MHA : Architect Of Time [Rewrite]

"DEEEEEEEEEKKKUUUU!" There goes our Vegeta.

Kirishima cracked his knuckles. "Alright, so Bakugo's coming straight for us, huh? Guess we don't have to go looking for him."

BOOM!

The sudden explosion from within the building sent shockwaves through the air, debris scattering as a cloud of dust escaped from a shattered window.

I narrowed my eyes. "He's coming." 

BOOM!

A second explosion tore through the air, shaking the building's foundation as Bakugo shot out from the shattered window like a rocket. 

"DEEEEEKKKUUUU!"

Kirishima grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Yep, he's pissed."

I exhaled sharply, my emerald eyes tracking his rapid approach. Even before he got close, I could already see his movements—his intent. Bakugo was going straight for the kill. Damn, why does he wanna be a hero?

'O.F.A. 20%'

Energy surged through my limbs, and my body instantly reacted to the enhanced power. Bakugo's right hand was already cocked back, a grenade primed to go off. But he was predictable—too aggressive, too reckless.

He was exactly where I wanted him to be.

Dodge. Sidestep. Counter. Basic principles of a fight.

I twisted my body at the last second, I caught his hands and used his momentum against him. He stumbled forward, and I seized the opportunity to counterattack. My fist shot towards his face, and as his eyes widened in shock, a massive explosion sent him crashing into the wall.

"Kirishima!"

Kirishima was already moving. "On it!"

He dashed forward, his arms hardening into solid stone just as Bakugo blasted himself out of the rubble. The moment Bakugo landed, Kirishima was right there, throwing a heavy right hook.

BAM!

Bakugo barely managed to block with his forearm, but the sheer force still sent him skidding back. He growled, eyes blazing with fury.

"The hell are you doing, shitty hair?!" Bakugo snarled. "Stay the hell outta my way!"

Kirishima smirked, cracking his neck. "Nah, don't think I will."

Bakugo's palms crackled with another explosion, but before he could unleash it—

WHOOSH!

I blurred into his blind spot, faster than his reflexes could handle. Before he could turn, my foot slammed into his side with a perfectly placed roundhouse kick.

CRACK!

The impact sent him tumbling across the floor. He barely managed to flip mid-air, landing in a crouch with an explosive burst. He was panting now, sweat dripping down his forehead.

Kirishima whistled. "Damn, dude. That looked like it hurt."

I clenched my fists, keeping my stance steady. "It should've knocked him out, but he's too damn stubborn." 

"Kiri, I have another idea, move to the upper floor and locate the bomb, I'll take care of this guy by then."

Kirishima hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Got it, bro! Don't take too long!"

He turned and dashed towards the stairwell, his heavy footsteps fading as he ascended to the upper floors.

Bakugo wiped a trickle of blood from his lip, his breathing heavy but his glare just as fierce. "Sending backup away, huh? That's a mistake, Deku."

I cracked my knuckles. "No, it's strategy."

Bakugo snarled and lunged, his palm bursting with another explosion. His speed was good, but I was faster.

Dodge. Counter. Redirect.

I sidestepped, grabbing his wrist and twisting it mid-air. He tried to adjust, but I shoved my knee into his gut. He coughed, but before I could follow up—

BOOM!

A blast erupted from his free hand, forcing me to jump back to avoid the brunt of it. He landed in a low stance, eyes wild with frustration.

"You… damn nerd," he growled. "You're playing with me!"

I stayed silent, my eyes calm and unreadable.

Bakugo hated that.

"STOP LOOKING DOWN ON ME!"

He charged again, this time with reckless abandon. But I had already read him. I let him come, watching as he committed to another explosive punch.

Now.

I leaned back, dodging by mere inches, and before he could recover—

SMASH!

My fist met his ribs, sending him flying into a wall with enough force to crack it.

He gasped, struggling to push himself up, but I was already in front of him.

"You're too emotional," I said simply.

Bakugo's eyes widened, and I could see the rage, the frustration, and—deep beneath it—the desperation.

