A.N: Hey all. To everyone who's reviewed and PM'd asking me if I'm okay, I am. Thanks for your concern, it really does mean a lot. I just had a bit of trouble writing these past two weeks. So, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.

Chapter 23: Heroes Rising

Moriboshi just stared at Asta impassively as several vines rose from the ground around him. "Is that so?" He asked. "So you choose to protect them simply because you wish to oppose us? I could not think of a more idiotic reason to get yourself killed."

"You're oversimplifying it a bit, you jerk." Asta glared at the Deacon. "Here, let me put it to ya this way."

"With every jackass like you who doesn't value life, there needs to be people who do in order to balance it out." Asta told him. "I won't let you have your way, because I care about these people. They're alive, and deserve to be so!"

"Oh, they deserve to be alive?" Moriboshi raised a curious eyebrow. "I suppose that is a rather noble way to look at things."

"But what exactly has the living done with the life they are given?" Moriboshi asked, making Asta look at him in shock. "Do you truly deserve to live when you waste life?"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Asta asked.

"Oh never mind, I'm sure it would just go right over your head anyway." Moriboshi brushed the matter off. "Now then, since you value life so much, how about we turn this into a game, boy?"

"The hell we are!" Asta yelled. "We're not turning this into a game."

"You don't have a choice." Moriboshi shook his head before gesturing to the people wrapped up in his vines. "The game is quite simple. With every five minutes that passes, one of these vines will squeeze one of these people to death. If you don't wish to play, then perhaps I'll just go ahead and squeeze them all to death."

"In other words, boy, you don't have a choice but to play my way, if you value life that much." Moriboshi glared at Asta. "The question now is, how will you proceed? Those dulled swords of yours can't cut through my vines. Of course, even if you could chop the vines in half, the fall at this point would kill any of these people."

"You could certainly try to rip the vines with that strength of yours, but that'll just leave you wide open to the rest of my vines." Moriboshi pointed out. "However, you could actually try to attack me directly, but we both know that you can't break through my defenses."

"I wonder how you will rise up to this challenge." Moriboshi mused. "Because if you think I'm bluffing about this...well, I'm not. It's that simple."

"Damn you," Asta growled, "you let those people go and leave them out of this. This fight is between you and me!"

"Exactly, and that's why I intend to use these people." Moriboshi revealed. "Your care for 'life' is your greatest weakness. And as such, I must do my duty and exploit this weakness. Blame yourself for this turn of fate. It is indeed your fault that these people will die in such a manner after all."

"Or, if you really love life as much as you do, save them." Moriboshi shrugged. "'Put your money where your mouth is' as they say."

"Bastard!" Asta screamed, charging at Moriboshi, holding out two of his Anti-Magic swords, only for more vines to sprout from the ground and whip towards Asta.

If I can't cut through them, I'll just power through it instead! Asta declared inwardly, wielding the Demon-Dweller and Demon-Destroyer Swords.

Moriboshi smirked. If he thinks I'm just going to whip him like a dog, he's a fool. No, I'm going to condense the vines together. He revealed as the vines that just sprouted from the ground wrapped around each other, creating a single, giant vine.

"Be crushed!" Moriboshi yelled. "Vine Wyrm!"

The vine swung downwards. Asta gasped and held both his swords over his head. The Vine Wrym slammed onto the ground, but was blocked by Asta's two swords. Moriboshi chuckled and watched as a giant crater was created beneath Asta's feet. The force of the blow eventually forced the Anti-Magic Knight to his knees.

The Vine Wyrm then dispersed into regular vines once more. One vine then swept across the ground, much to Asta's horror. Before he could yell, the vine swept him into the air. Moriboshi smirked. "Now I will whip you like a dog, you brat." He told Asta as he held his right hand out in front of him. "One Hundred Vine Lashes!"

With that, the vines began whipping Asta repeatedly like whips. For context, consider when whips were used to punish disobedient crewmembers on ships, such as the infamous Mutiny on the HMS Bounty. The lashes from regular whips were enough to leave a man's back in ribbons. These whips were empowered vines from a dangerous Watcher. Needless to say, Asta was in a tremendous amount of pain right now.

Then, when the hundredth lash landed, Asta was slammed back onto the ground. "Four minutes, dog." Moriboshi told him. "Time is ticking to the inevitable end of one of these captives of mine."

This made Asta get right back up. "Not yet!" He yelled. "I'm not giving up yet! And I sure as hell won't let you kill these people!"

Moriboshi sighed. "You say that, but your weapons are failing you. You are useless without those blades, boy."

"Anti-Magic is not the same as being 'Anti-Reiki.'" Moriboshi sagely pointed out. "Those dulled swords of yours are useless against me."

"Now, another One Hundred Vine Lashes!" Moriboshi commanded as the vines wildly sped towards Asta.

Instinctively, Asta began swinging his two swords at the vines. If he could not cut through them, he could at least bat them away like Magna does with that bat of his. Moriboshi raised a curious eyebrow at this. So he's choosing to smack them away instead? I suppose that is a valid strategy with the edges of those blades being dulled. However, those vines can simply continue whipping him until he tires. He cannot escape me.

And so, Asta continued to try and bat away the vines. Damn it! He thought in frustration. Why can't these things just stop already?

Unfortunately, Asta did begin to tire. This gave Moriboshi the opening he needed to strike Asta once more with his One Hundred Vine Lashes. After the hundredth lash (which now totalled two hundred lashes overall), Asta looked positively terrible. His body was covered in bloody marks from the whips. His Magic Knight uniform had been torn from his body by the force of the blows.

Damn it, this guy is running circles around me! Asta realized. Guess the Grandmaster wasn't kidding when he said my world was too reliant on our powers. I mean, he said it about magic users...but I'm beginning to think I've fallen into that trap as well!

"Three minutes, dog." Moriboshi taunted. "And you've come no closer to beating me than you were before. Considering who you are, I'm beginning to wonder why Cardinal Yakuma spoke so highly of you after his attack on Clover Kingdom."

"Of course, he's only special because he's just a brute, just like you." Moriboshi scoffed. "Just a worthless, Art-less failure who's only worth to the cause is his massive Reiki."

"Frankly, the title of Cardinal belongs to someone who wields his Art to a level like I do." Moriboshi arrogantly claimed. "Not to a maniac like Cardinal Yakuma."

