For most of them, climbing two hundred floors sounded terrifying. But for Ezaki Kitazawa, who had climbed cliffs with his bare hands during training, it wasn't that big of a deal—especially since he could use his Quirk and his legs this time, making it much easier.
When they reached the 80th floor, they found the stairway blocked off. As they searched the corridors for another way up, they had some bad luck.
Though they hadn't been discovered yet, Bakugo and his group, who were trying to reach the banquet hall, had been spotted. And from there, the enemy quickly traced things back and found Ezaki Kitazawa's group as well.
*Click!*
The enemy activated the defense system on the 80th floor.
Instantly, metal gates sprang up one after another along the corridor.
"Boom!"
Ezaki Kitazawa punched the wall, creating a huge hole in it.
"The hallways are blocked off. Let's go inside and find another way up!"
Ezaki Kitazawa spoke in a low voice. Everyone nodded and quickly followed him into a room on the 80th floor.
Just then, they noticed the elevator display—it was moving fast.
"The elevator is coming down… Hide!"
Ezaki Kitazawa whispered.
A few moments later, the elevator doors opened with a *ding*.
Several strange figures stepped out—not quite human, not quite animal.
Behind them, dozens of armed soldiers followed.
"Their outfits... They're the same ones who snuck into the banquet!"
Midoriya's expression turned serious.
"They're heading this way. What do we do, Ezaki?"
Mineta's voice trembled.
Ezaki Kitazawa glanced at Mineta out of the corner of his eye.
He couldn't help but wonder—how did this guy even get into U.A.?
They had been through dangerous situations before. Shouldn't he have toughened up by now?
Even Melissa was keeping quiet, but Mineta was already freaking out.
"Shh! Don't make a sound!"
Uraraka whispered.
"I heard there are some rats hiding around here," the leader of the enemy group said.
"But this place is huge. It won't be easy to find them. Let's split up!"
"Yes, sir!"
The enemies immediately spread out and started searching.
At this rate, if Ezaki Kitazawa's group didn't move, they'd definitely be found within ten minutes.
"This isn't going to work—we'll get caught sooner or later. Here's the plan: I'll use my Quirk to send you guys up, and I'll stay behind to hold them off. Once I deal with them, I'll catch up."
Ezaki Kitazawa spoke softly.
"Can you handle it alone?"
Melissa asked worriedly.
Ezaki Kitazawa smiled. "Don't worry. I'm not dying here."
"Melissa, trust me. Ezaki is really strong. Since this is the plan, we'll leave it to you."
Midoriya nodded.
"Be careful. We don't know what Quirks they have, and some might be a bad match for you."
Todoroki reminded him.
"In the face of overwhelming strength, that doesn't matter."
Ezaki Kitazawa cut the conversation short.
With a wave of his hand, the ground beneath them cracked open.
*Kachak!*
Countless trees sprouted from the floor, forming a massive, circular wooden barrier around the group.
Ezaki Kitazawa had done this because the enemies were armed. If they were attacked while ascending, this would serve as a defense.
"Boom!"
A massive tree, made up of four or five thick trunks, shot straight into the sky. At that moment, Ezaki Kitazawa and his group were spotted by the enemy.
"Bang bang bang bang!"
Just as Ezaki Kitazawa expected, the armed men immediately opened fire.
"It's useless. You're just wasting bullets," Ezaki Kitazawa said with a smirk.
"This guy… he's not just some regular student," the leader muttered.
As soon as he finished speaking, a gun barrel was pressed against Ezaki Kitazawa's head from behind.
"Kid, don't move! One wrong move and my finger might slip!"
Out of nowhere, a shadowy figure appeared behind Ezaki Kitazawa. Though surprised for a moment, his face remained completely calm.
"A Quirk that lets you turn invisible?"
"Shut up and get down!"
"You really think that thing in your hand can kill me?"
Ezaki Kitazawa's voice was cold. As soon as he finished speaking, he spun around and grabbed the gun.
"Fire! Kill him!" the leader shouted.
The invisible man was about to pull the trigger, but Ezaki Kitazawa's hand suddenly turned to molten lava, melting half of the gun instantly.
"This thing won't kill me," he said in a deep voice.
The invisible man panicked and tried to disappear again, but Ezaki Kitazawa grabbed him by the throat before he could react.
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