#mhawhatif

Here’s how such an encounter might play out under different contexts:

🔹 Emotional & Family Angle

Rei, who treasures family above all else, would likely look at Geten not as a villain, but as family she has long been separated from. She might feel a sense of guilt knowing the Himura lineage produced both herself—a victim of Enji’s abusive marriage—and Geten, who internalized a worldview revolving around power hierarchy and strength.

She would probably try to appeal to the human side beneath Geten’s devotion to the Liberation Army, emphasizing compassion and choice. Much like she told Shoto that he wasn’t bound by his father’s blood, Rei might tell Geten that he isn’t bound by the Liberation Army’s ideology.

🗨️ “We bear the same name, the same cold in our veins… but that doesn’t mean we must freeze ourselves away from family, or from warmth.”

This sets up a beautiful contrast: Rei’s ice as a symbol of comfort, protection, and healing, versus Geten’s ice as a force of destruction and domination.

🔹 Ideological Conflict

Geten is deeply entrenched in the idea that strength equals worth. He’d likely scoff at Rei’s compassion, calling it weakness. To him, Rei’s submissive marriage and mental breakdown might appear as proof that people who rely on emotions instead of sheer power are doomed.

Rei, however, has endured tremendous suffering and still finds the strength to forgive and protect her family. This could serve as a quiet rebuttal to Geten’s worldview: true strength lies in enduring pain and choosing to love in spite of it.

Their conversation could echo the Todoroki family drama: Rei confronting someone who mirrors what Shoto could have become if he had let bitterness rule him.

🔹 Battle Potential

If a fight were to break out, Geten’s Ice Ply (unrivaled ice manipulation) would initially overwhelm Rei, who never trained her Quirk for combat. But Rei could still strategically use her Frost to protect others or to cut through his ice waves with precise counter-cooling.

However, Rei’s role in such a conflict wouldn’t be about overpowering Geten—it would be about reaching him emotionally while resisting him physically. She might stall his attacks long enough for Shoto, or even Endeavor, to intervene.

🔹 Possible Outcomes

Tragic Tension – Rei fails to get through to him, reinforcing Geten’s ideology that love and weakness are meaningless. He continues down his destructive path.

Emotional Breakthrough – Hearing from a family member he’s never known softens Geten. Even if he doesn’t fully “switch sides,” he starts questioning his doctrine of power-above-all.

Mirror for the Todorokis – Rei’s confrontation with Geten could act as a parallel to the Todoroki family’s struggle: a reminder that family can go separate ways based on how they process pain—bitterness vs. compassion.

The Core Conflict: Why They'd Fight

The fundamental reason for this conflict is the unique and highly desirable Quirks of Eri and Anna:

Eri's Rewind (Overhaul's Goal): Overhaul seeks to harness Eri's Quirk to create Quirk-erasing drugs, which he believes will "cure" society and allow the Yakuza to regain power by controlling the new "Quirk market" (both erasing and restoring).

Anna's Overmodification (Dark Might's Goal): Dark Might uses Anna's Quirk to greatly enhance his own Alchemy Quirk and the Quirks of his inner circle, aiming to become the new "Symbol of Peace" by force and reshape the world in his image, mirroring All Might's power.

Their goals are mutually exclusive in terms of who controls these girls. Both Eri and Anna represent absolute power and the key to their leaders' grand ambitions. Neither Overhaul nor Dark Might would willingly cede control of their "asset" to the other.

The Factions and Their Strengths

1. Overhaul's Shie Hassaikai:

Leader: Overhaul (Kai Chisaki) - Possesses the terrifying "Overhaul" Quirk, allowing him to disassemble and reassemble anything he touches. This makes him incredibly versatile in combat (destruction, healing, fusion) and a master of environmental manipulation. He is meticulous, mysophobic, and utterly ruthless.

Key Members:

Chronostasis (Hari Kurono): Overhaul's loyal right-hand man. His "Chronostasis" Quirk can slow down opponents, making him an excellent support and tactical combatant.

Mimic (Joi Irinaka): The General Manager. His "Mimicry" Quirk allows him to inhabit and control objects, including entire sections of their hideout. He can create mobile, shifting battlefields.

Eight Bullets: A group of highly capable Quirk users with diverse abilities:

Kendo Rappa (Strongarm): Super-speed punches, a pure physical powerhouse.

Hekiji Tengai (Barrier): Creates powerful defensive barriers.

Shin Nemoto (Confession): Forces targets to answer truthfully, excellent for interrogation and psychological warfare.

Rikiya Katsukame (Vitality Stealing): Drains stamina and grows in size, a formidable tank.

The "Garbage Trio" (Setsuno, Hojo, Tabe) and Sakaki (Sloshed) provide additional combat and utility.

Resources: Yakuza connections, black market access, and a growing supply of incomplete (or later, perfected) Quirk-erasing bullets.

Ideology: Quirks are a disease; purification of humanity; restoration of Yakuza power.