Moriboshi then wrapped his vines around Asta, making him drop his two Anti-Magic Swords. "Now then, since we've made it clear that you can't beat me, how about we just run out the clock and I'll start squeezing these civilians until they pop?" The Deacon suggested.

"Or, if you would prefer not to watch such a thing, I can just kill you right now, dog?" Moriboshi continued. "After all, if you treasure life that much, I'm sure you would rather not watch what I'm going to do to these people, right?"

Asta just glared at Moriboshi. "I'm not...done yet!" He yelled, flexing his incredible biceps and then ripping himself free from the vines with sheer physical strength. "If I can't cut your vines, I'll just rip them apart instead!"

Moriboshi narrowed his eyes. Asta then landed on the ground. Moriboshi looked at Asta's two downed swords. Was he going to pick them up? No, Asta was going to do something entirely different.

If Reiki can't be affected by Anti-Magic, then that definitely makes the Demon-Dweller and Demon Destroyer-Swords useless. They're just glorified bats, like the one Magna uses. Asta noted. But, I can't hope to beat this guy by just punching and ripping things up!

The two Anti-Magic Swords then retreated into Asta's Five-Leaf Grimoire, which floated out in front of the boy. So I'll just gamble everything on the Demon-Slaying Sword, and slay this demon right in front of me! Asta declared inwardly as the Demon-Slayer sword suddenly appeared from his grimoire.

Asta gripped the sword and pointed it right at Moriboshi. "I keep telling you," he yelled, "I'm not going to let you kill any of those people! And I'm not giving up until I've succeeded!"

"It's not really a question of whether you want to give up or not. If you don't save them in the allotted time, they will die and there won't be anything you can do about it." Moriboshi reminded him. "Two minutes left. What will you do now?"

Asta responded by rushing towards Moriboshi once more. I can't save anyone by standing my ground. I'll charge ahead, with everything I've got.

"What a simple tactic. You don't charge so recklessly when you're fighting a Watcher, you fool." Moriboshi scoffed. "One Hundred Vine Lashes!"

The vines were upon Asta once more. Focus, you can pick up on the Ki of each of these vines to tell when and where they're coming from. He noted. And you can dodge them that way. But if you can't dodge them, smack 'em away from you!

Asta used his Ki-sensing to track the movements of the vines. Then, much to Moriboshi's surprise, he began leaping, ducking and weaving past the vines. Yeah, I definitely fell into the same trap the others from my world fell into. Asta acknowledged. What a poor excuse of a Magic Knight I am, huh?

I'm so damn proud of having a Grimoire as unique and powerful as mine, that I've forgotten it's my other talents and skills that have allowed me to keep up with the others. Asta continued. No more, I'll do exactly what Grandmaster Sojiro suggested to Yang.

Fight smarter, not harder!

Asta continued dodging Moriboshi's vines with his Ki-sensing. He even batted a couple vines that got too close to him that he was unable to avoid, no matter what he did or sensed. Moriboshi's eyes widened at this. What the hell? His entire demeanor changed. He's still got that annoyingly determined look in his eyes. But his composure is different.

No matter, I still have the advantage!

That confidence was wiped away as soon as one of Asta's swings did something that surprised the both of them. The tip of the Demon-Slayer Sword suddenly passed through one of the vines, cutting into it. Moriboshi's eyes widened. Asta let out a gasp, but did not let it stop him from charging forward.

That's impossible! And just like that, Moriboshi's entire demeanor changed. Those swords shouldn't be able to cut through Reiki! They're Anti-Magic weapons! Not Anti-Reiki!

Did...I surpass my limits? Asta wondered, his eyes briefly drifting over to his grimoire. I'm not seeing any new pages…

Asta then looked at his Demon-Slayer Sword. He gasped, realizing what it was. Of course, the tip! The tip is still sharp enough to cut through things that aren't magic!

Asta then smirked. Okay, you've made your point, universe. I'm an idiot who was letting himself become too reliant on his Anti-Magic. I won't make that mistake again, I promise.

Asta then gripped his Demon-Slayer Sword with two hands. Moriboshi frowned slightly at this. He can dual-wield easily? What is he trying to do here?

Asta noticed the look on Moriboshi's face and chuckled. "What, don't you know, Moriboshi?" He taunted. "A sword's swing becomes even stronger when the wielder grips it with two hands!"

With that, Asta leapt towards one of the vines that held the civilians. "Hang on, I'm saving you, right here and now!" Asta yelled, swinging the Demon-Slayer Sword.

Then, much to Moriboshi's horror, Asta cut right through the vine holding onto the civilian. Asta then gasped as the civilian was freed from the vine and began falling to the earth. "Aww crap, I didn't think that through!" Asta frantically yelled, letting one of his hands free.

He thankfully managed to catch the civilian, a little girl. The girl soon regained consciousness and yelled in surprise at the sight of Asta. "Hey, hey!" Asta yelled. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm saving you."

Asta then picked up on the Ki of several vines coming towards him. "Get away!" He yelled at the vines, putting the little girl down and cutting the vines with the tip of the Demon Dweller Sword.

"Get away from here!" Asta yelled to the girl. "I'll be fine, and I'll save everyone else, too. Just get going! Get somewhere safe!"

The little girl nodded and ran off as fast as she could. Asta ran towards Moriboshi. I can't waste anymore time. That bastard made that stupid bet because he was confident I couldn't save everyone. Since I can, I don't think he's going to wait any longer!

Guess that means I have no choice. Time to go full black! And with that, Asta transformed into Black Asta.

Moriboshi gasped as Asta flew into the air. Is he going to just snatch them all out of the air? He wondered before growling. Okay, dog, if you'd much rather be a fly, then I'll just swat you!

"One Hundred Vine Lashes!" Moriboshi yelled, sending vines after Asta.

Asta ignored the vines, weaving around them with the greatest of ease as he tore through the second vine, quickly yanking the next civilian out of the air. Asta then dove down to the ground and gingerly placed the civilian onto the ground. He then turned his attention to the next and rinsed and repeated. He continued this action a few more times, and then all four of the remaining innocent civilians trapped in Moriboshi's vines were free.

Moriboshi could only sputter in fury at how Asta had ruined everything for him. "Damn dog." He snarled.

"What can I say?" Asta smirked. "Ruining the best laid plans of jerks like you is what I do best."

