Pain seared through every fiber of my body, a relentless fire that made my vision swim with black spots. My right arm hung limp, bones fractured from pushing Superpower to 30% against the nomu.
My legs trembled, muscles torn, ribs aching with every shallow breath. The USJ's central plaza was a battlefield of cracked concrete and scattered debris, the air thick with dust and the fading echoes of villainous screams.
I'd held the line-barely-surpassing my classmates' quirks with raw power and skills like Major Telekinesis, Enhanced Reflexes, and Analytical Mind. At 20%, I'd been untouchable among students; at 30%, I'd briefly outshone even some pros, but the cost was crippling.
All Might stood before the Nomu, his muscular form a beacon of hope, his grin wide despite the steam rising from his body. "Young Midoriya, you've done well! Now step back!" His voice boomed, shaking me from my haze.
The nomu, its mangled body regenerating slower after my 30% barrage, roared and charged him. I collapsed to one knee, gasping, but my eyes stayed locked on the Symbol of Peace.
Uraraka rushed to my side, her hero costume scuffed, brown eyes wide with worry. "Midoriya, you're hurt! Don't move!" She tried to float me, but I waved her off, pain spiking. Kirishima and Tsuyu joined, Hardening and Frog quirks ready but unnecessary now. "Man, you took on that monster alone!" Kirishima said, awestruck. Tsuyu nodded, "Ribbit, you saved us."
I managed a weak smile, my heart swelling despite the agony. They were more than characters now-friends, allies. But my body screamed for relief. Dimensional Storage held 15 Senzu Beans, S-Tier healing that could fix me in seconds.
I couldn't use one here, not with eyes everywhere-Recovery Girl, pro heroes arriving soon. My hand twitched, hidden in my glove, ready to summon one privately.
All Might moved like a storm, his fist meeting nomu's charge with a Detroit Smash. The shockwave blasted air across the plaza, rattling my cracked ribs. Nomu flew back, smashing through a wall, its regeneration struggling under All Might's raw power.
Unlike my 30% push, his strength was controlled, honed by years-proof I still had leagues to climb to match pros like him or Endeavor. My Analytical Mind noted his form: perfect, but steam hinted at his time limit, a secret i knew too well.
Shigaraki Tomura stood at the plaza's edge, hands clutching his face, scratching furiously. "This wasn't supposed to happen! All Might was supposed to die!" His voice was manic, but he didn't charge.
Kurogiri, the misty portal villain, hovered beside him, yellow eyes calm. "Young master, we must retreat. The pros are approaching." Purple mist swirled, portals forming around the villains-nomu included.
I staggered to my feet, pain lancing through me. "You're not getting away!" I shouted, voice hoarse. I pushed Superpower to 25%, black sparks flaring despite my body's protests-bones creaking, muscles burning.
Major Telekinesis yanked a 50kg slab of concrete, hurling it at Kurogiri's portal. The mist wavered, but the villains slipped through, vanishing with a final snarl from Shigaraki. "This isn't over!"
The plaza fell silent, save for the groans of my classmates and Aizawa's labored breathing. I dropped to my knees again, Superpower fading, the black sparks dimming.
My right arm was numb, my left leg barely supporting me. Combat Instinct scanned for threats-none left. Energy Efficiency had stretched my limits, but 30% had nearly broken me. A Senzu Bean was my only shot, but not here.
All Might approached, his towering form shrinking slightly as steam rose. "Young Midoriya, your bravery saved lives today. A true hero!"
His smile was warm, but his eyes focused on Aizawa, not me-no flicker of recognition for my black sparks. The system's mask held; he saw nothing of One For All in me. Relief mixed with guilt-I was an imposter, wielding a stolen power.
Uraraka helped me up, her touch gentle. "You're crazy, you know that? Taking on that thing..." Her voice cracked, tears in her eyes. I wanted to reassure her, but pain choked my words.
Kirishima and Tsuyu joined us, followed by others-Bakugo, Todoroki, Momo, Kaminari. Bakugo's scowl was fierce, but he muttered, "Not bad, Deku." High praise from him.
Todoroki's icy stare softened slightly. "Your strength is remarkable," he said, his tone neutral but curious. Momo conjured a bandage, wrapping my arm. "You need medical attention."
Recovery Girl arrived with pro heroes-Snipe, Midnight, police in tow.
She tsked at me. "Reckless boy, you've got fractures everywhere!" I nodded, hiding my hand as I summoned a Senzu Bean from Dimensional Storage, palming it.
In the chaos, I slipped it into my mouth, chewing fast. Warmth flooded me-bones knit, muscles healed, ribs easing. 14 beans left. I stood straighter, feigning toughness. "I'm okay, just bruised."
Classmates stared. "Bruised? You fought a monster!" Kaminari exclaimed, sparking. Tsuyu tilted her head. "Ribbit, you're tougher than you look." My knowledge marveled: they had no idea how tough-30% Superpower, Major Telekinesis, an arsenal no one could match.
All Might rallied us, his voice strong despite his weakening form. "Young heroes, you've faced true danger and prevailed! U.A. is proud!" He carried Aizawa to the medics, his strength fading. My mind ached-his secret time limit weighed on him, yet he shone.
We regrouped outside, police securing the area. Bakugo blasted a nearby rock in frustration. "Those cowards ran!" His respect for me lingered, though-a shift.
Todoroki's ice melted slowly, his eyes on me-curiosity, not suspicion. Uraraka clung to my side, whispering, "You scared me. Don't do that again." Her warmth stirred my heart, memories of manga friendships now real.
In the infirmary tent, Recovery Girl checked us. My healed body passed her tests, but I stayed quiet about the bean. Inko's face appeared in my mind-she'd be terrified if she knew. I'd tell her just enough to ease her fears.
As we boarded the bus back to U.A., All Might pulled me aside, his skeletal form now visible, suit loose. "Young Midoriya, your power and heart are extraordinary. Keep training-you'll go far." No hint of suspicion, just pride. The black sparks had worked, hiding Superpower's truth.
In my room that night, Inko hugged me tightly, katsu curry waiting. "You're safe, that's all that matters," she said. I nodded, hiding the pain of my secret-reborn, anomalous, carrying a locked system.
The system flickered, a glitchy message appearing.
System Notice: Lockdown holding. Instability resolved? Reactivation pending heroic alignment.
My heart raced. Heroic alignment-my sacrifice at 30%? The Ticket to World: Dragon Ball Super sat heavy in Dimensional Storage.
For now, I'd rely on my arsenal-Senzu Beans, Kinetic Glove, black sparks-and the bonds of Class 1-A. The League was out there, and I'd be ready.