In a flash, Bakugo was in front of the Nomu. He launched himself into the air, pausing for a heartbeat before unleashing a deafening explosion. The blast lit up the tunnels like a raging sun. He grunted, landing heavily a few feet away, his teeth clenched in frustration. Without missing a beat, he charged again. This time, he leaped higher, his torso twisting mid-air. His leg shot up, and his boot slammed into the side of the Nomu's head with a sickening crunch. The sweat soaked into his boot detonated on contact, triggering an eruption that sent the Nomu screeching. Its inhuman cry echoed through the tunnels, vibrating through Bakugo's skull. The beast's body flipped violently, crashing into a wall with such force that the concrete caved, shards raining like lethal confetti. Dust and debris clouded the air as Bakugo skidded to a stop, coughing through the haze.
"Damn it," he spat, his voice strained. Pain radiated through his chest with each breath. "I can't go full throttle down here ... not enough room." He stumbled to his feet, the world tilting slightly.
The Nomu's screams sliced through the chaos like nails on a chalkboard.
"BAAAAAAAAAAAAAKUUUUUGOOOOOO!" it shrieked, a warped, broken version of Tsuki's voice. "YOU DIDN'T SAVE MEEE!"
The words froze Bakugo in place. His heart hammered against his ribs, each thud louder than the last. His arms trembled, muscles coiled so tightly they ached. His breathing turned ragged, nostrils flaring as the memories clawed their way to the surface. He shook his head, gritting his teeth.
"Bastard," he growled, his voice low and venomous. "Shut up!"
The Nomu burst through the wall from the other tunnel, its monstrous eyes darting wildly in search of him. Bakugo was hunched over, fists clenched, steam rising from his gloves as sweat condensed into his palms. He propelled himself forward with a fiery blast, zigzagging through the air. His gloves threatened to slip from the sheer buildup of sweat; his explosions came faster now, each one a crescendo of heat and force. The rubble around him swirled into a chaotic cyclone, swept up by the violent energy. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
"Crap ... I'm gonna." He thought, feeling a wave of unconsciousness hit him lightly.
The roof above them gave way, collapsing under the building up, relentless, assault. Wind and explosions ripped through the debris, scattering it like paper. The tunnels stretched open, walls crumbling to dust, leaving an expansive battlefield in their wake. Now with room to move, Bakugo ramped up his speed. He spiraled higher, faster, his movements a blur. Smoke and fire consumed the Nomu, its massive arm swiping blindly through the chaos. Bakugo's voice roared through the inferno, his rage fueling every movement.
"HOWITZER," His voice echoed against the walls of the sewers, "... IMPAAAACCT!"
The spiraling vortex of explosions tightened, collapsing inward as Bakugo became a missile, a force of pure destruction. The underground sewers erupted in a blinding wave; the shockwave tearing through layers of concrete and steel, pipes spewing out wasteful water. The Nomu's desperate shrieks were swallowed by the deafening roar of the impact—everything was consumed in a blaze of obliteration. The blast flung Bakugo backward, his body crashing through jagged debris and pulverized stone. Pain radiated through him like lightning. He felt as if every nerve had been set on fire. Blood splattered from his mouth and into the air as he was hurled upward, defying gravity. His spine twisted sharply, sending a searing jolt through his entire frame. His vision blurred as the world spun violently around him. Before he realized it, Bakugo broke through the surface, soaring into open air. The chaos of the sewers below was now a distant echo. The Nomu had become a shrinking speck beneath him. Wind whipped against his face, his hair blowing in reverse as his ascent slowed.
