went down the stairs and re-entered the large observation room, where their companions greeted them with applause, whistles, and a few bursts of laughter, though not maliciously.

It was part of the exercise.

Part of the learning.

All Might waited for them in the center of the room, his arms crossed, his chest puffed out with pride as always. His smile shone, but this time it was softer, more genuine.

"Excellent work, young people!" he exclaimed. "Each of you showed initiative, creativity, and surprising strength. I'm proud of you all!"

He looked at them one by one, pausing for a moment on Hagakure.

"Especially you, young lady," he said, his voice a little deeper. "Psychological warfare is also part of the battlefield. You knew how to play on your enemies' senses and turn the environment into your greatest weapon. Well done!"

Hagakure, though invisible, moved timidly. Her floating gloves lowered slightly, a clear sign of embarrassment.

Some colleagues, unaware of the meaning of the gesture, applauded her.

All Might continued, now looking at the entire class.

—And now, tell me, who do you think was the MVP of this fight? I want to hear your opinions!

Hands gradually rose. Voices began to blend.

—I vote for Hagakure! She destabilized the entire enemy team from the shadows.

—But Sato stopped them with brute force and blocked the stairs!

—Kaminari too! He endured everything and was almost able to turn things around!

All Might raised a hand, requesting silence. His smile remained firm as he spoke.

—Three names stand out most strongly... Hagakure, for her field control and mental game; Sato, for holding the defense and controlling her opponent with strategy and strength; and Kaminari, for his tenacity, resilience, and near-comeback victory.

The students nodded.

It was difficult to choose.

The room was filled with murmurs and exchanged glances. Some still couldn't believe the intensity of the fight.

All Might took a deep breath, letting the suspense go for a few seconds.

The room fell into an expectant silence.

Everyone looked at their teacher, who kept his arms crossed as he scanned the room. Then his smile softened a little, and he nodded to himself, as if the decision was already clear in his mind.

—For me, the MVP of this match is... Young Hagakure Tooru!

A murmur spread like a wave through the room.

Some nodded, others raised their eyebrows in surprise. Hagakure's floating gloves trembled slightly before she timidly raised them, as if she herself didn't know how to react.

All Might raised a hand, asking for silence.

"Let me explain why," his voice deepened as he raised a finger. "Many years ago, in my early days as a hero in America, I faced a villain who seemed more like a joke than a threat... he called himself The Mime."

Some students couldn't help but chuckle softly at the name, Akemi blinked for a few moments, remembering what her teacher had mentioned.

But All Might continued seriously.

—He had a terrifying quirk: he could turn his body and any object he touched invisible. In direct combat, he wasn't especially strong, but his true weapon was mental exhaustion. He trapped us in an empty theater, with no idea where he was, dropping things, muttering, laughing. For hours, none of us could sleep or think straight.

He ran a hand over his chin, clearly remembering the tiredness and tension of that day.

"That experience taught me that not every fight is won with fists. Sometimes, a mind that knows how to play with the opponent's senses can decide the course of the battle without brute force," he continued, pointing at the floating gloves. "Today, young Hagakure demonstrated something very similar. She used her Quirk not only to hide, but to take control of the field, manipulate her enemies' perceptions, and neutralize a comrade without taking a single blow. That... is tactics!"

Hagakure lowered her head, visibly moved, even though her face couldn't be seen. Some classmates congratulated her by tapping her on the shoulder.

All Might then turned to Sato.

—But don't get me wrong. Sato was also brilliant! His strategy of closing the pass and forcing the enemy to enter one by one was an incredible reading of the terrain. He also kept his wits about him and held the line with strength and composure. A rock in the storm!

Sato lowered his head with a modest smile, crossing his arms as his classmates applauded him.

Then, her eyes fell on Kaminari, who was sitting on the ground with his hands still somewhat numb.

—And you, Kaminari. You showed something that isn't easily trained: tenacity. You were beaten, knocked off balance, but still... you almost made it. Your ability to react under pressure and your will to get back up, even when your body is begging for a break, is something not everyone possesses.

Kaminari scratched the back of his neck with an embarrassed chuckle, but he looked happy.

Even Aoyama looked at him and gave him a small smile.

All Might then approached the boy in the red cape, who still had his head bowed.

—Young Aoyama.

The young man looked up, his cheeks still flushed.

—Your situation wasn't easy, and you handled it as best you could. And that's okay. But you must remember that combat comes in many forms. Sometimes you'll have to act quickly, even if the scenario isn't ideal or makes you uncomfortable. You need to work on your focus, strengthen your resolve, and not let yourself be paralyzed by doubt.

