Later that night, Class 1-A and Class 1-B are preparing for the test of courage. However, Shota drags Mina, Rikido, Eijiro, Hanta, and Denki away because they must have review lessons with him. Afterwards, Pixie-Bob and Ragdoll explain the test of courage: the game will take place in the forest with both classes having an opportunity to be the scarers and scarees; Class 1-B will the scarers and Class 1-A the scarees. Class 1-B must scare as many students as possible to win while Class 1-A must find cards with their names on it to prove that they went into the forest. Classes will exchange turns after fifteen minutes and the game will begin again with Class 1-A being the scarers and Class 1-B being the scarees. The class that scared more students than the other class will be the winner. The test of courage begins.
After twelve minutes, the fifth pair from Class 1-A which is Ochaco and Tsuyu enter the forest. Inside the forest, Juzo and Itsuka praise Yui for her scaring tactic. Out of nowhere, smoke appears which causes Juzo to faint. Itsuka realizes that the smoke is dangerous and covers her mouth, then she covers Yui with her Quirk, telling Yui to not inhale the smoke as it is poisonous. Suddenly, the poisonous smoke covers the entire forest; the Pussycats and the remainder of Class 1-A see black smoke arising from the forest.
Himiko sneaks up behind Ochaco and Tsuyu.Two villains appear in front of the Pussycats and the remainder of Class 1-A; they attack and knockout Pixie-Bob. The Pussycats prepare to take action while Izuku realizes that Kota is alone and defenseless. Kota is sitting at his secret base, unaware that a villain is behind him.
Shota takes Denki, Mina, Eijiro, Rikido, and Hanta back into the facility for supplementary lessons, intending to teach them how to conduct themselves during a crisis. Inside, the five remedials of Class 1-A see Neito, who is apparently also in need of supplementary lessons. Before the supplementary lessons can begin, Mandalay uses her Telepathy to contact Shota, Vlad King, and the remedials and warns them about the villain invasion. Shota orders Vlad King to protect the remedial students while he heads outside to protect the students. Shota is outside the facility and notes that the situation isn't good. Suddenly, Dabi appears next to Shota and smothers him in flames since he and the other Pro Heroes are not the targets.
Outside the forest, the sword-wielding villain introduces himself as part of the League of Villains' Vanguard Action Squad while the other villain threatens Pixie-Bob's life. Tiger prepares to take action, but the sword-wielding villain tells him to back off as Pixie-Bob's life is decided by Stain's word. Tenya wonders if Stain is responsible for this; the sword-wielding villain recognizes Tenya as the one who brought Stain's terror to an end. The sword-wielding villain decides to reveal his name which is Spinner. Spinner unravels his sword (a sword clustered together by dozens of bladed weapons) and declares that he is the one who will carry on Stain's dream. Tiger criticizes the villains for scarring Pixie-Bob and calls their actions reprehensible, Spinner notes that Heroes don't have the luxury of a happy life and prepares to attack. Mandalay and Tiger prepare to battle Spinner, Mandalay tells Tiger that she has left the safety of the students in Ragdoll's hands. Mandalay tells the Class 1-A students to leave and orders Tenya to take the lead. As Tenya leads his classmates away, Izuku tells Tenya to go on ahead as he informs Mandalay about the villains' objective.
Back in the smoke covered forest, Kendo carries Yui and Juzo with her Quirk, trying to find a safe place. Kendo runs into Tetsutetsu and Ibara who are wearing masks. Tetsutetsu informs Kendo that Momo Yaoyorozu was nearby and made masks for them. He also tells Kendo that Yosetsu is leading some of Class 1-A to the Class 1-B safe zone for aid. Tetsutetsu gives Kendo, Yui and Juzo masks. After Kendo and Yui put their masks on with Yui putting a mask on the unconscious Juzo, Kendo thinks that they should head back to the facility. However, Tetsutetsu refuses to flee and decides to stay and fight, telling Kendo to take care of Ibara. Kendo questions Tetsutetsu's actions, to which Tetsutetsu tells Kendo why he has decided to fight; Tetsutetsu knows that the only way to become a true Hero and save people from evil is to expose themselves to danger which will allow them to grow into true heroes and promises to defeat the villains.
In the forest, Shoto (while carrying an injured Kosei Tsuburaba), nozomi and Katsuki run through the forest. Seeing that the situation is chaotic, Shoto decides that they should head back to the facility to regroup. While running to the facility, Shoto,nozomi and Katsuki suddenly encounter a villain. Katsuki asks Shoto who is supposed to be ahead of them, to which Shoto answers Fumikage Tokoyami and Mezo Shoji. The villain is admiring something on the ground; a severed arm. However, the villain realizes he has work to do and cannot afford to be distracted by the severed arm. The villain turns his attention to Katsuki,nozomi and Shoto.