The four civilians slowly stirred awake, having fainted while in Moriboshi's grip. "All of you get out of here, now!" Asta ordered before noticing that he was being overshadowed by a giant vine made of multiple vines wrapped together.

"Thank you for getting them all together like that." Moriboshi said with a ruthlessly cold expression on his face. "Makes things easier. Vine Wyrm!"

"That won't work again!" Asta yelled before slashing right through the Vine Wyrm from top to bottom. He then turned his attention back to the civilians he had just rescued. "Hurry up and go! I can't go all out if you're all here! Get going!"

The civilians managed to get to their feet before they all ran from the fight as fast as their legs could carry them. "As for you…" Asta turned his attention back to Moriboshi.

"As for me?" Moriboshi rolled his eyes. "This changes nothing, dog."

"You say that, but your leverage over me is gone." Asta pointed out. "And now, instead of relying entirely on Anti-Magic, I'm using everything else at my disposal to win. I've got every right to say 'as for you.' You're going down."

Moriboshi scoffed. "I told you, someone like you can't do a damn thing to someone like me. I'm an elite. You are not. It is that simple."

"You say that, but all you do is make glorified whips." Asta deadpanned.

Moriboshi snapped upon hearing this. "Don't talk crap like that when you took two hundred of those lashes earlier!" He screamed. "How about I show you what happens when I really push myself, huh?"

More vines suddenly sprouted from the ground, surrounding Moriboshi with a miniature forest of vines. "This is going to drain my Reiki to practically zero." The Deacon acknowledged. "But since you clearly cannot take a hint, I'm going to annihilate you with everything I've got. This will shut you up!"

"Now die! One Thousand Vine Lashes!" Moriboshi yelled as the miniature forest of vines descended on Asta.

Now or never, Asta thought calmly as he flew towards the attack.

I'll cut through each of these vines with the tip of the Demon-Dweller Sword, while using my Ki to track the movements and attack patterns of the ones I've yet to reach. And by the time I've made it through this forest of vine whips…

...I'll be looking at this bastard on the other side!

It's all over! Moriboshi thought confidently. I'll turn him into a broken, bloody mess and then present his corpse to the Archbishop. And then, he'll have no choice but to recognize my talents and demote Yakuma and promote me in his place! This will be the beginning of my legend! Greatness awaits me!

Asta roared as he flew through the miniature forest, cutting through each of the vine. The halves that the vines were separated from were hurled into the air from the force of his slashes. Keep flying! Keep moving! Faster! Faster! Faster! Asta told himself. Speed on through, until you've reached your goal and win!

Then, Asta broke through, bringing himself face to face with Moriboshi, much to the Deacon's horror. Then, Asta's Demon-Slayer Sword began to grow as Anti-Magic surrounded it. "Get away!" Moriboshi frantically yelled, trying to draw on every bit of strength he had to summon a vine from the ground that would whip Asta away from him.

"Demon-Slayer Sword!" Asta yelled before swinging with both hands. "Black Divider!"

As mentioned before, usually when Asta's swords strike something that is not magic, the edges dull. However, the Demon-Slayer Sword's tip is still sharp, allowing the user to make wounds from cuts. Combine that with the force of a swing from someone as muscular as Asta, and well…

Moriboshi could only yell as he was suddenly bifurcated by Asta's Black Divider.

As the top half of Moriboshi's body was hurled into the air by the force of the blow. He could only stammer in disbelief as he realized he was about to die. "I lost? I'm dying?" He said, stunned by what had happened. "I can't...not to...someone like him!"

Moriboshi's top half fell to the floor just as the Deacon expired. Asta exited his Black form and shuddered slightly. That was only his second kill, after that devil with the Word Soul Magic. I...guess I should be glad that I'm never going to like killing anything. He noted.

Asta then smiled. But...it did save five people. Hell, it probably saved a lot more lives on this island. I don't have to like it...but I can live with it, if it's to protect what's important.

Meanwhile, Deacon Enko raised a curious eyebrow at Izuku Midoriya's proud declaration. "For real, you're going to protect the people on this island?" Enko chuckled. "Kid, you can't even protect yourself. Where do you even get off saying you're going to protect anything, huh?"

"Meteor Jab!" Enko shot off several fireballs from her fists.

Those flames are as hot as Shoto's! Izuku reminded himself. I can't let them hit me!

And thus, Izuku was forced on the defensive, speeding around Enko's Meteor Jab, trying to find an opening. I can't find out how much damage she can take if I don't hit her. I will get her with a Smash!

"You dumb ass!" Enko exclaimed, noticing that Izuku was starting to inch closer towards her. "Do you really think I'm not aware of who I'm fighting against?"

"Do you really think I don't know who you are, Izuku Midoriya, the 9th?" Enko taunted with a smirk on her face, making Izuku gasp.

All Might's chosen successor then shook his head. No, of course they know who I am. They targeted me specifically when they attacked my world. But, this changes nothing. I'm going to win this fight!

"That's right, Izuku Midoriya, or do you prefer Deku?" Enko continued to taunt. "We're well aware of how to fight you. After all, we want to be good comrades to our new allies in the League of Villains."

"I hate to tell you, but I'm the worst gal for you to fight. I'm way too hot for you to handle." Enko laughed, gathering a ball of fire the size of half her body. "Lemme show you! Meteor Jab Cannon!"

Enko fired off a larger version of the Meteor Jab at Izuku. "Oh, you're the worst for me, huh?" Izuku narrowed his eyes before closing one of his fists. "That's where you're wrong. Delaware Smash Air Force!"

Izuku's long-ranged smash collided with the Meteor Jab Cannon. The high-pressured air blast managed to cancel out Enko's cannon. Enko gasped. "I guess the League of Villains don't know about my long-ranged attacks." Izuku noted. "And the only other guy I used it against in my world killed himself before we could interrogate him. Maybe next time, don't encourage your soldiers to kill themselves. That way, they can possibly live and pass on more information to you."

"So it would seem." Enko scowled. "I guess I'll have to update the Archbishop and the others afterwards."

"But first thing's first, I'm going to burn the future Symbol of Peace to cinders. Because truth be told, Deku. I can't stand peace...it's just too damn boring for my fiery soul!"

Enko rocketed towards Izuku. "You can't be serious!" Izuku yelled, grabbing Enko's hands and grappling with the woman. "So the world at peace is just too boring for you, so you tear down that peace? How in the world is that fair to everyone else?"