Aoyama gulped. But when All Might placed a firm hand on his shoulder, his eyes lit up.

—Don't be discouraged, though. You did well. You're here to learn, and that's exactly what you're doing.

Aoyama nodded vigorously, and although his face was still a little red, his gaze was different. More confident. More proud.

All Might turned to the rest of the group, arms outstretched.

—Every fight is an opportunity for growth, young men! Today you not only learned about strategy and combat, but also about how your gifts can work beyond direct confrontation! And that makes me proud!

....

All Might approached the podium with a smile that seemed to illuminate more than any gift.

With a sweeping, dramatic gesture, he lifted a metal box with the AU symbol engraved on the front. He placed it in front of everyone as if it were a treasure chest.

"And now! Fight number three!" he shouted in a loud voice, twisting the lid with the theatricality of a Las Vegas magician.

The students moved closer, caught up in the energy.

All Might reached inside and removed the numbered balls. Then, with a swift gesture, he pulled out two and displayed them as if they were the winning cards in a duel.

—Team J as villains versus Team H as heroes! Koji Koda and Mina Ashido will defend the base... while Mezo Shoji and Hanta Sero prepare to break in!

Some boys whistled and others made comments under their breath.

All Might, for his part, could not hide his enthusiasm.

—To your positions!

....

[Inside the building]

The walls of the fifth floor creaked with every step, as if the structure itself breathed in an eerie calm.

Dust floated in the air, illuminated by beams of light that filtered through the cracked windows.

In a corner, Koji squatted, head bowed, murmuring almost reverentially. He wasn't talking to himself, but to those who glided, hidden, in the shadows.

Suddenly, the first scratch was heard.

Then another, and another.

First came the cockroaches, pouring out of cracks in the floor like a silent river of twitching legs and shiny bodies.

Then came the rats, moving around the edges of the room with the confidence of those who already knew the lay of the land.

Beetles climbed the walls and hid in the cracks.

Everything happened in silence, but the accumulation of so many small bodies created a dense, almost suffocating atmosphere.

Mina, who was trying to maintain her composure, couldn't help but flinch slightly when one of the insects climbed up the leg of a nearby chair.

"U-uh... Koji," she said with a forced smile, raising her voice slightly, "I really appreciate your quirk, it's... very useful. But... would you mind telling them not to get too close to me?"

Koji did not immediately respond.

He barely raised his face, his calm gaze contrasting with the chaotic atmosphere that surrounded him, and nodded silently.

With a brief wave of his hand, the insects retreated as if repelled by an invisible wave. They regrouped in the corners, still alert, still waiting.

"Thanks... really," Mina exhaled, sinking into a worn armchair, dusting her legs. "So... do you have a plan? Or are you planning to let them loose so they can warn us if anyone approaches?"

Koji finally answered, his voice low but firm:

—The sounds they make... they get into your mind. If you don't know what's stalking you, your own fear will do the rest.

Mina blinked a couple of times, impressed. Not by the words, but by the certainty with which he'd said them.

"That was... creepy, Koji. Very villainous of you," she said jokingly, though her laugh wasn't as firm as she'd hoped. "Why didn't they pair me with Kirishima or Hades...?" she thought, closing her eyes in resignation.

[Building base]

Outside, at the foot of the building worn by years and training, Shoji and Sero remained silent.

The wind blew dry leaves, and a light layer of dirt covered the steps. Shoji, serious as ever, unfolded his extra arms.

Fleshy tentacles slowly grew from its muscles, and additional, perfectly functional ears formed at their ends.

He closed his eyes, slowed his breathing, and listened.

What he heard were not human footsteps.

There were thousands of tiny contacts on wood, concrete, and metal. As if something—or many things—were moving between the walls, ceilings, and floors.

A constant, sharp, persistent creaking sound that bordered on the unbearable.

"There's something up there... so many things," he murmured without opening his eyes. "It's as if the whole building were... alive."

Sero, who had been tying duct tape to his arms until then, stopped. He raised his head and tried to listen, but all he could hear was the echo of the wind.

—What kind of things?

"Small... fast ones. I'm not sure, but I think they're insects," he replied. "They're everywhere."

Sero paled a little.

—Perfect... just what I needed. What now? Do we wait for them to attack us?

Shoji shook his head.

—We have to assume they're waiting for us. But they don't know how we think... we can use that.

Sero nodded, this time with a determined smile.

—So we go in style. We make them think they've got us... but when they let their guard down... Bam, I'll catch them on my tape!

Shoji folded his tentacles and prepared to move. The sound of the insects continued, omnipresent, like a dull chorus creeping through the building's foundations.