Amidst the dense foliage, Shoto and Katsuki face off against the formidable Moonfish, whose teeth gnash through the air with deadly precision. Shoto's ice forms a crystalline barrier, but Moonfish's Quirk is relentless, shattering the frozen defenses with ease.
Nozomi Akatsuma, her heart pounding, watches from a short distance, her mind racing for a way to help. Her telekinetic powers surge, lifting debris to fortify Shoto's ice walls. The villain's teeth, like sinister drills, bore through both ice and debris, a testament to his vicious skill.
Shoto, ever calm under pressure, advises Katsuki against using his explosive power, fearing the ignition of the toxic gas that envelops them. Katsuki, frustration etched on his face, begrudgingly complies, his hands itching to unleash his fury.
Moonfish, reveling in the challenge, maneuvers with a dancer's grace, his teeth a blur of motion. Nozomi's eyes flash with determination; she extends her powers to manipulate the environment, creating obstacles to hinder the villain's advance.
Despite their combined efforts, Shoto realizes the grim truth-they cannot retreat without succumbing to the gas, nor can they advance without risking further peril. They are indeed in a bind, a trio of young heroes bound by circumstance, their resolve tested by the darkness that encroaches with every passing second. The conclusion remains unchanged: they must stand and fight, or fall together.
Meanwhile,The battle between Mandalay and Spinner as well as Tiger and Magne continues in earnest. Izuku tells Mandalay that one of the villains' goal is to capture Katsuki and asks her to inform everyone about it. As Izuku sprints to the forest, Magne realizes that Izuku defeated Muscular he knows about one of their goals. Magne tries to attack Izuku, but Spinner intercepts which allows Izuku to escape. Magne is displeased with Spinner's action, Spinner says that Stain deemed Izuku worthy of being a Hero and he will respect that opinion as well. Mandalay sees that Spinner has left his guard down and kicks him in the face, knocking him down. Izuku enters the forest while Mandalay uses her Telepathy to inform everyone that Katsuki must avoid fighting since he is one of the targets.
Amidst the chaos, Shoto and Katsuki press on, their determination unwavering even as Moonfish's relentless assault threatens to overwhelm them. Shoto's burden-Kosei's injured form-weighs heavily on him, but he fights on, ice forming a protective barrier against Moonfish's teeth.
Katsuki, fueled by frustration, wants to unleash his explosive power. But Shoto's warning rings in his ears: the toxic gas could engulf them all, leaving them blind and vulnerable. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but Katsuki restrains himself, teeth gritted.
Then, salvation arrives in the form of Mezo and Izuku. The duo bursts onto the scene, their presence a beacon of hope. Mezo's request for light catches Shoto's attention, but before he can respond, Moonfish senses the newcomers. His teeth-like deadly projectiles-dart toward Mezo and Izuku.
And then, Nozomi steps forward. Her telekinesis flares, intercepting Moonfish's attack. She's not a frontline fighter, but her determination fuels her powers. Moonfish's teeth shatter against an invisible force, and Nozomi's eyes meet Shoto's. There's fear there, but also resolve.
The rampaging Dark Shadow emerges, its monstrous claw descending upon Moonfish. Bones crack, teeth splinter, and Moonfish's threat is extinguished. Shoto and Katsuki stare in awe at the unexpected turn of events.
Izuku's plan-decoys created from Mezo's Replicant Arms-worked flawlessly. Nozomi's presence, her vulnerability transformed into strength, saved them all. As Izuku approaches, relief etching his features, he's glad he doesn't have to choose between classmates.
The scene unfolds with tension thick in the air. Katsuki and Shoto, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, are caught off guard when Shoji calls out for light to soothe the rampaging Dark Shadow. Katsuki, with a sharp glance, signals Shoto to hold off, sensing something amiss.
Moonfish, driven by a twisted sense of ownership over his prey, rises once more, his teeth a deadly arsenal. He launches an assault on Dark Shadow, proclaiming his right to harm the students. But his efforts are futile against the dark behemoth, which remains unscathed.
Nozomi Akatsuma becomes the pivot on which the battle turns. With a focused burst of her telekinetic Quirk, she manipulates the environment, creating a cascade of light that flickers through the trees. The light, though not from a Quirk, serves its purpose, catching Dark Shadow's attention.
Moonfish, enraged, turns his attention to Nozomi, but it's too late. Dark Shadow, with a force as unstoppable as a tidal wave, crashes into him, sending him hurtling through the forest. Tree after tree buckles under the impact, and Moonfish is left incapacitated, a victim of his own hubris.
