**The Next Morning**
Izuku's morning routine began with unpacking new equipment. The process was slow, and he carefully took out a sparring dummy, which turned out to be taller than him. Then he pulled out a jump rope. Venom was surprised by the quality of the gear, especially the speed bag, which was more substantial than the picture Izuku had shown. After his morning exercises, Midoriya set up all the equipment, following the instructions and watching with interest the results of his efforts.
"Well, let's see how endurance I have," said Izuku, looking at the speed bag. He clenched his fists and approached it.
Izuku stood before the massive speed bag. Its metal frame creaked as he tested the attachment. The bag swayed slowly, as if waiting for the first punch. He took a deep breath, focusing. His body already felt slightly tense after the morning workout, but this was just the beginning.
"Let's start," he whispered to himself, as if giving himself a command.
Izuku grabbed the jump rope. Venom smirked internally.
"Interesting choice. Do you think it will help?" the symbiote teased his host, who was focused and slowly exhaling air from his lungs.
"Coordination and endurance are fundamental. If I can't move properly, I'll lose in a fight."
The rhythmic thuds of the jump rope echoed through the room. Izuku started at a regular pace, moving in a calm rhythm. His legs worked easily and effortlessly, and his muscles gradually warmed up. After a minute, he changed his style, adding double jumps, cross punches, and quick lateral steps. Venom noted how Izuku's breathing became steady and deep.
The speed increased. His legs moved faster, and his steps became more precise. His hands didn't miss a beat, spinning the rope in perfect rhythm. The first bead of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Twenty more seconds," Izuku muttered to himself.
He pushed himself to the limit, feeling his leg muscles burning from the strain. His heart raced, but he didn't slow down.
Setting the jump rope aside, he moved to the speed bag. Izuku took a fighting stance, his legs slightly bent and his body leaning forward. He took a deep breath and delivered the first light punch with his right hand. The bag wobbled. The next punch was slightly stronger. The rhythm of the punches increased, and the bag began to move faster.
"Remember what you always say in a fight: punches should be quick and precise," Venom said, reminding his host of the combat intelligence and muscle memory that had improved due to training.
Izuku focused on his technique. Right straight, left hook, short uppercut. Each movement was precise and sharp. His arms began to tire, but he continued.
"Now let's add the legs," he told himself.
He began moving around the bag, delivering punches from different angles, changing his attack pattern. His legs sprang into action, the muscles in his thighs and calves working in sync with his arms. Every muscle in his body was tense.
Finishing with the bag, Izuku approached the dummy. He assumed the boxing stance he had learned in school—low, with his chin tucked and elbows raised.
"Let's start with jabs," he said.
The first punch with his right hand struck the head of the dummy. Then another, followed by a left jab. The tempo increased, the punches becoming faster and more accurate. He engaged his body, putting all his weight into each strike.
"Don't forget about your breathing," Venom reminded him.
His breathing was becoming erratic, and with each punch, Izuku was not exhaling the air that built up in his lungs, increasing his fatigue.
"I know," Izuku replied, exhaling with each punch.
The next stage involved combinations: double jab, cross, uppercut. Each movement was synchronized. Izuku practiced them over and over until his shoulders and arms began to burn. Then he added slips and ducks, making the combinations even more complex.
"Punch, slip, uppercut, step to the side," he repeated to himself, focusing on his technique.
The training had lasted over an hour, and his entire body was drenched in sweat. His muscles ached, and his breathing became heavy, but he didn't stop. Each subsequent punch was accompanied by pain in his muscles, but he didn't let his arms drop, trying to keep them up through sheer will. Eventually, his forehead was completely soaked, sweat trickling down his face.
Finishing up, Izuku delivered a series of powerful punches to the dummy, putting all his strength into them. The last straight punch knocked the dummy backward. Izuku dropped his hands, feeling his muscles burn.
"You gave it your all," Venom said, sensing his host's fatigue and ragged breathing.
"I have to be ready for any opponent. Since I set a high standard for myself, I must live up to it," Izuku exhaled, heading to the bathroom to wash off the sweat and refresh himself on his day off from school.
Izuku's focus was at its peak, as he and Dabi would face a villain responsible for dozens of murders. Izuku had no doubt about his decision: to kill him. He had deliberately chosen to take responsibility for such a villain. He was a hero, but people like them needed to be behind bars, if not dead. He had already taken three lives, even though Midoriya didn't want to kill villains, he had to do it: either he kills them, or they kill him. But Midoriya's soul was also compassionate toward people. Most people didn't like him for not fitting into the usual hero mold, but he, like them, pursued noble goals, albeit by his own methods. He lurked in the shadows, capturing criminals and delivering them to justice. His brutal methods weren't appreciated, especially by many professional heroes, but unlike their gentleness, his interrogations led to effective consequences for society. He cooperated with a broker, but how many lives had criminal families ruined for the sake of money and profit? Yet the people, like the heroes, were ready to blame him for all ills, not noticing how he saved their lives from the fate of being snatched for various kinds of exploitation.