Sero looked up at the dark windows of the fourth and fifth floors.

"I think they're watching us..." he said, feeling a chill run through his body.

"And we're going to make them regret it," Shoji whispered, with a calmness that wasn't meant to sound threatening.

....

Shoji was the first to enter the building.

Their steps were silent, measured, and their tentacles extended slowly, testing the air as if searching for the presence of an invisible trap.

Behind him, Sero walked a little more lightly, his elbows already taped, ready to pounce if anything went wrong.

The silence of the first floor was a fleeting illusion.

They had barely climbed the first flight of stairs when something moved on the walls.

Plop.

"What was that!" Sero said, spinning around as something slammed onto his visor.

It was dark, slippery, and moving everywhere.

-Cockroaches!

Dozens of them clung to the plastic as if trying to find a way out.

Sero screamed in reflex, flailing his hands to get them off as his breathing quickened.

—Shoji! Take them off, take them off!

Shoji didn't respond immediately, as he had frozen.

A thin line of spiders snaked down her leg, up from her ankles, patiently crossing every fold of her suit.

They were small spiders, but en masse.

I felt them, I heard them.

The sound of its tiny paws multiplied by its multiple ears was worse than a scream.

For a moment, both of them were completely out of the fight. Not by a blow, not by a Quirk, but by a silent, repulsive ambush.

"Focus!" Shoji growled, kicking his legs out and brushing the arachnids off. "It's part of the enemy's plan, it's psychological!"

Sero ripped off his visor and threw it against the wall, breathing heavily.

—Damn! This is a nightmare!

They stared at each other for a second, sharing that mixture of repulsion and anger that grew with each invisible creak.

"We have to overcome this," Shoji said firmly, standing up. "This isn't an attack... it's a message. They want to break us before they confront us."

Sero nodded curtly, wiping his forehead.

—Then let us respond with force.

They both continued to climb more cautiously. The lights flickered, and the smell... the smell changed.

A thick, acrid aroma, like rusty metal mixed with rotten vinegar, began to creep into their noses.

It wasn't just unpleasant; it was invasive.

Shoji was the first to notice.

"It's acid," he said softly, his eyes scanning the floor.

The sticky sheen of the clear liquid spread out in front of them like a treacherous puddle.

The substance was right at the foot of the next flight of stairs, hidden in the dust and darkness, almost invisible... if it weren't for the smell, which didn't lie.

Sero stopped dead in his tracks. He looked down. The sole of his shoe was already partially submerged.

—Shit... I didn't see it.

He tried to move, but the surface was as slippery as oil. He took a step back, and his foot almost skidded.

Shoji extended his tentacles to stabilize him, but the trembling in his posture was also noticeable. The ground seemed to want to swallow them up, or at least push them toward a safe fall.

"We have to think," Shoji said, lowering his voice as if he knew they were being watched. "They're leading us on. They're forcing us onto their turf."

"Yes..." Sero swallowed, taking a breath. "And I'm not going to fall into that trap without a fight."

....

The acid had slowed her movements. Every step was a test of balance, every meter advanced, a struggle against the fear of slipping again.

Shoji kept his tentacles extended, listening for any noise.

Sero, more tense than ever, leaned against the walls and wove some lines of tape to secure his feet with greater grip.

"We're near a door," Shoji whispered, his amplified hearing picking up the hollow echo from a room on the other side.

But then, something changed.

Click.

A dry sound behind them.

Click. Click.

Before they could turn completely, a flood of rats emerged from the corners like a living tide.

They jumped from the walls, from small rusty grates, from crevices in the ceiling. The air was filled with high-pitched squeals and the scraping of tiny nails on the concrete.

Sero reflexively threw a ribbon, but his pulse was shaky, and he missed. Shoji took a step back... and it was enough for his foot to slip.

"No!" He tried to correct his posture, but the ground was no longer safe.

At that precise moment, a side door swung open. Mina appeared, her silhouette silhouetted by the dim light behind her.

"Sorry, guys!" he said, with a slightly nervous smile. "But the tour ends here!"

And without hesitation, he threw a splash of acid onto the ground in front of them. The liquid spread like a poisonous mirror, blocking any escape route.

Sero slipped first, falling backward with a grunt. Shoji fell to his knees, trying to shield himself from the rodents with his arms, but he couldn't avoid the squeals and the psychological pressure of the swarm surrounding them.

"All right, all right!" Sero gasped, agitated. "We gave up..."

"We surrender!" Shoji said, raising one of his hands.

The rats stopped. Almost as if they understood.

