章節 17: Itachi Vs Keigo

Commentary will be ]

The audience will be ()

[Commentary Booth]

[Present Mic was buzzing with excitement as he leaned forward, almost shouting into the microphone. "The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here! The final battle between the silent but deadly Itachi Yaoyorozu and the fierce bird boy, Keigo Takami! Aizawa, are you pumped?"

Aizawa, in contrast, sighed and responded in his usual laid-back tone, "They're both strong. That's all that matters."

Present Mic groaned, shaking his head. "No enthusiasm at all! But hey, folks, this fight will decide the winner of the UA Sports Festival! So, let's get ready for one heck of a battle!"]

[On the Field]

Itachi and Keigo stood in their ready stances, eyes locked. The air around them grew tense, the stadium falling silent in anticipation. Only Present Mic's voice filled the air as he built up the mood, narrating every moment with flair.

Midnight, standing between the two competitors, raised her hand high, her ever-seductive smile present. "Are you both ready?" she asked in a sultry tone, though her demeanor was ignored by both Itachi and Keigo, their focus entirely on each other.

They both gave a nod, their minds already in battle mode. Itachi's Sharingan spun into life, his crimson eyes observing every movement with precision. Keigo, knowing better than to look directly into his eyes, maintained his focus, wings twitching, ready to strike.

With a smirk, Midnight yelled, "Fight!" and lowered her hand.

In an instant, Keigo launched himself forward with incredible speed, rushing toward Itachi with his wings propelling him through the air. Itachi leaned back swiftly, dodging Keigo's first strike. Keigo followed up mid-air, delivering a powerful kick aimed at Itachi's head, but Itachi blocked it effortlessly with his forearm before throwing Keigo back.

[Commentary Booth]

["Woah! And they're off!" Present Mic's voice rang out. "Yaoyorozu's on the defensive, but man, does he know how to dodge and block! What do you think, Aizawa?"

Aizawa, watching keenly, nodded slightly. "By dodging and conserving energy, Itachi's waiting for the right moment to strike. Keigo's attacks are fierce, but Itachi's calculating every move."

Present Mic added with excitement, "It's clear they know each other well. Neither one's making it easy for the other!"]

[Back on the Field]

The battle continued, tension mounting with every strike and counter. Itachi suddenly charged forward, but Keigo was quick to react, flapping his wings and soaring into the sky. From above, Keigo released a flurry of razor-sharp feathers, scattering them across the battlefield.

Itachi's Sharingan spun faster, tracking every feather with terrifying precision. His eyes flickered from one to the next, calculating their trajectory. He sprinted forward, the feathers following him like homing missiles. Without breaking stride, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a kunai. In a blur of motion, he began deflecting the feathers with perfect timing, each block precise and efficient.

Keigo watched from above, his sharp eyes taking in Itachi's every movement. "He's not just fast... he's reading everything," Keigo thought, tightening his grip on his wings, ready to send another wave of attacks.

(The audience was buzzing with excitement and awe. "Did you see that speed?" one person exclaimed. "There were, like, 30 or 40 feathers coming at him, and he blocked all of them with a kunai!" another voice chimed in. "Such insane reflexes…")

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Keigo narrowed his eyes, realizing what Itachi was up to. He folded his wings slightly, plucking a feather from one and rushing forward again, engaging Itachi in close-quarters combat. As their hands and feet clashed, Keigo couldn't help but smirk, thinking, This is fun!

Just as Keigo swung a feather sword toward Itachi's gut, his expression changed in an instant. The Itachi in front of him shattered into crows, vanishing completely. Keigo's eyes widened as he spotted the real Itachi standing further away, calm and composed.

"I saw it," Keigo muttered, impressed but trying to mask it with a smirk. "You casted that illusion in just a second… you sneaky bastard."

Itachi's lips curled into a small smile, his Sharingan gleaming. "Are you having fun?" he asked, before rushing toward Keigo once again.

