The ruined mock city shook beneath the relentless pursuit of one man.
Concrete cracked.
Windows exploded outward.
Entire rooftops bent under the pressure of each impact as All Might tore through the training ground like a living natural disaster, the weighted restraints around his wrists and ankles clanking with every movement. Even burdened by Mei Hatsume's specially designed limiters, every leap resembled an artillery shell being fired.
Above the observation room, silence had settled over the students.
No one was speaking anymore.
This wasn't simply another practical exam.
This was the Symbol of Peace.
Several minutes earlier—
The deafening blast from Izuku using Bakugo's Grenadier Bracer had swallowed the intersection.
Smoke.
Fire.
Concrete dust.
For the briefest instant, even All Might had vanished inside the explosion.
Bakugo didn't waste that instant.
"Move!"
The command was barked rather than shouted.
Midoriya obeyed immediately.
The two sprinted.
Not because they believed they'd defeated him.
Because neither of them was foolish enough to think that.
Inside the observation room—
"He actually used Bakugo's equipment..." Midnight murmured.
Power Loader adjusted his helmet.
"...Not bad."
Aizawa remained expressionless.
"They've finally stopped trying to beat each other."
All Might had forced cooperation where neither boy ever would have chosen it.
The pair vaulted over ruined vehicles and collapsed buildings.
Ahead—
The exit gate.
Still distant...
But visible.
Midoriya's exhausted face brightened.
"There!"
He pointed.
"If one of us reaches it—"
"I know!"
Bakugo snapped.
"Quit narrating!"
Despite the insult...
There wasn't the same venom behind it.
Not now.
Midoriya looked around.
"...Where is he?"
Silence.
Too much silence.
Even Bakugo's eyes narrowed.
"...Don't."
"Huh?"
"Don't start thinking we actually knocked him out."
A chill ran down Izuku's spine.
He was right.
All Might...
...would never stay down that easily.
"Excellent deduction."
The voice appeared before the man himself.
BOOOOM!!
The road exploded upward.
A massive yellow blur descended directly in front of them.
The force of his landing blasted both students backward.
Dust spiraled around the towering figure.
His smile hadn't faded.
"Young Bakugo."
"Young Midoriya."
"I've caught you."
Neither student had time to react.
All Might moved.
Faster than either could process.
CRACK!!
His enormous hand caught Bakugo's right arm.
The other grabbed Midoriya by the front of his costume.
Before either boy understood what had happened—
CRUNCH.
Metal screamed.
Bakugo's remaining Grenadier Bracer folded like paper inside All Might's grip.
Fragments scattered across the street.
Bakugo's eyes widened.
"...My—"
"It was an ingenious idea."
All Might smiled.
"But once is enough."
The shattered remains dropped harmlessly onto the pavement.
His foot came down.
BOOM!!
Bakugo hit the ground hard enough to crater the street.
The sole of All Might's boot pinned him completely.
Meanwhile—
Midoriya dangled helplessly several feet above the ground in All Might's grip.
The difference in strength was overwhelming.
The students watching collectively swallowed.
This...
This wasn't close.
All Might looked down.
"I've restricted myself considerably today."
He lifted one weighted wrist slightly.
"The purpose of these restraints was to prevent me from overwhelming you immediately."
His expression became serious.
"And yet..."
"You've forced me to move far more than anticipated."
A compliment.
A genuine one.
Yet neither student could answer.
Bakugo strained beneath the crushing weight.
Every muscle screamed.
His arms shook.
He couldn't move.
Not even an inch.
"Damn..."
The words escaped through clenched teeth.
All Might continued calmly.
"Tell me, Young Bakugo."
"You've lost your support equipment."
"What is your next move?"
Silence.
Then—
"...Heh."
Bakugo laughed.
Weakly.
"...Simple."
BOOOOOOM!!
A blinding explosion erupted directly beneath All Might's foot.
Not from his gauntlet.
From Bakugo's own palm.
The blast wasn't as large...
Nor nearly as controlled...
Without the bracer, every explosion pushed his own body toward injury.
His palm immediately split open.
Blood mixed with sweat.
But All Might instinctively turned his head toward the flash.
Exactly as Bakugo intended.
"NOW!"
Bakugo roared.
Midoriya reacted instantly.
No hesitation.
He knew.
Bakugo had created exactly one opening.
One chance.
Instead—
Bakugo's hands grabbed him.
"What—"
With every ounce of strength remaining—
Bakugo hurled Midoriya.
Not with his arms.
With an explosion.
BOOOOOOM!!
The blast launched Izuku across the ruined street like a missile.
Straight toward the exit gate.
Inside the observation room—
Everyone's eyes followed the green blur.
Midoriya flew through the air.
The gate.
It was right there.
So close—
He stretched out his hand.
"I can—"
"No."
A shadow swallowed him.
All Might.
Again.
The giant hero had vanished from where he stood.
"NEW HAMPSHIRE..."
____________________________________________________________________________
[Auther: Feels like I haven't been here in ages."]