Coughing, Esdeath positioned her hand in front of her mouth. Then, staring at her palm, she saw some traces of blood. Growling, she mumbled.
" Toppo ! "
Thinking back on her utter defeat at the warrior of Universe 11, she began to strike a boulder. She still did not believe in her defeat, not to mention that she was still present on the pitch, only thanks to Seryu's help.
" How ... How could I have lost so pitifully to him ? "
"You are not the invulnerable warrior you claim. "
Gritting her teeth, Esdeath jumped onto a large boulder and began to survey the surroundings. Despite her defeat, she was not going to remain inactive. If Toppo was able to defeat her, it was because she was not yet strong enough to be the most powerful warrior in the universes. As a result, she would understand other people, and improve herself. And once she gets stronger, she will return to fight Toppo.
Hearing footsteps, Esdeath looked down. Leaning against a rock, Midoriya was catching his breath, while he was still resting, since his fight against Toriko. Feeling like his arms were broken, the boy winced in pain.
Remembering the boy's potential, Esdeath cried out.
" You are Midoriya, aren't you? "
Looking up, the boy jumped when he saw Esdeath staring at him.
" You are the warrior of universe 9, aren't you ? "
In response, Esdeath froze the ground around her, while creating a new sword. For his part, seeing that he would be unable to avoid the fight, Midoriya let the power of ONE FOR ALL invade him. Grimacing more, feeling his muscles in his body still sore, the high school student nevertheless got into a fighting stance.
" I'm ready. "
In an instant, Esdeath jumped up to him, and aimed her sword at his throat. Stopping to react to defend himself, Midoriya was surprised to see a wall of ice forming in front of him. As surprised as the boy, Esdeath hit that wall of ice, which was by no means one of her creations.
" What…? "
Then leaping back to avoid a column of flames, Esdeath lands on her feet, only to see Shoto position himself in front of Midoriya. The left side of his body was covered in ice, while the flames covered his right side. Finally, electricity surrounded his body, making the boy more threatening.
" I will take care of you. " He assured.
" Interesting. " Esdeath asserted.
" Todoroki ? " Midoriya wondered.
" Do not stay there. " Shoto ordered him. " Midoriya, you are our last chance to win. "
" Huh? "
Suddenly exploding, a cliff could not withstand the power of the fight between Bakugo and Android 18.
" Bitch. " Bakugo roared, creating explosive spirals around him.
Remaining perfectly calm, Android 18 retaliated by creating ki-blasts, which pulverized Bakugo's attacks. Seeing this, the boy propelled himself towards the android and attempted to punch her in the face. Flying back to avoid his charge, Android 18 let him pass her, before kicking him in the stomach with a knee.
Breathless, Bakugo found himself frozen in pain, while Android took the opportunity to kick her. However, positioning his arm in front of his body, the high school student managed to stop her kick. Then, placing his hand in front of Android 18's face, he roared before creating multiple explosive projectiles.
" GATLING EXPLOSION ! "
Attacking his opponent with the same intensity as a submachine gun, Bakugo pushed her back, while she was hit by a dozen small explosions, which made her disappear in the middle of a cloud of smoke.
Taking the opportunity to jump back, Bakugo caught his breath, while staring at the cloud in front of him. Eventually disappearing, the smoke gave way to Android 18, whose clothes were burnt here and there. Feeling disheveled and having some burns on the skin of her face, the android began to growl in frustration.
" Get ready, bitch! Because I'll atomize you in no time. "
" Tsss! You really are just a loud kid. "
Across the field, taking in Frieza's attacks with difficulty, Kirishima hardened the skin of his corns, while the white alien seemed to be having fun trying to stab him with his DEATH BEAMS.
Being able to feel the intensity of the two fights, Shoto asserted.
" We are only four fighters in our universe! Midoriya… let us take care of the rest. "
" What ? "
" With ONE FOR ALL, you're the only one who has a chance to fight guys like Goku! So you have to rest and conserve the little energy you have left, until the end! Count on us to fight as many warriors as possible and tire the other universes! Once they are fewer, you can fight them. "
" But Shoto… "
", Get off. " Shoto ordered him, creating a wall of flame between him and Midoriya. " Hide as long as possible! And don't forget… we are counting on you to win. "
Seeing him do it, Midoriya at first remained motionless. Then, finally, nodding, he cried out.