(The audience, confused at first, whispered among themselves. "Did he miss?" one person asked, trying to make sense of Itachi's earlier move. Another, with a more serious expression, shook their head. "No… It was an illusion."

The crowd gasped, eyes widening as they looked on in awe. "An illusion?" someone repeated, disbelief evident in their tone.

Suddenly, the audience's attention turned toward a man seated in the stands. "That was Nighteye," one person whispered.

Sitting tall and composed, Sir Nighteye smirked knowingly, his sharp, lean features standing out in the crowd. His dark green hair, sleek and parted to the side, gleamed under the stadium lights, while his yellow streaks matched the rims of his triangular glasses. His piercing, bright yellow eyes reflected the battlefield below. He gave a slight nod, confirming what the others had guessed.

"He… he's already inside Keigo's mind. That's the power of Itachi Yaoyorozu," Nighteye mused quietly, his smirk widening.)

[Mic watched the ongoing fight with mounting confusion. "What's going on?! Did Keigo Takami get tired or something? He's swinging his sword at thin air!" he exclaimed. Aizawa, observing with his usual calm demeanor, explained, "That's because Yaoyorozu cast an illusion."

Mic's excitement surged as he turned to the audience, "You hear that, folks? Aizawa's just revealed the secret we've all been waiting for!" The crowd murmured in awe, the realization sinking in.]

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Itachi rushed toward Keigo with a kunai in hand. Keigo braced himself, blocking the incoming attack, but Itachi swiftly followed up with a powerful kick to Keigo's face. The blow knocked Keigo back, his expression momentarily dazed.

Stumbling, Keigo instinctively flew up, putting distance between them. He touched his cheek and winced, "That hurt…" he muttered, sighing. But his focus quickly snapped back as he noticed a kunai speeding toward him. He dodged it at the last second, eyes wide as he saw Itachi below, standing calmly.

Without hesitation, Itachi threw three more kunai in quick succession. Keigo dodged the first one easily, but as the second kunai hit the first in mid-air, it changed direction, veering toward him. "What?!" Keigo's eyes widened as he narrowly dodged the redirected kunai, though it scraped his leg, leaving a small cut. He landed back on the ground, momentarily shaken.

Midnight, watching intently from the sidelines, called out, "Takami, are you alright?"

Keigo, touching the scratch on his leg, gave a small grin and replied, "I'm fine, I can still fight."

Midnight nodded, her eyes glimmering with interest.

(In the audience, the pro-heroes were left in awe. The sheer precision of Itachi's kunai throws had them all stunned. Every move seemed calculated, every attack perfectly placed.

Among them, Lady Nagant—Kaina Tsutsumi—watched with wide eyes, her heart skipping a beat. "Such precision… it's just like mine," she whispered. But then, she found herself blushing, her mind racing. No… it's more than that. He's incredible. Her thoughts betrayed her, the admiration she felt growing into something more.

As she gazed at Itachi on the field, her chest tightened, and a soft blush crept across her cheeks. Why does he have to be so… perfect? she thought, her admiration turning into a subtle crush.)

[Mic, full of energy, exclaimed, "Did you see that, folks? The precision of those kunai is commendable! Aizawa, what kind of student do you have here?"

Aizawa shook his head, replying in his usual calm tone, "He did all of that on his own. I just observe… that's all." He glanced at Keigo, who was back on his feet, and added, "Keigo's doing well too—he's holding his ground."

"Yeah, let's keep it rolling, folks!" Mic said, hyping up the crowd even more.]

Keigo stood, assessing the damage to his feathers. He plucked a few out and crafted them into a blade, eyes locking on Itachi. Itachi raised an eyebrow. "So… you've decided to use your sword style?"

Keigo smirked. "I told you—I'm going all out. And I'll force you to do the same." With that, Keigo charged at full speed, causing Itachi's eyes to widen momentarily as he dodged the incoming attack. He's faster than before... Itachi thought, narrowly avoiding a slash from Keigo's vibrating feather blade.

