My Hero Academia Episode 43: Drive It Home, Iron Fist!!!

At the villains' hideout, Tomura and Kurogiri discuss the mission of the Vanguard Action Squad. Tomura believes the villains can succeed without him, stating they are stronger than those involved in the U.S.J. attack. He thinks their presence alone will instill fear in heroic society.

After defeating a powerful villain, Izuku, despite his severe injuries, feels he still has work to do. He worries that if all the villains are as strong as the one he just fought, his classmates are in grave danger. Knowing the villains are targeting some of the students, Izuku asks a young boy named Kota to help him put out a forest fire. Kota gets on Izuku's back, and Izuku uses his power to run back towards the camp.

Shota evades a fire attack from a villain named Dabi and erases his power. Shota quickly takes Dabi down using his scarf and interrogates him by breaking his arms. Several students arrive at the facility, momentarily distracting Shota, which allows Dabi to free himself. Shota attempts to restrain him again, but his capture weapon passes through Dabi's liquid form. The fire villain completely melts away, but not before taunting Shota about the students' safety.

Meanwhile, the real Dabi is occupied maintaining the flames burning the forest. Another villain, Twice, comically taunts Dabi about his defeat, but Dabi replies that the clone was too weak. Twice suggests the hero was simply too strong and emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidence. Dabi interrupts Twice, demanding he create another clone to occupy the pro-heroes and continue the mission.

Izuku encounters Shota in the forest. Shota immediately notices Izuku's gruesome injuries and observes that Izuku is running on adrenaline. Izuku passes Kota to Shota and states he needs to deliver a message to Mandalay before anything else. Shota allows him to leave, but not before giving Izuku a message for Mandalay. Izuku arrives in time to save Mandalay from a villain named Spinner's sword. Izuku and Shota agree that the students are the targets. Izuku tells Mandalay to relay a telepathic message that a student named Katsuki is one of the villains' targets and that the students have permission from Shota to defend themselves.

Shota is concerned about Izuku's injuries and believes not telling him to return to the facility was a mistake. Kota also worries for Izuku and begins to cry. He regrets not apologizing for punching Izuku and not thanking him for fighting the powerful villain. Shota reassures him that Izuku will be fine and encourages him to express his appreciation more emphatically when they meet again. Mandalay tells Izuku to return to base camp, but he refuses and rushes back into the forest. A villain named Magne realizes the powerful villain Izuku fought must have leaked their plan and tries to kill Izuku. Spinner stops Magne, stating that a figure named Stain deemed Izuku worthy, and they begin to argue. Mandalay and another hero named Tiger capitalize on this and strike them both down.

Mandalay telepathically relays Izuku's message, causing a student named Eijiro to worry about Katsuki. Katsuki claims he can take care of himself and rushes towards a villain named Moonfish. Moonfish uses his power to attack with his teeth. Shoto narrowly saves Katsuki by blocking Moonfish's attack with his ice. He warns Katsuki not to act recklessly since the villains are after him.

Katsuki is irritated by Mandalay's sudden change in commands, suspecting Izuku is involved. Katsuki declares he doesn't care what anyone says and tries to close in on Moonfish. The villain's blades keep Katsuki at a distance. Shoto keeps Moonfish at bay with his ice, and the villain moves around the trees using his power. Shoto warns Katsuki to be careful about starting fires because they could spread, and he considers the villains' plan to corner their targets.

Two students, Tetsutetsu and Itsuka, run through an area of the forest filled with poison gas. Itsuka deduces that there must be a villain at the center of it because the gas is not spreading beyond that specific area. Tetsutetsu decides to rush to the most condensed area of the gas to find the gas user, and Itsuka follows him. Tetsutetsu finds a villain named Mustard at the center of a gas typhoon, but the villain pulls a gun on him and shoots his mask off. Mustard recognizes Tetsutetsu from the U.A. Sports Festival. He tells Tetsutetsu that his straightforward attack was foolish and a U.A. student should be smarter. Itsuka tries to attack from behind, but Mustard avoids it and informs her that he can detect movements within the gas.

Mustard continues to shoot Tetsutetsu and taunts him about the durability of his power. He becomes slightly irritated as he monologues about how people fawn over U.A. students even when their powers are not especially great. Tetsutetsu reaches his limit in both power durability and lung capacity. Itsuka rushes in to save him and strikes Mustard with her power, forcing the villain to retreat into the gas. Itsuka uses her power to enlarge her hands and swipes them back and forth to create enough wind pressure to thin the gas around them. This gives Tetsutetsu enough of an opening to land a powerful punch that destroys Mustard's helmet and knocks him out. The poison gas dissipates completely, and Tetsutetsu confirms his victory, claiming that all the villains will pay for ruining camp.

Izuku runs through the forest searching for Katsuki until he is suddenly attacked by a shadowy figure. A student named Mezo saves him and scolds Izuku for running around with heavy injuries. Izuku notices one of Mezo's mutant limbs has been severed. Mezo explains he and another student, Fumikage, were ambushed, triggering Fumikage's power. Izuku remembers that Fumikage's power becomes fierce and uncontrollable in darkness. Fumikage warns them both to run away, fearing for their lives.