Izuku Midoriya, in his green rabbit costume now soiled with dust and sweat, ran. His breath came in ragged gasps—hosh-hosh—each inhale feeling like swallowing shards of glass.
Right now, he had no intention of using One For All!
He knew his bones would shatter if he recklessly activated it now. So he relied on his legs, on his analysis, on pure desperation to reach the nuke.
His eyes widened, pupils trembling as his shaking fingers stretched out, mere inches from the cold surface of the nuclear weapon.
Just a little more! his mind screamed. Just a little more!
But Tenya Iida, playing the overly dedicated villain, moved. The engines in his calves roared—VROOOM—spewing hot blue flames. With speed that sliced the air with a hiss, he shot forward, cutting off Midoriya's path. His white armor gleamed under the lights.
"Too slow, Hero!" Iida shouted, voice deep and authoritative, though laced with a slight nervous quiver.
He was truly immersed in his role—too immersed!
Iida swung his arm, pushing the nuke away, then spun with military precision to face Midoriya. Midoriya jolted, braking hard until his shoe soles screeched loudly on the concrete floor.
He leaped backward, dodging Iida's sweeping kick.
He didn't know the exact impact, but he could imagine that kick shattering ribs if it connected!
At that moment of peak tension, a new voice broke their focus. A cheerful, relaxed voice completely mismatched with the life-or-death battle atmosphere echoed from the doorway.
"Midoriya-kun! Reinforcements have arrived! Victory is right before our eyes!"
Midoriya and Iida turned simultaneously, necks whipping so fast they nearly creaked.
In the shattered doorway stood Fuse Yasushi. He didn't look like someone who had just fought. His white armor remained pristine, gleaming arrogantly. The mechanical wings on his back were neatly folded, blades still like sheathed swords. He spread his arms wide, as if embracing the room—or perhaps expecting applause.
"AP—Fuse-kun?" Midoriya gaped, eyes perfectly round. "Y-you…?"
Confusion crashed over them like a tidal wave. The same question exploded in both their minds at once: Where is Bakugo?
Katsuki Bakugo—both knew he was a monster with an overwhelmingly powerful quirk, his aura alone enough to make the air boil… yet here, that figure was nowhere to be seen!
Where was he? Had Fuse defeated him? How? There had been no massive explosions, no building-shaking blasts. Only silence following Fuse's arrival…
But Midoriya's instincts didn't sleep.
While Iida remained frozen staring at Fuse, visor blinking in confusion, Midoriya moved. He ducked low, sliding under Iida's line of sight, pushing off the floor with full force.
There's an opening!
He aimed for the back of the nuke, hoping to touch it before Iida noticed!
But Iida was a model U.A. student for a reason. "Do not underestimate me!"
Iida's engines roared again. He didn't need to look; he felt the air shift. He pivoted on his heel—a deadly mechanical pirouette—and unleashed a high kick aimed straight at Midoriya's head!
Midoriya, anticipating the counter, dropped to the floor, rolled, and leaped back again, gasping. The distance to the nuke widened once more.
"You will not touch this weapon, Hero!" Iida declared again, this time with a stiff, awkward evil laugh. "Mwahahaha! My plan is perfect!"
Midoriya, now standing with trembling knees, looked at Fuse again with pleading eyes. Why is he just standing there? Why isn't he doing anything? Aren't we a team?
Iida also glanced over, his vigilance split. "Yasushi-san…" he said behind his helmet. "What are you doing? Why are you just standing there like a statue?"
Midoriya swallowed, fear and confusion mixing in his throat. He wanted to shout, but his voice caught. Finally, he forced out a question.
"Why… are you here, Fuse-kun?" he asked softly. "What about Kacchan? Is he… okay?"
Fuse tilted his head slightly, his visor reflecting the cold neon light. He smiled—a calm, slightly condescending smile.
"Why am I here?" he repeated slowly, as though the question was the funniest joke he'd ever heard.
"Of course!" Fuse answered casually, stepping into the room with the stride of a king entering his throne room. "Even without explanation, you should understand, right? He's taking a nap on the second floor. I gave that baby a basic lesson in manners. A little loving restraint, you know?"
He paused, raising a finger as if lecturing.
"If he doesn't pay attention in class… he might bark again tomorrow like a dog. How can a dog act so rude? It's truly ridiculous!" Fuse shook his head sympathetically. "A dog should just act like a dog—no need to force itself to pretend to be human."
Midoriya felt a chill crawl up his spine. Nap? Manners lesson? His wild imagination pictured Bakugo bound, helpless, humiliated. That's… terrifying!
Fuse paused again, his smile sharpening into something dangerous.
