A.N: Ayyyeee we back! Must say again and many times more, thank you all for the continued support for the series! As per usual, onto the reviews!

God Doesn't Love You: That's correct, All Might isn't disabled just yet, seeing as this takes place ten years before canon, and All Might still gets injured five years from now. So yeah, that specifically isn't going to change, Izuku still becomes the ninth user of OFA.

KevinJRosarioCruz: Pfft, wEll iFyOu doNT liKE iT thEN dOnT ReAd iT stOOpID- nah, I'm just messing with you dude XD. You absolutely do not have to apologize to me, because as far as I'm concerned, you voiced a valid issue regarding the story itself, and it IS still a review voicing said opinions that you have every right to voice. With that being said, I understand where you're coming from with the Sports Festival Arcs in general being rather long and stretched out over many different perspectives, and with new characters being introduced left and right. I introduced these characters with the intention of of showing the much broader array of threats and powers that are a mainstay in the Festival, and I personally find that aspect of it to be unavoidable. However, I also understand where you're coming from with the lack of focus on the main characters (Rumi and Kendo), and for that matter, don't worry about it, because the fights will largely focus upon them and their battles, with a few mentions of the other fights going on. (This doesn't apply to the next chapter, as I'm establish the growth of Shinji as a hero and the potential threat of another character). With that said, I thank you for being entirely honest with me and I only hope for your continued support. Read on my dude!

longnose: Glad to always put out a chapter! Yeah, as funny as a weakness like that is, always found it kiiinda dumb XD

SkeenTheDream: Ahh, gotta love Lando. I feel like they actually did his character fairly well for the most recent movie (as for the rest of it... it's better if I keep my mouth shot :P) As for respect through combat, between Kendo and Tetsu specifically? It's less respect and more 'This guy is dangerous, Imma kill him later' kinda vibe. Indeed, we've got a decent roster of characters now, one that I'm fairly proud of. Thanks for the love dude, hope to keep em coming!

StandUpKeepMovingForward: Hmm, that's a bit tough for me. Tied in first place for me would have to be Johnny and Gyro from part seven. Second place goes to Gappy (part 8 Josuke), but that's subject to go even higher once his story concludes. Third definitely goes to Giorno. Simple character, but full of meaning and badassery.

Anon: Shit! I've been found out! XD This chapter was supposed to be the semi-big reveal of one of my main inspirations for the story in general. Kengan Ashura for me is by far one of the greatest fighting manga/anime that I've ever had the pleasure of reading, especially as someone who loves martial arts and practices it. Obviously, Kendo's more 'protagonist' character is inspired by Ohma Tokita, while there are of course the other inspirations that you've pointed out as well. It's made a bit more prominent in this chapter as well, though I want to give my own twist to things from the Kenganverse placed into Bnha later down the line.

With all that said, let's get back to the show, with ROUND 1!

Rumble, Young Man Rumble!

Chapter 17

Round one: Giant-slayer!

The matchups, as expected, were decided at complete random. Kendo was thankful for Rumi being placed in Block B, while he was in Block A. 'Can't think about that just yet. I got a couple of fights ahead of me before I reach her,' He thought with a grin, his blood already pumping. He needed it to pump, considering his first opponent. 'Yu… she's gotten much more interesting with her attacks. Being able to change her size on the fly is gonna give her options on how hard to hit too. Guess she really took my advice to heart.' He stood up from his bench, crackling his neck and knuckles, hearing thee excitement of the crowd build. He supposed that it was pretty cool that he got to fight first. After all, he needed to fight. This what he'd been waiting for. What he was made for. He suddenly slammed his fist into the wall, the stone cracking and heaving underneath his knuckles. "Time to fucking rumble."

…

Yu breathed in and out, doing her best to calm herself. 'I'll always have the size and mass advantage over him, not to mention range, but…' Her mind flashed back to the Zero-pointer incident, how his strength literally punched its arm off. If that happened to her… 'No! I've gotten stronger since then, I know I have! I don't need saving, because I'm a hero that'll save!' She clenched her fist and walked into the sun, greeted by the cheers of the crowd. "Let's do this!"

