As the distance to the nuclear weapon shrank, Ochaco hesitated.
"Should we act now?" she asked, her voice uncertain.
Izuku furrowed his brows. "Akira's already spotted us. The smoke earlier was our only cover, and now that's gone."
"But we're only ten meters away," Ochaco countered, glancing nervously at Akira and Bakugo, locked in combat. "Is he really that unbeatable? If we just rush in, can't we grab the nuclear weapon and win?"
Izuku shook his head firmly. "You don't understand. Akira isn't like the others. He probably anticipated this situation the moment he got paired with Bakugo. He's likely been monitoring us this whole time, even while fighting."
Ochaco frowned. "That sounds... a bit much, don't you think?"
"You've never faced him," Izuku said, his voice serious. "I have. If we're not careful, we won't stand a chance."
Reluctantly, Ochaco nodded. "Fine. I'll follow your lead."
---
Across the room, Akira and Bakugo continued their clash.
"Get ready," Akira said with a smirk.
"Bring it on!" Bakugo roared, charging forward.
In a blur, Akira closed the distance and swept his leg forward, aiming directly at Bakugo.
"Too fast!" Bakugo muttered, eyes widening.
The kick connected with Bakugo's gauntlet-covered arm. A loud *crack* echoed as the reinforced wrist guard shattered, sending Bakugo hurtling backward. He crashed into the wall with a loud *boom*, leaving a trail of debris in his wake.
Coughing and groaning, Bakugo pulled himself up, wiping blood from his mouth. "You bastard!"
Before he could act, Akira vanished again. Bakugo's instincts screamed, and he turned just in time to hear Akira's mocking voice from behind.
"Too slow!" Akira grabbed Bakugo's arm and, with a swift motion, hurled him across the room.
Bakugo tumbled through the air, landing roughly in front of Izuku and Ochaco.
"He's all yours now," Akira said nonchalantly, turning his attention back to the nuclear weapon.
"Huh?" Ochaco blinked, confused.
Bakugo groaned as he got back on his feet, glaring at Akira. "What the hell do you think I am? Some kind of toy you can just toss around?!"
Akira smirked, leaning lazily against the fake nuclear weapon. "What else? If you're not even worth my time, then go play with them."
All Might's voice crackled over the intercom. "Akira, assigning Bakugo to the Hero team gives them an unfair advantage!"
"Unfair?" Akira glanced at the camera, his expression calm. "He's just dead weight on my side anyway. Let's call it balance."
All Might hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Fine. Bakugo is now part of the Hero team."
"Tch." Bakugo clenched his fists, the veins on his forehead bulging. "This isn't over, Akira!"
"Kacchan, let's work together to recover the nuclear weapon," Izuku said cautiously, trying to defuse the tension.
"Don't order me around, Deku!" Bakugo snapped.
"Hey, listen to me." Izuku's tone turned serious. "We're up against Akira. If we don't work together, we won't stand a chance."
Bakugo's scowl deepened, his pride clearly stung. Despite his anger, he knew Izuku was right. His fight with Akira had already proven that much.
"Fine," Bakugo muttered, his voice dripping with resentment.
Akira clapped his hands mockingly, drawing their attention. "What's the plan, Heroes? Are you coming at me all at once, or do you want to take turns?"
Bakugo didn't hesitate, launching himself at Akira with his gauntlet raised.
"Click!" The device activated, releasing a massive explosion.
Golden light filled the room, followed by a deafening *boom*.
But when the smoke cleared, Akira stood unscathed, his sand shield shimmering faintly around him.
"Is that all?" Akira asked, unimpressed.
Izuku took advantage of the brief distraction, dashing toward the nuclear weapon. Akira caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and smirked.
"Nice try."
Izuku barely managed to avoid a tendril of sand that lashed out at him, forcing him to retreat.
Ochaco saw the opening and rushed forward, her hand outstretched.
"Almost there!" she thought, her heart pounding.
But just as she was about to touch the nuclear weapon, the ground beneath her feet shifted violently. A wall of sand rose between her and the target, stopping her in her tracks.
"What the...?" Ochaco stumbled back in shock.
Akira chuckled, his voice echoing ominously. "Did you really think I wasn't paying attention?"