As Keigo swung his sword, Itachi noticed the distinct vibration in the blade. He's using the vibration to increase damage. Smart. Itachi blocked another swing, thinking quickly.

"Not a bad idea," Itachi murmured. Keigo grinned, feeling confident. "Then take this—get that skeleton of yours out!" He swung his sword dangerously close to Itachi's face, barely missing his eyes as Itachi dodged yet again.

His feathers are nearly damaged, Itachi mused, noting Keigo's wear and tear. But the feather sword still held its own, and Keigo showed no signs of slowing down.

"Stop overthinking," Keigo shouted, lunging toward Itachi with full force.

(In the audience, excitement rippled through the crowd. "Did you see that speed? It's hard to keep up with them!" one spectator shouted.

"And that feather blade—it looks so cool!" another cheered, the energy building with each moment of the fight.

Among the students watching, Rumi observed the two fighters, her eyes gleaming. She smirked, her legs shaking with excitement. They're both on another level… she thought, itching to jump into the action herself.

Nearby, Yu and Ryuko watched intently. "They're both incredibly strong," Yu remarked, admiring the battle.

Ida, with his usual seriousness, chimed in, "Like I said, it's a 50-50 chance."

Moe, concerned about Keigo's condition, added, "But Keigo's feathers are taking damage… can he keep this up?")

[Mic, barely able to contain his excitement, shouted, "Did you see that, folks? He's like a flash of light—a falcon soaring in the sky!" His voice echoed across the arena as he pumped up the audience.

Aizawa, calmer but equally impressed, nodded. "Yes… these are the best students. Or I should say, this entire generation is something else." His usual reserved tone carried a weight of admiration for the skills being displayed.]

In the arena, Keigo sped toward Itachi with all his might. Itachi stood unmoving, his gaze focused. It's like he's moving in slow motion, Itachi thought. As Keigo neared, Itachi's eyes narrowed. "Keigo… you've earned it."

Keigo's eyes widened as he saw Itachi's Eternal Mangeykyo Sharingan spin, his focus intensifying. As his sword neared, something began to form around Itachi—dark, blood-red ribs. A skeletal structure manifested, and Keigo smirked, pleased. That's what I wanted… he thought as he struck at the ribs of the skeleton.

But to his shock, Itachi remained intact, unharmed by the attack. Keigo's eyes grew wider as the skeletal hand formed from the ribs, grabbing him in its grip. He struggled, looking up at Itachi's unwavering gaze, realizing the immense power before him.

(In the audience, gasps and murmurs spread like wildfire. "What is that? Is it his another quirk?" one spectator questioned in disbelief.

"It looks so ominous," another whispered, their voice tinged with awe and fear.

"That blood-red color… I've never seen anything like it," someone else added, equally entranced.

In the VIP section, Yana's eyes widened as she watched the battle unfold. "What… is that?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Momo, sitting beside her, was also wide-eyed, her heart racing. That… looks terrifying, she thought, a chill running down her spine.

Takashi, watching the skeletal structure, had his own thoughts swirling. Is this part of his quirk? Or a another quirk entirely? He clenched his hands, his mind racing. All this time… he's had this much power?

The entire stadium was captivated, watching in stunned silence as Itachi's true strength began to emerge.

In the section where the pro heroes sat, their eyes were wide in astonishment as they witnessed the display of Itachi's power. Nighteye, analyzing the situation, smirked to himself. This kid... he has the power to change the world, he thought, his sharp gaze following Itachi's every move.

Lady Nagant, sitting nearby, was equally stunned but had her own reaction. Is this a new power? she wondered, her eyes narrowing. Then a subtle blush crept onto her cheeks as she smiled slightly. Why do I feel like this is just a glimpse of what he can do? Her heart raced. I... I want to meet him now...