"And what has everyone else ever done for me?" Enko countered. "I don't have the time nor the energy to give a damn about everyone in the universe."

"The only thing I ever had growing up were the other members of my faith." Enko revealed. "So why in the world would I care about anyone else, huh?"

With that, Enko set herself on fire, forcing Izuku to let go of her. "Now, let's see you hit me at close range, Deku!" Enko yelled. "Meteor Jab Cannon."

"One For All Shoot Style!" Izuku countered before Enko could punch him. He leapt into the air before kicking Enko and backflipping. "Seattle Smash!"

"GAH!" Enko yelled in pain, stumbling backwards. "That actually hurt my damn jaw, you brat!"

I can't let up here. Izuku noted. If those flames burn as hot as Shoto's, I need to keep her from attacking me!

Izuku leapt forward at Enko while she was still stunned by his kick. "One For All 20%!" Izuku yelled. "Detroit Smash!"

Enko gasped and held her arms up in an x, blocking Izuku's punch but still being blasted back by the force of the blow. You're kidding, this is how strong that damn Quirk is when it's at a fifth of its full power? Enko was furious at the thought. This kid...does he even realize what kind of flame burns inside of him?

Don't let up, keep attacking! Izuku reminded himself. I pushed Shoto as far as I did because I kept him off guard. I need to do the same for this one!

"One For All Shoot Style!" Izuku landed before leaping into the air once more, performing a spinning roundhouse kick. "St. Louis Smash!"

"Damn!" Enko cursed before holding up her arm to stop the roundhouse kick. Like the Detroit Smash, the force of the blow knocked her away once more.

Izuku then maneuvered his fist, aiming it at Enko like he was about to fire a rifle. "Delaware Smash Air Force!" Izuku opened his fist and fired another blast of powerful air.

I can't avoid it! Enko realized before bracing herself for what would undoubtedly be a very powerful impact.

The blast hit Enko hard, sending her flying through several trees. The Deacon's impromptu flight eventually to an end, leaving her laid out on the ground, completely splayed out and looking up at the sky. "Ow…" she could only say in pain before forcing herself to her feet.

Izuku quickly made his way to her location. "Have you had enough yet?" He demanded. "Or do you want some more, Enko?"

"I think you know the answer to that. You won't extinguish my flame that easily." Enko vowed before chuckling. "But still, I'll admit, you've got quite the burning spirit in the form of that determination. But I've got even more, Deku."

Enko then took a moment to flex and move her arms to make sure she could still use them. She winced slightly, still feeling the pain from Izuku's earlier Smash attacks. "I'll grant you this, you dolled out some major damage. If I hadn't trained as hard as I did, you'd have shattered these arms of mine into pieces. Kudos to you, kid."

"But like I told you before, I'm not going to falter to the likes of you. My community was the only place that ever truly felt like home, even if you only see us as monsters." Enko told him.

"But let me ask you this," the Deacon continued, "am I really a monster when fighting in the name of my faith is the only thing I've ever been good at? Answer me that, Deku!"

"I grew up on the streets of the Kingless Lands." Enko revealed. "I grew up knowing that I would live and die in a land where justice was in the hands of the strong. So I became strong! But it still wasn't enough! I burnt down every thief, murderer and rapist who tried to hurt me, but it didn't do anything for me! I wasn't accomplishing anything but my own survival! I had power, but I wasn't leaving any sort of mark on the world! Do you even realize how frustrating that is! But then I met the Archbishop and the rest of the faith! They showed me how my power can be used for an actual cause. That was the first time I felt like I was home! That was the first time the flame inside of me lit up!"

Izuku was taken aback by the sincerity that was hidden with Enko's anger. "Maybe what we are doing is wrong. But you know something, Deku? I don't care. Because even when the world's at 'peace,' there's still conflict. So why not just burn everything to the ground, huh?"

Izuku shook his head. "Even if everything you say is true, and I don't doubt that it is, you can't make people suffer the things you went through. That's still wrong!"

"Dumb ass, I stopped caring about right and wrong the minute I realized that a messed up, grimy little street rat like me can only feel at home with the rest of my faith." Enko revealed. "The purpose they gave me lit the fire in my heart. So I'm going to burn everything for their sake!"

"Then I'll defeat you as well, just like the rest of them." Izuku vowed.

"You'll try and you'll fail, Deku." Enko smirked. "You may think you've got me on the ropes. But the truth is, I've only given you a small sample of the intense flames of my Art.

She's going to try something new? Izuku wondered.

"Allow me to reveal to you the true name of my Art: Color Flare." Enko revealed. "In other words, each of my flames takes a different color. And with each color, I gain a completely different ability."

Izuku's eyes widened. Oh man, she's not bluffing too. This is a game changer for sure. I had only just figured out how to beat the flames she was currently using. He noted.

"Allow me to show you: Yellow Flare: Will-o-Wisp!" Enko commanded as several balls of yellow-colored fire appeared around her. "Now dance, my will-o-wisps!"

The wisps flew towards Izuku from completely random directions. Enko narrowed her eyes as Izuku was forced onto the defensive once more. It's too bad I can't stack my Colored Flares' effects with each other. She lamented. My Red Flare allows me to heal my injuries, but there's no way he's just going to let me heal.

So I'll crush him with my Yellow Flare! Enko declared. And if that doesn't work, I've got an ultimate defense just waiting to blast him back before he can even get close to me!

Izuku narrowed his eyes. These wisps...they seem...almost sentient. He noted, based on how each of them had almost erratic movements, as though they each had their own thoughts on how to hit him and burn him to the ground.

Still, I'm only slightly faster than each of the wisps. That means, I can focus all my efforts on her! Izuku declared as he leapt and sped towards the Deacon.

I'll hit her with one final Smash, right into the head. I'll knock her out! Izuku declared, raising his fist to bring her down.

Enko smirked. He fell right into my trap! She realized with glee on her face.

"I'm switching colors!" She declared. "Green Flare: Flame Shield!"

Suddenly, Enko was enveloped in an inferno of green flame. Izuku gasped as all of his instincts flared up, warning him of danger. He stopped his attack at the last possible moment. He gasped once more, feeling the intense heat of her Green Flare. His attack was a few feet away from Enko's smirking face.

"Your danger instincts are something else." She acknowledged. "Deku, you can't hit me as long as I'm using the Flame Shield. You see, these flames burn at a temperature that will turn your body to ash as soon as you come into contact with the green flames."