With the villain defeated, Katsuki and Shoto, now joined by Nozomi, approach Fumikage. Their combined Quirks-fire and ice, augmented by Nozomi's shimmering telekinetic light-work in harmony to pacify Dark Shadow. The creature diminishes, retreating into Fumikage, who regains control, his form returning to normal.
Now back in control, Fumikage thanks Katsuki,nozomi and Shoto for saving him. Mezo is glad that Fumikage is fine. However, Fumikage is regretful that he couldn't conceal his anger when Mezo lost one of his arms, which caused him to release Dark Shadow out of anger and lose control due to being enraged and spurred on by Dark Shadow's own rage. Fumikage is guilty of harming Mezo; Mezo tells Fumikage that he doesn't need to feel guilty.
As the dust settles from the recent skirmish, Izuku turns to Fumikage, his voice firm with resolve. "Our top priority is to protect Kachaan," he states, acknowledging the weight of the villains' interest in their hot-headed classmate. The plan is clear: they must escort Katsuki back to the safety of the facility, taking a shortcut through the forest's shadowy embrace.
Izuku's mind races through their assets-Mezo's keen scouting abilities, Shoto's formidable ice and fire Quirk, and the overwhelming might of Fumikage's Dark Shadow. With such a team, Izuku believes the task will be straightforward, a "cinch" even.
But Katsuki bristles at the notion of needing protection, his pride wounded by the implication of vulnerability. He rejects their offer with a scowl, his stubbornness as fiery as his Quirk.
Nozomi Akatsuma steps forward, her presence a calming force amidst the tension. "We're not just protecting you, Bakugo," she says, her eyes meeting his. "We're protecting each other. We're a team, and we look out for one another."
Her words, though gentle, carry the weight of truth. Katsuki's anger simmers down, replaced by a reluctant acceptance. The newly formed Bakugo Escort Squad-Mezo, Shoto, Izuku, Fumikage, and now Nozomi-sets out, guiding a begrudging Katsuki through the forest.
Nozomi's telekinetic Quirk serves as an unseen shield, her powers extending to sense and deflect any potential threats. Her dark green hair flows behind her as she moves, a silent sentinel watching over her friends.
Together, they navigate the treacherous terrain, their combined strengths forming a tapestry of protection.
A few moments earlier before the Bakugo Escort Squad was formed, Tsuyu and Ochaco are fighting Himiko Toga who managed to slightly wound Ochaco's arm. Himiko notes that her Quirk requires her to make big wounds in order to suck her targets' blood. However, thanks to her machine, her Quirk's weakness is compensated by the machine's ability to drain blood from tiny wounds. Himiko begins to attack, to which Tsuyu responds by flinging Ochaco away with her tongue. Tsuyu tells Ochaco to run back to the facility; Himiko strikes Tsuyu's tongue with her knife and holds her against a tree. Ochaco runs back to Tsuyu and dodges Himiko's attack. Ochaco uses her martial arts and apprehends Himiko.
With Himiko on the ground and apprehended, Ochaco tells Tsuyu to restrain her arms. However, Himiko begins talking to Ochaco, calling her spectacular while noting that they are similar. Himiko says that they are in love with someone. Himiko tells Ochaco that she knows how she feels because they are girls. Himiko begins talking about people who are in love strive to be like the ones they love. Himiko's talking enrages Ochaco. Himiko notes that love stories are fun and uses her machine to stab Ochaco's leg, who was unable to stop her due to being caught off guard with Himiko's talking. Himiko begins draining Ochaco's blood.
Suddenly, the Bakugo Escort Team arrives and sees Ochaco. Himiko stops draining Ochaco's blood and pushes Ochaco aside, not wanting to engage a large group of enemies and not wanting to die. Before retreating, Himiko sees Izuku and blushes. Himiko retreats with Ochaco wanting to follow her, but Tsuyu stops her due to Himiko's Quirk being largely unknown. After seeing that Ochaco and Tsuyu are alright, Izuku asks them to join the escort. However, Ochaco and Tsuyu wonder why Katsuki isn't with them. Mezo, Shoto,Nozomi and Izuku turn around only to find that Fumikage and Katsuki are missing.
