Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 46: Reckoning

The ruins of the hospital loom around them, a haunting reminder of the chaos they have endured. Bakugou stands with clenched fists, anger boiling within him as he stares at Shigaraki. The villain’s body is nearly unrecognizable beneath layers of scorched flesh. “You think you can just destroy everything?” he shouts, the heat of his fury igniting inside him. “Heroes don’t give in to destruction just because you’re too pathetic to see your own failure!”

Endeavor stands firm beside him, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. “No matter how much power you obtain, you will never break our conviction to protect society,” he declares, determination blazing in his eyes.

But then Shigaraki smirks, a twisted grin that sends a chill down Bakugou's spine. “Heroes only pretend to protect society,” he retorts, echoing his father’s cruel words. “How many times have you turned a blind eye to the things you couldn't save? You sweep the filth of society under the rug, coddling it like a child.” His voice drips with disdain, and Bakugou can almost feel the rot he describes seeping into the air.

“It's that accumulation of decay that breeds true destruction,” Shigaraki continues, his eyes reflecting the pain of his past. “Your recklessness as Heroes is what allows the filth to fester. You’re incapable of understanding this cycle. It’s what separates Heroes from Villains.”

Endeavor snaps, firing a blast of flames toward Shigaraki. “Thanks for the monologue,” he scoffs, sarcasm laced with bitterness. “It gave me a moment to cool down.” But Shigaraki leaps through the flames, defying logic and igniting a fresh wave of anger within Bakugou. How can he still move?

Gran Torino tackles Shigaraki to the ground, a flash of concern crossing his face. He can see it in Endeavor's eyes—his fire has waned, likely a consequence of the flashy moves he’s been using. But Shigaraki isn't done yet. He grabs Gran Torino’s leg and crushes it, slamming him into the ground with a sickening thud.

“Gran Torino!” Deku screams, the anguish in his voice piercing through the chaos, mirroring Bakugou's own dread. They can’t let this continue. They need to reach him!

As they scramble to help, Shigaraki's monstrous form looms closer, his grotesque features twisted into a cruel smirk. Gran Torino, battered and broken, struggles to comprehend the situation. “What you said about Heroes… was it true?” he wonders, doubt creeping into his thoughts. But before he can ponder further, Shigaraki punches straight through his chest.

The wave of anguish crashes over Bakugou as Deku cries out. “No!” he screams, rage igniting within him. Shigaraki's going to pay for this.

Deku tries to strike Shigaraki with Blackwhip, but Tomura speeds past both of them, targeting Eraser Head. “Get back!” Bakugou yells, but Ryukyu intercepts him, clutching him in her powerful grip. “You’re not going anywhere!”

But Shigaraki, exhausted yet furious, reaches for the Quirk-Destroying bullets hidden in his grasp. “No…” Bakugou murmurs, panic rising as Deku realizes the danger. “He’s got those bullets!”

Shigaraki breaks free of Ryukyu’s hold, and Bakugou sees the determination in Deku's eyes. “We can’t let him hurt Eraser Head!” he yells, unleashing his new Ultimate Move, the 100% Wyoming Smash. But Bakugou can see the fear in his expression as he charges forward.

Then it happens—Shigaraki bites down on Deku’s arm, the pain eliciting a gasp. “You’re nothing!” Shigaraki snarls, throwing the bullet toward Eraser Head’s leg.

Time slows as Bakugou watches Eraser Head’s eyes widen in realization. He knows what’s coming. With a decisive movement born of desperation, he pulls out a knife, cutting off his own leg before the drug can spread. Bakugou's breath hitches at the sight—Eraser Head is sacrificing everything to protect them.

“Damn it, Eraser Head!” Bakugou screams, torn between admiration and horror. How cool can one guy be?

But in that moment of shock, Shigaraki unleashes a shockwave, breaking free of Ryukyu and Deku’s grip. He lunges toward Eraser Head, dodging their attacks like he’s in a twisted dance, grabbing his face with a manic grin. “I’m clearing this stupid game!”

As Shigaraki digs his fingers into Eraser Head’s face, rage ignites in Bakugou's chest. “Get away from him!” he yells, but Deku yanks Shigaraki back with Blackwhip. Just as he’s pulled away, a blast of ice strikes him, Shoto’s familiar figure stepping forward.

“Deku!” Shoto calls out, urgency in his voice. But as Bakugou glances back at Eraser Head, a sickening dread settles in. His eyes are closed, and he knows what that means—his Quirk is deactivated.

“Sensei!” Deku cries, horror flooding his features as he rushes to his teacher. But it’s too late. Shigaraki's wounds heal before their eyes, his Super Regeneration kicking in. He turns to them, a twisted smile stretching across his face. “You can delay it all you want, but your fate is total destruction.”

With every ounce of his being, Bakugou refuses to accept it. He can’t let this be the end. “Damn it!” he shouts, gathering his flames, feeling the power coursing through him. “I won’t let you win!”