"The real world is a balance built on the bones of the past," Venom whispered to Izuku, who was drying his hair after his shower.
"At least without decisive measures, good for people cannot be achieved," Midoriya understood the meaning of his friend's words perfectly, and his image of a hero underscored his determination. There was blood on his hands from several victims, but for the sake of saving others, he was ready to step beyond the moral boundaries set by people. He had created his own, no less noble, which he showcased on television, attracting many heroes to his cause.
Izuku looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Drops of water trickled down his face, mixing with the sweat he hadn't fully washed away. His eyes, deeply shadowed by long strands of wet hair, were filled with a strange mix of fatigue and determination.
Midoriya was keenly aware that his actions went beyond the usual understanding of heroism. His methods, his decisions, his willingness to take someone's life—all set him on a level with those he pursued. But he knew that without these methods, many others could suffer.
"I'm not a hero in their understanding," he murmured, staring into his own eyes.
"But being a hero… doesn't always mean playing by the rules," Venom spoke with a note of cynicism, though his voice was softer than usual.
"You seek justice that others fear. They follow the laws; you follow the results. And in that, you surpass them."
Izuku fell silent. Deep down, he agreed with Venom. A world full of cruelty, injustice, corruption, and pain required people who could act outside the bounds of morality, even against it. He remembered his first kill on that bridge. Due to his fear of decisive actions, an innocent child had died. Kota had died trying to selflessly save him. In part, Izuku saw himself when he acted similarly, saving Fuyumi from a mud villain, but unlike Kota, luck was not on Kota's side. As expected, the child had died young, without ever having made a mark on this life. Then he lost control of himself. He was angry at the villains and at himself for hesitating due to a lack of reflexes and experience. He had to take desperate measures to avoid being killed himself and to protect other civilians.
"If people are ready to throw mud at me, then so be it. But I do what they cannot. I will help people, even if I become a murderer in their eyes. Let them discuss me as much as they want; it won't make me any worse."
Venom interrupted his thoughts with a suggestion:
"Are you telling this to yourself to sleep peacefully?"
Izuku closed his eyes. Venom's question made sense, as the alien being was frighteningly curious, for human morality was divided for him into black and white. But Izuku proved that the world was not just gray, but that in this world, only interests existed. If your interests aligned with the majority, you were accepted as a full member of society; if not, be prepared to receive sidelong glances, if not have someone spit in your face.
"No, violence is not the answer. I dug myself into this hole and am ready to take risks. I say this to remember why I started. I am not a hero to them. But I am a hero to those I managed to save."
Venom fell silent. He felt Izuku's determination, his readiness to continue down the path despite the pain and condemnation.
"I'm afraid of what Fuyumi and Nejire will say when they see me as… this person?" Izuku asked himself.
He stood before his reflection in the dim light of the lamp. The water left from the shower still glistened on his skin, like a symbol of his torment. He questioned himself, a query that tore him apart inside: what would Fuyumi and Nejire say if they knew everything about him?
"They would turn away from me," he whispered, lowering his head.
The image of Fuyumi, the woman who had almost become his best friend, supporting him in difficult times, flashed in his mind. Her grateful gaze, her gentle smile, that warm sincerity with which she had said "thank you" to him. She was an example of what he fought for. For people like her, he was willing to wallow in darkness. But what if she found out about the blood on his hands? About how he didn't just capture villains, but became their judge, executioner, and grave digger?
"Fuyumi… She… She… would never accept me like this," he whispered, feeling his heart constrict.
He had lied to her, looking her in the face. To her, Izuku Midoriya was a person full of determination and care for those around him. He hid his goals from her, but it tormented him that she had opened up to him completely, showing her dark past, connecting the puzzle with the Todoroki family. Venom, sensing the emotions he was feeling thinking about his loved ones, broke the silence.
"You fear being rejected. But does their opinion matter? You live for them, not for their approval."
"It matters, Venom," Izuku interrupted, staring into the void.
"If I lose their trust, their faith in me, what will be left of my humanity?"
These words made Venom fall silent. He was used to seeing Izuku as the embodiment of determination, cold reason, and the thirst for justice. But now he realized that beneath this hardness lay a boy yearning for understanding.
"And Nejire…" Izuku sighed heavily, recalling her kind smile and cheerful laughter, and the innocent soul striving to be on the side of good.
"She would look at me with disgust. Her bright, pure gaze… it would dim upon seeing what I've become."