Ding-dong

All Might's voice boomed through the speakers, filling the narrow hallway with his unmistakable energy:

—Bout over! Victory for the villain team!

Mina let out a sigh and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, her smile returning, this time more relaxed.

Koji appeared from the end of the hallway, walking among the rats as if they were old friends. Some climbed his arms, others simply scurried between the walls, returning to their hiding places.

"We did well," Kōji said quietly, looking at Mina.

She just nodded, still slightly uncomfortable with the creatures around.

Meanwhile, Sero and Shoji were getting up with some difficulty. Their bodies ached more from strain than from any serious injury, but there were small bites on their arms and ankles—nothing serious, but enough to scar their pride.

"Let's go get checked out by Recovery Girl," Shoji said, rubbing his arm.

"Yeah... I don't want to get angry because of some crazy rodent," Sero joked, though his smile came out weak.

Shoji and Sero walked together towards the infirmary, while Mina stayed with Kōji, walking in the direction of the observation room.

....

[A few minutes later]

"Excellent work! A clean, clever, and surprising battle! Koji, your terrain control was admirable, and Mina, your timing was perfect. Well done!" All Might cheered, giving her a thumbs-up.

Several rounds of applause rang out, welcoming the winners.

—Now... it's time for the big question! Who do you think was the MVP of this battle?

There was a brief silence.

Then, as if they had telepathically agreed, several arms rose at the same time.

—Kōji.

—Kōji, no doubt!

—He's more dangerous than he looks...

—He barely moved from his spot and yet he controlled everything...

All Might laughed out loud, arms akimbo, smile bright:

—Ah, excellent choice! I agree with all of you! Koji Koda has proven that you don't need to raise your voice to be lethal. A silent, strategic mind can dominate the field without even touching it! Great work, young Koda. A worthy MVP!

Koji, blushing, just nodded shyly, lowering his head as some rats curiously peeked out from under his uniform.

"The quiet ones always give us the biggest surprises..." Mina murmured, with a tired smile, as she approached Akemi, who was waiting for her with her arms crossed and a relaxed smile.

"Good work," Akemi said softly. "I liked how you used your acid to make them fall."

Mina nodded, grateful for the recognition, though her attention was briefly diverted when a cockroach stalked past her foot.

He gave a little, hidden jump.

—But Koji should stop getting too close to those bugs, okay?

Akemi smiled faintly, and gave him a small pat on the shoulder.

—As long as they're on your side, there's no reason to fear them. But yeah... that was disgusting.

They both laughed quietly, while the rest of the room began to prepare for the next confrontation.

All Might, standing in front of everyone, his cape billowing in the airflow from the fans. He took the next pair of numbered balls with a smile worthy of an American television host.

—And now...! The penultimate match of the day, hero team: Team E, consisting of Tenya Iida and Kyoka Jirou! —he announced, raising his arm—. Against the villains of Team F: Ochako Uraraka and Eijiro Kirishima!

The atmosphere was filled with murmurs and anticipation.

Akemi, standing next to Ochako, patted her on the shoulder.

—Remember how we practiced it, Ochako-chan...

"To your positions, young heroes and villains! The fate of the fictional world is in your hands!" All Might interrupted, pointing toward the ends of the practice field, and the students began to move.

....

[Building interior: Fourth floor]

The air was thick inside the building, as if the dust trapped between the old walls had been stirred by the energy of the previous confrontation.

The lights flickered intermittently, leaving shadows dancing in the corners as if silently watching.

Ochako paced back and forth, restless.

In front of her, the replica of the bomb rested in the middle of the room, barely illuminated by the overhead light that filtered through a crack in the ceiling.

His mind was racing.

I wanted to hide it, yes, but I also wanted to do something more... something to show that it wasn't just a cute face floating weightlessly, like Akemi had told me.

"If I let it float on the ceiling and cover it with a tarp, it might look like the bomb was never there... but..." she muttered to herself, as she knelt down to inspect the floor, looking for possible hiding places.

Behind her, the sound of boxes being dragged and loud bangs interrupted any attempt at concentration.

Kirishima had found a pile of props scattered around the place, and he had no intention of moving quietly.

He threw box after box, moved wood, and hit the walls as if he were preparing a battlefield.

"This is what I like!" he exclaimed with a wide grin, dropping a box onto the floor with a loud clatter. "This is what it means to be a man! Straight up fighting, no tricks, no weird games. What happened between Hades and Bakugo was out of this world! Explosions, blows, blood! Pure brute force, brother against brother!"

He turned to Ochako, his eyes glowing like embers.

