…Darkness peeled away slowly.
Not all at once—
but in fragments.
A dull ache spread through my limbs first.
Then weight.
Then sound.
"..I..."
My throat felt dry, like I hadn't spoken in days.
"Where… am… I?"
The ceiling above me was white—too white. Sterile. The faint hum of machines surrounded me, rhythmic and steady.
Oh.
Right.
"…I must be in the medical hall…"
The realization settled heavily in my chest.
What the hell is happening to me…?
That sensation—
that burning, overflowing heat—
I'd felt it before.
When I fought Shoto for the first time.
And now…
Again.
After two years.
"…It's been a day since you lost consciousness," All Might said quietly beside me.
I turned my head slightly.
"…A day…?" My eyes widened. "Then the third round must be—"
"…Don't worry," he interrupted gently. "There are still three arenas remaining."
I let out a shaky breath.
"…Young Midoriya," All Might continued, his voice heavier now, "are you all right?"
"Yeah…" I said instinctively.
But even as I answered, my body screamed otherwise.
"…I watched the footage," he said. "How many times is it now?"
"…Twice… I think."
All Might didn't reply immediately.
Instead, he exhaled—long and weary.
"…Don't lose yourself, Midoriya," he said.
"Even I used to be like this. Back then… all I could think about was killing All For One."
My chest tightened.
"…Even though I succeeded," he continued, eyes shadowed, "it came at a cost. I nearly died. You will be strong in those moments—overwhelmingly so—but… it isn't worth it."
"All Might…" I whispered.
"When I thought about losing it… it just happened," I admitted.
"My body suddenly felt hot—and before I knew it, I was moving."
"I understand that feeling," he said softly.
"When I was a kid… back when I used to chase your father… I felt it all the time."
Silence fell between us.
"I'll try to be careful," I said finally.
"Even though it made me stronger… I lost myself for a moment. I didn't even realize my body was breaking…"
I looked down.
Bandages wrapped my arms, torso—almost everywhere.
"…Make sure to recover, Midoriya," All Might said, standing.
"The next round… is going to be even tougher."
He left quietly.
---
Not long after—
The door slid open.
Kurohane entered first—eyes sharp, arms crossed.
She was angry.
But beneath that anger—
Relief.
She stepped closer, glaring down at me.
"You pushed yourself too far," she snapped. "…Idiot."
But then her expression softened—just slightly.
"…But I'm glad you're fine."
Rin followed along with Toga and Twice.
"…Rin?" I blinked. "You—"
"I got eliminated," he said calmly.
"…What?"
"My partner got taken out," he shrugged. "So I was disqualified too."
I didn't expect that.
Before I could respond—
More footsteps.
"Kacchan…" I muttered.
Katsuki Bakugo, Shoto Todoroki, and Tenya Iida entered with the rest of the team.
Bakugo immediately scowled.
"Oii, Deku," he snapped. "Who the hell are these people?"
"…They're my… friends," I said carefully.
Shoto's gaze narrowed—locked on Kurohane.
"…Izuku," he said slowly. "That woman—"
Shit.
Did he realize she is a villain…?
"…Are you cheating on my sister?" Shoto asked sharply.
Nope.
He didn't.
But he looked furious anyway.
"…No, Shoto—you got it wrong—"
"Eh?" Kurohane tilted her head innocently.
"Did you forget how we spent the night passionately, Izuku?" she said smoothly.
"You even said you'd marry me."
"—WHAT?!" I yelped.
Shoto's aura turned icy.
"I knew it," he said coldly.
"Even though you already have others—and my sister—you still want another girl. Just how greedy are you?"
"Well," Iida adjusted his glasses, sighing,
"Midoriya-kun is the infamous UA womanizer. He might have more hidden relationships."
"Not you too—!" I cried.
Somehow…
They still didn't realize the League members were villains.
---
All Might — POV
"How can this be?" a man snapped.
"He nearly killed two people."
"Yes," a woman added sharply.
"Izuku Midoriya is self-destructive. He must be removed."
All Might stood silent.
Hands clenched.
These bastards…
Are they trying to remove him?
"…Izuku Midoriya isn't self-destructive," Endeavor said firmly, eyes fixed on the board.
"You saw it yourselves. He didn't kill anyone. Even when he was out of control—he stopped."
"Don't play dumb, Endeavor," a man sneered.
"You think we don't know who that boy is?"
"He carries the blood of the most dangerous man in history," a woman said coldly.
"He cannot remain in this tournament."
"…Even so," Endeavor shot back,
"Do you know how many people he saved? Even after losing his quirk, he didn't give up. He still went out there and protected lives."
"We can't agree," someone said flatly.
"So we let a boy shoulder everything alone?" Star and Stripe said sharply.
"Just how far have we fallen?"
"Stay out of this, Star."
"Maybe it doesn't concern me," she replied, eyes blazing.
"But I won't let you decide a kid's future. Besides… you want to see it , don't you?"
Silence.
"If he learns to control his powers," she continued,
"he'll be unstoppable."
All Might finally spoke.
"…Thank you, Star. Everyone… you may suspect Midoriya. But I know him. I know how hard he worked. I can't let that effort be erased."
"…And if he loses control again?" someone asked.
"Then I'll take full responsibility," All Might said without hesitation.
"He's a true hero. He deserves this. Please."
Murmurs filled the room.
Finally—
"…Izuku Midoriya will be allowed to participate," the announcement came.
"Only after full recovery."
All Might closed his eyes.
---
…And so—
The Third Round: Elite Trial
will proceed…
With a slight changes..