Enko then began to step forward, only for Izuku to leap backwards. Enko laughed. "Oho! That was smart too! If you had stayed where you are, I would've burnt you to a crisp!"

Izuku looked around for a brief moment, wondering if those will-o-wisps from her Yellow Flare were still around. When he saw they were not, he heaved a sigh of relief. So she can't use two different colors at once. That makes things easier at least.

Enko then began to advance upon Izuku. "I'll admit, this isn't the way I normally like to fight. When there's someone strong enough to fight me, I don't really like to make things this unfair. But, I can't really afford to be selfish when I'm fighting against the bearer of One For All."

"This Green Flare sacrifices my range, but I get the ultimate defense in exchange!" Enko declared. "So I'll just pound you while you can't fight back, Deku! I wonder what will kill you first: your face being caved in by my punches. Or will you be incinerated into nothingness? Let's see what will happen first, Deku!"

Enko rushed towards Izuku and began throwing punches at him. Izuku glared at Enko. She seems to have forgotten that my Smashes can blow away her flames!

Izuku then jumped back several feet away from the fiery Deacon. "Delaware Smash Air Force!" He yelled, firing the compressed air at Enko once more.

Enko grinned and braced for impact. Izuku watched as his attack collided with Enko's Flame Shield. Then, much to his horror, the attack passed harmlessly through the flames of her shield. "Moron!" She taunted. "Strong as you may be, my flames are too strong even for your Air Force Smashes to put out!"

Izuku gasped. "The strongest flames are the ones that even those who seek to extinguish them struggle to put them out!" She continued. "Wildfires, the results of volcanic interruptions, flames strong enough to burn down entire cities, the greatest flames cannot be extinguished, no matter how strong the efforts are!"

Izuku responded by calling upon Black Whip to try and grab her safely. The tendrils, however, burned up as soon as they came into contact with Enko's green flames. "That's not going to work either, Deku." Enko told him. "This battle is over. I win."

Enko rushed Izuku once more and threw another flurry of punches at Izuku, who was once again forced on the defensive. If my Air Force Smash attacks can't put out her flames, I can't do anything against her! He realized.

The only way I can hope to beat her is if I push One For All even further. But if I push it to a hundred percent, I'll just break my body again like I used to. But my body can't take another full-powered Smash. Izuku noted.

"And why do you suddenly think that you can just go right to a hundred percent, huh?"

Izuku's eyes widened as his consciousness suddenly found himself back in the mindscape that was the inner world of One For All. He turned to see Daigoro Banjo, also known as the hero Lariat, also known as the 5th User of One For All. "Wh-what?" Izuku looked at Lariat in surprise.

"Come on, Number 9, you're probably one of the smartest of us One For All folks." Lariat reminded him. "Do you honestly think you can just jump from 20% to 100%?"

"Number 5 is right, Deku." Izuku gasped. It was a woman's voice. He looked over his shoulder to see a very familiar, beautiful woman, standing over him with a smile on her face.

"Nana Shimura…" Izuku said to the woman who was his master's master, and the 7th wielder of One For All.

Nana Shimura smiled at him. "You've become stronger, Deku." She noted before sighing sadly. "Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like you're ready to use my Quirk just yet. But, the power you have right now should be enough."

"What do you mean?" Izuku asked in confusion. "If 20% isn't enough...and I can't just push it further on command. I've worked so hard just for 20%..."

"What, and do you think you haven't been working hard since, Deku?" Nana asked him.

Izuku was taken aback by this. "Show a bit more pride in yourself, Deku." Nana encouraged him. "You've worked hard for your power before and after you've received it. You've worked harder than each and every one of us."

"You've been working hard since you were pulled into this conflict, fighting for your life. Do you not consider that training, Deku?" Nana asked.

This seemed to get Izuku thinking. Nana rubbed the young man's head. "Search your heart and soul, Deku." Nana encouraged him. "You'll find that you're capable of more than you think. The beauty of One For All is its growth. Never forget that. Just by being your partner in battle, you allow it to grow in strength. And with it, you grow."

"Who knows," Nana smiled as she and Lariat began to disappear, "Perhaps next time we talk, you'll have the power to wield my Quirk: Float."

"Now go out there and win, O Future Symbol of Peace."

Izuku found himself back in the fight. He dodged another one of Enko's attacks before putting a hundred feet between the two of them. Is she right? Has my proficiency with One For All been growing without me knowing because of the fights I've been in lately?

Izuku closed his eyes. If that's the case...then maybe I can push it just a little further. I don't have to go right to a hundred percent...intervals of ten sound a bit more appropriate, all things considered.

Okay, let's give it a shot.

"One For All: Full Cowling!" Izuku declared as the ground around him broke as green lightning cracked around him. "30%!"

Enko's eyes widened. No way, he pushed his Full Cowling further, just like that? But we were told he could only use 20%...

Then, much to Enko's shock, Izuku began speeding around her, like a streak of green light. He's all over the place! Enko was in disbelief.

Then, Izuku landed behind Enko, who spun around. "Sorry if I scared you." Izuku told her. "I just wanted to test it."

"Test what?"

"Test if my body could handle this." Izuku responded.

Ms. Shimura was right, Izuku realized, I feel...fine. There's definitely a bit more strain than at 20%, but I feel fine!

Izuku smiled. Have a bit more pride in myself, huh? Yeah, you're right. If I'm going to succeed All Might...then I must stand proud!

Izuku then cocked his right fist back. The Delaware Smash Air Force is more of a line of rifles. To put out her flames at this point, I need a cannon. And I've got just the move for this. A cannon that will extinguish her flames.

Enko regained her composure and glared at Izuku. "What, you think you can hit me? You can't break through my shield, dumb ass!"

"One For All 30%." Izuku began.

"DEKU!" Enko yelled, charging forward, ready to end this kid, once and for all.

"Detroit Smash Air Force!" Izuku yelled, punching forward, and firing a blast of compressed air comparable to a mighty cannonball.

"I told you, that's not going to work-" Enko was suddenly cut off when the force of the Air Force Smash blasted the green flames surrounding her. Then, much to her horror, the flames blew right off her body.

"Wh-what?" Enko could only say in disbelief.

"With enough force, mighty winds can snuff out any sort of flames." Izuku pointed out before appearing in front of Enko. "You've fought well. Thank you for being a fantastic opponent, Deacon Enko."