The Bakugo Escort Squad, Ochaco, and Tsuyu come face to face with the magician villain, known as Mr. Compress who has kidnapped Katsuki. Izuku demands that he gives Katsuki back because he would never work with villains due to being his own person. Shoto freezes the tree but Compress evades Shoto's attack. Mr. Compress states they are attacking the training camp to make a point; that they are proving there is not just one perspective to look at only. Mr. Compress criticizes the U.A. students' for having their perspectives and values been chosen for them, displeased that there is no free will. Mezo realizes that Fumikage has also been taken. Shoto surmises that the villain sneaked up behind them and kidnapped Katsuki and Fumikage. Mr. Compress explains that his mission was to capture only Katsuki, but after seeing Fumikage overpower and defeat Moonfish so easily, he decided to kidnap Fumikage as well because of his powerful Quirk and notes that he will prove to be useful. Shoto hands Kosei to Ochaco. After doing so, Shoto uses his Giant Ice Wall attack in an attempt to immobilize Mr. Compress. However, Mr. Compress evades and apologizes for only running away and deceiving, admitting that is what he's good at. Mr. Compress informs the Vanguard Action Squad that their target has been captured; he tells his fellow villains that the mission is done and states that they have five minutes to rendezvous at the "collection point".
Izuku Midoriya, fists clenched, steps up. "Give him back," he insists, his resolve unwavering. "He's not yours to manipulate."
The villain's laughter echoes through the forest. "You think you can stop me? With your pitiful Quirks?" His gaze sweeps over the group-Mezo, Shoto,Nozomi-all united against him. "Very well," he murmurs, "let the game begin."
Nozomi's telekinesis flares, ready to shield her friends. Izuku's One For All pulses, a beacon of hope. And as the masked villain readies his next move, they stand firm-a makeshift team, bound by friendship and duty.
The marbles trembles in the villain's gloved hand. Katsuki's fate hangs in the balance, and Nozomi knows that their unity is their greatest strength. She whispers to the wind, "We'll bring him back, no matter what."
Somewhere in the forest at the rendezvous point, Dabi and Twice have heard Mr. Compress' report. Dabi notes that their only action now is to wait for their fellow villains. However, Dabi states that there is no gas or walls of fire to make the escape better. Dabi relents and accepts that plans don't always go accordingly. Behind a bush near Dabi and Twice, Yuga is contemplating on what to do because he was instructed by Momo to take the unconscious Kyoka and Toru (who are with him) back to the facility, but Dabi and Twice's presence are preventing him from doing that. Suddenly, Dabi spots the bush Yuga is hiding behind, much to Yuga's fear. Dabi prepares to go and check, however, he stops after Twice informs him that they must also call back Nomu since he only responds to Dabi. Dabi prepares to call back the Nomu while Yuga is relieved that Dabi did not discover his location.
Outside the forest, Mandalay and Tiger have defeated Spinner and Magne; Mandalay apprehends Spinner while Tiger uses his Quirk, Pliabody, to restrain Magne. Magne blames Spinner for their defeat while Spinner declares to fulfill Stain's wishes. Out of nowhere, Kurogiri appears and surrounds Mandalay and Tiger with his black mist, asking them to move aside.
As Mr. Compress makes his swift getaway, Shoto readies himself to give chase, but the villain's speed puts him frustratingly out of reach. Izuku, however, is not one to concede defeat so easily. He quickly devises a daring rescue plan to save Fumikage and Katsuki.
Izuku turns to Ochaco, asking her to use her Quirk to make him, Shoto, and Mezo weightless. Then, he instructs Tsuyu to use her tongue to catapult their weightless forms towards the magician. Mezo's arms will guide their flight, and once they're close enough, Ochaco will cancel her Quirk to bring them crashing down on Mr. Compress.
Ochaco and Shoto are hesitant, noticing the severity of Izuku's injuries. They suggest he stay behind, but Izuku's determination sways them. They agree to proceed with the plan.
Nozomi, witnessing the exchange, steps in with a supportive nod. "Let me help," she offers, her voice steady. She knows her telekinetic powers can add precision to their trajectory, ensuring they reach their target.
Tsuyu wraps her tongue around the group-now including Nozomi. Ochaco activates her Quirk, and they become as light as air. With a powerful lunge, Tsuyu sends them hurtling through the forest canopy towards Mr. Compress.
As they soar through the air, Nozomi's telekinesis kicks in, fine-tuning their path. The trees blur past as they gain on the villain. Ochaco's focus is unwavering, ready to release her Quirk on cue.
They reach Mr. Compress with breathtaking speed, and Ochaco deactivates her Quirk. Gravity reclaims them, and they descend upon the villain with the force of a meteor strike.
At the rendezvous point, Himiko has arrived with Dabi asking how her mission went, only for Himiko to reply that she could get the blood of one person. Twice is unimpressed and wonders why Himiko is excited, to which Himiko replies that she found a boy she is interested in. As Himiko and Twice converse, Dabi orders them to keep quiet.
