Chapter 23: The Fighting Rounds!
After the epic performance in the last chapter, the 16 students are now getting ready for the battle ahead. All the students were getting ready, there was one however who was walking towards the broccoli boy. Shinso approached Izuku to congratulate him on his performance and wish him luck and Izuku being the polite boy he was about to respond but was stopped by Ojiro putting his hand on Izuku's mouth preventing him from responding. Shinso leaves soon after, while Izuku gives Ojiro a questioning look.
"There's something weird about him, I remember talking to him before the cavalry battle and after that nothing else. My mind was completely blank. Whatever you do out there, do not respond to him. I have a feeling it has to do with his quirk."
"Oh, thanks for the save and the heads up."
There is an announcement soon after, for all the contestants to assemble in the stands and for Izuku and Shinso to make their way to the stadium.
"Alright folks, to start today's one v one battle we have in the blue corner, the person who went toe to toe with a villain and survived with no scars whatsoever, the class rep of 1-A himself, Midoriya Izuku! And fighting him will be the person who can probably get what he wants by simply asking a question, the class rep of 1-C, Shinso Hitoshi!"
The two of them faced each other. "It must be nice for us to face each other," he said, "I can't believe your friends are here as well to fight. Must be nice to team up with a bunch of ragtag amateurs." Izuku looked at him, his hands clenched to fists. "Wanna repeat yourself?" he asked before he froze. Shinso smirked. "Now, abou-face, and amble out of bounds," Shinso said. Izuku started walking on his own. Ochako and the others were concerned.
"Deku!" Ochako said, "Don't let him win!" "Deku get out of his control!" Katsuki said. At the edge of the ring, Izuku suddenly stoped, gaining Shinsos attention. "Keep walking!" Shinosu said. He shouted at Izuku to walk out again and again, but Izuku didn't budge at all.
Izukus mindscape.
Izuku sees 7 figures, 2 of which were blacked out. "Hello, Izuku. It's nice to finally meet you, grandson." a lady says. "Grandma," Izuku said. "There isn't much time, I can already see that you have unblocked the seconds healing, so let me give you another gift, a new quirk, the 5th, it is called black whip."
All Izuku could do is just blink as the rest of his body is nothing but wisp. "You wont have much control over it now so the fifth will handle it right now for you. But you will have to learn to control it, eventually. I know you have many questions right now but we don't have much time right now. Bye kiddo. I hope to see you soon. And tell Inko her mother says hi"
And just as suddenly as Izuku had entered the place, he left it. It was a slight shock but Izuku had no time to panic, he could see himself suspended mid-air with black wisps around him and mic shouting something or the other.
He began to see Shinso looking towards him in shock and immediately a few strands of the black substance rushed over to Shinso, aiming to catch him. The boy tries to dodge and keep away but the whips are too fast and too strong for him. He eventually gets caught by them before his mouth is slowly covered by them.
"You know Shinso, that's a great quirk you have there. I mean look at all the possibilities and all the ways you can use the quirk. Hostage situations, crowd control, etc. I mean it is just a great quirk. Work on your fighting skills and maybe learn to use some sort of capture weapon or something. It will help you in the future, oh, and sorry for the next blow."
Izuku said as he placed Shinso on the arena and the black substance retracted into him. Izuku charged OFA in his right hand and punched Shinso right in the stomach causing the boy to get launched out of the ring. "Shinso is out of bounds!" Midnight said, "Midoriya moves on to the next round!"
Izuku walked to the edge of the right and helped Shinso up. "Don't be sad, man, you've done great. I can already see many fans in the crowd," he said as he points to a section of the crowd where the general ed students were cheering on Shinso or his performance. "That's not all," Izuku pointed towards the pros. "You've got some pros interested as well. Shinso. So you've done great. And if you need someone to spar to, you can always ask me whenever."
"Thank you, Midoriya." Shinso said before making his way back to the class.
As Izuku made his way to the back, he was approached by Ochako. "Great job Deku!" Ochako said, smiling. Some other students arrived.
"Dude, that was amazing!" Kirishima said, "You totally went Toe to Toe with the mindwiping dude!" "You really know how to get down!" Mina said, "But if you don't mind me asking….. What the hell was that rope thing?!" Mina shouted that last part.
