"A Nomu can hold up to two Quirks, plus one physical enhancement. To counter my Imperial Arm, did they turn one of its Quirks into flames?" Etsuha walked slowly toward the fallen Nomu. "How boring…"
This Nomu's physical strength was indeed remarkable. Even after being struck repeatedly by its own reflected flames, its body was only partially damaged. However, that level of power posed no real threat to Etsuha. The skeletal Susanoo raised its Ten-Fist Sword. At this distance, there was no way for the Nomu to dodge. The blade pierced straight through its core.
At that instant, Etsuha felt a strange surge of illusionary power flow from the blade. The Nomu's consciousness was dragged into a surreal mental world, where the sealing force activated, pulling its entire body into a gourd-like container.
This was the true terror of the Ten-Fist Sword—its combined power of sealing and illusion. Once struck, the target would be trapped in an eternal dreamlike illusion, sealed away forever unless released by a specific method. Unlike other illusions, this ability required no eye contact. Once the blade connected, the effect was absolute.
That was the frightening aspect of the Sharingan. The world of Naruto specialized in mental techniques—from basic genjutsu to the Infinite Tsukuyomi—each one capable of overwhelming the mind. In this world, where most relied purely on Quirks, there was almost no defense against such abilities. Especially against Etsuha's techniques, which could prove fatal in an instant.
"What… what is that monster…"
The three gangsters hiding in the shadows had witnessed everything. Their faces were pale with terror.
They had never seen a Quirk like this. A massive skeletal entity enveloping someone's body? And worse—its offensive and defensive power completely defied their understanding. The Nomu, which had seemed invincible moments ago, couldn't even scratch that small shield. Yet with a single strike, the skeleton had sealed it away entirely.
To them, Etsuha looked less like a person—and more like a demon.
"Now that the Nomu's gone… that just leaves you three," Etsuha said calmly, glancing in their direction.
He didn't move to pursue them.
Maintaining Susanoo placed a heavy burden on his body. The moment it was summoned, it consumed a vast amount of energy to construct its form, and it continuously drained his vitality. While Etsuha wasn't overly concerned, he still felt the fatigue creeping in. Before facing the remaining Nomu, he needed to conserve his strength.
"Ah… right. This number of Villains is perfect for that."
Etsuha suddenly recalled a technique designed specifically for large-scale battles.
"If that's the case… I'll use it again."
He straightened, his voice turning cold.
"Ice Lan Admiral Army!"
…
"What was that just now? Was that Nomu? That level of power…!"
Far away, Aizawa Shouta's expression grew grim as the golden flames faded.
The energy released moments ago had been unprecedented—far beyond the level of the Nomu he was currently fighting. If that attack had struck a person directly, they would have been reduced to ash instantly.
Due to the distance—and the nature of the Yata Mirror's reflection—no one had actually seen the attack rebound. All they witnessed was a flash of golden light, followed by a deafening explosion.
"That was the Nomu we specially prepared for Shina Etsuha," Shigaraki Tomura said with visible excitement. "It can generate flames exceeding 2,000 degrees at will, compress them into a single point, and fire them like a laser. Impressive, right? That's our masterpiece—crafted specifically to kill him."
He continued, almost gleeful:
"You have no idea how much effort it took to create that thing. But it was worth it. With two powerful Quirks and enhanced physical strength, even All Might couldn't necessarily destroy it in three hits. Judging from that explosion… Shina Etsuha should be completely gone by now. With the biggest threat eliminated, this battle is practically over."
…
Aizawa Shouta's expression darkened.
"You went this far… just to kill one student?"
Shigaraki laughed.
"You still don't understand how dangerous he is. His potential is far beyond what you imagine. Eliminating him early has enormous benefits. Honestly, I didn't expect it to end this quickly. That Nomu has the power to wipe out all of you. Now that Shina Etsuha is dead… it's time for the rest of you to follow."
Aizawa's pupils contracted.
But before he could respond—
The temperature suddenly dropped.
A cold wind swept across the battlefield, and delicate snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
"…Snow?"
Shigaraki froze.
A thin mist had formed overhead without anyone noticing. From within it, waves of icy air descended, blanketing the entire area. Snow accumulated rapidly across the ground.
Then—
Bang!
From the frozen earth, figures began to rise.
One after another, armored ice knights emerged, standing in silent formation.
In mere moments, the entire USJ was filled with them.
"Shina… Etsuha!!"
Shigaraki Tomura's eyes burned red with fury.