2. Dark Might's Gollini Family:

Leader: Dark Might (Valdo Gollini) - Possesses "Alchemy," allowing him to transform matter using gold as a catalyst. This Quirk is massively boosted by Anna's Overmodification, giving him immense destructive power, the ability to create constructs, and even mimic All Might's physique. He is egotistical, theatrical, and prone to violent outbursts when challenged.

Key Members: (Note: Their loyalty is often born of fear or self-interest, making them less cohesive than the Hassaikai's inner circle)

Deborah Gollini (Day Dream): Can put people in a dream-like state and control their bodies, crucial for controlling Anna and subduing crowds.

Bruno Gollini (Delay Spot): Creates zones where time moves slower, making him nearly untouchable in close combat.

Kamil Gollini (Spatial Excursion): Can move objects at will, essential for their mobile fortress.

Paulo Gollini (Erasure Spot): Creates zones where Quirks are inactive (similar to Eraser Head), a dangerous counter to Quirk users.

Simon Gollini (Monster Summon): Can create various monsters, providing a disposable army.

Gil Gollini (Teleportation) & Ugo Gollini (Telekinesis): A combat duo, offering mobility and offensive power.

Ginji Karau (Mad Gluttony): A Tartarus escapee whose Quirk is greatly enhanced by Anna's power.

Resources: Immense wealth, international mafia connections, and a mobile fortress (if the conflict escalates to that point).

Ideology: Might makes right; Dark Might as the new "Symbol of Peace"; reshaping the world through overwhelming power.

The Conflict: How It Would Play Out

Phase 1: Espionage and Initial Skirmishes

Discovery: Both factions would inevitably become aware of the other's "macguffin" girl through their intelligence networks. Overhaul, with his meticulous nature, would likely be the first to gather detailed intel on Anna and her Quirk's potential. Dark Might, with his more flamboyant displays of power, might inadvertently draw Overhaul's attention.

Motivation for Conflict:

Overhaul: Anna's Overmodification could be seen as a direct threat to his Quirk-erasing monopoly, or perhaps a means to accelerate Eri's Quirk research (though he'd likely prefer to control it himself). He might also view the Gollini's "Quirk-enhancing" philosophy as anathema to his "Quirk-purging" goal.

Dark Might: Eri's Rewind Quirk, particularly its ability to de-power, would be a direct threat to his and his family's enhanced Quirks. He might seek to neutralize her or, more likely, capture her to prevent her use against him.

Initial Probes: Small-scale incursions, perhaps by Setsuno's Larceny to steal information or by the Gollini's stealthy members to observe. These would quickly escalate into violent clashes as both sides realize the other's capabilities.

Phase 2: Escalation and Direct Confrontation

Targeting the Girls: The primary objective for both sides would be to secure the other's "asset." This would lead to direct assaults on their respective strongholds.

Shie Hassaikai's Approach:

Infiltration & Disassembly: Overhaul's team would attempt to infiltrate the Gollini's lavish, but potentially less fortified, bases. Mimic could manipulate the environment, while Nemoto could extract information from captured Gollini members.

Quirk-Erasing Bullets: Overhaul would deploy his Quirk-erasing bullets strategically, aiming to de-power key Gollini members and reduce Dark Might's enhanced abilities. This would be a terrifying weapon against the Gollini's reliance on boosted Quirks.

Brute Force & Fusion: Rappa and Katsukame would serve as shock troops, while Overhaul himself would engage in direct combat, using his fusion abilities to become a monstrous threat.

Gollini Family's Approach:

Overwhelming Power: Dark Might, fueled by Anna's Quirk, would unleash devastating Alchemy attacks. His golems and summoned monsters would provide a numerical advantage.

Quirk Counters: Paulo's "Erasure Spot" would be crucial for neutralizing the Hassaikai's Quirks, especially Overhaul's. Deborah's "Day Dream" could be used to incapacitate or brainwash Hassaikai members.

Mobility & Traps: Kamil's Spatial Excursion would allow for rapid movement and repositioning of their fortress or key personnel, while Bruno's "Delay Spot" could create deadly traps.

Key Battles & Turning Points:

Overhaul vs. Dark Might: This would be the ultimate showdown.

Initial Clash: Dark Might, with his boosted Alchemy, might initially overwhelm Overhaul with raw power and range.

Overhaul's Adaptation: Overhaul would likely use his analytical skills to understand Dark Might's reliance on Anna and his Quirk's weaknesses. He might try to touch Dark Might directly, using his disassembly, or aim to disrupt Anna's connection.

The MacGuffin Factor: The fight would inevitably revolve around Eri and Anna. If Overhaul gets close to Anna, he could potentially "disassemble" her Quirk or body, or even try to "rewind" her to a state before her Quirk developed (though this is speculative). If Dark Might gets close to Eri, he might try to use Anna's Overmodification to "enhance" Eri's Quirk to an uncontrollable degree, or simply neutralize her.

