MHA: The Sentry

_____[POV: Third person]_____

Bakugo didn't understand how Izuku was still there.

He simply couldn't comprehend it. How could someone like him still be here? Izuku was quirkless. He had no power. There was no way he could be a hero. He was a complete failure.

But no. He was here. For some reason, he was still here.

And not just that. He had surpassed Bakugo. He had ranked above him in the U.A. entrance exam.

This was unacceptable.

Since they were five years old, since that damned day when Izuku decided to push himself, everything had started to change. Bakugo had always seen it as a waste of time. A quirkless person would never amount to anything. But somehow, Izuku had proven otherwise. How? How was this possible? How dare he defy the fate that Bakugo had already accepted for him?

Studies, sports, activities... Everything. It was always Izuku at the top. A damn quirkless person surpassing him? That was ridiculous! Unacceptable! Illogical! He tried to crush him, to make him understand his place. But every time he tried, it was Bakugo who ended up falling.

And always, always, it was Ryuji who stopped him. Why? Why did he protect him? What did Izuku have that Bakugo didn't? What did Ryuji see in him that Bakugo couldn't see? Why did it feel like the entire universe was against him?!

It infuriated him. No. It consumed him. A burning rage seethed inside Bakugo every second he saw Izuku there, defying his fate, proving him wrong. His place at the top was being stolen right before his eyes, and he could do nothing.

No, he could.

He promised himself that at the first opportunity, no matter how small, he would bring Izuku down.

He would crush him without hesitation.

He would destroy him.

_____[POV: Izuku]_____

Ten minutes before the start of the test.

The hologram projected from my forearm, the bluish lights reflecting off Uraraka's curious face as I explained the plan. My voice echoed through the helmet's speaker, distorted by the modulator.

"Bakugo and Iida probably won't get along very well. Bakugo isn't the type to work in a team, especially with someone like Iida, who takes rules seriously. The chance of Bakugo breaking off and coming after me is almost one hundred percent." My gaze remained fixed on the building's projection as I slid my finger across the hologram, highlighting the likely movement routes.

"That means we can't stay together," I added, rotating the hologram to show the location of the simulated nuclear artifact. "We split up. I hold off Bakugo, and you handle Iida. Once I'm done, I'll back you up."

Uraraka blinked, impressed by the quick analysis. "But how can you be so sure Bakugo will act like that?"

I let out a short sigh. "We're kind of 'childhood friends'... but we never got along. He's always been impulsive and never accepted that I was in his way, and that's a predictable factor we can use to our advantage."

Uraraka opened her mouth to compliment the strategy, but I raised my hand, cutting her off. "If something goes wrong and Bakugo somehow defeats me, I want you to use this." I handed her a small black metal sphere. "Plan B. Use your Quirk on this and throw it in Iida's direction. If he's holding the bomb, it'll be even more effective."

She furrowed her brow, confused, but nodded, trusting the strategy. I closed the hologram with a flick of my wrist and checked the HUD on my helmet. "Jarvis indicated the remaining time."

"Sixty seconds until the start of the test."

I took a deep breath, feeling the exoskeleton of the armor adjust to my body, tripling my strength and reflexes. It wasn't my best combat option, but I also didn't want to turn this into an all-out war. This suit was the Shadow Hunter, a suit I developed more for hand-to-hand combat and infiltration.

The cape, reinforced with high-density Kevlar, swayed slightly as I moved. It could stop high-speed projectiles and reduce the impact of explosions. That's a small addition I made specifically to deal with Bakugo.

Uraraka watched me intently. "Do you think Bakugo will fall for this so easily?"

I smiled under the helmet. "He always does."

The timer hit zero.

"Begin!"

_____[POV: Third person]_____

Bakugo launched himself at Izuku with a powerful explosion, the sound echoing through the corridors as he surged forward like a human projectile. Izuku, anticipating the attack, positioned himself to execute a Seoi-nage, but Bakugo demonstrated his aerial mastery. With a quick maneuver propelled by his explosions, he changed trajectory at the last moment, soaring over Izuku and landing behind him before detonating another point-blank explosion.

The shockwave swept through the hallway, creating a curtain of smoke and debris. However, when the dust settled, Bakugo's eyes widened as he saw Izuku unharmed, his cape slowly lowering after absorbing the impact of the blast. Frustration welled up inside him.

Izuku didn't hesitate. He charged forward with speed, forcing Bakugo to retreat. But Izuku was faster. With a calculated move, he grabbed the blond's arm and attempted to strike. Bakugo managed to raise his left gauntlet at the last second, blocking the impact, and immediately countered with a knee strike. Izuku intercepted the blow with his free hand but realized too late that Bakugo's other hand was already positioned in front of his face.