"One For All 30%," Izuku crouched down, bringing his fist down with him. He then leapt into the air, dealing a mighty uppercut right to Enko's face. "New York Smash!"

Enko was sent hurtling into the air. She was unconscious before she hit the ground. Izuku landed and stared at the defeated Enko. He gave a smile and raised his fist into the air, victoriously, just like All Might once did. Nobody's here to watch, but...actually, that's not really accurate. I had six people watching me win.

Thank you all, I'm going to keep growing, and I'm going to make you all proud.

Meanwhile, Ruby Rose readied Crescent Rose as she faced down Deacon Hotaru. Hotaru heaved a sigh, holding her face in her hands. "Unbelievable," she lamented, "how'd I get stuck with a persistent little pest such as yourself, huh?"

Balls of light appeared around Hotaru and Ruby. "But, the persistent types are the most fun to break. I can't wait until that light of hope leaves your eyes, kiddo." She taunted.

Ruby responded by transforming into petals and speeding towards Hotaru. "When are you going to realize that's not going to work? Firefly Light Show!"

The balls turned into beams of light that fired at Ruby from multiple angles. The mass of rose petals weaved around a few beams before being struck in multiple places, knocking Ruby right out of her Petal Burst. "Seriously, why is that Salem so worried about you, huh?" Hotaru wondered out loud. "You're nothing but a worthless one trick pony."

"Then again, those eyes of yours are apparently something. And yet, you don't seem to be busting 'em out. What, you think you can beat me without them? Or are you just incapable of doing it on command? It's a little dumb either way, ya know?"

Ruby glared at Hotaru. "Ah, it really doesn't matter either way. You're going to die either way. Maybe for good measure, I should use my Fireflies to burn those silver eyes right out of your sockets, hmm?"

"Of course, I could shoot you through the eyes and be done with it, but where's the fun in that? I'm literally going to burn them out from the intensity of my Fireflies."

The balls of light flew towards Ruby's eyes, forcing the girl to roll away from her current position. She quickly recovered and took aim with Crescent Rose, firing a shot right at Hotaru's forehead. Hotaru calmly maneuvered a ball of light in front of the bullet, melting it down before it could pierce her flesh.

"Moron," she taunted, "do you really think I'd have the position I have if I didn't know how to deal with something as idiotically simple as bullets, huh?"

"Let me explain something to you." Hotaru smirked, gesturing to the ball of light that had melted Ruby's bullet. "In this concentrated form, my Fireflies can even melt metals. If I transform them into laser beams, I lose that concentrated heat, but they gain a boost in speed that you have no hope of competing with."

Ruby responded by leaping to her feet and swinging Crescent Rose right at Hotaru's face. Hotaru cackled and avoided each swing with ease. "Like I said, just a worthless one trick pony. Firefly Swarm!" The lights behind Hotaru turned into laser beams that blasted Ruby away from her.

Fireflies then surrounded Ruby. "Firefly Light Show!" Hotaru commanded once again as Ruby was shot at from all sides by her Fireflies.

Ruby could only scream as she was blasted repeatedly from all sides by the Light Show once more. Hotaru just laughed. "Who's going to protect those people from me again? Was it you? You, you loser?"

Ruby could see brief flashes of her Aura becoming visible. Not good...my Aura's weakening, big time.

I have to win this. I will win this! I'll protect the people of this island, and show Grandmaster Sojiro and everyone else that I can win without luck!

Ruby transformed into rose petals once more, speeding towards Hotaru with a Petal Burst. "Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?" Hotaru taunted. "Either way, this isn't going to work either! Firefly Swarm!"

Then, as the laser beams neared Ruby's petal form, she suddenly split apart into several pieces, much to Hotaru's surprise. This is a new move. She noted as the different pieces reformed back into Ruby, ready to swing Crescent Rose right at Hotaru's face.

"Damn it, like hell I'm going to let a weakling like you get a hit on me!" Hotaru declared as balls of light appeared in front of her. "Firefly Constellation!"

The balls of light struck Ruby in multiple places. This time, Ruby felt the extremely intense heat that Hotaru was referring to earlier, making her scream in pain. "Like I said, a worthless one trick pony like you is no match for someone like me!" Hotaru declared as Ruby was knocked onto her back.

"What, you think I'm just blowing smoke out of my ass, you dumb bitch?" Hotaru demanded. "Come on, say it to my face? Tell me that I'm just being cocky!"

"But this particular Art," Hotaru showed off a ball of light in the palm of her hand, "requires tremendous control of Reiki. I worked hard to control my Reiki. Don't even think you have any right to call me out for being arrogant when I worked my ass off to control this Art of mine!"

"Between the two of us, who's really the arrogant one, eh kiddo?" Hotaru taunted Ruby. "Look at you, born with silver eyes designed to smite the evils in your world. Super speed. A powerful weapon. Prodigal talents. You're probably convinced you can accomplish anything, you overly-optimistic, arrogant little bitch."

Ruby tried to get up, only to be kicked away by Hotaru. "Pieces of garbage like, who are blessed with the magic ticket called 'talent' have no right to exist when we purge the world!" Hotaru declared.

Ruby landed and tried to get back to her feet once more. She really is running circles around me. So this is what it's like...to be completely outmatched by someone who's truly mastered their powers…

When I think back to it...have I honestly earned any of my accomplishments? It's true. I was born with silver eyes, and yet even after Uncle Qrow told me they made me special, I never bothered trying to understand them until someone who could help me showed up. I got into Beacon two years before my peers, but only because Professor Ozpin was lucky enough to run into me that night.

In the Vytal Festival, I sat back and relied on my teammates to carry us through the tournament. In nearly every battle against Salem's forces, luck has saved me. Whether it was a griffin devouring Roman Torchwick, Uncle Qrow jumping in at the last minute to save us from Tyrian, and even the Grandmaster coming in to save us from our first meeting with the Cult. I guess when you survive that much, no matter how lucky it was...you start to believe your own hype and your own righteousness...as I realized after what happened between us and Professor Ozpin.

...Grandmaster Sojiro was right, I have been relying on luck and good fortune to carry me through battle. And because of that, my strength has suffered as a result. If I really do come from a long line of warriors with silver eyes who've defended the innocent from the forces of darkness...then I've disgraced their line and the accomplishments they made throughout their lives.

