Stalling for Time

The League stared at Yuto in disbelief.

After everything he had done at the forest camp, they had already learned not to judge him by ordinary standards.

He had defeated Muscular, a Nomu, Moonfish, Spinner, Magne, and Dabi. He had pushed the League's plan into failure again and again.

Now, even after exhausting himself, he had forced All For One to stop.

Kurogiri tried to steady his voice.

"The effect of his Haki has passed. He should have nothing left."

Mr. Compress looked at Yuto with narrowed eyes.

"That's Yuto Kanzaki. Treating him like an ordinary opponent has already cost us too much."

Tomura's hatred burned in his stare.

"If not for him, this plan would have worked."

Class 1-A were just as tense.

Yuto had no stamina left. His Conqueror's Haki had faded. Facing All For One again, his chances looked almost nonexistent.

Midoriya's voice shook.

"Yuto-kun..."

Tsuyu's expression was serious.

"He has already done more than anyone could ask."

Momo clenched her hands.

"Is this really the end?"

Ochaco raised her voice.

"Yuu-kun, keep going!"

Every eye turned back to Yuto.

All For One hesitated.

Yuto's techniques had been too strange, and the burst of Haki had unsettled him more than he wanted to admit. He did not attack immediately.

Yuto saw that hesitation.

Everything was going as he had hoped.

In his mind, he counted.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

Then footsteps sounded from the trees.

Yuto looked at All For One.

"All For One, the forest camp battle is over."

All For One's posture stiffened.

"What are you talking about?"

"You lost."

The words landed across the battlefield.

A moment later, All Might and the Pro Heroes arrived.

All Might stepped into the clearing with his familiar smile, though his eyes were fixed on All For One.

"Young Yuto, you did well."

Aizawa, Midnight, Nezu, and the other Pro Heroes spread out behind him.

All For One understood at once.

Yuto had not been trying to beat him head-on.

He had been buying time.

And he had succeeded.

All For One laughed.

"Yuto Kanzaki, you won the forest camp battle. I will remember this. The next time we meet, it will be your death."

The League began to withdraw through the warp gates.

Yuto's smile did not fade.

"All For One, I know where the League's headquarters is."

All For One went still.

"Next time, I will be the hunter, and the League will be the prey. Next time, I will defeat you."

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