章 107: Chapter 106: Endeavor and Kaminari
Tap, tap, tap.
The corridor was silent except for the sound of Kaminari's footsteps echoing against the walls. Occasionally, Present Mic's excited commentary from the stadium speakers would break through, but otherwise, Kaminari walked alone, deep in thought.
"Hmm… Tokoyami versus Ashido Mina. That one shouldn't have much suspense," Kaminari muttered to himself, picturing the likely outcome as he headed toward the exit to the audience seats. But suddenly, he caught another sound—another set of footsteps, heavier than his own.
He froze for a moment, just as a flash of red light appeared around the corner. Stepping into view was a towering figure, nearly two meters tall, wreathed in flames. Kaminari's eyes widened in recognition.
"Endeavor…!" Kaminari whispered, instantly recognizing the number-two Hero in Japan.
"Ah, I found you," Endeavor said, his deep voice resonating through the corridor as he fixed his intense gaze on Kaminari. It was clear he'd been looking for him specifically.
"Looking for me?" Kaminari asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I saw your performance in the matches," Endeavor said, his tone carrying a rare note of approval. "You're impressive, perhaps even a 'genius' in your own way."
"Thanks, I guess," Kaminari replied, unsure of where this was going.
Endeavor continued, "You're likely the only student among this year's freshmen who can push Shoto to his full strength."
"Oh?" Kaminari replied, tilting his head. "What about Bakugo?"
Endeavor looked momentarily surprised but then shook his head. "That explosive kid? He's strong, yes, but he's still not enough to make Shoto go all out."
Kaminari's brow furrowed slightly. "When you say 'Shoto's full strength,' you're talking about him using his Quirk on the right side too, right?"
"Correct," Endeavor said, his expression unreadable. "To be precise, I mean using both Quirks together—fire and ice. That's the true potential Shoto has, and it's the key to him surpassing All Might."
Kaminari noted the almost fanatical gleam in Endeavor's eyes as he spoke. There was a deep, personal determination behind his words, something intense and unsettling.
"So, what exactly did you come here to ask me?" Kaminari asked, his voice wary.
Endeavor's gaze sharpened. "Judging by the bracket, you'll be facing my son soon. I think this match could be a perfect testing ground for him. I want you to force him to use his fire."
Kaminari took in the request, feeling a flicker of irritation. "Testing ground, huh?" he echoed, his tone cooling. "Sounds to me like you're assuming that once he goes all out, he'll win easily."
Endeavor looked down at Kaminari with a steady, almost dismissive gaze. "I'm confident in Shoto's abilities, yes. You're talented, but there's a difference between a talented student and Shoto at full power."
Kaminari clenched his fists, his expression tightening. "You keep talking about Shoto's 'full power,' but you haven't seen what I can really do, either."
"Perhaps," Endeavor replied, his tone unwavering. "But I trust in the strength of my bloodline."
Kaminari's patience frayed. "So that's what this is about? You think your bloodline is somehow superior?"
"No," Endeavor corrected, his voice cold and detached. "It's not about nobility, it's about strength. Shoto is the perfect result of my efforts to create someone capable of surpassing All Might. No amount of talent can change that fundamental difference."
Kaminari gritted his teeth, holding back his anger. He knew it wasn't wise to provoke Endeavor outright, especially given the power difference between them. But the arrogance in Endeavor's words was hard to swallow.
After a moment, he forced himself to stay calm. "And why should I help you?" he challenged. "Why should I push Todoroki to use his fire if it means giving up my own shot at winning?"
Endeavor's gaze didn't waver, though he seemed almost disappointed. "If it's compensation you're looking for, I can provide that. Money, connections—once you graduate, I could even place you in one of the top agencies."
Kaminari's expression hardened. He looked away, as though dismissing the offer as trivial. "No thanks. I don't need your money, and I don't need your connections."
He took a step forward, brushing past Endeavor, but paused just as he passed him. "But fine. I'll do what you're asking, on one condition."
Endeavor's eyebrows rose slightly, intrigued.
"Just remember… you owe me a punch," Kaminari said, his voice low.
Endeavor's expression didn't change, though he didn't turn to watch Kaminari walk away. The number-two Hero didn't take the words seriously, he barely registered the threat.
"It's up to you," Endeavor said over his shoulder, his voice cool and detached. "As long as you push him to use his fire, that's all that matters."
Kaminari didn't respond. He simply continued walking, disappearing down the corridor. But Endeavor's flaming brows furrowed slightly as he replayed the words in his head. Something about Kaminari's tone had struck him as genuine.
"Hmph… nonsense," Endeavor muttered, dismissing the thought.
---
When Kaminari returned to the Class 1-A seats, the match had just ended. Tokoyami's Dark Shadow had overpowered Mina, pushing her out of the arena.
"Kaminari!" Kyoka called out, noticing him return. She seemed to want to ask him something but hesitated, glancing at the others around her.
"Don't worry," Kaminari said, reading the question in her eyes. "I just came from the infirmary. Iida's awake, and he's fine."
"Thank goodness!" Kirishima said, letting out a relieved sigh. "Man, I thought you two were gonna kill each other out there!"
Kaminari smiled, his tension easing as the mood lightened around him. Whatever misunderstandings his intense battle with Iida had caused seemed to have faded.
"Alright, everyone!" Present Mic's voice boomed over the stadium. "After thirteen thrilling matches, we're gonna take a quick break! Thirty minutes to grab some snacks, stretch those legs, or take care of… uh, any pressing needs!"
The students laughed, a few of them visibly relaxing as the announcement of a break set in.