" We will win, Shoto. "
Then seeing him go away, Esdeath created an ice spear at him. However, a new wall of ice formed and protected Midoriya.
" I'm your opponent. " The boy asserted.
" Interesting! Are you a boy who can control three powers ? I can't wait to fight you.
Now that more than half of the fighters had been eliminated, areas of the arena were empty of people. Yet one of them suddenly found herself frozen, while two people were fighting with identical power. Directing his hand towards Esdeath, Shoto created a huge spike of ice.
Just smiling, Esdeath leaned back and seemed to enjoy seeing the attack pass overhead. Noticing that she was at a disadvantage, Shoto covered himself in lightning, before hurling it in Esdeath's direction.
" This is the power of Kaminari. "
Seeing the attack heading towards her, Esdeath remained perfectly still. Then, at the last second, she covered her body with a layer of ice. Striking the shield, the electricity was unable to touch Esdeath, who found herself shielded by the thick layer of ice.
" Oh oh ! It's pretty bad. " Kendo remarked.
" Shoto's ice will surely have little effect on Esdeath, knowing that she also controls this power. " Momo remarked. " And Kaminari's electricity can't do anything against his defense. "
" The only way Shoto can win is with his fiery power. " Understood Agu.
" Yes, but I really doubt it will be that easy. " Martinu retorted. " Truth be told, I'm sure Esdeath is looking forward to fighting Shoto, precisely because he knows how to fight with fire. "
" What … ? "
Spinning around, Todoroki covered his arms with fire to create a spiral. Once his attack gained in size, he threw it in the direction of Esdeath. Seeing it coming towards her, Esdeath immediately created numerous ice spears.
" GRAUHORN ! "
Hitting Shoto's spiral of fire, her attacks quickly melted away. Seeing this, Esdeath created an ice shield in front of her, before rushing off. Getting hit by Shoto's spiral of fire, her shield shielded her for a few seconds, allowing Esdeath to avoid being hit by the attack.
"Damn it! My attacks are still not strong enough to withstand the flames! However, I must manage to find a way to improve my attacks! Because if not … "
Immediately thinking back to her loss to Toppo, she clenched her fist.
" I must become stronger. "
At that moment, electricity moved towards her. Jumping back, Esdeath dodged the attack that hit the ground in time. Standing on a rock, Shoto cried out.
" No matter if you only know how to control the ice, I intend to win against you using my three powers! Sorry if this seems unfair to you, but I intend to give my all to save my universe. "
Hearing it, Esdeath chuckled, before asserting.
" Is it Shoto, your first name ? "
" Call me, Todoroki ! I don't remember you being my friend. "
" Sorry, Todoroki-san! But know that, for my part, I would see our fight only as training. "
" A training ? "
" Yes ! I intend to use your power to improve my resistance to fire! Therefore, I make you a promise! If I ever use "MAHAPADMA" during our fight, I will give up the tournament. "
" WHAT ? " Sidra and Rô frightened.
" That idiot. " Budo growled.
Hearing it, Todoroki growled in frustration, realizing that Esdeath was underestimating him. Still, noticing that the situation was to his advantage, he said nothing. Even though he hated it, having Esdeath inflicting a handicap on himself could allow him to win against her without getting hurt. Since his team only consisted of four people, now was not the time for the boy to be eliminated too.
" Very good ! I just hope for you that you won't regret your decision. "
In response, Esdeath created a multitude of pieces of ice around her, which took on the appearance of a sea urchin with very sharp needles. Directing her hands towards Shoto, she made them fly towards him.
Immediately jumping off his perch, Todoroki saw the ice sea urchins hitting the rock, piercing the hard material without the slightest concern.
