My Hero Academia Episode 29: Hero Killer: Stain vs U.A. Students

After a Nomu-like creature attacks a train, Izuku exits and searches Hosu City for Gran Torino, wondering if this Nomu is connected to the previous one. He uses his newly developed abilities to navigate the city. Meanwhile, Gran Torino battles a Nomu, evading its attacks and noting its unexceptional movements. The Nomu then indiscriminately attacks civilians. Gran Torino moves to intervene, but the Nomu is suddenly engulfed in flames. Endeavor appears, having scorched the creature, and tells Gran Torino he will handle it. When civilians question his presence, Endeavor states he is there because he is a hero.

Izuku eventually comes across a battle between pro heroes and other Nomus after hearing Manual call out Tenya's name. Realizing Tenya is absent from the scene, Izuku deduces he must have gone to find the Hero Killer: Stain. A pro hero warns Izuku to move away from the battle, so he leaves to search for his friend. From a nearby building, Tomura praises the chaos created by the Nomus, which his master loaned him to kill Stain because Tomura dislikes him. Kurogiri asks if Tomura will join, but Tomura declines due to an injury.

Concurrently, the Hero Killer attempts to strike Tenya, but Tenya counters with a high-speed kick. Stain avoids it, kicks Tenya to the ground, and states he allowed Ingenium to live so news of his own exploits would spread. He then pins Tenya down, stabs him in the shoulder, and claims Tenya is weak like Ingenium because they are false heroes. Tenya rebukes Stain, defending his brother's honor as a splendid hero, and vows to kill Stain to avenge him. Stain responds by telling Tenya to save the injured pro hero, Native, first.

Stain licks blood from his blade, and Tenya becomes unable to move. Stain preaches that Tenya must act selflessly by rescuing others first, not selfishly brandishing his powers. He continues that seeking revenge for selfish desires is the furthest thing from what a hero should be, and that Tenya will die as an offering to a more just world. Tenya refuses Stain's words, calling him a criminal who hurt his brother.

While searching for Tenya, Izuku surmises that the League of Villains and Stain must be connected, noting that most of Stain's attacks on heroes have been in unpopulated areas. Using this information, Izuku searches alleyways near Manual's Hero Office and finds Stain just as he is about to finish Tenya.

Izuku acts swiftly, using One For All's power to deliver a powerful smash to save his friend. He tells Tenya they need to move to an open area for pro hero support, but Tenya reveals he cannot move since Stain cut him. Izuku surmises that Stain's Quirk activates by cutting opponents and realizes Native is also injured. Unable to carry both, Izuku bravely decides to protect them by holding off the hero killer alone.

Stain warns Izuku that it is his duty to kill Tenya, and if Izuku interferes, the weaker power will be culled. Intimidated, Izuku realizes Stain is a different type of villain than those at the U.S.J. and sends out his location. Tenya pleads with Izuku not to get involved, saying it has nothing to do with him, but Izuku refuses, reiterating words he heard from All Might: that the essence of being a hero is meddling where they don't have to. Stain notices Izuku's words and recognizes him from a photo Tomura showed him earlier.

Their duel begins as Izuku uses Full Cowl to swiftly close the distance, negating Stain's longer reach. The hero killer tries to slash Izuku with a knife, but Izuku slides through his legs. Stain counters by swiping his katana behind him, but Izuku evades by jumping over him. Izuku then uses a 5% Detroit Smash, delivering a powerful blow to Stain's head. Surprised, Tenya compares Izuku's movements to Katsuki's. Unfazed, Stain licks blood from his knife and immobilizes Izuku. Izuku realizes Stain grazed him and that blood is the key to his Quirk. Stain is impressed with Izuku's skill and conviction, deciding Izuku is worth living because he is different from Tenya and Native. The Hero Killer prepares to take the lives of his next two victims, but is abruptly forced back by a stream of fire.

Shoto appears suddenly, scolding Izuku for not explaining the urgency, as he could have arrived sooner. He explains it took time to decode Izuku's location-only message. He sends a wave of ice at Stain to repel him while securing his injured allies. Shoto notes he realized Izuku needed help and that pro heroes are on the way. As he pushes Stain back with ice and fire, Shoto warns the hero killer he will not allow him to kill his friends.

Izuku warns Shoto not to let Stain ingest his blood, and Shoto decides to keep his distance. However, Stain quickly throws a knife, narrowly cutting Shoto's cheek. Stain rushes Shoto, who blocks him with a pillar of ice, but Stain simultaneously tosses his katana to distract him. Distracted, Shoto nearly allows Stain to lick blood from his face but repels him with fire. Shoto counterattacks with ice waves, but Stain grabs his katana to defend himself and commends Shoto's strength.

Tenya pleads for Shoto to stop, claiming that as Ingenium's inheritor, only he should stop the hero killer. Shoto replies that Ingenium never had a look of vengeance on his face. He creates a giant ice wall, but Stain slashes through it, telling Shoto it's foolish to block his own view when his opponent is further away. Stain then stabs Shoto's left side with two throwing knives and moves above him. Just as he is about to stab Shoto from above, Izuku unexpectedly grabs and tackles him away. Shoto guesses Stain's Quirk may have a time limit, but Native explains Izuku was the last to suffer from it, so that cannot be the case. Izuku concludes that Stain's power's effectiveness varies depending on blood type, which the Hero Killer confirms.

Izuku resolves to distract Stain while Shoto supports him from behind, as Izuku has already shed much blood. Though reluctant to the risk, Shoto agrees to protect Tenya and Native with Izuku. He recalls worrying about Tenya since Ingenium was attacked, recognizing someone acting on pent-up resentment. Shoto also knows how negativity can cloud judgment.

Shoto recollects visiting his mother, which cleared his perception. He told her everything, and she apologized and forgave him for not visiting for a long time. She encouraged him to move forward without anything holding him back, as that would be her salvation. That is why he decided to intern with Endeavor's agency, not because he forgave his father, but to learn from the number two hero's experience. Shoto realizes everything could have been simpler for him, but he never noticed until Izuku opened his eyes with a few words.

With increasing intensity, Stain heightens his strength and overpowers Izuku. He cuts Izuku's leg and licks the blood to paralyze him. Shoto supports him, but Tenya again pleads for them to stop. Shoto rejects his plea, telling Tenya to stand up and properly look at who he wants to become. Stain slashes through an ice wall and attacks Shoto, who responds by releasing his fire. After Shoto tries to save Tenya as Izuku had done for him, Tenya reflects shamefully and begins to move his hand.