Just as Accelerator and Shokuhou pushed open the door to Yaoyorozu's hospital room, they heard someone nearby exclaim in surprise,
"Wow! Isn't that Accelerator-kun and Shokuhou? Are you here to visit Yaoyorozu too?"
The student who was surprised by the pair was Class A's Kirishima Eijiro.
They noticed that Kirishima was followed by other Class A students, and Todoroki was among them.
Accelerator responded in his usual calm manner.
"Yeah."
He had noticed early on that they were secretly listening at the door, but still felt his response seemed a bit too indifferent, so he deliberately asked,
"Is that so for you too?"
Kirishima's face showed hesitation as he stammered out an explanation.
"I... How should I put it? I just can't stay at home."
Then, Kirishima put his hands together in apology and said,
"Sorry! I overheard your conversation."
It wasn't so much that Kirishima carefully eavesdropped on the news about the enemy's signal tracker in Yaoyorozu's possession; rather, neither Accelerator nor Shokuhou had any intention of stopping such behavior.
By the time the Queen of Ketsubutsu and the great demon lord Accelerator arrived at the hospital, the mental activities of everyone in the area had been clearly probed by "Mind Control."
Accelerator had naturally done similar processing.
Before opening the door to the hospital room, Shokuhou quietly tugged at Accelerator's sleeve and whispered,
"Accelerator-kun, including Todoroki-kun, it seems your classmates are all feeling anxious and guilty."
"Do you need my help?☆"
Accelerator did not accept Shokuhou's offer, planning to involve his own classmates in the matter.
Class president Iida and Kirishima, among others, were ordered by their homeroom teacher Aizawa Shouta to stay at a base protected by Vlad during the forest training camp.
As a member of U.A.'s Hero Course Class A, this was the first time Accelerator could so clearly and empathetically understand his classmates' true feelings.
There's nothing more difficult to come to terms with than watching companions, who were once close classmates and fellow travelers on the hero's path, being taken away by the enemy.
The anger and guilt filling their hearts were like a fishbone stuck in the throat, an unbearable discomfort.
Everyone, including Accelerator, shared the same feelings.
They... lost their companions right before their eyes, within reach.
Watching the heavy-hearted Kirishima, Accelerator's initial decision softened a bit.
He said, uncharacteristically gently,
"It's okay."
Kirishima, finally resolved and with a determined look, glanced back at his classmates and continued,
"Accelerator-kun, can I and the other classmates join your plan?"
It was no surprise to either Accelerator or Shokuhou that Kirishima Eijiro, who had overheard quite a bit, would make such a request.
"I want to rescue Bakugo and Midoriya."
The moment Kirishima spoke these words, he felt Accelerator's gaze on him change in an indescribable way.
The invisible pressure emanating from up close was like a massive boulder weighing down on Kirishima.
Kirishima Eijiro instinctively activated his "Hardening" Quirk.
Then, without thinking, he unleashed his strongest move, "Unbreakable," a forbidden technique that involves tensing all the muscles in the body to the extreme before enhancing them with the "Hardening" effect.
This form's defense far surpasses that of modern tank armor. However, it's called a forbidden technique because maintaining this form consumes a vast amount of energy, and Kirishima can only hold it for about 30 to 40 seconds, looking almost monstrous. This is the current limit of "Hardening."
But this didn't stop him from feeling an immense, terrifying pressure.
Kirishima, armed to the teeth, could only support himself by biting down hard and propping up his body with one knee and both hands against the ground.
He lifted his head stubbornly and with great effort, staring at Accelerator.
"Please, Accelerator!"
"Back then, I couldn't do anything. Even hearing that a friend was targeted by the enemy didn't make any difference."
"No... it's not that I didn't try hard enough!"
"If I can't risk my life now, then I'm neither a hero nor a man!"
Kirishima's resolve left Iida and a few other more conservative classmates with their mouths agape in surprise.
Accelerator didn't immediately agree, nor did he remove the pressure.
He was hesitating, which was rare for him.
If it were just him, he would dive into hell without a second thought.
But agreeing or not involved the safety of the other students.
Seeing Kirishima's pale face, burdened with an immense invisible pressure, the classmates weren't fools; they knew this was Accelerator's doing.
Class president Iida, with a finger to his lips, reminded him in a low voice with some difficulty.
"Kirishima, this is a hospital, in front of Yaoyorozu's room."
"Shh! Calm down! Keep it down!"
"Just because Accelerator agrees doesn't mean everything will be fine."
Remembering their experiences during the forest training camp, even the cautious and serious Iida couldn't help but clench his fists.
"I'm not one to talk, because at that time... I didn't play any role either."
"But... can the few of us really provide effective support for Accelerator and the others?"
"Or are we..."
Iida, always mature and composed, even choked up a bit.
"Or are we just going to be a burden? This is something we need to think about more carefully..."
The classmates were well aware that, leaving aside the great villain, the entire first year of U.A. hadn't beaten the queen who hadn't even gone all out during the Sports Festival.
The actions planned by Accelerator and Shokuhou Misaki were definitely high-risk.
It's like newbies in a game rashly matching into a high-difficulty dungeon; it's very likely that it's not just about risking their lives and dragging their feet, but it could lead to a total team wipeout.