"And did you see Kaminari? He almost turned everything around! Almost! Just because they ran out of time, he didn't smash Sato in the face! That's what inspires me, Uraraka. A real fight! No whispers or psychological tricks, I want a battle where whoever's standing at the end is the one who won."

Ochako crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly.

He didn't interrupt him immediately.

It seemed like her redheaded companion needed to vent. The problem was that every word she said seemed to push him further away from the kind of strategy she wanted to pursue.

"And what are you going to do if they don't come?" he finally asked, his tone more patient than annoyed, trying to channel his energy. "What if they don't come through the door? Or what if they take me hostage and knock you out of the game before you throw a single punch?"

Kirishima was silent for a moment, scratching the back of his neck.

—Mmm... that would be... not very manly, really —he muttered.

Ochako sighed, this time with a slight smile.

—Let's do something in between, shall we? We'll set up the room for a fight, yes, but I'm also going to move the bomb and set up a distraction. If they manage to get past your blows, they won't find the bomb so easily.

Kirishima nodded with renewed enthusiasm.

—Yes! Like a professional hero fight! Power and deception!

And as Kirishima began stacking crates in a semicircular formation to cover the entrance, Ochako focused on her plan.

He floated the bomb just a few inches off the ground, wrapped it in a black blanket, and floated it to a high corner on the ceiling, between two support beams.

From below, if you didn't look closely, it looked like part of the structure.

At that moment, a sense of anticipation grew in both of them. The heroes were about to arrive.

[Building base]

Iida walked with a firm but measured stride beside Jirou. His posture was straight and his tone, as always, charged with formal energy.

—Jirou-san, I propose we take the east wing and go up the floors quickly, but using alternate routes to avoid detection. Also, if we detect any traps—

"Shhhh," she interrupted, placing one of her earbuds against a wall. She closed her eyes, frowning. "I'm trying to listen."

Iida looked at her, confused.

—Listen to what?

—Footsteps, voices, whatever they're saying. But you're talking right next to me. Your voice is echoing all over the hallway, so... could you be a little quiet?

The young man tensed, realizing his mistake, and apologized, bowing his head solemnly.

Jirou continued listening, but couldn't hear much. Being on the lower floors, the vibrations were minimal.

I only heard distant creaking sounds, as if someone was dragging or banging things from somewhere.

"Very light... but there's someone moving boxes..." he murmured. "Though they're also banging on something..."

Iida looked up, motivated.

—So they're already preparing something. We can't give them time. Let's move forward quickly, but with caution!

Jirou nodded with a resigned sigh. She wasn't the kind of girl who got excited by hero protocol... but at least she had a reliable companion.

....

Iida's footsteps echoed through the corridor like war drums. His engines hummed with a subdued roar, waiting for the command to unleash their power.

Jirou, on the other hand, walked lower, more cautiously. Her steps were firm but light, her gaze scanning every shadow with suspicion.

Upon reaching the fourth floor, Jirou approached one of the walls, stretched one of its connectors, and inserted it back between the bricks.

His brow furrowed. He heard only soft footsteps... boxes being dragged...

"They're not moving much," he muttered to himself, disconnecting the cable. "They're... waiting."

His memory traveled for a second to what he'd seen before: Hagakure whispering, laughing in the darkness to destabilize Kaminari and Aoyama. That kind of mind games, that way of dominating without touching... he was learning, yes, but this time he wasn't going to be the prey.

"Iida," he said, straightening, "don't rush it. They might be preparing..."

But Iida had already taken the lead.

With determination, he climbed the stairs to the next level. His suit boots marked each step with authority.

And then, there he was: Kirishima, standing in front of a door, arms crossed, a smile as wide and bright as the moon.

"Iida!" he greeted enthusiastically. "Just in time, I was already starting to fall asleep!"

Iida stopped dead in his tracks, in a martial stance. He adjusted his helmet with one hand and raised his chin, a symbol of rectitude.

—Kirishima Eijiro! You've chosen the side of the villains, but that doesn't erase the fact that you were created to be more than that. I'm here to stop you, and if necessary, I will meet your cruelty with the speed of justice.

Kirishima let out a short laugh, encouraged by his partner's dramatics.

—You're like something out of a classic comic, bro! But I like that. So I hope you're ready, motor legs, because I'm not letting you get away from here!

As the two battled it out in the hallway, like gladiators in a makeshift arena, Jirou stood a few steps back, alert.

In the next room, just behind the battlefield, Ochako was slowly floating boxes toward the ceiling.

His fingers danced delicately in the air, gravity reversing like a magic trick. He'd hidden the bomb between a broken beam, and around it, small stones—remnants of the wall Kirishima had punched earlier—floated as well, suspended like projectiles ready to fall at any moment.