Venom spoke again, this time softer:
"You think their opinion of you would make you weaker. But doesn't that prove your strength? You keep your heart despite the blood on your hands. And that makes you human. A human willing to go through fire and water for those close to him."
Izuku smirked, but without joy, realizing that his friend was trying to pull him out of the pit of thoughts he had buried himself in.
"Being human while drowning in shadows. It's ironic, don't you think?"
He turned to his suit, hanging in the corner. That image was his mask, his protection. But sometimes it felt like that mask was becoming part of him.
"Maybe I am a monster to the world," he said, putting on the suit. "But to them, I will always remain someone willing to give everything so they can live in safety."
Venom remained silent, satisfied. He felt that his host's words were not just rhetoric, but a vow, a promise to himself.
Izuku checked the straps on his suit, tightened his gloves, and looking in the mirror, said:
"I will continue, no matter what. If I have to be something other than a hero to protect them, so be it."
His face hardened, and his eyes turned cold. The shadows of the room engulfed his figure, but inside him still flickered a spark of humanity. A spark for which he fought, even if no one noticed.
**Evening**
The moonlight cut through the night sky, reflecting off the windows of skyscrapers. Izuku, clad in his dark suit with a long cloak, moved effortlessly through the city. He soared above the city in his wingsuit, like a squirrel leaping from a tree. Retracting the wings, Izuku switched to tendrils that clung to buildings. Each movement was confident and predatory, as if he was seeking his prey.
"We have a tail," Venom replied, sensing the sound of helicopter blades rapidly approaching.
Izuku abruptly changed direction, releasing the tendrils and spreading the wings of his wingsuit again. His body pierced the night air like an arrow, gliding between buildings. The sound of the helicopter grew louder behind him—the rotors shattering the night silence, and the searchlights combing the streets.
"They spotted us sooner than I expected," Venom rasped, his voice filled with irritation at the sound of the helicopter blades.
"It doesn't matter. We'll shake them off," Izuku replied, tilting his body at a sharp angle. He flew between two skyscrapers, barely missing the glass facades.
The chase escalated. The helicopter's spotlight illuminated his silhouette, exposing the dark suit. Izuku noticed a person with a weapon peeking out from a side hatch. Before he could comprehend the danger, the air filled with whistling. Bullets ricocheted off walls and the ground, sending sparks flying.
"They mean business," Venom said, his voice tense but sadistically amused at the impending events.
"Perfect," Izuku replied curtly, grabbing the nearest building with his tendrils. He propelled himself forward, twisting in the air and disappearing into an alley.
Izuku devised an evasive tactic, trying to maneuver away from the bullets whizzing past his ear. The sounds of gunfire quieted, but the helicopter continued its pursuit. Izuku surged forward through a narrow alley, his feet silently touching the ground, and the shadow gliding behind him as if detached from his body.
"Dive into the subway," Venom suggested, sensing the roar of rotor blades drawing nearer.
"They'll block the exits. It will take time," Izuku said, his voice remaining calm despite the tension of the moment.
He activated the tendrils again and, with one powerful burst, ascended to the roof of an old warehouse. Climbing up, he waited a moment to assess the situation.
As the helicopter rounded the corner, its spotlight illuminated the roof where Izuku stood. Before the shooter could aim, Midoriya darted to the side, skillfully avoiding the bullets. With a swift motion, he shot out a tendril and grabbed the helicopter's wing to pull himself closer.
"Do you really want to do this?" Venom asked, feeling the adrenaline coursing through Izuku.
"Absolutely," he replied coldly.
Izuku instantly propelled himself onto the helicopter, slicing through the air. As the shooter prepared to fire, a tendril burst from Izuku's body, snatching the weapon from the officer and crushing it in one powerful squeeze, hurling it back at the shooter. Crawling over the helicopter, Izuku approached the cockpit and with one swift, strong punch, shattered the glass, shocking the pilot. Grabbing the control panel with a tendril, he sharply directed the helicopter downwards. Without saying a word in response, clinging to the helicopter's exterior, Izuku pushed off it, latching onto the nearest building.
"Do you think they can regain control?" Venom asked, feeling satisfied with his host's actions.
"If the pilot's head isn't filled with booze or girls, he'll manage," Izuku replied half-jokingly, evading the chase and heading toward the abandoned warehouse where the villain resided. His target lurked in a place others dared not go, and he and Dabi would become inquisitors for those who dared to hurt people.
