Meanwhile, on the other side, Bakugo Katsuki was trying to evacuate the civilians he had just rescued.
Originally, he had planned to remain with them.
After all, there was strength in numbers.
But after learning from the captured fodder villains that enemy reinforcements were already on the way, he immediately changed his mind.
If those reinforcements arrived, the civilians he had just rescued could very easily be dragged back into danger again—
or worse, taken hostage directly.
Besides, keeping them nearby would only restrict his movements.
He would have to protect them while fighting.
He would need to hold back the power of his explosions to avoid hurting them accidentally.
And if the enemy used the civilians as shields, his situation would instantly become extremely troublesome.
That was why Bakugo decisively chose to send them away first.
However—
just as he finally managed to guide the civilians out of the area and turned around to prepare for the incoming enemy reinforcements—
the empty space not far ahead suddenly rippled slightly.
The next moment, a black-haired boy wearing a cold black uniform stepped out from thin air.
A black mask covered most of his face, leaving only his left eye exposed.
Then he casually raised a hand and greeted Bakugo warmly.
"Yo, kid."
"Long time no see."
"You…"
Bakugo's pupils instantly shrank.
"Why are you here?"
"What's your relationship with those bastards?"
"Don't tell me you planned all of this?"
Why was this guy here?
Bakugo had not forgotten him.
During the Sludge Villain incident, this very person had saved him from the Sludge Villain.
But at the same time—
Bakugo had also never forgotten the twisted declaration this guy made afterward.
Nor had he forgotten his identity.
A villain.
Thinking of that, Bakugo immediately became vigilant.
No matter what this bastard's goal was, it definitely wasn't anything good.
This entire incident might even be connected to him.
No—
he might actually be the mastermind behind everything.
And if that was true…
then the situation had become truly terrible.
One Tsuki Sen'gen with illusion abilities was already troublesome enough.
Now Shigaraki Tomura—
this obviously dangerous lunatic—
had appeared too.
This was the absolute worst-case scenario.
Seeing the vigilance in Bakugo's eyes, Shigaraki's lips slowly curled upward beneath his mask.
"You guessed right, kid."
"I'm the one who planned this entire incident."
"In other words…"
Shigaraki spread his hands slightly and laughed.
"I'm the final boss you've been searching for."
Bakugo's expression instantly darkened.
He knew it.
Those captured fodder villains had lied through their teeth.
Not a single useful word they said had been true.
Their boss was Tsuki Sen'gen?
Their leader's Quirk was illusion manipulation?
Bullshit.
Every bit of it had been fake information deliberately fed to him.
When Shigaraki recruited those cannon fodder villains, he specifically had Sludge Villain handle the operation.
Aside from a handful of trusted leaders, the vast majority of them didn't even know Shigaraki himself was their true boss.
Unfortunately—
Bakugo didn't know that.
All he knew right now was that he had been played like a complete idiot.
Damn it.
If he ever saw those bastards again, he would absolutely make them regret opening their mouths.
While Bakugo's anger burned hotter and hotter, Shigaraki leisurely continued speaking.
"My useless subordinates were in your care earlier."
"So now…"
Shigaraki tilted his head slightly.
"It's my turn to entertain you."
As he spoke, the amusement in Shigaraki's expression deepened further.
Unfortunately for Bakugo, the mask prevented him from seeing the full change in expression.
But even without seeing it—
Bakugo could still clearly sense the overwhelming malice radiating from Shigaraki's body.
It was thick enough to drown someone alive.
Realizing that, Bakugo immediately stopped thinking about punishing those cannon fodder later.
His full attention locked directly onto Shigaraki.
Then—
a savage grin slowly spread across his face.
At the same time, crackling explosions began erupting continuously from his palms.
Since the enemy's final boss had impatiently jumped out before he even finished clearing the elite mobs—
then Bakugo would gladly grant the bastard his death wish.
As for whether he could actually win or not?
He'd find out after fighting.
With that thought, Bakugo grinned viciously and blasted forward like a rocket.
"Die, bastard!"
BOOM!
Accompanied by a furious roar, flames and explosions exploded continuously from Bakugo's palms.
Using the explosive recoil as propulsion, Bakugo shot toward Shigaraki like a missile.
His movements were so fast and decisive that Shigaraki appeared completely unable to react.
His exposed eye even seemed filled with panic.
An opening!
Bakugo's eyes lit up instantly.
His right fist shot forward violently, aimed directly at Shigaraki's chest.
At the same time, an explosion far stronger than before rapidly condensed within his palm.
Bakugo held nothing back whatsoever.
From the very first attack, he went all out.
He had not forgotten All Might's warning.
"This enemy is extremely dangerous."
If even the Symbol of Peace personally described someone as dangerous—
then this opponent was obviously not ordinary.
Bakugo never believed he was stronger than All Might.
So this time—
he chose to unleash everything from the very start.
He didn't need a flawless victory.
He only needed to avoid making a fatal mistake.
With that thought, his fist carrying terrifying explosive force smashed toward the seemingly defenseless Shigaraki.
The explosion roared before the punch even connected.
The sharp smell of burning chemicals and smoke spread wildly through the air.
The scent was so strong it stung the nose and eyes.
But Bakugo, long accustomed to the side effects of his own Quirk, acted as if he smelled nothing at all.
Wearing a savage grin, he drove his fist straight toward Shigaraki's chest.
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