…

"…On one side we have one of the youngest to ever be admitted into U.A! The queen of the mountains, ladies and gentlemen, YU TAKEYAMAAAAA!" She strutted confidently in, waving her hands to the crowd as if she expected them to be cheering for her. When her eyes were laid on her opponent however, she froze for a split second.

"On the next side, the boy who's got a way with words (and ladies in the crowd too!), the brawler with tough fists and a soft heart, ladies and gentlemen, KENDOOO RAPPAAAAA!" He didn't cheer or roar with them. He didn't raise his fists, he didn't stomp his feet into the floor. His yellow eyes were focused right on her, his face set in stone. Her lungs, her muscles, everything locked up. She couldn't breath or move, drowning in doubt and fear.

"Yo, Yu." She was snapped out of it for a moment, looking up at him. His smile was low-key, but definitely there. He fished something out of his pocket, her eyebrows going up in surprise. He was holding the tiny golden earring that she gave him all those weeks ago. "Just wanna say again, thank you for this… but I don't want to use luck to fight you, shit like that ain't really something I want to win by, especially against you." He gently placed it on the floor before taking his shirt off, the ladies in the crowd going wild, and for good reason. Kendo's body was unquestionably powerful. Months of training to fight had given him terrifying muscles that were both rock solid when tensed, yet perfectly malleable for more fluid motions, proudly pronounced in his chiselled pectorals and abdominals, covered in sweat from his warmup. Whenever he moved, it seemed as if he had steel fibres for muscle rather than anything fleshy, his back and shoulders showing by the most incredible definition, rippling with power. Finally, his thick and thin scars that littered his body attained from the previous event only added to his image: a warrior. The warrior God, the Ashura.

Regardless, he carefully bundled the earring into the cloth and placed it out of the ring, his usual grin on his face. "Now that I'm ready, lemme ask you this, Yu Takeyama. You wanna fight, too?" The question was a simple one. Perhaps because is was simple, or possibly because of the nature of the question, she felt her heart go calm. She smiled brightly, fiercely to match up own as she deepened her stance, her arms out at her sides.

"Yeah, let's fight Kendo!"

"Seems like both of you are ready enough!" Midnight laughed as she raised her nine-tails. "BEGIN!"

Contrary to everyone's initial thoughts, it was Yu who made the first move. She immediately increased her size, standing roughly nine feet tall as she rushed right at him with shocking speed, her much longer legs covering the distance quickly. If there was ever a single weakness to Kendo's fighting-style, it was definitely his lack of a solid guard, and it was a weakness she'd use to her fullest.

"Canyon Cutter!" She twisted her hips as soon as she was in range, her hand stiffened in the shape of a knife as it cut through the air on a horizontal chop. With her superior weight and momentum, she cut right past his guard, her hand chopping right into the side of his face and sending him reeling. She followed up with stiff, heavy punches, mixing in her own chops with both hands. It was enough to drive Kendo backwards right at the start of the match, the shocked crowd roaring their approval. When he did appear to time her movement, he backstepped to let a right chop barely brush his nose before she dashed back in, right fist primed to fire.

Again, it was Yu who came out with the advantage, stepping in even faster to slam the crook of her elbow into his neck, his legs whipping out from under him as his back hit the floor. She tried to end it quickly with a fast stomp to the chest, only to find that he had already rolled out of the way, springing to his feet. Still, Yu didn't let up, lashing her foot out in a powerful stomp-kick that crashed into his chest, the force sending him rolling head over heels for several meters. Even so, he rolled to his feet quickly, grinning. He saw her movements now, his body twisting to deliver a powerful right chop. 'Sharp, compact, and fast!'

"UURAA!" He stepped in with her chop, twisting his own body with a tight left hook that smashed into her hand, blowing away and leaving her off balance. Again he stepped in even closer, twisting his hips hard as he threw an overhand right directly into her gut.

