"Hey, you... how did you dodge that?!"
Bakugo stared in shock at Tetsutetsu, who had somehow managed to move from directly in front of him to the left sideline. Caught up in trying to figure out how his opponent had escaped, he momentarily forgot about the intense pain in his arms.
"Heh."
Tetsutetsu gave a small, smug grin, but he wasn't going to explain. No one noticed that his right leg was trembling slightly. The technique he'd just used would have seriously injured anyone else if they hadn't trained for it.
In truth, he hadn't fully mastered this move. It was something he'd pulled off on instinct, more of a "lucky escape" than a fully controlled technique. To put it bluntly, he'd used it like a makeshift teleport.
Yes, he'd somehow managed to utilize the Marine-style technique "Shave," but barely. He'd been fortunate to dodge the blast radius of Bakugo's Howitzer Impact, and he knew it.
"Bakugo," Tetsutetsu said as he took a step closer, "after using that huge explosion, your Quirk probably needs a moment to recover!"
He continued to approach Bakugo, voice steady, "If you admit defeat now, at least you'll lose with a little dignity."
"Hahahahaha!"
Bakugo's arms trembled, but he grinned through the pain, his eyes filled with defiance. "You really think you've won, don't you? Ironhead?!"
"Listen up, I might not be able to use my Quirk right now, but I'm not done!"
Bakugo's voice was fierce, filled with an intense resolve. "If you want to beat me, you'll have to work for it, you steel bastard!"
Tetsutetsu wasn't surprised by Bakugo's answer. After all, he knew this guy's stubbornness.
"In that case, I'm not holding back."
He took a step forward, determination burning in his eyes. "I want to reach Kaminari in the finals..."
With that, Tetsutetsu, his body hardened into steel once again, surged forward. This time, he went in with his hands instead of his legs.
Bakugo didn't retreat. He could have bought time to recover his Quirk, but that wasn't his style. He wanted to win, but more than that, he wanted to win on his terms. Running away wasn't an option.
So, Bakugo braced himself, his sharp gaze fixed on Tetsutetsu's movements, analyzing every shift in stance. Without his explosions, he'd have to rely entirely on his reflexes.
"Whoosh!"
"Wham!"
Tetsutetsu's fists came swinging in heavy arcs, but Bakugo's agility allowed him to dodge each strike with almost unnatural precision. He ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding the onslaught of punches and kicks. His raw instincts were on full display, showcasing the kind of fighting talent that set him apart.
Despite the intense pressure from Tetsutetsu's attacks, Bakugo was managing to hold his ground, frustrating his opponent with each missed strike. Every time Tetsutetsu threw a powerful punch, Bakugo sidestepped it. When Tetsutetsu went for a kick, Bakugo leaned back just far enough to avoid getting hit.
The professional heroes in the audience watched with wide eyes. Bakugo's erratic, yet precise, dodges were a sight to behold, displaying an almost feral sense of survival.
"Is this kid... a genius or something?" one pro hero muttered in awe.
But just when Bakugo was getting used to the rhythm, Tetsutetsu did something unexpected.
"Boom!"
This time, instead of throwing another punch or kick, Tetsutetsu stomped hard on the ground, sending a spray of loose cement rocks flying like shrapnel. The debris, remnants from Bakugo's earlier explosions, hurtled towards him with alarming speed.
Caught off guard, Bakugo couldn't dodge all of it. Several pieces of jagged cement struck him, causing him to stumble. The pain forced a groan from his lips, and his movements faltered.
"Gotcha!" Tetsutetsu growled, seizing his chance.
In one swift move, Tetsutetsu closed the distance, grabbed Bakugo, and used his judo training to lift him into the air. Without a moment's hesitation, he hurled Bakugo towards the edge of the arena, aiming to throw him out.
The battle had reached its peak.
"LET GO, YOU BASTARD!"
As Bakugo was airborne, he managed to free one arm. Summoning the last reserves of his strength, he fired off an explosion at Tetsutetsu's head.
"BOOM!"
Both fighters went crashing down, engulfed in a cloud of smoke and dust. The dull thud of a heavy impact followed, echoing across the silent stadium.
As the smoke cleared, everyone held their breath.
Tetsutetsu was standing.