"Die, Deku!" Bakugo snarled, detonating a point-blank explosion.

Smoke rose again, but when Bakugo waved it away with a swipe of his hand, Izuku wasn't where he was supposed to be. Confused, he looked around, but before he could locate his opponent, small black spheres fell around him. In the next instant, a sonic explosion echoed through the corridor, and a dense curtain of smoke covered the entire area.

Bakugo found himself immersed in the darkness of the thick fog. His instincts screamed at him to move, but then he heard the sound of something metallic clattering on the ground. His eyes searched for the source and soon spotted a red glow emerging from the smoke. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and fired an explosion in that direction. Nothing.

Another light appeared to his left. Bakugo twisted his body and fired again, but once more, he hit nothing. His heart pounded in his chest, his frustration growing with every second. Izuku was toying with him, using the smoke screen to confuse him.

"Stop running, you damn coward!" Bakugo roared, unleashing more explosions around him.

It was then that Izuku suddenly emerged from the smoke, too fast for Bakugo to react. Before he realized it, he felt something tightly wrapping around his torso. The capture tape! Izuku had used the equipment provided by All Might to strategically restrain Bakugo's arms, limiting his explosive movements.

Bakugo tried to resist, but Izuku seized the opening. With a precise spin, he executed a Seoi-nage, using Bakugo's own weight against him. The moment the blond was thrown into the air, Izuku activated an electric pulse in his armored arm, discharging a paralyzing current directly into his rival's body.

Bakugo hit the ground with a brutal impact. His body shuddered for a moment before going still. Silence reigned in the corridor.

Izuku stood still for a moment, monitoring Bakugo's vitals through his armor's HUD. Once he confirmed that Bakugo was only unconscious, he raised his head and adjusted his communication.

"Uraraka, Kacchan is out of the game. Moving to support you now."

_____[POV: Ryuji]_____

The monitoring room exploded—not literally, but considering the amount of screaming and shouting, maybe it would have been better if it had. Everyone was talking at the same time about how amazing Izuku had been at containing Bakugo.

"Dude, that was insane! Deku not only predicted Bakugo's moves but also finished him off in an insanely cool way!" Kirishima shouted, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Not to mention his control over the fight. Every move was calculated," added Momo, adjusting a loose strand of hair.

"And his armor! That thing is like... invincible?" Kaminari gestured as if trying to emphasize the grandeur of the scene he had just witnessed.

By this point, I was half-deaf. Great, apparently, my hearing is now also a victim of Izuku's ego. Because yes, despite his humility and serious demeanor, no one can convince me that he's not holding back from saying, "I was amazing, right? Right?" Ah, how well I know that bastard.

I kept looking at the big screen, unsurprised. In fact, I had expected this. Izuku might not have All Might's inflatable muscles, but he makes up for it with the high intelligence I gave him. Bakugo never stood a chance. The explosive blond may have willpower and aggression, but against someone like Izuku? Forget it. I built him differently. Of course, my silence didn't mean anything, as my classmates seemed determined to shout even louder to ensure I would never have peace again.

"Ah, Bakugo's moving," said Tsuyu, pointing at the screen.

I turned my head to look.

Bakugo, removing the restraints that were supposed to keep him tied up, and aiming his gauntlet straight at Izuku's back.

"Young Bakugo, stop! You've already been captured! You're out of the game!" All Might intervened, his voice resonating through the room with authority.

Now, any remotely rational person would have stopped. But we're talking about Katsuki Bakugo.

What followed was a blinding flash, a tremor that shook the entire building, and the deafening sound of a massive explosion. The big screen filled with static.

The noise in the room died instantly.

_____[POV: Third person]_____

Seconds before the explosion.

He... lost? How? Even using his Quirk, he couldn't beat someone Quirkless? What was that armor? Was that even allowed? Why? How? Why did Izuku of all people get that? When did this happen? Where did he get it? Wasn't this unfair? This should be unfair!

Chaotic thoughts swirled in Bakugo's mind as darkness threatened to consume him. His breathing was uneven, his head throbbed, and his body ached from the electricity still resonating in his muscles. But then, a sound cut through his unconsciousness.

"Uraraka, Kacchan is out of the game. Moving to support you now."

His guard was down. The opportunity Bakugo had always waited for. The perfect cue to tear Izuku down from the top and reclaim the place that was rightfully his.

His fingers twitched before moving furiously. His body felt heavy, but he couldn't stop. He began to free himself from the bindings, gritting his teeth, every fiber of his being burning with hatred and frustration. With a violent tug, his arms broke free enough to move his gauntlet. His eyes gleamed with pure determination and madness as he raised it, aiming directly at Izuku's back.