*BANG*

Like a sledgehammer, she felt all the air slammed out of her lungs as she was lifted off her feet, landing on the seat of her pants and rolling over, scrambling to her feet. 'Holy crap, it's like a point-blank shotgun!'

"I finally figured it out!" Kendo laughed good-naturedly. "The chops, the stomps, that lariat to my damn neck… your style is Pro-Wrestling! I should've figured from your costume-style too!" For the first time in a long while, Yu could drop her hoity-toity act, a cackling laugh echoing from her.

"You figured me out, huh? Not bad Kendo!" She said with a clap, though she grinned and went right back to her stance. "One punch won't be enough to put down someone trained like a pro-wrestler though, so give me all you've got!"

"Guess so," He chuckled, rolling his shoulder, "You've got some bitchin' defence. I'll turn up the heat!" There was a whip-like snapping sound, and suddenly he closed the distance far faster than someone his size should have. While pro-wrestlers weren't allowed to put up a guard like a boxer, nobody could deny their resilience, regardless of a Quirk. So Yu grit her teeth, widened her arms and clenched her abs and teeth as hard has she could. The first right-hook felt like it would blast a chunk clean out of her side, the second making her ribs groan. She tucked her chin down and tensed her neck, taking his punch right on the cheek, enough to make her vision flash. Still, it was working. Her increased bone-structure and weight allowed her to take the normally crippling blows, and she was no stranger to pain. So, she grinned wide and slowly, bit by bit, stepped forward through the combination of strikes.

"YU LOOKS LIKE SHE'S TAKING A BEATING, BUT SOMEHOW THIS GUTSY GIRL IS WALKING RIGHT FORWARD LIKE THOSE DYNAMITE PUNCHES ARE FLIES!" Present Mic screeched. She lunged and made to wrap him up in a grab, though he back-stepped and clocked her hunched head with a right hook, one that seemingly sent her stumbling backwards. It seemed like he saw his chance and he stepped in, rocking her with vicious jab-cross combinations, occasionally dodging her much more sluggish grab-attempt to counter. One massive left-hook blasted her jaw into the sky, her body seeming to suddenly fall limp. 'End it!'

Kendo grunted as he felt that coiling feeling in his shoulder and fired off his right-cross, tearing through the air and towards her face. Out of nowhere, his punch hit nothing but air: Yu had shrunk down to her regular size, letting his attack brush past her head before she nimbly stepped behind him, transforming back into her nine-foot state. "Don't forget, Pro-wrestlers are amazing actors too, and I'm the best!" He felt her large arms wrap around his arms and torso, her body going tense.

"Ah shit," He sighed.

"GRAND SUPLEX!" She roared, yanking him into the air and whipping him right onto his neck with an almost sickening *BANG*, the ground cracking under the impact. "One more time!" From her curved and awkward position, she again showed surprising flexibility, springing off of her toes to end up crouching behind him, her hold on him even tighter. She increased her size even more, fifteen feet in height before she curved her spin backwards, suddenly returning to her regular size as they dropped like a stone. "GRAND CANYON SUPLEX!"

*BOOM*

Kendo's head crashed into the floor like a meteor, and Rumi saw it as soon as the dust cleared: his eyes were completely glazed over, his expression flat. "Holy shit, he's out on his feet," She breathed, her heart leaping into her throat.

"Time to finish it!" Yu shouted, returning to her nine-foot state and easily picking him up in a sort of fireman's carry, his chest facing the air as she propped him up on the back of her neck and shoulders. Her hands gripped his throat and thigh before she yelled, "OLYMPUS SPINE-BREAKER!" Bit by bit applying more and more pressure as she pulled down. Rumi started to panic as his body went completely limp, Midnight watching closely as her hand slowly went to grab her whip. And just as it seemed like she was about to call off the match…

"Okay. You pass, Yu Takeyama."

*THOOM-THOOM*

It was like someone had struck a giant drum, and his body suddenly jerked in her grip, violently. She hesitated, surprised that he was still even able to move, and she yelped as she felt his body's temperature suddenly spike. There was a sharp pain in her hand as she quickly broke free and launched himself off her shoulders, landing a few meters away from her.