"This woman is completely crazy ! Does she realize that she can kill me with this kind of attack ? "
Seeing more sea urchins being sent in his direction, Shoto lands on his feet, before creating a wall of flames in order to protect himself. Finding themselves hit by the flames, the sea urchins quickly began to melt, before they had a chance to hit Todoroki. Then deciding to counterattack, the boy covered his arms with ice, which took on the appearance of dragon heads. Then, running at full speed, he rushed towards Esdeath.
Seeing him do it, Esdeath immediately put her hands on the floor and froze it. Immediately, the whole area around her was covered with a layer of ice. However, being used to fighting on this type of ground, Shoto glided with ease on the ice, and even managed to increase his speed.
" Idiot ! Having the same power, you should know that this kind of attack would have no effect on me! It is even the opposite. "
" Oh, but I knew it. " Esdeath assured him.
Creating a sword of ice, she managed to block one of the fists of ice with which Shoto tried to strike her. Seeing his face in front of hers, Esdeath told him.
" I just wanted to help you so that your level is high enough to have fun. "
Immediately, Shoto jumped back and landed on his hands. Then, creating flames around his feet, he spun like a top, and attempted to strike Esdeath.
Blocking his first kick with her sword, Esdeath then positioned her arm in front of her face, to parry the second blow.
Feeling his foot touch her arm, Todoroki let his body turn to electricity. Immediately, the lightning energy spread to his foot, before striking Esdeath.
Moaning in surprise, Esdeath immediately stepped back. Taking advantage of this recoil, Shoto rose to his feet, before creating a sphere of fire in his right hand and a sphere of lightning in his left hand. Immediately he launched his two attacks at Esdeath.
Seeing this, Esdeath created a huge block of ice which she hurled at the double attack.
" WEISSSCHNABEL ! "
Immediately, the impact created the destruction of the three attacks.
" They are of equal strength. " Ibara remarked.
" Not at all. " Tokoyami retorted. " She's just playing with Shoto. "
Creating a second ice sword, Esdeath then rushed towards Todoroki. Seeing her run like this, the boy spun around to create a new spiral of fire, which he hurled at Esdeath.
Seeing the attack, Esdeath transformed her second sword into a shield of ice which she positioned in front of her. Hitting the shield, the flames quickly began to melt its surface. Still, continuing to use her power to permanently solidify her shield, Esdeath managed to run through the flames, before finding himself in front of Shoto.
" I've got you. "
In response, Shoto let his sword move towards his throat. Yet at the last moment, Esdeath saw his weapon get stuck in a wall of ice that had just been created.
" What ? "
" Me too, I can defend myself in the same way as you. " Todoroki assured.
Then, again creating a sphere of lightning in his hand, he threw it at Esdeath and managed to touch her. Being struck by lightning, Esdeath let out a cry of pain as she took a step back. Taking advantage of this, Shoto covered his arm in ice before slapping her violently in the abdomen.
The attack immediately knocked back Esdeath, who let go of her sword. Getting ready to repeat his feat, Shoto nonetheless saw Esdeath open her eyes, before placing her hands on the ground. A new layer of ice appeared, and took on the appearance of several ice pillars that began to surround Shoto.
" What is she doing? "
Jumping on a pillar, Esdeath made himself jump, before bouncing off another pillar. Performing this gesture several times, she found herself jumping in various directions, while Todoroki struggled to make out her. Aiming her arm at him, Esdeath hurled various ice spears.
" GRAUHORN ! "
Immediately, Shoto let himself be covered in flames, which consumed Esdeath's attacks. Retaining that shield of heat, Shoto cried out as he increased the intensity of his flames from second to second.
Stopping, Esdeath smiled, as she saw how hot the temperature was rising.
" Perfect ! This is exactly what I expected from you. "
Jumping towards Todoroki, she surprised the boy by putting her hands on his abdomen.
" WHAT ? "
" ICE DEATH ! "
Immediately, Shoto felt the inside of his body freeze. Esdeath was trying to freeze him alive. Not wanting to let it go, he created more flames around him, and some began to burn Esdeath's arms. A real battle then began between the two fighters, who now used totally opposite powers.
Eventually, a huge cloud of vapor formed around them, preventing spectators from seeing the unfolding of the fight.