"Yeah man, it's like you went all Spider-Man on Shinso," Kirishima said, "What was all that about? I mean it was cool and all, but what was all that about?" Izuku was thinking of an excuse. "Midori. Explanation. Now." "I'm not sure," Izuku said. "It was probably some kind of quirk mutation," Iida said, "some quirks do have a tendency to go through those, but only a .3 of people lose control of it." "Right Iida," Ochako said, covering for Izuku.
There was a hint of nervousness in her tone. Primarily because of her opponent, Hayate. "Is everything ok?" he asked. "I'm gonna be honest with you," Ochako said, "I'm scared of the match."
"Don't worry, I know you'll do great. You are the strongest person I know. And this is not because I love you but because it is true, you can ask anyone here. Even Kaachan would agree. So you'll do great. Don't worry." Izuku re-ensured her. He showed her some notes on Hayate. "If it helps I have some strategies on how you could beat him," he said. Ochako smiled. "Thank you Deku, but I think I should do this without help," she said.
Soon an announcement was made, calling the 2 contestants, Ochako and Hayate to the arena. Izuku gave Ochako a short kiss before she walked off to the ring.
In the announcer box, mic started announcing, "For the next match we have the girl that defies all laws of gravity and physics, from class 1-A, Uraraka Ochako. At the other end, we have the guy who skips leg day every day, from 1-B, the muscle man himself Zyokyo Hayate."
Hayate smirked. "This should be fun," he said. Izuku and the others were watching from the balcony. "I'm scared about this," Tsu said. "Me too," Toru chimed. Hayate looked at Ochako. "If you wanna quit pretty thing, now's the time," he said, "I'd hate to do some brutal damage to a delicate flower like yourself."
Ochako got in a fighting stance. "Flattery will get you nowhere," Ochako said, "Let's go." "Ready… FIGHT!" Ochako dashed at Hayate and gave him a hard punch straight to the face. Although he was pushed back, he didn't flinch. "Did you expect that to hurt, Princess. "All she has to do is make him weightless, then she'll have an opportunity!" Izuku said as he was watching. After another hard blow, Hayate was forced to the ground of the stage. He quickly got back up.
"Alright, no more playing around," he said. He enhanced his muscles. "It's time to get serious, floaty!" He lunged at her and charged up for a punch. When he threw it, Ochako quickly dodged and did a sweep to the leg. "Despite Hayate's strong muscles, Ochako is pressing her charge without resting!"
Other spectators were watching. Hayate grinned. "Such strong resolve," he said, "But will it be enough against someone who's SUPERIOR?!" He punched her in the face sending her flying backward. Hayate refused to let up as he kept going at her.
Izuku's P.O.V
I never felt so helpless in my life. All I could do was watch as the woman I loved kept fighting against Hayate. Ochako got up and wiped the dirt from her face. "Is that all you got Princess," Hayate said, taunting her, "I expected better from the nerd's girlfriend!" Ochako refused to let those words tear her down.
She was determined to win. However I noticed something with Hayate. 2 actually, first was when he enhances his muscles, his speed takes a deep drawback. But it wasn't the case for some reason and the second was a glint in his fists. I didn't pay much attention to it but the thought lingered in the back of my mind.
Ochako put her hands together. "I guess there's no reason to hold back anymore," she said, "I'm going all in!" She used her quirk to pull up dozens of small pieces of rock. We were all watching in surprise. I could practically hear what she was thinking. "I'm gonna do it and win. I'll be a strong hero like my Deku!"
She lunged at Hayate ready to let loose. However, he was too quick. He launched himself at Ochako and landed a hard blow to her stomach. The pieces of rock all fell down. I was infuriated! "Nice tricks, but I'm afraid your little plan isn't going to work on me," Hayate said.
Ochako looked up to Hayate fighting the pain she was dealing with. "I have myself a golden opportunity to go up against Deku and show him who's truly superior. And if beating you to a pulp is my only option to do so, then so be it." He unleasehed a barrage of punches on ochako before finally landing another hard punch, and sending Ochako flying to the other side of the stage.