How much water a bucket can hold is determined by its shortest plank.
This was the concern of class president Iida and more cautious classmates like Asui.
Kirishima continued to shout against the pressure.
"I know that!"
"Iida... Asui... you're all right."
"But... we're still within reach... even if we can only offer a little help!"
It was clear to Kirishima that the impact of this event was so profound it could be described as a personal demon.
As they spoke, his state of ultimate hardening had already worn off.
Yet, under the immense pressure without any change, Kirishima still supported himself with sheer willpower.
Witnessing his classmate's stance, Accelerator finally made up his mind.
The deliberately emitted oppressive aura vanished as someone closed their eyes.
The moment the invisible Hado pressure disappeared, Kirishima, like someone who had overexerted himself to the point of exhaustion, felt his body relax and collapsed to the ground.
Both his spirit and physical strength had reached their limits due to the overuse of his Quirk. Kirishima's clothes were soaked with sweat, and the disheveled state that wasn't apparent during hardening became all too evident once it wore off.
He breathed heavily, like a broken bellows, greedily gasping for air, yet his gaze remained earnestly fixed on Accelerator, persistently repeating in a voice that had long since gone hoarse.
"Ha... ha... huff... Accelerator-kun... please..."
"Could you... give me a chance?"
"I would risk my life and definitely not hold you back..."
Class A fell silent, their feelings no different from Kirishima Eijiro's, just not as outwardly apparent.
Accelerator slowly opened his eyes, laughing in annoyance.
"Heh, what a joke."
"Dream talk should stay in dreams."
Hearing this, Kirishima and many other students who hoped to join the action couldn't help but feel disheartened.
Then, without hiding his displeasure, Accelerator continued irritably.
"When has there ever been room for you lot to meddle in an operation I'm personally involved in?"
"Talking about not holding us back even if it costs you your life? Don't make me laugh."
Accelerator said darkly, quickly stepping in front of Kirishima, yanking his sleeve, and lifting him up, speaking roughly to Kirishima and the other students.
"Having resolve is good, but you should use your life for something more precious!"
"Hmph, with me here! How could there possibly be a chance for you fools to risk your lives?"
Hearing such a roundabout statement, not only Kirishima Eijiro but also the other Class A students looked confused, as if they hadn't caught on.
Class president Iida, who grasped the meaning first, hesitantly asked.
"Accelerator-kun... I still think making a decision like this is too hasty."
Accelerator walked over expressionlessly, patted Iida's shoulder silently, and spoke in a tone that was indifferent yet tinged with a hint of warmth, no different from usual.
"Whether it's that bastard's future, or just to let you experience the atmosphere on the scene, or to make the villains pay the price they owe."
"Leave it to me."
With such a promise coming from Accelerator's mouth, even Iida couldn't continue to speak.
At that moment, Shokuhou Misaki clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention before explaining.
"I hope everyone will hear me out."
"Even though Accelerator has agreed to let everyone join in actions that don't match with you, I still need to remind you mercilessly."
"Only a limited number of people can participate in this operation, not everyone can be involved."
"This isn't a trip to the countryside. The danger level of this operation is several times more terrifying than the desperate situation you faced during the forest training camp, and I'm not exaggerating."
"Even if you call me heartless or indifferent, those who can join this operation will mainly be serving as surprise troops or bait."
"I can give you a few hours to think it over."
"I hope everyone can make the most honest decision based on their own situation. One of the great taboos of being a hero is acting blindly."
"Accelerator and I will carefully select from among those who decide to participate, those who can join this operation, so please rest assured."
"After all, the recognition for your participation in this operation will be borne by me and Accelerator." (Currently, Shokuhou Misaki and Accelerator are on par in status.)
It's rare for someone to want to help everyone break free from the "League of Villains" mental block in their own way, and at times like this, someone needs to step up and cool the students down a bit.
After all, the activity they're both involved in this time is no small matter.
For that dark emperor whose long reign could only be ended by All Might in his prime, Accelerator must be spirited even with absolute confidence.
Of course, he doesn't believe he will be defeated; it's just necessary caution.
If the classmates want to join, they must also contribute their strength.
Suddenly, everyone heard Yaoyorozu Momo's firm and pleasant voice coming from the hospital room.
"Since it's a tracker I made."
"Just in case, I plan to accompany you as a stopper."
Seeing Yaoyorozu, also a class representative, share this view, Iida's slightly stubborn attitude softened a bit, and he said resolutely,
"Then, take me with you too."
"Iida?! You too...?!"
The other classmates exclaimed in surprise.
Iida pushed his glasses up and continued to explain.
"I'm going with you because I disagree with participating in the action."
"If I notice even a hint of you dragging your feet, I'll pull you back immediately."
"In other words, I'm the watcher."
While narrating, Iida didn't forget to look at Accelerator to inquire about the feasibility of this matter with his eyes.
Accelerator looked at Iida with slight annoyance, then naturally shifted his gaze to Kirishima and said,
"It's basically as Misaki said, but if you don't have the resolve like Kirishima, I'd advise you not to force yourself to participate."
The classmates were familiar with his awkward way of showing concern, so they were all wrestling with their own thoughts, most anxious about whether they would have the chance to participate in the rescue operation.
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