"What… what the hell did you do…?" She said with a wince, looking at her right hand. Her ring and little finger were broken, bent all the way to touch the back of her hand. She looked up, a sense of danger unlike anything else that she felt before.

*THOOM-THOOM*

He grunted as he twisted out his spine, ominous *pop-pop-pop* sounds echoing through the silent arena. His skin gained a familiar pinkish tint, steam flying off of his body and his veins looking like they were going to burst from his skin. Blood flowed freely from the multiple cuts and reopened wounds. His hair looked like it was writhing through the air on its own, and as he looked up, a bloody, savage, animalistic grin split his face, his yellow eyes squirming with blood-vessels.

*THOOM-THOOM*

"What did I do…?" He cracked his neck out, idly rolling his shoulders as his body relaxed. "I told you, Yu Takeyama, you passed. You're strong, and you don't need saving. So… you deserve this. I'll take out a loan… I'll borrow power…" Steam flew off of him even faster, more erratically as is blood hit the floor.

*THOOM-THOOM*

"If I wanna beat you, I'll borrow power in 'ADVANCE'!"

Realistically, she should've been terrified. Sure, she felt threatened, she felt like she was in danger, but hearing those honest words, hearing the crowd explode with the roaring cheers at the turnaround… she couldn't find it in herself to be scared, or even nervous. She raised both hands in the air, roaring right back. "COME AT ME!"

He did just that. Subconsciously, she grew even larger, her hand chopping straight down with even greater stone-crushing force. It meant nothing against Kendo now. He snarled as he swung his fist straight up, knuckles crashing into her hand with a deafening *CRACK* as every bone in her hand shattered like glass. Still, she couldn't stop smiling. She launched a knee in his general direction, catching him right in the chest. Blood spewed from his mouth and nose, but he didn't budge an inch, grabbing her leg and bodily throwing her over his head like a ragdoll. She sailed through the air and fell flat on her face, but she still had enough sense to tuck her body and roll to her feet. Her broken hand screamed at her, but she ignored it easily, sprinting right at him as she threw her left arm out in a winging lariat, ready to clothesline him.

Again, ineffective. His speed let him blur right past it without her ever able to swing in time, snarling as his right fist smashed right into her windpipe. It was her who was send flying through the air again, her body stiff. This kind of pain was new to her. She knew that if he had been any more accurate, he would've cut her breathing off and the fight would been over. 'But is isn't over, not yet…' Her mind was clear. She roared hoarsely as she transformed mid-air, immediately turning fifteen meters tall to let her feet touch the floor. Not her maximum height, but perfect for the final move the wanted to pull. She clenched her right fist and raised it high.

"THIS IS IT! EVEREST SMASH!"

Her fist descended like a meteor, the potential impact more than enough to shatter the floor and send anyone in it flying out of the arena. Yet, just before it made impact, Kendo roared as he jumped straight up, the giant fist barely clipping his cocked-back left arm as he shot through the air. For a split second, everything seemed to slow down as they stared into each other's eyes. Though he seemed gone with madness, not even Yu could ignore the joy and respect that lingered deep in his eyes. She was proud of herself now, regardless of the outcome.

"RISING WRATH!"

*BOOM*

His left-straight exploded into her jaw, and despite her immense size, the force of the blow launched her off of her feet, her eyes rolling into her head as her body limply crashed to the floor. Dust and small bits of debris flew into the air as her head just about touched the outside of the ring… though, it didn't matter, considering she was completely unconscious. Kendo landed smoothly on the floor, his body returning to normal at the same time as Yu's. He breathed in deeply and evenly from the exertion for a moment before grinning.

"You're strong Yu. Ain't no doubt about that…" he said as he wiped blood away from his mouth. He turned around, hands in his pockets as the crowd burst into cheers.

"Winner by Knockout and Ringout: KENDO RAPPA!" Midnight announced.