The audience was watching in horror seeing the brutal beating that Ochako was given. She started to walk towards him hoping to give one final punch, but Hayate beats her to it, delivering a punch that caused her to fall onto her knees and then on the ground.
She fainted. "Ochako….." I said. "Uraraka is unable to move," Midnight announced, "Hayate advances to the next round." Hayate took the mic.
"Before we move on, I have an announcement to make which involves the 'princess' over here," he said. He pointed to her.
"This woman wants to prove that she can be a spectacular hero, but its not for truth, justice and all that good jazz. Nooooo her reason is much deeper," he began, "She wants to be a pro hero for one reason only; to make a lot of money!" I was shocked. Nobody was doing anything to stop it!
"She doesn't care about the people, she doesn't care about saving the world, she only cares about herself," Hayate continued, "Can you imagine someone trying to become a pro hero for such a selfish reason!? And more importantly, how can she call herself a hero if she can't go up against a super strong opponent?" Tears welled up in her eyes as she laid on the stretcher helplessly.
"Trash like her doesn't even deserve to be given a chance to prove herself. Pro heroes watching, do yourselves a favor and think about who you choose for your internships," said Hayate, "It would be better to choose someone who's superior like Moi." He walked away. His speech was met with boos from dozens of contestants. Ochako laid there crying.
Full Cowl was starting to activate around me. I wanted to make Hayate pay for what he did. The anger was building inside of me. Bakugo grabbed my shoulder and shook his head.
Regular p.o.v
Hayate was walking to the balcony. "All according to plan," he said, "Now to wait until my match with Midoriya and then I get to crush him." "YOU!" Hayate was met with a punch in the face from Izuku. "How could you go and ridicule Ochako like that?!" Izuku snapped.
"Hey, at least I was telling the truth," Hayate said, "She's just a selfish girl who wants nothing more but money."
"That's bullshit and you know it," Izuku said, "I OUGHT TO….." IZuku was held back by Aizawa. "Midoriya, save it for the match," he said, "I know you're worried about Ochako and pissed at Hayate, but beating him up isn't gonna help anything. (Even though he truly deserves it.)"
Izuku turned his attention to Aizawa. "If anything I should be pissed at you and the rest of the teachers," he said. "What do you mean?" "You know damn well what I mean, he humiliated her and brutally beat her, and you all just stood there and did nothing!" Izuku said. "Problem Child…."
"Oh don't you 'problem child' me!" Izuku shouted, "How could you not go and do something about it?! If I were in your position, I would've stopped Hayate before he made that bullshit speech!" "Ouch…" Hayate said.
"Because of him, Ochako was humiliated and may have lost her shot at being chosen for an internship," Izuku continued, "I always believed you were a hero, but I see now that you're nothing more than a GODDAMN COWARD IN A YELLOW BLANKET, WHO'S SCARED TO STAND UP FOR HIS STUDENTS!" Izuku started to walk away.
Aizawa was shocked that Izuku would blow up on him like that. "Wow, I can't believe you're actually defending that loser who only does hero work for money," Hayate said.
That was the last straw. Izuku went up to Hayate about to punch him to a pulp. Other students held him back. "Midoriya, calm down," Aizawa said. Kenshi pulled something from his inventory. "Problem child, would you just calm do…. Ooohhh…" Izuku was knocked out by Kenshi.
A few minutes later Izuku found himself on a bed. Ochako was by his side sleeping peacefully. "Ochako…." he said weakly, still sore from the punch.
Later Izuku walked around the stadium to clear his head. He saw Aizawa with a cup of coffee. "Oh, hey problem child," he said, "Want some coffee?" "No thanks," Izuku said. He was looking to the ground.
"Listen, about what happened earlier, I'm sorry," he said, "I was just really mad at Hayate for what he did. There was no reason to go off on you, you were just doing your job. I didn't mean what I said back there." "I forgive you Midoriya, but if anybody should apologize it's me," Aizawa said, "You were right, I should've gone in and stopped it. I just hope you don't lose your trust in me after today."
Izuku shook his head. "Never," he said. "I know I taught you to play fair when it comes to matches, but in this case, make sure you give that boy hell," Aizawa said. Izuku nodded.
