Raw scans and spoilers for My Hero Academia chapter 381 were revealed earlier this week, revealing the continuous return of the Shiketsu High students. Fans were thrilled to see their favourite characters from the series’ high school set actually take part in the series’ climactic conflict, rather than just making a cameo appearance and then disappearing. While the Hawks are out of commission and the Endeavor is elsewhere busy, Tokoyami Fumikage is thrown into the spotlight in Chapter 381. He appears to be pitted against All For One. In light of All Might’s assertion that Dark Shadow’s current level of strength is immune to theft by All For One, fans are eager to see what Tokoyami can do. Yet if All Might is mistaken, his next move might spell disaster for the Pro Heroes and their war efforts.
A concise summary of spoilers
Spoilers for My Hero Academia: Chapter 381 reveal that Camie Utsushimi and Seiji Shishikura address All For One before the rest of the Shiketsu students show up. Hawks get in touch with Tsukauchi to express gratitude for the reinforcements. In response, Tsukauchi says that when he made his call, the Shiketsu High Heroes were already on their way. All For One notes that the Heroes’ current strategy of swarming him, despite the potential of stolen Quirks, demonstrates their desperation. Tossing a laser at the Heroes while laughing and sprouting wings. He then questions their confidence in themselves, saying that those who have only known peace have no notion of All Might’s true capabilities and that the younger members of the group have no clue why they even bother.
Afterwards, in the chapter 381 spoilers of My Hero Academia, All For One gives a speech about the height of his power and influence. Then, All For One feels the wrath of Inasa, who declares that despite this knowledge and understanding, he remains committed to the struggle. Using the wind currents to his advantage, All For One launches attacks against Inasa and the others before escaping with Inasa’s Quirk. Regrettably, the remaining Heroes don’t look strong enough to fight as one. As Fumikage Tokoyami and a giant Dark Shadow materialise from behind him, All For One’s fear is palpable enough for him to try to avoid the attack. A stone dome eventually encloses All For One, Tokoyami, and the other Heroes, rendering this futile. Towards the end of the issue, Hawks rallies all the Heroes inside All For One under his own leadership.
Reasons why All For One might be able to steal Dark Shadow
Raw scans and spoilers for My Hero Academia chapter 381 show Tokoyami referring to All Might’s previous statements by claiming that All For One cannot acquire Endeavor’s Quirk by coming into contact with his flames. Tokoyami then draws a parallel between this and his own Quirk, Dark Shadow, suggesting that All For One shouldn’t be able to take Dark Shadow merely by touching it. The initial reasoning for All Might’s claim is based on the fact that Endeavor’s Quirk is a projection of his flames rather than an actual flame. In a similar vein, Bakugo’s Quirk enables him to manufacture explosives, however, his true Quirk is that his body secretes nitroglycerin perspiration. In the same vein, All For One wouldn’t be able to take Bakugo’s Quirk if they touched one of his explosions.
Tokoyami makes this analogy in My Hero Academia chapter 381, however, he may be wrong. Dark Shadow is Tokoyami’s Quirk in and of itself, whereas Hellflame is only something that Endeavor may produce with his Quirk. The series’ unofficial wiki affirms this, stating that Dark Shadow is not a manifestation of the Quirk but rather the Quirk itself. Furthermore, it is proven that Dark Shadow is conscious and free to disobey Tokoyami’s orders if it so chooses. Dark Shadow’s intelligence is inconsistent with its role as a symbol of the namesake Quirk.
To conclude
Hence, it appears that All For One can potentially take Dark Shadow by touching Dark Shadow directly, rather than Tokoyami. Taking into account that the Quirk is, without a doubt, the monster. My Hero Academia chapter 381 establishes a presumption on Tokoyami’s part that, in all likelihood, would show to be overly optimistic in subsequent issues.