#bitchlessbkg

[pikahlua]

i have a question about this chapter

in the beginning, bakugou says “i’m done messing around izuku(?)” but i’m confused on what it means. does this mean that he isn’t gonna treat him horribly anymore or he’s done messing around and he’s coming into his own (quirk/name/person)?

Didn't wanna answer until I published the translation.

もうおめーの邪魔はしねえ もうおめーのじゃまはしねえ mou omee no jama wa shinee I won't get in your way anymore.* (*Note: This is a sentence that could have many potential translations: "I won't get in your way anymore," "I won't hold you back anymore," "I won't be a hindrance to you anymore," etc.)

This is one of those "Katsuki Bakugou contains multitudes" lines where he means a lot of things at the same time.

The surface-level, pseudo-obvious meaning is that Katsuki won't be a jerk to Izuku--but that doesn't actually make sense, because he isn't a jerk to Izuku anymore. That shit is long over.

I think the key to understanding this line lies in chapter 406:

The major struggle Katsuki has had throughout this final arc is about his sense of inferiority compared to Izuku. Remember, he was revived at the time when he could save All Might from AFO and make up for his perceived weakness that caused All Might's downfall.

So in one sense, Katsuki is saying he's strong now. His lack of power will no longer be a burden. Now he can run alongside Izuku and match his pace and support him without Izuku ever having to worry.

But there is also some deeper meaning behind that sentiment, one that's had roots in Katsuki's journey through the entire story, since chapter 1.

It's Katsuki's relationship with victimhood.

From the beginning, the one insecurity within Katsuki that was so great he would actually kind of voice it aloud was his fear that he couldn't match up to Izuku and that Izuku looked down on him for it.

And this all ties back into his insecurities about his role in All Might's downfall. All of this was a major point of what "Deku vs Kacchan, Part 2" was all about.

It's something I dissected a long time ago here:

So it's not that Katsuki wants to protect Izuku; Katsuki doesn't want to be the reason for Izuku's downfall.

And here:

Katsuki lightens Izuku’s load by looking out for everyone else, and this is why Katsuki works so well as Izuku’s weakness. He’s become the cornerstone of Izuku’s house of cards. As much as he hates being a weakness, Katsuki can’t just make it stop by telling Izuku not to care. Izuku will keep on caring regardless. So instead Katsuki has to convince Izuku that Katsuki is stronger so Izuku will keep chasing after him. Izuku needs to believe Katsuki is stronger in order to get stronger himself. Katsuki needs Izuku to believe Katsuki can handle himself, that Izuku can trust him, so they can work as a team and compensate for each other’s weaknesses.

Katsuki acknowledges in his apology in chapter 322 that Izuku is on the right path, that all his moves since receiving OFA have been correct. Katsuki has been a roadblock hindering Izuku and holding him back--yes, often by rejecting him and competing maliciously with him, but also by being too weak to stand at Izuku's side. He was caught by the sludge villain, kidnapped by the League of Villains, lethally stabbed and later nearly killed by TomurAFO. He wasn't the strong hero like All Might that fought to win and save the day. He wasn't an equal partner.

What I read when Katsuki says he won't get in Izuku's way anymore is that he's done it, he's strong enough to stand at Izuku's side, he's strong enough to let Izuku do what he does best, he's strong enough to support Izuku as Izuku strives to achieve what only he can achieve. AND I read Katsuki saying "I am no longer that weak person, I am no longer a burden, I am no longer NOT a hero, no longer NOT the hero I needed to be."

"I won't be a weakness others can exploit to get to you anymore."

(And I read that he's ready to let Izuku be the main character.)

[siflshonen]

This was submitted from @bitchlessbkg:

"what do you think about the allmight doll in this chapter? think it symbolizes anything?

and how about the “you’re weird” dialogue coming back?"

First, oh my gosh, I had no idea this was sent to me. I promise I was not ignoring you - I'm cleaning out my inbox this morning and discovered it and a few other submissions you sent (I may not be able to get to those at this time, but again, I'm not ignoring you.)

As for what the doll means, I think it's several things. The most important, though, I think, is that it is symbolic of Ochako's feelings of admiration being recognized, received, and just-plain respected even while they're out there in the open. @darkcircles4lyfe expressed something similar when the chapter first came out, and even went so far to express that Toga is, like, freeing Ochako of the burden of her unrequited love.

I don't necessarily disagree with that, but I think it serves another purpose, too - Toga's now taking up the "True Hero All Might mantle" in this moment. It's showing that Toga "possesses" (get it? 'cause she's literally holding it) the spirit of a Hero represented by All Might (the ideal) who can embrace and combine selfishness and selflessness to, in this case, save Ochako by giving her blood in an act of genuine love. In many ways, being a Hero is synonymous with being able to reach out to your fellow man in love (like, true love. Not even romantic love.)

Also, the return of the "you're weird" dialogue is a nice touch to show that Ochako isn't stuck condemning everything society deems "villainous" and praising only what is "normal" or "heroic", and Toga sees that. This isn't Uravity the Hero that's come to confront Toga, but Ochako Uraraka, weird girl who thinks Toga's smile is beautiful.

Also, whatever happens, Ochako's straight the same way Izuku is. Which, you know.

is still possible, I guess.