Gollini's Inner Circle vs. Eight Bullets:

Rappa's raw power against Bruno's time manipulation or Gil's teleportation would be explosive.

Nemoto's "Confession" could sow distrust within the Gollini's less loyal ranks.

Mimic's environmental control would clash with Kamil's spatial manipulation.

Possible Outcomes:

Overhaul Victory:

Capture of Anna: Overhaul would likely attempt to integrate Anna's Quirk into his research, perhaps finding a way to combine Rewind and Overmodification for even more potent Quirk-erasing or modifying effects. This could lead to a truly terrifying new stage of his plan.

Elimination of Dark Might: Overhaul would show no mercy, likely disassembling Dark Might completely.

Global Domination: With both Quirks under his control, Overhaul would become an even more unstoppable force, capable of rapidly "purifying" the world.

Dark Might Victory:

Capture of Eri: Dark Might might try to use Anna's Quirk to "enhance" Eri's Rewind to a stable, controllable level for his own purposes, or simply neutralize her as a threat.

Elimination of Overhaul: Dark Might's theatrical nature might lead to a more public, humiliating defeat for Overhaul.

Uncontrollable Power: Dark Might, with Eri's power, could potentially achieve a level of power that even he struggles to control, becoming a truly destructive "Symbol of Peace."

Mutual Destruction/Stalemate:

Heavy Casualties: Both factions are ruthless and powerful. It's highly probable that a prolonged conflict would lead to significant losses on both sides, weakening them for future hero intervention.

Girls Escape: In the chaos, Eri and Anna might find an opportunity to escape, potentially forcing the heroes to intervene to protect them from both villain factions.

Third Party Intervention: The sheer scale of the conflict might draw the attention of other villain groups (if any survived the LOV's early destruction) or, more likely, a full-scale hero response.

Genuine Answer: Could Re-Destro Have Been the Series’ Big Bad if Tomura and the League Never Rose to Power?

Yes. Re-Destro (Rikiya Yotsubashi) and the Meta Liberation Army had every ingredient necessary to serve as the final ideological and military antagonist of My Hero Academia if Tomura Shigaraki and the League of Villains had never coalesced into a credible threat. Here is why the story could have pivoted that way almost seamlessly.

1. Scale and Resources

The MLA in its modern form commanded tens of thousands of highly trained, ideologically driven warriors across Japan (the manga states over 116,000 members before the merger).

They possessed near-limitless funding via Detnerat (a legitimate mega-corporation), advanced support gear, and political lobbying networks.

By comparison, the League at its pre-merger peak was roughly a dozen named members and a handful of Nomu.

Without Tomura, the MLA would have remained the single largest organized anti-government force in the country.

2. Clear, Diametrically Opposed Ideology

Re-Destro’s “Quirk Liberation” philosophy is the perfect mirror to hero society’s regulation and suppression of Quirks:

Hero society: “Use your power only with a license, only for sanctioned purposes.”

MLA: “Every Quirk is a human right; free use without restriction is the natural state.”

This is a far more coherent, marketable, and seductive worldview than Tomura’s original “I just want to destroy everything” nihilism. It could have radicalized civilians, lower-ranked heroes, and even students the same way real-world extremist ideologies do.

3. A Sympathetic, Charismatic Leader

Re-Destro himself is not a cackling madman. He is articulate, physically imposing, burdened by generational trauma (the murder of his ancestor Destro), and genuinely believes he is fighting for freedom. He is the rare villain who can give a speech that makes the audience uncomfortable because parts of it almost sound reasonable—something Tomura never managed until All For One fully hijacked him.

4. Built-In Escalation Path

The story already showed how the MLA planned to operate:

Phase 1: Quietly radicalize and recruit

Phase 2: Provoke incidents to destabilize hero society (Deika City was the test run)

Phase 3: Full-scale civil war once critical mass is reached

Remove Tomura, and the Revival Celebration never happens. The MLA simply continues growing in the shadows until they are ready to launch a coordinated nationwide uprising. The Paranormal Liberation War arc could have been re-imagined as the “Meta Liberation War” with almost no structural changes—only the flag would be different.

5. Personal Stakes for the Protagonists

Several existing character conflicts map perfectly onto an MLA-only endgame:

Best Jeanist and Hawks already infiltrated the League; they could have infiltrated the MLA instead.

The Todoroki family drama (Dabi) loses its villain anchor, but Endeavor’s obsession with being the perfect regulated hero would clash violently with Re-Destro’s liberation rhetoric.

Students like Bakugou, Tokoyami, or even Midoriya (whose Quirk hoard breaks every regulation) could be tempted or targeted by liberation propaganda.

6. Why It Didn’t Happen (Canon Reason)

The League existed, and Tomura/All For One represented raw apocalyptic destruction—an external, unifying threat that forced hero society to confront its rot only after near-total collapse. Re-Destro’s vision was ultimately absorbed rather than defeated because the story needed a single final boss with world-ending power. The MLA became the army, Tomura became the head, and All For One became the brain.

Conclusion