"Just a little more..." he whispered, sweat beading his forehead as he maintained control. "I just need a little more..."

Besides.

Jirou, seeing that Iida was about to start a charge, placed his cables on his calf speakers, his expression serious and determined.

"Engine: Second Gear!" Iida shouted, his engines roaring like metal beasts.

The air vibrated. Blue flames shot from his calves, and in the blink of an eye, Iida launched himself at Kirishima like a human projectile. His helmet gleamed in the dim lights of the building, mirroring every movement with surgical precision.

CRASH!

The first impact resonated through the hallway. Iida had launched a spinning kick to the waist, which Kirishima blocked by crossing his arms, which had hardened like granite slabs.

The metallic echo of the collision of force and speed resounded like thunder between the walls.

"That was tough!" Kirishima laughed, not backing down an inch. "But I got this!"

He roared with energy and counterattacked, throwing a low hook, straight at Iida's torso.

The impact shook the ground. Iida took two steps back, but still maintained his stance.

He went on the attack again. This time, his style was clear: pure speed.

His movements were straight, swift, and calculated. A flurry of quick kicks, sideways leaps, and dodges that barely touched the ground.

He struck with the sole of his foot, with his knee, using his body like a sharp spring.

Kirishima, on the other hand, was the wall.

His hardened skin gleamed like polished stone as he absorbed each blow with his arms, countering with straight punches, hooks, and boxer-style jabs. Each punch he unleashed was like a hammer blow—direct, brutal, and with solid technique.

"That's how you do a good one-on-one!" Kirishima shouted, grinning through his split lip and his eyes blazing with excitement.

"I will not allow brute force to prevail without justice!" Iida responded, narrowly dodging another blow and unleashing a spinning kick to the side of his opponent's hardened head.

Iida's helmet absorbed some of the damage, but every impact, every movement, weighed more.

Both were breathing heavily. Both were marked. Iida's boots were already showing wear, and Kirishima's arms had areas where the hardness was beginning to crack.

It was an explosive dance of technique, speed and power.

No one gave in. No one faltered.

Iida's engines roared to their fullest.

Heat pooled in the exhaust chambers of his calves as the air burned around him. Wasting no time, he bent his knees and fired forward, a blue and white bullet with the force of a derailed train.

Kirishima was ready. His skin had taken on that cracked, rocky texture that almost seemed painful just to look at.

His body was a firm barrier between the hallway and the bomb he was protecting. His breathing was steady, his jaw clenched.

And then they collided.

CRACK!

Iida's leg connected with Kirishima's hardened forearm, sending a violent spark reverberating through the walls. The echo of the blow filled the air like a muffled explosion.

Iida spun around and attacked again. Kirishima blocked, stepped back a few inches, and countered with a punch straight to the speedster's helmet.

Iida ducked just in time, the blow slicing past his head. His helmet rattled, but held. Iida slid to the side and launched a spinning kick into Kirishima's side.

THUD!

The impact was solid, but not enough.

Kirishima snarled and lunged like a boxer, his arms covering his face, throwing low hooks, uppercuts, straights.

His technique was surprisingly good, although somewhat crude due to his Quirk. Each blow sought to break Iida's defense with sheer brute force.

Iida, for his part, moved with surgical precision, dodging with side steps, quick feints, and short jumps.

His style was clean, technical, as if every movement was measured to the millimeter.

But they were even. Too even.

They were both beginning to pant. Sweat mixed with the steam from Iida's engines, and Kirishima's broken skin was bleeding from one corner.

Then, from the side of the stairs, Jirou moved.

He'd been listening, waiting, analyzing. He knew he didn't have the brute force to charge head-on, but he'd studied his teammates' bodily reactions. He knew when a body was at its limit.

And Kirishima, in his eagerness to focus on Iida, had turned his back on him without thinking.

"Sorry, redhead!" Jirou muttered and attacked.

ZAS.

His aux cables plugged into his speakers and emitted a powerful sonic pulse, a low vibration that went straight to Kirishima's back.

The sound traveled down his spine like a bolt of lightning. Kirishima immediately staggered.

His body reacted before his mind. His heartbeat quickened, his hands reflexively opened, his knees trembled. A sudden dizziness shook him.

"Now!" Jirou shouted.

Iida didn't hesitate. He leaped, spun around, pulled out the capture tape hanging from his waist, and flung it in a swift sweep. The fabric wrapped around Kirishima, first his waist, then his arms and legs.

Kirishima fell to his knees, exhausted, still hardened, but without the breath to free himself.