While Izuku was unconscious, Katsuki had his match against Ashido, which was more of a one sided battle. A losing one for Mina as her acid was flammable and everytime she tried to throw acid at Katsuki or even slide using the acid, Katsuki kept blowing it up pushing mina to her limits. He was booed by the crowd but Aizawa defended him telling the crowd that he was being ruthless because he respected Mina and her power and was wary of it.
Izuku and Ochako also missed Todoroki's match with Sero which once again was a complete overkill as Shoto simply froze Sero in place with a glacier of ice soon after the match started.
Izuku had decided to stay in the recovery room and was sitting next to Ochako's bed. He was holding her hand and simply sat there quietly. "Deku?" Ochako asked. Izuku looked down at her. "Shhhhh, save your energy," he said. She reached up and hugged him. Kurumi and Maruki arrived soon after and sat next to Izuku.
"Mommy…. Daddy…" Ochako said. "I'm sorry I couldn't win. I feel… I feel like I'm not worthy to be here at UA. I mean look at the other, there are here to become heroes so they can help people and me, I am just here to become a hero and make some money. I guess Hayate was right, i really am pathetic and I should give up."
Izuku shook his head. "Hey Ochako," Izuku says. "Look Hayate doesn't know you. He doesn't know why you want to make money. He is wrong here and I am going to show it to him and the world." Izuku stood up and raised his fist in the sky.
"I am going to show everyone out there that my darling Mochi isn't the shallow person that Hayate has painted you to be."
"Izuku's right you know,'' Maruki told. "You just rest here alright, your mom is staying here with you. Izuku and I have a little work to do and then I'll be right back alright dear.'' Maruki got up to leave and motioned Izuku to follow him.
"I know that you're angry, uncle, but don't worry Hayate is going to pay. And he's going to pay 10 fold for what he did to my Ochako." Izuku told Maruki.
"I know that son, I just wanted to tell you that I have a feeling that Hayate cheated somehow." Maruki said. "I noticed that there was some sort of shine on his fist during his punches and I'm sure that it wasn't a ring."
"Wait, you noticed that too!?" Izuku said, shocked.
"Yes, and I have a feeling that he was cheating. So kid give him hell!" Maruki told Izuku.
"Of course," Izuku said with an evil grin.
Later on, Todoroki was walking through the building to clear his head. He sensed his father was nearby. "I have nothing to say to you," he said. Endeavor confronted him. "How long are you going to continue this disgraceful act Shouto?" he asked. "What's it to you?" Shouto asked not turning around.
"Had you used the power on your left side, you would've easily destroyed the competition and made both the race and cavalry battle easily, and yet you continue to behave like a child refusing to do things my way," Endeavor said.
"My goal is to be a hero, but on my own terms," Shouto said, "I'll die in peace before I use my fire quirk." "Your goal is to surpass All Might," Endeavor said, "You are my greatest masterpiece!" "Are you that incapable of shutting your mouth about this for one goddamn second?" Todoroki asked walking away, "I will win this only using my mother's quirk, and never use yours." He walked to the balcony. "You'll reach your limit eventually," he said.
While this was going on, Kirishima fought Kaminari, it was a long fight as Kirishima basically waited for Kaminari to go beyond his limit before he could knock him out. Jirou chuckled at Kaminari in his "Jamming Yay" mode.
Up next, we have Iida Vs Momo and Kenshi vs Monoma followed by the final fight of the preliminaries Camie vs tetsutetsu. Who of the 6 go ahead to the quarter finals? Will sonic defeat the girl who can create anything or will Momo prevail? Will Kenshi defeat the copycat or would the copycat win? Would steel win against illusions or will illusions prevail? Find out in the next chapter of Son of All Might.
Well just like that, Izuku has learned a new semi quirk that goes with One For All.
Black Whip: the 5th user, Daigoro Banjo's quirk that allows him to scale walls and acts as a capture weapon, is the first of the 7 quirks Izuku unlocks from the core of one for all. He uses it primarily as a capture weapon similar to his homeroom teacher Aizawa Shota. But first he has to get a better handle on it. Will he be able to do it?