Meanwhile, in a separate room, Principal Nezu sat alongside Toshinori Yagi, the man once known as All Might. The massive, muscular hero wore his usual smile, though his eyes were intensely focused on the arena below. "So, this is Itachi Yaoyorozu," All Might said with curiosity.

Nezu nodded, his gaze never leaving the field. "Yes, he is. Quite impressive, isn't he?"

All Might chuckled, sensing something more in Nezu's tone. "I think you believe he's perfect for something."

Gran Torino, sitting beside them, sighed. "I doubt he'll accept, Nezu. He seems like a lone wolf to me."

Toshinori glanced at his old mentor. "Why not? He's got incredible potential."

Gran Torino just shrugged. "It's just a feeling," he replied thoughtfully.)

[Back in the commentary booth, Present Mic was practically shouting into the mic, his energy infectious. "Wow, holy crap, folks! Did you see that? Where did that skeleton come from? That thing looks terrifying!"

Aizawa, calm as ever, nodded in agreement. "That… is incredibly strong. I've seen glimpses of it before, but never like this."]

In the arena, Itachi stood calmly, his EM Sharingan glowing as his Susano'o, the massive blood-red skeletal figure, loomed over Keigo. The hero-in-training was trapped in its grip, struggling as the pressure from the skeletal hand increased.

Itachi's voice was quiet but firm as he spoke to his opponent. "I'm sorry," he said as he tightened his grip, causing Keigo to wince in pain. Despite his struggles, Keigo's feather attacks had no effect on the spectral armor surrounding Itachi.

The pain became too much. Keigo's body trembled, and with one final effort, he tapped out in submission.

Midnight, watching closely, stepped forward and raised her hand. "Keigo Takami has surrendered! Itachi Yaoyorozu is the winner!"

The audience erupted into cheers, applauding both Itachi and Keigo for their intense battle. While Itachi's power left many in awe, Keigo's determination and skill had earned equal respect. The crowd's enthusiasm filled the arena, praising them both for their impressive performances.

As Itachi deactivated his Sharingan, his intense red eyes fading back to their normal dark hue, he approached Keigo, who was still catching his breath. "Keigo, are you alright?" Itachi asked with concern.

Keigo gave a weak smirk, wiping some sweat from his brow. "Yeah, just… my legs are a bit numb," he replied, trying to sound casual despite the pain. Itachi offered a small smile and helped him to his feet.

Midnight approached them with a proud grin. "Good fight, both of you. That was amazing to watch."

They nodded in gratitude, both saying, "Thank you, Midnight-sensei."

With a quick gesture, Midnight pointed toward the exit. "Take him to the infirmary, Yaoyorozu."

Itachi nodded, glancing at the cheering audience for a moment before turning back to Keigo. Supporting his teammate, Itachi guided him toward the exit. As they walked, Keigo, leaning heavily on Itachi, couldn't help but speak. "There's a vast gap between us… your power is on a whole other level," he muttered, still feeling the weight of defeat.

Itachi glanced at him, his voice calm and reassuring. "Power isn't everything."

Keigo smirked, though his pride was clearly bruised. "I know, I know… no need for a lecture right now."

Itachi shook his head, amused. "I wasn't lecturing."

Keigo's grin widened, and he nudged Itachi slightly. "Your lady is probably going to request you for an internship, you know."

Sighing, Itachi replied, "You talk too much for someone who's exhausted."

With a playful glint in his eyes, Keigo teased, "Just admit it, you're looking forward to it."

Itachi remained silent, only letting out a quiet sigh, causing Keigo to chuckle. "Ah, silence is the answer, bro."

When they arrived at the infirmary, Recovery Girl was waiting for them. Her sharp eyes softened with a hint of concern. "Sit here, young man," she instructed, motioning to Keigo, who obediently sat down. Her quirk at the ready, she leaned in and planted her usual healing kiss on his cheek. Keigo grinned mischievously, rubbing his face. "If that was Midnight, I would've healed in no time."