He knew that the helicopter wouldn't crash, and there wouldn't be further chases for the next five minutes unless he got into another problem. But every movement revealed his excitement from the adrenaline he had experienced. Midoriya, clinging to buildings, flew toward the abandoned warehouse where a villain, if not a serial killer known as "The Bone Man," was reportedly located, according to the broker. The villain had become a legend for his brutal murders, almost devouring his enemies for sustenance and likely felt no remorse for his deeds. Fully human, if not a beast, composed of bones wrapped in a thin layer of skin that had paled from madness. All the information provided by the broker boiled in Izuku's veins. The heroes who were supposed to stop villains like him were silent, trying to save their own lives. A true hero should risk his life for the public good, but instead, they turned a blind eye to such crimes, which was unacceptable. With anger boiling in his soul, Izuku landed before the lair of "The Bone Man." The plan was nearly flawless, but not only his success depended on him, but also on Dabi, who played a key role.
"Do you think Dabi is in position?" Venom considered the fourth option of the plan, which hadn't been part of Izuku's plans, but growling maliciously before the warehouse, Venom was subdued by Izuku's will, who was focused one hundred percent.
"Better be safe and call," he pulled out his phone, pressed Dabi's contact. The phone was instantly picked up by a voice of blue flames.
**Dagobah Beach**
The sea lazily lapped at the shore as the abandoned Dagobah Beach stretched before Dabi's eyes. The sand, once pristine white, was now littered with mountains of trash—old tires, broken boats, rusty containers, and even strange scraps of machinery. This place, seemingly forgotten by time itself, appeared both pitiful and menacing. Dabi stood atop one of the trash hills, arms crossed, smirking as he surveyed the "landscape." His flames flickered lazily at his fingertips, casting light around him in the gathering twilight.
"Seriously, Phantom?" he muttered, looking at the phone hanging at his ear. Letting out a weary sigh, Dabi tried to lighten the already unpleasant atmosphere with his jokes.
"You made me come here, to this…"—he glanced around, waving his hand sarcastically—"masterpiece of architectural art?"
"This is no joke, Dabi. It's the perfect spot if my main plan doesn't work out," the cold voice of Izuku replied from the other side, clinging to walls with his palms.
"Intercept?—Dabi snorted, inspecting a nearby rusty refrigerator. "Intercept what? Refrigerators? Maybe I'll find a sink too?"
"You can joke all you want, but your position is key. If he slips away, the consequences could be dire not just for me, but for many people."
Dabi scoffed, sitting on a mangled tire, playing with his fire on his hand.
"Dabi," Izuku's voice became stern, "if this guy gets away, everything he's done will continue. I'm not asking you to believe in my 'fantasies.' I'm asking you to be ready."
"Alright, alright," Dabi raised his hands as if surrendering, though there was still a hint of mockery in his voice. "I'll be on guard. But if he really swims out here, I'll start believing in your paranoia."
"Thanks," Izuku replied shortly and hung up.
Dabi put the phone in his pocket and stood up. His gaze became more focused. Despite the mockery, he understood: if Izuku was asking, there was a reason. He looked at the horizon where the water met the sky and allowed his flames to burn a little brighter.
"Well, 'Bone Man,'" he said with a smirk, "show me what you can do."
Through the roof, Izuku quietly crept into the villain's lair. After passing through the broken glass on the roof, he deftly and silently made his way through the warehouse, which reeked of human decay and the stench of corpses, like a slaughterhouse. Dampness and mold permeated the entire warehouse. Broken glass, scratched walls, and shattered concrete adorned the already unpleasant-looking building. He pressed himself against the wall, quickly scanning the area. Broken glass crunched under his feet, but thanks to Venom's tendrils, Izuku hovered, avoiding making any unnecessary noise. His sharp eyes noted everything: half-rotten crates, broken furniture, bloodstains on the floor, deep scratches on the walls—as if someone, or something, had tried to escape.
"Do you feel that?" he whispered in a barely audible voice.
"Blood. Death. And emptiness. But it's strangely quiet here," Venom replied, his voice deep, like an echo in a cave.
Izuku nodded in agreement. The warehouse looked as if there had recently been a massacre, but now the place seemed abandoned. Perhaps the villain had left this lair or was hiding deeper inside. Moving through the warehouse, Izuku tried to use every hidden corner and shadow to remain unnoticed. The floor barely creaked under his feet as he headed to the next room. On the floor were distinct footprints—dirty barefoot prints, something resembling claws.
"Seems he doesn't like shoes," Izuku muttered.
"Or he just doesn't need them," Venom replied.
Izuku looked up at the ceiling. The faint light of the moon shone through holes in the roof, casting eerie shadows. He noted this to himself: the light could give him away if he moved too quickly.
"We need to figure out how many escape routes he has," Izuku said, climbing over a pile of debris.
He stopped in front of a massive door covered in rust. Pressing his ear to the metal, he listened. Silence. No breathing, no footsteps. But the air grew heavier, and the stench became even more unbearable.
"Maybe it's a trap," Venom quietly warned, preparing for the worst.