"And don't forget, folks—when we're back, it's time for the fourth match of the second round: Bakugo Katsuki versus Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu! It's explosion versus steel! Don't miss it!"
***
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章 108: Chapter 107: Big Crisis! Tetsutetsu!
Thirty minutes sounds short, but if you convert it to 1,800,000 milliseconds, it starts to feel even shorter. Well, in reality, it's barely enough time to grab a quick drink or use the restroom. During the break, Kaminari didn't really chat with Kyoka, Momo, or the others. His mood had soured after the encounter with Endeavor, and he was still processing the interaction.
The more he thought about it, the more he grudgingly acknowledged that Endeavor's words had a point. In a world where superpowers were tied to physical attributes, there might not be a clear "hierarchy" like in fantasy novels, but everyone knew that some Quirks started out stronger than others. A child born with a flame that could incinerate buildings was, in pure potential, a step ahead of someone with a weaker fire-based Quirk.
It was a reality that stung. No matter how much he trained, he couldn't ignore the advantage that Todoroki's heritage gave him. And Endeavor's words only served to highlight that difference.
But knowing this didn't make it any less infuriating. Kaminari wasn't one to back down just because of someone else's "noble lineage." If anything, it pushed him to fight harder.
"Kaminari?"
He was jolted out of his thoughts by Kyoka nudging him. "The match is starting," she said, pointing down at the arena.
He looked over the railing just in time to see Tetsutetsu and Bakugo facing each other. Tetsutetsu stood with a calm expression, though there was a flicker of tension in his eyes.
Kaminari narrowed his eyes. Facing Bakugo's relentless aggression, Tetsutetsu's judo skills wouldn't be much help here. So, what's your plan, Tetsutetsu?
As Present Mic's voice boomed, the match began.
"Start!"
With the shout of "Start!", Bakugo immediately sprang forward, launching himself toward Tetsutetsu like a beast unleashed, his palms crackling with explosive force.
Tetsutetsu didn't say a word in response. He hardened his body, his skin turning to steel, and met Bakugo's charge head-on. All of his focus was trained on his opponent.
What followed was an intense exchange in the middle of the arena. Tetsutetsu, completely abandoning the judo he'd trained in, relied solely on his strength. He swung his iron-clad legs with brutal force, each kick backed by raw power. Bakugo, meanwhile, used smaller explosions to deflect or dodge Tetsutetsu's strikes, but he was clearly struggling against Tetsutetsu's iron defenses.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Each clash sent shockwaves through the stadium. Tetsutetsu's kicks were powerful enough to make Bakugo backpedal, each impact ringing out as metal met force.
Bakugo's usual explosions aren't enough to get through Tetsutetsu's iron defense, Kaminari realized, watching the battle unfold. In terms of sheer physical power, Tetsutetsu's leg strength is formidable.
Bakugo was starting to realize this as well. Every time he tried to get close, Tetsutetsu would swing his legs with enough power to force him back. Bakugo's explosions were leaving superficial damage at best, but they weren't stopping his opponent.
"Looks like I'll need something bigger if I want to bring him down!" Bakugo thought, his mind already working out his next move.
Without warning, Bakugo fired an explosion behind himself, launching into the air above Tetsutetsu.
Tetsutetsu's eyes widened in shock as he looked up.
"Die, you iron bastard!" Bakugo shouted, his expression twisted with intensity. He raised both hands, palms facing down toward Tetsutetsu.
The audience collectively held their breath as Bakugo brought his hands together, readying his signature move.
"Flashbang!"
In a blinding flash of light, Bakugo's combined explosions created a flare that momentarily turned the entire arena white. Tetsutetsu's vision was overwhelmed, and he instinctively staggered, momentarily blinded.
"Perfect," Bakugo muttered, dropping down toward his opponent with a cruel grin. "Now take this—"
Bakugo's palms, now inches from Tetsutetsu, sparked with an intense charge, prepared for a devastating explosion.
"Kaminari!!!" Kyoka exclaimed, noticing Kaminari's stricken expression as he realized what was about to happen.
"That move…" Kaminari stood abruptly, dread creeping up his spine. "If that connects…"
From his spot against the wall, Todoroki's eyes narrowed as well. "If Bakugo lands that, Tetsutetsu could be seriously hurt," he muttered, concern flashing across his face.
Present Mic's voice was panicked. "Bakugo, don't—! Stop him!"
But before the teachers could react, Bakugo's Howitzer Impact had already fired.
"HOWITZER IMPACT!"
A thunderous explosion engulfed the area, sending a massive shockwave throughout the stadium. Debris and smoke filled the air, obscuring everything from view.
Kaminari watched with clenched fists, his mind racing. With the Flashbang, Tetsutetsu wouldn't have been able to see or react in time… Did he get caught in that blast?
The crowd was silent, holding their breath as the smoke began to clear, slowly revealing the aftermath of Bakugo's attack.
But as the last remnants of smoke faded, what they saw left everyone in stunned disbelief.
There, standing amidst the rubble, was Tetsutetsu—completely unharmed. Somehow, he'd managed to avoid the brunt of the attack, standing in a different spot from where he had been just moments before. Bakugo, meanwhile, was on the ground, panting heavily, his arms trembling from the effort.
"H-How?" Bakugo muttered, staring at Tetsutetsu in shock.
The teachers, too, were dumbfounded. Cementoss, Midnight, and Vlad King stood frozen, unable to comprehend what they were seeing.
"How did he dodge that?" Present Mic yelled, disbelief clear in his voice.
Even Aizawa was taken aback, squinting down at Tetsutetsu. "What… happened?"
Kaminari, however, had an idea. A bold, impossible thought crossed his mind, but he couldn't shake it. "Could he have…?"
***
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