Dabi sees something approaching them. Izuku, Mezo, and Shoto smash Mr. Compress onto the ground and then apprehend him. Dabi is seemingly displeased while Twice contradicts his knowledge about the identity of the Heroes.
Back in the present at the Vanguard Action Squad's rendezvous point, Dabi asks Mr. Compress to dodge and launches his flames. Mr. Compress uses his Quirk to compress himself and avoids the flames; Shoto is able to dodge Dabi's flames, but Izuku and Mezo are not able to, causing their right and left arms respectfully to be hit by the flames. In an instant, Twice appears behind Shoto and attacks him, only for Shoto to block Twice's attack with his ice which sends Twice reeling. Himiko also decides to fight and attacks Izuku, telling him her name and thinks that he should bleed more. Mezo smacks Himiko off Izuku while Shoto deals with Twice. Mr. Compress deactivates his Quirk and approaches Dabi, preparing to give the captured Fumikage and Katsuki to him. However, he searches his pocket and is unable to find the marbles containing the targets; Mezo reveals that he took the marbles from Mr. Compress immediately after they landed on the ground.
Suddenly, the Vanguard Action Squad's Nomu appears along with Kurogiri, who has arrived to teleport them away. Himiko, Twice, and the Nomu enter Kurogiri's Warp Gate and successfully teleport away. Mr. Compress reveals that the marbles Mezo took are not the captured targets but decoys instead; the marbles Mezo took transform into ice, which shocks Mezo. Mr. Compress removes his mask and sticks out his tongue, which has the actual marbles. The magician puts his mask back on while explaining that he wanted to give the young heroes a sense of false hope and is satisfied by it, as well as his flaunting, which he considers a bad habit. Mr. Compress slowly enters Kurogiri's portal after bidding farewell.
Having overheard what is happening, Yuga takes action and fires his Navel Laser at Mr. Compress' face, which breaks Compress's mask and causes Mr. Compress to spit out the marbles containing Fumikage and Katsuki. Izuku, Mezo, and Shoto rush to grab the marbles. Although Izuku starts succumbing to his injuries, causing him to fall to the ground, Mezo and Shoto continue rushing towards the marbles. Mezo grabs the marble containing Fumikage, thus saving him but dabi ends up taking the marble in which katsuki is in.
With Katsuki in his grasp, Dabi issues a command to Mr. Compress, who complies, deactivating his Quirk and releasing Fumikage and Katsuki from their marble confines. As Dabi and Mr. Compress initiate their escape with Katsuki, the air crackles with tension.
Nozomi, her heart racing, refuses to stand idly by. She channels her telekinesis, her dark green hair lifting slightly as she focuses her energy. She knows the odds are against her, but she has to try.
As the villains begin their teleportation, Nozomi positions herself, her eyes fixed on Katsuki. She reaches out with her powers, attempting to disrupt the Warp Gate's energy. Izuku, driven by desperation, gets up and lunges towards Dabi, trying to prevent the unthinkable.
Nozomi's telekinetic force collides with the portal's edge, causing a momentary flicker. Her efforts, fueled by sheer will, seem to slow the process, but the Warp Gate's pull is too strong. Katsuki, caught in the midst of the struggle, turns to Izuku with a stern command to stay back.
Despite Nozomi's valiant attempt, the portal swallows Dabi, Mr. Compress, and the captured Katsuki. The Warp Gate closes with an ominous hum, leaving behind a heavy silence. Nozomi's powers wane, and she's left with a haunting realization of her limits.
The Vanguard Action Squad has disappeared from the battlefield along with Katsuki. Izuku howls in grief due to being unable to save Katsuki.
"No! Bakugo!"
Nozomi's voice breaks, the name torn from the depths of her soul. It's a plea, a denial, a protest against the cruel reality unfolding before her eyes.
"This can't be happening... Not right in front of me!"
The words are a whisper, a contrast to her earlier cry, but they carry the weight of her despair, the burden of her helplessness.
"Come back... Please, come back..."
It's a chant, a mantra, a wish cast into the void left by the vanishing Warp Gate. But no magic answers her call, no miracle undoes the past.
"Why couldn't I save you?"
The question is for herself, for the universe, for anyone who might be listening. It's a search for answers she knows she won't find, not here, not now.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
The apology is a balm to her wounded spirit, an offering to the friend she couldn't protect. It's all she has left, the only thing she can give.
"We'll get you back, Kat. I promise."
The vow is a spark in the darkness, a flicker of defiance in the face of overwhelming odds. It's the first step on the long road to redemption, to making things right.
"We won't give up on you... Never."
And with that, Nozomi's screams fade into silence, but her resolve remains, burning brighter than ever.