He growled in frustration, but smiled despite the defeat.

—Tsk... that was dirty... but very good!

Iida stopped, standing at attention, still shaken from the fight.

"Target neutralized!" he shouted solemnly, as if it were a real mission.

From the end of the hallway, Jirou raised an eyebrow, the wires still glowing.

"Sometimes you have to know when to end a fight," she murmured, breathing heavily.

The door to the final chamber opened with a faint metallic creak, echoing hurried footsteps and labored breathing. Iida entered first, the engines still smoking in his calves, his posture firm, his arms ready to act.

Jirou followed him cautiously, the wires dangling from her lobes throbbing with pent-up energy.

The place seemed too quiet. Too tidy. Too... empty.

In the center of the room, Ochako stood.

She was alone, serene.

As if he weren't just catching his opponents, but waiting for them patiently.

"Where's the bomb?" Iida asked, his voice strained, laced with impatience and exhaustion. His boots pounded the ground like war drums, but his gaze searched urgently for any sign of the device.

Jirou frowned. He felt something wasn't right. The silence, Ochako's relaxed posture, the apparent absence of traps... Too perfect. He clenched his fists, not letting his guard down.

She tilted her head slightly. Her expression was sweet, almost naive, but her eyes shone with something else.

Something cold, calculating, like a cog fitting into a hidden gear. He breathed calmly, and when he spoke, his voice was quiet, as if narrating the end of a story he'd read before.

—Sorry... young and inexperienced heroes...

He paused. His lips slowly curved into a wide smile, one that wasn't malicious, but not innocent either. It was the kind of smile one wouldn't expect on such a friendly face.

—...but when they took a step into this room...

Her voice faded for a moment. Only silence answered. A heavy, thick silence.

—...they have already lost.

SNAP!

Ochako brought her five fingers together in a quick gesture, and at that very moment, the ceiling seemed to collapse.

A shower of crates fell from above. Dozens of them, some filled with debris.

Shadows lengthened as the projectiles descended violently, the air whistling between the uncontrolled spinning objects.

"Watch out!" Jirou shouted, instinctively backing away.

Iida lunged at her, raising an arm as a shield. The crates slammed hard, exploding around them in a symphony of broken wood and dust. The impact didn't seriously injure them, but it stunned them, disoriented them, and shattered them emotionally.

And just then, Ochako moved.

Her small figure glided through the wreckage with unexpected grace, as if floating with every step she took.

His hand pressed firmly onto Jirou's arm first, with an almost imperceptible softness.

"Ah!" the girl exclaimed, feeling her body begin to rise uncontrollably.

Iida spun around, trying to react, but a second hand touched him on the shoulder.

They both began to ascend, lifted off the ground, trapped by the force of Uraraka's Quirk.

They spun in the air like weightless dolls, their limbs floating clumsily, unable to resist. The world beneath them became unreachable.

At that moment, an electric whine filled the air. The building's speakers exploded in a surge of sonic energy and emotion.

"The winning team is... the villain team!" All Might's voice roared excitedly. "Brilliant strategy by Uraraka! Flawless deception, planning, and execution!"

[A few minutes later]

The door to the combat room slid open with a soft sound, allowing the team of villains to enter.

Ochako walked at the front, her face flushed with excitement, her cheeks still flushed from the adrenaline. Behind her, Kirishima held his side with one hand, still smiling proudly.

Meanwhile, an assistance robot, walking with firm steps, approached All Might, who was waiting to one side with his typical heroic pose.

The android emitted a warning signal before speaking in its emotionless, electronic voice:

—Report: Student Katsuki Bakugo remains in the infirmary. He has minor bruises and signs of severe exhaustion from his fight. Student Hades is stable. However, due to the consecutive use of two stamina-consuming Quirks, he remains asleep. He is expected to awaken by the end of the day.

All Might nodded seriously, crossing his arms. Then he turned to the group of students gathered in the observation room, some still standing, sweaty and flushed, while others leaned against the walls or slumped on the floor.

"Young heroes, listen up!" he announced, his deep voice dominating the room. "First, Student Hades is out of danger, resting after his fight. His condition is stable. So you can rest easy."

A collective gasp ran through the mouths of Akemi, Hagakure and Mina.

All Might, with a knowing smile, and not wanting to waste any more time, continued.

—Now... it's time to decide the MVP of the recent matchup.

The murmurs started immediately.

"Ochako was the one who sealed the victory!" Mina exclaimed, raising her hand. "That trap was brilliant! Boxes were raining down everywhere!"

"But it was a real strategy," Tokoyami added, his tone dark. "It wasn't a coincidence. He planned the terrain, distracted, and disarmed."

