"He's really is good." Commented Momo.
"See, I told you guys to watch out." Kirishima grinned.
"I take it that bird-like shadow attached to his belly is [Dark Shadow]." Calvin enquired
"Yes, it's a sentient shadow that resides in his belly." Explained Kirishima with his nose high as though it were his quirk.
"I don't understand," Momo asked with a frown.
"I… I don't know how to explain it to you, it's a shadow that lives-
"No no. I get that." Momo stopped him.
"What I meant was I don't understand why Midoriya charged in like that." She clarified. "Why do that? It was the worst possible choice to make. He could have retreated and made Aoyama wear himself out or tried a different tactic."
"Yeah, I get what you're getting at." Calvin hummed. "If I had to guess, I would say he didn't want to retreat and lose this chance, that combined with the stress from constant laser fire made him forget about Tokoyami for a moment. Thus this poorly thought out plan."
" Stress made him forget an entire person?"
"It's not unheard of, the stress of the battlefield can cause people to act rashly or do strange things."
"Calvin is right. That can happen." Dante confirmed. "However, that is only half of the reason… in this case."
"Huh. What do you mean by that?" Momo asked.
"He couldn't see him." Dante cryptically replied.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kirishima questioned.
Dante however stayed silent. Calvin knowing he was unlikely to elaborate, watched the monitors intently, his eyes flickered, searching.
Finally – it clicked.
"I see what you mean." He spoke.
"What? You get it? I don't see anything. What does he mean?" Kirishima begged curious to know what was going on.
"Do you see where the entrance is?" Calvin asked.
""Yeah?""
"Do you remember where Tokoyami was standing at the start?" Calvin prompted further.
"Tokoyami?" Yoayorozu paused, delving back into her memory. "Yeah, I remember he was standing behind the-" realization flashed. "Oh, he couldn't see him." She parroted.
"What?! You too?" Kirishima exclaimed. "Does everyone get it but me? Someone please explain it to me, what's going on?"
Yoayorozu moved to explain, "I'm unsure if it is coincidence or by design but when Midoriya first peered into the room Tokoyami happened to be standing behind the bomb hidden from Midoriya's view." Yoayorozu thought further before reasoning, "He must have assumed that Tokoyami went out to find them not knowing he was right in front of them. When he charged in Tokoyami took the chance to attack from above."
"Oh wow." Kirishima's confusion turned into thoughtfulness. "I see. And because we're in the monitoring room, where we can see all the angles we didn't even notice anything odd." He fell silent with a pensive frown.
Dante glanced at him knowingly. Yoayorozu seeing a friend frown tried to cheer him up, "It's alright, I didn't even notice. I doubt anyone else noticed."
Realizing what she was trying to do, Kirishima smiled, "Thanks. Sorry, I was just thinking that if this was a real battle I would have probably fallen for a trap like that."
His words rippled through the silent room, falling clearly into the ears of those nearby.
They were all hit with a realization. 'Would I have noticed that Tokoyami was there in a real fight?' Phrases like this rung through their minds. Their heads fell.
Todoroki looked at Dante, 'Out of everyone here. He was the only one who noticed.' He then withdrew his gaze. 'It doesn't matter I will still win.' He stared back at the monitors, 'I have to.' his gaze - unwavering.
Soon the students raised their heads one after the other, each one returning their attention to the monitors unwilling to miss anything. Their eyes now burned with focus – a desire to grow.
All Might of course heard the conversation taking place and witnessed the change in his students - pride filled his heart. 'Yes, young ones you are now beginning to understand the purpose of U.A. It is not just about learning to use your quirks but learning from each other and more importantly learning that this is not just a training drill but preparation for the real thing.
Congratulations young students you have now taken your first step to becoming Heroes.' He smiled brightly at their transformation.
Back on the battlefield, Izuku and Uraraka, the hero team were backed into a corner. Midoriya and Ochako Uraraka had somehow found their way back into the room and had been pulled into a close-quarters fight with Fumikage Tokoyami as Yuuga Aoyama stayed back to guard the bomb while providing laser fire for backup.
"Not good," Calvin commented. "That's the worst position they could be in."
"Agreed." Dante nodded coolly. "Unless they get creative, it will be tough to pull a win from there."
Again Midoriya quickly backed away from Tokoyami looking for room to safely use his quirk. But once again Tokoyami would not allow that he effortlessly sidestepped the charging Uraraka hoping for the chance to use [Xero-Gravity] on him to buy time for Midoriya. 'Damnit! He dodged. All I need is one touch, one chance.'
Then he zoomed in close to Midoriya not giving him any time to build up his quirk. He spun as [Dark Shadow] shot out his belly towards Uraraka who was clumsily dodging Aoyama's laser and closing in on the bomb. [Dark Shadow] gripped her by the ankle and Tokoyami whipped sending her flying into Midoriya. Back to square one.