𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗦 ⌈𝐈⌔𝐌 ✗ 𝔽!𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹⌋

Chapter 044

CHAPTER 44: Bonds Tested, Loyalties Decided

The hospital room was shrouded in silence, each member of Class 1-A processing Kirishima’s words in their own way. The absence of their friends pressed on them like a weight, casting a shadow over the group, but the spark of fierce resolve in Kirishima’s eyes ignited a glimmer of hope in them. He had always been the one to lift others up, to push them to go beyond their limits—and now he looked as determined as ever.

It was Todoroki who finally broke the silence, his voice steady yet intense. “If we don’t act soon, Bakugo and Mizushima might not make it.” His words were calm, yet the urgency underlying them stirred the room. For a moment, everyone exchanged glances, trying to gauge each other's reactions, their shared concern casting aside any lingering doubts.

Aoyama shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Tokoyami and Tsuyu, who shared his hesitancy. Tsuyu’s quiet voice held a hint of fear as she murmured, “Isn’t this something the Pro-Heroes should be handling?” Her words resonated, and for a moment, doubt crept in. But before anyone could answer, the door opened, and a doctor entered. With a serious expression, he asked Midoriya to step outside for a private discussion.

Kirishima gave Midoriya a reassuring nod, gesturing subtly for him to meet back after dark, a plan beginning to form between them even without words.

---

In the dimly lit doctor’s office, the weight of the news hit Midoriya like a punch to the gut. Every reckless blow he had thrown in his fight against Muscular had left a mark, and the doctor’s words were sobering. If he continued using his Quirk at such extreme levels, he would face more than just injury—paralysis could be his future. The warning was as harsh as it was necessary, a stark reminder of his own limitations.

As the doctor finished speaking, he handed Midoriya a small note from Kota, a simple gesture that touched him deeply. Kota’s words, brimming with gratitude, were a reminder of what he had fought for, the lives he had protected. But even this kindness couldn’t drown out the ache in his heart. Bakugo and Mizushima were in the clutches of villains, and every second counted.

Leaving the office, Midoriya’s injuries weighed on him, each step feeling heavier than the last. But his resolve grew with every heartbeat. His friends needed him, and he couldn’t turn his back on them now. With his mission clear, he steeled himself, knowing that this rescue wasn’t just about saving lives—it was about protecting the bonds he had forged.

---

At that same moment, a gathering of Pro-Heroes convened in a secure location. Detective Tsukauchi stood at the center, his calm voice leading the charge as he laid out the mission’s objectives. Surrounding him were some of the top heroes: Endeavor, Best Jeanist, Edgeshot, Gang Orca, Gran Torino, Tiger, Kamui Woods, Mt. Lady, and, surprisingly, Aiko, who had insisted on joining despite her retirement.

Flashback

In the quiet solitude of the emergency room, Aiko sat alone, her fingers tracing over a worn photograph she held in her hand. It was a picture from years ago—a memory of a time when everything had seemed so simple, so full of hope. She had kept it close through all these years, a reminder of the family she cherished more than anything. Now, it was both a comfort and a burden, a tangible link to the daughter she had once held safe.

Her husband’s silence filled the room, his usual strength crumbling under the weight of their worst fears. He had always been their rock, the unwavering force that kept their family steady. But now, faced with the grim reality that their youngest daughter was in the hands of villains, he was as vulnerable as she was. His fists clenched and unclenched, his breathing shallow, as though every breath was a struggle.