Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 44: The Confrontation

Bakugou’s POV
Bakugou's instincts scream at him as he stands beside Deku, the tension in the air palpable. Burnin orders the civilians to evacuate, her voice cutting through the chaos as Deku’s gaze darts around, trying to assess the situation. It’s not just the civilians they need to protect anymore; Shigaraki is on the move, and Bakugou feels the urgency settle in his chest like a stone.

“Deku!” he calls out, feeling the weight of their responsibilities pressing down on him. “You know the others will want to keep you safe, but we have to move!” Being a Hero means protecting everyone, but sometimes that means stepping into danger first.

“Right,” Deku responds, his eyes filled with uncertainty. “But we have to prioritize their safety. Shigaraki could—”

“I heard him mention One For All,” Bakugou interjects, the heat of determination igniting within him. “He’s coming, and we need to draw him in closer.”

Deku’s expression shifts, and Bakugou senses the familiar spark of resolve within him. “Why are you coming with me?” Deku asks, his voice low.

“Because you’re the only one who can make them understand quickly enough!” Bakugou shoots back, his frustration mixing with the adrenaline coursing through him. He won’t let Deku face this alone—not again.

“Thanks,” Deku says, and for a moment, Bakugou feels a flicker of warmth. But the gravity of the situation douses it quickly. He still has a score to settle with Shigaraki, the guilt of All Might’s retirement clawing at his insides. “And don’t forget, this is personal for me. I won’t lose again.”

Bakugou’s thoughts race. He knows Deku’s Full Cowl output is only at 30% right now, and he pushes it up to 45%, feeling the familiar surge of power. They’ve trained together; he’s kept pace with Deku’s increasing strength, and this time, he’s done losing.

“Stay close, Deku!” he yells, determination flooding his voice as Shigaraki finally catches up to them. The villain’s hand reaches out, demanding One For All, and Bakugou feels the familiar sense of dread washing over him, like déjà vu from the Kamino Incident. It’s as if death itself looms over them, and for a split second, he hesitates.

Gran Torino swoops in, grabbing them both and darting away. “Shigaraki's Decay is too dangerous! You two can’t engage!” he shouts, but Bakugou’s not having it.

“No way! We can’t just run!” He glances at Deku, who is fighting back his instincts to argue.

“Listen, you can’t beat him alone,” Gran Torino presses. “We have to regroup and strategize. It’s not just about you two!”

Ryukyu dives in, attacking Shigaraki, and Bakugou’s eyes widen as the villain surprisingly fails to activate his Quirk. “What the hell?” he mutters, and then he feels it—the tides are shifting.

Eraser Head arrives, questioning why they were so close to Shigaraki.

Bakugou watches as Endeavor charges at Shigaraki, the fire hero’s flames burning bright despite the chaos around them. But Shigaraki dodges, and Bakugou grits his teeth, feeling the helplessness swell within him. He can’t just stand by.

“Gran Torino!” Bakugou snaps. “We need to help!”

But before he can argue, a swarm of Nomu erupts onto the scene, attacking the other Heroes. Bakugou’s blood runs cold; they’re overwhelmed. He knows they have to stay together, but the odds are stacking against them.

Shigaraki stands triumphantly, a twisted mockery of the Heroes’ victories past. Anger surges through Bakugou, igniting his resolve. He refuses to let it end like this.

“Deku, we can’t lose Eraser Head!” Bakugou barks. “We have to protect him!”

Suddenly, Deku and Katsuki tackle Shigaraki, a flash of instinct kicking in. The three of them, side by side, holding back the tide. “It’s our turn to save him,” he thinks fiercely, the memory of Eraser Head’s lessons guiding them.

“Get ready, Deku!” he calls, unleashing an AP Machine-Gun on Shigaraki, the explosions echoing through the air. But the villain brushes them off like nothing. “What the hell?”

Deku tries to use Blackwhip to restrain Shigaraki, but Bakugou knows they need to coordinate their attacks. They can’t let Shigaraki slip through their fingers.

Endeavor charges back into the fray, and Bakugou catches his breath, relieved yet tense. The battle isn’t over.

As Shigaraki calls Deku his “little brother,” confusion washes over Bakugou. He narrows his eyes, ready to strike. “What kind of mind games are you playing?”

“Whatever it is, we’ll end it here,” Bakugou vows, his resolve hardening as they prepare to stand against the darkness looming over them.