"Or he's left this place," Izuku replied, slipping inside.
The room beyond the door was even larger. In the center stood a roughly assembled wooden table, scattered with knives, saws, and other tools, many of which were stained with dried blood. The walls were covered in scratches, as if someone had tried to escape or had been amusing themselves by drawing chaotic patterns. On the floor lay remains—torn clothing, gnawed bones, dirty bandages. This place was filled with horror and fear. Izuku froze, scanning the area. He felt as if someone was watching, but he couldn't see anyone.
"No one's here," Venom said after a long pause. "He's gone."
Izuku frowned at the terrifying sight of the sinister lair, which filled him with dread. The smell almost made him vomit, but he kept his composure, trying not to lose his dinner.
"Or he wants us to think that," he muttered, looking around again.
His attention was drawn to a strange detail: in the corner stood an old refrigerator, clearly too clean for such a place. It looked... out of place.
"Check it," Venom suggested.
Izuku approached cautiously, his muscles tense. Opening the refrigerator door, he prepared for the worst, but inside were pieces of human flesh and organs, pinned to the inner wall with a knife. Izuku froze, staring at the horrifying contents. His stomach churned, but he suppressed the nausea, focusing on the task. Venom, sensing his tension, whispered:
"This isn't just a warehouse, Izuku. This place... it's soaked in something worse than evil. But we need to find more clues. Don't stop."
Izuku nodded, closing the refrigerator door. His gaze swept the room, searching for something that could reveal the villain's identity or plans. He noticed a pile of papers scattered on the floor near the table. Approaching carefully, he picked up one of the sheets. They were blueprints—schematic drawings of buildings, underground tunnels, and some mechanisms. Notes were scribbled in the margins, but the handwriting was illegible.
"Venom, can you make sense of this?" Izuku asked, squinting at the notes.
The symbiot momentarily "activated" the suit's eyes, and his voice echoed in Izuku's head:
"These are plans. He's building something... or rather, destroying it. See these marks? They're explosion points. He's preparing a large-scale attack."
Izuku frowned. He quickly gathered all the papers he could find and stuffed them into a bag created by the symbiote. Then his attention was drawn to a strange box under the table. It was locked, but the lock looked flimsy. Izuku easily broke it with a tendril. Inside, he found several notes with hidden paths leading to a more secretive location.
"That's all we have for now," Venom said. "But I sense... something else. There's a hidden passage here."
Izuku looked around. His gaze settled on a wall that seemed slightly uneven. He approached it and pressed. A faint click—and part of the wall slid open, revealing a narrow passage.
"There it is," Izuku whispered.
He cautiously entered the passage, which led down a staircase. The air grew even more stifling, and the smell became even more repulsive. Strange symbols were scratched into the walls, which Izuku couldn't understand. Venom, however, froze:
"This is an ancient language... it speaks of sacrifices and power. This man... he's not just a villain. He's obsessed with something greater."
Izuku felt a chill run down his spine. He continued descending until he reached a small room. In the center stood an altar, covered with candles and strange artifacts. On the walls hung photographs of people—some crossed out, others marked with red crosses.
"These are his victims," Izuku said quietly. "He hunts them... but why?"
Suddenly, Venom tensed:
"Izuku, we're not alone."
Izuku turned sharply, but it was too late. The door behind him slammed shut, and a low, hoarse laugh echoed through the room. From the shadows emerged a tall, gaunt man with pale skin and a crazed look in his eyes. His hands were scarred, and in one, he held a bloodied knife.
"Well, well," he hissed, "you've found my sanctuary. Now you'll become part of my art."
Izuku prepared for battle, Venom's tendrils already writhing, ready to strike. He knew this man was dangerous, but he also knew he had to stop him before he caused more harm.
"You made a mistake choosing me as your victim," Izuku said, his voice steady despite his fear.
"Oh, no," the villain sneered, "you're the one who made a mistake by coming here."
The fight began.
The Bone Man threw a knife at Izuku, but thanks to the tendrils, Izuku caught it a meter from his head, glaring at his enemy, who was grinning wider than ever.
"What an interesting quirk. I'll enjoy every piece of your body as you scream like a pig," the villain said, lunging at Izuku with his long limbs, trying to tear him apart. But Izuku deftly dodged the clumsy attacks. The room was small, leaving little space to maneuver, but despite his size, his opponent was fast, and his claws occasionally grazed Izuku's hero suit. Trying to catch him off guard, Izuku countered with an enhanced [Uppercut], striking his chin. The villain stumbled back, but Izuku hissed in pain as he felt the impact. Looking at his hand and then at his enemy, Izuku frowned as he saw the villain's jaw hanging loose, swaying grotesquely. A moment later, the villain casually reset his jaw with his hand. Izuku's hand also healed from the blow, but his opponent grinned even wider.
