This time I will protect them I won't be a coward

96

Denki’s body froze with fear at the possessive tone. He spun around wildly, eyes wide, and saw All For One approaching with a calculated, deliberate pace.

Denki’s breath hitched. He didn’t like how this timeline was twisting into something darker.

Swallowing hard, Denki tried to steady himself as All For One spoke first. “Tsk, tsk. I apologize on behalf of the League of Villains for hurting you, little angel.”

Denki instinctively backed away, trying to maintain distance, but All For One moved faster than Denki’s weary eyes could track. It felt like a cat toying with a mouse.

Denki’s legs trembled violently. He couldn’t bear to look at the scarred face of the most dangerous villain alive. The aura surrounding him was suffocating—like death itself clung to him.

Above, the sharp blades of a helicopter sliced through the air. Denki glanced up and saw a news chopper flying past Kamino Ward.

Then, All For One activated a voice quirk. Denki’s heart dropped. A flashback slammed into him like a bullet to the chest.

Before the UA entrance exam, Denki had interned at his aunt’s hospital. On a freezing night, a patient had arrived with severe breathing issues. Due to a shortage of oxygen cylinders in nearby hospitals, Denki had handled the emergency himself. The next day, the anonymous patient had sent a lavish bouquet and expensive chocolates in gratitude.

Denki’s voice cracked with horror. “That was you!”

All For One laughed, his rich baritone echoing through the air. He stopped just inches from Denki. “Ah, finally. I heard the angel speak.”

Denki recoiled, disgusted and furious. “I’m not an angel! Stop calling me that!”

All For One chuckled darkly. “But to me, you are.”

He flexed his fingers, and red tendrils shot out like whips.

Denki’s eyes widened. He turned and ran—but slipped, crashing onto the cold concrete.

Pain shot through him as the tendrils wrapped around his body, pulling him toward All For One with possessive force.

Denki gritted his teeth, both in pain and frustration. What can I do? Think, Denki! I can’t use my quirk properly… I’m such an idiot. He’s going to steal my quirk!

Suspended mid-air, Denki stared at All For One. Even with his scarred face, the villain’s gaze was chilling.

“What’s wrong, angel?” All For One asked softly. “Why are you crying?”

Denki gasped. His brain was on the verge of short-circuiting. Was that panic laced with velvet? Was there something darker hidden in his voice?

He blinked, confused. “Uh…?”

Cold tears streamed down his cheeks. When did I start crying?

The red tendrils gently wiped his tears away.

Suddenly, a massive boom echoed through the area. Steel and concrete flew as a shockwave tore through the street.

Denki turned his head. All Might was no longer smiling. His face was terrifying, his fury palpable.

“All For One!” he roared, charging forward with his fist raised. “You’ve gone too far! Let go of my student this instant!”

All For One chuckled. “You’ve gotten slow, Toshinori. Your recklessness reminds me of her. Ah, you and Nana Shimura—two fools. I’ll make sure you join her in hell tonight.”

Denki struggled against the tendrils, bruises already forming beneath his clothes. He screamed, “All Might! Remember your origin! Your quirk is stronger than this bastard’s! So many people believe in you—even that recklessly loving idiot wants to see you defeat him!”

All Might’s eyes widened. Did he just call Midoriya a reckless idiot?

Despite the chaos, All Might smiled at Denki’s words. Even wrapped in the clutches of evil, the boy hadn’t lost hope.

All Might raised his fist. “Texas Smash!”

But All For One anticipated the move and dodged effortlessly. All Might crashed into the wreckage of a nearby building.

“All Might-san!” Denki screamed.

The tendrils jerked violently, yanking Denki forward until he was face-to-face with All For One.