Ruby took a deep breath. Mom...Maria...and all of those who fall into the bloodline of the silver eyes...er, whoever you all are. I hope you all can forgive me. I'm the last of us who have any hope of stopping Salem, and I've been failing in that duty, simply because I've forgotten what it was that made me special enough to be noticed by the professor in the first place. I worked hard, overcame wielding a difficult weapon like Crescent Rose, I earned the right to at least have a chance because I worked and fought hard. And I squandered all of that by becoming reliant on luck.

No more. I'm putting my life on the line with everything I've got. I'm not leaving my victory to good fortune, fate or any of that nonsense. I'm leaving it to my own power!

Hotaru frowned slightly. "And still you're getting up?" She noted. "Fine, I'll just knock you back down. Or rather...I think I'll just end you. Would you prefer burning to death or would you prefer being pierced by lasers?"

Ruby took a deep breath. "You're right, Hotaru. I have been relying on luck to survive the world I come from. I'd say you can't blame me, because to survive our world you do kind of need a little bit of luck...but that's just an excuse."

"But...I'm discarding luck...and I'm going to win with skill alone." Ruby vowed.

What was it you always say Asta? You as well, Yami? Ruby smiled. Oh yeah…

"Right here and right now, I'm going to push past my limits." Ruby promised.

Hotaru scowled. "So both methods of death then." She decided for Ruby. "I'll pierce you with my lasers, and then burn you while you're clinging to life."

Okay, let's do this. Ruby thought. And I know just what to do. Time to give what you suggested a try, Captain Yami.

I'm going to use Ki, and win this fight.

'Ki's actually something that exists separate from Mana in my world. It's a natural energy given off by people and even objects when they move. It's how I was capable of keeping up with Ruby's attacks so easily. Basically, with proper training, you can use Ki-sensing to predict attacks and enemy movements.'

If it exists separate from Mana, that means it exists in other worlds. Ruby noted. I can already sense people's presences with Aura...but if I had to guess, I'd say that this is the next level.

"First, I'll pierce you, prepare yourself." Hotaru warned as the lights surrounded Ruby. "Firefly Light Show!"

Ruby tried to look back and forth at each of the lights, seeing if she could follow their movements simply by looking at them. No, wait this is all wrong. Captain Yami was able to sense my movements without even looking at me. I can't learn Ki by using my eyes, I need to use my sensory abilities…

Then, as Ruby realized this, the Firefly Light Show began once more. Ruby gasped and attempted to avoid the attacks, only to be blasted a few times by the speedy laser beams. That hurt...but I can still keep going. Quit relying so much on your eyes Ruby, and try to figure out how to use Ki!

Hotaru's eyes widened as Ruby dug her heels into the ground and refused to falter. The hell? Her composure is completely different now! She noted. Before she was uncertain of herself and was almost frantic. But this girl...now she's cold and focused, like she's seen years of battle!

Push past her limits...can she actually pull it off? Hotaru wondered before regaining her own composure. The hell she will! I'll kill her before that happens!

Ruby advanced on Hotaru. I can't beat her without Ki, and I can't figure out Ki without forcing her hand. So the only way for me to win...is to advance!

"The hell are you thinking?!" Hotaru screamed. "You've already lost, bitch! Firefly Swarm!"

Ruby remained calm, sensing the movements of the Firefly Swarm, only to discover that her mind and body would not allow her to pick up their Ki. Especially when her eyes could see them right in front of her. Oh man, I've got to force her to attack me from every angle. She realized as she rolled to the side, avoiding the blasts.

To keep Hotaru on guard, Ruby fired a few bullets from Crescent Rose, only to see them melted by Hotaru's Fireflies. "Seriously, you just keep trying the same things."

Ruby gasped, realizing that Hotaru had already surrounded her with Fireflies. It was time for another light show. She desperately tried to focus on her sensory abilities, desperately trying to push them further to unlock Ki. Then, much to Ruby's surprise, brief images began to flash in her mind. They were images of the attacks that were about to happen. Wait, what? She was surprised at this.

The thing about predicting your opponent's moves and attacks. Part of that is actually experiencing those attacks. Picking up on the patterns, movements, the timing, all of it. For someone who was from a completely different world, understanding those aforementioned matters along with having a sensory ability as well. They were the keys to unlock Ki.

Ruby was caught off guard by this revelation, and this cost her. She was struck repeatedly by the Firefly Light Show, forcing her to her knees, her head lowered. Hotaru did not let up. "This will end you!" Hotaru yelled, firing off one last Firefly Swarm.

I'll fill you with holes like swiss cheese! Enjoy your painful end, bitch!

Then, Ruby launched herself into the air, transforming into rose petals and flying right over the Firefly Swarm. She quickly returned to her regular form. "Whoa," she said in amazement, "I was still kinda reeling from that last attack. But then...for a moment, I sensed that Firefly Swarm of yours coming at me again. And it did."

"I...predicted your attack...successfully." Ruby realized.

Hotaru narrowed her eyes as Ruby was surrounded by more balls of light. I'll just hit her with a Light Show. I can't afford to keep playing around like this. If she keeps advancing and growing stronger, she'll become the threat that Salem seems to think she is!

The first attack will be from the top right, aimed at my shoulder. Ruby noted as she stepped to the side, avoiding the blast. Then the next one at my side.

Ruby stepped forward and avoided the next blast. One aimed right at my back and another aimed at my head from above. She pivoted away from the shot at her back and then leaned away from the shot at her head.

Hotaru's eyes widened. No! No! No! She could only repeat in terror.

So this is what Ki is. The power to predict the movements of the enemy and their attacks. Ruby noted, amazed by this new power she had.

Damn it, I'll increase the amount of Fireflies! Hotaru screamed inwardly as more balls of light surrounded Ruby.

More attacks? Ruby noted. Okay...I guess I'll just have to speed things up a little myself. Because Ki only allows me to predict movements and attacks. I need to be fast enough to avoid them.

Ki only gives me the advantage of knowing ahead of time…

With that, Ruby transformed into rose petals and started speeding towards Hotaru, weaving around the laser beams of Hotaru's Firefly Light Show with shocking ease. Hotaru frantically tried to stop Ruby's advance with one final attack. She began creating an even larger ball of light.

"Burn! Burn damn you!" Hotaru screamed. "Burn before my Firefly Sun!"

