Chapter 358: Yasakani no Magatama

Although Kaminari's words sounded harsh, he genuinely had Bakugo's best interests at heart. Persuasion with kindness would have been meaningless to someone like him.

In fact, it wasn't just Bakugo—Kyoka and Momo weren't in great shape either.

Even with the support of the Bat Suit, Kyoka's Earphone Jack Quirk had limits. Overusing soundwaves caused fatigue in her jacks, soreness, and even tinnitus.

Momo's situation was even simpler. After several hours of constant creation, her body fat reserves had reached a critical low. Even if each bullet consumed a small amount, the sheer quantity used had taken its toll.

Ida's legs could barely keep moving. While he wasn't injured, Midoriya, whose condition was barely better, had already caught up to him.

Elsewhere, the bus still sat at the forest's edge. Aizawa, already wrapped in his yellow sleeping bag, had dozed off under the cool air conditioning.

"How's it looking? Can the little kittens reach the dorms within three hours?" Mandalay, dressed in red, stood at the roadside railing and asked with a smile.

"Well…" Pixie-Bob, in her blue dress, hesitated while observing the forest through her Quirk-controlled devices.

"Huh?" Mandalay looked at her in confusion.

"Most of the kittens have temporarily lost their ability to fight for various reasons… But there are four who, surprisingly, still look like they could fight for a few more hours," Pixie-Bob replied, astonished.

"Which four? I bet that blonde kid is one of them, right?"

"Yeah, him. But honestly, he's been taking it easy—he only deals with the earth monsters that come directly at him," Pixie-Bob pouted, wondering if she should up the challenge again.

Mandalay wasn't surprised. After all, Eraser Head had said he was the strongest first-year. "And the other three?"

"One is the boy with a crow's head. He rarely engages directly, instead using that shadow creature coming from his body. And that shadow doesn't seem to have any physical limitations.

"Another is the boy with half-red, half-white hair. The left side of his body releases fire, and the right side ice. He alternates between them effortlessly, without any noticeable physical exhaustion."

Mandalay listened while adjusting her smart glasses, having already pulled up their basic information.

"Tokoyami Fumikage, Quirk: Dark Shadow. Shoto Todoroki… Huh?! He's Endeavor's son!" That revelation truly shocked her. As a top Pro Hero, Endeavor was second only to All Might in reputation.

"There's also a silver-haired boy. Honestly, he surprised me. He has the most takedowns and is the most active fighter of the group—and he still seems capable of going even further!"

Pixie-Bob muttered in disbelief, "In terms of raw stamina, this kid might even surpass Tiger. He's literally smashing these earth monsters with his fists, legs, and feet alone. And I mean now, not hypothetically."

"Exaggerating, are you?"

"Fists?" Mandalay raised an eyebrow and instantly pulled up Tetsutetsu's info. After reading it, she said, "His Quirk is Steel. If he's smashing them while activated, that's nothing unusual."

Pixie-Bob looked at Mandalay with a complex expression. "I mean without using his Quirk."

Using her smart glasses, she had seen that while Tetsutetsu spent most of the time in his steel form, he regularly deactivated it and fought with raw fists and kicks.

"Stronger than Tiger in terms of stamina, and able to crush earth monsters without Quirks… Are you telling me we've got the 'Bare-Fisted Reaper' over here?" Mandalay said, half-joking.

"No joke. He really fights like one." Pixie-Bob nodded, then smiled slyly. "Since these four kittens are so capable… I think I'll have a little fun!"

"Don't go too far! We've already doubled the original difficulty. If you push it any more, someone might get hurt," Mandalay said, clearly concerned.

"Relax. I'll focus the pressure on just those four big cats. I won't mess with the others."

Deep within the forest, Kaminari Denki, Tetsutetsu, Tokoyami Fumikage, and Shoto Todoroki had formed a solid defensive perimeter.

While neutralizing the 'earth monsters' on all sides, they slowly led their tired classmates forward.

"How the heck are they even doing this?"

After slicing down another airborne 'Earth Flying Dragon' with his sword, Kaminari couldn't help but wonder: How is Pixie-Bob managing ultra-long-range intelligent control like this?

It was at least 400 to 500 meters from the bus to their current position, and the dense forest completely blocked line of sight.

Yet these earth constructs moved like real creatures, distinguishing friend from foe, and even regenerating after being destroyed. It was incredible.

"Kaminari!"

Just then, Tetsutetsu—who had just punched an earth monster in the face—called out, "Have you noticed that their numbers aren't going down?!"

"Hmm?!"

Kaminari looked up and realized that the monsters emerging from the forest's depths had become a thick, swarming mass.

"We're probably close to the campsite, so they've ramped up the pressure," Shoto Todoroki said calmly from beside him.

"The darkness is mounting its final assault, and dawn draws near," Tokoyami murmured dramatically.

Looks like the teachers don't plan on letting me coast, Kaminari thought with a smirk. I just hope they're ready for the forest to be wrecked.

Then, he quickly issued orders.

"Todoroki, launch a large-scale ice attack and coordinate with me to take out the bulk of the monsters!"

"Tokoyami, Tetsutetsu—you two handle the cleanup and make sure to protect the others!"

"Got it!" Tetsutetsu nodded and moved a few meters behind Kaminari, ready to guard the rear.

"Leave it to us." Tokoyami followed suit, positioning himself behind Todoroki. In his eyes, Kaminari wasn't just the leader of their band—he was also the strongest one present.

As for Todoroki?

As cold as ever, he just gave a silent nod. Wisps of frost began curling from his body.

"There's so many of them. Can Kaminari and the others really handle it?!" Mineta cried out, terrified at the incoming wave of enemies.

"Damn it…"

Bakugo clutched his still-aching arm, glaring at Kaminari and Todoroki's backs. Deep down, he knew his frustration wasn't aimed at them—it was at himself.

Why can't my Quirk work like theirs, without all these damn limitations? But then his gaze fell on Tetsutetsu's back, and his thoughts paused.

How is that guy still going? Why…?!

Up ahead, the earth monsters had charged to within 30 meters.

Without hesitation, Todoroki activated his Quirk.

Whoosh—

In an instant, an explosive blast of cold surged outward, sweeping across the forest floor toward the enemy.

Everything in its path—rocks, trees, even ants—froze instantly, including the legs of dozens of towering earth monsters.

At the same time, a golden flash tore through the air—Kaminari soared overhead.

He looked down at the frozen battlefield and the flying 'Earth Dragons' still overhead. Crossing his arms, dazzling golden light gathered in his hands.

Szzzzzzzt—

"Yasakani no Magatama!"

In that moment, Kaminari Denki became a sphere of pure light, and countless golden beams burst from it like a downpour—raining across the frozen battlefield Todoroki had just created…

(To be continued.)

***

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