"Shut the hell up!" he spat, struggling to stand.

I sighed. "Kirishima's almost at the bomb by now. You lost, Kacchan."

Bakugo's fists trembled. Then, his lips curled into a sharp grin.

"Heh… heh… You think I lost?"

My body tensed.

Then I saw it—his hand reaching for the pin on his gauntlet.

 I'm f*****... well, anyone other than me would've been.

Kirishima's voice crackled over the earpiece. "Yo, Midoriya! I found the bomb! I'm going for it!"

But Bakugo was already yanking the pin.

"DIEEEEEEEEE!" 

The world exploded in fire.

I had only a fraction of a second to react.

'O.F.A… 100%.'

No more holding back.

I clenched my fist and met the explosion head-on. Chronos, this is for you.

CHRONOS SMASH!

I combined the effect of reversing time and the force of One For All, effectively reversing the explosion, affecting it separately.

The moment my fist connected with the explosion, time folded upon itself.

The roaring fire and concussive force that should have consumed me in an instant—stopped.

Then, like watching water flow backward, the explosion reversed. The raging inferno coiled inward, the concussive blast shrinking back into Bakugo's gauntlet as if reality itself was denying him the destruction he wanted. With this, I disguised my ability with the force that I created with O.F.A.

For a split second, his eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

"The hell—?"

I didn't give him time to process it.

BOOM!

With the force of 100% One For All, I slammed my fist into his gut, sending him rocketing through the air like a bullet. The sheer force shattered the building's walls, sending debris flying as Bakugo's body crashed through them like a wrecking ball.

He tumbled through the hallway, hitting the ground with a brutal roll, groaning in pain. His gauntlet, still overloaded with reversed energy, sparked dangerously, smoke rising from its vents.

I lowered my fist, exhaling as I let One For All settle back to 20%. My body was fine, of course—Chronos' authority ensured that. But the sheer power of the strike left cracks in the floor beneath me, and a low hum of distorted time echoed in the air.

My earpiece crackled.

"Midoriya! I touched the bomb!" Kirishima's voice rang out.

The alarm blared through the building.

"Hero team wins!"

The battle was over.

I glanced at Bakugo, who was groaning, his body sprawled in the debris. His hands were clenched, trembling with rage—not just at me, but at himself.

He lost. Again.

I sighed, walking toward him, my footsteps slow and deliberate. He tried to push himself up, but his body wasn't cooperating. His pride wouldn't let him accept it, though.

I crouched beside him.

"You always go for the biggest explosion," I said quietly. "You never stop to think what happens if someone stops it."

His teeth clenched, his breathing ragged. He refused to look at me.

"You're strong, Kacchan," I continued, my voice steady. "But strength alone isn't enough."

His fists trembled harder.

I stood up, turning away as I walked toward the exit.

Behind me, Bakugo slammed his fist into the ground, his growl filled with frustration and fury.

I didn't look back.

The simulated environment began its reset process, cooling systems kicking in to dispel lingering smoke and embers from Bakugo's last-ditch attack. Dust settled, revealing the destruction left in our wake—cracked walls, shattered windows, and scorched floors.

Bakugo still hadn't moved.

I could hear his ragged breathing behind me, but he didn't say a word. His body was spent, his mind reeling from the fight. I knew that silence. It wasn't exhaustion—it was frustration.

I exhaled softly and kept walking.

At the far end of the hall, the heavy metal doors to the training facility slid open, revealing Aizawa-sensei standing there, arms crossed, his ever-present blank stare fixed on the destruction.

Behind him, the rest of Class 1-A stood in stunned silence, eyes wide, whispering among themselves. Uraraka and Iida were near the front, both still in their hero costumes, having finished their own match earlier. Todoroki's gaze was unreadable, but he was definitely watching me.

I stopped a few feet away from Aizawa.

The man sighed. "You overdid it."

I glanced at the damage, then back at him. "I held back."

A pause. Then Aizawa's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't argue.

