MHA; Natsu Dragneel!

**Chapter 16: Nomu!**

The battlefield was a symphony of destruction, a cacophony of crumbling stone and roaring flames. The Nomu, a grotesque amalgamation of raw power and twisted flesh, was hurled across the ruined landscape like a ragdoll. Its massive frame collided with the ground, carving a jagged trench through the earth as it skidded to a halt. Dust and debris erupted into the air, swirling in chaotic patterns, only to settle slowly, revealing the beast's hulking silhouette. Its claws, sharp and menacing, dug deep into the ground, anchoring its monstrous form as it rose, its lifeless eyes locking onto its target.

Standing amidst the chaos, Natsu Dragneel was a beacon of fiery defiance. His fist, still engulfed in roaring flames, crackled with untamed energy. The flames danced around him, casting flickering shadows that stretched across the shattered battlefield. His pink hair, illuminated by the setting sun, glowed like molten embers, and his eyes—sharp and unyielding—burned with a ferocity that mirrored the inferno he commanded. He smirked, a familiar glint of excitement in his gaze as he recalled a distant memory. "That thing," he muttered, his voice low but laced with amusement, "kinda reminds me of that gorilla we fought on the icy mountain… back during my first mission with Lucy."

The battlefield fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the crackling of flames and the faint, labored breaths of the wounded. The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and crimson, its fading light casting long shadows over the devastation. Natsu's figure stood stark against the backdrop, his fiery aura a stark contrast to the cold, lifeless gaze of the Nomu.

Happy, his ever-loyal companion, descended from the sky with a soft flutter of his wings. His blue fur shimmered faintly in the twilight as he landed beside Natsu, his expression a mix of calm and playful concern. "You know," Happy began, his voice light but carrying an edge of seriousness, "I've always said your strength doesn't exactly fit in here." He gestured toward Aizawa, who lay crumpled nearby, his body battered and broken, his arm twisted at an unnatural angle. Blood stained his hero costume, and his breathing was shallow, each breath a struggle. "Look at Aizawa-sensei," Happy continued, his tone softening. "That monster nearly killed him. Maybe you should tone it down a bit. If you make this look too easy, they might start asking questions about just how strong you really are."

Natsu's gaze shifted to Aizawa, and for a moment, his fiery bravado wavered. His fists clenched tighter, the flames around them flaring brighter, casting an intense glow across his face. The sight of his fallen mentor stirred something deep within him—a simmering rage that threatened to boil over. "How am I supposed to hold back," Natsu growled, his voice low and seething, "after what they did to Aizawa-sensei? That thing… I'll reduce it to ash."

Before the tension could escalate further, a voice, raspy and dripping with malice, cut through the air. Shigaraki Tomura emerged from the shadows, his disheveled blue hair framing his pale, gaunt face. His bloodshot eyes gleamed with a manic intensity as he stared at Natsu, his hand twitching erratically at his side. "You," Shigaraki sneered, his voice a venomous hiss, "who the hell do you think you are? Throwing the Nomu around like it's nothing?"

Natsu's eyes flicked toward Shigaraki, his smirk returning as he sized up the villain. The air around him seemed to warp and shimmer from the heat radiating off his body, the ground beneath his feet scorched and blackened. "That thing," Natsu said, his tone dripping with disdain, "smells like death. Like it's already rotting from the inside out."

Shigaraki's lips curled into a twisted grin, his cracked and dry skin stretching unnaturally. "Sharp nose," he spat, his voice laced with mockery. "But that's exactly why you need to die. Nomu, kill him."

The command was a death sentence. The Nomu roared, a guttural, inhuman sound that echoed across the battlefield, and charged. Its massive form moved with terrifying speed, each step cracking the ground beneath its weight. Its claws, sharp and glistening, were poised to strike, aiming to tear Natsu apart in a single, devastating blow.

But Natsu was faster. With a burst of fiery energy, he launched himself into the air, the flames around him roaring like a dragon's breath. The Nomu's attack missed by inches, its claws slamming into the ground with enough force to create a massive crater. Rocks and debris shot into the air, raining down like shrapnel as Natsu hovered above, his hair whipping wildly in the heat of his flames.

"Heh, not bad," Natsu taunted, his voice carrying a playful edge despite the gravity of the situation. "But can you do more than just follow orders? Or are you just a mindless puppet?"

The Nomu, of course, didn't respond. It simply leaped again, its massive form hurtling toward Natsu with terrifying precision. The air itself seemed to tremble as the beast closed the distance, its fist aimed squarely at Natsu's chest. This time, Natsu didn't dodge. Instead, he crossed his arms in front of him, bracing for impact.

**BOOM!**

The collision was cataclysmic. The Nomu's fist connected with Natsu's guard, and the sheer force of the blow sent him crashing back to the ground. The impact created a shockwave that rippled through the battlefield, sending dust and debris flying in all directions. For a moment, everything was obscured, the battlefield shrouded in a thick cloud of dust.

From a distance, the other students watched in stunned silence. Momo Yaoyorozu and Tenya Iida rushed forward, their faces etched with concern. Midoriya, clutching his injured arm, stared wide-eyed at the scene, his mind racing to process what had just happened. Even Shoto Todoroki, who had been locked in his own battle, paused, his heterochromatic eyes narrowing as he observed the aftermath.

As the dust began to settle, Natsu's figure emerged. He stood tall, his body bruised but unbroken, his fiery aura undiminished. The playful grin was gone, replaced by a look of steely determination. Around his eyes, faint cracks began to form, resembling dragon scales—a haunting reminder of the power that lay within him.

"You can't talk," Natsu said, his voice calm but laced with an undercurrent of fury. "You can't think for yourself. You're nothing but a tool, a weapon for someone else to wield." His flames flared brighter, the heat intensifying as he took a step forward. "But once I'm done with you, I'll find the one who made you like this. And I'll make them pay."

The tension in the air was palpable, the battlefield charged with an electric anticipation. Shigaraki's grin widened, his cracked lips stretching into a grotesque smile as he watched the scene unfold. He could feel it—the battle was far from over. In fact, it had only just begun.

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