"I got a promise to keep though. We'll fight again, I'm damn sure of it!" He idly raised a fist for the rest of the crowd, his shirt and earring in his other hand as he quietly made his way back to the competitors changing-room.

…

Shinji was… calm. He heard the announcement of Kendo winning, which he supposed was no surprise there. Still, he saw the valiant effort that Yu put up in the television, able to make Kendo himself back up, no easy feat. It was mesmerising, being able to watch her match him blow for blow, and he guessed it made him feel at peace. He had to be, considering that he was up next and that his opponent Tetsude was a powerhouse in his own right.

"Oh, yo Shinji!" He turned to see Kendo walking in, casually shirtless. "You're up next right?"

"That is correct," He said with a small nod. "I feel surprisingly calm. I understand that Tetsude is my superior in raw power, yet it feels like it doesn't matter anymore."

"Haha, that's good! It's good to be in the zone before a fight," Kendo said with a pat to the back. He suddenly turned much more serious. "Still though, don't get complacent. Remember, Tetsude's got something up his sleeve, and he's way more dangerous than he was before."

"I understand that," Shinji replied, "I just… feel like I can genuinely win if I put my best foot forward. Today, I won't do anything less." Kendo grinned, happy that his friend's heart was steady.

"Alright then! Still got a couple of minutes before your match starts anyway. You'd best warm up, can't go into a fight with a cold body."

"That is… true…" Shinji trailed off as he stared at Kendo.

"What, somethin' on my face?" Kendo laughed.

"K-Kendo… are you supposed to be bleeding that much?!" Confused, Kendo instinctively looked down, flinching in shock. Blood was literally pouring from his nose and mouth, and a wave of nausea blasted through his body like a shockwave. For the sake of his friend standing right in front of him, he tensed his legs to stay standing, wiping away as much of it as he could.

"Damn, Yu hit that hard huh?" He laughed, doing his best to continuously wipe it away. "Well shit, looks like I'm getting hit over the head by Recovery Girl huh?"

"I'd rather that than you bleeding out in front of me!" Shinji said, slightly panicked. "What are you standing around here for!? Go to her quickly!"

"Yeah-yeah, whatever," Kendo laughed as he turned to walk out. "Kick ass out there Shinji!"

"…I will," He sighed.

Kendo calmly and steadily walked around the corner, idly making his way to the closest bathroom. Again, he calmly and smoothly went to the nearest stall, closing the door behind him and staring at the toilet for a moment. One second later, he promptly and violently vomited at least a pint of blood, red staining the white porcelain and parts of the floor. He heaved for breath as soon as the sensation passed, his head still swimming as he knelt in front of the toilet. "Guugh… fuck… what the fuck…?" He gasped. His entire body felt similar to the time he was recovering from the Zero-Pointer incident, minus the muscle-tears and broken bones. It wasn't as bad, but god he felt horrible, like someone tried to wring out all of his blood-vessels.

"Fuck… this is just like then…" He grunted, wiping away the blood from his mouth. "The Advance… that shit is going to kill me! I can't keep relying on borrowed power like that…" He shakily stood up, intent on making his way over to Recovery Girl. "…I hope I can make it in time…!"

(To Be Continued…)

A.N: Yu Takeyama's character design and super-moves remind me largely about pro-wrestling, with the drop-kicks, headbutts and so-on. As such, that's the main inspiration for her fighting style, her usage stemming from (at least in my version) her favourite Pro-wrestler of all time, back before quirks were a thing. Not to mention, Kendo's rage-mode finally gets an actual name! As the name suggests, the Advance allows him to metaphorically borrow power against opponents he feels he needs an edge over, or to rapidly overpower a weaker opponent. How does it relate to his Quirk, and how does it actually work? Well, those of who who may know where the technique is from have a pretty good idea. For everyone else though, all will be revealed in due time ;D.

Hope you all enjoyed this fight, it was fun as hell to write! Next time, get ready, because we get Shinji vs. Tetsu, and that is going to surprise you for sure!