Recovery Girl's expression hardened, her voice stern. "What was that, boy?"

Keigo immediately stiffened, breaking into a cold sweat. "N-Nothing!" he stammered, his usual bravado faltering.

Itachi sighed quietly beside them, watching the interaction with a slight shake of his head.

Recovery Girl handed Keigo some candy, her way of replenishing the energy he had lost. Keigo's face lit up as he eagerly accepted the treat. "Thanks, Granny!" he said with a boyish grin.

With his energy restored, Keigo got up from the chair, and the two of them made their way back toward the stadium. As they walked, Keigo looked at Itachi with his usual grin. "Let's head back to the stadium. I want to see what happens next."

Itachi nodded, his quiet strength radiating through his calm demeanor, while Keigo's spirits remained high despite the pain he had endured. Together, they walked back into the arena, the bond between them strengthened through battle.

[Mic, brimming with excitement, shouted into the microphone, "That fight was something else, folks! But now, it's time to bring the festival to a close and announce the winners!"]

The crowd roared in anticipation, eager to hear the final results.

[Mic raised his hand, his voice booming, "In third place, by audience vote... Riku Saito!" The cheers grew louder as Riku stepped forward, looking surprised but proud.

"In second place... Keigo Takami!" More applause erupted as Keigo approached the podium, still looking a bit sore but wearing his usual cocky grin.

"And finally... the first place goes to... Itachi Yaoyorozu!" The arena shook with applause and cheers as Itachi calmly stepped onto the top podium, his expression as stoic as ever.]

As the three students stood at their respective places, their eyes widened in surprise as All Might himself appeared, striding confidently toward them. Keigo and Riku's expressions were ones of awe, while Itachi remained composed, his face neutral but respectful.

All Might, with his signature smile, approached Riku first, holding the bronze medal. "You did well, young one. Keep pushing yourself."

Riku bowed deeply, his face flushed with excitement. "Thank you, sir! I'm a huge fan!" All Might chuckled and patted Riku on the shoulder before moving to Keigo.

He placed the silver medal around Keigo's neck. "Your fight was incredible. You had the entire crowd on the edge of their seats. Great control at your age."

Keigo smirked, trying to hide his admiration. "Thank you, All Might." His voice was confident, but there was a glimmer of pride in his eyes.

Finally, All Might reached Itachi, holding up the gold medal. He placed it around Itachi's neck and looked him in the eyes. "You're strong. Your control and precision are remarkable. Keep honing that strength."

Itachi bowed his head slightly, his tone calm yet filled with respect. "Thank you, All Might."

All Might gave him a big smile and clapped him on the shoulder. "Keep up the good work, young Yaoyorozu."

As the camera flashes went off, capturing the moment, the three students stood proudly on the podium, their hard work and determination recognized by the symbol of peace himself. The festival ended on a high note, with the crowd cheering, filled with excitement and admiration for their future heroes.

As the announcement of the winners echoed across the stadium, the camera panned to the VIP section where the Yaoyorozu family sat, watching their son with mixed emotions.

Yana Yaoyorozu, Itachi's mother, had tears welling up in her eyes, a mix of pride and awe filling her expression. She clutched her hands tightly to her chest, unable to hide the overwhelming joy she felt seeing her son stand victorious on the podium. "That's my boy," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "He's grown so much."

Beside her, Momo sat wide-eyed, her admiration for her older brother clear on her face. She had always known Itachi was strong, but seeing him recognized by All Might himself filled her with an even deeper sense of pride. She leaned forward, gripping the edge of her seat, a wide smile breaking across her face. "He's incredible," she murmured, beaming as she watched the ceremony.

Takashi Yaoyorozu, their father, sat quietly, his face more subdued. His sharp eyes followed every move his son made, watching as Itachi accepted the gold medal with quiet humility. But behind the composed exterior, there was a storm of emotions.

Regret.

