While Izuku was locked in a fierce fight with Stain, Todoroki and Endeavor were sprinting through Hosu.
Not long ago, several Nomu had appeared and begun attacking the city, injuring civilians. The one they were chasing now had wings and was moving quickly through the air.
He's fast.
As Todoroki ran, his phone rang. It was Izuku's message alert.
Without hesitation, Todoroki turned and ran in the opposite direction.
"Shoto! Where are you going?" Endeavor called out.
"You can handle that enemy," Todoroki replied without slowing down. "I've got something else to take care of."
—
Back in the alley, Izuku and Stain continued their clash.
"Is it wrong for a hero to live well?" Izuku said, forcing back another strike. "They protect people. They deserve stability too."
"A true hero seeks neither fame nor comfort," Stain replied coldly. "This world is full of fakes. I'll purge them with my own hands."
Their blades and movements collided again, but beneath it was a conflict of ideals.
"If everyone followed your definition," Izuku said, steadying his footing, "then this society would collapse. Being a hero isn't just strength and passion. You're only looking at the top—the number one. You're ignoring everyone else."
Stain's movement slowed slightly.
"Not every hero is perfect," Izuku continued, "but they still save lives. When someone steps forward in a crisis to protect others, that makes them a hero."
Stain paused, just for a moment.
"Got you— Light Sword: Piercing Strike!"
"—Tch. Blade Guard."
They clashed again, faster this time. Izuku began to press forward.
This kid… his beliefs oppose mine, but…
"You're spacing out again!" Izuku snapped, pushing in.
In the middle of a fight, you're still holding back?
He struck again.
Suddenly, Stain vanished from his sight.
"What—"
"Die."
A flash of steel cut through the air from behind him.
Izuku's body went cold.
At the last moment, a pillar of ice shot up and blocked the blade.
"Don't touch him!"
Todoroki stood at the entrance of the alley, an ice path spreading out beneath his feet.
Izuku dropped back, catching his breath. "Todoroki… thanks. You came alone?"
"You should've included more details," Todoroki said. "Just sending a location isn't very helpful."
"…Fair."
Stain clicked his tongue. "Another one. This just got more troublesome."
He ran his tongue along the edge of his blade. Blood—Izuku's blood.
Izuku's body suddenly stiffened.
Damn it… his Quirk.
He couldn't move.
"Midoriya!" Todoroki's voice sharpened.
"Relax," Stain said calmly. "He's just under my Quirk. You'll be the same soon enough."
He stepped forward, eyes fixed on Todoroki.
Todoroki slammed his foot down. Ice pillars burst from the ground, blocking Stain's path.
"Pathetic," Stain laughed, slicing through them one by one with his sword.