The battlefield was pure chaos.
Flames engulfed the ruined hideout, debris littered the ground, and the night air was thick with smoke and tension.
The Pro Heroes stood ready, their gazes locked onto the League of Villains.
All Might, his muscular form tense, glared at Shigaraki.
Endeavor's flames roared, facing off against Dabi's remaining forces.
Gran Torino floated mid-air, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield.
And standing at the center of it all—Bakugo.
The explosive student gritted his teeth, his arms tied down, surrounded by the League.
"Tch. I don't need saving."
Deku, Todoroki, Kirishima, and the others rushed forward, their eyes filled with determination.
But before they could move—
A voice echoed through the ruins.
"Such a dramatic scene, isn't it?"
A heavy pressure filled the air.
Everyone froze.
A swirling dark vortex appeared above them.
And stepping through—
All For One.
The very air trembled as All For One entered the battlefield.
Even the Pro Heroes tensed.
All Might's expression darkened.
"All For One…"
The villain's featureless mask turned toward him, unreadable.
"So we finally meet again," he said calmly.
The League of Villains smirked, taking a step back.
They knew.
The real fight was about to begin.
Reiji watched silently, golden flames flickering around him.
[This guy… feels different.]
Aizawa had always said that Quirks alone didn't make someone dangerous.
But this?
This was pure power.
All Might took a deep breath.
"Everyone—fall back."
BOOM!
All Might launched forward, his fist colliding with All For One's blackened arm.
The shockwave sent a massive blast of wind across the battlefield, knocking villains and heroes off their feet.
Reiji barely managed to stay standing, his coat whipping violently in the wind.
[Shit. That impact alone almost sent me flying?]
The two Titans clashed, fists meeting again and again, sending out shockwaves that cracked the ground beneath them.
Deku, wide-eyed, clenched his fists.
"He's… holding him back."
But All Might's smile was fading.
And Reiji saw it immediately.
[He's slowing down.]
All For One wasn't just attacking.
He was testing All Might.
And All Might was running out of time.
The battle raged on.
Heroes fought villains.
The rescue team pushed toward Bakugo.
But Reiji stayed back, watching All Might struggle.
For the first time, he felt it.
Something stirred inside him.
All For One's power wasn't just overwhelming.
It was inevitable.
[He's going to win.]
And for the first time, Reiji had to ask himself—
Does it even matter if All Might loses?
Because if All Might fell, then the world would see what Reiji already knew.
That heroes weren't invincible.
That power decided everything.
That in the end—the strong survived, and the weak disappeared.
Reiji clenched his fists.
Then—he moved.
Reiji's golden flames erupted, his body vanishing with Phantom Step as he shot toward the battlefield.
His eyes locked onto All For One's back.
One hit.
One attack.
If he could land one blow right now, before the villain could react—
BOOM!
A massive black tendril shot out of nowhere, slamming into him mid-air.
Reiji's eyes widened as he was sent flying, crashing into a pile of rubble.
"Reiji!" Deku shouted.
The dust cleared.
Reiji staggered to his feet, wiping blood from his lip.
All For One had turned to face him.
The villain tilted his head slightly.
"Ah," he mused. "So you're the one they've been talking about."
Reiji gritted his teeth.
[Shit. He reacted instantly.]
All For One studied him, almost curious.
"You have potential," he said. "But you lack direction."
Reiji tensed.
Then—All For One raised his hand.
"Shall I show you what true power is?"
The air itself shifted.
And then—
A massive shockwave erupted outward, aimed directly at Reiji.
Reiji braced himself—but the attack never hit.
Because before it could land—
All Might moved.
He appeared in front of Reiji in an instant, blocking the attack with his own fist.
The shockwave exploded outward, but All Might held his ground.
Reiji's eyes widened.
"Stay back," All Might muttered.
Reiji clenched his fists. "You can't beat him."
All Might chuckled. "Then I'll lose standing."
Reiji stared at him.
This was it.
This was the difference between him and All Might.
Reiji fought because he wanted to win.
All Might fought because he had to.
Because he was the last line of defense.
Because if he fell—everything fell.
Reiji exhaled slowly.
Then—he grinned.
"Fine. Do your thing, old man."
All Might smirked.
And then—he charged.
"UNITED STATES OF SMASH!"
The final clash erupted.
And the world would never be the same again.
End of Chapter 44.
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