He clenched his fists in his lap, memories flooding his mind—times when he had doubted Itachi's choices, moments where he hadn't been the father he should have been. He had once pushed his son, demanding more, never satisfied with what Itachi had already achieved. Takashi had always thought Itachi was distant, hard to understand. But now, seeing him on that podium, respected by his peers, honored by All Might himself, it hit him hard. His son had been walking his own path all along, carrying burdens he could never comprehend.

"I underestimated him," Takashi thought, his jaw tightening as the weight of his past actions settled on him. "I pushed him away when I should have been there for him." The pride he felt was undeniable, but it was tinged with the bitter taste of regret for the lost moments, the words unsaid, and the support he failed to give when Itachi needed it most.

Yana noticed the change in her husband's expression and gently placed her hand on his. "Takashi," she whispered, her voice soft but firm, "he's still your son. It's not too late."

Takashi nodded, his eyes still focused on Itachi. "I know... I just hope he can forgive me."

The ceremony ended with a final round of applause, the crowd cheering loudly for the new heroes-in-training. As Itachi descended from the podium, his family's eyes followed him, each filled with their own thoughts—pride, admiration, and in Takashi's case, a deep resolve to make things right.

At the other side of the stand, Kaina sat with her eyes fixed on Itachi as he received the gold medal from All Might. Her hands clapped softly, a proud smile blooming across her face. Her heart fluttered as she thought to herself, "I can't wait to meet him…" Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, the warmth of excitement spreading through her.

"I'll give him a surprise," she mused, a gentle blush deepening as she stood up. Her legs felt light as she began making her way toward the class resting room. As she walked, her thoughts raced. "I know there will be a lot of requests for him, from some of the biggest heroes—heroes far more famous than me. They'll all want to work with him." The thought brought a brief flicker of sadness to her expression, her steps slowing slightly. She bit her lip, feeling a pang of insecurity.

But she quickly shook her head, determination replacing the doubt in her heart. "No matter where he goes, I'll support him. No matter what." Her blush returned, even stronger now, and her heart pounded faster. The thought of seeing Itachi, of maybe being the one he chose to work with, filled her with anticipation. "It doesn't matter who the competition is… I'll cheer him on, always."

Meanwhile, in the resting room, Itachi, Keigo, and Riku were walking together, their exhaustion masked by the adrenaline still coursing through them. Riku, eyes shining with admiration, spoke first. "Your fight was amazing, Yaoyorozu. I mean, I can't even describe it… It was unreal."

Keigo smirked and chuckled. "Thanks, man. But you did great too. Those earthquakes of yours were no joke."

Itachi nodded, his usual calm demeanor showing a flicker of appreciation. "You've got impressive control over your quirk."

Riku grinned, clearly pleased. "Thanks, Yaoyorozu. That means a lot coming from you. Both of you were awesome. Anyway, I should get back to my classmates. Congrats again to both of you."

"Congratulations to you too," Itachi and Keigo replied in unison as Riku waved and left them.

As they approached the resting area, the Class 1-A students gathered around Itachi and Keigo, their faces beaming with excitement and admiration. Rumi was the first to speak up, her tone filled with energy. "Yaoyorozu, Takami—that was absolutely rocking! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!"

Yu joined in, nodding enthusiastically. "Yeah, Takami, your abilities really surprised me! That match was such a thrill to watch."

Ryuko smiled, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "It was so much fun. You both totally deserve the recognition."

Ida, ever formal, added with a firm nod, "Yes, indeed. That was a very exciting competition, both of you showed exemplary skills."

Itachi smiled softly, his voice calm and appreciative. "Thank you, everyone. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

Keigo, with his trademark smirk, chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, thanks! But you guys played your parts too—you were all awesome."

Laughter filled the air as everyone chatted and nudged Keigo playfully, sharing in the camaraderie of the moment. Itachi, ever observant, watched them all with a small but genuine smile, content to see his friends in such high spirits.