" Damn it ! " Giin roared, standing up.
" Esdeath-san ! " Sidra frightened.
Finally, when the cloud of vapor disappeared, everyone saw Shoto, standing, locked in a huge block of ice. In front of him, catching her breath, Esdeath smiled broadly, despite having the skin on her arms completely scorched.
" I did it ! My ice beat the heat of his flames. "
" Impossible. " Cried Ida. " What she managed to do is scientifically impossible. "
" That fool. " Bakugo growled, pretending to rush to Todoroki's aid.
Unfortunately, stepping in front of him, Android 18 retorted.
" I will not let you go, when you called me a bitch. "
" Get off, bitch. "
For her part, looking at the huge block of ice, Esdeath sighed.
" Damn it! It would be much easier if I had the right to kill you! How am I going to do now, to let you fall into the void? "
Finally shrugging her shoulders, she finally left.
" Never mind ! In order not to kill you, I made my ice cream freeze you alive! So you're going to have to stay that way until someone strong enough throws your block into the void! I think it's a goodbye. "
Yet suddenly stopping, Esdeath froze, before turning around. Inside the block of ice, she thought she saw steam surrounding the prisoner's body.
" It's a joke ? "
Always seeming to be able to raise his body temperature, Shoto was melting the ice around him. Then, finally, a flame appeared in his right hand. Then, two seconds later, his whole body was covered in flames.
Immediately, a column of flames erupted from the block of ice, pulverizing it to pieces. And before Esdeath could react, Shoto directed a bolt of lightning at her and managed to strike her down.
The attack was so powerful that Esdeath found himself paralyzed and remained standing, unable to move the slightest bit.
" It takes more to defeat me. " Shoto assured.
Immediately, covering his fist in flames, he ran towards Esdeath. Still, seeming to be able to follow him with her eyes, Esdeath managed to lift two of her fingers up. Immediately, a block of ice formed right in front of Shoto before hitting him hard.
However, managing to keep his feet on the ground, Shoto aimed his fist at the block of ice and managed to destroy it. Then rushing towards Esdeath, he punched her again in the abdomen with a flaming fist.
Still paralyzed, Esdeath couldn't reply, even when Shoto then hit her with a fiery kick.
Finding himself thrown back, Esdeath banged her back against a pillar of ice. However, the hardness of the column prevented it from collapsing. As a result, Esdeath ended up falling to his foot, all the while wincing in pain.
" It is time to end it. " Shoto assured, creating a sphere of fire in his hand.
However, now that the effect of the paralysis was no longer present, Esdeath directed her hand towards him and Shoto saw the ground freezing around his feet. Realizing what Esdeath was planning to do, he jumped up. Nonetheless, Esdeath's ice took on the appearance of a pillar of ice and followed him until it touched Todoroki's legs. Immediately the boy found himself with his entire lower body trapped in the ice pillar.
Seeing him in the wrong position, Esdeath created an ice rider, armed with two swords.
" Attack ! "
Rushing towards the boy, the summons would attack him without the slightest hesitation. Realizing this, Shoto created a sphere of lightning and flame in both hands, before striking the ice pillar that held him prisoner.
Touching each other, his two attacks created an explosion, which pulverized the pillar of ice. Of course, the explosion did some damage to Shoto. Nonetheless, now freed, the boy immediately rushed towards the ice rider, while covering himself in the hottest flames he could create. Then, sliding on the ice to increase its speed, it quickly looked like a huge ball of fire.
Having the bad idea of wanting to hit him, the Ice Rider found himself completely pulverized, when Shoto crashed into him. Seeing him rush towards her, Esdeath created countless ice spears, freezing them to the max. The sharp tips of the weapons were then directed towards Shoto and managed to pierce his flesh, despite the flames. Immediately, Shoto felt his foot slip, while
that he was about to fall, collapsing forward.
" SHOTO ! " His companions frightened.
" It's over for you! The victory is mine. "
Nonetheless, she suddenly saw Shoto hit the ground under his foot, managing to keep his balance.
" What … ? "
Then, like a fiery meteorite, Shoto ran towards her before clenching his fist.