Kirishima jogged up from the stairs, grinning. "Yo, that was awesome!" He clapped me on the back, then winced. "Okay—ow. Dude, your muscles are way harder than they look."

I smirked. "Reinforcement training."

Before Kirishima could respond, a loud crash echoed behind us.

Bakugo had slammed his fist into the floor again.

His breathing was heavy, his body still trembling with barely contained rage. But he wasn't looking at me.

His red eyes burned into the ground, his teeth clenched so hard they might crack.

He wasn't throwing a tantrum.

He wasn't yelling.

He was just silent.

That was worse.

Aizawa watched him for a long moment, then finally spoke. "Bakugo, you okay?"

Bakugo's head snapped up. His expression twisted into a glare, but there was something else underneath it. Something raw.

"…Tch." He forced himself to his feet, wobbling slightly. His arms shook from the strain.

Then, without looking at me, he stormed past, shoving his way through the gathered students. No words. No insults. Just silence.

The classroom chatter picked up the moment he left.

"Did… did Midoriya just destroy him?" Kaminari whispered, eyes wide.

"I mean, we all knew Midoriya was strong, but damn," Sero muttered.

"His movements were completely flawless," Momo noted, rubbing her chin. "Every attack he made was perfectly calculated."

"He fought like he was reading Bakugo's mind," Jirou added, crossing her arms.

Todoroki finally spoke. "It wasn't even close."

The murmuring only grew louder.

I sighed internally. Great.

I glanced at Aizawa, waiting for his judgment. He rubbed his temples. "You two caused way more damage than necessary." His tired gaze flickered to me. "But… your teamwork was solid, and Midoriya, you ended the fight the moment it escalated to serious danger. That's the kind of decision-making a hero needs."

Kirishima grinned. "Hell yeah, we did!"

Aizawa ignored him. "You two pass. Let's move on."

The screens flickered, shifting to display the next match. The class quickly refocused, though I noticed a few lingering glances in my direction.

Some of them looked impressed. Others… uncertain.

And Bakugo?

He was gone.

Snap

Later – Locker Room

The match ended hours ago. The rest of the battles played out as expected—Todoroki wiped the floor with his opponents, Uraraka's team pulled off a creative win, and Iida displayed his usual rigid, by-the-book approach.

Now, most of the guys were in the locker room, getting changed after training.

Kirishima threw his arm around my shoulder with a wide grin. "Dude, that was insane! I mean, I knew you were strong, but seeing you in action was something else!"

I chuckled. "You weren't bad either. You kept Bakugo busy long enough for me to counter."

He laughed. "Man, I was just happy to land a hit on him! That guy's like a pissed-off landmine with legs."

"More like a rocket launcher with anger issues," Kaminari muttered, pulling his shirt over his head. "Still, Midoriya, you wrecked him. How'd you get so good at reading his moves?"

I shrugged. "Years of experience."

I didn't add that Bakugo was the easiest opponent to read because of his emotions.

"You made it look like child's play," Todoroki said, suddenly speaking up. He was leaning against the lockers, already changed, watching me with a calm but analytical gaze.

I met his eyes. "Observation. That's all."

Todoroki studied me for a moment longer before nodding. "I'll remember that, thank you." Then he turned and walked out.

Before I could process that interaction, the locker room door slammed open.

Bakugo stood there.

The room went dead silent.

His red eyes burned like dying embers.

For a moment, I thought he was about to charge me again. That he'd start screaming, throw a punch, anything.

Instead—

"…Don't you dare look down on me."

His voice was quiet. Low. 

He stepped forward, just once, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.

"I don't care what tricks you pulled. I don't care how strong you think you are."

His eyes locked onto mine, filled with something ugly—a wound too deep for words.

"I'll beat you," he growled. "One day… I'll crush you."

Then he turned and walked away.

The tension lingered even after he was gone.

Kirishima exhaled. "Well… that wasn't terrifying at all."

I just stared at the door. I have known him since childhood, if he says so, he would risk his life to do it. Well, I await that day.