Bakugo was sprawled on the ground… just outside the boundary line.
"Tetsutetsu wins by ring-out!"
Midnight, the referee, raised her voice to announce the result, flicking her whip dramatically as she declared, "Bakugo Katsuki is out! Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu advances to the finals!"
Tetsutetsu, still standing at the edge of the ring, looked down at Bakugo, who was glaring up at him with a mixture of anger and disbelief.
"Bakugo," Tetsutetsu said calmly, "I'm just following my own path… a promise I made to myself."
He then turned and looked up toward the Class 1-A section, where Kaminari was standing, a faint smile on his face.
"Kaminari… see you in the finals."
As Tetsutetsu walked away, the crowd finally erupted, cheering wildly. The entire stadium was electrified, stunned by the unexpected result.
"I never thought Bakugo would actually lose!!"
"Yeah, I thought he was a shoo-in for the finals! I mean, with his attitude and strength, he seemed unstoppable!"
"What's the name of that steel guy again? Tetsutetsu, right? Total dark horse!"
Meanwhile, in the Class 1-A stands, his classmates were equally shocked.
"I... I can't believe it…" Mineta stammered. "Bakugo actually lost?"
Ashido's mouth hung open. "Tetsutetsu… he just… he just became a total dark horse in this competition!"
Even Midoriya was struggling to process what he'd seen. "K-Kacchan… he… he lost… to Tetsutetsu?"
Todoroki, who'd been watching from the sidelines, narrowed his eyes. Even he hadn't expected Bakugo to lose.
But Kaminari wasn't particularly surprised. He'd seen something change in Tetsutetsu recently, a calm confidence and a determination that had taken his skills to another level.
Looks like Tetsutetsu's been holding back more than I thought, Kaminari thought, a faint smile crossing his lips. He began to piece together a theory, remembering a few hints he'd picked up on.
If he's mastered 'Shave,' then his combat style is on a different level now. An opponent who combines iron defense, raw strength, and speed? Yeah, that's gonna be tough.
He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, already thinking of ways he might have to adapt for their final showdown.
***
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"By the way, it looks like the next match is between Kyoka and the leader from Class B!"
Momo used the break while Cementoss began repairing the stage again to lean over and whisper to Kaminari.
"If Kyoka advances, doesn't that mean she might have to face the winner of the first two rounds again in the semifinals?" Momo's tone was casual, but her expression was thoughtful.
Kaminari blinked, slightly surprised by the realization. His gaze drifted to the arena entrance where Kyoka had just gone down to prepare. He hadn't considered this possibility before.
"Hmm… If I end up beating Todoroki, there's definitely a chance I'd have to face Kyoka," he replied, a bit lost in thought.
"Hehehe," Momo leaned in, a mischievous smile on her face. "If that really happens, what would you do?"
Kaminari thought about it for a moment before replying with a grin, "I won't back down just because of that. I still have to try my best to win. I made a promise to go for first place, after all. It'd be embarrassing to fall short now."
Ashido, always ready to stir things up, leaned over with a mischievous look. "So… if it came down to it, would you be okay with 'domestic violence' on the field?"
Kaminari's face turned deadpan as he stared at her. Domestic violence? Really? He decided to ignore the term Ashido used and responded calmly, "I'll do everything I can to win, but I'll make sure not to hurt her."
"Kaminari," Tokoyami spoke up unexpectedly, his tone serious, "Don't underestimate Todoroki. He's not an opponent to take lightly."
Kaminari's gaze shifted to Todoroki, who stood leaning against the wall, watching the arena below. "Of course. I'll give it everything I've got against him."
As if sensing Kaminari's eyes on him, Todoroki glanced over. Their gazes met, a silent exchange sparking between them. Todoroki's icy blue eyes held a cool determination, while Kaminari's golden eyes shone with confidence.
The tension between them was palpable, even making the usually loud Ashido and Mineta quiet down for a moment.
But before the atmosphere could grow any more intense, Present Mic's enthusiastic voice blasted through the stadium, breaking the silence and filling the area with excitement.
The two broke eye contact, both shifting their attention to the field as the final match of the second round began.
"Thank you, Cementoss!"
"Now, let's get ready for the last match of the second round! From Class A, we have Kyoka Jiro, facing off against Class B's Kendo Itsuka!"
