Episode 43

Drive it Home, Iron Fist!!! (ブチ込む鉄拳!!!) is the forty-third episode in the My Hero Academia anime and the fifth episode of the third season.

Summary
At the League of Villain's hideout, Tomura and Kurogiri discuss the Vanguard Action Squad's mission. Tomura claims the villains can win without him because they're stronger than the villains from the U.S.J attack. Even if they don't win, Tomura believes their arrival will be enough to strike fear into heroes.

After defeating Muscular, Izuku declares he still has more to do despite his injuries. He fears that every villain may be as powerful as Muscular was, and if so, then his peers are likely in grave danger. Izuku also knows that the villains are after some of the students. He is left with no choice but to act and asks Kota to help him put out the forest fire. Kota gets on Izuku's back and the latter uses One For All in his legs to race through the forest.

Shota evades Dabi's fire attack and erases his quirk. He quickly takes Dabi down using his scarf and interrogates him by breaking his arms. Tenya, Koji, Mashirao, and Minoru arrive at the facility and momentarily distract Shota long enough for Dabi to pry himself free. Shota tries to restrain him again, but his capture weapon goes through Dabi's body. The patch clad villain's melts into a pile of liquid, but not before taunting Shota about the safety of his students. Meanwhile, Dabi's real body is still occupied by maintaining the flames that burn the forest. Twice comically taunts Dabi about his failure, but Dabi replies that the clone was too weak. Twice says the hero was just too strong, claiming he needs to maintain his confidence. Dabi interrupts and tells Twice to make another clone because Dabi needs to occupy the pro-heroes.

Izuku happens upon Shota in the forest. Shota immediately notices Izuku's gruesome injuries, but Izuku is running on adrenaline and swiftly passes Kota onto his teacher. Izuku needs to pass a message onto Mandalay before anything else, so Shota allows him to leave, but not before adding a message of his own. Izuku arrives in time to save Mandalay from Spinner's sword. Izuku and Shota agree that the students are the targets. Izuku tells Mandalay to relay a telepathic message that Katsuki is one of the villain's targets and that the students have permission from Shota to defend themselves.

Shota is concerned about Izuku's injuries, pondering that not telling him to return to the facility was a mistake. Kota starts to cry as he worries about Izuku. He says he regrets not apologizing or thanking him. Shota reassures him that Izuku will be fine, and to put more emphasis on his appreciation when they meet again. Mandalay tells Izuku to return to base camp, but he refuses and rushes towards the forest. Magne realizes Muscular must have leaked their plan and tries to kill Izuku. Spinner stops him because Stain deemed him worthy and they begin to argue. Mandalay and Tiger capitalize and strike them both down.

Mandalay relays Izuku's message telepathically, making Eijiro worry. Katsuki claims he can take care of himself and rushes Moonfish. Moonfish uses his quirk to attack using his teeth. Shoto narrowly saves Katsuki by blocking Moonfish's attack with his ice. Shoto warns Katsuki not to act recklessly, but Katsuki replies he doesn't care what anyone has to say. Shoto keeps Moonfish at bay with his ice and the villain moves around the trees using his teeth. He warns Katsuki to be careful about starting fires because they could spread and his mulls over the villains plan to corner their targets.

Tetsutetsu and Itsuka run through the forest filled with Poison Gas. Itsuka deduces that there must be a villain at the center of it because the gas isn't spreading out beyond a certain area. They both decide to rush to the area where the gas is most condensed in order to find the gas user. Tetsutetsu finds 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 and claims charging straight in is 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 from within the gas.

Mustard continues to shoot Tetsutetsu and taunts him about the durability of his quirk. He becomes slightly irritated because people fawn over U.A. students even when their powers aren't especially flexible. Tetsutetsu reaches his limit and Itsuka rushes in to save him. She strikes Mustard and he retreats into the thick gas. Itsuka uses her quirk to enlarge her hands and then constantly swipes them to create enough wind force 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 Tetetsu confirms his victory, claiming that all the villains will pay for ruining camp.

Izuku runs through the forest searching for Katsuki until he's suddenly attacked by Dark Shadow. Mezo saves him and scolds Izuku for walking around with heavy injuries. Izuku notices one of Mezo's mutant limbs have been severed. Mezo explains he and Fumikage were ambushed, triggering Fumikage's quirk. Izuku remembers that Fumikage's quirk becomes fierce and uncontrollable in darkness. Fumikage warns them both to run away, fearing for their lives.