She loves naming her attacks, huh? Ruby noted as she neared the Deacon. Huh, so fireflies are the theme in her name.

Now that I think of it, Grandmaster Sojiro suggested something called Kotodama. Naming attacks to give them a bit more power. You know what, I'm riding high from learning and figuring out Ki. So, I think I'll give this a try as well.

And so, as soon as Ruby was right in front of Hotaru, she exited her petal form and used her momentum to carry herself further and slash right through Hotaru with Crescent Rose multiple times. The blade dug deep every time, tearing through her flesh. "Red Burst!" Ruby yelled.

With the momentum increasing the force of the slashes, Hotaru had basically just been hit by a finishing move in a fighting game. Her mouth opened in shock as her Firefly Sun vanished due to her losing focus on her own power. I lost...to a freaking pampered princess like her?

Impossible...impossible...impossible…

Hotaru then blacked out upon hitting the ground. Ruby panted behind her, fatigue now hitting her after taking so many hits from Hotaru's Firefly Art along with using Ki and her first 'special' move. That definitely felt like there was just a little bit of luck there, considering how I picked up on how to use Ki at the last minute. Ruby acknowledged inwardly. But, once Grandmaster Sojiro hears about how I applied Kotodama, he'll be proud. I actually managed to one-shot a Deacon. Heh, I guess there's something to be said about that concept after all.

And in spite of her fatigue, Ruby still managed to smile.

"Thanks," she said to the downed Hotaru, "that was a great fight."

"And now I'm even stronger."

Meanwhile, Kinpatsu continued to hold the Black Knight at bay, glaring at the seemingly mindless beast. Of course, Kinpatsu knew as soon as he saw this thing that it was not that simple. "You're not just some mindless weapon." Kinpatsu noted. "You're a person. A living thing. A living thing inside of that suit of armor."

"Nothing about you is natural though. You fight like a mindless beast. You're driven by only a desire to kill. So I've got to ask…"

"...What the hell are you, huh?"

The Black Knight responded by throwing a haymaker at Kinpatsu, who quickly blocked the blow with Taiyomaru. "You don't have much intellect, so I guess I'm the dumbass for expecting an answer from you." Kinpatsu deadpanned.

"But do you want to know how I know there's more to you than the armor and that single-minded desire to kill, Mr. Black Knight?"

Kinpatsu narrowed his eyes. "Because I can practically smell the stench of Sagi the Fraud's handiwork on you. The bastard who put the seal over my eye and my tongue. So, how about we get back to kicking your ass. And once I'm done kicking your ass, I can figure out why that is."

Meanwhile, in a familiar home. Mito Freecss stared in disbelief at the man who had just arrived at her home. He was a hulking man, nearly six feet tall with a flat-top of dark brown hair, red eyes and a black cloak. Mito was no fighter, of course, but she knew as soon as this man showed up at her door that he was one of the people attacking Whale Island.

Which was exactly why she was staring this behemoth in the face with a broom aimed right at his face. "I don't know who the hell you are, but get off my property right now!" Mito demanded.

Deacon Tetsuichi stared down at Mito like she was merely an insect. And compared to him, she probably was. "What right do you have to order me around?" He asked calmly. "Are you a Bishop? A Cardinal? The Matriarch? The Patriarch? Or the Archbishop? You are none of those things. So I will not take orders from the likes of you."

Mito glared at Tetsuichi. "That gaze is incredibly defiant. Which is odd, considering it is coming from a weak lifeform such as yourself." Tetsuichi then came up with an idea. "I'll tell you what. I'll give you a free hit. I won't defend myself. I won't even use my defenses to enhance my body."

Mito responded by smacking Tetsuichi right in the face with the broom. Much to her horror, the broom broke into pieces upon coming into contact with Tetsuichi. "Wh-what?"

Tetsuichi let out a hearty laugh at this. "Well now, that was completely predictable." He taunted. "As if an insect who can't even fight could do a thing to someone like me."

"Still," Tetsuichi lecherously looked Mito up and down, "I love your spunk. How would you like to become my woman? You don't have to die if you just agree to become my woman."

Mito responded by stepping away from Tetsuichi, making the hulk of a man frown. "Oh, so that's a no, huh?" Tetsuichi mused before shrugging. "Ah well, no skin off my back, I suppose."

"Mito! Get away from him!" Mito's grandmother yelled from another room, having come out of her hiding place to try and talk her granddaughter away from this guy.

"Ah, so there were two people in this house." Tetsuichi noted. "If you were trying to hide the old hag, it was never going to work. I could pick out your life signatures easily."

Tetsuichi raised his hand into the air. "Now then, time for you to die." He said. "I'll make it quick. This karate chop will cave your skull in."

Mito paled, practically seeing the shadow of death above Tetsuichi. She was going to die. She was actually going to die.

"AUNT MITO!"

Tetsuichi frowned slightly. "That one got here faster than I thought he would." He mused.

"No...oh no…" Mito moaned in horror, realizing she had just traded one horror for another. The horror of seeing her foster son die in front of her.

"GON!" Mito screamed in fright at the figure that had just arrived outside her house and was now standing behind Tetsuichi. Tetsuichi turned to see Gon Freecss standing and glaring at the man who was threatening his Aunt Mito.

Meanwhile, Sojiro desperately tried to fight his way through Acolytes and Deacons that had suddenly come upon him. "Get out of my way!" He screamed, punching and kicking them all out of sight.

It had all happened so fast. Acolytes had ambushed them, but Gon had managed to slip right past them. His mind entirely focused on his family's well-being. The Acolytes had almost gone after the boy, only for Sojiro to attack them first. He had to get rid of them quickly.

Gon does not have the strength to fight the one at his house! Sojiro frantically thought.

He'll die!

A.N: A lot accomplished here. Asta remembers not to rely too much on his Anti Magic. Izuku pushes his One For All to 30% (thanks to what's basically muscle memory and training by fighting for your life against unique, superior opponents). But, Ruby is the MVP of this chapter. She acknowledges her shortcomings. Develops Ki. And she uses her first 'named' technique. BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle fans know this one. It's the same as her Petal Burst special move. I of course renamed it Red Burst because her Semblance is called Petal Burst. I'll be using the other special moves from that game.

Meanwhile, Kinpatsu discovers the possibility of Sagi's fingerprints on a member of the Cult. And Gon is about to enter the fight of his life, Nen-less against a Deacon of the Cult.

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you all next time.