Present Mic's voice boomed through the stadium, setting the crowd on edge.
"And the winner will secure the last spot in the semifinals!"
As Mic hyped up the crowd, the four special-effect flamethrowers around the arena erupted, casting a blaze over the field.
"Begin!"
At the sound of the signal, Kyoka immediately went on the offensive, plugging her earlobe jacks into the ground in front of her. The floor shook with her signature move, cracks spreading toward Kendo with a rumbling sound.
While the spectators marveled at the scene, Cementoss sighed quietly to himself. What's with this year's class? So many Quirks focused on destruction… Hopefully, I have enough cement prepared for all this repair work.
Kendo, however, was prepared. The leader of Class B wasn't about to let herself be caught off guard. Just as the ground beneath her began to crack, she sprang into the air, using her Quirk to enlarge her hands.
"Boom!"
With her giant hands, Kendo swiped at the air, creating a powerful gust of wind that propelled her forward. The force of the wind sent her hurtling toward Kyoka like a missile.
"She can use her hands to fly?!" several spectators gasped in surprise.
Even some of the pro heroes in the audience looked impressed, noting Kendo's quick thinking and adaptability.
Kyoka narrowed her eyes, but she didn't panic. She extended her earlobes, aiming to intercept Kendo in midair.
But Kendo anticipated the move, and with a grin, she swung her enlarged hands again, generating another gust of wind that disrupted Kyoka's attack.
"Sorry, Kyoka! I saw that trick coming!" Kendo shouted confidently, her giant hand swooping in towards Kyoka.
Kyoka tried to dodge, but the gusts kept her off-balance, blowing her cables away before they could reach Kendo.
In that moment, as Kendo's massive fist closed in, Kyoka had a flicker of regret. She glanced up at the stands, almost as if searching for Kaminari among the crowd.
Sorry, Kaminari… looks like I couldn't make it to the semifinals like I planned…
In her mind, she'd hoped to advance to the next round, so that if she ended up facing Kaminari, she could throw the match and let him conserve his energy for the final.
But it seemed none of that would come to pass.
The fight ended quickly. Despite Kyoka's initial advantage, Kendo's improvisation and tactical thinking turned the tables. In a matter of moments, she had overpowered Kyoka, winning the match and securing her place in the semifinals.
The entire crowd, including Kaminari, Momo, Present Mic, and Aizawa, watched in surprise. On paper, Kyoka's Quirk seemed like it would be a perfect counter for Kendo's close-range style. But Kendo's clever use of wind to disrupt Kyoka's attacks had been unexpectedly effective.
"Looks like Class B isn't as weak as we thought…" Shoji muttered, watching as Kendo waved to the crowd with a bright smile.
Kaminari, who had been watching closely, nodded. "They're just as capable as we are. After all, they're Hero students too."
With that, he stood up, ready to make his way to the exit. He planned to check on Kyoka and offer her some encouragement… and then, it would be time for his own match.
Glancing over to where Todoroki had been leaning against the wall, he noticed the spot was now empty. He turned his gaze slightly to the side, spotting Endeavor standing tall, flames flickering around his body as he watched the arena with intense focus.
Kaminari's eyes narrowed slightly. He'd soon show Endeavor just how serious he was.
"I'll show you, Endeavor… my full power," he murmured to himself, clenching his fists.
But as Kaminari walked down the stands, Monoma Neito's voice rang out, filled with smug satisfaction.
"What's wrong, Class A? Weren't you supposed to be the better class? Losing to our class leader like that, even after 'fighting villains'? How embarrassing!"
Monoma had once again popped up over the wall, taunting them with his usual sneer. And this time, without Kendo to stop him, he was free to gloat as much as he wanted.
"Get lost!"
Bakugo, who was already simmering with anger from his own loss, stood up and glared at Monoma with a murderous expression, his voice a low growl.
"Unless you want me to blow you up right here, shut your mouth."
Monoma's eyes widened, and he quickly ducked down, silenced by Bakugo's intense glare. His entire body seemed to shiver under the weight of Bakugo's fury.
What a terrifying guy… Monoma thought, swallowing hard as he stayed out of sight.
***
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New Fics are out now, Checkout my profile(Reading List) to read.
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