"I like meals that fight back. They make the best stew," the villain said, lunging again, trying to gut Izuku. But Izuku used [Symbiote:Punch], knocking him back into the wall. Seizing the moment, Izuku tried to pummel him against the wall, but the Bone Man reacted quickly, grabbing Izuku's hands as they aimed for his face. Izuku struggled to free his hands, but the villain held them tightly. With all his weight, the villain began to press down on Izuku. Engrossed in the struggle, Izuku didn't notice the bone spike that erupted from the villain's body, piercing his stomach. Izuku gasped in pain as the spike tore through him. Hissing, he used a tendril to wrap around the villain's arms, squeezing with all his might. But the villain only grinned wider, unfazed by the pain. The bone spike dug deeper, exiting through Izuku's back. Freeing his hands, Izuku punched the bone spike, breaking it and pulling it out of his body. Fueled by adrenaline, Izuku used the symbiote to grab the villain by the arms and legs, suspending him in the air. A tendril from Izuku's chest wrapped around the villain's throat, trying to strangle him. But then something unexpected happened. The villain opened his mouth wide and let out a deafening scream, causing both Izuku and Venom immense pain. Izuku covered his ears, and the symbiote retracted. The wound on Izuku's stomach healed, but he still felt the pain of his muscles and tendons knitting back together. Venom kept him conscious despite the shock.
"Damn, that hurts," Izuku said aloud, glaring at the villain, who stood tall, his eyes devouring Izuku. The claws on his hands grew longer, and his mouth stretched wider than humanly possible. His pupils darkened until they were completely black.
He had gone berserk.
With screams and howls, he charged at Izuku, claws extended. His cries echoed painfully in Izuku's head, but Izuku kept his composure, grabbing nearby objects and hurling them at the villain. Pieces of concrete, a table, a chair, various decorations—nothing stopped him. If not for Izuku's agility, he would have been torn to shreds several times over. Assuming a fighting stance, Izuku delivered a powerful blow to the villain's jaw, followed by a strike to his solar plexus, and then a hit to the back of his head, disorienting him. Seizing the moment, Izuku grabbed his arms and legs with tendrils, breaking them with sheer force. As Izuku tried to snap his neck, the villain screamed again, causing Izuku more pain. The tendrils retracted, and the villain roared even louder. Izuku writhed in pain, covering his ears.
"AAAAAAAAH!!!!" Izuku screamed, fighting through the pain to stand. He hurled a large chunk of concrete into the villain's mouth, silencing him momentarily. The Bone Man instantly regenerated his broken bones. The concrete chunk in his mouth was easily bitten through, and he glared at Izuku with even greater malice.
[Rage:Mode] activated, and Izuku charged at the bone-crazed villain with fury. He unleashed a barrage of punches, his increased speed leaving the villain unable to react. The relentless assault only enraged the villain further. Izuku knocked him to the ground and used [Beatdown], pummeling his face. The villain's bones grew harder, and Izuku felt the pain in his fists, but he didn't care. This monster didn't deserve to live, and killing him would be a service to humanity. However, the villain's regeneration was impressive, and bone spikes erupted from his chest, piercing Izuku. Izuku leapt off the villain's stomach, crouching forward, staring at his enemy like a predator. Without wasting a second, Izuku grabbed the villain's throat with [Tendril Pull] and hurled him toward the entrance. As the villain tried to recover, Izuku slammed him through the concrete door. They were back in the warehouse, and Izuku used [Symbiote:Blast], firing a hundred sharp black tendrils that embedded themselves in the villain's skin, throwing him back. But through the pain, the villain stood, glaring at Izuku. He was exhausted but still on his feet, which infuriated Izuku.
"We need to get to Dabi," Venom growled, emerging from Izuku's body and grabbing the villain by the arms, slamming him into a concrete column.
"Not yet, we need to try one more thing," Izuku said, wrapping a tendril around the villain's waist and hurling him into a concrete column, shattering it. But it wasn't enough. They needed to bring the entire building down on him. As the villain flew through the air, he grabbed Izuku's tendril, pulling him close. The ground disappeared beneath Izuku's feet as the villain grabbed him, claws piercing his arms. Izuku gasped in pain, but then the villain opened his mouth wide, trying to bite off his head. Izuku used tendrils to hold the villain's jaws open, preventing him from closing his mouth. With a kick to the chin, Izuku forced the villain's mouth shut. As the villain opened his mouth to scream again, Venom emerged from Izuku's back, grabbing a gas canister and shoving it into the villain's mouth. Instinctively, the villain bit down, and the canister exploded.
BOOM!
