"What… who are you?"
The Hero Killer froze, staring at the person in front of him with disbelief.
Why… does this person look exactly like me?
Etsuha himself was equally stunned. He had never expected to run into the real Stain here. If he dispelled his transformation now, his Transformation Technique would be exposed. His brow furrowed slightly as he spoke in a low voice:
"I have no intention of fighting you. I'll leave immediately."
"Impersonate me and think you can just walk away?"
The Hero Killer let out a cold sneer as he dropped down from above.
"It just so happens I haven't killed anyone in a while. Why don't you try your luck and see if you can survive my blade?"
"Then I suppose I'll just have to kill you instead."
Etsuha drew his sword, a plan already forming in his mind.
The blade in his hand was also created through his Transformation Technique. Its original form was an ice sword condensed from his own power—its hardness and resilience comparable to stainless steel. With the added enhancement of his Emperor's ability, it could even surpass that.
"Strange impostor… die!"
The Hero Killer charged forward in a single stride.
His physical ability was among the strongest Etsuha had ever encountered. Unlike All Might's overwhelming speed and brute force, the Hero Killer moved with calculated precision. Every step he took allowed him to instantly shift between attack and defense.
Swish!
His body rebounded off the wall, tracing an arc through the air before appearing beside Etsuha. His blade flashed as he slashed downward!
Clang!
The clash of their swords rang out sharply. The Hero Killer's expression slowly shifted.
After only a brief exchange, he realized something—
The man in front of him was not weaker than him.
"Interesting. With strength like this, you can't be a nobody. Now I'm even more curious why you're impersonating me."
A twisted grin spread across his face, his long tongue curling grotesquely.
"Enough talk. Keep fighting."
Etsuha narrowed his eyes.
His Sharingan was temporarily unusable due to strain, but he still had Teigu and Tiju at his disposal. He wouldn't be at a disadvantage—but he needed to remain cautious of Stain's attacks.
As the Hero Killer pulled back, Etsuha surged forward, leaping into the air and slashing straight at his face!
"Tch."
Seeing Etsuha refuse to speak further, the Hero Killer's expression darkened.
He dodged the strike, rolling onto the wall. With both feet planted against it, he kicked off with explosive force, launching himself toward Etsuha like a spear!
Got you!
A flash of confidence crossed his mind. His mastery of physical combat was unmatched—few could contend with him.
"Heh… swordsmanship?"
Etsuha smirked.
A thick shield of ice instantly formed around him, stopping the Hero Killer's blade cold. At the same time, his own sword swung out with a sharp hum, slicing through the air.
The Hero Killer's expression changed drastically.
His blade struck the ice—but failed to penetrate it. In that instant, he sensed the danger and immediately abandoned his longer sword. From his waist, he drew a dagger and raised it diagonally to block.
Clang!
Etsuha's strength was overwhelming.
With a single strike, he forced the Hero Killer down onto one knee. The blade slid past his defense, cutting cleanly into his abdomen and leaving a long, thin wound.
Blood burst forth.
"It's a shame… I'm not actually you."
Etsuha smiled faintly.
"That means I don't have to limit myself to close combat."
In the next moment, the temperature around them plummeted.
A surge of ice crystals erupted from the ground, shooting upward like spikes and piercing toward the Hero Killer's legs.
"Ice…?!"
Shock flashed across his face.
He had never imagined this impostor would possess such an ability—and still choose to imitate him.
Is he insane?!
There was no time to retrieve his sword. He could only slash at the incoming spikes while retreating rapidly. But the ice was relentless, almost alive, tracking his movements as it pursued him.
At the same time, Etsuha moved along the wall at incredible speed—
And appeared directly behind him.
"I thought about keeping you alive…"
Etsuha's eyes flashed coldly.
"But there's no need anymore."
His blade thrust forward.
At the last possible moment, the Hero Killer twisted his body and narrowly avoided a fatal hit. But before he could recover—
A massive icicle crashed down from above!
Cold sweat drenched his back.
There was no way to dodge.
He swung desperately, shattering part of the ice—but in doing so, he exposed a fatal opening.
In that brief instant—
Etsuha's sword pierced straight through one of his arms.
"Damn it!"
The Hero Killer's heart trembled.
In just this short exchange, he fully understood one thing—
The man before him was far too powerful.
Someone he absolutely could not fight head-on.
Without hesitation, he turned and fled.
"Trying to escape now?"
Etsuha let out a quiet laugh.
"Too late."
Several ice bolts formed around him.
Under his precise control, they shot forward faster than bullets, locking onto the Hero Killer's back with terrifying accuracy.
Pierce—pierce—pierce—
Three ice bolts tore cleanly through his chest.
The Hero Killer staggered—
And fell.
Etsuha looked down at his own hand, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"From this moment on…"
"I am the real Stain."