Re-Destro: The Lex Luthor Threat That Could Have Been
Extended Analysis: Re-Destro as Primary Antagonist
Building on the scenario where Tomura/AFO are defeated earlier, let's explore how Re-Destro would leverage every aspect of his character to become MHA's ultimate threat:
Phase 1: Consolidation of Power
Immediate Post-Tomura Actions
With the League neutralized, Re-Destro wouldn't celebrate—he'd capitalize:
Corporate Expansion:
Detnerat becomes the primary hero support contractor after "helping" defeat villains
Absorbs smaller support companies under "industry consolidation"
His 100,000+ MLA members infiltrate every sector: education, media, law enforcement, politics
The Propaganda Machine: With Curious gone but her infrastructure intact:
Shoowaysha Publishing frames the League's defeat as "proof that quirk suppression creates monsters"
Destro's memoir sales skyrocket to millions (was already at 100,000+)
Uses publishing company to spread MLA ideals and convert the public My Hero Academia Wiki
Plants sympathetic "civilian heroes" stories: people whose quirks "saved lives" when pros weren't there
Trumpet's Political Machine:
Launches "Quirk Rights" political movement
Runs MLA sympathizers for local offices across Japan
Uses his Incite quirk to sway public rallies and town halls
Positions movement as "civil rights issue," not terrorism
Phase 2: The Systematic Dismantling of Hero Society
Attacking Infrastructure
The Support Gear Trojan Horse: Re-Destro leaked products to black market that could collect battle data and self-destruct to avoid being traced My Hero Academia Wiki. Now imagine this legitimized:
All Detnerat hero equipment has hidden data collectors and remote kill-switches
During a coordinated "Liberation Day," equipment failures cause hero casualties
Re-Destro publicly "discovers" the defects, blames "government cost-cutting," offers "free replacements"
Heroes become dependent on his company while he holds their lives in his hands
Targeting UA Specifically:
Power Loader's support course becomes infiltrated with MLA sympathizers
Students like Mei Hatsume unknowingly work with compromised materials
Support items developed by Detnerat used during student training My Hero Academia Wiki
When incidents occur, public questions "are we training child soldiers?"
Legal Warfare:
Detnerat's legal team files lawsuits against Hero Commission for "quirk discrimination"
Every hero action scrutinized for "excessive force" or "quirk suppression"
Settles out of court for massive payouts, draining Commission resources
Uses settlements to fund more MLA operations
Phase 3: Making Izuku the Face of "Oppression"
The One For All Problem
Re-Destro's intelligence network would absolutely discover something's unusual about Izuku:
The Smear Campaign:
"Quirkless boy suddenly has multiple quirks? Where did they come from?"
Plant theories: "Government experimentation," "Illegal quirk transfer," "All Might's secret weapon"
Re-Destro points out society's flaws, using villains as examples of how people must fit specific molds My Hero Academia Wiki
Frame Izuku as "proof" that heroes only accept specific types of power
"If quirk transfer is allowed for heroes, why not everyone? Why the double standard?"
Exploiting Izuku's Compassion:
Stage incidents where "liberated" citizens use quirks to help others
When Izuku intervenes to stop property damage, frame it as "attacking good Samaritans"
Force Izuku into no-win scenarios: stop quirk use (looks like oppressor) or allow chaos (fails as hero)
The Successor Problem:
If OFA's secret leaks, claim All Might/Commission "hoarded power" instead of "liberating it"
Demand Izuku "share" his quirk or admit heroes operate by different rules
Public pressure: "Why does one boy deserve multiple quirks when others are told one is enough?"