All Might noticed the movement and immediately intervened. "Bakugo, stop! You've already been captured! You're out of the game!" His voice was stern, almost authoritative, but to Bakugo, it sounded distant and insignificant.

He didn't care.

Izuku was slowly turning, perhaps sensing something was wrong. But it was already too late. Bakugo's eyes were wide, filled with an insane frenzy. His fingers moved instinctively to the gauntlet's pin. He didn't think. He just acted.

Izuku cheated. So there was no reason for him not to do the same.

He pulled the pin.

The sound was deafening. A flash lit up the hallway, engulfing everything in a blinding light. Izuku, in an immediate reflex, pulled his cape around his body to shield himself. But the explosion came with full force, swallowing everything around it.

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The dust hung thick in the air, swallowing everything in a suffocating haze of debris and destruction. The building trembled from the effects of the explosion, and a massive, smoking hole marked the spot where an intact hallway had once been. Chunks of concrete and metal fell slowly, echoing in the tense silence that followed.

Bakugo stood, panting, his wide eyes fixed on the figure in front of him. His heart hammered against his ribs, a mix of adrenaline and dread coursing through his veins.

Izuku.

Or at least, what was left of him.

The combat armor was destroyed, parts of the metal burned and twisted by the explosion. His left arm... was no longer there. Blood and oil dripped from the wreckage of the exoskeleton. His body was covered in burns and deep wounds, and the cracked visor of his helmet flickered weakly with emergency messages from Jarvis.

"Critical damage. Vital signs weak. Immediate medical intervention required."

But Izuku didn't respond. He didn't move. He didn't speak.

Bakugo felt his stomach churn.

Uraraka was trying to reach Izuku through the communicator, her voice laden with worry and desperation. But there was no response. Nothing but the static buzz of the open channel.

Bakugo's heart pounded against his chest, his body trembling slightly. He hadn't wanted this. He hadn't wanted things to go this far. Izuku just shouldn't have gotten in the way. If Izuku hadn't stepped into his path, this wouldn't have happened! If he hadn't risen so high... If he hadn't insisted so much on being something he couldn't be...

This... this wasn't what he wanted.

It wasn't his fault.

Bakugo's breathing grew heavy. He tried to push the thoughts away, but they came rushing in. What would happen now? Would he be expelled? Arrested? Everyone must be watching him. What were they thinking?

And then, a new presence dominated the scene.

A bright golden aura emerged from the hole in the building. Ryuji.

His eyes blazed with pure fury, locked onto Bakugo like a predator about to strike. Bakugo felt a chill run down his spine. Before he could react, Ryuji shot toward him like a projectile. In an instant, Bakugo felt the brutal impact of his body being slammed against the wall.

Ryuji's hand gripped his throat, lifting him off the ground with superhuman strength. His other hand was already poised to strike.

But then, a firm grip interrupted his movement.

"Young Fugimoto, calm down." All Might's voice was serious, yet carried a tone of pleading. "We don't need another disaster."

Ryuji turned his blazing eyes toward the Symbol of Peace. All Might felt a shiver run down his spine but didn't loosen his grip. For a moment, the silence was absolute, the tension crushing. And then, finally, Ryuji's golden aura began to fade.

With a heavy sigh, he released Bakugo, who fell to the ground. The blonde dropped to his knees, coughing and gasping, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear.

Kneeling beside his friend, Ryuji surveyed the damage. A long sigh escaped his lips.

"This time, you really messed up..." he murmured.

He then placed his hand on Izuku's metallic chest, and his golden aura shone brighter, enveloping the boy's shattered body.

The wounds began to disappear. The blood dried up, the burns vanished. The flesh regenerated, and then, in the blink of an eye, Izuku's lost arm grew back as if it had never been torn off.

"Vital signs stabilized," Jarvis announced. "Internal damage corrected. Essential functions restored."

All Might watched it all, his eyes wide.

"A healing quirk... so powerful it can regenerate even a lost limb?" he murmured, incredulous. He had never seen anything like it. Not even Recovery Girl could regenerate lost limbs.

Ryuji said nothing. With Izuku healed, Ryuji carefully lifted him, cradling him in his arms.

"I'll take him to the infirmary," he declared, not looking at anyone. "He needs to rest."

And with that, Ryuji flew out through the hole in the building, leaving only a trail of golden light behind.

All Might remained there for a few seconds, staring at the empty space where Ryuji had disappeared.

Then, slowly, he turned to Bakugo.

The blonde was on the ground, muttering incessantly.

"It's not my fault... it's not my fault... I didn't mean to..."

All Might clenched his fists.

He knew that from this day on, everything would change.