" PLUS ULTRA… METEORE FINAL BANG ! "
At that moment, Esdeath created a shield in front of her. Still, hitting him, Shoto had no trouble pulverizing it, before managing to crash into Esdeath's face. Watching the scene in slow motion, Universe 9 viewers saw Esdeath fly backwards, before bumping into a pillar of ice.
However, compared to the first time, the pillar gave way under the impact and Esdeath's body continued to fly until it fell back into the void.
" IMPOSSIBLE ! "
" YEAAAH ! " The members of universe 12 rejoiced.
Spitting blood then, Shoto felt like his arm was about to break. Nonetheless, wanting to make sure that Esdeath was undone, he saw the woman fall into the void. Unconscious, she seemed oblivious to the situation. Esdeath looked like he was on the verge of being eliminated.
Yet her eyes suddenly flew open. Then positioning her hands towards the void, she created a suspension bridge, the end of which was connected to the floor of the arena. Crashing on her creation, she lay there, noticing that she had just avoided certain defeat. She was out of the arena, but had not fallen into the void. So she was saved.
Seeing this, Rô put a hand on his heart.
" This idiot is going to cause my death ! I almost had a heart attack because of her. "
For his part, seeing that Esdeath was not eliminated, Shôto ran towards her, covering himself again in flames. He knew his body couldn't handle the power of a second attack. But regardless, if he were to collapse from fatigue, he was at least going to make sure Esdeath was no longer a problem for his team. Seeing him coming towards her, Esdeath managed to get to her feet. Then, creating a new ice sword, she cried out.
" This time ... I'm going to be serious. "
" AHHHHHHHHH ! " Shoto shouted, resuming the form of a fireball.
Suddenly, within half a second, Esdeath ran towards him and her sword struck Shoto's burning fist. Then, the two adversaries passed each other before finding themselves one behind the other.
Seeing them stand still, spectators saw Shoto's flames disappear as Esdeath's sword shattered. Fist still outstretched, Shoto remained still. Yet it wasn't fatigue that froze him, but fear and pain. Especially when he saw his arm detach from the rest of his body, to fall to the ground. Then he cried out in pain, feeling a large wound open in his abdomen, causing him to cough up blood.
Finally, he collapsed to the ground, under the dumbfounded eyes of his companions.
" TODOROKI ! "
Barely conscious, the boy felt his eyesight blur. However, he eventually saw the figure of Esdeath just above him. Staring at the warrior, Esdeath still had an icy sword in her hand and was pointing towards the boy's face.
" HEY! Stop ! " Momo cried.
" He is already on the ground. " Ida affirmed.
Ignoring their words, Esdeath quickly directed the tip of his sword between Todoroki's two eyes to pierce his forehead. Yet at the last moment, she stopped. Fixing Todoroki's eyes, she saw no fear.
" You don't beg me? "
" N ... No. " Assured the boy, coughing. " I… I'm not a weakling. "
Hearing it, Esdeath smiled, before making her sword disappear.
" Todoroki Shoto… if I win this tournament, know that I will remember you. "
Kicking the boy hard, she made him fly towards the void, where he disappeared.
" Shoto-san is eliminated. "
Hearing his victory, Esdeath immediately turned to the arena to find a future fighter. Then suddenly she saw Frieza fighting Kirishima.
" Hum ? "
1 = Universe 3 (7): Luffy, Katakuri, Kaido, Kizaru, Teach, Akainu, Shanks, Doflamingo (8)
2 = Universe 7 (9): Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, C-17, C-18, Frieza (6)
3 = Universe 10 (5): Natsu, Erza, Gray, Laxus, Gildarts (5)
4 = Universe 4 (9): Saitama, Boros, Blast, Garou (4)
5 = Universe 6 (7): Hit, Kefla, Saena (3)
6 = Universe 12 (6): Midoriya, Bakugo, Kirishima (3)
6 = Universe 9 (6): Esdeath, Seryu, Mine (3)
8 = Universe 11 (1): Jiren, Top (2)
9 = Universe 2 (3): Eliminated