"Heh, I don't understand why he always belittles those he looks down on, when he's just a bird freshly freed from its cage. So naive and foolish. Hearing his yapping makes me shake my head."
He sighed long and dramatically.
"Fortunately, I'm very generous. After all, I am the center of the world, humanity's pride, and the true protagonist of reality. Be grateful he received such special treatment from me. It's rare for someone to get my personal attention like that. Truly, he should be proud."
Fuse nodded to himself, as if concluding a universal truth.
In Midoriya's and Iida's minds, one synchronized thought formed: What is wrong with this guy? He's insane! Completely delusional!
Fuse then turned to Iida, pointing with a metal-gloved index finger.
"Don't forget to tell Bakugo later, Tenya Iida!" he said cheerfully. "Send him my love. And… you'd better surrender quickly before my absolute justice! Fighting fate will only tire you out."
Iida, though utterly confused, tried to maintain his character. He straightened, engines humming softly as a warning.
"No jokes!" Iida shouted, arms chopping the air stiffly. "Classmate Bakugo couldn't possibly be defeated that easily! I don't believe you! And I won't let you touch this nuke, fake vill—er, fake hero!"
"I'm not joking, friend," Fuse said, shrugging indifferently.
He shifted his attention back to Midoriya. His gaze softened slightly, yet remained full of superiority.
"Need my help, Midoriya?"
Iida felt cold sweat trickle beneath his costume. This is bad! his mind screamed. If Fuse really defeated Bakugo alone in that short time… and now he's joining Midoriya… I have no chance! Two against one against a monster like him?
The question was simple, yet its effect on Iida was devastating!
Iida's brain raced. He had to do something drastic. Rather than hold out and lose, better to take the weapon and run! I have engines! I can escape until time runs out!
But doubt flickered. Iida quickly dismissed it. He bent his knees, preparing to activate Recipro Burst—his secret technique.
He hadn't wanted to use it, but this was life-or-death. He didn't want to lose!
"I'll take this and leave!" he thought.
But before his leg muscles could contract, before his engines could spew flame… Iida's eyes widened behind his helmet. His body… felt heavy!
The weight was unnatural, as if gravity around him had suddenly increased tenfold. His prized white armor, chest plate, even the exhausts on his legs… all felt like solid lead.
"What…?" Iida gasped, voice choking. "Why…?! My body…!"
He tried to step, but his feet were glued to the concrete. He tried to move his arms, but they locked at his sides. He was a statue trapped in hardening cement.
Fuse gazed at Iida from across the room. He didn't raise a hand. No dramatic gesture. He simply stared and nodded slowly.
"I know what you're thinking, Iida," Fuse said flatly. "You want to run. Use your speed to avoid a fight you can't win. Logical strategy. Too bad…"
Fuse slowly clenched his fist. Metal creaked from Iida's costume as plates pressed together.
"That armor. The exhausts on your legs. The helmet on your head. All metal, Iida," Fuse continued, voice cold and merciless. "You wrapped yourself in my weapons. You walked into a lion's cage wearing a meat necklace."
Iida's calf engines growled fiercely—VROOOM-GRRR—blue flames flaring wildly, trying to fight the invisible force holding him. But it was futile.
The laws of physics had been bent by Fuse's will!
"My body… won't move!" Iida cried in panic, eyes darting for a nonexistent escape.
Fuse turned his gaze to Midoriya, smile blooming again.
"There you go, Midoriya. The path is clear. Red carpet rolled out. Just walk up and touch it."
Midoriya stared at the helpless Iida, then at the casually smiling Fuse. A fierce internal struggle burned in his green eyes. He saw the easy path Fuse offered. Instant victory.
But… is this what a hero does? Is this how he wanted to win?
Midoriya drew a long breath, then exhaled slowly. He clenched his fists, facing Fuse with newfound resolve.
"No, Fuse-kun," he said firmly. "I can handle this myself. Please… release him."
Fuse paused. An eyebrow arched. Then he whistled long. Fiuuuwit.
"Hoo…" Fuse nodded repeatedly, looking highly pleased. "Rejecting the shortcut? Choosing the hard path for pride and character growth? That's good. Very good."
Instantly, Fuse released his mental grip.
The pressure on Iida vanished. The bespectacled boy stumbled forward, nearly falling, before catching himself with ragged breaths. He stared at Fuse with a mix of fear and relief.
"Fighting without a protagonist's help is a cool, flashy move," Fuse continued, voice full of theatrical appreciation. "A side character shines when the main character allows them stage time. Perfect example. You learn fast, Midoriya."
Fuse folded his arms across his chest.