Phase 4: The Stress King's Physical Dominance
Why Re-Destro is Physically Terrifying
Raw Power Stats: Power 5/6 A+, Speed 5/6 A, Technique 5/6 A+, Wits 5/6 A My Hero Academia Wiki
Combat Capabilities:
At 100% Stress, can demolish several city blocks with arm swings My Hero Academia Wiki
Survived entire building collapse and emerged unharmed My Hero Academia Wiki
Enhanced durability allowed him to continue fighting even with chest pierced My Hero Academia Wiki
Claustro armor amplifies to 150% Stress output
Strategic Combat Intelligence:
Researched opponents before attacking, correctly deduced quirk evolutions My Hero Academia Wiki
Unlike Tomura's chaos, Re-Destro fights with calculated precision
Noted if opponent had better physical parameters, could have killed pro heroes My Hero Academia Wiki
The Prosthetic Weakness—Fixed: Without Shigaraki to cause the injury, Re-Destro has both natural legs. This means:
No structural weak point during maximum Stress
Can maintain 100%+ output indefinitely
Dark Shadow's counter (what beat him in canon) wouldn't work
Phase 5: Izuku's Specific Challenges
Battles on Multiple Fronts
Physical Confrontation: Young Izuku (pre-full OFA mastery) would struggle:
Re-Destro's 80% Liberation form tanked attacks from awakened Shigaraki
Stress Output Burden demolished Deika City blocks My Hero Academia Wiki
Even 45% OFA Izuku would have trouble with someone who matched 75% Shigaraki
Ideological Battle: This is where it gets REALLY interesting:
Re-Destro believes despite various quirks, people must fit specific molds to be accepted My Hero Academia Wiki
He's not entirely wrong about quirk discrimination
Izuku, who was quirkless, might understand some arguments
How do you defeat someone whose critique of society has merit?
The Public Opinion War:
Can't just punch Re-Destro—he's a "legitimate businessman"
Any violence against him proves his point about "hero brutality"
Media (controlled by MLA) frames every hero action negatively
Social media campaigns: #QuirkLiberation trends worldwide
The Moral Trap: Re-Destro would force Izuku to choose:
Support current system → Defend flawed quirk regulations, look like oppressor
Advocate reform → Validate Re-Destro's arguments, embolden MLA
Violent solution → Become what society fears, lose moral authority
Phase 6: The MLA's Enhanced Threat Level
100,000+ Organized Followers
Without the League to challenge them, the MLA is uncontested:
Geten (Ice Manipulation):
Full confidence from Re-Destro, stated he'd protect him at all costs My Hero Academia Wiki
Fought Dabi to standstill
With resources, could freeze entire city districts
Trumpet (Incite):
Can amplify his voice to incite/command crowds
Combined with political position, creates legal path to power
Imagine him giving speeches where his quirk makes legislation pass
Skeptic (Anthropomorph):
Controls puppets remotely
With Detnerat tech, could create AI-driven propaganda networks
Mass surveillance through "smart city" initiatives
The Masses:
100,000 coordinated quirk users
Entire Deika City was MLA stronghold My Hero Academia Wiki
Could occupy multiple cities simultaneously
Heroes can't arrest everyone—optics nightmare
Phase 7: Specific Scenarios Against Izuku's Allies
Bakugo:
MLA publicizes his middle school bullying of quirkless Izuku
"This is what hero society creates—violent superiority complexes"
Every explosion he makes "proves heroes are reckless with power"
Bakugo's aggression plays INTO their narrative
Todoroki:
Endeavor's abuse scandal becomes MLA ammunition
"The #1 Hero tortured his family—is this who we trust?"
Shoto torn between defending father and acknowledging system's flaws
MLA offers "sanctuary" to abuse victims, recruits them
Ochako:
Her family's financial struggles exploited
"Heroes maintain economic system that keeps working families poor"
MLA offers Ochako's parents lucrative Detnerat contracts
Forces her to choose: family financial security vs. hero principles
All Might:
Already weakened, becomes target of "why did you hoard OFA?"
Re-Destro publicly challenges: "If you believed in quirk freedom, why keep power to yourself?"
Symbol of Peace becomes symbol of "hero gatekeeping"
Aizawa:
His quirk erases others' quirks
MLA frames Erasure as "ultimate oppression tool"
Every time he uses it, propaganda claims "this is what heroes want for everyone"
Phase 8: The Claustro Factor
Weaponized Support Technology
Claustro armor amplified Stress to 150% by constricting and impaling his body My Hero Academia Wiki
What if Re-Destro mass-produces this concept?
