Chapter 40: Chapter 36
Ten minutes later, Akira stood up. He had only recovered a bit of energy, just enough to keep moving forward, though another powerful move like the last one would be impossible unless he used up his final quirk supplement.
"What should we do now?" Shoto asked, his usual independent nature softened, showing he was open to Akira's thoughts in the face of this crisis.
"It's simple. First, let's go support Teacher No. 13, and then try to help Teacher Aizawa with the black Nomu. That one is much stronger than the others," Akira replied, glancing around at the chaotic scene. He could see his classmates scattered, each facing their own challenges.
"I remember there's still another Nomu around here..."
"That's already taken care of," Akira said with a slight smile, looking at Shoto. "Did you see the storm earlier?"
Shoto's face tensed. "You mean *you* created that storm?"
Though he knew Akira's quirk involved lightning, the idea of forming a storm seemed far-fetched. Shoto briefly wondered if it could be possible for someone to have multiple quirks, but dismissed it, assuming it was just his own quirk mix-up making him curious.
Akira didn't answer directly, but Shoto understood, piecing together that the storm likely was Akira's doing, a feat that impressed him and showed he had underestimated his classmate.
Meanwhile, Shigaraki Tomura was growing impatient. Counting under his breath, he approached Aizawa Shouta with increasing hostility. Aizawa, already fatigued, was struggling to keep up, his right elbow severely injured and slowing him down.
As Aizawa pushed through another group of Villains, breathing heavily, Shigaraki taunted, "Your quirk is hardly suited for drawn-out fights, right? You're impressive in quick battles, but this? Is this just to keep your students calm?"
Aizawa fought on, maintaining his grip on hope even though he knew his stamina was waning. He turned just in time to see the massive black Nomu towering behind him, poised to strike. In that instant, he thought it might be the end.
Suddenly, a powerful blast of blue light shot through the air, striking Nomu's outstretched arm and giving Aizawa a precious moment to dodge.
Akira and Shoto arrived just in time.
"Akira! Shoto!" Midoriya exclaimed, visibly relieved as he ran toward them, his face filled with hope. He didn't know why, but Akira's presence made him feel secure.
"Thank you, Akira," Aizawa managed, his voice grateful and exhausted. As a teacher, he was supposed to protect his students, but today he found himself being protected by them.
"So, it's you again?" Shigaraki muttered, his annoyance clear. "My two Nomu are dead. Was that your doing?"
Shoto glanced at Akira, knowing full well that it had been Akira who defeated one of the Nomu. This realization left him both awed and humbled.
Akira just gave a casual shrug, neither confirming nor denying it.
Shigaraki eyed him suspiciously, then chuckled, his voice low and menacing. "Nomu, get rid of that kid," he ordered, his expression darkening.
"Akira, take Midoriya and the others and leave. I'll handle this," Aizawa said, still weak but determined, his hair fluttering as he activated his quirk.
Placing a hand on Aizawa's shoulder, Akira said, "Mr. Aizawa, your quirk won't work on this Nomu. I'll handle this. Let's wait for Mr. Ida to alert All Might."
At the mention of All Might, Midoriya's face brightened with hope, while Aizawa turned a questioning gaze to Akira. "How do you know my quirk won't work?"
"It's not just about quirk nullification. This Nomu is a force on its own; any extra quirks it has just make it stronger. We'll hold out until All Might arrives," Akira explained calmly, channeling his remaining strength as his quirk's electric energy began surging around him.
With that, the stage was set, and everyone braced themselves for the arrival of their strongest ally.