"Fine. I won't help you. But remember, Midoriya… if you're ever in real trouble, no shame in asking me. A protagonist—especially one destined to stand at the world's center—won't abandon his underlings. No. His friends."
The word "friends" was spoken oddly, as if Fuse were tasting it for the first time and finding it delicious.
Without waiting for a reply, Fuse turned. He walked away from the conflict's center, taking a safe distance in a somewhat dark corner.
He then sat on an old wooden crate, crossing his legs casually.
His index finger twitched slightly, pointing at empty air.
From the shadows in the corner, a small object floated toward him. A bag of potato chips, impaled by a floating concrete nail.
Fuse grinned wide. He had prepared this. From the start, he knew there would be moments when he'd only need to spectate. His knowledge of the original story gave him preparation advantages no one else had. He couldn't bring a shopping bag into the simulation, but he could hide snacks in his costume pockets and use a nail to hold the bag so his hands stayed clean.
He grabbed the bag, tearing it open with a loud krrrek that rang in the quiet room.
He took a chip, popped it in his mouth, and chewed casually. Kriuk. Kriuk.
The crunching sounded obscenely loud amid the battle tension.
Iida and Midoriya stared in disbelief.
Fuse noticed their gazes. He swallowed, nodded amicably, chip crumbs on the corner of his mouth.
"Heh, ignore me," he said, waving his chip-holding hand.
"A protagonist won't interfere with a side character's growth," he continued, closing his eyes and nodding sagely. "This is your stage now. Perform spectacularly. Show me drama, show me action! I'll watch from this VIP seat."
He opened his eyes again, gazing at them with the eager gleam of a viewer awaiting a favorite film's climax.
"Continue! Don't let my chips get… uh, soggy."
Iida couldn't hold back. His jaw dropped. "You're… you're really eating during the exam?!"
Midoriya could only manage a stiff smile, sweat trickling down his temple. Fuse-kun… he's on a completely different level…
But there was no time for further shock. Exam time ticked on. Iida resumed his fighting stance, and Midoriya refocused.
In the corner, Fuse Yasushi crunched his potato chips, enjoying the show where he was director, audience, and critic all at once.
At that moment, Midoriya suddenly charged. Think! Think! Think! his mind screamed, each word hammering his skull like a mallet.
His eyes darted, scanning the room. The nuke stood there, somewhat distant from his current position. Iida guarded it solidly. Midoriya gritted his teeth until his jaw ached. His brain spun, searching for a gap in the impenetrable defense.
How do I touch the nuke and win?
Use One For All in my legs and dash?
The moment the idea flashed, he desperately wanted to do it. His thigh muscles tensed, ready for the bone-shattering surge. But rationality stopped him at the last second.
No! After using it, my legs will break. I'll become a useless burden again. I'll let Fuse-kun down after confidently refusing his help!
He glanced at Fuse. The white-armored boy sat relaxed on his crate, calmly munching chips. Kriuk. Kriuk.
Fuse-kun is so strong. He could probably end this exercise in seconds. Yet he gave me the chance. He gave me the stage. I can't waste it!
At that moment, Midoriya charged again. Tap! He lunged far and fast, but Iida's movement was far faster. Iida's calf engines roared, and with one precise pirouette, his armored leg swept the air. BUAGH!
The kick struck Midoriya's side. Air was forced from his lungs in a painful uhuk. Midoriya flew, body airborne briefly before slamming into a concrete pillar with a dull gedebuk. Pain exploded in his ribs, spreading like wildfire through his body.
He staggered, falling to his knees. The cold concrete stung his skin through his torn costume. He gasped—hosh-hosh—sweat soaking his dust-covered face. His vision blurred, but he forced himself up. His legs shook violently, defying his brain's commands.
Impossible without my quirk… Think! Use your brain!
His eyes flicked to the digital clock on the wall. Time was running out. Every passing second brought him closer to failure. Panic began creeping up from his stomach, choking his throat.
At that moment, he charged again, diving desperately under Iida's reach, stretching his hand toward the nuke in reckless abandon. His fingers nearly brushed the black surface.
"Naive!" With an engine burst, Iida slid backward, pulling the nuke away, then kicked Midoriya again.
Midoriya rolled, avoiding a direct hit, but the wind pressure alone hurled him back.
Iida stood tall, chest heaving. Sweat soaked his face behind the helmet. He was exhausted too. Maintaining high alertness against two opponents—one desperate, one casually eating chips—was mentally draining.
At that moment, Iida activated his comms. His index finger pressed the earpiece button. "Bakugo!" he shouted, voice slightly hoarse. "Where are you? Respond if you hear me! The situation here is getting… complicated!"