"Liberation Suits" for MLA Members:
Amplify civilian quirks beyond natural limits
Marketed as "equalizers" against "hero privilege"
Detnerat sells "civilian protection models"
Suddenly every MLA member is low-tier villain threat level
The Arms Race:
Heroes need better equipment → must buy from Detnerat
Creates dependency loop
Re-Destro controls both sides of conflict
Classic military-industrial complex manipulation
Phase 9: The Endgame
Re-Destro's Ultimate Plan
The False Flag Operation:
Stage massive "hero brutality" incident using MLA plants
Public outrage reaches critical mass
Trumpet pushes emergency legislation: "Quirk Liberation Act"
All quirk regulations removed
Chaos erupts as civilians use quirks without training
MLA "restores order" with their 100,000 trained members
Re-Destro positioned as savior who "fixed" broken system
The Trap for Izuku:
Heroes forced to restore order = proving they're "oppressors"
Don't intervene = civilian casualties mount
Either way, hero society collapses
The Physical Showdown: When Izuku finally confronts him:
Re-Destro at 100% Stress can discharge massive energy waves My Hero Academia Wiki
Entire city becomes battlefield
Every building destroyed "proves" heroes cause collateral damage
Media captures everything in real-time
Phase 10: How Izuku Could Win
The Counter-Strategy
Ideological Victory:
Acknowledge legitimate grievances about quirk discrimination
Propose actual reforms that address real problems
Expose Re-Destro's hypocrisy: He was groomed since childhood, not free himself My Hero Academia Wiki
Reveal MLA manipulation: false flags, planted incidents, corporate control
Show alternative: regulated quirk freedom WITH responsibility
Tactical Approach:
Cut off resources: Expose Detnerat's equipment sabotage
Legal pressure: Work with reformed Hero Commission to prosecute corporate crimes
Divide MLA: Show followers they're being manipulated
Alliance building: Unite heroes, police, and GOOD politicians
Physical Confrontation:
Target the Stress quirk's weakness: needs time to build up
Re-Destro bottles stress to use later My Hero Academia Wiki
Keep him calm and unable to access full power
Multiple heroes coordinate to prevent power buildup
Izuku's speed (with OFA) outmaneuvers Stress attacks
The Symbolic Victory:
Final battle saves MLA members from Re-Destro's manipulation
Proves heroes protect EVERYONE, even enemies
Re-Destro's ideology defeated by showing true "liberation" means responsibility
Just as he surrendered to Shigaraki seeing "true liberation," he must admit heroes embody it better My Hero Academia Wiki
Why This Works Thematically
Superior to AFO/Tomura as Final Boss
More Personal Stakes:
Challenges Izuku's ideology, not just power
Forces character growth beyond "punch harder"
Deals with systemic issues, not just individual villains
More Realistic Threat:
No magic power-stealing
No plot-convenient Nomu
Just resources, intelligence, and social manipulation
Shows villains don't need superpowers to be dangerous
More Satisfying Resolution:
Can't solve with pure violence
Requires Izuku to be better hero not just better fighter
Society actually improves after his victory
Addresses real issues in MHA world
Character Development:
Izuku learns leadership beyond heroics
Class 1-A faces ideology vs. action
Pro Heroes confront systemic failures
Society questions and improves itself
The Final Confrontation: A Three-Stage Battle
Stage 1: The Media War
Location: Broadcast across Japan
Re-Destro broadcasts his "Liberation Manifesto":
Shows footage of quirk discrimination
Reveals Hero Commission corruption
Izuku must respond publicly
Stakes: Win public opinion or lose before physical fight begins
Stage 2: The Ideological Debate
Location: Abandoned Deika City
Face-to-face confrontation:
Re-Destro challenges Izuku's vision
Points out society eliminating those who don't fit the mold My Hero Academia Wiki
Izuku must articulate better alternative
Stakes: Prove hero society can be reformed, not destroyed
Stage 3: The Physical Battle
Location: Devastated urban battlefield
When words fail:
Re-Destro unleashes 100% Stress transformation My Hero Academia Wiki
Izuku at maximum OFA output
Class 1-A provides support
Battle destroys surroundings but SAVES civilians
Stakes: Demonstrate through actions what words couldn't prove
Epilogue: A Changed World
After Re-Destro's Defeat
Systemic Reforms:
Quirk counseling improved for "difficult" quirks
Support systems for quirk-related disabilities
Transparent Hero Commission oversight
Gradual relaxation of harmless quirk use restrictions
Detnerat Restructured:
Company seized, assets redistributed
Technology used for legitimate support
Former MLA members given rehabilitation, not just prison
Proves heroes seek justice, not revenge
Izuku's Growth:
Becomes symbol of REFORM, not just power
"Hero" means addressing root causes
Society improves because he fought for it
True successor to All Might: changed society itself
The Legacy:
Re-Destro in prison, but his VALID critiques led to change
MLA ideology defeated by proving better way exists
Japan becomes model for quirk-integrated society
Izuku's generation creates world previous heroes couldn't