"And Kirishima stood up as a shield. He held Iida back, and that's a great achievement," Hagakure commented.

"Jirou was also precise," Momo added, without resentment, her expression calm. "Her sonic attack was clean and effective. It was clear they were coordinated."

"But the one who wove the net... was Ochako," Kaminari commented, pointing at her with a smile. "The way she caught both of them without using brute force was brilliant."

All Might raised an eyebrow, amused by the group's enthusiasm.

—Then it's official! This round's MVP is... Uraraka Ochako. Well done!

Ochako covered her mouth for a moment, surprised. Her heart was pounding, not from the battle, but from recognition.

He took a small step forward, bowing his head.

—Th-thank you! I honestly didn't expect that...

Before he could say more, someone gently touched his shoulder.

It was Hagakure, who had been standing to the side next to Akemi, watching silently. Her barely visible silhouette shimmered as she waved her arms in a sign of excitement.

—You did great! And I know you got ideas from my thing with Sato! Right?

Ochako nodded immediately, smiling.

—Honestly... yes. You don't know how much watching what you did helped me. That psychological game, moving things without being seen, making noises from shadows. It inspired me to think outside the box. And... well, Akemi too. Her performance was incredible, too.

Akemi, arms crossed and eyes playful, smiled broadly.

—Your acting was amazing too, although your face isn't good enough for a villain.

Ochako blushed a little, nodding several times.

—Thank you... really!

....

The general murmur in the room died away as All Might stepped forward, no longer taking the spheres from the box as he had done until now. His voice boomed with firmness and determination:

"And for the final match of the day..." He raised his arm with theatrical excitement. "Team B, consisting of Todoroki Shoto and Asui Tsuyu, will be the villains! And they'll face off against Team G, consisting of Tokoyami Fumikage and Ojiro Mashirao, who will act as the heroes."

A subtle exclamation ran through the class.

The air tensed slightly. Four students, serious and of few words, were getting ready to close out the day.

The four nodded without saying much, but their gazes met in silence as they walked toward their assigned building.

[Inside the building]

It only took a few minutes until the villains reached the fifth floor.

There they placed the bomb in a windowless room, securing it on a metal platform between a collection of broken desks and stacked boxes.

Tsuyu, with her relaxed but always alert posture, tilted her face toward her teammate as she stretched out her tongue to move a lightweight box near the entrance. Her tone was calm but serious:

—Ribbit. Todoroki... if you use too much of your ice, it could be a problem for me. Extreme cold puts me into hibernation. Literally. My reflexes slow down, and my body starts to shut down.

Todoroki Shoto gave her a brief glance, nodding gently. He didn't respond, just adjusted the glove on his left hand, the faint vapor of his breath still hanging in the air.

He knew he had to measure his movements... not only because of Tsuyu's warning, but also because of revealing her secret.

After all, it wasn't her ice that worried her most. It was her own reflection in the eyes of others.

Tsuyu, noticing the silence, did not insist.

He knew his partner didn't talk much, and he respected him. He simply continued organizing the space, pushing objects to cover routes.

"As long as you don't freeze me alive, I'll be fine," he added, a slight hint of humor playing at the corner of his lips. "How about you control access from the door? I can get the bomb out without anyone seeing us."

Todoroki nodded again.

Without saying a word, he stepped toward the entrance, gently sliding his left foot in. The ground began to cover with a thin layer of frost.

[Ground floors of the building]

The wind blew gently through the empty corridors of the building as Tokoyami and Ojiro stood near one of the side entrances.

They were on the second floor, still out of direct range of their enemies, quietly debating their next moves.

Tokoyami, arms crossed, looked up, his eyes shaded beneath the hood of his suit.

Dark Shadow's presence remained subtle, almost imperceptible, like a black silhouette that clung to his back like a living cloak.

"Todoroki can freeze our entire route with a single gesture," he murmured, his tone low and restrained. "We can't expose ourselves directly without a strategy. If he catches us in a hallway, it's all over."

Ojiro, beside him, was nervously tapping the ground with the tip of his tail. He crouched down slightly, examining the ground with an annoyed expression.

"Tsk... and I'm barefoot," he grunted. "My feet are sensitive to the cold... if the ground freezes like Aizawa-sensei did in his test, I'll slip like I'm on hot butter. I have no traction if the floor freezes." He raised his arms in a silly gesture. "I'll end up doing a flip in the air... but not a good one."

Tokoyami barely turned his face towards him, remaining calm.

"Then avoid the ground," he said, without a hint of joking.

Ojiro blinked.

TO BE CONTINUED.