Brief silence, only static krsék-krsék. Then an angry roar came through. "HUH?! SHUT UP, FOUR-EYES!"
Iida sighed in relief, though annoyed. He kept moving, maintaining distance from Midoriya, who was trying to rise again.
"Good to know you're alive," Iida said quickly, eyes never leaving Midoriya. "Hurry here! I need your help! Fuse-kun… he's here, but he's just sitting! I don't know his plan!"
"ARGH!!! SHUT UP!" Bakugo roared over the channel. "I CAN'T MOVE RIGHT NOW! I… I'M TIED UP! THAT BASTARD TIED ME LIKE A DAMN PACKAGE!"
From the corner, Fuse, who had just popped another chip, commented with a full mouth.
"Hey, hey," he said casually, crumbs falling into his lap. "No problem splitting your focus like that, Iida? You're really underestimating Midoriya. That's rude for a professional villain."
Iida gaped at Fuse. He's listening to our private channel while eating?!
But Iida quickly shook his head. Focus! He turned back to Midoriya. At that moment, he felt confident Fuse wouldn't move or interfere.
The guy's protagonist pride was too high to break his own word!
Meanwhile, Midoriya grew more cornered.
As expected… it's too hard against Iida-kun without my quirk… Midoriya bit his lower lip until it bled. What do I do?! His mind blanked. Strategy after strategy crumbled before Iida's speed and physical power.
I can only use One For All once. After that, my body's wrecked. But what if he dodges? What if Iida-kun evades and I end up with a broken arm and defeat?
BUAGH! Iida kicked again. This time Midoriya couldn't fully dodge. He flew, crashing face-down onto the cracked concrete. Dust entered his nose, making him cough.
He lay there a moment, feeling the floor's chill against his cheek. Thick despair began enveloping him.
Did I waste the chance Fuse-kun gave me? Did I… fail?
The image of a disappointed Fuse, looking down on him condescendingly, haunted him. Will he be disappointed in me?
Midoriya stared at a crack in the floor right before his eyes. A small crack, spiderwebbing outward. Suddenly, his eyes widened.
An idea!
It sounded insane and dangerous. But it might be the only way.
Midoriya lay still long enough. His breathing slowed, becoming steadier. He lifted his head slightly, looking at Fuse, who was tilting his empty chip bag for the last crumbs.
"Fuse-kun…" Midoriya called softly.
Fuse stopped chewing. He turned, eyebrow raised.
"Sorry…" Midoriya said, voice trembling with genuine regret. "Because of me, this exercise is taking too long. And… I might do something that troubles you."
Fuse glanced at the clock, then back into his empty bag.
"Well, we're running out of time anyway," Fuse muttered, crumpling the bag into a ball and pocketing it.
"Need my help, Midoriya?" Fuse asked casually, as if offering a tissue.
Midoriya opened his mouth, about to refuse again. His pride screamed NO. But reality screamed louder. He couldn't win alone the normal way. Midoriya nodded—a stiff, heavy motion.
"Please help me, Fuse-kun!" he shouted, eyes blazing with determination.
Fuse shrugged and sighed long, dramatically. He stood from his crate, stretching his stiff muscles. His white armor hissed softly.
"Sigh… Helping side characters is a main character's duty," he said with feigned resignation. "Shine however you like, Midoriya."
Fuse looked straight at Midoriya, thin smile on his face.
"Do whatever you want. Destroy whatever needs destroying. I'll adapt and handle any mess you make. It's fine—trust me. Trusting a hero isn't a sin. I prefer to see it as absolute faith in my limitless ability."
Those words were gasoline on Midoriya's burning spirit. He closed his eyes briefly, absorbing the confidence. Then he rose.
At that moment, something changed in the air. Red glowing veins, like blood vessels filled with magma, began spreading across Midoriya's right arm.
One For All!
The air around his arm vibrated from the immense energy pressure.
Iida, ever vigilant, sensed the danger instantly. His hair stood on end. He stared at Midoriya's glowing arm, then at the casually smiling Fuse.
"You tricked me!" Iida shouted, voice full of betrayal. "That's sneaky, Fuse-kun! You said you wouldn't interfere, but your actions are the opposite! You gave him encouragement! That's moral support!"
Fuse merely shrugged, innocent.
"I never intended direct interference," Fuse replied calmly. "This is your problem—you two must resolve it. I'm just… a supportive spectator."
Hearing that, Iida no longer cared about moral debate. Survival instinct screamed. He saw Midoriya's primed hand.
What will he do? Air blast? Destroy a wall?
Iida acted immediately. He grabbed the nuke, hugging it tight, and prepared to sprint to the farthest corner. I have to get this away!