They were thrown to the ground by the deafening blast. Izuku was the first to rise, using [Symbiote:Slam] to grab the villain by the waist and smash him into the concrete columns, spinning him like a carousel, breaking the warehouse's supports. He managed to destroy almost all the columns. Izuku spun the villain like a top, bringing down the last concrete column. The building groaned, the ceiling began to collapse, and huge chunks of concrete and metal rained down. The Bone Man, still dazed from the explosion, couldn't react in time. Izuku used his tendrils to push off the ground, hurling the villain into the center of the collapse.
"Now!" Izuku shouted, feeling Venom enhance his movements. They leapt aside, taking cover behind debris as the entire warehouse collapsed on their enemy. The noise was deafening, dust filled the air, and Izuku shielded his face, trying not to inhale the particles. His eyes remained fixed on the spot where the villain had been.
As the dust began to settle, Izuku cautiously stood, ready for the worst. Venom was already restoring his strength, but both knew this foe wouldn't go down easily. From beneath the rubble came a weak but sinister laugh.
"You... think this will stop me?" the hoarse voice called out from under the pile of concrete. The Bone Man slowly rose, his body mangled but his bones already knitting back together. His eyes, now completely black, gleamed with madness. "You've only... made me angrier."
Izuku clenched his fists, adrenaline surging through him again. He knew this fight wasn't over. Venom, sensing his resolve, strengthened the tendrils, preparing for another attack.
"He's regenerating too fast," Venom hissed. "We need something bigger."
"I have an idea," Izuku said, his voice firm despite his exhaustion. "We'll trap him."
The Bone Man, nearly fully healed, charged forward, his claws gleaming in the dusty air. Izuku used his tendrils to leap aside, dodging the strike. He knew he had to act fast.
"Andy, hold him!" Izuku shouted, and the symbiote instantly responded. Tendrils wrapped around the villain, restraining his movements. The Bone Man roared, trying to break free, but Izuku was already in motion. He grabbed a large piece of metal beam from the wreckage and swung it at the villain's legs. The Bone Man fell to his knees, but his bones were already healing.
"Now!" Izuku leapt forward, using all his strength and speed. His fist, enhanced by Venom, struck the villain's chest with such force that he was sent flying back, crashing through the wall and landing in the open.
"It didn't work," Izuku muttered, leaping onto a nearby building and looking down at the villain. The Bone Man saw him and charged with a furious roar. Izuku sprinted across the rooftops, heading for the beach where Dabi waited.
Izuku, jumping from roof to roof, felt his heart pounding. Despite his size, the Bone Man was incredibly fast. His screams echoed through the streets, drawing attention, but Izuku couldn't afford to stop. He had to reach the beach, where Dabi was waiting.
"Andy, hang on!" Izuku shouted, feeling the symbiote enhance his jumps, helping him cover more ground.
"He's too close!" Venom hissed, his voice tense. "If he catches us before we reach the beach, we're in trouble."
Izuku glanced back and saw the villain, like a raging beast, tearing through everything in his path. His bone claws scraped against the walls, leaving deep gashes. Izuku knew he had to act fast.
"We're almost there," he whispered, speeding up.
Finally, the beach came into view. Dabi stood on the sand, his hands already ablaze with blue flames. Izuku landed beside him, breathing heavily.
"He's coming," Izuku said, pointing toward the street where the villain's roars echoed.
"I'm ready," Dabi replied, his eyes burning with determination.
A moment later, the Bone Man burst onto the beach, his eyes gleaming with madness. Seeing Izuku and Dabi, he roared and charged.
"Now!" Izuku shouted, and Dabi unleashed a torrent of flames at the villain. The fire engulfed him, but to everyone's surprise, he didn't stop. His bones seemed resistant to the flames, and he continued forward, even as his body began to char.
"He's not stopping!" Dabi yelled, intensifying the flames.
"He's too strong," Venom hissed. "We need more fire!"
Izuku, realizing ordinary attacks weren't enough, charged forward, using his tendrils to distract the villain. He struck from the side, trying to knock him down, but the Bone Man turned and slashed at Izuku with his claws. Izuku was thrown back but quickly got up, feeling Venom restore his strength.
"Dabi, focus all the flames in one spot!" Izuku shouted. "We need to burn him to ash!"
Dabi nodded, gathering all his energy. He unleashed a concentrated beam of fire, aimed directly at the villain's chest. The flames were so intense that the sand around them began to melt, turning to glass. The Bone Man screamed in agony as his body began to disintegrate under the heat.
"Just a little more!" Izuku shouted, feeling the villain weaken.
At that moment, the Bone Man, mustering his last strength, lunged at Dabi. Izuku, without hesitation, leapt onto him, wrapping him in tendrils and holding him in place.