----------------------------------------

Ryuji was sitting in the chair next to the bed where Izuku was resting, his thoughts still wandering over what had happened earlier. The scene of Bakugo, driven mad by his own frustration, kept replaying in his mind. He had never seen him like that before. Perhaps his own presence had altered the dynamic between Bakugo and Izuku. The human mind was something complex, something that even he, with his abilities, still didn't fully understand.

As he delved deeper into these thoughts, a throbbing headache emerged. The mere act of considering telepathy on people other than his subordinates bothered him. He avoided using this ability whenever possible since the last incident, limiting it only to what was necessary. It wasn't something he liked to admit, but there were things even he preferred not to know.

If there was one thing he was sure of, it was that for a moment, he had almost killed Bakugo. If it hadn't been for All Might's intervention...

Time passed, and Izuku finally began to regain consciousness. Recovery Girl was by the bed, assessing his condition with a clinical and experienced gaze. As soon as he opened his eyes, the elderly woman began explaining what had happened and discussing his diagnosis. And as everyone expected, Izuku was completely fine, with no trace of the injuries he had suffered.

"Your recovery was exceptional, young man. Your body shows no signs of trauma or stress. All thanks to young Ryuji here," she said, casting a satisfied look at the boy beside her.

"Thank you..." Izuku murmured, still a bit groggy. Recovery Girl then looked directly at Ryuji and smiled slightly.

"Your healing power is impressive, young man. Not even my Quirk can compare. Have you ever considered becoming my assistant? I'm sure we could work wonders together."

Ryuji simply smiled faintly and shook his head.

"I appreciate the offer, but I already have my own plans."

Recovery Girl let out a tired sigh but didn't press further. She then looked back at Izuku, as if wanting to give one last piece of advice before letting him rest.

Izuku, however, seemed shaken. His eyes turned to his own hands, a melancholic look forming on his face.

"In the end... I didn't make any difference..." His voice carried a mix of sadness and frustration.

Ryuji sighed and, without warning, pinched Izuku's cheek firmly, pulling it to the side.

"Ow! What was that for?!" Izuku complained, rubbing his sore cheek.

"To teach you a lesson. Never underestimate your opponents, not even those you think you know completely. You may know everything about someone's abilities, strategies, and weaknesses. But the psychological aspect is always unpredictable," Ryuji said, his expression serious.

Izuku blinked, surprised. He processed the words for a moment before nodding slowly, understanding the message.

Before they could continue the conversation, the door to the infirmary burst open suddenly. The imposing figure of All Might appeared, his expression filled with concern.

"Young Midoriya! Are you all right?!" His voice was urgent.

Before Izuku could respond, Recovery Girl turned abruptly to the Symbol of Peace, her gaze sharp as a blade.

"YOU! How dare you come in here with that carefree attitude?! You're responsible for these students, and you let them get to this point! Instead of being the Symbol of Peace, you stood there like a stone statue!"

All Might's eyes widened, taken aback by the sudden scolding. Recovery Girl continued to reprimand him for several minutes, her sharp words piercing any defense he might have tried to raise. Only when she finally ran out of breath did she calm down, crossing her arms and giving him a stern look.

"You were lucky Ryuji was here," she concluded, grumbling.

All Might lowered his head for a moment, his thoughts heavy. Then, straightening up, he looked directly at Ryuji before bowing deeply.

"Thank you so much, Young Ryuji. If it weren't for you, we might have lost Young Midoriya. I am eternally grateful."

Ryuji simply shook his head, his expression calm.

"I just did what anyone would have done."

All Might remained silent for a moment, but then straightened his posture, his expression becoming serious.

"Actually, I have one more request for you, Young Ryuji."

And then, under the attentive gazes of everyone, All Might did something unexpected. His body began to shrink, and in a few seconds, his muscular form disappeared, revealing his true appearance: thin, frail, and visibly exhausted. Izuku's eyes widened in shock, but Ryuji and Recovery Girl showed no surprise.

All Might lifted his shirt, revealing the deep scar on his abdomen, a mark from an ancient battle that still haunted him.

"Do you think... you can heal this?" he asked, his voice filled with hope.

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(A/N: I hope you enjoyed the reading; I spent 5 hours writing and revising this chapter. As you can see, it's quite long and chaotic, and it was fun to make. Changing the subject, the poll from the previous chapter will be closed. And as expected, the no-harem option won—a victory for us. The MC will not have any other romantic relationships except with the chosen partner. As for the relationships with the subordinates, they will remain neutral. There's no way to change this anymore, so this is the only thing I'll let slide. Now, moving on to a topic I wanted to discuss. I'd like ideas for other reincarnated characters from you all, including their powers and their bizarre ambitions. This way, I can make things more diverse.

You can leave your ideas here, but remember that they are probably dead.

I'll stop here for now. See you in the next update.)