The Gamer-Hero Zero

A new shadow

Izuku's body surged with energy, and he knew it was time to step things up. Wukong was far more formidable than any other opponent he had faced recently, and now, with his staff expanding and unpredictable movements, Izuku needed to go beyond his limits. His aura began to glow, a brilliant cyan light engulfing him as his hair started to spike upward, turning from green to a radiant blue.

The intense power of Super Saiyan Blue flowed through him. His muscles tensed, and the ground cracked beneath his feet as his strength multiplied. His power was a balanced fusion of raw strength and precise control. Wukong's expression shifted slightly at the sight, a mixture of interest and perhaps a hint of respect for the first time.

The world around him slowed, and every heartbeat echoed with raw power. Izuku's narrowed eyes locked onto Wukong, who stood waiting, still twirling his staff, the smirk never leaving his lips.

Wukong leaped into the air, his movements a blur as he disappeared into a cloud of mist. The air whipped around Izuku, the force of Wukong's Cloud Step nearly disorienting. But this time, Izuku was ready.

With a single step forward, Izuku shot off, his movements a sonic boom that cracked the ground around him.

WHOOOSH!

The air screamed in his wake, his blue aura streaking across the battlefield like a comet. In an instant, he caught up to Wukong, who barely had time to react as Izuku materialized in front of him, faster than he'd anticipated.

Wukong's staff spun toward Izuku, but the hero was already a step ahead. He tilted his body just enough, evading the incoming strike by a hair's breadth, and retaliated with a swift punch to Wukong's side.

THWACK!

The blow connected, sending Wukong flying backward, his form smashing through a row of stone pillars. Dust and debris exploded into the air as Wukong's figure crashed into the ground, skidding back and kicking up a massive cloud of dirt.

Izuku didn't hesitate. He knew Wukong wouldn't stay down for long. He raised his hand, summoning his trusted dual pistols in a flash of light. In one smooth motion, he fired off a volley of shots, the enchanted bullets tearing through the air toward Wukong.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The loud crack of each shot echoed through the battlefield as the bullets rained down on Wukong, forcing him to dodge. But just as the bullets closed in, Wukong performed a somersault, spinning high into the air on a summoned cloud.

Izuku's sharp eyes tracked Wukong's every movement. With a flick of his wrist, his pistols vanished, and he summoned a sword into his hand. Not wasting a second, he shot forward, launching himself into the air in pursuit of Wukong, who floated effortlessly on his Somersault Cloud.

As they met mid-air, Wukong swung his staff, expanding it with a crackling sound, aiming directly for Izuku's midsection.

Izuku's reaction was instant. With a flash of blue light, he swung his sword in an arc so fast it left an afterimage.

CLANG!

The sword clashed with Wukong's staff, sparks exploding from the point of contact. The sheer force of the clash sent shockwaves across the battlefield, shaking the mountains around them.

Wukong tried to push Izuku back, but Izuku didn't relent. With a sudden burst of energy, he twisted his wrist and flickered out of sight—reappearing behind Wukong in a split second.

In the blink of an eye, Izuku unleashed Judgment Cut. He sheathed his sword momentarily, letting his mana sharpen around him. His eyes glowed with precision, reading every minute movement of Wukong's stance, his breath, his posture. Time seemed to slow for a heartbeat.