The world around Reiji twisted.
Chronostasis' attack wasn't physical—at least, not in the traditional sense. The air bent unnaturally, as if time itself was resisting motion. The moment his weapon swung, Reiji's limbs felt like they were moving underwater, every reaction slowed, every instinct delayed by a fraction of a second. The rippling field of temporal distortion wrapped around him like a suffocating blanket, bending even the light.
[Time Distortion: Active] [Response Window: 0.43 seconds]
The system's countdown blared inside his mind. Reiji's instincts surged, blood rushing through his veins like a drumbeat. His body screamed at him to move, but the distortion pulled at him like invisible chains.
Chronostasis appeared in front of him in a blur. Calm, composed, his clock-hand weapon slicing through the air toward Reiji's chest, aiming for a direct strike that could paralyze him completely.
Reiji summoned a clone.
The clone emerged just inches from impact, absorbing the full force of the attack.
The weapon struck the clone instead of him, shattering it into smoke and shadow. Bits of energy flared off the explosion like shrapnel.
Using the momentary break in Chronostasis' rhythm, Reiji flared his Hellfire. The burst of energy launched him backward, the flames shielding his retreat as he skidded across the pavement and re-established his footing. His feet dug grooves into the broken asphalt, heat trailing in arcs around him.
Chronostasis adjusted his tie, expression unreadable.
"You're fast. That clone was a clever trick. But you're not outside the effect yet."
Reiji's breathing was sharp, ragged. The distortion still lingered in his limbs. Every movement was weighed down, as though he were submerged. His attacks would be slower. His timing disrupted. His margin for error, razor thin.
He needed to adapt—fast.
Across the street, Midoriya was locked in close combat with Overhaul, fists flying, One For All's energy crackling around him. Each blow was heavy, purposeful—but Overhaul countered every strike with calculated precision, never overextending, never exposing himself. The clash of their blows sent shockwaves through the air.
Above, Hawks soared in rapid circles, shielding Eri with his feathers while monitoring both fights. His gaze flicked to Reiji's position, then to Chronostasis. The veteran hero's expression tightened.
"If you're going to win," Hawks muttered under his breath, "you'll have to do it your way."
Reiji launched forward.
He weaved between the fractured street with clone-assisted acceleration. A decoy clone led the charge. Reiji followed half a second behind, launching another clone to flank from the side. A three-pronged misdirection—taught to him during Hawks' training.
Chronostasis saw the first and struck it cleanly.
He twisted for the second.
He didn't see the third.
Reiji dropped low and slid beneath him, boots grinding on the concrete. Rising in one fluid motion, he delivered a flaming uppercut to Chronostasis' ribs. The hit landed clean. The clock weapon flickered and shifted in the air.
Chronostasis stumbled back, his coat fluttering. "Impressive."
Reiji didn't give him time to recover. He surged forward, his body coated in flame, ready to drive another hit—
—but his punch passed through a warped ripple of time.
Chronostasis vanished.
Reiji's eyes widened.
The moment of realization hit too late.
Chronostasis reappeared behind him, his weapon already mid-swing.
The blade sliced across Reiji's back. Heat and pain tore through him as he stumbled forward, a guttural cry escaping his throat.
[Damage Taken: Severe Laceration – Paralysis Effect Imminent]
Reiji dropped to a knee. His arms trembled. His breath shook. The distortion was spreading—his vision blurred, his perception of space shifted. Even thinking clearly became difficult. His limbs began to feel foreign, as if they no longer responded to his commands.
Chronostasis stepped forward, calm as ever.
"That's the danger of arrogance. You try to outpace time. You never win."
Reiji's fists clenched.
"I don't need to win against time..."
His gaze flicked upward. Behind Chronostasis, a shadow clone materialized—silent, focused, burning with unstable energy.
"I just need a moment."
The clone struck.
Chronostasis turned—too late.
The explosion of shadow energy erupted between them, launching both fighters backward. Reiji smashed against a dumpster, groaning in agony. Chronostasis slammed into a wall and slumped, blood trickling down his forehead.
Before either of them could rise, the ground trembled.
A new shockwave spread through the area like an earthquake.
All three fighters froze.
Across the street, Overhaul had changed.
One of his subordinates lay motionless at his feet, their body half-dissolved, fused into Overhaul's own. His arms had mutated—thicker, longer, with veins pulsing beneath cracked skin. Armor-like bone jutted from his back, wrapping around his body like a carapace.
His eyes glowed faintly red beneath the mask. The twisted blend of muscle and bone pulsed unnaturally with every movement.
"Enough games. I'm ending this now."
Reiji tried to stand.
But his legs wouldn't move.
His muscles failed. His system's emergency override sputtered.
Hawks landed beside him, sweat streaking his face, his wings battered. He crouched beside Reiji, lowering Eri gently behind a collapsed barrier.
"Don't move," Hawks said urgently. "Focus on recovery. I'll distract him."
Reiji gritted his teeth. "You won't last alone."
"I don't need to win," Hawks muttered, eyeing Overhaul's monstrous form. "Just stall."
Midoriya ran to Reiji's side. His expression was tight with concern. "You okay?"
Reiji managed a breath. "Not dead. Yet."
Midoriya glanced at Overhaul, who was now stomping toward them. His transformation made him more beast than man.
"Then we need to hit him together," Midoriya said. "On my signal."
He dashed forward.
Overhaul lifted both hands—massive tendrils of stone erupted from the ground. Hawks dove in, launching a flurry of feathers to deflect the barrage. Midoriya used the opening to charge directly at the center.
Reiji's system chimed.
[Muscular function at 47%. Shadow Core Reset Available. Execute recovery?]
"Execute," Reiji whispered.
Shadow energy crawled over his spine and legs. His body tensed, muscles twitching violently. Then—heat surged through his limbs. Control returned.
He stood.
Across the street, Overhaul raised both hands to finish Hawks and Midoriya in one crushing strike.
Reiji's body flared with golden Hellfire.
And then—
A new shockwave tore through the street as a figure landed behind Overhaul.
A flash of blue and white.
A boot crushed concrete.
The dust parted.
And a familiar voice echoed with calm resolve.
"Did someone call for backup?"
Reiji's eyes widened.
"...Todoroki?"
End of Chapter 56
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