"Now, Dabi!" Izuku shouted, feeling the villain's bones begin to crack under the pressure.
Dabi, gathering all his strength, unleashed one final, massive burst of fire. The flames completely engulfed the Bone Man, and this time, his body couldn't withstand it. His bones crumbled, turning to ash. His screams faded, and within seconds, all that remained was a pile of smoldering ash.
Izuku dropped to his knees, breathing heavily. Dabi walked over to him, his expression serious.
"We did it," he said, offering a hand to help Izuku up.
"Yeah," Izuku replied, taking his hand. "But that was too close."
They both looked at the ashes that were once the Bone Man. Izuku knew this had been one of the toughest fights, but he also knew the world was a little safer now.
"Now we can rest," Dabi said, nodding, and they slowly walked away, leaving behind the smoldering remains of what had once been a threat to everyone. But as they moved away from the beach, a group of journalists emerged from the night, stopping several vans and rushing toward Dabi for an interview.
"Dabi-san, tell us, was it you who defeated the villain known as the Bone Man?" they shouted, overlapping each other. "Did you save the city? Tell us how it happened!"
Dabi, still slightly smoking from the flames he had unleashed, stopped as the journalists surrounded him. Cameras and microphones were instantly pointed at him, and flashes from cameras blinded him. Izuku, standing a short distance away, barely held back a smile as he watched the scene. He knew Dabi disliked the spotlight, but it was unavoidable now.
"Dabi-san!" the journalists shouted, overlapping each other. "Was it you who defeated the Bone Man? Did you save the city? Tell us how it happened!"
Dabi, slightly flustered but maintaining his composure, raised a hand to calm the crowd.
"Yes, it was me," he began, his voice steady despite his inner irritation. "The Bone Man was a dangerous criminal, and my partner and I"—he nodded toward Izuku, who stood in the shadows—"stopped him. It was a team effort."
"Who is your partner?" someone from the crowd shouted. "Why isn't he with you?"
Dabi paused for a moment but quickly found an answer:
"He prefers to stay in the shadows. But without his help, I wouldn't have succeeded. We work together to make this city safer."
The journalists continued to ask questions, but Dabi, feeling the exhaustion from the battle, politely cut them off:
"I need to rest now. I'll give a more detailed interview tomorrow. Thank you for understanding."
He turned and walked away, leaving the journalists to discuss his words. Izuku caught up to him and said quietly:
"Not bad. You're a real star now."
"Don't remind me," Dabi grumbled, though there was a hint of a smile in his voice. "I just want to sleep."
****
The next day, news of Dabi's victory over the Bone Man spread throughout the city. His name was on the front pages of newspapers, and footage of him unleashing his flames on the beach went viral. The hero ranking, updated weekly, didn't take long to reflect his achievement. When Dabi opened the hero ranking app, he could hardly believe his eyes. His name, which had previously been at 27th place, now stood at 17th. He scrolled down to confirm it wasn't a mistake, but the numbers remained the same.
"So, star?" came Izuku's voice as he stood in his suit, smirking inwardly.
Dabi, still slightly stunned, looked at him.
— This... is unexpected, — he admitted. — I didn't think I'd rise this high.
This was the first high-profile case Dabi had handled, and on the same day, he received praise from his father, who was proud of his son's actions. Dabi had nearly single-handedly taken down such a dangerous villain.
— You earned it, — Izuku said, smiling. — You saved the city from a real threat. People appreciate that.
Dabi nodded, but there was a hint of unease in his eyes.
— Now they'll expect more from me, — he said. — This pressure... it could be heavy.
— You'll handle it, — Izuku replied confidently. — You're not alone. We're a team, remember?
Dabi smiled, feeling some of the tension ease.
— Yeah, a team, — he repeated. — Thanks, Izuku.
They both knew that new challenges lay ahead, but for now, looking at the hero rankings, Dabi felt that everything he had been through was worth it. The world had become a little safer, and he, even if reluctantly, had become part of that change.
The previous night, after parting ways with Dabi, Izuku went to the shadow broker to gather information. After receiving it, he was shocked by the meticulous work he would have to do to dismantle this criminal family. Clenching the papers in his hands, he glared at his reflection in the mirror and then back at the information.
— If this is the beginning, then I'm ready to do it alone or with a group. I will bring order.
**Next Chapter**
**Nejire's Resolve**
Hello Everyone!!I congratulate us on the 50th chapter milestone, and I want to express my gratitude to everyone who supports me, watches, and comments. You know, I respect all of you. I admit that the story is unfolding slowly, and you're all waiting for the UA arc, but let me clarify that the plot will be global, and the characters you know will appear in this story—just not right away. This is only the beginning, my dear readers. I wish you success in your lives, and I'll see you again soon.