But Midoriya wasn't aiming at Iida. He had no intention of targeting the weapon!
Instead, he aimed downward.
"SMASH!!!" Midoriya punched the floor with everything he had.
DUARRRRRR!!! The deafening blast shattered the concrete ceiling above. Shockwaves rippled through the entire structure. The floor beneath them cracked violently.
The building groaned instantly. Concrete cracked, rebar screeched. Then the floor collapsed.
"WHAT?!" Iida yelled in shock as his footing vanished.
The floor didn't just hole—it structurally failed. Massive concrete chunks, steel beams, and thick dust rained down with them to the lower level.
Iida lost all balance. He floated helplessly, panicking, clutching the nuke like a life raft in a storm.
He's insane! He destroyed his own footing?! Iida's mind screamed. Midoriya-kun, do you want to bury us all?!
On the other side, Midoriya felt his arm break. Excruciating pain shot through him, but his eyes stayed focused. From the start, he knew he couldn't outrun Iida. So he removed the speed element. He removed the floor.
If there was no footing, Iida's engines were useless!
Of course, destroying the footing was suicidal too. But Midoriya had an ace. He had Fuse on his side. After all, this wasn't an individual exercise—it was a team one!
He trusted Fuse would handle the consequences of his attack!
Fuse, witnessing total destruction, didn't panic. He didn't shout. Instead, amid the rain of concrete and dust, he smiled wide.
"Blowing up the building?" he murmured, voice calm in the chaos. "Brutal, reckless, but spectacular. As a hero who appreciates the art of destruction like me, your move gets an A-plus."
He saw Midoriya falling, face pained yet hopeful.
"And trusting me to deal with the fallout… that's also appreciated. I love it. Nothing makes me happier than becoming the brightest star in this collapsing night sky."
As debris fell, as Iida and Midoriya floated helplessly toward doom… Fuse closed his eyes. Then he raised his right hand and snapped his fingers. Tik. The soft snap rang out, and instantly—WUNGGGG!
A magnetic wave exploded from Fuse's body. Gravity seemed to die.
Shattered building fragments, concrete blocks with rebar inside, pipes, cables—everything stopped dead mid-air. They froze, held by Fuse's magnetic quirk!
Only dust and small non-metallic gravel continued falling.
Iida halted in mid-air. His metal armor caught by the magnetic field. He hung comically, hugging the nuke, legs kicking empty air.
Midoriya stopped too. His shoe buckles, pants buttons, metal in his gloves—all became anchor points holding him suspended.
At that moment, Fuse opened his eyes. He still stood on the one intact floor section—the only safe spot. He finished the last chip crumbs, then dusted his hands with light claps.
"I gave you time while I was enjoying my snack," he said casually, voice echoing unnaturally in the silent room.
He began walking. Not on the floor, but through the air. He stepped from one floating concrete chunk to another, turning the destruction into his personal staircase.
"I've been wondering why you called me sneaky, Iida," Fuse continued, passing the futilely struggling Iida. "I never broke the rules from the start. Did I ever say 'I won't move from my seat'?"
Iida stared, eyes wide behind his helmet. This guy… he's a monster!
"I'm free to decide when to move and when to end it," Fuse said coldly.
He reached the nuke hugged by Iida. Iida tried pulling it away, but his body remained rigid, locked by Fuse's power.
Fuse smirked crookedly. "Sorry, Iida. But this matchup was too bad for you. You're an armored knight in a magnetic field. Next time, wear plastic."
Fuse reached out and gently tapped the nuke's surface. Tap.
"Good job, Midoriya," he said without turning.
At that moment, the siren blared loudly, signaling the exam's end.
Fuse glanced at the somehow-intact surveillance camera in the corner. "Feels like I forgot something, but what was it?" he murmured.
He looked down briefly, then grinned wide, raising two fingers in a peace sign toward the camera. "Forget it. If I can't remember, it wasn't important."
"WE WIN!" he shouted cheerfully, voice contrasting the surrounding destruction.
In the monitor room, All Might gripped his microphone with trembling hands. His mouth hung open in awe at the precise, large-scale quirk control.
"H-HERO TEAM… WINS!" he shouted, voice cracking with excitement and admiration.
…
A/N: The battle training ends here… hope you enjoyed it. By the way, I'm also writing another MHA fanfic where Shigaraki is already dead. Feel free to check it out if you're interested! Oh yeah, please visit my Patreon if you can't wait for the next chapters—I write much faster there (I have updated 3 chapters there!). See you in the next chapter!
You can see the next chapter sooner on my patreon whose link is below:
https://www.pâtreon.com/Junxt
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